Crosslinked polymer fluids and crosslinking concentrates therefor

Abstract

Disclosed is a concentrate composition for crosslinking polysaccharide polymers hydrated in an aqueous liquid, and well servicing fluids, preferably fracturing fluids, prepared therewith. Preferred polysaccharide polymers are galactomannan gums or derivatives thereof, preferably hydroxypropylguar. The concentrate comprises an alkali metal formate solution, preferably potassium formate, a crosslinking agent for the polysaccharide polymer, preferably a sparingly soluble alkali metal or alkali metal alkaline earth metal borate, and a suspension agent, preferably a clay mineral selected from the group consisting of smectite clays, palygorskite clays, and mixtures thereof Exemplary clays are hectorite, sepiolite, and attapulgite. The concentrate may, optionally, contain a deflocculant and/or an anti-syneresis additive.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.