organophilic clay as a rheology modifier Attapulgite/Bentonite organic clay application for DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES

Applications for gel quality attapulgite in “drilling” include oil & gas well drilling, foundation and footing construction drilling, and trenching for environmental containment. When drilling deep wells for oil and gas, the hole is kept continually filled with a fluid mud slurry. The mud suspends the cuttings, pushes them to the surface and there they are removed when the mud is recirculated through a de-sander or screen. The mud cools and lubricates the drill bit and also forms a filter cake which helps reduce fluid loss.

the rheological properties of attapulgite clay gel-quality bentonite / attapulgite product is unaffected by high ionic concentration in the drilling environment. This has led many customers to simply call it “salt gel”. A clear advantage over other mineral thickeners is that attapulgite’s special properties allow the makeup water to be not just fresh water but the driller can also use the local environment’s brackish or brine water, water saturated with salt, or even contaminated with gypsum or cement at any pH level. Another unique feature of attapulgite/bentonite is that it is unaffected by over-shearing. Other rheology modifiers fade with prolonged or repeated shear, but attapulgite/bentonite clay performance will remain unchanged.

Some fracking fluids also have suspension and thixotropic thickening requirements. Fracking fluids containing boron mineral pose a difficult challenge with dispersion and suspension. Our attapulgite/bentonite clay rheology modifier and stabilizer is very effective at keeping the boron dispersed and suspended throughout its application. In addition, attapulgite/bentonite clay additive’s low dosage and very low grit content makes it far less abrasive on mixing and pumping equipment than other mineral products.

**The above information is for customers’ reference only. Performance characteristics vary depending on specific application. please contact us by email at info@fznewmaterials.com if detailed application method for molecular sieve needed.