Reducing the viscosity of a fracturing fluid using microbes

摘要

A method for reducing the viscosity of a gelled fluid involves adding a microbial composition to the fluid, where the microbes act to reduce viscosity. The fluid can be a fracturing fluid and can contain proppants. The microbial composition may be encapsulated and contact with the gelled fluid causes release of the microbes. Also claimed is a method where a first amount of the microbial composition is added to the gelled fluid and also adding a second amount of encapsulated microbial composition where said first and second amounts are adjusted to produce a desired viscosity reduction profile.