ENVIROPLUG® MEDIUM & COARSE were the FIRST bentonite chips developed and marketed. They are pure Wyoming Bentonite, designed for use as sealants for hole abandonment, casing seals or any vertical seal to prevent water movement up or down a bore hole.
When absorbing water, ENVIROPLUG® MEDIUM & COARSE swell to fill voids, exerting pressure against all surfaces to create a flexible low permeability seal. Since ENVIROPLUG® MEDIUM & COARSE are introduced in a “dry” state, shrinkage cannot occur and there is a reserve expansion capacity. Generally hydration takes 1 to 2 hours.
Characteristics Sizing Bulk Density Moisture Content Permeability
ENVIROPLUG® MEDIUM -3/8” + 1/4” 68 lb/ft3 15% ± 2 1 x 10-9 cm/sec
ENVIROPLUG® COARSE -3/4” + 3/8” 64 lb/ft3 15% ± 2 1 x 10-9 cm/sec
Application
ENVIROPLUG® COARSE has been used for abandoning drill holes since 1983. It easily falls through standing water and thin drilling fluids filling the column from the bottom upward. A fall rate of 1 foot/second through water can be expected and has been successfully applied through water to depths of over 1600 feet. Consult local regulations before beginning any abandonment procedure. Hole abandonment should be done by “Groundwater Professionals Only.”
