Methods and compositions for controlling lost circulation in subterranean operations

A method of controlling lost circulation comprising adding to a fluid a lost circulation composition having at least a trimodal particle size distribution, the lost circulation composition comprising:

• a first portion of particles having a weight mean particle size of less than about 20 microns;
• a second portion of particles having a weight mean particle size in the range of from about 25 microns to about 400 micron;
• and
• a third portion of particles having a weight mean particle size in the range of from about 450 microns to about 1,500 microns;
• wherein resilient particles, particles comprising a thermoset polymer laminate, or a combination thereof are present in the lost circulation composition in an amount of at least about 20% by weight of the lost circulation composition.

A method of increasing an effective fracture gradient in a portion of a subterranean formation while drilling a well bore that penetrates the portion of the subterranean formation, the method comprising:

• providing a fluid that comprises a lost circulation composition having at least a trimodal particle size distribution, the lost circulation composition comprising:
• a first portion of particles having a weight mean particle size of less than about 20 microns,
• a second portion of particles having a weight mean particle size in the range of from about 25 microns to about 400 microns, and
• a third portion of particles having a weight mean particle size in the range of from about 450 microns to about 1,500 microns,
• wherein resilient particles selected from the group consisting of a resilient carbon-based material comprising graphite and a carbon matrix, an elastomeric styrene butadiene copolymer, and a combination thereof;
• particles comprising a thermoset polymer laminate;
• or a combination thereof are present in the lost circulation composition in an amount of at least about 20% by weight of the lost circulation composition;
• placing the fluid into the well bore;
• and
• allowing the fluid to contact the portion of the subterranean formation penetrated by the well bore.

A method of controlling lost circulation comprising:

• providing a fluid that comprises a lost circulation composition having at least a trimodal particle size distribution, the lost circulation composition comprising:
• a first portion of particles having a weight mean particle size of less than about 20 microns,
• a second portion of particles having a weight mean particle size in the range of from about 25 microns to about 400 microns, and
• a third portion of particles having a weight mean particle size in the range of from about 450 microns to about 1,500 microns,
• wherein resilient particles, particles comprising a thermoset polymer laminate, or a combination thereof are present in the lost circulation composition in an amount of at least about 20% by weight of the lost circulation composition;
• placing the fluid into a well bore;
• and
• allowing the fluid to contact a lost circulation zone penetrated by the well bore.