Evaluation of Sugarcane Fiber as Potential Lost Circulation Material

Abstract—Drilling fluid is a mixture of chemicals used in the drilling operation and it is re-circulated within the well. It function as lubricating agents to keep the drilling tools in good condition, maintain the temperature and pressure, as well as prevent well damage. The drilling fluid may lost in circulation due to the pressure differences because of formation fractures; crevices within the formation. Lost Circulation Material (LCM) is substances that added into the drilling fluid functions as flow inhibitors to clog partially or completely the fractures in the wellbore to minimize fluid losses. The main objective of this study is to analyze the application of grinded sugarcane, a natural material as a potential LCM. This study covers all methods and techniques applied in achieving the objectives from preparation of the material to the experimental procedures used therein. The measurement of the effectiveness of grinded sugarcane as LCM to minimize the fluid loss and cake formation under of pressure (100psi, 150psi and 250psi) and temperature (700F, 1500F, and 2500F) are conducted at different mud densities. The increase in pressure and temperature led to an increase of volume in fluid lost to the formation. This concludes that the material is effective within a temperature range of 0-2500F but higher fluid loss is observed for temperature equal to or greater than 2500F.