High-salt gelling compositions and methods for well treatment

Abstract

A fluid including: (i) a continuous aqueous phase, wherein the continuous aqueous phase has total dissolved solids in a concentration of at least 30,000 mg/l; (ii) an alkyl amido quaternary amine; (iii) a polymer, wherein the polymer is water-soluble or water-hydratable; and (iv) a crosslinker for the polymer. The continuous aqueous phase of the fluid can include a water source selected from the group consisting of flowback water, produced water, and any combination thereof. Methods include: (A) forming a fluid according to any of the various embodiments of the disclosure, and (B) introducing the fluid into a well. For example, the fluid can be used as a fracturing fluid for fracturing a treatment zone of a well.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.