In oil well drilling operations, natural gums are used as an effective natural thinner and increase the viscosity of the drilling fluid. This property is essential for managing viscosity, maintaining hole stability, and preventing cracks and erosion in the well. These gums act as a sealing agent, creating a gelatinous matrix that retains suspended solids in the drilling fluid.

Chemically, gums are natural polymers that operate based on the formation of polysaccharides. Unlike synthetic chemical additives, natural gums have a high biodegradable capacity, ensuring reduced environmental pollution. Therefore, they are also environmentally ideal due to their natural degradability and minimal environmental impact.

Some natural gums perform well at very high temperatures and pressures, making them suitable for drilling operations in harsh thermal and geographical pressure conditions. These substances meet NISOC standards. Like starch, natural gum is a water-absorbing polymer and is used to suspend particles and control fluid loss in light muds.