Oilfield Drilling

Essential Components for Today’s Demanding Drilling Fluids

Kelco Oil Field Group (KOFG) offers quality products and customer focused technical sales support serving the oil and gas industry. KOFG markets a complete line of natural water-based biopolymers and cellulosic polymers, as well as specialty additives designed to add value and improve the functionality of water-based fluids used in drilling, work-over, completion and EOR applications.

Our goal is simple—help develop and promote products and solutions that reduce total well costs while maintaining maximum production potential. We achieve this through cost effective, often unique products, responsive customer service and a dedicated team of sales and technical service personnel.

Formed in 1965 as a dedicated business unit, Kelco Oil Field Group introduced xanthan gum commercially to the drilling fluids industry as KELZAN® XC polymer, a unique rheology modifier. Since a 2004 acquisition, our product offering, under the J M Huber Company banner, now includes a full range of poly anionic cellulosics (PAC’s) and carboxymethyl cellulosics (CMC’s).

Our long-term commitment to the oil and gas industry has been key to our success and we intend to build on the trust our customers have come to expect of our people, products and services. With headquarters in Houston, Texas, Kelco Oil Field Group serves the industry with a global staff of industry specific sales, customer service and technical personnel, including distribution points throughout the world.


Product Applications

Kelco Oil Field Group products are used in these industry segments:

  • Conventional Drilling Fluids
  • Drill-in Fluids
    • Horizontal Drilling
    • Coiled Tubing
    • Gravel Packing
    • Clean-out Fluids
  • Milling Operations
  • Spacer Fluids

Performance

Fluids formulated with Kelco Oil Field Group products reduce total well cost through:

  • Enhanced hole cleaning efficiency and suspension properties
  • Increased penetration rates
  • Improved hydraulics by reducing friction pressure losses
  • Improved well bore stability
  • Minimizing formation damage
  • Reducing torque and drag in high angle wells
  • Minimizing fluid disposal costs
  • Reducing transportation costs

Key Applications

In oil field drilling applications, xanthan, welan and diutan gum have proven to be successful drilling-fluid viscosifiers due to their unique rheological characteristics that enhance hole cleaning and suspension properties. Carboxymethyl cellulose has been used for over 50 years as a key additive to provide fluid loss control, shale encapsulation and to supplement viscosity in water-based drilling fluids.

In hydraulic fracturing and gravel packing, clarified xanthan gum is used to suspend and transport proppants. Clarified xanthan gum is functional in workover and completion fluids and offers superior suspending ability and reduced damage to the oil and gas producing zone.

Cement and concrete systems require water-retention additives that also assist in the suspension of particulates. Due to the enhanced compatibility of welan and diutan with cementitious systems, they can be used as additives in cement slurries or in the formulation of spacer fluids for cementing applications.

KOFG remains dedicated to the development and application of hydrocolloid technology to meet today’s demanding environments and customer needs.

Kelco Oil Field Group sales, marketing, and technical personnel include industry specialists who provide a vital understanding of biopolymers, drilling fluid formulations and applications to optimize fluid performance in the field.


Please contact a CP Kelco representative for more details.