Abstract: Processes for effecting biocidal activity in subterranean oil and gas wells being drilled, completed, worked over or produced are described. In general the process comprises blending with aqueous well fluid a biocidally-effective amount of a sulfamate stabilized, bromine-based biocide. Compositions comprised of aqueous well fluid blended with such aqueous biocides are also described.

Abstract: A process for reducing the viscosity of fracturing fluids in downhole oilfield operations is provided. The process comprises contacting a sulfamate stabilized, bromine-based breaker with an aqueous polysaccharide fracturing fluid, with the breaker present in an amount to reduce the viscosity of the fracturing fluid. A composition which comprises a sulfamate stabilized, bromine-based breaker for use in decreasing the viscosity of an aqueous polysaccharide fracturing fluid for use in subterranean oil and gas wells is also provided.

Abstract: A process for reducing the viscosity of fracturing fluids in downhole oilfield operations is provided. The process comprises contacting a sulfamate stabilized, bromine-based breaker with an aqueous polysaccharide fracturing fluid, with the breaker present in an amount to reduce the viscosity of the fracturing fluid. A composition which comprises a sulfamate stabilized, bromine-based breaker for use in decreasing the viscosity of an aqueous polysaccharide fracturing fluid for use in subterranean oil and gas wells is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides in a water injection system and in a water injection process for secondary oil and/or gas recovery, the presence and use of a biocidally-effective amount of a sulfamate-stabilized, bromine-based biocide with injection water that is to be used in the system or process such that bromine-based biocide is present in at least a portion of the system and/or in at least a portion of the water in the system. A composition especially adapted for use in secondary oil recovery operations, is comprised of seawater with which has been blended a biocidally-effective amount of a sulfamate-stabilized, bromine-based biocide.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions having utility as well fluid base oils. The base oils are comprised of a mixture of internal predominantly linear tetradecene (C14) isomers and internal predominantly linear hexadecene (C16) isomers. The base oils of this invention have pour point temperatures lower than −25° C. and are environmentally acceptable to marine life. The base oils disclosed are ideal candidates for use in cold climates and for offshore drilling.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly invert drilling fluid comprises a water-in-oil emulsion which includes (a) at least 50 volume percent of a low toxicity base oil, and (b) at least one additive selected from the group consisting of emulsifiers, viscosifiers, weighting agents, oil wetting agents and fluid loss preventing agents, at least about 25 volume percent of the base oil content of the drilling fluid being one or more linear alpha-olefins which have from about 14 to 30 carbon atoms.

Abstract: This invention relates to a refrigerant composition comprising a major amount of refrigerant and a minor amount of at least one ester of an alkane polycarboxylic acid said polycarboxylic acid having more than two carboxyl groups.

Abstract: A synthetic oil composition comprising the reaction product of an .alpha.-olefin oligomer derived from an .alpha.-olefin monomer containing from about 6 to 20 carbon atoms and from about 0.01 to 1 mole of a phenol per mole of oligomer. The oil composition can be further reacted to form alkoxylated products and can be mixed with polar additives to form homogeneous synthetic lubricants.

Abstract: A relatively simple, economical process for the synthesis of epinine and related compounds is described. The process involves subjecting adrenalone, epinephrine or their respective congeners to selective hydrogenolysis using hydrogen and a metal hydrogenolysis catalyst such as palladium, platinum, rhodium or nickel. Preferably the reaction is conducted in a non-oxidizing acidic liquid reaction medium, such as in aqueous hydrochloric acid.