A Comparison Study of Malaysian Mica as Loss Circulation Material in High Pressure High Temperature Drilling Fluid

It has been observed for years that lost circulation is one of the troublesome and costly problems encountered during drilling operation even with the best drilling practices. Loss circulation can be classified according to the severity of mud lost rate into the stealing formation. Loss circulation material (LCM) is one of the methods to solve this problem considering the fact that lost circulation is one of the most serious and expensive problems. There are several other materials that have been used as LCM in industries. Unfortunately, neither of the LCM materials are the product of Malaysia. This proposal discusses on the basic understanding of the chosen topic, which is The Comparison Study of Malaysian Mica as LCM in HTHP Water-Based Drilling Fluid. Preliminary research has led to a further study on the subject until the satisfactory result is obtained. This research will be a stepping stone for future research on the potential drilling fluid additives which is obtainable from abundant local resources. Malaysian Mica will be experimented for possible use as LCM and to be compared with the characteristics of the existing commercialized Mica in the market. The source of Mica is taken from Tapah, Malaysia supplied by KAOLIN(M) SDN BHD, a quarry operating company. However due to some constraints face by the author, Calcium Carbonate is used as comparative LCM instead of imported Mica. This project has involved many laboratory works to test the efficiency of Malaysian Mica as LCM in water-based drilling fluid. Finally, this project has identified the suitability of Malaysian Mica to be use in drilling operation as LCM. However, additional works are required to further study on the Malaysian Mica