This document provides information on 3MTM Gas Well Stimulant WS-1200, which is used to alter the wettability of sandstone in natural gas wells to allow water and condensate to flow more freely and increase production. It chemically bonds to siliceous surfaces in the well without constricting pores or damaging the core. Laboratory tests show it increases gas permeability by 1.5-3x while field trials saw 1.5x improvements on average over six months. It provides a more durable solution than solvent-only treatments by changing wettability for over a year.

1. 3
3M™ Gas Well Stimulant
WS-1200
Product Information
Introduction and Use
3M™ Gas Well Stimulant WS-1200 is a fluorinated material used
to mitigate condensate and/or water blockages in sandstone
natural gas wells. The material is used to alter the wettability of
a sandstone matrix or a silica based proppant pack. This allows
water and/or condensate to flow more freely through the well
matrix or the proppant pack, thus increasing the well’s production.
Typical Physical Properties (Not for specification purposes.)
Properties Typical Values
Appearance Slightly hazy/clear, yellow viscous liquid
Specific Gravity (g/cc) 1.14
Solubility in Water Dispersible in all proportions
Flash Point (Setaflash closed cup) 180°F (82°C)
Vapor Pressure 0.0014 psi (0.07 mm Hg)
pH (of 1% aqueous solution) 4.5
Viscosity (cP @ 25°C / 77°F) 2,000-6,000
Tg <0°C
Chemical Type Non-ionic
Composition
90% polymeric fluorochemical actives
8% non-fluorochemical actives
2% co-solvent (dipropylene glycol
monomethylether, toluene)
Freeze/Thaw Stability Protect from freezing*
* If Gas Well Stimulant WS-1200 freezes, warm it to 86°F (30°C) until fluid. Freezing will not
change physical properties or adversely affect performance.
WS-1200 Technology Overview
Over time, nearly all natural gas wells reach a point where flow
rates are reduced due to the accumulation of condensate, oil and/
or water blockage. WS-1200 is non-reactive but interacts with the
substrate by attaching itself via polar bonding under reservoir
conditions. Figure 1 schematically represents the attachment of
WS-1200 to a siliceous surface. The fluorinated portion of the
active ingredient orients outward in a monolayer attachment and
therefore does not constrict pores. This changes the wettability
of the substrate’s surface, minimizing capillary pressure and
mitigating residual saturations of water and hydrocarbon. This
increases the relative permeability of the gas and condensate.
F
FCF
FCF
SiO2
FCF
Figure 1. Active Attachment
Lab and Field Results
Laboratory core flood data using WS-1200 in sandstone cores
show improvement factors for gas permeability of 1.5x to 3x,
with no core damage. Field trials demonstrated improvements
averaging 1.5x at six months following treatment and no wells
were shut down due to the use of WS-1200 during those trials. All
wells exhibited a change in rock wettability via improved gas flow
and/or increased flow stability.
Solvent-only treatments will clear the well matrix or proppant
pack, but not change the surface wettability. Hence, the water
and/or condensate blockage begins re-forming immediately
following a solvent treatment. The duration of the wettability
change using WS-1200 has consistently exceeded one year in
observed field trials. All wells where data were taken for two years
showed wettability modification to two years. The use of WS-1200
in a solvent blend can be viewed as a durable solvent treatment.
Blending and Use
WS-1200 is added to a solvent blend which the user has deemed
suitable for the well. Recommended solvents include materials that
are water and condensate soluble, such as alcohols and/or glycol
ethers. However, the choice of solvent is dependent on the well
conditions and the solvent blend containing the WS-1200 should
be tested for compatibility with the well fluids before deployment
into the well. The solvent carries nominally 2 weight percent WS-
1200 into the well matrix or fracture. The solvent portion dissolves

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Issued: 6/12 8513HB
98-0212-4218-9
3M™ Gas Well Stimulant WS-1200
and displaces the brine and condensate in the formation or
fracture and the 3M™ Gas Well Stimulant migrates to the
matrix or proppant surface where it attaches and changes the
wettability of the sandstone or the proppant pack to neutral
wettability.
Typical Treatment
A typical treatment is a standard “squeeze job.” The well
should be cleared of any liquids. The treatment blend of
solvent and WS-1200 should be introduced at a rate the
well can accommodate, but without allowing the treatment
blend to stand in the wellbore for extended periods of
time. Following deployment, the treatment blend should be
immediately followed with a nitrogen flush equal to at least
the volume of treatment blend used (liquid N2
volume). A
larger volume of nitrogen can be used to facilitate the back
production of the liquids and to bring the well back on-line
sooner. This will also push the treatment further into the
formation. The well should then be shut-in for 12 – 15 hours,
preferably overnight. After shut-in, the well is restarted.
Types of Treatable Wells
• Water blocked
• Condensate blocked
• Volatile oil wells
• Dry gas wells
• Fractured wells
Environmental Summary
WS-1200 is a fluoromaterial. The fluorine portion of the
molecule is based on a 3M starting material, perfluorobutane
sulfonyl fluoride (PBSF). The ultimate persistent degradation
product is perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS). The PFBS
based materials produced by 3M have been reviewed by the
U.S. EPA and placed on the TSCA inventory. The product
is REACH compliant in Europe. The product is available
for purchase in countries without chemical inventory
requirements. For countries with chemical inventory
requirements, the product can be purchased in China,
Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines and on a limited
basis in Australia, Canada and Japan. PFBS and PFBS
based materials are not included in the U.S. EPA’s PFAS
Final Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) (67 Fed. Reg.
72854). 3M has completed a human health risk assessment
and an environmental hazard assessment on the ultimate
degradation product (PFBS) which shows minimal risk to
human health or the environment.
Packaging
• 1 gallon (sample for purchase),
• 5 gallon
• 30 gallon
Energy and Advanced
Materials Division
3M Center
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000
www.3M.com/specialtymaterials
3
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