Clay Stabilizer

What Does Clay Stabilizer Mean?

A clay stabilizer is a chemical additive used in a well stimulation process so that the migration or movement of clay particles in reaction to water-based fluids is avoided. Clay stabilizers act to ensure that the clay platelets remain in position by controlling the electrolytic characteristics and the electrical charge of the treatment fluid. Clay stabilizers are used in oil and gas wells workover and intervention operations.

Corrosionpedia Explains Clay Stabilizer

The basic purpose of a clay stabilizer is to prevent the unnecessary movement of the clay particles in the treatment fluid while carrying out well workover operations.

The word “clay” refers to sedimentary rocks such as clay (mud), shale, mudstones, siltstones and marls having a particle size smaller than 4 microns. If such clay particles mix with the treatment fluid during workover operations, they produce swell and create additional problems for oil and gas drilling operations, such as damage to the drill bits, corrosion in the cemented casing of the well and other issues. A clay stabilizer is a chemical additive used with the treatment fluid to hold the clay particles in place to prevent them from mixing with the fluid.