Barite (ground barium sulphate – BaSO4) in its pure form is chemically inert in fresh water and oil-based drilling fluids. It can be used to increase mud densities to as high as 2400 kg/m³.
Barite increases the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling mud allowing it to compensate for high-pressure zones experienced during drilling. The softness of the mineral also prevents it from damaging drilling tools during drilling and enables it to serve as a lubricant.
