Paper: Mark Savery, Melissa Allin and Ron Morgan, Halliburton Energy Services

Multi-component, pliable plugging agents used to combat lost circulation are well known in the drilling industry. The role of these materials is to provide wellbore pressure containment and to allow for drilling ahead by sealing thief zones and stopping drilling fluid losses. This paper presents a unique method to model and quantify the optimal downhole mixing energy for multi-component, squeezable plugging agents. Understanding and controlling the mixing energy involved in placing these types of treatments is vital for success. The application of engineering similitude and a proprietary laboratory method is used to create a model that transforms bench-top mechanical mixing into forecasted downhole mixing at the drill bit. A custom-built apparatus that simulates specific downhole mixing and placement is used to confirm the optimal operating conditions projected from the similitude model and bench-top tests. Results for various chemical treatments are validated in this work.