DRILPLEX

The versatile water-base system with exceptional rheological

properties designed to lower costs in a wide range of wells
F
L
U
I
D
S

T
E
C
H
N
O
L
O
G
Y
Designed for a wide range of applications, DRILPLEX is easily engineered, cost-effective
and environmentally sound.
Features
Latest-generation Mixed-Metal
Oxide (MMO) system
Highly shear-thinning
Excellent HSE profile
Temperature-stable to
300 F (149 C)
Exceptional hole cleaning
and suspension
Excellent ability to seal the high-
permeability formations found
in deepwater drilling
Benefits
Ideal for lost-circulation zones,
unconsolidated formations,
milling situations, and high-
angle and horizontal wells
Minimizes losses
Reduces environmental impact
High rates of penetration
Well-suited for coiled-tubing
drilling
Cost-effective
DRILPLEX lets you take on the
toughest applications downhole
and come out on top
Rheogram Showing Unique
Rheological Properties
80 Dial reading
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0
XC Polymer
PV 12 YP 48
Gels 28/40
n 0.263 K 11.6
Rheometer speed
DRILPLEX System
PV 4 YP 40
Gels 17/19
n 0.126 K 20.1
The data was obtained
on a Fann 35A viscometer.
Both fluids were unweighted.
100 200 300 400 500 600
Rheogram Showing Unique
Rheological Properties
80 Dial reading
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0
XC Polymer
PV 12 YP 48
Gels 28/40
n 0.263 K 11.6
Rheometer speed
DRILPLEX System
PV 4 YP 40
Gels 17/19
n 0.126 K 20.1
The data was obtained
on a Fann 35A viscometer.
Both fluids were unweighted.
100 200 300 400 500 600

A P P L I C A T I O N S
Drilling lost-circulation zones, casing-
milling operations, stabilizing uncon-
solidated formations, coiled-tubing
operations, environmentally sensi-
tive areas, and high-angle and
horizontal wells.

P R O B L E M S
Many drilling operations require a
fluid system that is cost-effective
and environmentally acceptable
in addition to having exceptional
hole-cleaning ability, good screen-
ability at high flow rates and the
ability to control losses in hard
rock as well as unconsolidated
sedimentary formations.

S O L U T I O N S
The DRILPLEX
*
system is the latest gen-
eration of Mixed-Metal Oxide (MMO)
products, a water-base drilling fluid
system with unequaled solids suspen-
sion, but one that still screens easily,
even at high flow rates the ideal
system for an array of applications.

E C O N O M I C S
The systems water-base chemistry
reduces costs and environmental
problems, minimizes torque and
drag and limits the chance of hole
erosion because the DRILPLEX system
provides flow that is low to zero
across the wellbore.

E N V I R O N M E N T A L
The basic DRILPLEX system contains
essentially no components that can
harm the environment. The system
and all its components are virtually
non-toxic, with a low concentration
of organic material. The primary
fluid-loss-control additive is a
starch derivative for minimal
environmental impact.
Ordinary bentonite, extraordinary results
Simply combining the DRILPLEX
viscosifier with pre-screened, high-
quality bentonite produces a highly
shear-thinning fluid with a high yield
point, low plastic viscosity and high,
flat gel strengths. The result is a fluid
system with unequaled solids sus-
pension, but one that still screens
easily, even at high flow rates.
The bentonite/MMO associates
into long ribbon-like structures that
can bridge openings with diameters
measured in 10s of microns.
Return-Permeability Comparison
After Cleanup Treatment
100 Return permeability (%)
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Sized-salt System DRILPLEX System
Acetic acid
CaCl
2
brine
Water
Additional water flush
Component Functions Concentration
High-grade API bentonite Complexing agent 8 10 lb/bbl freshwater
8 12 lb/bbl seawater
Soda ash Secondary pH control and 0.5 lb/bbl freshwater
Ca++ removal agent 1.25 lb/bbl seawater
DRILPLEX
*
Viscosifier 0.6 1.2 lb/bbl freshwater
0.8 1.4 lb/bbl seawater
FLOPLEX
*
Primary fluid-loss-control 4 6 lb/bbl
additive
Caustic soda pH-control additive As required
M-I BAR
*
or CaCO
3
Weighting agents As required
Density, lb/gal (SG) 10.0 (1.20)
Plastic viscosity (PV), cP 4 15
Yield point, lb/100 ft
2
40
Gel strengths, lb/100 ft
2
15 30
6-rpm reading, lb/100 ft
2
15 25
3-rpm reading, lb/100 ft
2
15 20
API fluid loss, mL/30 sec 4 8
HTHP fluid loss, mL/30 min 10 12
@ 200 F (93 C)/500 psi
The ability to stabilize goes with the flow
Excellent
cuttings
transport
Stationary,
gelled layer
of fluid
Zero shear stress at wall
Minimal dynamic fluid loss
Protects poorly consolidated or fractured formations
Helps prevent seepage losses
No erosion of wellbore
A straightforward system that
comes through in the most
complex applications
You might think that a system with
the versatility and application range
DRILPLEX has demonstrated would
involve intricate and difficult-to-
engineer chemical compositions.
On the contrary, the proprietary
FLOPLEX
*
primary fluid-loss-control
additive and the DRILPLEX viscosifier
are the only components developed
specifically for the DRILPLEX system.
The remaining chemicals are relatively
common and well understood.
The flow profile of the fluid in the annulus affords
DRILPLEX the ability to stabilize mechanically
weak and poorly consolidated formations. The
high viscosity of the fluid at low shear rates
results in a stationary layer of fluid on the sides
of the wellbore. This protective layer shields
weak rock formations from erosion caused by
the flow. The capacity of the fluid to stabilize
these weak and unconsolidated formations
is further enhanced by the lower pump rates
used with the DRILPLEX system. This tendency
may also explain the lower seepage losses
that occurred in several wells in which the
formations were fractured.
Typical Properties of the DRILPLEX
MMO Water-base System
Typical Formulation for the DRILPLEX System in Freshwater and Seawater

Need more information?
Your local M-I SWACO* representative
is a valuable source for case histories,
technical papers and sound advice
about using DRILPLEX technology
to optimize drilling efficiency,
reduce costs and minimize
environmental impact.
The unique mechanism driving DRILPLEX
Bentonite platelet Bentonite/MMO complex
1 micron
MMO
crystals
The mixed-metal oxide comprising
the core of the system has an electron-
deficient lattice, and when added to
water, the DRILPLEX particles bond to
the cation exchange sites on bentonite,
forming a strong complex, which in
turn structures the fluid and provides
viscosity and gels. This complex also
renders the system relatively insensitive
to common contaminants.
When the MMO crystals are added to
a suspension of bentonite platelets, the
cationic crystals displace the naturally
resident sodium or other cations and
form strong associations with the
anionic sites on the faces of the clay
platelets. What results is a new complex
or adduct with characteristics that are
fundamentally different from those of
a virgin bentonite platelet.
The entire mechanism appears to
be electrostatic in nature, which makes
it somewhat unusual and accounts for
the unique characteristics of the fluid
system. For example, an electrostatic-
field-based mechanism could explain
the elastic or deformable-solid behavior
observed in the absence of shear and
could also explain both the dramatic
and instantaneous onset of the solid-
to-liquid transition and the reversibility
of the process.
No fluid system has a
more diverse track record
Challenging horizontal wells in the
Gulf of Mexico. The establishment of
milling records in the North Sea and
elsewhere. Drilling in nearly 9,000 ft
(2,743 m) of water in the Campos
Basin with zero losses. In West Africa,
the successful drilling of a depleted
reservoir and unconsolidated for-
mation with a maximum angle of
102 F (38.8 C).
The success stories go on and on.
P.O. Box 42842
Houston, Texas 77242-2842
Tel: 2815611300
Fax: 2815611441
www.miswaco.com
E-mail: questions@miswaco.com
Technology Centers:
HOUSTON, TEXAS
Tel: 2815611300 Fax: 2815611441
ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND
Tel: 441224334634 Fax: 441224334650
STAVANGER, NORWAY
Tel: 4751577300 Fax: 4751570605
2002 M-I L.L.C. All rights reserved. *Mark of M-I L.L.C.
Order No. MS-04096 2.5M 4/05 Litho in U.S.A.
This information is supplied solely for informational purposes and M-I SWACO makes no
guarantees or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the accuracy and use
of this data. All product warranties and guarantees shall be governed by the Standard Terms
of Sale. Nothing in this document is legal advice or is a substitute for competent legal advice.