non - polymeric fatty acid drag reducing agents are described herein . these additives are useful to reduce drag in hydrocarbon fluids and multiphase fluids of hydrocarbon and water . no injection probes or other special equipment is expected to be required to introduce the drag reducing agent into the liquid stream , nor is grinding of the additive necessary to form a suitable drag reducing agent . the drag reducing additives of the invention are not subject to shear degradation and do not cause undesirable changes in the emulsion or fluid quality of the fluid being treated , or undesirable foaming . the drag reducing additives include fatty acids , alkoxylated derivatives of fatty acids , organic and inorganic salts of fatty acids and alkoxylated derivatives thereof , and esters of fatty acids and alkoxylated derivatives thereof , and mixtures thereof .