Product Bulletin

ACTIVATOR II ACTIVATOR II thermal stabilizer increases the temperature stability

of drilling fluids viscosified with polysaccharide polymers, e.g.
natural gums, cellulose derivatives, and biopolymers such as
xanthan gum. ACTIVATOR II thermal stabilizer is particularly
effective in the thermal enhancement of biopolymer-containing
fluids.

Form ............................................. Powder

TYPICAL PHYSICAL
Color............................................. White
PROPERTIES
Specific gravity ............................ 3.5 - 3.6
pH (saturated solution)............... about 10
Solubility...................................... Slightly soluble

The viscosity of drilling fluids biopolymer-viscosified drilling

APPLICATIONS viscosified with polysaccharide
polymers decreases as the
temperature of the drilling fluid
increases. The rate of viscosity
decrease increases as the
temperature and time of
exposure increase. ACTIVATOR II
thermal stabilizer is particularly
effective in decreasing the
viscosity breakdown of
biopolymer-containing drilling
fluids when measured at
circulating shear rates, such as
those measured on the Fann
viscometer at 600 and 300 rpm.
ACTIVATOR II thermal stabilizer
should be dispersed in water
before adding it to the drilling
fluid. When added directly to a
fluid at low shear rates, the
biopolymer can encapsulate the
ACTIVATOR II thermal stabilizer
before it completely disperses.
Although pilot tests should be
undertaken to determine the
specific concentration of
ACTIVATOR II thermal stabilizer
needed for a given drilling fluid
at the expected fluid
temperature, it is commonly used
in concentrations of 1 to 3
lb/bbl.
Thermal stabilization of the
drilling fluid can be measured by
determining the viscosity at 600
and 300 rpm after hot rolling at a
specific temperature.
 • The use of ACTIVATOR II
ADVANTAGES thermal stabilizer is designed
to lower the cost of
biopolymer-containing
drilling fluids by decreasing
thermal degradation of the
polymer.

ACTIVATOR II thermal stabilizer is closed. If moisture is allowed to

LIMITATIONS
highly hygroscopic. It will pick contact ACTIVATOR II, the
up moisture from the product will react with the
atmosphere readily if moisture and harden into a
precautions are not taken to solid block.
keep the product containers

Bioassay information is available Handle as an industrial

TOXICITY
upon request. chemical, wearing protective
AND HANDLING
equipment and observing the
precautions as described on the
Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS).

ACTIVATOR II thermal stabilizer is

PACKAGING
packaged in special 50-lb plastic
AND STORAGE
containers designed to keep the
product moisture-free.

This material is supplied solely for informational purposes and M-I L. L. C.

makes no guarantees or warranties, either expressed or implied, with
respect to the accuracy or use of this data. All product warranties and
guarantees shall be governed by the Standard Terms of Sale.
A Smith/Schlumberger Company
P.O. Box 721110
Houston, Texas 77272-1110
Tel: 281-561-1300
© 2001 M-I L.L.C . All rights reserved. Fax: 281-561-1441
™ A CTIVATOR is a trademark of M-I L.L .C . www.midf.com
MI-10107 6/01 E-mail: mimud@midf.com