Drill-In Fluid Formulations to Hit the Pay Zone More Efficiently
At Chemstar, we have been a leader in the oil and gas drilling industry for more than 40 years. During that time we’ve developed a wide range of water-based drill-in and completion fluids. We’re also actively involved on the American Petroleum Institute’s specification committees to help set international standards.
In fact, we’ve developed many formulations to help companies hit the pay zone more efficiently and in a more environmentally-responsible manner. Our recent story on the Troll Platform is just one example of how we have put our science to work to achieve great results with water-based drill-in fluids. While we feature a few branded formulations, we thrive in putting our science to work to create custom starch solutions that overcome specific challenges.
Our success is directly tied to the relationship we’re able to forge with customers. With that in mind, we wanted to describe the development process we use in order to create custom formulations.
Insights into Development Process
Before we can focus on your drill-in formulation, we ask a series of questions in order to learn as possible about your goals and objectives, as well as what obstacles you’ve encountered or anticipate running into.
Armed with that knowledge, we head to the lab, where the real fun begins. Our process involves analyzing a number of important factors including:
- Thermal stability
- Lubricity
- Shear thinning profile
- Viscosity concerns
- Compatibility with various brines
- Environmental and regulatory concerns in the drilling region
We are then able to develop starch-based solutions to meet our specific goals, such as being non-damaging to the formation or increasing the lifespan of the well.
Time is of the Essence
One of the first things people want to know is how long the development process takes. As with most custom solutions, each situation is unique. However, a general guideline is six months to two years when going from field work and testing to scaled-up production. Regardless, we always share a sense of urgency with our customers and business partners.
If you’re interested in learning more about our drill-in solutions or would like to speak with us about your specific project, please feel free to email me. We would be happy to discuss your situation in great detail.
-Cory Bernu
Director of Research and Development