Abstract: The invention relates to methods of controlling the stability of emulsions to coalescence and phase separation. Use of chaotropic counterions to promote coalescence and/or phase separation of emulsions stabilized by ionic surfactants is described.

Abstract: A well servicing fluid is disclosed. The well servicing fluid is formulated by combining ingredients comprising: an aqueous based fluid comprising sulfate ions at a concentration greater than 50 mg/l; a chelating agent; and an acid in an amount sufficient to result in the well servicing fluid having a pH of 4.5 or less. A method of servicing a well is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gas generating system for use in stimulation or in deliquification/dewatering includes a foam generating agent, a foam enhancing agent and a gas generating additive. The foam generating agent is absorbed or adsorbed on a first plurality of substrates and the foam boosting agent is absorbed or adsorbed on a second plurality of substrates. The gas generating additive preferably includes an acidic component contained within a releasing mechanism container and a carbonate or bicarbonate contained within a releasing mechanism container. The use of encapsulated substrate permits the staged and targeted delivery of treatment chemicals in fractures extending from the wellbore or in the wellbore itself.

Abstract: Compositions and methods that mitigate pressure buildup in the annular space between two tubular bodies in subterranean wells. The composition of the invention comprises an aqueous solution of crosslinkable acrylamide-base polymer, a crosslinker and a gas. Once foamed and placed in the annular space, the composition provides a resilient, flexible, compressible and durable body that is able to compensate for pressure increases in the annular space, thereby protecting the integrity of the tubular bodies.

Abstract: An acid treatment composition is provided including an alkyl sarcosinate as corrosion inhibitor and an optional corrosion inhibitor intensifier in an acidic solution. Methods for treating wells with these acid treatment compositions are also provided that help control corrosion of the alloy surfaces used in the wells during the acid treatment.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation with a xanthan-viscosified cesium formate brine wherein the pH and/or another characteristic selected from density, xanthan loading, sodium formate loading, potassium formate loading and combinations thereof are modified to delay solid hydrogel formation and maintain pumpability. Also disclosed is a method of delaying onset of solid hydrogel formation, in a gel comprising cesium formate brine viscosified with xanthan polymer, comprises introducing acid into the brine in an amount effective for a pH from 7 to 11, wherein the acid introduction is before, during or after xanthan viscosification and prior to hydrogel formation, wherein the hydrogel formation in the acidified gel occurs at a later time relative to the same gel at a natural pH.

Abstract: A method of selectively blocking fractures in a subterranean formation by injecting a diversion agent into the well is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the method comprises injecting a diversion agent into a subterranean formation to form an alkaline-earth carbonate precipitate from decomposition of a carbonyl compound, wherein the diversion agent includes the carbonyl compound and an alkaline-earth halide salt.

Abstract: A base fluid may contain nanoparticles where the base fluid may include a non-aqueous fluid, an aqueous fluid, and combinations thereof. The fluid may have a resistivity range of from about 0.02 ohm-m to about 1,000,000 ohm-m. The non-aqueous fluid may be a brine-in-oil emulsion, or a water-in-oil emulsion; and the aqueous fluid may be an oil-in-water emulsion, or an oil-in-brine emulsion; and combinations thereof. The addition of nanoparticles to the base fluid may improve or increase the electrical conductivity and other electrical properties of the fluid. The fluid may be a drilling fluid, a completion fluid, a production fluid, and/or a stimulation fluid.

Abstract: One or more compositions and methods for inhibiting the formation of hydrate agglomerates in a fluid that contain a specified generic formula are disclosed. The fluid can be contained in an oil or gas pipeline or refinery.

Abstract: Processes for recovering hydrocarbons from subterranean formations are disclosed. The hydrocarbon can be contacted with water or steam and one or more additives, and subsequently recovered. The hydrocarbon can be selected from heavy or light crude oil, bitumen, an oil sand ore, a tar sand ore, and combinations thereof. The additive can be, for example, an aromatic hydrocarbon. Compositions or mixtures including hydrocarbons, water or steam, and additives are also disclosed.

Abstract: One or more compositions and methods for inhibiting the formation of hydrate agglomerates in an aqueous medium that contain a specified generic formula are disclosed. The aqueous medium can be contained in an oil or gas pipeline or refinery.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, apparatus, and systems to minimize environmental impact, water use, and overall cost of drilling and hydraulic fracturing for crude oil and natural gas. Some variations of the invention provide a fracturing-fluid additive composition comprising a water-soluble portion of a biomass-pyrolysis liquid. In some embodiments, the fracturing-fluid additive composition is substantially biodegradable and is not toxic. Some variations provide improved proppants for oil or gas well fracturing. Other variations of this invention relate to drilling-fluid additive compositions, and methods of using these compositions. This invention can significantly improve the environmental, economic, and social sustainability associated with drilling and fracturing for production of oil and gas.

Abstract: In a method of treating a sandstone-containing formation penetrated by a wellbore, a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid containing a Bronsted acid, a hydrogen fluoride source and an organic acid or salt thereof that is substantially soluble in the aqueous fluid is formed. The treatment fluid contains less than about 2% of fluoride (F?) by weight of the fluid and from 2% or less of sodium (Na+) by weight of the fluid. The treatment fluid is introduced into the formation through the wellbore as a single-stage without introducing an acid-containing fluid preflush into the formation prior to introducing the treatment fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides settable compositions and methods of using settable compositions that comprise a hydraulic cement; a partially calcined kiln feed comprising SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, SO3, Na2O, and K2O; metakaolin; and water. The location to be cemented may be above ground or in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Phosphate brines are disclosed having reduced corrosive ratings. The phosphate brines include an additive system that reduces the corrosiveness of the phosphate brines compared to the phosphate brines in the absence of the additive system.

Abstract: In a method of treating a sandstone-containing formation penetrated by a wellbore, a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid containing a Bronsted acid, a hydrogen fluoride source and an organic acid or salt thereof that is substantially soluble in the aqueous fluid is formed. The treatment fluid contains less than about 2% of fluoride (F?) by weight of the fluid and from 2% or less of sodium (Na+) by weight of the fluid. The treatment fluid is introduced into the formation through the wellbore as a single-stage without introducing an acid-containing fluid preflush into the formation prior to introducing the treatment fluid.

Abstract: A subterranean treatment fluid comprising a degradable gemini surfactant composition described by the following formula: A and A? are spacers that may be a hydrophobic group or a hydrophilic group. B is an ion and may contain a quaternary nitrogen, a sulfonate, or a phosphate. A, A?, B, B?, C, C, E and E? may be an alkyl, an aryl, a sugar, an ester, an ether, and any combination thereof. D and D? may be an aryl, a sugar, an ester, an ether, and any combination thereof. In some cases, A?, D?, and E? may be optional.

Abstract: Methods of using relative permeability modifiers for the diversion of aqueous fluids during subterranean operations are provided. An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of diverting fluids in a subterranean formation that may comprise providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid and a relative permeability modifier that comprises water-soluble polymer with hydrophobic or hydrophilic modification; introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation; and at least a first portion of the treatment fluid to penetrate into a portion of the subterranean formation so as to substantially divert a second portion of the treatment fluid or another aqueous treatment fluid to another portion of the subterranean.

Abstract: Methods of reducing the permeability of a subterranean formation to aqueous-based fluids using a water-soluble relative permeability modifier that comprises a hydrophobically modified polymer, wherein the hydrophobically modified polymer is a reaction product of: a hydrophilic polymer that comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyvinylamine, a poly(vinylamine/vinyl alcohol), and an alkyl acrylate polymer; and, a hydrophobic compound comprising at least one alkyl chain having a carbon chain length between about 4 and about 22 carbons. The water-soluble relative permeability modifier may be placed within a subterranean drilling operation such that the water-soluble relative permeability modifier attaches onto surfaces within the subterranean formation to effect permeability of aqueous fluids.

Abstract: Spray dried emulsifier compositions are described, which have desirable emulsifying and wetting characteristics. Among other advantages, the solid particulate emulsifier compositions greatly reduce transportation costs and simplify the logistics and environmental concerns associated with shipping large volumes of solvent-containing liquids. The emulsifier comprises (1) a carboxylic acid terminated fatty amine condensate or (2) a modified tall oil or (3) a blend of (1) and (2) that is converted to its alkali or alkaline earth metal salt and spray dried.

Abstract: A water-based wellbore treatment fluid contains: one or more viscoelastic-gelling carboxylic acids and/or alkali metal salts thereof; and one or more solubilizing alkylolamines. The carboxylic acids and/or alkali metal salts and the alkylolamines are present in the fluid in respective amounts such that, at 25° C., the alkylolamines solubilize a sufficient portion of the carboxylic acids and/or alkali metal salts to render the fluid viscoelastic. A remaining portion of the carboxylic acids and/or alkali metal salts forms a suspension of solid particulates in the fluid.

Abstract: The invention discloses method of treating a subterranean formation of a well bore, the method comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous base fluid; a viscosity enhancer; and a viscoelastic surfactant, wherein the enhancer is acid in the aqueous base fluid and co-operates with the viscoelastic surfactant to enhance viscosity compared to viscoelastic surfactant alone in the aqueous base fluid; and introducing the treatment fluid into the well bore.

Abstract: Techniques for preconditioning an oilfield reservoir including heavy oil and/or bitumen prior to production of a petroleum product are described. A preconditioning agent can be injected into a mobile water film included in the oilfield reservoir. The preconditioning agent preconditions the reservoir prior to production of the petroleum product.

Abstract: A method and a thermo-chemical system for removing organic deposits such as wax, asphaltenes and resins in oil well borehole, and oil production and transportation tubing and pathway.

Abstract: Methods for using a microemulsion system are disclosed which comprises a solvent subsystem, a co-solvent subsystem and a surfactant subsystem comprises at least one monoalkyl branched propoxy sulfate anionic surfactant, where the microemulsion system are useful in drilling, producing, remediation, and fracturing application to reduce water blocks and water blocking in formation of a producing formation.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore comprising placing a composition comprising a surfactant, brine, an oleaginous fluid, and optionally a co-surfactant in an annular space of the wellbore, wherein the composition forms a microemulsion under low shear conditions.

Abstract: Surfactant based viscoelastic fluids for enhancing the productivity of a hydrocarbon-bearing formations have particular applicability in acid fracturing of subterranean formations surrounding oil and gas wells. The viscoelastic fluid contains an organic acid, an inorganic monovalent salt and a quaternary ammonium aromatic salt and water. The fluid may further be foamed or energized.

Abstract: A method for sealing a subterranean zone is disclosed. The method includes the steps of preparing a wellbore fluid, placing the wellbore fluid into at least a portion of an annular space between the sidewalls of a wellbore and the exterior of a casing string disposed in the wellbore, and allowing the wellbore fluid to solidify therein, wherein the wellbore fluid includes an oleaginous fluid as the continuous phase of the wellbore fluid, a non-oleaginous fluid as the discontinuous phase of the wellbore fluid, and about 5 to about 50 pounds per barrel of a thermally activated hydrocarbon gellant.

Abstract: The present invention describes the use of EDTA and/or alkali treated hard brine at high pH for making ASP formulations for EOR applications.

Abstract: A method of heterogeneous proppant placement in a subterranean fracture is disclosed. The method comprises injecting well treatment fluid including proppant and a channelant through a wellbore into the fracture, heterogeneously placing the proppant in the fracture in a plurality of proppant clusters or islands spaced apart by the channelant, and removing the channelant filler material to form open channels around the pillars for fluid flow from the formation through the fracture toward the wellbore. The proppant and channelant can be segregated within the well treatment fluid, or segregated during placement in the fracture. The channelant can be dissolvable particles, initially acting as a filler material during placement of the proppant, and later dissolving to leave the flow channels between the proppant pillars. The well treatment fluid can include fibers to provide reinforcement and consolidation of the proppant and/or to inhibit settling of the proppant in the treatment fluid.

Abstract: A method for treating a subterranean formation includes forming a treatment fluid including a carrier fluid, a solid acid-precursor, and a solid scale inhibitor. The solid acid-precursor includes a material that forms an acid at downhole conditions in the subterranean formation. The method further includes adding a solid acid-responsive material into the treatment fluid, where the solid acid-responsive material enhances formation of acid from the solid acid-precursor in acidic conditions. The method includes performing an acid fracture treatment and inhibiting scale formation within the subterranean formation. The solid scale inhibitor allows for long-term scale inhibition after the treatment.

Abstract: A well servicing fluid is disclosed. The well servicing fluid is formulated with components comprising: an organic salt, the organic salt being the product of an organic acid and an organic amine base; and an aqueous based solvent. A method of servicing a well is also disclosed.

Abstract: Solid, particulate dicarboxylic acids may be fluid loss control agents and/or viscosifying agents for viscoelastic surfactant (VES) fluids in treatments such as well completion or stimulation in hydrocarbon recovery operations. The fluid loss control agents may include, but not be limited to, dodecanedioic acid, undecanedioic acid, decanedioic acid, azelaic acid, suberic acid, and mixtures thereof having a mesh size of from about 20 mesh to about 400 mesh (about 841 to about 38 microns). A mutual solvent or a blend of at least two alcohols subsequently added to the aqueous viscoelastic surfactant treating fluid will at least partially dissolve the solid, particulate dicarboxylic acid fluid loss control agents, and optionally also “break” or reduce the viscosity of the aqueous viscoelastic surfactant treating fluid.

Abstract: Fracturing fluid compositions and methods of fracturing subterranean formations using polyboronic compounds as crosslinking agents are provided. The compositions and methods of the present invention allow for lower polymer loadings because achieving higher fracturing fluid viscosities can be achieved using less polymer than in traditional crosslinked systems.

Abstract: Provided herein are inter alia novel compositions and methods having application in a variety of fields including the field of enhanced oil recovery, the cleaning industry as well as groundwater remediation. In particular, the alkoxy carboxylate compounds and mixtures thereof presented herein can be used, inter alia, for the recovery of a large range of crude oil compositions from challenging reservoirs.

Abstract: Emulsified acids have been used to increase production rates of oil and gas in carbonate reservoirs through acid fracturing and matrix acidizing operations. An emulsifier is used to emulsify the aqueous acid with an oil, usually diesel. Very small particles, such as colloidal clay particles and/or nanoparticles increase the stability of the emulsified acids over an elevated temperature range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a bimodal stimulation composition for removal of thickness of a filter cake while minimizing fluid loss is provided. The bimodal stimulation composition includes water, a salt, an acid, and a viscoelastic surfactant.

Abstract: An asphaltene and resin precipitation inhibiting solution formed of an asphaltene and resin precipitation inhibiting compound and a solvent miscible in a carbon dioxide liquid or supercritical fluid. The inhibiting compound includes a head region with an affinity for asphaltene and resin components of a hydrocarbon mixture that is greater than its affinity for water, carbon dioxide, and aliphatic components of the hydrocarbon mixture. The head region includes one or more unsaturated hydrocarbon groups or one or more nonionic dipolar groups. The inhibiting compound also includes a tail region with an affinity for carbon dioxide that is greater than its affinity for substantially all components of the hydrocarbon mixture and water. The tail region includes one or more nonionic quadrupolar groups. An effective amount of solution is added to a hydrocarbon mixture in an underground reservoir when employing a carbon dioxide fluid to flush the hydrocarbon mixture from the reservoir.

Abstract: A method of creating a carbon dioxide hydrate is disclosed. The preferred steps include supplying liquid carbon dioxide and a dissociation agent to a hydrocarbon hydrate, decomposing the hydrocarbon hydrate by the dissociation agent into a hydrocarbon gas and liquid water, and forming the carbon dioxide hydrate from the liquid carbon dioxide and the liquid water. The dissociation agent preferably is at least one of an inorganic salt, a surface active agent, a hydrate inhibitor, and an absorption solution. Furthermore, a substance composition of liquid carbon dioxide and the dissociation agent is described, which is provided for depositing carbon dioxide hydrate in a subterranean geological formation. Furthermore, a deposition device is described, which is configured for depositing carbon dioxide hydrate in a subterranean geological formation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an acid emulsion fluid for use in sealing target portions of a hydrocarbon producing formation penetrated by a wellbore and the method of use thereof for fluid loss control.

Abstract: A method is described to predict the composition of favorable bridging agents for a particular situation in which the solution thermodynamics of the chemicals used in the composition of the bridging material is carefully evaluated. Wellbore service fluids are also described that contain materials such as sodium bicarbonate, a material such as a salt containing water in a crystal structure, a material containing at least one boron-oxygen bond, or a non-polymer material having low solubility at low temperatures and high solubility at temperatures close to an expected long-term static bottom hole temperature. The material is provided in aqueous medium in sufficient concentration in the aqueous medium so as to act as a diverting agent during a hydraulic fracturing procedure using the fluid. The wellbore service fluid is pumped through the wellbore and the flow of the fluid is diverted using a plug that subsequently substantially dissolves due to changes in temperature and/or pressure.

Abstract: A treatment fluid and system are disclosed for cleaning borehole filtercake using the treatment fluid, wherein the filtercake contains reservoir drilling fluid (RDF) solids. The treatment fluid comprises a fluoride source providing a 1.2 to 5 molar fluoride concentration, and another acid or combination of acids to provide a pH between 1.8 and 5. The treatment fluid is balanced for a dissolving power high enough to have significant dissolution of the filtercake, but low enough for even propagation to avoid premature leak-off.

Abstract: Adding relatively low molecular weight water-soluble friction loss reduction polymers to an aqueous fluid gelled with a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) increases the critical generalized Reynold's number at which the Fanning friction factor increases and friction pressure starts to increase rapidly. The water-soluble polymeric friction loss reduction additives lower surface pumping pressure in VES-gelled fracturing fluids for a given pump rate, thus lowering hydraulic horsepower (HHP) requirements for pumping fluids downhole, e.g. for hydraulic fracturing or frac packing treatments of subterranean formations.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a wellbore prior to the production of oil or gas is disclosed, wherein the wellbore has been drilled with an invert emulsion drilling mud that forms an invert emulsion filter cake. The method may include the steps of circulating a breaker fluid into the wellbore, where the breaker fluid includes an aqueous fluid, a water soluble polar organic solvent, a hydrolysable ester of a carboxylic acid, and a weighting age, and where the hydrolysable ester is selected so that upon hydrolysis an organic acid is released and the invert emulsion of the filter cake breaks.

Abstract: Fluids viscosified with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) may have their viscosities reduced (gels broken) by the direct or indirect action of a synergistic internal breaker composition that contains at least one first internal breaker that may be a mineral oil and a second breaker that may be an unsaturated fatty acid. The internal breakers may initially be dispersed oil droplets in an internal, discontinuous phase of the fluid. This combination of different types of internal breakers break the VES-gelled aqueous fluid faster than if one of the breaker types is used alone in an equivalent total amount.

Abstract: Clay is stabilized in the drilling of wells and other formation treatment for hydrocarbon production by the addition to the drilling or other fluid including a choline compound together with an formation control additive.

Abstract: Composition and method for shortening the shear recovery time of cationic, zwitterionic, and amphoteric viscoelastic surfactant fluid systems by adding an effective amount of a co-gelling agent selected from triblock oligomeric compounds having hydrophilic (for example polyether) and hydrophobic (for example alkyl) portions. The co-gelling agent also increases fluid viscosity and very low co-gelling agent concentration is needed. Preferred surfactants are betaines and quaternary amines. The fluids are useful in oilfield treatments, for example fracturing and gravel packing.

Abstract: A method of selectively blocking fractures in a subterranean formation by injecting a diversion agent into the well is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the method comprises injecting a diversion agent into a subterranean formation to form an alkaline-earth carbonate precipitate from decomposition of a carbonyl compound, wherein the diversion agent includes the carbonyl compound and an alkaline-earth halide salt.

Abstract: The invention concerns a treatment fluid for wells drilled in oil mud in the form of an emulsion of water in oil comprising: a continuous organic phase comprising at least one emulsion-breaking organo-soluble additive; a dispersed aqueous phase including at least one solid-dissolving agent for the controlled destabilization of the processing fluid; at least one emulsifying agent; at least one weight-increasing agent; the proportion and the nature of the hydrosoluble additive being chosen so as to obtain a delay effect for the destabilization of the emulsion so as to be compatible with the tank fluids. The invention also concerns a method of processing wells bored with oil-based muds, using said processing fluid.

Abstract: Using a complex emulsion for treating a subterranean formation, such as to dissolve minerals therein (e.g. carbonates, scales, and/or filter cake) to improve permeability, substantially improves post treatment fluid clean-up for improved hydrocarbon production. The complex emulsion is made by mixing an acid aqueous phase with an oil external microemulsion to give an initial product, where the acid aqueous phase is an external phase and the microemulsion is an internal phase. Then the initial product is mixed with a second oil (e.g. xylene, diesel, toluene, kerosene, other aromatics, refined hydrocarbons and the like) containing an emulsifier to make a complex emulsion.