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.

    METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR SEALING A SUBSURFACE FORMATION

    公开(公告)号:US20190352555A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-11-21

    申请号:US15982048

    申请日:2018-05-17

    Abstract: A method for plugging and sealing subsurface formations using alkaline nanosilica dispersion and a delayed activation chemistry is disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method includes introducing a mixture with a first pH into the subsurface formation. The mixture comprises an aqueous solution, an alkaline nanosilica dispersion and a water-soluble hydrolyzable compound. The method further includes allowing the water-soluble hydrolyzable compound to hydrolyze in the subsurface formation to form an acid at 70° C. or greater, thereby acidizing the mixture to a reduced second pH and causing the alkaline nanosilica dispersion to gel into a solid and seal the subsurface formation. A composition for sealing a subsurface formation is also disclosed. The composition includes an aqueous mixture including water, an alkaline nanosilica dispersion, and a water-soluble hydrolyzable compound.

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