LOST CIRCULATION
Geothermal reser voi r has a l ower pressure than normal
hydrostati c pressure of water col umn i n any depth of the reser voi r
It al so has fracture zone wi th hi gh permeabi l i ty causes l ost
ci rcul ati on as mai n probl em here.
INTRODUCTION
2
DEFINITION
3
Loss of dri l l i ng fl ui d from the borehol e through cracks, crevi ces, or
porous formati ons
When ci rcul ati on i s l ost, the dri l l i ng fl ui d i s not per formi ng one of
i ts maj or functi ons, that of transpor ti ng the cutti ngs up the hol e
where they can be rel eased i n the mud tank or pi t.
100 gpm
70 gpm
50 gpm
30 gpm
7
0
0
g
p
m
450 gpm
Partial Losses
TYPE
4
Total Losses
7
0
0
g
p
m
0 gpm
Par ti al Losses means there i s a mud return to sur face, even the rate
i s decreasi ng
Total Losses means there i s no mud return to sur face
PROBLEM
5
Stuck Pipe
Formation
Damage
No Cutting
sample for
Geologist
Sidetracking Fishing
Low
Deliverability
Lost Circulation Problem
Use nearby wel l l ogs and geol ogic i nformation, and carefully
pl an the hol e and the casi ng program.
Treat the wel l bore gentl y :
raise and lower drill strings and casing slowly
Do not spud or swab
Start fluid pumps at slow rates and increase slowly
Maintain fluid velocity in the annulus at the lowest rate to assure
cuttings removal
Do not drill so fast as to overload the annulus with cuttings.
Make frequent measurements of mud properties to maintain minimum
weight, viscosity, and filtration.
SOLUTION
