Envirotherm NT

Optimize drilling and minimize environmental impact in high-temperature applications

Features

Benefits

Easily managed in the field Excellent shale inhibition Water-base, chrome-free chemistry Stable at high temperatures Stable rheological properties Resists contamination Flexible formulation that can be adapted as temperatures increase Reduces the need for dilution

Reduces NPT Maintains optimum ROP in highly compacted/hard shales Environmentally acceptable worldwide Reduces pressure spikes caused by gelation Less time spent treating the system Drilling can proceed in a range of conditions Economical to use, as fluid formulation can be customized for various temperature ranges Less waste for disposal

The water-base system you wanted for high-temperature drilling in environmentally sensitive conditions
APPLICATIONS

High-temperature (HT) wells, including those in shale plays and any project that is environmentally sensitive, experiences high temperatures and that requires a water-base drilling-fluid system.
PROBLEMS

High temperatures often cause clay-base systems to gel, and the pressures required to break these gels can cause wellbore damage. Many of the previous HT systems were based on chemicals that have been declared environmentally unsafe.
SOLUTIONS

The Envirotherm NT system is the result of three simultaneous operator demands. We have consistently received requests for a single drilling-fluid system that is chrome-free for environmental reasons, that can resist bottomhole temperatures in excess of 450F (232C) and that uses water-base chemistry. Their requirements stem chiefly from traditional land-based operations, but now high-temperature shale drilling has the same requirements for certain areas.

The environmental and drilling characteristics you want

The Envirotherm NT chemistry is water-base and chrome-free, making it environmentally acceptable worldwide. The system is stable in the presence of contamination from soluble calcium, salts and acid gases, and can be used at temperatures in excess of 450F (232C) and densities up to 19 ppg. The systems stability derives from its low reactive-solids content and temperaturestable, chrome-free materials. The low reactive-solids content is achieved by decreasing the bentonite and drill solids content as fluid density and wellbore temperatures increase. High-temperatureresistant polymeric materials replace the bentonite and stabilize the overall viscosity and gel strengths. This minimizes the problems caused by flocculation of reactive clay solids at high temperatures and the viscosity increase resulting from chemical contamination.

The very definition of an ideal answer

The system is a successful, field-proven HTHP water-base fluid and has been used under very severe conditions to more than 350F (177C). It maintains its stable properties not only while drilling, but also during the prolonged static conditions experienced during tripping, logging and testing operations. The Envirotherm NT system is characterized by low and stable rheological properties, low HTHP fluid loss and minimizes hole problems, providing shale inhibition and resistance to contamination for extreme conditions of density and temperature.

The polymer-base Envirotherm* NT system resists gelling at high temperatures and its water-base formulation meets environmental standards worldwide.
ECONOMICS

The absence of HT gelation means better drilling conditions and fewer pressure spikes. The system also reduces cuttings-disposal costs, and it can be reconditioned and reused.
ENVIRONMENTAL

The system uses environmentally acceptable chemicals that deliver optimal results while significantly reducing waste generation.

Easy to build, maintain and convert

The Envirotherm NT for most HTHP applications consists of the six products shown in the table. On occasion, and as drilling conditions dictate, other products may be added. Your M-I SWACO representative can guide you in the composition of the system for your area. The system can be easily converted from most chrome-free water-base system as the bottom hole temperature increases while drilling. The process for converting to a high-temperature system is seamless, with no rheology humps or loss of other properties.

Calovis* FL synthetic polymer is a specially formulated product designed for use as a fluid-loss-reducing and rheology-stabilizing agent in water-base drilling fluids. It is an excellent additive for HTHP filtration control and rheological stabilization for drilling fluids exposed to temperatures of up to 450F (232C). Calovis HT synthetic polymer is a specially formulated fluid-loss-control agent and viscosifier in water-base drilling fluids. It is an excellent additive for HTHP filtration control for drilling fluids subjected to temperatures of up to 500F (260C). Calothin* additive is a liquid anionic acrylic copolymer designed to provide rheology control in HTHP water-base drilling fluids. Secondary to its thinning effect, the product also provides a reduction of fluid loss. This synthetic additive has a temperature limit in excess of 450F (232C) and is not subject to bacterial degradation.

Product
Calovis FL Calovis HT Calothin Calosperse and/or Calosperse ZR Poroseal M-I Gel Supreme

Function
Fluid-loss control and secondary viscosifier Fluid-loss control and secondary viscosifier HTHP rheology stabilizer Chrome-free HTHP thinners Shale / filter-cake sealing additive Viscosifier, LSRV, hole cleaning

Success story

Calosperse* additive is a unique blend of polymeric and organic, chrome-free thinners specially formulated for improved rheology control of water-base drilling fluids. Calosperse additive also functions well in high-temperature applications. It reduces and stabilizes overall viscosity and gel strengths and also contributes to reducing fluid loss. Due to its low pH, Calosperse rheology additive requires additions of caustic soda 0.1 lb/bbl per each 1 lb/bbl of Calosperse product added to the system. Calosperse ZR thinner is a specially formulated blend of zirconium and multivalent metallic salts, designed for use in high-temperature waterbase drilling fluids. Poroseal* product is a unique co-polymeric filtration control and shale sealing additive. Poroseal additive provides permeability plugging to

effectively seal shales and filter cakes, improving the performance of highly inhibitive water-base drilling fluids. It is effective for low-temperature as well as high-temperature applications. M-I Gel* Supreme viscosifier is a premium grade Wyoming bentonite (a sodium montmorillonite clay) which has not been chemically treated. It is used at very low concentrations in the Envirotherm NT system, to aid in initial filter cake building and filtration control.

Hungary

Operator successfully drills HTHP tight gas reservoir with the water-base Envirotherm NT system
The situation A major operator in Hungary wanted to drill an exploration well in a hightemperature high-pressure (HTHP) tight gas reservoir. In addition to temperature and pressure, other challenges included acid-gas contamination (CO2 and H2S) and environmental constraints for cuttings disposal and oil-base drilling fluid usage. The solution Based on previous experiences in the area and on extended lab testing, M-I SWACO recommended the water-base Envirotherm NT system to the operator. The results The well was drilled safely to total depth (TD), with no significant incidents. The Envirotherm NT drilling fluid system proved very stable for this harsh environment. HTHP fluid loss was easily controlled, and rheology was actually lower than in the laboratory tests. The reduced rheology helped to minimize the equivalent circulating density for this very high mud weight.

Optimize your drilling in high-temperature applications

Your M-I SWACO representative can give you more information and performance statistics about the waterbase Envirotherm NT system and how its reducing waste and improving environmental profiles.

This information is supplied solely for informational purposes and M-I SWACO makes no guarantees or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the accuracy and use of this data. All product warranties and guarantees shall be governed by the Standard Terms of Sale. Nothing in this document is legal advice or is a substitute for competent legal advice.

P.O. Box 42842 Houston, Texas 77242-2842 www.miswaco.slb.com Email: questions@miswaco.slb.com

2010 M-I L.L.C. All rights reserved. *Mark of M-I L.L.C. FBR.0510.1102.R1 (E) Digital in U.S.A.