Schlumberger Technology Corporation

Chrystel Brunet-Cambus

Jesse Lee

Slaheddine Kefi

Nikhil Shindgikar

Michel Ermel

Method for controlling lost circulation in a subterranean well using oil-dispersible lost-circulation materials which comprise fibers that are coated (or sized) with a lipophilic coupling agent, a lipophilic film-forming polymer or both. The fibers are preferably between about 6 mm and about 25 mm long, and between about 10 &#x3bc;m and about 200 &#x3bc;m in diameter. The fibers may be added to carrier fluids comprising oil-base fluids, synthetic-base fluids, invert-emulsion-base fluids and combinations thereof. The preferred fiber concentration in the carrier fluid is between about 0.55 g/L and about 28.5 g/L. The carrier fluid may be a drilling fluid, a spacer fluid or a lost-circulation pill.

Methods for controlling lost circulation in a subterranean well and materials there for

Mixtures of fibers and solid particles are effective for curing fluid losses and lost circulation in a subterranean well. Stiff fibers are more effective than flexible ones; however, mixtures of stiff and flexible fibers have a synergistic effect. The quantity and particle-size distribution of the solids are optimized according to the stiffness, dimensions and concentrations of fibers.

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Richebourg, France

Chrystel Brunet-Cambus