GILSONITE

Gilsonite is a natural, resinous hydrocarbon. This natural asphalt or Natural bitumen is similar to hard petroleum asphalt and is often called a natural asphalt, asphaltite, uintaite, or asphaltum. Gilsonite is soluble in aromatic and aliphatic solvents, as well as petroleum asphalt. Due to its unique compatibility, Gilsonite is frequently used to harden softer petroleum products. Gilsonite in mass is a shiny, black substance similar in appearance to the mineral obsidian. It is brittle and can be easily crushed into a dark brown powder.

Asphaltenes consist primarily of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, as well as trace amounts of vanadium and nickel. The C:H ratio is approximately 1:1.2, depending on the asphaltene source. Asphaltenes are defined operationally as the n-heptane (C7H16)-insoluble, toluene (C6H5CH3)- soluble component of a carbonaceous material such as crude oil, bitumen or coal. Asphaltenes have been shown to have a distribution of molecular masses in the range of 400 u to 1500 u with a maximum around 750 u.

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Description

APPLICATION IN DRILLING

As an integral component of premium drilling fluid products, Gilsonite actively improves drilling efficiencies while reducing costs and minimizing the HSE impact associated with most drilling fluid additives. Gilsonite products are currently being widely used in water based, oil based, and synthetic based mud systems worldwide.
In conventional drilling operation a drilling mud based on bentonite or other materials such cane fiber, ground walnut hulls, sawdust etc. is commonly used, but The solid organic materials used are difficult to keep suspended in the drilling fluid, being of a higher specific gravity than the fluid, while materials such as expanded perlite, though easily to suspend, become compressed to a specific gravity higher than that of the fluid under the bore hole. Furthermore, the commonly used materials lack adhesive power and are insoluble, and they have been known to become lodged in the wall of the bore hole so as to obstruct or seal off a producing oil or gas zone, thus causing a costly or even a complete loss of production. To prevent Lost Circulation is needed a material with following specifications:
• Incompressible material
• Specific gravity lower than the fluid
• Solubility
• Adhesive power
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 aqueous liquid carrier. Thus, Gilsonite is used for this purpose in powder. Particle size (mesh) is variable according to the characteristic of the well bore.

ADVANTAGES

  •   Controls fluid loss and seepage
  •   Stabilizes shales
  •   Prevents lost circulation
  •   Strengthens the wellbore to increase wellbore stability
  •   Minimizes differential sticking
  •   Promotes effective filter cake development
  •   Performs in oil- and water-based drilling muds
  •   Performs in HP/HT environments
  •   Minimizes HSE risks

Gilsonite forms a physical and chemical bond with permeable formations, creating an effective seal to prevent the passage of drilling fluid. By uniquely functioning as both a malleable and solid plugging agent, Gilsonite controls fluid loss and seepage, prevents lost circulation and protects reactive and low-reactive shale surfaces, even at elevated bottomhole temperatures.

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