SILDRILE

The adaptable silicate

fluid system with the
proven inhibition of an
invert-emulsion mud
 SILDRIL: The one system
for optimum shale inhibition
and environmental compliance

Imagine this. You’re drilling offshore SILDRIL generates highly competent

through highly reactive formations inhibited cuttings that contribute to
that normally require the use of an optimum performance of the solids-
oil-base mud. However, local envi- control equipment and to greatly
ronmental restrictions prohibit dis- enhanced formation evaluation. By
charges, making a water-base system dramatically reducing solids contami-
Before SILDRIL treatment: Cuttings from a
the more acceptable and cost-effective nation, SILDRIL reduces dilution rates
reactive formation drilled with a conventional
drilling fluid option. Until now, bal- KCl polymer fluid. and the costs associated with waste
ancing the two requirements would management. Field experience has
have been an extremely formidable, shown the solids-control efficiency
if not impossible, task. of SILDRIL can compare very favorably
Now you have SILDRIL, M-I’s to that achieved with typical invert
uniquely formulated system that emulsion fluids.
capitalizes on the very latest in sili-
cate technology to give you perform- M-I takes proven technology
ance approaching that of oil mud to a new level
but with the environmental accept- Basic silicate chemistry has been
ability of a water-base fluid. This one around for decades. But M-I has
system delivers optimum inhibition exploited the latest advances in
characteristics, high penetration After treatment: In the same formation, SILDRIL
rates, decreased trouble time, supe- produces a high degree of cuttings integrity.
Test
rior wellbore integrity and superb llm eter
or high-angle hole, SILDRIL gives you Swe
solids-removal performance — all
(%)
with minimal environmental impact. flexibility you never thought possible ling
Swel
35
No wonder more and more oper- in a water-base drilling fluid.
ators are putting their confidence From the North Sea to Australia, 30

in SILDRIL for the most demanding SILDRIL has demonstrated that it has 25
drilling applications. no rival in stabilizing reactive shale, 20
claystone and marl formations. How?
15
It’s hard to match the The answer is threefold: through
10
adaptability and shale direct chemical bonding of the 0
,40
silicate polymers to drill cutting 5 0 1
inhibition of SILDRIL 1,20
,000
1
and formation surfaces; through 0 800
Whether you’re drilling in 7,000 ft of precipitation of the silicate with 600 u t e s )
sed
-5 400 (min isper
water or in the most environmentally 200 Time w pH d
divalent ions; and through silicate 100
L o
fragile jungle; in a gumbo environ- polymerization that results in com- SILDR
IL

ment or in micro-fractured, interbed- plex, inorganic polymer structures Cl/G

lyc ol
K
ded shales and chalks; in a vertical that react with the shale surfaces. ater/
XC
DI w
 Performance through engineering

SILDRIL has recorded consistently high

penetration rates in the most reactive
shale environments, resulting in an
average cost per foot significantly
lower than traditional inhibitive
water-base systems.

Features Benefits Results

• Outstanding inhibition • High penetration rates • Reduced drilling costs
• Low-toxicity • Optimum solids removal • Reduced mud-related
• Applicable for deepwater • Superb waste control downtime
• Minimum number • Good geological • Minimum
of components interpretation environmental impact
• Highly flexible • Reduced bit balling • Excellent formation
fluid parameters evaluation
• Excellent cuttings
integrity • Better cementing
performance
• Low dilution rates
• In-gauge holes
• Stable wellbore
 Filter cake deposition
For systems formulated with SILDRIL, Si
primary inhibition is achieved with the Physical
addition of a unique 2.6-ratio silicate. H
and O
Polymerization of the higher-ratio chemical
silicate monomer effectively provides barrier to O
a physical and chemical barrier to invasion H
filtrate and particle invasion.
Si

Clay platelets

Non-clay particles

polymer chemistry and solids- polysilicate ions. In this highly reac- Fewer components give you
control technology to develop tive solution, these silicate ions form more flexibility
this high-performance, silicate- covalent bonds — the predominant
A relatively small number of com-
base system that provides superior reaction in both the polymerization
ponents form the non-dispersed
inhibition, delivers consistently and inhibition process. The silicate
SILDRIL system. This provides a great
in-gauge wellbores and has proven polymerization and the interaction
deal of flexibility in matching the
itself consistently cost-effective. of the silicate with the drilled solids
system to the particular application.
Depending on application and are the main mechanisms that pro-
Fewer products also mean ease of
logistic considerations, the soluble vide such superior inhibition.
maintenance, simpler logistics and
sodium silicate that is the basic SILDRIL D is a 100% active, dry
lower total fluid costs.
building block of the SILDRIL system silicate product. Treatment of 3 to 4%
A xanthan biopolymer provides
is also available in dry SILDRIL D form. by weight in a brine-polymer fluid
excellent Low-Shear-Rate Viscosity
SILDRIL is an alkaline silicate fluid provides excellent shale stability.
(LSRV) for superior hole cleaning,
composed of a complex mixture of
wellbore stability and hydraulics.
The system’s filtration-control prop-
System Formulation
erties are easily maintained with
Product Concentration most of M-I’s conventional poly-
M-I BART As needed mers designed for that purpose —
SILDRIL (or SILDRIL D) 6 - 8% by volume (3 - 4% by weight) POLYPAC R, POLYPAC UL, POLYPAC ULV,
Soda ash 0.5 - 1.5 ppb POLY-SALE, FLO-TROL, HIB-TROLE and
DUO-VIST 0.5 - 2.0 ppb THERMPAC.T
POLYPACT (UL or ULV) or FLO-TROLT 1 - 4 ppb
KCl or NaCl 5 - 20% by weight
e
Shal very
Reco ry (%
)
Typical Properties cove
e Re
Shal
100
Density (lb/gal) 8.8 - 16.0 90
Plastic viscosity (cP) 10 - 30 80
Yield point (lb/100 ft2) 20 - 50 70
Initial gel (lb/100 ft2) 8 - 25 60
10-min gel (lb/100 ft2) 10 - 40 50
pH 11.0 - 11.8 40
Pm (cm3 0.02N H2SO4) 10 - 30 30
Oil-
Pf (cm3 0.02N H2SO4) 8 - 25 20 IL base
SILDR mud
10 KCl/l/
Calcium (mg/l) 0 l/ o
r NaCA Glyc A
API fluid loss (cm3/30 min) < 10 0 lyme PHP PHP
Po
FW/
Low-gravity solids (%) <5
MBT (lb/bbl) < 20
 Performance through engineering

M-I also has developed a unique

lubricant — SIL-LUBEE — specifically
for the SILDRIL system, making it well
suited for drilling high-angle wells.
The versatile SILDRIL system is com-
patible with a variety of inorganic
salts that can be added to enhance
inhibition and help meet specific
environmental regulations.
All this and a Category E
System Components classification, too
Product Functions Description From its well documented, high
SILDRIL or SILDRIL D Inhibition Primary inhibitive drilling rates, to its reduced risk of
chemical additive
mud-related trouble time and lower
DUO-VIS, XCD,T FLO-VIS Viscosity, LSRV Premium-grade
xanthan biopolymers waste management costs, SILDRIL is
recommended for not only a cost-effective alternative
optimum performance to other water-base systems, but to
POLYPAC UL, POLYPAC ULV, Fluid-loss control All premium PAC synthetic and oil-base fluids as well.
POLYPAC R, POLYSAL, materials and starch
FLO-TROL, THERMPAC UL products can be used Add to that its low dilution rates,
HIB-TROL in the SILDRIL system. a full complement of non-toxic
Selection of additive(s) is products and its safe handling char-
dependent on fluid and
well specifications acteristics, and you can see why the
KCl, NaCl Supplemental inhibition Salts used to provide SILDRIL system has been designated
K2SO4, K2CO3, TKPP (to reduce shale swelling), enhanced shale Category E (full discharge) in the
(TetraPotassium PyroPhosphate) density stabilization and UK sector of the North Sea and why
fluid density
it meets Gulf of Mexico toxicity
K2CO3, Na2CO3 Pre-treatment of seawater Alkalinity additives
to remove calcium and standards.
magnesium ions
(with KOH or NaOH) Put the SILDRIL system to
NaOH, KOH Pre-treatment of seawater Alkalinity additives
to remove calcium and (hydroxyl)
work for you
magnesium ions To find out more about how SILDRIL
SIL-LUBE Lubricity Specialty product for can optimize the drilling efficiency
silicate fluids
and environmental compliance of
M-I BAR, calcium carbonate Weight As required for density
your next well, contact your local
M-I representative.
 A Smith/Schlumberger Company

P.O. Box 721110 · Houston, Texas 77272-1110

www.midf.com
E-mail: mimud@midf.com
Technology Centers:
HOUSTON, TEXAS
Tel: 281·561·1300 · Fax: 281·561·7240
STAVANGER, NORWAY
Tel: 47·51·577300 · Fax: 47·51·570605
ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND
Tel: 44·1224·584336
Fax: 44·1224·576119
STAVANGER, NORWAY
Tel: 47·51·577300
Fax: 47·51·571410
MILANO, ITALY
Tel: 39·2·89515401
Fax: 39·2·89516993
CAIRO, EGYPT
Tel: 20·2·3508463
Fax: 20·2·3505944
JAKARTA, INDONESIA
Tel: 62·21·780·6578
Fax: 62·21·780·6608
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
Tel: 55·21·2103241
Fax: 55·21·2403910

©1999 M-I L.L.C. All rights reserved.

This material is supplied solely for informational purposes and M-I L.L.C. makes no guarantees ™ SILDRIL, POLY-SAL, SIL-LUBE, GLYDRIL and HIB-TROL are trademarks of M-I L.L.C.
or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the accuracy or use of this data. ® M-I BAR, DUO-VIS, POLYPAC, FLO-TROL, THERMPAC, FLO-VIS and XCD are registered
All product warranties and guarantees shall be governed by the Standard Terms of Sale. trademarks of M-I L.L.C.
MI-99195 3.5M 8/99 Litho in U.S.A.