3M™ Glass Bubbles HGS6000

• Successfully and predictably reduce the control fluid density
• Incompressible and more homogeneous control fluid properties compared to aerated systems
• Eliminate the need for specialized equipment used in foamed cement
• Compatible with both water and oil based systems
• More economical and allow a greater density reduction window than synthetic oils

Helps achieve and maintain the target density throughout the drilling operation:

• Light - when synthetic oils are used as base fluid, densities as low as 5.5 lb/gal (0.66 kg/l) can be achieved.
• Tough - resistant to shear and impact forces when circulating through bit nozzles and impacting formation walls.
• Offer the potential for higher performance through increased rate of penetration (ROP)
• Reduce your cost through reconditioning and reuse of the lightweight fluid

3M™ Glass Bubbles HGS6000 in cementing

• Consistency batch-to-batch, location-to-location
• Broad effective density at any pressure
• Improved density reduction capacity – cement slurry density values below 9.0 lb/gal (1.1 kg/l) have been achieved.

Low-density, high-strength 3M Glass Bubbles HGS Series are lighter and stronger and help achieve higher strength-to-weight cement designs.

Light weight cement slurries made with 3M Glass Bubbles HGS series help prevent problems associated with fluid loss/lost circulation such as reduced top of cement (TOC) and thus the need for remedial squeeze. Additional benefits include the potential for: 

• Reduced Wait-On-Cement (WOC)
• Reduced need for multi-staging

• 3M™ Glass Bubbles HGS6000 bubble breakage may occur if the product is improperly processed.
• To minimize breakage, avoid high shear processes, point contact shear such as gear pumps or 3-roll mills, and processing pressures above the strength test pressure for each product.

The use of  3M™ Glass Bubbles HGS6000 as density reducing agents for drilling, completion, work-over fluids, and cement slurries offers the potential for:

• Reduced Non Productive Time (NPT)
• Improved well integrity
• Increased well productivity

3M Glass Bubbles HGS series are engineered hollow glass spheres specially formulated for a high strength-to-weight ratio. This allows greater survivability under demanding downhole conditions.

For worker protection, please follow your company’s procedures for safety and proper PPE, and consider the following:

• Select and use eye/face protection to prevent contact based on the results of an exposure assessment. Safety Glasses with side shields are recommended.
• Wear respiratory protection if ventilation is inadequate to prevent overexposure. An exposure assessment may be needed to decide if a respirator is required. If a respirator is needed, use respirators as part of a full respiratory protection program. Based on the results of the exposure assessment, select from the following respirator type(s) to reduce inhalation exposure: Half facepiece or full facepiece air-purifying respirator suitable for particulates. (For additional information about personal protective equipment, refer to the product Safety Data Sheet.)
• Provide local exhaust ventilation at transfer points. Use general dilution ventilation and/or local exhaust ventilation to control airborne exposures to below relevant Exposure Limits and/ or control dust. If ventilation is not adequate, use respiratory protection equipment.

Storage: Ideal storage conditions include unopened cartons in a dry and temperature-controlled warehouse

• Carefully re-tie opened bags immediately after use.
• If the polyethylene bag is punctured during shipping or handling, seal the hole as soon as possible or insert the contents into an undamaged bag.
• During hot and/or humid months, store boxes in the driest, coolest space available.

If controlled storage conditions are unavailable, carry a minimum inventory and process on a first in/ first out basis.

Handling: Due to the low weight and small particle size of 3M™ Glass Bubbles HGS6000, dusting may occur while handling and processing. To minimize the dusting potential during handling, consider the following:

• Do not open 3M™ Glass Bubbles HGS6000 packages until ready to use.
• Upon opening, have an air siphon near the opening to pull away airborne particles. (Dust collection equipment may be required – check local OSHA and other applicable regulations.)
• Remove 3M™ Glass Bubbles HGS6000 with a suction “wand” (with slight positive pressure aeration) and transfer to a closed mixing tank inside fully contained piping. If a closed mixing tank is not available, use dust collection equipment as close as practical to the point of entry. Pneumatic conveyor systems have been used successfully to transport 3M Glass Bubbles without dusting from shipping containers to batch mixing equipment. Equipment vendors should be consulted for recommendations.
• Static eliminators should be used to prevent static buildup.