Safe Technologies in the Oil Industry: Opportunities and Prospects for the Use of Polysaccharide Structure-Forming Agents in Drilling Fluids

Abstract

One of the possible ways to solve environmental problems in oil industry is the introduction of technologies that are safe for the environment. Of particular interest in this regard are technological liquids (drilling fluids) on a polysaccharide basis with use of natural polymers. The most accessible for the application of polysaccharides are starch, xanthan and guar gum, ritizan. These structure-forming biopolymers have a set of unique properties that allow to effectively manage the rheological characteristics of drilling fluids. The article analyses the results of research on the practical application of the most available biopolymers in oil production. The main characteristics of polysaccharides are considered, their influence on the efficiency of oil production is estimated. It shows the advantages of the rheological properties of drilling fluids based on xanthan gum and ritizan.