Drilling Fluids Systems & Products

Drilling systems and fluids for any environment from deepwater to HPHT
M-I SWACO built its reputation on engineering drilling fluid systems and additives that improve efficiencies, reduce costs and minimize HSE impact. We customize drilling fluid systems and associated additives to reduce NPT in the most demanding applications, including HTHP, deepwater and depleted wells. M-I SWACO is widely recognized for developing solutions for downhole problems, from the simple to the complex. We were the first, for instance, to introduce cost-effective and high efficiency micronized barite technology to water and oil-based drilling fluids. A leader in R&D, we develop drilling fluid systems for specific applications, such as deepwater, shale gas and heavy oil extraction. Complementing our drilling fluid systems are specialized additives that optimize efficiencies by targeting performance-impacting downhole problems that increase costs. The formulation of the base fluid and additives is tailored for the specific well construction application with the primary objectives of:

Maintaining wellbore stability Optimizing ROP and overall drilling efficiency Reducing NPT (non productive time) Maximizing production Cutting costs Minimizing HSE footprint

Drilling Fluids Systems

Solutions for all drilling applications Water-Base Systems | Non-Aqeuous Fluid Systems

Drilling Fluid Products

Oil, synthetic and water-based additives that address all downhole problems.

Drilling Fluids Simulation Software

Suite of proprietary engineering packages to improve drilling efficiencies. OPTIBRIDGE | PRESSPRO RT | VIRTUAL HYDRAULICS | VIRTUAL HYDRAULICS NAVIGATOR

Drilling Fluids Systems

Water-Base Systems
High-performing systems with minimal HSE impact
DRILPLEX Mixed Metal Oxide Water-Based Drilling Fluid | DURATHERM | ENVIROTHERM NT | GLYDRIL | K-MAG | KLA-SHIELD | SAGDRIL | SILDRIL | ULTRADRIL

Non-Aqeuous Fluid Systems

Pioneering fluid systems deliver high performance, HSE acceptability
ECOGREEN | MEGADRIL | NOVAPLUS | PARADRIL | PARALAND | PARATHERM | RHADIANT | RHELIANT | VERSACLEAN | VERSADRIL | WARP Fluids Technology

Water-Base Systems
High-performing systems with minimal HSE impact
M-I SWACO has developed a comprehensive range of water-base drilling fluids that deliver cost-effective performance characteristics with minimal environmental impact. We were a pioneer in engineering a high-performance aqueous fluid that approaches the inhibitive characteristics of an oil-based drilling fluid. Our water-base drilling fluid systems are specially formulated for applications in environmentally sensitive areas often characterized by highly reactive shales. Our advanced suite of water-based drilling fluids is effective in myriad applications, including

Lost circulation zones Unconsolidated formations Casing-milling operations Coiled tubing High-angle and horizontal wells Environmentally sensitive drilling areas

Non-Aqueous Fluid Systems

Oil-Base Drilling Fluid Systems
M-I SWACO oil-base drilling fluid systems are designed for demanding applications, including those requiring the highest degree of inhibition and thermal stability. Our portfolio includes oilbase drilling fluids engineered specially for technically challenging, yet cost-conscious applications, such as the onshore and shelf markets. Depending on the application, our oil-base drilling fluids can be formulated with a variety of base oils, including low-toxicity mineral oil. Our customized oil-base drilling fluids deliver the utmost in performance in conventional and unconventional drilling applications by

Maintaining wellbore integrity Delivering high ROP Reducing NPT Tolerating contaminants Generating high HTHP stability Lowering project costs Providing excellent lubricity

Synthetic-Base Drilling Fluid Systems

M-I SWACO was the first to develop a synthetic-base drilling fluid system exhibiting the highest level of drilling and environmental performance. Our introduction of the pioneering Novara synthetic-base drilling fluid system cemented our distinction as the leader in deepwater exploration. Our suite of synthetic-base drilling fluid systems generates the ultimate balance between environmental acceptability and high performance in demanding applications. Formulated with various blends of synthetic fluids, our premium synthetic-base drilling fluids provide an extremely stable physical and chemical medium. Ideally suited for deepwater, our synthetic-base drilling fluids also deliver superior environmental performance compared to traditional fluid systems. As drilling applications become more complex and environmental regulations tighten, M-I SWACO R&D continues to focus on synthetic-base drilling fluids. The latest result of that effort is the new-generation Rheliant flat-rheology synthetic-base drilling fluid. Rheliant was one of the first synthetic-base drilling fluids with a constant rheological profile that is independent of changing deepwater temperature and pressures. The flat rheology makes it easier to manage equivalent circulating densities (ECD) in the narrow drilling windows of the deepwater. A key advantage of our synthetic-base drilling fluids for deepwater is their capacity to meet appropriate regulations for discharge where permissible.

Drilling Fluid Products

Oil, synthetic and water-based additives that address all downhole problems
M-I SWACO offers an all- inclusive portfolio of drilling fluid products that address the full gamut of specific downhole problems. From the straightforward to the complex, M-I SWACO products and additives are designed to enhance the performance of our drilling fluid systems. Our R&D organization continually addresses increasing drilling challenges by focusing extensively on optimizing drilling fluid performance. That focus extends to drilling fluid products and additives to help optimize well construction efficiencies and mitigate problems, including

ROP enhancers Corrosion inhibitors Lost circulation materials Shale inhibitors Temperature stabilizers Filtration reducers Scale inhibitors Wellbore stability agents

And more.

Biocides
Amines to prevent bacteria degradation

Breakers
Chemicals to reduce viscosity

Calcium Removers
Additives that remove calcium deposits

Corrosion Inhibitors
Additives to control corrosion, hazardous acid gas

Defoamers
Chemicals to reduce fluid foaming action

Emulsifiers
Additives that prevent emulsion in invert, aqueous muds

Weighting Agents
A range of agents to increase fluid density.

Wellbore Stability
Products to minimize wellbore instability. Drilling Fluid Engineer: A person responsible for testing the mud at a rig and for prescribing mud treatments to maintain mud weight, properties and chemistry within recommended limits. The mud engineer works closely with the rig supervisor to disseminate information about mud properties and expected treatments and any changes that might be needed. The mud engineer also works closely with the rig's derrickman, who is charged with making scheduled additions to the mud during his work period.
Mud Engineer is a colloquial oilfield term for the person in charge of preparing & maintaining the drilling fluid or "mud" used to circulate drill cuttings out of the hole & lubricate/cool the drill bit. Drill mud also provides hydrostatic pressure (the weight of a column of fluid) on the drilled formations to prevent the wellbore fluids from flowing uncontrolled to the surface (a kick/blowout or a "gusher" as seen in the movies). A Mud Engineer is not typically a degreed Petroleum Engineer, but can be. He doesn't have to be a college graduate, but many are. They usually work for one of the mud companies like Baroid, MI-Swaco, or Baker Hughes Drilling Fluids and have typically completed a training program from one or more of those companies. As said before, these programs last 6 months - 2 years and include OTJ field training as well. He has to understand chemistry, fluid dynamics, flow properties, and he must be able to do math calculations and perform scientific tests on the mud. Offshore or international Mud Engineers typically work a rotation of some sort in the field 7 on/7 off, 14/14, 28/28, etc. When on the rig they can be on call 24 hrs per day or work 12 hour "tours" with another mud engineer. Land-based mud engineers typically work several rigs in a field and do daily mud checks at each rig. Mud Engineers are an integral part of the drilling team and usually work hand-in hand with both rig management (company men & toolpushers) and rig workers (drillers, derrickmen, floor hands, & roustabouts) to keep the mud in good shape. The drilling fluid is one of primary safety systems on a drilling rig. A good mud engineer is highly valued on a drilling rig and can pay for himself many times over during the course of a program. Not sure why they are disrespected here, if in fact they are, but any rig person worth his salt knows the value of a good mud engineer.

Barite sag is a problem of drilling mud and it occurs when weighting material (barite, calcium carbonate, etc) separate from liquid phase and settle down. The barite sag can result in big variations in mud density in the wellbore. The light density is on top and the heavy density is at the bottom.

Barite sag is commonly happened when the drilling mud is in static condition. However, it can occur in a dynamic condition with low annular velocity. In vertical wells, barite sag happens when circulation is stopped. Whereas, in deviated wells, the complex setting mechanism called Boycott settling can cause quick settling. Heavier particles settle at the low side of the wellbore and lighter fluids are at the high side. Additionally, the problem can occur when the drilling fluids are kept in the tanks for long time. To prevent the issue, the storage tanks must have agitators which can stir up mud. What can be happened if you have barite sag situation? Well control at the upper section of the well where the lower density exists, if the hydrostatic pressure is less than formation pressure, the well control situation will happen. Fracture formation and lost circulation heavy mud at the bottom part can facture the weak formation and it finally results in lost circulation. Stuck pipe at the bottom part where heavy mud is, the chance of stuck pipe due to differentially stuck increases because higher differential pressure between formation pressure and hydrostatic pressure. Moreover, in a highly deviated-well, a barite bed can slump back and pack of the drill string. Pack off and lost circulation weighting material separating from the liquid phase can pack off the drill string and lead to lost circulation. Well bore instability formations need sufficient mud weight to stabilize the well. If mud weight is insufficient to stabilize the wellbore, wellbore can collapse and pack the drill string. At the top part of the well where the light density is happened due to barite settling, the chance of well bore collapse increases.