Product Details

Plastic Balls

1. Product Overview

Plastic Beads are high-efficiency solid lubricants specially developed for petroleum drilling fluid systems, made of polymer materials and available in three grades: Large Beads, Mixed Beads, and Fine Beads. With a density close to that of water-based drilling fluids, they remain stably suspended in the annulus, forming a "ball bearing effect" between the drill pipe and wellbore. This converts sliding friction into rolling friction, significantly reducing drilling torque and drag, preventing stuck pipe incidents, and improving drilling efficiency, especially in complex operations such as directional and horizontal wells.

2. Technical Specifications

Particle Size Distribution, %

3. Key Features & Advantages

3.1 High-Efficiency Drag & Torque Reduction

Plastic Beads form a rolling lubricating layer between the drill pipe and the wellbore/mud cake, greatly reducing sliding friction resistance, drilling torque, and drag. They effectively prevent differential pressure stuck pipe, making them ideal for high-drag conditions such as extended-reach and horizontal wells.

3.2 Excellent Suspension Stability

With a density ranging from 1.03 to 1.10 g/cm³ close to that of water-based drilling fluids, they do not settle, remain evenly distributed in the annulus, and provide continuous lubrication without causing annular blockages or sedimentation issues.

3.3 High Temperature Stability

They remain discrete spheres without softening or adhesion at temperatures up to 200℃, ensuring stable performance and good lubrication in moderate-to-high temperature drilling operations.

3.4 Multi-Grade Adaptability

Three particle size grades including Large, Mixed and Fine Beads suit different working conditions. Large Beads apply to large clearances and high torque conditions; Fine Beads are for small clearances in directional and horizontal wells; Mixed Beads fit versatile scenarios. Products can be selected or combined flexibly as required.

3.5 No Adverse Impact on Drilling Fluid Properties

They do not affect key drilling fluid properties such as rheology, fluid loss and pH value, and feature good compatibility with other drilling fluid additives for convenient on-site application.

4. Product Application

· Drag and torque reduction, anti-sticking lubrication for various water-based drilling fluid systems

· High-drag working conditions including directional wells, horizontal wells and extended-reach wells

· Moderate-to-high temperature (≤200℃) drilling operations

· Drilling in formations with dense mud cake which are prone to differential pressure stuck pipe

5. Recommended Dosage

Conventional applications: 2%–5% (by volume of drilling fluid).For high-drag, directional and horizontal wells: the dosage can be increased to 5%–8%, or used in combination with other lubricants.

6. Packaging Specification

Standard: 25 kg/bag in composite paper bags. Customizable packaging is available according to customer requirements.

7. Storage & Transportation

Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place. Protect the product from moisture, high temperature and direct sunlight. Keep away from fire sources and strong oxidizing agents.

8. Precautions

Wear protective gloves and dust masks during use to avoid dust inhalation. In case of accidental contact with skin or eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of clean water and seek medical attention if necessary. Do not store together with highly corrosive substances such as strong acids and strong alkalis.

9. Disclaimer & Technical Support

All specifications and descriptions in this document are for reference only. The product shall be used in accordance with the customer’s actual working conditions and technical requirements. Customized formulations and solutions are available upon request.

Application Cases of Plastic Beads for Drilling Fluids

1. Ball-bearing Drag and Torque Reduction Case for Extended-reach Horizontal Wells

Case Background: Extended-reach horizontal wells feature ultra-long horizontal sections, large wellbore contact area and high downhole friction torque. Water-based drilling fluids have limited inherent lubricity, resulting in severe drag increase during sliding drilling, tripping and casing running. Conventional liquid lubricants are prone to emulsification failure and short-term efficacy, causing unstable tool face control, low drilling efficiency and high stuck pipe risks, which restricts the extension of long horizontal sections.

Application Formula & Dosage: On the basis of horizontal well water-based drilling fluid system, 2.0%–3.0% rigid and elastic composite plastic beads were added as physical anti-friction agent. Relying on ball-bearing rolling effect, it replaces sliding friction with rolling friction to achieve long-term stable drag reduction.

Application Effect: Plastic beads have stable spherical structure and excellent mechanical wear resistance, no failure under long-term cyclic shearing. They are uniformly distributed between drill string and wellbore mud cake to form a large number of rolling support points, effectively reducing downhole friction coefficient, significantly lowering drilling torque and tripping drag. The tool face control stability is greatly improved, the stick-slip vibration phenomenon is eliminated, the penetration rate of horizontal sections is increased, and the safe and efficient construction of ultra-long horizontal wells is guaranteed.

2. High-temperature Long-term Lubrication Case for Deep HTHP Wells

Case Background: Deep and ultra-deep well HTHP formations have bottom hole temperatures up to 160–180℃. Conventional liquid lubricants and oily additives are prone to high-temperature oxidation, volatilization and deterioration, accompanied by system foaming and rheological fluctuation. The lubricating performance decays rapidly, resulting in continuous increase of downhole friction torque, which cannot

Application Method & Dosage: 2.0%–2.5% high-temperature resistant plastic beads were applied in high-density HTHP drilling fluid systems. The product features high temperature resistance, non-volatility and non-decomposition, maintaining stable physical lubricating performance under extreme downhole conditions.

Application Effect: Plastic beads will not undergo thermal aging failure or chemical deterioration in high-temperature environments. They can continuously exert physical ball-bearing anti-friction effect, stably control downhole torque fluctuation, and effectively reduce the wear of drill tools and casings. The product has no adverse impact on drilling fluid rheology, filtration performance and solid control equipment, avoids various instability problems caused by chemical lubricants, and realizes full-cycle stable lubrication for deep high-temperature wells.

3. Anti-sticking Drag Reduction and Trajectory Stabilization Case for Directional Deflection Wells

Case Background: Directional deflection wells have complex wellbore trajectories and large curvature. During sliding deflection and rotary drilling, the contact pressure between drill string and well wall is high, with prominent sliding friction resistance and serious differential pressure sticking risks. Conventional lubricants have poor instantaneous lubricating response and poor adaptability to complex curved well sections, resulting in low directional construction efficiency and high downhole complex rate.

Application Dosage: 1.8%–2.8% rigid spherical plastic beads were added to directional well drilling fluid systems to optimize downhole friction conditions and assist precise trajectory control.

Application Effect: Plastic beads fill the micro-pits on the mud cake surface, polish the wellbore wall and form a uniform rolling friction layer. It thoroughly reduces the sliding friction resistance of curved well sections, significantly lowers the torque of sliding drilling, improves the sensitivity and accuracy of directional tool face adjustment, effectively prevents differential pressure stuck pipe accidents, stabilizes wellbore trajectory, and greatly improves the overall construction efficiency of directional wells.

4. Non-fluorescent Low-interference Adaptation Case for Logging Evaluation Wells

Case Background: Logging and reservoir evaluation wells have strict requirements on drilling fluid fluorescence and logging adaptability. Conventional oily lubricants and graphite lubricants have high fluorescence or impurity residue, which easily interfere with logging curve identification and reservoir interpretation accuracy, and affect fine reservoir evaluation and reserve calibration.

Application Method & Effect: Plastic beads were applied at 1.5%–2.5% in logging well dedicated drilling fluid systems. The product is non-fluorescent, non-magnetic and impurity-free, with stable physical properties. It can significantly optimize downhole lubrication conditions without interfering with logging, cable testing and reservoir evaluation. It features zero reservoir residue and low comprehensive damage, fully meeting the high-standard construction requirements of logging evaluation wells.

5. Anti-wear and Efficiency Improvement Case for Tripping Operations of Large-hole Deep Wells

Case Background: Large-open-hole deep wells have large annular space and heavy drill string weight. Long-distance tripping and casing running operations are accompanied by severe wellbore friction and serious drill tool wear. Insufficient lubrication easily causes tripping blockage, increased construction time and reduced one-time casing running success rate, restricting the improvement of large-hole well drilling efficiency.

Application Method & Effect: The conventional dosage is 1.8%–2.6%. Plastic beads have strong structural stability and good suspension compatibility. They can form continuous rolling support points between drill string and well wall during tripping and casing running, effectively reduce overall tripping resistance and tool wear loss. The wellbore smoothness is significantly improved, the casing running quality and one-time success rate are enhanced, and the overall drilling cycle of large-hole deep wells is effectively shortened.