Drilling fluids made using 3M™ Glass Bubbles can reduce density to between 6-9ppg. They also provide an incompressible, single phase fluid which helps to maintain constant downhole pressure. Drilling and completion fluids made with Glass Bubbles are so predictable that during at-balance or near-balanced drilling they can be used even in sensitive strata with reduced risk of formation damage.
Other benefits include:
Simple hydraulic calculations
Smooth measurement while drilling (MWD) transmission
No need for expensive compressors
Less likelihood of drill string corrosion compared with foamed fluids
Reduced explosion risk
Potential for re-use on multiple neighbouring wells
