Abstract: Methods of creating degradable particulates in a subterranean environment. The methods provide a degradable material supercritical fluid mixture that comprises degradable material into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation and provide an orifice between the wellbore and the subterranean formation wherein the pressure in the subterranean formation is less than the pressure in the wellbore. The degradable material supercritical fluid is then fed through the orifice into the subterranean formation such that the degradable material supercritical fluid mixture expands through an orifice into the lower subterranean formation and particulates are formed.

Abstract: Methods for producing degradable particulates and slurries thereof, and methods related to the use of such degradable particulates and slurries in subterranean applications. Among the many methods provided are methods comprising: providing a degradable material mixture that comprises a degradable material and a first solvent; providing a fluid that comprises a second solvent and a surfactant, wherein the first and second solvents are immiscible in each other; combining the degradable material mixture and the fluid with sufficient shear to form an emulsion that comprises a discontinuous phase and a continuous phase, the discontinuous phase comprising the degradable material mixture and the continuous phase comprising the second solvent; removing at least a portion of the first solvent from the discontinuous phase; and forming a plurality of degradable particulates. Other methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of creating degradable particulates in a subterranean environment. The methods provide a degradable material supercritical fluid mixture that comprises degradable material into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation and provide an orifice between the wellbore and the subterranean formation wherein the pressure in the subterranean formation is less than the pressure in the wellbore. The degradable material supercritical fluid is then fed through the orifice into the subterranean formation such that the degradable material supercritical fluid mixture expands through an orifice into the lower subterranean formation and particulates are formed.

Abstract: Methods of affecting the rate at which a hydrolytically degradable material degrades comprising: providing a hydrolytically degradable material, the degradable material having an intrinsic degradation rate; providing a modifier, the modifier being capable of affecting the intrinsic degradation rate of the hydrolytically degradable material; placing the hydrolytically degradable material and the modifier into a subterranean formation; and allowing the modifier to affect the intrinsic degradation rate of the hydrolytically degradable material so that the hydrolytically degradable material degrades at a second degradation rate.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of degradable fibers, and more particularly, to self-degrading fibers and their associated methods of use and manufacture. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a self degrading fiber comprising: an outer shell, and a core liquid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of generating an acid downhole that comprise providing a degradable surfactant; introducing the degradable surfactant into a well bore that penetrates a subterranean formation; and allowing at least a portion of the degradable surfactant to degrade, thereby releasing an acid. Also provided are methods of degrading an acid-soluble component present within a subterranean formation, and methods of reducing the viscosity of a viscosified treatment fluid.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of degradable fibers, and more particularly, to self-degrading fibers and their associated methods of use and manufacture. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a self degrading fiber comprising: an outer shell, and a core liquid.

Abstract: Methods are provided including a method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising a plurality of self-degrading fibers, the self-degrading fibers comprising an outer shell and a core liquid; placing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation; and treating a portion of the subterranean formation. Additional methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to enhancing the conductivity of fractures in a subterranean formation so as to enhance fluid flow therethrough. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method comprising: providing a proppant matrix composition, the proppant matrix composition comprising at least a plurality of proppant particulates and at least a plurality of composite particles, the composite particles comprising a degradable material and a filler material; introducing the proppant matrix composition to the fracture so as to form a proppant matrix in the fracture; and allowing the degradable material of the composite particles to degrade so as to form at least one void in the proppant matrix.

Abstract: A method of making a biodegradable polymer composition including the steps of providing a first component being either one of a thermoplastic poly(hydroxy ester ether) or a synthetic, hydroxy-functional polymer and providing a second component being a natural polymer. The method includes the steps of mixing the first component and second component together to form a mixture, compounding the mixture, and pelletizing the compounded mixture to form pellets of a biodegradable polymer composition.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polysaccharide and a hydroxy-functional polyester are prepared by mixing the hydroxy-functional polyester and polysaccharide, modified polysaccharide or a naturally-occurring fiber or particulate filler and, optionally, other additives in a intensive mixer at a temperature and for a time sufficient to provide an intimate, well-dispersed mixture of the components.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition comprising either: a) a high internal phase ratio emulsion having water as a continuous phase and a thermoplastic hydroxy-functional polyether as a disperse phase; or b) a stable aqueous dispersion of the thermoplastic hydroxy-functional polyether. The composition of the present invention addresses a need in the art by providing a thermoplastic coating that exhibits an excellent barrier to oxygen and carbon dioxide, but which barrier properties are not adversely affected by contact with water. The composition is particularly useful in the paper packaging industry where biodegradability and resistance to spoilage of food is desirable.

Abstract: Compositions of the invention include a hydroxy-functional polyester and a natural polymer. Articles can be made from such a composition so as to have sufficiently strong tensile strengths as to form disposable utensils or to have sufficient stretchability so as to form thin wrap films. However, the compositions are more environmentally friendly than commodity plastics such as polyethylene or polystyrene. Granular starches derived from a grain, a root, a legume, or mixtures thereof, are particularly preferred as the natural polymers for inclusion in the compositions.

Abstract: Hydroxy-functional polyethers having a "cardo" diphenylene group in their backbones are prepared by contacting at least one dinucleophilic monomer with at least one dtglycidyl ether of a cardo bisphenol, such as bis(hydroxyphenyl)fluorene, phenolphthalein, or phenolphthalimidine or a substituted cardo bisphenol, such as a substituted bis(hydroxyphenyl)fluorene, a substituted phenolphthalein or a substituted phenolphthalimidine, under conditions sufficient to cause the nucleophillo moieties of the dinucleophilic monomer to react with epoxy moieties to form a polymer backbone containing pendant hydroxy moieties and ether, imino, amino, sulfonamido or ester linkages. These polyethers possess a combination of high barrier to oxygen transmission (i.e., oxygen transmission rate less than 10.0 cm.sup.3 -mil/100 in.sup.2 -atm-day to oxygen) and high heat resistance (i.e., Tg above 120.degree. C.).

Abstract: Compositions of the invention include particular hydroxy-functional polyesters and a natural polymer. Among articles that can be made from such compositions are those with sufficiently strong tensile strengths as to form disposable utensils. However, the compositions are more environmentally friendly than commodity plastics such as polyethylene or polystyrene. Starches are particularly preferred as the natural polymers for inclusion in the compositions.

Abstract: A process for preparing a thermoplastic hydroxy-functionalized polyester comprises contacting a dicarboxylic acid or a mixture of dicarboxylic acids with a diepoxide in a given solvent in the presence of an end-capping agent and a catalyst under conditions sufficient to form the hydroxy-functionalized polyesters or polyethers.

Abstract: Compositions of the invention include a hydroxy-functional polyester and a natural polymer. Articles can be made from such a composition so as to have sufficiently strong tensile strengths as to form disposable utensils or to have sufficient stretchability so as to form thin wrap films. However, the compositions are more environmentally friendly than commodity plastics such as polyethylene or polystyrene. Granular starches derived from a grain, a root, a legume, or mixtures thereof, are particularly preferred as the natural polymers for inclusion in the compositions.

Abstract: A process for preparing a thermoplastic hydroxy-functionalized polyesters comprises contacting a dicarboxylic acid or a mixture of dicarboxylic acids with a diepoxide in the presence of a monofunctional carboxylic acid and a catalyst, and in the absence of a solvent under conditions sufficient to form the hydroxy-functionalized polyesters.

Abstract: Hydroxy-functional polyethers having a "cardo" diphenylene group in their backbones are prepared by contacting at least one dinucleophilic monomer with at least one diglycidyl ether of a cardo bisphenol, such as bis(hydroxyphenyl)fluorene, phenolphthalein, or phenolphthalimidine or a substituted cardo bisphenol, such as a substituted bis(hydroxyphenyl)fluorene, a substituted phenolphthalein or a substituted phenolphthalimidine, under conditions sufficient to cause the nucleophilic moieties of the dinucleophilic monomer to react with epoxy moieties to form a polymer backbone containing pendant hydroxy moieties and ether, imino, amino, sulfonamido or ester linkages. These polyethers possess a combination of high barrier to oxygen transmission (i.e., oxygen transmission rate less than 10.0 cm.sup.3 -mil/100 in.sup.2 -atm-day to oxygen) and high heat resistance (i.e., Tg above 120.degree. C.).

Abstract: Hydroxy-functional polyester oligomers are prepared by contacting a hydroxy-functional aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or a mixture of dicarboxylic acids containing hydroxy-functional aliphatic diacids, with a diglycidyl ether or diglycidyl ester in the presence of an onium catalyst in an ether solvent under conditions suitable for forming the oligomer. The oligomers can be used as hot melt adhesives, adhesive tackifiers, plasticizers, heat-curable adhesives and heat-curable coatings. Some of these materials are biodegradable and are therefore suitable for application to compostable end products.