Abstract: Apparatus and methods of reducing the viscosity of a gelled fluid is provided. In one embodiment, a viscosity reducing microbe is disposed in a capsule and added to the gelled fluid. The gelled fluid may include a thickening agent adapted to increase its viscosity. Upon release from the capsule, the microbe begins to digest the thickening agent in the gelled fluid and/or releases enzymes that that breakdown the thickening agent.

Abstract: An aqueous, foamable composition useful for formation fracturing is disclosed, which includes an ionically coupled gel system. These compositions are well suited in fracturing formation where there are insufficient or non-existent hydration units. Methods for making the compositions and methods using the foamable compositions to fracture formation with insufficient hydration units.

Abstract: A new class of secondary emulsifying agents for use in inverted mud and other inverted system is disclosed and method for making and using same.

Abstract: A microemulsion system is 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 new class of secondary emulsifying agents for use in inverted mud and other inverted system is disclosed and method for making and using same.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for their use are disclosed, where the compositions comprise an amine component, an amine/phosphate ester component and optionally a solvent component. The compositions are adapted to coat solid materials, substrates and/or surfaces of producing of reservoirs and formations and methods for making and using same, where the coating agents modify surface properties of the solid materials, substrates and/or surfaces of producing formations decreasing residual oil saturation.

Abstract: Scale inhibition compositions and methods for use are disclose, where the composition including one or a plurality chelating agents, one or a plurality dispersing agents, one or a plurality of oxygen scavenging agents including one sugar alcohol or a plurality of sugar alcohols, and pH adjusted to a pH greater than about 9.

Abstract: A new class of winterizing compositions are disclosed including a winterizing agents being a compound of general formula Z(R1)m, where Z is a polyol having between 5 and 30 carbon atoms, R1 is a carbyl group having between about 10 and about 40 carbon atoms, and where m is an integer having the value of 1 or 2, when m is 2, R1 can be the same or different and one or more carbon atoms of R1 can be replaced by B, N, O, Si, P, S, Ge and/or mixtures thereof and one or more of the hydrogen atoms in R1 can be replaced by F, Cl, Br, I, CONR22, COOR2, OR2, NR22, SR2, PR22, and/or mixtures thereof and where R2 can be a hydrogen atom, alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl group having between 1-20 carbon atoms where one or more carbon or hydrogen atoms can be replaced as set forth for R1.

Abstract: New heavy phosphate brines are disclosed, where the water soluble phosphate brines include two or more metal phosphate. Methods for making and using the heavy phosphate brines in drilling, completion, and fracturing operations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating solid materials is disclosed, where the treating compositions coats surfaces or portions of surfaces of the solid materials changing an aggregation or agglomeration propensity of the materials. Treating composition and treated solid materials are also disclosed. The methods and treated materials are ideally suited for oil field applications.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon drilling fluid system is disclosed including a hydrocarbon fluid and a foaming composition, where the foaming composition includes a polymer, a gelling agent and its cross-linking agent, an optional foaming agent, or mixtures or combinations thereof. Uses of this drilling fluid system in a variety of downhole application are also disclosed.

Abstract: Carboxylate salts of amines are used as components of heat exchange fluids. The amines may have a ratio of N to C of 1:0 to 1:12 and the carboxylate anion may be derived from an acid of the formula H(CH2)0-3COOH. A preferred monoamine heat exchange fluid utilizes triethanolamine formate. Lower carboxylate salts of diamines and triamines having the formula R2[N[(CH2)mNR]1-2]R where each R is independently selected from moieties of the formula —CnH2n+1 and moieties of the formula H[O(CH2)1-4]—, each m is independently a number from 1 to 6, and each n is a number from 1 to 4, are disclosed as compounds.

Abstract: A fluid breaking composition which includes an effective amount of an alkali chlorite and/or hyperchlorite, where the composition reduces a viscosity of a polymer viscosified fluid to a desired low value at down hole conditions within a time period coincident with a formation stimulation time, generally between about 30 minutes and 195 minutes and to methods for making and using the breaking composition.

Abstract: Hydrolyzed nitrilotriacetonitrile compositions are disclosed prepared by a method characterized by a one-shot addition of an amount of nitrilotriacetonitrile to a solution containing an acid catalyst, where the reaction is complete in a time period of less than an hour. The method is also characterized by adjusting the pH of the reaction mixture to a pH of at least 8. The method is also characterized by oxidatively removing free cyanide to a desired low level through the addition of an oxidizing agent the produces environmentally benign by-products to the crude hydrolyzed NTAN to form hydrolyzed NTAN compositions having minimized, negligible, or substantially no free cyanide levels.

Abstract: New oil-based foam drilling fluids for oil and/or gas wells are disclose as well as methods of making and using same. The new oil-based drilling fluids including a base oil, a foaming agent and a polymer including at least one aromatic olefin monomer and at least one diene monomer, where the polymer improves foam properties rendering a foam stable at temperatures at or above 300° F. and even at temperatures at or above 350° F.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for improved sand control, fines control, load recovery and well productivity, where the compositions comprise reaction products of an amine and a phosphate-containing compound.

Abstract: An new class of oil-soluble, sulfur scavengers or converts are disclosed where the scavengers include substantially monomeric aldehyde-amine adducts from the reaction of at least one sterically hindered primary or secondary amine and a molar excess of at least one aldehyde. Methods are also disclosed for reducing, reducing below a given level or eliminating noxious sulfur species from fluids using the inventive scavengers and for making the inventive scavengers.

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 of potassium formate together with a cationic formation control additive.

Abstract: Coacervate gels having excellent shear viscosities and other properties are made with anionic or cationic polymers, a smaller amount of a surfactant having a charge opposite that of the polymer, and a hydrophobic alcohol. The Zeta Potential of the gel is maintained at an absolute value of at least 20. Optional gel promoting additives include betaines and amine oxides. A preferred gel comprises poly diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, a lesser amount of sodium lauryl sulfonate, and lauryl alcohol. The gels are particularly useful in well drilling fluids and well fracturing fluids.

Abstract: A microemulsion system is 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.