1. n. [Drilling Fluids, Enhanced Oil Recovery]

An additive used in preparation of foam used as a drilling fluid. Drilling foam is water containing air or gas bubbles, much like shaving foam, and it must withstand high salinity, hard water, solids, entrained oil and high temperature. Foaming agents are usually nonionic surfactants and contain polymeric materials.

Antonyms: defoamer

See: drilling fluid,  HLB number,  polymer,  surfactant