An investigation of the effect of sodium sulfite concentration (0. 1-1. 0%) temperature (120-180 degree C), and duration (1-8 h) of heat treatment of aqueous solutions of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (pH equals 7) on thermal stability of CMC is reported. The investigation has shown that sodium sulfite, being an oxygen acceptor, slows down the process of thermooxidation destruction of CMC. Introduction of 2-2. 5% of sodium sulfite into drilling fluids prepared with clay and stabilized with CMC-85/500 improves their thermal stability (depending on the contents of sodium chloride, calcium and magnesium) up to 200-220 degree C. Commercial tests of drilling fluids containing CMC and sodium sulfides carried out at the Mangyshlak oil production administration have shown that consumption of CMC per 1 m of drilling decreases by a factor of 2. 3.