Abstract: The polarization of nuclear spins of a material may be enhanced by encapsulating the material within a reverse micelle.

Abstract: A method of making a sintered ceramic proppant may include providing a kaolin clay. The kaolin clay may include an Al2O3 content no greater than about 46% by weight, and a K2O content no greater than 0.1% by weight. The kaolin clay may have a particle size distribution such that greater than 70% of the particles have an equivalent spherical diameter of less than 0.5 microns as measured by Sedigraph, and a shape factor less than about 18. The method may further include blunging the kaolin clay, agglomerating the kaolin clay, and sintering the agglomerated kaolin clay to produce a sintered ceramic proppant. The kaolin clay may have an A-bob Hercules viscosity of at least about 3,300 rpm at 18 kilodyne-cm and 70% solids.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for increasing microcapsule dispersion in self-healing paint and coating applications, and more particularly for non-covalent functionalization of polymeric microcapsule shell walls for improved dispersion in polymeric material formulations. Some embodiments are methods of forming a microcapsule dispersion, the methods including providing a polymeric material capable of forming a plurality of microcapsules; initiating polymerization of the polymeric material under reaction conditions sufficient to permit formation of the plurality of microcapsules; and adding an ethoxy-functionalized dispersant to the polymeric material before formation of the plurality of microcapsules is complete, thereby forming the microcapsule dispersion.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to methods comprising providing a proposed invert emulsion formulation, wherein the proposed invert emulsion formulation comprises an oil phase, an aqueous phase, and a particulates fraction comprising a first sub-fraction and a second sub-fraction, wherein the first sub-fraction comprises high-gravity particulates and the second sub-fraction comprises low-gravity particulates; calculating an initial associative stability value of the proposed invert emulsion based on the degree of association between the aqueous phase and the particulates fraction comprising both the first sub-fraction and the second sub-fraction; manipulating the proposed invert emulsion based on the initial associative stability value so as to produce an associatively stable invert emulsion having a final associative stability value in the range of between about 50% and about 100%; and introducing the associatively stable invert emulsion into a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A grout used in horizontal directional drilling including a silica material present in an amount of from about 50% to about 70%, bentonite present in an amount of from about 20% to about 30%, a carbon source present in an amount of from about 5% to about 15%, an inorganic alkaline material present in an amount of from about 0% to about 3%, a fluid loss additive present in an amount of from about 0% to about 1%, a polymeric dispersant present in an amount of from about 0% to about 1%, and a polymeric flow enhancer present in an amount of from about 0% to about 0.5%, all by weight of the grout composition. Methods utilizing the grout include placing conduit in a hole, forming the grout slurry, and placing the grout slurry adjacent to the conduct.

Abstract: A system and method of decreasing contaminant concentration in an oilfield brine fluid, such as a high density completions fluid, that includes mixing the oilfield brine fluid with chlorine dioxide (ClO2). The oilfield brine fluid includes dissolved contaminant, such as iron, and one or more dissolved salts, such as selected from the group consisting of NaCl, NaBr, CaCl2, CaBr2, and ZnBr2. The mixing is for a time sufficient for the ClO2 to react with at least one component of the oilfield brine fluid to form precipitated contaminant without reacting to the one or more salts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to highly concentrated, anhydrous amine salts of hydrocarbon polyalkoxy sulfates, wherein the salts are selected from the group of substituted amines, preferably alkanolamines. The products obtained are of low viscosity and pumpable at room temperature. Due to the absence of water, the salts are highly resistant to hydrolysis, even at high temperatures. The invention further relates to the use of the compositions according to the invention in an aqueous dilution for use in oil reservoirs with the aim of achieving enhanced oil production, or for the recovery of hydrocarbons from tar sands or other surfaces or materials provided with hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Propping compositions comprising: a hardenable, liquid external phase comprising an element selected from the group consisting of: a cement, a cement foam, a polymer, a resin, an aluminum, a flowable carrier fluid, and any combination thereof; and an internal phase that is either gas or liquid and that is immiscible with the external phase; wherein the internal phase exits the propping composition as the hardenable external phase hardens, leaving behind an hardened, interconnected porous network. Some propping compositions may require contact with a treatment for removal from the hardenable external phase and the treatment for removal may comprise at least one material selected from the group consisting of: an acid, a base, a chelant, an oxidizer, a solvent, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: Synthetic ceramic proppants are described. Proppants having a monodispersity of 3-sigma distribution or lower are also described, including methods to make these proppants and methods of using these proppants.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a drilling fluid, comprising: a) preparing mixed fatty acids from a biomass-derived oil, b) subjecting the mixed fatty acids of step a) to an estolide reaction with a light acid to give an estolide, and c) esterifying the estolide of step b) with an alcohol to obtain the drilling fluid.

Abstract: A method for encapsulating or sorting colloidal objects, comprising the step of flowing said objects in a first flow stream partly or fully surrounded by at least one second flow stream in a channel comprising a narrow strait, wherein along an elongated part of the path of said first flow stream either (a) the bidimensional size of said first flow stream is smaller than the largest bidimensional size of at least some of said objects, either (b) the smallest unidimensional size of said first flow stream is smaller than the largest unidimensional size of at least some of said objects, either (c) said first flow stream is splitting, in the absence of said objects, into droplets with a volume smaller than the volume of at least some of said objects, or (d) said first flow stream would have in the absence of said particles, a shape that cannot entirely encompass some of said objects.

Abstract: Methods for mitigating precipitation during matrix acidizing of a subterranean formation. The methods generally comprise introducing a treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. The treatment fluid comprises a chelating agent; a hydrofluoric acid source; and a stabilizing compound. The stabilizing compound has two or more quaternized amine groups. In some cases the treatment fluid further comprises alkali metal ions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing microcapsules having a calibrated diameter and at least one parameter characteristic of the mechanical properties of an equally calibrated microcapsule, characterized in that the method includes the steps of: producing microcapsules by means of injection into a microsystem (10) of three fluids (f1, f2, f3); deforming the microcapsules by means generating a flow within a capillary tube (20); observing and acquiring the outline of at least one deformed microcapsule observed by an optical acquisition means (30); comparing the acquired outline with outlines from a collection of reference microcapsule outlines; determining the diameter and said at least one parameter characteristic of the mechanical properties of the observed microcapsule; and modifying the flow rates (Q1, Q2, and/or Q3) of the fluids (f1, f2, f3). The present invention also relates to a system for producing calibrated microcapsules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to highly concentrated, anhydrous amine salts of hydrocarbon polyalkoxy sulfates, wherein the salts are selected from the group of substituted amines, preferably alkanolamines. The products obtained are of low viscosity and pumpable at room temperature. Due to the absence of water, the salts are highly resistant to hydrolysis, even at high temperatures. The invention further relates to the use of the compositions according to the invention in an aqueous dilution for use in oil reservoirs with the aim of achieving enhanced oil production, or for the recovery of hydrocarbons from tar sands or other surfaces or materials provided with hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Weakly consolidated formations, semi consolidated formations, or unconsolidated formations treated with an aggregating, agglomerating or conglomerating composition, which alters an aggregation or zeta potential of formation surfaces and particulate to increase a maximum sand free production rate of producing formations and increases the injection rate of injection formations.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising preparing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising a particulate material, an aqueous base fluid, an oleaginous fluid, and a macromolecular surfactant, and placing the wellbore servicing fluid in the wellbore and/or subterranean formation to consolidate and/or enhance conductivity of at least a portion of the wellbore and/or subterranean formation. A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising preparing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising a particulate material, an aqueous base fluid, an oleaginous fluid, and a macromolecular surfactant, wherein the particulate material comprises sand, and the macromolecular surfactant comprises a hydrophobically modified polyethyleneimine, and placing the wellbore servicing fluid in the wellbore and/or subterranean formation to consolidate and/or enhance conductivity of at least a portion of the wellbore and/or subterranean formation.

Abstract: A microencapsulated curing agent for use in curing a thermosetting resin is provided. The microencapsulated curing agent includes an organic peroxide curing agent and a polyurethane resin encapsulating the organic peroxide curing agent. The microencapsulated curing agent, when heated to 100° C. for 30 minutes, exhibits a loss of weight of no greater than 10 wt. %. Additionally, when heated to 140° C. for 5 minutes, the microencapsulated curing agent exhibits a loss of weight of at least 4 wt. %.

Abstract: A swellable article, including a matrix material and an exfoliatable graphene-based material disposed in the matrix material. The exfoliatable graphene-based material is operatively arranged to facilitate swelling of the swellable article upon exposure to a selected fluid by sorbing particles in the fluid. The swelling enables the swellable article to engage an adjacent structure. Methods of making and using a swellable article are also included.

Abstract: Disclosed are an associated copolymer, a method for preparation of a polymer and a polymer prepared with the method, a use of the associated copolymer and/or the polymer in drilling fluids, and a drilling fluid containing the associated copolymer and/or the polymer. The associated copolymer comprises acrylamide structural units, zwitter-ionic structural units, and cationic polyamine structural units at a specific proportion, and the cationic polyamine structural units have specific kinematic viscosity and cationic degree; thus, when the associated copolymer is used as a viscosity improver for drilling fluids, the obtained drilling fluid not only has favorable apparent viscosity after it is aged at a high temperature, but also has high dynamic shear force, and is resistant to high temperature up to 200° C. or above, resistant to NaCl up to saturated concentration, and resistant to CaCl2 up to 20 wt % concentration.

Abstract: The current technology relates to mining processes and compositions which inhibit the growth of complex scale. More specifically it relates to a process for preventing/inhibiting and/or controlling gypsum scale in aqueous mineral ore slurries, and for inhibiting scale in relatively high solids content environments in industrial mining operations.