METHODS FOR MINIMIZING FLUID LOSS TO AND DETERMINING THE LOCATIONS OF LOST CIRCULATION ZONES

A method for determining a location of a lost circulation zone in a wellbore having a first wellbore fluid therein that includes allowing loss of the first wellbore fluid to the lost circulation zone to stabilize; adding a volume of a second wellbore fluid having a density less than the first wellbore fluid to the wellbore on top of the first wellbore fluid to a predetermined wellbore depth; determining an average density of the combined first wellbore fluid and second wellbore fluid; mixing the first wellbore fluid and the second wellbore fluid together; pumping a volume of a third wellbore fluid having a density greater the average density of the combined first and second wellbore fluid into the wellbore bottom until fluid loss occurs; and determining the location of the lost circulation zone is disclosed.