Application of Formate Series Products for Oil Drilling Fluid Mixing

In oilfield operations, drilling deep wells, ultra-deep wells, and high-temperature/high-pressure formations often faces critical challenges including clay hydration expansion, wellbore collapse, reservoir damage, and slow mechanical drilling rates. The following four products precisely address all scenarios for drilling fluid and completion fluid formulation, ensuring safe and efficient drilling operations. Details are as follows:

1. Solid potassium formate (industrial grade ≥97%)

Core function: As the primary material for high-density drilling fluids and completion fluids, it effectively inhibits clay hydration expansion, stabilizes wellbore walls, balances formation high pressure, and protects oil and gas reservoirs. It is suitable for drilling operations in high-temperature deep wells in the Middle East and high-pressure oil and gas reservoirs in China.

Product Advantages: Capable of formulating high-density, low-viscosity drilling fluids without viscosity increase or mechanical drilling rate reduction; exhibits strong inhibition to prevent shale dispersion and collapse; maintains stable performance in high-temperature environments exceeding 200°C; biodegradable and compliant with domestic and international environmental regulations.

Usage: Add the drilling fluid according to the designed density, mixed with water and supporting treatment agents. The conventional dosage is 10%-60%. Stir evenly until dissolved before use.

Common issues: Highly hygroscopic, requires sealed and dry storage; high-concentration systems must strictly control compatibility to avoid mixing with incompatible processing agents.

2. Liquid Potassium Formate (Industrial Grade ≥75%)

Core function: Serves as the primary raw material for drilling fluid and completion fluid formulation, requiring no on-site dissolution. It enables rapid adjustment of drilling fluid density, compatible with continuous drilling in Middle Eastern oilfields and domestic shale gas horizontal well construction.

Product Advantages: On-site liquid product blending for convenience, significantly reducing slurry preparation time; stable performance under high temperatures, solid-phase-free formulation prevents bit wear and extends bit life; low-corrosion protection for drill string and casing, delivering excellent reservoir protection.

Usage: The concentrate is added directly to the drilling fluid system according to density requirements, with a standard dosage of 20%-80%. It can be combined with other treatment agents to optimize system performance.

Common issues: Increased viscosity in low-temperature environments requires proper insulation of storage tanks; long-term storage necessitates sealing to prevent moisture evaporation and crystallization.

3. Solid sodium formate (industrial grade ≥98%)

Core function: As a key component in medium-low density drilling fluid systems, it stabilizes wellbore walls, inhibits shale hydration, and provides corrosion inhibition and lubrication. This formulation is optimized for low-cost drilling operations in domestic shallow oilfields and marginal oilfields in the Middle East.

Product Advantages: Superior cost-performance compared to potassium formate, with excellent water solubility for easy formulation; low-corrosion protection for drilling tools; solid-phase-free formulation enhances mechanical drilling speed and reduces drilling fluid circulation loss.

Usage: Prepare the solution at the designed concentration, mix with other treatment agents, and add to the drilling fluid system after stirring and dissolution. The standard dosage is 5%-40%.

Common issues: Its inhibitory effect is weaker than potassium formate, making it unsuitable for high-pressure shale formations; at high temperatures, it requires the use of stabilizers to prevent performance degradation.

4. Industrial-grade Potassium Acetate (Solid/Liquid)

Core function: Serves as a pH buffer and shale inhibitor additive in drilling fluid systems, regulating pH levels and enhancing system stability. It also provides auxiliary anti-corrosion and lubrication effects, making it suitable for drilling operations in Middle Eastern high-temperature/high-salt formations and complex domestic strata.

Product Advantages: Superior pH buffering capability maintains system acid-base stability at high temperatures; effectively inhibits clay hydration to enhance wellbore stability; demonstrates excellent compatibility with various drilling fluid treatment agents, reducing scale formation and corrosion in drilling tools.

Usage: The solid formulation is prepared as a 20% aqueous solution for addition, while the liquid concentrate is added directly. The standard dosage ranges from 0.5% to 5%, with dynamic adjustments based on the drilling fluid's pH value.

Common issues: Solid materials are highly hygroscopic and require sealed storage; excessive addition may affect drilling fluid density, necessitating precise dosage control.

5.Industry Use Cases

At a high-temperature deep-well oilfield with over 6,500 meters of depth and bottom temperatures exceeding 210°C, the high formation pressure frequently caused issues like wellbore collapse, slow drilling speed, and severe reservoir damage in the original drilling fluid system. After switching to a solid-free drilling fluid system primarily composed of 75% liquid potassium formate, the fluid density became precisely controllable, wellbore stability improved significantly, mechanical drilling speed increased by 45%, and drill bit life extended by 30%. Post-completion, the oil and gas production capacity rose by 28% compared to adjacent wells, the operational cycle was shortened by 22%, and the entire process was completed without downhole operations.