The ARC aphron fluid systems are very different from other surfactant and micellar based fluid technologies. The technology design involves dynamic multiple phase flow that controls whole fluid, filtrate and solids invasion into your reservoir. The co-polymers and surfactants package, or “aphrons”, in the ARC aphron fluid systems give the fluid some very unique properties. The ability of this fluid technology to deliver solids free invasion control is a key differentiator from perceived competitive products.

ARC aphron fluid systems overcome the operating hurdles normally associated with high annular and low reservoir pressure differentials. The minimally invasive micro-environment seal that is formed within the reservoir mitigates the potential for differential sticking. In so doing, the use of full density fluids within highly depleted reservoirs becomes the norm. ARC aphron fluid systems therefore serves as an optimizing fluid medium serving as a bridge between low pressure reservoirs and downhole tools idealizing their compatibilities. The net result being the drilling, completion and workover conditions are optimized allowing for efficient well construction operations, enhanced cleanup by speeding up the rate of fluid recovery, increased initial production rates and improved operating costs.

The aphrons rapidly aggregate within the reservoir as soon as the ARC aphron fluid systems comes in contact with it. The LSRV within this micro-environment seal increases dramatically driving up resistance to invasion aiding in leakoff control. The aggregated aphron seal is simply removed by reducing the annular pressure below that of the reservoir pressure allowing the aphrons to back flow. This technique has been applied with success around the world on hundreds of wells. In most cases no workover rig was needed to cleanup the well as it flowed naturally.

A series of horizontal wells were drilled in an environment where very high annular to reservoir pressure differentials existed across high porosity and high permeability sands. Differential sticking and related issues historically translated into significant lost time and cost overruns. The ARC aphron fluid systems serve as a technological bridge between the formations and the drilling equipment negating the differential sticking issues, allowing for the use of a full density fluid ensuring stability of exposed normally pressured shale’s, enabled the use of LWD technology and optimized overall well construction performance. The net result was a 45 percent reduction in well construction time (22 – 25 days versus the historical 43 days) and all wells achieving their design criteria.

Aphron fluid technology has enabled the redesign of wells in mature fields driving improved field economics into the picture. When reservoir depletion has you thinking your only solution is intermediate pipe to potentially achieve your well design objective, think again. Time and time again ARC aphron fluid technologies have mitigated the issues associated within these challenging mature environments, enabling the use of full density fluids, optimizing the working environment and eliminating the need for an intermediate string of pipe. The net result with some clients has reduced their well construction costs by $1,500,000 00 - $2,000,000 00 per well.

Aphron technology has been employed in many workover scenarios around the globe. The features of full density fluids, controlled invasion, controlled leakoff, expedient clean up, environmental friendliness, ease of use and proven performance make it a quality value choice. Over and over again operators are realizing time and cost savings as a result of this technology as exemplified by the accompanying graph. It is hard to argue with such success.

The ARC aphron fluid technology product line has been used on hundreds of wells to date in various global settings with consistent success in controlled invasion and leakoff, improved wellsite operations, accelerated fluid recoveries, improved production profiles and improved well design efficiencies. The technology has been deployed in various phases of drilling and production with very positive results.