Drilling Fluids, Inc.
TECHNICAL SERVICES NEWSLETTER
Volume XIII, Number 5
LP-701 SWEEPS: A THICK
MYTH
Aaron Philips
L P-701 is an anionic moderately high weight
partially hydrolyzed sodium polyacrylamide
dispersed and suspended in mineral oil. Polyacryla-
mides are used in many applications from flocculat-
ing particles while dewatering, to inhibiting the
yield of clays by encapsulation. The acrylamide
molecule is RCH2CHRCONH2. The charges on the
CONH2 are capable of being highly delocalized.
Polyacrylamides can be both anionic or cationic.
For anionic polyacrylamides the negatively charged
LP-701 Myths
(Continued on page 2)
I studied the lives of great men
and famous women, and I found
that the men and women who got
to the top were those who did the
jobs they had in hand, with every-
thing they had of energy and en-
thusiasm and hard work.
- Harry S. Truman-
September 1, 2009
WHAT DO YOU WANT IT TO BE?
1. If SIDP is 25 and SICP is 500 psi, hydrostatic
pressure must be increased at least a) 525 psi,
b) 500 psi, c) 25 psi, d) not enough data.
2. LP-701 (PHPA) is an excellent: a) flocculant,
b) viscosifier, c) lubricant, d) filtrate reducer.
3. The sand content screen is 200 mesh because:
a) API sand is greater than 200 mesh, b) silt is
less than 200 mesh, c) finer screens are too ex-
pensive, d) Barite is finer than 200 mesh.
ANSWERS ON PAGE 5
LIFTING & SNAKES
What do Lifting and Snakes have to do with each
other? They can both hurt you but with a little cau-
tion the pain can be avoided. I’m going to go out on
a limb here and say that most people would tell you
that they are a whole lot more afraid of snakes, es-
pecially rattle snakes, than they are of lifting.
To put your mind at ease there are only about
8,000 cases of snakebite in the US every year. Back
injuries accounted for 235,960 in 2007 (Bureau of
Labor Statistics). This isn’t just for us old fogies,
the lifting sins you commit in your 20’s and 30’s
will come back to haunt you in your 50’s and 60’s
and beyond.
BEFORE YOU LIFT
Always warm up your body before you lift any
load. This is a good way to prevent muscle strains
Lifting & Snakes
(Continued on page 6)
Safety ALERT
RESPONSE REQUIRED
TECHNICAL SERVICES NEWSLETTER
LP-701 Myths
(Continued from page 1)
sites created on the polyacrylamide chain are avail-
able to attach to positively charged sites on particles
in the suspension (Hendricks 2006).
When initially formed clay particles are primar-
ily a neutrally charged matrix of silicon, oxygen,
and hydrogen atoms. These atoms are arranged in
tetrahedral and octahedral matrices in which the
oxygen and hydrogen atoms surround the silicon
atom. Over geologic time as the clay matrix weath-
ers and is exposed to solutions containing various
cations substitutions occur in some of the matrices.
Cations such as iron or aluminum are exchanged for
silicon atoms. The replacement cations have differ-
ent charges than the original cations so the charge
of the clay particle is no longer neutral. Due to the
natural abundance of elements that will fit the space
within the matrix, clay particles found in the drill-
ing fluid of most wells are negatively charged. In
water the negatively charged clays adsorb cations.
The local negative charges can only be satisfied
with monovalent cations such as potassium or so-
dium (Grim 1953). When divalent cations such as
calcium are adsorbed a local imbalance of positive
charge is created. This positive charge attracts
negatively charged particles from the solution such
as Cl– and anionic polyacrylamides.
The local positive charges of the adsorbed
cations on the clay matrix and the negative charge
of the polyacrylamide attract each other
(Somasundaran 2006). When the molecules bind
the charges are satisfied and a larger molecule is
formed. Many small clay particles become bound
together on these polyacrylamide chains which in-
creases these particles’ physical interactions.
Plastic viscosity is a function of the physical in-
teractions between the particles within the suspen-
sion (AADE 1999). Surface area of the particles is
increased as their number increases, size decreases
and surface is more irregular. This results in high
plastic viscosity. Yield point is a function of the
charges in the suspension, high numbers of unsatis-
fied charges produces high yield point.
Sweep Theory
Sweeps of high yield point fluids are run to
carry cuttings out of the hole and to prevent the
PAGE 2
VOLUME XIII NUMBER 5 September 1, 2009
buildup of material in the annulus which can lead to
stuck pipe and/or lost circulation. Cuttings trans-
port is a function of numerous factors and has been
well studied over the past decade. Primary factors
include annular velocity, pipe rotation, cuttings
load, yield point and low shear rate viscosity. Gen-
erally, if one of these factors is decreased below the
norm another must be increased to achieve similar
hole cleaning. Sweeps are often utilized to gauge
the efficiency of hole cleaning and to improve
cleaning when it is not practical to maintain good
enough hole cleaning while drilling.
Sweeps are of increased importance in high an-
gle or horizontal wells as flow rates are decreased
on the low side of the hole due to eccentric pipe po-
sitions. This constricted area is between the pipe
and the hole wall allows cuttings to fall out as the
fluid is slowed by friction with the pipe and hole
surfaces. The slowing force is greatest near the sur-
face and decreases the farther away the fluid is
from the surface. The wall’s friction results in a
laminar flow pattern when fluid is moving at a
moderate rate (non-turbulent flow) (Darley and
Gray 1988). The slower moving fluid at the low
side of the hole has less carrying capacity, so solids
build up in this part of the well. The high yield
point of a sweep carries out the built up solids in
slow moving parts of the annulus.
Recently we did some research to ascertain the
effectiveness of LP-701 as a material for sweeps.
The results indicated adding LP-701 to drilling
fluid increases the plastic viscosity but decreases
the yield point so it actually reduces the ability of
the fluid to clean the hole. When LP-701 is added to
a suspension of clay in water, such as water base
drilling fluid, it links together clay particles. This
linkage greatly increases the physical interactions
between the clay particles which in turn dramati-
cally increase plastic viscosity (Table 1). The LP-
701 also satisfies some of the charges on the matri-
ces in the suspension resulting in a decrease in the
total number of positive charges. This decrease in
positive charges results in a decrease in the yield
point (Table 1).
When added directly to fresh water LP-701 in-
creases the yield point of water but excepting a high
LP-701 Myths
(Continued on page 3)
 TECHNICAL SERVICES NEWSLETTER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 5 September 1, 2009
LP-701 Myths 0.8 ppb Liquid 1 ppb Liquid
(Continued from page 2) Zanvis HEC
600 RPM 9.0 11.4
Test LP-701 GEOZAN Yield Point Plastic Viscos-
(ml) (g) (YP) ity (PV) 300 RPM 5.8 4.4
1 0 0 22.6 20.1 Plastic Viscosity 3.2 7.0
2 0 0 36.7 20.1 Yield Point 2.6 -2.6
3 1 0 12.0 139.0 Table 3 Results from Liquid Xanvis and Liquid HEC
samples in fresh water.
4 1 0 18.0 116.0
5 0 1 75.0 57.0
in fresh water or Gel with cement in brackish water
6 0 1 75.0 59.0
provide a greater yield point at a lower cost than
Table 1 Aged mud sample sheared before test. any of the polymers (Table 4). At 33 pounds
Added LP-701 or GEOZAN to appropriate samples ($2.99) of GEO Gel per barrel a far greater yield
and mixed at low for 2 minutes then measured point is created in both fresh and brackish water
rheology. LP-701 decreased the yield point and than 2 ppb of LP-701. In salty water the addition of
increased the plastic viscosity. less than 1 ppb ($0.17) of Cement to the mixture
after shearing the Gel provides a yield point as high
concentration (2+ ppb) the yield point is still very as the Gel alone creates in fresh water (Table 4).
low. This increase is even more subdued in salty
Yield Point Cost per Barrel
water (Table 2). Treatment levels of LP-701 have -
typically ranged from 1-2 ppb in past field applica- 30 ppb Gel, 100 Cl 32.4 $2.72
tions. Currently this is equal to a cost per barrel of 33 ppb Gel, 100 Cl- 40.9 $2.99
$2.25-$4.50. 33 ppb Gel, 3,000 Cl- 16.3 $2.99
1 ppb 2 ppb 1 ppb 2 ppb 33 ppb Gel, 1 ppb Ce-
45.6 $3.16
LP-701 LP-701 GEOZAN GEOZAN ment, 3,000 Cl-
(YP) (YP) (YP) (YP) Table 4 Yield point from Gel, water, and cement
Fresh Water 5.0 17.4 8.3 22.7 mixes at two salinities.
3,000 Cl- 0.9 5.7 8.5 20.3
Xanthan gum viscosifiers such as GEOZAN are
12,000 Cl- 1.3 2.4 4.8 17.4
expensive (approximately 5 times the cost of LP-
Table 2 Yield Point of LP-701 and GEOZAN treated 701) but they work well to raise yield points in both
water samples of various salinities. Chloride levels fresh and brackish water. When the ability of LP-
controlled through the addition of sodium chloride. 701 to raise yield points is compared to treatments
of GEOZAN in equal amounts GEOZAN outper-
Tests were run with other liquid viscosifiers forms the LP-701 (Tables 1 and 2). When added to
such as Liquid Xanvis and Liquid HEC using $4.50 clay based mud the GEOZAN creates a substantial
of the product per barrel to compare for cost effec- positive change in the yield point with less of an in-
tiveness. This cost was equal to approximately 0.8 crease in the plastic viscosity. Brackish water in
ppb Liquid Xanvis or 1 ppb Liquid HEC. These which LP-701 would fail to provide a significant
relatively small treatments did not produce an ade- yield point GEOZAN is still able to substantially
quate increase in the yield point (Table 3). In fact raise the yield point of the fluid. GEOZAN also
they were even less effective than the LP-701 at in- has the advantage of being degradable so it can be
creasing the yield point. used for sweeps in production zones where other
If there is an isolated pit (pill pit) in which the LP-701 Myths
sweep can be mixed ahead of time, pure Gel sweeps (Continued on page 4)

PAGE 3
 TECHNICAL SERVICES NEWSLETTER
LP-701 Myths
(Continued from page 3)
non-degradable viscosifiers such as LP-701 could
damage the formation.
LP-701 should not be used for increasing the
yield point of sweeps except where it is mixed into
water in high concentrations. Additions of LP-701
to raise the yield point in clay base drilling mud, are
not only a waste of product but can also be counter-
productive (Table 1). Gel is the only economical
alternative currently recognized that will provide
yield points greater than 30. Should a separate mix-
ing pit not be available and the long mixing time be
an expensive waste of rig time, treatment with high
levels of Liquid Xanvis may be a good alternative.
Tests with 10 ppb of LP-701 ($22.50 per barrel)
in 3% KCl fluid have shown yield points of over
30. High concentrations of LP-701 require lots of
time to shear, maximum yield point of 43.0 being
reach after 170 minutes of shearing. With treat-
ments as high as 8 ppb of LP-701 ($18.00 per bar-
rel) yield points reached a maximum of 28.1 after
160 minutes of shearing. Though these high LP-
701 treatments do provide substantial yield points
for high viscosity sweeps it is not an instantaneous
process (Table 5).
Time 8 ppb LP-701 in 3% 10 ppb LP-701 in
(minutes) KCl (Yield Point) 3% KCl (Yield Point)
10 13.4 13.8
30 14.5 21.6
60 20.5 29.4
90 25.2 33.6
120 26.0 38.0
Table 5 Yield points for samples containing 3% KCl
and LP-701 sheared over different time periods.
Faster and potentially better alternatives to high
viscosity sweeps are also available to provide hole
cleaning in high angle wells. Studies have found
that high density sweeps (2-3 ppg increase over the
regular mud weight) may be more efficient at clean-
ing high angle or horizontal wells than high viscos-
ity sweeps. These high density sweeps also have
the potential to be quicker to mix than the high vis-
cosity sweeps since there is no need to wait for a
PAGE 4
VOLUME XIII NUMBER 5 September 1, 2009
viscosifier to yield. The high density sweeps in-
crease the buoyancy acting upon cuttings so that
they can be more easily picked up by the sweep
(Power et al 2000).
Tracking the effectiveness of sweep treatments
should be an important part of the process of run-
ning the sweeps. If the sweeps are not causing an
increase in cuttings transport then they are either
not needed due to adequate hole cleaning provided
by the drilling fluid or the sweeps are not effective
and a different approach to hole cleaning needs to
be taken. Without observing and tracking the ef-
fects of sweeps one can never know if they are
working until problems begin to occur.
Works Cited
American Association of Drilling Engineers
(AADE), Shale Shaker and Drilling Fluids
Systems: Techniques and Technology for Im-
proving Solids Control Management, Gulf
Professional Publishing, 1999.
Darley, H.C.H. and G.R. Gray, Composition and
Properties of Drilling and Completion Fluids,
Huston, 1988.
Grim, R. E., Clay Mineralogy. New York, 1968.
Hendricks, D.W., Water Treatment Unit Processes:
Physical and Chemical, CRC, 2006.
Power, D. J., C. Hight, D. Weisinger, C. Rimer,
“Drilling Practices and Sweep Selection for
Efficient Hole Cleaning in Deviated Well
Bores” paper SPE 62794 presented at the
2000 IADC/SPE Asia Pacific Drilling Tech-
nology, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 11-13 Sep-
tember 2000.
Somasundaran, P., Encyclopedia of Surface and
Colloid Science, v.4, CRC, 2006.
TECHNICAL SERVICES NEWSLETTER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 5 September 1, 2009

HOLE CLEANING polymeric fluid was greater than in water. An increase in

the moving-layer height in the polymeric fluid promotes
a more organized system. In addition, additional viscous

T he University of Tulsa has an ongoing Drilling Re-

search Project. Part of their equipment is a Low
Pressure Ambient Temperature flow loop. This loop con-
drag on the cuttings from the polymeric fluid reduces the
slip of the solid phase. Pipe rotation increases cuttings
suspension. The combination of the phenomena in-
sists of a clear pipeline to simulate the well bore. It has creases the cuttings velocity substantially.
an 8” inside diameter and is equipped with a 4 1/2” drill For the polymer-based fluids, the turbulence created
pipe. The hole section is 100’ in length. Rotational speed by pipe rotation is less severe than the turbulent state
of the drill pipe can be as high as 140 rpm. observed with water. The non-Newtonian behavior of
“Accurate models of cuttings transport should be the fluid promotes a dampening effect on system turbu-
used to estimate the difference in the time required for lence. Moreover, turbulent velocity fluctuations become
drilling mud and cuttings to reach surface from the same less severe, promoting a more organized velocity field.
location.”
“During cuttings-lag experiments, an equilibrium
flow with three distinct layers was observed: a layer of
dilute suspended solids at the top of the annulus
MSDS
(suspended layer), a stationary cuttings bed at the bot-
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are required when
tom of the annulus (stationary bed), and an intermediate
selling large quantities of almost anything. I have re-
layer of moving solids (moving bed) that travels along
ceived MSDS for everything from Hydrochloric Acid
the top of the stationary cuttings bed and separates it
to Distilled water. The reason for these documents is to
from the suspended layer.
alert the consumer to possible hazards. Many house-
It allows a comparison of the cuttings velocity and
hold products that may have a hazardous byproduct
the true fluid velocity.”
contain the most important parts of the MSDS on their
“For the horizontal configuration without pipe rota-
label.
tion, no difference in the cuttings velocity for water or
Mike Needham forwarded a story from the web of
the polymer fluid is observed. In contrast to the horizon-
a welder who almost killed himself with a little brake
tal case, a significant difference between the cuttings ve-
cleaning fluid. He was using the fluid to clean pitted
locity in the polymer-based fluid and water is observed
areas of a tank that was badly corroded. He normally
if the inclination is 20° from horizontal, where the aver-
used carburetor cleaner for this job but had run out. His
age cuttings velocity is 12% larger for the polymeric
job was to patch the holes using a TIG welder.
fluid. In addition, a slight increase of the moving-layer
When he heated the metal a drop of brake cleaner
height is observed for the inclined configuration when
flashed to steam and he inhaled part of a tiny cloud of
the polymeric fluid is used.”
smoke. After feeling ill he read the label and found it
Drillpipe Rotation. For all configurations and fluids,
said “Vapors may decompose to harmful or fatal corro-
pipe rotation had a positive effect on cuttings velocity.
sive gasses such as hydrogen chloride and possibly
Pipe rotation is a source of kinetic energy and has multi-
phosgene.” It turned out that in the unlikely event that
ple effects on the drilling system. Without a cuttings
the fluid is quickly heated in the presence of argon gas
bed, pipe rotation would cause helical flow in the annu-
that phosgene is formed. This happens in certain types
lus. However, the presence of a cuttings bed on one side
of welding.
of the pipe interferes with the helical trajectory of the
Phosgene poisoning is untreatable and can cause all
cuttings, thus causing a change in flow pattern. Highly
sorts of serious damage. This is what happened to the
turbulent flow also was observed during pipe rotation
welder.
with water.
The moral of the story, according to the injured fel-
A clear increase in cuttings velocity was observed
low, was “I hope to save someone from an easily avoid-
when the pipe was rotated. Those increases are from 11
able severe illness or even death. Read the labels and
to 19%.
warnings!”
Random suspensions created by turbulence promote
drafting. The drag force on an object is reduced when
the object is protected or shielded by an object in front
of it, so it tends to follow the same trajectory. A reduced 3. d) Barite is finer then 200 mesh
drag force reduces the slip velocity. Clusters of moving 2. a) flocculant
particles were observed when the pipe was rotated.
1. c) 25 psi
The combined effect of inclination, fluid, and pipe
rotation was seen in the polymeric fluid. Velocity in the ANSWERS TO WHAT DO YOU WANT IT TO BE?

PAGE 5
TECHNICAL SERVICES NEWSLETTER
Lifting & Snakes
(Continued from page 1)
and pulls.
Stretch your back with upward reaches and con-
tinue to loosen tight muscles with simple side and
back bends.
LIFTING SAFETY
Let your abdomen, legs, and buttocks do the
work.
Get close to the load.
Grab the load safely with your hands placed un-
der the object.
Bend your knees, with feet slightly spread for
balance and stability.
Keep your head, shoulders, and hips in a
straight line as you lift. Do not twist.
Reverse these steps when you set a load down.
Move slowly and smoothly without twisting.
Lifting an object from a sitting position is never
a good idea.
ELIMINATE THE LIFT
Is there another way to move
the object? No matter how well
you prepare, lifting still puts a
strain on your back. Consider get-
ting help or using mechanical as-
sistance. Roll, push or –pull the
object to its destination. Redesign
the task to eliminate the lift.
RATTLE SNAKES
The warmer weather calls to
outdoor enthusiasts and snakes
alike, making encounters of the
slithering kind inevitable. Califor-
nia has a variety of snakes, most
of which are benign. The excep-
tion is California's only native
venomous snake - the rattlesnake.
Rattle snakes of various varieties
are found all over the United
States.
Rattlesnakes can cause serious
injury to humans - on rare occa-
sions even death. Generally not
aggressive, rattlesnakes strike
PAGE 6
VOLUME XIII NUMBER 5 September 1, 2009
when threatened or deliberately provoked, but
given room they will retreat. Most snake bites occur
when a rattlesnake is handled or accidentally
touched by someone walking or climbing.
Approximately 8,000 people annually are
treated for poisonous snake bites
in the United States. The Califor-
nia Poison Control Center notes
that rattlesnakes only account for
about 800 of those bites each year
with about one to two deaths.
California rattlesnake species in-
clude the Northern Pacific rattle-
snake (also called the Timber Rat-
tler) in Northern California and in
Southern California the Western
Diamondback, Sidewinder,
Speckled rattlesnake, Red Dia-
mond rattlesnake, Southern Pa-
cific, Great Basin rattlesnake and
the Mojave rattlesnake.
The potential of running
into a rattlesnake should not deter
anyone from venturing outdoors,
but there are several precautions
that can be taken to lessen the
chance of being bitten when out
in snake country. Rattlesnakes
live from sea level to the inland
prairies and desert areas to the
mountains at elevations of more
Lifting & Snakes
(Continued on page 7)
TECHNICAL SERVICES NEWSLETTER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 5 September 1, 2009
Lifting & Snakes Timber
(Continued from page 6)
Rattlesnake
than 10,000 feet.
Though uncommon, rattlesnake bites do occur. The
first thing to do if bitten is to stay calm. Generally, the
most serious effect of a rattlesnake bite to an adult is lo-
cal tissue damage which needs to be treated. Children,
because they are smaller, are in more danger if they are
bitten.
Get to a doctor as soon as possible, but stay calm.
Frantic, high-speed driving places the victim at greater
risk of an accident and increased heart rate. If the doctor
is more than 30 minutes away, elevate the bite and then
try to get to the doctor as quickly as possible.
"Remember; watch where you walk, where you
put your hands, and stay focused at all times"
CUT HERE - Return Lower Portion

GEO Drilling Fluids, Inc. ! P.O. Box 1478 ! Bakersfield, CA 93302

Telephone (661) 325-5919 ! FAX (661) 325-5648 !1-800-GETSGEO ! geodf@geodf.com

SAFETY COMMUNICATION
I have read the safety bulletin covering Lifting and Snakes in the GEO Technical Newsletter of
September 1, 2009 (Volume XIII Number 5).

1. The first thing to do if bitten by a rattle-

Print your name:
snake is:
Signed: ,

Date: 2. How many back injuries were there in the

Comments: U.S. in 2007?

3. Lifting heavy objects from a seated position

is:

Please answer the questions, sign, date and return to Andy Philips, Safety Coordinator / Tech-
nical Services Manager within one month of publication date. Any comments would be ap-
preciated. E-mail response accepted.

PAGE 7