Method for lost circulation reduction in drilling operations

摘要

A method may include determining a first particle size distribution for particulate additives in a first wellbore fluid circulated through a wellbore through an earthen formation, and determining a second particle size distribution for drilled cuttings resulting from drilling of the wellbore. The first and second particle size distributions may then be compared to determine a third particle size distribution for the combined particulate additives and the drilled cuttings. A lost circulation material having a fourth particle size distribution may then be selected based on the third particle size distribution and the selected lost circulation material may be pumped into the wellbore.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
determining a first particle size distribution for particulate additives in a first wellbore fluid circulated through a wellbore through an earthen formation; determining a second particle size distribution for drilled cuttings resulting from drilling of the wellbore; comparing the first and second particle size distributions to determine a third particle size distribution for the combined particulate additives and the drilled cuttings, wherein the comparing comprises overlaying plots of the first and second particle size distribution and determining a size range where there is a lower volume percentage of particles than surrounding size ranges in the first and second particle size distributions; selecting a lost circulation material having a fourth particle size distribution based on the third particle size distribution; and pumping the selected lost circulation material into the wellbore.