Oilfield Chemicals
Bentonite Extenders
As high-quality bentonite reserves become scarcer, it is common practice to add a small amount of polymer to the ore during milling, in order to guarantee that the bentonite will meet the API specification of minimum barrel yield without compromising fluid loss control.
Long-chained anionic polymers will increase mud viscosity by linking clay platelets together, thus these polymers are used as dry extenders to improve the yield of bentonite to API and OCMA specification; or as wet-extenders for use in low-solids, freshwater non-dispersed mud systems. Wet extension is particularly useful when spudding a well or prior to logging operations when extra carrying capacity is required.