Experimental study on rheological and settling properties of shape memory polymer for fracture sealing in geothermal formations

This paper studies the rheology and annular flow of a smart lost circulation material (LCM) at 160 °C, using high-temperature loop. The LCM is shape memory polymer (SMP) that activates high temperatures, its particle size increases to seal fractures in geothermal formations. SMP was mixed with base fluid two different concentrations, 1.0 3.0 wt%, study rheology, wellbore hydraulics, activation process, settling behavior under testing conditions. results this showed could be activated temperatures. An increase 80–100% observed °C. mud samples shear-thinning concentrations Power-law index (n) ranging between 0.025 0.101. No additional frictional pressure losses were when added fluid. particles an excellent suspension wt% while, bed formed low rate without pipe rotation. Increasing drill rotational speed or effectively removed homogeneously dispersed particles, ensuring better sealing efficiency. dispersion inclined wells than horizontal wells. Moreover, findings help optimize treatment by considering wide range operating parameters can further extended systems geometries.