| abstract |
A composition is provided a degradation may be employed for the selective sealing of permeable formations. The composition contains at least one particulate galactomannan gum which is treated with a hydrophobing agent to render the gum hydrophobic in aqueous solutions having a pH of at least about 7.5, a pH control agent and a water-soluble organic polymeric suspending agent. Optionally, a degradation agent, a cross-linking agent and/or a hydration agent can be included. |