Utilization of Vermiculite for Solving Hematite Sagging in Water-Based Drilling Fluids

Table 1

The WBDF formulation.

Component	Function	Quantity (lb/bbl)
Water	Base fluid	245
Defoamer	Antifoam	0.08
Sodium carbonate	Calcium ions controller	0.5
Potassium hydroxide	pH controller	0.5
Xanthan gum	Viscosifier	1.5
Bentonite	Viscosifier	4
Vermiculite	Anti-sagging	As required
Starch	Fluid loss controller	6
PAC-R	Fluid loss controller	1
Potassium chloride	Shale swelling controller	20
Calcium carbonate	Bridging	5
Hematite	Densifier	350