Lost Circulation Materials
Wellbore instability caused by depleted zones or weak formations in maturing fields has led to considerable expenses due to lost circulation. Mitigating these expenses should not be complex; it only requires a change in approach from reactive to preventative. Innospec Oilfield Services is an industry leader in lost circulation solutions — offering a wide range of LCM systems, depending upon your situation.
RediSeal
In situations where fluid loss is isolated, remedial treatments such as hesitation squeezes use high-concentration lost circulation material (LCM) pills to seal fractures or micro fractures. The purpose is to create a temporary bridging agent while drilling continues. However, in these remedial applications, the seals are not always strong enough to withstand the significant pressures coming from both sides of the wellbore.
For these reasons, Innospec Oilfield Services (IOS) developed the RediSeal high fluid loss squeeze pill application to produce a viable, cost-effective method to form a tighter seal in order to produce a significant decrease in leak-off. RediSeal improves the compressive strength of the filter cake, thereby increasing leadoff hesitation. On average, compressive strength on these filter cakes is about 150-400 psi.
Vanguard®
One of the most reliable LCM products available is Innospec’s Vanguard. Vanguard is a multi-purpose blend of large PSD of inert granular particulates sized for easy passage through downhole drilling tools in order to prevent seepage, heal up to major losses, prevent losses while cementing, help get cement to surface/casing point, and prevent cement fall-back. Vanguard easily mixes with all drilling fluids and is recommended for use to seal severe to total loss situations.
FRAC-ATTACK®
Innospec Oilfield Services (IOFS) offers efficient approach to prevent or stop lost circulation. One of the options is the fast-acting, single sack lost circulation solution named FRAC-ATTACK. FRAC-ATTACK has a proprietary diatomaceous earth blend specifically designed to provide a complete seal which improves formation integrity. FRAC-ATTACK allows heavier mud weights to be pumped as well as withstand formation pressures. It has also been proven effective in controlling underground cross flows and blowouts.
Strata Flex
StrataFlex is a unique blend of inert, resilient, and malleable particles designed to form an elastomeric sealant that forms an optimum seal in the fractures of depleted and weak formations. The product is available in fine and medium grades to cover a wide range of fracture sizes. It has been proven to prevent differential sticking. Compatible with all drilling fluids, StrataFlex can withstand high differential pressures while isolating and sealing fractures from further propagation.
- Contains a unique elastomeric sealant
- Inert, resilient particles
- Highly-compressible
Frequently Asked Questions
Lost circulation occurs when drilling fluid escapes into fractured or highly permeable formations instead of returning to the surface. This can lead to non-productive time, increased costs, and potential well control issues. Innospec provides chemical-based lost circulation materials that temporarily or permanently seal fluid-loss zones, stabilize the wellbore, and restore circulation to help keep drilling operations safe, efficient, and on schedule.
A soluble temporary plugging agent is a degradable material used to block fractures or pores during drilling. Once circulation is restored, the material safely dissolves without damaging the formation or impeding production. Innospec’s customized solutions include fast-acting, soluble additives that address lost circulation events in a controlled, formation-friendly manner, especially in reservoirs sensitive to solids or long-term blockages.
Lost circulation materials (LCMs) are additives used in drilling fluids to stop or reduce fluid losses into subsurface formations. Innospec specializes in chemical-based LCMs, including soluble polymers and plugging agents, designed for compatibility across a wide range of drilling environments. These products provide targeted sealing, rapid deployment, and minimal formation damage, making them well suited for unconventional wells or zones where mechanical LCMs may be less effective.
Lost circulation can be caused by natural fractures, high-permeability formations, unconsolidated zones, or pressure-induced breakdowns during drilling. It can also result from improper mud weight or formation stress. Innospec’s chemical LCMs are engineered to react quickly with the formation, creating temporary seals that allow drilling to continue while maintaining well integrity and minimizing costly delays.
Innospec’s lost circulation materials work by chemically reacting or physically bridging within formation fractures and voids to create a seal. Soluble options temporarily plug loss zones and then dissolve under downhole conditions or upon exposure to production fluids. This helps restore circulation while minimizing long-term formation damage, improving drilling efficiency, and reducing operational downtime.
LCMs are essential for maintaining well control, preventing fluid loss, and protecting both the formation and equipment. Innospec’s advanced, formation-friendly chemical LCMs provide fast, clean sealing of loss zones without impairing productivity. These solutions reduce non-productive time, lower maintenance costs, and improve drilling safety, especially in complex or unconventional reservoirs where mechanical LCMs may be less effective.
