USA: M-I SWACO DEEPCLEAN Additive Reduces Rig Inventory and Circulation Time

M-I SWACO  announced the release of its DEEPCLEAN* additive, a single-stage well-displacement chemical. Designed primarily for downhole use in oil and gas wells, the additive is used for cleanup during the displacement of oil- or synthetic-base drilling fluids prior to the start of the completion operations.

In Nigeria, one operator used the DEEPCLEAN additive to reduce rig inventory and circulation time to clean fluid for a deepwater well. Once the viscosified spacer appeared on the surface, followed by a few cubes of water, the well was confirmed clean with consistently acceptable NTU values below 100. This was accomplished with a single, full circulation using the DEEPCLEAN additive.

“The DEEPCLEAN additive, with its solvent-surfactant double emulsion approach, proved to be highly effective in cleaning synthetic-base mud from an over 17,500 ft deepwater well in just one circulation, compared to five circulations with the previous displacement chemistry,” said Adewale Talab, project engineer, M-I SWACO. “This saved both rig time and operations running cost.”

The DEEPCLEAN additive forms a double emulsion in brine under shear, where both water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions exist simultaneously. The unique structure enhances the mass transfer between oil-base mud film and spacer so that oil film is removed rapidly, solids are dispersed and metal surfaces are water-wetted effectively.

The DEEPCLEAN additive creates a perfect interfacial film between the solvent and aqueous phases. The additive meets all requirements for multi-stage displacement wash train with a single product. The additive can be mixed with freshwater, seawater and with high-density brines.

About Schlumberger

M-I SWACO, a Schlumberger Company, is a global provider of a large range of products and engineering services designed to deliver drilling solutions, environmental solutions, wellbore productivity and production technologies.

Schlumberger is the world’s leading supplier of technology, integrated project management, and information solutions to customers working in the oil and gas industry worldwide. Employing approximately 105,000 people representing over 140 nationalities and working in approximately 80 countries, Schlumberger provides the industry’s widest range of products and services from exploration to production.

Schlumberger Limited has principal offices in Paris, Houston, and The Hague and reported consolidated revenues of $22.7 billion in 2009.

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Source: Schlumberger,September 17, 2010,