Preparation and Performance Evaluation of a Lost-Circulation-Control Gel for Fractured Formations

To address the dual challenges of severe lost circulation and wellbore instability in fractured formations, an acrylamide-based lost-circulation-control gel (DF-PG) was synthesized via aqueous-solution free radical polymerization using acrylamide (AM) and sodium acrylate (SA) as monomers, N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker, and ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator. The optimal formulation was determined as 6.8% AM, 1.7% SA (mass ratio 4:1), 0.09% MBA, and 0.18% APS, reacted at 60 °C for 4 h. The gel achieves a 276% equilibrium swelling ratio in 20,000 mg/L simulated-formation water, with a compressive strength of 1.2 MPa and temperature resistance up to 120 °C. For fractured cores with 0.5-2.0 mm fracture widths, its sealing efficiency exceeds 95% with breakthrough pressure above 1.2 MPa, and the sealing-efficiency-retention rate remains over 85% after 72 h of scouring. DF-PG realizes the integrated functions of lost circulation control and wellbore stabilization through an "infiltration-swelling-filling" mechanism, providing a novel technical solution for drilling operations in fractured formations.