Lost Circulation in Geothermal Wells: Research and Development Status
- Key words
- Drilling; USA; LCM; Lost Zone Characterization; Test Facility; Test Program; Sandia National Laboratory; API Test Cell; Acoustic Borehole Televiewer; Computer Code: nacho
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1983
- Session
- Lost circulation materials; Drilling; Well logging; Reservoi
- Language
- English
Abstract
Three of the most common severe problems encountered in drilling and completing geothermal wells are lost circulation, stuck pipe and inadequate cementing. Since lost circulation may cause or aggravate the other problems, it is considered the single most serious well development problem. Sandia National Laboratories has initiated a multi faceted program directed at understanding and helping to solve this problem. The program involved characterizing loss zones, developing of analytic fluid dynamics model of zone plugging, screening lost circulation materials in the laboratory and testing some solutions in a large scale test facility. The status and plans for this program are presented.
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