Inhibition

{
  "id": "MLC-T-OAG-001980",
  "term": "Inhibition",
  "field": "Oil and gas",
  "definition": "The chemical process of preventing or slowing the swelling, hydration, and dispersion of clay and shale particles when they are exposed to a water-based drilling fluid. Inhibitive mud systems use salts, polymers, or glycols to limit water uptake by reactive formations, maintaining wellbore stability. The degree of inhibition is measured by tests that expose shale cuttings to the fluid and observe changes in hardness and dispersion over time.",
  "subject": "Drilling Fluids",
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/oil-and-gas/inhibition/"
}