1. n. [Drilling Fluids]
A type of organic compound of carbon and hydrogen that contains one or more saturated cyclic (ring) structures, or contains such structures as a major portion of the molecule. The general formula is CnH2n. Naphthenic compounds are sometimes called naphthenes, cycloparaffins, or hydrogenated benzenes. Naphtha is a refined petroleum fraction that contains a high percentage of these types of hydrocarbons. In drilling fluids, particularly oil-based muds, the amounts and types of hydrocarbons in the mud can be an important parameter in the overall performance of the mud.
See: aliphatic compound, aromatic hydrocarbon, olefinic hydrocarbon, paraffinic hydrocarbon
