Drilling Fluids
Gilsonite® uintaite is the only drilling fluid additive that provides all of these benefits:
- Controls fluid loss and seepage
- Stabilizes shales
- Prevents lost circulation
- Strengthens the wellbore to increase wellbore stability
- Minimizes differential sticking
- Promotes effective filter cake development
- Performs in oil- and water-based drilling muds
- Performs in HP/HT environments
- Minimizes HSE risks

Gilsonite® prevents formation damage
Gilsonite® uintaite forms a physical and chemical bond with permeable formations, creating an effective seal to prevent the passage of drilling fluid. By uniquely functioning as both a malleable and solid plugging agent, Gilsonite® controls fluid loss and seepage, prevents lost circulation and protects reactive and low-reactive shale surfaces, even at elevated bottomhole temperatures.
Proven to strengthen the wellbore
HP/HT wells, shales and underpressured zones require specialized drilling fluids and wellbore-strengthening techniques. Adding Gilsonite® uintaite to an OBM, SBM or WBM strengthens the well by:
- Reducing pore pressure transmission and sealing micro-fractures in shale and low-porosity sands
- Keeping interbedding formations intact
- Developing effective filter cake
- Providing a “smear effect” that creates a continuous protective sealant along the wellbore wall
The most effective additive to prevent differential sticking
Gilsonite® uintaite minimizes the occurrence of stuck pipe and stuck logging tools by thoroughly sealing permeable formations – even in zones with a highly overbalanced pressure differential – and improving filter cake lubricity.
HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANTAGES
All-natural Gilsonite® is safe for Gulf of Mexico operations
Naturally occurring Gilsonite® uintaite has significant health advantages over synthetic products. Gilsonite® is:
- Non-toxic (unlike coal or fly ash)
- Non-carcinogenic
- Non-mutagenic
Gilsonite® uintaite is safe to handle, use and store, and passes Gulf of Mexico EPA discharge requirements for deepwater operations.
SIGNIFICANT COST ADVANTAGES
Compared to alternative products, Gilsonite® uintaite offers comparable or superior performance at a much lower cost. In water-based mud (WBM) applications, the performance of Gilsonite® compares favorably with sulfonated asphalts while costing 25-50% less.
Water-based Mud Applications

In HP/HT environments using synthetic-based mud (SBM), Gilsonite® uintaite provides a cost reduction of more than 80% compared to premium co-polymer, while the high softening point of Gilsonite® also results in a 45% reduction in fluid loss.

PRODUCTS
American Gilsonite® uintaite drilling fluid products perform in any application.
Product | Softening Points | Mud Type | More Information |
Gilsonite® XM-P | >325° F | OBM | Drilling Fluids Product Overview |
Gilsonite® LM-P | >350° F | OBM | Drilling Fluids Product Overview |
Gilsonite® GM-P | >350° F | OBM | Drilling Fluids Product Overview |
Gilsonite® HT Series | 400-500° F | OBM | HT Tech Sheet |
Gilsonite® AquaSol Series | 325-500° F | WBM | AquaSol Tech Sheet |