Method of temporarily sealing a permeable formation

Claim 1

A method for temporarily plugging a permeable formation located adjacent to a well bore located in a subterranean formation which comprises: injecting into said formation prior to any substantial hydration of the treated galactomannan gum a slurry composition which comprises: a. from about 150 to about 1,500 pounds of a particulate galactomannan gum which has been treated with an effective amount of a hydrophobing agent so that the gum is less hydrophillic than normal when dispersed in an aqueous solution having about a neutral to alkaline pH value and has a normal hydrophillic characteristic in aqueous solution having an acidic pH value; b. a water-soluble organic polymeric suspending agent, said water-solubility of said suspending agent not being effected by said hydrophobing agent and said agent producing about a nEutral to alkaline pH value when dispersed in an aqueous solution from about 3 to about 100 pounds; and c. a sufficient amount of an aqueous solution to make 1,000 gallons of said slurry, said solution being buffered to have an initial pH of at least about 7.5.