1. n. [Drilling Fluids]

The situation in which 10-second and 10-minute gel strengths for a drilling mud have similar values. Flat gels indicates that the mud will remain pumpable with time if left static in the hole. However, if gel values are too low, barite sag or solids settling is likely.

See related terms: drilling fluid,  gel strength,  progressive gels,  zero-zero gels