UNLOCK

YOUR RESERVOIR’S
VALUE

Cesium formate brine –

an investment in your well, your
reservoir and your bottom line.
 WHAT IS
2 CESIUM FORMATE BRINE?

Our high-density cesium formate brine forms unique non-damaging

drilling, completion, workover and well suspension fluids. Its remarkable
properties provide real benefits by giving operators the power to cut well
construction costs, reduce SHE risk and maximize reservoir potential.

Cesium formate brine is ideal for tough jobs

 Clear brine fluids for upper completions, Cesium formate brine is simply cesium
workovers and interventions formate dissolved in water. The result is a
 Enhanced reservoir fluids for lower heavy brine with densities that increase
completions, horizontal drilling and with the level of cesium formate in solution.
reservoir drill-in fluids It’s part of the formate brine family, together
 Performance drilling fluids for extreme with sodium and potassium formate brines.
Cesium formate brine is the perfect choice narrow-window, extended-reach and We manufacture cesium formate in highly
for challenging well constructions.
shale drilling pure 80% w/w aqueous solution with
 Special application fluids for density of 2.20 g/cm3/18.36 lb/gal.
releasing stuck pipe, breaking filter
cake, dissolving hydrates, reservoir Cesium formate brine differs from other
perforating and forming debris barriers high-density clear brines in a number of
significant ways:
Properties of 2.20 g/cm3/18.36 lb/gal cesium formate brine.  In pure form, it's highly compatible with

reservoirs as it only contains monovalent

Property Value
ions and no halides
Density (g/cm ) @ 15.6°C
3
2.20  Anti-oxidant and water-structuring

Recommended pH range 9 – 11
properties help protect polymers
Viscosity (cP) @ 25°C 5.4 against thermal degradation at high
Water activity (aw) @ 25°C 0.33 temperatures
 With a natural pH of 10 – 10.5, it’s well
Boiling point (°C) 131
True crystallization temperature (°C) 5.1 1) suited to metals and elastomers
 Full compatibility with water-soluble
Coefficient of thermal conductivity (W/m/K) @ 10°C 0.338
polymers, such as xanthan, means it
Heat capacity (J/g/K) @ 10 – 70°C 1.38
can be used to formulate drilling fluid
Coefficient of friction, metal to metal 2) 0.16  It's safer to handle with less

Coefficient of friction, metal to sandstone 2)

0.14 environmental toxicity than other
Coefficient of friction, metal to shale @ 93°C 0.24 high-density brines
1) As the degree of supercooling is exceptionally high, 2.20 g/cm3/18.36 lb/gal cesium formate
brine can be used at very low temperatures.
2) Average coefficients taken over years at all temperatures.

Major operational success for BP, the first

HPHT horizontal well drilled.
BP, OTC 15322
THE INVESTMENT THAT KEEPS ON
PAYING BACK 3

Cesium formate brine is an investment in your well, your reservoir and your
bottom line. It’ll unlock the full value of your reserves and keep on paying
dividends year after year. Cesium formate brine is proven to:

 Decrease well construction time and cost

 Maximize production rates and deliver recoverable reserves faster
 Facilitate better reservoir definition
 Eliminate expensive well interventions
 Reduce operational and SHE risk

Cesium formate brine is ideal for challenging high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT)

wells. It brings particular value as combined non-damaging drill-in and completion fluids,
allowing operators to construct deep, high-angle HPHT gas wells completed in openhole
for optimal reservoir drainage. Read on to discover how and why cesium formate will
benefit the economics of your next HPHT field development.

The deployment of this benign brine

has greatly reduced the risk of compromising
well integrity and well productivity.
Total, Drilling Contractor magazine, May/June 2007
 FASTER
4 WELL DELIVERY TIME

HPHT well construction operations using cesium formate brine are faster ROP was a major issue
and more effective than those using traditional fluids. In 29 North Sea deep- and the reduced ECD with
gas well constructions carried out in overbalance with cesium formate brine cesium formate made a very
between 1999 and 2010 there were no differential sticking or well control significant contribution in
incidents while drilling, logging or completing. Average completion time for improving ROP.
BP, OTC 15322
these wells is 21 days against an average of 46 days 1) for wells drilled with
oil-based muds (OBMs). That’s 25 days of costs saved and 25 days closer to
production revenues. Let’s look now at why such results are achieved.
1) SPE 145562

Fluid lubricity as measured by the HLT Lubricity Tester

Faster, safer drilling
Solids-free cesium formate makes the Fluid Metal-to-metal Metal-to-sandstone
perfect base brine for low-solids drilling Water-based, 15.0 lb/gal 1) 0.264 0.338
fluids. This extremely lubricious fluid with low Diesel-based, various weights 1)
0.180 0.223
viscosity, high thermal conductivity and
Mineral-based, various weights 1) 0.223 0.231
good heat capacity is ideal for HPHT
Synthetic-based, various weights 1)
0.181 0.253
drilling. It delivers the following benefits:
Potassium/cesium formate 2) 0.162 0.144
 Low equivalent circulating densities
1) Average COFs over several years measured with same instrument.
(ECDs), better hydraulics and 2) Average COFs over all temperatures.
improved hole cleaning
 Enhanced bit performance and
extended bit life results in fewer trips
and greater rate of penetration (ROP)
 Elimination of differential sticking TCT cesium formate single salt
 Minimal non-productive time
 Shale stabilization and wellbore 30

strengthening as swelling inhibition 20

and pore pressure are reduced 10

 Faster flow-check times 0

Temperature [˚C]

-10
 Less time circulating to cool
-20
measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tools
-30
 Low torque and drag values in extended
-40 TCT CsFo
reach and high-angle drilling
-50 TCT CsFo – extrapolated
 Stabilizes viscosifiers and fluid-loss CsFo supercooling
-60
polymers at high temperatures
-70
 Reduces mud-conditioning times 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5
Density [g/cm3]
 Quickly reach operational flow after
stoppages as no need to break gel Cesium formate performs well at low temperatures. The graph shows true crystallization temperature
 Low gel strengths prevent surge and (TCT) for cesium formate (single salt). Supercooling points indicate the temperature where the fluid has
been successfully kept for at least two weeks in the presence of standard seeding material.
swab risks
 Excellent well control
 Faster kick detection due to low gas
solubility and low gas diffusion rate
 Drilling fluids based on cesium formate brine reduced risk and improved
well economics on the Huldra field by: providing extremely good well control,
lowering ECDs, increasing trip speed, avoiding surge and swab, reducing time
for flow checks, and improving hole cleaning. 5
Statoil, SPE/IADC 105733

Problem-free completions
High-density cesium formate brine has been successfully used in
hundreds of cased-hole and openhole completion operations since 1999,
including many jobs where it has been deployed as the internal fluid phase
of low-solids oil-based muds (LSOBMs). It delivers the following benefits
for completions:

 Formation friendly cesium formate minimizes impact on the reservoir

 Clean, solids-free environment for problem-free operation of completion tools, valves
and packers
 Easy to handle and safest environmental choice of all high-density fluids

 Highly durable – cesium formate brine is safely deployed in extreme HPHT wells, such

as Mako-6 in Hungary with a BHST of 235°C/455°F

 Compatible with downhole metals and elastomers under HPHT conditions

Universal fluid saves time and costs of fluid displacements

Cesium formate brine’s unique properties fluid, which means your formation is only
make it a truly universal fluid for all exposed to one filtrate. Furthermore, the
applications requiring a dense, clear fluid to absence of residues from traditional
provide secure well control. It can be used muds allows completion operations to be
as low-solids drilling fluid, screen-running successfully concluded in record times.
fluid, completion brine and suspension

Field: Kvitebjørn / Operator: Statoil

 17.7 days to drill and log an average Drilling and completion times for Kvitebjørn HPHT wells
reservoir section of 412 meters in
Well A-4 A-5 A-6 A-10 A-15 Average
wells A-4, A-5, A-6, A-10 and A-15 with
Section length (meters) 290 302 583 513 376 412.8
cesium formate-based fluids
 No stuck pipe, washouts or well Drilling/logging time (days) 13.5 11.5 35.1 13.9 14.5 17.7
instability issues Completion time (days) 17.5 17.8 12.7 15.9 14.8 15.7
 Average completion time of Total time (days) 31 29.3 47.8 29.8 29.3 33.4
15.7 days Ref. SPE/IADC 105733
 Well A-6 set record for fastest HPHT

completion ever performed in North Sea

 OUTSTANDING
6 WELL CONTROL

There have been no well control incidents in any HPHT deep-gas well drilled
and completed with cesium formate brine, including 14 wells drilled and
completed in openhole at overbalance for a total of 432 days in Statoil’s
Huldra and Kvitebjørn fields. This remarkable ‘zero incidents’ record set in
hostile environments is proof of the improved HPHT well control environment
provided by cesium formate drilling and completion fluids.

The specific well-control benefits of cesium formate brines in challenging HPHT wells are:

 Elimination of weighting agents and associated sag

 Virtual elimination of gas diffusion into high-angle wells during circulation breaks
 No solids and low gel strengths mean lower ECDs and reduced swab/surge
pressures, reducing risk of kicks, losses and destabilization
 Excellent kick detection as hydrocarbon influxes are not solubilized and show an
immediate volume increase at the surface as pit gains. This gives drilling crews an
‘early warning system’ and more time to safely neutralize kicks
 Hydrate plug formation is inhibited and well control improved due to cesium formate
brine’s hydrate-inhibiting properties
 Reliable operation of isolation valves – solids-free cesium formate creates a safe
environment for dependable operation of isolation valves

Cesium formate brine has provided effective well control in more than 20
HPHT workover and suspension operations in Elgin/Franklin.
Total, Drilling Contractor magazine, May/June 2007
 7

The driver for this drilling fluid choice was improved well control. The high-
density, solids-free nature of the potassium/cesium formate brine provides
low ECD, eliminates the risk of barite sag, and dissolves very low amounts
of reservoir gases.
Statoil, SPE/IADC 105733

Tackling narrow drilling windows

In at least three offshore fields drilled with cesium formate – Kristin, Huldra and
Kvitebjørn – the drilling window between pore pressure and formation fracture
pressure in the reservoir sections was very narrow. For example, in Kristin the riser
margin of 0.09 g/cm3 reduced the already narrow drilling window to only 0.09 g/cm3.
High ECD of an oil-based mud (OBM) in this environment would have been very
difficult to endure while maintaining a riser margin. Actual ECD measured with
pressure-while-drilling (PWD) sensors when drilling the Kristin wells with cesium
formate brine was only 0.05 – 0.06 g/cm3 higher than the static mud weight.

1.96 2.05 2.09 2.14 (g/cm3)

Pore pressure

Fracturation

Riser Circ. Window

39 18 23

σh σv
Narrow drilling window
895 934 952 975 (bar)

In the Huldra and Kvitebjørn wells, cesium formate drill-in fluid combined with
reduced pumping rates and capped ROP kept ECD between 0.04 and 0.06 g/cm3 over
the static mud weight, although excursions up to 0.09 g/cm3 could occur when drilling
shale from temporary increases from low-gravity solids.
 HIGHLY COMPATIBLE FLUID
8 CUTS WELL CONSTRUCTION COSTS

Cesium formate brine’s monovalent nature and mildly alkaline pH mean it’s
highly compatible with polymers, elastomers and downhole metals.

Elastomers and seals

Numerous field cases and research studies conducted by Baker Oil Tools, Shell Research,
ourselves and others show that formate brines are well suited to the vast majority of
elastomers and seals used in downhole applications. Risks of leaks, equipment damage
and safety breaches are significantly reduced, leaving operations running smoothly
without concern. Formate brines’ compatibility is largely due to three reasons:
 Unlike divalent brines, cesium formate does not cross-link nitrile elastomers
 Corrosion inhibitors – a common cause of elastomer incompatibility – are not required
 pH – most elastomers are relatively stable in the mildly alkaline pH environment
provided by formate brines

The table below shows some typical elastomer test results with buffered
formate brines.

No tool failures or incidents Test conditions Recom­

Elastomer type 1) mended
relating to elastomers. °C Temp. °F Time
204 400 7 days
Statoil, IADC/SPE 74541 FEPM (Aflas®) (TFE/P) ✔
175 347 8 weeks
FFKM (Kalrez Chemraz )
® ®
191 375 7 days ✔
EPDM 120 248 8 weeks ✔
NBR 2) 120 248 8 weeks !
191 375 7 days
HNBR ✔
175 347 8 weeks
FKM (Viton®) 2) 120 248 8 weeks !
163 325 3 weeks
170 338 8 days
Base-resistant FKM (Viton® ETP) 3) ✔
177 350 4 weeks
200 392 7 days
PEEK 180 356 7 days ✔
Grafoil® 170 338 8 days ✔
The following acceptance guidelines have been used:
< 15% volume (or hardness) change
< 35% tensile strength (or elongation) change.

1) Elastomer type – relates to this entire group of elastomers.

2) As NBR and FKM elastomers are not compatible with alkaline pH they should not be used with formate brines buffered to alkaline pH.
3) Also denoted as FEPM by ASTM D140, although its structure and physical and chemical property profiles are significantly different.

Stabilizes polymers at high temperatures

Extensive tests have proven that our formate brines raise polymer stability by around
85°C/153°F through extending polymer transition temperature and scavenging hydroxyl
(OH) free radicals. Special HPHT-stable polymers can be used to formulate formate drilling
fluids for use at temperatures greater than 200°C/392°F. Formate brines are natural
antioxidants with the ability to scavenge OH radicals that cause polymer degradation at
high temperatures.
 9

Stable fluid properties at high

temperatures.
Statoil, SPE/IADC 105733

Cuts corrosion risk Six-year corrosion test

Laboratory and field experience has pH even after large influxes of acid
shown that buffered formate brines gas. In fact, pH in buffered formate brine After six years immersed in formate
without corrosion inhibitors are never drops below around 6 to 6.5 when brine, the production string was pulled
considerably less corrosive than other contacted by acid reservoir gases. from High Island A-5 well #1 off the
brines at high temperatures, even after Furthermore, corrosion inhibitors should Texan coast. Remarkably, identification
exposure to large influxes of acid gas. not be used in formate brines and biocides markings on the pipe were still intact
Since 1999, cesium formate brine has are not required. The halide content of despite combating pressures of 14,000
been regularly exposed to HPHT conditions cesium formate brine is very low, which psi and temperatures of 350°F/177°C.
up to 225°C/437°F – often for long periods reduces risk of catastrophic and fast-
– without initiating general corrosion, acting corrosion attacks associated The last and deepest joint of production
pitting or stress corrosion cracking in with halides, such as pitting and stress string was examined thoroughly by
downhole metals. corrosion cracking. And finally, the formate metallurgical experts and pronounced to
ion is an antioxidant, which limits the need be in excellent condition. Testing indicated
Cesium formate brine’s low corrosivity is for oxygen scavengers and avoids problems that the strength and toughness of the
due to its unique properties. Being a that often occur when these scavengers 13Cr tubular was unaffected. The entire
monovalent fluid with an alkaline pH become depleted. tubular length was crack-free, with no
means it can be buffered with carbonate/ corrosion or signs of embrittlement.
bicarbonate buffers to maintain favorable
When the packer was set in 2002, High
Island A-5 belonged to BP and is now
owned by Apache. After one to two
weeks, rapid cracking of 13Cr tubulars
at fairly low temperatures and depths
with halide brines led the operator to
change the packer fluid to formate
brine. Its compatibility with SM13Cr
steel pipe proved this was the right
decision to make.

In High Island A-5 well #1, pipe identification markings were still intact after six years immersed in
formate brine at high pressures and temperatures.
 OUTSTANDING WELL PERFORMANCE
10 AND RESERVE RECOVERY

Cesium formate brine helps deliver HPHT wells that routinely meet or
exceed production performance expectations. Experience shows that
this is particularly true in deep gas wells drilled and completed in openhole
entirely with cesium formate brine.

Kind to formations and screens

Cesium formate minimizes damage to formations and screens. By using cesium formate
brine, hydrocarbon flow rates are increased, risk of interventions reduced and production
life and durability of the well maximized. It can be formulated with acid-soluble calcium
carbonate particles and formation-friendly polymers to make low-solids drilling fluids,
which are used as screen-running fluids. In these cases, upper completions using
cesium formate brine usually follow. On conclusion of a well-construction operation, the
well can be safely suspended for long periods with the same fluid. Whichever scenario is
chosen, the reservoir is only exposed to one filtrate – cesium formate brine.

Specifically, solids-free cesium formate brine enables good in-flow performance in the
following ways:
Cesium formate screen-running fluid prevents your
screens from plugging.  No weighting agents to reduce formation permeability and block sand screens
 No scale precipitation from reservoir fluids and gases
 No emulsion blocking resulting from mixing fluid with reservoir fluids
 Stabilizes interstitial clays
 Minimal migration of fines through the formation
 No wettability changes as wetting agents are not required
 Ultra-thin filter cakes lift off and backflow easily at low drawdown pressures saving
time and cost

The proof
Cesium formate brine has been used successfully in numerous high-angle, HPHT, open-
hole completions on fields such as Huldra, Tune, Kvitebjørn and Kanowit. Wells completed
with cesium formate in these fields have shown low skins in low-permeability sandstone
and limestone without any need for clean-up or stimulation treatments. Very thin filter
cake residues left on the borehole wall lifted off easily or were naturally breached, and
allowed free flow of hydrocarbons through sand screens on production start-up.

The well is now flowing at levels above expectations

at 79 mmscf/day, proving that no significant skin
damage to the well has occurred.
George Lumsden, Marathon
 The kill pill has therefore been non-damaging and the perforation program has achieved
the desired productivity.
BP, OTC 19242 

11

The use of cesium/potassium formate mud with standalone screen

sandface completions has resulted in highly productive wells with low skin.
Statoil, SPE/IADC 105733

Field: Huldra. Operator: Statoil

 Good well flow performance at 120
production start-up
Recovery of reserves [% of original reserves in place]

 Wells cleaned up naturally during

100
early production phase
 7-8 MMm3/day average gas

production rates from 2002 to 2003 80

 By end of production year seven, the

six Huldra field wells had delivered 60

Gas
almost 80% of recoverable gas and
almost 90% of condensate reserves
40
 After ten years, cumulative production is Condensate
close to 100% of original estimates of
recoverable reserves 1) 20

0 Cumulative production of
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
1) Huldra is estimated by the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate to Year of production reserves from the Huldra field,
have recoverable reserves of 16 billion m3 of gas and 5 million m3 2001 to 2011.
of oil/condensate. Source: Norwegian Petroleum Directorate

Fields: Huldra and Tune. Operator: Statoil

Recovering reserves –
Recovery of gas reserves [% of estimated original reserves in place]

a North Sea comparison 100 Tune and Huldra fields

 Tune and Huldra were both drilled and drilled and completed
90 with formate brines OBM and
completed in openhole with high- stimulation
density formate brines 80
 Marnock wells were completed Tune 18.0
70
in openhole with OBM, suffered 60 Huldra 16.0
sand-screen blocking and needed OBM
50 Marnock 16.9
stimulating. Shearwater and Erskine
were drilled with OBM and completed 40 Shearwater 23.9
OBM
as cased holes 30 Erskine 10.5
 Over 50% of recoverable gas and
20
condensate reserves were recovered
from Tune and Huldra within four 10
Percentage of reserves recovered
years. At the eight-year mark, the 0 from five North Sea HPHT fields
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
fields had already produced close Year of production
with estimated recoverable gas
to 90% of gas reserves and 95% of reserves of 10 – 24 billion m3.
Source: Norwegian Petroleum Directorate
condensate reserves
 Shearwater, Marnock and Erskine

all performed poorer than Huldra

and Tune
 SEE
12 YOUR ASSET

The unique properties of cesium formate brine-based drill-in fluids give

better decision-making data for planning and executing well construction
operations.

 Helps reservoir evaluation through high-quality data generated by acoustic, resistivity

and nuclear logging tools
 Includes better definition of rock layers containing movable hydrocarbons,
PHOTO: COURTESY OF
BAKER HUGHES i.e. net reservoir
 Allows better visualization of rock structural and depositional details for creating
Cesium formate's unique properties help generate
accurate reservoir models
more accurate reservoir models.
Cesium formate brines make very conductive drilling fluids that contain few solids,
creating the ideal medium for all acoustic measurements and high-resolution resistivity
image logging. The high-quality image logs obtainable in cesium formate brine reveal
sedimentary features on a centimeter scale, providing geo-modelers with important
information on structural dip, depositional environment and orientation of sand bodies.
This detailed information allows the creation of superior reservoir models.

Cesium formate brine is unique among HPHT drilling fluids by having a very dense
filtrate (up to 2.30 g/cm3/19.2 lb/gal) that has a stunningly high photoelectric cross
section (Pe) of up to 259 barns/elec. Any invasion of this mud filtrate into the formation
around the well bore becomes highly visible to nuclear logging tools against a
background Pe of 2 – 6 barns/elec for common rock materials and formation fluids.

The logged photoelectric effect provided by the invasion of cesium formate filtrate is
extremely useful for correcting the density curve for mud/borehole effects and mud
filtrate invasion, and for estimating filtrate saturation. It is also ideal for defining permeable
sands. Combining the photoelectric effect and its high vertical resolution with resistivity
measurements from both the drill pass and ream pass of a logging-while-drilling (LWD)
tool produces a very reliable and accurate net reservoir definition.

This low-solids and very conductive drilling fluid has been found to be
ideal for all acoustic measurements and for electrical image logging...The
logged photoelectric factor is not only useful for correcting the density
curve and to estimate Sxo, but it is also ideal for defining permeable sands.
Statoil, SPE/IADC 105733
 13
Delivers a reliable and consistent net reservoir definition,
formation porosity, and HC saturation by taking advantage
of the unique nuclear properties of cesium formate.
Statoil, SPE/IADC 105733

FMI resistivity image obtained in cesium formate drilling

fluid, showing fine structure of laminated mudstone with
drill-induced fractures along a 50 cm length of borehole.
Ref. SPE/IADC 105733

Combining resistivity log responses from LWD

drill-pass (P16—1) and ream-pass (P16—2) with
photo­electric effect (PEB—1) provide a powerful technique
for defining permeable sand intervals (SAND—FLAG).
Ref. SPE/IADC 105733

The results (from cesium formate-based fluid LWD data) match core porosity from
different lithologies in three different wells, so we’re very confident that this new
approach works. Furthermore, cesium formate brine helps us better define the net
reservoir and produce improved reservoir models.
Erik Sandtorv Pedersen, Petrophysicist, Statoil ASA, Formate Matters no. 2, April/May 2008
 CESIUM FORMATE BRINE
14 – THE SAFER CHOICE

Cesium formate brine reduces operators’ risk of environmental damage and

personal injury. If there is an accidental release or spill, effects are minimal
and liability is reduced accordingly.

Reducing environmental impact

Cesium formate is the safest environmental choice of all high-density brines with
the formate ion biodegrading entirely when diluted in the ocean. It meets the
demanding environmental standards set by CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries
and Aquaculture Science) in the UK, the Norwegian Environment Agency and other
environmental authorities across the world. Used in highly sensitive environments
from the Barents and North Seas to onshore use in Hungary and Alaska, formate brines
reduce the environmental effect of hydrocarbon exploration.

Formates are a class of salt

originating from
formic acid, an organic sub-
stance commonly
found in nature. When made
into high-density
brines theirsolids-free, envi-
ronmentally friendly,
non-corrosive and monova-
lent.

PHOTO: 1-IMAGES.NO
Used in highly sensitive environments, such as the Barents Sea, cesium formate meets exacting
environmental demands, including CEFAS's gold standard.

Intertek Metoc conducted an extensive environmental impact assessment study and

found that “Quantitative risk assessments, following OSPAR recommended approaches,
indicate that the use and discharge of formate brines, in a manner similar to several test
cases, does not pose a significant risk to the environment.” Intertek Metoc concluded
by stating “Formate brine drilling and completion fluids presents the operators with
opportunities for minimizing the environmental impact of a well construction operation.”

The findings of the study indicate that the discharge of moderate amounts of
formate brines is not likely to lead to potentially significant negative impacts on
the marine environment.
ENI, SPE 94477
 15

The HSE risks of working with zinc bromide were deemed as

unacceptable therefore cesium formate became the only fluid
capable of delivering this objective.
BP, OTC 19242

Safer working environment

Cesium formate brine is not only the preferred choice for minimizing environmental
impact, but it's also the best option for rig crews compared to all other high-density
brines. It’s achieved excellent test results against conventional fluids for dermal toxicity,
eye irritation, skin sensitization and mutagenicity, which is supported by an impressive
safety record in the field. In almost twenty years, there are no recorded incidents of
personal injury caused by cesium formate.

No rubber suits or respirators are required when handling cesium formate brine.

Sustainable operations
Operations are based on leasing, reclamation and reuse of cesium formate. This
sustainable business model reduces operating costs and minimizes environmental
impact. By careful management, the majority of brine is recovered and reused. This
approach encourages better chemical management, where operators join with us in a
common cause to conserve chemicals and minimize waste.

Cabot’s unique reclamation technology turns

used drilling and completion fluids into clean
brines, allowing the fluids to be used in multiple
wells with significant cost savings.
 BRINE
16 LEASING

We lease cesium formate to our clients, retaining

stewardship and ownership of the brine throughout
all projects. Upon completion, we transport used fluid
back to one of our recycling centers, reclaim the cesium
formate for use in further wells and charge clients for
any loss in brine value.

Helping to reduce cesium formate brine losses during operations

is an essential feature of our unique brine-leasing business model.
We advise and work together with clients to maximize value and
minimize wastage, an approach that benefits everyone.

Our chemical-leasing business model has been recognized with an

award from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization
(UNIDO) for its pioneering role in introducing sustainable chemical
leasing to the upstream oil and gas industry. This forward-thinking,
sustainable approach allows clients to concentrate on their projects
knowing that we are responsible for cleaning the fluid and recycling
it into clean brine at the end of operations.

We operate an innovative, award-winning leasing scheme as part of our

sustainable business policy.

Chemical leasing provides practical solutions for industry to become

more efficient and green. At the same time, it reduces the unnecessary
consumption of hazardous chemicals and protects human health
and the environment.
Kandeh K. Yumkella, Director-General, UNIDO
 In addition to being used in the 7 Kvitebjørn wells, cesium/potassium
formate brine has been the HPHT completion fluid of choice in all 6 Huldra
wells and in 7 Kristin wells.
Statoil, SPE/IADC 105733
17

A WEALTH OF
KNOWLEDGE
We are the leading global authority on formate brines. Since our incorporation in 1996, we
have built up a wealth of knowledge and expertize in this specialist area from hundreds of
challenging jobs around the world, the majority of which are HPHT drilling, completion and
intervention operations. We operate our own research laboratory in Aberdeen and have
invested extensively in external research. The result is valuable collateral, such as the
Formate Technical Manual, case histories, environmental assessment reports, DensiCalc™
density and pressure calculator and the BrineWise™ costing tool, all of which can be
downloaded from our informative website, cabotcorp.com/cesiumformate.

GLOBAL SUPPORT
We are headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland and operate globally, with sales offices/stock
points in the UK, Norway and Singapore, and additional stock points in Canada, Belgium
and the United States.

With close to 100 staff devoted to formate brines, no other company matches our
experience, expertize and pure dedication to this product. A skilled team of field
engineers is waiting to assist operations anywhere in the world and well-equipped
laboratories in Aberdeen and Bergen provide customized fluid formulations, fluid
analyzes, trouble-shooting and technical advice.
Our Operations and Technical Support Laboratory in
Aberdeen is always ready to help with fluid testing

ASSURED SUPPLY
and formulation.

We are part of the publicly listed Cabot Corporation, which owns and operates the
Tanco mine at Lake Bernic, Canada, where 80% of the world’s known pollucite deposits
are located. Pollucite is mined and processed into cesium formate and fine cesium
chemicals.

Cabot Corporation is a global specialty chemicals and performance materials company

headquartered in Boston, USA, with a history spanning more than 130 years. Our
customers know us for high-quality products, innovative solutions and a commitment
to helping make their businesses successful. We have operations in more than 20
countries and employ some 4,500 people worldwide.
 CESIUM FORMATE BRINE
18 IN THE FIELD

to high ROPs, good hydraulics, no stuck

pipe, low torque/drag and excellent hole
cleaning. One of the wells was completed
in a North Sea record time of 12.7 days
with an operation factor of 98.1%.

Due to reservoir depletion, Managed

Pressure Drilling (MPD) was introduced in
Shell Shearwater, 2007. MPD uses reduced mud weight and TXM Mako-6,
North Sea surface controlled back-pressure to southeast Hungary
HPHT gas/condensate well manipulate the downhole pressure profile. HPHT gas/condensate well
185°C/365°F – 103 MPa/15,000 psi To combat BHP variations from temperature 235°C/455°F – 96+ MPa/14,000+ psi
changes, drill-pipe rotation, swab/surge
As an emergency response to Shell’s and other phenomena, a drilling fluid Two records were broken during this
request, over 2,500 barrels of cesium designed to improve fracture gradient was challenging well kill and suspension
formate and a cesium/potassium formate needed. A ‘designer mud’ with density operation using 2.15 g/cm3/17.94 lb/gal
blend kill fluid were quickly heading out to of 1.82 g/cm3/15.2 lb/gal was introduced cesium formate brine – the deepest packer
Shearwater. Wellhead pressure had risen by M-I Swaco based on low ECD cesium/ ever set in Hungary at 5,198 m/17,054 ft
dramatically and a well kill operation was potassium formate brine with a controlled and the highest temperature for cesium
needed. The cesium formate successfully particle size distribution blend of calcium formate brine use at 235°C.
reduced pressure at the wellhead from carbonate and graphite. Wells were
over 758 bar (~11,000 psi) to around 103 completed in overbalance with cesium/ Mako-6 was drilled, completed and
bar (~1,500 psi), just as Shell had planned. potassium formate completion fluid using temporarily abandoned with 1.33 g/cm3/
standalone screens. The result is highly 11.1 lb/gal calcium chloride brine in the
productive wells with low skin. hole. Log analysis revealed significant gas
from numerous intervals and an extensive
Full openhole formation evaluation of the fraccing operation was initiated. This was
Kvitebjørn reservoir has been carried out successful at first, but after discovery of
with LWD tools. The evaluation has been H2S gas M-I SWACO, TXM’s fluid-technology
aided by the development of an innovative consultants, initiated a well kill operation
PHOTO: SAMFOTO

logging interpretation solution for a LWD with cesium formate brine. A total of 57 m3
density tool, which makes unique use of cesium formate brine at 2.15 g/cm3 / 17.92 lb/gal
the extremely high photoelectric effect was bull-headed down the 51/2" casing to
Statoil Kvitebjørn, from cesium-rich filtrate. the bottom of the perforated zone at 5,300
North Sea meters to minimize wellhead pressure and
HPHT gas/condensate field Per Cato Berg, Lead Drilling Engineer for enable snubbing of a packer and test string
155°C/311°F – 81 MPa/11,700 psi Kvitebjørn, says: “Supported by our tests into the hole.
and data, we feel that cesium formate
Twelve reservoir sections have been gives the best productivity for the wells. High-density cesium formate was chosen
drilled and ten completed with cesium/ We have tested formation damage with as alternative brines with lower densities
potassium formate brine in the Kvitebjørn water- and oil-based alternatives, and develop much higher surface pressures,
field since 2004. cesium formate comes out best.” which place more wear and tear on the
snubbing equipment and increase
Prior to 2007, all Kvitebjørn reservoir The Kvitebjørn operations add to Statoil’s operational risk. Cesium formate remained
intervals were successfully drilled using unique track record – 15 HPHT wells drilled in the well for 39 days before a reverse
conventional techniques to TD with and 22 completed using high-density circulation displacement to a packer fluid
inclinations ranging from 23 – 46°. Drilling cesium/potassium formate brines without enabled well-test operations to begin. The
performance was very good with moderate one single well-control incident. 1) brine was sampled when circulated out
1) SPE 145562, 2007
 19

of the hole after the 39-day suspension. true vertical depth (TVD), with maximum
Cesium formate brine for
Despite lengthy exposure to hydro­thermal deviations ranging from near vertical to
conditions, laboratory analyzes showed 45°, with a further six wells drilled in the
challenging wells –
no significant changes in fluid properties Franklin field to deeper horizons. 100s of jobs in over 50 fields
or composition. Alder Maharaja Lela/
The 81/2" reservoir intervals were drilled Alve Jamalulalam
Don Wright, operations manager for TXM, with synthetic oil-based mud (SBM) and Baker Family Trust Mako
comments: “Successfully setting the completed with 7" liners before running Malek
Boje
packer in Mako-6 at a record depth was production tubing and suspending them. Martin Linge
Braemar
a significant achievement for us. Cesium Prior to the Elgin wells being brought Mobile Area
Brynhild
formate provided stable well conditions onto production, it was established that Moran
Bulan Bulan
and enabled operations to progress safely incorrect heat-treatment procedures had Morvin
and smoothly. Crew only needed to wear been used during production of the 103/4" Champion West
Devenick Mumbai High
standard personal protective equipment, casing-hangers. A workover plan was
Dunbar Njord
something that made working conditions prepared to re-enter the wells, recover the
Edith Gray North Vega
much more comfortable, especially since production strings, replace the hangers
Ekofisk Oseberg
outdoor temperatures rose to 40°C/104°F and re-run the production strings. Vestflanke
on occasion.” Elgin/Franklin
Oselvar
Two of the seven Elgin wells (G1 and G3) El Campamento
Raven
The well was later suspended three had already been perforated, making it El Cerrito
Rhum
times using cesium formate, including a imperative to kill them with a high-density Gasselternijveen
Rimfaks
six-month period. Again, due to extreme workover fluid before carrying out remedial Glenelg
Shearwater
temperatures, the brine was thoroughly work. Total first tried OBM as workover GSV
analyzed after it was circulated out of the fluid, but barite sag problems turned their Snadd North
Gudrun
well. No significant changes in fluid attention to brine. Cesium formate was Snorre
Gullfaks
properties and composition were found. selected due to its benign nature and South Arne
Gullfaks Satellite
compatibility with metals used in casing, Statfjord
Hild
production tubulars and packers. Statfjord
Huldra Satellites
Janus Tapis
Elgin G1 and G3 were displaced to
2.19 g/cm3 cesium formate brine prior Jasmine Tapti
to running and setting the packer. The Jerneh Trym
production tubings were run without Judy Vega
incident, followed by the tubing hangers. Jura Vetyêm
The wells were then displaced to inhibited Kanowit Victoria
Total Elgin/Franklin, drill water. In G1, a faulty packer leaked Kashagan Vigdis
North Sea causing hydrate formation. This well was Kessog Visund
HPHT gas condensate wells killed again with cesium formate brine and Krishna- Yanam South
190 to 205°C/374 to 400°F – 110 MPa/ the hydrate plug melted by circulating hot Godavari Basin
15,954 psi cesium formate brine into the annulus. Kristin
Kvitebjørn
Cesium formate brine with density of The remaining re-entries (G4 – G8) involved
2.19 g/cm3/18.28 lb/gal has provided effective simply displacing the wells to 2.19 g/cm3
hydrostatic well control in over 20 HPHT cesium formate brine, recovering completion
workover and suspension operations in strings, replacing casing-hangers, re-running
the Elgin/Franklin fields over nine years. completion strings and displacing the
wells back to inhibited drill water.
Initially, seven production wells were
drilled in Elgin to around 5,600 meters
 FORMATE
FORMATE
TECHNICAL MANUAL
TECHNICAL MANUAL

Split into three parts – Chemical and Physical Properties, Compatibilities

and Interactions, Formate Field Procedures and Applications – the Formate
Technical Manual is the world’s definitive work on formate brines. Growing
cabotcorp.com/manual every year, it currently holds over 400 pages and is available for free
download at cabotcorp.com/manual.

cabotcorp.com/cesiumformate
Cabot Specialty Fluids Ltd. Cabot Specialty Fluids Ltd. Cabot Specialty Fluids (S) Pte Ltd. Cabot Specialty Fluids Inc.
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