Baker Hughes announced the launch of its BJ SmartCare family of environmentally preferred fracturing fluids and additives.
The company said in a statement that the SmartCare offering which has been qualified through a recognised third-party chemical evaluation process provides the industry with complete, flexible fracturing systems and additives that meet clients’ technical performance and environmental compliance requirements. Each fluid and additive has been methodically vetted for safety, performance, compatibility and value.
SmartCare system qualification was conducted by independent expert environmental consultants based on a transparent, quantifiable and standardised method of measuring environmental, human health and physical risks associated with oilfield operations. The process identifies the products and systems that meet or exceed existing regulatory requirements and provides a scientific protocol for evaluating and selecting products for use in areas where regulations are limited or absent.
To date, products have been qualified in four different fracturing systems: slickwater, linear gel, crosslinked and viscoelastic. The qualification process also is a key component of Baker Hughes’ continuous improvement and research and development efforts for more environmentally responsible chemistry.
“Using SmartCare systems in hydraulic fracturing treatments diminishes risk to people and the environment without impairing stimulation performance. In fact, we have a stringent internal process to ensure that the SmartCare family of fluids and additives meet or exceed our clients’ performance specifications,” said Lindsay Link, president of Baker Hughes’ pressure pumping business segment. “To optimise well productivity, you have to match the fracturing technology to the reservoir. The SmartCare family gives us the flexibility to combine environmentally preferred fluids, additives and specialty chemicals and create a fit-for-purpose, optimised solution for each well.”
