| abstract |
Improved fracturing with water-containing fracturing fluids is obtained by incorporating into the water phase of the fracturing fluid a polymer, preferably water-soluble, obtained as a product of radiation-induced polymerizaton of acrylamide, methacrylamide, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, alkali metal salts thereof or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the polymer is a copolymer. The polymerization is preferably carried out in 10-60 percent aqueous monomer solution with gamma radiation. The mixture of monomers, before radiation, preferably contains 25-99 percent acrylamide and 75-1 percent sodium acrylate. Other additives may be incorporated into the fracturing fluid to impart desired properties. |