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Methods of enhancing fluid loss control using additives

  • US 10,442,974 B2
  • Filed: 01/14/2014
  • Issued: 10/15/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2014
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of fluid loss control, the method comprising:

  • preparing a pill at a surface of a well bore, wherein the pill comprises;

    an aqueous base fluid, anda lost circulation material;

    pumping the pill to a subterranean formation through the wellbore, wherein the pill is pumped down a drill string and through a drill bit into the subterranean formation;

    allowing the pill to treat the subterranean formation and circulating at least a portion of the pill back to the surface of the subterranean formation;

    observing a severe fluid loss from the wellbore to the subterranean formation at a rate of about 100 barrels per hour or greater while treating the wellbore with the pill;

    after observing the severe fluid loss, adding a fluid loss control enhancement additive to the pill, wherein the fluid loss control enhancement additive comprises;

    a salt,a swellable polymer, andfibers, wherein the salt is present in the pill in the amount of about 0.5 ppb to about 2.5 ppb;

    pumping the pill down the drill string and through a drill bit into the subterranean formation;

    allowing the pill to treat the subterranean formation, wherein the swellable polymer swells to at least about 10 times its original volume or greater as it absorbs water,wherein the fluid loss control enhancement additive works in combination with the lost circulation material to reduce or altogether stop lost circulation in the wellbore; and

    introducing an acid or acid generating compound into the wellbore and contacting the swellable polymer thereby at least partially degrading the swellable polymer, wherein the acid is at least one of hydrobromic acid, hydrofluoric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, chloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, fluoroacetic acid, difluoroacetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, methanesulfonic acid, citric acid, and any combination thereof.

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