Experimental Investigation of the Performance of Different Lost Circulation Materials and Introducing a New Type of Eco-Friendly Lost Circulation Additive

In this paper, a new experimental method is applied, and the capability of different Loss Control Materials (LCMs) in bentonite mud – which has the highest use in Iran’s oil and gas wells – is investigated. At first, particle size distribution of LCMs is calculated based on API standards. Then, the loss of bentonite mud in different slots is evaluated using Bridging Materials Testing (BMT) apparatus. Usage of three dimensional fractures is one of the most important points of this research, which makes the experiment conditions so similar to the real conditions of well. It should be mentioned that LCMs show their best efficiency only when they can internally block the fractures. Also, in this research, RI-LQ material is for the first time used to control the lost circulation of bentonite mud. The results of these experiments showed that a mixture of RI-LQC and Quick Seal with Concentrations of 20 and 5 pounds per barrel and RI-LQC and RI-LQF mixtures with concentrations of 18 and 7 pounds per barrel have the least amount of loss circulation and are effective in controlling sever losses.