Flow behavior and thermal resistance of xanthan gum in formate brine

Abstract

Drilling and completion operations in HP/HT environments demand the use of environmentally friendly fluids with suitable properties such as solid-free high-density and pseudoplastic behavior. Xanthan gum solutions in different brines may be an interesting alternative to ensure a suitable thermo-rheological behavior and biodegradability. Nevertheless, xanthan exposed at high temperature experiences thermal degradation that can modify the flow properties over time and limits the ceiling temperature of oilfield applications. To gain insight on this issue, this paper characterizes the flow behavior of low concentration XT solutions in calcium and potassium brines, evaluating the effect that potassium formate exerts on both the flow properties and the resistance to thermal degradation of xanthan solutions as a function of the biopolymer concentration. Xanthan in formate brine retains the pseudoplastic behavior up to 190ºC, however, low concentrate solutions undergo a thermal degradation that decreases the recovery of pseudoplasticity after being exposed to high temperature.