BASF, the largest diversified chemical company in the world, has substantially expanded its presence in the Middle East region. The company sees a growing demand for sustainable energy and water management solutions in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region. “As a result, service companies need to innovate in order to address these pressing demands designed to be responsive in sensitive climatic conditions. Companies such as BASF are building more unconventional wells and drilling fluid systems to suit the regional conditions and resources,” says Mohammed Heraiba, sales and industry manager- Oilfield Solutions, BASF in an interview with the OGN.

“BASF recognises the constant challenges faced with corrosion in oilfield operations in the Middle East, and has, therefore, invested time and research and development (R&D) resources into developing a sophisticated range of corrosion inhibitors for use in production and a set of acid corrosion inhibitors for use in stimulation. In addition, we are continually upgrading the performance profile of our products, and have launched a new range of pour point depressants with these features”, he adds. Excerpts:

Referring firstly to the drilling additives segment, what kinds of challenges can be addressed by your products?
There is a growing demand for sustainable energy and water management solutions in the Mena region. As a result, service companies need to innovate in order to address these pressing demands designed to be responsive in sensitive climatic conditions. Companies such as BASF are building more unconventional wells and drilling fluid systems to suit the regional conditions and resources. We offer reliable drilling additives to help our customers address those challenges. For example, our diverse Alcomer range can deliver superior shale inhibition at high salinities. Additionally, Polydrill can control fluid loss at temperatures up to 450-deg F, and if combined with Polythin, our highly effective drilling fluids thinner, a synergistic effect is created which further enhances fluid loss control of the drilling fluid.

BASF has a strong cementing additives portfolio. What challenges can your products meet in this application segment?
BASF has a range of strong cementing additives to cater to the regional infrastructural boom and construction industry. Our Polytrol fluid loss control additives provide stability against high temperatures and concentrated salt solutions, and are well-suited for the Mena climate. Additionally, with the high permeability of the rock found in the Middle East, fluid loss additives are especially useful to minimise water lost into the formation. Our Liquiment dispersant product range lowers viscosity and significantly improves rheology for long-range pumping- a common requirement in this region. These products meet diverse cementing needs and can be used in a wide variety of applications.

Do you also have solutions for stimulation operations?
While stimulating a well, it is common for corrosion to occur, especially in highly acidic conditions and in highly saline environments. In Mena, matrix acidising is the most commonly used form of well stimulation, thus making acid corrosion a common issue. Our experts at BASF have developed a series of corrosion inhibitors to protect metal equipment in such highly acidic conditions.

Additionally, our broad range of specialty chemicals provides solutions to address other challenges in stimulation such as iron control, diversion, clay stabilisation, water shut off, avoidance of emulsion formation, reservoir conformance and efficient wellbore clean up.

What production chemical applications do you specialise in?
One of BASF’s largest portfolio segments is production chemicals. Through our solutions and products, we address three main concerns found in production applications: Flow assurance; oil/water separation and asset integrity.

Mena is one of the largest producers of oil worldwide, making this robust production portfolio a success in this region.

On the flow assurance side, we have a strong set of paraffin inhibitors and pour point depressants which improve cold flow behaviour and help prevent deposits of paraffin crystals. In oil/water separation, we offer key components for demulsifier formulations which enable the quick separation of produced water from oil. Demulsifiers are one of the most widely used chemistries in oilfield applications in Mena, and each oil type needs to be tested to find the best product fit. We provide a test kit including a range of our products for customers to find the best solution. For deoiling, where oil is separated from produced water, we offer a different kit with specific deoiler products.

Our asset integrity portfolio includes: a range of corrosion inhibitors to protect steel parts for all production equipment and pipelines, biocides for the control of bacteria growth, and H2S scavengers which effectively reduce levels of toxic H2S gas to meet safety standards.

What innovations will you bring to this region in the near future?
We recognise the constant challenges faced with corrosion in oilfield operations, and have, therefore, invested time and research and development (R&D) resources into developing a sophisticated range of corrosion inhibitors for use in production and a set of acid corrosion inhibitors for use in stimulation. In addition, we are continually upgrading the performance profile of our products, and have launched a new range of pour point depressants with these features.