Drilling starch is non-ionic maize, tapioca and potato-based polymers for use in all water-based drilling completion and stimulation fluids. Drilling starch is extensively used as an additive to prevent the seepage of soil filtrates into the wells in all types of water-based drilling fluid systems by increasing the viscosity of the drilling mud and reducing the fluid loss by sealing the walls of the Borehole. High-qualitybiocide added to resist bacterial and enzymatic degradation.

Drilling starch could be a material effectively using in drilling industry in the pipe to stop heating due to having lubricating properties. Many derivatives of starch are suggested as filtration control agents in clay free compositions. Among these, it's a natural polymer however most polymer utilized by the mud are artificial.