Drilling Fluid

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-008550",
  "term": "Drilling Fluid",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. Fluid used to lubricate the bit and convey drill cuttings to the surface with rotary drilling equipment. Usually composed of bentonite slurry or muddy water. Can become contaminated, leading to cross contamination, and may require special disposal. Not used with DP methods\n\n2. Water- or oil-based muds, synthetic fluids, or air and foam fluids that are required for the process of wellbore drilling.\n\n3. Circulating fluid (mud) used in the rotary drilling of wells to clean and condition the hole and to counterbalance formation pressure. Classes of drilling fluids are:(1) Water-based drilling fluid means the continuous phase and suspending medium for solids is a water-miscible fluid, regardless of the presence of oil.(2) Non-aqueous drilling fluid means the continuous phase and suspending medium for solids is a water-immiscible fluid, such as oleaginous materials (e.g., mineral oil, enhanced mineral oil, paraffinic oil, C16-C18internal olefins, and C8-C16 fatty acid/2-ethylhexyl esters).(i) Oil-based means the continuous phase of the drilling fluid consists of diesel oil, mineral oil, or some other oil, but contains no synthetic material or enhanced mineral oil.(ii) Enhanced mineral oil-based means the continuous phase of the drilling fluid is enhanced mineral oil.(iii) Synthetic-based means the continuous phase of the drilling fluid is a synthetic material or a combination of synthetic materials.\n\n4. Circulating fluid (mud) used in the rotary drilling of wells to clean and condition the hole and to counterbalance formation pressure.",
  "subject": "General environmental",
  "references": [
    "Terms of Environment",
    "EPA EV-Chemical Substances-Chemical Roles",
    "40 CFR 435.41 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 435.11 (CFR 2013)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/drilling-fluid/"
}