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Lost circulation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lost circulation can be one of the more serious problems that can arise during the drilling of an oil well
or gas well. Circulation is said to be lost when the drilling fluid, known commonly as "mud", flows into
one or more geological formations instead of returning up the annulus.

Contents
■ 1 Consequences
■ 2 Categories
■ 3 Control
■ 4 Additives
■ 5 Additive Considerations

Consequences
The consequences of lost circulation can be as little as the loss of a few dollars of drilling fluid, or as
disastrous as a blowout and loss of life, so close monitoring of tanks, pits, and flow from the well, to
quickly assess and control lost circulation, is taught and practiced. If the fluid in the wellbore drops due
to lost circulation (or any other reason), hydrostatic pressure is reduced, thus allowing a gas or fluid,
which is under a higher pressure than the reduced hydrostatic pressure, to influx into the wellbore.

Another consequence of lost circulation is called "dry drilling". Dry drilling occurs when fluid is
completely lost from the well bore without actual drilling coming to a stop. The effects of dry drilling
can be as minor as destroying a bit to as serious as major damage to the wellbore requiring a new well to
be drilled. Dry drilling can also cause severed damage to the drill string, including snapping the pipe,
and the drilling rig itself.

Categories
Lost circulation falls into two main categories:

■ "Minor losses" - This is where losses are between 6 and 470 barrels (1 to 75 m3), and remains
within those amounts, or is ceased, within 48 hours.
■ "Severe losses" - This is where losses are greater than 470 barrels (75 m3), or it takes greater than
48 hours to control or cease the lost circulation.

Total losses may also occur, where the return of fluids is completely lost to the surface. This may fall
into either the minor or severe losses categories, depending on the amount of losses and the time
involved in regaining circulation.

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Control
Although preferred, ceasing lost circulation completely is not always possible or required. Controlled
losses allows drilling to continue while keeping the wellbore full, preventing an influx of gas or fluid
into the wellbore, known as a" kick", which can lead to a blowout.

A number of options are available when lost circulation occurs, depending on the severity.

■ Minor losses may be controlled by increasing the viscosity of the fluid with bentonite and/ or
polymers, or with the addition of other additives which typically includes sawdust.
■ Severe losses will require increasing the viscosity of the fluid with bentonite and/ or polymers and
the addition of other additives which typically includes sawdust.

Total losses can be regained through conventional use of increased viscosity and additives, or through
use of unconventional methods such as pumping of golf balls, tree branches, rags, additive sacks, and
other items in conjunction with, or followed by, a high viscosity fluid. If total losses occur and
circulation cannot be regained, several options are available, depending on the operational requirements
and depth being drilled in relation to desired production geological zones. Continuing drilling while
pumping drilling fluid is one option, though continued drilling while pumping water is less costly and
more often used. Sometimes the cuttings from continued drilling will aid in reducing or stop losses
altogether. A third option is to cement the zone where the losses occurred, and to drill through the
cement and continue drilling the well. This third option is very often the most cost effective if severe
losses occur, as lost circulation can sometimes not be controlled with conventional or unconventional
methods.

Additives
■ The most common additive used to control or cease lost circulation is bentonite, in that it
inherently will seal small holes or fractures. bentonite, in higher concentrations, increases
viscosity. Because a higher viscosity fluid flows more slowly, a higher viscosity is desired.
Although bentonite is the most common additive used, it sometimes is not used at all, depending
on the current fluid being used and the current depth of drilling in relation to desired production
zones.
■ Polymers are also sometimes used to increase the viscosity. Though these are more costly, they
are more compatible with several types of fluid systems.
■ When it comes to additives which physically plug or seal the losses, there are a great deal of them.
Sawdust, flaked cellophane, crushed or ground gypsum are all used.
■ Other common, and cheaper additives, that are used are shredded newspaper and cotton seed
hulls. Cotton seed hulls are less preferred as they may cause wear to pump swabs and springs.
Both of these are generally only used when either fresh or brine water is being used for the drilling
fluid.
■ When drilling in salt formations, brine water is typically used as it is more difficult to dissolve
more of the salt preventing the formation of "washouts". Washouts not only contribute to loss of
circulation, but can jeopardize the integrity of the wellbore itself.

Additive Considerations
Several factors are considered in what additives are used:

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■ Hole size currently being drilled.

■ Drilling fluid in use. The additives must be compatible.
■ Depth of the well in regards to geological stability.
■ Depth of well in relation to the desired production zones. Plugging a production zone is not a
desired outcome.
■ Drill bit nozzles sizes. If the additive(s) will not go through the drill bit, they cannot be used.
■ Other drill string mechanical equipment such as a mud motor or MWD tools. If the additive(s)
will not go through the drill string, they cannot be used.
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