Select Industries - Soap Sticks

SLICK STICKS™ are primarily used to remove water from gas wells and increase gas production. The foaming action decreases the hydrostatic back-pressure which increases gas production that further enhances the foaming action until the well unloads.

SLICK STICKS™ can be used to remove fluid from gas-condensate wells and flowing oil wells. For gas-condensate wells with more than 75% condensate, it is recommended to use OIL FOAM STICKS™.

SLICK STICKS™ can be used to increase the swabbing efficiency and life of swab cups. SLICK STICKS™ contain a very slick friction reducer. The extremely slick coating along with the foaming action increases efficiency and life of the swab cups and allows the well to flow easier. The perforations are often cleaned as a result of the surfactants and swabbing action.

SLICK STICKS™ are used in water injection wells in combination with ACID STICKS® to help reduce injection pressures. Surfactants contained in SLICK STICKS™ can help remove oil coating on scale. This helps the ACID STICKS® react with the exposed scale.

SLICK STICKS™ are an economical way to remove water from gas wells without using expensive well service operations such as swabbing, jetting with coiled tubing, or installing artificial lift and siphon strings.

SLICK STICKS™ are available in different formulations Code A for below 50,000 PPM NaCl in water and Code B for above 50,000 PPM – with some condensate present.

The number of SLICK STICKS™ to be used is based on the volume of water above the perforations. Field tests indicate that the best results were achieved by using a larger initial slug treatment of ½ to 1 percent by weight of SLICK STICKS™ to water above the perforations. A treatment of ½ to 1 percent by weight would require 1.75 to 3.50 lb of stick per BBL of water.

SENIOR (1 5/8” X 18”)

This amount is recommended for an initial slug treatment. In many cases, removing the top few hundred feet of fluid may be sufficient to allow the production of natural gas to blow out the remaining fluid in the well. To determine the optimum amount for periodic treatments you may choose to gradually reduce the initial treatment amount until the most economical point is reached. Periodic treatments with SLICK STICKS™ may be necessary to prevent production decline due to the gradual water build-up. It is much easier to maintain gas production with regular insertion of SLICK STICKS™ than it is to kick off a dead well. Gas bubbling through water is necessary to create foam. If a well is totally dead, GAS STICKS™ may be used in conjunction with SLICK STICKS™ to provide agitation energy.

Shut-in the well and drop sticks through a lubricator. Wait 45 seconds until sticks contact top of fluid then slowly return well to normal production. Repeat procedure if or when it becomes necessary. FOR HIGH RATE WELLS (after sticks have contacted the top of fluid) flow well at about 25% of pretreatment rate for about 20 minutes or until foam reaches surface then return to normal rate. FOR SHALLOW OR LOW RATE WELLS leave well flowing while dropping sticks if possible.

The stick will normally dissolve in 20 to 80 minutes depending on temperature, salt content, and relative water motion. SLICK STICKS™ are 100% soluble in water and dispersible in oil. The melting point of the sticks is 122ºF. The stick will dissolve in water in wells with BHT below 122º (just at a slower rate). Lab tests indicate the dissolving rate in 50,000 PPM moving brine water to be 72 minutes @ 100º, 25 minutes @ 120º, 8 minutes @ 140º, and 3 minutes @ 180º. The dissolving time will decrease if the sticks are broken before dropping or if they break upon impact with the top of the fluid. The specific gravity is 1.11. The falling rate through fresh water is approximately 100 feet per minute. Gas moving up tubing will often change falling characteristics.

As with all industrial chemicals, contact with eyes or skin should be avoided (see MSDS). Wash thoroughly with water. Sticks should be stored in a cool dry place. Always remove sticks from plastic bag before using. Bag can be used as a glove to avoid contact.