MLchartDataset catalogue

Drilling mud

Term · Oil and gas · MLC-T-OAG-001188

A circulating fluid, also called drilling fluid, used in rotary drilling to perform several functions, including cooling the bit, carrying cuttings to the surface, and controlling formation pressures. It is a complex mixture of a base fluid (water, oil, or synthetic), weighting agents like barite, and chemical additives that tailor its properties. The density of the mud is a primary control parameter, measured in pounds per gallon (ppg) or specific gravity (SG).

Table 1. Record
IdentifierMLC-T-OAG-001188
FieldOil and gas
SubjectDrilling Fluids
Record as JSON 
{
  "id": "MLC-T-OAG-001188",
  "term": "Drilling mud",
  "field": "Oil and gas",
  "definition": "A circulating fluid, also called drilling fluid, used in rotary drilling to perform several functions, including cooling the bit, carrying cuttings to the surface, and controlling formation pressures. It is a complex mixture of a base fluid (water, oil, or synthetic), weighting agents like barite, and chemical additives that tailor its properties. The density of the mud is a primary control parameter, measured in pounds per gallon (ppg) or specific gravity (SG).",
  "subject": "Drilling Fluids",
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/oil-and-gas/drilling-mud/"
}

Record 1,272 of 4,469 in Oil and gas terminology (MLC-0103). Request the full dataset.