Water Based Muds
Gilsonite in Water Based Drilling Muds-WBM
In water based Drilling Muds, it is essential to have a FLUID LOSS CONTROL agent which is solvable in water. Sulfonated Gilsonite possesses this characteristic while the Gilsonite does not. Therefore having the correct formula and composition to make the Sulfonated Gilsonite is the key factor in supplying FLC to water based muds. Using Gilsonite in its Sulfonated form provides an easy mixing during the mud making and decreases the differential sticking significantly. In addition, the Sulfonated Gilsonite causes better lubricity and flow. Sulfonated Gilsonite is solvable both in Water and Oil matters in order to be applied to all drilling muds; yet applying to Water based muds are suggested.
In drilling rigs, a mud must be applied to the driller for more effective drilling and also to reduce the temperature of the hole. A drilling mud is a lubricant applied in this process.
There are basically three types of Drilling Muds:
Oil Based Muds – OBM: Base material is Oil product, such as diesel oil
Water Based Muds – WBM: Base material is water
Synthetic Based Muds – SBM: Base materials are polymers
It is essential in water based mud to use an additive that can resolve in water. Gilsonite is not solvable in water by nature. Therefore a chemical procedure with Sulfur must be applied to the natural bitumen at a temperature between 100-140 degrees Celsius. This process is called Sulfonating the Gilsonite. The Sulfonated Gilsonite is solvable in water, making it suitable for water based muds (WBM).
This method was done for the first time by American Gilsonite suppliers and also by the Chinese in 2005. There have also been minor developments on using Gilsonite in WBM among Iranian Gilsonite manufacturers as well. Yet, the current available Sulfonated Gilsonite comes only from American and Chinese origins.
As a common mistake people consider the Sulfonated Gilsonite and Sulfonated Asphalt as the same product, while they are two separate materials. Considering that Sulfonated Gilsonite is relatively cheaper and claimed to have same effects by the Gilsonite suppliers, however, the actual results are not proven to be same in this regard.
In the current Oil Market, the HSE regulations are pushing the Oil Based Muds away. Therefore the demand for Water Based Muds, and as a result, the demand for Sulfonated Gilsonite is rising. Considering the economic aspect of the item comparing to its alternate (Sulfonated Asphalt), it is safe to say that consumption of the Gilsonite composition in WBM will be increasing in the coming years.
The natural characteristics of the Gilsonite also assist in better environmental conditions and it is compatible with most water based systems substituting the Sulfonated Asphalt in most cases, while the cost of Sulfonated Gilsonite provided from
At RAHA Co have developed a product called Sulfonated Gilsonite at our own formula and technology which covers the same application while it is much economical than the available Sulfonated asphalts in the market.
RAHA Co supply of Sulfonated Gilsonite is a customized production with internal company formula and by using it fewer additives can be applied to the mud mix resulting to even more economical approach. It can be applied in tight formations and also in different temperatures since the base material of the Iran Gilsonite used for production has the softening point of above 180 degrees Celsius.
RAHA Co supplies various Gilsonite grades worldwide while guarantying the aspects of quality for each shipment. RAHA Sulfonated Gilsonite is a winning alternative for other additives used in WBM systems and is an exclusive supply.
Advantages of Using Sulfonated Gilsonite in Water Based Muds (WBM):
- Sulfonated Gilsonite is more economical than Sulfonated Asphalt.
- It can emulsify water with Sea Water with Oil.
- Maintains a low shearing rate to be under HTHP
- Produces proper mud cakes
- Gilsonite acts as Shale Stabilizer.
Gilsonite Friendly to Water
Water-based Gilsonite is natural bitumen environmentally safe and specially formulated to protect hole shale water base drilling. The drilling fluid serves a number of functions including taking heat away from the drill bit and facilitating the return of drill cuttings to the surface. There are three main types of drilling mud, including Gilsonite muds.
The present invention deals with the consequences of using water-based drilling Gilsonite muds. When the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling mud in the wellbore exceeds the inwardly acting pressure of the surrounding formation, the drilling mud is forced into the surrounding formation through the walls of the wellbore.
In many applications the drilling Gilsonite mud is intended to be deposited in and/or on the wellbore wall, forming so called “filter cake” which, amongst other things, helps to limit the invasion of formation fluids into the wellbore; reduces the risk of the wellbore collapsing during drilling; and resists the escape of drilling fluids into the formation.
