The benefits of Xanthan Gum used in oil ···

Liquid Xanthan Gum is a high purity Xanthan Gum biopolymer, suspended in Glycerin. This type of polymer is unique when compared to most other polymers in oilfield drilling and completion applications. Xanthan gums are well known for their ability to provide extremely low-solids with excellent carrying and suspending characteristics. Fluids thickened with Liquid Xanthan Gum have a tendency to thin at higher velocities and thicken at lowers velocities.

Application:
Liquid Xanthan Gum is a versatile product and can be used in most types of water-based fluids for rheology modification, hole cleaning and solids suspension. It provides excellent friction reduction for coiled tubing operations. It is useful over a wide range pH range. Xanthan gum was the first truly stable thickener for hydroscopic acid used in the oilfield. The Liquid Xanthan Gum suspension is uniquely stable, easily handled and useful in both oilfield and non-oilfield applications.Liquid Xanthan Gum is non-polluting and safe to handle.
In the oil industry, xanthan gum is used in large quantities to thicken drilling mud. These fluids carry the solids cut by the drilling bit to the surface. Xanthan gum provides great "low end" rheology. When circulation stops, the solids remain suspended in the drilling fluid. The widespread use of horizontal drilling and the demand for good control of drilled solids has led to its expanded use. It has been added to concrete poured underwater, to increase its viscosity and prevent washout.

Shear thinning
The viscosity of xanthan gum solutions decreases with higher shear rates. This is called shear thinning or pseudoplasticity. This means that a product subjected to shear, whether from mixing, shaking will thin. When the shear forces are removed, the liquid will thicken again. In oil drilling, the addition of xanthan gum makes it thick enough at rest to keep the mixture fairly homogeneous, but the shear forces generated by shaking and pouring thins it, so it can be easily drilling processed. When it exits the drilling hole, the shear forces are removed and it thickens again, so it clings to the mud.

Amounts used
The greater the ratio of xanthan gum added to a liquid, the thicker the liquid will become. An emulsion can be formed with as little as 0.1% (by weight). Increasing the amount of gum gives a thicker.

The benefits of Xanthan Gum used in oil industry makes oilfield drilling more effecient and easy to handle.