Lost Circulation and Wellbore Strengthening

This book focuses on the underlying mechanisms of lost circulation and wellbore strengthening, presenting a comprehensive, yet concise, overview of the fundamental studies on lost circulation and wellbore strengthening in the oil and gas industry, as well as a detailed discussion on the limitations of the wellbore strengthening methods currently used in industry. It provides several advanced analytical and numerical models for lost circulation and wellbore strengthening simulations under realistic conditions, as well as their results to illustrate the capabilities of the models and to investigate the influences of key parameters. In addition, experimental results are provided for a better understanding of the subject.

The book provides useful information for drilling and completion engineers wishing to solve the problem of lost circulation using wellbore strengthening techniques. It is also a valuable resource for industrial researchers and graduate students pursuing fundamental research on lost circulation and wellbore strengthening, and can be used as a supplementary reference for college courses, such as drilling and completion engineering and petroleum geomechanics.

Yongcun Feng is a postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, where he performs research in drilling-and-completion-related geomechanics, including wellbore stability, lost circulation, sand production, and well integrity. He obtained his PhD (2016) from the University of Texas at Austin, and MS (2012) and BS (2009) degrees from China University of Petroleum at Beijing, all in Petroleum Engineering. Dr Feng has been a main researcher in the Wider Windows Industrial Affiliate Program at the University of Texas at Austin since 2012, and the Completion and Production Enhancement Industrial Affiliate Program at the same university since 2016. He has authored or co-authored more than 10 peer-reviewed articles and has given more than 10 presentations at international conferences and to several oil companies in Houston. Dr Feng is a member of Society of Petroleum Engineering (SPE) and American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA). 

K. E. Gray is a professor of Petroleum Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. He teaches advanced drilling and pursues research in drilling, rock mechanics, wellbore stability, and geomechanics applications in drilling and completions. Dr Gray is a senior member, life member, distinguished member, and Legion of Honor member of SPE. He holds two drilling patents, has twice served as an SPE Distinguished Lecturer, and has received the SPE North America Drilling Engineering Award and the SPE International Drilling Engineer Award. He initiated the Center for Earth Sciences and Engineering. He has authored over 265 publications on drilling, fluid flow, reservoir engineering, compaction mechanics, rock mechanics, soft sediment systems, managed pressure drilling, and information technology. Gray holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Tulsa and a PhD degree from the University of Texas at Austin, all in Petroleum Engineering.