Fluids viscosified with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) may have their
viscosities reduced (gels broken) by the direct or indirect action of an
internal breaker composition that contains at least one mineral oil, at
least one polyalphaolefin oil, at least one saturated fatty acid and/or
at least one unsaturated fatty acid. The internal breaker may initially
be dispersed oil droplets in an internal, discontinuous phase of the
fluid. In one non-limiting embodiment, the internal breaker, e.g. mineral
oil, is added to the fluid after it has been substantially gelled. An
oil-soluble surfactant is present to enhance or accelerate the reduction
of viscosity of the gelled aqueous fluid.