Hydroxyethyl cellulose is a gelling and thickening agent derived from cellulose. It is non-ionic, white to slightly off-white powder that is easily dispersed and dissolved in cold or hot water. It can be used as oil well workover fluid and cementing agent. Hydroxyethyl cellulose is used as a viscosity modifier, water retention agent, suspending agent and stabilizer in mortars, tile adhesives, floor screeds and fluid loss control additive in oil well cementing and drilling systems.