One of the functions of drilling mud is to carry cuttings out of the hole. ... Along with their formatives, these are used along with appropriate polymer and clay additives for drilling various oil and gas formations.

What is the purpose of drilling mud?

The function of drilling muds conduct cuttings away from the drill face, provide a hydrostatic head that counters the pressure of gas or oil, and provide a physical and chemical means of stabilizing and protecting the rock formation that is being drilled.

What is the difference between drilling fluid and drilling mud?

Which is Which? Both liquid and mud are used to drill boreholes but the composition is different. One term is often used for the other, but strictly speaking gaseous drilling fluid, using an array of gases, is a fluid. But fluids that are water or oil based are called mud.