Magnesium Elektron Introduces Dissolvable Magnesium Fracking Alloy for Oil and Gas Industries

Magnesium Elektron has introduced SoluMag™, a proprietary high-strength, soluble magnesium alloy developed specifically for making down-hole oil and gas industry fracking tools that will quickly and safely dissolve after use.
As quoted in the press release:

Traditional fracking requires expensive machinery to remove plugs, balls and other temporary tools that have served their purpose, thus to enable an unimpeded flow of oil and gas. Tools made from SoluMag dissolve completely after use, eliminating the need for such costly intervention.
“SoluMag dissolves quickly, predictably and at lower temperatures than other soluble materials used in these applications,” said Guy Roberts, head of sales and marketing for Magnesium Elektron. The first public showing of SoluMag took place at the Global Petroleum Show in Calgary, Canada, in June. A time-lapse video showed the material being dissolved in saline solution. Also on show were samples at various levels of dissolution, as well as test data covering strength and corrosion rates. This generated a high level of interest from completion companies and tool suppliers and led to initial product sales for laboratory and field testing.
Magnesium Elektron has since announced further product developments, including the ability to customize rates at which the alloy dissolves.

Click here for the full press release.