SuprSeal® AS Restores Circulation and Eliminates Severe Losses in Woodford Intermediate Section

While drilling the intermediate section of a Woodford well, the operator encountered severe fluid losses at approximately 6,100 ft MD, reaching rates of up to 70 bbl/hr in an oil-based drilling fluid system. The losses created immediate challenges in maintaining circulation and threatened wellbore stability during a critical phase of the drilling program.

The operator required a solution capable of quickly sealing the loss zone without requiring costly remediation such as pulling out of hole or a sidetrack. The treatment needed to perform effectively in a permeable formation while preserving the ability to continue drilling operations without incurring non-productive time.

Following evaluation of the loss severity and formation characteristics, the operator selected SuprSeal® AS, an acid-soluble lost circulation technology engineered to seal fractures and high-permeability zones while maintaining formation integrity.

A treatment plan was developed using two 40 bbl LCM pills built with oil-based mud and a concentration of 18 lb/bbl of SuprSeal AS. Each pill was pumped sequentially, with the second pill following once the first cleared the bit. The pills were then spotted across the loss zone and allowed to soak for approximately 20 minutes to enable proper placement and dewatering.

SuprSeal AS formed a stable, consolidated plug within the interval, effectively sealing the thief zone. Its compatibility with the drilling fluid system allowed seamless integration into the operation.

SuprSeal® AS successfully eliminated fluid losses after the second pill was placed across the loss zone. Full circulation was restored, allowing drilling operations to resume without further interruption.

The operator was able to drill to total depth of the intermediate section, run casing, and complete cementing operations with no additional losses or wellbore instability. The treatment eliminated the need for more invasive remediation methods, reducing non-productive time and improving overall operational efficiency.

By restoring circulation quickly and maintaining wellbore integrity, SuprSeal AS enabled the operator to complete the section safely, efficiently, and without compromising future production potential.