Polymers and additives enable drilling contractors to match drilling fluids to soil conditions to maximize performance, efficiency and success. Polymers were first used with drilling fluids in the 1930s when drillers added cornstarch was added to fluids to enhance filtration control and provide better borehole stability in coarse soil conditions.
Drilling fluids technology has advanced tremendously since the 1930s and the number and variety of polymers and additives available to drilling contractors can be overwhelming. With this article, I aim to help drilling contractors in selecting polymers to match drilling fluids to soil conditions to maximize drilling efficiency.