Extraordinary capabilities
for unconventional wells
North American shale plays experience and capabilities
Horn River
Shale Gas Basins
Western Canada
Devonian/ Mississippian
Shale Fairway
Mountain Thrust Belt
Bakken
Marcellus
Barnett
Haynesville
Permian Basin
Eagle Ford
North American shale gas plays
Source: Advanced Resources, SPE/Holditch Nov 2002.
Hill 1991, Cain, 1994. Hart Publishing 2008
Customized solutions help
you tame the shale plays
M-I SWACO knows exactly what operators face every day in developing the North
American shale plays. After all, we’ve been there from the beginning. We were there
when the Eagle Ford, Marcellus, Bakken, Haynesville and the others were just starting
to prove themselves. And we’re with you today, with the people, infrastructure and
technologies to help you stay profitable in these challenging frontiers.
We understand the technical, operational and environmental challenges you face in
developing these resources. We’ve seen first-hand the logistical problems of managing
several service providers, with one responsible for fluids, another for solids control, yet
another for water treatment and so on. That’s why we deliver a fully customizable package
of integrated shale-development solutions. You choose what you need, and we deliver,
with all of the communications and logistics worked out in advance.
■■
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High performance and environmentally
acceptable drilling fluids and additives
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Industry’s most experienced and
qualified engineers and service
personnel
Unparalleled engineering support
The most extensive infrastructures
in the shale plays
Mobile solids-control technologies
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Production chemicals
Production Testing Services covering
frac flowback, plug drill-outs,
well testing and pipeline inspection
capabilities
Specialized wellbore cleanup tools
and products
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MPD/UBD
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Dynamic Pressure Management
Produced- and Oilfield Water
Management (OWM) and recycling
Closed-loop drilling and production
waste management systems
Optm-izer mobile solids control delivers high-volume barite recovery,
processing, dewatering and/or mud stripping
No two shale plays are exactly
alike, so we adapt accordingly
We understand that all North American
shale plays must contend with the
same general operating parameters:
narrow profit margins, tricky drilling
conditions, high water consumption,
tough environmental issues, complicated
completions, remote locations and more.
From experience, we also know there
are regional differences. In some plays,
the main issue is improving drilling rates.
In others, it may be dealing with lowgravity solids. In still others, the focus
could be conserving water through treating
and recycling.
Cost-effective technologies help us build the right solutions for you
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That is why our solutions are customized
to your situation. Whether it’s modifying a
drilling fluid to meet local environmental
regulations, finding ways to reduce waste
management costs or customizing a local
water-treatment system, we do what it
takes to keep your project on track. If a
solution doesn’t yet exist, we have the
R&D capabilities to develop a process or
product that gets you closer to your goal.
Safe, cost-effective drilling fluids and additives. Many of the same oil-, water- and
synthetic-base drilling fluids and additives that help our customers achieve their
drilling and environmental goals worldwide are setting records in the shale plays.
Our Megadril* oil-base and Megadril P synthetic drilling fluids in conjunction with
our Virtual Hydraulics* downhole monitoring software have become the systems
of choice in the shale plays. To enhance performance in tight shales, we modify
our emulsion packages and other additives specifically to meet local downhole
and climatic conditions. The same with the DuraTherm*, EnviroTherm* NT
high-temperature water-base drilling fluid for deviated shale wells, along with our
inhibitive water-base Kla-Shield system which has proved effective in a number
of shale play applications.
Comprehensive solids control and drilling waste management. Our understanding
of shale development gives you more ways to minimize your environmental footprint
and reduce disposal costs of the remaining solid waste. The combination of our
high-capacity CD-500* and CD-600* big bowl centrifuges, Mongoose* shaker
technology and Verti-G* cuttings dryers reduce the impact of the low-gravity
solids (LGS) intrinsic to most shales. Reducing dilution rates and allowing mud to
return to the active system generates less waste and reduces haul-off and disposal
costs considerably.
We also package our solids-control technologies in mobile units, so you can reap
the benefits when and where you need them. We developed our closed-loop
Optm-izer* solids-control system specifically for land rigs that must perform
specialized solids-control operations from time to time. This mobile system delivers
high-volume barite recovery, processing, dewatering and/or mud stripping, and can
be up and running at your site in two hours. We also offer mobile versions of our
Verti-G cuttings dryers that reduce the volume of drill wastes, without the costs of
a permanent installation.
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Mobile and permanent water-treatment technologies. Conserving local freshwater
supplies represent a tremendous challenge for shale operators. That’s why we
established our Oilfield Water Management (OWM) group, dedicated to protecting
this precious natural resource. Through the OWM group, we introduced our
Aqualibrium* balanced approach to frac flowback and produced water
management. Aqualibrium water management utilizes proven, field-tested
treatment technologies to remove the volume of total suspended solids, allowing
the frac or produced water to be recycled for reuse or discharged into its natural
environment. As your produced water increases, we can provide permanent,
centralized full-scale water-treatment facilities.
■■
Production Technologies. The integrated capabilities we bring to your shale project
continue after the well is drilled. Our Production Technologies Group offers a suite of
chemical solutions, all customized for your specific needs. Our chemical solutions
are formulated specifically to optimize your processes, while ensuring the long-term
protection and profitability of your assets, all with minimal downtime. We offer a
range of liquid H2S scavengers, corrosion, paraffin and scale inhibitors, demulsifiers,
defoamers and biocides, among others. Our services include pre-frac analysis to
identify any problems you may encounter and afterwards we provide long-term
monitoring to measure frac performance and ensure your production continues to
run at full capacity. Our capacity to engineer solutions on-the-fly enables us to react
quickly to any problem that may arise.
If the H2S concentration is beyond economical treatment with our liquid scavengers,
we offer our SulfaTreat technology, which has long been the industry standard for
removing H2S from water-saturated gas streams.
Once your gas is on its way to the burner tip, our Pipeline Services Group keeps
production flowing. Our services include the disassembly of permanently installed
equipment, inspection, cleaning, testing, launching and receiving pigs, and
reassembly. We even install corrosion coupons and other permanent monitoring
devices. Our services extend to providing the documentation you need to comply
with DOT and other regulatory requirements.
Our fully integrated portfolio also extends to our:
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Well Commander* and other specialized wellbore cleanup tools
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Managed Pressure Drilling, UBD-Dynamic Pressure Management
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Frac water treatment and chemicals
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Composite shaker screens
And, if your next shale project uncovers another need, we’ll find the solution.
Our people make it work
Our engineering, service and support
network has long been recognized for
its skilled, experienced and dedicated
people. Many of our wellsite and support
specialists began their careers within the
shale plays, so they know what needs to be
done to make your project a success.
The extensive training and development
programs within our organization help
them refine their knowledge to serve you
even better.
With many areas within the shale plays
facing tough economic times, M-I SWACO
makes a concerted effort to retain and
develop local personnel.
You are drilling near an M-I SWACO
facility, wherever you are.
We operate a fully centralized network
of liquid mud plants, warehouses, bulk
storage facilities and drilling waste
management centers in every shale play.
We continually replace older facilities
with new plants, warehouses and service
networks – all with the aim to serve you
even better now and in the future.
To learn more about our integrated
solutions and how they’re performing for
operators throughout the North American
shale plays, contact the M-I SWACO office
nearest you.
Eagle Ford
Well before there was a boom,
there was M-I SWACO
Production Technologies put clamps on
H2S, paraffin build-up
The situation
Producers in the Eagle Ford play must
confront high concentrations of paraffin,
which if not treated effectively, clog up
gathering lines and processing equipment.
The end results are downtime and
restricted production. There are also high
hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentrations
that can exceed sales gas contract
specifications. Gas and oil sales can be
interrupted if H2S scavenger treatments
are ineffective.
The Solution
M-I SWACO Production Technologies
provide Eagle Ford operators tailored
chemical solutions that effectively inhibit
paraffin deposit and problems associated
with H2S. We begin with a pre-frac analysis
of both the frac water and produced fluids
from wells in the same zone. This data
allows us to customize a solution tailored
for your specific need. Once production
is initiated, our continuous monitoring
services and technologies ensure it flows
unrestricted for the life of your asset.
We also provide the data you require for
all regulatory compliance.
The Results
Our Production Technologies group and
our highly experienced technicians and
engineers, have stepped in to quickly
engineer a solution specifically for our
clients’ requirements. The end result has
been consistently cleaner and unrestricted
production that flows trouble-free with
minimal downtime. Our paraffin inhibition
solutions have ensured Eagle Ford
producers that their equipment will remain
in top operating condition, meaning
unobstructed production for the life of
their asset.
Years before the Eagle Ford became North America’s fastest growing gas, oil and
condensate play, M-I SWACO was there. With central locations throughout South
Texas, we have a long established history in the region, where we have helped
operators successfully drill some of the industry’s most challenging wells.
Along with an unequaled infrastructure, we continue to help operators set new
standards in drilling and environmental performance. Our Megadril oil-based drilling
fluid consistently raises the bar for cost-effective drilling rates. Our comprehensive
range of drilling waste management and frac water treatment systems routinely
reduces the environmental footprint and costs.
An infrastructure that is growing still
We may have the best, but we certainly are not finished. With two new major facilities
in operation and another on the books, we can provide 100 percent coverage of the
Eagle Ford.
The Eagle Ford infrastructure
Facility location
Capabilities
Beeville
– 50 years of service
Liquid, bulk storage
Capacity
8,000 bbl liquid storage tanks
10,000 sack barite storage tanks
1,000 bbl diesel tank
500 bbl calcium chloride tank
8,000 bbl frac tanks
Edinburg
– 50 years of service
Liquid, bulk storage
9,000 bbl storage tanks
Mud mixing
15,000 bbl storage tank
Lab
10,000 sack barite storage tank
1,000 bbl mixing tanks
1,500 bbl diesel tank
500 bbl calcium chloride tank
5,000 bbl frac tanks
Carrizo Springs, Asherton
(New)
Warehouse
8,000 bbl horizontal
liquid storage tanks
Lab
5,000 sq ft warehouse
Liquid storage
Quarters
Pleasanton
– PT warehouse Q1-2011
Storage and delivery of
full line of Production
Chemicals
Fleet of flow back
Test Trailers
Corpus Christi, TX
Drilling Waste
Management
MPD/UBD Equipment
and Services
Pressure Control
Equipment and Services
Solids Control
18,750 gallon bulk
17,640 gallon bulk
Total future bulk capacity36,390 gallons
Full inventory and service of all Drilling
Waste Management and Pressure
Control Equipment
Eagle Ford
What sets M-I SWACO apart from all the rest
■■
Most extensive infrastructure in the Eagle Ford
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Most experienced field engineers and service specialists
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High-performance oil-based drilling fluid
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All-inclusive drilling waste management technologies
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Frac water treatment systems
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MPD/UBD – Dynamic Pressure Management
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Pipeline inspection services
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SulfaTreat H2S removal
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Production chemicals
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Production testing services capable of providing experienced
personnel and fit-for-purpose equipment during plug drill-outs,
frac flow-backs and well testing operations
Haynesville
When the heat’s on,
we’re at our best
All-inclusive approach to reducing
waste management costs
The Situation
Operators in the Haynesville Shale saw
their disposal costs of oil-base mud
cuttings skyrocketing. Yet, between
deviated wells and bottomhole
temperatures (BHT) approaching 400°F
(204°C), they had little choice but to use
an invert emulsion fluid.
The Solution
M-I SWACO stepped in with a viable and
comprehensive solution. We began at the
beginning with our DuraTherm* hightemperature water-base drilling fluid that
has shown its capacity to remain stable
at BHT exceeding 500°F (260°C) while
generating cuttings with lower disposal
costs. To optimize lubricity in the deviated
wells, we added our Alpine Drill Beads
additive, a mechanical lubricant that
likewise remains stable under extremely
high downhole temperatures. We also
provided all inclusive solids control,
including our mobile Verti-G cuttings
dryer and CD-500 big bowl centrifuges
to reduce cuttings volume and haul-off
costs. In addition, we brought in our
Oilfield Water Management group to
conserve and reuse the large volume of
frac water required.
The Results
The DuraTherm and Alpine Drill Beads
combo did its part delivering sliding ROP
of up to 30 ft/hr (9 m/hr) and rotating ROP
as high as 80 ft/hr (24 m/hr) with no hole
problems, and despite BHT consistently
higher than 350°F (177°C). Our CD-500
centrifuges with 40% higher volume were
able to consistently keep LGS at just over
4% with reduced dilution.
The Haynesville Shale can tax the expertise of the savviest operator. Haynesville
horizontal wells are not only deeper than most shale plays, but also generate
bottomhole temperatures that can reach 400°F (204°C) and wellhead pressures
exceeding 10,000 psi. There’s also the matter of inherent low gravity solids (LGS) that
create any number of downhole problems, and make fluid conditioning and reuse a
challenging and expensive proposition. What’s more, the already tight profit margins
of Haynesville wells are stretched even more with the high costs of waste haul-off
and disposal.
For M-I SWACO, all this represents opportunities to deliver integrated and costeffective solutions to meet all your drilling, production and waste management needs.
Our DuraTherm* high-temperature water-based drilling fluid generates the drilling
rates you require with reduced disposal volumes and costs.
Our mobile Verti-G cuttings dryers help rein in the percentage of LGS and lower your
haul-off costs. Our dual high-volume CD-500 big bowl centrifuges are field-proven
to reduce both dilution and barite consumption. That’s not all. Our specially trained
Oilfield Water Management group has recovered and treated more than 80% of the
frac water for reuse on jobs in which they were utilized. Additionally, Production
Testing Services located in Kilgore, TX allows you to safely and efficiently conduct frac
flowback clean up and production testing operations including plug drill-outs.
Haynesville
The area’s most extensive infrastructure and still expanding
M-I SWACO has a long-established presence within the Haynesville with an
infrastructure in East Texas and Northwestern Louisiana second to none. Our new
state-of-the-art liquid mud plant in Minden, LA and our newly expanded Liberty, TX
facility further augment the play’s most comprehensive network. As an added bonus,
many of our field engineers and support personnel have long called the Haynesville
area home, so they know this area and your needs better than anyone.
The Haynesville infrastructure
Facility location
Capabilities
Capacity
Minden, LA
Liquid mud plant
12,000 bbl storage
Mixing and storage
1,000 bbl mixing tanks
Distribution Centre
500 bbl diesel storage tank
Shreveport, LA
(N. Louisiana
Engineering Office)
Service support
Service Drilling Waste Management
Liberty, TX
Drilling Waste
Management
1,000 bbl CaCl2 storage tanks
Pressure Control Equipment
Pressure Control
Equipment and services
Full inventory and service of all Drilling
Waste Management and Pressure
Control Equipment
Kilgrove, TX
Production Testing
Services
10k and 15k rated Well Testing
Equipment
Tyler, TX
(East Texas
Engineering Facility)
Drilling Waste
Management Pressure
Control Equipment and
services
Full inventory and service of all Drilling
Waste Management and Pressure
Control Equipment
Aledo, TX
Service support
Service Drilling Waste Management
and Pressure Control Equipment
What sets M-I SWACO apart from all the rest
■■ Most extensive infrastructure in East
■■ High-pressure frac flowback and
Texas/Northwestern Louisiana
gas well testing
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Haynesville’s most experienced field
engineers and service specialists
High-performance oil and water-base
drilling fluids
All-inclusive Vibratory Systems
Analysis Testing* (VSAT) Program
solids control technologies to reduce
LGS, dilution and haul-off costs
Daily tracking of waste haul-offs
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Oilfield Water Management systems
Dynamic pressure management,
including Autochoke*
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SulfaTreat H2S removal
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Production Chemicals
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Asset Protection
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Pipeline Integrity (reporting)
Production Testing Services saves the
day in high-pressure frac plug drill out
The Situation
During frac flowback and plug drill out
operations on a Haynesville shale well, the
flowback service provider clogged up its
plug catcher after coiled tubing drilled
through two plugs. The plug catcher was
bypassed in an attempt to maintain flow
and prevent sticking coiled tubing but the
flow manifold was also plugged. The fluid
pumps were shut down and the coiled
tubing was stuck. The operator requested
M-I SWACO provide equipment and
personnel to flowback the remaining
19 plug drill out returns.
Solution
M-I SWACO recommended a 15K psi
working pressure equipment package that
included the newly designed dual plug
catcher, sand separator and hydraulic dual
choke manifold. By monitoring differential
pressures upstream and downstream of
the mandrels, M-I SWACO technicians
alternated the flow as needed between the
two mandrel barrels to keep plug parts
trapped and blown into the dedicated
debris tank. This process ensured the
pumps remained in operation throughout
the drill out, sustaining continuous flow.
Results
After rigging up the dual plug catcher,
sand separator, and dual hydraulic
choke manifold, the remaining 19 plugs
were drilled out successfully. Use of
the innovative dual plug catcher
allowed the operation to be completed
without recurrent pump shut downs and
stuck coiled tubing. Additionally,
negligible damage to internal choke
parts was observed.
Marcellus
Adapting to ever-changing drilling
and environmental demands
Megadril P fluid meets environmental
regulations, delivers optimum drilling rates
The Situation
Operators in the Marcellus Shale faced a
dilemma. While optimum drillability in the
highly deviated wells comprising long
reactive shale sections required an invert
emulsion drilling fluid, regulations
discouraged the use of a conventional
diesel base oil mud.
The Solution
M-I SWACO once more showed our ability
to adapt to local conditions by modifying
our high performing Megadril oil-base
drilling fluid with an environmentally
acceptable synthetic base fluid.
The drilling and environmental demands of the prolific Marcellus Shale play of the
Eastern US are ever-changing. With our well-established, and growing, presence in
the heart of the play, M-I SWACO knows better than anyone what you need and when
you need it. And, no one is better prepared to respond.
When local regulators discouraged the use of oil-base drilling fluids for these
demanding horizontal wells, M-I SWACO stepped in with a viable solution.
We modified our high-performance Megadril oil-base drilling fluid into what the
regulators recognized as a true synthetic-based system. The Marcellus is now the
only US onshore drilling location to employ a synthetic-base drilling fluid.
And, that’s not all. The brittle shales intrinsic of the Marcellus Shale generate a highpercentage of low-gravity solids. Once more, we responded with our CD-500 XV and
CD-600 big bowl centrifuges and VSAT service that allowed operators to treat higher
volumes, more effectively and with lower costs.
The Results
Recognized as a true synthetic system, the
resulting Megadril P not only met all the
environmental specifications, but has
consistently delivered the performance
operators had come to expect. Marcellus
operators have employed the Megadril P
and Virtual Hydraulics combination in
more than 100 wells where it slashed the
days required to drill 10,000 ft (3,048 m) to
an average of 19.9 days compared to the
28.4 days average it recorded with a waterbase drilling fluid. At the same time,
average cost per foot dropped from $37 for
water-base mud to $24/ft in the build and
horizontal sections of the well.
To help operators keep an even tighter rein on high waste disposal costs we
introduced our groundbreaking Mongoose* dual motion shale shaker. Today, it is by
far the most widely used shaker in the Marcellus Shale. We further reduced waste
disposal costs with our mobile Verti-G cuttings dryers that use high-speed centrifuges
for maximum liquid/solid separation.
There is also our Oilfield Water Management group that effectively treats the high
volumes of frac and produced waters to conserve precious local supplies. When
H2S began to appear in this emerging field, we were among the first to respond. Our
industry-leading SulfaTreat H2S removal technology has successfully treated an
average of 894 Mmcf of Marcellus gas annually with an average H2S concentration of
50 ppm/Mcf.
Marcellus
The people and infrastructure to keep you on target
M-I SWACO operates the most extensive network of liquid mud plants, storage
facilities and service locations in the Marcellus. While we already are well-positioned
to meet all your drilling, production and environmental needs, we continue to expand
with new locations to serve you even better.
In addition, with many of the municipalities within the Marcellus play facing economic
constraints, we made a firm commitment to attract and retain local personnel
wherever possible. Today, more than 80% of the service and support staff within our
solids control and environmental groups grew up in states within the Marcellus play,
with a home-grown incentive for exceptional performance.
The Marcellus infrastructure
Facility location
Capabilities
Capacity
Williamsport, PA
Liquid, bulk storage,
warehouse
10,000 bbl liquid storage tanks
Temporary liquid
mud plant (opened
January 2011)
12,000 sack barite storage tanks
2,500 bbl synthetic-base
oil storage tanks
Permanent new facility
(opens May 2011)
1,000 bbl calcium chloride tank
1,000 bbl mix pits
50,000 sq ft warehouse and offices
Buckhannon, WV
Warehouse
25,000 sq ft warehouse
Service Support
8,000 sack barite storage
– planned availability June 2011
Solids control, drilling waste
management equipment/services
Watsontown PA
Warehouse
Drilling Waste
Management Pressure
Control Equipment and
services
Oilfield Water
Management Services
Service Drilling Waste Management
and Pressure Control Equipment
Full inventory and service of all Drilling
Waste Management and Pressure
Control Equipment
Solids control
What sets M-I SWACO apart from all the rest
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■■
Most extensive drilling fluid, solids
control and drilling waste management
infrastructure in Eastern US
Most experienced field engineers and
service specialists
High-performance synthetic-based
drilling fluid
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All-inclusive solids control
technologies to reduce LGS, dilution
and haul-off costs
■■
Oilfield Water Management systems
■■
SulfaTreat H2S removal
Operator reaches Aqualibrium
in water treatment
The Situation
An operator in the Marcellus Shale was
fracturing up to five wells a week with
average consumption of 150,000 bbl of
water per frac job with a combined
flowback of around 112,000 bbl per week.
Between the local communities’ sensitivity
to freshwater consumption, tightening
disposal regulations and the high costs of
treatment and disposal, something had to
be done.
The Solution
The M-I SWACO Oilfield Water
Management (OWM) team recommended
the newly engineered Aqualibrium
Filtration System designed to remove Total
Suspended Solids (TSS) up to the operator
mandated 20-micron size. This met and
exceeded specifications for reuse of
flowback water which was the objective of
the system to reuse flowback fluid on the
next frac job. This would minimize disposal
and reduce consumption of water from the
local township, and cut trucking
requirements, minimizing the overall
environmental footprint and preventing
production-restricting formation damage.
The Results
We exceeded the operator’s expectations
by establishing and operating two central
Aqualibrium treatment centers. A primary
component of our reclamation water
treatment system, Aqualibrium further
exceeded expectations by treating up to
1.8 million bbl of frac/produced water with
99% of the water recovered and 100%
recycled. What’s more, we did so with no
downtime in the operations.
Bakken
The most experience and
capabilities in the Williston Basin
Production Testing Services provides
fit-for-purpose solution for Bakken well
The Situation
While the operator’s well delivered high oil
and gas rates, it came with slick water that
created a tough emulsion, as well as
environmental hazards, because of the
difficulty of controlling foaming and
emulsion issues. The slick water
discharged gas vapor into open top tanks,
creating an environmental and explosive
hazard due to the proximity of a nearby
flare stack.
The Solution
Production Testing Services evaluated the
difficult situation and provided a unique fitfor-purpose solution. Discussions with the
client resulted in a two-pronged approach.
The first focused on optimizing separation
and retention time of fluids to mitigate
foaming and emulsions. The second
approach was to engineer and
manufacture a fully enclosed frac flowback
tank, allowing proper ventilation away from
work areas and LEL sensitive areas.
The Results
Since these changes were implemented,
the volume of slick water and emulsion
shipped to production facilities has been
reduced to nearly zero. The work areas
and LEL sensitive areas are virtually free of
explosive vapors, allowing wellsite crews
to work in a safe environment and
significantly improving the environmental
risk assessments of the wellsite.
When you have helped drill more than 500 wells over five years, you learn a
thing or two about an area. That defines what M-I SWACO brings to the Bakken
Shale. Besides delivering the most cost effective drilling rates in the Bakken,
our all-inclusive capabilities extend to waste management and water treatment
technologies, all designed to reduce your costs and environment footprint.
Our experience in drilling the demanding long laterals that define the Bakken Shale
are unmatched. Combined with our pacesetting Megadril oil-base drilling fluid, the
Virtual Hydraulics downhole modeling software package continues to set new
drilling standards throughout the Williston Basin. Our Alpine Drill Beads additive
mechanical lubrication technology slashes torque and drag of long Bakken laterals,
effectively cutting two to 10 days off drilling times.
M-I SWACO also is at the forefront of closed loop waste management and water
treatment systems, featuring our revolutionary Optm-izer* mobile, high-efficiency
solids control technology and compact dewatering units. Our closed-loop systems
also incorporate high-volume CD-500 big bowl centrifuges and Verti-G cuttings dryers,
designed to reduce cuttings volume and disposal costs. This technology helps you drill
from smaller pads, reducing your construction and reclamation costs while minimizing
the environmental impact.
We also recognize that to the communities and ranchers in the arid Williston Basin
water is a most treasured resource. Our Oilfield Water Management team is helping
Williston operators conserve the frac and produced water their operations generate.
We extend that effort with our single-unit frac water and reserve pit clean-up system,
which uses a field-proven chemically enhanced process to minimize your waste
stream. Additionally, we provide specialized production testing equipment and trained
personnel qualified to perform flowback and clean up operations during drill-outs and
production testing after frac jobs.
Well-established infrastructure that continues to expand
With Bakken wells typically off the beaten path, logistics plays an even greater role
than elsewhere. M-I SWACO recognized very early on that operators in the Williston
Basin needed a service provider that they could count on and we responded. Today,
we operate the most extensive infrastructure in the Williston Basin and one that
continues to grow.
Our new state-of-the-art liquid mud plant and storage facility in Stanley, ND is by
far the preeminent service and supply center in the Williston Basin. Our attention to
detail even extends to heating all the mud tanks with glycol to ensure against supply
interruption due to weather.
Bakken
The Bakken infrastructure
Facility location
Capabilities
Capacity
Stanley, ND
(New)
Oil-based mud,
completion fluids,
bulk barite storage
15,000 bbl mud storage
8,000 ft3 barite blimps with
10,000 sack capacity
Warehouse
8,000 sq ft warehouse
Return mud cleaning
station with Meerkat*
shaker
30 hp mud vacuum system
Accommodations
Williston, ND
(2 facilities)
Drilling, completion
fluids
Combined 11,200 sq/ft indoor
product storage
Bulk barite
Combined 53,560 sq/ft outdoor
product storage
Shaker screens and
solids control equipment
Drilling Waste
Management Pressure
Control Equipment and
services
Belfield, ND
Drilling/completions
fluids
Full inventory and service of all
Drilling Waste Management and
Pressure Control Equipment
6,000 sq/ft indoor product storage
43,560 sq/ft outdoor product storage
1,200 bbl brines storage
Dickinson, ND
Minot, MD
District office
13,000 bbl OBM storage
Oil-based mud plant
1,400 bbl brine storage
New mix tank with shear
hoppers, expanded
storage and glycol boiler
43,560 sq/ft yard area
Production Testing
Services
Complete line of winterized equipment with
experienced personnel trained to respond to
Bakken Shale specific conditions
What sets M-I SWACO apart from all the rest
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Most extensive infrastructure in Williston Basin
Only fluid company permitted to operate in prolific Fort Berthold reservation.
Megadril oil-based drilling fluid, completion brines
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Closed-loop solids control, waste management systems
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Oilfield Water Management and reserve pit clean-up
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Durable, high efficiency composite shaker screens on 70% of Bakken rigs
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Winterized frac flowback and production testing equipment operated by
experienced testing personnel
Megadril emulsion package modified for cold temperatures
Horn River
We perfectly balance HSE,
cost-effective performance
Innovation helps operators mitigate
oil-base HSE concern
The Situation
Perhaps no single shale play in North
American can approach the operational and
logistical challenges of the Horn River: multiwell pads holding up to 16 wells, enormous
volumes of stimulation fluids required for the
15 – 25 intervals per well, producing up to 200
tons of sand per interval to be managed and
over 300 fracs pumped on one pad, gas flow
back at high rates and temperatures
approaching 176°F (80°C), and equipment and
personnel that must withstand arctic-like
temperatures that can slide to -107ºF (-40°C).
In the Horn River, operations also move very
quickly from well to well, meaning a host of
equipment and personnel are operating
continuously from a single pad on everything
from perforating to fracing to running plugs to
coiled tubing drill-outs and snubbing operations.
Few drilling theaters in North America are as environmentally sensitive as the
prolific Horn River gas shale basin of Northeastern British Columbia, Canada.
Horn River also features highly deviated wells drilled in an extremely remote
area, requiring the ultimate in drilling fluid performance and delivery. The
integrated capabilities of M-I SWACO score at the top on all counts.
The Solution
To keep your first production on or ahead of
schedule, we bring three to four high-pressure
four-phase separators to each individual
operation, meaning production can hit the
sales line while the completion is still in
progress. In fact, we have helped put upwards
of 100 mmcfd of gas into the pipeline before
the project is officially completed. We provide
everything you need for a portable, temporary
gas processing plant, including turbine flow
meters, flow line and ESD systems, debris
catchers, choke manifolds and pressurized
storage vessels for the returned solids.
The Results
The end result is a well-coordinated and
continuous operation that leaves nothing to
chance, leaving you free to concentrate on the
large volume of gas being delivered to the
market. We handle the rest and do it quickly
to ensure no delay in your revenue stream.
Throughout the Horn River, our approach to
completing wells and getting them on stream
quickly has delivered considerable economic
benefits to our clients.
The combination of our high-performing Megadril oil-based mud and the
Virtual Hydraulics downhole monitoring software package consistently records
exceptional drilling rates. To help reduce both the environmental footprint and
waste management disposal costs, we offer a full inventory of solids control
technologies, including our state-of-the-art CD-500 and CD-600 big bowl
centrifuges. There’s also our mobile Verti-G cuttings dryers that help cut both
the disposal costs and the volume of waste generated.
Our infrastructure helps makes the Horn River a bit less remote
Our commitment to meeting all your drilling, completion and waste management
requirements extends to an infrastructure designed solely for the logistical
challenges of the Horn River. In fact, we are the only local company in British
Columbia with the infrastructure to deliver mixed and ready-to-run oil-base mud
from the plant to the rig, saving you both time and costs.
Our unique service capabilities extends to the area’s most experienced and
skilled drilling fluid engineers and waste management specialists. We are the only
company with four exceptionally experienced drilling fluid field superintendents
who support our wellsite engineers.
Horn River
Western Cana
The Horn River infrastructure
Facility location
Capabilities
Capacity
Fort Nelson, BC
(New)
Oil-base mud,
brine plant
OBM capacity: 9,057 bbl (1,440 m3)
Base oil capacity: 2,264 bbl (360 m3)
Bulk barite storage
Brine capacity: 755 bbl (120 m3)
4x250 hp pumps for proper shearing
Mixing tanks: 755 bbl (120 m3)
Bulk barite storage: 4 tanks 160 metric ton
Each premix tank is powered by two 200 hp diesel engines that feed
the gun rows as well as a hi-ride mix hopper
Fort St John, BC
Frac flowback and Production Testing Services
support
Grande Prairie, AB
Oil-base mud plant, bulk storage, solids control,
drilling waste management equipment
OBM capacity: 9,065 bbl (1,455 m3)
Base oil capacity: 3,613 bbl (580 m3)
Mixing tanks: 755 bbl (120 m3)
Bulk barite storage: 80 metric ton
Premix tank is powered by one 250 hp diesel engine that feeds the
gun rows as well as a hi-ride mix hopper
Spruce Grove, AB
Oil-base mud plant, bulk storage, solids control,
drilling waste management equipment
OBM capacity: 8,784 bbl (1,410 m3)
Mixing tanks: 997 bbl (160 m3)
Bulk barite storage: 300 metric ton
What sets M-I SWACO apart from all the rest
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Only local company with infrastructure capable of delivering ready-mixed
mud to location
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Highly experienced drilling fluid engineers, including dedicated field superintendents
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Full line of high performing oil- and waste-base drilling fluids
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All-inclusive solids control, drilling waste management technologies
and services
Frac flowback, well cleanup including plug drill-outs and production testing
CarbonTracker* gas flow measurement system for determining gas volume produced
while drilling
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MPD/UBD dynamic pressure management
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Aqualibrium water treatment technology
Permian Basin
Integrated offerings set us apart
in competitive market
Megadril fluid slashes drilling days
in Permian shale plays
The Situation
Operators in the shale gas plays of the
Permian Basin requested an oil-base
drilling fluid that would reduce their drilling
days and associated costs.
The mature Permian Basin is one of the most competitive and cost-intensive drilling
theaters in North America. It takes a company that delivers outstanding service and
cost-effective technologies to stand out. Since the beginning, M-I SWACO has been
such a company.
The Solution
In response, the local M-I SWACO team
introduced the one-drum Megadril
oil-based drilling fluid to deliver high ROP
and reduced rig time.
The Results
Megadril fluid has emerged as the oilbased system of choice for operators in the
Permian shale gas plays. In one 16,379 ft
(4,992 m) MD Bone Springs well with a
5,424 ft (1,653 m) lateral, a 12 lb/gal (1.4 sg)
Megadril system completed the well
trouble-free in 30 days, making it one of the
operator’s fastest wells in the area.
We have had a continual presence in the Permian for several decades and that
extends to the emerging Avalon/Bone Springs/Leonard shale play of West Texas
and Southeastern New Mexico. We know better than anyone what it takes to drill
technically demanding Permian wells, including the often highly pressured sands.
We, likewise, know how to deliver cost-effective drilling performance in the long
laterals intrinsic to the area. Today, our high performing Megadril oil-base mud
routinely generates unequaled and cost-effective drilling rates throughout the
Permian shale play.
We also help operators reduce their waste volume and disposal costs with a complete
inventory of solids control and dewatering technologies, including state-of-the-art
closed-loop systems. To deal with the high pressures, we offer our sophisticated
dynamic pressure management technologies. To further improve efficiencies, we
introduced our Well Commander* ball-activated drilling valve for quickly spotting lost
circulation material in high-flow rate applications. Our Production Testing Services
group offers cost effective solutions with excellent well clean up operations from
managing dynamic plug drill-out operations to production well testing.
Permian Basin
Our people and locations make the difference
In a competitive environment like the Permian Basin, operators deal only with
companies they know they can trust to deliver value and optimum service, when and
where they need them. M-I SWACO has long been that company. It all starts with
our highly skilled drilling fluid and project engineers, many of whom grew up in the
Permian Basin and know what to expect when the bit touches the ground. Of course,
a region as vast as the Permian Basin requires a sweeping infrastructure. M-I SWACO
takes top billing in that respect. Our network of upgraded liquid mud plants and drilling
waste management facilities is scattered throughout West Texas and Eastern New
Mexico. What’s more, our flexibility means if other facilities are needed to serve you
better, we’ll be the first to respond.
The Permian Basin infrastructure
Facility location
Capabilities
Capacity
Hobbs, NM
Liquid, bulk storage,
warehouse
Full line of frac flowback and well
testing equipment
Production Testing
Services
Midland, TX
Liquid, bulk storage,
warehouse
500 barrels
2,000 barrels
Bulk barite 59,330 ft3
Gel 2,660 ft3
Odessa,TX
Drilling Waste
Management equipment,
support
Full inventory and service of
Drilling Waste Management Pressure
Control Equipment
Drilling Waste
Management pressure
Control Equipment and
services
What sets M-I SWACO apart from all the rest
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Most experienced drilling fluid engineers in Permian Basin
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Widespread infrastructure
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Megadril oil-base drilling fluids, full suite of completion brines and additives
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Closed-loop drilling waste management, dewatering systems
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MPD/UBD – Dynamic Pressure Management
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Well Commander ball-activated drilling valve
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SulfaTreat H2S removal technologies
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Job specific production testing equipment and experienced field personnel
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High Pressure Well Testing
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Oilfield Water Management
Barnett
When rigs meet the city,
we offer the total solution
Alpine Drill Beads additive and DBRU
reduce torque, increase ROP
The Situation
Operators in the Barnett Shale faced a
persistent problem of increased torque and
decreased ROP once the build section was
completed and drilling of the lateral began.
The Solution
As always, we had the solution. We
suggested the operator incorporate our
Alpine Drill Beads mechanical lubricant
in the PAC mud system and employ the
Drill Bead Recovery Unit (DBRU)
to recover the used beads for use on the
next well.
The Results
Drilling rates improved dramatically.
After adding 3% by volume of
Alpine Drill Beads additive, the operator
saw torque drop 20% almost immediately
with a corresponding 10% increase in ROP.
The high performance was maintained
throughout the rest of the well.
Operators in the high-value and highly competitive Barnett Shale must address
challenges most will never face. Since the core area of the Barnett is within city
limits, operators must contend with both local governments and neighborhood
associations. It’s no surprise then that HSE issues take on an entirely new dimension
and it should also be no surprise that M-I SWACO always has been the first company
the operators call.
We provide drilling fluids, additives and wellsite service through a local distributor.
However, we made our mark in the Barnett with exceptional solids control and drilling
waste management technologies. Owing to the proximity of rigs to communities,
traditional waste management methodologies, like reserve pits, were off the table.
But, as is our custom, we responded with an innovative closed-loop solids control and
containment systems. We also developed dewatering systems to help conserve local
freshwater supplies by treating and reusing water for fracing, well completions or
reuse in the drilling fluid system.
Fluids and solids control equipment close at hand
Our service and supply facilities are close to all the action within the Barnett Shale
play, ensuring timely and effective service. Operating from those bases, are highly
experienced drilling fluid engineers and drilling waste management specialists.
The Barnett Shale infrastructure
Facility location
Capabilities
Capacity
Aledo, TX
Frac water
treatment services
Service Drilling Waste management
Pressure Control Equipment
Solids control, drilling
waste management
equipment and services
Shamrock, TX
Storage and delivery of
full line of Production
Chemicals
Foamer Test Trailers
Treater Trucks
Alvarado, TX
Production Testing
Services
In service:
17,640 gallon bulk
6,250 gallon bulk
Standby: 25,000 gallon bulk
Total bulk capacity 48,890 gallons
Complete line of production testing
equipment with experienced personnel
trained to respond to Barnett Shale
specific conditions
Barnett
What sets M-I SWACO apart from all the rest
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Exceptional technical service
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Oilfield Water Management technologies for frac water
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Closed-loop drilling waste management technologies
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SulfaTreat H2S removal technology
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Full line of production chemicals
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High performing Mongoose* shakers, high-volume CD-500
and CD-600 centrifuges and a complete inventory of composite
shaker screens
Mobile Verti-G cuttings dryers
Production testing services capable of providing experienced
personnel and fit for purpose equipment during plug drill-outs,
frac flow-backs and well testing operations
MPD/UBD – Dynamic Pressure Management
Image courtesy of OGFJ
This information is supplied solely for informational purposes and M-I SWACO makes no guarantees or
warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the accuracy and use of this data. All product
warranties and guarantees shall be governed by the Standard Terms of Sale. Nothing in this document
is legal advice or is a substitute for competent legal advice.
©2010 M-I L.L.C. All rights reserved. *Mark of M-I L.L.C.
GBR.1901.1104.R1 (E) Digital in U.S.A.
P.O. Box 42842
Houston, Texas 77242-2842
www.miswaco.slb.com
Email: questions@miswaco.slb.com