Abstract: A method to improve fluid flow in a hydraulic fracture from a subterranean formation which includes the steps of (1) formulating a slurry which comprises (a) proppant particles, (b) a carrier fluid, and (c) low density particles, wherein the fluid is capable of undergoing a transformation to cause an agglomeration of two or more proppant particles and/or low density particles; and (2) injecting the slurry into the formation; and (3) the agglomeration of the proppant particles and/or low density particles, is provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating at least a portion of a subterranean formation. The method includes introducing a treatment fluid including a composite particle, which includes proppant incorporated into or attached to a swellable material and/or swellable materials, into a subterranean formation via a wellbore; and increasing the buoyancy of the composite particle including proppant by either mixing it with a treatment fluid or mixing it with a treatment fluid and triggering the swellable material and/or swellable materials to swell.

Abstract: A method improves the capability for testing a fluid sample, e.g. testing a reservoir sample of hydrocarbon fluid. The methodology comprises positioning a capillary electrophoresis system within an enclosed chamber system. The enclosed chamber system preserves the desired downhole reservoir conditions during testing of the reservoir sample. In some applications, the reservoir sample is divided into a plurality of capillaries of the capillary electrophoresis system to enable testing of the reservoir sample with different types of detectors in one capillary electrophoresis system. The method can also be applied to depressurized reservoir samples.

Abstract: Treatment fluids and methods for treating a subterranean formation include introducing a treatment fluid into a subterranean formation, the treatment fluid containing a nanocrystalline cellulose. The treatment fluid may be a fracturing fluid, well control fluid, well kill fluid, well cementing fluid, acid fracturing fluid, acid diverting fluid, a stimulation fluid, a sand control fluid, a completion fluid, a wellbore consolidation fluid, a remediation treatment fluid, a spacer fluid, a drilling fluid, a frac-packing fluid, water conformance fluid or a gravel packing fluid.

Abstract: A method of fluid testing includes pressurizing a fluid testing system, disposed at a subterranean location under high pressure compared to a surface pressure, to achieve a desired pressure differential between the high pressure and an internal pressure of the fluid testing system. The fluid testing system includes a capillary electrophoresis system and one or more test fluid reservoirs. The method also includes directing test fluid from the one or more test fluid reservoirs into capillaries to condition the capillaries. The method further includes directing sample fluid into the capillaries for testing while at the subterranean location.

Abstract: A system and methodology enables improved quantification of an organic material, e.g. oil, in a sample. The technique comprises adding a substance to a two-phase sample containing the organic material and water. The substance is mixed through the sample until the constituents of the sample are solubilized to create an optically clear mixture. An optical technique is employed with respect to the optically clear mixture to quantitatively analyze the organic material in the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus (and method) for characterizing interfacial tension between a non-wetting phase fluid and a wetting phase fluid of a slug flow employs a capillary structure that is configured to contain a slug of the non-wetting phase fluid of the slug flow. The slug has a leading edge meniscus and a trailing edge meniscus, and the capillary structure has a venturi-like section. A pressure sensor is configured to measure differential pressure between first and second locations of the capillary structure. The first location is disposed upstream of the leading edge meniscus of the slug with the leading edge meniscus of the slug contained within the venturi-like section. The second location is disposed downstream of the trailing edge meniscus of the slug. Data processing means is configured to derive a measure of interfacial tension based upon the differential pressure measured by the pressure sensor and, optionally, geometry of the capillary structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of alkylalkoxysulfonates for the production of foams, which are stable at high temperatures, e.g. up to about 250° C. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing of high temperature stable foams by using a foamable aqueous composition comprising at least one linear alkylalkoxysulfonate.

Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for determining a property of a solid material relating to wettability, and for evaluating chemical additives. A solid particle is positioned at an interface between a lighter fluid phase, such as oil, and a denser fluid phase, such as water. An external force is applied, preferably with a centrifuge, so as to urge the solid particle into the denser fluid phase. An observation is made as to whether the particles has passed through the denser fluid phase, and based on the observation the contact angle is calculated. The calculation is also based on the densities of each fluid phase, of the solid material, the amount of the external force applied, size of the solid material, and interfacial tension between the two phases. The calculation also preferably accounts for two curvatures representing the interface between the first phase and the second phase as deformed by the solid material.

Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for determining a property of a solid material relating to wettability, and for evaluating chemical additives. A solid particle is positioned at an interface between a lighter fluid phase, such as oil, and a denser fluid phase, such as water. An external force is applied, preferably with a centrifuge, so as to urge the solid particle into the denser fluid phase. An observation is made as to whether the particles has passed through the denser fluid phase, and based on the observation the contact angle is calculated. The calculation is also based on the densities of each fluid phase, of the solid material, the amount of the external force applied, size of the solid material, and interfacial tension between the two phases. The calculation also preferably accounts for two curvatures representing the interface between the first phase and the second phase as deformed by the solid material.

Abstract: A method for generating and characterizing an emulsion. The method provides a Couette device having first and second cylindrical members that define an annulus between them. The second cylindrical member is rotatably driven with respect to the first cylindrical member. Two or more substances each in a non-emulsified state are injected into the annulus. The Couette device is operated in a first mode to generate an emulsion from the two or more substances. The Couette device is also operated in a second mode to measure various attributes of the emulsion.

Abstract: A method for generating and characterizing an emulsion. The method provides a Couette device having first and second cylindrical members that define an annulus between them. The second cylindrical member is rotatably driven with respect to the first cylindrical member. Two or more substances each in a non-emulsified state are injected into the annulus. The Couette device is operated in a first mode to generate an emulsion from the two or more substances. The Couette device is also operated in a second mode to measure various attributes of the emulsion.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for removing heavy oils from underground reservoirs. The methods involve the use of chemical compositions in combination with steam techniques for the efficient removal of heavy oils.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for identifying compounds useful for producing heavy oil from an underground reservoir. The methods facilitate the development of chemicals with improved physicochemical features. The methods generally involve first identifying a physicochemical property of a compound that needs to be improved in order to increase the efficiency of heavy oil removal from underground reservoirs. Next, the physicochemical property is calculated by molecular modeling using semi-empirical or ab-initio calculations. By modifying the molecular model of the compound, the targeted physicochemical property can be optimized. After a suitable compound has been identified, the compound can be synthesized and evaluated.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for removing heavy oils from underground reservoirs. The methods involve the use of chemical compositions in combination with steam techniques for the efficient removal of heavy oils.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel thiazolidine-4(S)-carboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 stands for an optionally substituted furyl, pyrrolyl, thienyl, benzofuryl, benzopyrrolyl, benzothienyl, phenyl, pyridyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl or indanyl group or a C.sub.1-4 alkyl or C.sub.2-4 alkenyl group optionally substituted by a hydroxyl, carboxyl or halogen fenoxy group,stands for hydrogen, an alkaline metal or an alkaline earth metal atom or an optionally substituted C.sub.1-4 alkyl group or aryl group;R.sup.3 represents hydrogen or an optionally substituted C.sub.1-4 alkyl or acyl group or aryl groupas well as their salts.Further on, the invention relates to pharmaceutical preparations containing these compounds and to a process for preparing these compounds and preparations.The compounds of the invention are useful for treating or preventing liver damages of either natural or experimental origin.