Newpark Drilling Fluids is talking about water. At the Offshore Technology Conference 2014 (OTC 2014), the company is promoting its high-performance, water-based drilling fluids. Newpark President, North America, Phil Vollands says the break from drilling tradition is paying off.

“Historically, people drilled with diesel-based, synthetic oils,” said Vollands, “and now through an intense focus on technology development, we have water-based technology, developed primarily for shale plays, that is drilling in many cases better than the synthetic fluids, while being sound for the environment.”

The environmental benefit of a water-based drilling fluid is hard to ignore. However, Vollands says although the industry appreciates its responsibility to the environment, it’s performance that drives new technology.

“In the oil industry, performance is what drives the adoption rate, and the environment, although important, tends to be a value-added scenario,” said Vollands. “And this drilling fluid is performance based. We’re drilling longer in lateral and horizontal sections, and well stability is improved, and quality as well.”

Newpark is also celebrating the opening of a new Technology Center in Katy, Texas. The sprawling, 102,000 square foot complex features 37,000 square feet of laboratory space for product development, testing and training. The lab is home to a one-of-a-kind drilling simulator and a full range of world-class analytical capabilities.

“It’s a beautiful, modern building, and most importantly inside that building are world-class labs.” Said Vollands. “This is what we do, drilling fluids, and we live and die by how well we do it. So, the company is passionate about customers, customer satisfaction, and technology development. Our mission is to bring high-performance, water-based fluids, through technological development, to the industry.”

Vollands says Newspark’s focus on improved drilling fluids makes sense in an industry constantly striving for efficiency.

“The industry is always looking for ways to become more efficient, why wouldn’t we think drilling fluids is an area that can provide efficiency gains?”

The company’s North American service activity averages several hundred rigs, with supply managed through a mature network of dozens of distribution centers. NDF is active in the offshore Gulf of Mexico market, including deepwater locations. Onshore, NDF’s broad presence includes Texas and Louisiana, the Mid-Continent, the Rocky Mountains, Northeastern shale plays and Canada.