Abstract: A water-based drilling fluid comprising a water soluble tetrapolymer in combination with clayey materials.

Abstract: A method of thickening, stabilizing, controlling mobility, or enhancing water retention in aqueous media and electrolyte-containing aqueous media employs neutrally-charged polyamphoteric graft copolymers of polysaccharides with zwitterionic monomers or cationic/anionic monomer pairs. These polyampholytes are characterized by their unique resistance to loss of intrinsic viscosity in the presence of electrolytes. These polyampholytes may be prepared by an inverse emulsion method of graft copolymerization. One such electrolyte-tolerant polyampholyte is a novel composition prepared by graft copolymerization of guar gum.

Abstract: A method of thickening, stabilizing, controlling mobility, or enhancing water retention in aqueous media and electrolyte-containing aqueous media employs neutrally-charged polyamphoteric graft copolymers of polysaccharides with zwitterionic monomers or cationic/anionic monomer pairs. These polyampholytes are characterized by their unique resistance to loss of intrinsic viscosity in the presence of electrolytes. These polyampholytes may be prepared by an inverse emulsion method of graft copolymerization. One such electrolyte-tolerant polyampholyte is a novel composition prepared by graft copolymerization of guar gum.

Abstract: The present invention provides:(1) a solvent composition comprising chloropentafluoropropane and 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane; and(2) a solvent composition comprising chloropentafluoropropane and dichlorotrifluoroethane.

Abstract: A high strength propping agent for use in hydraulic fracturing of subterranean formations comprising solid, spherical particles having an alumina content of between 40 and 60%, a density of less than 3.0 gm/cc and an ambient temperature permeability of 100,000 or more millidarcies at 10,000 psi.

Abstract: A liquid aluminum phosphate salt gelling agent comprising the reaction product of: a dialkyl phosphate formed from the reaction product of (1) a polyphosphate intermediate produced by reacting triethyl phosphate and phosphorous pentoxide and (2) a mixture of aliphatic alcohols having 6 to 10 carbons in their alkyl groups; an aluminum sulfate; and a solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of methylesters of C.sub.6-24 monocarboxylic acids as the oil phase or as part of the oil phase of invert drilling muds which are suitable for the environment-friendly development of oil and gas sources and which, in a continuous oil phase, contain a disperse aqueous phase together with emulsifirs, weighting agents, fluid loss additives and, if desired, other standard additives. In another embodiment, the invention relates to invert drilling muds which are particularly suitable for the environment-friendly development of oil and gas sources and which are characterized in that the oil phase contains methylesters of C.sub.6-24 monocarboxylic acids, if desired in admixture with other oil components from the class of non-polluting oils.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed for dissolving sulfur and preventing or removing sulfur plugs from sour gas and oil wells or other conduits through which sulfur bearing liquids flow which comprises a major proportion of a liquid or gaseous mercaptan, a minor proportion of a catalyst which is a substantially water-insoluble amine, and minor amount of an activator which is a compound of the formula ##STR1## where R is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl or alkaryl and the alkyl moieties have from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, and x and y are independent values between 0 and 24 provided that x or y is at least 1; a method is also disclosed wherein said composition in an effective amount is injected into a conduit to prevent or remove sulfur plugging, and the composition containing dissolved sulfur is optionally recovered.

Abstract: An aqueous spacer composition, compatible with drilling muds and cement slurries including saline slurries, and application there of drilling oil and gas wells.Preferred spacer bases in accordance with the invention comprise a biopolymer of the type produced by Azotobacter indicus, a high molecular weight sulfonated styrene or toluene-styrene polymer, and a dispersing agent. This base fluid has no solid particles. The final spacer composition additionally contains a weighting agent (barite) and water. Total compatibility is provided with muds and/or cement slurries whether or not they are saline, together with excellent fluid loss controlling, rheological, and anti-settling properties. A wetting agent may be added to provide compatibility with oil-based muds.

Abstract: A polysaccharide polymer is disclosed which is a better viscosifier of water than xanthan gum. The polysaccharide polymer and its non-acetylated form, are comprised of glucose and mannose moieties in a ratio of about 2:1. The invention also discloses Xanthomonas mutants which produce the polysaccharide polymer but which do not produce xanthan gum. Methods of preparing the polysaccharide polymers and of their use are also described.

Abstract: A non-toxic drilling fluid (drilling mud), for use in rotary-type well-drilling operations, comprises a non-toxic base-oil consisting essentially of branched-chain paraffins which may or may not contain ester functionalities, the base-oil having: (i) between about 16 and about 40 atoms per molecule, (ii) a kinematic viscosity, at 40.degree. C., of between about 1 and about 16.5 centistokes; (iii) a flash point of at least about 90.degree. C.; and (iv) a pour point of less than about -40.degree. C. Preferably, the branched-chain paraffin used as the base-oil consists essentially of the dimer of 1-decene, which has a viscosity of about 5 centistokes at 40.degree. C. and which has 20 carbon atoms per molecule. The drilling fluid can be about 100 percent base-oil or can be an emulsion of the base-oil in water, in which case the amount of base-oil is at least about 30 volume percent, and is more preferably between about 65 and about 95 volume percent.

Abstract: A scavenger composition having utility for removal of water and silicon mu-oxide impurities from chlorosilanes, such scavenger composition comprising:(a) a support; and(b) associated with the support, one or more compound(s) selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula:R.sub.a-x MCl.sub.xwherein:M is a metal selected from the group consisting of the monovalent metals lithium, sodium, and potassium; the divalent metals magnesium, strontium, barium, and calcium; and the trivalent metal aluminum;R is alkyl;a is a number equal to the valency of metal M; andx is a number having a value of from 0 to a, inclusive; andwherein said compound(s) of the formula R.sub.a-x MCl.sub.x have been activated for impurity-removal service by a reaction scheme selected from those of the group consisting of:(i) reaction of such compound(s) with hydrogen chloride to form a first reaction product therefrom, followed by reaction of the first reaction product with a chlorosilane of the formula:SiH.sub.4-y Cl.sub.

Abstract: Novel water-dispersed compositions are prepared containing (1) 100 parts by weight of an amine-containing polymer, (2) at least 25 parts by weight of a solvent which is soluble in both water and organics and has a boiling point above about 100.degree. C., (3) at least about 0.8 equivalent of an organic acid having a pk.sub.a value of less than 5, and (4) from about 50 to about 750 parts by weight of water. The compositions are useful as a component in water-borne resin systems such as epoxies and polyesters.

Abstract: A treatment fluid additive and method for treatment of subterranean formations to minimize formation permeability damage as a result of formation contact by the treatment fluid, wherein the fluid treatment additive is a formation control additive of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is independently a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl, halogen and/or hydroxyl substituted alkyl and at least one R is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 halogen or hyroxyl substituted alkyl, and X.sup.- is selected from the group consisting of chloride, fluoride, bromide, iodide, nitrate, nitrite hydroxide, and sulfate.

Abstract: A by-product of peanut growing is utilized in the drilling fluid while drilling boreholes to reduce friction and to reduce the normal adverse effects inherent in such drilling fluid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition suitable for use in process for the removal of sulfides, especially hydrogen sulfide from a feed contaminated therewith. The composition comprises an aqueous solution of a chlorite and a corrosion inhibitor which is an amphoteric ammonium compound of the formula ##STR1## as herein defined. The inhibitor mitigates problems of corrosion associated with chlorite scavengers.

Abstract: A complexor and method of use are shown for providing controlled delay of the cross-linking reaction in an aqueous well fracturing fluid. A base fluid is first prepared by blending together an aqueous fluid and a hydratable polymer which is capable of gelling in the presence of borate ions. The complexor is prepared by mixing a cross-linking additive capable of furnishing borate ions in solution with a delay additive, such as glyoxal. The delay additive is effective, within a selected pH range, to chemically bond with both boric acid and the borate ions produced by the cross-linking additive to theeby limit the number of borate ions initially available in solution for subsequent cross-linking of the hydratable polysaccharide. The subsequent rate of cross-linking of the polysaccharide can be controlled by adjusting the pH of the complexor solution.

Abstract: A barrier cream consisting essentially of at least one active ingredient chosen from the alkali metal salts of phenols, dispersed in a substantially anhydrous state in a base medium comprising a polyethylene glycol which has been at least partially etherified to reduce the free hydroxyl group content thereof. These creams are simple to prepare, effective for a reasonable period of time and do not produce adverse skin reaction, and are simple both to apply and to remove. They afford protection against chemical warfare agents of both the V and G types, and against mustard gas (H or HD).

Abstract: A protective system against chemical warfare agents consisting essentially of at least one alkali metal salt of phenol, acetone oxime, acetophenone oxime and 2,3-butanedione monoxime, a macrocycle chosen from 18-crown-6 or cryptand [2,2,2] and a solvent chosen from dioxolane, tetraglyme, dimethoxyethane, a polyethylene glycol or a polyethylene glycol mono- or diether the system also containing just enough water to dissolve the active ingredient. These systems afford protection against mustard gas (H or HD) and against chemical warfare agents of the V and G types.

Abstract: A method of improving high temperature fluid loss and rheology stabilization of high calcium brine clay-containing oil well drilling fluids which comprises adding thereto a stabilizing amount of a water-soluble terpolymer composition comprising:______________________________________ Ingredients % by weight ______________________________________ NaAMPS 72-3.8 N,N-dimethylacrylamide 13.5-0.7 Acrylonitrile 9.5-0.5 ______________________________________said composition containing lignin, modified lignin, brown coal or modified brown coal in an amount ranging between 5-95% with the lignin, modified lignin, brown coal or modified brown coal having been present during the polymerization of the water-soluble polymer.