Compositions and methods for sealing formations

• US 20030201103A1
• Filed: 04/30/2002
• Published: 10/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enventives, LLC
• Original Assignee: Masi Technologies, LLC (CTGX Mining, Inc.)
• Inventors: Brookey, Tommy F., Cowan, Jack, Kilchrist, Mike
• Granted Patent: US 6,739,414 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/283
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/50 Compositions for plastering borehole walls, i.e. compositions for temporary consolidation of borehole walls compositions for consolidating loose sand or the like around wells C09K8/56
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/80 Compositions for reinforcing fractures, e.g. compositions of proppants used to keep the fractures open
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/003 Means for stopping loss of drilling fluid plastering the borehole wall E21B33/138
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 106/01 Fly ash
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 507/906 Solid inorganic additive in defined physical form
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 507/925 Completion or workover fluid

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to compositions of matter and methods of using those compositions. More particularly, and as part of one of the preferred embodiments, the present invention relates to compositions and methods of use of fluids useful for sealing formation fractures and/or inhibiting downhole fluid loss. The present invention is useful as a pill or series of pills that can be formulated and spotted to a particular formation zone.

Claims

1. A fluid system, comprising:

a continuous liquid phase;

a lost circulation material; and

said lost circulation material comprising hollow particles that assist in effectively sealing a formation.

2. A fluid system according to claim 1 wherein the lost circulation material is part of a pill.

3. A fluid system according to claim 1 wherein the continuous liquid phase is an aqueous liquid.

4. A fluid system according to claim 1 wherein the continuous liquid phase is an oleaginous liquid.

5. A fluid system according to claim 1 wherein the continuous liquid phase comprises a combination of oleaginous and aqueous liquids.

6. A fluid system according to claim 1 wherein said lost circulation material further comprises aggregate particles that assist in effectively sealing the formation.

7. A fluid system according to claim 6 wherein the lost circulation material is part of a pill.

8. A fluid system according to claim 1 wherein said lost circulation material further comprises a dilatant additive.

9. A fluid system according to claim 8 wherein the dilatant additive comprises ungelatinzed starch.

10. A fluid system according to claim 8 wherein the lost circulation material is part of a pill.

11. A fluid system according to claim 1 further comprising a viscosifier.

12. A fluid system according to claim 11 wherein the viscosifier comprises a xanthan gum.

13. A fluid system according to claim 11 wherein the viscosifier comprises about 0.5 ppb to about 2.0 ppb of the fluid system.

14. A fluid system according to claim 1 wherein the hollow particles have a size distribution of about 10 to about 350 μ

m.

15. A fluid system according to claim 1 wherein the hollow particles comprise about 5 percent to about 80 percent by volume of the fluid system.

16. A fluid system according to claim 1 wherein the hollow particles have been treated to produce an enhanced hydrophobic surface.

17. A fluid system according to claim 1 wherein the hollow particles have a density of about 0.35 to about 0.9.

18. A fluid system according to claim 1 wherein the hollow particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the deliquification of the fluid within the formation.

19. A fluid system according to claim 18 wherein the formation seal is created by sealants from a bulk fluid.

20. A fluid system according to claim 19 wherein the sealants comprise aphrons.

21. A fluid system according to claim 1 wherein the hollow particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the creation of a tortuous bed within the formation.

22. A fluid system according to claim 21 wherein the formation seal is created by sealants from a bulk fluid.

23. A fluid system according to claim 22 wherein the sealants comprise aphrons.

24. A fluid system according to claim 6 wherein the aggregate particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the deliquification of the fluid within the formation.

25. A fluid system according to claim 24 wherein the formation seal is created by sealants from a bulk fluid.

26. A fluid system according to claim 25 wherein the sealants comprise aphrons.

27. A fluid system according to claim 6 wherein the aggregate particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the creation of a tortuous bed within the formation.

28. A fluid system according to claim 27 wherein the formation seal is created by sealants from a bulk fluid.

29. A fluid system according to claim 28 wherein the sealants comprise aphrons.

30. A fluid system according to claim 8 wherein the dilatant additive assists in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the deliquification of the fluid within the formation.

31. A fluid system according to claim 30 wherein the formation seal is created by sealants from a bulk fluid.

32. A fluid system according to claim 31 wherein the sealants comprise aphrons.

33. A fluid system according to claim 8 wherein the dilatant additive assists in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the creation of a tortuous bed within the formation.

34. A fluid system according to claim 33 wherein the formation seal is created by sealants from a bulk fluid.

35. A fluid system according to claim 34 wherein the sealants comprise aphrons.

36. A fluid system according to claim 1 wherein the hollow particles are spherical.

37. A fluid system according to claim 1 wherein the hollow particles have a sphericity of 0.5 or greater and a roundness of 0.3 or greater as measured by the Krumbein and Sloss chart for visual estimation of roundness and sphericity.

38. A fluid system according to claim 1 wherein the hollow particles have a density of greater than or equal to 0.9.

39. A fluid system according to claim 21 wherein the tortuous bed comprises a conductive bed during production.

40. A fluid system according to claim 21 wherein the tortuous bed has a conductivity during production which is greater than or equal to sand.

41. A fluid system according to claim 27 wherein the tortuous bed comprises a conductive bed during production.

42. A fluid system according to claim 27 wherein the tortuous bed has a conductivity during production which is greater than or equal to sand.

43. A fluid system, comprising:

a continuous liquid phase;

a lost circulation material; and

said lost circulation material comprising a dilatant additive that assists in effectively sealing a formation by contributing to the deliquification of the fluid within the formation.

44. A fluid system according to claim 43 wherein the lost circulation material is part of a pill.

45. A fluid system according to claim 43 wherein the continuous liquid phase is an aqueous liquid.

46. A fluid system according to claim 43 wherein the continuous liquid phase is an oleaginous liquid.

47. A fluid system according to claim 43 wherein the continuous liquid phase comprises a combination of oleaginous and aqueous liquids.

48. A fluid system according to claim 43 wherein the dilatant additive is ungelatinized starch.

49. A fluid system according to claim 43 wherein the formation seal is created by sealants from a bulk fluid.

50. A fluid system according to claim 49 wherein the sealants comprise aphrons.

51. A fluid system according to claim 43 wherein the dilatant additive assists in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the creation of a tortuous bed within the formation.

52. A fluid system according to claim 51 wherein the formation seal is created by sealants from a bulk fluid.

53. A fluid system according to claim 52 wherein the sealants comprise aphrons.

54. A fluid system according to claim 43 wherein said lost circulation material further comprises aggregate particles that assist in effectively sealing the formation.

55. A fluid system according to claim 54 wherein the lost circulation material is part of a pill.

56. A fluid system according to claim 54 wherein the aggregate particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the deliquification of the fluid within the formation.

57. A fluid system according to claim 56 wherein the formation seal is created by sealants from a bulk fluid.

58. A fluid system according to claim 57 wherein the sealants comprise aphrons.

59. A fluid system according to claim 54 wherein the aggregate particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the creation of a tortuous bed within the formation.

60. A fluid system according to claim 59 wherein the formation seal is created by sealants from a bulk fluid.

61. A fluid system according to claim 60 wherein the sealants comprise aphrons.

62. A fluid system according to claim 43 wherein said lost circulation material further comprises hollow particles that assist in effectively sealing the formation.

63. A fluid system according to claim 62 wherein the lost circulation material is part of a pill.

64. A fluid system according to claim 62 wherein the hollow particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the deliquification of the fluid within the formation.

65. A fluid system according to claim 64 wherein the formation seal is created by sealants from a bulk fluid.

66. A fluid system according to claim 65 wherein the sealants comprise aphrons.

67. A fluid system according to claim 62 wherein the hollow particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the creation of a tortuous bed within the formation.

68. A fluid system according to claim 67 wherein the formation seal is created by sealants from a bulk fluid.

69. A fluid system according to claim 68 wherein the sealants comprise aphrons.

70. A fluid system according to claim 59 wherein the tortuous bed comprises a conductive bed during production.

71. A fluid system according to claim 59 wherein the tortuous bed has a conductivity during production which is greater than or equal to sand.

72. A fluid system according to claim 67 wherein the tortuous bed comprises a conductive bed during production.

73. A fluid system according to claim 67 wherein the tortuous bed has a conductivity during production which is greater than or equal to sand.

74. A fluid system, comprising:

a continuous liquid phase;

a lost circulation material; and

said lost circulation material comprising aggregate particles that assist in effectively sealing a formation by contributing to the deliquification of the fluid within the formation.

75. A fluid system according to claim 74 wherein the lost circulation material is part of a pill.

76. A fluid system according to claim 74 wherein the continuous liquid phase is aqueous liquid.

77. A fluid system according to claim 74 wherein the continuous liquid phase is an oleaginous liquid.

78. A fluid system according to claim 74 wherein the continuous liquid phase comprises a combination of oleaginous and aqueous liquids.

79. A fluid system according to claim 74 wherein the aggregate particles have a size distribution of about 50 to about 2500 μ

m.

80. A fluid system according to claim 74 wherein the aggregate particles comprise about 5 percent to about 80 percent by weight (volume).

81. A fluid system according to claim 74 wherein the aggregate particles have been treated to produce an enhanced alkaline surface.

82. A fluid system according to claim 74 wherein a seal is created by sealants from a bulk fluid.

83. A fluid system according to claim 82 wherein the sealants comprise aphrons.

84. A fluid system according to claim 74 wherein the aggregate particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by also contributing to the creation of a tortuous bed within the formation.

85. A fluid system according to claim 84 wherein the formation seal is created by sealants from a bulk fluid.

86. A fluid system according to claim 85 wherein the sealants comprise aphrons.

87. A fluid system according to claim 74 wherein said lost circulation material further comprises a dilatant additive and hollow particles.

88. A fluid system according to claim 87 wherein the dilatant additive and hollow particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the deliquification of the fluid within the formation.

89. A fluid system according to claim 88 wherein a seal is created by sealants from a bulk fluid.

90. A fluid system according to claim 89 wherein the sealants comprise aphrons.

91. A fluid system according to claim 87 wherein the dilatant additive and hollow particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the creation of a tortuous bed within the formation.

92. A fluid system according to claim 91 wherein the formation seal is created by sealants from a bulk fluid.

93. A fluid system according to claim 92 wherein the sealants comprise aphrons.

94. A fluid system according to claim 74 wherein the aggregate particles have a density of about 0.35 to about 0.9.

95. A fluid system according to claim 74 wherein the aggregate particles have a density of greater than or equal to 0.9.

96. A fluid system according to claim 84 wherein the tortuous bed comprises a conductive bed during production.

97. A fluid system according to claim 84 wherein the tortuous bed has a conductivity during production which is greater than or equal to sand.

98. A fluid system, comprising:

a continuous liquid phase;

a lost circulation material;

said lost circulation material comprising aphrons that assist in effectively sealing a formation; and

a pill that includes said aphrons.

99. A fluid system according to claim 98 wherein the continuous liquid phase is aqueous liquid.

100. A fluid system according to claim 98 wherein the continuous liquid phase is an oleaginous liquid.

101. A fluid system according to claim 98 wherein the continuous liquid phase comprises a combination of oleaginous and aqueous liquids.

102. A fluid system according to claim 98 wherein the aphrons comprise from about 20 to about 50 percent by volume of the fluid.

103. A fluid system according to claim 98 further comprising a viscosifier.

104. A fluid system according to claim 98 wherein said lost circulation material further comprises a particulate material.

105. A fluid system according to claim 104 wherein the particulate material comprises hollow particles that assist in effectively sealing the formation.

106. A fluid system according to claim 105 wherein the hollow particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the deliquification of the fluid within the formation.

107. A fluid system according to claim 106 wherein the formation seal is created by the aphrons.

108. A fluid system according to claim 105 wherein the hollow particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the creation of a tortuous bed within the formation.

109. A fluid system according to claim 108 wherein the formation seal is created by the aphrons.

110. A fluid system according to claim 104 wherein the particulate material comprises aggregate particles that assist in effectively sealing the formation.

111. A fluid system according to claim 110 wherein the aggregate particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the deliquification of the fluid within the formation.

112. A fluid system according to claim 111 wherein the formation seal is created by the aphrons.

113. A fluid system according to claim 110 wherein the aggregate particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the creation of a tortuous bed within the formation.

114. A fluid system according to claim 113 wherein the formation seal is created by the aphrons.

115. A fluid system according to claim 98 wherein said lost circulation material further comprises a dilatant additive that assists in effectively sealing the formation.

116. A fluid system according to claim 115 wherein the dilatant additive assists in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the deliquification of the fluid within the formation.

117. A fluid system according to claim 116 wherein the formation seal is created by the aphrons.

118. A fluid system according to claim 115 wherein the dilatant additive assists in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the creation of a tortuous bed within the formation.

119. A fluid system according to claim 118 wherein the formation seal is created by the aphrons.

120. A fluid system according to claim 108 wherein the tortuous bed comprises a conductive bed during production.

121. A fluid system according to claim 108 wherein the tortuous bed has a conductivity during production which is greater than or equal to sand.

122. A fluid system according to claim 113 wherein the tortuous bed comprises a conductive bed during production.

123. A fluid system according to claim 113 wherein the tortuous bed has a conductivity during production which is greater than or equal to sand.

124. A method of sealing a formation comprising:

introducing a fluid into the formation, said fluid having a continuous liquid phase; and

utilizing a lost circulation material in said fluid, said lost circulation material comprising hollow particles that assist in effectively sealing the formation.

125. A method according to claim 124 wherein the fluid is a pill that sits downhole for a period of time sufficient for the pill to begin to soak into the formation.

126. A method according to claim 124 further comprising introducing a second fluid downhole, said second fluid containing sealants that seal the formation.

127. A method according to claim 126 wherein said sealants comprise aphrons.

128. A method according to claim 124 further comprising creating a tortuous bed within the formation.

129. A method according to claim 128 wherein the hollow particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the creation of the tortuous bed.

130. A method according to claim 128 further comprising introducing a second fluid downhole, said second fluid containing sealants that seal the formation.

131. A method according to claim 130 wherein said sealants comprise aphrons.

132. A method according to claim 124 further comprising deliquifying the fluid within the formation.

133. A method according to claim 132 wherein the hollow particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the deliquification of the fluid.

134. A method according to claim 132 further comprising introducing a second fluid downhole, said second fluid containing sealants that seal the formation.

135. A method according to claim 134 wherein said sealants comprise aphrons.

136. A method according to claim 124 wherein said lost circulation material further comprises aggregate particles that assist in effectively sealing the formation.

137. A method according to claim 136 wherein the fluid is a pill that sits downhole for a period of time sufficient for the pill to begin to soak into the formation.

138. A method according to claim 136 further comprising introducing a second fluid downhole, said second fluid containing sealants that seal the formation.

139. A method according to claim 138 wherein said sealants comprise aphrons.

140. A method according to claim 136 further comprising creating a tortuous bed within the formation.

141. A method according to claim 140 wherein the aggregate particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the creation of the tortuous bed.

142. A method according to claim 140 further comprising introducing a second fluid downhole, said second fluid containing sealants that seal the formation.

143. A method according to claim 142 wherein said sealants comprise aphrons.

144. A method according to claim 136 further comprising deliquifying the fluid within the formation.

145. A method according to claim 144 wherein the aggregate particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the deliquification of the fluid.

146. A method according to claim 144 further comprising introducing a second fluid downhole, said second fluid containing sealants that seal the formation.

147. A method according to claim 146 wherein said sealants comprise aphrons.

148. A method according to claim 124 wherein said lost circulation material further comprises a dilatant additive.

149. A method according to claim 148 wherein the fluid is a pill that sits downhole for a period of time sufficient for the pill to begin to soak into the formation.

150. A method according to claim 148 further comprising introducing a second fluid downhole, said second fluid containing sealants that seal the formation.

151. A method according to claim 150 wherein said sealants comprise aphrons.

152. A method according to claim 148 further comprising creating a tortuous bed within the formation.

153. A method according to claim 152 wherein dilatant additive assists in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the creation of the tortuous bed.

154. A method according to claim 152 further comprising introducing a second fluid downhole, said second fluid containing sealants that seal the formation.

155. A method according to claim 154 wherein said sealants comprise aphrons.

156. A method according to claim 148 further comprising deliquifying the fluid within the formation.

157. A method according to claim 156 wherein the dilatant additive assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the deliquification of the fluid.

158. A method according to claim 156 further comprising introducing a second fluid downhole, said second fluid containing sealants that seal the formation.

159. A method according to claim 158 wherein said sealants comprise aphrons.

160. A method according to claim 124 wherein the hollow particles are spherical.

161. A method according to claim 124 wherein the hollow particles have a sphericity of 0.5 or greater and a roundness of 0.3 or greater as measured by the Krumbein and Sloss chart for visual estimation of roundness and sphericity.

162. A method according to claim 124 wherein the hollow particles have a density of greater than or equal to 0.9.

163. A method according to claim 128 wherein the tortuous bed comprises a conductive bed during production.

164. A method according to claim 128 wherein the tortuous bed has a conductivity during production, which is greater than or equal to sand.

165. A method according to claim 140 wherein the tortuous bed comprises a conductive bed during production.

166. A method according to claim 140 wherein the tortuous bed has a conductivity during production, which is greater than or equal to sand.

167. A method according to claim 152 wherein the tortuous bed comprises a conductive bed during production.

168. A method according to claim 152 wherein the tortuous bed has a conductivity during production, which is greater than or equal to sand.

169. A method of sealing a formation comprising:

introducing a fluid into the formation, said fluid having a continuous liquid phase; and

utilizing a lost circulation material in said fluid, said lost circulation material comprising a dilatant additive that assists in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the deliquification of the fluid.

170. A method according to claim 169 wherein the fluid is a pill that sits downhole for a period of time sufficient for the pill to begin to soak into the formation.

171. A method according to claim 169 further comprising introducing a second fluid downhole, said second fluid containing sealants that seal the formation.

172. A method according to claim 171 wherein said sealants comprise aphrons.

173. A method according to claim 169 further comprising creating a tortuous bed within the formation.

174. A method according to claim 173 wherein the dilatant additive assists in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the creation of the tortuous bed.

175. A method according to claim 173 further comprising introducing a second fluid downhole, said second fluid containing sealants that seal the formation.

176. A method according to claim 175 wherein said sealants comprise aphrons.

177. A method according to claim 169 wherein said lost circulation material further comprises aggregate particles that assist in effectively sealing the formation.

178. A method according to claim 177 wherein the fluid is a pill that sits downhole for a period of time sufficient for the pill to begin to soak into the formation.

179. A method according to claim 177 further comprising introducing a second fluid downhole, said second fluid containing sealants that seal the formation.

180. A method according to claim 179 wherein said sealants comprise aphrons.

181. A method according to claim 177 further comprising creating a tortuous bed within the formation.

182. A method according to claim 181 wherein the aggregate particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the creation of the tortuous bed.

183. A method according to claim 181 further comprising introducing a second fluid downhole, said second fluid containing sealants that seal the formation.

184. A method according to claim 183 wherein said sealants comprise aphrons.

185. A method according to claim 177 further comprising deliquifying the fluid within the formation.

186. A method according to claim 185 wherein the aggregate particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the deliquification of the fluid.

187. A method according to claim 185 further comprising introducing a second fluid downhole, said second fluid containing sealants that seal the formation.

188. A method according to claim 187 wherein said sealants comprise aphrons.

189. A method according to claim 173 wherein the tortuous bed comprises a conductive bed during production.

190. A method according to claim 173 wherein the tortuous bed has a conductivity during production, which is greater than or equal to sand.

191. A method according to claim 181 wherein the tortuous bed comprises a conductive bed during production.

192. A method according to claim 181 wherein the tortuous bed has a conductivity during production, which is greater than or equal to sand.

193. A method of sealing a formation comprising:

introducing a fluid into the formation, said fluid having a continuous liquid phase;

deliquifying the fluid within the formation; and

utilizing a lost circulation material in said fluid, wherein said lost circulation material comprises aggregate particles that assist in effectively sealing the formation.

194. A method according to claim 193 wherein the fluid is a pill that sits downhole for a period of time sufficient for the pill to begin to soak into the formation.

195. A method according to claim 193 wherein the aggregate particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the deliquification of the fluid.

196. A method according to claim 193 further comprising introducing a second fluid downhole, said second fluid containing sealants that seal the formation.

197. A method according to claim 196 wherein said sealants comprise aphrons.

198. A method according to claim 193 further comprising creating a tortuous bed within the formation.

199. A method according to claim 198 wherein the aggregate particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the creation of the tortuous bed.

200. A method according to claim 198 further comprising introducing a second fluid downhole, said second fluid containing sealants that seal the formation.

201. A method according to claim 200 wherein said sealants comprise aphrons.

202. A method according to claim 193 wherein the aggregate particles have a density of about 0.35 to about 0.9.

203. A method according to claim 193 wherein the aggregate particles have a density of greater than or equal to 0.9.

204. A method according to claim 198 wherein the tortuous bed comprises a conductive bed during production.

205. A method according to claim 198 wherein the tortuous bed has a conductivity during production, which is greater than or equal to sand.

206. A method of sealing a formation comprising:

introducing a fluid into the formation, said fluid having a continuous liquid phase and forming a pill that sits downhole for a period of time sufficient for the pill to begin to soak into the formation; and

utilizing a lost circulation material in said pill, said lost circulation material comprising aphrons that assist in effectively sealing the formation.

207. A method according to claim 206 wherein the aphrons comprise from about 20 to about 50 percent by volume of the fluid.

208. A method according to claim 206 further comprising a viscosifier.

209. A method according to claim 206 wherein said lost circulation material further comprises a particulate material.

210. A method according to claim 209 wherein the particulate material comprises hollow particles that assist in effectively sealing the formation.

211. A method according to claim 210 wherein the hollow particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the deliquification of the fluid within the formation.

212. A method according to claim 211 wherein the formation seal is created by the aphrons.

213. A method according to claim 210 wherein the hollow particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the creation of a tortuous bed within the formation.

214. A method according to claim 213 wherein the formation seal is created by the aphrons.

215. A method according to claim 209 wherein the particulate material comprises aggregate particles that assist in effectively sealing the formation.

216. A method according to claim 215 wherein the particulate aggregate particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the deliquification of the fluid within the formation.

217. A method according to claim 216 wherein the formation seal is created by the aphrons.

218. A method according to claim 215 wherein the aggregate particles assist in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the creation of a tortuous bed within the formation.

219. A method according to claim 218 wherein the formation seal is created by the aphrons.

220. A method according to claim 206 wherein said lost circulation material further comprises a dilatant additive that assists in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the deliquification of the fluid within the formation.

221. A method according to claim 220 wherein the formation seal is created by the aphrons.

222. A method according to claim 220 wherein the dilatant additive assists in effectively sealing the formation by contributing to the creation of a tortuous bed within the formation.

223. A method according to claim 222 wherein the formation seal is created by the aphrons.

224. A method according to claim 213 wherein the tortuous bed comprises a conductive bed during production.

225. A method according to claim 213 wherein the tortuous bed has a conductivity during production, which is greater than or equal to sand.

226. A method according to claim 218 wherein the tortuous bed comprises a conductive bed during production.

227. A method according to claim 218 wherein the tortuous bed has a conductivity during production, which is greater than or equal to sand.

228. A method according to claim 222 wherein the tortuous bed comprises a conductive bed during production.

229. A method according to claim 222 wherein the tortuous bed has a conductivity during production, which is greater than or equal to sand.

230. A method of sealing a formation comprising:

introducing a fluid into the formation, said fluid having a continuous liquid phase;

utilizing a lost circulation material in said fluid that assists in effectively sealing the formation; and

creating a tortuous bed within the formation.

231. A method according to claim 230 wherein the fluid is a pill that sits downhole for a period of time sufficient for the pill to begin to soak into the formation.

232. A method according to claim 230 wherein the lost circulation material comprises hollow particles.

233. A method according to claim 232 further comprising introducing aphrons downhole, said aphrons being effective to seal the formation.

234. A method according to claim 233 wherein said aphrons are introduced downhole in a second fluid.

235. A method according to claim 230 wherein the lost circulation material comprises aggregate particles.

236. A method according to claim 230 further comprising introducing aphrons downhole, said aphrons being effective to seal the formation.

237. A method according to claim 236 wherein said aphrons are introduced downhole in a second fluid.

238. A method according to claim 230 wherein the lost circulation material comprises a dilatant additive.

239. A method according to claim 238 further comprising introducing aphrons downhole, said aphrons being effective to seal the formation.

240. A method according to claim 239 wherein said aphrons are introduced downhole in a second fluid.

241. A method according to claim 230 wherein the lost circulation material comprises aphrons.

242. A method of sealing a formation comprising:

introducing a fluid into the formation, said fluid having a continuous liquid phase;

utilizing a lost circulation material in said fluid that assists in effectively sealing the formation; and

deliquifying the fluid within the formation.

243. A method according to claim 242 wherein the fluid is a pill that sits downhole for a period of time sufficient for the pill to begin to soak into the formation.

244. A method according to claim 242 wherein the lost circulation material comprises hollow particles.

245. A method according to claim 244 further comprising introducing aphrons downhole, said aphrons being effective to seal the formation.

246. A method according to claim 245 wherein said aphrons are introduced downhole in a second fluid.

247. A method according to claim 242 wherein the lost circulation material comprises aggregate particles.

248. A method according to claim 247 further comprising introducing aphrons downhole, said aphrons being effective to seal the formation.

249. A method according to claim 248 wherein said aphrons are introduced downhole in a second fluid.

250. A method according to claim 242 wherein the lost circulation material comprises a dilatant additive.

251. A method according to claim 250 further comprising introducing aphrons downhole, said aphrons being effective to seal the formation.

252. A method according to claim 251 wherein said aphrons are introduced downhole in a second fluid.

253. A method according to claim 242 wherein the lost circulation material comprises aphrons.