Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a viscoelastic fluids, thickened acid compositions and the like and to methods of using said gelled compositions. The thickened compositions of the present invention can usefully be employed in methods of stimulating and/or modifying the permeability of underground formations, in drilling fluids, completion fluids, workover fluids, acidizing fluids, fracturing, gravel packing and the like.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a viscoelastic fluids, thickened acid compositions and the like and to methods of using said gelled compositions. The thickened compositions of the present invention can usefully be employed in methods of stimulating and/or modifying the permeability of underground formations, in drilling fluids, completion fluids, workover fluids, acidizing fluids, fracturing, gravel packing and the like.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a process for the arylation of unsaturated linear fatty acids and/or alkyl esters thereof to their aryl branched counterparts. Said arylation process comprises contacting said unsaturated linear fatty acids and/or alkyl esters thereof and one or more aromatic compounds with at least one metal ion exchanged solid material catalyst. The invention also relates to various derivatives prepared from the aryl branched fatty acids and/or alkyl esters prepared in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and a composition useful in restoring the permeability of a porous underground petroleum containing formation. Restoring permeability to the formation enhances the injectivity thereby accelerating petroleum recovery. The method of the invention comprises treating said formation with a composition which comprises a combination of at least one nonionic compound, preferably an alkoxylated alcohol, with at least one cationic compound, preferably a quaternary ammonium compound, in an amount effective to improve the permeability of the formation. The composition may also optionally contain an alkyl glycoside.

Abstract: Organoclays based on specific types of ester quats are found to be remarkably effective for use in preparing nanocomposites. These organoclays comprise the reaction product of a smectite clay and a quaternary ammonium compound (or “quat”) which comprises two esterified radicals hereinafter called a “diester quat”). The diester quat may be present in admixture with further quaternary ammonium compounds having esterified radicals, especially compounds having three esterified radicals (hereinafter “triester quats”); or compounds having a single esterified radical (hereinafter “monoester quats”). Where such a mixture of quats is used, the reaction is between the smectite clay and the quat mixture.

Abstract: A method for controlling the rheology of aqueous systems, particularly for those intended for underground use, includes injecting an aqueous viscoelastic fluid containing a surfactant gelling agent into the system. The viscoelastic surfactant composition of the invention comprises, as a gelling agent, at least one fatty aliphatic amidoamine oxide in a glycol solvent. The composition also maintains the levels of free fatty acid and free amine within critical parameters in order to achieve superior performance. The additives may be incorporated in the viscoelastic fluid to tailor its use in stimulation fluids, drilling muds, fracture fluids, and in applications such as permeability modification, gravel packing, cementing, and the like.

Abstract: A method for controlling the rheology of aqueous systems, particularly for those intended for underground use, includes injecting an aqueous fluid containing a surfactant gelling agent into the system. The surfactant gelling agents are, for example, fatty aliphatic amidoamine oxides, salts of an alkoxylated monoamine with an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, and salts of an alkyldiamine with an aromatic dicarboxylic acid. The surfactant gelling agents can be adsorbed onto particulate supports to facilitate delivery of the gelling agent. The additives may be incorporated in the viscoelastic fluid to tailor its use in hydraulic fluids, drilling muds, fracture fluids, and in applications such as permeability modification, gravel packing, cementing, and the like.

Abstract: Engine deposits are reduced by adding an effective deposit-controlling amount of esteramine to hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: Viscoelastic surfactant based aqueous fluid systems are described that are useful in fracturing subterranean formations penetrated by a wellbore. The preferred surfactant compositions contain quaternary ammonium salts wherein the long chain alkyl substituent contains about 3% or less of groups containing 18 or less carbon atoms. The amount of intermediate compounds in the surfactant composition is less than about 1%. The surfactant composition can be used in conjunction with an inorganic water soluble salt such as ammonium chloride or potassium chloride, and an organic stabilizing additive.

Abstract: Engine deposits are reduced by adding an effective deposit-controlling amount of an esteramine to hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: Organoclay compositions which comprise the reaction product of a smectite-type clay having an ion exchange capacity of at least 50 meq. wt. per 100 g. clay (active basis), and an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compound having one or two alkoxylated chains containing 0-10 moles ethylene oxide and 3-15 moles of propylene or butylene oxide residues are useful thixotropic materials, especially for the preparation of aqueous systems.

Abstract: An .alpha.-aminonitrile compound derived from the reaction, in the presence of a cyanide source of (1) a bisulfite adduct of a carbonyl compound selected from the group consisting of an aldehyde and a ketone with (2) a fatty alkyl alkylene diamine containing two reactible amino functionalities which is of the formula RNHR.sub.1 NH.sub.2, where R is fatty alkyl and R.sub.1 is lower alkylene of up to six carbon atoms.

Abstract: .alpha.-aminonitrile compounds derived from a fatty alkyl alkylene diamine containing two reactible amino functionalities are disclosed which are of the formula ##STR1## where R is C.sub.12 -C.sub.22 fatty alkyl, R.sub.1 is alkylene, R.sub.2 is aryl, and R.sub.3 is alkyl, aryl, or hydrogen.

Abstract: .alpha.-aminonitrile compounds derived from a fatty alkyl alkylene diamine containing two reactible amino functionalities are disclosed which are of the formula ##STR1## where R is C.sub.12 -C.sub.22 fatty alkyl, R.sub.1 is alkylene, R.sub.2 is alkyl, and R.sub.3 is alkyl or hydrogen.

Abstract: .alpha.-aminonitrile compounds derived from a fatty alkyl alkylene diamine containing two reactible amino functionalities are disclosed which are of the formula ##STR1## where R is C.sub.12 -C.sub.22 fatty alkyl, R.sub.1 is alkylene, R.sub.2 is aryl, and R.sub.3 is aryl or hydrogen.

Abstract: Nitriles can be hydrogenated to amines by heating the nitrile in the presence of hydrogen and a tungsten carbide catalyst, such as are formed by the calcination of a tungsten salt with an acyclic compound containing-nitrogen-hydrogen bonding.

Abstract: .alpha.-aminonitrile compounds derived from a fatty alkyl alkylene diamine containing two reactible amino functionalities are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for controlling the rheology of aqueous systems, particularly for those intended for underground use, includes injecting an aqueous fluid containing a surfactant gelling agent into the system. The surfactant gelling agents are, for example, fatty aliphatic amidoamine oxides, salts of an alkoxylated monoamine with an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, and salts of an alkyldiamine with an aromatic dicarboxylic acid. The surfactant gelling agents can be absorbed onto particulate supports to facilitate delivery of the gelling agent. The additives may be incorporated in the viscoelastic fluid to tailor its use in hydraulic fluids, drilling muds, fracture fluids, and in applications such as permeability modification, gravel packing, cementing, and the like.