The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Apr. 05, 2022

Filed:

Apr. 24, 2020
Applicant:

Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Dhahran, SA;

Inventors:

Raed A. Alouhali, Dhahran, SA;

Eric Moellendick, Dhahran, SA;

Md Amanullah, Dhahran, SA;

Mohammed Arfaj, Dhahran, SA;

Mohammed Al Rashead, Dammam, SA;

Assignee:
Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
C09K 8/03 (2006.01); E21B 33/13 (2006.01); E21B 21/00 (2006.01); E21B 21/08 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
C09K 8/03 (2013.01); E21B 21/003 (2013.01); E21B 21/08 (2013.01); E21B 33/13 (2013.01);
Abstract

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.


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