Abstract: A process is provided to prepare solid borozirconate and solid borotitanate cross-linkers, which comprises contacting zirconium or titanium complex with alkanolamine at particular mole ratios of boron, zirconium or titanium and alkanolamine. Use of the cross-linkers in compositions for oil field applications such as hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cross-linking composition comprises (a) an aqueous liquid, (b) a pH buffer, (c) a cross-linkable organic polymer, (d) a cross-linking agent which comprises an organic titanate, an organic zirconate, or combinations thereof, and (e) a delay agent which is a hydroxyalkylaminocarboxylic acid. The composition provides flexibility in rate of cross-linking and can be used over a wide range of pH. Further disclosed are methods to use the composition in oil field applications for hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones and leaks in subterranean formations.

Abstract: A process to prepare a stable solution of a borozirconate complex is disclosed and use of the solution in oil field applications such as hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones. The process comprises contacting zirconium complex with a first alkanolamine, then glycerol and water, then with a solution of a boron compound and a second alkanolamine. The solution is particularly suitable for use in a cross-linking composition at temperatures of 275° F. (135° C.) and higher in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A cross-linking composition comprising (a) an aqueous liquid; (b) a pH buffer; (c) a cross-linkable organic polymer; and (d) a solution of a zirconium cross-linking agent comprising the product of contacting a zirconium complex with an alkanolamine and ethylene glycol wherein the mole ratio of alkanolamine to zirconium is 2:1 to 4:1 and the mole ratio of ethylene glycol to zirconium is 1:1 to 10:1. Optionally, water, hydroxyalkylated ethylenediamine, or both are added to the zirconium complex. The cross-linking composition of this invention is useful in oil field applications, for example, for hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation and for plugging permeable zones or leaks in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A process to prepare a solution of zirconium-hydroxyalkylated diamine-lactic acid complex is disclosed and use of the solution in oil field applications such as hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones. The process comprises contacting an alcohol solution of a zirconium complex with an hydroxyalkylated diamine, then with lactic acid to produce a solution of zirconium-hydroxyalkylated diamine-lactic acid complex. The solution is particularly suitable for use in a cross-linking composition in hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones of subterranean formations at pH of 10 or greater and at temperatures of 275° F. (135° C.) and higher in the formation.

Abstract: A process is provided to prepare solid borozirconate and solid borotitanate cross-linkers, which comprises contacting zirconium or titanium complex with alkanolamine at particular mole ratios of boron, zirconium or titanium and alkanolamine. Use of the cross-linkers in compositions for oil field applications such as hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process to prepare a solution of zirconium-alkanolamine-hydroxycarboxylic acid complex is disclosed and use of the solution in oil field applications such as hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones. The process comprises contacting an alcohol solution of a zirconium complex with an alkanolamine, then with an ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid to produce a solution of zirconium-alkanolamine-hydroxycarboxylic acid complex. The solution is particularly suitable for use in a cross-linking composition in hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones of subterranean formations at temperatures of 275° F. (135° C.) and higher in the formation.

Abstract: A process to prepare a stable solution of a borozirconate complex is disclosed and use of the solution in oil field applications such as hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones. The process comprises contacting zirconium complex with a first alkanolamine, then glycerol and water, then with a solution of a boron compound and a second alkanolamine. The solution is particularly suitable for use in a cross-linking composition at temperatures of 275° F. (135° C.) and higher in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A process to prepare a stable solution of a borozirconate complex is disclosed and use of the solution in oil field applications such as hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones. The process comprises contacting zirconium complex with alkanolamine, then water and optionally and preferably a hydroxyalkylene diamine, then with a boron compound. The solution is particularly suitable for use in a cross-linking composition in hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones of subterranean formations at temperatures of 275° F. (135° C.) and higher in the formation.

Abstract: A process to prepare a stable solution of a borozirconate complex is disclosed and use of the solution in oil field applications such as hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones. The process comprises contacting zirconium complex with a first alkanolamine, then water and optionally hydroxyalkylene diamine, then with a solution of a boron compound and a second alkanolamine. The solution is particularly suitable for use in a cross-linking composition in hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones of subterranean formations at temperatures of 275° F. (135° C.) and higher in the formation.

Abstract: A process to prepare a stable solution of a borozirconate complex is disclosed and use of the solution in oil field applications such as hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones. The process comprises contacting zirconium complex with alkanolamine, then glycerol and water, then with a boron compound. The solution is particularly suitable for use in a cross-linking composition in hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones of subterranean formations at temperatures of 275° F. (135° C.) and higher in the formation.

Abstract: A solid zirconium cross-linking agent and use in a cross-linking composition in oil field applications such as hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones. The zirconium cross-linking agent is prepared by a process comprising contacting a zirconium complex with an alkanolamine and water at particular mole ratios of alkanolamine and water to zirconium.

Abstract: A solid zirconium cross-linking agent is prepared comprising zirconium and hydroxyalkylated ethylene diamine ligand. Use of the cross-linking agent in compositions for oil field applications such as hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones is also disclosed.

Abstract: A zirconium cross-linking agent produced by a process which comprises contacting a zirconium triethanolamine complex with a mixture of polyols, which mixture comprises a hydroxyalkylated diamine and a hydrocarbon polyol. There is further provided a cross-linking composition which comprises (a) an aqueous liquid, (b) a cross-linkable organic polymer, and (c) a solution of a zirconium cross-linking agent which is produced by a process which comprises contacting a zirconium triethanolamine complex having a molar ratio of 1:2 to 1:5 of zirconium to triethanolamine with a mixture of polyols, which mixture comprises a hydroxyalkylated diamine and a hydrocarbon polyol wherein the molar ratio of zirconium to hydroxyalkylated diamine is 1:0.5 to 1:1 and the molar ratio of zirconium to hydrocarbon polyol is 1:0.5 to 1:1.5. The composition can be used in oil field applications for hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones and leaks in subterranean formations.

Abstract: A cross-linking composition which comprises (a) an aqueous liquid, (b) a cross-linkable organic polymer, and (c) a solution comprising a zirconium cross-linking agent which comprises a zirconium complex having a molar ratio of 1:2 to 1:4 of zirconium to triethanolamine and a molar ratio of 1:0.1 to 1:1 of zirconium to N,N,N?,N?-tetrakis-(2-hydroxypropyl)-ethylene diamine. The composition can be used in oil field applications for hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones and leaks in subterranean formations.

Abstract: A clear, stable, salt-free solution of a 1:1 molar complex of zirconium and N,N,N?,N?-tetrakis-(2-hydroxypropyl)ethylene diamine. The solution can be used in a cross-linking composition comprising a cross-linkable organic polymer for oil field applications such as fluid fracturing and plugging permeable zones in subterranean formations.

Abstract: A process for preparing a stable zirconium triethanolamine cross-linking agent comprises contacting a solution of a zirconium triethanolamine complex with water at a temperature of 50° C. to 90° C. at a mole ratio of triethanolamine:zirconium in the range of 3.5:5.5 and at a mole ratio of water:zirconium in the range of 20:1 to 1:1. The stable zirconium triethanolamine complex can be used in a cross-linking composition. Further disclosed are methods to use the composition in oil field applications for hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones and leaks in subterranean formations.

Abstract: A composition and a process for producing an ester or polyester are provided. The composition comprises a titanium compound and clay or a dispersion of clay. The process comprises contacting a carbonyl compound, in the presence of a catalyst, with a glycol in which the catalyst comprises a titanium compound and clay or a dispersion of clay.

Abstract: A composition and a process for using the composition are disclosed. The composition comprises, or is produced from, a titanium chelate and an aluminum hydroxyhalide, in a solvent. A process comprises contacting a carbonyl compound, in the presence of a composition, with a glycol in which the composition comprises or is produced from a titanium chelate and an aluminum hydroxyhalide. The composite can be produced in the order of adding the aluminum hydroxyhalide to the titanium chelate in the solvent.

Abstract: A composition and a process for producing the composition are disclosed. The composition comprises an alkoxylated phosphite ester which has the formula of (HO[{CH(R)}mO]n)3P in which each R can be the same or different and can be independently hydrogen or an alkyl group, or combinations of two or more thereof and m is a number from 2 to about 20 and n is a number from 2 to about 20. The process comprises contacting a trialkyl phosphite with an alkylene glycol or polyalkylene glycol to produce a mixture followed by heating the mixture. Also disclosed in a process for using the composition, which comprises contacting a carbonyl compound, in the presence of the composition, with an alcohol.