| abstract |
A polymer breaking solution usable in fracking and other downhole applications comprises a solution of aqueous hydrogen peroxide, an anionic surfactant, a metal chelating agent, an acidic pH buffer, a soluble zinc compound, and in some embodiments, a viscosifying agent. In other embodiments, the solution may additionally comprise a linear hydrophobic surfactant. At treatment concentrations of between 500 ppm to 1,500 ppm, the solution is non-toxic and usable at a wide range of downhole temperatures (32° C. to 82° C.). |