Abstract: An improved process for production of dialkyldithiophosphinic acid including sulfurizing a purified dialkylphosphinic acid by: reacting a hypophosphorous acid or salt with a stoichiometric excess of an alpha olefin in the presence of a free radical initiator to form a reaction product comprising monoalkylphosphinic acid and dialkylphosphinic acid; adding sufficient aqueous base to the reaction product to i) form the salts of the phosphinic acids, and ii) establish an aqueous phase and an organic phase, wherein a monoalkylphosphinic acid solubilizes into an aqueous phase; separating the organic phase from the aqueous phase; acidifying the organic phase and removing the olefin from the organic phase; isolating the purified dialkylphosphinic acid product; and sulfurizing the purified dialkylphosphinic acid product to form a dialkydithiophosphinic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of determining the effectiveness of an asphaltene deposition inhibitor in oilfield applications. Such methods typically comprising the steps of introducing an oil well fluid into a microfluidic/millifluidic system; introducing a mixture of an asphaltene deposition inhibitor and carrier into the microfluidic/millifluidic system; introducing a precipitating agent, typically comprising heptane, into the microfluidic/millifluidic system; and optionally introducing toluene into the microfluidic/millifluidic system; then observing the presence or absence of asphaltene aggregation within the microfluidic/millifluidic system.

Abstract: A method for replacing glycol-based mutual solvents in an oil field application comprising: obtaining an alternative solvent and solvent blends and replacing all or a portion a glycol-based mutual solvent, which forms a component of an oil field formulation, with the alternative solvent or solvent blends, wherein the oil field formulation can be utilized in an oil field application.

Abstract: A set of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) services can be utilized by applications executing in protected application environments external to a SOA environment. The SOA services can include an identity service, a eligibility service, and a security risk assessment service, each of which generates a percentage of risk when run. SOA services can be dependent on specific applications and application cases, each being a specific context of an application, so that results vary by application case. The SOA environment can store data, which is constantly being updated about people, which is used by the SOA services. In one embodiment, sensitive or confidential data can be maintained in the protected application environment and can be isolated from the SOA environment. Rules, criteria, factors, and the like used by the SOA services can be customized at an arbitrary level of complexity for specific applications and application cases.

Abstract: A method of controlling or arresting the rate of depolymerization of a polymer composition during a biocide treatment, and use of such methods in oilfield and industrial applications. Also disclosed are methods of preparing a visco-stable application fluid containing a biocide in an amount effective to reduce bacteria count, as well as additive compositions capable of reducing bacteria count in application fluids while maintaining viscosity in such fluids. Also disclosed are methods of preparing biocide-containing application fluids with improved friction reducing properties, as well as related compositions.

Abstract: A depolymerized-carboxyalkyl polysaccharide formed by de polymerizing a polysaccharide having from 0.5 to 3.0 degrees of substitution and reducing the molecular weight of said polysaccharide before or after said depolymerizing provides a biodegradable scale inhibitor useful to prevent deposition of scale comprising, for example, calcium, barium, sulfate and salts thereof. The depolymerized carboxyalkyl polysaccharide is particularly useful in off shore oil production squeeze treatments and in the treatment of scale formed in industrial water treatment.

Abstract: Demulsifiers containing an anionic surfactant selected from alkylsulfosuccinates, alkylsulfonates, alkylphosphonic acids, and their salts; a nonionic surfactant selected from ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymers, ethoxylated fatty acids of polyethylene glycol, terpene alkoxylates, and modified alkanolamides; or a combination of an anionic and a nonionic surfactant, and methods of use thereof in breaking emulsions.

Abstract: A set of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) services can be utilized by applications executing in protected application environments external to a SOA environment. The SOA services can include an identity service, a eligibility service, and a security risk assessment service, each of which generates a percentage of risk when run. SOA services can be dependent on specific applications and application cases, each being a specific context of an application, so that results vary by application case. The SOA environment can store data, which is constantly being updated about people, which is used by the SOA services. In one embodiment, sensitive or confidential data can be maintained in the protected application environment and can be isolated from the SOA environment. Rules, criteria, factors, and the like used by the SOA services can be customized at an arbitrary level of complexity for specific applications and application cases.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of determining the effectiveness of an asphaltene deposition inhibitor in oilfield applications. Such methods typically comprising the steps of introducing an oil well fluid into a microfluidic/millifluidic system; introducing a mixture of an asphaltene deposition inhibitor and carrier into the microfluidic/millifluidic system; introducing a precipitating agent, typically comprising heptane, into the microfluidic/millifluidic system; and optionally introducing toluene into the microfluidic/millifluidic system; then observing the presence or absence of asphaltene aggregation within the microfluidic/millifluidic system.

Abstract: An aqueous composition for treating hydrocarbon wells contains (a) a scale inhibitor and (b) a viscoelastic surfactant, and further contains from 0 to less than 1% by weight of acid selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, maleic acid, hydrofluoric acid, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An aqueous composition for treating hydrocarbon wells contains (a) a scale inhibitor and (b) a viscoelastic surfactant, and further contains from 0 to less than 1% by weight of acid selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, maleic acid, hydrofluoric acid, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An aqueous composition for treating hydrocarbon wells contains (a) a scale inhibitor and (b) a viscoelastic surfactant, and further contains from 0 to less than 1% by weight of acid selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, maleic acid, hydrofluoric acid, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A phosphorus-containing polymer is provided comprising the reaction product of a chain-transfer agent having at least one pH bond with an unsaturated carboxylic, phosphonic or sulphonic acid. The invention also provides the aforementioned phosphorus-containing polymer further comprising phosphorus-containing end-caps. The polymers have a biodegradability of at least 20% per 28 days (as determined by OECD 306).

Abstract: A method for viscosifying brine systems utilized in oilfield applications comprising: a) preparing a heavy brine system comprising obtaining an aqueous brine system comprising a hydrated polysaccharide and at least one multivalent salt, wherein the density of the aqueous brine system is greater than about 10 pounds per gallon (ppg), and adding an effective amount of an alkaline agent, thereby increasing the viscosity of the brine system.

Abstract: Demulsifiers containing an anionic surfactant selected from alkylsulfosuccinates, alkylphosphonic acids, and their salts; a nonionic surfactant selected from ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymers, ethoxylated fatty acids of polyethylene glycol, terpene alkoxylates, and modified alkanolamides; and solvent bases comprising blends of dibasic esters. Methods for breaking emulsions using such demulsifiers and solvent bases are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling or arresting the rate of depolymerization of a polymer composition during a biocide treatment by controlling the pH of the composition, and use of such methods in oilfield applications.

Abstract: A method for breaking an emulsion of oil and water comprising contacting the emulsion with a demulsifier comprising a terpene alkoxylate is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for synthesizing a copolymer having controlled architecture, comprising at least one block A obtained by the ITP polymerization of a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated monomers (A0), containing no monomers having vinyl phosphonate functions, and at least one block B obtained by polymerizing a mixture of ethylenically un-saturated monomers (B0) containing at least one monomer B1 which carries at least one vinyl phosphonate function. The present invention also relates to a process for synthesizing a copolymer having controlled architecture, of the telomer type, comprising at least one chain B obtained by polymerizing a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated monomers (B0) containing at least one monomer B1 which carries at least one vinyl phosphonate function, by ITP polymerization; to the telomer obtainable; and to the uses thereof.

Abstract: An improved process for production of dialkyldithiophosphinic acid including sulfurizing a purified dialkylphosphinic acid by: reacting a hypophosphorous acid or salt with a stoichiometric excess of an alpha olefin in the presence of a free radical initiator to form a reaction product comprising monoalkylphosphinic acid and dialkylphosphinic acid; adding sufficient aqueous base to the reaction product to i) form the salts of the phosphinic acids, and ii) establish an aqueous phase and an organic phase, wherein a monoalkylphosphinic acid solubilizes into an aqueous phase; separating the organic phase from the aqueous phase; acidifying the organic phase and removing the olefin from the organic phase; isolating the purified dialkylphosphinic acid product; and sulfurizing the purified dialkylphosphinic acid product to form a dialkyldithiophosphinic acid.

Abstract: Demulsifiers containing an anionic surfactant selected from alkylsulfosuccinates, alkylsulfonates, alkylphosphonic acids, and their salts; a nonionic surfactant selected from ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymers, ethoxylated fatty acids of polyethylene glycol, terpene alkoxylates, and modified alkanolamides; or a combination of an anionic and a nonionic surfactant, and methods of use thereof in breaking emulsions.