QUIK-FOAM, a proprietary blend of alcohol ethoxy sulfates (AES) which are biodegradable, is an effective foaming agent. QUIK-FOAM can be added to fresh, brine, or brackish water for air/foam, air/gel-foam, or mist drilling applications.
Applications/Functions
Enhance the rate of cuttings removal
Increase the ability of lifting large volumes of water
Improve hole-cleaning capability of the airstream
Reduce the sticking tendencies of wet clays, thereby eliminating mud rings and wall packing
Reduce erosion of poorly consolidated formations
Provide a technique for drilling in zones with lost circulation
Increase borehole stability
Reduce air-volume requirement
Suppress dust during air drilling operation
Advantages
High quality, high expansion foam with a consistency similar to shaving foam
High stability with excellent retention time
Versatile and compatible with various types of make-up water
Readily undergoes primary and ultimate (>99%) biodegradation
Proven product for multi-discipline application
Typical Properties
Appearance - Light yellow, transparent liquid
Specific gravity - 1.03
pH (0.5% solution) - 7.1
Flash point, PMCC °F, ° C - 82, (28)
Pour point, °F, ° C - 0, (-18)
Recommended Treatment
Approximate Amounts of QUIK-FOAM Added to Injection Water
Application
Amount/100 gal
Amount/bbl
Liters/m³
Dry-air drilling (as a dust suppressant)
0.5 - 1 pints
0.2 - 0.5 pints
0.5 - 1.5
Mud-mist drilling in sticky clays
1 - 2 quarts
1 - 2 pints
2.5 - 5
Foam and gel-foam drilling
0.5 - 2 gallons
1.5 - 7 pints
5 - 20
As a slug to clean the annulus
1 pint*
0.5 pints**
0.5**
* in drill pipe, followed by 3 to 5 gallons of water; ** followed by 20 liters (5.3 gallons) of water
Note: Close product container immediately after use to avoid gelation of remaining QUIK-FOAM.
Product Make-ups for Air Drilling Injection Slurries
Main Ingredient of Injection Slurry
Water (gallons)
QUIK-GEL® viscosifier (pounds)
QUIK-TROL® polymer (pounds)
QUIK-FOAM foaming agent (% by volume)
Foam Drilling System
100
...
...
0.02 - 3.0
Mixing/Injection Procedure Add QUIK-FOAM to injection water. Inject into the air stream at a rate necessary to maintain hole stability and penetration rate. Increase amount of QUIK-FOAM as required to compensate for downhole water dilution.
Firm-Foam Drilling System
100
...
0.5 - 1
0.1 - 2.0
Mixing/Injection Procedure Mix polymer with water before adding QUIK-FOAM. 1-2 pints of EZ-MUD® may be used as a substitute for QUIK-TROL. Inject into the air stream at a rate necessary to maintain hole stability and penetration rate.
Mud-Mist Drilling System
100
25
...
0.3 - 1.0
Mixing/Injection Procedure Mix viscosifier with water before adding QUIK-FOAM. Inject into the air stream at a rate necessary to maintain hole stability and penetration rate. Resulting viscosity is 32-40 sec/qt as measured by Marsh Funnel.
Gel-Foam Drilling System
100
12 - 15
1
0.3 - 1.0
Mixing/Injection Procedure Mix viscosifier and polymer with water before adding QUIK-FOAM. Inject into the air stream at a rate necessary to maintain hole stability and penetration rate. Resulting viscosity is 32-40 sec/qt as measured by Marsh Funnel.
Note: In some states, it is illegal to discharge any foreign substance into the water shed due to potential contamination of ground water. After use, the foam mixture must be localized in an earthen pit or some type of containment and allowed to biodegrade naturally.
Packaging
QUIK-FOAM is packaged in 5-gal (19-liter) plastic containers