1. n. []

The ability of a circulating drilling fluid to transport rock fragments out of a wellbore. Carrying capacity is an essential function of a drilling fluid, synonymous with hole-cleaning capacity and cuttings lifting. Carrying capacity is determined principally by the annular velocity, hole angle, and flow profile of the drilling fluid but is also affected by mud weight, cuttings size, and pipe position and movement.

Synonyms: cuttings lifting,  hole cleaning

See related terms: Brookfield viscometer,  cuttings,  drill-in fluid,  rheology,  rheology modifier,  saltwater mud,  spud mud,  XC polymer