Product Bulletin

SALT(SODIUM CHLORIDE)

SALT is the common name for sodium chloride (NaCl). This widelyavailable commercial chemical is an economical product for formu-lating clear solids-free workover and completion fluids to 10 lb/gal(SG 1.2). Drilling fluid applications for SALT include: increasing den-sity, increasing shale inhibition by decreasing water activity, reducingsalt dissolution when drilling halite SALT sections, reducing the freez-ing point of water-base fluids and to reduce the potential of forminggas hydrates.

Physical appearance . . . . . . . . . . . . White crystalline powderSpecific gravity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.16 (as an insoluble solid)Solubility @ 68°F (20°C) . . . . . . . . . . 36 g/100 ml waterBulk density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135.4 lb/ft3 (2,168.9 kg/m3)

TYPICAL PHYSICALPROPERTIES

APPLICATIONSSALT is used to increase density andshale inhibition and reduce salt for-mation dissolution, freezing pointand gas hydrate potential in a widevariety of water- and oil-base drilling

fluids. To build one barrel of satu-rated salt brine, approximately 109 lb (49.44 kg) of SALT is mixed in 0.886 bbl (0.141 m3) of water, as per the data in the table below.

Weight SG Density Cl- Na+ NaCl Water Cryst. Pt. Water(%) (kg/l) (lb/gal) (mg/l) (mg/l) (lb/bbl) (bbl) (°F) Activity

1 1.005 8.38 6,127 3,973 3.5 0.995 30.9 0.994

2 1.013 8.44 12,254 7,946 7.1 0.992 29.9 0.989

3 1.020 8.50 18,563 12,037 10.7 0.989 28.8 0.983

4 1.027 8.56 24,932 16,168 14.4 0.986 27.7 0.977

5 1.034 8.62 31,363 20,337 18.1 0.982 26.5 0.970

6 1.041 8.68 37,914 24,586 21.9 0.979 25.3 0.964

8 1.056 8.81 51,260 33,240 29.6 0.971 22.9 0.950

10 1.071 8.93 64,970 42,130 37.5 0.964 20.2 0.935

12 1.086 9.05 79,044 51,256 45.6 0.955 17.3 0.919

14 1.101 9.18 93,481 60,619 53.9 0.947 14.1 0.902

16 1.116 9.31 108,344 70,256 62.5 0.938 10.6 0.883

18 1.132 9.44 123,570 80,130 71.3 0.928 6.7 0.862

20 1.148 9.57 139,282 90,318 80.4 0.918 2.4 0.839

22 1.164 9.71 155,357 100,743 89.6 0.908 -2.5 0.815

24 1.180 9.84 171,858 111,442 99.2 0.897 1.4 0.788

26 1.197 9.98 188,843 122,457 109.0 0.886 27.9 0.759

Properties based on 100% purity NaCl and 68°F (20°C).% Volume SALT = 100 x (1.0 - bbl water).

LIMITATIONS

©1997 M-I Drilling Fluids L.L.C. All rights reserved. MI-11902 3M 7/97 Litho in U.S.A.

P.O. Box 721110Houston, Texas 77272-1110Tel: 281·561·1300Fax: 281·561·7240http://www.midf.comE-mail: mimud@midfre.com

• Saturated SALT (sodium chloride)brines are limited in density to 10 lb/gal (SG 1.2).

TOXICITY AND HANDLING

Bioassay information is availableupon request.

Handle as an industrial chemical,wearing protective equipment

and observing the precautions asdescribed on the Transportation andMaterial Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

PACKAGING AND STORAGE

SALT is usually packaged in 80- and100-lb (36.3- and 45.4-kg), and 50-kg (110-lb), multi-wall, papersacks; and is available in bulk.

Store in a dry location away fromsources of heat or ignition, andminimize dust.

NOTE: SALT, being a commercialchemical, is available from numeroussources with various degrees of purityand with various levels of contamina-tion depending on manufacturer andgrade. Fine evaporated or low-calciumgrades are recommended for mostclear, solids-free brine applications.

This material is supplied solely for informational purposes and M-I Drilling Fluids L.L.C.makes no guarantees or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the accu-racy or use of this data. All product warranties and guarantees shall be governed by theStandard Terms of Sale.

• Widely available economical product for density and inhibition.ADVANTAGES

Sodium chloride brines are usedextensively in low-density, clear-fluid workover and completionoperations such as shallow, low-pressure wells which do not requirethe special inhibitive properties ofcalcium or potassium systems. It canalso be used to adjust the density of

other non-saturated brines such asseawater, potassium chloride andammonium chloride.

The density of SALT solutions isaffected by temperature and pres-sure. For high-temperature applica-tions, the effect of temperature andpressure should be considered.

APPLICATIONS(CONTINUED)