SYSTEM STABILIZERS AND PERFORMANCE ENHANCERS FOR AQUEOUS FLUIDS GELLED WITH VISCOELASTIC SURFACTANTS

摘要

An aqueous, viscoelastic fluid gelled with a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) is stabilized and improved with an effective amount of an alkall earth metal oxide and/or alkall earth metal hydroxide. These fluids are more stable and have reduced or no tendency to precipitate, particularly at elevated temperatures. The additives may also increase viscosity to the point where less VES is required to maintain a given viscosity. These stabilized, enhanced, aqueous, viscoelastic fluids may be used as treatment fluids for subterranean hydrocarbon formations, such as in hydraulic fracturing.