Method and materials to convert a drilling mud into a solid gel based lost circulation material
US10655049B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 21, 2019 |
| Grant date | May 19, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 21, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09K2208/10
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method for controlling loss circulation in a subterranean formation. The method includes circulating in a wellbore a nanosilica drilling fluid having a pH in a range of from about 8 to about 11 and a gel pH of less than 8, where the nanosilica drilling fluid includes an aqueous-based drilling mud and an alkaline nanosilica dispersion. The method also includes introducing into the nanosilica drilling fluid an amount of a chemical activator sufficient to produce a convertible drilling mud where the chemical activator is an acid and the pH of the convertible drilling mud is less than the gel pH. The method also includes allowing the convertible drilling mud to convert into the solid gel lost circulation material. A convertible drilling mud operable to convert into a solid gel lost circulation material is also provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.