Case Study: Alpine Specialty Chemicals Ltd. achieves improved hole cleaning and lower costs with SLB’s Rapid Sweep polymer sticks

RAPID SWEEP Polymer Stick Emerges as Viable, Cost-Effective Alternative to Hi-Vis Sweeps

SLB worked with Alpine Specialty Chemicals Ltd. to address hole-cleaning and fluid-management challenges during drilling in Fahud, Oman. In offset wells, the operator had faced logistics and cost issues supplying drill water, and frequent Hi-Vis sweeps were increasing mud viscosity and rheology in the shale formations, making the maintenance of Kla-Shield drilling fluid expensive.

SLB recommended Rapid Sweep polymer sticks as a substitute for the Hi-Vis pills, and the operator trialed the product during drilling. The result was improved hole cleaning with 15-20% more solids returning to surface, no adverse impact on fluid properties, and about a 31% reduction in torque; treatment costs were also cut by more than 20% in the 26 in. section and more than 41% in the 17 1/2 in. hole, with no plugging or pressure spikes observed.

Alpine Specialty Chemicals Ltd.