USE OF DICARBONYL COMPOUNDS FOR INCREASING THE THERMAL STABILITY OF BIOPOLYMERS IN THE FIELD OF OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION

The invention relates to the use of dicarbonyl compounds to increase the temperature stability of biopolymers in watery, liquid phases during crude o il and natural gas exploration. The biopolymer component should preferably c onsist of polysaccharides produced by fermentation, such as, e.g., scleroglu cane or welan gum. The watery, liquid phase typically constitutes a drilling rinse, which can also contain high salt concentrations ("brines"). Glyoxal is a particularly suitable form of dicarbonyl. Glyoxal can either be added t o the liquid phase or, preferably, has already been integrated during the pr oduction phase of the biopolymer. The invention is particularly advantageous when used at rock formation temperatures of more than 250° Fahrenheit.