US Patent 7541316 Wellbore treatment fluids having improved thermal stability

Aqueous wellbore treatment fluids having improved thermal stability are provided. The wellbore treatment fluids comprise at least one polysaccharide and an effective amount of at least one polyacrylamide to maintain its stability at a temperature greater than about 250° F. A formate compound is not required to achieve high-temperature stability in the fluid. Thus, the fluid is less expensive than conventional polymer-containing aqueous wellbore treatment fluids. The aqueous fluid may serve as, for example, a drilling fluid in the wellbore and thus may be circulated through the wellbore without being concerned that it could become unstable due to exposure to relatively high downhole temperatures.