1. Blocking leakage
Xanthan gum is often used to seal lost circulation in drilling wells, especially when the permeability of the well through the formation is high, where lost circulation is more common. At this time, xanthan gum can form an effective water barrier by filling leaks such as the bottom of the well, the well wall, and formation cracks, thereby reducing or containing the penetration of incoming and out-of-well fluids and improving the sealing performance of the wellbore.

2. Control the stability of the well wall
In drilling, the stability of the well wall is a very important issue. Xanthan gum can control the stability of the well wall by increasing the viscosity of the drilling fluid, making it adhere to the surface of the well wall, filling gaps, etc. At the same time, its water absorption can also reduce the moisture content of the formation and aggravate the formation, thereby better controlling the stability of the well wall.

3. Increase drilling fluid viscosity
Xanthan gum can also increase the viscosity of drilling fluid and reduce its shear force at the bottom of the well and the well wall, thereby slowing down the erosion and wear of the well wall. In addition, xanthan gum can also reduce drilling fluid mud loss, improve drilling fluid efficiency and reduce costs.

4. Precautions for use
1. Xanthan gum should be fully dispersed and stirred evenly before adding to the drilling fluid;
2. The dosage of xanthan gum should be adjusted according to the type of drilling fluid, well depth, well wall stability and other factors;
3. Xanthan gum should be added after the quality and viscosity of the drilling fluid meet the requirements to avoid excessive use that affects the performance of the drilling fluid;
4. During the drilling process, the viscosity of the drilling fluid and the stability of the well wall should be regularly monitored and the amount of xanthan gum should be adjusted.
In short, during the drilling process, xanthan gum is a very important leak-filling material and has many important functions. However, its use also requires corresponding measures to ensure the smooth progress of the drilling process.