Deploy cost-effective solution for iron ore drilling program

A customer had long engaged in mixing two products to maintain adequate viscosity and to meet stress parameters during its iron ore drilling operations. Drilling requirements included a Marsh funnel viscosity greater than 40 s/quart, plastic viscosity not to exceed 5 cP, a yield point greater than 2 lbf/100 ft2, and water hardness not to exceed 150 ppm. Although good viscosity was initially obtained when the two products were mixed, the system degraded after being submitted to stress while drilling. The customer sought to substitute a single product for the two while maintaining required properties under stresses that included drilling through hard rock with clay fracture zones. A mud able to inhibit and encapsulate the clay was needed. 

Use POLY-PLUS additive to maintain required viscosity, reduce drilling costs 

M-I SWACO recommended the use of the single-product POLY-PLUS additive. The inhibitive polymer POLY-PLUS additive and its variant dry form, POLY-PLUS LV low-viscosity partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide additive, are designed to control swelling clays and inhibit clay hydration.

Cut costs 37.55% per wellbore, save USD 8,320 on four-rig program

Not only did POLY-PLUS additive resist drilling stress as required at less cost, but the mud was reusable without additional products. Spending for the conventional mixes was approximately USD 277 per shift at a per-meter cost of USD 13.85 on each 1,312-ft [400-m] bore. While using the POLY-PLUS additive, the cost per shift was reduced to USD 173 USD, or USD 8.65 per drilled meter. Total cost savings was 37.55%, or USD 2,080, for each bore. Savings for all four rigs totaled USD 8,320.