Abstract: Provided herein are friction reducers comprising a thickening agent, a liquid medium, and a stabilizing agent; and methods and uses thereof for the treatment of an oil and/or gas well having a wellbore.

Abstract: The present application provides compositions comprising (a) at least one lignin; and (b) at least one polymeric thickening agent. Mixture of said compositions with water or an aqueous solution provides fire suppressing and/or fire-retarding hydrogels. Also provided are hydrogels prepared from the compositions, and methods of using the hydrogels to extinguish, suppress and/or prevent fires.

Abstract: A solid composition, which may be in the form of pellets, comprising at least two biopolymeric thickening agents, such as polysaccharides, wherein said solid composition is capable of forming hydrogels in the presence of water or an aqueous solution. The hydrogel is a water-enhancing, fire-suppressant that is useful for one or more of fire-fighting, fire-suppression, or fire-prevention and exhibits non-Newtonian fluidic, pseudoplastic or thixotropic behaviour.

Abstract: Methods of abating, extinguishing and/or preventing Class B fires comprising applying a hydrogel comprising a biopolymeric thickening agent and a non-biopolymeric thickening agent to the Class B fire are described.