Bentonite is used for drilling fluids preparation. When mixing with water bentonite clay forms a viscous gelled suspension which serves as a basis for drilling fluid. During borehole construction, drilling fluid flushes the bore hole to clean it out from cuttings, lubricate and keep the drill bit cool and for other specific purposes of drilling. An important property of bentonite-based drilling fluid is that it ensures the bore hole walls stability by mudding. When the drilling fluid circulation is stopped, the clay suspension prevents cuttings from subsidence; this prevents from blocks in the bore holes and, as a result, from accidents.
Specific feature of bentonite clay as a natural material is that it’s environmentally friendly.
Interesting fact: for preparation a drilling fluid of specifie