Benefits THUSLICK™ Brings
To Your Drilling Operation


CONCEPT COST EFFECTIVENESS CHEMICAL PROPERTIES TREATMENT PROCESS
EXPECTATIONS ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS GENERAL TREATMENT RATE OPERATION PROCESS


       THUSLICK™ gives drilling operators the same peace of mind that oil-base muds bring without the environmental concerns. THUSLICK™ is also hydrocarbon free. The additive is currently used in well known and proven water-base systems particularly to improve and optimize their lubrication and physical shale protection abilities thus minimizing down hole problems. This unique, proven additive is compatible with all known mud systems including glycol, synthetic, oil-base and brine. It is also successfully used for completion/workover and coiled tubing operations.


Primary Actions


•   Optimizes lubrication, especially at higher temperatures.
•   Inhibits hydration of the clay fraction in shale and claystone.
•   Reduces wellbore damage, especially vibration induced formation damage resulting from the stick-slip phenomenon.


Secondary Actions


•   Stabilizes rheological properties, leading to greater hole efficiency.
•   Stabilizes HTHP filtrate values, by reducing polymer breakdown.


Other Benefits


•  THUSLICK™ is unique as a single mud additive providing all these benefits to the mud.
•  Environmentally safe, HOCNS rating for use in the North Sea and LC50 for the Gulf Coast.
•  Field proven in drilling operations in the North Sea, United States, Europe, Africa, Asia and Canada.
•  Technical support is available globally to mud companies and O&G operators.


 

  CONCEPT TOP


       The inhibition properties of oil base muds are superior to those of water base muds, but adverse environmental impacts are greater. Water base mud systems with hydrocarbon based additives have poorer performance characteristics than oil based systems.

       Water based system additives frequently do not perform in harmony. Also environmental consequences may be undesirable. THUSLICK™ harmonizes other mud additives giving a stable drilling fluid. THUSLICK™ upgrades polymer systems for use in demanding drilling conditions otherwise best tackled with an oil base mud.


 

  THUSLICK™ - WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TOP


  • Slicks the entire open-hole, casing and drillstring; reducing frictional forces.
  • Tubulars slide on the slippery, water-repellent layer instead of gouging into the borehole wall; reducing stick-slip problems.
  • Elimination or significant reduction of string whiplash induced damage to brittle formations.
  • Reduction of torque and drag values.
  • More constant bit weight and RPM thereby extending bit life and lengthening bit runs.
  • Reduction or elimination of bit and BHA balling.
  • Significant reductions in tubular and drilling equipment wear.
  • Improved tripping, logging and casing run times.

Hydrodynamic Inhibition

  • The water repellent film coats shales and claystones assisting inhibition,
  • Provides physical retardation of clay swelling and stabilization of troublesome formations.

 

  THUSLICK™ - COST EFFECTIVENESS TOP


When evaluating the overall cost effectiveness of THUSLICK™
the following considerations are suggested:

  • time cost savings through extended bit life and improved bit performance;
  • time cost savings through elimination of trips necessitated by bit and BHA balling;
  • time cost savings through slicker tripping and casing operations;
  • time cost savings through reduced logging operations;
  • time cost savings through hole stabilization and elimination of vibration induced formation damage;
  • time cost savings in cementing operations through having a gauge hole;
  • time cost savings in cleaning up of test formations to open hole formation testing;
  • equipment cost savings through reduced wear on tubulars and surface mud system, on account of metal-to-rock and metal-to-metal lubrication as well as anti corrosion factors.

       Large well-cost savings in places where water-base mud with THUSLICK™ can be used instead of oil-base mud, thereby eliminating Environmental Compliance costs.

 

  ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS TOP


       THUSLICK™ is non-toxic, non-combustible and contains no heavy metals or environmentally hazardous chemicals.

       THUSLICK™ is approved for use offshore by the Dutch Ministry of Mines, the Norwegian State Pollution Control Body, United Kingdom HOCNS, USA LC50 /96 hour test and Static Sheen Testing.
Mud Conditioning

  • De-aeration of the fluid system giving stabilization of the mud properties
  • Improved hole cleaning resulting from stabilized rheological properties
  • Corrosion reduction
  • Improved solids removal
  • Reduced seepage losses
  • Reduced dilution and chemical usage

HTHP Filtrate Loss Control

  • THUSLICK™ produces a very thin and slick filter cake and therefore reduces HTHP filtrate values;
  • THUSLICK™ provides a positive effect on the long term filtration rate of any mud system.
  • The thin, slick, THUSLICK™ filter cake considerably reduces chances of differentially stuck pipe

THUSLlCK™ - The Winning Edge
       THUSLICK™ provides for high drilling efficiency and minimization of well costs in vertical, inclined and horizontal wellbores, completion and workover operations, as well as coiled tubing.

       THUSLICK™ has no effect on log analysis because it consists of inert minerals. Return Permeability tests done with field mud and with clear brine show virtually zero damage. In field application enhanced initial well production has been experienced.

 

  CHEMICAL PROPERTIES TOP


Chemical Composition: Micronized Siliconized PDMS coated Plumbago
Appearance: Black Powder Particulates
Bulk Density: 0.83 kg / liter
Temperature Stability: More than 500oC
pH (@ 10% in water): 8.4
Solubility: Insoluble in oil or water
Compatibility: Anionic, non-ionic and cationic polymers;
Polyethylene/polypropylene glycols,
oil base fluids and brines
Quality Control: Conformance with ISO 9002 & ISO 14000


 

  GENERAL TREATMENT RATE TOP


       THUSLICK™ may be added at 3 minutes per 25 kg bag. The product is easily dispersed and may be added via a hopper directly into the active system or through pre-mixing.

       Concentration should vary dependent on mud types, density, well path design (anticipated torque and drag) and anticipated formation.

NOTE
Over treatment with THUSLICK™ has no negative effect on
  THUSLICK™ 's optimum performance or on the properties of the fluid.  


Treatment - To Improve Lubrication (Whole Interval)

Mud Density THUSLICK™ Concentration

  PPB (lb / gal) 

SG (kg / cm3)

PPB (lb / bbl)

kg / m3

8.5 - 10.0

1.0 - 1.2

3 - 4

8.5 - 11.4  

10.0 - 11.7

1.2 - 1.4

4

11.4

11.7 - 12.5

1.4 - 1.5

5

14.3

12.5 - 14.5

1.5 - 1.7

6

17.1

14.5 - 16.5

1.7 - 2.0

7

19.9

16.5 - 18.0+

2.0 - 2.2+

8

22.8

 

  TREATMENT PROCESS TOP


Treatment - Brittle Formation

       Field experience has shown that a treatment of 6 ppb (17.1 kg/m3) to be effective in reducing torque and drag due to brittle formations (pressurized shales, coal, tectonically stressed rocks).


Treatment - Physical Clay Inhibition

       Use the same concentration as indicated under 'Treatment-To Improve Lubrication".


NOTE
  Using downhole dynamics THUSLICK™ physically coats and smears  
the formation with water repellent micro fine particles.

No chemical stabilization of the clay bearing formation occurs,
it is purely a physical protection mechanism.



Treatment - While Drilling

       If hole problems exist before THUSLICK™ is added to the mud system it is better to start with a high concentration to drift down so long as desired effects are maintained. Good field engineering will dictate the amount to be added thereafter. all factors should be considered i.e. dilution rates, solids control equipment, new hole and severity of problem. For lubricity the engineer on location should calculate the torque and drag values suitable to the situation and adjust concentration accordingly.


NOTE
THUSLICK™ will work without fail for all purposes shown above -
  Vertical, deviated, horizontal, dog-legged and tectonically stressed holes  
have all been helped by THUSLICK™.



Treatment - Maintenance

       Daily addition of between 0.35 and 0.7 ppb (1-2kg/m3) should be made. The concentration can be controlled by measuring the HTHP filtrate values, whenever they increase THUSLICK™ should be added. The temperature stability of THUSLICK™ is in excess of 1,000o F (550o C).


 

  THUSLICK™ - HOW IT OPERATES TOP


      THUSLICK™ is a micronized siliconized PDMS coated plumbago powder having a very low surface tension (+/- 20 Dynes/cm), making it water repellent (Water is about 75 Dynes/cm and oil is around 25 Dynes/cm). The concept is based on using the difference in surface tension between surfaces (water wet/water repellent) to obtain lubricity and (physical) shale stabilization When using water-based mud the formation, casing and drillstring is predominantly water wet and may adhere together upon contact.

       The THUSLICK™ particles, once dispersed in a mud system, produce greatly reduced surface tension between the predominantly water wet surfaces downhole.

       The THUSLICK™ micro-fine particles physically impregnate and coat the wellbore forming a thin, and extremely slick layer. The water repellent nature of this thin slick layer of particles in the filter cake creates an environment of reduced water absorption by clay bearing formations (where formation permeability exists). The particles consequently also coat the drilled (clay) solids, isolating the water from the clay minerals, THUSLICK™ lubrication function reduces torque and drag leading to better transmission of weight to the bit hence improved penetration rates.

       Tripping, logging and casing run times are also improved. The thin slick THUSLlCK™ filter cake significantly reduces "stick-slip" phenomenon allowing a more constant bit RPM thus extending bit life and reducing the number of trips. The THUSLICK™ slippery powder coating on metal and rock surfaces reduces vibration thereby limiting wellbore damage in brittle formations such as coal, tectonically stressed 'hard rock' and shales.

       THUSLICK™ is a medium-low pressure lubricant which does not reduce bit cutter efficiency as high pressure liquid lubricants may do. Lubrication at high temperatures is significantly better than that of asphalt, bitumen and Gilsonite. Although liquid lubricants act more quickly, their overall benefit to an operation may be limited While THUSLICK™ may be slower acting it is a more dynamic and lasting product. For this reason it should be added at the beginning of a section and not once problems have already developed. The resulting hole drilled is in better gauge and less mud volume is required to drill a section.

       THUSLICK™ has been successfully tested for stability to 200 o C and in fact maintains its properties in excess of 500 o C, THUSLICK™ is compatible with and enhances Polyalkylene Glycol systems. At temperatures above cloud point THUSLlCK™ tends to accumulate the water insoluble glycol and to disperse it evenly Adding THUSLICK™ to a polymer system reduces polymer consumption Polymer breakdown (oxidation) at higher temperature is also reduced as the micronized dispersed air is no longer present.

       THUSLICK™ has a strong de-foaming action which stabilizes viscosity and gels to improve hole cleaning. Also THUSLICK™ reduces entrained air and thereby reduces corrosion. Significant corrosion reduction has been demonstrated through testing :with Kci Gypsum mud (80 gm/liter Kci) and with mild steels in saline mud.

       With THUSLICK™ high temperature, high pressure losses are reduced, and low filtrate values result without affecting rheology.

Note: Fluid loss control is necessary to reduce initial spurt loss.

       Formation damage using THUSLICK™ is no greater than that of Sentonite/PAC polymer mud Systems. Also, no return permeability damage was seen in special core tests, in contrast to experience with some liquid lubricants and additives.

       Because it is hydrocarbon free; THUSLlCK™ has no geological evaluation inconvenience, i.e. no fluorescence.

       THUSLICK™ in water base mud does not have the characteristic an oil base mud exhibits detracting from and complicating well control and kick detection.


HOME