Experimental study on the design method of lost circulation materials for induced fractures

Owing to the influence of fluctuating wellbore pressure, the fracture width in formations with induced fractures changes dynamically. However, the traditional design method for fracture plugging materials is based on a static fracture width, which leads to the easy destruction of the plugging layer established underground and a high risk of secondary loss. Until now, the treatment of lost circulation in formations with induced fractures still faces significant challenges. Therefore, a dynamic fracture plugging experimental device was developed in this study to investigate the bridging–plugging process of lost circulation materials (LCMs) within induced fractures, as well as the design criteria for LCMs for induced fractures. Experimental results show that through adjusting the mass ratio and total concentration of the three-level bridging material, the plugging position of the bridging material can be changed, and the fracture reopen pressure can be increased. When the mass ratio of the three-level bridging material satisfies primary bridge particle: secondary bridge particle: tertiary bridge particle = 1:1:2 and the total concentration is greater than 5%, the plugging material compounded with the three-level bridging material is prone to retention in the induced fractures, exhibiting short bridging time, low permeability of the formed plugging layer, and high fracture initiation pressure. It can effectively prevent the opening of fractures or the generation of new induced fractures, thereby reducing the risk of secondary loss. The research results can provide a scientific theoretical basis for the loss control of induced fractures.