Water-Based Muds
Viscosifiers
Water-based muds require viscosifiers compatible with the base fluid and tolerant to drilling conditions. AES Drilling Fluids has a range of options from basic gel additives to enhanced grades of xanthan gum, such as ENERZAN.
Systems
Viscosifier Options
There are several kinds of viscosifiers used in water-based muds in order to provide quality hole cleaning and solid-suspension characteristics. Viscosifiers work in concert with all of the mud components, meaning there is a wide range of options for the numerous water-based drilling fluids available.
Key attributes
Enhanced lubrication
Superior filtration control
Environmental compliance
Shale Inhibitors
Water-Based Mud Additives
Shale inhibition requirements vary by the properties of the formation. Mixed clay layers can respond to water in different ways.
Corrosion Inhibitors & Scavengers
Filtration Control
Shale Inhibitors
Lubricants
Viscosifiers
Loss Prevention & Treatment
Shale Inhibitors
Invert Emulsion Additives
Shale inhibition requirements vary by the properties of the formation. Mixed clay layers can respond to water in different ways.
Emulsifiers, wetting agents & dispersants
filtration control
viscosifiers
loss prevention & treatment
Reviews
Technical Specifications
Our expertise ensures our drilling fluid systems are maintained at maximum performance at with cost. Our TechTips series seeks to educate customers with some of this knowledge related to key drilling fluid concepts.
Clay-Based Viscosifiers
Bentonite, a name given for commercially mined sodium montmorillonite (a form of smectite clay) is the most common clay additive used in both oil and water-based drilling fluids. When a bentonite clay particle is hydrated, the interlayers expand as water is absorbed. This expansion is what creates viscosity in a clay-based drilling fluid system. The distance at which the particle expands is related to the type and amount of cations present.
Another type of commercial clay often used is Attapulgite, a needle-shaped non-swelling particle primarily used in saltwater muds. The inherent shape of this material is responsible for the clay’s behavior and ability to build viscosity. Because of its non-swelling and crystalline structure, Attapulgite alone does not provide sufficient filtration control.
Base: Advanced water-based formulation.
Additives
Biodegradable polymers for enhanced viscosity and fluid loss control.
Shale stabilizers to maintain wellbore integrity.
pH buffers for chemical stability.
Lubricants to reduce torque and drag.
Non-toxic defoamers for surface-level operations.
Polymer Viscosifiers
Polymers, defined as large molecules comprised of small, identical recurring units, are widely used in water-based muds. Their structures can usually be classified as linear, branched, or cross-linked. However, polymers can also be categorized by their origin: natural, modified, or synthetic.
One of the most often used natural polymers is known as xanthan gum. When hydrated, xanthan gum arranges itself as a long branching structure with weak hydrogen bonding – this provides its viscosifying characteristics.
The effectiveness of polymers/starch additives relies on many factors, including the concentration of the material and the fluids’ inherent pH/hardness/salinity. Starch additives, typically added for filtration control, can also provide viscosity as a secondary function.
Common polymers used in water-based drilling fluids:
- Xanthan Gum – Shear-thinning polymer with excellent suspension characteristics
- PHPA (Partially Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide) – Provides shale inhibition properties and drilled solids encapsulation, along with an inherent viscosity
- HEC (Hydroxyethylcellulose) – Modified cellulose polymer used widely in completion and workover fluids for viscosity and fluid loss control due to its relatively clean, acid soluble characteristics. HEC structure is such that it does not suspend solids effectively.
- High Temperature Synthetic Polymers – Chemically synthesized and tailor made to fit a specific application, often ultra-high temperature conditions.
- PAC (Polyanionic Cellulose) – Polyanionic modified polymer which reduces fluid loss and increases viscosity
- CMC (Carboxymethycellulose) – Modified anionic polymer which reduces fluid loss and increases viscosity
Temperature Range: Up to 350°F (175°C) for optimal performance..
Pressure Conditions: Effective under both normal and high-pressure environments.
Mud Weight: Adjustable between 8.5 to 16.0 ppg (1.02 to 1.92 SG) based on well requirements.
pH Range: Maintained between 9.0 to 10.5 for optimal stability.
PERFORMANCE: Case History
In Pennsylvania, an operator was using a saturated salt system to drill wells featuring water-sensitive shales. Typical wells required 30 days to drill with significant waste volumes due to dilution requirements. PURESTAR was introduced, reducing average drilling days to 7 and with over 60% less dilution. PURESTAR provided identical performance to a standard synthetic-based system with internal phase chlorides remaining below 4,000 mg/l throughout the well.
- ISO Standards: ISO 13503-1, ISO 9001
- API Standards: API RP 13B, API RP 13C
- Environmental Compliance
- Health and Safety & Performance Standards
Product Data Sheet
Select Viscosifier Additives for Water-Based Mud from AES Drilling Fluids
Filtration control additives vary by performance requirements to minimize cost for an application. Contact your AES Drilling Fluids Account Manager to review product details for your application.
| Product | Description | Product Data Sheet | Product Data Sheet Link | Associated Mud System(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENERZAN | High purity dispersible xanthan gum biopolymer used for rheology control in fresh water, seawater, brine and saturated salt environments | ENERZAN Product Bulletin | Download PDF | General WBM |
| ENERZAN L | A premium grade xanthan gum dispersed in light mineral oil for ease of use | ENERZAN L Product Bulletin | Download PDF | General WBM |
| ES-VIS | Premium bentonite for the EnerSEAL system | ES-VIS Product Bulletin | Download PDF | General WBM |
| SURE SWEEP | WBM viscosifier for high viscosity sweeps | SURE SWEEP Product Bulletin | No PDF Available | General WBM |
| XG-VIS | A dispersible xanthan gum biopolymer used for rheology modifications, hole cleaning and solids suspension in all types of water based mud systems | XG-VIS Product Bulletin | Download PDF | General WBM |
Innovative Solutions to Complement Your Drilling Program
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Featured Products/Additives
Shale Inhibitors
Shale inhibition requirements vary by the properties of the formation. Mixed clay layers can respond to water in different ways.
Corrosion Inhibitors
Whether it’s minimizing dissolved oxygen through our CAT 752 OS, scavenging dangers hydrogen sulfide through WILDCAT 601TZ, or a comprehensive treatment.
Filtration Control
Water-based muds typically have higher fluid loss compared to invert emulsion. Quality additives such as our ES-CONTROL and ENERPAC are designed to perform at low concentrations.
Lubricants
Torque and drag limit rate of penetration and compromise directional control. From our signature ENERLUBE lubricant to our latest options, BRINEX or ENERLUBE LITE.
