Glossary
Glossary
Weighting agent
A dense, finely ground solid added to drilling fluid to raise its density.
Weighting agents increase the density of drilling mud so that its hydrostatic pressure balances the pressure of the formations being drilled. This helps keep the well stable and prevents blowouts.
Barite is the most widely used weighting agent. Hematite is used where higher density is needed, and calcium carbonate where the material must be acid-soluble.
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