1. n. [Drilling Fluids]

A type of shale-inhibitive water base drilling fluid that contains sodium silicate or potassium silicate polymeric ions. These ions adsorb on the shale surface and form a semipermeable osmotic membrane that prevents the transport of water and ions internal to the shale structure. This physicochemical barrier helps improve wellbore stability and provides in-gauge holes through troublesome shale sections that otherwise might require a nonaqueous drilling fluid. Silicate-gel drilling muds were first used in the 1930s to control problematic shales. In the 1990s, silicate nondispersed polymer drilling fluids were reintroduced to provide a high-performance shale-inhibitive water-base fluid, as an alternative to oil-base fluids. The highly inhibitive silicate fluid not only provides wellbore stability but also improves solids control performance with minimal environmental impact.

See related terms: balanced-activity oil mud,  buffered mud,  colloid,  colloidal solids,  inhibitive mud,  silicate,  silicate anion,  silicic acid