SC-900 Shale Control Copolymer

DESCRIPTION

SC-900 represents a new class of shale stabilizer. This new copolymer technology represents a major improvement, especially for air drilling. Unlike polyacrylamides, the new copolymer, SC-900, depends on a cationic charge to stabilize the shales. It locks onto the shale and becomes a part of the shale structure. KCL works by the same method; however, it is only temporary in nature, whereas this new copolymer exhibits a much greater attraction to the shale, and can be considered a permanent treatment.

Cationic materials have been known for years as effective shale stabilizers in stimulation treatments; however, most mud systems and air foam surfactants are anionic in nature, which means the two would counteract one another. SC-900 was developed to be completely compatible with anionic drilling foamers while still retaining its cationic functionality. It is amphotenc meaning cationic on one end of the polymer and anionic on the other end. The cationic portion still retains the effective shale protection while the short anionic side makes the polymer compatible with anionic surfactants. The Dionic shale control is so compatible it can even be included as part of the foamer formula in the same drum.

In drilling mud, many polymers have proven effective; however, air foam drilling represents a different challenge. Shear through the drilling bit can be 100 times greater due to the velocity of the air. The normal shale control polymers depend on polymer length to stabilize shales; however, they are literally torn apart under the increased shear through the bit. Because SC-900 is a “shorter” copolymer that depends on cationic functionality instead of molecular weight, shear does not degrade its performance.

ADVANTAGES

• Highly effective shale control• More effective than KCL
• Not affected by shear when used in air-foam drilling applications
• Both cationic for shale and anionic for foamer compatibility
• Can be mixed directly with air-foam surfactants
• Easily handled liquid

APPLICATION

SC-900 is a liquid for ease of use; however, it does not contain any hydrocarbon phase. Normally 1000-2000 ppm is recommended as a starting point in designing treatments.

PERFORMANCE

In 16-hour roller oven testing, shale will only retain approximately 30% of its original size when tested in fresh water alone. With SC-900, shale retains 90% of its original size. Most “traditional” shale control polymers used in mud systems provide similar performance until sheared. These traditional polymers work well in mud and in the laboratory, but have never worked well with air foam drilling. SC-900 retains all of its inhibitive properties, while most traditional polymers retain no shale control. Even the cationic materials lose more than half of their inhibition.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Activity……………………………………………..25%

Density……………………………………………..8.83-9.00 Ibs/gal

Specific Gravity……………………………………1.06-1.08

pH (neat)…………………………………………..6.0-8.0

Charge in solution………………………………..amphotenc

Flash Point, TCC………………………………….17JOC (350°F)

Solubility in Water………………………………..Partial