GB2414030A - Lost circulation material with low water retention value improves emulsion stability - Google Patents

Abstract

A lost circulation material (LCM) used for treating an invert emulsion fluid has a water retention value (WRV) of 1 or less. The LCM is preferably plant based and may consist of grape pumice, bulrush plants, or lignin byproducts from the processing of plant material into paper. The LCM may be a high lignin content LCM (HLLCM), containing more lignin than cellulose. The treated fluid has improved electrical stability.

Description

24 1 4030 TITLE: LOST CIRCULATION MATERIALS (LCM's)

EFFECTIVE TO MAINTAIN EMULSION STABILITY

OF DRILLING FLUIDS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to lost circulation materials, and to methods for maintaining emulsion stability in emulsion type drilling, drill-in, and completion fluids (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as "drilling fluids") containing lost circulation material(s).

Backeround of the Invention Drilling fluids serve various functions, such as promoting borehole stability, removing drilled cuttings from the wellbore, cooling and lubricating the bit and the drillstring, as well as controlling subsurface pressure. Certain subsurface conditions can cause, or lead to, "loss of circulation," or the loss of whole drilling fluid in quantity to the formation. Examples of such subsurface conditions include, but are not necessarily limited to: (1) natural or intrinsic fractures, (2) induced or created fractures; (3) cavernous formations (crevices and channels), and (4) unconsolidated or highly permeable formations (loose gravels).

Lost circulation materials are used to minimize loss of circulation. The lost circulation material forms a filter cake that effectively blocks voids in the formation.

Currently, lost circulation materials include fibrous materials, such as cedar bark and shredded cane stalk, flaky materials such as mica flakes, and granular materials such as ground limestone, wood, nut hulls, corncobs, and cotton hulls.

Unfortunately, low electrical stability values have been reported for invert emulsion drilling fluids containing fibrous cellulosic lost circulation material. If the electrical stability value of a drilling fluid becomes too low, water wetting of solids occurs, which may cause the theological properties of the fluid to break down, rendering the drilling fluid ineffective and even resulting in a shutdown of drilling operations.

Lost circulation materials and methods of use are needed which maintain electrical stability, and thereby emulsion stability of drilling fluids.

Summary of the Invention

The invention provides a method for maintaining electrical stability in a drilling, drill-in, or completion fluid comprising lost circulation material (LCM), said method comprising: providing an initial fluid selected from the group consisting of a drilling, drill in, or completion fluid, said initial fluid having effective rheology and fluid loss control properties; adding to said initial fluid a fibrous LCM consisting essentially of a quantity of high lignin lost circulation material (HLLCM) , thereby producing a treated fluid.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method for maintaining electrical stability in a drilling, drill-in, or completion fluid, said method comprising: providing an initial fluid selected from the group consisting of a drilling, drill in, or completion fluid having effective rheology and fluid loss control properties; and using as LCM in said initial fluid a fibrous HLLCM having a water retention value of about I or less.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method for maintaining electrical stability in a drilling, drill-in, or completion fluid, said method comprising: providing an initial fluid selected from the group consisting of a drilling, drill in, or completion fluid, said initial fluid having effective rheology and fluid loss control properties; and using grape pumice as a lost circulation material.

In preferred embodiments, said initial fluid exhibits a first electrical stability value and said treated fluid exhibits a second electrical stability value that is a maximum of l 8% less than said first electrical stability value; more preferably 15% less than said first electrical stability value; most preferably 12% less than said first electrical stability value. The initial fluid preferably is an emulsion base fluid, most preferably an invert emulsion fluid. The fibrous HLLCM preferably has a water retention value of about 1 or less, more preferably about 0.5 or less, even more preferably about 0.3 or less. Preferred HLLCM's are selected from the group consisting of grape pumice, bulrush plants, and lignin byproducts from processing plant material into paper. A most preferred HLLCM is grape pumice. The HLLCM preferably comprises a particle size distribution of from about 10 rum to about 200 rum.

In another aspect, the invention provides a fluid selected from the group consisting of a drilling, drill-in, or completion fluid having effective rheology and fluid loss control properties and comprising a lost circulation material consisting essentially of an HLLCM.

In another aspect, the invention provides a fluid selected from the group consisting of a drilling, drill-in, or completion fluid, said fluid having effective rheology and fluid loss control properties and consisting essentially of an LCM having a water retention value of about 1 or less.

In another aspect, the invention provides a fluid selected from the group consisting of a drilling, drill-in, or completion fluid, said fluid having effective rheology and fluid loss control properties and comprising a fibrous LCM, said fibrous LCM consisting essentially of materials selected from the group consisting of grape pumice, bulrush plants, and lignin byproducts from the processing of plant material into paper.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a fluid selected from the group consisting of a drilling, drill-in, or completion fluid, said fluid having effective rheology and fluid loss control properties and comprising a fibrous LCM consisting essentially of grape pumice.

In preferred embodiments, the initial fluid exhibits a first electrical stability value and a fluid comprising said HLLCM exhibits a second electrical stability value that is a maximum of 18% less than said first electrical stability value, more preferably 15% less than said first electrical stability value; most preferably 12% less than said first electrical stability value. The initial fluid preferably is an emulsion base fluid, most preferably an invert emulsion fluid. The fibrous HLLCM preferably has a water retention value of about I or less, more preferably about 0.5 or less, even more preferably about 0.3 or less. Preferred HLLCM's are selected from the group consisting of grape pumice, bulrush plants, and lignin byproducts from processing plant material into paper. A most preferred HLLCM is grape pumice. The HLLCM preferably comprises a particle size distribution of from about I O 1lm to about 200 rim.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a spotting pill comprising from about I to about 100 ppb of an HLLCM and a carrier liquid. Preferably, the spotting pill comprises from about 5 to about 50 ppb of an HLLCM and a carrier liquid.

The LCM preferably consists essentially of materials selected from the group consisting of grape pumice, bulrush plants, and lignin byproducts from the processing of plant material into paper. In a most preferred embodiment, the HLLCM is grape pumice.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a spotting pill comprising from about I to about 100 ppb grape pumice a carrier liquid, preferably from about 5 to about 50 ppb of grape pumice and a carrier liquid.

The carrier liquid preferably is selected from the group consisting of a polyalkylene oxides and copolymers thereof, polyalkyleneoxide glycol ethers, glycols, polyglycols, tripropylene glycol bottoms, and combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the carrier liquid is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycols, diethylene glycols, triethylene glycols, tetraethylene glycols, propylene glycols, dipropylene glycols, tripropylene glycols, tetMpropylene glycols, polyethylene oxides, polypropylene oxides, copolymers of polyethylene oxides and polypropylene oxides, polyethylene glycol ethers, polypropylene glycol ethers, polyethylene oxide glycol ethers, polypropylene oxide glycol ethers, and polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide glycol ethers. In another preferred embodiment, the carrier liquid is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol bottoms, and combinations thereof.

In a most preferred embodiment, the carrier liquid comprises tripropylene glycol bottoms. In a most preferred embodiment, the HLLCM is grape pumice, most preferably combined with tripropylene glycol bottoms. Where alkalinity of the drilling fluid is a concern, the pH may be maintained by using about 0.2 lb soda ash to about 1 lb grape pumice, in the spotting additive, or during mixing.

Brief Description of the DrawinEs

Figure I is a graph showing comparative LCM effects upon electrical stability

in a field ECUS OW sample.

Figure 2 is a graph showing a particle size distribution analyses of CHECK LOSS0 in various fluids.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Measurements of an emulsion-type drilling fluid are continually made in an effort to identify any loss in emulsion stability resulting from loss of circulation of the drilling fluid. A preferred method of measuring emulsion stability in invert emulsion drilling fluids is to measure the electrical stability of the drilling fluid.

The electrical stability of an oil-based drilling fluid relates both to its emulsion stability and to its oil-wetting capability. Electrical stability of a drilling fluid is determined by applying a voltage-ramped, sinusoidal electrical signal across a pair of parallel flat-plate electrodes immersed in the drilling fluid. The resulting current remains low until a threshold voltage is reached, whereupon the current rises very rapidly. This threshold voltage is the electrical stability of the drilling fluid and is defined as the voltage in peak volts-measured when the current reaches 61,uA.

Field operators monitor the emulsion stability of a drilling fluid by reading the voltage across the drilling fluid. The resulting electrical stability reading is directly related to the ratio of water to oil in a particular drilling fluid. As the concentration of water in the drilling fluid increases, the electrical stability value tends to decrease.

The reported decrease in electrical stability values in invert emulsion drilling fluids appears to be attributable to swollen, hydrated fibers of lost circulation material that come into contact with the electrical stability meter probe. In order to preserve electrical stability (and thereby emulsion stability), water wetting of such fibrous materials must be minimized.

The type of lost circulation material added to a particular drilling fluid varies according to the primary purpose of the drilling operation; the nature of the rocks to be penetrated; the site, and the skill and experience of the drilling crew. Various plant source fibers are used as lost circulation materials. Cellulose is a major constituent of most plant cell walls, and also has a high affinity for water. Without limiting the invention to a particular mechanism of action, the decrease in electrical stability of drilling fluids comprising many fibrous lost circulation materials is believed to be due to the intrinsic affinity of the cellulose in those fibers for water. In order to reduce the impact of a lost circulation material on electrical stability readings, the present invention reduces the cellulosic content of the fibrous material.

Lignin also is found in plant cell walls. Lignin is a strengthening polymer which provides rigidity and strength to the plant material. Lignin does not have as great an affinity for water as cellulose. Plant materials with higher lignin contents should have a directly or indirectly proportional decrease in affinity for water. It is difficult to analyze plant materials directly to determine their lignin content.

The present invention involves the use of "high lignin" lost circulation materials (HLLCM's) in drilling fluids. HLLCM's increase electrical stability values in emulsion type fluids, and thereby increase emulsion stability. "HLLCM's" are herein defined as fibrous lost circulation materials effective to maintain the electrical stability value of a given drilling, drill-in or completion fluid to within 20% or less of the electrical stability value of the same fluid in the absence of the HLLCM.

Preferred HLLCM's are effective to maintain the electrical stability value of a given drilling, drill-in or completion fluid within 18% of the electrical stability value of the same fluid in the absence of the HLLCM, more preferably to within about 15%, and most preferably to within about 12%. Another way of stating the electrical stability limitation is that the addition of the HLLCM causes a maximum reduction in voltage reading of 20% or less relative to the initial voltage reading, more preferably about 18% or less, even more preferably about 15 % or less, most preferably about 12% or less.

Suitable LCM's may be identified with reference to their "Water Retention Value" (WRY) A given plant material has a given hydration rate based on the size of voids within the fibers of that plant material. When the dry plant material is exposed to water, these voids are swollen by the water. The swelling of these voids in the presence of water may be measured, and the measured value is known as the material's WRV. The WRV is a measure of the amount of water intimately associated with a given dry weight of a given plant material, and is approximately equal to the total change in volume of the cell wall of the plant material.

The WRV for a given plant material may be calculated upon performing a simple test. Add 25 g test material to a glass jar. Mix 250 ml of deionized water with the test material. Shear the slurry at 3000 rpm for 5 min. Cap the glass jar roll 16 hr at 150 F. ARer cooling, pour the jar contents into an assembled Buchner funnel (using Whatman filter paper No. 41) fitted on a 2-liter Erlenmeyer flask, hooked to a vacuum pump. Filter for two hours maximum. Remove the Buchner funnel with test material from the flask and weigh. Calculate the WRV using the following equation: (Buchner funnel with filter (Buchner funnel with wet paper) - paper and retained wet test material) Initial 25 g dry test material.

Fibrous lost circulation materials in current use have a calculated W8V of about 4 or more. HLLCM's that are suitable for use in the present invention have a calculated WRV of 1 or less, preferably 0.5 or less, and more preferably 0.3 or less.

Examples of suitable HLLCM's include, but are not necessarily limited to plants that actually grow in water but tend to remain dry, such as bulrush plants, which include cattails, papyrus, and the like. Also suitable are lignin byproducts derived from the processing of wood or other plant materials into paper. The products made from such processes typically require high contents of cellulose, and lignin is processed out of the wood. The lignin typically is sold for sulfonation.

The HLLCM generally has a particle size distribution effective to form a filter cake and to block loss of circulation of the drilling fluid to the formation. Suitable particle size distributions generally are from about 10 1lm to about 200 rum, preferably from about 15 to about 170.

A most preferred HLLCM for use in the invention is grape pumice. HLLCMs, preferably grape pumice, have the added advantage of inducing less impact upon theological properties.

The HLLCM preferably is used in emulsion type drilling fluids, most preferably invert emulsion drilling fluids. However, HLLCM's are useful as a lost circulation materials in any type of drilling fluid, including water base fluids, natural or synthetic oil base fluids, oil-in-water emulsion fluids, and water-in-oil emulsion fluids.

The HLLCM may be included as an integral part of a drilling fluid, and/or added to a drilling fluid, as needed, during drilling operations. Where the HLLCM is used as an integral part of a drilling fluid, the quantity used is from about 0.1 ppg to about 25 ppg, preferably from about 5 ppg to about 10 ppg. Where the HLLCM is added to the drilling fluid as needed during operation, the HI,LCM is simply added to the mud pit with mixing, as needed. The quantity of HLLCM added will vary depending upon the extent of the loss in circulation. Typically, the quantity is from about 0.1 ppg to about 25 ppg or more.

Alternately, the HLLCM is added to the mud pit as a spotting pill. In this embodiment, the HLLCM is added as a slurry, together with a small amount of a carrier liquid that is compatible with the fluid being treated. A preferred slurry comprises from about 1 ppb to about 100 ppb HLLCM, preferably about 5 to about 50 ppb HLLCM. A most preferred spotting pill is from about 1 ppb to about 100 ppb grape pumice in a carrier fluid, preferably from about 5 to about 50 ppb grape pumice.

Typically, after the HLLCM is spotted opposite the loss zone, it is desirable to pull into the casing and wait six to eight hours before continuing operations.

Whether used as a integral part of the drilling fluid, or in a spotting pill, certain HLLCM's, such as grape pumice, tend to increase the acidity of water base fluids. Hence, where the HLLCM is used in a water base fluid, it is preferred to add a sufficient quantity of a buffering agent to increase the pH to neutral, or about 7.

Suitable buffering agents include but are not necessarily limited to soda ash, sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, lime, calcium hydroxide, and the like. A suitable amount of buffering agent is from about 0.1 lb to about 0.2 lb, preferably 0.1 lb, for every 10 lbs. HLLCM, preferably grape pumice.

Suitable carrier fluids for a spotting pill vary depending upon the fluid being treated. Where the fluid is a water base fluid, the carrier preferably will be aqueous.

Where the fluid is an oil base fluid, the carrier preferably will be nonaqueous, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment, the carrier fluid is selected from the group consisting of glycols, polyglycols, polyalkyleneoxides, alkyleneoxide copolymers, alkylene glycol ethers, polyalkyleneoxide glycol ethers, and salts of any of the foregoing compounds, and combinations ofthe foregoing compounds.

Examples of suitable glycols and polyglycols include, but are not necessarily limited to ethylene glycols, diethylene glycols, triethylene glycols, tetraethylene glycols, propylene glycols, dipropylene glycols, tripropylenc glycols, and tetrapropylene glycols. Examples of suitable polyalkyleneoxides and copolymers thereof include, but are not necessarily limited to polyethylene oxides, polypropylene oxides, and copolymers of polyethylene oxides and polypropylene oxides. Suitable polyalkyleneoxide glycol ethers include, but are not necessarily limited to polyethylene glycol ethers, polypropylene glycol ethers, polyethylene oxide glycol ethers, polypropylene oxide glycol ethers, and polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide glycol ethers. Preferred carriers are ethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol bonoms, and combinations thereof. A most preferred carrier is tripropylene glycol bosoms.

The invention will be beKer understood with reference to the following Examples, which are illustrative only. In the examples, CHEK-LOSS0 is a corn cob based LCM, available from Baker Hughes INTEQ; PHENO-SEAL: is a ground plastic resin material, available from Montello, Inc.; MUD-LINER is a paper based LCM, available from BCI Incorporated; LIQUID CASING is a peanut hull based LCM available from Liquid Casing, Incorporated; KWIK SEAL FINE is a blend of vegetable and polymer fibers available from Kelco Oilfield Group; and BAROFIBRE is an almond hull based LCM, available from Baroid/Halliburton.

Example 1

Field operations personnel reported continuing problems of low electrical stability values for invert emulsion drilling fluids containing fibrous lost circulation material (LCM) additives. Although not identifying the specific additives, a report indicated that all fibrous materials lowered electrical stability values. However, HAT fluid losses of the laboratory test muds showed no evidence of water. The criteria of absence of water in the HPHT filtrate was used as the preferred method of determining emulsion stability.

The following is an assessment of the effects of various LCM additives on electrical stability, theological properties, and HPHT/PPA filtration control of synthetic-based fluids.

EQUIPMENT

1. Prince Castle mixer 2. Fann viscometer, Model 35A 3. Thermometer, dial, 0-220 F 4. Balance with precision of 0.01 g 5. Sieves (conforming to ASTM E11 requirements) 6. Roller oven, 150 - 250 + 5 F (66 - 121 + 3 C) 7. Static aging oven 8. Wash bottle 9. Retsch grinding mill 10. Mortar and pestle 1 1. Spatula 12. Timer: interval, mechanical or electrical, precision of 0.1 minute 13. Jars (approximately 500 ml capacity) with sealing lids 14. Heating cup, OFI, 115 volt 16. Malvern Mastersizer

PROCEDURES

The following INTEQ Fluids Laboratory procedures were used:7 RecoTunended Practice Standard Procedure for Field Testing Oil-Based Drilling Fluids, API Recommended Practice 13B-2, Third Edition, February 1998 Recommended Practice Standard Procedure for Field Testing Water-Based Drilling Fluids, API Recommended Practice 13B-1, Second Edition, September 1997 Instrumentation Manual for Malvern Mastersizer The following were the results: Tablet Comparative evaluation of CHEK-LOSS and BLEN-PLUG OM infield SYN-TEQ@ samples

_

Materials: SYN-TEQ (unknown LCM) Sample A, bbl 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 SYN-TEQ Sample B. bbl. . CHEK-LOSS, Sample C, Ib/bbl. 10 BLEN-PLUG OM, Sampic D, Ib/bbl. 10 Stirred 15 min Electrical stability, volt Rolled 16 hr. 150 F 1290 1160 1040 1290 _ FANN 35 Properties: 600 rpm rag, 120 F 145 233 n/m 145 300 rpm rdg 82 131 82 rpm rdg 61 95 61 rpm rdg 38 58 38 6 rpm rag 10 14 10 3 rpm rdg 8 11 8 Plastic viscosity, cp 63 102 63 Yield point, Ib/100 fly 19 29 19 10-see gel, Ib/100 ft2 10 12 10 10-min gel, Ib/100 R2 13 16 13 Electrical stability volt 1150 350 330 1150 _ 60.mesh screened al Electrical stability, volt. 390 350

_

Treatment: Baroid DrilTreat, Ib/bbl 5.0 5.0 5.0 rNTOIL-S, Ib/bbl 5.0 Electrical stability, volt 1290 385 350 1290 CHEK-LOSS, lb 10 10 Rolled 16 hr,150 F Electrical stability, volt 430 440 600 rpm rdg,120 F 205 222 300 rpm rdg I J 8 129 rpm rdg 87 95 rpm rag 54 60 6 rpm rdg 14 15 3 rpm rdg 11 12 Plastic viscosity, cp 87 93 Yield point, Ib/100 fl2 31 36 10-see gel, Ibn00 fl2 1 15 1 1 1 16 1 IO min gel, Ib/100 Pll | 18 l l | 19 Table 2 Comparative evaluation of a) wetting agents with CHEK-LOSS@J in afield ECO FLOW and l competitivef brous LCM additives ver sus MlL- CAR15 or PHENO-SE2lL _ A Wettir Agents with Cl EK-L ?SS B: Fibr' lUS LC M vers s MIL -CARE Matenals: EGO-FLOW, Sample E, bbl 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1. 0 1.0 1.0 1.0 DRILTREAT, Ibibbl 5.0 INTOIL-S, Ib/bbl 5.0

BIO-COTE_

Ib/bbl 2.5

OMNI

COTEQ9, Ib/bbl 2.5 CHEK-LOSS, Ibibbl 10 10 10 10 10

PHENO

SEAL, Ib/bbl 10

LUBRA

SEAL, Ib/bbl I O BAROFIBRE, Ibibbl 10 MUD LINER, Ibibbl 10 LIQUI1) CASING, Ibibbl 10

ULTRASEAL

Ibibbl 10 ML CARB, Ib/bbl 10 Stirred 15 min Rolled 16 hr.

150 F _ Properties: 600 rpm rag, 120 F 122 178 155 168 153 150 125 136 157 198 165 160 124 300 rpm rdg 72 100 88 95 80 80 73 79 90 112 94 90 73 rpm rdg 52 73 66 70 54 57 54 59 65 81 68 67 54 rpm rdg 33 45 41 43 30 33 34 36 41 49 42 45 33 6rpmrdg 10 12 11 12 4 4 10 10 11 12 11 13 10 3 rpm rdg 8 10 9 10 3 3 8 g 10 11 10 12 8 Plastic viscosity, cp Yield point, 50 78 67 73 73 70 52 57 67 86 71 70 51 Ib/100 ft2 10-see gel, 22 22 21 22 7 10 21 22 23 26 23 20 22 Ib/100 ft2 10-rein pel, 11 12 12 12 4 4 11 11 12 13 12 12 11 Ib/1 00 n Electrical 14 15 15 16 6 9 14 15 14 16 15 15 14 stability, volt HPHT 1170 620 640 500 440 480 1170 720 850 500 650 750 1160 (250 F), ml Water in 10.8 11.2 10.0 10.6 11.6 10.8 10.2 10.8 10.0 filtrate no no no no no no no no no Table 35ect of CHEK-LOSS/ on electrical stablity and particle size Materials: __ ISO-TEQ, bbl 0.75 0. 75 0.85 0.8S 0.95 0.95 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 0MN1 MULtI), Ib/bbl 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12.

Deionized Water, bbl 1.00 1.00 0.25 0.25 0.15 0.15 0.05 0.05. . . . Cl IEK LOSS 19, Ib/bbl. 50. 50 50. 50 50 50 Stirred 30 min Rolled 16 hr.

150 F _ Properties: Electrical stability, volt cs c5 150 10 230 15 1100 95 2000 2000 2000 2000 Particle Size Analyses by Malvern: D (v, 0.1) 179. 23.6. 36.8 16.4 17.9 15.1 D (v, 0.5) 64.5 84.3 95.2. 70.3. 60.7. 65.6 D (v, 0.9) . 142. 204. 203 169. 137 175 Table q Evaluation of Otherf brous LCM additives as compared to CHEK-LO. SS0iD Materials: _

UNOCAL ECO

FLOW

Field Sample

(FSR 4341d), bbl 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 CHEK-LOSS, Ih/bbl 10 Slurry Blend*, Ib/bbl 12.5.

LCM Blend**, Ib/bbl 10 KWIK-SEAL Fine, Ib/bbl 10 MASTERSEAL, Ib/bbl 10 LCP***, Ib/bbl. 10 Stirred 30 min Rolled 16 hr. 150 F Properties: Electrical stabi lisy' volt 1470 700 740 880 1280 1300 970 600 rpm rdg 120 F 126 175 128 166 134 137 150 300 rpm rdg 72 100 70 95 77 77 85 rpm rdg 53 78 50 70 58 57 60 rpm rdg 32 49 31 42 37 36 37 6 rpm rdg 8 12 8 11 10 10 10 3 rpm rdg 7 10 7 10 8 8 8 Plestic viscosity, cp 54 75 58 71 57 60 65 Yield point, Ib/100 02 18 25 12 24 20 17 20 10-see gel, Ib/100 Pd 10 I I 9 13 12 I I 12 10-min gel, Ib/100 82 13 15 11 15 14 14 14 HPHT (250 F), cm3/30 rnin 2. 0 2.4. 2.4 2.0 Water in Filbate? no no. . no no Notes: * Slurry blend prepared by mixing 0.86 bbl ISO-TEQ, 12 Ibibbl OMNICOTE arid 125 Ib/bbl CHEK-LOSS.; added 12 Ib/bbl of slurry (equivalent to 10 Ib/bbl CHEK-LOSS) to base mud.

** LCM blend prepared by mixing 60% by weight MIL-GRAPHITE, 35% CHEKLOSS6, 2.5% WITCO 90 FLAKE alid 2. 5% INDUSTRENE R FLAKE.

**LCP supplied by Environmental Drilling Technology (Tulsa, OK).

Table S Performance of KWIK-SEAL Fne compared to CNEK-LOSS. Coarse Matcrials:

UNOCAL EGO-FLOW

Field Sample

(FSR 4341d), bbl 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 CHEK-LOSS Coarse, Ib/bbl 10 CHEKLOSS0 Coarse Retsch ground*, Ib/bbl 10 KWIK-SEAL Fine, Ib/bbl 10 KWIlCSEAL Fine Retsch groundt, Ib/bbl 10 Stirred 30 min Rolled 16 hr. 150 F Properties: Electrical stability, volt 1470 900 580 1280 1100 600 rpmrdg, 120 F 126 150 160 134 145 300 rpm rdg 72 85 90 77 83 rpm rdg 53 63 67 58 61 rpm rdg 32 38 41 37 37 6 rpm rdg 8 12 12 10 11 3 rpm rdg 7 11 11 8 10 Plastic viscosity, cp 54 65 70 57 62 Yield point, Ib/100 ft2 18 20 20 20 21 10-see gel, Ib/100 fl2 10 12 12 12 12 10-min gel, Ib/100 ft2 12 14 16 14 14 Particle Size Analyses of Ground LCM additives by Malvcrn: D (v, 0.1) 12.96 15.11 D (v, 0.5) 100.9 99.4 D (v, 0 9) 335.8 369 Notes: *LCM additives ground by Retsch apparatus Table 6 PPA STUDY- Evaluation of KWIKEAL Fine compared to CHEK-LOSS Coarse in a laboratory prepared 12 lie/gal SYN-TEQ fluid

_

Properties: Electrical stability, volt 1000 440 600 475 750 700 600 lpmrdg 120 F 113 120 114 118 94 112 300 pm rdg 73 75 76 75 60 70 rpm rdg 58 59 60 59 45 53 Am rdg 40 42 43 43 3Z 36 67mrdg 17 17 17 17 14 15 3 rpmrdg]5 15 15 15 12 13 Plastic viscosity, cp 40 45 38 43 34 42 Yield point, Ib/100 * 33 30 3t, 32 26 21, lO see gel, Ib/100 fly 17 17 17 17 14 15 10-mn gel, Ib/100 fly 19 19 19 19 16 18 PPA: (90-micron, 250 F) Initial spurt loss, ml 4.2 3.0 3.0 3.4 2.8 3.2 Total loss, ml 8.2 5.8 6.6 7.0 5. 6 4.8 Notes: dBase mud composition: 0.629 bbl ISO, 12 lb OMNI-MUL@, 0.15 bbl water, 8 Ib/bbl CARBO-GEL, 18 lb calcium chloride, 239 Ib/bbl MIL- BAR3) **LCM additives ground by Retsch apparatus From the foregoing, it was concluded that the intrinsic affinity of cellulosic fibers for water was the cause of the influence of these fibers on electrical stability.

Decreased electrical stability values were attributable to swollen, hydrated fibers coming into contact with the electrical stability meter probe. The magnitude of the phenomenon was related to the amount of available water - i.e. the more water, the lower the value. Therefore, the reduction in electrical stability increased as oil/water ratios decreased. Water wetting of solids was never observed in the test fluids. The bar chart of Fig. 1 summarizes the variety of LCM effects upon electrical stability. Particulate LCMs such as MIL-CARB had no effect. Mud property data is

presented in the foregoing Tables, and in Fig. 2.

The following are oil mud evaluations detailing routine analytical results of submitted field mud samples used in the test matrices.

Table 7

Sample: A Sample Used For: Drilling Mud System: Syn-Teq Depth taken, feet: 14800 External Phaseil: Iso-Teq S G. Weight Material: 4.2 Mud Weight,lbm/gal: 17.1 Density ofOil,lbm/gal: 6.6 Specific Gravity of Mud: 2.05 Excess Lime, Ibm/bbl 1.04 Rheologies @, F: 150 Total Calcium, mg/L mud 12000 I 0 600 rpm: 98 Total Chlorides, mg/L mud 26000 300 rpm: 58 CaC12, mg/L mud 40820 200rpm: 44 CaC12, Ibm/bblof mud 14.29 100rpm: 28 CaC12, mg/L 402,797 6 rpm: 8 CaC12, % by weight 31.2 3 rpm: 7 Brine Density, g/ml 1.29 Plastic Viscosity, cPs: 40 Corrected Brine, % by vol. 10.1 Yield Point, Ibf/100 ft2: 18 Corrected Solids, % by vol. 38.9 Initial Gel, Ibf/100 ft2: 9 Average Solids Density, g/ml 3.90 min Gel, Ibf/100 ft2: 12 Weight Material, % by vol. 31.3 30 min Gel, Ibf/100 ft2 13 Weight Material, Ibm/bbl 460.0 API, mls/30 mine: Low Gravity Solids, % by vol. 7.6 MT-HP Temp, F: 300 Low Gravity Solids, Ibm/bbl 70.3 MT-HP, mls/30 mins: 2.2 Oil:Water Ratio=Water 15.0 Pom, mls/lml mud: 0.8 Oil:Water Ratio=Oil 85.0 AgN03, mls/lml mud: 2. 6 Corrccted Water Ratio 16.6 EDTA, mls/lml mud: 3 Corrected Oil Ratio 83. 4 ES, volts: 1200 Solids, % by vol.: 40 Water, % by vol.: 9 Oil, %by vol. : 51

Table 8

Sample: E Sample Used For: Drilling Mud System: ECOFLOW 200 Depth taken, feet: External Phase-Oil: Ecoflow S G. Weight Material: 4.2 Mud Weight, Ibm/gal: 16.6 Density of Oil, Ibm/gal: 6.6 Specific Gravity ofMud: 2. 00 Excess Lime,lbm/bbl 3.51 Rheologies@, F: 150 Total Calcium, mg/L mud 11200 600 rpm: 82 Total Chlorides, mg/L mud 24000 300rpm: 47 CaC12, mg/Lmud 37680 rpm: 35 CaC12, Ibm/bblofmud 13.19 100rpm: 22 CaC12, mg/L 530,455 6 rpm: 6 CaC12, % by weight 38.6 3 rpm: 5 Brine Density, g/ml 1.38 Plastic Viscosity,cPs: 35 Corrected Brine,%by vol. 7.1 Yield Point, Ibf/100 ft2: 12 Corrected Solids, % by vol. 39.9 Initial Gel, IbillO0 ft2: 7 Average Solids Density, g/ml 3.71 min Gel, Ib100 ft2: 11 Weight Material, % by vol. 27.2 mm Gel, Ibf/100 ft2 11 Weight Material, Ibm/bbl 399.4 API, mls/30 mine: Low Gravity Solids, % by vol. 12.7 MT-HP Temp, F: Low Gravity Solids, Ibrn/bbl I I X. I MT-HP, mls/30 mine: Oil:WaterRatio=Water 10.2 Pom, mls/lml mud: 2. 7 Oil:WaterRatio=Oil 89.8 AgN03, mls/lml mud: 2.4 Corrected Water Ratio 11.8 EDTA, mls/lrnl mud: 2.8 Corrected Oil Ratio 88.2 ES, volts: 1360 Solids, % by vol.: 41 Water, % by vol.: 6 Oil, % by vol.: 53

Table 9

Sample Number: E Sample Used For: Drilling Mud System: Syn-Teq Depth taken, feet: External Phase-Oil: Eco-Flow 200 S G. Weight Material: 4.2 Mud Weight, Ibm/gal: 17.0 Density of Oil, Ibm/gal: 6.5 Specific Gravity of Mud: 2.04 Excess Lime, Ibm/bbl 5.46 Rheologies@, F: 150 TotalCalcium, mglL mud 14800 600 rpm: 89 Total Chlorides, mg/L mud 30000 300 rpm: 52 CaC12, mg/L mud 47100 rpm: 38 CaC12, Ibmlbblof mud 16.48 100rpm: 25 CaC12, mg/L 530,455 6 rpm: 7 CaC12, %by weight 38.6 3 rpm: 6 Brine Density, g/ml 1.38 Plastic Viscosity,cPs: 37 Corrected Brine,%by vol. 8.9 Yield Point, Ibf/100 ft2: 15 Corrected Solids, % by vol. 38.1 Initial Gel, Ibf/100 ft2: g Average Solids Density, glml 3.94 10minGel,lbf/100ft2: 12 WeightMaterial,%byvol. 31.7 min Gel, Ibf7100 ft2 13 Weight Material, Ibmlbbl 466.6 API, mls/30 reins: Low Gravity Solids, % by vol. 6.4 MT-HP Temp, F: 300 Low Gravity Solids, Ibrn/bbl 59. 1 MT-HP, mls/30 mins: 2 Oil:Water Ratio=Water 12.4 Pom, mls/lml mud: 4. 2 Oil:Water Ratio=Oil 87.6 AgN03, rnls/lml mud: 3 Corrected Water Ratio 14.3 EDTA, rnlsAml mud: 3.7 Corrected Oil Ratio 8s.7 ES, volts: 1420 Solids, %byvol.: 39 5 Water, % by vol.: 7.5 Oil, % by vol.: 53

Example 2

The following LCM's were obtained from Grinding & Sizing Co. labeled as: "Wood Fiber" (pine), "Grape Pumice", "Pith", "Furfiral" and "Total Control" (ground rubber). Ground coconut shell was obtained Tom Reade Co in 325 mesh size and 80-325 mesh size ( "Reade 325F" and "Reade 325/80," respectively).

EQUIPMENT

1. Prince Castle mixer 2. Fann viscometer, Model 35A 3. Thermometer, dial, 0-220 F 4. Balance with precision of 0.01 g 5. Sieves (conforming to ASTM El l requirements) 6. Roller oven, 150 - 250 5 F (66 - 121 + 3 C) 7. Spatula 8. Timer: interval, mechanical or electrical, precision ofO.I minute 9. Jars (approximately 500 ml capacity) with sealing lids 10. Heating cup, OFI, 115 volt 11. Particle Plugging Apparatus 12. Aloxite disks 13. Malvern Mastersizer

PROCEDURES

The following INTEQ Fluids Laboratory procedures were used: Recommended Practice Standard Procedure for Field Testing Oil-Based Drilling Fluids, API Recommended Practice 13B-2, Third Edition, February 1998 Recommended Practice Standard Procedure for Field Testing Water-Based Drilling Fluids, API Recommended Practice 13B-1, Second Edition, September 1997 Instrumentation Manual for Malvern Mastersizer The following results were observed:

TABLE 10:

Evaluation a/ Various Fibrous LCMAdditivesfrom Grinding & Sizing Co., Inc. as compared to CHEK-LOSS Materials: Field Mud FSR No. 4502, bbl 1.0 I. 0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 CHEK-LOSS, lb 10 Wood Fiber, lb 10 Grape Pumice, lb 10 Pith, lb 10 Furfural, lb. 10 Total Control, lb 10 Stirred 15 mini rolled 16 hr. 150 F Properties: 600 rpm rdg at 120 F 91 119 114 100 108 108 107 300 rpm rdg 52 69 66 60 64 64 63 rpm rag 38 51 48 44 47 47 46 rpm rdg 24 31 30 28 30 30 28 6 rpm rag 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 3 rpm rdg 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 Plastic viscosity, cp 39 50 48 40 44 44 44 Yield point, Ib/100 sq fl 13 19 18 20 20 20 19 10-see gel, Ib/100 sq It 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 10-min gel, Ib/100 sq It 11 12 12 12 12 12 12 Electrical stability, volt 750 300 350 670 540 490 590 Pom, mls/1 ml mud 1.6 1.55 1.55 Particle plugging apparatus results, (300 F, 1000 psi, 90-micron) Spurt loss, ml 3.0 4.8 2.0 Final total loss, ml 5.0 7.2 2.8 s Oil-Mud Sample Evaluation Report (FSR No. 4502) External Phase-Oil: Ecoflow S G. Weight Material: 4.2 Mud Weight, Ibm/gal: 15. 3 Density of Oil, lbm/gal: 6.6 Specific Gravity ofMud: 1.84 Excess Lime, lbmlbbl 1.95 Rheological Properties, F: 150 Total Calcium, mg/L mud 10400 600 rpm: 60 Total Chlorides, mg/L mud 22000 300 rpm: 35 CaC12, mg/L mud 34540 rpm: 26 CaC12, Ibmlbbl of mud 12.09 100 rpm: 17 CaC12, mglL 347,539 6 rpm: 5 CaC12, % by weight 27.7 3 rpm: 4 Brine Density, g/ml 1.25 Plastic Viscosity, cPs: 25 Corrected Brine, % by vol. 9.9 Yield Point, Ibf/100 ft2: 10 Corrected Solids, % by vol. 35.1 Initial Gel, Ibf/100 ft2: 7 Average Solids Density, g/ml 3.65 min Gel, Ibli 100 ft2: 10 Weight Material, % by vol. 22.6 min Gel, Ibli 100 fly 10 Weight Material, lbm/bbl 331.5 API, mls/30 mine: Low Gravity Solids, % by vol. 12.5 MT-HP Temp, F: Low Gravity Solids, Ibmlbbl 116.0 MT-HP, mls/30 mins: Oil:Water Ratio=Water 14.1 Pom, mls/lml mud: 1. 5 Oil:Water Ratio=Oil 85.9 AgN03, mls/lml mud: 2.2 Corrected Water Ratio 15.3 EDTA, mls/1ml mud: 2.6 Corrected Oil Ratio 84.7 ES, volts: 700 Solids, % by vol.: 36 Water, % by vol.: 9 Oil, % by vol.: 55

TABLE 11:

Evaluation of Grinding & Sizing Ca Grape Pumice, as compared to CHEK-LOSS, in a Solids-Laden Oil-Based Field Mud Materials:

Field Mud (FSR N,o. 4522), bbl 1.0 1.0 1.0

CHEK-LOSS, lb 10 Grape Pumice, lb 10 Stirred 15 mini rolled 16 hr. 150 F Properties: 600 rpm rdg at 120 F 150 190 150 300 rpm rdg 81 104 80 rpm rdg 58 72 56 rpm rdg 32 42 31 6 rpm rdg 5 7 5 3 Ipm rdg 4 5 4 Plastic viscosity, cp 69 86 70 Yield point, Ib/100 sq ft 12 IX 10 10-see gel, Ib/100 sq ft 7 8 7 10-min gel, Ib/100 sq It 23 27 24 Electrical stability, volt 620 350 585 Pom, mls/1 ml mud 1.0 1.0 1.0 Particle plugging apparatus results, (300 F, 1000 psi, 90-micron) Spurt loss, ml 4.6 5.2 2.8 Final total loss, ml 9.0 9.6 5.2

TABLE 12:

Evaluation of Reade Co. Ground Coconut Shell, as compared to CHEK-LOSS, in a Solids-Laden Oil-Based Field Mud Materials:

Field Mud (FSR No. 4522), bbl 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

CHEK-LOSS, lb 10 Reade 325F, lb 10 Reade 80/325, lb 10 Stirred 15 rein; rolled 16 hr. 150 F Properties: 600 rpm rdg at 120 F 150 190 173 185 300 rpm rdg 81 104 97 102 rpm rdg 58 72 72 75 rpm rdg 32 42 41 42 6 rpm rdg.5 7 8 6 3 rpm rdg 4 5 6 4 Plastic viscosity, cp 69 86 76 83 Yield point, Ib/100 sq R 12 18 21 19 10-see gel, Ib/100 sq ft 7 8 11 11 10-min geL Ib/100 sq R 23 27 48 40 Electrical stability, volt 620 350 605 585 Pom, mls/1 ml mud 1.0 1.0 0.95 Particle plugging apparatus results, (300 F, 1000 psi, 90-micron) Spurt loss, ml 4.6 5.2 3.4 Final total loss, ml 9.0 9.6 6.6 The coconut materials had very minimal impact upon the electrical stability value of the base fluid. However, these materials appeared to be kilned, thus making them more characteristic as a particulate rather than a fiber. Resultant theological properties were not satisfactory.

In Data Tables 11 and 12, Formula 4522 was the following: Oil-Mud Sample Evaluation Report (FSR No. 4522) External Phase-Oil: Diesel S G. Weight Material: 4.2 Mud Weight, Ibm/gal: 16.5 Density of Oil, Ibm/gal: 7.1 Specific Gravity of Mud: 1.98 Excess Lime, Ibm/bbl 1.30 Rheological Properties, OF: 150, 120 Total Calcium, mglL mud 5200 600 rpm: 96, 137 Total Chlorides, mg/L mud 9000 300rpm: 52,75 CaC12,mg/Lmud 14130 rpm: 36, 52 CaC12, Ibm/bbl of mud 4.95 rpm: 21, 29 CaC12, mg/L 150,804 6 rpm: 4, 5 CaC12, %by weight 13.6 3 rpm: 3, 4 Brine Density, g/ml 1.11 Plastic Viscosity, cPs: 44, 62 Corrected Brine, % by vol. 9.4 Yield Point, Ibfl 100 R2: 8,1 3 Corrected Solids, % by vol. 39.1 Initial Gel, Ibl7100 fly: S. 6 Average Solids Density, g/ml 3.67 mitt Gel, Ibfl100 R2: 21, 22 Weight Material, % by vol. 25.7 mitt Gel, IbtllO0 R2 29, 30 Weight Material, Ibm/bbl 377.4 API, mls/30 mine: Low Gravity Solids, % by vol. 13.5 MT-HP Temp, OF: 300 Low Gravity Solids, Ibm/bbl 124.8 MT-HP, mls/30 mins: 9. 2 Oil:Water Ratio=Water 14.9 Pom, mls/lrnl mud: 1 Oil:Water Ratio=Oil 85. 1 AgN03, mlsllml mud: 0.9 Corrected Water Ratio 15.4 EDTA, mls/lml mud: 1. 3 Corrected Oil Ratio 84.6 ES, volts: 650 Solids, %byvol.: 39 5 Water, % by vol.: 9 Oil, % by vol.: 51.5

TABLE 13:

Evaluation of Grinding & Sizing CQ Grape Pumice, as compared to CHER-LOSS, in a Laboratory-Prepared Water-Based Mud Materials: Lab-Prepared Mud (FSR No. 1.0 1.0 1.0 4423b), bbl 10 CHEK-LOSS, lb 10 Grape Pumice, lb _.

Stirred 15 mini rolled 16 hr. 150 F Properties: 600 rpm rag at 120 F 74 141 90 300 rpm rdg 40 80 52 rpm rdg 28 57 40 rpm rdg 17 35 25 6 rpm rdg 3 9 8 3 rpm rdg 2 7 6 Plastic viscosity, cp 24 61 38 Yield point, Ib/100 sq R 16 19 14 10-see gel, Ib/100 sq 6 14 14 10-min gel, Ib/100 sq 23 38 44 pH 9.0 8.4 7.5 API filtrate, ml 0.6 0.4 0. 4 In Data Table 13, Formulation 4423b was the following: Formulation (FSR 4423b) Water, bbl 0.6 MILGEL, lb 4.0 Soda Ash, lb I.0 NEW-DRILL LV, lb 0. 5 Sea salt, lb 8.8 _.

MIL-PAC LV, lb 1.0 CHEMTROL X, lb 6.0 LIGCO, lb 6.0 TEQ-THIN, lb 3.0 SULFATROL lb 2.0 Caustic Soda lb 2.5 AQUA-MAGIC, % vol 3.0 ALL-TEMP, lb 1. 0 Rev Dust, lb 18.0 L-BAR, lb 450.0 MIL-CARB, lb 10.0 CHECK-LOSS, lb 3.0 Grape Pumice appears to fulfill the needed characteristic of being composed of more lignin rather than cellulose. Grape Pumice caused significantly less impact (5 -10% decreases) upon electrical stability values, as compared to 50 - 60% decreases when adding CIlF.K-LOSS. Grape Pumice also induced less impact upon the plastic viscosities of the oil muds, as compared to CHEK-LOSS. Grape Pumice provided better PPA (particle plugging apparatus) results, as compared to CHEK-LOSS at test conditions of 300 F, 1000 psi differential, 90-micron aloxite disk.

Example 3

The papermaking industry uses a measurement called the Water Retention Value (WRV), which gives the amount of water intimately associated with a given dry weight of wood pulp. This represents the capacity of fibers to swell in the presence of water. This value varies with the source of plant fibers (corn, peanut, walnut, almond, coconut, etc.). The paper industry wants more cellulose, less lignin.

The need in this application is to choose a plant fiber source with a ratio of more lignin with less cellulose. Lignin, which serves as the "skeletal" structure for plants, is significantly less water-absorbent.

The following described procedure is a modification of the TAPPT 1991 UM 256 procedure used in the papermaking industry. Equipment used included: 1. Prince Castle mixer 2. Tachometer 3. 500-ml glass jars with lids 4. Deionized water 5. Electronic balance 6. Vacuum pump 7. 2-liter Erlenmeyer flask 8. Buchner funnel 9. Whatman filter paper No. 41 An amount of 25 g test material was added to a glass jar. 250 ml of deionized water was then added. The slurry was sheared at 3000 rpm for 5 min. The glass jar was capped and rolled 16 hr at 150 F. After cooling, the jar contents was poured into an assembled Eluchner funnel (using Whatman filter paper No. 41) fitted on a 2-liter Erlenmeyer flask, hooked to a vacuum pump. Filtration was conducted for two hours maximum. The Buchner funnel with test material content was removed from the flask and was weighed. Calculation of the WRV would be as follows: (Buchner funnel with filter paper and retained wet test material minus Buchner funnel with wet paper) minus initial 25 g dry test material. Resultant value then divided by initial 25 g dry test material.

Results were, as follows: Test Material Weight. Weight of filtered. wet Material. WRV g Buchner funnel with wet paper 602.2 Above with MIL- CARB 630.8 28.6 0.144 Above with Grape Pumice 633.6 31.4 0.256 Above with CHEK-LOSS 727.8 125.6 4.024 Above with Mud-Liner 745.0 142.8 4.712 Above with Liquid Casing 715.0 112.8 3.512 The Grape Pumice material appears to fulfill the needed characteristic of being composed of more lignin rather than cellulose.

Particle size analyses by Malvern Mastersizer instrumentation showed the Grape Pumice to be near-similar to CHEK-LOSS: D(v.O.l! D(V!O.5! D(V%O-9! Test Material Grape Pumice 16 Em 69 1lm 166 1lm CHEK-LOSS 21 1lm 68 1lm 185 lam As evident by this data, particle size distribution would not contribute to differentiating WRV between the two materials; Grape Pumice exhibits significantly less water absorbency, a characteristic favorable for application as a LCM in invert emulsion drilling fluids while not interfering with emulsion stability measurements.

Example 4

The Grape Pumice material, being acidic, will lower pH levels in aqueous muds. A test was conducted by adding 10 lb Grape Pumice to a 1-bbl equivalent of deionized water. Resultant pH was 3.5. Blending 10 lb Grape Pumice with 0.2 lb soda ash kept the pH at 7.0.

Because of this concern, alkalinity levels were measured in the oil muds tested with Grape Pumice. There were no changes, thus the Grape Pumice seems to be preferentially oil-wetted.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The embodiment described herein is meant to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the invention, which is defined in the claims.

Claims (25)

1. Claims: 1. A treated emulsion type fluid selected from the group

   consisting of a drilling, drill-in, or completion fluid, said fluid having effective rheology and fluid loss control properties and consisting essentially of a lost circulation material (LCM) having a water retention value of 1 or less.
2. 2. The treated emulsion type fluid of claim 1 wherein said LCM has a water retention value of 0.5 or less.
3. 3. The treated emulsion type fluid of claim I wherein said LCM has a water retention value of 0.3 or less.
4. 4. The treated emulsion type fluid of any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said LCM comprises a particle size distribution of from I O,um to 200 1lm.
5. 5. The treated emulsion type fluid of any of claims 1 to 4, which is an invert emulsion fluid.
6. 6. The treated emulsion type fluid of any of claims I to 5, wherein the LCM is selected from the group consisting of grape pumice, bulrush plants, and lignin byproducts from the processing of plant material into paper.
7. 7. The treated emulsion type fluid of claim 6, wherein the LCM is grape pumice.
8. 8. A spotting pill comprising a carrier liquid and from 1 to 100 ppb of an LCM, wherein said LCM has a water retention value of 1 or less.
9. 9. The spotting pill of claim 8 comprising from 5 to 50 ppb of said LCM.
10. 10. The spotting pill of claim 8 or claim 9 wherein said LCM has a water retention value of 0.5 or less.
11. 11. The spotting pill of claim 8 or claim 9 wherein said LCM has a water retention value of 0.3 or less.
12. 12. The spotting pill of any of claims 8 to 11 wherein said LCM comprises a particle size distribution of from 10,um to 200 m.
13. 13. The spotting pill of any of claims 8 to 12 wherein said carrier liquid is selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene oxides and copolymers thereof, polyalkyleneoxide glycol ethers, glycols, polyglycols, tripropylene glycol bottoms, and combinations thereof.
14. 14. The spotting pill of any of claims 8 to 12 wherein said carrier liquid is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycols, diethylene glycols, triethylene glycols, tetraethylene glycols, propylene glycols, dipropylene glycols, tripropylene glycols, tetrapropylene glycols, polyethylene oxides, polypropylene oxides, copolymers of polyethylene oxides and polypropylene oxides, polyethylene glycol ethers, polypropylene glycol ethers, polyethylene oxide glycol ethers, polypropylene oxide glycol ethers, and polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide glycol ethers.
15. 15. The spotting pill of any of claims 8 to 12 wherein said carrier liquid is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol bottoms, and combinations thereof.
16. 16. The spotting pill of any of claims 8 to 15, wherein said LCM is selected from the group consisting of grape pumice, bulrush plants, and lignin byproducts from the processing of plant material into paper.
17. 17. The spotting pill of any of claims 8 to 15, wherein said LCM is grape pumice.
18. 18. The spotting pill of claim 17, wherein the carrier liquid comprises tripropylene glycol bottoms.
19. 19. A method for maintaining electrical stability in a drilling, drill-in, or completion fluid, said method comprising: providing an initial fluid selected from the group consisting of an emulsion type drilling, drill-in, or completion fluid having effective rheology and fluid loss control properties; and using a lost circulation material (LCM) having a water retention value of I or less, said LCM being effective to produce a treated fluid having effective rheology and fluid loss control properties.
20. 20. The method of claim 19 wherein said fibrous LCM has a water retention value of 0.5 or less.
21. 21. The method of claim 19 wherein said fibrous LCM has a water retention value of 0.3 or less.
22. 22. The method of any of claims 19 to 21, wherein said emulsion type fluid is an invert emulsion fluid.
23. 23. The method of any of claims 19 to 22 wherein said LCM is selected from the group consisting of grape pumice, bulrush plants, and lignin byproducts from processing plant material into paper.
24. 24. The method of any of claims 19 to 22, wherein the LCM is grape pumice.
25. 25. The method of any of claims 19 to 24, wherein said LCM comprises a particle size distribution of from I O rim to 200 1lm.