Application Guide for Formate-Based Products Designed for Corrosion Protection and Maintenance of Oilfield Drilling Equipment

Potassium formate, sodium formate and potassium acetate may be used in saline working fluids such as wellbore protection and workover fluids. The efficiency of equipment corrosion protection is determined by the corrosion prevention formulation and metal components. Raw materials based on salt cannot replace corrosion inhibitors or protective coatings on surfaces.

I. Solid Potassium Formate (Industrial Grade ≥97%)

Application: It may be used as a component of saline wellbore fluids (e.g. wellbore protection fluids). Its corrosion prevention efficacy relies on the whole formulation.

Material Characteristics Potassium formate by itself does not protect equipment from corrosion. Selection must include corrosivity of medium to drill pipe and casing materials and compatibility of corrosion inhibitors.

Advice: Combining tests based on the density and temperature of the target working fluid and the formulation of the corrosion inhibitor may provide an indication of the corrosion performance on drill pipes, casing and wellhead equipment.

Hygroscopicity. Low temperature crystallisation Safety Check raw material composition Perform equipment protection routine for surface cleaning and preservation.

II. Liquid Potassium Formate (Industrial Grade ≥75%)

 Application: Used for the on-site preparation of saline working fluids; must be used in conjunction with specialized corrosion inhibitors and in accordance with equipment preservation requirements.

Characteristics of the raw material: Being liquid, it is easily mixed into the working fluid; however, its temperature, density, and corrosivity in storage tanks require actual measurement. Surface protection of the equipment must still be carried out in accordance with preservation procedures.

Recommended use: To carry out mixing tests on the density and temperature of the target working fluid and the formulation of the corrosion inhibitor to assess corrosion performance on the materials of the drill pipes, casing or wellhead equipment.

Precautions: The composition of raw materials, hygroscopicity, low temperature crystallisation properties are checked; the surface cleaning and maintenance of equipment protection regulations are followed.

III. Industrial-grade Potassium Acetate (Solid/Liquid)

Application: Can be used to modify the pH of a section of the circulating or protecting fluid; it cannot replace coating or equipment checks.

Raw materials characteristics Potassium acetate may help in pH correction of the working fluid. The effect on metal corrosion and the inclination to scale should be examined separately, depending on the formulation and the medium.

Recommended use: Perform mixing experiments according to the density and temperature of the target working fluid and the corrosion inhibitor formulation to assess corrosion performance on the materials of drill pipes, casing, or wellhead equipment.

Precautions Check the raw material composition, hygroscopicity and low temperature crystallisation properties; Follow the equipment protection routine for surface cleaning and preservation.

IV. Solid Sodium Formate (Industrial Grade ≥98%)

Application: Can be utilised as part of saline working fluids, its appropriateness for corrosion protection must be shown in corrosion tests.

properties of raw materials: Sodium formate may be utilised in salt-based workover fluid formulations; costs, corrosivity, and low temperature crystallisation properties should be evaluated with other alternatives.

Recommendation of Usage: Mixing tests should be performed according to the density and temperature of targeted working fluid and corrosion inhibitor formulation to assess the corrosion performance on the materials of drill pipes, casing or wellhead equipment.

Precautions Check the raw material composition, hygroscopicity and low temperature crystallisation properties; Follow the equipment protection routine for surface cleaning and preservation.

 Applicable Scenarios for Raw Materials

Potassium formate, sodium formate and potassium acetate may be used as ingredients for saline-based workover fluids. In the selection of these materials, clients should firstly determine the required density, operating temperature and equipment materials, and then conduct corrosion tests with special corrosion inhibitors. These raw salts can not be used as anti-corrosion agents for drill string surface directly.