Loss circulation compositions (LCM) having portland cement clinker
Portland cement clinker LCMs that include Portland cement clinker to mitigate or prevent lost circulation in a well are provided. A Portland cement clinker LCM may include Portland cement clinker, Portland cement, a carrier fluid, and an inorganic consolidation activator. Another Portland cement clinker LCM may include Portland cement clinker and a crosslinked fluid, such as a polyuronide crosslinked via calcium ions or a polysaccharide crosslinked via divinyl sulfone. Yet another Portland cement clinker LCM may include Portland cement clinker and polymer fibers or particulate glass. Methods of lost circulation control using a Portland cement clinker LCM are also provided.
1. A method to control lost circulation in a lost circulation zone in a wellbore, comprising:
introducing a lost circulation material (LCM) into the wellbore such that the LCM contacts the lost circulation zone and reduces a rate of lost circulation into the lost circulation zone as compared to a period before introducing the LCM, wherein the LCM comprises:
Portland cement clinker, wherein the Portland cement clinker consists of non-hydraulic, non-cementiceous unground Portland cement clinker particles; and
a polyuronide, the polyuronide selected to crosslink in the presence of calcium dissolved from the clinker.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the Portland cement clinker comprises ASTM International Type I cement clinker, ASTM International Type V cement clinker, API Class A cement clinker, and API Class G cement clinker.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polyuronide comprises an alginate or a pectinate.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polyuronide comprises apple pectin or citrus pectin.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polyuronide comprises an amount in the range of 0.5 weight of the total weight (w/w %) by weight of water to 3 w/w % by weight of water.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cement clinker comprises a plurality of particles each having a diameter greater than 1 centimeter.
7. The method of claim 1 , comprising maintaining the LCM in contact with the lost circulation zone for a time period, such that the LCM forms at least one plug.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the time period is in the range of 24 hours to 76 hours.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lost circulation zone is located in a karst formation.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein introducing a lost circulation material (LCM) into the wellbore comprises:
mixing the Portland cement clinker with water comprising dissolved polyuronide to form a mixture; and
pumping the mixture into the lost circulation zone.