1. n. [Drilling Fluids]

The action in which mud particles (barite) become coated with an oily substance that causes the particles to agglomerate. This can cause barite settlement or removal by shaker screens. The problem can occur when mud additives, such as fatty-acid soaps or mud lubricants, are incompatible with the mud system or react adversely to contaminating ions.

See related terms: aggregation,  barite,  drilling detergent,  fatty acid,  fatty-acid soap