USE OF GLYCOLS AND POLYOLS TO STABILIZE VISCOELASTIC SURFACTANT GELLED FLUIDS

摘要

The increased viscosity of aqueous fluids gelled with viscoelastic surfac¬ tants (VESs) may be maintained or stabilized by one or more stabilizers added or introduced thereto. The stabilizers are glycols and/or polyols and may stabilize the increased viscosity of VES-gelled fluids effectively over an increased tem¬ perature range, e.g. up to 300°F (149°C). Even though some VESs used to increase the viscosity of aqueous fluids contain a glycol solvent, the use, addition or introduction of the same or different glycol or a polyol, possibly of increased purity, may improve the viscosity stability of the fluid as a whole.