Lost Circulation

Objectives
At the end of this module, you will be able to
Explain lost circulation
Explain lost circulation consequences

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Classify the types of lost circulation
Explain critical parameter in lost circulation
Identify Lost circulation solutions
Explain Lost Circulation Advisor
Losses
The total or partial loss of drilling / completion
fluid or cement to highly permeable zones

Loss of a highly complex balance between

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pore pressure, the hydrostatic/dynamic head
and the frac/parting pressure
Lost Circulation A Costly Problem
Time consuming
Lost time due to slow drilling progress
Poor cuttings removal (stuck pipe)
Additional casing strings

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Missing the target
Damage to payzone resulting in skin
Poor zonal isolation due to cement losses
Dangerous operation
Kick/Blow out due to imbalance in the well
Loss of well
Loss Circulation in Different Operations

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Loss Mechanisms

Lost Circulation

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Natural Losses Induced Losses

Natural Induced Fractures

High Perm Cavernous Fractures

8
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Preventive Measures
Minimize hydrostatic pressure
Drill with air, foam, or aerated mud
Optimize mud properties
Maximize BHA clearance,
Minimize swab and surge
pressures
Control the drilling rate
Optimize solids control equipment
Determine the proper casing
strings and casing points
Blind drilling ( mud cap or water)
Avoid the spudding of bridges
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Use inhibitive muds
Pretreat the system
Compile and maintain a database.
Identifying the Loss Zone
Occurs during drilling or is accompanied by a notable change in rotary torque,
most likely on bottom. Indicates possible change in the formation such as a
natural fracture, pore, vug, or cavern
Happens while tripping in (including casing), wiping, or changing mud

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properties, most likely between bit or shoe depth and hole bottom. Indicates
induced fracture, which can occur at any portion of the well.
Repeat occurrence, previous loss zone reopened.

Losses after an overpressured kick, above bottom.

Logs can identify actual loss zone (temperature,spinner,tracer,GR)

Critical Parameters for Treatment Design
Severity of the losses Type of the Zone of Losses
Seepage < 10 bbl / hr Highly permeable and/or unconsolidated
Partial 10 - 50 bbl / hr formation
Severe 50 - 500 bbl / hr Cavernous or vugular formation

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Total no returns Natural fractures and fissures
Induced fractures

Depth of the Losses

at the bit
below next casing shoe
spread over OH section
Critical Parameters for Treatment Design (contd.)
Formation damage Gel strength
With formation damage, acid or water- low enough to allow proper penetration if
soluble solutions should be used in required
reservoirs strong enough to seal and withstand

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Interference of logging differential pressures
With its high potassium content, mica can Rig time
interfere with certain wireline logs as short as possible
Durability Compressive strength
temporary for short drilling or workover sufficient to provide a positive seal
periods
permanent for long-term operations
LCM Classification
Granular
- Kolite (D042), Gilsonite,Calcium Carbonate.

Lamellar/Flakes

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- Cellophane flakes(D029), Polyester Flakes(D130), Mica
Fibrous
- Sawdust, Bark, CemNET* etc.
Loss Circulation Solutions
While Drilling and Pre-Cementing
Problem Hole Mud Solution When or
Section type
High perm/fissures All All D097 Losseal* W/O in a pill or mud < 40 bph < 1 mm
and micro fractures FW

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Natural Fractures Non- WBM D199 Losseal* W in a pill or mud with > 40 bph 1 to 5 mm
Reservoir optimized solids FW
Caverns and All All ZONELOCK* S / ZONELOCK* SC Severe to Total -
vugulars
All All All PERMABLOK* Severe to Total -
InstanSeal / InstanSeal Cement Severe to Total -
Gunk Plug When requested -
by customer
Cement Plugs (With CemNET*/ Cellophane When requested -
Flakes/ Polyester Flake / KOLITE / RFC) by customer
Loss Circulation Solutions (contd.)
While Cementing, in the Spacer
Problem Hole Mud Solution When Or
Section type
All All All D199 Losseal* W > 40 bph 1 to 5 mm

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FW
D097 Losseal* W/O < 40 bph < 1 mm FW

While Cementing, in the Cement

Problem Hole Mud Solution When Or
Section type
All All All D095 / D096 CemNET* When losses are -
LiteCRETE* expected
Ultra LiteCRETE*
LCM Classification

Sealing at the face Sealing within

of the formation the formation

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CemNET* (D095/ D096)
Advanced fibers mixed with cement to seal lost circulation
Not recommended to treat losses while drilling by adding to drilling fluids.
Engineered to an optimal size

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Inert
No effect on Thickening Time
No effect on compressive strength development
Compatible with all cementing additives
Extremely effective with CemCRETE* systems
Better plugging effect due to PSD
Lower rheology
CemNET*
Applications
Preventing losses into fractures, fissures, vugular formations or high perm
zones while cementing.
Preventing cement fall back after placement.

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Providing a fibrous-net substrate to promote cement filter cake development.
Can be added to cement slurries for primary cementing or lost circulation
plugs.
Mixing
No dry blending
Fibers are post added to the slurry- either batch or continuous mixing in the
tub
CemNET*
Chemical Material SG Temperature Max conc. in Max conc. in
Code ( deg C) conventional CemCRETE*
slurries (lb/bbl) slurries (lb/bbl)
D095 (J501) Fibrous Glass 2.55 150 2.5 - 2.8* 2.1 - 2.5*
D096 (J502) Fibrous Synthetic 1.27 232 2.1* 2.1*

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Polymer
*yard test is recommended before executing the job to avoid plugging of the pumping equipment
Above concentrations are given in batch mixing mode.
Additives
J501, J502 if available can be used however, use only D095 and D096
labeled sacks
Software can be downloaded to print D095 & D096 labels
http://wwwdsesgl.sugar-land.dowell.slb.com/Labels_International/Lbls_Setup.html
Mechanism
Dry fibers are bound together
Easy to handle and add to cement

No fiber lumps in mixing fluid

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Well dispersed fibers once agitated
High plugging efficiency
Water wetting effect by the surfactant

Fibrous network across loss zones

Mechanism

Fibrous network across lost circulation zones

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Circulation
Cellophane Flake (D029)
Laminated-type, lost-circulation additive of a controlled size
Should be dry-blended into the cement at the bulk plant.
Chemically inert- no appreciable effect on TT and CS
Maximum concentration - 0.5 lbm/sk (mixing problems could result

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above this)
Small quantities provide a large surface area for sealing off fractured
and porous areas.
Compatible with all commonly-used cement formulations.
Polyester Flake (D130)
Laminated-type, lost-circulation additive of a controlled size
Should be dry-blended into the cement at the bulk plant.
Chemically inert- no appreciable effect on TT and CS
Maximum concentration - 0.5 lbm/sk (mixing problems could result

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above this)
Small quantities provide a large surface area for sealing off fractured
and porous areas.
Compatible with all commonly-used cement formulations
Similar to Cellophane Flake D029 but superior as it has a higher
specific gravity and does not float out of the cement slurry when batch
mixing
KOLITE (D042)
Loss circulation material as well as extender
Angular shape of particles provides good bridging action at the face of
the wellbore or within the formation
effectiveness is due to the particle-size distribution which allows coarse

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and medium size particles to bridge. This forms a network that the finer
particles of D042 and cement can seal.
Lower slurry weight also helps lost circulation control because the
hydrostatic pressure is reduced.
Why is CemNET in mud not as efficient?
Fluid Type SVF
LiteCRETE 55%
Regular 16.4 ppg Cement slurry 44%

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Regular 15.8ppg Cement slurry 40%
Water extended 13 ppg slurry 26%
13 ppg WBM 17%
10 ppg WBM 6%
9 ppg WBM Low SVF 2%
Losseal* WO (D097)
Fiber/Solid technology system for drilling fluids/ spacers
(low SVF water or oil based fluids)
Applicable for loss severity <40 bph
Inert Optimized ratio of

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CemNET* Fiber
Mica flakes
Can be used through drill bits, qualified BHAs and float shoes with
opening > 8 mm
Base fluid (drilling fluid / cement spacer) should have Bingham model
yield point of at least 10 lbf/100ft2 - 15 lbf/100ft2
Typical % SVF for various fluid systems
The Solution:
Concentration-
5 to 15 lbm/bbl depending on the SVF and the particle size of the
weighting agent in the base fluid
yard test to simulate the restriction in surface screens, mud motors,

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LWD, BHA screens, downhole tool or annular restrictions should be
performed
Pill volume
Previous experience or 1.5 times open hole volume of loss zone
Minimum 20 bbls, recommended 40 bbls
Depending on severity of losses, treatment might have to be repeated
Losseal WO Concentration

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Dispersion in Non-Aqueous Fluid (OBM/SBM)

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Losseal* W (D199)
Dual Fiber/Solid technology for losses to natural fractures
Maximum fracture width 5 mm
Not designed for induced losses
Can be used in spacer ahead of cementing or in a spotting pill during

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drilling
Can be used through drill bits, qualified BHAs, float shoes
Can not be pumped through D&M PowerDrive due to the risk of
plugging the screen in the bias unit
Losseal* W (D199)
Composition
Viscosifier ( D182+D020) Fiber type Material Weight (%) Color

Blend of two fibers Stiff fiber Nylon 90 Black

Flexible fiber Polypropylene 10 White
Solid package( SVF > 25-40 %)

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The base fluid (no solids and fibers) must have a Bingham yield point
between 10 lbf/100ft2 and 15 lbf/100ft2
The pill must be designed with LCCA - Loss Circulation Control Advisor
Pill volume ( minimum 50 bbl)
Open hole volume capacity plus 50 % excess to anticipate the lack of information
about loss zone.
Add 20 bbl to anticipate fluid loss during squeeze.
Add some volume to anticipate contamination and temperature uncertainty
Mechanism
Four-step plugging mechanism
Disperse - Fibers disperse easily in WB fluids
Bridge - Stiff fibers form a strong bridge
Plug - Optimized solid package with LCCA

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Sustain - Flexible fibers allows resistance to erosion

Refer to CMM Section14 for detailed placement procedure

BDO & BDOC (Gunk Plug)
Mixture of bentonite, diesel oil ( also cement for BDOC)
Makes contact with WBM downhole to make gel
Pumped through drillstring with mud through annulus

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BDO preferred for partial losses and BDOC for total loss
Similar concepts:
PDOC ( Plaster-Diesel Oil-Cement) - Plaster mixed with the cement
to gel quick gelation
SOS (Slurry Oil Squeeze) - Cement slurry prepared in oil without
any bentonite
Polymer Plug Bentonite and synthetic polymer mixed in oil
ZONELOCK* S & ZONELOCK* SC
ZONELOCK S* (D813) (specialized Silicate solution)
Forms rapid semi rigid gel mechanism on contact with heavy Ca/Na brines
Soft Plug lost circulation treatment that can be spotted through any BHA
Silicate solution must NOT contact any chlorides until exit from stinger/BHA

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Applied for small fissure losses or brine flow problems

ZONELOCK SC*(D814) ( ZONELOCK S* followed by cement slurry)

Silicate pill rapidly dehydrates cement slurry upon contact creating flash set
Hard Plug lost circulation treatment that cannot be pumped through BHA
Applied for severe losses
PERMABLOK*
Problems during drilling or prior to cementing; for permanently or in
some cases temporarily plugging zones, and for consolidating weak
formations.
Temperature activated system based on downhole mixing

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Main Additives are:
D140 Low Temperature Hardener/ D141 ( High temp hardener)
D075 Sodium Silicate
S001 Calcium Chloride
Max BHCT 130 deg C
Working time for the gel depends on volume, BHT, rate of pumping
PERMABLOK*
Applications:
Lost circulation during drilling
Expected losses during cementing

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Permanent plugging/squeezing of zones
Zone consolidation
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PERMABLOK*
InstanSeal* (D963)
A lost circulation treatment that consists of a shear activated gel.
Applicable for heavy mud losses
Gel mechanism is triggered by pressure drop (>350 psi) during

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placement through bit nozzles. Shear breaks the emulsion and allows
the cross-linker to pass from the oil phase to the water phase. In a few
min, a crosslinked polymer gel structure of very high strength forms.
Additives are:
Base Oil and water
D172 Emulsifier, D171 Buffer, D170 Viscosifier P = 35 bar

D020 Bentonite Water Phase containing high

concentration of polymer
Oil phase
Cross-linker particle
InstanSeal* Cement (D967)
InstanSeal + cement
Internal phase water with high polymer concentration,
Continuous phase - oil with polymer cross linker and cement

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Additives are:
Base Oil and water
D172 Emulsifier, D171 Buffer, D170 Viscosifier
D020 Bentonite
Cement
Regulated Fill-Up Cement (RFC*)
RFC* slurries are highly thixotropic, forming a rigid gel shortly after
slurry movement has stopped
RFC* is a mixture of Portland cement and plaster

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D053 Solid additive
Expansion of cement while setting
Poor performance with low C3A content cements
D111 Liquid additive
No expansion on setting
Can be used with all Portland cements
Lightweight Cement Systems
LightweightCement Systems
Extended Systems Bentonite, silicates
Lightweight Cements - TXI

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Foamed Cement Slurries

CemCRETE* slurries

These can be combined with fibrous material like CemNET

PROTECTOZONE*
Temporary, rigid aqueous gel systems used as zone-shielding
agents
Plugging Agent to appropriate volumes of fresh water or prepared
sodium chloride (NaCl) brine. (Oilfield brine should not be used.)

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A water-soluble catalyst is added for control of setting times.
Specific breakdown times are obtained by using a breaker.
Breakdown times of one day to three weeks can be obtained
Originally not designed for loss circulation but successful in cases
where non damaging temporary solution is required