MCS-W / MCS-O SPACERS

Product Information

Introduction

To insure the successful cementing of any type of well, it is of prime importance to remove as much
drilling mud from the hole as possible. Any mud, which is bypassed and left in place when
cementing, causes a loss of bond in that area and the mud pocket could allow communication
between zones. Thus, it is extremely important to employ cementing practices and procedures,
which result in maximum mud removal. Among these practices are the conditioning of the mud
prior to cementing, rotation and reciprocation of pipe during cementing, and the use of efficient
preflushes ahead of the cement.
Product Description
BJs MCS-W and MCS-O Spacers are multi-purpose cementing spacers for use with water and oil
based muds, respectively.
MCS has been successfully used with oil-based, water-based and emulsion mud systems. This
spacer has been proven an effective product to prevent contamination between the cement and
mud systems.
Mechanism
MCS is designed to be compatible with both mud and cement systems. The sweep efficiency is
caused by a thinning of the gelled mud and/or non-dehydrated cake, and not by forming a viscous
interface or clobber in either system. Once the displacement of the mud has been completed, the
spacer continues to work, since it contains strong water wetting surfactants to help improve cement
bonding to pipe and formation.
Applications
MCS is recommended with water-based or oil-based muds because of the increased sweep
efficiency and improved bonding associated with it. MCS is also recommended during both plug
and squeeze cementing operations because it lessens the risk of contamination and improves the
chances for a successful cement. This spacer is especially important in cases with oil-based or
emulsion muds, since contamination of cement with these mud systems may cause premature flash
setting of the cement. Cement contamination of these mud systems will also limit the performance
of the muds.

The above data is supplied solely for informational purposes and BJ Services Company makes no guarantees or warranties, either express or implied, with respect to
the accuracy or use of this data. All product warranties and guarantees shall be governed by the standard contract terms at the time of sale.

BJ SERVICES COMPANY
LATIN AMERICA REGION

MCS-W / MCS-O SPACERS

Recommended Quantities
Normally the volume and rate required for complete mud removal are calculated by BJs
CEMFACTS program, however the following rules could also be used and modified based on
experience in the area.
Two rules of Thumb:
1.

A minimum quantity of 15 barrels for the first 1500 feet and 5 barrels for every additional 1000
feet.

2.

500 feet of annular fill when 15 barrels occupy less than 300 feet of annular fill.

Pump Rates
MCS spacer can be used with any flow regime but the highest practical pump rate is desired for
best results. Actually, doubling the concentration of GW-22 listed in MCS mixing table will
transform this spacer into BJs Mud Sweep plug flow spacer.
Safety Precautions
Normal safety procedures should be followed to prevent contact with skin and eyes. MCS is slightly
caustic and may cause eye damage or burns if left unattended. Respirators should also be worn to
prevent breathing of the fumes.

Product Packing
MCS Spacer can be supplied in a 600-gallon kit, which contains three components (Products A, B,
& C). When mixed with water and barite the kit will yield 600 gallons of MCS Spacer. Another
method is to provide the components in their original packing, i.e. GW-22 in 50-lb sacks, and
MCS-ALB surfactant and FP-6LB in 55-gallon drums. Concentrations should strictly follow the
mixing table.

The above data is supplied solely for informational purposes and BJ Services Company makes no guarantees or warranties, either express or implied, with respect to
the accuracy or use of this data. All product warranties and guarantees shall be governed by the standard contract terms at the time of sale.

BJ SERVICES COMPANY
LATIN AMERICA REGION

MCS-W / MCS-O SPACERS

COMPATIBILITY TESTS

(I)

14.5 ppg MCS Spacer with 14.0 ppg Mud

Mud

100
75
50
25
0

(II)

Spacer

0
25
50
75
100

Rheology @ Room Temperature

300

200

100

166
134
126
102
96

100
76
78
66
56

72
55
60
54
40

42
22
38
38
25

9
7
8
11
5

6
5
6
8
3

17.0 ppg MCS Spacer with 16.0 ppg Mud

Mud

100
95
75
50
25
5
0

Spacer

0
5
25
50
75
95
100

Rheology @ Room Temperature

300

200

100

382
344
325
250
226
164
154

240
224
200
162
140
116
108

182
168
150
130
108
94
108

114
110
94
88
72
66
88

23
22
22
32
26
24
62

18
16
16
28
24
20
20

The above data is supplied solely for informational purposes and BJ Services Company makes no guarantees or warranties, either express or implied, with respect to
the accuracy or use of this data. All product warranties and guarantees shall be governed by the standard contract terms at the time of sale.

BJ SERVICES COMPANY
LATIN AMERICA REGION

MCS-W / MCS-O SPACERS

RHEOLOGY

Density Temp
ppg
10.6
11.0
12.5
13.0
13.5
14.1
16.0

F
170
95
180
180
151
205
205

Fann Reading
600
300
20
56
20
23
17
26
85

12
39
13
12
11
17
45

200

100

9
32
10
7
8
12
28

5
23
7
5
5
7
16

2
8
2
2
2
2
4

1
7
1
1
1
1
3

MCS SPACER MIXING TABLE

Density
ppg

Fresh Water
gal/bbl

GW-22
lb/bbl

MCS-ALB
gal/bbl

10.0
11.0
12.0
13.0
14.0
15.0
16.0
17.0
18.0
19.0
20.0

37.43
35.90
34.37
32.82
31.29
29.75
28.20
26.68
25.14
23.60
22.06

0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50

2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0

Barite
lb/bbl
90.8
145.6
200.3
255.4
310.0
365.0
420.4
474.9
529.9
584.7
639.7

Remarks

1.

Generally, 2.0 gal/bbl of MCS-ALB Surfactant (Product B) is recommended for oil-based mud
spacers (MCS-O) and 1.0 gal/bbl for water-based mud spacers (MCS-W).
However,
compatibility tests should be conducted by the BJ field lab using materials and water from the
wellsite. The normal concentration range is between 1 gal/bbl to 3 gal/bbl.

2.

GW-22 Gellant (Product A) concentrations vary from 0.25 lb/bbl to 1 lb/bbl. Field lab tests
should be conducted to determine the required concentration for barite suspension using actual
water and materials at downhole conditions.

The above data is supplied solely for informational purposes and BJ Services Company makes no guarantees or warranties, either express or implied, with respect to
the accuracy or use of this data. All product warranties and guarantees shall be governed by the standard contract terms at the time of sale.

BJ SERVICES COMPANY
LATIN AMERICA REGION

MCS-W / MCS-O SPACERS

Mixing Instructions

1.

Check to ensure mud pit is free from oil base mud and lines are flushed clean.

2.

Add required amounts of water.

3.

Add GW-22 (Product A) and allow to hydrate for 1 hour while circulating. Add one half of
FP-6LB (Product C) to avoid foaming. GW-22 hydrates faster at pH 8 9. If required, adjust
pH with BF-3 or Caustic Soda.

4.

Add the weighting agent slowly. At temperatures above 250 F, it is recommended to use BJs
W-10 instead of W-5 (Barite). Add the rest of FP-6LB.

5.

Add MCS-ALB surfactant (Product B) and continue agitation with impeller.

6.

A pressurized mud balance should be used for checking density.

The above data is supplied solely for informational purposes and BJ Services Company makes no guarantees or warranties, either express or implied, with respect to
the accuracy or use of this data. All product warranties and guarantees shall be governed by the standard contract terms at the time of sale.

BJ SERVICES COMPANY
LATIN AMERICA REGION