Chemical Treatment of Drilling Fluids

Chemical treating agents reduce flocculation in clay water drilling fluids by one of more of the following mechanisms; Removal of contamination be precipitation Reducing the contaminant effect by sequestering the contaminant Neutralizing flocculation by satisfying cationic charges on the clay particles Forms a protective film around the clay particles   Phosphates Powerful anionic dispersants, only …

Types of Clays

The first type is needle spaded non-swelling clays eg. Attapulgite or sepiolite. The shape of the clay allows it to build viscosity. As a result of their shape and poor swelling characteristics they don’t exhibit poor filtration control. Attapulgite is used primarily as a viscosity builder in saltwater fluids. Sepiolite is used as a supplemental …