Abstract: A micellar slug for use in the recovery of oil, consisting essentially of a surfactant and an aqueous medium, which may contain an inorganic salt. The surfactant contains:(a) at least one alkoxy sulfonate having the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 26 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, R.sup.3 represents hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, n is a number of 0 to 5, and X represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, ammonium, or an organic amine, and(b) at least one other surfactant.The micellar slug obtains large intake amounts of oil and brine in the resultant micro-emulsions and a good dilution stability of the micro-emulsion, and is capable of recovering oil from subterranean reservoirs having a high salt content at a high oil recovery efficiency.

Abstract: The utilization of hydroxyethylacrylate/acrylic acid copolymer as a zinc sulfide scale inhibitor in oil well production processes.

Abstract: The thermally rearranged oligomers prepared by the reaction of an .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated aldehyde with organic amines are thermally rearranged to give a more thermally stable product with labile amino hydrogens available for further reaction, after reaction with a carboxylic acid, organic halide or an epoxide containing compound are employed as corrosion inhibitors in a process for preventing corrosion of ferrous metals in contact with corrosive brine, oil and gas well fluids.

Abstract: Alkali and alkaline earth metal and zinc halide brines may be viscosified with compositions incorporating a viscosity inducing hydrophilic polymer, mineral oil, oil soluble non-ionic surfactants, polar solvents, and diluent.

Abstract: A thickening composition for use in viscosifying aqueous mediums, particularly heavy brines, comprising hydroxyethyl cellulose, 2-pyrrolidone and a mono alkyl ether of ethylene glycol which is water soluble and exerts no appreciable swelling effect on the hydroxyethyl cellulose, the weight ratio of hydroxyethyl cellulose to 2-pyrrolidone being less than about 2.6:1.

Abstract: Process for preparing Xanthomonas heteropolysaccharide from Xanthomonas campestris NCIB 11854 and use of the latter, e.g. as viscosity modifier in an aqueous solution, and in a drilling fluid and use in connection with well treatments, and enhanced oil recovery.

Abstract: A method for improving the mobility and pipeline transport of a viscous crude oil by forming an oil-in-water emulsion with said oil and from 10 to 80% by weight of water in the presence of 100 to 1500 parts by weight of a surfactant blend per million parts by weight of said emulsion, said blend comprising from 15 to 85 parts by weight of an anionic or amphoteric surfactant (A) selected from those of the formulae Ar(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n OSO.sub.3 H, ##STR1## a sodium and ammonium salt thereof, and from 85 to 15 parts by weight of a nonionic surfactant selected from (B) of the formula Ar(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.p OH or (C) of the formula ##STR2## the latter having an HLB value of from 10 to 20; where Ar is octylphenyl or nonylphenyl,n is 2 to 10,p is 10 to 100,a is 10 to 40, b is 15 to 55, c is 10 to 40,R.sup.1 is C.sub.8 to C.sub.18 alkyl andR.sup.2 is C.sub.12 to C.sub.18 alkyl;and said emulsion.

Abstract: An improved process for making drilling fluid additives. The drilling fluid additives generally comprise titanium and/or zirconium lignosulfonates. The improved process of this invention can be performed without any delays caused by plugging during filtration. Filtration plugging problems are eliminated by adding only stoichiometric amounts of zirconium and/or titanium lignosulfonate to the lignosulfonate mixture prior to filtration.

Abstract: A process for the degradation with acid of a viscous microbial polysaccharide formulation which is applied in oil and/or gas reservoir operations, wherein the polysaccharide formulation contains an amount of a salt or a salt mixture which is sufficient to adjust the transition temperature of the polysaccharide such that it is close to the reservoir operating temperature. A process for the preparation of an acid degradable polysaccharide formulation and a polysaccharide formulation.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing paraffin deposits from the interior of a hydrocarbon transmission conduit, such as a subsea pipeline. The method comprises the steps of introducing into an isolated length of the conduit containing the paraffin a pre-determinable amount of an emulsified mixture of an aqueous solution and a hydrocarbon solution. The composition used in the method incorporates an aqueous solution which comprises in-situ nitrogen-generating components together with a sufficient amount of a buffered pH adjuster to produce a buffered pH value for the aqueous solution to abate the time of the reaction rate of the nitrogen-generating components to a level permitting introduction of the components into the isolated length prior to completion of any significant portion of the reactin required to effect temperature melting of the paraffin deposits. In a preferred form, a crystalline modifier may be incorporated into the hydrocarbon solution.

Abstract: A method of reducing friction losses in aqueous and nonaqueous liquids is disclosed. A certain polymeric material has heretofore been admixed to this end with flowing liquids, such polymer being dissolvable to form a solution. The prior art method is effective for friction loss reduction, but has a drawback in that the polymer is susceptible to scission of its chains under shear stress and hence is unstable in the solution. The invention disclosed is based on the discovery that friction losses in liquids can be reduced with maximum stability by adding to a liquid a predetermined amount of selected organo-polymeric microfibrils which are insoluble but highly dispersible in the liquid. The method of the invention may be applied for instance in the transport of various liquids and crude oils through pipelines and also in the circulation of aqueous and nonaqueous lubricants.

Abstract: Blends of water soluble polymers containing varying ratios of acrylamide and sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonate are provided which synergistically increase the viscosity of acidic solutions. Improved methods of matrix acidizing and fracture acidizing are also provided.

Abstract: A radial neutron reflector is disclosed for a light water nuclear reactor. The irregular space between the core periphery and the core barrel surrounding the core is filled with a structure comprising material other than hydrogen such as zirconia or stainless steel so as to displace the reactor water coolant in this region. The structure is provided with appropriately sized flow holes to pass reactor coolant therethrough and to balance the pressure within the structure to substantially coincide with the axial pressure profile at the core periphery.

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 polymer 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 drilling fluid additive is disclosed which will prevent water loss into subterranean formations during the drilling of oil and gas wells in hard brine environments. The drilling fluid additive comprises a hydrocarbon, an anionic surfactant, an alcohol, a sulfonated asphalt, a biopolymer, and optionally an organophilic clay, poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone-co-sodium-2-acryamido-2-methylpropane sulfonate, and water.

Abstract: An aqueous 50% or higher by weight magnesium hydroxide slurry having a reduced Brookfield viscosity which contains from 0.1-5% by weight based on the weight of said slurry of a sulfomethylated polyacrylamide having from 2-30 mole percent of sulfomethyl groups and having a molecular weight of from 5,000-30,000.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) drilling fluid compositions consisting essentially of an aqueous medium selected from the group consisting of fresh and tap water, natural and synthetic sea water, and natural and synthetic brine, and carboxymethyl guar having a degree of substitution (D.S.) of 0.1 to 0.4; (2) drilling fluid compositions consisting essentially of an aqueous medium selected from the group consisting of fresh and tap water, natural and synthetic sea water, and natural and synthetic brine, a carboxymethyl guar having a D.S. of from 0.1 to 0.4, and a metal salt selected from the group consisting of water-soluble metal carbonates and bicarbonates; and (3) drilling fluid compositions consisting essentially of an aqueous medium selected from the group consisting of fresh and tap water, a carboxymethyl guar having a D.S. of from 0.1 to 0.4, a metal salt selected from the group consisting of water-soluble metal carbonates and bicarbonates, and a noncarbonate polyvalent metal salt.

Abstract: There is provided herein a process and composition for the enhanced recovery of oil from subterranean formations comprising injecting in combination with steam a composition comprising (a) an anionic surfactant and (b) a hydrotrope.

Abstract: Drilling fluid compositions and methods of using such compositions in oil, gas and water well drilling fluid operations to reduce fluid loss from the composition to the formation are disclosed. Such compositions incorporate a terpolymer formed from (a) a vinyl containing alkyl or aromatic substituted sulfonate selected from the group consisting of 2-acrylamido, 2-methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS), sodium vinyl sulfonate or vinyl benzene sulfonate, and method salts thereof at about 10 to 75 weight percent in the polymer; (b) an unsaturated polybasic acid such as itaconic acid at about 1 to 60 weight percent; and metal salts thereof and (c) a nonionic monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylamide, N, N-dimethylacrylamide, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, N-vinyl acetamide, or dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate and metal salts thereof at about 10 to 76 weight percent.The terpolymer should have a molecular weight between 200,000 to 1,000,000. The preferred terpolymer comprises AMPS, acrylamide and itaconic acid.

Abstract: A method for use of a liquid composition and a liquid composition comprising between about 60 to about 95 volume percent of a water-soluble acid for use in treating subterranean strata, and a base fluid comprising between about 90 to about 60 volume percent of a mixture of at least one eight-carbon aliphatic alcohol and at least one aliphatic alcohol with between one and five carbon atoms and between about 10 to about 40 volume percent of a foaming agent, which when a suitable gas is added will produce a foam suitable for use in stimulating oil and gas wells. Optionally, the base fluid can contain a surfactant comprising a phenoxy polyoxy ethylene alcohol containing 10 to 18 oxyethylene units.