Abstract: The present invention is concerned with the treatment of produced water, obtained from a chemically enhanced oil recovery process using viscosity-increasing polymeric compounds. Said treatment comprises particularly the steps of obtaining a produced water, from an oil-water mixture recovered from an oil-bearing formation, wherein the produced water comprises the viscosity-increasing polymeric compounds; and, of directing the produced water to a specific filtration device, and subjecting the produced water to filtration, for obtaining a retentate stream and a permeate stream. Said process allows particularly obtaining a permeate comprising the viscosity-increasing polymeric compounds, said permeate being substantially free of suspended solids, free oil and emulsified oil.

Abstract: This invention concerns a sampling procedure for an aqueous hydrosoluble polymer solution flowing in a main circuit, enabling a sample to be collected to undergo at least one analysis under ambient air giving at least one property of the hydrosoluble polymer characterised in that a stabilizing solution is added to the aqueous hydrosoluble polymer solution, according to a discontinuous addition method, before or after sampling from the main circuit, so as to obtain a sample comprising a mixture of aqueous hydrosoluble polymer solution and stabilizing solution in which the hydrosoluble polymer is protected against attacks it may undergo in an atmosphere containing at least 10% by volume of oxygen.

Abstract: Device for measuring the viscosity of a solution whose viscosity is unstable under aerobic conditions, the device being intended to be connected to a source containing the solution and including: a viscometer including a viscometer head wherefrom a module emerges; a container into which the module is immersed, mechanism for placing the interior of the container in contact with an inert gas, a purging mechanism, characterized in that the container has inlet mechanism for the solution intended to be connected to the source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating an aqueous suspension of solid particles, wherein at least one water-soluble polymer is added to the suspension, and wherein said polymer is obtained by polymerizing at least a non-ionic monomer, optionally at least one anionic and/or at least one cationic monomer, in the presence of a multifunctional free radical transfer agent. This method is particularly useful for the treatment of mineral tailings and especially for tailings resulting from oil sand extraction.

Abstract: Process for the enhanced recovery of oil comprising introducing into an injection fluid at least one linear or structured water-soluble copolymer obtained by polymerization of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid monomer in free acid and/or salified form with acrylamide derivative monomers having the formula H2C?CR—C(?O)-A in which R is H or CH3 or CH2COOR?, wherein R? is an alkyl containing not more than 3 carbon atoms, and A is selected from the group consisting of 2-pyrrolidone, pyrrolidine and 4-morpholine, and injecting the injection fluid, which is then viscosified, into a reservoir, and thereafter recovering the aqueous and oily and/or gaseous mixture.

Abstract: New water treatment chemicals and corresponding water treatment or more generally aqueous systems treatment processes are provided, which greatly attenuate the NDMA problem, that is, decrease the formation of NDMA during the water or aqueous system treatment namely in the presence of a disinfectant, and decrease too the level of NDMA in the so treated water of aqueous system, and in the end products such as drinking water.

Abstract: Process for enhanced oil recovery employing an aqueous solution comprising at least one linear or structured water-soluble copolymer obtained by polymerization: of at least 10 mol % of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid monomer in the free acid and/or salified form, of at least 10 mol % of at least one comonomer chosen from the group consisting of acrylamide, N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) and acrylamide-derived monomers of formula (I): in which: R=H or CH3 or CH2COOR?, where R? is an alkyl comprising at most 3 carbon atoms, A is an N heterocycle comprising, in its ring, from 4 to 6 carbon atoms and optionally an ether functional group or a ketone functional group.

Abstract: Method for recovering bitumen from tar sands, according to which sands are brought into contact with at least one partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate) (co)polymer A.

Abstract: Composition based on anionic polymers or water-soluble amphoteric (co)polymers suitable for viscosifying the injection fluids for oil recovery, characterized in that, before dilution with the injection fluid, it further contains at least 3 stabilizing agents selected from the group comprising oxygen reducing agents, precipitating agents, free radical scavengers, complexing agents and sacrificial agents, the said stabilizing agent being suitable for preventing the chemical degradation of the polymer once the polymer is introduced into the injection fluid.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the use of anionic water-soluble polymers being partially or totally neutralized with an organic counter-ion for oil filed application, especially tertiary oil recovery steps.

Abstract: Fracturing fluid comprising, in solution in water, a proppant and an associative amphoteric polymer, the said polymer having a molecular weight of at least 1 000 000 g/mol and comprising: 0.01 to 10 mol % of at least one cationic monomer derived from acrylamide, from 0.09 to 89.99 mol % of at least one anionic monomer, and from 10 to 99 mol % of at least one nonionic water-soluble monomer. Fracturing process using the fluid.

Abstract: This invention involves a process for reducing friction in ethanol during its transport through pipelines. This process involves combining ethanol with a polymer-based composition, characterised in that the polymer is obtained from at least 50 mol % of at least one monomer selected from the group comprising N-substituted acrylamides, N-substituted methacrylamides, N,N-substituted acrylamides, N,N-substituted methacrylamides, substituted acrylates and substituted methacrylates.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating clay-bearing aggregates, particularly those used for construction purposes, whereby inclusion of fines is maximized due to minimization of clay washing which tends to remove such fines, and whereby performance of the aggregate-containing construction material is enhanced. Exemplary methods comprise introducing to clay a water-soluble, functionalized polyamine comprising a water-soluble polyamine formed by reacting an amine compound with an epoxy compound, the polyamine thus reacted being functionalized through the use of certain halide, sulfate, or epoxy compounds.

Abstract: Process for enhanced oil recovery employing an aqueous solution comprising at least one linear or structured water-soluble copolymer obtained by polymerization: of at least 10 mol % of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid monomer in the free acid and/or salified form, of at least 10 mol % of at least one comonomer chosen from the group consisting of acrylamide, N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) and acrylamide-derived monomers of formula (I): in which: R=H or CH3 or CH2COOR?, where R? is an alkyl comprising at most 3 carbon atoms, A is an N heterocycle comprising, in its ring, from 4 to 6 carbon atoms and optionally an ether functional group or a ketone functional group.

Abstract: Process for the enhanced recovery of oil comprising introducing into the injection fluid at least one linear or structured water-soluble copolymer obtained by polymerization of: 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid monomer in free acid and/or salified form, acrylamide derivative monomers of formule (I): in which: R?H or CH3 or CH2COOR?, wherein R? is an alkyl containing not more than 3 carbon atoms, A is selected from the group consisting of 2-pyrrolidone, pyrrolidine and 4-morpholine.

Abstract: A composition for treating an aqueous suspension of mineral particles includes at least one water soluble polymer and at least one calcium salt, magnesium salt or both a Calcium salt and a Magnesium salt. The composition is in powder form.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the use of anionic water-soluble polymers being partially or totally neutralized with an organic counter-ion for oil filed application, especially tertiary oil recovery steps.

Abstract: Method for recovering bitumen from tar sands, according to which sands are brought into contact with at least one partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate) (co)polymer A.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the use of anionic water-soluble polymers being partially or totally neutralized with an organic counter-ion for oil filed application, especially tertiary oil recovery steps.

Abstract: A method for treating a suspension of mineral particles in water, such as mineral tailings, includes the step of contacting the suspension of mineral particles in water with a specific water-soluble polymer. This polymer is preferably a water-soluble polymer having an anionicity of between 10 to 55 mol %, and more preferably 20 to 50 mol %. Furthermore, this polymer has preferably a molecular weight between 15 and 40 million daltons, and more preferably between 18 and 30 million. The method involves adding the specific polymer into a thickener containing the tailings to treat, and/or during transport of the suspension to a deposition area for dewatering and solidification, or to the tailings to treat followed by a mechanical treatment such as centrifugation, screw press and filtration.