Patent ID: 6306800
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: C09K,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for fracturing comprising injecting into a subterranean formation a fluid consisting essentially of:an aqueous medium prepared at least substantially from seawater;a quaternary ammonium salt having four R groups, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4, each bonded to a common nitrogen, wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4, are each the same or different, and are either --H or an aliphatic moiety having at least about 16 carbon atoms, which may be either branched or straight, and further which may be either saturated or unsaturated, and further wherein R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 may be each or both substituted with a functional group that imparts greater hydrophilicity to said ammonium salt;a substantially water-soluble salt comprising a cation selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, zirconium, Zn.sup.2+, NH.sub.4.sup.+, and (CH.sub.3).sub.4 N.sup.+ and an anion selected from the group consisting of sulfate, nitrate, perchlorate and halide; andan organic stabilizer, said stabilizer in turn comprising a first functionality consisting of a member selected from the group consisting of an hydroxyl group and a carboxylate group, and a second functionality selected from the group consisting of a electron-donating functionality, and further wherein said first and second functionality are both attached to a ring structure, or separated by at least one double or triple bond.