Use of dispersion polymers as friction reducers in aqueous fracturing fluids

This invention concerns a method of using water-soluble dispersion polymers to reduce friction resulting from turbulent flow in an aqueous fracturing fluid as it is pumped at high velocity through oil well casings or tubing strings. A method of reducing friction resulting from turbulent flow in an aqueous fracturing fluid in an oil field fracturing process comprising adding to the aqueous fracturing fluid an effective friction-reducing amount of one or more dispersion polymers, wherein the dispersion polymer is composed of from about 5 to about 95 mole percent of one or more nonionic monomers and from about 95 to about 5 mole percent of one or more cationic or anionic monomers and has a molecular weight of at least 100,000.