NOV MMO Thixotropic Drilling Fluids

Thixotropic Drilling Fluid System

Mixed Metal Oxides (MMO) thixotropic drilling fluids are water-based systems engineered to meet the demands of complex drilling operations. These fluids leverage mixed-metal oxide chemistry to provide a unique shear-thinning behavior, maintaining high viscosity at low shear rates for effective suspension of cuttings and solids, while thinning under high shear to reduce pump pressures. This dynamic response ensures enhanced wellbore stability and fluid management, especially in high-angle wells, long horizontal sections, and formations with severe lost circulation risks. MMO fluids create a robust, low-permeability filter cake on wellbore walls, effectively minimizing fluid loss. Their thixotropic properties enable rapid viscosity recovery when static, forming a protective barrier that stabilizes the wellbore in highly porous or fractured formations. The addition of specially designed fluid loss additives, such as NOV Aqua Film W, enhances this capability by creating an extremely thin filter cake that reduces spurt loss and maintains wellbore integrity. MMO fluids also offer improved shale inhibition by utilizing potassium, which do not interfere with the fluid's rheology. This combination provides effective protection against shale erosion and mechanical destabilization, reducing the risk of borehole instability.