Barite drilling grade

Description

1. Product Overview

Barite drilling grade is a high-purity barium sulfate (BaSO₄) ground to API 13A Section 7 specifications for water- and oil-based drilling mud systems. Its primary industrial use is as a weighting agent to control formation pressures, stabilize wellbores, and prevent kicks during rotary drilling. The key value proposition is a superior specific gravity (min 4.20 g/cm³) combined with ultra-low soluble metal content, reducing rheological impairment and overall mud costs. Strategically, it is indispensable for HPHT wells, deepwater exploration, and unconventional shale development, where barite consistency directly impacts non-productive time (NPT) and well control safety.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical composition: BaSO₄ ≥ 90% by mass; CaCO₃ ≤ 2.5%; soluble alkaline earth metals (as Ca) ≤ 250 mg/kg; moisture ≤ 0.5%

• Purity level / Grade: API 13A Section 7 – Drilling grade

• Physical characteristics:

  • Form: Fine powder, 97% passing 325 mesh (44 μm)

  • Color: Off-white to light gray / beige

  • Specific gravity: 4.20 – 4.25 g/cm³ (minimum 4.20)

  • Particle size: d50 ≈ 15–20 μm, ≤30% retained on 325 mesh

• Packaging options: 1.5 MT bulk bags, 50 kg woven PP/PE laminated bags, or pneumatic tanker loose bulk

• Shelf life: 24 months in dry, covered storage (max humidity 70% RH)

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Primary industries: Oil & gas drilling, geothermal well drilling, HDD (horizontal directional drilling)

• Specific operational use cases:

  • Deep-water riser mud systems (maintain ECD below fracture gradient)

  • HPHT wells (≥15,000 psi, ≥350°F bottomhole temperature)

  • Weight-up for kill mud during well-control events

• Why this product performs better than alternatives: Lower abrasion index (≤120 mg/kg) vs. local Chinese or Mexican barite (≥180 mg/kg) extends mud pump liner life by 40%. Narrow particle size distribution prevents sagging at low shear rates.

• Efficiency / cost advantages: Redues dilution requirements by 15–20% vs. non-API barite, directly lowering logistics and waste disposal costs per well.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: Real-time particle-size monitoring and ISO 9001:2025-certified QC, with mill certificates for each batch.

• Supply reliability: Dedicated mining and grinding in geopolitically stable regions with 50,000 MT monthly capacity and 48-hour shipment from three port hubs (Houston, Rotterdam, Shanghai).

• Logistics capability: Bulk pneumatic discharge facility compatible with offshore supply vessels, reducing offshore idle time.

• Price competitiveness: Direct mine-to-rig pricing model – 12–18% below major established suppliers for equivalent API grade.

• Sustainability: Zero process wastewater, recycled dust capture, and mine-site reclamation bonds in place; available with verified low-carbon footprint documentation.

• Technical support: Free on-site clay and rheology optimization support; full MSDS, TDS, and API certificate pack delivered electronically within 4 hours of order confirmation.

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum order quantity (MOQ): 20 metric tons (1 x 20’ container bulk bags)

• BULK 20MT loading capacity: 20 MT net per 20’ dry van (floor-loaded bulk bags) or 24 MT per 20’ flat rack (pneumatic trailer dry bulk)

• Loading capacity per 20’ container: 20 MT (palletized 50 kg bags – 400 bags), 22 MT (1.5 MT bulk bags – 14 bags)