Oil & Gas

Gilsonite in Oil & Gas

With unmatched benefits in cementing and drilling fluids, Gilsonite is proven under pressure.
With a unique blend of strength, flexibility, bonding and high-temperature capability, Gilsonite adds properties that increase performance in cementing and drilling fluids in a way no other single additive can.

Gilsonite, the recognized industry standard for filtration control, is equally effective at controlling lost circulation and improving wellbore stability.

Gilsonite in oil and gas well cementing is a highly developed technology. Cement-water slurries, with or without various additives, have been used for many years in cementing procedures carried out from time to time during the drilling of the productive life of a well. Cementing is often applied during drilling and completion procedures in connection with the protection of production zones, isolation and confinement of water zones, support of borehole wall, anchorage of the casing, and control of lost circulation not overcome by methods associated with the circulation of drilling mud. Such cementing procedures by gilsonite additives are ordinarily regarded as being of the primary character.

Gilsonite is used in drilling mud fluids and oil well cementing. Gilsonite, in a range of softening points and particle sizes, is a standard ingredient in oil-based drilling muds used in shales and other difficult geological formations. The addition of specially-treated Gilsonite to water-based drilling fluids helps minimize hole washout by stabilizing troublesome shales and seals off highly permeable sands while reducing torque and drag.  The addition of Gilsonite to oil well cement reduces slurry weight without loss of compressive strength and acts as an effective bridging and plugging agent to seal fractures in weak formations while cementing.  Also, Gilsonite use in Mud drilling according to FLC " Filtrate Loss Control " or  " Fluid Loss Control " in oil base mud.

In oil and gas industry, drilling fluids or liquids perform a variety of functions that influence the drilling rate, the cost, efficiency, and safety of drilling operator. There are many types of drilling fluid systems available such as water base muds, oil base muds, stable foam muds, air or gas base muds from which the right system may be chosen. Main drilling mud additives include viscosifying agents, fluid loss control agents, drilling fluid dispersants and corrosion inhibitors. Cement and cement additives are considered to be critical inputs in the completion of any oil and gas well.

An important characteristic of Gilsonite is its softening point temperature. In oil-based muds, it is used as a fluid-loss control agent. In water-based muds, it is used as a shale stabilizing additive and is difficult to evaluate unless tested at or above its softening point.

Gilsonite is effective at sealing off permeable formations even when drilling such zones at a highly overbalanced pressure differential. In this manner, Gilsonite helps prevent the occurrence of stuck pipe and stuck logging tools across these zones.

Gilsonite is used in cementing slurries to provide density control, scouring action for mud removal, and to support compressive strength development. It has a unique reaction with shale that improves cement bond development and strength.

All the common varieties of Gilsonite are substantially incompressible and have a specific gravity sufficiently near to that of water that properly sized granules of the Gilsonite can be readily suspended in the aqueous liquid carrier. Thus, Gilsonite is used for this purpose in powder. Pellet size is variable according to the characteristic of the wellbore. The softening point is very important, as Gilsonite must soften at a temperature above the temperature of the well formation. The recommended softening point is from 150 to 180°C and pellet from 4 to 100. Actually, with more technological devices, the most commonly used is 200/200 (softening point/pellet).

Cementing features

• Strengthens cement bonds to shales and sands
• Reduces cement slurry density
• Prevents lost circulation
• Supports compressive strength development

Drilling fluids features

• Provides superior shale stabilization
• Prevents differential sticking
• Reduces or eliminates lost circulation
• Provides wellbore strengthening matrix

Usage cementing additive in oil & gas

Gilsonite should be realized that there are various classes with respect to melting points. The lower the melting point, the faster the Gilsonite will dissolve in a solvent therefor or soften under conditions of heat. Therefore, the use of gilsonite in an oil & gas well-cementing composition affords an opportunity to select a class of that material which best serves the particular purpose. The heat softening characteristic of Gilsonite becomes of particular importance in instances of relatively high bottom hole temperatures, where there is a tendency for the Gilsonite to soften and diffuse into the surrounding cement.

With the blending of Gilsonite with other drilling mud additives increase performance in cementing and drilling fluids in a way no other single additive can. gilsonite, the recognized industry standard for filtration control, is equally effective at controlling lost circulation and improving wellbore stability.

• In order to keep wellbore isolated and protected, having well-designed cement process is a must.
• Natural Bitumen helps to effectively cement the casing.
• Our Natural Bitumen helps in preventing annular gas flow, isolation of hydrocarbon formations, mud removal density control, and compressive strength.
• You need a product that is cost effective, versatile, high quality with high purity, it also needs to be compatible with other cement additives, Natural Bitumen is!

Benefits of natural bitumen in cementing

• Filtration control, Natural Bitumen is a product that simultaneously controls loss circulation and strengthens the wellbore.
• Due to exceptional reaction with shale, it strengthens cement bonds to shale and sand. It also strengthens cementing bonds to the formation and the casing
• No compromising compressive strengths and density control unlike fly ash or coal additives
• Low specific gravity to reduce cement slurry weight and high softening points (>350F)
• Lowering the cost, with Natural Bitumen as is controls free water, hence no additional free water control agent is required
• Superior bonding improving zonal isolation

Particle size of cementing additive in oil and gas

Particle size and particle size distribution of the gilsonite determine the strength and porosity-permeability characteristics of the set cement for any given mix ratio. Where maximum strength is desirable, a coarse natural asphalt where lightest weight and lowest porosity-permeability are important and strength is to be sacrificed or is of little importance, an aggregate of minus 50 mesh or finer may be used.

Formula of Mixture by Gilsonite

Application of Gilsonite in Oil & Gas- Gilsonite drilling fluid as fluid loss control additives, shale inhibitor, filtration

The physical shape of Gilsonite and coal is same but the specification and analyze is quite a difference. The main differences are in softening point and solubility also ash content. Gilsonite in powder or lump form is hydrocarbon with softening point between 150~250°C and coal is carbon with high softening point starting from 300°C.We are selling our Gilsonite with COA certificate of analysis to guaranty the solubility in CS2, trichloroethylene, and export low ash content. Our company inverting Gilsonite to emulsion and liquid form which has amazing physical properties infiltration and paving, asphalt, ink paint, and coating. As the world No.1 supplier of Iran Gilsonite and liquid Gilsonite products, we market many different grades of drilling fluid HTHP Gilsonite as fluid loss control additive for shale inhibitor, filtration control and borehole stabilizer with low and high softening point, each with properties tied to a specific end-use. We are shipping directly from the mine site and through the vessel, truck and train also small quantity by airplane in over 90 countries around the world. The different packing of Gilsonite is 50LBS or 25Kg multi-paper bag on the pallet, bulk vessel and jumbo bag also micronized powder starting from 200 mesh to 600 mesh.From our plants we provide customers with a dependable supply of made-to-spec products in a variety of packaging options, including our refined gilsonite mixed with several additives for drilling propose in fluid loss control and cementing and obtained through a proprietary solvent extraction process. Our products are carefully screened for mesh, dried to controlled moisture specifications from around 1.5%, classified by particle size, held in large concrete silos until ready for final packaging, and stored in a covered warehouse prior to shipment. Our labs conduct extensive quality controls throughout the production process and every order is shipped with an individual certificate of analysis that guarantees its adherence to specifications.

Benefits of natural bitumen in drilling fluids

• Adding Natural Bitumen will create premium quality, multifunctional drilling fluid additive while reducing cost compare to other additives.
• Suitable to any environment especially the ones with high temperature (HT) and zones with High pressures (HP). It prevents stuck pipe and stuck logging tolls from happening in those zones by sealing permeable formation.
• Natural Bitumen in oil based drilling fluids as a fluid–loss control agent. Softening points (softening point 350-399F’)
• Natural Bitumen in water-based drilling fluids when pretreated with surfactant to stabilize the shale and to prevent circulation, (softening point 350-399F’)
• It minimizes differential sticking and it also passes deep-water environmental planning and assessment regulation (EPA)