I would like to know what Lubrigel and EZ Gel are (in relation to drilling mud additives & oilfield practices)

Answer 1

Lubri gel and Ez Gel are trade names for a class of additives used to condition the well bore in oil and gas drilling operations.
Drilling mud has several properties DENSITY or Mud Weight being one..FLUID a mixture of water and mud are pumped down to the drill bit to cool the drill bit, clear cuttings from the hole and to help seal and condition the well bore. Water alone has a weight of 1000kg (m3 cubic meter) as you go deeper into the earth more fluid weight(hydrostatic pressure) is needed to keep the pressure coming up from below in balance..You add BENTONITE GEL a type of clay to your mixing hopper and send it to your mudtanks to increase your fluid density and then pump it down hole it also helps seal thesmall gaps in the bore of your hole to help you retain fluid in the bore..and maintain hydrostatic balance on the gases or fluids downhole. Weight on Weight as opposed to an UNDERBALANCED DRILLING program.
There are many different types of additives that are used down hole ranging from INVERT a type of Diesel used in areas where a water based drilling fluid would damage your formation down hole..to SAWDUST Cellophane and golfballs in extreme cases.
Lubri Gel & EZ Gel are trade names for a Bentonite Clay based drilling mud. Hope this helps