Wighting agent is a high-quality, drilling-grade barite (barium sulfate) used to increase the density 
of drilling fluids to control formation pressures.This high-specific-gravity mineral is the most widely used weight material with application in all water and oil based muds.
In geotechnical engineering, drilling fluid is a fluid used to aid the
drilling of boreholes into the earth. Often used while drilling oil and
natural gas wells and on exploration drilling rigs, drilling fluids are also
used for much simpler boreholes, such as water wells.
Liquid drilling fluid is often called drilling mud. The three main categories
of drilling fluids are water-based muds (which can be dispersed and
non-dispersed, non-aqueous muds, usually called oil-based mud, and
gaseous drilling fluid, in which a wide range of gases can be used.
The main functions of drilling fluids include providing hydrostatic pressure
to prevent formationfluids from entering into the well bore, keeping the drill bit cool and clean during drilling, carrying out drill cuttings, and suspending the drill cuttings while drilling is paused and when the drilling assembly is brought in and out of the hole. The drilling fluid used for a particular job is selected to avoid formation damage and to limit corrosion.
Properties
• Specific Gravity: 4.2 (minimum)
• Moisture Content: Less than 1%
• Bulk Density: 150 lbs/ft3
• Mineral Content: 94% barium sulfate
Advantages
• High specific gravity; raises drilling fluid density with minimum solids
• Controls formation pressure, stabilizes the borehole
• Cost-effective, non-toxic, and chemically inert
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