Abstract: A process and composition are described for use in drilling shale and especially in drilling the troublesome types of shale which heretofore have been impossible to drill effectively. The aqueous drilling fluid of this invention so effectively stabilizes the shale that additions to maintain the special drilling fluid can be discontinued or drastically reduced, once the shale formation has been penetrated and drilling below the shale could even be done with conventional drilling fluids.The drilling fluid contains between about 0.2 to 1.5 pounds per barrel of flaxseed gum together with potassium and/or ammonium salts. The potassium and/or ammonium salts are used in quantities to provide a concentration of the cation of the salt of at least 10,000 ppm. As the drilling fluid is a non-clay type, a non-clay viscosifier is used. Preferably, the cation concentration is tailored to drilling fluid salinity such that the cation concentration in parts per million is approximately equal to at least 10,000.times.(1+0.025.