Patent ID: 8980800
Filing Date: 2015-03-17
Classification: C09K

Abstract:
1. A method of fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore comprising the steps of: a. combining (i) a viscoelastic surfactant gel essentially free of a polymer and (ii) a fluid loss additive comprising a copolymer comprising a hydrophilic monomeric unit and a first anchoring monomeric unit based upon at least one of N-vinylformamide, N,N-diallylacetamide, or a mixture thereof to render a fracturing fluid; b. pumping the fracturing fluid into the well bore at a pressure above the fracture gradient of the subterranean formation; c. fracturing the subterranean formation and inhibiting the passage of the viscoelastic surfactant gel in the fracturing fluid from passing through pore throats of the subterranean formation, thereby reducing the rate of fluid loss of the viscoelastic surfactant gel into the subterranean formation.