Flotek & Solazyme release new drilling fluid lubricant

Flotek Industries Inc. and Solazyme, Inc., announced jointly today the introduction of Flocapso™, an innovative, advanced drilling fluid for the global market, created with proprietary contributions from both companies.

Flocapso combines Flotek’s patented Complex nano-Fluid®, or CnF®, chemistries with Solazyme’s Encapso™ technology to create a drilling fluid that’s focused on better lubricity and greater stabilisation for an operator’s drilling program. Extensive laboratory and commercial testing with the Flocapso additive indicates it will allow the use of water-based fluids in wells that previously required more expensive and invasive oil-based products – providing an environmentally superior and substantially more efficient solution to drilling challenges across the globe.

“Last year we acquired certain intellectual property related to the use of CnF in drilling fluid applications from Tony Rea, a drilling fluid technology pioneer, which led to discussions and chemical trials with Solazyme,” said John Chisholm, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Flotek. “As a result of Tony’s work showing the efficacy of using CnF to improve drilling results and the combination of Solazyme’s Encapso, we developed Flocapso, a drilling fluid additive that we believe will provide significant improvements to drilling efficiency and effectiveness around the globe.”

Encapso, which was launched by Solazyme in early 2014, is by itself a targeted lubricant delivery system that has been shown to increase the rate of penetration, decrease drag and reduce both rotational torque and friction in a variety of vertical and horizontal drilling applications. Developed from the proprietary technology platform at Solazyme, Encapso is non-toxic and biodegradable.

Flotek’s Complex nano-Fluid chemistries are a series of proprietary, patented chemistries designed to enhance performance in oil and natural gas wells, including increased productivity through improved production rates and higher ultimate recoverability.

Under a joint development and marketing agreement announced in a separate press release today, Flotek and Solazyme, in conjunction with certain subsidiaries, have agreed to commercialise and market Flocapso. In addition, Flotek will market Solazyme’s Encapso lubricant, the first commercially available biodegradable encapsulated lubricant for drilling fluids, to certain Middle Eastern markets.

“Solazyme’s development of Encapso and its rapid recognition as a breakthrough lubricant in drilling applications is testament to Solazyme’s world-class research team. We are delighted to have an opportunity to work with the Solazyme team as we continue our focus on developing the best chemistry solutions for the oilfield,” said Chisholm.

“We are excited to welcome Flotek as a strategic partner as we continue to focus on broadening the market and customer base for Encapso,” said Solazyme Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Wolfson.

The companies are currently in an active validation project with a large national oil company in the Middle East and are pursuing commercial applications in both domestic and international markets.  

Adapted from a press release by David Bizley

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/product-news/20042015/flotek-solazyme-release-new-drilling-fluid-lubricant/