The process is simple and efficient. Lubra-Glide co-polymer beads and cuttings are removed by the rig shaker and washed down into the recovery tank. The turbulent water action within the recovery tank serves to separate Lubra-Glide beads from the cuttings. Upon separation, the cuttings settle quickly to the bottom and are transported across our high-speed cuttings shaker screens. The finer solids and Lubra-Glide beads are then pumped to one or two hydro-cyclone manifolds mounted atop our high-speed cuttings shaker equipped with 150 to 250 mesh screens (or operator specified mesh). The Lubra-Glide beads with an average specific gravity virtually equal to that of water (SG 1.06) are forced upward through the hydro-cyclone discharge vortex while the unwanted solids travel downward for discharge.

At this point the final recovery step takes place. The bead-carrying fluid discharged through the hydro-cyclone discharge vortex is directed by hose across our recovery shaker. This final separation of Lubra-Glide beads from the fluid assures re-introduction of clean beads into the circulation system via the rig suction pit and the return of the fluid back to its original point, the recovery tank keeping the fluid in its own “closed loop” system.

This recovery process allows for 90 to 98% of the Lubra-Glide beads to be recovered. The continuous re-introduction of Lubra-Glide beads into the drilling and/or completion fluid creates a constant free-flowing concentration of beads working downhole to effectively reduce torque and drag conditions.