Codifying fracture closure stress and lost returns practices

The development of the rock mechanics perspective and the resulting fracture closure stress (FCS) treatments used across ExxonMobil's global organization is presented. FCS treatments were developed based on the belief that integrity is built by increasing the fracture width, regardless of the product used. The concept applies to industry practices as diverse as conventional lost circulation materials (LCM), cement, crosslinked polymers, adhesive solids and Stress Cage treatments. It is suggested that maintaining isolation of the tip as pressure is applied to widen the fracture, and achieving a final blocked width sufficient for the closing stress to exceed effective circulation density (ECD) are necessary to stop lost returns.

Codifying fracture closure stress and lost returns practices Academic Article