Saudi Arabian Oil Company

Eric Moellendick

Md Amanullah

Raed A Alouhali

Mohammed K Arfaj

Mohammed Al Rashead

A lost circulation material (LCM) that includes spheres having radially distributed hooks and latches to facilitate engagement (such as interlocking) of the spheres is provided. Each sphere has a plurality of hooks and a plurality of latches to engage latches and hooks respectively of adjacent spheres. Each hook may include two hook arms, and each latch may define an aperture to receive a hook arm. The spheres may form plugs in channels, fractures, and other openings in a lost circulation zone. Additionally or alternatively, the spheres may form a bridge on which other LCMs may accumulate to seal openings in a lost circulation zone. Methods of preventing lost circulation using the spheres are also provided.

Sphere-shaped lost circulation material (LCM) having hooks and latches

A lost circulation material (LCM) that includes spheres having radially distributed and substantially-straight protrusions to facilitate engagement (such as interlocking and entanglement) of the spheres, and methods of preventing lost circulation using the spheres. Each sphere has a plurality of protrusions to contact protrusions of adjacent spheres. The spheres may form plugs in channels, fractures, and other openings in a lost circulation zone. Additionally or alternatively, the spheres may form a bridge on which other LCMs may accumulate to seal openings in a lost circulation zone.

Growing community of inventors

Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

Eric Moellendick