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TC 2458-095-68836796-2014
XANTHAN GUM Rheology Modifier and Thixotropic Control Agent for Drilling Fluids
High-Quality, High-Viscosity Biopolymer
Product description
XANTHAN GUM is a biopolymer and one of the most widely used rheology modifiers in water-based drilling fluids. The product dissolves in fresh and saline water to form stable colloidal systems and acts as an efficient gelling (structure-forming) agent that gives the fluid shear-thinning and thixotropic behavior: when circulation stops, a gel structure forms that suspends the cuttings; when circulation resumes, viscosity decreases and good pumpability is maintained.
XANTHAN GUM is used to control the rheology and fluid loss of water-based drilling fluids in accordance with API 13A / ISO 13500. Owing to its high efficiency at low concentrations, xanthan is widely used in drilling fluids, completion fluids, cleanouts and other operations where stable carrying capacity and low filtrate invasion into the formation are important
Physical Properties and Chemical Composition
High-molecular-weight anionic polysaccharide (biopolymer), produced as salts (usually sodium/potassium/calcium) with a repeating structural unit of approximate composition (C35H49O29)n
Benefits
Effective control of drilling fluid rheology and filtration
- -1-Gives the drilling fluid pronounced shear-thinning and thixotropic properties, improving cuttings suspension when circulation stops and pumpability when the pumps are running
- -2-Serves as a reliable and efficient gelling agent for water-based drilling fluids, applicable over a wide range of shear rates and temperatures
- -3-Helps reduce fluid loss, particularly when used together with PAC/CMC and starch additives, forming a dense filter cake
Application and Dosage Recommendations
- XANTHAN GUM is intended for use in the oil and gas industry in well drilling operations to control the rheological properties and reduce the fluid loss of water-based drilling fluids, and as a stabilizer for suspensions and cuttings slurry systems
- Recommended loadings of XANTHAN GUM are 0.5 to 5.0 kg/m³, depending on the required viscosity parameters, fluid density and solids content
- XANTHAN GUM provides stable drilling fluid performance at temperatures up to 110 °C over a wide salinity range
- In fresh-water systems XANTHAN GUM effectively sets the rheology and carrying capacity, while in salt-saturated fluids and brines it retains shear-thinning and thixotropic behavior better than many synthetic polymers and CMC, which makes it the preferred choice for difficult drilling conditions
Packaging and Storage Conditions
XANTHAN GUM is supplied in 25 kg bags with a polyethylene liner. Store in dry, warm rooms away from sources of moisture and heat, avoiding wetting and mechanical damage to the packaging
Safety Requirements
Standard personal protective equipment must be used when handling XANTHAN GUM: protective gloves, safety glasses and, if necessary, a dust respirator. Further information on safe handling and disposal is given in the product Safety Data Sheet
Q&A from Oil Energy Experts
Q&A from Oil Energy Experts
XANTHAN GUM is a high-molecular-weight anionic biopolymer (xanthan gum) produced by fermentation of carbohydrates by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris. In drilling fluids XANTHAN GUM is used as a rheology modifier and filtration control agent: it provides shear-thinning and thixotropic behavior, increases carrying capacity, reduces fluid loss and improves wellbore stability in fresh-water and salt-saturated systems
XANTHAN GUM gives the drilling fluid a shear-thinning and thixotropic profile: at low shear rates and under static conditions a gel structure forms that keeps cuttings in suspension, while at higher shear rates viscosity decreases, which eases pumping and reduces hydraulic pressure losses. This rheological profile is important for efficient cuttings transport, prevention of solids settling and wellbore stability when circulation is stopped
Compared with PAC and CMC, xanthan biopolymer has more pronounced shear-thinning and thixotropic properties and is effective at low concentrations. It better retains viscosity and thixotropy at low shear rates, ensuring cuttings suspension, and provides stable rheology over a wide salinity range. PAC often gives better fluid loss control but is inferior to xanthan in its ability to build a shear-thinning profile, while CMC is usually less resistant to high salinity and temperature. For this reason XANTHAN GUM is often chosen as the primary rheology modifier, combined with PAC/CMC to optimize fluid loss
In horizontal and deviated wellbores it is particularly important to keep cuttings in suspension at low shear rates and during long circulation stops. Owing to its shear-thinning and thixotropic behavior, XANTHAN GUM forms a gel structure that prevents cuttings from settling and forming beds on the low side of the hole, and quickly restores fluid mobility when circulation resumes. This reduces the risk of stuck pipe, improves hole cleaning and increases drilling efficiency in complex well profiles
Discuss your application requirements with our technical team and request a product sample for laboratory testing
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