A rig move to Nizwa goes more smoothly when the mud chemicals, engine coolant and site lab consumables are planned and ordered well before the convoy leaves. As an oilfield chemical supplier in Barka, Oman, we work from our Barka Industrial Area base. A mixed rig move order can include guar gum powder for the water-based mud, green coolant for engines and generators, and soda lime with indicator for the site lab and gas sampling kits. Send us the list early so we can confirm what can be arranged before your convoy window opens.
Why use an oilfield chemical supplier in Barka, Oman for a Nizwa rig move
Barka sits on the Batinah coast with road access to Muscat, Sohar and the interior. When a rig moves inland to Nizwa, Fahud or other PDO concession areas, the move plan is full of fixed dates: rig down, convoy, rig up, spud. Chemicals that arrive late or short hold up the mud programme and the HSE sign-off.
Planning the order early prevents that. You send us the list once the move date is known, and we confirm items, pack sizes and a dispatch date with you. Your logistics team confirms the convoy window and the site access paperwork, and the order is arranged around them.
What goes on the pallet: guar gum, green coolant and soda lime with indicator
A typical rig move order mixes bulk drilling fluid chemicals with small items that are easy to forget until the rig is up.
Guar gum powder. Guar gum is a polysaccharide from the guar seed. In water-based drilling fluids it works as a thickener, stabiliser and suspending agent. It is also used for fluid loss control, including in salt water muds. Research on native guar reports that it loses performance at high downhole temperature and high salinity, so your mud engineer should confirm it suits the well programme before you order in quantity.
Green coolant. Rig engines, generators and camp vehicles all need a coolant top-up after a long, hot road move. Follow the label and your engine maker's coolant specification for mixing and top-up.
Soda lime with indicator. This small item matters to the site lab, to gas sampling trains and to any closed breathing equipment on the safety list. It is covered in detail below.
We confirm part numbers and pack sizes for the guar gum and coolant with your quote. For the full range of drilling and bulk chemicals, see our product list for oilfield and drilling chemicals.
Soda lime with indicator: what it does on a rig site
Soda lime with indicator is a granular mixture of calcium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide with a small amount of indicator dye. It is used to absorb carbon dioxide (CAS 8006-28-8). A typical AR grade contains calcium hydroxide 75 to 84%, water 10 to 20%, sodium hydroxide 3 to 5% and ethyl violet indicator under 1%.
The absorption reaction is CO2 + Ca(OH)2 giving CaCO3 + H2O + heat. The granules need water to work and the sodium hydroxide acts as the catalyst. The reaction is exothermic, so a working absorber bed gets warm. On and around a rig, this type of absorbent removes CO2 from gas streams in the lab and in gas sampling and analysis trains. It is also used in closed breathing systems and hyperbaric chambers.
We list the rig grade as soda lime with indicator for oilfield use and the lab grade as soda lime with indicator AR. If you are choosing between soda lime and liquid caustic for CO2 removal, read our comparison of soda lime and caustic soda as CO2 absorbents.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Part numbers | RXSOL-95-8197-025 (oilfield listing), RXSOL-95-8197-005, RXSOL-60-6605-450 (AR grade) |
| Application | CO2 removal in labs, gas sampling and analysis trains, closed breathing systems and hyperbaric chambers |
| Typical composition (AR grade) | Calcium hydroxide 75 to 84%, water 10 to 20%, sodium hydroxide 3 to 5%, ethyl violet indicator under 1% |
| Typical CO2 absorption | At least 19% for granular grades; pellet grades listed at about 27% or more |
| Typical loss on drying | Up to 20% (10 g, 200 °C, 2 h) |
| Particle size (typical) | Pellets 2 to 5 mm; granular grades in sizes such as 4 to 8 mesh |
| Indicator | Usually white or cream turning violet when saturated; some grades go from pink to white, so check the label |
| pH (typical) | 12 to 14 at 20 °C (5% filtered slurry) |
| Hazard | Skin Corrosion Category 1, H314, GHS05, signal word Danger |
| Packing | Typical in the market: 250 g and 500 g bottles, about 2.5 kg containers, 5 kg jars and 25 kg packs. We confirm our pack sizes on the quote |
Reading the colour change before you sign the delivery note
The indicator usually changes from white or cream to violet as the absorbent becomes saturated with CO2. Violet granules mean the material is spent and should be replaced. Some grades use a pink-to-white indicator instead, so check which colour scheme the label states.
Before signing, ask your storekeeper to compare the granule colour with the label, looking through any clear container or inspection window without breaking the seal. Spent stock at a remote site means a second trip.
Keeping absorbents and powders dry in Oman's heat and humidity
Keep soda lime in its original container, tightly closed, dry, locked up and protected from moisture. Avoid direct sunlight, air contact and moisture. Once the container is opened, the granules pick up CO2 and humidity from the air and use up capacity before they reach your absorber.
On a summer rig move, keep the containers out of open truck beds and away from container roofs in direct sun. Move them into a shaded, dry store on arrival. Open only the quantity you will use. Guar gum powder needs the same care: keep the sacks sealed, off the ground and away from water so the powder does not cake before it reaches the mixing hopper.
Handling, PPE and hazard notes for the HSE file
Soda lime with indicator is classified Skin Corrosion Category 1 (H314, causes severe skin burns and eye damage). It carries the GHS05 corrosion pictogram and the signal word Danger. Calcium hydroxide dust may cause respiratory irritation. It is not flammable and has no flash point, but thermal decomposition gives off corrosive vapours.
Wear protective gloves, chemical goggles or safety glasses and a dust mask. Do not breathe the dust, use it in a well-ventilated area, and wash your hands after handling. For a spill, shovel the material into a dry container without compacting it and recover it mechanically. Keep it out of drains and the environment, and dispose of the residue at an authorised site. Make sure your HSE adviser has the safety data sheet on file before the rig is up.
Where to buy in Muscat and Oman: ordering from Barka
Oman Chem (Muscat & Barka for Business Trading) supplies from Barka Industrial Area, Sultanate of Oman. Call +968 77333599 or message us on WhatsApp.
The same soda lime is also listed on our Sohar site for Sohar port and Batinah buyers. Buyers in the capital can order through our Muscat site for Ruwi and Muscat buyers.
Send the list with the rig move date and the site name, and we will confirm part numbers, pack sizes and a dispatch date.
Request a quote for your rig move order on WhatsApp at +968 77333599, or use our quote request page.
Frequently asked questions
Can a supplier stage drilling chemicals in Barka ahead of a rig move?
Send us the list once your move date is known. We will confirm with you which items can be arranged from Barka and how they fit your convoy window and site access.
How long does delivery take from Barka to Nizwa or Fahud rig sites?
It depends on the convoy window, the site access permits and the size of the load. We confirm a dispatch date with your quote.
How do I know when soda lime is exhausted?
The indicator usually changes from white or cream to violet as the absorbent becomes saturated with CO2. Violet granules mean it is spent and should be replaced. Some grades use a pink-to-white indicator, so check the label.
How should soda lime be stored in hot, humid conditions?
Keep it in the original container, tightly closed, dry, locked up and protected from moisture. Avoid direct sunlight and air contact, because CO2 and humidity in the air use up its capacity before use. Open only what you need.
Can I order drilling chemicals and small lab items like soda lime in one order?
Send us the full list with the site name and the rig move date. We will confirm part numbers, pack sizes and how the order can be arranged on the quote.