Abstract: A process is disclosed that includes providing a mixture to a wellbore. The mixture can comprise formic acid or a formic acid precursor, a salt of lactic acid, and a salt of gluconic acid. The mixture can be introduced into an underground formation around the wellbore. The mixture can prevent or at least reduce the formation of formate crystals as compared to mixtures without the salt of lactic acid or the salt of gluconic acid. The mixture permits the formic acid, or formic acid produced from hydrolysis of the formic acid precursor, to react with acid soluble material in the underground formation to generate soluble calcium salts.

Abstract: A treatment fluid and process for enhancing hydrocarbon production from a shale formation using a treatment fluid comprising a water soluble delayed release carbonate-dissolving agent and introducing the treatment fluid into the shale formation after or as part of a hydraulic fracturing process.

Abstract: The invention relates to in-situ acidizing processes that involve the dissolution of an acid-soluble material. Treatment fluids have been identified that can effectively dissolve acid-soluble materials at low temperatures, such as temperatures of 30° C. or lower. In some embodiments, the processes may also be usefully employed at higher temperatures. The processes and treatment fluids of the invention can advantageously be used to dissolve acid-soluble materials, including filter cakes, in underground formations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for treating formation damage in an underground formation, including damage in the form of an oil-based drill-in fluid filter cake. The process makes use of a treatment fluid that contains a cyclodextrin or a starch and an enzyme capable of generating a cyclodextrin from the starch.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a process for enhancing hydrocarbon production from a shale formation. In particular, the present technology relates to a process wherein a treatment fluid comprising a water soluble delayed release carbonate-dissolving agent is introduced into the shale formation after or as part of a hydraulic fracturing process. The present technology also relates to a treatment fluid that can be used in such a process.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a process for enhancing hydrocarbon production from a shale formation. In particular, the present technology relates to a process wherein a treatment fluid comprising a water soluble delayed release carbonate-dissolving agent is introduced into the shale formation after or as part of a hydraulic fracturing process. The present technology also relates to a treatment fluid that can be used in such a process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for treating formation damage in an underground formation, including damage in the form of an oil-based drill-in fluid filter cake. The process makes use of a treatment fluid that contains a cyclodextrin or a starch and an enzyme capable of generating a cyclodextrin from the starch.

Abstract: The invention relates to in-situ acidizing processes that involve the dissolution of an acid-soluble material. Treatment fluids have been identified that can effectively dissolve acid-soluble materials at low temperatures, such as temperatures of 30° C. or lower. In some embodiments, the processes may also be usefully employed at higher temperatures. The processes and treatment fluids of the invention can advantageously be used to dissolve acid-soluble materials, including filter cakes, in underground formations.

Abstract: A process for disrupting filter cake in an underground formation, which process comprises: (i) incorporating into a treatment fluid a solid polymer capable of being converted by hydrolysis into one or more organic acids; (ii) introducing the treatment fluid into the underground formation; and (iii) allowing the solid polymer to hydrolyse in the presence of water to produce organic acid such that acid soluble material within the filter cake or adjacent formation is dissolved.

Abstract: An underground formation is consolidated by (a) incorporating into a treatment fluid (i) at least one chemical substance which is capable of undergoing a chemical change that alters the physico-chemical environment of the treatment fluid and which is a bicarbonate or a compound that generates a phosphate, phosphoric acid, sulphate, sulphuric acid, hydrogen sulphide, S2?, carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, base or acid; and, optionally, (ii) at least one additional chemical substance selected from salts and complexes of metals having a valency of 2 or higher; introducing the treatment fluid into the formation; and allowing the chemical substance (i), alone or in combination with the optional chemical substance (ii), to undergo a chemical change that alters the physico-chemical environment of the treatment fluid such that a consolidating mineral is deposited in the underground formation.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing a polyester in powder form, which process comprises: (a) rendering a polyester comminutable by (i) chemical pre-treatment of the polyester, or (ii) irradiating the polyester; and (b) comminuting the polyester produced in step (a) to form a powder.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating an underground formation, which process comprises: (a) introducing into the underground formation a micellar dispersion comprising water, one or more organic acid precursors, one or more surfactants and, optionally, one or more salts, co-surfactants and/or organic liquids that are not organic acid precursors; and (b) allowing (i) the micellar dispersion to solubilize hydrocarbons, emulsions or water blocks present in the underground formation, and (ii) at least a portion of the organic acid precursor to hydrolyze in-situ to produce sufficient organic acid to substantively dissolve acid soluble material present in or adjacent to filter cakes or other damage in the underground formation.

Abstract: A process for producing a self-disrupting filter cake in an underground formation, which process comprises: (a) incorporating into a drilling fluid a solid polymer capable of being converted by hydrolysis into one or more organic acids; (b) using the drilling fluid to drill a wellbore into the underground formation such that the solid polymer in the drilling fluid contributes to the formation of a filter cake; and (c) allowing the solid polymer to hydrolyse in the presence of water and to disrupt the integrity of the filter cake. A drilling fluid which contains as a bridging agent one or more solid polymers capable of being converted by hydrolysis into one or more organic acids is also provided.

Abstract: A process for forming a gel, which process comprises mixing an alkaline silicate solution with a polymer in solid form, the polymer being capable of being converted by hydrolysis into one or more organic acids; and allowing the polymer to release sufficient acid to cause formation of a silicate gel.

Abstract: A process for treating an underground formation, which process comprises: (a) introducing into the underground formation a treatment fluid comprising an organic acid precursor; (b) heating a zone within the formation, which zone contains at least a portion of the organic acid precursor, to a temperature which is above the natural formation temperature and sufficient to increase the rate of hydrolysis of the organic acid precursor; and (c) allowing the organic acid precursor to hydrolyse to produce an organic acid in an amount effective to acidize the underground formation.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating an underground formation, which process comprises: (a) introducing into the underground formation a micellar dispersion comprising water, one or more organic acid precursors, one or more surfactants and, optionally, one or more salts, co-surfactants and/or organic liquids that are not organic acid precursors; and (b) allowing (i) the micellar dispersion to solubilise hydrocarbons, emulsions or water blocks present in the underground formation, and (ii) at least a portion of the organic acid precursor to hydrolyse in-situ to produce sufficient organic acid to substantively dissolve acid soluble material present in or adjacent to filter cakes or other damage in the underground formation.

Abstract: A process for forming a gel, which process comprises mixing an alkaline silicate solution with a polymer in solid form, the polymer being capable of being converted by hydrolysis into one or more organic acids; and allowing the polymer to release sufficient acid to cause formation of a silicate gel.

Abstract: A process for disrupting filter cake in an underground formation, which includes (i) incorporating into a treatment fluid a solid polymer capable of being converted by hydrolysis into one or more organic acids; (ii) introducing the treatment fluid into the underground formation; and (iii) allowing the solid polymer to hydrolyze in the presence of water to produce organic acid such that acid soluble material within the filter cake or adjacent formation is dissolved.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing a polyester in powder form, which process comprises: (a) rendering a polyester comminutable by (i) chemical pre-treatment of the polyester, or (ii) irradiating the polyester; and (b) comminuting the polyester produced in step (a) to form a powder.

Abstract: An underground formation is consolidated by (a) incorporating into a treatment fluid (i) at least one chemical substance which is capable of undergoing a chemical change that alters the physico-chemical environment of the treatment fluid and which is a bicarbonate or a compound that generates a phosphate, phosphoric acid, sulphate, sulphuric acid, hydrogen sulphide, S2?, carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, base or acid; and, optionally, (ii) at least one additional chemical substance selected from salts and complexes of metals having a valency of 2 or higher; introducing the treatment fluid into the formation; and allowing the chemical substance (i), alone or in combination with the optional chemical substance (ii), to undergo a chemical change that alters the physico-chemical environment of the treatment fluid such that a consolidating mineral is deposited in the underground formation.