US Patent 11828116 Polymer-sand nanocomposite lost circulation material

A method of forming a barrier to overcome lost circulation in a subterranean formation. The method includes injecting a polymer-sand nanocomposite into one or more lost circulation zones in the subterranean formation where the polymer-sand nanocomposite is formed from sand mixed with a polymer hydrogel. Further, the polymer hydrogel includes a hydrogel polymer, an organic cross-linker, and a salt. The sand additionally comprises a surface modification. The associated method of preparing a polymer-sand nanocomposite lost circulation material for utilisation in forming the barrier is provided.