Fluids and Chemicals

Specialty Products
Drilling Fluids Solutions
Specialty Products
As the drilling industry matures and the search for hydrocarbons
becomes increasingly challenging in both physical and financial
environments, the importance of innovative drilling fluids
solutions has become noteworthy. Operators have come to
depend on the use of specialized drilling fluids products to assist
in managing their drilling risks.
Baker Hughes offers a complete line of innovative specialty
products to meet every drilling need — no problem is too large
or too small. Over the years, operators have come to rely on us
for their specialty product needs. Baker Hughes’ product portfolio
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includes lost circulation materials, lubricants, ROP enhancers,
sophisticated shale control products, and the industry’s premier
spotting fluids. Since its first successful application in the 1940’s,
our BLACK MAGIC™ spotting fluid has been widely recognized
as the drilling industry’s best solution for successfully freeing
differentially stuck pipe.
Baker Hughes’ history has been built on providing solutions for
the most challenging drilling problems. We combines experience,
support, and technical innovation to deliver unmatched
performance for all your drilling needs.
Weighting Agents
Baker Hughes offers a conventional line of weighting
agents, such as barite, hematite, and calcium carbonate.
In addition, Baker Hughes offers specialized weighting
agents designed for custom drilling needs.
DEEP SWEEP™
DEEP SWEEP is a coarse ground barite specifically
designed for high density sweeps and for weighted slugs.
DEEP SWEEP was designed with a larger particle size
Stuck Pipe Solutions
Our proven line of spotting fluids can reduce costly
drilling delays in both land-based and offshore drilling
environments. These additives are specifically designed
to assist in freeing stuck pipe. When differentially stuck,
an effective spotting fluid is often the only difference
between the timely completion of a project and very
expensive downtime or sidetrack.
BLACK MAGIC™
BLACK MAGIC, the industry’s most recognized spotting
fluid, is compounded with a premium-grade high
melting point asphalt in either diesel oil, low-toxicity
mineral oil or synthetic-based fluid. In addition to
its ability to remove water-base filter cakes while
depositing a tough, thin wall cake, BLACK MAGIC is
pre-weighted to maximize safety while spotting and
preventing spot migration. Pre-mixed and delivered to
the rig site in 25 bbl. storage containers, BLACK MAGIC
is field-proven with a success rate exceeding 80% over
the last 50+ years.
BLACK MAGIC™ SFT
BLACK MAGIC SFT (Sacked Fishing Tool) is a dry mixture
of optimally-sized, airblown asphalt, lime, fatty acids,
and dispersants. Because the material is packaged
in a sacked form, BLACK MAGIC SFT spots are ideal
for remote locations where access to mixing plants is
restricted. Additional BLACK MAGIC SFT benefits include:
distribution than normal barite in order to be screened
out for maintaining constant density requirements. DEEP
SWEEP is an excellent weighting agent for high density
sweeps and weighted slugs where an increase in density
is not desired. DEEP SWEEP can be used in any other
fluid weighting application where the material needs
to be screened out of the circulating fluid system. The
preferred method for addition of DEEP SWEEP is through
the hopper into the suction pit.
a one sack formulation for simplified rigsite mixing,
additional flexibility for use with diesel oil, mineral oil, or
synthetic fluids, and superior performance.
BLACK MAGIC™ CLEAN
BLACK MAGIC CLEAN is a non-toxic, biodegradable,
synthetic-based spotting fluid that is specially-
engineered for environmentally sensitive areas. This
spot can be pre-mixed for immediate application
or mixed at the rig site using synthetic base fluids
and BLACK MAGIC SFT. BLACK MAGIC CLEAN is
safe for discharge in the Gulf of Mexico. Additional
benefits include: extensive density range (7.0 to 20.0
ppg), environmental acceptability, and performance
comparable to BLACK MAGIC
oil-based spotting fluids.
BLACK MAGIC™ PHALT-FREE
The latest product addition to the BLACK MAGIC
spotting fluid line is BLACK MAGIC PHALT-FREE, a non-
hydrocarbon composition formulated without asphalt.
This liquid spotting fluid can be stored at the rig site for
immediate access and weighted to the desired density
prior to spotting. BLACK MAGIC PHALT-FREE has met the
U.S. EPA requirements for overboard discharge. In addition
to its use as a spotting fluid, BLACK MAGIC PHALT-FREE
can be added directly to the active system (up to 3% by
volume) to reduce torque and drag.
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 Lost Circulation Solutions
Reliable performance and drilling fluid feature minimizes the detrimental effect on
Lost Circulation Materials compatibility are critical in controlling the electrical stability often experienced when
„„ CHEK-LOSS™ SERIES losses and reducing an operator’s drilling using other cellulosic fibers. CHEK-LOSS PLUS
costs. Our Lost Circulation Materials (LCM) can be maintained in a circulating system
„„ KWIK-SEAL F,M,C
are engineered to provide dependable without bypassing the shale shakers, and
„„ LC-LUBE™ SERIES performance in both water-based and invert without effect on fluid stability.
emulsion drilling fluids.
„„ MIL-CARB™ SERIES
LC-LUBE™ Series
„„ MIL-CEDAR PLUG ™
Downhole fluid losses, ranging from seepage LC-LUBE products are a specially formulated,
to total lost returns, are costly and time- highly resilient, sized graphite used to control
„„ MILFLAKE™
consuming. Losses must be eliminated as loss of circulation. This resilient, synthetic
„„ MILMICA™ Coarse quickly and efficiently as possible. Baker Hughes graphite material is not only an excellent
recognizes that the prevention and treatment of plugging and bridging agent, but is also
„„ MILMICA™ Fine
fluid losses are crucial to successful drilling and a good general borehole lubricant. The
„„ MIL-PLUG™ F, M, C completion activities. products deform and bridge in larger pore
„„ MIL-SEAL™ F, M, C throats or fractures found in formations such
To meet this need, Baker Hughes offers a as sand or limestone. The combination effect
„„ SOLUFLAKE™ F, M, C comprehensive array of products, systems, mitigates the risk of differential sticking and
„„ SOLU-SQUEEZ™ and engineering services that reduce the losses to lower pressured formations while
occurrence and impact of lost circulation. stabilizing shale.
„„ W.O™ 30 F, M, C

„„ X-LINK™ Premium Lost Circulation Materials The LC-LUBE series is applicable in water-,
CHEK-LOSS Series
™
synthetic-, or oil-based fluids. These
„„ CHEK-LOSS™ The CHEK-LOSS series of lost circulation environmentally friendly additives are
„„ CHEK-LOSS™ PLUS materials are premier complexed-cellulosic essentially inert in the drilling fluid system,
products for controlling seepage and minor having very little effect on mud flow
„„ MIL-CARB™ SERIES lost circulation in depleted, fractured, and properties. The LC-LUBE series is available
„„ FLOW-CARB™ SERIES other permeable zones. CHEK-LOSS LCM’s in three grind sizes, LC-LUBE™ Course,
function in both water-based and invert LC-LUBE™, and LC-LUBE™ Fine.
„„ SOLUFLAKE™ FINE systems with minimal effect on mud system
„„ SOLUFLAKE™ SUPERFINE rheology/stability. MIL-CARB™ SERIES
The MIL-CARB product line contains sized,
„„ MILMICA™ CHEK-LOSS can be mixed through the hopper metamorphic calcium carbonate blends
„„ MIL-SEAL ™ and carried in the system or used in sweeps used as bridging agents and loss circulation
or slugs. CHEK-LOSS coarse material is material in water-, oil-, and synthetic-based
available for massive losses and for sweep drilling and drill-in fluids. This series may
type treatments. be blended as necessary to provide critical
particle size distributions for bridging most
CHEK-LOSS™ PLUS is a water-insoluble, ultra- sand formations. Each of the products in the
fine, cellulosic material used for controlling MIL-CARB series has a Moh hardness of 3.0
seepage and loss of circulation while drilling or greater and is 96 to 98% soluble in 15%
through depleted or under-pressured zones. HCl. Standard MIL-CARB and MIL-CARB™
CHEK-LOSS PLUS additions to a
synthetic invert emulsion system
5, 25, 50, 150, 450, and 600 can be used
reduced both spurt loss and total fluid CHEK-LOSS PLUS will not preferentially separately or may be blended with each
loss through a 10 Darcy aloxite disk. water-wet when used in conjunction with oil other to bridge producing formations. These
and synthetic-based emulsion systems. This additives may be blended into PERFFLOW™

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or OMNIFLOW™ drill-in fluid systems or other conventional fluid
systems as needed to minimize seepage losses.
MIL-CEDAR FIBER™
MIL-CEDAR FIBER, manufactured from cedar bark, is a fibrous
loss-of-circulation material to be used in water-based muds. MIL-
CEDAR FIBER forms a strong, interlocking barrier at the porous or
fractured zone to help maintain circulation.
MIL-FIBER
MIL-FIBER, composed of specially-ground bagasse fibers, is a
loss-of-circulation material to be used in water-based muds. The
high wet-strength fibers of MIL-FIBER form a very effective seal
against loss of drilling mud by forming a resilient bridge in cracks,
fissures, and porous formations.
MILFLAKE™
MILFLAKE, made from cellophane, is a loss-of-circulation material
for use in water-based muds. MILFLAKE has been carefully graded
to produce maximum bridging of thief zones. MILFLAKE has
sufficient strength to prevent deformation and breakdown.
MILMICA™
MILMICA is a sized grade of mica used to control loss of
circulation. MILMICA is available in either fine or coarse grades.
Fine-grade MILMICA is ground to pass through the shaker screens
while combating seepage loss. This facilitates solids removal
the advantage of a graded particle size with variation of types
of materials. This mixture will penetrate fractures, vugs, and
extremely porous zones.
W.O.™ 30 SUPERCOARSE
W.O. 30 SUPERCOARSE is a graded, acid soluble calcium
carbonate used to control loss of circulation in water or invert
emulsion drilling and completion fluids. W. O. 30 SUPERCOARSE’s
larger size distribution is designed for bigger fractures and/or
vugs when severe lost returns occur.
SOLUFLAKE™
SOLUFLAKE is a unique flaked calcium carbonate product utilized
in the MAX-BRIDGE™ system for controlling circulation losses and
seepage. This material is 99.99% soluble in 10-15% HCl acid making
it an excellent additive for drilling fluids exposed to the producing
zone. This acid solubility feature will help protect producing sands
and facilitate completion operations during production.
SOLUFLAKE can be used in water-, synthetic- and oil-based
drilling fluids. This product is particularly effective in oil or
synthetic systems. Since SOLUFLAKE does not absorb water
as some fibrous materials tend to do, elevated rheology and
emulsion instability are not an issue.
The product is available in four grades, referred to as:
„„ (SOLUFLAKE™ SF) super fine

while maintaining protection against mud loss. „„ (SOLUFLAKE™ F) fine

„„ (SOLUFLAKE™ M) medium

MIL-PLUG™ „„ (SOLUFLAKE™ C) and coarse

MIL-PLUG is a sized, granular nutshell material used to

control loss of circulation. MIL-PLUG is available in fine,
2,000
medium, and coarse grades-each carefully sized to provide
1,800
maximum sealing effectiveness.
1,600
Cost of Non-Productive Time, (USD)

MIL-PLUG (fine grade) can be maintained in a circulating system 1,400

without bypassing the shale shakers; however, medium and 1,200

coarse grades will be removed with the cuttings if the shale 1,000

shakers are in use. 800

600

MIL-SEAL ™
400

MIL-SEAL is a lost-circulation material containing a blend of 200

granular, flake, and fibrous materials available in three different 0

grind sizes (coarse, medium, and fine). MIL-SEAL, being a blend
Without LC-LUBE With LC-LUBE
of various shape materials, eliminates the need for having
several different products on well location. MIL-SEAL offers Comparison of 2 offset wells with and without LC Lube in the North Sea.

5
 The finer grades are used for seepage
loss while the coarser grades are used
for loss of circulation. SOLUFLAKE M
and SOLUFLAKE C are effective in
overcoming severe mud losses in
porous or fractured formations. Shale
shakers are usually bypassed when the
coarser grades of material are used
FLOW-CARB™ SERIES
(Eastern Hemisphere)
FLOW-CARB 2, 10, 20, 40, 250, 500,
1000, and 2000 are sized calcium
carbonate blends used as bridging
agents and lost circulation material in
water-, oil- and synthetic-base drilling
and drill-in fluids.
A series of sized FLOW-CARB
products allows for accurate bridging
design matching particle size with
pore throat size for optimized
formation protection. The sized
FLOW-CARB products can also be
added or mixed together when a
wider or intermediate particle size
distribution is desired.
Each of the products in the FLOW-
CARB Series has a Mohs hardness
of 3.0 or greater and is 96 to 98%
soluble in 15% HCl.
These additives may be blended into
PERFFLOW or OMNIFLOW drill-in
fluid systems or other conventional
fluid systems as needed to minimize
fluid losses.
MAX-BRIDGE
Fine lost circulation materials and
bridging agents are also routinely
employed to reduce losses to low
pressured, permeable formations
MAX-BRIDGE is comprised of MAX-SHIELD, LC-LUBE, and
LC-LUBE Fine, which synergistically plug and seal pore throats
and fractures in depleted sand and limestone formations.
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resulting in reduced frequency
of differential sticking. These
products include:
„„ CHEK-LOSS™
„„ CHEK-LOSS™ PLUS
„„ MIL-CARB™ SERIES
„„ FLOW-CARB™ SERIES
„„ SOLUFLAKE™ FINE
„„ SOLUFLAKE™ SUPERFINE
„„ MILMICA™
„„ MIL-SEAL™
MAX-BRIDGE™ is a customized
package designed to overcome these
challenges by bridging the fine line
between wellbore stability, differential
sticking, and mud losses. MAX-
BRIDGE is a combination of state-of-
the-art bridging technologies used
to provide a multi-pronged system
approach to address these issues.
MAX-BRIDGE consists of a patented
deformable sealing polymer in
conjunction with highly resilient
graphite additives to reduce pore
pressure transmission and seal
and plug micro-fractures in shale
and low porosity sands. The system
mitigates the risk of differential
sticking as well as losses to lower
pressured formations while stabilizing
shale. MAX-BRIDGE helps address
the unpredictable nature of some
formations using a field proven
combination of highly durable,
deformable bridging materials.
The deformable nature of the
MAX-BRIDGE components allows
the materials to re-shape to fit
undetermined pore throats and mold
itself into micro-fractures, a new ability
and improvement over conventional
bridging technology and techniques.
Severe Lost Circulation Pills
X-LINK™
X-LINK is a cross-linked composition for curing severe lost
circulation in large fractures or vugs. This product can also
form a plug in casing and/or open hole for prevention of lost
mud due to excessive hydrostatic pressure. This plug, once
mixed, spotted, and allowed to set, forms a rigid gel. The
resulting cross-linked plug is readily drilled or reamed and
removed from the circulating system over conventional shale
shaker equipment. The rate/time at which the cross-linking
mechanism occurs is controlled by temperature.

SOLU-SQUEEZ™ X-LINK forms a crosslinked plug to stop or prevent severe lost circulation.
SOLU-SQUEEZ LCM is designed to seal lost circulation
zones rapidly and efficiently. SOLU-SQUEEZ is very acid
soluble —making it the ideal LCM for controlling losses in
reservoir sections. The sacked SOLU-SQUEEZ product can
be stored easily at the rigsite for fast application and rapid
mixing in a slugging tank or cement unit. Once pumped into
place, a SOLU-SQUEEZ pill can be squeezed into the thief
zone (followed by mud) to effectively control circulation
losses. SOLU-SQUEEZ can be pumped through MWD tools,
saving valuable rig time, and is environmentally acceptable
across the globe.

BAKER-SQUEEZ™
BAKER-SQUEEZ is a high-solids, high-fluid loss squeeze
designed for use in cases of moderate to severe lost
circulation. It works by rapidly dewatering, resulting in a
solid plug of lost circulation material in wellbore fractures
and vugular features. BAKER-SQUEEZ blends easily using
SOLU-SQUEEZ is acid soluble making it an ideal solution for controlling
most rig equipment. losses in production zones.

The plug formed by BAKER-SQUEEZ develops compressive

strength and is effective in sealing all types of fractures,
highly permeable formations and vugular spaces. When
blended in any fluid, filtrate expressed from the slurry into
the formation will bond with any clay or gumbo shale to
form a rigid bridge inside the fracture and fracture tip.

BAKER-SQUEEZ can be applied through the drill string into

any fracture to create a strong bridge ahead of any cement
job to aid in achieving cement to the surface through
reducing or eliminating channeling by filling all cracks,
micro-fractures and cavernous formations. BAKER-SQUEEZ creates a solid plug of lost circulation material in wellbore
fractures and vugular features.

7
Shale Control Solutions

MAX-GUARD embeds in the clay lattice preventing water invasion and subsequent swelling.

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Deformable Sealing Polymers
Baker Hughes utilizes unique and patented deformable sealing
polymer technology to bridge pore throat openings and minimize
pore pressure transmission. The polymers reduce pore pressure
transmission by sealing pore throats and micro-fractures and
effectively generating a semi-permeable membrane at the borehole
interface. Because of their uniquely small particle size, the polymers
are also effective in reducing differential sticking and reducing mud
losses across depleted sand sections by bridging pore throat openings.
These deformable sealing polymers can be used as shale stabilizers as
well as bridging agents.

MAX-SHIELD™
MAX-SHIELD, a liquid pre-dispersed sealing polymer, is suitable for use
at salinity levels ranging from freshwater to saturated salt. This product
is designed to be used in combination with MAX-PLEX™ (aluminate &
resin complex) for improved wellbore stability by reducing pore pressure
transmission into the shale matrix.

TERRA-COAT™
TERRA-COAT is a dry form of the deformable sealing polymer
technology. The product’s dry nature allows it to be used in cold
climates without the risk of freezing. TERRA-COAT is suitable in
freshwater and low salinity environments and can only be utilized in
water-based systems. TERRA-COAT has a slightly larger particle size
than MAX-SHIELD which enables it to bridge and seal larger pore
throats and fractures.

Aluminate Products
SHALE-PLEX™ and MAX-PLEX™ are dry aluminum complexes designed
to control drilling problems with water-sensitive shales. This chemistry
offers a cost-effective alternative to conventional shale-inhibiting
electrolytes. The aluminum complex acts as a stabilizer, slowing the
hydration of shale and the resulting detrimental effects. SHALE-PLEX
and MAX-PLEX reduce hydration of clay minerals resulting in reduced
bit balling, flowline plugging, blinding of shaker screens, and viscosity
when drilling gumbo shale sections. SHALE-PLEX and MAX-PLEX
increase stability of water-sensitive shales by limiting hydration. The
inhibition characteristics of SHALE-PLEX and MAX-PLEX result in less
viscosity effect from shale drill solids. This effect is especially beneficial
when polymer-based drilling fluids are used, reducing the need for
powerful deflocculants. SHALE-PLEX and MAX-PLEX are tolerant to
contaminants such as cement, carbonates, chlorides, and temperature.
Filtration control is easily maintained.

9
Baker Hughes patented deformable sealing polymers seal micro-fractures in a Pierre II shale.

MAX-GUARD™
The inability to suppress hydration and dispersion in
reactive clays and gumbo leads to problems such as
bit balling, accretion, poor solids removal efficiency,
high dilution rates, and problems managing rheological
and filtration control properties. Clay constitutes
a large portion of shale mineralogy. Clay swelling,
along with pore pressure transmission, is a leading
With MAX-SHIELD
cause of shale instability. Clay swelling and hydration
frequently occurs with conventional WBM and leads to
problems such as bit balling, accretion, high dilution
rates, reduced rates-of-penetration, and spalling of the
wellbore. This problem is addressed through the use
Without MAX-SHIELD
of the MAX-GUARD additive. MAX-GUARD, a premium
shale control additive, enters into the lattice of the
clay mineral, electrostatically binding and minimizing
the uptake of water. The treated clay is then able to 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350
Feet/Day/Rig
repel water invasion and prevent clay hydration and
Comparison of offset wells in South Texas with and without MAX-SHIELD.
swelling. The use of MAX-GUARD ensures that the
clay remains in its natural, dry state. Treated clays
will not adhere to the bit and drilling assembly,
reducing incidents of accretion and bit balling, which
translate to improvements in rates of penetration, ECD
management, and lower dilution rates.

10
Torque and Drag Reduction
The demands encountered drilling highly deviated wells include
the effective control of torque and drag. Baker Hughes provides
a complete line of lubricants for both water-based and emulsion-
based drilling fluids.
OMNI-LUBE™
OMNI-LUBE is an environmentally acceptable polymeric fatty
acid solution which will effectively reduce torque and drag in
most emulsion-based drilling fluids. Results obtained in the field
indicate that friction factors in fluids treated with OMNI-LUBE
can be lowered by up to 25% compared to untreated fluids.
OMNI-LUBE is a filming-type extreme pressure lubricant and is
particularly effective in lowering the steel/steel friction. OMNI-
LUBE is compatible with most emulsion systems and is suitable
both in high and low aromatic base fluid environments. OMNI-
LUBE is a liquid and will not screen out of the system. Fluid
properties are not adversely affected by additions of OMNI-LUBE,
and HPHT fluid loss in emulsion systems treated with OMNI-LUBE
will generally be lowered.
LUBE-622
LUBE-622 is an environmentally acceptable lubricant designed to
lower friction and reduce torque in most water-based muds except
those based on calcium chloride. LUBE-622 readily disperses in
35
30
25
20
15
10
0
Before
Coefficient of friction reduced from 0.21 to 0.16 (23.8%) with no change in formation type.
water-based muds and can be used up to saturation with either
sodium or potassium chloride based fluids. LUBE-622 will have a
minimal effect on rheological and filtration properties. This ester-
based lubricant will readily biodegrade and is considered non-toxic -
ideal for application in North Sea areas such as Norway and the UK.
MIL-LUBE™
MIL-LUBE is a blend of organic surfactants and modified fatty
acid compounds designed to reduce torque and drag in all types
of water-based drilling fluids. MIL-LUBE is compatible with both
freshwater and seawater muds and shows no tendency toward
foaming, abnormal flow property changes, or “greasing out”
on weighting material when used as recommended. MIL-LUBE
contains additives to provide both boundary- and extreme-
pressure lubrication, making MIL-LUBE effective over a wide
range of loading conditions. The extreme pressure additives
in MIL-LUBE form a lubricating film on metal surfaces that
resists removal and continues to provide lubrication, even on
dilution. MIL-LUBE is extremely effective at reducing the sticking
coefficient and minimizes differential sticking of the drill string.
Torque
WOB
ROP
After
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Wellbore Stability Promotion
Shale control additives are generally customized for the type
of shale problems existing in the wellbore. Most shale control
products are designed to chemically inhibit the transfer of water
to the shale, preventing swelling that could potentially cause drill
string sticking and wellbore destabilization. Problematic shale
can splinter or slough and can cause extreme buildup of solids
in the wellbore, leading to excessive torque and drag as well as
mechanically sticking the drillpipe.
SHALE-BOND™
SHALE-BOND is a water-dispersable natural resinous material
(gilsonite) used to stabilize troublesome shales. SHALE-BOND
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plugs microfractures and pore spaces in the shale, helping seal
the shale from an influx of water. SHALE-BOND is treated with
a water-wetting additive to enable it to disperse freely in water
without the need for supplementary surfactants. SHALE-BOND
is effective in low and high-temperature wells, stable in the
presence of mud contaminants, and tolerant to additions of
diesel oil and lubricants. SHALE-BOND was designed for those
applications where an asphaltic product is desired for shale
stability and borehole lubrication. It is well suited for stabilizing
shales in low- and high-temperature wells, and is the preferred
asphaltic product when bottom-hole temperature exceeds 300°F
(149°C). SHALE-BOND can be used in all water-based muds.
SULFATROL™
SULFATROL is a sulfonated bitumous resin material used primarily
for shale stabilization and the lowering of HTHP fluid loss in all
types of water- and invert- based mud systems. SULFATROL may
be used in fresh up to saturated salt water-based mud systems
for stabilizing shale and reduction of torque and drag.
SULFATROL will reduce the thickness of wall cakes on the borehole.
This product is predominately water soluble (>70%) but has partial
oil solubility, making SULFATROL a good oil-in-water emulsifier.
CLAY-TROL™
CLAY-TROL is a water-soluble shale hydration and dispersion
inhibitor for water-based drilling fluids. CLAY-TROL may be
used in fresh up to saturated salt water-based mud systems for
stabilizing shale and prevention of gumbo. By inhibiting reactive
clays this product helps prevent bit and other BHA component
balling. CLAY-TROL is readily soluble, therefore no special mixing
procedures or equipment is necessary. Temperature stability of
this product is in excess of 300°F. CLAY-TROL is environmentally
safe and can be discharged both on land and offshore.
13
Differential Sticking Prevention
Loss of filtrate or whole mud losses to
permeable, lower pressured formations
can have significant effects on the
drilling operation long before an
actual case of differentially stuck pipe
occurs. High torque and drag values,
difficulty sliding and maintaining
directional control, “stickiness” on
bottom, increased pipe tripping times
and reduced weight on bit can add
up to lower drilling efficiency and
increased wear and tear on equipment.
These issues can be avoided by taking
appropriate preventative measures.

AQUA-MAGIC™
Baker Hughes’ AQUA-MAGIC additive
is an oil-free differential sticking
preventative designed for use in
water-based drilling fluids. This non-
toxic additive is specially engineered
to eliminate sticking while drilling
or running casing through depleted
(low pressure) zones. Drawing on a
proprietary blend of glycol, asphalt,
and surfactant, AQUA-MAGIC reduces
both static and dynamic filtration loss
providing a tough, thin filter cake and
reducing torque and drag. In addition,
AQUA-MAGIC can be used as a highly
plastic and pliable bridging agent to
plug and seal depleted sands.

AQUA-MAGIC is thermally stable,

tolerates high pH, is immune to
hardness, and will not adversely affect
mud properties. The AQUA-MAGIC
additive has been applied successfully
in potassium, lime, lignosulfonate,
polymer, freshwater, and salt systems.

Because the non-toxic AQUA-MAGIC

additive contains no oils and does not
form a sheen on the surface of receiving
waters, it is ideally suited for use in
AQUA-MAGIC is packaged in 55 gal (208.2 l) drums and 25 bbl (3.97 m3) U.S. Coast Guard approved tanks. environmentally sensitive areas.

14
Rate of Penetration Enhancement
Rate of penetration (ROP) enhancers are used to speed up the
drilling process and save valuable rig time. These products are
generally used as a continuous addition chemical to maintain
a suitable concentration to keep the bit from “balling” and to
provide lubrication of the drill string and formation face.
PENETREX™
The PENETREX fluid additive is specially engineered to reduce
PDC bit-balling – improving penetration rates in water-based
systems up to 400% over untreated systems. PENETREX is
engineered differently from earlier ROP additives – it is designed
to minimize the aggregation of ground solids (shale cuttings)
from becoming “balled” on the underside of the drill bit and
bottom-hole assembly. A fluid system containing PENETREX
promotes hydrophobic coating on both the bit and cuttings. This
allows shale cuttings to slip past the bit before sticking together,
improving the bit’s cutting efficiency and increasing penetration
rates. PENETREX also reduces torque and drag problems in
high-angle wells by preferentially coating metal tubulars to resist
sticking and improve lubricity. Typical oil- and synthetic-based
ROP additives require constant additions due to emulsification
resulting in high treatment levels (8-10% by volume). In contrast,
PENETREX is engineered to resist chemical emulsification and is
PDC bit without PENETREX treatment.
PDC bit with PENETREX.
effective in relatively low concentrations (2-5% by volume). The
most efficient treatment method is direct injection into the mud
pump suction line. This allows for more uniform concentrations
while avoiding excess treatment levels. PENETREX is designed to
meet offshore environmental regulations.
PENETREX™ NS
PENETREX NS is another anti-balling additive that can be used
to improve rates of penetration in water-based mud systems.
PENETREX NS is approved for use in the North Sea and other
environmentally sensitive areas.
TERRA-RATE™
TERRA-RATE is an anti-balling, enhancer designed for onshore
drilling applications using water-based fluid systems. TERRA-RATE
delivers improved ROP and is designed to reduce torque and
drag, prevent bit balling, and improve sliding and tool orientation
in directional wellbores. TERRA-RATE has also demonstrated
an ability to help control API filtration and reduce chemical
additions. TERRA-RATE extends the bearing life of motors by
providing lubrication and preventing rotors and stators from
being clogged by sticky shales.
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