{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,7]],"date-time":"2026-10-07T00:46:54Z","timestamp":1791334014645,"version":"4.3.1"},"reference-count":39,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,31]],"date-time":"2025-12-31T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1767139200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Gels"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Lost circulation in fractured formations is a common yet challenging technical problem in drilling engineering. Conventional plugging methods often form sealing layers with poor stability and low pressure-bearing capacity. This study developed an efficient composite plugging agent composed of calcite particles (rigid particles), elastic gel particles, and polypropylene fibers. Utilizing a laboratory-scale fracture plugging evaluation apparatus and standard comparative experimental methods, the synergistic plugging effects of different composite systems were investigated. The results indicate that while single rigid particles can form a basic bridging structure, the pressure-bearing capacity of the resulting sealing layer is limited. Single elastic gel particles or fibrous materials struggle to effectively plug fractures of varying widths. Composite use of the plugging agents significantly enhanced the plugging performance, with the rigid\/elastic\/fiber ternary composite system demonstrating the best results. The optimal formulation (5% calcite particles + 3% elastic gel particles + 2% polypropylene fibers) achieved a plugging pressure-bearing capacity of 13 MPa for 2 mm-wide fractures, with a fluid loss of only 50 mL and temperature resistance up to 180 \u00b0C. Furthermore, the composite plugging agent exhibited good compatibility with the drilling fluid system and demonstrated excellent adaptability and plugging performance for fractures with different roughness levels, indicating promising potential for field application.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/gels12010036","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,31]],"date-time":"2025-12-31T15:05:01Z","timestamp":1767193501000},"page":"36","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["Preparation and Performance Evaluation of Gelled Composite Plugging Agent Suitable for Fractured Formation"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"12","author":[{"given":"Kecheng","family":"Liu","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China"},{"name":"Oil Production Technology Research Institute of PetroChina Xinjiang Oilfield Company, Karamay 834000, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0001-3060-2171","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Kaihe","family":"Lv","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Weiju","family":"Wang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Oil Production Technology Research Institute of PetroChina Xinjiang Oilfield Company, Karamay 834000, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Tao","family":"Ren","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Oil Production Technology Research Institute of PetroChina Xinjiang Oilfield Company, Karamay 834000, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jing","family":"He","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Oil Production Technology Research Institute of PetroChina Xinjiang Oilfield Company, Karamay 834000, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Zhangkun","family":"Ren","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,31]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"32","DOI":"10.1007\/s12517-022-11104-3","article-title":"The state-of-the-art review on the lost circulation phenomenon, its mechanisms, and the application of nano and natural LCM in the water-based drilling fluid","volume":"16","author":"Jaf","year":"2023","journal-title":"Arab. J. Geosci."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yang, J., Sun, J., Bai, Y., Lv, K., Zhang, G., and Li, Y. (2022). Status and prospect of drilling fluid loss and lost circulation control technology in fractured formation. Gels, 8.","DOI":"10.3390\/gels8050260"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"586","DOI":"10.2118\/5713-PA","article-title":"Mud design to minimize rock impairment due to particle invasion","volume":"29","author":"Abrams","year":"1977","journal-title":"J. Pet. Technol."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"630","DOI":"10.1016\/S1876-3804(21)60059-9","article-title":"Research progress and prospect of plugging technologies for fractured formation with severe lost circulation","volume":"48","author":"Sun","year":"2021","journal-title":"Pet. Explor. Dev."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"483","DOI":"10.1007\/s13369-019-04315-6","article-title":"Deep illustration for loss of circulation while drilling","volume":"45","author":"Elkatatny","year":"2020","journal-title":"Arab. J. Sci. Eng."},{"key":"ref_6","first-page":"1","article-title":"Research Status and Prospect of Deep and Ultra-deep Drilling Technology","volume":"21","author":"Sun","year":"2025","journal-title":"Xin-Jiang Oil Gas"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"310","DOI":"10.2118\/170271-PA","article-title":"Managing suspension characteristics of lost-circulation materials in a drilling fluid","volume":"30","author":"Kulkarni","year":"2016","journal-title":"SPE Drill. Complet."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102630","DOI":"10.1016\/j.geothermics.2022.102630","article-title":"Context and mitigation of lost circulation during geothermal drilling in diverse geologic settings","volume":"108","author":"Winn","year":"2023","journal-title":"Geothermics"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"214222","DOI":"10.1016\/j.geoen.2025.214222","article-title":"Enhanced CO2 foam stabilization with fluorescent nano polymer microspheres for improved oil recovery: Insights from microscopic and macroscopic displacement studies","volume":"257","author":"Yang","year":"2026","journal-title":"Geoenergy Sci. Eng."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"198","DOI":"10.2118\/128225-PA","article-title":"Managing circulation losses in a harsh drilling environment: Conventional solution vs. CHCD through a risk assessment","volume":"26","author":"Masi","year":"2011","journal-title":"SPE Drill. Complet."},{"key":"ref_11","first-page":"46","article-title":"Research Status of Wellbore Stabilization Drilling Fluid Materials in Complex Shale Formations","volume":"20","author":"Huang","year":"2024","journal-title":"Xin-Jiang Oil Gas"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"233","DOI":"10.1007\/s13202-019-00752-z","article-title":"Investigation of different environmental-friendly waste materials as lost circulation additive in drilling fluids","volume":"10","author":"Idress","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Pet. Explor. Prod. Technol."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102219","DOI":"10.1016\/j.geothermics.2021.102219","article-title":"Rheological investigation of effect of high temperature on geothermal drilling fluids additives and lost circulation materials","volume":"96","author":"Vivas","year":"2021","journal-title":"Geothermics"},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Aston, M.S., Alberty, M.W., McLean, M.R., De Jong, H.J., and Armagost, K. (2004, January 2\u20134). Drilling fluids for wellbore strengthening. Proceedings of the SPE\/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, TX, USA.","DOI":"10.2523\/87130-MS"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Amanullah, M. (2016, January 25\u201328). Characteristics, Behavior and performance of ARC plug date Seed-based sized particulate LCM. Proceedings of the SPE Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Annual Technical Symposium and Exhibition, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.","DOI":"10.2118\/182840-MS"},{"key":"ref_16","first-page":"13","article-title":"A Machine Learning-Based Bridging Particle Size Recommendation Method for Lost Circulation Control","volume":"20","author":"Liu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Xin-Jiang Oil Gas"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"593","DOI":"10.1007\/s13202-015-0225-3","article-title":"Experimental investigation of fracture width limitations of granular lost circulation treatments","volume":"6","author":"Alsaba","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Pet. Explor. Prod. Technol."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Shuttleworth, N., Frederiks, K., DerPlas, K.V., McCraith, S., and Taoutaou, S. (2006, January 5\u20138). An innovative inert material to cure the losses in the brent depleted reservoirs\u2014North Sea Case Histories. Proceedings of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.","DOI":"10.2118\/100934-MS"},{"key":"ref_19","first-page":"574","article-title":"Synthesis and Evaluation of Modified Sulfomethylated Phenolic Resin MSP-1","volume":"41","author":"Zhang","year":"2024","journal-title":"Drill. Fluid Complet. Fluid"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/S0920-4105(00)00015-2","article-title":"A review of thermally stable gels for fluid diversion in petroleum production","volume":"26","year":"2000","journal-title":"J. Pet. Sci. Eng."},{"key":"ref_21","unstructured":"Bruton, J.R., Ivan, C.D., and Heinz, T.J. (March, January 27). Lost circulation control: Evolving techniques and strategies to reduce downhole mud losses. Proceedings of the SPE\/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition, Amsterdam, The Netherlands."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"110149","DOI":"10.1016\/j.petrol.2022.110149","article-title":"The Evolution of Lost Circulation Prevention and Mitigation Based on Wellbore Strengthening Theory: A Review on Experimental Issues","volume":"211","author":"Mirabbasi","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Pet. Sci. Eng."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"145","DOI":"10.1016\/j.petrol.2011.12.016","article-title":"Gelation studies of an organically cross-linked polyacrylamide water shut-off gel system at different temperatures and pH","volume":"81","author":"Sengupta","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Pet. Sci. Eng."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100137","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jfueco.2025.100137","article-title":"Experimental assessment of the stability and impact of water-based fracturing fluid with and without Triethanolamine (TEA)","volume":"23","author":"Soomro","year":"2025","journal-title":"Fuel Commun."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1214","DOI":"10.1002\/pen.24499","article-title":"Inverse emulsion free-radical polymerization of acrylamide terpolymer for enhanced oil recovery application in harsh reservoir conditions","volume":"57","year":"2017","journal-title":"Polym. Eng. Sci."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Verret, R., Robinson, B., Cowan, J., Fader, P., and Looney, M. (2000, January 23\u201324). Use of micronized cellulose fibers to protect producing formations. Proceedings of the SPE International Conference and Exhibition on Formation Damage Control, Lafayette, LA, USA.","DOI":"10.2118\/58794-MS"},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"165","DOI":"10.1016\/S1876-3804(19)30017-5","article-title":"Lost circulation material for abnormally high temperature and pressure fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoirs in Tazhong block, Tarim Basin, NW China","volume":"46","author":"Su","year":"2019","journal-title":"Pet. Explor. Dev."},{"key":"ref_28","first-page":"14","article-title":"A Composite Plugging Materials for Drilling in High-temperature Deep Fractured Formations","volume":"42","author":"Yang","year":"2025","journal-title":"Oilfield Chem."},{"key":"ref_29","first-page":"846","article-title":"Experiment on properties of lost circulation materials in high temperature formation","volume":"40","author":"Bao","year":"2019","journal-title":"Acta Pet. Sin."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zhang, Y.X., Wang, Z.M., Xu, J., Shen, Y.Y., Zheng, Z., and Fan, X.J. (2021). Development and Evaluation of a Composite Drilling Plugging Agent. International Field Exploration and Development Conference, Springer Nature.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-981-19-2149-0_225"},{"key":"ref_31","first-page":"677","article-title":"Study and Application of Formation Environment Responsive Plugging Material","volume":"39","author":"Kong","year":"2022","journal-title":"Drill. Fluid Complet. Fluid"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"119743","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fuel.2020.119743","article-title":"Laboratory evaluation on temporary plugging performance of degradable preformed particle gels (DPPGs)","volume":"289","author":"Zhu","year":"2021","journal-title":"Fuel"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"14023","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.energyfuels.0c02810","article-title":"Experimental Evaluation of the Shielded Temporary Plugging System Composed of Calcium Carbonate and Acid-Soluble Preformed Particle Gels (ASPPG) for Petroleum Drilling","volume":"34","author":"Zhai","year":"2020","journal-title":"Energy Fuels"},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"651","DOI":"10.1007\/s13204-014-0359-5","article-title":"Thermal and rheological properties improvement of drilling fluids using functionalized carbon nanotubes","volume":"5","author":"Fazelabdolabadi","year":"2015","journal-title":"Appl. Nanosci."},{"key":"ref_35","first-page":"719","article-title":"Mechanisms of Formation Damage by Lost Drilling Fluids in Fractured Tight Metamorphic Rock Gas Reservoirs","volume":"41","author":"You","year":"2024","journal-title":"Drill. Fluid Complet. Fluid"},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1654","DOI":"10.2118\/182266-PA","article-title":"Lost-circulation control for formation-damage prevention in naturally fractured reservoir: Mathematical model and experimental study","volume":"22","author":"Xu","year":"2017","journal-title":"SPE J."},{"key":"ref_37","first-page":"10","article-title":"Research and Application Status of Plugging Materials for Drilling Fluid","volume":"21","author":"Qiao","year":"2025","journal-title":"Xin-Jiang Oil Gas"},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ramasamy, J., and Amanullah, M. (2017, January 24\u201327). Novel fibrous lost circulation materials derived from deceased date tree waste. Proceedings of the SPE Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Annual Technical Symposium and Exhibition, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.","DOI":"10.2118\/187989-MS"},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"21624","DOI":"10.1021\/acsomega.2c01477","article-title":"Research on the Development and Plugging Capacity of a Honeycomb Porous Lost-Circulation Material","volume":"7","author":"Ren","year":"2022","journal-title":"ACS Omega"}],"container-title":["Gels"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2310-2861\/12\/1\/36\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,5]],"date-time":"2026-01-05T05:11:24Z","timestamp":1767589884000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2310-2861\/12\/1\/36"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,31]]},"references-count":39,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1]]}},"alternative-id":["gels12010036"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/gels12010036","relation":{},"ISSN":["2310-2861"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2310-2861","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,31]]}}}