Gypsum

Calcium sulfate for providing calcium for gyp/lignosulfonate and polymer muds

Gypsum or gyp is the common name for calcium sulfate (CaSO4●2H2O) and is the source of calcium ions used to prepare gyp/lignosulfonate muds. Gypsum is also used to remove carbonate contamination in high‐pH muds.

Applications

Gypsum is used in gypsum/lignosulfonate or polymer muds as a source of calcium ions for inhibition and to convert bentonite to the calcium‐ion form. This avoids problems that might otherwise occur when anhydrite is drilled. It can also be used as an economical treatment for carbonate contamination in high‐pH muds.

Advantages

• Widely available and economical source of calcium ions for inhibition
• Economical treatment to remove carbonate contamination