Drilling Mud

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-008551",
  "term": "Drilling Mud",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. When tapping natural resources, soil and bits of rock mix with water used to lubricate drills to form drilling mud. When rocks contain radioactive minerals such as radium, the mud is radioactive.\n\n2. Heavy suspension used in drilling an ‘‘injection well,’’ introduced down the drill pipe and through the drill bit.\n\n3. Mixture of clays and additives with water, oil, or synthetic materials. While drilling, the drilling mud is continuously pumped through the drill string and out the bit to cool and lubricate the drill bit, and move cuttings through the wellbore to the surface.",
  "subject": "Air",
  "references": [
    "RadTown Glossary",
    "40 CFR 144.3 (CFR 2018)",
    "40 CFR 98.238 (CFR 2024)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/drilling-mud/"
}