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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Lost circulation material for sealing permeable formations

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5865938
A method for preparing slurries to seal permeable earth formations encountered in the drilling of wells is disclosed. The composition of matter comprises finely divided paper, diatomaceous earth, and in a further embodiment, lime. Slurries of the composition of matter can be prepared using fresh water or salt water to form a water-based lost circulation fluid, or using oil to form an oil-based lost circulation fluid. A slug of the slurry is spotted at the locus of the permeable formation and defluidized to form a formation seal on which a mud sheath is then deposited.
Assignee:
Phillips Petroleum Co
Patent Number(s):
US 4289632
OSTI ID:
5865938
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English