Lube-Tech PUBLISHED BY LUBE: THE EUROPEAN LUBRICANTS INDUSTRY MAGAZINE Figure 1. Progression of off-shore drilling depths


Hence operators are now obliged to consider the environmental profile of chemicals and lubricants used in offshore applications as a priority. Similar methodologies relate to Vessel General Permit (VGP) and other such environmental initiatives.


As conventional sources of oil and gas decline, operators are increasingly turning their attention to unexplored or underdeveloped areas. High temperatures and/or high pressures are often found in these uncharted territories, presenting complex challenges including casing buckling, accelerated drilling fluid chemical reactions and formation collapse. Historically High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) wells were not considered achievable let alone commercially viable until the late 1990’s. By their nature, high pressure fields contain more hydrocarbons than those with normal conditions but the risks are much greater.


Under such extreme conditions many items of equipment and tools simply cease to function. This imposes very real limitations on much of the technology currently available to help develop these reservoirs. The challenge therefore is to meet the tough application performance criteria and develop a product that is able to operate in high pressure and or high temperature wells within the OSPAR environmental certification.


Oilfield Thread Compounds


Jet-Lube has specialised in supplying oilfield thread compounds for over 65 years. Thread compounds are applied to tool joints and drill collars on drill strings preventing seizure / wear as well as API tubing and casing joints in well casings forming an integral sealing function. The performance of thread compounds is characterised by four primary aspects: 1. Sealability 2. Frictional / Make up characteristics 3. Galling resistance / anti-wear. 4. Drilling and production fluid compatibly


Thread compounds in drill string applications require controlled, higher frictional properties to protect against down-hole make-up where as a casing compound must form effective seals for API connection designs proportionally lower torque. For most proprietary mechanical seal designs the seal properties are intended to be provided by the connection design itself, so conventional thread compounds designed to seal API connections can interfere with the mechanical connections. For the duration of its use the compound will be expected to protect against wear, galling, seizure and corrosion ensuring easy break outs and long term protection of the drill pipe / casing many of which are made from high grade metal alloys and therefore represent significant value assets. Such alloys have much greater corrosion resistance but are more susceptible to galling and wear. As well tubing must occasionally be removed and replaced when well flow decreases anti seize characteristics must be retained. Thread compounds must not break down during use or it can result in high break-out torques and / or dry connections which increase the potential for wear and damage. Additionally drilling mud compositions often utilize high pH additives to reduce corrosion as well as various surfactants to suspend cutting debris. These combinations result in “alkaline cleaner” type properties which cause most grease types to dissociate with time and temperature and result in thread compound adhesion problems. Without a sufficient coating of thread compound connections will not attain the proper engagement nor will adequately seal or resist galling.


ECF Product Formulation In order to meet the stringent requirements of the OCNS, Jet-Lube in cooperative development with VAM USA and Statoil developed an Environmentally Compliant Formula (ECF) product range. In order to achieve group E / Yellow, best in class environmental formulas jet-Lube had to consider:


LUBE MAGAZINE NO.137 FEBRUARY 2017 27


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