Patent ID: 7776798

Claim:
An aqueous based hydraulic fracturing fluid for use in oil field applications comprising: a) at least one cationic surfactant having the following general structure: wherein R 1 is alkyl amine alkylene, alkyl amido alkylene, alkyl ether alkylene, or alkyl ester alkylene; R 2 and R 3 are each alkyl, hydroxy alkyl, polyalkoxy with the degree of polymerization ranging from 2 to 30, hydroxyl alkyl sulfonate, alkyl sulfonate or alkylarylsulfonate; R 4 is chosen from saturated or unsaturated alkyl, aryl aralkyl, alkaryl; or wherein any two of R 2 , R 3 and R 4 , together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocyclic ring; and X is selected from the group consisting of halides; oxo ions of phosphorus, sulfur or chloride; and organic anions; and ; b) at least one additive selected from the group consisting of inorganic salts, organic salts, organic acids, alcohols, and mixtures thereof.