Water-based drilling mud needs a steady pH and a source of potassium, and potassium hydroxide gives you both in one additive. Oman Chem supplies potassium hydroxide pellets in Oman from Barka Industrial Area. We also list KOH flakes and AR and LR laboratory pellets for drilling contractors, mud service companies and site laboratories.
KOH, also sold as caustic potash, raises mud pH and adds potassium ions that help stop reactive clays from swelling. Typical treatments run 0.25 to 4.5 ppb (lb/bbl), depending on the fluid type.
What potassium hydroxide does in drilling fluids
Potassium hydroxide (KOH, caustic potash, CAS 1310-58-3, molecular weight 56.11) is a white, dangerously corrosive inorganic solid. It dissolves freely in water and also in alcohol and glycerol. A dilute solution is strongly alkaline: a typical figure is pH about 13.5 at 25 °C for 5.6 g/L.
In oilfield use, KOH works as a pH adjuster and buffer that raises pH in water-based drilling muds. The same treatment also supplies potassium. Added to a drilling fluid, it controls pH and helps stop clay minerals swelling and causing wellbore problems.
That is why it appears in KCl polymer programmes. Polymeric KCl mud is made with fresh water, bentonite and PAC-LV, with KOH for pH control, and it is described as the most common water-based mud system. If your rig is drilling reactive shale on a water-based programme, KOH is probably already on your mud engineer's material list.
KOH or caustic soda for your mud programme
Caustic soda also raises pH, but it adds sodium. In KCl mud systems, KOH is preferred over caustic soda because it raises alkalinity and supplies potassium ions for shale inhibition. The potassium ions help bind clay platelets and reduce swelling.
Sodium works against that. Sodium chloride contamination reduces how well KCl inhibits shale, so extra potassium may be needed. When you use KOH for alkalinity, each pH treatment adds potassium to the system instead of sodium.
Typical dosage and target pH for KCl polymer mud
Potassium-based shale-inhibiting muds are usually held above pH 9.0, in a general range of 9.0 to 13.0, with about 10.5 to 11.5 often preferred. Your mud programme and the operator's specification set the final figure.
As a typical starting point, about 0.5 lb/bbl gives roughly pH 10 and about 1.0 lb/bbl gives roughly pH 12, depending on the mud. The wider treatment range in drilling fluids is 0.25 to 4.5 ppb (lb/bbl), depending on the fluid type. KOH also neutralises acid gases, so you may use more of it in sections where acid gas enters the mud.
Pilot test on a sample of your own mud before a large treatment. Check that mixing hoppers, dosing pots and storage tanks are not made of aluminium, tin or zinc, because KOH attacks these metals.
Potassium hydroxide pellets Oman: the grades we supply
Solid KOH comes as flakes, hemispherical pellets, and compacted briquettes or walnut forms. Liquid KOH is sold as 45% and 50% solutions, made by electrolysis of potassium chloride brine. We list four solid items:
- Potassium hydroxide pellets for site and plant use, part number RXSOL-19-1613-500.
- Potassium hydroxide flakes KOH, part number RXSOL-19-1613-025.
- Potassium hydroxide pellets AR for analytical work, part number RXSOL-60-6605-302.
- Potassium hydroxide pellets LR for routine laboratory use, part number RXSOL-60-6605-303.
For mud treatment at the rig site, the technical pellet or flake grade gives you the alkalinity and potassium you need. Pellets are preferred where precise dosing and easy handling matter, as in labs and automated dosing. Anhydrous flake grades are typically about 90% KOH.
The AR pellets are for your mud laboratory or QC bench, where you neutralise acids or prepare potassium salts of reagents. An AR or ACS pellet assay is typically at least 85% KOH, with carbonate (K2CO3) typically 2.0% max and iron, nickel and heavy metals at trace levels. The assay is lower because 85% grades contain water. A mud engineer treating a pit does not need AR purity, and a lab running titrations should not use technical flake.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Part numbers | RXSOL-19-1613-500 (pellets), RXSOL-19-1613-025 (flakes), RXSOL-60-6605-302 (pellets AR), RXSOL-60-6605-303 (pellets LR) |
| Application | pH control and potassium source in water-based and KCl polymer drilling mud; gas drying; laboratory neutralisation and reagent work (AR, LR) |
| Typical dosage (drilling fluids) | 0.25 to 4.5 ppb (lb/bbl), depending on the fluid type; about 0.5 lb/bbl gives roughly pH 10 and about 1.0 lb/bbl gives roughly pH 12, depending on the mud |
| Typical spec, industrial flake and pellet | KOH 87% min (dry basis), K2CO3 0.75% max, chlorides (as KCl) 300 ppm max, iron 10 ppm max |
| Typical spec, AR/ACS pellet | Assay typically at least 85% KOH, K2CO3 typically 2.0% max, iron, nickel and heavy metals at trace levels |
| Physical properties (typical) | Density about 2.04 g/cm3; melting point about 360 to 405 °C (lower for 85% grades, which contain water); boiling point about 1320 °C |
| Packing | Drilling-grade KOH is typically packed in 25 kg polythene or multiwall bags |
| Transport | UN1813, Potassium hydroxide, solid, Class 8 (corrosive), Packing Group II |
These figures are typical values for this product class taken from published datasheets. They are not the measured specification of any one batch.
Other uses: gas drying, refining and plant work
Flake and briquette KOH is also used to dry and purify oil and gas streams and in petroleum refining, including desulfurisation. Outside the oilfield, buyers use it for soaps and detergents, alkaline batteries, electroplating, potassium salts such as carbonate, permanganate and phosphates, fertilisers, dyes and textiles, pharmaceuticals and biofuel.
Soap and detergent plants in the Batinah can also find the same flakes on our Sohar Chemical listing.
Storage in Oman's heat and humidity
Solid KOH is hygroscopic and may cake over time if exposed to moisture. It also absorbs carbon dioxide from air, which turns part of the hydroxide into carbonate. Humid summer air on the Muscat and Batinah coast and a torn bag in a Fahud or Duqm yard lead to the same problem: lumps that dose badly and lose strength.
Keep containers tightly closed and dry, ideally in the original receptacle. Store in a dry place with the packaging intact, away from acids. Keep KOH away from aluminium, tin, lead, zinc and their alloys, and from peroxides, ammonium salts, explosives and flammables. On a rig, that means a covered chemical store or container, pallets kept off wet ground, and part-used bags closed after each mix.
Hazard data and transport class
KOH carries the GHS signal word Danger. H290 may be corrosive to metals, H302 harmful if swallowed, H314 causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
For road, sea and air, the entry is UN1813, Potassium hydroxide, solid, Class 8 (corrosive), Packing Group II, under DOT, IMDG and IATA. During transport, keep bags covered and handle with care to avoid damaging the packaging. Ship and store separately from acids. Brief your crew on the PPE and first aid sections of the safety data sheet before the bags reach the mixing area.
Where to buy potassium hydroxide in Muscat and Oman
Oman Chem (Muscat & Barka for Business Trading), Barka Industrial Area, Sultanate of Oman. Phone +968 77333599, WhatsApp +968 77333599, email muscatchem@gmail.com.
Send us the grade, the quantity, the delivery location and the date you need it, and we will reply with a quote. Buyers in the capital can also find the flakes on Muscat Chemical.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy potassium hydroxide pellets in Muscat or Sohar?
Oman Chem supplies KOH pellets, flakes and AR and LR laboratory pellets from Barka Industrial Area. Call +968 77333599 or send a WhatsApp message with the grade, quantity and delivery site.
What is the difference between potassium hydroxide pellets and flakes?
Both are solid KOH. Pellets are small hemispherical beads, preferred where precise dosing and easy handling matter, as in labs and automated dosing. Anhydrous flake grades are typically about 90% KOH.
Why is KOH used instead of caustic soda in KCl polymer drilling mud?
KOH raises alkalinity and also supplies potassium ions for shale inhibition. Caustic soda adds sodium instead, and sodium chloride contamination reduces how well KCl inhibits shale.
How much potassium hydroxide per barrel raises mud pH to 10?
As a typical figure, about 0.5 lb/bbl gives roughly pH 10 and about 1.0 lb/bbl gives roughly pH 12, depending on the mud. Pilot test on a sample of your own mud first.
Is potassium hydroxide hazardous for transport, and what is its UN number?
Yes. Solid KOH ships as UN1813, Potassium hydroxide, solid, Class 8 (corrosive), Packing Group II. Keep bags covered during transport and ship them separately from acids.
To order KOH pellets, flakes or AR pellets, request a quote from Oman Chem or send the grade and quantity on WhatsApp to +968 77333599.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy potassium hydroxide pellets in Muscat or Sohar?
Oman Chem supplies KOH pellets, flakes and AR and LR laboratory pellets from Barka Industrial Area. Call +968 77333599 or send a WhatsApp message with the grade, quantity and delivery site.
What is the difference between potassium hydroxide pellets and flakes?
Both are solid KOH. Pellets are small hemispherical beads, preferred where precise dosing and easy handling matter, as in labs and automated dosing. Anhydrous flake grades are typically about 90% KOH.
Why is KOH used instead of caustic soda in KCl polymer drilling mud?
KOH raises alkalinity and also supplies potassium ions for shale inhibition. Caustic soda adds sodium instead, and sodium chloride contamination reduces how well KCl inhibits shale.
How much potassium hydroxide per barrel raises mud pH to 10?
As a typical figure, about 0.5 lb/bbl gives roughly pH 10 and about 1.0 lb/bbl gives roughly pH 12, depending on the mud. Pilot test on a sample of your own mud first.
Is potassium hydroxide hazardous for transport, and what is its UN number?
Yes. Solid KOH ships as UN1813, Potassium hydroxide, solid, Class 8 (corrosive), Packing Group II. Keep bags covered during transport and ship them separately from acids.
