Abstract: An operations fluid is provided for treatment operations on wellbores associated with hydrocarbon production, the operations fluid comprising: water, an inorganic primary acid; and an alkyl acid surfactant. The alkyl acid surfactant has the general formula {R—X}, wherein R comprises at least one of linear and branched alkyl and alkyl aryl hydrocarbon chains and X comprises an acid, and X may comprise an acid selected from the group comprising sulfonic acids, carboxylic acids, phosphoric acids, and mixtures thereof. The alkyl acid may include an acid selected from the group consisting of alkyl or alkyl aryl acids. The operations fluid may be useful in treatment operations related to formation stimulation or mitigation of non-aqueous filter cakes (NAF) and/or formation invasion by NAF drilling fluids.

Abstract: An operations fluid composition for operations on wells associated with the production of hydrocarbons, the fluid composition comprising: not less than 40 wt % of hydrocarbon fluid, based upon the total weight of the fluid composition; water; and from 0.1 to 10 wt % of a surfactant selected from alkyl acid surfactant, based upon the total weight of water in the fluid composition. Method for using the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing a nanocomposite of a halogenated elastomer and an inorganic, exfoliated clay includes the in-situ protonation of a modifier, which may be an alkylamine, arylamine or an alkylarylamine. This process can be integrated with a polymer halogenation process. The nanocomposite so formed has improved air barrier properties and is suitable for use as a tire innerliner or innertube.

Abstract: A method of demulsifying a water-in-oil emulsion is provided. The method includes treating a volume of fluids comprising oil and water by adding a salt of a polynuclear, aromatic sulfonic acid to the fluids so as to cause the oil and water to be at least partially demulsified. The method may further include separating water and oil in a separator. A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface reservoir is also provided. The hydrocarbons include a water-in-oil emulsion. The method includes producing the hydrocarbons through a wellbore, and subjecting the water-in-oil emulsion to a salt of a polynuclear, aromatic sulfonic acid additive so as to cause the oil and water to be at least partially demulsified.

Abstract: A process for producing a nanocomposite of a halogenated elastomer and an inorganic, exfoliated clay includes the in-situ protonation of a modifier, which may be an alkylamine, arylamine or an alkylarylamine. This process can be integrated with a polymer halogenation process. The nanocomposite so formed has improved air barrier properties and is suitable for use as a tire innerliner or innertube.

Abstract: A method for altering coke morphology in a delayed coking process of heavy oil is provided. An effective amount of oil dispersible or oil soluble metal salts of aromatic sulfonic acids and/or polysulfonic acids is added or contacted with the resid or heavy oil at a point before or after the step of heating the heavy oil to coking temperatures. The addition of additives facilitates the formation of shot coke and inhibits the formation of sponge coke.

Abstract: A delayed coking process for making substantially free-flowing coke, preferably shot coke. A coker feedstock, such as a vacuum residuum, is heated in a heating zone to coking temperatures then conducted to a coking zone wherein volatiles are collected overhead and coke is formed. A low molecular weight additive is added to the feedstock prior to it being heated in the heating zone, prior to its being conducted to the coking zone, or both.

Abstract: A method for altering coke morphology in a delayed coking process of heavy oil is provided. An effective amount of oil dispersible or oil soluble metal salts of aromatic sulfonic acids and/or polysulfonic acids is added or contacted with the resid or heavy oil at a point before or after the step of heating the heavy oil to coking temperatures. The addition of additives facilitates the formation of shot coke and inhibits the formation of sponge coke.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the stability of a solids-stabilized water-in-oil emulsion by pretreating the oil prior to emulsification. The pretreatment step can be accomplished by adding dilute acid to the oil, adding a lignosulfonate additive to the oil, sulfonating the oil, thermally oxidizing the oil, thermally treating the oil in an inert environment, and combinations thereof. The emulsion can be used in enhanced oil recovery methods, including using the emulsion as a drive fluid to displace hydrocarbons in a subterranean formation, and using the emulsion as a barrier fluid for diverting flow of fluids in the formation.

Abstract: The present invention is a method to determine the effectiveness of an asphaltene dispersant comprising extracting the asphaltenes from an oil and determining the rate of precipitation of the extracted asphaltene in an alkane-aromatic solvent mixture in the presence and absence of the asphaltene dispersant.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the stability of a solids-stabilized water-in-oil emulsion by pretreating the oil prior to emulsification. The pretreatment step can be accomplished by adding dilute acid to the oil, adding a lignosulfonate additive to the oil, sulfonating the oil, thermally oxidizing the oil, thermally treating the oil in an inert environment, and combinations thereof. The emulsion can be used in enhanced oil recovery methods, including using the emulsion as a drive fluid to displace hydrocarbons in a subterranean formation, and using the emulsion as a barrier fluid for diverting flow of fluids in the formation.

Abstract: The chemical demulsifier formulation has the formula: wherein R1 is H or an alkoxide of from 5 to about 20 carbon atoms; x is an integer of from about 8 to about 22 when R1 is hydrogen and from about 2 to about 5 when R1 is alkoxide; R2 is independently selected from H, (CH2CH2O)mH; R3 is independently selected from H, (CH2CH2O)nH, and (CH2CH(CH3)O)nH; m and n are integers from 1 to 50; and y and z are integers ranging from 2 to 10.

Abstract: The present invention is an asphaltene dispersant containing an aromatic, a sulfonic acid head, and an alkyl tail containing 16 carbons or more and at least one branch of a methyl or longer alkyl. Preferably, the aromatic is a fused two ring aromatic and the tail is a two, branched alkyl tail of 30 carbons or longer.

Abstract: The present invention provides for enhanced bioremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soils and waters by treating soil or water with a composition comprising of a metal chelated macrocyclic amido amines or mixtures thereof represented by the structural formula: ##STR1## where R is selected from linear or branched alkanes with 8 to 22 carbons, linear or branched alkenes with 4 to 22 carbon atoms;T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 are independently selected from ethylene, trimethylene, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 (NHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.x where x is an integer from 1 to 10;MaQb is a metal compound wherein M is a cation selected from cations of Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Mn; and,Q is an anion selected from nitrate, phosphate anions; and a and b are integers from 1 to 3 necessary to satisfy the valence requirements of M and Q.a phosphorous source, and a diluent.

Abstract: The present invention provides for enhanced bioremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soils and waters by treating soil or water with a surfactant or mixture of surfactants having the general formulae: ##STR1## where A=CH.sub.2, B=CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O, x=1-10 and y=2-20.

Abstract: The present invention provides for enhanced bioremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soils and waters by treating soil or water with a composition comprising a phosphorous source, a diluent and a compound or mixtures thereof represented by the structural formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a linear or branched alkane having about 8 to about 22 carbons, a linear or branched alkene having about 4 to about 22 carbon atoms; T.sub.1, T.sub.2, T.sub.3 are independently ethylene, trimethylene, or CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 (NHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.x, where x is an integer from 1 to 10; Q is HNO.sub.3 or H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 ; and, n is an integer from 0 to 10.

Abstract: The present invention provides for enhanced bioremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soils and waters by treating soil or water with a surfactant or mixture of surfactants having the general formulae: ##STR1## wherein A=CH.sub.2, B=CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O, x=1-10 and y=2-20.

Abstract: Simply stated, the present invention employs a surfactant system for treatment of hydrocarbon contaminated soils and water that increases the interface between the hydrocarbon contaminant, microbial nutrients and microflora, and also stimulates the propagation of the microflora, thereby enhancing microbial degradation of the hydrocarbon contaminant.

Abstract: In the treatment of a contaminated liquid, an additive, such as finely divided adsorbent particles, is introduced into the liquid so that it combines physically, chemically or electrically with the contaminant to form a dispersion suspended in the liquid. Then, net unipolar charge is introduced into the liquid and, in a separation vessel, migration of the dispersion takes place under the interaction between charge on the dispersion and an induced electric field in the liquid. The migrating dispersion conglomerates on one or more collector surfaces which can be the internal surfaces of the separation vessel and, preferably also, the exposed surfaces of densely packed beads in the separation vessel. The treatment process is especially intended for use where the contaminant is dissolved in the liquid phase.