EthicalChem Releases New Filter Cake Remover

    COLLEGE STATION, TX, February 10, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- EthicalChem announced today the release of MudOut, a cost effective, single-step approach to removing drilling mud filter cake. With a single treatment this streamlined product reduces time between well development and oil production by altering surface wettability, creating acidic conditions, and removing organic and inorganic components of built-up filter cake.

"Conventional filter cake removal methods require multiple formulations and injections steps which result in time consuming, expensive treatments." said Dan Socci, CEO of EthicalChem. "MudOut's unique formula simultaneously addresses multiple filter cake components, significantly lowering overall treatment costs and bringing wells into production faster. We are very pleased with the market reaction to this new product."

Following extensive testing in collaboration with the Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M University, MudOut has been proven to disperse oil-based filter cake and remove internal damage without significant corrosion impacts on steel and without a series of pretreatment stages. Dr. Hisham Nasr-El-Din Texas A&M University Professor and holder of the John Edgar Holt Chair, who oversaw product testing, said "We were pleased to test the MudOut product. It truly represents a significant advancement in filter cake removal technology, in terms of both filter cake removal performance and elimination of costly steps required by conventional treatment approaches."

In Texas A&M tests conducted under a broad range of temperature and brine conditions, MudOut consistently removed 98% of filter cake. In comparison tests against formic acid, MudOut removed 95% of filter cake after four hours, while formic acid removed only 78%. In addition, a retained permeability stimulation effect from the MudOut treatment was observed from a permeability ratio (kf/ki) of 2.1. In comparison, a formic acid treatment permeability ratio was 1.2 under the same test conditions.

The core technology in MudOut is the innovative, proprietary surfactant and oxidant system which works to address both the organic and inorganic components of filter cake. The plant-based green surfactant solubilizes and emulsifies hydrocarbons while the oxidant addresses polymers. Additionally, decomposition products create temporary acidic conditions at the tail end of the process which dissolve inorganic filter cake components such as calcium carbonates. MudOut treatments can be well-specific. The formulations ensure controlled, uniform reactions, and avoid partial filter cake removal or wormholes, in contrast to existing technologies. MudOut works effectively in varied conditions including high temperatures and high brine concentrations.

Further information is available on page 60 of the February edition of E&P magazine, which can be found here, E&P Magazine, as well as the EthicalChem website.

EthicalChem is a division of Ethical Solutions, LLC which is privately held by the Shepard Group.
EthicalChem technology development was initiated to address a technically challenging problem in the environmental industry - non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) soil contamination. Treating this material through conventional chemical oxidation poses both physical and economic difficulties. The use of EthicalChem plant-based surfactants with environmentally friendly oxidants delivers NAPL to the aqueous phase where it can be easily be destroyed by oxidants or extracted.

Through years of research and development collaboration with universities, commercial entities, and government agencies, EthicalChem's technologies have expanded and evolved into leading edge solutions for the environmental and oil production industries. Oil industry plant-based formulas include high flash-point, low vapor, safer solvents and also provide leadership performance in removing oil based drilling mud during well completion.

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