Dealing with Circulation Losses in Geothermal; Case Study Menengai Geothermal Field, Kenya

Abstract

Abstract Geothermal wells world over have at one point experienced circulation losses which more often results in longer drilling time as the Drilling team tries to cure the losses, Menengai geothermal field is no exception. It’s located in the Kenyan rift valley and its characterized by highly fractured permeable formations with high heat flow that are attributed to its volcanological evolution. Circulation losses have been encountered in most of the sections of the wells drilled in Menengai. Sometimes prevailing from top to the bottom of the wells. They are particularly more serious when we are drilling directional wells because it is critical to control the flow of fluids into and out of the bore especially before setting the casings. Various interventions have been applied to try and cure circulation losses and regain full geological control of the wells. A post-job analysis is shared and presented by discussing results from three different directional wells located in fairly different parts of the field.