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Introduction
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❖ Lost circulation:
• Refers to the unintended loss of drilling fluids into fractures or permeable formations during
drilling operations. This disruption of the drilling process can lead to challenges such as
increased operational costs, delays, and wellbore instability.
❖ Impact of lost circulation :
• Is far-reaching, affecting not just the well’s
productivity but also the surrounding
environment. Without immediate
intervention, it can exacerbate the risk of
blowouts, contaminating the formation and
Lost circulation
wasting valuable drilling resources.
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Lost Circulation Mechanism
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❖ Natural fractures and geological formations:
• Such as faults, porous zones, and cavernous structures are common pathways for drilling
fluid loss. These subsurface features are naturally occurring and can be challenging to predict
or prevent, making them a significant risk factor for lost circulation.
❖ Induced fractures:
• Occur when drilling pressures exceed the formation’s
fracture pressure, often due to poor pressure
management or aggressive drilling techniques. These
fractures allow drilling fluids to escape, further
complicating the drilling process and increasing
operational risks.
Lost circulation
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Lost Circulation Causes
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❖ Excessive mud weight:
• It stresses the formation, causing it to fracture. This typically results from inaccurate
formation pressure estimates or excessive mud density. These actions put unnecessary strain
on the formation, making it more susceptible to fluid loss.
❖ Weak formations:
• Present additional risks for fluid
loss. These formations have low
internal pressure, which makes
them more vulnerable to
fracturing and fluid loss.
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Lost Circulation Effects
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1. Formation instability
✓ Is one of the most immediate consequences of lost circulation, as it leads to a reduction in
bottom-hole pressure, increasing the likelihood of wellbore collapse, blowouts, or formation
kicks. These risks can endanger the safety of the crew and cause extensive environmental
damage.
2. Economic consequences
✓ Include operational delays, higher material
costs, and increased equipment usage. These
delays add to the overall cost of drilling and
reduce the productivity of the well, lowering
the expected return on investment.
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Lost Circulation Indications
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1. Mud pit level drops and reduced return flow
✓ These immediate indicators highlight the need for rapid assessment and response to prevent
further escalation of the issue. A drop in mud volume can also result from the formation
absorbing the drilling fluid, signaling potential lost circulation.
2. Changes in drilling parameters
✓ These operational anomalies indicate that the
formation may be absorbing fluids or that
fractures are developing, which could lead to
further complications if not addressed
promptly.
Mud pit level drops
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Diagnostic Techniques
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❖ Formation Integrity Tests (FIT) and Leak-Off Tests (LOT)
✓ Are essential diagnostic methods used to determine the formation’s ability to withstand
pressure. By understanding the pressure limits, operators can identify potential zones
susceptible to lost circulation and adjust drilling parameters accordingly to minimize risks.
Formation Integrity Test
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❖ Pressure While Drilling (PWD) tools
✓ Are used to measure downhole pressure in real-time, providing continuous data on well
conditions. These tools help detect fluctuations in pressure that could indicate lost
circulation and enable precise intervention to correct the issue, preventing further
complications.
Pressure While Drilling (PWD) tool
Preventive Measures
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1. Optimal mud weight and circulation rates
• Are essential for maintaining formation pressure equilibrium. Properly balancing mud
weight with formation pressure ensures that the formation is not overstressed, preventing
induced fractures and fluid loss.
2. Wellbore strengthening techniques
• Help reduce the risk of fluid loss by stabilizing weak formations and sealing fractures.
Specialized materials such as cement, polymers, and sealants can be used to reinforce well
integrity. Preventive Measure Description Benefits
Maintain mud weight within
Reduces fluid loss risk and
Optimal Mud Weight formation limits to prevent
maintains formation stability.
induced fractures.
Adjust circulation rates to Prevents excessive stress on
Circulation Rates Management
match formation properties. the wellbore.
Use specialized materials to
Enhances resistance to
Wellbore Strengthening seal fractures and stabilize
pressure-induced damage.
weak zones.
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Lost Circulation Materials
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1. Fibrous materials such as cedar fibers are used to temporarily seal fractures and porous
zones. These materials are designed to form a plug that restores fluid circulation by filling
in gaps in the formation. Fibers are typically used in smaller fractures or highly porous
formations.
2. Granular and flaky materials like marble and mica are used for larger fractures and more
porous formations. These materials are effective at blocking fluid loss pathways by
physically filling spaces in the formation.
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Managed Pressure Drilling
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❖ Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD):
✓ Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) allows for precise control of the annular pressure
profile, maintaining the wellbore pressure within safe limits and preventing kicks, losses,
and instability.
✓ MPD can be used to adapt to narrow
pressure windows, preventing fluid loss by
ensuring the pressure exerted on the
formation does not exceed its fracture
pressure. This process is ideal for drilling in
complex formations with varying pressures.
Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD)
Cementing Solutions
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❖ Cement plugs:
✓ Are a permanent solution for sealing
loss zones. These plugs are placed in
the wellbore to block fluid loss
pathways and restore wellbore
integrity.
✓ Proper cementing technique, including
accurate placement and sufficient
curing time, is critical to ensure that
the plugs are effective.
Cement plugs Placement
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Environmental and Safety
Considerations
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❖ Environmental and Safety Considerations:
✓ Uncontrolled lost circulation poses significant environmental risks, including
contamination of groundwater aquifers and subsurface formations with drilling fluids or
additives.
✓ Effective containment measures, such as proper surface management systems and
environmentally friendly LCMs, can reduce ecological impacts.
✓ On-site safety is enhanced by implementing robust monitoring systems, ensuring
personnel are trained to handle lost circulation events promptly and effectively.
✓ Regulatory compliance and proactive communication with stakeholders are vital to
maintaining safety and minimizing environmental concerns.
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