Abstract: A continuous process for manufacturing macroporous beads, the process comprising: providing an aqueous carrier phase flowing through a pipe at a carrier phase flow velocity; providing an emulsion of a UV-polymerisable or thermally polymerisable continuous phase in an aqueous dispersed phase; injecting the emulsion into the carrier phase at an injection speed to create polymerisable droplets flowing in the carrier phase; forming macroporous beads by irradiating the droplets with UV light, or by heating the droplets to a temperature sufficient to decompose a thermal initiator in the continuous phase, to polymerise the droplets; and removing the macroporous beads from the carrier phase; wherein the ratio of carrier phase flow velocity/injection speed is at least 1.

Abstract: A continuous process for manufacturing macroporous beads, the process comprising: providing an aqueous carrier phase flowing through a pipe at a carrier phase flow velocity; providing an emulsion of a UV-polymerisable or thermally polymerisable continuous phase in an aqueous dispersed phase; injecting the emulsion into the carrier phase at an injection speed to create polymerisable droplets flowing in the carrier phase; forming macroporous beads by irradiating the droplets with UV light, or by heating the droplets to a temperature sufficient to decompose a thermal initiator in the continuous phase, to polymerise the droplets; and removing the macroporous beads from the carrier phase; wherein the ratio of carrier phase flow velocity/injection speed is at least 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions useful for isolating a portion of a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method includes preparing a sealant composition containing two phases. The sealant composition is placed into the wellbore where one phase sets upon subjecting the sealant composition to a thermal source followed by the setting of the other phase.

Abstract: A method for isolating a portion of a wellbore including preparing a sealant composition includes an emulsion of an internal phase and an external phase. The sealant composition is placed into the wellbore where one phase sets upon subjecting the sealant composition to a thermal source followed by the setting of the other phase.

Abstract: Open-celled, porous polymer masses located in a subterranean formation formed from a water-in-oil emulsion stabilized with inorganic particles. The mass having one or more of the following properties: a gas permeability greater than about 500 millidarcies; or a plurality of pore throats connecting a plurality of pores spaces therein, the pore throats having an average diameter of at least about 25 microns. In some cases the emulsion comprises: a plurality of inorganic particulates; an internal aqueous phase in an amount of at least about 50% by volume of the emulsion; and a continuous organic phase comprising at least one polymerizable monomer and at least one surface active agent in an amount of up to about 10% by volume of the organic phase.

Abstract: Certain emulsions and masses produced using those emulsions exhibited improved permeability and stability. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a composition that comprises a plurality of inorganic particulates, an aqueous component, and an organic component comprising at least one polymerizable monomer and at least one surface active agent in an amount of up to about 10% by volume of the organic component; permitting the composition to form an emulsion that comprises an internal aqueous phase in an amount of at least about 50% by volume of the emulsion and a continuous organic phase; introducing the composition into at least a portion of a subterranean formation; and permitting the composition to form a porous polymer mass in at least a portion of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions useful for isolating a portion of a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method includes preparing a sealant composition containing two phases. The sealant composition is placed into the wellbore where one phase sets upon subjecting the sealant composition to a thermal source followed by the setting of the other phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions useful for isolating a portion of a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method includes preparing a sealant composition containing two phases. The sealant composition is placed into the wellbore where one phase sets upon subjecting the sealant composition to a thermal source followed by the setting of the other phase.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the production of a functionalised carbon (nano)material comprising heating a carbon (nano)material in an inert atmosphere to produce a surface-activated carbon (nano)material and incubating said surface-activated carbon (nano)material with a chemical species capable of reacting with the surface-activated carbon (nano)material.

Abstract: Certain emulsions and masses produced using those emulsions exhibiting improved permeability and stability, and methods of preparation and use in subterranean operations, are provided. In one embodiment, the emulsions comprise: a plurality of inorganic particulates; an internal aqueous phase in an amount of at least about 50% by volume of the emulsion; and a continuous organic phase comprising at least one polymerizable monomer and at least one surface active agent in an amount of up to about 10% by volume of the organic phase.

Abstract: Certain emulsions and masses produced using those emulsions exhibiting improved permeability and stability, and methods of preparation and use in subterranean operations, are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a composition that comprise a plurality of inorganic particulates, an aqueous component, and an organic component comprising at least one polymerizable monomer and at least one surface active agent in an amount of up to about 10% by volume of the organic component; permitting the composition to form an emulsion that comprises an internal aqueous phase in an amount of at least about 50% by volume of the emulsion and a continuous organic phase; introducing the composition into at least a portion of a subterranean formation; and permitting the composition to form a porous polymer mass in at least a portion of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A particle stabilised high internal phase emulsion comprising an internal phase, a continuous phase and particles comprising a core and a coating, wherein the wettability of the core is modulated by the coating.

Abstract: This invention relates to subterranean treatment operations. More particularly, this invention provides methods that may be useful in providing void-free barriers between a subterranean formation and a portion of a well bore. A nonlimiting example of a method is a method of degrading a filter cake in a subterranean formation. Another nonlimiting example of a method is a method of producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation.

Abstract: This invention relates to subterranean treatment operations. More particularly, this invention provides methods that may be useful in providing void-free barriers between a subterranean formation and a portion of a well bore. A nonlimiting example of a method is a method of degrading a filter cake in a subterranean formation. Another nonlimiting example of a method is a method of producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation.