Drilling Fluid Systems | H2S Scavenger
SOURSCAV®
Zinc-Free H2S Scavenger for Drilling Fluids
CHALLENGE
The presence of free hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in drilling fluid can create a severe hazard
to rig personnel and others if the highly toxic, flammable gas reaches the surface. Zinc-
based H2S scavengers are effective, but can pose an environmental risk. The zinc
compound remains on the drilled cuttings and in the residual fluid, where it may
become a source of contamination at disposal sites.
Comparative Toxicity of Zinc and Iron to Various Aquatic Organisms
Species Toxicity of Iron Toxicity of Zinc Compound
LC50 [mg/L] LC50 [mg/L]
Ceriodaphnia dubia
30,060 9,800 Chloride
Water Flea
Americamysis bahia
90,400 520.8 Chloride
Opossum shrimp
Lepomis macrochirus
51,200 3,200 Sulfuric Acid, salt
Bluegill
Oncorhynchus mykiss
20,800 2,600 Sulfuric Acid, salt
Rainbow trout
DESIGNING THE IDEAL H2S SCAVENGER
An ideal scavenger exhibits a rapid, quantitative reaction with sulfide. This type of
behavior was achievable with a soluble form of iron as part of the scavenger
formulation. However, for compatibility with specific mud types, the selected iron
compound had to remain in solution up to and beyond pH 12 without precipitating iron
hydroxide, yet precipitate as iron sulfide on contact with a low concentration of sulfide
ions. Further, the effect of the desired reaction on drilling fluid properties and the
environment had to be minimal.
OVERVIEW
The instantaneous reaction provided by the SOURSCAV® scavenger is expected to
eliminate the presence of free H2S that can represent a serious safety problem while
drilling. The iron complex used in the SOURSCAV® formulation also falls into the North
Sea “most acceptable” category, so the new scavenger passes the industry’s most
rigorous environmental standards.
Drilling Fluid Systems | H2S Scavenger
Residual Sulfide Concentration vs. Time
800
700
Sulfide Concentration (mg/L)
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Time (mins)
SOURSCAV® Scavenger Zinc Compound Ironite Sponge
Figure 1 > This test measures sulfide concentration. Figure 2 > The black color indicates the fast reaction of SOURSCAV®
scavenger and its ability to eliminate H 2S within seconds
OUTSTANDING FIELD-PROVEN PERFORMANCE UNDER CHALLENGING CONDITIONS
SOURSCAV® scavenger was put to a challenging test in the Caspian area. Offset well data indicated a high probability
of encountering large amounts of H2S in the expected reservoir. In addition to H2S, CO2 was also expected to be present
in the reservoir. An alkalinity control agent was added to control the CO2, as well as an excess of lime. A Garret Gas Train
(GGT) was run daily and on bottoms-up to monitor the levels of these acid gases in solution.
H2S Conditions on Caspian Wells Using SOURSCAV® Scavenger
Gaseous Phase H2S Produced Oil H2S H2S Reaching Surface
Content % Content % [mg/L]
Well 1 36 6 0
Well 2 20-28 6 0
The addition of SOURSCAV® scavenger to the mud proved to be so effective that H2S was never detected in any test.
CO2 was measured to a maximum of 3,000 mg/L after one wiper trip. The apparent absence of any detectable H2S raised
questions about whether the formation actually contained sulfide as expected. However, when the first core was taken
and brought to surface under strict H2S safety procedures, large amounts of H2S were bleeding out of the core. Similar
drilling and core testing results were obtained on subsequent wells
Despite the high percentage of H2S in the gas phase of these wells, no H2S was returned to surface during drilling
operations.
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