| abstract |
Water soluble uncrosslinked polysaccharides may be fluid loss control agents for viscoelastic surfactant (VES) fluids used for stimulation (e.g. fracturing) or well completion in hydrocarbon recovery operations. The VES fluid may further include proppant or gravel, if it is intended for use as a fracturing fluid or a gravel packing fluid, although such uses do not require that the fluid contain proppant or gravel. The water soluble uncrosslinked polysaccharide fluid loss control agents may include, but not be limited to guar gum and derivatives thereof; cellulose and derivatives thereof; propylene glycol alginate; salts (e.g. sodium, potassium, and calcium salts) of iota, kappa, and lambda carrageenan; agar-agar; xanthan gum; and the like; and/or mixtures thereof. The fluid loss control agent may be added to the aqueous viscoelastic treating fluid prior to VES addition, and/or at the same time and/or after the VES is added. |