Some 77% worldwide is used as a weighting agent for drilling fluids in oil and gas exploration to suppress high formation pressures and prevent blowouts. As a well is drilled, the bit passes through various formations, each with different characteristics. The deeper the hole, the more baryte is needed as a percentage of the total mud mix. An additional benefit of baryte is that it is non-magnetic and thus does not interfere with magnetic measurements taken in the borehole, either during logging-while-drilling or in separate drill hole logging. Baryte used for drilling petroleum wells is Grey Barytes Powder
Drilling fluids consume some 85% of the world's total barytes consumption, making them easily the largest market. The price of drilling grade barytes depends primarily on demand from the oil and gas exploration industry and on the price of oil.

Some 77% worldwide is used as a weighting agent for drilling fluids in oil and gas exploration to suppress high formation pressures and prevent blowouts. As a well is drilled, the bit passes through various formations, each with different characteristics. The deeper the hole, the more baryte is needed as a percentage of the total mud mix. An additional benefit of baryte is that it is non-magnetic and thus does not interfere with magnetic measurements taken in the borehole, either during logging-while-drilling or in separate drill hole logging. Baryte used for drilling petroleum wells is Grey Barytes Powder
Drilling fluids consume some 85% of the world's total barytes consumption, making them easily the largest market. The price of drilling grade barytes depends primarily on demand from the oil and gas exploration industry and on the price of oil.