Customer NAF Rev1

Training Division - DFSG
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS

April 2008
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
Contents
Advantages & Disadvantages
NAF Phases
Surfactants
 Emulsifiers
 Wetting agents
Semi Permeable membrane – Osmosis in NAF
Components
API Testing of NAF
NAF problems & trouble shooting
NAF Types in Scomi Oiltools
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
INVERT EMULSION Muds
Advantages Disadvantages
High ROP High Cost
Long bit life Electric log difficulties
Excellent inhibition Oil water emulsion

blocks in gas
reservoirs
Thermally stable Lost circulation is

$$$$$$$
Low reservoir damage Poor cement bonds

Scomi Oiltools
possible
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
High lubricity, low torque Gas kick detection

difficulties
Low corrosion Logistics
Gauge hole Messy working environment
Low fluid loss Difficult to detect

crude (Geochem)
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
Reduced chance of stuck pipe Poor hole cleaning at

high temperatures
High solids tolerance Fire hazard
Salt not dissolved Fumes
Good coring fluid Pollution –

Environmental
Compliance
Using OBM can reduce total well cost by 25%

Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
Contents
NAF Phases
Surfactants
 Emulsifiers
 Wetting agents
Components
API Testing of NAF
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
Invert Emulsion Muds
THREE PHASE SYSTEM

Diesel, Mineral Oil, Linear Paraffin, Internal Olefin,
Esters – This is the continuous phase,
WATER – This is the internal phase – is in the form of
emulsified droplets. All water soluble additives will be
found in this phase (CaCl2, soluble lime)
SOLIDS - barite, organophilic clays, drill solids, fluid

loss control products, LCM, etc. All solids are
surrounded by the continuous phase and are thus,
oil-wet.
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
Contents
NAF - Phases
Surfactants
 Emulsifiers
 Wetting agents
Components
API Testing of NAF
Scomi Oiltools
Surfactants
Surface Active Agents
Water in Oil Emulsifiers
Wetting Agents
Oil in Water Emulsifiers ( Soaps )
Scomi Oiltools
Surfactants Active Agents
Act by Reducing the Interfacial Tension between

two liquids or between a liquid and a solid.
Emulsifiers
Wetting Agents
Detergents
The main difference is : The surfaces they are

designed to act upon and their HLB Number
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
Emulsification of The Water Droplets
This is critical to running an oil based mud.
Emulsifiers are surfactants with hydrophillic and lipophillic

groups on the same molecule.
HYDROPHILLIC - Water loving (polar group).
LIPOPHILLIC - Oil loving (non polar group).
There are a number of different emulsifiers in current use.

In most emulsion packages there are at least two
emulsifiers. Thus if one is affected by a contaminant the
other will usually work on its own.
Two Emulsifiers give greater stability.
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
Emulsions - Two Liquids
Internal Phase Internal Phase
Oil in water Water in oil
Continuous Phase
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
Emulsification-Orientation of Surfactants
Emulsified Water Droplet in Oil
Water Droplet
Surfactant
Hydrophilic Organophilic
Head Tail
PRIMARY EMULSIFIER
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
Preferential Wetting of Solid Surface
 Emulsifier
molecules
preferentially “oil
wet” the face of
the wellbore, drill
cuttings and all
the steel surfaces.
Emulsifier
Drill Cutting
SECONDARY EMULSIFIER
Scomi Oiltools
Key Concepts - Wetting Agents
Solids ( weight material and drill solids ) must

be wet with the continuous phase (Oil) to
maintain emulsion stability and prevent the solids
from hydrating.
Primary wetting supplied by emulsifiers
Secondary wetting by specific wetting agents
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
Key Concepts - Oil Wetting
Liquid Wetting a Solid Water Beading on Adsorbed

“Wetting” “Oil Wet” Mineral Surface Surfactant
Water
Water
Mineral Solid
Scomi Oiltools
Wetting Agents - Water Wet Surface
Contact Angle and Wettability
OIL
Water
SOLID
“WATER WET”
Scomi Oiltools
Wetting Agents - Oil Wet Surface
Contact Angle and Wettability
Water
Oil
SOLID
“OIL WET”
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
Primary & secondary emulsifiers
Most oil based muds use a system of two emulsifiers to ensure a

stable emulsion as the mud is contaminated by cuttings and
formation fluids.
Primary emulsifiers include:

• Fatty acids
• Rosin acids and their derivatives
Secondary emulsifiers include:

• Amines
• Amides
• Sulphonic acids, alcohols and related co-polymers
Secondary emulsifiers act to preferentially oil wet drill solids and

barite. They also act to improve emulsion stability, particularly at
high temperature
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
Emulsification
PRIMARY EMULSIFIERS
Soaps are the primary emulsifiers in oil

muds.
These soaps are typically fatty acids (Tall

oil and animal fat)
They normally accept calcium from a

calcium donor to become a soap
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
Emulsification
SECONDARY EMULSIFIERS
Normally contains a positive hydrophilic

end which attracts solid particles
If solid particles are not oil wet they

agglomerate (stick together). This is
called water wetting
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
What should a GOOD emulsifier package achieve?
Establish a stable emulsion of water in oil
Maintain a stable water in oil emulsion while

tripping, logging and running casing, i.e. minimal
coalescing of water droplets under static
conditions which may lead to an increase in fluid
loss (i.e. invasion) & consequently filter cake
thickness.
Preferentially oil wet ALL particulate matter i.e.

barite & drill solids.
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
What should a GOOD emulsifier package achieve?
Preferentially oil wet steel surfaces.
Achieve good “oil wetting” characteristics

without a significant impact on “low shear”
rheology ie. thinning effect.
Remain stable at anticipated bottom hole

temperatures.
Scomi Oiltools
INSUFFICIENT EMULSIFIER CONCENTRATION

Primary
WATER WATER COALESCING

DROPLET DROPLET
OF DROPLETS
WO R
ST C
A SE
Secondary
Coalescing of Solids
Barite sagging
Soft cuttings
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
Contents
NAF Phases
Surfactants
 Emulsifiers
 Wetting agents
Components
API Testing of NAF
Scomi Oiltools
The role of salt (eg CaCl2, HCOONa, etc) in SBM
Water is present in SBM to reduce the volume of oil and therefore the cost
& to hydrate the organophilic clay viscosifier
Shale SBM brine phase
Result = shale
dehydration. Caution:
Shale / pore water Brine phase Taken to extremes can
salinity lower salinity higher cause bore hole collapse.
“In situ” shale pore water
Dilute solution Concentrated solution
Semi permeable membrane (skin) of emulsifier molecules formed on the

face of the well bore results in Osmotic pressures - the osmotic flow is
from lower salinity to the higher salinity.
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
Key Concepts - Osmotic Mechanism
 Emulsifier molecules form a
semi-permeable membrane at
the face of the wellbore
Emulsifier
Drill Cutting
SECONDARY EMULSIFIER
Scomi Oiltools
Key Concepts - Osmotic Mechanism - Aw ( Water Activity )
Aw : Chemical Potential for water transfer
Increasing the salt content will lower the

Aw (Activity water)
To stabilize the wellbore and cuttings, the

Aw should be EQUAL to or LESS than the
formation activity
Assuming the salt content of the internal

phase is higher than the salt content in the
connate water in the rock being drilled,
water will migrate to the internal phase of
the mud.
Scomi Oiltools
Key Concepts - Osmotic Mechanism
Formation (Low-Salinity Water) Oil Mud (High-Salinity Water Phase)
CaCl2
CaCl2 CaCl2 CaCl2

CaCl2
CaCl2
CaCl2
CaCl2
CaCl2
CaCl2 CaCl2
CaCl2
Water Migration Emulsified
Water
Scomi Oiltools
Internal Phase
Water : Generally contains dissolved salts such

as NaCl or CaCl2 to create an osmotic imbalance
across the oil/water interface or lower the Aw.
Acts like deformable solid particle

• Reduces HTHP in tight emulsions
• Increases viscosity of inverts
• Slows ROP
Emulsifier requirements are directly related to

water content of the emulsion.
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
Contents
NAF Phases
Surfactants
 Emulsifiers
 Wetting agents
Components
API Testing of NAF
Scomi Oiltools
Components of an Invert Emulsion Mud
 Base oil or synthetic fluid

 Water
With salts
 Emulsifiers
Primary
Secondary
 Wetting Agents
 Viscosifiers
 Fluid Loss Control Additives
 Weight Material
 Special Additives (Rheology modifiers, etc)
Scomi Oiltools
Base Fluids
Oils
 Diesel
Low Toxic Mineral Oil Base Fluids

 LTOM– Escaid 110
Synthetic Base Fluids

 IO Internal Olefin C16 – C18
 LAO Linear Alpha Olefin
 IP Iso Paraffin
 LP Linear Paraffin
 ESTER Ester derived from Palm Oil / Olefin etc.,
 Blends of Ester & Synthetic (for deepwater)
Scomi Oiltools
Emulsifiers
Primary Emulsifiers CONFI-MUL P
Premier PE CONFI-MUL P PLUS
Requires lime to form calcium soaps for

emulsification.
Secondary Emulsifiers CONFI-MUL S
Premier SE CONFI-MUL S PLUS
Requires lime to form calcium soaps for

emulsification
Scomi Oiltools
VISCOSIFIERS
Organophillic Clays
Can be Montmorillonite, Hectorite, or Attapulgite
clays. These clays are treated with an amine group to
render them oil dispersible
CONFI-GEL Organophillic Bentonite
CONFI-GEL ll Premium Organophillic

Bentonite
CONFI-GEL HT Organophillic Hectorite
CONFI-GEL XHT Organophillic Attapulgite
Scomi Oiltools
VISCOSIFIERS
Rheology Modifiers
CONFI-PLEX Synthetic Polymer

CONFI-MOD Polymeric Low end 6rpm
Rheology Modifier
CONFI-RM Dimer/Trimer Acid Low
end6rpm rheology
modifier
CONFI-MUL SA Low Temperature
viscosifier for LMP, with
temp works as emulsifier.
Scomi Oiltools
Wetting Agents and Thinners
Some products are not good emulsifiers but are

excellent wetting agents
Generally used in severe conditions (water
contamination, massive weight up, excessive drill solids)
 CONFI-COAT
 CONFI-WET
ALL SHOULD BE USED VERY CAREFULLY –

OVERUSE CAN THIN MUD TOO MUCH AND CAUSE
SETTLING
Scomi Oiltools
Fluid Loss Additives
The mud solids and emulsion are usually sufficient to provide
adequate control. A strong emulsifier will give better F.L. control.
Hence some emulsifiers may also have a strong secondary fluid
loss control function.
Emulsion Droplet
Solids Well Bore

The API fluid loss is normally negligible and is not carried out. The
standard test is done at 250°F and at 500°P.S.I. differential
pressure any water in this filtrate indicates an urgent need for
more emulsifiers.
Scomi Oiltools
HTHP-FLUID LOSS REDUCERS
Asphalt - Composed of asphaltenes, resins, oils and waxes.

Normally air blown to increase softening point. Can cause
viscosity increases.
Lignite - Treated with an amine to allow it to disperse in oil.

Treatment lowers thermal stability of the lignite to about
300°F.
•CONFI-TROL Asphalt/Gilsonite base

•CONFI-TROL HT HT Gilsonite
•CONFI-TROL XHT HT Filtration Control
•CONFI-SEAL Amine treated lignite
Scomi Oiltools
OTHER PRODUCTS
Commercial Chemicals:
LIME - Ca(OH)2 It is used to activate

the primary emulsifier and neutralize acid gases for
corrosion control.
QUICK LIME CaO Alkalinity
Calcium Chloride - CaCl2 Water Phase Salinity
Sodium Formate WPS – Environmentally

friendly
Scomi Oiltools
OTHER PRODUCTS
Commercial Chemicals:
Zinc Oxide H2S Scavenger
Ironite Sponge H2S Scavenger
Specialty Products:
CONFI-LUBE Lubricant for NAF
CONFI-SPOT Pipe freeing agent
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
Contents
NAF Phases
Surfactants
 Emulsifiers
 Wetting agents
Components
API Testing of NAF
Scomi Oiltools
Standard API Tests for Inverts
 Mud Weight (lbs/gal)

 Funnel Viscosity (sec/Qt)
 Rheology @120°F or selected
 HTHP @ 300°F or bottom hole temperature
 Retort (% oil/synthetic, %water, %solids)
 Alkalinity
 Excess lime = (Alkalinity X 1.3) = ppb
 Water Phase Salinity
 Electrical Stability (ES) @ 120 ° F
Scomi Oiltools
Emulsion Stability (Es)
The voltage difference between two electrodes is
increased until a 1 mA current flows.
(+VE) (-VE) (+VE) (-VE)
This voltage is called the electrical stability E s or

voltage breakdown VB
At high voltage differences the brine droplets will

deform and flatten, they are then able to conduct
electricity.
Scomi Oiltools
Emulsion Stability (Es)
The stability of the emulsion is proportional to the

electrical stability. 75/25 oil/water ratio has Es
750 or more, whereas 50/50 oil/water ratio has Es
200-300.
Factors affecting Es
– Concentration of emulsifier.
– Oil water ratio, a higher number of water
droplets, will decrease the ES
– Electrolyte level.
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
Contents
NAF Phases
Surfactants
 Emulsifiers
 Wetting agents
Components
API Testing of NAF
Scomi Oiltools
Problems
 Controlling Density
 Insufficient Viscosity
 Excessive Viscosity
 Solids Contamination
 Salt Water Flows
 Water Wet Solids
 Carbon Dioxide - CO2
 Hydrogen Sulfide - H2S
 massive Salts and Salt Stringers
 Barite Sag / Settling
 Lost Circulation
Scomi Oiltools
Controlling Density
Increase weight with Barite, or other

weighting agent.
Decrease weight with centrifuge and/or

un-weighted premix additions.
High solids contents gives high PV's, YP's

and gel strengths. Thick filter cakes and
excessive over-pulls may also be evident.
Scomi Oiltools
Insufficient Viscosity
Symptoms
• Barite Settling
• Inadequate Hole Cleaning
Treatment
• Add Viscosifiers – Organophilic Clay, Rheology

Modifier (Use Clay first)
• Add Water (Brine) – increase OWR
Scomi Oiltools
Excessive Viscosity
Symptoms
Solids - Too many fines,
High water content
Temperature instability – emulsion is breaking

down
Acid gasses CO2
Water wet solids
Over-treatment with viscosifiers.
Scomi Oiltools
Excessive Viscosity
Treatment
Remove/Dilute - Solids, Water Content
Reduce solids by solids control equipment or dilution

with premix.
Ensure all solids are oil wet, add oil wetting agent.
Increase oil/water ratio.
Increase emulsion stability, add emulsifiers.
If reduction is due to H2S or CO2, add extra lime and

emulsifiers.
Add a viscosity reducing agent, normally this is only

done prior to cementing casing. Avoid over treatment.
Scomi Oiltools
Solids Contamination
Symptoms
High Viscosity
Thick filter cake
High HPHT F/L
Treatment :
Finer mesh shaker screen
Tandem centrifuges
Dilute with base fluids and add emulsifiers
Wetting agent
Are cuttings crisp or mushy? Are they degrading
before getting to the shaker? If so, adjust salinity.
Improve HPHT F/L
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
To Improve Fluid Loss Control
Decrease the oil water ratio.
Add extra emulsifiers to ensure water is properly

emulsified.
Increase the concentration of fluid loss additives.
Use a more temperature stable fluid loss additive.
The fluid loss of new mud will improve with shear.
Water in the filtrate is a sign of insufficient shear

and/or insufficient emulsifiers.
Scomi Oiltools
Anhydrite - drill solids contaminant with no effect on

chemistry
Halite (NaCl)-solubility limited by % water in mud and

CaCl2 content, acts as a solid contaminant
Mixed salts - divalent salts (calcium & magnesium) are

hygroscopic and require wetting agent (large
additions) when in excess of saturation
Scomi Oiltools
Cement - insoluble, increases the Pm and acts as solid

contaminant.
Wet cement – high water content – treat as for water

contamination – Base Fluid and Emulsifiers
Carbon Dioxide - depletes lime and destabilizes the emulsion
Hydrogen Sulfide - depletes lime and destabilizes the

emulsion
Scomi Oiltools
Salt Water Flows

Symptoms
Decrease in ES.
Water in Filtrate
Decrease in oil/water ratio.
Increase in salt content.
Increase in Viscosity
Water Wet solids

Scomi Oiltools
Salt Water Flows

Trouble shooting
Add emulsifier and lime.
Add Wetting agent after pilot test
Add Base Oil to adjust oil/water ratio.
Barites to adjust and increase weight to stop influx
Reduce salt content by adding water.
Mud left without proper mixing may show a decrease

in the Es
Scomi Oiltools
Water Wet solids

Symptoms
Increase Viscosity
Soft Mushy Cuttings – Shake shakers screen blinding
can also be caused by high Aw
Solids agglomeration
Mud Barite Settling – Decrease in Mud weight
appearance will be dull & grainy
Wet solids will compete with water droplets for
emulsifiers
Low ES
Water in Filtrate
In the extreme, the emulsion will break (flip) resulting
in free water in the mud. This will seriously affect the
mud properties
Scomi Oiltools
Water Wet solids
Treatment :
– Emulsifier and Lime
– Increase Secondary Emulsifier

concentration
– Base Oil to decrease viscosity
– Mix Wetting agent after Pilot Lab testing
Scomi Oiltools
CO2 Influx
Symptoms
Decrease in Pm
Decrease in lime content
Decrease in ES
Treatment :
Add Quick Lime or increase lime
Increase mud weight to control influx
Scomi Oiltools
H2S Influx
Symptoms
Decrease in Pm
Detection of H2S using GGT/Dragger Tube etc
Decrease in lime content
Decrease in ES
Mud may turn to black
Treatment :
Increase lime Content
Increase mud weight to control influx
Add any one H2S scavenger
 Zinc Oxide
 Ironite Sponge
 Chelates
Scomi Oiltools
Massive Salt Domes and Stringers

Symptoms
High WPS
Well Bore Enlargement
Destabilised exposed Shale due to excessive dehydration
Insoluble salts, can become a low gravity solids problem
Formation MgCl2 may cause water wetting of solids and can
destabilize the emulsion.
Supersaturation with CaCl2 will give low E.S
Stuck pipe from plastic flow of salt (not differential)– Use
fresh water to spot and free the pipe
Treatment :
Use Saturated Internal Water Phase
Isolate exposed shale's with casing
Increase mud weight
Scomi Oiltools
Barite Sag
Symptoms
Uneven mud weights on bottoms up after trips.
Settling, static conditions and pits
Water wet barite indicated
Treatment :
Increase Low Shear Rate Viscosity – Use premium
viscosifier
Mix Organophillic clay and polymer
Add emulsifier and lime
Mix Wetting agent after pilot test
Scomi Oiltools
Lost Circulation
Compressibility increases density at depth and the likelihood of
fracturing formation
This is a very expensive problem with OBM. The following action should
be taken to avoid loses.
– Avoid high viscosities which increase the ECD.
– Avoid inducing fractures.
– Reduce viscosities prior to running casing to avoid high surge
pressures.
– Pump LCM pills as soon as downhole losses are detected. (Note-
some LCM materials are not compatible with NAF).
– Lost circulation materials may weaken the emulsion and cause
water wetting. Add further emulsifiers and oil wetting agent if
necessary.
For specific instructions on pills and squeezes see Module on Lost

Circulation.
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
Contents
NAF Phases
Surfactants
 Emulsifiers
 Wetting agents
Components
API Testing of NAF
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
Scomi Oiltools – NAF Systems

Invert Emulsion System for IO, LAO, LMO,
IP and LP
HTHP Invert Emulsion System
Flat Rheology Invert Emulsion System

for deep water environment
Ester based NAF
NAF Drill-In Fluid also coring fluid. For

coring it is with 100% Base oil –
Scomi Oiltools
NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS
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Training Division - DFSG

NON AQUEOUS FLUIDS

High ROP High Cost

Long bit life Electric log difficulties

Excellent inhibition Oil water emulsion

Thermally stable Lost circulation is

Low reservoir damage Poor cement bonds

High lubricity, low torque Gas kick detection

Low corrosion Logistics

Gauge hole Messy working environment

Low fluid loss Difficult to detect

Reduced chance of stuck pipe Poor hole cleaning at

High solids tolerance Fire hazard

Salt not dissolved Fumes

Good coring fluid Pollution –

Using OBM can reduce total well cost by 25%

THREE PHASE SYSTEM

SOLIDS - barite, organophilic clays, drill solids, fluid

Surface Active Agents

Water in Oil Emulsifiers

Oil in Water Emulsifiers ( Soaps )

Surfactants Active Agents

Act by Reducing the Interfacial Tension between

The main difference is : The surfaces they are

This is critical to running an oil based mud.

Emulsifiers are surfactants with hydrophillic and lipophillic

HYDROPHILLIC - Water loving (polar group).

LIPOPHILLIC - Oil loving (non polar group).

There are a number of different emulsifiers in current use.

Two Emulsifiers give greater stability.

Oil in water Water in oil

Emulsified Water Droplet in Oil

Key Concepts - Wetting Agents

Solids ( weight material and drill solids ) must

Primary wetting supplied by emulsifiers

Secondary wetting by specific wetting agents

Liquid Wetting a Solid Water Beading on Adsorbed

Wetting Agents - Water Wet Surface

Contact Angle and Wettability

Wetting Agents - Oil Wet Surface

Contact Angle and Wettability

Most oil based muds use a system of two emulsifiers to ensure a

Primary emulsifiers include:

Secondary emulsifiers include:

Secondary emulsifiers act to preferentially oil wet drill solids and

Soaps are the primary emulsifiers in oil

These soaps are typically fatty acids (Tall

They normally accept calcium from a

Normally contains a positive hydrophilic

If solid particles are not oil wet they

What should a GOOD emulsifier package achieve?

Establish a stable emulsion of water in oil

Maintain a stable water in oil emulsion while

Preferentially oil wet ALL particulate matter i.e.

What should a GOOD emulsifier package achieve?

Preferentially oil wet steel surfaces.

Achieve good “oil wetting” characteristics

Remain stable at anticipated bottom hole

INSUFFICIENT EMULSIFIER CONCENTRATION

WATER WATER COALESCING

The role of salt (eg CaCl2, HCOONa, etc) in SBM

Shale SBM brine phase

“In situ” shale pore water

Dilute solution Concentrated solution