CarrySlik® 5.10 in the Permian Basin

Project Profile

• Location & Asset: Permian Basin (Reagan County, TX) | Upper Wolfcamp & Wolfcamp A
• Fluid Environment: 100% Recycled Produced Water (157,400 mg/L TDS, 6,800 mg/L Hardness)
• Application: Salt-Tolerant Slickwater Friction Reducer
• Key Outcome: -430 PSI Surface Pressure Drop; +8 BPM Injection Rate Gain

The Challenge Severe divalent cation concentrations (Ca2+,  Mg2+) in high-salinity produced water loops cause rapid polymer coil collapse in standard anionic friction reducers. This leads to surface pressure spikes, limits pump rates, increases hydraulic horsepower (HHP) wear, and risks early proppant screen-outs.

The SciDev Solution Engineers executed an on-the-fly transition to CarrySlik™ 5.10, a salt-tolerant emulsion polymer designed to maintain chemical coil expansion and rheological integrity in high-salinity brines.

Results & Operational Value

• Immediate Pressure Reduction: Dropped surface treating pressure by 430 PSI on-the-fly at 100bbl/min compared to the incumbent friction reducer.
• Rate Escalation Unlocked: Overcame severe pressure limitations on tortuous laterals, stepping pump rates from 67 bbl/min to 75 bbl/min (+8 BPM gain) under a constant 8,970 PSI ceiling.
• Chemical Dosage Savings: Optimized active fluid loading down to 0.8 GPT without pressure escalation, reducing total fluid treatment costs.