Method and materials to convert a drilling mud into a solid gel based lost circulation material

    公开(公告)号:US11203710B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-12-21

    申请号:US16865721

    申请日:2020-05-04

    Abstract: A method for controlling loss circulation in a subterranean formation and a convertible drilling mud operable to convert into a solid gel lost circulation material. 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, an alkaline nanosilica dispersion, and at least one additive. 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 a solid gel lost circulation material.

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