Abstract: Single phase microemulsions improve the removal of filter cakes formed during drilling with oil-based muds (OBMs). The single phase microemulsion removes oil and solids from the deposited filter cake. Optionally, an acid capable of solubilizing the filter cake bridging particles may also be used with the microemulsion. In one non-limiting embodiment the acid may be a polyamino carboxylic acid. Skin damage removal from internal and external filter cake deposition can be reduced. In another optional embodiment, the single phase microemulsion may contain a filtration control additive for delaying the filter cake removal, destruction or conversion.

Abstract: Single phase microemulsions improve the removal of filter cakes formed during drilling with invert emulsions. The single phase microemulsion removes oil and solids from the deposited filter cake. Optionally, an acid capable of solubilizing the filter cake bridging particles may also be used with the microemulsion. In one non-limiting embodiment the acid may be a polyamino carboxylic acid. Skin damage removal from internal and external filter cake deposition can be reduced.

Abstract: Single-phase microemulsions (SPMES) and in situ-formed microemulsions in water-wetting pills may be used to reverse the wettability of subterranean rock previously drilled with an oil-based mud or synthetic-based mud before pumping a high fluid loss squeeze pill or crosslink pill or other water-based pill. This wettability reversal occurs by solubilization of the non-polar material into the microemulsion when the water-wetting pill contacts the non-polar material. An in situ microemulsion may be formed when one or more surfactant and a polar phase (e.g. water or brine), and eventually some amount of organic phase, contacts the reservoir formation and reverses the wettability encountered in the porous media. The microemulsions are effective for reversing the wettability that occurs from non-polar materials which include, but are not necessarily limited to, oil-based mud, synthetic-based mud, paraffins, asphaltenes, emulsions, slugs, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Mesophase fluids may be pre-formed or formed in situ and may be used downhole for various treatments including, but not limited to, cleaning up and removing non-polar materials from reservoir production zones, removing wellbore damage, releasing stuck pipe, components in spacers and pills and the like in oil and gas wells. These treatments involve solubilization of the non-polar material into the emulsion when the treatment fluid contacts non-polar materials. These mesophase fluids use extended chain surfactants having propoxylated/ethoxylated spacer arms. The extended chain surfactants are intramolecular mixtures containing hydrophilic and lipophilic portions. They attain high solubilization in the mesophase fluids (e.g. single phase microemulsions), are in some instances insensitive to temperature and are useful for a wide variety of oil types.

Abstract: Single phase microemulsions (SPMEs) and in situ-formed microemulsions may be used to clean up and remove non-polar materials from reservoir production zones of oil and gas wells. This clean up occurs by solubilization of the non-polar material into the microemulsion when the treatment fluid contacts the non-polar material. An in situ microemulsion may be formed when one or more surfactant and a polar phase (e.g. water or brine), and eventually some small amount of organic phase, contacts the reservoir formation and solubilizes the non-polar material encountered in the porous media. The microemulsions are effective for removing the formation damage caused by non-polar materials which include, but are not necessarily limited to oil-based mud, synthetic-based mud, paraffins, asphaltenes, emulsions, slugs, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Nanoemulsion, macroemulsions, miniemulsions, microemulsion systems with excess oil or water or both (Winsor I, II or III phase behavior) or single phase microemulsions (Winsor IV) improve the removal of filter cakes formed during hydrocarbon reservoir wellbore drilling with OBM. Such filter cakes and their particles can contact, impact and affect the movement of the drill string undesirably resulting in a “stuck pipe” condition. The macroemulsion, nanoemulsion, miniemulsion, microemulsion systems with excess oil or water or both or single phase microemulsion removes oil and solids from the filter cake, thereby releasing the drill string from its stuck condition. In one non-limiting embodiment, the emulsion system may be formed in situ (downhole) rather than produced or prepared in advance and pumped downhole.

Abstract: Nanoemulsions, miniemulsions, microemulsion systems with excess oil or water or both (Winsor III) or single phase microemulsions (Winsor IV) may be formed in situ during hydrocarbon recovery operations after drilling with OBM or SBM using one or more fluid pills. The nanoemulsions, miniemulsions, microemulsion systems with excess oil or water or both or single phase microemulsions remove oil and solids from the well and wellbore surfaces. In one non-limiting embodiment, a single phase microemulsion (SPME) or other in situ-formed fluid may be created from a polar phase, a nonpolar phase, at least one viscosifier, and at least one surfactant.

Abstract: Pumpable multiple phase vesicle compositions carry agents and components downhole or through a conduit, and controllably releasing them at a different place and time by breaking the compositions. In one non-limiting embodiment the pumpable multiple phase vesicles have a third phase containing a first phase which bears the agent to be controllably released. The first and third phases of the vesicles are separated by a surface active material bilayer that forms the second phase. The pumpable multiple phase vesicles may have internal and external phases that are both oil miscible, both aqueous miscible, or both alcohol miscible. The surface active material bilayer may be composed of compounds such as phospholipids, alkyl polyglycosides, gemini surfactants, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan trioleate, and many others. The agent may be released by one or more of a variety of mechanisms.

Abstract: Nanoemulsion, macroemulsions, miniemulsions, microemulsion systems with excess oil or water or both (Winsor I, II or III phase behavior) or single phase microemulsions (Winsor IV) improve the removal of filter cakes formed during hydrocarbon reservoir wellbore drilling with OBM. The macroemulsion, nanoemulsion, miniemulsion, microemulsion systems with excess oil or water or both or single phase microemulsion removes oil and solids from the deposited filter cake. In one non-limiting embodiment, the emulsion system (e.g. single phase microemulsion, nanoemulsion, or other emulsions) may be formed in situ (downhole) rather than produced or prepared in advance and pumped downhole. Skin damage removal from internal and external filter cake deposition can be reduced.

Abstract: Pumpable multiple phase vesicle compositions carry agents and components downhole or through a conduit, and controllably releasing them at a different place and time by breaking the compositions. In one non-limiting embodiment the pumpable multiple phase vesicles have a third phase containing a first phase which bears the agent to be controllably released. The first and third phases of the vesicles are separated by a surface active material bilayer that forms the second phase. The pumpable multiple phase vesicles may have internal and external phases that are both oil miscible, both aqueous miscible, or both alcohol miscible. The surface active material bilayer may be composed of compounds such as phospholipids, alkyl polyglycosides, gemini surfactants, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan trioleate, and many others. The agent may be released by one or more of a variety of mechanisms.

Abstract: Single phase microemulsions improve the removal of filter cakes formed during drilling with oil-based muds (OBMs). The single phase microemulsion removes oil and solids from the deposited filter cake. Optionally, an acid capable of solubilizing the filter cake bridging particles may also be used with the microemulsion. In one non-limiting embodiment the acid may be a polyamino carboxylic acid. Skin damage removal from internal and external filter cake deposition can be reduced. In another optional embodiment, the single phase microemulsion may contain a filtration control additive for delaying the filter cake removal, destruction or conversion.

Abstract: Single phase microemulsions improve the removal of filter cakes formed during drilling with invert emulsions. The single phase microemulsion removes oil and solids from the deposited filter cake. Optionally, an acid capable of solubilizing the filter cake bridging particles may also be used with the microemulsion. In one non-limiting embodiment the acid may be a polyamino carboxylic acid. Skin damage removal from internal and external filter cake deposition can be reduced.

Abstract: Water based drilling, drill-in, and completion fluids comprising surfactant-polymer blends that are effective to generate effective rheology comprising low shear rate viscosity and effective fluid loss control properties. The water based fluids preferably are substantially solid free.

Abstract: A gravel packing fluid and method for gravel packing a wellbore using a gravel packing fluid comprising an invert emulsion comprising oil as an external phase, clear brine as an internal phase, and a quantity of emulsifier effective to produce a stable invert emulsion, the external phase of the gravel packing fluid further comprising gravel wetting agent.

Abstract: Single phase microemulsions improve the removal of filter cakes formed during drilling with invert emulsions. The single phase microemulsion removes oil and solids from the deposited filter cake. Optionally, an acid capable of solubilizing the filter cake bridging particles may also be used with the microemulsion. In one non-limiting embodiment the acid may be a polyamino carboxylic acid. Skin damage removal from internal and external filter cake deposition can be reduced.

Abstract: Single phase microemulsions improve the removal of filter cakes formed during drilling with invert emulsions. The single phase microemulsion removes oil and solids from the deposited filter cake. Optionally, an acid capable of solubilizing the filter cake bridging particles may also be used with the microemulsion. In one non-limiting embodiment the acid may be a polyamino carboxylic acid. Skin damage removal from internal and external filter cake deposition can be reduced.

Abstract: Pumpable multiple phase vesicle compositions carry agents and components downhole or through a conduit, and controllably releasing them at a different place and time by breaking the compositions. In one non-limiting embodiment the pumpable multiple phase vesicles have a third phase containing a first phase which bears the agent to be controllably released. The first and third phases of the vesicles are separated by a surface active material bilayer that forms the second phase. The pumpable multiple phase vesicles may have internal and external phases that are both oil miscible, both aqueous miscible, or both alcohol miscible. The surface active material bilayer may be composed of compounds such as phospholipids, alkyl polyglycosides, gemini surfactants, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan trioleate, and many others. The agent may be released by one or more of a variety of mechanisms.

Abstract: An emulsifier composition for treating marine cuttings, preferably in situ, to convert free hydrocarbons to isolated hydrocarbons; drill cuttings treated with the emulsifier composition; droplets of the emulsified free hydrocarbons; drill cuttings further treated with encapsulating material; and, isolated hydrocarbons comprising encapsulated droplets of free hydrocarbons and emulsifier.

Abstract: A method for selecting an emulsifier for isolating free hydrocarbons in a given drilling system and a method of using the emulsifiers to treat drill cuttings to isolate free hydrocarbons, including bitumen.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating drill cuttings, preferably marine cuttings, preferably in situ, so that the cuttings can be discharged into the environment, preferably back into marine waters without causing oxygen depletion of marine sediment. In a preferred embodiment, the treatment emulsifies and then encapsulates free hydrocarbons in the marine cuttings.