Yes, gellan gum can be used in the oil industry, although it is not as common as in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Gellan gum has properties such as high viscosity, stability, and the ability to form gels, which can be useful in the oil industry. For example, it can be used as a thickener in oil-based drilling muds to improve their rheological properties and to prevent the settling of solid particles. This can help to improve the efficiency of oil drilling operations and reduce the risk of damage to the drill bit and wellbore.
Gellan gum can also be used in the formulation of oil-based fracturing fluids, which are used to enhance the production of oil and gas from tight and unconventional reservoirs. In this application, gellan gum can be used to thicken the fluid and improve its viscosity, which helps to keep the proppant (e.g., sand or ceramic particles) suspended in the fluid and to maintain the flow of oil and gas from the reservoir.
Overall, gellan gum can be used in the oil industry as a thickener, stabilizer, and gelling agent in various applications, although its use is limited compared to its applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
