1. n. []

A term that, in the past, referred to a mud containing bentonite clay, water, caustic soda and perhaps barite (as needed for density) usually with lignite or lignosulfonate present. Modern drilling does not necessarily recognize this as a conventional mud because polymer muds, special drill-in fluids and synthetic-base muds are now in common use. There may not be a "conventional mud" today.

See related terms: chrome lignosulfonate,  clay,  deflocculant,  drill-in fluid,  low-solids mud,  mud,  synthetic-base mud