LOST CIRCULATION

HOLE PROBLEMS

LOST CIRCULATION Measurable loss of whole mud (liquid phase and solid phase) to the formation.
Lost circulation can occur at any depth during any operation

ADVERSE EFFECTS ON DRILLING OPERATIONS

SURFACE HOLE INTERMEDIATE HOLE PRODUCTION HOLE
Loss of drive /conductor Loss of fluid level monitoring Loss of fluid level monitoring
shoe . .
. Loss of formation evaluation Loss of formation evaluation
Hole cleaning problems . .
. Hole cleaning problems Hole cleaning problems
Hole bridge /collapse . ..
. Hole bridge /collapse Hole bridge /collapse
Stuck pipe . .
. Extended wellbore exposure time Extended wellbore exposure time
Well control event . .
. Stuck pipe Stuck pipe
Loss of well . .
Well control event Well control event
. ..
Under ground blowout Underground blowout
. ..
Additional casing string Additional casing string
.
Production zone damage

LOST CIRCULATION MECHANISMS

PRESSURE INDUCED Wellbore pressure exceeds fracture pressure of the formation causing the rock to
FRACTURE ra open (fracture)

NATURALLY EXISTING
Over balanced wellbore pressure is exposed to a formation with unsealed
FRACTURES / HIGH fractures or high permeability
PERMEABILITY

CAUSES OF LOST CIRCULATION

PRESSURE INDUCED FRACTURES NATURAL FRACTURES / PERMEABILITY

Excessive mud weight Unconsolidated formation

Annulus friction pressure Fissures / fractures

Wellbore pressure surges Unsealed fault boundary

Imposed / trapped pressure Vugular / cavernous formation

Shut-in pressure

Low formation pressure

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HOLE PROBLEMS
LOST CIRCULATION
MECHANISMS

PRESSURE INDUCED FRACTURES

CAUSE:
.
WELLBORE PRESSURE GREATER THAN
FORMATION FRACTURE PRESSURE
.
THE FORMATION FRACTURES ALLOWING
MUD LOSS

WARNING:
.
PROGNOSED LOSS ZONE
.
EXCESSIVE MUD WEIGHT
.
LOW FRACTURE STRENGTH
.
POOR HOLE CLEANING
.
WELLBORE PRESSURE SURGES

CASING INDICATIONS:
SHOE .
MAY BEGIN WITH SEEPAGE LOSS,
POSSIBLE TOTAL LOSS
.
PIT VOLUME LOSS
.
EXCESSIVE HOLE FILL-UP
.
FIRST IF SHUT-IN, SUDDEN LOSS OF PRESSURE
INTERFACE
FIRST ACTION (TOTAL LOSS):
.
REDUCE PUMP SPEED TO 1/2
.
PULL OFF BOTTOM, STOP PUMPS
.
ZERO STROKE COUNTER, FILL ANNULUS
WITH WATER OR LIGHT MUD
.
RECORD STROKES IF / WHEN THE
ANNULUS FILLS UP
.
MONITOR WELL FOR FLOW

PREVENTIVE ACTION:
.
MINIMIZE MUD WEIGHT/MAXIMIZE SOLIDS
REMOVAL
.
LOW PRESS CONTROL PENETRATION RATE
.
SAND MINIMIZE WELLBORE PRESSURE SURGES
.
AVOID IMPOSED / TRAPPED PRESSURE

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MECHANISMS
LOST CIRCULATION
HOLE PROBLEMS

NATURAL FRACTURES / HIGH PERMEABILITY

CAUSE:
UNCONSOLIDATED .
WELLBORE PRESSURE IS OVER BALANCED
TO FORMATION PRESSURE
.
MUD IS LOST TO NATURAL FRACTURES
AND/OR HIGH PERMEABILITY
.

WARNING:
.
PROGNOSED LOSS ZONE
.
LOST CIRCULATION CAN OCCUR AT ANY
TIME DURING ANY OPEN HOLE OPERATION
VUGULAR .

INDICATIONS:
.
MAY BEGIN WITH SEEPAGE LOSS, TOTAL
LOSS POSSIBLE
.
STATIC LOSSES DURING CONNECTIONS /
SURVEY
.
PIT VOLUME LOSS

CAVERNOUS
FIRST ACTION (TOTAL LOSS):
.
REDUCE PUMP SPEED TO 1/2
.
PULL DRILL STRING OFF BOTTOM, STOP
CIRCULATION
.
ZERO STROKE COUNTER, FILL ANNULUS
WITH WATER OR LIGHT MUD
UN .
SE RECORD STROKES IF / WHEN THE ANNULUS
AL
ED FILLS UP
FA .
ULT MONITOR WELL FOR FLOW
.

PREVENTIVE ACTION:
.
MINIMIZE MUD WEIGHT
.
CONTROL PENETRATION RATE
.
FRACTURED MINIMIZE WELLBORE PRESSURE SURGES
FORMATION .
PRE-TREAT WITH LCM

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HOLE PROBLEMS
LOST CIRCULATION
MECHANISMS

LOSS SEVERITY CLASSIFICATIONS

SEEPAGE LOSS PARTIAL LOSS TOTAL LOSS
(< 20 BBLS/HR) (> 20 BBLS/HR) (NO RETURNS)

GRADUAL LOSSES IMMEDIATE DROP IN FLUID RETURN FLOW STOPS

LEVEL WHEN PUMPING IS IMMEDIATELY
OPERATION NOT STOPPED
INTERRUPTED PUMP PRESSURE
SLOW TO REGAIN RETURNS DECREASE
POSSIBLE WARNING AFTER STARTING
OF INCREASED LOSS CIRCULATION STRING WEIGHT INCREASE
SEVERITY
OPERATIONS USUALLY OPERATION SUSPENDED
INTERRUPTED
REMEDIAL ACTION
REMEDIAL ACTION REQUIRED REQUIRED

METHODS FOR LOCATING LOSS DEPTH

Successful treatment of lost circulation depends greatly on locating the depth of the loss zone

SURVEY METHODS PRACTICAL METHODS

TEMPERATURE SURVEY OFFSET WELL DATA

ACOUSTIC LOG GEOLOGIST / LOGGER IDENTIFIES

POTENTIAL LOSS ZONE
RADIOACTIVE TRACER
MONITORING FLUID LEVEL TRENDS
SPINNER SURVEY WHILE DRILLING

PRESSURE TRANSDUCER

HOT WIRE SURVEY

CONSIDERATIONS FOR SURVEY METHODS

SURVEY TOOLS NOT ALWAYS AVAILABLE

CONSIDERABLE TIME REQUIRED TO RUN SURVEY

SURVEYS REQUIRE LARGE VOLUME OF MUD

RESULTS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO INTERPRET

POSSIBILITY OF LOSING SURVEY TOOL IN THE HOLE

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RESTORING CIRCULATION
LOST CIRCULATION
HOLE PROBLEMS

SOLUTION GUIDELINES
GUIDELINES FOR LOST CIRCULATION SOLUTIONS
ACTION RESULTS CONSIDERATIONS
Reduced wellbore pressure (the More successful with pressure
MINIMIZE driving force pushing mud into induced fractures
MUD WT the loss zone .
Possible well control event or hole
instability problems
Reactive clays of loss zone swell with More successful with fresh water mud
water of WBM producing a plugging effect lost to shale formations
FORMATION . .
"HEALING Soft shales deform with formation stress Better results with LCM
TIME" helping to "heal" the fracture .
Normal 6 - 8 hours wait time with string
in casing

Effectively bridges, mats and seals Less effective with large fractures,
LOSS CIRC small to medium fractures / faults
MATERIAL permeability .
(LCM) Ineffective with cavernous zones
.
Increase LCM lbs/bbl with loss
severity

A plug base is pumped into the loss zone Can be used in production zones
SPECIALTY followed by a chemical activator .
TECHNIQUES The two materials form a soft plug Increased risk of plugging equipment
.
Plug breaks down with time

Cement slurry is squeezed into the loss Provides a "fit-to-form" solid plug at
zone under injection pressure or near the stress of the surrounding
CEMENT formation
.
The slurry cures to a solid plug .

In some cases, the only practical solution Not a consideration where well control
DRILLING is to drill without returns potential exist
BLIND .
Set casing in the first compentent
formation

GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESSFUL LCM RESULTS

Locating the loss zone and accurate pill placement is vital. Position the string +/-100 feet above loss zone, do not stop pumping

until the pill clears the bit

..
Insure the base mud viscosity will suspend the LCM volume added. Add fresh gel to a premixed LCM pill immediately before

pumping, fresh gel continues to yield after spotting

.
An effective LCM pill bridges, matts and then seals the loss zone, particle size distribution and pill formulation must satisfy these

requirements. Consult the LCM product guide prior to applying the pill
.
Use large nozzle sizes if the loss potential is high. Keep the string moving during pill spotting operation to avoid stuck pipe

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 LOST CIRCULATION RESTORING
HOLE PROBLEMS CIRCULATION

LOSS CIRCULATION MATERIAL (LCM)

MATERIAL DEFINITION
FINE (F) A portion of the material will pass through the shaker screens
.
GRADES MEDIUM (M) Majority of material will screen-out at shakers

.COARSE (C) All material will screen-out at shaker. Will plug jets and down hole tools.
Recommended with open-ended pipe

FIBROUS
.Non-rigid materials that form a mat on the hole wall to provide a foundation for normal filter cake
&
development
FLAKED

GRANULAR Rigid materials that bridge and plug the permeability of the loss zone

LCM BLEND A combination of fibrous, flaked and granular materials in one sack
.

CELLULOSTIC Sized wood derived materials used to prevent seepage /partial loss
.
CALCIUM
CARBONATE Sized limestone or marble (acid soluble) used for seepage /partial loss in production zone

Granulated salt (water soluble) developed for seepage /partial loss in production zone in salt-
SIZED SALT
saturated systems

SEEPAGE LOSS SOLUTIONS (< 20 BBLS/HR)

FIRST ACTION RECOVERY
Reduce ROP to limit Add LCM pill in 5 - 10 PPB increments. Evaluate results over 2
cuttings load circulations before increasing to next level of LCM concentration.
Mix in 30 to 50 bbl batches dictated by hole size. Consider spotting
Minimize mud LCM pill before POOH
rheology
NON-PRODUCTIVE INTERVALS
Minimize GPM
WBM: OBM / SBM:
Minimize wellbore . .
pressure surges LCM Blend (F) 5 - 15 PPB Cellulosic (F/M) 2 -25 PPB
LCM Blend (M) 5 - 15 PPB
Minimize mud wt Flaked (F/M) 10 - 20 PPB

Consider pulling into PRODUCTION ZONE EXPOSED

casing and waiting
6 to 8 hours WBM: OBM / SBM:
. .
Limestone (F/M) 5 - 30 PPB Cellulosic (F/M) 2 - 25 PPB
Limestone (F/M) 5 - 15 PPB

THE LCM MIXTURES SHOWN HERE ARE INTENDED AS A GUIDE WHERE NO FIELD EXPERIENCE EXIST.
SOME SITUATIONS MAY REQUIRE 2 - 6 PPB LCM CONCENTRATION IN THE TOTAL MUD SYSTEM.
CONSULT YOUR MUD COMPANY FOR AVAILABLE PRODUCTS AND PILL FORMULATIONS BEST SUITED
FOR THE AREA.

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RESTORING CIRCULATION
LOST CIRCULATION
HOLE PROBLEMS

PARTIAL LOSS SOLUTIONS (> 20 BBLS/HR)

FIRST ACTION RECOVERY
Reduce ROP to Add LCM pill in 5 -10 PPB increments. Evaluate results over 2
circulations before increasing to next level of LCM concentration. Mix
limit cuttings load
in 30 to 50 bbl batches dictated by hole size. Consider spotting LCM
pill before POOH
Minimize mud
rheology NON-PRODUCTIVE INTERVALS
WBM: OBM / SBM:
Reduce GPM . .
LCM Blend (M) 15 - 25 PPB Cellulosic (F/M) 10 -25 PPB
Minimize wellbore LCM Blend (C) 15 - .25 PPB Cellulosic (C) .10 -25 PPB
pressure surges Walnut (M/C) 10 - 20 PPB Walnut (M) . 5 -15 PPB

Minimize mud wt PRODUCTION ZONE EXPOSED

Consider pulling into WBM: OBM / SBM:

. .
casing and waiting
LCM Blend (F) 5 - 15 PPB Cellulosic (F/M) 2 - 25 PPB
6 to 8 hours LCM Blend (M) 5 - 15 PPB Limestone (F) ..5 - 15 PPB
Cellulosic (M) . 5 - 15 PPB

TOTAL LOSS SOLUTIONS

FIRST ACTION RECOVERY
Formulations for the specialty pill and cement are dictated by
Pull off bottom, keep conditions of each event
string moving
NON-PRODUCTIVE INTERVALS
Fill annulus with water WBM: OBM / SBM:
or light mud . .
40 PPB LCM Pill 30 - 40 PPB LCM Pill
Specialty Pill Specialty Pill
Cement Squeeze Cement Squeeze
Record strokes if /
when annulus fills up
PRODUCTION ZONE EXPOSED

Consider pulling into WBM: OBM / SBM:

the casing . .
40 PPB LCM Pill 30 - 40 PPB LCM Pill
Specialty Pill Specialty Pill
Minimize wellbore Cement Squeeze Cement Squeeze

pressure surges ADDRESS RESERVOIR ADDRESS RESERVOIR

NEEDS NEEDS

THE LCM MIXTURES SHOWN HERE ARE INTENDED AS A GUIDE WHERE NO FIELD EXPERIENCE EXIST.
SOME SITUATIONS MAY REQUIRE 2 - 6 PPB LCM CONCENTRATION IN THE TOTAL MUD SYSTEM.
CONSULT YOUR MUD COMPANY FOR AVAILABLE PRODUCTS AND PILL FORMULATIONS BEST SUITED
FOR THE AREA.

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HOLE PROBLEMS
LOST CIRCULATION

SEALING MATERIALS USED FOR LOST CIRCULATION

Concentration Largest Fracture
Material Type Description Lbs/bbl Sealed (inches)
0 .4 .8 .12 .16 .20
Nutshell Granular 50% - 3/16+ 10 mesh . 20
50% - 10+ 100 mesh

Plastic Granular . 50% - 3/16+ 10 mesh 20

50% - 10+ 100 mesh

Limestone . Granular ..50% - 3/16+ 10 mesh 40

50% - 10+ 100 mesh

Sulphur Granular . 50% - 3/16+ 10 mesh 120

50% - 10+ 100 mesh

Nutshell Granular 50% - 10+ 16 mesh . 20

50% - 30+ 100 mesh

E panded Granular 50% - 3/16+ 10 mesh .. 60

Percite 50% - 10+ 100 mesh

Cellophane Laminated 3/4" flakes . 8

Sawdust Fibrous .. 1/4" particles . 10

Prairie Hay . Fibrous .1/2" particles . 10

Bark Fibrous 3/8" particles 10

Cottonseed. Granular Fine . 10

Hulls

Prairie Hay Fibrous . 3/8" particles 12

Cellophane Laminated . 1/2" flakes . 8

.
Shredded Fibrous 1/4" fibers 8
Wood

Sawdust . Fibrous 1/16" particles 20

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RESTORING CIRCULATION
LOST CIRCULATION
HOLE PROBLEMS

SPOTTING PROCEDURES FOR LOST CIRCULATION MATERIAL (LCM)

Locate the loss zone
.
Mix 50 - 100 barrels of mud with 25 - 30 ppb bentonite and 30 - 40 ppb LCM
.
Position the drill string +/-100 feet above the loss zone
.
If open-ended, pump 1/2 of the pill into the loss zone. Stop the pump, wait 15 minutes and pump the remainder of the pill
.
If pumping through the bit, pump the entire pill and follow with 25 barrels of mud
.
If returns are not regained, repeat procedure. If returns are not regained, wait 2 hours and repeat procedure
.
If returns are not regained after pumping 3 pills, consider other options to regain circulation

SPOTTING PROCEDURES FOR SPECIALTY PILL

If possible, drill through the loss interval. Pull out of the hole and return open-ended
.
Position the string +/-100 feet above the loss zone
.
Clean the mixing pit thoroughly. Mix 50 barrels of desired specialty pill
.
Pump down the drill string and place in the suspected zone. If annulus is not full, pump mud down the annulus while pumping
pill down drill string
.
When annulus fills and squeeze is in place, apply 150 - 200 psi on annulus. This will "soft squeeze" the material into the loss
zone

SPOTTING PROCEDURES FOR GUNK PILL

If possible, drill through the loss interval. Pull out of the hole and return open-ended
.
Position the string +/-100 feet above the loss zone
.
Mix 100 sx of cement and 100 sx of bentonite with 50 barrels of diesel (slurry wt - 11.5 ppg, yield - 1.39 cubic feet per sack )
.
Pump down the drill string, 15 barrels of water-free diesel ahead and behind the gunk slurry
.
When the lead diesel spacer reaches the bit, close the BOP and pump mud down the annulus
.
Pump 4 bbls/min down the string and 2 bbls/min down the annulus until the tail diesel spacer clears the string
.
Reciprocate the string slowly, do not reverse circulate
.
Pull the drill string clear of the squeeze. Mix and place the squeeze with a cementing unit, if possible
.
Wait 8+ hours for the gunk to cure, repeat procedure if returns are not regained
.
It may be necessary to drill out the gunk before repeating the procedure

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HOLE PROBLEMS
LOST CIRCULATION
PREVENTION

SPOTTING PROCEDURE FOR CEMENT

The cement slurry formulation should be tested by the cement company to determine the thickening time

If possible, drill through the entire loss circulation interval

Pull out of the hole and return with open-ended drill pipe

Position the open-ended drill pipe approximately 100 feet above the loss zone

Mix and pump 50 to 100 bbls of cement slurry

Follow the slurry with a sufficient volume of mud or water to balance the U-Tube

Wait 6 to 8 hours and attempt to fill the annulus

Repeat the procedure if returns are not regained

It may be necessary to drill out the cement before repeating the procedure

LOST CIRCULATION PREVENTION GUIDELINES

Prevention of lost circulation must be considered in the well planning, drilling and post analysis phases

Design the casing program to case-off low pressure or suspected lot circulation zones

Maintain mud weight to the minimum required to control known formation pressures. High mud weight is one of the major
causes of lost circulation

Pre-treat the mud system with LCM when drilling through known lost circulation intervals

Maintain low mud rheology values that are still sufficient to clean the hole

Rotating the drill string when starting circulation helps to break the gels and minimize pump pressure surges

Start circulation slowly after connections and periods of non-circulation

Use minimum GPM flow rate to clean the hole when drilling known lost circulation zone

Control drill known lost circulation zone to avoid loading the annulus with cuttings

Reduce pipe tripping speeds to minimize swab/surge pressure

Plan to break circulation at 2 to 3 depths while tripping in the hole

Minimize annular restrictions

Consider using jet sizes or TFA that will allow the use of LCM pills (12/32" jets +)

Be prepared for plugging pump suctions, pump discharge screen, drill string screens, etc.

Be prepared for mud losses due to shaker screen plugging

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 LOST CIRCULATION
HOLE PROBLEMS

DRILLING BLIND
PRECAUTIONS WHILE DRILLING WITHOUT RETURNS

Circumstances may dictate drilling blind until 50 feet of the next competent formation is drilled. Casing is set to solve the lost

circulation problem. A blind drilling operation must have Drilling Manager approval

Insure an adequate water supply is available

Use one pump to drill and the other pump to continuously add water to the annulus

Assign a person to monitor the flow line at all times

Closely monitor torque and drag to determine when to pump viscous sweeps

Closely monitor pump pressure while drilling for indications of pack-off

Control drill (if possible) at one joint per hour

Pick up off bottom every 15 feet (3m) drilled to ensure the hole is not packing off

Keep the pipe moving at all times

Maintain a 400 - 500 bbl reserve of viscous mud ready to pump

Consider spotting viscous mud on bottom prior to tripping or logging

Stop drilling and consider pulling to the shoe if pump repairs are required

Start and stop pipe slowly and minimize pipe speed

Consider spotting a viscous pill above the BHA prior to each connection

Prior to each connection, circulate and wipe the hole thoroughly

Do not run surveys when drilling blind

If circulation returns, stop drilling, raise the drill string to the shut-in position. Stop the pumps and check the well for flow

If flow is observed, close the BOP and observe shut-in pressures:

No pressure - Slowly circulate bottoms up through 2 open chokes

Pressure Observed - Slowly circulate the kick with the CIrculation Method and present mud weight. Be prepared for an
underground blowout condition

Be prepared at all times to pump cement to the well

Page 65