a new fluid system additive is provided that serves to disperse and maintain fluid system solids in a stabilized condition and also “ toughen ” the filter cake . fluid systems containing this additive also tolerate calcium contamination better than existing additives , and in laboratory tests simulating well conditions , the treated fluid systems demonstrate good fluid properties at high temperatures in contrast to similar fluid systems treated with conventional , more costly additives . in a preferred embodiment , a composition or additive for use in hydrocarbon exploitation includes a biopolymer derived from at least one species of the family musaceae .