Abstract: Surfactant compositions useful for oil recovery comprise from 10 to 80 wt. % of a prapoxylated C12-C20 alcohol sulfate, from 10 to 80 wt. % of a C12-C20 internal olefin sulfonate, and from 0.1 to 10 wt. % of an ethoxylated C4-C12 alcohol sulfate. A minor proportion of the ethoxylated alcohol sulfate reduces or eliminates the need to rely on costly cosolvents for achieving good performance in enhanced oil recovery processes. Low interfaoial tensions and low microemulsion viscosities can be achieved when the ethoxylated alcohol sulfate accompanies the propoxytated alcohol sulfate and internal olefin sulfonate. Aqueous concentrates comprising water and the surfactant compositions described above are also disclosed. Dilution of the surfactant composition or aqueous concentrate with water or brine to the desired anionic actives level provides an injectable composition useful for EOR applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing polyols of formula (I?) R?1 being H or an alkyl group, R? being especially an alkyl group, A1, being an alkylene radical and R3, are being especially a group -A2-O—Y?, A2 being an alkylene radical and Y? being especially H, said method especially comprising a step of epoxidation of a compound of formula R?1 being H or an alkyl group, At being defined as above in formula (I?) and R4 being especially a group -A2-O—Y1?, A2 being defined as above in formula (I?) and Y?1 being especially H, in order to obtain a compound of formula A1 being defined as above, R??1 being H or an alkyl group and R5 being especially a group of formula -A2-O—Y2?, A2 being as defined above in formula (I?) and Y?2 being especially H.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chelating agent precursor that contains glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA) and/or methylglycine N,N-diacetic acid (MGDA) wherein at least one of the carboxylic acid groups is present as a carboxylic acid derivative selected from the group of amides, anhydrides, and esters, combinations thereof, and salts thereof, provided that it is not the triethyl ester of GLDA, the triethyl mono-t-butyl ester of GLDA, the tri-t-butyl ester of GLDA, the monobenzyl tri-t-butyl ester of GLDA, any ester or amide that contains azacycloalkane groups, any amide that contains biotin groups, any amide that contains minoethylcarbamoyl based amide groups, (S)-diethyl 2,2?-(1-benzyloxy)-1,5-dioxo-5-(prop-2-ynylamino)pentan-2-ylazanediyl-diacetate, diethyl 2,2?-(5-(3-azidopropylamino)-1-(benzyloxy)-1,5-dioxo-pentan-2-ylazanediyl-diacetate, the trimethyl ester of MGDA, the monomethyl ester dimethylamide of MGDA, the dibenzyl ester of MGDA, the dibenzyl mono t-butyl ester of MGDA, the di t-butyl est

Abstract: Composition and methods using the compositions are disclosed, where the compositions include heterocyclic aromatic amines, substituted heterocyclic aromatic amines, poly vinyl heterocyclic aromatic amines, co-polymers of vinyl heterocyclic aromatic amine and non amine polymerizable monomers (ethylenically unsaturated mononers and diene monomers), or mixtures or combinations thereof reacted with sulfonic acids, alkyl sulfonic acids, sulfosuccinates, sulfamic acids, sulfuric acids or partially neutralized amine or other alkali sulfonate and/or reacted with alpha hydroxyl carboxcylic acids which form coatings that alter self-aggregating properties and/or aggregation propensities of the particles and surfaces. Furthermore, the coating can be used to improve filtration of fluids through particulate matter and it is found that the coating will increase hydrocarbon liquid and gas flow through or over treated particulates and surfaces.

Abstract: A method for producing nanocomposite particles is provided. The method comprises supplying an organic phase fluid an organic phase fluid, an aqueous phase fluid, an amphiphile, and a plurality of hydrophobic nanospecies to a nozzle. An electric field is generated proximate the nozzle such that the fluid exiting the nozzle forms a cone jet that disperses into a plurality of droplets. The plurality of droplets are collected, and nanocomposite particles comprising a self-assembled structure encapsulating at least one hydrophobic nanospecies form by self-assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a process and a system for solubilizing a surfactant in supercritical carbon dioxide that include providing a turbulent flow of the supercritical carbon dioxide into which the surfactant solubilizes and injecting the surfactant into the turbulent flow of the supercritical carbon dioxide to achieve a Jet Mixing Number of 0.01 to 1.0. In one or more embodiments, a pump provides turbulent flow to supercritical carbon dioxide moving through at least a portion of piping, and an injector associated with the piping conveys the surfactant through surfaces defining a port in the injector to inject the surfactant into the turbulent flow of the supercritical carbon dioxide so as to achieve the Jet Mixing Number of 0.01 to 1.0.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, apparatus, and systems to minimize environmental impact, water use, and overall cost of drilling and hydraulic fracturing for crude oil and natural gas. Some variations of the invention provide a fracturing-fluid additive composition comprising a water-soluble portion of a biomass-pyrolysis liquid. In some embodiments, the fracturing-fluid additive composition is substantially biodegradable and is not toxic. Some variations provide improved proppants for oil or gas well fracturing. Other variations of this invention relate to drilling-fluid additive compositions, and methods of using these compositions. This invention can significantly improve the environmental, economic, and social sustainability associated with drilling and fracturing for production of oil and gas.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for treating water- and hydrocarbon-producing subterranean formations with a relative permeability modifier at concentrations below those conventionally used in the art, while not substantially impacting the treatment fluid's performance. Treatment fluids described herein comprise a base fluid, a relative permeability modifier comprising a hydrophobically modified hydrophilic polymer, and a companion polymer interacting synergistically with the relative permeability modifier such that the treatment fluid is operable to reduce the water permeability or to increase an aqueous fluid injection pressure of at least a portion of a subterranean formation by more than the relative permeability modifier or the companion polymer acting alone at like concentration. The water permeability reduction and/or the aqueous fluid injection pressure increase can be more than additive.

Abstract: The present invention provides porous carbon-heteroatom-silicon inorganic/organic homogenous copolymeric hybrid materials, methods for their preparation, and uses thereof, e.g., as chromatographic separations materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an ethylenically unsaturated hydroxyl-terminated polyurethane (I) obtained by reacting (i) at least one ethylenically unsaturated compound (A) containing at least two reactive groups capable of reacting with isocyanate groups and at least one ethylenically unsaturated group; with (ii) at least one saturated alcohol component (B) comprising: (iia) at least one saturated hydroxylated compound (B1) containing hydrophilic groups capable of rendering the polyurethane dispersible in aqueous medium either directly or after the reaction with a neutralizing agent to provide a salt, and at least one compound (B2) that is selected from saturated polyester polyols (B21) and/or from saturated polycarbonate polyols (B22); and/or (iib) at least one compound (B3) that is selected from saturated polyester polyols (B31) containing compound (B1) moieties and/or from saturated polycarbonate polyols (B32) containing compound (B1) moieties; and, optionally, one or more of compounds (B1) and/or (B

Abstract: Betaine surfactants of formula (I) and preparation methods and uses thereof are provided. The surfactant can decrease the interfacial surface tension of crude oil till 10?3 mN/m, have the capabilities of antiheating (130° C.), antimineralizing and antidiluting, and can be used in the field of tertiary oil recovery.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of carbodiimide-containing compositions for controlling pot life in the production of polyurethane (PU)-based systems, preferably PU elastomers, PU adhesives, PU casting resins or PU foams.

Abstract: An additive composition for boosting performance of water-based drilling fluids. Modified water-based drilling fluids including the additive composition. Methods of making the additive compositions. Methods of using the modified drilling fluids to drill or perform other operations in reactive shale formations. The additive compositions include one or more multi-hydroxyl alcohols, a lubricant mix, a shale inhibitor, a strong base to adjust pH, and optionally water up to about 20 percent by volume, based on total volume of the additive composition.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a linker-free, one-step method of grafting polymer films onto organic substrates, and the films obtained by such a method. In certain embodiments, the grafted polymer films are conductive. In certain embodiments, said grafting method utilizes the ability for Friedel-Crafts catalyst to form radical cations from organic substrates. In one embodiment, the method provides poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) thin films grafted to organic substrates. In other embodiments, the method is applicable to the polymerization of other monomers to yield conducting polymers, such as polyanilines, polypyrroles, polyfurans, polythiophenes and their derivatives. Remarkably, the polymer films grafted by the inventive methods show enormous increases in adhesion strength. Further, in certain embodiments, polymer patterns were easily obtained using the inventive methods and soft lithography techniques.

Abstract: The present invention typically provides one-component polyurethane grout compositions and more specially to grout composition useful for seepage control and quick stoppage of water leakage under high water pressure environment, wherein the composition comprises a isocyanate prepolymer and auxiliary components selected from a plasticizer, a silane coupling agent, a catalyst, a cell stabilizer, an anionic surfactant, a filler, a blowing agent or a mixture thereof. The invention also provides the isocyanate prepolymer composition, obtained by reacting a polyfunctional isocyanate, with a polyfunctional polyol comprising at least one polyether polyol containing relatively low amount of ethylene oxide units, and optionally other polyfunctional polyols such as polyester polyols, biorenewable polyols or a mixture thereof, and at least a monofunctional hydroxyl containing compound, wherein the NCO content of said prepolymer is 3%˜18%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to carbon-based fluorescent nano-agent tracers for analysis of oil reservoirs. The carbon-based fluorescent nano-agents may be used in the analysis of the porosity of a formation. The nanoagents are suitable for injection into a petroleum reservoir and may be recovered from the reservoir for the determination of hydrocarbon flow rates and retention times.

Abstract: Gellable treatment fluids containing an amps-acrylamide bipolymer and a suitable surfactant can be used in various subterranean operations where it is necessary for the treatment fluid to remain in a gelled state for extended periods of time at high formation temperatures. The gellable treatment fluids are thermally-stable, solids-free self-degrading treatment fluid compositions useful in fluid loss pill, kill pill, perforation pill and other gel treatment applications.

Abstract: Proppants for hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells are coated with a polyurea-type coating. In a preferred embodiment, the polyurea-type coating is formed by contacting a polymeric isocyanate with an amount of water and a blowing catalyst at a rate and quantity sufficient to generate a reactive amine in situ on the outer surface of the proppant which thereby reacts with unconverted polymeric isocyanate to form a thin polyurea-type surface coating that is substantially solid and lacks foam or substantial porosity. Alternatively, the polyurea-type can be produced by selecting reactive amine compounds and isocyanates to develop the coated proppant. The coated proppants retain the discrete, free-flowing character of the original core solids but with the beneficial effects of the polyurea-type coating of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally expandable microcapsule that maintains a high expansion ratio and hardly bursts and shrinks even at a high temperature, a foamable thermoplastic resin masterbatch and a foam molded product that are produced using the thermally expandable microcapsule, and a method for producing the thermally expandable microcapsule. The thermally expandable microcapsule comprises a volatile expansion agent included in a shell as a core agent and the shell formed of a polymer, the shell containing a thermosetting resin and a polymer obtainable by polymerization of a monomer composition containing a nitrile-type monomer and a monomer having a carboxyl group, and the thermosetting resin having no radical-polymerizable double bond and at least two functional groups reactive with a carboxyl group per molecule.

Abstract: An amine according to the invention has a formula (CH3)2NCH2CH2OCH2CH2CH2N(R1)(R2) wherein R1 is selected from (CH3)2NCH2CH2OCH2CH2CH2— and R2 is selected from the group consisting of H—, CH3(CnH2n)—, HO(CmH2m)— and (CH3)2NCH2CH2OCH2CH2CH2—, n being an integer in the range of 0 to 5, m being an integer in the range of 2 to 4.