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Potassium chloride is a High Purity, dry crystalline inorganic/metal halide salt composed of potassium and chlorine. It occurs naturally as the mineral slyvite. Potassium chloride is often referred to as muriate of potash, particularly when used as a fertilizer.

Potassium Chloride is a white crystalline powder which readily dissolves in water. In solid form it has a weak, bitter, unsalty flavor. Potassium chloride is a naturally occurring mineral.

Application

• Primarily used as a shale inhibitor as the potassium ion exchanges with calcium and sodium ions in the interlayer space in illites and smectites, converting them to more stable mica-type structures that do not hydrate and swell

• Used to prepare brines for drill-in, completion, and workover fluids

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Usage

• Potassium chloride is used at concentrations of 10 to 37 lb/bbl (28.5 to 105.6 kg/m3) for shale-inhibition purposes. Actual level is based on shale testing and knowledge of the formation. Therefore, some operators use as much as 80.5 lb/bbl (230 kg/m3) as determined by wellbore stability modeling.

• For application in dense brines, refer to brine tables.

• Consult the MSDS, safety posters, and/or product label before use, and use personal protective equipment as advised.