Abstract: Improved methods and compositions for treating subterranean formations penetrated by well bores are provided. A method of the invention for fracturing a subterranean formation comprises the steps of preparing a gelled hydrocarbon fracturing fluid comprised of a hydrocarbon liquid, a ferric iron or aluminum polyvalent metal salt of a phosphonic acid ester, a proppant material, water and a delayed gel breaker, and then contacting the subterranean formation with the gelled liquid hydrocarbon fracturing fluid under conditions effective to create at least one fracture in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods and compositions for grouting heat exchange pipe in a hole or trench in the ground. The grouting compositions of the invention have quick set and high thermal conductivity properties and are basically comprised of an amorphous silica material, an alkaline earth metal oxide or hydroxide, a water swellable clay and water present in an amount sufficient to form a slurry. The compositions optionally also include a set retarder and a thermal conductivity increasing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved compositions and methods of using the compositions for sealing subterranean zones. One composition of the invention is comprised of water, a silane coupling agent, an organophilic clay, an epoxy resin and a hardening agent for said epoxy resin.

Abstract: Methods of agglomerating hydraulic cement powder to improve its flow and handling characteristics are provided. One embodiment of the methods of the present invention is comprised of the steps of forming a mixture of the hydraulic cement powder with a particulate solid disintegrating agent, the disintegrating agent having the property of causing the break up of the agglomerated cement powder upon contact with water. Thereafter, the mixture is compressed into agglomerated pellets.

Abstract: High strength foamed well cement compositions and methods of cementing subterranean zones penetrated by well bores are provided. The foamed well cement compositions are basically comprised of a hydraulic cement, hydrophilic fibers, water sufficient to form a pumpable slurry, a mixture of foaming and foam stabilizing surfactants and sufficient gas to foam the slurry.

Abstract: Improved well cement additives, compositions and methods of using the compositions are provided. The well cement additives are basically comprised of a first monomer selected from the group of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, 2-allyloxy-2-hydroxy-1-propane sulfonic acid and vinylsulfonic acid, a second monomer selected from the group of N,N-dimethylacrylamide, acrylamide, N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinylacetamide and acrylonitrile and a third monomer selected from the group of C6 to C22 dimethylaminopropylmethacrylamide bromide, chloride and iodide and C6 to C22 dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate bromide, chloride and iodide.

Abstract: Well drilling and servicing fluids for use in producing formations and methods of removing filter cake therefrom are provided. The methods basically comprise using a drilling or servicing fluid basically comprised of water, a water soluble salt and a particulate solid bridging agent selected from magnesium oxychloride cement, magnesium oxysulfate cement, magnesium potassium phosphate hexahydrate, magnesium hydrogen phosphate trihydrate and magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate. Thereafter, the filter cake deposited by the drilling or servicing fluid is contacted with an aqueous clean-up solution for a period of time such that the bridging agent is dissolved thereby.

Abstract: Cement compositions and methods of cementing within subterranean formations penetrated by well bores wherein the flow properties of one or more dry particulate cementitious materials are improved and wherein the materials can be readily conveyed out of storage tanks and the like. A preferred composition of the present invention comprises a particulate flow enhancing additive dry-blended with one or more dry particulate cementitious materials, said flow enhancing additive being comprised of a particulate solid material carrying a flow inducing polar chemical, and a sufficient amount of water to form a pumpable slurry.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of cementing subterranean zones using cement compositions comprising calcium aluminate, fly ash, sodium polyphosphate and water.

Abstract: Methods of forming one or more plugs in a well bore are provided. The methods basically comprise the steps of dropping into the well bore a cementitious material which will delayedly react with water therein to form an impermeable solid and which has been formed into agglomerates of sufficient weight to sink through the water and other fluids and materials in the well bore. The agglomerates are dropped in a quantity sufficient to form a mass of the agglomerates in the well bore. Thereafter, the mass of agglomerates is allowed to react with the water in the well bore and set into an impermeable solid plug therein.

Abstract: An improved process for recovering hydrocarbons from an inlet inert gas-hydrocarbon vapor mixture is provided. The inlet mixture is caused to flow through a first bed of solid adsorbent whereby hydrocarbon vapors are adsorbed on the bed and a residue gas stream comprised of substantially hydrocarbon-free inert gas is produced. The hydrocarbon-free inert gas is vented and a second bed of solid adsorbent having hydrocarbon vapors adsorbed thereon is evacuated with an ejector operated by a motive liquid. A major portion of the hydrocarbon vapors is desorbed from the bed and an inert gas and hydrocarbon-rich vapor mixture commingled with the motive liquid is produced. The inert gas and hydrocarbon-rich vapor mixture is separated from the motive liquid and conducted to a point of additional processing or disposal.

Abstract: Methods of improving the flow properties of one or more dry particulate cementitious materials are provided. The methods are basically comprised of dry-blending a particulate flow enhancing additive comprised of a particulate solid adsorbent material having a flow inducing polar molecule producing chemical adsorbed thereon with said cementitious materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved early-enhanced strength cement compositions and methods. The cement compositions can be utilized in surface construction projects as well as in the construction of oil, gas and water wells. The improved cement compositions of this invention are basically comprised of a hydraulic cement, water present in an amount sufficient to form a slurry and hydrophobic silica powder.

Abstract: Improved methods of treating water and hydrocarbon producing subterranean formations to reduce the water permeability thereof are provided. The methods basically comprise introducing into the formation a water flow resisting chemical which attaches to adsorption sites on surfaces within the porosity of the formation and reduces the water permeability thereof without substantially reducing the hydrocarbon permeability thereof. The water flow resisting chemical is comprised of a polymer of at least one hydrophilic monomer and at least one hydrophobically modified hydrophilic monomer.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods of reducing NOx emissions in the flue gases produced by a steam boiler fired by a fluid fuel and combustion air burner and including a steam drum provided with make-up water from which produced steam and blowdown steam are withdrawn. In accordance with the invention at least a portion of the blowdown steam is combined with the fluid fuel or combustion air or both.

Abstract: Improved methods of drilling well bores utilizing foamed aqueous drilling fluids are provided. The methods basically comprise circulating an aqueous drilling fluid containing a single foaming and defoaming surfactant and a gas downwardly through a rotary drill pipe and drill bit connected thereto. Well bore cuttings generated by the drill bit are lifted to the surface by foam produced from the aqueous drilling fluid and gas. Upon reaching the surface, the foamed aqueous drilling fluid is defoamed whereby the cuttings and gas are removed therefrom and the aqueous drilling fluid is combined with additional foaming surfactant when needed and additional gas. The foaming and defoaming of the aqueous drilling fluid are accomplished by changing the pH of the aqueous drilling fluid from basic to acidic which causes the single foaming and defoaming surfactant to foam and defoam the aqueous drilling fluid.

Abstract: Delayed thixotropic cement compositions and methods of cementing in subterranean zones penetrated by well bores are provided. The novel cement compositions are basically comprised of a hydraulic cement, sufficient water to form a slurry and a water soluble delayed thixotropy imparting additive selected from the group consisting of carbonic acid and alkali metal carbonates.

Abstract: The present invention provides environmentally safe foamed fracturing fluids, additives for foaming and stabilizing foamed fracturing fluids and methods of fracturing subterranean zones. The foamed fracturing fluids of this invention are basically comprised of water, a gelling agent for forming the water into gelled water and increasing the viscosity thereof, sufficient gas to form a foam, and an effective amount of an additive for foaming and stabilizing the gelled water comprised of hydrolyzed keratin.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved compositions and methods for cementing casing strings in deep water offshore formations penetrated by well bores. The methods are basically comprised of the steps of preparing a cement composition comprised of hydraulic cement, water, an environmentally degradable water reducing and dispersing additive, an environmentally degradable set retarding additive and an environmentally degradable compressive strength and set accelerating additive.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved compositions and methods of using the compositions for sealing subterranean zones. One composition of the invention is comprised of water, an aqueous rubber latex, an organophilic clay, sodium carbonate, an epoxy resin and a hardening agent for said epoxy resin.