Abstract: Methods, additives and compositions for selectively temporarily sealing high temperature permeable formations penetrated by well bores. The compositions are formed by dispersing a granular additive into an aqueous medium which contains a galactomannan gum treated with potassium pyroantimonate whereby the hydration rate of the gum is retarded at temperatures below about 120.degree. F. but increases at temperatures thereabove. When the composition is introduced into a high temperature permeable formation, it is heated whereby the treated galactomannan gum hydrates and the composition is formed into a stiff gel.

Abstract: Gelled oil base compositions useful in the fracturing of subterranean formations are prepared by incorporating aluminum salts of one or more oxaalkyl phosphates and/or oxaalkyl alkyl phosphates in an oil base fluid. The salts can be formed separately followed by addition of the salt to the oil, or the salt can be formed in situ by separately adding to the oil, the phosphoric acid ester and an aluminum compound which then react to form the salt. In the usage of these compositions for fracturing a subterranean formation, the composition is pumped into an oil or gas well, and from the well bore into the formation to form and propagate a fracture in the formation.

Abstract: Methods and additives are provided for bringing about the delayed release of a chemical such as a gel breaker or demulsifier in an aqueous fluid. The additives are pelletized solids comprised of the chemical to be released, a hydratable gelling agent and a breaker for the gel produced by the gelling agent when hydrated.

Abstract: A method for fracturing subterranean formations at a subterranean environmental temperature above 150.degree. F. which includes the steps of initially preparing an oil base gel consisting essentially of a hydrocarbon liquid containing an aluminum salt of a phosphate ester, then adding to said gel, at a temperature below about 150.degree. F., a gel-insoluble, solid aluminum salt of a phosphate ester to form a pumpable dispersion, and finally pumping the slurry down a bore hole and into the formation to be fractured.

Abstract: Compositions useful in the fracturing of subterranean formations are prepared by incorporating aluminum salts of one or more aromatic phosphoric acid esters in an oil base fluid. The salts can be formed separately followed by addition of the salt to the oil, or the salt can be formed in situ by separately adding to the oil an aromatic phosphoric acid ester and an aluminum compound which reacts with the ester to form the salt. In fracturing a subterranean formation, the fracturing composition is introduced into an oil or gas well, and from the well bore into the formation to form and propagate a fracture in the formation.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for dissolving a hydrocarbon soluble polymeric internal phase of an aqueous external phase emulsion in a hydrocarbon liquid comprising mixing the emulsion and the hydrocarbon liquid together in the presence of a release agent to thereby cause the polymeric internal phase to dissolve in the hydrocarbon liquid.