Chemical Industry on a Spree of Manufacturing Oilfield Chemicals

Oilfield Chemicals Manufacturer | CHEMCON

Basically, when it comes to the oil and gas exploration processes, there are lots of complexities involved as the oil and natural gas need to be drilled out from deep under the earth’s surface and hence, there are chances of contamination of the actual material that is coming out of the process. Several highly advanced equipments are being used for these offshore drilling processes and therefore, there are also high probabilities of these getting damaged owing to too much friction with the various types of earthly particles that always come in the process of drilling of the different types of hydrocarbons deep inside the surface of the earth.

Type of Chemicals

In order to take care of all these factors, the oilfield chemicals come as handy solutions for the petroleum industries because these not only provide a useful solution but are also extremely environment friendly at the same time. The Properties of Oilfield Chemicals are mainly responsible for making these indispensable during the process of drilling of oil and natural gas and some of these include density, specific gravity, pH content, ionic composition, etc. This is mainly because the chemicals are actually inorganic salts such as clear brine solutions that are in no way harmful for the environment unlike any other chemical component and so, the pollution factor can also be avoided with the usage of such types of chemicals. This is perhaps the reason behind the maximum manufacture of these chemicals by the chemical industries of the world and India as well.

Sodium Bromide Solution & Calcium Bromide Solution

One of the most important chemicals beings used and manufactured by the chemical industries today is sodium chloride solution that is also commonly called brine solution. It is physically a clear and colorless fluid that is available in powder form and in solution also. Along with this, calcium chloride solution is prepared as well by the chemical industries to be utilized in the oil and gas exploration processes. The common characteristic of both these types of chemicals is the compatibility with the surface while the drilling process is going on. This not only averts any kind of chemical reaction with the substances being drilled out but also takes care of the hydraulic pressures and well pressures in order to prevent the backflow of the substances at the same time.

Both Sodium Bromide Solution as well as Calcium Bromide Solution can be used singly or with other salts as double salts for attaining some desired specific gravity, density, etc. as required by the drilling processes. These chemicals offer a very cost-effective approach for the petroleum industries as compared to any other counterparts for the complex process of oil and gas exploration processes. Hence, these are manufactured in a widespread manner by the Indian chemical industries and the products are in high demand in India as well as abroad.

The Requirement of Oilfield Chemicals and their Preparation

Oilfield Chemicals a Specialized Chemical:

Apart from developed equipments, there are specialized chemicals known as oilfield chemicals that find prominent use in these projects. Consequently, the demand for these chemicals is ever increasing and therefore, the preparation, packaging and distribution of such types of chemicals are being taken up by the oilfield chemical manufacturers in order to meet the needs of these chemicals in the market. India is well-known for the manufacture of such chemicals and the chemicals prepared here are widely circulated in various parts of India as well as abroad. There are certain specific chemicals like calcium bromide (CAS No.7789-41-5) that is very popular choice of chemical component for the petroleum industries and hence are manufactured in large quantities in India.

On-Shore Drilling Activities:

The offshore drilling activities as well as the on-shore drilling activities related to oil and gas exploration projects have evolved from the earlier conventional processes to the modern times where science and technology find massive use altogether. Starting from the standard of the chemicals like work-over fluids or specialty chemicals to the mechanism used with the equipments, every single sphere of the process has undergone an all-round development. Simultaneously, the processes have transformed into being more safe, sound and eco-friendly. Along with that, these have also become extremely economical too that adds on to the profitability of the exploration projects.

Several by-products are produced during the oil and gas drilling processes and one such by product is salt water. This is again kept aside in disposal pits along with some residual oil that remains along with the salt water. Afterwards, the oil being skimmed out of the salt water and only this portion of oil constitutes almost 40% of the total revenue of the companies. Oilfield chemicals are therefore extensively used in order to simplify the processes of exploration and some of these chemicals include zinc bromide, sodium bromide, sodium chloride, calcium bromide and the like. These salts are either used singly or in combination with other salts based on the specific needs of the projects.

Oil and Gas Operations:

These are also known as completion fluids sometimes that help in controlling well-bore pressures during drilling activities in upstream oil and gas operations. Calcium bromide (CAS No.7789-41-5) is one such fluid that can be used single or with other salts to get fluids of varied densities at different crystallization temperatures. It is basically a clear and colorless liquid that looks transparent and sometimes comes with a pale yellow color also. This is a very important chemical used in lots of exploration processes in a very cost-effective and environment friendly manner that makes it one of the most sought after chemicals of petroleum industry.

Calcium Bromide - A Hot Cake Completion Fluid

Calcium Bromide(CaBr2) which is an excellent drilling tool and is a very popular choice in the oilfield industry. With immense increase in drilling activities in petroleum exploration, the demand for clear brine fluids has sky-rocketed. Calcium Bromide, with 14.2 lbs/gal density, is an excellent choice for a completion fluid because of its various properties like non-damaging to the drilling formation, it is very stable chemically and thermally, and it can be used as a single salt clear brine or can be mixed with other bromides and chlorides such as zinc bromide, sodium bromide, calcium chloride, etc; making effective multi-salt compositions that are a formation of balanced high density from 11.7 lbs.gal to almost as high as 19.4 lbs/gal. It is available in powder and liquid forms. In its liquid form, it serves as an excellent drilling mud that helps balance the unstable strata while drilling oil & gas and prevents intrusion of water that may be encountered while drilling on uneven surfaces. In its powder form, it dissolves in water & other brines, and yields completion workover and packer fluids of densities upto 2.3 gm/ml (19.2 lb/gal).

Major Applications of Calcium Bromide as a completion fluid

Calcium Bromide is used as a suspension tool to keep the cuttings from filling the dug holes. While drilling, the hydrocarbons and the rock formations increase the pressure inside the drill holes, CaBr2 is used to control this pressure and even tone it. It is also very useful to seamlessly adjust the characteristics of individual drill holes. Another important use of CaBr2 as a completion fluid in oil well drilling activities is that it stabilizes the rock formation. By aiding in the repair of the individual drill holes, it helps in preventing the collapse of the rock formation. CaBr2is becoming a popular choice in oil and gas drilling, it is in fact preferred over many other fluids because it mixes easily with all the major zinc and calcium based brines and adjusts the density of other brine systems. Calcium Bromide can also be used to drill secondary drill holes from the previously drilled ones, thus increasing the oil well drilling productivity.

This bromide, a highly effective Completion Fluid is used in both offshore and onshore drilling operations. Recent expansion in drilling activity like deep, high pressure wells have contributed to the rapid growth in this market, accounting to an expected growth from $10.86 billion in 2013 to $18.37 billion by 2020, with a CAGR of 7.8 percent.

There are a few comprehensive reports based on the market analysis of CaBr2 as an important agent amongst various drilling chemicals. Such reports give an in-depth study about the current state of CaBr2 across global market. Right from the manufacturing perspective, capacity, production value, and profit to its demand/supply and import/export these reports explore the various aspects and provides a stream-lined guide to the oil field industry players about it.

The Role of Oilfield Chemicals in the Turnaround and Rise of Oilfield Industry

Oilfield chemicals are manufactured on a large scale mainly for their usage in the gas and oil industry. These specialty oilfield chemicals are known to enhance the quality and performance of the production in a manufacturing unit. By delivering apt quality specialty chemicals, oilfield chemicals manufacturers are able to improve the overall recovery rate of the hydrocarbons that are used in the oilfield industry. Consistent advancements in technology and growth in the shale industry has created various positive opportunities for these specialty chemicals. Increased demand for fuel and growth in large scale business activities are also two of the significant driving factors that have contributed to the turnaround and rise of oilfield industry.

The Role of Oilfield Chemicals in The Rise and Turnaround of Oilfield Industry

Utilized in almost all the stages of gas and oil production, ranging from drilling and well exploration, EOR applications to oil production, specialty oilfield chemicals are anticipated to continue to record consistent growth which is driven strongly by increasing demand for energy all over the world. Oilfield Chemicals Manufacturers have identified the fact that they have a huge gap to fill with most of the gas and oil resources in the world drying up. This is where they have been able to provide competent completion and drilling chemicals that have made the work of various industries easier.

Calcium Bromide – A Comprehensive Oilfield Chemical

Calcium bromide available in powder and liquid form, is a comprehensive completion fluid and oilfield chemical. With a CAS number: 7789-41-5 and molecular formula: CaBr2, calcium bromide is one of the best Oilfield Chemicals to be used in the industry because most of the companies in the oil and gas industries opt for CaBr2 for making their applications smoother. Calcium bromide is nothing but the hydrobromic acid of the calcium salt. It can absorb moisture from the air and in its powder form it completely dissolves in common brines and water. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that calcium bromide has played a significant role in boosting the demand for oilfield chemicals and the industry as a whole.

Drivers and Restraints for The Market

As per various industry reports, change in the trend of demand for specialty chemicals is anticipated to create many more opportunities for the manufacturers in the industry. The three main drivers for the market are: improved demand in specialty processes like well stimulation, rise in crude oil production and increase in deep water drilling activities.


It has been observed that powerful rise in the demand for energy and fuel sources is creating a huge demand for chemicals. However political issues across the world are causing some problems for the oilfield chemicals manufacturers, especially in the Middle Eastern regions.

Market Segmentation

For the purpose of deriving ideal forecasting reports, various experts have segment the global oilfield chemicals industry into various types of applications and products. The kinds of products are usually segmented into specialty chemicals and advanced polymers. However, the chemicals on the other hand are sub-categorized into corrosion, biocides and scale inhibitors, pout-point depressants and surfactants. Key applications of all these products comprises in drilling fluid, fracking, cementing, well stimulation, improved oil recovery, production chemicals and completion fluids.

These are some of the interesting things to note about the turnaround and rise of oilfield industry and the role of oilfield chemicals in it.