BAKER HUGHES - Drilling Fluids Reference Manual

Oil / Synthetic Fluids
The MAGMA-TEQ system is stable to temperatures above 400º F and exhibits minimal density
differential under dynamic and static conditions. The system can be weighted up to densities above
2.2 s.g. using barite or alternative weighting materials such as Ilmenite, Hematite, or Micromax.
Typical O/W ratio is in the 85/15 to 90/10 range. The system is specifically designed for the use of
commonly available aromatic-free base oils, and the products in the system exhibit minimal
occupational hygiene exposure. Although the system is developed to conform to the environmental
regulations of the North Sea area, several of the components of MAGMA-TEQ enhance the fluid
properties in higher aromatic base oil environments such as diesel based drilling fluids.
The static barite sag analyses are extremely good and fall well within the sag factors specified by
several major oil companies. MAGMA-TEQ also exhibits very low amounts of supernatant oil
(syneresis) in samples aged both static and dynamically. Field tests demonstrate that the laboratory
formulation properties further improve during drilling conditions; as with other oil mud systems, with
repeated shear through bit nozzles and hole temperatures from the drilling operation.
System Maintenance
The system should be maintained in a manner similar to that described for the CARBO-FAST /
CARBO-TEC system previously described.
SYNTERRA SM Synthetic Base Drilling Fluid System
SYNTERRA SM was developed to provide an environmentally friendly, non-aqueous synthetic system
for use primarily on land operations as an alternative to diesel based drilling fluids. The fluid design is
similar to conventional oil-based fluids and has applications in routine drilling as well as more
demanding applications, such as HTHP and extended reach drilling. SYNTERRA is not designed for
use in drilling offshore if a discharge of cuttings is planned.
The SYNTERRA system employs a unique low-kinematic viscosity synthetic base fluid; SN-1890, to
deliver equal to diesel based fluid performance. Some of the benefits of using SYNTERRA include:
Enhanced environmental acceptability
Elimination of fumes commonly associated with diesel-based systems
Occupational hygiene and environmental properties are improved compared to dieselbased
systems
Simple, cost-effective formulations
Low kinematic viscosity base fluid for optimal rheology
Thermal stability
Minimal rheology changes with temperature
Good hole cleaning characteristics
Fully compatible with diesel-based systems for blending of the systems as necessary
Some of the applications of SYNTERRA SM include:
Land drilling
Limited discharge sites
Drilling within city limits
Environmentally sensitive areas such as wet lands and reserves
Where an alternative to diesel is desired.
Baker Hughes Drilling Fluids
Reference Manual
5-28 Revised 2006