methylglucoside drilling fluid — Oil & Gas Glossary

A water-base drilling fluid containing a high concentration of methylglucoside. The mud has been used to drill water-sensitive shales with less hole enlargement and fewer drilling problems. Methylglucoside is a polysaccharide containing methyl groups on the ring-like sugar structure. Being a rather large, nonionic molecule (resembling starch but highly water soluble), it ties up water molecules in concentrated solutions and