Rapidly dehydrating lost circulation material (LCM)
A rapidly dehydrating lost circulation material (LCM) composition is provided. The LCM composition may include a carrier fluid, volcanic ash, a viscosifier, and date tree rachis fibers. The carrier fluid may be water and the viscosifier may be a cellulosic microfiber. The LCM composition may form a rapidly dehydrating loss control slurry (RDLCS). The LCM composition may be formed by mixing the carrier fluid, the volcanic ash, the viscosifier, and the date tree rachis fibers in a mixer to form a homogenous mixture. Methods of lost circulation control and manufacture of a rapidly dehydrating LCM are also provided.
1. A method to control lost circulation in a lost circulation zone in a wellbore, comprising:
introducing an altered drilling fluid into the wellbore such that the altered drilling fluid contacts the lost circulation zone and reduces a rate of lost circulation into the lost circulation zone, where the altered drilling fluid comprises a drilling fluid and a lost circulation material (LCM) composition, wherein the LCM composition comprises:
a carrier fluid;
a particulate material comprising volcanic ash;
a viscosifier; and
a fibrous material comprising date tree rachis fibers, wherein the date tree rachis fibers comprise at least 6% by weight of the LCM composition.
2. The method of claim wherein the LCM composition has a dehydration time of less than 3 minutes at 100 pounds-per-square inch differential (psid) pressure.
3. The method of claim 1 , comprising adding the lost circulation material to the drilling fluid to create the altered drilling fluid.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the carrier fluid comprises water.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the viscosifier comprises a cellulosic microfiber.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the particulate material consists of volcanic ash.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fibrous material consists of date tree rachis fibers.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the volcanic ash comprises at least 6% by weight of the LCM composition.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the LCM composition has a dehydration time of less than 3 minutes at 100 pounds-per-square inch differential (psid) pressure.