Oilfield Liquid Potassium Formate
CAS NO.: 590-29-4
Molecular Formula: HCOOK
Molecular Weight: 84.12
Character: Colorless transparent liquid.
Usage:
1. It is widely used in oil field industry as drilling fluid with excellent performance;
2. As the camouflage acid in the leather industry;
3. As reducing agent in print and dyeing industry;
4. As road snow melting agent, early strength agent of cement paste, and in carbon black manufacture, leaf fertilizer and other industries.
Package: 1000L IBC tank or Flexibag.
Storage: It should be stored in a dry and ventilative warehouse, kept away from heat and moisture during transportation, unloaded with care so as to avoid damage. Furthermore, it must be stored separately from poisonous substances.
- Product Description
Oilfield Liquid Potassium Formate Drilling & Completion Fluid Solution — High-Density, Eco-Compliant Brine for Complex Wells
Oilfield Liquid Potassium Formate (HCOOK, CAS 590-29-4) is a high-performance, ready-to-use clear brine engineered specifically for demanding upstream oil and gas operations. Produced by the Shanxi Zhaoyi Chemical Co. Ltd. with more than 30 years experience in acetate and formate chemicals, proven for high-pressure, high-temperature well conditions. Colourless clear liquid with densities up to 1.57 g/cm3 (13.1 lb/gal). With a concentration inaccuracy of ≤±1% each batch and inhibition performance 20% above industry average, it provides drilling engineers reliable, field-verified data from the first drum to the last.
Technical Specifications
Parameter | Specification |
CAS Number | 590-29-4 |
Molecular Formula | HCOOK |
Molecular Weight | 84.12 g/mol |
Appearance | Colorless transparent liquid |
Assay (Purity) | ≥75% |
Hydroxide (OH⁻) Content | ≤0.3% |
Carbonate (CO₃²⁻) Content | ≤0.5% |
Chloride (Cl⁻) Content | ≤0.2% |
Specific Gravity | ~1.57 g/cm³ |
pH Range | 9.0–11.0 |
Turbidity | < 20 NTU |
Iron Content | < 50 mg/L |
What Makes This Product Stand Out
When you choose a liquid potassium formate drilling brine, consistency matters as much as chemistry. Unlike solid grades that require on-site dissolution and carry contamination risks, this liquid product is delivered ready-to-use — compatible with automatic feeding systems and requiring zero mixing downtime.
Key differentiators from Shanxi Zhaoyi Chemical include:
· Batch concentration error ≤ ±1% — critical for precise density management downhole
· Inhibition effect 20% higher than the industry average for shale stabilization
· Flexibag and 1000L IBC tank packaging — saves 20%–33% in transportation and packaging costs compared to traditional ton barrels
· 150,000-ton annual production capacity across a 27,000 m² facility — stable supply for both spot and long-term contract orders
· 24/7 technical consultation with drilling fluid formulation support
Core Application Scenarios
Reservoir Drill-In Fluids (RDFs)
For open-hole completions, the base brine used is potassium formate completion fluid at 75% concentration, producing a particles free filter cake. Its compatibility with starches and biopolymers maintains reservoir permeability – with Return Permeability over 90%. This tackles the skin damage issues often connected with calcium-based fluids, safeguarding your reservoir production from day one.
HPHT Completion and Workover Fluids
Deep and complicated wells need fluids that will not deteriorate under long-term heat and mechanical stress. This substance is used as a packer fluid or perforation pill to manage the formation pressure with no danger of barite sag. The chemical stability of the fluid ensures no crystallisation or deterioration during extended static periods in the annulus – a significant benefit in HPHT conditions, where fluid integrity is directly related to well safety.
Stabilising Shale and Drilling Offshore
It replaces Potassium Chloride (KCl) in water based mud systems for better suppression of reactive shales. In offshore locations where environmental discharge legislation is strict, the low chloride profile eliminates the logistical burden and cost of managing high chloride waste streams. Together, you may minimise regulatory risk and achieve wellbore stability, a benefit not often seen with conventional brines.
Primary Performance Benefits
The downhole value of this product is based on good shale inhibition and clay stabilisation. Clay hydration-related wellbore collapse events are greatly minimised, therefore decreasing non-productive time (NPT) per well.
Corrosion of downhole tubulars and alloy equipment is much less than with chloride or bromide based brines. This increases the service life of your equipment and lowers maintenance expenses throughout your drilling program.
It is non-toxic and biodegradable, meeting basic environmental criteria for delicate marine and terrestrial habitats. It avoids environmental fines that are increasingly impacting operating licenses in regulated nations.
Its broad compatibility with drilling fluid additives — including polymers, biopolymers, and weighting agents — means you can integrate it into existing mud systems without reformulation risk.
Oilfield Liquid Potassium Formate vs Other Products
Feature | Liquid Potassium Formate | Potassium Chloride (KCl) | Calcium Bromide | Solid Formate |
Shale Inhibition | Excellent (20% above avg) | Moderate | Low | Excellent |
Environmental Impact | Biodegradable, low toxicity | High chloride discharge | Moderate toxicity | Biodegradable |
Corrosion Rate | Very Low | Moderate | High | Very Low |
Ease of Use | Ready-to-use liquid | Requires dissolution | Requires dissolution | Requires dissolution |
Reservoir Compatibility | High (>90% permeability) | Moderate | Low (skin damage) | High |
Temperature Stability | Excellent (HTHP rated) | Moderate | Good | Excellent |
Transportation Cost | Lower (concentrated) | Higher (bulk) | Higher (heavy) | Moderate |
Offshore Compliance | Fully compliant | Restricted | Restricted | Fully compliant |
Quality Control Standards
Shanxi Zhaoyi Chemical's Oilfield Liquid Potassium Formate undergoes strict quality inspections before shipping. You get a product validated to the dimensions that really matter for downhole performance and compliance:
· Specific Gravity checked by hydrometer or oscillating U-tube technique to validate the 1.57 g/cm3 density goal
pH and Alkalinity maintained at 9.0–11.0, providing buffer capacity against acid gas inflow (CO2/H2S).
• Maintained turbidity below 20 NTU to provide a solids-free fluid that would not block screens or gravel packs
· Impurities Analysis with rigorous limitations on Calcium, Magnesium and Iron (< 50 mg/L) to avoid polymer cross-linking and scaling
· Heavy Metal Testing (Arsenic, Mercury, Cadmium) for compliance with environmental discharge requirements using ICP-OES
Each cargo is sent with batch certifications (COA) and multi-lingual MSDS documentation.
Certifications & Compliance
Shanxi Zhaoyi Chemical Co., Ltd. operates under internationally recognized management system certifications, giving you full confidence in quality consistency, environmental responsibility, and supply chain transparency.
· ISO 9001 — Quality Management System Certification
· ISO 14001 — Environmental Management System Certification
· ISO 45001 — Occupational Health and Safety Management System Certification
· Kosher Certification (for applicable product grades)
· Halal Certification (for applicable food-grade products)
The company also supports on-site factory audits by international customers. All documentation — including COA, MSDS, and conformity records — can be customized for your target market's regulatory requirements.
Packaging Options
1000L IBC Tanks
Containers in bulk are useful for industry, in terms of handling in large-scale drilling operations. Less packaging waste for you and easier inventory control at your drill sites.
Flexibag Solution
Flexible bulk packaging may cut shipping expenses by 20-33% compared to rigid containers. Your logistics teams love the space efficient design that maximises cargo capacity.
Custom Packaging Available!
We meet particular volume needs for specialised applications. Reach out to our team to explore packaging alternatives that align with your operating requirements.
Storage Specification
Keep in dry, well-ventilated warehouses, away from heat and moisture. Avoid damaging containers during transit and keep the goods intact.
FAQ
Q: What is the normal potassium formate concentration used as a finishing fluid?
A: The high-density standard is a 75% potassium formate completion fluid that achieves densities of around 1.57 g/cm³, which is enough for most HPHT completion and workover fluid needs without additional weighing agents.
Q: How do the properties of liquid potassium formate drilling brine compare to KCl mud systems?
A: Liquid potassium formate drilling brine offers improved shale inhibition, less danger of corrosion to downhole metals, and has a chloride-free profile – hence, the preferred option in offshore and ecologically sensitive drilling operations where discharge of KCl is limited.
Q: What is the minimum order quantity and the delivery time?
A: Normal production lead time is approx. 5-7 working days. If in stock we are able to ship within 24 hours. Please contact the team for precise pricing and availability on volumes.
Q: Is it possible to customise the concentration or formulation?
A: Yes, Shanxi Zhaoyi Chemical can provide unique concentrations, combinations of additives and package forms to suit your well design and operating needs.
Q: What paperwork comes with each shipment?
A: Each shipment is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and any compliance paperwork necessary by your local regulatory body. Multilingual versions available on request.
Q: Is potassium formate eco-friendly for offshore drilling?
A: Sure. Potassium formate is non-toxic and biodegradable, complying with the environmental protection criteria of oilfield use. The low chloride profile makes offshore waste disposal more simpler than bromide or chloride brine systems.
Contact Us
Ready to source reliable Oilfield Liquid Potassium Formate for your next project? Contact our team at sxzy@sxzhaoyi.com — we respond to all technical and commercial inquiries within 2 hours.
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