US 2021/0071497 A1 · Sphere-Shaped Lost Circulation Material (LCM) Having Hooks and Latches

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.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A lost circulation material (LCM) composition, comprising:

comprising plurality of spheres, each sphere comprising:
a sphere body;
a plurality of hooks, each hook extending outward from a surface of the sphere body and comprising a first hook arm and a second hook arm, the second hook arm extending in a direction opposite the first hook arm;
and
a plurality of latches, each latch extending outward from the surface of the sphere body and comprising an aperture,
wherein a hook of a sphere of the plurality of spheres is configured to engage a latch of an adjacent sphere via insertion of a first hook arm or a second hook arm through the aperture such that the plurality of spheres form a structure.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

16/858,056Filed 24 Apr 2020

Priority

5 Sep 2019

Published

11 Mar 2021

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

C09K 8/03
Well-drilling compositions: specific additives for general use in well-drilling compositions
C09K 8/516
Compositions for plastering borehole walls, i.e. compositions for temporary consolidation of borehole walls: characterised by their form or by the…
E21B 21/003
Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor: means for stopping loss of drilling fluid
E21B 21/08
Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor: controlling or monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid,…

Sphere-Shaped Lost Circulation Material (LCM) Having Hooks and Latches

Life of this patent

Sphere-Shaped Lost Circulation Material (LCM) Having Hooks and Latches

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13