Abstract: A well treatment additive includes a siloxane surfactant, a solvent and an aqueous phase. The solvent is preferably a terpene hydrocarbon. Also disclosed is a method for using the well treatment additive to form and enhance the properties of terpene solvent based additives useful for the treatment of oil and gas wells. Methods of using the novel well treatment additives include using the additives in a variety of well treatment processes including, but not limited to, acidizing operations, hydraulic fracturing operations, well remediation operations and water removal operations.

Abstract: A gas generating system for use in stimulation or in deliquification/dewatering includes a foam generating agent, a foam enhancing agent and a gas generating additive. The foam generating agent is absorbed or adsorbed on a first plurality of substrates and the foam boosting agent is absorbed or adsorbed on a second plurality of substrates. The gas generating additive preferably includes an acidic component contained within a releasing mechanism container and a carbonate or bicarbonate contained within a releasing mechanism container. The use of encapsulated substrate permits the staged and targeted delivery of treatment chemicals in fractures extending from the wellbore or in the wellbore itself.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the treatment of hydrogen sulfide. The method preferably includes forming a solvent-surfactant blend, preparing a microemulsion by combining the solvent-surfactant blend with a carrier fluid and contacting the hydrogen sulfide with the microemulsion. In preferred embodiments, the solvent-surfactant blend includes a surfactant and a solvent selected from the group consisting of terpenes and alkyl or aryl esters of short chain alcohols.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating an oil or gas well having a wellbore that includes the steps of forming a solvent-surfactant blend by combining a solvent and a surfactant, adding a diluent to the solvent-surfactant blend to form an emulsified solvent-surfactant blend; combining the emulsified solvent-surfactant blend with a water-based carrier fluid to form a well treatment microemulsion, and injecting the well treatment microemulsion into the oil or gas well. In a preferred embodiment, the step of forming a solvent-surfactant blend includes combining a surfactant with a solvent selected from the group consisting of terpenes and alkyl or aryl esters of short chain alcohols.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microemulsion well treatment microemulsion that is formed by combining a solvent-surfactant blend with a carrier fluid. In preferred embodiments, the solvent-surfactant blend includes a surfactant and a solvent selected from the group consisting of terpenes and alkyl or aryl esters of short chain alcohols. The disclosed well treatment microemulsion can be used in well remediation, stimulation and hydrogen sulfide mitigation operations. Additionally, the well treatment microemulsion can be used in the production of benzothiophenes through interaction with hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing a foamer composition having an anionic surfactant and a neutralizing amine. The process includes the steps of estimating an extent to which the anionic surfactant will decompose into acidic components under an elevated temperature range, determining an effective amount of neutralizing amine needed to sufficiently neutralize the acidic components upon the decomposition of the anionic surfactant and mixing the effective amount of neutralizing amine with the anionic surfactant. Also disclosed is a foamer composition having from about 5% to about 70% by weight anionic surfactant, from about 1% to about 20% by weight neutralizing amine, from about 2% to about 10% by weight amine-based corrosion inhibitor, from about 0% to about 20% by weight solvent, from about 1% to about 10% by weight scale inhibitor and from about 0% to about 30% water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microemulsion well treatment microemulsion that is formed by combining a solvent-surfactant blend with a carrier fluid. In preferred embodiments, the solvent-surfactant blend includes a surfactant and a solvent selected from the group consisting of terpenes and alkyl or aryl esters of short chain alcohols. The disclosed well treatment microemulsion can be used in well remediation, stimulation and hydrogen sulfide mitigation operations. Additionally, the well treatment microemulsion can be used in the production of benzothiophenes through interaction with hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: The addition of relatively small quantities of reticulated bacterial cellulose to well bore drilling muds improves their rheological properties. A preferred reticulated bacterial cellulose is one produced under agitated culture conditions using strains of a bacterium from the genus Acetobacter. Reticulated bacterial cellulose may be used in place of a conventional gellant or in combination with conventional gellants to provide improved drilling muds.

Abstract: The addition of relatively small quantities of a bacterial cellulose to hydraulic fracturing fluids improves their rheological properties for hydraulic fracturing of geological formations. Proppant suspension is markedly improved and friction loss through well casings is significantly reduced, resulting in lower pumping energy requirements. Computer models also indicate that formation fractures will be propagated for greater distances as will the propped portion of the fracture. Normally only about 0.60-1.8 g of bacterial cellulose per liter of fracturing fluid is needed. A preferred bacterial cellulose is one made in agitated fermentors using mutation resistant strains of a bacterium from the genus Acetobacter.

Abstract: A cell assembly for determining the conductivity and permability of proppants in simulated subterranean formations comprising a plurality of vertically stacked cell units interconnected such that upon application of a compressive force the compressive force is transmitted equally throughout each of the cell units. Each of the cell units comprises a cell body member having a passageway extending therethrough; a lower piston connected to the cell body member such that one end thereof extends a selected distance into a lower portion of the passageway and an opposed second end extends outwardly therefrom for reciprocal movement within a cell body member of a second cell unit placed therebelow; and an upper piston member positionable in an upper portion of the passageway for reciprocal movement therein in response to force directed thereon, the upper piston member functioning as the lower piston member for a cell unit disposed thereabove.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydraulic fracturing of geological formations at selected levels of wells drilled for recovery of hydrocarbons. It resides in the addition of relatively small quantities of a bacterial cellulose to hydraulic fracturing fluids to improve their rheological properties. Proppant suspension is markedly improved and friction loss through well casings is significantly reduced, resulting in lower pumping energy requirements. Computer models also indicate that formation fractures will also be propagated for greater distances as will the propped portion of the fracture. Normally only about 5-15 lb of bacterial cellulose per 1000 gallons (0.60-1.8 g/L) of fracturing fluid is needed. A preferred bacterial cellulose is one made in agitated fermenters using mutation resistant strains of a bacterium from the genus Acetobacter.

Abstract: An improved fracturing fluid for use in hydraulic fracturing of subterranean formations and comprising an aqueous fluid containing an effective amount of a guar containing gelling agent, an effective amount of a crosslinking agent to crosslink the gelling agent and a retarding agent for delaying the crosslinking reaction. The crosslinking agent is a rare earth metal containing compound, such as a ceric salt. The retarding agent for the ceric salt comprises a first mixture consisting essentially of about 1 part of a carboxylic acid and from about 1 to 1000 parts of the alkali metal salt of the carboxylic acid. The retarding agent further comprises a second mixture consisting essentially of about 1 part of a hydroxycarboxylic acid and from about 1 to 1000 parts of its alkali metal salt or about 1 part of an aminocarboxylic acid to from about 1 to 1000 parts of its alkali metal salt.

Abstract: A cell assembly for determining the conductivity and permeability of proppants in simulated subterranean formations comprising a plurality of vertically stacked cell units interconnected such that upon application of a compressive force the compressive force is transmitted equally throughout each of the cell units. Each of the cell units comprises a cell body member having a passageway extending therethrough; a lower piston connected to the cell body member such that one end thereof extends a selected distance into a lower portion of the passageway and an opposed second end extends outwardly therefrom for reciprocal movement within a cell body member of a second cell unit placed therebelow; and an upper piston member positionable in an upper portion of the passageway for reciprocal movement therein in response to force directed thereon, the upper piston member functioning as the lower piston member for a cell unit disposed thereabove.

Abstract: A cell assembly for determining the conductivity and permeability of proppants in simulated subterranean formations comprising a plurality of vertically stacked cell units interconnected such that upon application of a compressive force the compressive force is transmitted equally throughout each of the cell units. Each of the cell units comprises a cell body member having a passageway extending therethrough; a lower piston connected to the cell body member such that one end thereof extends a selected distance into a lower portion of the passageway and an opposed second end extends outwardly therefrom for reciprocal movement within a cell body member of a second cell unit placed therebelow; and an upper piston member positionable in an upper portion of the passageway for reciprocal movement therein in response to force directed thereon, the upper piston member functioning as the lower piston member for a cell unit disposed thereabove.

Abstract: A method of treating a carbonate-containing subterranean formation to increase the production of hydrocarbons therefrom. The formation is contacted with an aqueous solution of one or more of certain anionic aminophosphonate compounds whereby the composition is caused to be absorbed onto the solid surfaces present in the subterranean limestone-containing formation and substantially reduces the tendency of such surfaces from becoming water or hydrocarbon wet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical composition represented by the formula: ##STR1## and ##STR2## wherein a is a whole number or fraction thereof in the range of from about 4 to about 18;wherein b is a whole number or fraction thereof in the range of from about 0 to about 30;wherein c is a whole number or fraction thereof in the range of from about 1 to about 3;wherein d is independently a whole number or fraction thereof in the range of from about 0 to about 1 and the sum of the average values of d are less than or equal to c;R is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a methyl group whereby mixtures containing both groups may result; andX.sup.+ is an exchangeable cation; andZ is a nucleophile containing species containing at least one member selected from the group consisting of oxygen and nitrogen wherein the nitrogen is in the form of NR.sup.1 wherein R.sup.1 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl radicals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a carbonate-containing subterranean formation to increase the production of hydrocarbons therefrom. The subterranean formation is contacted with an aqueous solution of a composition represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein a is a whole number or fraction thereof in the range of from about 4 to about 18;wherein b is a whole number or fraction thereof in the range of from about 0 to about 30;wherein c is a whole number or fraction thereof in the range of from about 0 to about 3;wherein d is independently a whole number or fraction thereof in the range of from about 0 to about 3;wherein e is a whole number or fraction thereof in the range of from about 1 to about 3;R is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a methyl group whereby mixtures containing both groups may result; andX.sup.

Abstract: Methods of increasing hydrocarbon production from subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formations having impaired permeability are provided wherein the formations are contacted with a penetrating solvent and cationic perfluoro compounds represented by the following formula: ##STR1## Such perfluoro compounds are adsorbed onto surfaces of the formation and prevent or substantially reduce wetting of the surfaces.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a substituted amino-alkyl sulfonic acid zwitterion is presented. The compound is prepared by the reaction of an epoxide with bisulfite which then is reacted with a secondary amine to form the amino-alkyl sulfonic acid or a salt thereof. Selected compounds can be utilized as a buffer composition to form viscosified fluids for use in the treatment of subterranean formations. The remaining amino-alkyl sulfonic acids or salts can be used as surfactants.

Abstract: Highly stable high alcohol content foams are provided which include a foam-forming surfactant represented by the formula ##STR1## Methods of forming and using the alcohol foams are also provided.