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Optimization of the Synthesis of Low Viscosity and High Shear Sulfonated Guar Gum for Enhancing Its Performance in Drilling Fluids

  • 0Engineering Research Center of Oil and Gas Field Chemistry, Xi'an Shiyou University, Xi'an 710065, China.
Gels (basel, Switzerland) +

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December 24, 2025

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December 24, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Sulfonated guar gum (SGG) enhances drilling fluid performance by improving yield-point and shear-thinning properties. This modified polysaccharide offers superior thermal and salinity tolerance compared to native guar gum.

Area Of Science

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Petroleum Engineering

Background

  • Guar gum (GG) is widely used in drilling fluids but has limitations including high residue, low yield-point (YP), and poor tolerance to high temperatures (≥ 120 °C) and salinity (≥ 12 wt% NaCl).
  • These limitations restrict the application of GG in demanding drilling environments.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To chemically modify guar gum into sulfonated guar gum (SGG) to overcome the limitations of native GG.
  • To evaluate the performance of SGG as a gel additive in water-based drilling fluids, focusing on rheological properties, thermal stability, salt tolerance, and shale inhibition.

Main Methods

  • Alkaline etherification of guar gum using sodium 3-chloro-2-hydroxy-propane sulfonate to introduce sulfonate groups (-SO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>).
  • Characterization of SGG using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis (EA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
  • Rheological measurements (YP/PV ratio, shear-thinning), fluid loss tests, hot-rolling stability tests, and linear-swell tests were conducted to assess performance.

Main Results

  • SGG exhibited a degree of substitution (DS) of 0.18, confirmed by FTIR, EA, and TGA.
  • A 0.3 wt% SGG solution showed a 34% higher YP/PV ratio and enhanced shear-thinning compared to native GG, indicating a denser, reversible network.
  • In Ca-bentonite mud, SGG reduced API fluid loss by 12% and maintained YP/PV 4.7 times better than GG after hot-rolling at 120 °C.
  • SGG demonstrated excellent performance in 12 wt% NaCl brine (YP/PV = 0.44) and improved shale inhibition by 14%.

Conclusions

  • The introduction of sulfonate groups significantly enhances the thermal stability, salt tolerance, and rheological properties of guar gum.
  • SGG forms a robust polysaccharide gel network due to strengthened inter-chain repulsion and water binding, resisting ionic compression.
  • SGG is a promising green, high-performance additive for next-generation water-based drilling fluids operating under high temperature and high salinity conditions.

Keywords: