In the global oil and gas industry, the pursuit of efficient drilling operations is a continuous endeavor, with high-quality drilling fluids playing a pivotal role in maintaining wellbore stability, cooling drill bits, and transporting cuttings to the surface. Bentonite powder, especially sodium-based bentonite abundant in montmorillonite, has emerged as an essential ingredient in drilling fluid formulations. Its remarkable water-swelling capacity, thixotropic properties, and ability to form a dense, low-permeability filter cake make it indispensable for modern drilling operations.

For deep well drilling, where downhole temperatures can soar to 150-200°C and pressures exceed 30 MPa, the stability of drilling fluids becomes a critical factor. Ordinary drilling fluid additives often fail under such extreme conditions, but sodium-based bentonite powder stands out for its excellent rheological properties. In a major oilfield in the Middle East, a comparative test demonstrated the superiority of drilling fluids containing our sodium-based bentonite powder. The average drilling speed increased by 18%, and the number of wellbore collapse incidents decreased by 70% compared to conventional clay additives. This success can be attributed to the montmorillonite in bentonite powder, which forms a uniform filter cake, typically 1-3 mm thick, on the wellbore wall. This filter cake reduces fluid loss to the formation, with filter loss values ≤10 mL/30 min under API standard conditions, thereby preventing formation damage.

In addition to sodium-based bentonite, our product range includes calcium-based bentonite powder, which is well-suited for shallow well drilling and freshwater drilling scenarios. While calcium-based bentonite has a lower swelling capacity compared to its sodium-based counterpart, it offers better cost-effectiveness. When treated with sodium carbonate, a common activator, calcium-based bentonite can be transformed into sodium-calcium mixed bentonite. The performance of this mixed bentonite is comparable to that of natural sodium-based bentonite, making it suitable for medium-depth drilling operations, typically ranging from 1000 to 3000 meters.

Quality control is of utmost importance in our production of bentonite powder for drilling fluids. Our products adhere to strict standards, with key indicators meeting API Spec 13A requirements. These standards specify a montmorillonite content of ≥80%, a moisture content of ≤12%, a sand content of ≤2%, and a 325-mesh sieve residue of ≤0.5%. Each batch of products undergoes rigorous testing in our laboratory for viscosity, filter loss, and swelling rate, and a comprehensive quality inspection report is provided to our customers.

To cater to the diverse needs of global oil and gas customers, we offer customized bentonite powder solutions. For offshore drilling operations that utilize seawater, which has a high salinity, we modify the surface of bentonite powder with quaternary ammonium salts. This modification significantly improves the salt tolerance of the bentonite powder, ensuring that the drilling fluid maintains stable viscosity and low filter loss, even in seawater with a salinity of 35‰. In cold-region drilling environments, where downhole temperatures can drop to ≤0°C, we add antifreeze modifiers to the bentonite powder. This prevents the drilling fluid from freezing and ensures its normal circulation, enabling continuous and efficient drilling operations.

In terms of logistics, we prioritize the integrity of our products during transportation. Our bentonite powder is packaged in moisture-proof and anti-caking bags, typically 25 kg each, with an inner polyethylene film and an outer kraft paper bag coated with a waterproof layer. This packaging protects the bentonite powder from absorbing moisture during long-distance sea transportation. We have established strong partnerships with leading shipping companies such as Maersk and CMA CGM, ensuring that our products can be delivered to ports in the Middle East, Africa, and North America within 20-35 days.