Patent ID: 6844297
Filing Date: 2005-01-18
Classification: C09K,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising the steps of: providing a visco-elastic surfactant based hydraulic fracturing fluid comprising: wherein R 1 -R 2 are each an aliphatic group of C1-C4, branched or straight chained, saturated or unsaturated, R3 is a group of C12-C22, branched, straight chained or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated; (ii) a water soluble or dispersible anionic organic or inorganic salt; (iii) an acid; and (iv) a low molecular weight organic solvent, and; pumping said fracturing fluid through a well bore and into a subterranean formation at a sufficient pressure to cause fracturing of said formation including the further step of lowering the viscosity of said fluid by raising the pH thereof.