Abstract: Additional oil recovery is obtained from a reservoir with a composition comprising at least a coupling solvent typically employed in waterborne coating compositions. Provided herein are embodiments of methods of recovering hydrocarbons using at least one coupling solvent, such as an oxygenated coupling solvent. The coupling solvent increases the mutual solubility with water at the injection temperature to facilitate the mixing and injection, particularly with an optional co-solvent. The coupling solvent helps mitigate formation plugging and improve performance when injected into a formation, as the solvent mixture moves from being miscible in the injection field water to being miscible in the reservoir oil, mobilizing the reservoir oil to increase oil recovery.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a multicarboxylate, such as an alkyl alkoxy dicarboxylate a method of making the multicarboxylate, and methods to use the multicarboxylate. A specific embodiment of the disclosure is a compound comprising the chemical formula: R1-R2-R3, wherein R1 comprises a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, cyclic or non-cyclic, hydrophobic carbon chain having 7-150 carbon atoms; an oxygen atom linking R1 and R2; R2 comprises an alkoxylated chain comprising ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, or a combination thereof; and R3 comprises a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon chain comprising 2-12 carbon atoms and 2-5 —COOH or —COOM groups wherein M is a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent cation. The composition has a variety of uses but in some embodiments may be used in enhanced oil recovery processes.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel surfactant compositions and methods having application in a variety of fields including enhanced oil recovery, the cleaning industry as well as groundwater remediation. The surfactant compositions are based on lignin bio-oil with a phenol hydroxyl group as the main functional group. The compositions include carboxylic surfactant s and mixed hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfactant structures, which can be used for the recovery of crude oil compositions from challenging reservoirs.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of a multicarboxylate, such as an alkyl alkoxy dicarboxylate, in enhanced oil recovery processes. A specific embodiment relates to the use of an aqueous stream including a compound having the chemical formula: R1—R2—R3, wherein R1 comprises a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, cyclic or non-cyclic, hydrophobic carbon chain having 7-150 carbon atoms; an oxygen atom linking R1 and R2; R2 comprises an alkoxylated chain comprising ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, or a combination thereof; and R3 comprises a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon chain comprising 2-12 carbon atoms and 2-5 —COOH or —COOM groups wherein M is a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent cation.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosure, mixtures of different carbon length alcohols are used as the primary feedstock for Guerbet alcohols. Specifically, embodiments relate to a method of synthesizing mixed molecular weight additives from a mixture of primary alcohols comprising, receiving a mixture of primary alcohols having greater than two different chain length primary alcohols and reacting the mixture of primary alcohols in a single reactor to produce a mixture of at least five Guerbet alcohols. The mixture of Guerbet alcohols can then be used to produce an additive or surfactant composition comprising additives or surfactants of different molecular weights.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosure, mixtures of different carbon length alcohols are used as the primary feedstock for Guerbet alcohols. Specifically, embodiments relate to a method of synthesizing mixed molecular weight additives from a mixture of primary alcohols comprising, receiving a mixture of primary alcohols comprising at least two different chain length primary alcohols and reacting the mixture of primary alcohols to produce a mixture of Guerbet alcohols. The mixture of Guerbet alcohols is then used to produce an additive composition comprising additives of different molecular weights.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosure, mixtures of different carbon length alcohols are used as the primary feedstock for Guerbet alcohols. Specifically, embodiments relate to a method of synthesizing mixed molecular weight additives from a mixture of primary alcohols comprising, receiving a mixture of primary alcohols having greater than two different chain length primary alcohols and reacting the mixture of primary alcohols in a single reactor to produce a mixture of at least five Guerbet alcohols. The mixture of Guerbet alcohols can then be used to produce an additive or surfactant composition comprising additives or surfactants of different molecular weights.

Abstract: The simultaneous control of the two forms of mercury in petroleum reservoirs (elemental and particulate HgS) is accomplished by the use of agents which react with the elemental mercury and bind the particulate HgS to the formation material: a mercury capture agent and a chemical sand control agent. The elemental control agent reacts with and adsorbs the elemental mercury. The chemical sand control agents reduce or eliminate the dislodging of fine particulate mercury from the surface of the formation material. This simultaneous control can be applied for a new well during well completion operations wherein analyses indicate the presence of mercury. This simultaneous control can also be applied to a currently producing well during a work-over when mercury is detected in the gas or crude products.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a multicarboxylate, such as an alkyl alkoxy dicarboxylate a method of making the multicarboxylate, and methods to use the multicarboxylate. A specific embodiment of the disclosure is a compound comprising the chemical formula: R1-R2-R3, wherein R1 comprises a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, cyclic or non-cyclic, hydrophobic carbon chain having 7-150 carbon atoms; an oxygen atom linking R1 and R2; R2 comprises an alkoxylated chain comprising ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, or a combination thereof; and R3 comprises a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon chain comprising 2-12 carbon atoms and 2-5 —COOH or —COOM groups wherein M is a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent cation. The composition has a variety of uses but in some embodiments may be used in enhanced oil recovery processes.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosure, mixtures of different carbon length alcohols are used as the primary feedstock for Guerbet alcohols. Specifically, embodiments relate to a method of synthesizing mixed molecular weight additives from a mixture of primary alcohols comprising, receiving a mixture of primary alcohols comprising at least two different chain length primary alcohols and reacting the mixture of primary alcohols to produce a mixture of Guerbet alcohols. The mixture of Guerbet alcohols is then used to produce an additive composition comprising additives of different molecular weights.

Abstract: The instant invention pertains to a composition which may be useful for enhancing oil recovery. The composition typically comprises the reaction mixture of at least (a) two or more compounds capable of generating at least about 20 kcal to about 150 kcal per mole when contacted; (b) one or more suitable surfactants or one or more suitable polymers or a mixture thereof; and (c) oil. The invention also pertains to a method for enhancing oil recovery wherein a suitable system is injected through a wellbore into a reservoir to enhance mobility of oil.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing surfactants for utilization in petroleum industry operations. The method comprises providing a bio-lipid. The bio-lipid can include one or more medium-chain or long-chain fatty acids, such as Lauric acid, Myristic acid, Palmitic acid, Stearic acid, Palmitoleic acid, Oleic acid, Ricinoleic acid, Vaccenic acid, Linoleic acid, Alpha-Linoleic acid, or Gamma-Linolenic acid. Fatty acid alkyl esters are produced by reacting the bio-lipid with a low-molecular weight alcohol. The fatty acid alkyl esters are reduced to a fatty alcohol. The fatty alcohol is dimerized to form a Guerbet alcohol, which is a precursor to producing surfactant for utilization in a petroleum industry operation, such as an enhanced oil recovery process.

Abstract: The instant invention pertains to a composition which may be useful for enhancing oil recovery. The composition typically comprises the reaction mixture of at least (a) two or more compounds capable of generating at least about 20 kcal to about 150 kcal per mole when contacted; (b) one or more suitable surfactants or one or more suitable polymers or a mixture thereof; and (c) oil. The invention also pertains to a method for enhancing oil recovery wherein a suitable system is injected through a wellbore into a reservoir to enhance mobility of oil.

Abstract: Turbidity and fluorescence measurements are taken simultaneously from a falling waste water stream in order to determine both the amount of solids and the amount of fluorescent material contained therein.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new optical photometry system for on-line analysis of industrial fluid streams. The invention is a general purpose optical photometer, capable of absorption, fluorescence and reflectance measurements at single wavelengths in the ultraviolet, visible and near infrared spectral ranges. Light signals generated by the light source are carried between a central photometric console and remote analysis sites by fiber optic cables. The return light signals are compared with a standard to make the desired analysis.

Abstract: Turbidity and fluorescence measurements are taken simultaneously from a waste water sample in a stabilized pool of water in order to determine both the amount of solids and the amount of fluorescent material contained therein.

Abstract: A fiber optic probe mounting assembly has an inner assembly which receives an optical fiber cable and holds it in a sealed alignment. The inner assembly is sealingly received in an outer assembly which is provided with means for attachment to a pressure vessel.