New derivatives of PAC and CMC for drilling fluids

New developments and solutions

Tailor-made solutions to optimize performance
With a strong R&D focus Akzo Nobel Cellulosic Specialties is a leader in new product development. We actively work with our customers to constantly improve our products and invent new and/or modified cellulose polymers, with superior performance and functionality compared to common CMCs and PACs. Our well-equipped laboratory and pilot plant facilities are available both for product development and customer-specific requirements.

Examples of recent new product developments are:

1.  Encapsulation polymer for shale inhibition
It is known that high viscosity CMCs and PACs do provide some shale swelling inhibition. But now a new low molecular weight polymer is offered that provides excellent shale swelling inhibition. The polymeric additive is designed in such a way that functional groups have been attached to the polymer that exhibits the right level of adsorption onto the shale. By encapsulation of the shale water penetration into the clays is avoided.
Furthermore the new polymer exhibits good biodegradability and low marine toxicity. The molecular weight of the polymer allows flexibility in a wide range of mud densities and mud formulations and can be used also in high-salinity fluid systems. This compound has the ability to control both swelling and dispersion of water-sensitive clays without adverse rheological effects.

2.  Amphoteric Cellulose ethers as rheology modifier in low solid mud systems
A new polymeric viscosifier is offered that used in combination with bentonite provides excellent fluid rheology in a variety of drilling applications. The polymer–bentonite system not only provides hole cleaning, but fluid-loss control as an added benefit. To date, the product has been used extensively in Canada.
The polymer typically is used in fresh water systems with a bentonite concentration of approximately 10 ppb (28.6 kg/m3) and polymer concentrations of 0.20-0.40 ppb (0.57-1.14 kg/m3). The polymer–bentonite system works best for fresh water drilling fluids but still functions well in water up to 1500 ppm (mg/l) hardness or less.
In addition to its beneficial fluid-loss and flow properties, effective hole cleaning and environmental acceptability, the new polymer also produces the many advantages of using a polymeric low-solids mud system: well bore stabilization, high penetration rates, better solids control, less susceptibility to contamination and superior material logistics. The overall savings on drilling fluid operations compared to conventional gel-chemical systems is the critical economic benefit provided by this new polymer.

Standard CMCs and PACs of Akzo Nobel
STAFLO, GABROIL and GABROSA are well-known brands throughout the drilling industry. Akzo Nobel is one of the few suppliers able to deliver a full range of high-performance polymers in both technical and pure grades.

PAC
Polyanionic cellulosics (PACs) have been developed to meet the increasing demands being placed on polymers. The Staflo and Gabroil PACs are the product of choice in high electrolyte containing systems.
Staflo Regular and Staflo Exlo
Staflo Regular and Staflo Exlo are premium PAC grades with 98 % active material. These materials outperform most of the other PACs with regard to fluid loss reduction, viscosity contribution and shale inhibition. Staflo Exlo, unlike the Regular grade, has little effect on the rheology of the system.
Gabroil PAC Hivis and Gabroil PAC Lovis
Gabroil PAC Hivis and Gabroil PAC Lovis have recently been launched as high quality technical PAC grades that give an excellent cost/performance ratio and can be used in severe electrolyte containing systems.
Gabroil HV and Gabroil LV
Gabroil HV and Gabroil LV grades are suitable for use under less severe conditions or where economic aspects dominate.

CMC
Akzo Nobel’s CMC grades are marketed under the Gabrosa name.
Gabrosa EHV Tech
Gabrosa EHV Tech is an efficient viscosifier which also has a positive effect on the fluid retention. It meets both the OCMA DFCP-7 specification and the API specification for drilling CMC Hivis grades.
Gabrosa HV Tech
Gabrosa HV Tech is a high viscous grade with the same fluid loss properties as LV Tech, but also producing instant viscosity increase without the risk of over-treatment.
Gabrosa LV Tech
Gabrosa LV Tech is known for its excellent fluid loss reduction properties. It meets both the OCMA DFCP-2 specification and the API specification for CMC Lovis grades.

Website: http://www.cs.akzonobel.com/MarketSegments/Oilfield/.