UTILIZATION OF HIGH CALCIUM CARBONATE LIMESTONE AROUND LENGGONG, PERAK AS LOST CIRCULATION MATERIAL

The process of drilling a well is usually assisted by drilling fluid which is used for many
purposes such as lifting up the drill cutting, lubricate the drillstring and also as coolant for the
drillistring. Additives such as Lost Circulation Material (LCM) is added to prevent the
circulation from entering void or fracture (Loss of Circulation) created from differential pressure
of the drilling mud used. The three types of LCM used is mainly categorized as granular, flakes
and fibrous or combination of of either two or three type of these LCM mixed in the right and
correct proportion. LCM is also preferred in smallest amount and size possible since it is easier
to handle because larger amount and sizes of LCM can lead to damage in mud pump. Since Loss
Circulation Material can come in different shapes and material , there is a potential to find LCM
candidate which is easy to be obtained and produced at economical cost, therefore it is in the best
interest to study the effectiveness of limestone obtained locally as one of LCM. Therefore a
limestone karst has been chosen as a subject of study around the area of Lenggong, north of
Perak which is high in calcite. This report will explore the capability limestone from lenggong
as LCM and will be tested in terms of its rheological behavior, fluid loss, weight, density and
solids content. Consequently,. identifying the constituent minerals and elements exist in basaltic
soil using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) scans will enable us to
determine best possible usage in utilizing limestone in drilling fluids.