Abstract: Disulfonate salts of 2,4-pentanedione and methods for making such salts are described. The disulfonate salts are useful as cement dispersants. Cement compositions including such salts, methods for making cement compositions including such salts, and methods for performing cementing operations using such cement compositions are also described.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of subterranean formations, and more specifically, treatment fluids containing vitrified shale and methods of using these treatment fluids in subterranean formations, are provided. An example of a method is a method of displacing a fluid in a well bore. Another example of a method is a method of separating fluids in a well bore in a subterranean formation. An example of a composition is a spacer fluid comprising vitrified shale and a base fluid.

Abstract: Disulfonate salts of 2,4-pentanedione and methods for making such salts are described. The disulfonate salts are useful as cement dispersants. Cement compositions including such salts, methods for making cement compositions including such salts, and methods for performing cementing operations using such cement compositions are also described.

Abstract: Provided herein are defoaming agents that comprise lecithin and a solvent. Optionally, they may comprise hydrophobic particles. One embodiment provides a method comprising: providing a well fluid that comprises foam; providing a defoaming agent that comprises lecithin and a solvent; and contacting the well fluid with the defoaming agent so that the amount of foam present in the well fluid is reduced.

Abstract: Disulfonate salts of 2,4-pentanedione and methods for making such salts are described. The disulfonate salts are useful as cement dispersants. Cement compositions including such salts, methods for making cement compositions including such salts, and methods for performing cementing operations using such cement compositions are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cementing operations, and more particularly to improved cement dispersants for cement compositions and methods of cementing. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of cementing comprising the steps of: providing a cement composition comprising a cement, and a dispersant composition, the dispersant composition comprising a surfactant and a hydrolyzed protein; placing the cement composition in a desired location; and allowing the cement composition to set.

Abstract: A method of cementing in a subterranean formation that comprises providing a foamed cement composition that comprises water, a cement, a gas, and an additive, the additive comprising an anionic foaming agent and at least one of an anionic foam stabilizer or a Zwitterionic foam booster; placing the cement composition into the subterranean formation; and allowing the cement composition to set therein is provided. Foamed cement compositions, additives for foaming and stabilizing a cement composition, and methods of reducing the density of a cement composition, also are provided.

Abstract: Provided are treatment fluids that comprise an aqueous base fluid, an acid, and a methyl ester sulfonate surfactant, and associated methods of use. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of acidizing a subterranean formation comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, an acid, and a methyl ester sulfonate surfactant; introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation; and allowing at least a portion of the treatment fluid to react with at least a portion of the subterranean formation so that at least one void is formed in the subterranean formation. In some instances, the treatment fluids exhibit viscoelastic behavior which may be due, at least in part, to the association of at least a portion of the methyl ester sulfonate surfactant into a plurality of micellar structures.

Abstract: Cement compositions including environmentally compatible defoamers and methods of using such cement compositions are provided herein. An example of a method is a method of cementing in a subterranean formation. Another example of a method is a method of reducing foam generation in a cement composition. An example of a composition is a cement composition including water, hydraulic cement, and a defoamer. Another example of a composition is a defoamer.

Abstract: A method of cementing, comprising displacing a cement composition into a workspace, wherein the cement composition comprises cement, water, and a fluid loss control additive comprising a polymer and a sugar connected by a pH-sensitive crosslink, and allowing the cement composition to set. A method for reducing fluid loss from a cement composition, comprising providing a cement and a fluid loss control additive, wherein the fluid loss control additive comprises a polymer and a sugar connected by a pH-sensitive crosslink, and mixing the cement, fluid loss control additive, and water to form the cement composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides cement compositions comprising an improved fluid loss control additive, and methods for cementing in a subterranean formation using such cement compositions. The cement compositions comprise a hydraulic cement, water, and a fluid loss control additive comprising at least two polymers connected by a pH-sensitive crosslink. Optionally, other ingredients may be included in the compositions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically generating test patterns for a circuit design using a number of data processing elements. The present invention reduces the wall time required to generate the test patterns for the overall circuit design by partitioning the design into a number of partitions, distributing the partitions to a number of data processing elements, and generating test patterns for each partition on the corresponding data processing elements. The present invention automatically assembles the resulting local test patterns to reflect the scan structure of the overall circuit design.

Abstract: An acrobatic amusement device comprising an outer wheel affixed to a stationary platform. The outer wheel has a track on its inner circumference and a riding unit is supported within the outer wheel for movement relative to this track. The riding unit comprises frame members having three rotatable wheels thereon which mate with the outer wheel track at two places on one side of a diameter of the outer wheel and at one place on the other side of that diameter. The riding unit can be given a motion relative to the track and rotary within the outer wheel about an axis coincident with the axis of that wheel to provide amusement and thrill for an occupant sitting upon the riding unit. A locking device may be provided to hold the riding unit in fixed relationship with respect to the outer wheel to allow the rider to mount and dismount from the riding unit, and a seat belt may be provided which must be fastened before the locking device will release.