New Solutions to Remedy Lost Circulation, Crossflows, and Underground Blowouts

Abstract

Abstract Costly lost circulation, crossflows, and underground blowouts result in mud losses, wasted rig time, often ineffective remediation materials and techniques, and sometimes lost holes, sidetracks, abandoned wells, relief wells, and lost petroleum reserves. In early 1996, a service company initiated a project to review conventional remediation materials and methods, search for more effective remedies, and field-test new solutions. The project has led to the development of several novel lost-circulation material squeeze systems (LCMSS). These LCM squeeze systems were applied in wells after conventional materials/ methods failed, and they successfully cured lost circulation, increased the integrity and frac gradient (FMW) of weak zones (formations with low mechanical strength), sealed high-pressure water and gas zones, safely allowed deeper drilling, and stopped underground blowouts. Data from these field tests show encouraging trends and prospects not only to save costs associated with drilling trouble, but also to reduce normal exploration and production costs for casing, liners, drilling/completion fluids, rig time, poor primary cementation, remedial cementing, and water production.