Oil&Gas

In exploration of shale oil/gas, hydraulic fracturing – a technology that utilizes hydraulic pressure to generate hydraulic fractures in shale formation – is typically deployed. Shale formation is usually difficult to produce oil/gas due to its high density and low permeability, but hydraulic fractures improve production efficiency by allowing oil/gas to flow into wellbore through the fractures and to get recovered easily.

Many chemicals are used in shale oil development. For example, a temporary plugging agent is used to enhance efficiency of hydraulic fracturing and acid/chemical treatments by plugging primary fractures temporarily and improving fluid placement efficiency. Since Nichigo G-Polymer™ has great plugging performance and solubility at low temperature, it can perform at wider range of field conditions than conventional material PLA and contribute to enhance operation efficiency.

■Features of Nichigo G-Polymer™
・Excellent water solubility. Suitable for ultra low temperature application.
・Non toxic, biodegradable.
・Great plugging performance by absorbing water and swelling.
・Nonionic. Compatible with existing treatment fluid and chemicals.
・Compatible with existing operation system and equipment.

Grade
Grades with different solubility are available.




Water solubility
Nichigo G-PolymerTM dissolves even in low temperature water more quickly than conventional material PLA.



Test conditions
Initial temp: 23℃ for 1h,
End temp: 50℃/60℃ for 1, 3, 7 and 14 days

Clay often comes up to surface while drilling a wellbore, but it absorbs water and goes swolen, then may cause issues such as wellbore closure and damage of drilling equipment. To prevent those problems, a shale inhibitor is usually formulated into drilling fluid.

GOHSENX™ K, a cationic modified PVOH, adsorbs to anionic-charged surface of clay and prevents swelling. GOHSEN™ K is performing better swelling inhibition and also more environmentally friendly, while a conventional shale inhibitor potassium chloride potentially causes salt damage to surrounding environment.