Recognizing that no two shale plays are alike and the need to rein in costs, M-I SWACO developed HydraGlyde* high-performance water-based drilling fluid system specifically to address these diverse conditions.
The system provides a fast, trouble-free, flexible drilling fluid solution that fits well within rigid AFE and HSE constraints. Its novel cost-effective chemistry reduces torque and drag, in addition to shale swelling and dispersion. The HydraGlyde system delivers oil mud-comparable ROP, exceptional hole cleaning, and wellbore stability in high-angle-build and long-lateral sections—all while reducing restrictive costs and decreasing environmental impact.

• The exceptional drillability of nonaqueous fluids in high-angle, long-reach horizontal land wells is offset by tremendously high logistical and waste management costs that can account for half the total drilling fluids bill.
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• While highly inhibitive water-based drilling fluids mitigate many environmental issues, their price often prohibits use in these cost-competitive plays.
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• Most premier water-based fluids formulations lack the engineering flexibility to address the unique drilling conditions of widely diverse shale formations, which demand more than a one-size-fits-all fluid system.