Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for physically labeling structural features, such as weld joints in a pipeline, with pattern-based codes that uniquely identify respective features. The systems and methods are also provided for identifying the features based on imagery of the codes captured during subsequent inspection of the weld joints. In particular, the weld joints can be uniquely identified by encoding measured geographic coordinates within two distinguishable circular patterns that correspond to latitude and longitude, respectively. In addition, the pattern-based codes can be applied to respective weld joints using a contrast material such that the codes are revealed in the images of the weld joints captured during inspection. Furthermore, the systems and methods include analyzing the images captured during inspection to identify the inspected weld joints for the purpose of verifying that each weld joint was properly inspected in the field.

Abstract: A curing agent for curing an epoxy resin comprises a fluorinated central moiety covalently bonded to first and second imide-amine moieties, the first and second imide-amine moieties include amine terminal functional groups, wherein the amine functional groups of the curing agent, when applied to the epoxy resin, take part in curing reactions with ring molecules of the epoxy resin.

Abstract: The present application discloses drilling fluid compositions, methods for making drilling fluids, and methods for drilling subterranean wells utilizing the drilling fluids. According to one embodiment, a drilling fluid composition may include an oil phase, an aqueous phase, an emulsifier, and a rheology modifier. The emulsifier may include an amino amide, and the rheology modifier may include a layered double hydroxide, such as Mg/Al-Myristate layered double hydroxide.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a surfactant of formula (I) and incorporation of one or more surfactants into drilling fluids.

Abstract: The present application discloses drilling fluid compositions, methods for making drilling fluids, and methods for drilling subterranean wells utilizing the drilling fluids. According to one embodiment, a drilling fluid composition may include an oil phase, an aqueous phase, and a rheology modifier. The rheology modifier may include a layered double hydroxide, such as Mg/Al-Myristate layered double hydroxide.

Abstract: Oil-based drilling fluid compositions comprising an oil phase comprising a base oil, an aqueous phase comprising water, at least one emulsifier, and one or more additives. The at least one emulsifier comprises an amino amide comprising the formula R—CO—NH—R?—NH—R?—NH2, where R is a fatty acid alkyl and R? and R? are alkyl groups. The one or more additives are chosen from a wetting agent, a rheology modifier, a fluid-loss control additive, and a weighting additive. Methods of making the oil-based drilling fluid compositions and methods of drilling a subterranean well utilizing the oil-based drilling fluid compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments for an oil-based drilling fluid and methods of making the oil-based drilling fluid are provided, in which the oil-base drilling fluid comprising: an oil phase; an aqueous phase; at least one surfactant, in which at least one surfactant comprises a carboxylic acid having 10 or more glycol repeating units; and optionally, at least one emulsifying agent.

Abstract: A method of preparing and a composition of an oil-based drilling fluid. An oil-based drilling fluid includes a base oil continuous phase, in which the base oil continuous phase includes a base oil, an aqueous dispersed phase, and at least one rheology modifier comprising a modified magnesium/aluminum carbonate layered-double hydroxide (Mg/Al—CO3 LDH) compound.

Abstract: A drilling fluid and a method of preparing the drilling fluid. The oil-based drilling fluid includes a base oil continuous phase comprising a base oil, an aqueous dispersed phase and at least one rheology modifier. The at least one rheology modifier includes a magnesium/aluminum (Mg/Al) layered-double hydroxide (LDH) diamondoid compound.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a surfactant of formula (V) and formula (VI).

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to adamantane-intercalated layered double-hydroxide (LDH) particles and the methods of producing adamantane-intercalated LDH particles. The adamantane-intercalated LDH particles have a general formula defined by [M1-xAlx(OH)2](A)x.mH2O, where x is from 0.14 to 0.33, m is from 0.33 to 0.50, M is chosen from Mg, Ca, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn, and A is adamantane carboxylate. The adamantane-intercalated LDH particles further have an aspect ratio greater than 100. The aspect ratio is defined by the width of an adamantane-intercalated LDH particle divided by the thickness of the adamantane-intercalated LDH particle.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a hydrophobic coating on a surface of a solid substrate which includes a layer-integrable material includes the steps of depositing a deformable layer of the layer-integrable material onto the surface of the solid substrate, forcibly embedding a plurality of particles within the deformable layer, and solidifying the deformable layer including the plurality of particles so as to be integral with the surface of the solid substrate. At least a portion of the plurality of particles is embedded at a threshold depth within the deformable layer prior to solidification.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to adamantane-intercalated layered double-hydroxide (LDH) particles and the methods of producing adamantane-intercalated LDH particles. The method comprises adding to an aqueous solution a first precursor and a second precursor to form an initial mixture, where the first precursor is Al(OH)3 or Al2O3, the second precursor is a hydroxide M(OH)2 or an oxide MO, where M is a metal of oxidation state +2; and the initial mixture has a M/Al molar ratio of from 1 to 5. The method also comprises adding to the initial mixture an amount of adamantane to form a reaction mixture having an Al/adamantane molar ratio of from 0.5 to 2; and heating the reaction mixture to produce adamantane-intercalated LDH particles, where the adamantane-intercalated LDH particles have aspect ratios greater than 100.

Abstract: A method for preparing a magnesium adamantane carboxylate salt is provided. The method includes mixing a magnesium salt and a diamondoid compound having at least one carboxylic acid moiety to form a reactant mixture and hydrothermally treating the reactant mixture at a reaction temperature for a reaction time to form the magnesium adamantane carboxylate salt.

Abstract: A method for preparing a transition-metal adamantane carboxylate salt is presented. The method includes mixing a transition-metal hydroxide and a diamondoid compound having at least one carboxylic acid moiety to form a reactant mixture, where M is a transition metal. Further, the method includes hydrothermally treating the reactant mixture at a reaction temperature for a reaction time to form the transition-metal adamantane carboxylate salt.

Abstract: An oil-based drilling fluid and method of preparing an oil-based drilling fluid are disclosed. The oil-based drilling fluid comprising a base oil continuous phase, an aqueous discontinuous phase, and at least one rheology modifier. The at least one rheology modifier including an alkaline-earth diamondoid compound. The method of preparing the oil-based drilling fluid including mixing a base oil, at least one emulsifier, and at least one wetting agent to form a first mixture, adding and mixing at least one rheology modifier into the first mixture to form a second mixture, adding and mixing at least one fluid-loss control additive into the second mixture to form a third mixture, adding and mixing a brine solution into the third mixture to form a fourth mixture, and adding and mixing a weighting additive into the fourth mixture to form the oil-based drilling fluid.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to adamantane-intercalated layered double-hydroxide (LDH) particles and the methods of producing adamantane-intercalated LDH particles. The method comprises adding to an aqueous solution a first precursor and a second precursor to form an initial mixture, where the first precursor is Al(OH)3 or Al2O3, the second precursor is a hydroxide M(OH)2 or an oxide MO, where M is a metal of oxidation state +2; and the initial mixture has a M/Al molar ratio of from 1 to 5. The method also comprises adding to the initial mixture an amount of adamantane to form a reaction mixture having an Al/adamantane molar ratio of from 0.5 to 2; and heating the reaction mixture to produce adamantane-intercalated LDH particles, where the adamantane-intercalated LDH particles have aspect ratios greater than 100.

Abstract: A method for preparing a magnesium adamantane carboxylate salt is provided. The method includes mixing a magnesium salt and a diamondoid compound having at least one carboxylic acid moiety to form a reactant mixture and hydrothermally treating the reactant mixture at a reaction temperature for a reaction time to form the magnesium adamantane carboxylate salt.

Abstract: A method for preparing a transition-metal adamantane carboxylate salt is presented. The method includes mixing a transition-metal hydroxide and a diamondoid compound having at least one carboxylic acid moiety to form a reactant mixture, where M is a transition metal. Further, the method includes hydrothermally treating the reactant mixture at a reaction temperature for a reaction time to form the transition-metal adamantane carboxylate salt.

Abstract: An oil-based drilling fluid and method of preparing an oil-based drilling fluid are disclosed. The oil-based drilling fluid comprising a base oil continuous phase, an aqueous discontinuous phase, and at least one rheology modifier. The at least one rheology modifier including an alkaline-earth diamondoid compound. The method of preparing the oil-based drilling fluid including mixing a base oil, at least one emulsifier, and at least one wetting agent to form a first mixture, adding and mixing at least one rheology modifier into the first mixture to form a second mixture, adding and mixing at least one fluid-loss control additive into the second mixture to form a third mixture, adding and mixing a brine solution into the third mixture to form a fourth mixture, and adding and mixing a weighting additive into the fourth mixture to form the oil-based drilling fluid.