Calcium Carbonate for LCM & Oilfield Drilling
Sized calcium carbonate grades for bridging, lost-circulation and selected drilling-fluid applications — developed around particle-size and acid-solubility requirements.
Calcium Carbonate Designed Around Your Drilling Requirement
Lost-circulation and bridging applications do not always require one universal particle size. Requirements can vary according to the application, formation characteristics and drilling-fluid system.
RMM is developing an application-focused calcium carbonate range for oil & gas drilling applications, with attention to particle-size distribution, mesh analysis and acid-solubility requirements.
Instead of treating all calcium carbonate as one generic powder, RMM can evaluate the customer's required PSD and identify an appropriate grade within validated manufacturing capability.
Why Sized Calcium Carbonate Is Relevant to LCM
Particle-size distribution and acid solubility are important considerations when selecting calcium carbonate for selected drilling-fluid applications.
Particle-Size Control
Different drilling applications may require different particle-size distributions. D-values and mesh requirements can be evaluated according to the customer's specification.
Bridging Applications
Sized particulate calcium carbonate can be used as a bridging material in selected drilling-fluid applications where the particle distribution is appropriate.
Acid Solubility
Calcium carbonate is acid-soluble, making it relevant to applications where subsequent acid treatment or cleanup is an important consideration.
From Drilling Requirement to Suitable Calcium Carbonate Grade
The objective is not simply to select "fine" or "coarse". The particle distribution should be evaluated against the intended application.
Define Application
Understand the drilling-fluid system, loss condition and intended use.
Define PSD
Establish D50, D90, D97 and/or mesh requirements.
Select Grade
Evaluate fine, medium, coarse or customer-specific calcium carbonate.
Trial & Validate
Conduct laboratory and customer-side performance validation.
Fine, Medium, Coarse & Custom PSD
The following is the proposed product architecture. Final PSD specifications should be established through RMM laboratory validation and customer requirements.
Fine
Fine particle-size calcium carbonate concept for applications requiring a finer particulate distribution. Final PSD to be established by RMM.
Medium
Medium particle-size calcium carbonate concept for applications requiring an intermediate PSD. Final PSD to be established by RMM.
Coarse
Coarse particle-size calcium carbonate concept for applications requiring larger particulate material. Final PSD to be established by RMM.
D50 Is Not the Same as Mesh Passing
D50 describes the particle size at which approximately half of the measured particle population is smaller and half is larger.
A mesh passing or retention requirement, however, describes the proportion of material associated with a particular sieve aperture.
Therefore, D50 and mesh specifications should not be treated as interchangeable.
| Parameter | Meaning | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| D10 | Lower-end PSD reference | Specify if required |
| D50 | Median particle size | ___ µm |
| D90 | Upper PSD reference | ___ µm |
| D97 | High-end PSD control | ___ µm |
| Mesh | Sieve-based distribution | Passing / Retention |
| Mesh Standard | Sieve definition | Specify standard |
Application-Focused Technical Parameters
Final numerical specifications should be populated from validated RMM laboratory data and customer-approved requirements.
Why Acid Solubility Matters
Calcium carbonate can be selected for certain drilling, completion and workover applications because it can be dissolved by acid treatment.
This characteristic can be relevant where subsequent acid treatment or cleanup is an important consideration.
RMM recommends specifying acid solubility together with the test conditions rather than quoting a standalone percentage without a defined laboratory method.
Acid Solubility Test Parameters
Oilfield & Drilling Applications
Application suitability should always be confirmed against the drilling-fluid system and customer technical requirements.
From Sized Calcium Carbonate to LCM Blends
RMM's initial focus is application-specific sized calcium carbonate. A future development path may include multi-PSD calcium carbonate blends or broader LCM formulations, subject to laboratory and customer validation.
Fine Calcium Carbonate
Fine particles can be incorporated into a broader particle-size distribution where technically appropriate.
Medium Calcium Carbonate
Medium particles can contribute to an intermediate particle-size distribution.
Coarse Calcium Carbonate
Coarser particles can be evaluated for applications involving larger openings or fractures.
Have a Specific LCM Requirement?
Send your D50, D90, D97, mesh requirement, HCl concentration, acid-solubility requirement and quantity. RMM can evaluate the requirement for a suitable calcium carbonate grade.
Have a D50, Mesh or Acid-Solubility Requirement?
Send your drilling-fluid specification to Rishabhdeo Micro Minerals and let our team evaluate the appropriate calcium carbonate grade.