Quick-Pick by System
| Function | Primary Additive | Backup / Synergist | Typical Dose | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fluid Loss Control | PAC-R polyanionic cellulose | CMC LV / starch | PAC-R 2–6 kg/m³ | Water-based mud, all temperature ranges |
| Low-shear Rate Viscosity | Xanthan gum (XCD polymer) | PAC-R co-viscosifier | Xanthan 0.5–2 kg/m³ | Horizontal wells, displacement fluids |
| Filter Cake Formation | Treated bentonite | PAC-R fluid loss aid | Bentonite 30–60 kg/m³ | Surface and intermediate hole sections |
| Shale Inhibition | Potassium silicate | KCl + glycol synergist | Silicate 5–15 kg/m³ + KCl 30–80 kg/m³ | Shale gas / clay-rich formations |
| Wellbore Stability HPHT | Drilling mud lubricant + PAC-R | Cesium formate alternative for HPHT | Lubricant 5–15 L/m³ | Deep wells > 4000 m, > 150 °C bottom-hole |
| Weighting Up | Barite (BaSO₄) | Hematite for HP > 2.5 SG | Barite to target SG 1.2–2.4 | Pressure control, kick prevention |
| Fluid Loss HPHT | CMHEC carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose | Sulfonated lignite synergist | CMHEC 4–10 kg/m³ | Deep wells, > 150 °C bottom-hole temperature |
| Corrosion Control | Imidazoline corrosion inhibitor | Ammonium bisulfite oxygen scavenger | Imidazoline 100–300 mg/L + bisulfite 50–200 mg/L | All operations, particularly sour gas wells |
| Defoaming | Drilling fluid defoamer (silicone-free) | Polyglycol secondary defoamer | Defoamer 0.5–2 L/m³ | Gas-cut mud, salt-water muds |
| Dispersing | Drilling mud dispersant (lignite / lignosulfonate) | Synthetic polyacrylate alternative | Lignite 3–10 kg/m³ | High-density muds, sulfide-contaminated muds |
| Foaming (Underbalanced) | Drilling foaming agent (surfactant) | Anti-foam control during cementing | Foamer 5–15 L/m³ | Underbalanced drilling, geothermal wells |
| Loss Circulation Control | Cellulose fiber + treated bentonite | Walnut shell or fiber LCM | LCM 30–100 kg/m³ | Lost-circulation zones, fractured carbonates |
All Grades (by chemistry class)
Viscosifiers — CMC, PAC-R, Xanthan Biopolymer(0)
Primary rheology modifiers for water-based drilling fluid. CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose) and PAC-R (polyanionic cellulose regular) provide both viscosity and fluid-loss control. Xanthan gum is the low-shear-rate viscosifier essential for cuttings transport in horizontal wells and at low circulation rates.
Fluid Loss Additives(0)
Reduce fluid leak-off into permeable formations by depositing a thin, low-permeability filter cake. Starch (modified for thermal stability) is the cost-effective baseline; CMHEC (carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose) is the HPHT (>150°C) workhorse; CMC LV supplements PAC-R in shallower wells.
Shale Inhibitors(0)
Prevent clay-rich shale formations from hydrating and sloughing into the wellbore. Potassium silicate creates a glass-like film on shale surfaces; KCl provides ionic inhibition; glycol-based inhibitors offer high-performance for water-sensitive shales (Marcellus, Eagle Ford, Bakken).
Corrosion Inhibitors, Bactericides, Defoamers, Dispersants(0)
Mud chemistry maintenance additives — imidazoline corrosion inhibitors for sour-gas (H₂S) wells, ammonium bisulfite oxygen scavengers, silicone-free defoamers for gas-cut control, lignite/lignosulfonate dispersants to manage high-density muds and salt contamination.
Weighting, Lubricants & Carrier(0)
Bulk-volume mud components — barite (BaSO₄ specific gravity 4.2) and hematite for density control to 2.4 SG, treated bentonite as the base clay for water-based mud, drilling mud lubricant to reduce torque and drag in deviated and horizontal wells, CMHEC and CMC variants used as suspending agents and viscosity modifiers in associated services.
Imported Brand → China Equivalent
Equivalents are indicative; verify against TDS for project-critical applications.
| International Brand Grade | China Equivalent | Major Chinese Producers |
|---|---|---|
| Halliburton Polypac (PAC-R) | PAC-R Polyanionic Cellulose Regular | 山东赫达, 河北邯郸, 河南鸿光化工 |
| Drilcam HV PAC | PAC-HV high-viscosity grade | 山东赫达, 河南鸿光化工 |
| Drispac (CMC HV) | Sodium CMC drilling grade | 山东赫达, 河北鑫硕 |
| Kelco / CP Kelco XCD Xanthan | XCD biopolymer drilling grade | 山东中轩生物 (Zhongxuan), 山东富田 (Fufeng) |
| M-I SWACO POLY-PLUS RD (PHPA) | PHPA partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide | 山东诺尔生物 (Norit), 安徽巨成 |
| Baroid AQUAGEL (treated bentonite) | API treated bentonite mud powder | 新疆托克逊, 内蒙古鄂尔多斯, 浙江安吉 |
| Baroid BARACOR 700 (imidazoline) | Imidazoline corrosion inhibitor for sour gas | 山东恒昇化工, 河南乾兴 |
| Halliburton BRINEDRIL-N (silicate) | Potassium silicate shale inhibitor | 山东聚成, 浙江开化合成 |
| M-I SWACO M-I X-II (lubricant) | Drilling mud lubricant high-performance | 山东赫达, 河南鸿光化工 |
| Magcobar / Halliburton barite | API SG 4.2 barite drilling grade | 贵州桐梓, 湖南浏阳, 江西黎川 |
| M-I SWACO DUO-VIS (xanthan + cellulose) | Xanthan + CMC dual-viscosifier blend | 山东中轩, 山东赫达 |
Frequently Asked Questions
▶CMC vs PAC-R — which polyanionic cellulose should I specify?
PAC-R is the modern standard — higher purity, better thermal stability (effective to 150°C), and faster fluid-loss control than commodity CMC. Use CMC LV/HV for cost-sensitive shallower wells (<3000 m) where temperature stays below 120°C; specify PAC-R for deep wells, HPHT, and high-density brines.
CMC vs PAC-R — which polyanionic cellulose should I specify?
PAC-R is the modern standard — higher purity, better thermal stability (effective to 150°C), and faster fluid-loss control than commodity CMC. Use CMC LV/HV for cost-sensitive shallower wells (<3000 m) where temperature stays below 120°C; specify PAC-R for deep wells, HPHT, and high-density brines.
▶When does xanthan gum beat CMC/PAC-R?
Xanthan gum provides exceptional low-shear-rate viscosity — at 5 sec⁻¹ shear rate (relevant to cuttings settling in the annulus), xanthan delivers 50–80 cP while CMC/PAC-R deliver only 10–20 cP. Essential for horizontal wells, low circulation rates, and underbalanced drilling.
When does xanthan gum beat CMC/PAC-R?
Xanthan gum provides exceptional low-shear-rate viscosity — at 5 sec⁻¹ shear rate (relevant to cuttings settling in the annulus), xanthan delivers 50–80 cP while CMC/PAC-R deliver only 10–20 cP. Essential for horizontal wells, low circulation rates, and underbalanced drilling.
▶What is API Spec 13A and does my mud chemistry need it?
API Spec 13A is the American Petroleum Institute standard for drilling-fluid materials (barite, hematite, bentonite, PAC-R, CMC, etc.) — specifies physical and chemical performance benchmarks. Required for North American oil & gas operations, recommended for international major operators (Shell, BP, ExxonMobil, Total).
What is API Spec 13A and does my mud chemistry need it?
API Spec 13A is the American Petroleum Institute standard for drilling-fluid materials (barite, hematite, bentonite, PAC-R, CMC, etc.) — specifies physical and chemical performance benchmarks. Required for North American oil & gas operations, recommended for international major operators (Shell, BP, ExxonMobil, Total).
▶How do I select fluid-loss additive for HPHT (>150°C) wells?
For temperatures 120–150°C, PAC-R alone suffices. Above 150°C, switch to CMHEC (carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose) combined with sulfonated lignite or sulfonated asphalt as backup. For 175°C+ (deep gas wells), specialty synthetic AMPS/AM copolymers replace cellulosic chemistry entirely.
How do I select fluid-loss additive for HPHT (>150°C) wells?
For temperatures 120–150°C, PAC-R alone suffices. Above 150°C, switch to CMHEC (carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose) combined with sulfonated lignite or sulfonated asphalt as backup. For 175°C+ (deep gas wells), specialty synthetic AMPS/AM copolymers replace cellulosic chemistry entirely.
▶Do you supply oil-based and synthetic-based mud (OBM/SBM) additives?
AQUChem's drilling-fluid additive line is primarily water-based mud (WBM) chemistry — CMC, PAC-R, xanthan, treated bentonite. For OBM/SBM-specific chemistry (organophilic clay, primary/secondary emulsifiers, oil-wetting agents), we can source through partner manufacturers on inquiry — these require API 13A Category B/C certification and have separate technical specifications.
Do you supply oil-based and synthetic-based mud (OBM/SBM) additives?
AQUChem's drilling-fluid additive line is primarily water-based mud (WBM) chemistry — CMC, PAC-R, xanthan, treated bentonite. For OBM/SBM-specific chemistry (organophilic clay, primary/secondary emulsifiers, oil-wetting agents), we can source through partner manufacturers on inquiry — these require API 13A Category B/C certification and have separate technical specifications.
▶What's the typical mud cost as % of total drilling cost?
Land wells: 5–15% (commodity WBM); shale gas / unconventional: 10–25% (high-tech WBM/SBM); offshore shallow water: 8–15% (SBM); offshore deepwater: 15–25% (SBM/OBM); HPHT exploration: 20–35% (specialty chemistry).
What's the typical mud cost as % of total drilling cost?
Land wells: 5–15% (commodity WBM); shale gas / unconventional: 10–25% (high-tech WBM/SBM); offshore shallow water: 8–15% (SBM); offshore deepwater: 15–25% (SBM/OBM); HPHT exploration: 20–35% (specialty chemistry).
▶How do Chinese drilling-additive prices compare to Halliburton, Baroid, M-I SWACO?
Commodity additives (CMC, PAC-R, treated bentonite, barite) from Chinese producers are typically 35–55% lower CIF than equivalent service-company grades. Specialty additives (HPHT, shale inhibitors, primary emulsifiers) narrow the gap to 15–30% because Chinese R&D is still catching up.
How do Chinese drilling-additive prices compare to Halliburton, Baroid, M-I SWACO?
Commodity additives (CMC, PAC-R, treated bentonite, barite) from Chinese producers are typically 35–55% lower CIF than equivalent service-company grades. Specialty additives (HPHT, shale inhibitors, primary emulsifiers) narrow the gap to 15–30% because Chinese R&D is still catching up.
▶What documents and certifications are available?
COA, SDS/MSDS, TDS standard on every order. API Spec 13A certificates for certified products (PAC-R, CMC, barite, bentonite); ISO 9001 for the manufacturing facility; REACH / RoHS / SVHC for European customers; HSE-MSDS sheets compliant to UK / Norway offshore operator requirements.
What documents and certifications are available?
COA, SDS/MSDS, TDS standard on every order. API Spec 13A certificates for certified products (PAC-R, CMC, barite, bentonite); ISO 9001 for the manufacturing facility; REACH / RoHS / SVHC for European customers; HSE-MSDS sheets compliant to UK / Norway offshore operator requirements.
▶What MOQ and packaging?
Starter samples 5–10 kg; standard commercial MOQ is 1 metric ton for polymer additives (CMC, PAC-R, xanthan); 25 metric tons for barite and bentonite. Packaging: 25 kg multi-ply paper bag with PE liner, 1 t jumbo bag, 25 t bulk container.
What MOQ and packaging?
Starter samples 5–10 kg; standard commercial MOQ is 1 metric ton for polymer additives (CMC, PAC-R, xanthan); 25 metric tons for barite and bentonite. Packaging: 25 kg multi-ply paper bag with PE liner, 1 t jumbo bag, 25 t bulk container.
▶Free samples and technical advisor consultation?
Yes — free 5–10 kg samples on company letterhead inquiry, DHL Express dispatch. Drilling-fluid technical advisor available by email/WhatsApp for additive-package selection, troubleshooting (lost circulation, kick prevention, shale instability), and on-site mud-engineering referrals.
Free samples and technical advisor consultation?
Yes — free 5–10 kg samples on company letterhead inquiry, DHL Express dispatch. Drilling-fluid technical advisor available by email/WhatsApp for additive-package selection, troubleshooting (lost circulation, kick prevention, shale instability), and on-site mud-engineering referrals.