Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for treating subterranean formations, in particular, oilfield stimulation compositions and methods using water-in-water polymer emulsions to uniformly dissolve a rheologically active polymer, such as a thickener or friction reducer, in the treatment fluid. The emulsions have a low viscosity and are easily pumped for mixing into a treatment fluid, where upon dilution with an aqueous medium, the polymer is easily hydrated without forming fish-eyes. The partitioning agent in the water-in-water emulsion does not generally affect the rheology of the treatment fluid. The invention also relates to further processing of the emulsion by wet grinding, high shear mixing and/or heating to enhance the hydration rate in the preparation of the well treatment fluid.

Abstract: A treatment fluid for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is formed from an aqueous medium, a diutan heteropolysaccharide having a tetrasaccharide repeating unit in the polymer backbone and a peroxide breaker. A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore may be carried out by introducing the treatment fluid into the formation through the wellbore. Breaking aids or catalysts may also be used with the treatment fluid.

Abstract: Internal breakers are given that break fluids viscosified with non-polymeric viscosifiers such as viscoelastic surfactants, inside formation pores. The breakers are polyols, for example natural and synthetic sugars, monoalcohols, and mixtures of the two. The sugars may be ketones and aldehydes. The sugars are also breaker aides for oxidizing agents used as breakers. Methods of using the breakers and breaker aides in oilfield treatment fluids are given.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore utilizes a treating fluid formed from an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer. The treating fluid further contains a crosslinking agent and an optional delayed release alkaline additive. The delayed release alkaline additive may be at least one of urea, a urea derivative, a solid alkaline earth metal carbonate, a solid alkaline earth metal oxide and combinations of these. The treating fluid further includes an acidic pH adjusting agent used in an amount to provide the treating fluid with a pH of less than about 5. The treating fluid is then introduced into the formation.

Abstract: A wellbore treatment fluid is formed from an aqueous medium, a gas component, a viscosifying agent, and a surfactant. The surfactant is represented by the chemical formula: [R—(OCH2CH2)m—Oq—YOn]pX wherein R is a linear alkyl, branched alkyl, alkyl cycloaliphatic, or alkyl aryl group; O is an oxygen atom; Y is either a sulfur or phosphorus atom; m is 1 or more; n is a integer ranging from 1 to 3; p is a integer ranging from 1 to 4; q is a integer ranging from 0 to 1; and X is a cation. The fluid may be used in treating a subterranean formation penetrating by a wellbore by introducing the fluid into the wellbore. The fluid may be used in fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore by introducing the fluid into the formation at a pressure equal to or greater than the fracture initiation pressure.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are given for delayed breaking of viscoelastic surfactant gels inside formation pores, particularly for use in hydraulic fracturing. Breaking inside formation pores is accomplished without mechanical intervention or use of a second fluid. Bromate oxidizing agents are used along with selected breaking activators for the bromate breaking compounds. Useful bromate breaking activators include acid-generating breaking activators, oxidizing sulfur containing breaking activators, and reducing agent breaking activators.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are given for delayed breaking of viscoelastic surfactant gels inside formation pores, particularly for use in hydraulic fracturing. Breaking inside formation pores is accomplished without mechanical intervention or use of a second fluid. Oxidizing agents such as air, oxygen, persulfates, bromates, peroxides, and others are used. The break may be accelerated, for example with a free radical propagating species, or retarded, for example with an oxygen scavenger. In certain brines, for example bromide brines, certain zwitterionic viscoelastic fluid systems that can decarboxylate and that require an anion-containing co-surfactant undergo delayed degradation if oxygen is present, for example from fluid preparation or in a foam.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are given for delayed breaking of viscoelastic surfactant gels inside formation pores, particularly for use in hydraulic fracturing. Breaking inside formation pores is accomplished without mechanical intervention or use of a second fluid. Acidic internal breakers such as sulfuric acid and nitric acid are used. The break may be accelerated, for example with a free radical propagating species, or retarded, for example with an oxygen scavenger.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel aqueous wellbore treatment fluids containing a gas component, a heteropolysaccharide, an electrolyte, and a surfactant, wherein the fluids may further include an organoamino compound. The fluids exhibit good theological properties at elevated temperatures. Methods of use of fluids comprising at least an aqueous medium, a gas component, a heteropolysaccharide and a surfactant for hydraulically fracturing, well cleanup and gravel packing operations, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Suspensions are provided of water-soluble materials in non-aqueous carrier fluids using suspension agents that include organophilic clays. Methods of forming such suspensions are provided. Methods are also provided for using such suspensions to prepare aqueous solutions, in particular thickened aqueous solutions, in particular for use in oilfield treatments.

Abstract: A composition and method for improving the fluid efficiency of many oilfield treatments is given. The composition is a solid additive, in a viscosified fluid, in a size range small enough that it enters formation pores; it optionally bridges there to form an internal filter cake, and then decomposes to provide a breaker for the viscosifying system for the fluid. Examples of suitable additives include waxes, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyacetals, polymelamines, polyvinyl chlorides, and polyvinyl acetates. Degradation of the additive may be accelerated or delayed.

Abstract: Suspensions are provided of water-soluble materials in non-aqueous carrier fluids using suspension agents that include organophilic clays. Methods of forming such suspensions are provided. Methods are also provided for using such suspensions to prepare aqueous solutions, in particular thickened aqueous solutions, in particular for use in oilfield treatments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel aqueous wellbore treatment fluids containing a gas component, a heteropolysaccharide, an electrolyte, and a surfactant, wherein the fluids may further include an organoamino compound. The fluids exhibit good rheological properties at elevated temperatures. Methods of using fluids containing at least an aqueous medium, a gas component, a heteropolysaccharide and a surfactant for hydraulically fracturing, well cleanup and gravel packing operations, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating subterranean formations with rapidly hydratable treatment fluids based upon heteropolysaccharides. In particular, the invention relates to treatment methods with fluids containing a heteropolysaccharide, aqueous medium, and an electrolyte, wherein the fluids may further include a gas component, a surfactant and/or an organoamino compound. The fluids exhibit good rheological properties at elevated temperatures, and unusually rapid hydration rates which allows utilizing such fluids without the need of hydration tanks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel aqueous wellbore treatment fluids containing a gas component, a heteropolysaccharide, an electrolyte, and a surfactant, wherein the fluids may further include an organoamino compound. The fluids exhibit good rheological properties at elevated temperatures. Methods of use of fluids comprising at least an aqueous medium, a gas component, a heteropolysaccharide and a surfactant for hydraulically fracturing, well cleanup and gravel packing operations, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization, which can utilize a catecholic alkyl halide initiator.

Abstract: Adhesive polymeric compositions which can comprise dihydroxyphenyl moieties and derivatives thereof, and related methods of use.