Apparatus and Method for Strain Energy Based Resiliency Measurement of Loss Control Materials

Loss of circulation is one of the greatest challenges that are frequently encountered while drilling. Various types of LCM products are used by the industry to combat loss of circulation. Characterization of these LCM products is very important to select the most suitable products to improve the success rate of LCM treatment jobs. This paper describes the theoretical basis of the application of strain energy along with the development of a strain energy-based mathematical model to create a dedicated software driven novel method and test apparatus for quick and reliable measurement of the coefficient of resiliency of various LCM products to improve the likelihood and probability of success rate of LCM treatment jobs. The simple but reliable method and apparatus provide a fit-for-purpose solution for additional characterization of LCM products. The design and construction of the test device and the development of the method considered the most critical technical factors that have high impact on data reliability, data accuracy, repeatability and data sensitivity. The components of the test device were selected based on technical, economical, portability and ease of operation using a dedicated software driven method and data acquisition system. Experimental results generated by loading and unloading a particular mass of a LCM product under a constant displacement rate of the loading foot of the test apparatus demonstrated the suitability of the method and the apparatus in determining the coefficient of resiliency of LCM products. Based on the area below the loading curve i.e. the strain energy absorbed during the loading cycle and the area below the unloading curve i.e. the strain energy desorbed during the unloading cycle, the data acquisition software automatically calculates the coefficient of resiliency of the LCM products. The resilient characteristic of LCM products is one of the critical factors that is very important for high performance pill or slurry design to enhance the seal/plug stability. Hence, the newly developed method and apparatus will play a positive role to improve the probability and the likelihood of creating a stable and lasting seal/plug in the loss zones. As loss control materials with good resilient properties are highly adaptable in changing stress and pressure conditions, this method can provide appropriate guidelines to mud chemists, mud engineers and mud consultants in designing high performance LCM blends or slurries to combat moderate and severe loss of circulation.