Gilsonite supplier for drilling mud additive

Gilsonite supplier for Drilling Mud Additive

We are a direct supplier and processor and mine owner of high-quality Gilsonite, specifically tailored for use as a drilling mud additive in oil and gas operations.

Gilsonite functions as a powerful additive in both water-based and oil-based drilling fluids. It enhances the mud’s viscosity, gel strength, and suspension capability, allowing for effective transport of cuttings from the borehole to the surface. By doing so, it helps minimize stuck pipe risks and ensures better hole cleaning, especially in deviated wells. The presence of Gilsonite also helps maintain mud stability under various temperature and pressure conditions. It acts as a cost-effective alternative to many synthetic polymers used in mud formulations.

Oil-Based Mud Enhancer (OBM)

In OBM systems, Gilsonite plays multiple roles, including emulsification, thermal protection, and sag prevention.

It enhances the dispersion of water droplets in oil, ensuring the emulsion remains stable during circulation and while static. Its resilience under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions prevents breakdown of the mud, keeping properties consistent. Additionally, Gilsonite helps maintain barite suspension, reducing sag and ensuring uniform mud weight across the wellbore. This improves the safety and predictability of the drilling operation.

Lost Circulation Material (LCM)

Gilsonite is widely used as a Lost Circulation Material in both intermediate and production zones. Its granular structure allows it to bridge and seal microfractures, vugs, and highly permeable formations. This reduces or completely halts the loss of expensive drilling fluids into the formation. In many cases, Gilsonite can be used in combination with fibrous or flaky LCMs to form a robust seal. It also helps to minimize formation damage and avoid costly downtime caused by severe mud losses.

Shale Stabilizer

Reactive shale formations often pose major drilling problems such as swelling, sloughing, and borehole collapse.

Gilsonite helps mitigate these risks by forming a hydrophobic film on the exposed shale surfaces. This coating prevents water intrusion into the formation, effectively reducing shale reactivity. Additionally, the presence of Gilsonite enhances borehole stability by reducing mechanical erosion of soft rocks. This leads to fewer interruptions during drilling and better control over directional wells.

Filtration Control Agent

Filtration control is crucial to prevent the invasion of filtrate into productive zones, which could lead to formation damage. Gilsonite aids in forming a tight, thin filter cake that adheres well to the borehole wall. This cake minimizes filtrate invasion and reduces the likelihood of differential sticking. In OBMs, Gilsonite particles help balance filter cake permeability without impairing circulation. The improved filter cake also enhances wellbore integrity, especially in fragile formations with varying pore pressures.

High-Temperature Drilling Fluid Stabilizer

In HPHT wells, many standard additives degrade and lose effectiveness. Gilsonite, with a softening point of up to 220°C, provides long-term stability under extreme downhole temperatures. It resists thermal decomposition, ensuring that mud properties remain intact even in deep, hot formations. By contributing to the structural integrity of mud cakes and emulsions, Gilsonite prevents breakdowns and unplanned non-productive time. This makes it ideal for geothermal wells and extended-reach drilling projects.

Friction Reducer in Drilling

Drilling through deviated or horizontal wells introduces significant torque and drag on the drill string. Gilsonite’s lubricating effect reduces friction between the drill pipe and the wellbore wall. This leads to smoother operations, especially in tight or crooked well paths. By decreasing mechanical resistance, Gilsonite helps improve the Rate of Penetration (ROP) and extends the lifespan of the Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA). This ultimately reduces operational costs and increases drilling efficiency.

Cementing Additive

Gilsonite is a trusted cementing additive due to its lightweight and flexible nature. It is often used to reduce the slurry density in weak formations, minimizing formation fracturing. In cement slurries, Gilsonite acts as a bridging and plugging agent, enhancing bonding and sealing capacity. It also adds flexibility to the hardened cement, allowing it to withstand thermal cycling and mechanical stress. This is particularly useful in wells susceptible to gas migration or casing pressure build-up.

Plugging Agent in Wellbore

When drilling through fractured or unconsolidated formations, fluid loss is a serious concern. Gilsonite serves as a plugging agent that can form a physical seal over loss zones. Its high compressive strength and chemical inertness allow it to create long-lasting plugs without interfering with well operations. Unlike other materials, it won’t dissolve or deteriorate under harsh downhole conditions. Gilsonite plugs help maintain mud circulation and reduce the need for expensive remedial work.

Emulsifier in Oil-Based Mud (OBM)

A stable emulsion is critical in OBM systems to prevent phase separation and loss of performance. Gilsonite enhances the emulsification of water droplets within the oil base, contributing to a uniform and stable mud. This ensures consistent flow properties and thermal stability, even in challenging well profiles. The emulsification also helps prevent sedimentation of solids and maintains proper hydrostatic pressure. Gilsonite works in synergy with other emulsifiers, often improving overall mud formulation quality.

Bituminous Cement in Wellbore

In cementing applications, Gilsonite provides resilience and flexibility that traditional cement lacks. By incorporating Gilsonite into the slurry, operators can develop a cement system that withstands formation movement and pressure fluctuations. The result is a more reliable cement sheath that maintains zonal isolation over time. Gilsonite also helps reduce slurry density without sacrificing compressive strength. This makes it ideal for use in depleted reservoirs or overpressured zones where lightweight slurries are essential.

Anti-Sloughing Additive

Unconsolidated or brittle formations tend to break off into the wellbore, causing sloughing problems. Gilsonite coats the borehole wall with a thin film that holds the formation together. It reduces the occurrence of stuck pipe, excessive drag, and borehole enlargement. Its natural tackiness and sealing capability make it more effective than traditional anti-sloughing agents in many scenarios. It is especially beneficial in directional and horizontal wells where borehole conditions are more demanding.

Asphaltene Control

Asphaltenes are heavy molecular weight hydrocarbons that precipitate under pressure and temperature changes, leading to plugging. Gilsonite helps disperse asphaltenes in drilling fluids and crude oils, reducing their tendency to agglomerate. This minimizes blockage risks in downhole tools, tubing, and surface equipment. As a control agent, Gilsonite improves flow assurance and maintains production rates. It’s commonly used in both upstream drilling and midstream pipeline applications.

Mud Cake Strengthener

The strength and quality of the mud cake are vital for protecting the formation and ensuring successful cementing. Gilsonite helps create a mud cake that is tough, thin, and impermeable. This reduces filtrate loss and prevents the cake from peeling or eroding in turbulent flow. A strong mud cake also prevents differential sticking and maintains borehole integrity. Gilsonite-enhanced mud cakes are especially effective in fractured formations where standard filter cakes fail to perform.

Packing of Gilsonite

Export packing of (Gilsonite) is according to customer demand but we recommend to choose the best possible to protect again humidity and sun. Normally oil companies take 50LBS paper bag as they need to be recycled and pass the ISO certificates.

In 50LBS or 25Kg multi paper bag or PP bag, we are using 34 bag per pallet and 20 pallet per 20ft container.Inside of the bags are seal and validity of the goods would be 10 years.

In case customer need big bag we have two options of 500Kg and 1 tons jumbo bag and inside of the bags is liner to keep away from air and humidity.

We can use wooden or plastic pallet under the jumbo bag to easy handling during multimodal transport.

Quality of Gilsonite

Premium quality of Gilsonite® is depending on location of mining. If in the core of mine doing mining the best quality we will have and on beside is more impurity contained.Also when using Gilsonite, it’s important to use high-quality products that are appropriate for the intended application. Care should also be taken to handle Gilsonite safely, as it can be a combustible material and may cause skin irritation or other health effects if not used properly. Appropriate protective equipment, such as gloves and safety glasses, should be worn when handling Gilsonite.

Gilsonite particle size

As it is brittle material easily powdering accordingly to customer requirement? We can produce from 10 mesh to 30-40 mesh then 70-100 mesh and 150-200 mesh also 325 and 600.Depend on each application side of Gilsonite powder would be different and we will advise customer how to use it.

Grades and requirements

Important grade of Gilsonite categorizing by mesh, softening point, solubility and impurities and the rest item is not in contract as it is mineral natural and day by day and location by location is different. If customer focus on one item would be loser. I mean if for instance requires high softening point then there is not solubility or less impurity the same.

Gilsonite for sales in oil well drilling

Normally customer asking sample before confirming order. When we sell it is same as available sample and any time available to collect and test. Normally we ask application, if used before or not? Where is destination? What kind of packing you are looking for?

Delivery time and readiness

Delivery time is depend on marking of customer, some of them need to color print on the bag so we have to wait to get ready so if they need special requirement we need to wait but if the order is in plain and no mark then during 7 days we can fill 200MT for them 200mesh and 400MT 30-40 mesh in jumbo bag.

Why we are No.1 exporter of Gilsonite

Since 15 years we are working from A to Z of → Gilsonite as mining and exploration, pulverization and packing , transport and exporting, inspection, packaging, international requirement and standard, financial and global reference in this type of business for this material and stocking in Dubai , Singapore , Malaysia , USA and Turkey. We know what you need to work for you.

Specification of Gilsonite