As part of China’s new round of strategic mineral exploration breakthroughs, significant progress has been made in deep exploration at the Maoniuping rare earth mine in Sichuan, operated by China Rare Earth Group. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, newly identified rare earth oxide resources amount to 9.666 million tons, bringing total retained resources to 10.408 million tons. In addition, newly discovered associated resources include 27.135 million tons of fluorite and 37.228 million tons of barite, both reaching super-large scale.

Officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources noted that while rare earth elements receive widespread attention, the discovery of associated fluorite and barite is “remarkable.”

According to Wang Denghong, Director of the Institute of Mineral Resources at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, barite—mainly composed of barium sulfate—is characterized by high density, chemical stability, and non-magnetism. It is irreplaceable as a weighting agent in drilling mud for oil and gas exploration. Statistics show that approximately one ton of barite powder is consumed for every 30 meters drilled.

Barite plays a critical role in controlling well pressure, preventing blowouts, stabilizing wellbore walls, and protecting casing. Without it, oil and gas exploration and development would come to a halt, including shale oil and gas production.

Against the backdrop of global energy transition and deeper oil and gas resource development, the shale revolution—driven by horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing—has reshaped the global energy landscape. In this process, barite, though often overlooked, serves as a vital material underpinning efficient shale oil and gas development and is often referred to as the “blood component” of drilling operations.

Drilling fluid, known as the “blood of drilling,” performs key functions such as cooling drill bits, carrying cuttings, stabilizing wellbores, and balancing formation pressure. Barite’s high density, chemical inertness, good dispersion, and relatively low cost make it the preferred material for adjusting drilling fluid density. By adding barite, operators can precisely control fluid column pressure and maintain dynamic balance with formation pressure, ensuring safe and efficient drilling.

Compared with conventional reservoirs, shale formations feature low porosity, low permeability, and strong water sensitivity, significantly increasing development difficulty. Industrial production relies on horizontal drilling and large-scale hydraulic fracturing, which further elevates barite’s strategic importance.

A conventional oil or gas well typically consumes tens of tons of barite, whereas a shale horizontal well—with lateral sections ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 meters—may require 200 to 500 tons or more. In multi-well pad operations, total consumption can reach thousands of tons.

Shale formations also impose stricter requirements on drilling fluids. Barite particle size distribution and purity directly affect filter cake quality and wellbore stability. Impurities or soluble salts may lead to rheological instability, increasing risks such as stuck pipe or fluid loss. Therefore, shale development typically requires high-density (≥4.20 g/cm³), high-purity (≥90% BaSO₄), and low-viscosity-impact barite.

Beyond drilling fluid applications, barite also has additional value in oil and gas exploration and development. It can serve as a geological indicator, as its distribution is often associated with faults and fracture zones favorable for hydrocarbon accumulation. It is also used as a tracer in hydraulic fracturing operations to evaluate fracture propagation and optimize treatment design.

As shale oil and gas development requires continuous and large-scale drilling, barite is widely regarded as a strategic non-metallic mineral globally. Past supply shortages and price volatility in the United States during peak shale development highlighted the importance of stable barite supply chains. Procurement cost, logistics efficiency, and resource quality directly affect well economics.

Globally, barite resources are unevenly distributed, with China, India, Morocco, and the United States being major producers. Establishing stable, high-quality supply systems has become essential for reducing costs and ensuring operational continuity.

Although barite itself is chemically inert and low in toxicity, improper disposal of barite-containing drilling waste may lead to environmental issues such as solid accumulation and soil salinization. Trace heavy metals in some deposits also require attention during processing and waste management.

While alternatives such as manganese tetroxide, ilmenite, and hematite exist, they face limitations including higher cost, equipment wear, or technical constraints. In the foreseeable future, barite will remain irreplaceable in drilling operations due to its cost-effectiveness and technical suitability.

The relationship between barite and shale oil and gas represents a typical case of foundational materials supporting critical technologies. As unconventional resources continue to grow in importance globally, barite—often overlooked—will play an increasingly strategic role in the energy sector.