Baryte, also known as barite, is a mineral composed of barium sulfate (BaSO₄). It typically appears in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, and blue, and has a distinctive heavy weight due to its high barium content. Baryte is commonly found in sedimentary rocks and can form in various geological environments, often associated with minerals like calcite and quartz. This mineral is primarily used in the oil and gas industry as a weighting agent in drilling fluids, helping to prevent blowouts during drilling operations. Additionally, baryte is utilized in the production of barium compounds, which have applications in medical imaging and as pigments in paints.