Patterns of drilling fluid losses based on fracture propagation mechanisms of rock mass
Abstract
Loss of drilling fluid in fracture formation severely restricts the exploration and development of oil and gas resources. However, for formations with complex fractures, judgment of fracture propagation and choice of appropriate prevention technology are essential for prevention of loss. In this paper, based on the conditions for fracture
propagation of different fractures occurring, a loss pattern of Zhenzhuchong Group (ZZC Group) in Sichuan Basin was established. The losses in the drilling processes were divided into five stages and the laws for fracture propagation and loss features were discussed. Using the same analysis methods and considering the range of ratios
of vertical principal stress to minimum horizontal stress, four loss patterns were established in the formation of fractures. These are: type I, type II, type III, and type IV. By summing up the features and the conditions applicable for commonly used loss prevention techniques, eight prevention measures can be used in different stages of loss. This study provides a theoretical guidance for prevention loss and controlling the formation damage.
References
Beda G., and Carugo, C. (2001) Use of mud microloss analysis while drilling to improve the formation evaluation in fractured reservoir, SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, September 30 - October 3.
Dupriest F. E. (2005) Fracture closure stress (FCS) and lost returns practices, SPE/IADC Drilling Conference, Amsterdam, Netherlands, February 23-25.
Dyke C. G., Wu B. and Milton-Tayler D., (1995) Advances in characterising natural fracture permeability from mud log data, SPE Formation Evaluation 10, 3, 160-166.
Lavrov A. (2006) Newtonian fluid flow from an arbitrarily-oriented fracture into a single sink. Acta mechanica 186, 1-4, 55-74.
Li D. (1982) Tectonic types of oil and gas basins in china. Acta Petrolei Sinica 3, 1-12.
Lietard O., Unwin T., Guillot D. and Hodder M. (1996) Fracture width LWD and drilling mud/LCM selection guidelines in naturally fractured reservoirs, European Petroleum Conference, Milan, Italy, October 22-24.
Li, F., Qi Y. (1988) Variation of crustal stresses with depth in China, Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering 7, 4, 301-309.
Li, X., Kang, Y., Zhang, H. and Lian Z. (2007) Computer modeling of the changes in width of two vertical fractures in tight sand connected to borehole, DRILLING FLUID & COMPLETION FLUID 24, 4, 57-59.
Liu, Y., Xu, T., Yang, Z. and Gong Z. (2010) Recent progress on preventing and treating lost circulation domestic and overseas, DRILLIN G FLUID & COMPLETION FLUID 27, 6, 80-84.
Liu X., Luo P. (2004) Rock mechanism and petroleum engineering: Classification and grading of cracks, Petroleum Industry Press, Beijing.
Pordel Shahri M., Ghalambor A., Karimi M. and Salehi, S. (2014) February. Integrated Workflow for Lost Circulation Prediction, SPE International Symposium and Exhibition on Formation Damage Control, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA, February 26-28.
Salehi S., Nygaard, R. (2012). Numerical modeling of induced fracture propagation: A novel approach for lost circulation materials (LCM) design in borehole strengthening applications of deep offshore drilling, SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, San Antonio, Texas, USA, October 8-10.
Sanfillippo F., Brignoli M., Santarelli F. J. and Bezzola C. (1997) Characterization of conductive fractures while drilling, SPE European formation damage conference, The Hague, Netherlands, June 2-3.
Tran D., Settari A. T. and Nghiem L. (2013) Predicting Growth and Decay of Hydraulic-Fracture Width in Porous Media Subjected to Isothermal and Nonisothermal Flow, SPE Journal 18, 4, 781-794.
Wang H., Sweatman R. E., Engelman R., Deeg W. F., Whitfill D. L., Soliman M. Y. and Towler B. F. (2008) Best practice in understanding and managing lost circulation challenges, SPE Drilling & Completion 23, 2, 168-175.
Wang P., Nie X., Zhang, X. and Luo P. (2008) Application of a special gel to controlling blowout and lost circulation, NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY 28, 6, 81-81.
Wang S., Guan D. (1997) Oil and gas gathering and ground stress field of compressional basins, Natural Gas Geoscience 8, 1, 1-6.
Wang Y., Kang Y., You L. and Liu J. (2007) Progresses in Mechanism Study and Control: Mud Losses to Fractured Reservoirs, DRILLIN G FLUID & COMPLETION FLUID 24, 4, 74-77.
Xu T., Shen W. (1997) Technology of lost circulation prevention and control during drilling engineering: Determine properties of loss zone, Petroleum Industry Press, Beijing.
Yan F., Kang Y., Sun K., Li D. and Du C. (2012) The temporary sealing formula for fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoir, Petroleum Drilling Techniques 40, 1, 47-51.
Yang Z., Yue, Y. and Zhang J. (2005) Techniques of controlling the formation height and quality of cement plug in the process of loss circulation control by cementing, NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY 25, 6, 49-51.
Zeng Y. (2001) Underbalanced Drilling Techniques in Carbonate Reservoir in Tabei Area, Petroleum Drilling Techniques 29, 2, 7-9.
Zhao L. (1996) Mechanism of fracture and leakage caused by heavy mud and diagnosis by logging, NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY 16, 2, 19-22.
Zhao, L., L, J., Li, K. (2010) Development and genetic mechanism of complex carbonate reservoir fractures: A case from the Zanarol Oilf ield, Kazakhstan, PETROLEUM EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT 37, 3, 304-309.
