Clear-Brine Fluids

Increase production by minimizing formation damage

M-I SWACO offers a comprehensive portfolio of clear-brine fluids that are displaced in the well once the drilling phase has been completed. These completion fluids are designed to minimize formation damage and control reservoir formation pressures.

Our clear-brine completion fluids are typically prepared with soluble salts for density. These fluids are blended to certain specifications to take into consideration densities, TCT (freeze points), PCT (pressure/temperature freeze points), and clarity.

Among our clear brine fluids are specially engineered formate and halide brine solutions.

Halide brines and blends

We offer a variety of halide brines and brine blends that are formulated to meet project requirements. These fluids can be used for completion, workover, or packer fluid applications.

• Ammonium chloride (dry)—suitable for low-density operations and as a clay and shale inhibitor (using 2% to 4%) 
• Calcium bromide (liquid or dry)—inhibits hydration and migration of swelling clays (also available as either a calcium bromide/calcium chloride or zinc bromide/calcium bromide blend)
• Calcium chloride (liquid or dry)—reduces formation damage caused by solids or clay swelling, clay dispersion, or clay and solids migration
• Potassium chloride (liquid or dry)—stabilizes shale in water-sensitive clay and shale formation and clay-containing sandstones
• Sodium bromide (liquid or dry)—eliminates potential of formation damage due to precipitation of carbonate, bicarbonate, and sulfate compounds (also available as a sodium bromide/sodium chloride)
• Sodium chloride (liquid or dry)—suitable for low-density operations such as shallow low-pressure wells that do not require the special inhibitive properties of calcium or potassium systems

Formate brines

Formate salts are extremely soluble in water and form high-density, solids-free brines—reducing the need for weighting agents. M-I SWACO has a long history of engineering formate-based brine systems for various global applications, and the following brines and blends thereof provide the basis for our latest breakthrough in fluids engineering:

• Sodium formate
• Potassium formate
• Cesium formate

These brine systems reduce potential formation damage, have shale stabilizers to provide shale stability, and eliminate problems associated with precipitate formation.