This standard covers heavy brines commonly used in petroleum and natural gas completion, workover and drill-in fluids. These brines can be purchased or rented from multiple sources, and are available worldwide. No single source or limited source of supply is included, either by inference or reference. This standard provides methods for assessing the performance and physical characteristics of heavy brines for use in field operations. It includes procedures for evaluating the density or specific gravity, clarity or amount of particulate matter carried in the brine, crystallization point or the temperature (both ambient and under pressure) at which the brines make the transition between liquid and solid, pH, and iron contamination. It also contains a discussion of gas hydrate formation and mitigation, buffering capacity and a standardized reporting form.