The consequences of lost circulation can be as little as the loss of a few dollars of drilling fluid, or as disastrous as a blowout and loss of life, so close monitoring of tanks, pits, and flow from the well, to quickly assess and control lost circulation, is taught and practiced.
Total losses can be regained through conventional use of increased viscosity and additives, or through use of unconventional methods such as pumping of large organic particles (like kenaf), paper, and large mica flakes with a high viscosity fluid.
If total losses occur and circulation cannot be regained, several options are available, depending on the operational requirements and depth being drilled in relation to desired production geological zones.
Sometimes the cuttings from continued drilling will aid in reducing leaks or stop losses altogether.
This third option is very often the most cost effective if severe losses occur, as lost circulation sometimes cannot be controlled with other methods.