Abstract: An aqueous fluid, possibly a wellbore fracturing fluid, comprises an aqueous solution or dispersion of a first polymer, which may be polysaccharide, as a thickener and a cross linking agent to enhance the viscosity of the fluid by crosslinking the first polymer, wherein the crosslinking agent is a second polymer comprising at least one polymer chain with phenyl boronate groups distributed along the polymer chain and the phenyl boronic acid groups have nitrogen attached to the phenyl group at a position which is meta relative to the boronate group.

Abstract: Pumpable process-fluid compositions and methods for establishing hydraulic isolation in cemented subterranean wells comprise more than 1 wt % polyacrylamide and a non-metallic crosslinker. Upon entering voids and cracks in or adjacent to a cement sheath, and contacting the set-cement surfaces, the compositions react and form a seal that prevents further leakage.

Abstract: A marine seismic streamer comprising a solid, hydrophobic core member that is encased in a hydrophobic streamer skin/casing. The hydrophobic streamer skin may be extruded onto and/or heat welded to the hydrophobic core member. The hydrophobic streamer skin/casing may comprise a thermoplastic polyurethane that includes fluorine and/or silicon moieties, silicon, polydimethylsiloxane or the like. The hydrophobic streamer skin/casing may reduce the drag of the streamer and may provide anti-biofouling properties to the streamer. A hydrophobic paint, coating or polymer may in some instances be disposed on top of the hydrophobic streamer skin/casing.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor measuring concentration of an analyte in a test fluid at 50° C. or above by voltammetry uses electrodes in contact with an electrolyte containing the analyte and a redox-active species electrochemically convertible between reduced and oxidised forms. At least one form of the redox active species is present within surfactant micelles. The surfactant micelles enhance thermal stability of the redox active species and may also solubilise a species with poor water solubility, such as t-butylferrocene. A downhole tool incorporating such a sensor comprises a barrier, permeable to the analyte, to separate the electrolyte from subterranean reservoir fluid, so that the sensor directly measures analyte which has passed through the barrier and thereby indirectly measures analyte in the test fluid.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for treating subterranean formations, in particular, oilfield stimulation compositions and methods using water-in-water polymer emulsions to uniformly dissolve a rheologically active polymer, such as a thickener or friction reducer, in the treatment fluid. The emulsions have a low viscosity and are easily pumped for mixing into a treatment fluid, where upon dilution with an aqueous medium, the polymer is easily hydrated without forming fish-eyes. The partitioning agent in the water-in-water emulsion does not generally affect the rheology of the treatment fluid. The invention also relates to further processing of the emulsion by wet grinding, high shear mixing and/or heating to enhance the hydration rate in the preparation of the well treatment fluid.

Abstract: An embodiment of the disclosed invention includes a method for attenuating noise during acquisition of marine seismic date. The method includes placing a seismic streamer in a body of water. The seismic streamer includes a streamer body having a length and a channel, a seismic sensor disposed within the channel, and a gel disposed within the channel. The gel has a complex viscosity of at least 50 Pascals and includes a concentration of a polymer between the range of about 5% and about 25% by weight. The method also includes placing a source in the body of water. The seismic streamer and the source are towed through the body of water and the source is fired while being towed through the body of water. Data is collected from the seismic streamer as it is towed through the body of water.

Abstract: A marine seismic streamer comprising a solid, hydrophobic core member that is encased in a hydrophobic streamer skin/casing. The hydrophobic streamer skin may be extruded onto and/or heat welded to the hydrophobic core member. The hydrophobic streamer skin/casing may comprise a thermoplastic polyurethane that includes fluorine and/or silicon moieties, silicon, polydimethylsiloxane or the like. The hydrophobic streamer skin/casing may reduce the drag of the streamer and may provide anti-biofouling properties to the streamer. A hydrophobic paint, coating or polymer may in some instances be disposed on top of the hydrophobic streamer skin/casing.

Abstract: An anti-biofouling casing for a seismic streamer is described, the anti-biofouling casing comprising a polymer system comprising a hydrophobically-modified base polymer, the hydrophobically-modified base polymer comprising a base polymer having a backbone and a hydrophobically derivatized chain extender coupled to said backbone of said base polymer, wherein the the hydrophobically derivatized chain extender comprises a hydrophobic moiety. The anti-fouling casing comprises a hydrophobic surface to which a layer—such as a coating or a paint—of a material having low surface energy may be coupled to provide an anti-biofouling layer on the seismic streamer.

Abstract: An aqueous fluid, possibly a wellbore fracturing fluid, comprises an aqueous solution or dispersion of a first polymer, which may be polysaccharide, as a thickener and a cross linking agent to enhance the viscosity of the fluid by crosslinking the first polymer, wherein the crosslinking agent is a second polymer comprising at least one polymer chain with phenyl boronate groups distributed along the polymer chain and the phenyl boronic acid groups have nitrogen attached to the phenyl group at a position which is meta relative to the boronate group.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous viscoelastic compositions comprising a cleavable surfactant and possibly also an electrolyte. The cleavable surfactants useful in the present invention comprise at least one weak chemical bond, which is capable of being broken under appropriate conditions, to produce oil soluble and water soluble products typically having no interfacial properties and surface activity compared with the original surfactant molecule. Further, the rheological properties of the aqueous viscoelastic composition are usually altered upon cleavage of the cleavable surfactant generally resulting in the elimination of the viscosifying, viscoelastic and surfactant properties of the composition. Aqueous viscoelastic compositions in accordance with the present invention are suitable for use in oil-field applications, particularly for hydraulic fracturing of subterranean formations.

Abstract: A reservoir sampling apparatus comprising at least one probe adapted to provide a fluid flow path between a formation and the inner of the apparatus with a heating projector adapted to project heat into the formation surrounding the probe and a controller to maintain the temperature in the formation below a threshold value.

Abstract: A seismic streamer and associated method are provided. The seismic streamer may include a seismic streamer core having a cylindrical configuration. A melt-processable thermoplastic layer may be coupled with the seismic streamer core, the melt-processable thermoplastic layer being extruded to form a first tube. An elastomeric layer may be coupled with the melt-processable thermoplastic layer, the elastomeric layer being extruded to form a second tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous viscoelastic compositions comprising a cleavable anionic surfactant which is a sulphonate and possibly also an electrolyte. The cleavable surfactants useful in the present invention comprise a chemical bond, which is capable of being broken under appropriate conditions, to produce oil soluble and water soluble products typically having no interfacial properties and surface activity compared with the original surfactant molecule. Further, the rheological properties of the aqueous viscoelastic composition are usually altered upon cleavage of the cleavable surfactant generally resulting in the elimination of the viscosifying, viscoelastic and surfactant properties of the composition. Aqueous viscoelastic compositions in accordance with the present invention are suitable for use in oil-field applications, particularly for hydraulic fracturing of subterranean formations.

Abstract: A method for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is provided. The method includes providing a treatment fluid containing a viscoelastic surfactant having at least one degradable linkage, a hydrolysable material, and a pH control material, and injecting the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. The pH control material may have a pH equal or greater than about 9 and may include a strongly alkaline material and an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: Process fluids comprising more than 1 wt % polyacrylamide and a non-metallic crosslinker may be used to control lost circulation in subterranean wells. The process fluid is placed into a subterranean lost-circulation zone and allowed to crosslink, thereby forming a gel barrier that limits further flow of process fluid into the zone. The non-metallic crosslinker may preferably comprise one or more polylactams. A pH-adjusting agent may also be incorporated into the process fluid.

Abstract: In an arrangement for monitoring of flow within a hydrocarbon well or reservoir by means of one or more tracers which are placed at subterranean locations such that they may be present in flow produced from the well, the analysis of the flow produced from the well is carried out using an electrochemical method, preferably voltammetry, to detect tracer chosen to undergo a detectable electrochemical reaction. The tracer may be provided as nanoparticles in the well fluid.

Abstract: An aqueous fluid contains an aqueous solution or dispersion of a polymer to thicken the fluid together with a cross linking agent to enhance the viscosity of the fluid by crosslinking the polymer, wherein the crosslinking agent comprises supporting structures bearing functional groups to react with the polymer molecules and has a mean particle size of 2 nanometer or more. The supporting structures may be nanoparticles and the functional groups may be boronic acid groups. The concentration of boron in a thickened fluid may be low and in some instances there is resistance to applied pressure. The fluid may be a hydraulic fracturing fluid.

Abstract: Pumpable process-fluid compositions and methods for establishing hydraulic isolation in cemented subterranean wells comprise more than 1 wt % polyacrylamide and a non-metallic crosslinker. Upon entering voids and cracks in or adjacent to a cement sheath, and contacting the set-cement surfaces, the compositions react and form a seal that prevents further leakage.

Abstract: An anti-biofouling casing for a seismic streamer is described, the anti-biofouling casing comprising a polymer system comprising a hydrophobically-modified base polymer, the hydrophobically-modified base polymer comprising a base polymer having a backbone and a hydrophobically derivatized chain extender coupled to said backbone of said base polymer, wherein the the hydrophobically derivatized chain extender comprises a hydrophobic moiety. The anti-fouling casing comprises a hydrophobic surface the serves to prevent biofouling of the surface.

Abstract: An anti-biofouling casing for a seismic streamer is provided, the casing comprising an outer-skin, the outer skin comprising a mix of a base material and a molecular additive, wherein the molecular additive is localized throughout the base material and the molecular additive is configured to impart a high contact angle and/or a low surface energy to an outer surface of the anti-biofouling casing to prevent adhesion of living organism thereto. The outer-skin may comprise a casing/skin for a seismic streamer such that the streamer skin comprises a base material with a hydrophobic molecular additive distributed throughout the streamer skin.