BRINE

S
Lesson 4
Ivan Turin
1
 INTRODUCTION
TO BRINES
WHAT IS
BRINE ?
Brines or clear - fluid system are aqueous
salt solutions (salt solution in the water).
(Usually sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), calcium
chloride (CaCl2), calcium bromide (CaBr2), and zinc bromide (ZnBr2).

Brines are Newtonian (water-like) fluids free of

suspended solids, which as such satisfy part of the
design criteria for workover and completion fluids.
Brines are frequently used for drilling, completion
and workover operations for density control and
inhibition.
2
 Brine or Clear - fluid
system selection
Density

Crystallization point

Brine / formation water compatibility

Corrosion

3
 Density
By selecting suitable water soluble salts or mixtures of salt, brines
can be formulated in a density range from 9,81 to 22,56 kPa/m
(1000-2300 kg/m3).

Brine Brine Operational Density

kg/m3
NaCl 1000 to approx. 1175
CaCl 2 1000 to approx. 1390
NaCl and CaCl 2 1200 to 1350 (NaCl begins precipitation at 1220)
KCl 1000 to approx. 1165
CaCl 2 and CaBr2 1402 to 1809
CaBr2 and ZnBr2 1809 to 2300

4
 Crystallization point

A brine's crystallization point is the temperature at

which salt crystals will begin to fall out of solution
given sufficient time and proper nucleating
conditions.

(Note: Nucleation is the process by which insoluble

matter provides a physical platform upon which
crystals can form).

5
 Brine/formation
water compatibility
To select the correct brine type, consider the potential
interactions of the completion or workover fluid with
formation solids, water, and gases

6
 Corrosion

The corrosivity of a completion or workover fluid

depends on its type.

Monovalent fluids generally show low corrosivity,

even at temperatures exceeding 204C (400F).

The corrosivity of divalent fluids depends on the

density and chemical composition of the fluid.

7
POTASSODIUM CHLORIDE
(KCl)

8
SODIUM CHLORIDE
(NaCl)

9
End of Lesson
4
ANY QUESTIONS ?

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