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 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: Pumpable multiple phase compositions for carrying agents and components downhole and controllably releasing them by breaking the suspensions are described. The multiple phase composition may have an external or third phase, which in turn has a first pumpable emulsion internally. The first pumpable emulsion has a second phase containing a first phase which bears the agent to be controllably released. The entire pumpable multiple phase composition may thus be an oil phase-in-aqueous phase-in-oil phase emulsion, or an aqueous phase-in-oil phase-in-aqueous phase emulsion. The agent may be released by one or more of a variety of mechanisms. For example, a water-soluble shale stabilizer could be delivered downhole in an aqueous phase-in-oil phase-in-aqueous phase multiple phase emulsion by injecting the multiple phase composition into a water-based drilling fluid, and then the suspension broken by rotary bit nozzles under high shear stress to release the shale stabilizer at the drilling zone.

Abstract: Pumpable multiple phase compositions for carrying agents and components downhole and controllably releasing them by breaking the suspensions are described. The multiple phase composition may have an external or third phase, which in turn has a first pumpable emulsion internally. The first pumpable emulsion has a second phase containing a first phase which bears the agent to be controllably released. The entire pumpable multiple phase composition may thus be an oil phase-in-aqueous phase-in-oil phase emulsion, or an aqueous phase-in-oil phase-in-aqueous phase emulsion. The agent may be released by one or more of a variety of mechanisms. For example, a water-soluble shale stabilizer could be delivered downhole in an aqueous phase-in-oil phase-in-aqueous phase multiple phase emulsion by injecting the multiple phase composition into a water-based drilling fluid, and then the suspension broken by rotary bit nozzles under high shear stress to release the shale stabilizer at the drilling zone.

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.

Abstract: Pumpable multiple phase compositions for carrying agents and components downhole and controllably releasing them by breaking the suspensions are described. The multiple phase composition may have an external or third phase, which in turn has a first pumpable emulsion internally. The first pumpable emulsion has a second phase containing a first phase which bears the agent to be controllably released. The entire pumpable multiple phase composition may thus be an oil phase-in-aqueous phase-in-oil phase emulsion, or an aqueous phase-in-oil phase-in-aqueous phase emulsion. The agent may be released by one or more of a variety of mechanisms. For example, a water-soluble shale stabilizer could be delivered downhole in an aqueous phase-in-oil phase-in-aqueous phase multiple phase emulsion by injecting the multiple phase composition into a water-based drilling fluid, and then the suspension broken by rotary bit nozzles under high shear stress to release the shale stabilizer at the drilling zone.

Abstract: Pumpable multiple phase compositions for carrying agents and components downhole and controllably releasing them by breaking the suspensions are described. The multiple phase composition may have an external or third phase, which in turn has a first pumpable emulsion internally. The first pumpable emulsion has a second phase containing a first phase which bears the agent to be controllably released. The entire pumpable multiple phase composition may thus be an oil phase-in-aqueous phase-in-oil phase emulsion, or an aqueous phase-in-oil phase-in-aqueous phase emulsion. For example, a water-soluble shale stabilizer could be delivered downhole in an aqueous phase-in-oil phase-in-aqueous phase multiple phase emulsion by injecting the multiple phase composition into a water-based drilling fluid, and then the suspension broken by rotary bit nozzles under high shear stress to release the shale stabilizer at the drilling zone.

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 marine cuttings, preferably in situ, so that the cuttings can be discharged 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.

Abstract: A drilling fluid system for use in oil and gas well drilling operations is described having a rheological modifier/control agent comprising a polyalkyl methacrylate copolymer containing a small amount of vinyl pyrrolidone, a weighting agent, optionally an organophilic clay, with a base fluid making up the balance. The drilling fluid may be oil, invert emulsion, and in particular synthetic base fluid where the continuous phase may be synthetic esters olefins, paraffins, mineral oil or diesel oil, and the like. These copolymers prevent or reduce barite sag and provide cutting transport in these drilling systems.

Abstract: A thermally stable drilling fluid system includes drilling fluid and an additive wherein the additive includes styrene-butadiene copolymers having an average molecular weight greater than about 500,000 g/mol, wherein the drilling fluid system exhibits fluid loss control at high temperature and high pressure conditions.

Abstract: A thermally stable well servicing fluid includes a fluid portion in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion; and a surfactant mixture including an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts of alkyl sulphates, alkali metal salts of alkyl sulphonates, and mixtures thereof, and a non-ionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated alkyl phenols, ethoxylated aliphatic alcohols and mixtures thereof, the surfactant mixture containing the anionic surfactant and the non-ionic surfactant at a ratio by weight of between about 70:30 to about 80:20, the fluid being stable at temperatures exceeding 220.degree. F.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of stable hydrocarbon in water emulsions employing heavy crudes and bitumens having high viscosities and the resulting viscosity stable emulsion products.

Abstract: Methods for the formation, processing, transportation and end use of a hydrocarbon-in-water emulsion.

Abstract: Method for the formation, processing, transportation and end use of a hydrocarbon-in-water emulsion.