Abstract: A method for preparing a thermally stable well servicing fluid in the form of an oil-in-water (O/W) macroemulsion, a water-in-oil (W/O) macroemulsion or a water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsion at the well drilling location is provided. The servicing fluid is prepared by mixing a hydrocarbon phase, a water phase and a surfactant phase to obtain either an O/W macroemulsion, a W/O macroemulsion or a W/O microemulsion. The surfactant phase comprises a first surfactant and/or a second surfactant. The first surfactant comprises a fatty acid mixture and a hygroscopic first additive. The second surfactant comprises a C4-C6 alcohol. Whether or not an O/W macroemulsion, W/O macroemulsion or a W/O microemulsion is produced is determined by the concentration of the phases, the first surfactant, the second surfactant and the timing upon which the first additive, water phase and second surfactant are introduced to the mixture.

Abstract: A method for preparing a thermally stable well servicing fluid in the form of an oil-in-water (O/W) macroemulsion, a water-in-oil (W/O) macroemulsion or a water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsion at the well drilling location is provided. The servicing fluid is prepared by mixing a hydrocarbon phase, a water phase and a surfactant phase to obtain either an O/W macroemulsion, a W/O macroemulsion or a W/O microemulsion. The surfactant phase comprises a first surfactant and/or a second surfactant. The first surfactant comprises a fatty acid mixture and a hygroscopic first additive. The second surfactant comprises a C4-C6 alcohol. Whether or not an O/W macroemulsion, W/O macroemulsion or a W/O microemulsion is produced is determined by the concentration of the phases, the first surfactant, the second surfactant and the timing upon which the first additive, water phase and second surfactant are introduced to the mixture.

Abstract: A process for preparing a bimodal emulsion of viscous hydrocarbon in water includes providing a stream of water at ambient temperature; providing a liquid additive that tends to gel when mixed with water at temperatures less than a gelling temperature TG; heating the stream to provide a heated stream at a temperature TC which is greater than ambient temperature and less than the gelling temperature TG; feeding the heated stream to a mixer having a mixer inlet so as to impart energy to the heated stream; adding the liquid additive to the heated stream downstream of the mixer inlet, whereby the liquid additive mixes with the stream and the energy inhibits gelling of the liquid additive to provide a substantially homogeneous solution of additive in water. The solution is then divided and used to make two different droplet sized emulsions which are mixed to form the bimodal emulsion.

Abstract: A process for preparing a bimodal emulsion of viscous hydrocarbon in water includes the steps of providing a stream of water at ambient temperature providing at least one liquid additive that tends to gel when mixed with water at temperatures less than a gelling temperature TG heating said stream to provide a heated stream at a temperature Tc which is greater than ambient temperature and less than said gelling temperature TG feeding said heated stream to a mixer having a mixer inlet so as to impart energy to said heated stream adding said liquid additive to said heated stream downstream of said mixer inlet, whereby said liquid additive mixes with said stream and said energy inhibits gelling of said liquid additive so as to provide a substantially homogeneous solution of additive in water dividing said solution into a first portion and a second portion mixing said first portion with a viscous hydrocarbon in a first dynamic mixer so as to provide a first hydrocarbon in water emulsion having a first average drop