When Gilsonite is added to oil- and water-based drilling fluids, it partially melts or deforms, plugging off micro-fractures in the rock and smearing the inside of the wellbore to make a tight.

In addition, dissolved Gilsonite increases drilling fluid viscosity, providing lubrication, and also together with the sealing off and stabilization of problem rock around the well bore so helps prevent the drill pipe from getting stuck in the well.

Appropriately formulated Gilsonite products also can minimize hole collapse in water-sensitive comprising forms, sloughing shales and reduce stuck pipe problems. It effect by forming a thin wall cake and an inter-matrix filter cake.