Abstract: Polymers comprising polyacrylic acid or polyacrylamide grafted onto a polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide copolymer and/or charged nanoparticles may be added to an aqueous downhole fluid having polymers therein to viscosify the aqueous downhole fluid using an amount of such grafted polymers that is less than the amount of polymers that would be needed to viscosify an identical aqueous downhole fluid absent such grafted polymers. The grafted polymers may confer a reversible viscosity property to the fluid when the grafted polymers are dissolved in water or brine in a certain pH range.

Abstract: Charged nanoparticles may be added to an aqueous downhole fluid having polymers therein where the charged nanoparticles may crosslink at least a portion of the polymers. The polymers may be or include, but are not limited to polyacrylamide, xanthan, guar, polyacrylic acid, poly 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid (AMPS), polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, or combinations thereof. The polymers may be homopolymers, copolymers, terpolymers, or combinations thereof. The charged nanoparticles may be or include, but are not limited to clay nanoparticles, modified nanoparticles, or combinations thereof. The aqueous downhole fluid may be or include, but is not limited to fracturing fluids, injection fluids, and combinations thereof for performing a fracturing operation, an injection operation, another enhanced oil recovery operation, and the like.

Abstract: In a method for optimizing gas lift operations in the production of crude oil, a surfactant is injected into the an oil well such that the surface tension between a lift gas and the formation fluid being produced is reduced and/or a lift gas-formation fluid foam is formed. The reduction in surface tension and/or foam formation increases the efficiency of the lift gas for lifting the formation fluid to the surface. The surfactant is a silicone resin which may be combined with other surfactants, in some embodiments.

Abstract: In a method for optimizing gas lift operations in the production of crude oil, a surfactant is injected into the an oil well such that the surface tension between a lift gas and the formation fluid being produced is reduced and/or a lift gas-formation fluid foam is formed. The reduction in surface tension and/or foam formation increases the efficiency of the lift gas for lifting the formation fluid to the surface. The surfactant is a silicone resin which may be combined with other surfactants, in some embodiments. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.