In oil and gas drilling
Worldwide, 69–77% of baryte (barite) 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 (barite) is needed as a percentage of the total mud mix. An additional benefit of baryte (barite) 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 (barite) used for drilling petroleum wells can be black, blue, brown or gray depending on the ore body. The baryte (barite) is finely ground so that at least 97% of the material, by weight, can pass through a 200-mesh (75 μm) screen, and no more than 30%, by weight, can be less than 6 μm diameter. The ground baryte (barite) also must be dense enough so that its specific gravity is 4.2 or greater, soft enough to not damage the bearings of a tricone drill bit, chemically inert, and containing no more than 250 milligrams per kilogram of soluble alkaline salts.[7] In August 2010 API (American Petroleum Institute) published specifications to modify the 4.2 drilling grade standards for baryte (barite) to include 4.1 SG materials.
In oxygen and sulfur isotopic analysis
In the deep ocean, away from continental sources of sediment, pelagic baryte (barite) precipitates and forms a significant amount of the sediments. Since baryte (barite) has oxygen, systematics in the δ18O of these sediments have been used to help constrain paleotemperatures for oceanic crust.
The variations in sulfur isotopes (34S/32S) are being examined in evaporite minerals containing sulfur (ex, baryte (barite)) and carbonate associated sulfates (CAS) to determine past seawater sulfur concentrations which can help identify specific depositonal periods such as anoxic or oxic conditions. The use of sulfur isotope reconstruction is often paired with oxygen when a molecule contains both elements.
Other uses
Baryte (Barite) is used in added-value applications which include filler in paint and plastics, sound reduction in engine compartments, coat of automobile finishes for smoothness and corrosion resistance, friction products for automobiles and trucks, radiation-shielding cement, glass ceramics and medical applications (for example, a barium meal before a contrast CAT scan). Baryte (barite) is supplied in a variety of forms and the price depends on the amount of processing; filler applications commanding higher prices following intense physical processing by grinding and micronising, and there are further premiums for whiteness and brightness and color.It is also used to produce other barium chemicals, notably barium carbonate which is used for the manufacture of LED glass for television and computer screens (historically in cathode ray tubes); and for dielectrics.
Historically baryte (barite) was used for the production of barium hydroxide for sugar refining, and as a white pigment for textiles, paper, and paint
Although baryte (barite) contains a "heavy" metal (barium), it is not a toxic chemical because of its extreme insolubility.
It is also sometimes used as gemstone.
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