Drilling Glycol
Specification
| Appearance | Clear liquid |
| Odor | No specific odor |
| Specific Gravity (25 Celsius degrees) | 1.05-1.2 |
| Shale Recovery (API Practice) | >40% |
| Water Solubility | Soluble in brine or fresh water |
| Solubility | Soluble in aliphatic hydrocarbons. |
| pH | 5.5-7 |
| Melting/Freezing Point | 4°C - 6 ˚C |
| Cloud Point (3% in 25%Salt water) (HC GRADE) | 70-75 Celsius degrees |
| Cloud Point (3% in 25%Salt water) (MC GRADE) | 40-50 Celsius degrees |
Description
Drilling Glycol or Cloud Point Glycol by the general chemical formula of CnH2nOx(OH)2, is a high-quality synthetic grade glycol used in water-based drilling fluids. It provides wellbore stability while drilling through problematic shale layers. Drilling Glycol has minimum adverse effects on rheological and filtration properties of fluids. Performance of Cloud Point Glycol is elevated in the presence of KCL salt. It can also be used in drilling fluids as gas hydrate inhibitors.
Drilling Glycol is completely water soluble in low temperatures. Upon the increase of a temperature, Cloud Point Glycol will produce micelles in the water which is known as cloud point phenomenon. The produced micelles are believed to be capable of plugging and coating the downhole formations and reduce possibility of shale instability by minimizing the pressure transmission. The mentioned cloud point is highly related to the salinity of used water.
TEAM Provides two type of Drilling Glycol including MC (Medium Cloud Point Glycol) and HC (High Cloud Point Glycol) grades.
History of Material
An accurate report for using Glycols in drilling fluids is not existed, but some technical papers has mentioned that Glycols were used for drilling gumbo shales in North Sea in the first half of 90s decade. Considering perfect performance of glycolic muds in providing wellbore stability, Glycols became an important drilling fluids additive in various part of the world such as the Middle East or Europe. Nowadays, despite development of state-of-the-art shale inhibitors, utilizing Glycol-based muds are still popular and common in the most countries, due to their high performance and reasonable cost.
Purchasing Cloud Point Glycol From TEAM
TEAM has been actively supplying Drilling Glycol to drilling fluid service companies and suppliers, and has competitive pricing. Our Cloud Point Glycol has been supplied to Iraq and neighboring countries; references are available upon request. We have a standard quality control system in place and can arrange for international inspection with the help of inspection companies such as SGS.
Drilling Glycol Pricing
The price of Drilling Glycol may vary depending on its purity and delivery method. Please contact TEAM sales department through our contact numbers.
Packaging
Due to the fact that this compound is liquid at normal temperature, Drilling Glycol is supplied in 230 kg drums and/or in IBCs (intermediate bulk containers). Tanks and barrels for storage of this material are made of metal as corrosion resistance is required.
Advantages of Drilling Glycol
Drilling Glycol provided by TEAM is compatible with different types of water-based drilling fluids. Cloud Point Glycol is proved to be an effective product for maximizing shale stability with minimum adverse effects on filtration and rheological properties of the fluid. Other advantages of Drilling Glycol are explained briefly:
Minimizes shale swelling by pore plugging and TAME (Thermally Activated Mud Emulsion) properties
Environmentally acceptable
Compatible with Gilsonite or asphaltic inhibitors
Improves lubricity of fluid
Provides thermal stability for polymers
Lowers potential risks associated with differential sticking
Reduces Torque and Drag problems
Minimize bit balling possibility
Improves filter-cake quality
Improves penetration rates
Disadvantages
It is recommended to be careful when working with Drilling Glycol. Please refer to TEAM MSDS for further details on Drilling Glycol hazards.
Applications
Applications of Cloud Point Glycol
Cloud Point Glycol is used in water-based mud systems for drilling in various formations. Commonly, most formations are shale layers, however, other rocks such as argillaceous, mudstones, siltstones, and claystones can also be drilled using this additive. Using Drilling Glycol as an effective inhibitor, helps with many drilling challenges such as shale instability, balled up BHA, pipe stuck, clay swelling, pack off, and so on. On the other hand, due to low toxicity and environmental damages, Drilling Glycol has been used in environmentally sensitive areas whether onshore or offshore drilling sites.
Research has shown that our Cloud Point Glycol can be used in hydrocarbon reservoirs as well as non-reservoir sections. The literature and evidence from service companies suggest that Glycols have not shown any detrimental effect on formation production. On the contrary, our clients have reported beneficial effects on production rate and return permeability values by using Drilling Glycol.
Several inhibitions mechanisms for Drilling Glycol have been reported. Approved inhibition methods delivered by the aid of glycols are but not limited to; coating, pore plugging, micelle forming in cloud point temperature, pressure transmission reductions are. Using Drilling Glycol in water-based mud helps improving filter cake quality and also creating a firm barrier in clay and shale layers. This barrier will protect shale layers from contacting water molecules and hydration. These effects are highly important as drilling challenges such as shale hydration or bit balling are related to such mentioned phenomenon. Furthermore, some improvements such as an increase in rate of penetration (ROP) and lubricity enhancement has been the result of our Drilling Glycol. Last but not least, Glycols have many applications in drilling industry but also other sectors can use our Drilling Glycol. Glycols are also added to water-based drilling fluids in deep-water wells which are prone to form gas hydrates, as an inhibitor.
Production Method
A simple and accepted method for manufacturing Polyethylene Glycols is using hydrolysis of the Epoxides. Mentioned epoxides are polymerized in the presence of other compounds which contain active hydrogen such as Glycols, water or amine. The final products are different Glycols with various molecular weights and properties. As an example, Polyethylene glycols are made via the reaction between ethylene oxide and water or low-molecular weight alcohols. The final product is soluble in fresh water up to temperature of nearly 100 Centigrade. Containing simple linear chains, mentioned final products has low toxicity and high biodegradability.
Safety tips
Storage Condition
Drilling Glycol must be stored in a dry and well-ventilated area at ambient temperatures. Cloud Point Glycol does not have a restricted classification for transportation. This material must be kept away from strong acids, strong oxidants and strong bases. Storing Drilling Glycol near medicines, beverages and food sources is not advised.