Importance of HEC in Oilfield Applications
The oilfield industry requires specialized materials that can withstand high pressures, extreme temperatures and varying chemical conditions.TENESSY® Hydroxyethyl Cellulose HEC can be used as an additive to non-dispersed brine bentonite clay slurries to reduce water loss and improve viscosity without increasing gel strength. Also, the application of TENESSY® HEC in drilling muds improves clay dispersion in wells and prevents well caving.The versatility and environmental benefits of HEC make it a key component of modern oilfield technology.TENESSY® HEC for oil drilling applications
HEC for drilling fluids
Drilling fluids, also known as drilling muds, are used to cool the drill bit, stabilize the wellbore and transport cuttings to the surface. Ensuring the safety and efficiency of drilling operations requires maintaining the proper balance of fluid properties. Hydroxyethyl cellulose-containing drilling fluids are commonly utilized for hard rock drilling and unique scenario drilling, including high and low shale formations, pressure anomalies, excessive water loss, and circulating water leakage management. Large borehole and open hole drilling operations also make good use of it. TENESSY®HEC can be used in drilling mud to chill the iron filings and drill cuttings and bring them to the surface, increasing the mud’s ability to carry rock because of its thickening, suspending, and lubricating qualities.
TENESSY® hydroxyethyl cellulose HEC can also be used in drilling muds as a non-fermentable protective gel for oil well treatments, and for assay work at high pressures (20 MPa) and temperatures.HEC is used as a thickening and cementing agent in oil well workover fluids. It helps to provide a clarified solution with a low fixed content, which greatly minimizes damage to the well structure.
It was once used as a well hole expanding and carrying sand solution, which was effective and put into practice. The use of hydroxyethyl cellulose can also greatly improve the mud’s loss-of-filtration properties and substantially increase the stability of the mud.
HEC for well completion and workover
In order to finish well construction and have the well ready for production, well completion fluids are utilized. Workover fluids are used to repair or maintain wells.
High salinity brines are used as base fluids in many oilfield activities, and TENESSY® HEC works well with a variety of brine solutions to provide reliable performance in these high salinity conditions.
TENESSY® HEC is formulated as a low-solids completion fluid that prevents clay particles from clogging reservoir voids as it approaches the formation, and the water-loss-reducing property prevents large quantities of water from entering the formation from the mud to ensure the productivity of the formation.
TENESSY® HEC reduces the friction of the mud, which in turn reduces pump pressure and power consumption. Its excellent salt solubility also ensures that no precipitate is precipitated when acidizing the well.
HEC for hydraulic fracturing fluid
In the process of hydraulic fracturing, a high-pressure fracturing fluid is injected into the rock to cause fractures. This allows the proppant to be suspended and moved deeper into the fracture. Because of its low toxicity and biodegradability, hydroxyethyl cellulose is a more environmentally acceptable alternative to the conventional chemical additives used in fracking fluids.
In fracturing fluids, TENESSY® HEC increases viscosity and can fracture oil wells without affecting the formation or clogging fractures. Water-based fracturing fluids made with HEC are essentially residue-free after liquefaction, making them particularly suitable for formations with low permeability where backdraining residue is not possible. The use of HEC can avoid viscosity loss and rupture of oil formation due to high downhole temperature, and still have better effect in wells higher than 371°C. HEC is not easy to be corrupted and deteriorated downhole, has low residue, and will not block the oil circuit and cause downhole pollution. Studies have shown that HEC performs best when comparing the effectiveness of CMC, MC, HPC, and HEC as fracturing fluid components.
TENESSY offers the most suitable product models for the oilfield industry:
| HEC Model | Viscosity （25°C，Brookfield，mpa.s） | Viscosity （20℃，NDJ-1） | Application |
| 1%water solution | 2%water solution | ||
| NC100KH | 3600-5000 | 85000-100000 | Oil well repairing fluid, petroleum cementing and other oil field fields, exterior wall paint, real stone paint, textile printing and dyeing, papermaking. |
Summary
Hydroxyethyl cellulose is a highly effective and versatile additive for oilfield applications, and is a key component of the petroleum industry for its ability to increase viscosity, control fluid loss, and stabilize formations.
