About Organophilic Clay for Oil-Based Drilling Fluids
Drilling fluid grade organoclay is an organophilic clay viscosifier and gellant for oil-based and synthetic-based drilling muds. It builds yield point and gel strength in diesel, low-toxicity mineral oil and many synthetic base fluids, helping the mud clean the hole and suspend barite and cuttings.
In an invert emulsion mud the continuous phase is oil, so water-wet clays such as bentonite cannot be used for viscosity. The quaternary ammonium treatment makes this grade disperse in the oil phase. With shear and the polar effect of the emulsified brine, the platelets form a network that provides low-shear rheology, the property that controls barite sag and cuttings transport in deviated and horizontal wells. Mud engineers usually combine it with emulsifiers, wetting agents and fluid-loss additives, and may add rheology modifiers to fine-tune low-end readings.
Obsidian Minerals produces this grade with controlled moisture and fineness and tests every batch in our NABL-accredited laboratory. Rheological performance can be reported against the mud company's own formulation and specification, using API RP 13B-2 procedures for oil-based fluids, including measurements after hot rolling. Each shipment includes a Certificate of Analysis, Technical Data Sheet and MSDS/SDS, and samples are available on request for laboratory qualification in your base fluid.
Typical specifications
| Parameter | Typical Value | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture (105 °C) | ≤ 3.5 % | Internal method |
| Fineness, passing 75 µm | ≥ 95 % | Dry sieve, internal method |
| Specific gravity | Approx. 1.7 | Internal method |
| Loose bulk density | 0.30–0.50 g/cm³ | Internal method |
| Rheology in base fluid, before and after hot rolling | Reported against agreed formulation | API RP 13B-2 procedures |
| Typical field addition | 2–8 lb/bbl (approx. 6–23 kg/m³) | — |
| Appearance | Cream to off-white fine powder | Visual |
Typical values for guidance. Guaranteed limits are stated on the Technical Data Sheet and batch CoA. Rheological acceptance criteria are agreed with the customer for the base fluid, formulation and hot-roll temperature concerned.
Key features & benefits
Oil-phase viscosifier
The organophilic surface lets this drilling fluid grade organoclay disperse directly in diesel, mineral oil and many synthetic base fluids, building viscosity in the continuous phase of invert emulsion muds.
Low-shear rheology for hole cleaning
Builds yield point, gel strength and low-shear readings that help transport cuttings in high-angle and horizontal sections and reduce the risk of barite sag during static periods.
Tested to your mud formula
Performance can be checked in the customer's own base fluid and formulation using API RP 13B-2 procedures, including rheology after hot rolling at the agreed test temperature.
Works with standard OBM chemistry
Compatible with the emulsifiers, wetting agents, lime and fluid-loss additives commonly used in oil-based and synthetic-based systems, so it fits existing mud programmes without major change.
Applications
Oil-based invert emulsion muds
Primary viscosifier and gellant in diesel and mineral oil invert emulsion muds used for water-sensitive shales, deep wells and sections where wellbore stability is critical.
Synthetic-based drilling fluids
Builds rheology in synthetic-based muds formulated with olefins, paraffins or esters, often specified for offshore wells where base fluid selection is driven by environmental requirements.
Oil-based packer and completion fluids
Provides long-term suspension in oil-based packer fluids and similar systems left in the well behind casing, where solids must stay suspended for extended periods without settling onto tools.
Usage & handling
- Typical addition is 2–8 lb/bbl (approx. 6–23 kg/m³), depending on base fluid, oil–water ratio, temperature and target rheology.
- Add through the hopper to the base oil early in the mixing sequence, before brine and weighting material, and apply maximum available shear.
- Allow time and shear for yield to develop; emulsified brine contributes to activation, so rheology often rises after the water phase is added.
- Store dry and sealed, and follow the MSDS/SDS for dust control during mixing.
Packaging & supply
- 25 kg or 50 kg HDPE or paper bags for rig-site mixing
- 1 MT or 1.2 MT FIBC jumbo bags for liquid mud plants
- Private-label packaging for mud service companies on request
- Batch CoA, Technical Data Sheet and MSDS/SDS with each shipment
Frequently asked questions
What does organophilic clay do in an oil-based mud?
Organophilic clay is the main viscosifier and gellant in oil-based and synthetic-based muds. It disperses in the oil phase and builds yield point, gel strength and low-shear viscosity, which suspend barite and carry cuttings out of the well. Without it, invert emulsion muds would have limited carrying capacity, particularly at low flow rates.
How much drilling fluid grade organoclay is added per barrel?
Typical additions range from about 2 to 8 lb/bbl, roughly 6 to 23 kg/m³. Lower amounts are used in heavily weighted muds with high solids, and higher amounts in low-density muds or high-angle wells that need stronger low-shear rheology. Pilot testing with your base fluid, oil–water ratio and temperature profile will set the right level.
How is the performance of drilling fluid organoclay tested?
Performance is usually evaluated in the customer's own base fluid and formulation. The mud is mixed, hot rolled at a specified temperature and measured for rheology and gel strength using API RP 13B-2 procedures for oil-based fluids. We can report results against agreed acceptance criteria and supply samples for your laboratory to run its own qualification.
Can this organoclay be used in synthetic-based muds?
Yes. The grade can be used in many synthetic-based drilling fluids based on olefins, paraffins and esters, although yield may differ from diesel or mineral oil systems. Some synthetics need a higher addition or more shear to reach target rheology. Send your base fluid specification and we will help set up a pilot test programme.