Abstract: Methods are provided for increasing the temperature of a section of conduit used for the production or transmission of hydrocarbon. According to one aspect, the method includes the steps of: (a) forming a treatment fluid comprising: (i) a carrier fluid; and (ii) a first reactant and a second reactant; and (b) introducing the treatment fluid into a section of conduit used for the production or transmission of hydrocarbon. The first reactant and second reactant are selected for being capable of reacting together in an exothermic chemical reaction; and the first and second reactant are in at least sufficient concentrations in the carrier fluid to generate a theoretical heat of reaction of at least 1,000 kJ/liter of the treatment fluid. At least some of at least one of the first reactant and the second reactant is suspended in the carrier fluid in a solid form that is adapted to help control the release of the reactant into the carrier fluid.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for making a solid material for controlling the release of at least one reactant of an exothermic reaction into a carrier fluid. The method comprises the steps of: (a) mixing a reactant with a polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material is capable of being hydrated, and water, wherein the proportion of water is insufficient to substantially hydrate the polymeric material but is sufficient to make the polymeric material sticky to help bind the reactant into a matrix; and (b) drying the mixture. According to a similar aspect, methods and compositions are provided for making a solid material for use in controlling the release of a catalyst of an exothermic reaction into a carrier fluid for increasing the temperature of a section of conduit used for the production or transmission of hydrocarbon. According to other aspects, the reactant or catalyst is mixed with a binder.

Abstract: Methods are provided for increasing the temperature of a section of conduit used for the production or transmission of hydrocarbon. According to one aspect, a method is provided for increasing the temperature of a section of conduit used for the production or transmission of hydrocarbon, the method comprising the steps of: forming a treatment fluid comprising: (i) a carrier fluid; (ii) a first reactant and a second reactant, wherein the first reactant and second reactant are selected for being capable of reacting together in an exothermic chemical reaction; the first and second reactant are in at least sufficient concentrations in the carrier fluid to generate a theoretical heat of reaction of at least 1,000 kJ/liter of the treatment fluid; and (iii) a catalyst for the reaction between the first reactant and the second reactant, wherein at least some of the catalyst is suspended in the carrier fluid in a solid form that is adapted to help control the release of the catalyst into the carrier fluid.

Abstract: Methods are provided for increasing the temperature of a section of conduit used for the production or transmission of hydrocarbon. According to one aspect, the method includes the steps of: (a) forming a treatment fluid comprising: (i) a carrier fluid; and (ii) a first reactant and a second reactant; and (b) introducing the treatment fluid into a section of conduit used for the production or transmission of hydrocarbon. The first reactant and second reactant are selected for being capable of reacting together in an exothermic chemical reaction; and the first and second reactant are in at least sufficient concentrations in the carrier fluid to generate a theoretical heat of reaction of at least 1,000 kJ/liter of the treatment fluid. At least some of at least one of the first reactant and the second reactant is suspended in the carrier fluid in a solid form that is adapted to help control the release of the reactant into the carrier fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing the amount of water produced from a subterranean formation as a result of stimulation of the subterranean formation. The method comprises the introduction of a gelled fluid to initiate a fracture in a formation, introduction of a first and second reactive polymer which leak-off into the formation along the fracture and which are capable of subsequently reacting together to form a reaction product which selectively reduces the permeability of the formation to water flow through the formation into the fracture and introduction of a crosslinked gelled fluid to extend the fracture into the formation and facilitate the introduction of a propping agent into the created fracture. The reactive polymers react in situ to form a reaction product that binds to the formation in such a manner that the flow of water is selectively retarded through the matrix while the flow of oil is substantially unaffected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to remove heavy metals from amino-carboxylic acid chelate solutions comprising adding nitrous acid to lower the pH of the aqueous solution sufficient to destroy the chelate bonds and release the metal ions and thereafter adding an appropriate strong base and optionally a sulfide salt to precipitate the liberated heavy metals.

Abstract: A composition and method for removing iron containing deposits from a metal surface are provided. The metal surface is contacted with an aqueous cleaning composition comprising an acid selected from the group consisting of polycarboxylic acids and polyphosphonic acids, and at least one base selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal carbonates and alkali metal phosphates. The aqueous cleaning composition can be used to passivate the metal surface after iron containing deposits are removed therefrom. The composition and method are very suitable for removing iron containing deposits from metal surfaces of equipment constructed of dissimilar metals without adversely affecting the metals.

Abstract: A process for removing elemental copper and copper oxide deposits from a metal surface without first removing iron containing deposits therefrom. The process comprises the step of contacting the surface with an aqueous cleaning solution comprising gaseous oxygen present in an amount sufficient to oxidize at least a substantial portion of the elemental copper deposits present on the surface to copper oxide deposits and sufficient amounts of ammonia and an inorganic ammonium salt to dissolve at least a substantial portion of the copper oxide deposits present on the surface.

Abstract: A method of removing iron and copper containing scale from a metal surface by contacting the scale with a composition comprising an admixture of an aminopolycarboxylic acid, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), or the alkali metal salts or ammonium salts or amine salts of the aminopolycarboxylic acid and a phosphonic acid such as aminotrimethylenephosphonic acid (ATMP), or an alkali metal salt or amine salt or ammonium salt of the phosphonic acid. The aminopolycarboxylic acid or salt thereof and phosphonic acid of salt thereof are present in the composition in an amount sufficient to provide a molar ratio of aminopolycarboxylic acid to phosphonic acid in the range of from about 1:9 to about 39:1.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for removing copper and copper oxide deposits from metal surfaces including surfaces formed of austenitic, nickel-chromium and other similar alloys without adversely affecting such surfaces are provided. The copper and copper oxide deposits are dissolved in an aqueous ammoniacal cleaning solution which includes one or more alkali metal or ammonium perborate oxidizing agents.