1. n. [Drilling Fluids]

A large tank that holds drilling fluid on the rig or at a mud-mixing plant. For land rigs, most mud pits are rectangular steel construction, with partitions that hold about 200 barrels each. They are set in series for the active mud system. On most offshore rigs, pits are constructed into the drilling vessel and are larger, holding up to 1000 barrels. Circular pits are used at mixing plants and on some drilling rigs to improve mixing efficiency and reduce dead spots that allow settling. Earthen mud pits were the earliest type of mud pit, but environmental protection concern has led to less frequent use of open pits in the ground. Today, earthen pits are used only to store used or waste mud and cuttings prior to disposal and remediation of the site of the pit.

See related terms: gunning the pits,  prehydrated bentonite