In its Sixth Edition, this book has been updated and revised to incorporate new information on technology, economic, and political issues that have impacted the use of fluids to drill and complete oil and gas wells. With updated content on completion fluids and reservoir drilling fluids; health, safety and environment; drilling fluid systems and products; new fluid systems and additives from both chemical and engineering perspectives; wellbore stability, adding the new R&D on water-based muds; and equipment and procedures for evaluating drilling fluid performance in light of the advent of digital technology and better manufacturing techniques, this book has been thoroughly updated to meet the drilling and completion engineer's needs.