Abstract: Sulfonated uintaite is prepared by sulfonating a naturally occurring uintaite charge with a sulfonating agent such as sulfur trioxide, fuming sulfuric acid, chlorosulfonic acid, oleum, or concentrated sulfuric acid to produce sulfonic acids of uintaite. The resulting sulfonic acids are neutralized with a caustic neutralizing agent and sulfonated uintaite is the product. The sulfonated uintaite product is dried and packaged. The produced sulfonated uintaite is useful in oil and gas well working fluids (drilling muds). Neutralization of the resulting sulfonic acids with sodium hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide as the caustic neutralizing agent yields water and oil-soluble or dispersible salts of the sulfonated uintaite. Neutralization with Ca(OH)2 (calcium hydroxide) as the caustic neutralizing agent yields a product which is preferable in oil-based muds.

Abstract: Sulfonated asphalt/hydrogenated conjugated diene-monovinyl aromatic copolymer compositions, preparations thereof, and use in well working fluid compositions.

Abstract: Thermally stable foamable gelled compositions suitable for post-primary oil recovery, e.g., steam- or gas-foamed systems comprising water, a surfactant, a polymeric viscosifier, an aldehyde component, and at least one phenolic component such as resorcinol, catechol, and the like, as well as selected oxidized phenolic materials such as 1,4-benzoquinone of natural or syntheic origin and natural and modified tannins. The gel compositions can additionally contain gel stabilizers such as sulfomethylated quebracho (SMQ) and chemical buffering agents such as sodium bicarbonate.

Abstract: Thermally stable foamable gelled compositions suitable for post-primary oil recovery e.g., steam- or gas-foamed systems comprising water, a surfactant, a polymeric viscosifier, an aldehyde component, and at least one phenolic component such as resorcinol, catechol, and the like, as well as selected oxidized phenolic materials such as 1,4-benzoquinone of natural or synthetic origin and natural and modified tannins. The gel compositions can additionally contain gel stabilizers such as sulfomethylated quebracho (SMQ) and chemical buffering agents such as sodium bicarbonate.

Abstract: Gelled acidic compositions suitable for either matrix-acidizing or fracture-acidizing of subterranean formations, and methods of using said compositions, are provided. Said compositions comprise water, a water-dispersible polymer of acrylamide, an acid, a water-soluble compound of a polyvalent metal wherein the metal can be reduced to a lower polyvalent valence state and cause gelation of the water containing said polymer and said acid, and a reducing agent capable of reducing said metal and causing said gelation.

Abstract: A method for reducing the quantity of water produced from a well bore-penetrated subterranean formation and for increasing the production rate of fluid hydrocarbons produced from said formation. Said method comprises injecting into said formation an aqueous solution of a partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide, and contacting said polyacrylamide in situ with an aqueous solution containing divalent and/or trivalent metal cations.

Abstract: Samples of oil from a formation to be flooded are equilibrated with a series of surfactant systems comprising a petroleum sulfonate surfactant, a cosurfactant having limited solubility in water and brine. By using sulfonates having an equivalent weight within the range of 375 to 500 and using cosurfactants having a solubility in water varying from 0.5 to 20 grams per 100 grams of water, some of the mixtures will partition into two or more phases while others will not. Then a separate sulfonate-cosurfactant-brine system is made up corresponding to one of those which partitions and the system is injected into the reservoir where on contact with the oil it forms a multiphase bank.

Abstract: Drilling fluid compositions comprising an aqueous gel prepared from water and certain polymers such as polyacrylamides and related polymers, and methods of preparing said compositions.

Abstract: In an underground in situ combustion process for the recovery of oil from formations having high permeabilities, after combustion has been initiated, water containing a surfactant and air are injected under conditions such that the water upon contact with the hot formation vaporizes, creating slugs of condensible foam in an amount sufficient to generate a significant resistance factor of at least 5, which improves volumetric sweep efficiency by retarding the mobility of the steam and subsequent slugs of air. Air and water, including a surfactant, can be injected simultaneously as a mixture or as alternate slugs of water containing a surfactant and air.

Abstract: Gelled acidic compositions suitable for either matrix acidizing or fracture-acidizing of subterranean formations, and methods of using said compositions, are provided. Said compositions comprise water, a water-dispersible polymer of acrylamide, an acid, a water soluble compound of a polyvalent metal wherein the metal can be reduced to a lower polyvalent valence state and cause gelation of the water containing said polymer and said acid, and a reducing agent capable of reducing said metal and causing said gelation.

Abstract: Improvements in secondary recovery operations for the recovery of oil, and other oil field operations wherein subterranean formations are contacted with a fluid medium, are accomplished through the use of aqueous mediums comprising new aqueous gels prepared from water and biopolysaccharides.

Abstract: Improvements in secondary recovery operations for the recovery of oil, and improvements in well-drilling operations, are accomplished through the use of aqueous gels exhibiting high gel strength prepared from water and a mixture of (a) at least one cellulose ether, e.g., carboxymethyl cellulose, and (b) at least one polyacrylamide.

Abstract: Method for the acid treatment of a subterranean formation surrounding a wellbore comprising introducing alternate slugs of acid and an aqueous gel prepared from water-soluble cellulose ethers into a borehole penetrating a formation to be acidized. The slugs of gel serve as spacer slugs to direct the acid slugs into the portions of the formation or zones of a multi-zone formation it is desired to acidize.

Abstract: An improved process for decreasing the permeability of a subterranean oil-bearing formation which comprises injecting an aqueous surfactant solution containing a chemically crosslinkable, water-dispersible polymer which prevents the surfactant from foaming until it is in the formation and after the polymer breaks down due to heat in the formation caused by steam which is used to carry the aqueous solution into the formation. In accordance with one embodiment, gelled or ungelled cellulose ether polymers in an aqueous surfactant solution are injected with steam into the more permeable or more depleted portions of a subterranean oil-bearing formation to produce a selective blocking due to the formation of foam in the more permeable sections of the formation which forces the remaining injection steam to produce oil from less depleted portions of the formation.

Abstract: A subterranean formation having at least one borehole is treated with an aqueous gel wherein crude oil and water were produced from the subterranean formation through the borehole until the production of crude oil was reduced due to the presence of sandy material restricting the borehole, and the production of crude oil is increased as a result of said treatment as, for example, by producing crude oil and water from the formation at a lower water-oil ratio as compared to the water-oil ratio prior to treatment with the aqueous gel.

Abstract: Improvements in secondary recovery operations for the recovery of oil, and improvements in well drilling operations, are accomplished through the use of aqueous gels exhibiting high gel strength prepared from water and a mixture of (a) at least one cellulose ether, e.g., carboxymethyl cellulose, and (b) at least one polyacrylamide.

Abstract: Aqueous gels suitable for plugging fractures in subterranean formations are produced by (1) thickening water by incorporating therein a thickening amount of a water-soluble cellulose ether (e.g.,CMC), (2) incorporating a water-soluble compound of a polyvalent metal (e.g., sodium or potassium dichromate) wherein the valence state of the metal therein is capable of being reduced to a lower polyvalent valence state, in an amount sufficient to cause gelation when the valence of at least a portion of said metal is reduced to said lower valence state, (3) incorporating a water-soluble reducing agent (e.g., a sulfite, hydrosulfite, metabisulfite or thiosulfate of sodium or potassium, sodium sulfide, hydrogen sulfide or mixtures thereof) in an amount effective to reduce at least a portion of said metal to said lower valence state and cause gelation, and (4) incorporating a finely divided solid (e.g., diatomaceous earth) in an amount sufficient to cause an increase in gel strength.

Abstract: A method for reducing subterranean formation permeability to brines wherein the formation is penetrated by at least one well bore comprising, injecting into the formation two slugs of an aqueous polymer solution interspaced with a brine slug. A method for reducing the quantity of water recovered from a subterranean formation which is penetrated by at least one well bore wherein in one embodiment prolonged mobility control and/or plugging is maintained with the injection into the formation of slugs of aqueous solutions of at least two distinguishable viscosity increasing agents separated by a brine spacer slug.

Abstract: Improvements in secondary recovery operations for the recovery of oil, and improvements in well drilling operations, are accomplished through the use of aqueous mediums comprising aqueous gels prepared from water and certain polymers such as polyacrylamides and related polymers.