Patent ID: 8828913

Claim:
A variable viscosity high carrying capacity, high temperature-stable breakable gel for use as a lubricant and carrier of solids, particulate matter, semi-solids, proppants, and liquids into subterranean well formations during drilling, fracturing, completion or production operations, comprising: a first or base concentrate mixture of from about 57% to about 94% by weight of a refined non-BTEX oil base drilling fluid devoid of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and solvents, and from about 6% to about 43% of a polyacrylate viscosifier to impart viscosity and suspension properties to said oil base drilling fluid; and a second or activator solution containing from about 40% to about 94% by weight of water, from about 0.1% to about 55% by weight of an amine cross-linking agent, and about 6.5% by weight of a nonionic surfactant; said first or base concentrate mixture and said second or activator solution mixed together in a ratio of from about 0.15% to about 8.0% by weight of said first or base concentrate mixture to about 92% to about 99.85% by weight of said second or activator solution to trigger formation of said breakable gel; and said gel formed thereby having high-temperature stability and lubricating characteristics and a viscosity sufficient to support, suspend, and carry solids, particulate matter, semi-solids, proppants, and liquids therein into subterranean a well formation during drilling, fracturing, completion and production operations.