WHITE SHARK® is a next generation of high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) water-based mud system designed to drill in environmental sensitive area where black powder additives are not recommended. Not same to BLACK SHARK® dispersed system, WHITE SHARK® is polymer based with low solids, non-dispersive system designed to be used in HPHT wells with bottom hole temperature in excess of 450°F (232°C). The long-term thermal stability of WHITE SHARK® is achieved through the combination of three core additives including WHITEMP® (AM - AMPS copolymer FLA), AQUAVIS® CF (HT polymeric viscosifier) and THERMOTHIN® (HT polymeric thinner).
WHITEMP® - Synthetic terpolymer filtration control additive. Readily dispersible, free-flowing white colour powder product. Displays excellent thermal performance for high temperature drilling environments.
• Thermal stability over 400°F (204°C)
• Compatible with other common mud additives
• Multifunctional, high temperature additive provides filtration control, inhibition and viscosity
• Tolerant to salts and divalent metal ions
• Environmentally safe
AQUAVIS® CF – Synthetic polymer viscosifier, readily dispersible, free-flowing white colour powder. Designed to provide optimal rheology, suspension and hole cleaning performance in HPHT wells. The formula could be prepared as Clay-Free and even solids-free systems.
• Provides thermo stable aqueous phase viscosity control
• Viscosifier for HPHT drill-in water-based fluid system
• Prevents settling
• Maintains reservoir permeability protection
THERMOTHIN® - Sulfonated styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer based (SSMA for short), low molecular weight, top-level thinner used in most water-based drilling fluids at extreme temperature conditions.
• Environmentally safe
• Stable at temperature above 500°F
• Compatible with other drilling additives
• Effective over a broad pH range
• Effectively treat contaminants from carbon dioxide, cement, lime or salt
• Environmentally acceptable
Formate brines and supplemental thermal stabilizers are always used to help extend the thermal stability of WHITE SHARK® polymer-based drilling fluids. Additionally, the system is stable in the presence of contamination from soluble calcium, salts and acid gases.
SHARK’s expert can customize the fluid with stable properties at temperature extremes for your most demanding downhole conditions. Deploy the WHITE SHARK® water-based drilling fluid at temperatures greater than 450°F (232°C) and in the presence of contaminants with densities exceeding 19ppg (2.3 sg).
The benefits of WHITE SHARK® water-based system are summarized as:
• Higher technical level than traditional sulfonated high temperature system
• Clay-free or Solids-free formulation could be prepared
• Long term stability of system by minimized gelation at max temperature & pressure
• Flexibility in brine selection, including potassium, sodium, calcium or formate-based
• Tolerance to contaminants, resistant to higher solids content and reservoir components - H2S, CO2
• Improved mud rheology with low colloidal solids content
• Low HPHT filtrate with thin filter cake
• Prevention of barite settlement
• Reuse of fluid to multiple wells or batch drilling wells
¬ 1ppb = 2.857kg/m3, 1ppb = 1g/350ml
¬ Temperature stability can be increased with the addition of oxygen scavengers
¬ Add defoamer as required. This may be essential in salt systems
¬ Add liquid lubricant as required.
¬ Pilot testing should be performed to determine the exact amount of each product used in a particular formulation under elevated temperatures.
To ensure that the fluid formulation truly meets your required specifications, SHARK's expert will work with you to pilot test the fluid before fully deploying it as part of your drilling program.
To achieve a customized drilling fluids solution and optimized thermal stability, a suite of all items in water-based mud testing have to be conducted. Besides, special designed laboratory tests are also critical to the successful application of WHITE SHARK® system in the field.
A properly equipped mud lab on the rig with a roller oven, aging cells, and rheometer cups will be essential. Pilot testing should be carried out to determine fluid stability and proper treatments, in anticipation of all upcoming operations such as trips, cement jobs, logging etc. when the fluid will be under worst case conditions. Samples of the drilling fluid should be routinely sent into the local labs for FANN 70 and FANN 90 testing as well as routine testing on the dynamic high angle sag tester - DHAST.
