Abstract: Various organometallic crosslinkers containing titanium or zirconium atoms in the +4 oxidation (valence) state have been used to crosslink solvatable polysaccharides (e.g., hydroxypropyl guar) in aqueous media. The crosslinked gels are useful as fracturing fluids. Aqueous solutions of the organometallic crosslinkers are stabilized against deterioration upon storage by adding an alkanolamine (e.g., triethanolamine). Additionally, the alkanolamines also stabilize the crosslinked gels against shear degradation at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Novel aqueous crosslinked gels are described herein which are useful for fracturing subterranean formations. The novel gels are comprised of a solvatable polysaccharide and a soluble zirconium crosslinking agent. The zirconium crosslinking agents are novel and are prepared by reacting a zirconium alkoxide with certain alkanolamines under anhydrous conditions. The zirconium compounds are activated by contact with water. As an example, a zirconium crosslinker was prepared by reacting zirconium tetra(n-propoxide) with triethanolamine in an n-propanol solvent under anhydrous conditions. The zirconium compound thus prepared was activated with water and used to form a stable aqueous crosslinked gel by blending the aqueous crosslinker into an aqueous hydroxypropylguar solution.

Abstract: Aqueous chemical washes suitable for use in conjunction with well cementing operations are disclosed which comprise water, an anionic or a non-ionic surfactant (or a combination thereof) and a fluid loss control agent of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,891,566.

Abstract: The machine disclosed herein is useful for blending a particle containing stream, especially a stream of solid particles, with fluids. In a typical operation, sand is mixed with a gel composition to obtain a fluid mixture suitable for stimulation treatments of oil and gas wells. The machine includes a slinger with a topside surface which may be of toroidal concave configuration. The machine also includes an impeller, of a vortex configuration, that is fastened underneath the slinger. In this machine, entrained gas is carried into the fluid phase by the particle containing stream, but the gas is then "exhausted" from the mixture through interior and exterior air exhaust channels and spaces that are built into the machine. A slinger which is particularly adapted for use in such a machine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of reducing paraffin deposits on a paraffin contaminated surface. The surface is contacted with a sulphur trioxide containing liquid to react with the paraffin, and convert at least a portion of it to a water-dispersible material. The surface is also contacted with a surfactant containing or providing liquid, so as to reduce the amount of organic precipitate formed by the action of the sulphur trioxide on the paraffin. Additionally the surface is usefully rinsed with an aqueous liquid, preferably an aqueous alkaline liquid, following it being contacted with the sulphur trioxide. The surface may be contacted with the surfactant containing liquid, either prior to, or subsequent to, contacting it with the sulphur trioxide containing fluid.

Abstract: A stage collar for stage cementing a well casing includes a slidable closing sleeve having ports alignable with ports in the stage collar case. These closing sleeve and stage collar ports communicate with an annulus around the well casing when the stage collar is open. A shift sleeve closes the ports during running in and is actuable by simple drill pipe movements to open and reclose the stage collar ports. The shift sleeve is operably coupled to the closing sleeve by a latch ring which locks the closing sleeve closed and cooperated therewith to form a smooth and substantially uniform inner stage collar bore. The drill pipe is operably connected to the stage collar by a screw-in or latch-in shifting tool which cooperates with the stage collar elements to form a fluidtight passage from the drill pipe to the annulus without entering the well casing interior. A dual stage shifting tool is also shown which permits a two-stage cementing operation to be performed with only one run down the hole.

Abstract: A pressurized fluid is "let-down" to atmospheric pressure as it passes through a choke assembly having two pressure orifices (choke flow beans) which are in-line and directly opposite and which are designed to deliver jet streams of generally equal force to a common in-line focal point. The choke assembly is a fixed-rate system where the volume throughput is regulated primarily by the pressure on the fluid.

Abstract: A packer and service tool assembly for oil or gas well preparation includes a disengageable coupling mechanism which permits the tool to be screwed into and out of the packer and which can be hydraulically disengaged so that the tool can be removed without applying torque to the tool or workstring. A releaseable ratchet mechanism is also provided in the packer for trapping the setting loads when the packer is set in the casing. The ratchet mechanism is releasable by pulling up a housing portion which cammingly engages collapsible ratchet fingers thereby disengaging the ratchet finger trapping teeth from a stationary ratchet ring.

Abstract: A union for joining pipes, tubing, or other fluid conduits in a fluidtight manner includes male and female parts having respective inner fluid passages. The male part has a contoured lead end that slidably engages the female lead end which has a complementary contour with respect to the male lead end. The male lead end has a circumferential recess which retains a resilient sealing member which is radially compressed between the mated, contoured lead ends when the male and female parts are joined together. Clamping means is provided to hold the male and female parts together, but the fluidtight seal is independent of the clamping means. The mated contoured lead ends substantially eliminate transverse movement at the sealing interface and permit a camming action when the male and female parts are joined so as to self-align the respective inner passages.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein includes a reducer coupling, a positioner tool for connecting the coupling to a conduit section, and a nut for securing the positioner tool to the coupling. The reducer coupling is useful in various operations, such as some oil field operations in which it is used to connect a smaller conduit (delivery line) into a larger conduit (production casing). In practice, the positioner tool is secured to the reducer coupling and the coupling is moved into its hook-up position above the production casing, by attaching a rig to the positioner tool. The coupling can then be threaded into the casing by turning the positioner tool with a wrench, or similar tool.

Abstract: A crosslinker composition that can produce delayed crosslinking of an aqueous solution of a crosslinkable organic polymer. The composition comprises an organic titanium complex. The composition further contains an organic hydroxycarboxylic acid, preferably hydroxyacetic acid. The pH of the composition is preferably less than 5. The pH of the composition is further preferably such that when sufficient amount of composition is added to an aqueous polymer solution to result in delayed crosslinking of the polymer, the composition produces a pH in the resulting gel solution, preferably of between about 3 and about 4.5. Gel solutions produced using the composition are particularly useful in fracturing subterranean formations, and in particular in fracturing subterranean formations penetrated by an oil well in which fracturing process carbon dioxide and a proppant are added to the fracturing fluid.

Abstract: A crosslinker composition that can produce delayed crosslinking of an aqueous solution of a crosslinkable organic polymer. The composition comprises a metal compound, preferably an organic metal complex, and most preferably an organic zirconium complex. The composition further contains an organic hydroxymonocarboxylic acid, preferably hydroxyacetic acid. The pH of the composition is preferably no more than 4.8. The pH of the composition is further preferably such that when sufficient amount of composition is added to an aqueous polymer solution to result in delayed crosslinking of the polymer, the composition produces a pH in the resulting gel solution, preferably of between about 3 and about 4.5. Gel solutions produced using the composition are particularly useful in fracturing subterranean formations, and in particular in fracturing subterranean formations penetrated by an oil well in which fracturing process carbon dioxide and a proppant are added to the fracturing fluid.

Abstract: A composition designed for dissolution or dispersion in water to give an aqueous treatment fluid having a yield point of zero, at a temperature between about 85.degree. and about 160.degree. F., which is compatible with cement slurries and with drilling muds and a method of using same to displace a drilling mud from a borehole which penetrates a subterranean formation, particularly immediately preceding the injection of a fluid such as a cement slurry, and which also exhibits good fluid loss control and may be adapted for use with either water-based or oil-based drilling muds.

Abstract: A choke flow bean is described which is unusually effective in reducing the pressure of fluids flowing through it. The choke flow bean has a well rounded circular or eliptical throat which opens smoothly and directly into a divergent truncated exit cone having a divergent angle of from about 4.degree. to about 8.degree.. The length of the truncated exit cone can be up to about 9 times the throat diameter. The outer surface of the choke flow bean is usually cylindrical in shape with external threads at the discharge end and a wrench fitting (e.g., hex-nut type) at the inlet end. The choke flow bean is usually embodied within the casing of a choke nipple with the assistance of choke adaptor.

Abstract: A modular skid frame for supporting cement pumping equipment includes three interlockable sections which, when assembled, define two longitudinal support members and a plurality of transverse support members. One end of the skid formed by one of the interlockable sections is adapted to break down into two lateral subsections. A sleeve-like interfit is provided between joined members and bolt and bracket means are provided to disengageably secure adjacent endwise aligned support members together. The pumping equipment is arranged to maximize maintainability and transportability by positioning one engine on each lateral subsection at one end of the skid and having one pump on each of the other two interlockable sections. A displacement tank is supported on the skid above the pumps. The skid and equipment can be particularly adapted to operate with numerous kinds of off-skid mixing equipment.

Abstract: A corrosion inhibitor composition comprising:(1) at least one of an aliphatic pyridinium salt or an aliphatic quinolinium salt; and(2) a sulfur-containing compound. The compositions are useful in inhibiting the corrosion of metals during the cleaning of process equipment using industrial aqueous cleaning solutions.

Abstract: In a hydrocarbon recovery system including CO.sub.2 pressurization of an underground formation, a sealing cement comprised of Portland cement and Class C fly ash.

Abstract: Aqueous acid compositions are described which comprise (a) hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid, and (b) a compatible acid corrosion inhibitor. The compositions are useful in removing iron oxide scale from metal surfaces.

Abstract: An improved method of acidizing sour gas wells involving the injection of an aqueous acidizing solution comprising: water, an acid, an effective amount of an iron complexing agent (e.g., EDTA) capable of stabilizing the ferrous, Fe(II), ion in solution in the presence of H.sub.2 S and an effective amount of an iron reducing agent (e.g., erythorbic acid, ascorbic acid and mixtures thereof) capable of reducing the ferric, Fe(III), ion in solution to ferrous Fe(II), ion at a pH of about 6.0 or less. Such a process is effective in reducing and inhibiting the precipitation of Fe(OH).sub.3, FeS and S in sour wells.

Abstract: The non-damaging use of relatively high density calcium halide-containing brine compositions as kill weight workover fluids in high pressure water injection wells is rendered practicable via the use of an aqueous preflush composition containing an effective amount of a scale inhibitor material. In those instances where the scale inhibitor material is relatively strongly acidic in character (such as, for example, in the case of phosphonic acid materials, and the like), remarkable improvements in the injectivity of wells treated with said acidic aqueous preflush composition has also been obtained.