Abstract: A novel organophilic clay suspension medium prepared by admixing an organophilic clay with a hydrocarbon oil and an activator selected from the group consisting of phenyl hydroxyalkyl ethers and phenylalkanols. Optionally water may be added to the admixture for further improving the suspension medium.

Abstract: A gelable composition is provided which can be injected into a well prior to steam treatment of the well. The composition comprises water, a water-dispersible polymer, a water-dispersible first crosslinker and a water-dispersible second crosslinker, wherein the first and second crosslinkers have differing temperature responsive crosslinking characteristics over the temperature range of about 70.degree. F. to about 400.degree. F. so as to enable crosslinking of the polymer and gelation of the composition over substantially the entire temperature range. Injection of the composition into a "cold" well followed by steam treatment of the well causes the polymer to undergo a two stage crosslinking reaction which produces a particularly effective and stable gel in diverting steam from "thief zones" in the formation surrounding the well.

Abstract: An improved aqueous drilling fluid additive comprising chromium acetate and sulfoalkylated tannins optionally in combination with lignite.

Abstract: A drilling fluid includes a water soluble polymer such as a sulfonated amino-formaldehyde and/or methyl cellulose or polyvinyl alcohol in addition to water, bentonite and a weighting agent such as barite. And, these drilling fluids have improved heat stability and are useful for drilling a borehole into a subterranean formation using conventional drilling equipment.

Abstract: This invention relates to a base oil composition suitable for use in drilling fluids, the composition comprising an oil component with an aromatic hydrocarbon content of less than 10% w/w and a polar activator which is an ether alcohol or a mixture of ether alcohols. The polar activators used herein mitigates the problems of toxicity, shearing, stability and gelation in drilling fluids containing conventional base oils.

Abstract: A method and composition for controlling the lost circulation of drilling mud in a wellbore during a drilling operation comprising the introduction of a pelletized composition, comprising a water-insoluble, water-absorbent polymer and bentonite, in a weight ratio of water-absorbent polymer to bentonite in the range of from about 9:1 to about 1:9, and preferably in the range of from about 3:1 to about 1:3, into the wellbore to reduce or eliminate drilling mud loss by sealing porous subterranean formations. The pellets essentially maintain their original size as the pellets pass through the wellbore to the site of lost circulation. At the site of lost circulation, the pellets accumulate, absorb water and swell to form an essentially fluid-tight plug. The porous subterranean formation is thereby sealed and further loss of drilling mud is prevented.

Abstract: Compositions for dispersing oil slicks on water comprising a solution of surface-active agents in a mixture of water and hydrocarbon solvent. The surface-active agents are a mixture of emulsifying agents and a lower amount of wetting agent. The mixture of emulsifying agents comprising two blends, A and B, of sorbitan derivatives, blend A having an HLB of about 8.5 to 9.5 and blend B having an HLB of about 8 to 10 wherein the weight ratio of blend A to blend B is between about 0.5:1 and 4:1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified liquid phase drilling fluid having desirable properties of shale swelling inhibition, lubrication, and high temperature performance. The fluid is comprised of the following: (1) a liquid phase containing: (a) a water phase comprising fresh water, seawater, brine, simulated brine, or mixtures thereof; and (b) a water-soluble component selected from the class consisting of polyhydric alcohols, glycol, glycol ethers, polypropylene glycols, polyethylene glycols, ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers ("EO-PO"), alcohol-initiated EO-PO copolymers and/or mixtures thereof, the ratio of said water-soluble component in the total liquid phase being from about 5% to about 50% by volume; (2) a viscosifier for suspension of solids in said liquid phase; and (3) a filtration control agent.

Abstract: The inverse emulsion polymerization of a monomer of the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R.sup.1 represent hydrogen or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group, using a surfactant system having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance value from 4 to 9, an azo-type free radical initiator and certain hydrocarbon liquids to yield a water-in-oil emulsion of a homopolymer of at least 10.sup.6 average molecular weight, the emulsion having a viscosity less than 10 cps, at 15% solids, 60 rpm Brookfield and 20.degree. C.Also disclosed is the preparation of poly(vinylamines) of at least 10.sup.6 average molecular weight by acid or base hydrolysis of the homopolymer emulsion.Also disclosed are completion fluids for oil field applications containing the poly(vinylamines) and demonstrating superior properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drilling fluid comprising a stable oil in water emulsion consisting of: (a) 50-96 %v aqueous phase, (b) 3-40%v oil phase, and (c) 1-10 %v of at least one surfactant belonging to the class of: (a) ethoxylated amines, (b) ethoxylated diamines, and (c) quaternary ethoxylated ammonium salts.

Abstract: A new and improved composition and method for profile modification of subterranean formations characterized by high reservoir temperatures and/or harsh brine conditions are disclosed. The new and improved profile modification agents comprise a gelable composition comprising:(a) water;(b) a water-thickening and crosslinkable amount of a water-dispersible copolymer comprising from about 30 to about 99 mol % of units derived from at least one N-sulfohydrocarbon substituted acrylamide monomer copolymerized with from about 1 to about 70 mol % of units derived from at least one other monomer bearing a carboxyl group or a carboxyl precursor group; and(c) an amount of a polyvalent metal sufficient to crosslink the copolymer to form a stable gel. The profile modification agents are effective to alter the permeability of preselected portions of an underground formation by forming strong gels which are stable in harsh brine at temperatures of up to about 120.degree. C.

Abstract: A well drilling and completion fluid having a potassium salt of a copolymer of (a) acrylic acid, or an .alpha.-substituted acrylic acid and (b) acrylate ester having the general formula CH.sub.2 .dbd.CH--COOR where R is an alkyl or hydroxalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and substituted R groups; and an accelerator catalyst composed of water, KOH, lignite, sulfonated polystyrene, and, optionally, a vinylsulfonate/vinylamide polymer.

Abstract: A highly concentrated silver salt suspension and tin salt suspension from which a silver and tin oxide powder can be made under utilization of the reaction spray method is made by adding in small steps a tin II salt solution into a small volume of concentrated nitric acid while maintaining a temperature below 40 degrees C. to obtain an injection suspension of a tin II salt solution, the injection suspension is then mixed with about a three fold quantity (volume) of concentrated 65% nitric acid, the latter mixture is then added in small steps to a watery citrate solution and combined with tin granules until all tin granules are dissolved and changed into a tin IV oxide hydrate suspension; the completed tin IV oxide hydrate suspension as per the preceding step is mixed with a watery silver nitrate solution.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided to facilitate the transportation and combustion of highly viscous hydrocarbons by forming reduced viscosity hydrocarbon-in-water emulsions, and in particular, bioemulsifier-stabilized hydrocarbon-in-water emulsions.

Abstract: A method for the enhanced recovery of oil comprised of injecting into an oil containing formation an aqueous surfactant system comprised of a blend of an oil soluble amine, a lignin selected from the group consisting of lignosulfonates and sulfonated alkali and soda lignins, and a water soluble anionic or non-ionic surfactant and water; driving the surfactant system through the formation and producing the oil mobilized by the surfactant system. A surfactant composition useful for enhanced oil recovery methods comprised of an oil soluble amine, a lignin, and a water soluble anionic or non-ionic surfactant.

Abstract: Disclosed are well working and treating fluids comprising a saturated aqueous saline solution, a particulate water soluble salt which is insoluble in the saturated saline solution, xanthomonas gum, and an epichlorohydrin crosslinked hydroxypropyl starch derivative wherein the xanthomonas gum and the epichlorohydrin crosslinked hydroxypropyl starch derivative interact to synergistically enhance the suspension characteristics of the fluid and to decrease the fluid loss of the fluid.Also disclosed is an additive composition for enhancing the suspension characteristics and reducing the fluid loss of saturated brine based well treating fluids comprising specified proportions of xanthomonas gum and epichlorohydrin crosslinked hydroxypropyl starch.

Abstract: Novel solid antibacterial compositions suitable for use in an oil or gas well comprise at least 50% by weight of a solid antibacterial nitroalkanol compound active against sulphate-reducing bacteria and a carrier, the composition having a density of at least 1.2 g/cm.sup.3 and being adapted to dissolve, disintegrate or disperse in water but not in oil. A preferred antimicrobial compound is 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol. The antibacterial compositions are introduced into the aqueous layer in the sump at the bottom of the collecting system of the oil or gas well. This inhibits corrosion in the metal work of the oil or gas well, for example the pipe lines of the collecting system.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved surfactant composition useful for providing improved production of oil, or displacing oil within the pores of an oil-containing reservoir under steamflood conditions comprises a synergistic mixture of an .alpha.-olefin sulfonate and an alkylated diphenyl oxide sulfonate component.

Abstract: The method of recovering petroleum from a subterranean reservoir preferably comprising the steps of: (1) introducing through an injection well a predetermined amount of a polyalkylene oxide adduct of a fusible, aromatic hydrocarbon soluble synthetic resin which contains between about 4 to about 16 phenolic groups and is a condensate of a substituted phenol and an aldehyde, said condensate resin being further condensed with ethylene oxide and at least one other alkylene oxide containing 3 or 4 carbon atoms and in such amounts that the weight ratio of condensed alkylene oxide moiety to phenolic resin moiety ranges from about 1-to-1 to about 100-to-1 and the weight percentage of ethylene oxide residues to the total of all alkylene oxide residues ranges from about 20% to about 75%; said adduct (a) being soluble in water to the extent of about 1% or more at 25.degree. C. and (b) said 1% solution having a cloud point of less than about 70.degree. C.

Abstract: The rheological characteristics of aqueous well drilling fluids are improved by incorporating into the fluids small amounts of sulfonated styrene-maleimide copolymers and at least one water-soluble polymer prepared from acrylic acid or acrylate or their derivatives.