在石油钻采方面，高粘度HEC主要用作完井液和整理液的增粘剂。低粘度HEC用作降滤失剂。在钻井、完井、固井和压裂操作所需的各种操作液中，HEC作为增稠剂使泥浆获得良好的流动性和稳定性。钻井中可提高泥浆携岩屑能力，延长钻头的使用寿命。在低固相钻井、完井液中，HEC优良的降失水性能可防止大量水份从操作液中渗入井壁，可提高井壁稳定能力。
In oil dillig industrv,high-viscosity HEC is mainly used as viscosifier in well-completing orfinishing fluid; while low-viscosity HEC is mainly used as water loss controller. HEC usedasthickener will impart good mobility and stability to various slurries necessary for driling.completion, cementing and fracturing operations. In drilling. HEC can increase the sand carryingcapability of the slurry and extend the service life of drll bits Inlow-solid content completionfluidand cementing fluid, the excellent water loss control performance of HEC canprevent largeamount of water in the slurry from entering into the oill reservoir and enhancing the stabilizingcapability of the wallofthe reservoir.
