NovaMuda has developed a low-cost, biodegradable water-based drilling mud with improved properties and no harmful chemicals in the formulation. It is made from a carbomer with the main additive Bentonite, a mineral found in clay beds. Being less toxic and environment-friendly, water-based muds can be highly used in drilling non-traditional hydrocarbon reservoirs and can thrive well in the oil and gas industry.

Since carbomer is a specific grade of polyacrylic acid that has tailor-made rheological and filtration properties, the water-based mud is stable under various pressures and temperatures, thus reducing the risks of gas blow-outs and fire hazards along with increased fluid loss control and greatly improved hole cleaning and wellbore stability in comparison to conventional drilling fluids.

NovaMuda also optimized the viscosity behaviour and gel strength in the water-based mud formulation by varying the carbomer’s molecular weight and branch structure, which is why the product is highly recommendable for drilling deep or high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) wells.