Abstract: Liquid polymer and inverse emulsion compositions comprising: one or more hydrophobic liquids having a boiling point at least about 100° C.; one or more acrylamide-(co)polymers; one or more emulsifier surfactants; one or more inverting surfactants; and one or more poly(alkyl)acrylate compounds. When the composition is inverted in an aqueous solution, it provides an inverted solution having a filter ratio using a 1.2 micron filter (FR1.2) of about 1.5 or less.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method for treating a geologic formation that includes providing a hydraulic fracture model, providing a first value representative of a volume of kerogen breaker in a fracturing fluid, determining a discrete fracture network (DFN) based on the hydraulic fracture model and the first value, determining a geomechanical model based on the DFN and a reservoir model based on the DFN, determining a hydrocarbon production volume based on the geomechanical model and the reservoir model, adjusting the first value based on the hydrocarbon production volume, and adjusting a volume of kerogen breaker in the fracturing fluid to a hydrocarbon reservoir based on the adjusted first value.

Abstract: Surfactants for use in formulations and processes suitable for hydrocarbon recovery. These formulations, include formulations suitable for fracking, enhancing oil and or gas recovery, and the recovery and/or production of bio-based oils.

Abstract: The systems and method described in this specification relate to at least partially restoring porosity and brine permeability of carbonate core samples. The systems and methods include extracting a carbonate core sample from a subterranean formation. The extracted carbonate core sample is inserted into a core flooding test machine. A first porosity and a first brine permeability of the extracted carbonate core sample is measured. A fluid is pumped through the extracted carbonate core sample to flood the carbonate core sample. The fluid includes at least one of a high-molecular weight polymer solution and a gel particle solution. The systems and methods include at least partially restoring the porosity and the brine permeability of the carbonate core sample by pumping an oxidizing solution through the flooded carbonate core sample and heating the carbonate core sample to a temperature of at least 60° C. after pumping the oxidizing solution through the carbonate core sample.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for treating hydrocarbon-bearing formations previously subjected to hydraulic fracturing, in which at least some of the methods include pumping into a wellbore a treatment composition comprising LPG combined with one or more surfactants each of which is fully or partially dissolved into the LPG, causing the treatment composition to make contact with water residing in the formation such that at least a portion of the one or more surfactants dissolves into the water, and recovering a composition that includes residual hydrocarbons and at least some of the LPG and water that resided in the formation and at least some of the one or more surfactants that were pumped into the wellbore.

Abstract: Novel completion fluid compositions for fluid loss control during completion and workover operations conducted on a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation are disclosed. In particular, the composition is a weighted brine fluid having a polymetaphosphate composition, a biopolymer suspension agent, and a fluid loss control additive. These novel compositions provide a means to temporarily seal a wellbore communicating with a subterranean formation to enable completion or workover operations to be performed, after which the composition can be removed by contact with an acidic composition.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to methods and compositions delaying the gelation of polymers in water flooding by sequentially or co-injecting a carboxylate-containing polymer solution, a gel-delaying polymer, and gelation agent into a hydrocarbon reservoir. Delays of weeks are observed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include compositions and methods that stabilize a injection fluid when exposed to reservoir conditions, reducing formation damage and increasing the amount of hydrocarbon recovered. Specifically, the formulation is a single-phase liquid surfactant package which comprises a surfactant and optionally one or more secondary surfactants. Also provided are methods of using the stabilized injection fluids in stimulation operations.

Abstract: A surfactant composition is provided. The composition includes chemical structure represented by Formula (1): where R1 represents a hydrocarbon group, a substituted hydrocarbon group, an alkyl ester group, or an alkyl amine having from 4 to 28 carbon atoms, and R2 and R3 represent hydrocarbon groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms. Also provided is a composition including a brine comprising a total salinity of at least 20,000 mg/L and the chemical structure shown in Formula (1). Methods of making a composition including the chemical structure represented by Formula (1) are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include compositions and methods that stabilize a injection fluid when exposed to reservoir conditions, reducing formation damage and increasing the amount of hydrocarbon recovered. Specifically, the formulation is a single-phase liquid surfactant package which comprises a non-ionic surfactant and optionally one or more secondary surfactants.

Abstract: A downhole system includes a packer sealing an annular space around a downhole tubing and an insulating packer fluid positioned within the annular space and adjacent to the packer. The insulating packer fluid includes a sodium bicarbonate activator and an acidic nanosilica dispersion having silica nanoparticles and a stabilizer, wherein the pH of the acidic nanosilica dispersion ranges from 2 to 5, and the silica nanoparticles form at least 20 percent by weight of the acidic nanosilica dispersion.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods that stabilize an injection fluid when exposed to reservoir conditions, reducing formation damage and increasing the amount of hydrocarbon recovered. Specifically, the formulation is a single-phase liquid surfactant package which comprises an anionic surfactant including a hydrophobic tail comprising from 6 to 60 carbon atoms and optionally one or more secondary surfactants.

Abstract: This disclosure describes the composition and methods of use for a novel delayed polymer gelation system. This polymer gelation system includes a polymer of acrylamide, AMPS and 100-2,000 ppm polyethylene glycol diacrylate in inverse emulsion form, and a polyethyleneimine (PEI) with Mw of 5,000-100,000 Dalton as the crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A system includes a casing, a tubing within the casing, a packer, and a colloidal silica gel. The casing inner surface and the tubing outer surface define an annular space, and the packer is within the annular space. The colloidal silica gel which seals a gap. The gap can be a gap between the inner surface of the casing and a surface of the packer, a gap between the outer surface of the tubing and a surface of the packer, and/or a gap extending through the packer. A well can include such a system. A method of sealing a leak in or near a packer present in an annular space between a production casing inner surface and a tubing outer surface includes disposing a composition within the annular space, the composition comprising colloidal silica, water, and an activator.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bis-quaternary ammonium salt of Formula I wherein A is selected from O, NH, S, C(O), C(NH) or C(S); R1 and R2 are independently selected from C1-3 alkyl or H; R3 is C1-16 alkyl, C13-20 aralkyl or C2-16 allyl; X? is selected from chloro, bromo, iodo, hydroxide, nitrate or sulphate; and n and m are independently 1 to 6. Furthermore, a corrosion inhibition formulation comprising said bis-quaternary ammonium salt is revealed. Also, convenient processes for the preparation of the salt of Formula I and the formulation are provided.

Abstract: The subject invention provides multi-functional biochemical compositions, as well as their use in enhancing oil recovery from an oil-bearing subterranean formation. Advantageously, the compositions and methods of the subject invention are operationally-friendly, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly. More specifically, in preferred embodiments, the subject invention provides a multi-functional composition for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) comprising one or more surfactants, one or more chelating agents, and one or more solvents.

Abstract: Mobility control polymers can be used to increase recovery of crude oil from a subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation. A flooding fluid comprising the polymer are injected into a well that is in contact with the subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation. The polymers are derived from reacting a crosslinking agent with a polymer and the crosslinking agent comprises a polyvalent metal ion having a weight/weight ratio of polymer to crosslinking agent of at least 60:1. These flooding fluids have improved injectivity into the well; the improved injectivity can be measured in terms of the flooding fluid's filter ratio, flow rate, and viscosity.

Abstract: Microemulsions comprising an alkyl propoxylated sulfate surfactant and related methods, including methods of use in the treatment of subterranean formations, such as oil and condensate wells, are provided. In some embodiments, the microemulsions and/or methods of use achieve ultra-low interfacial tensions (i.e. less than or equal to 0.01 mN/m) between a wide variety of crude oils and well treatment fluids at various reservoir conditions. In some embodiments, the microemulsion comprises water, an anionic alkyl propoxylated sulfate surfactant, a solvent (e.g., a terpene solvent), and a co-solvent. In some embodiments, the microemulsion further comprises a second and/or third surfactant (e.g., a nonionic and/or an anionic surfactant).

Abstract: Polymeric systems useful for maintaining particle dispersions for extended periods of time.

Abstract: Methods for treating a subterranean formation. An example method includes introducing a treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation. The treatment fluid includes an aqueous base fluid, a cationic or amphoteric friction reducer, and a substituted alkanolamine scale inhibitor. The method further includes contacting scale deposits on a surface in fluid communication with the wellbore and/or subterranean formation with the treatment fluid.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an in-situ emulsification and viscosity increase system with a high phase change point. The system consists of the following components in percentage by weight: 0.2˜0.5% of water-soluble surfactant, 0.2˜1.5% of oil-soluble surfactant, 0.02˜0.5% of lipophilic colloidal particles, 0.02˜0.2% of carrying agent and the balance of mineralized water.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating a subterranean formation. The compositions can include positively and negatively charged divalent ions and a total dissolved solids concentration between 2000 and 3000 ppm. In some implementations, the composition includes calcium and magnesium ions. In some implementations, the composition includes sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate ions. In some implementations, the composition includes iodide, phosphate, or borate ions, or any combination thereof. Methods for treating the subterranean formation can include flowing a first aqueous solution that includes sodium ions into the subterranean formation and flowing a second aqueous solution that has a lower salinity than the first aqueous solution into the subterranean formation, where the second aqueous solution includes positively charged divalent ions, negatively charged divalent ions, and a total dissolved solids concentration between 2000 and 30000 ppm.

Abstract: A method comprises: deriving fluid properties that provide for suspension of particulate diverting agents using a 3-dimensional flow model and based on a downhole temperature and at least one size characteristic of the particulate diverting agents; identifying a treatment fluid composition that comprises a nanoparticulate suspending agent and achieves the fluid properties using a relationship between the treatment fluid composition and the fluid properties; and preparing a treatment fluid or a treatment fluid additive based on the treatment fluid composition.

Abstract: A method for manipulating hydraulic fracture geometry. In one embodiment, the method comprises injecting a fracturing fluid into a well to generate one or more hydraulic fractures in a subsurface rock formation and then substantially draining any fluids from the one or more hydraulic fractures. The method may further comprise injecting a hydrophilic polymer and one or more crosslinking agents into the well to subsequently form low-density hydrogels which may then screen out only each tip of the one or more hydraulic fractures. A working fluid may then be injected into the well to increase fracture width of the one or more hydraulic fractures without substantially increasing fracture length. In an alternative embodiment, the hydrophilic polymer may be fully crosslinked by the one or more crosslinking agents and injected as pre-formed particle gels (PPGs) which may also screen out only each tip of the one or more hydraulic fractures.

Abstract: A method of formulating an oil-based wellbore fluid, the method comprising adding at least a plurality of conductive carbon black agglomerates or pellets having an average size of at least 500 ?m to an oleaginous base fluid, and applying energy to the oil-based wellbore fluid to disperse the plurality of conductive carbon black agglomerates or pellets into the oleaginous base fluid as finer particles than the agglomerates or pellets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a block polymer as fluid loss control agent in a fluid injected under pressure into an oil-bearing rock, where: the fluid comprises solid particles and/or is brought into contact with solid particles within the oil-bearing rock subsequent to its injection, the polymer comprises: a first block which is adsorbed on at least a portion of the particles; and a second block with a composition distinct from that of the first and with a weight-average molecular weight of greater than 10 000 g/mol, for example of greater than 100 000 g/mol, and which is soluble in the fluid.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polymers that self-crosslink at acidic pH or can be crosslinked by phenolic agents in brine. Such polymers have lower viscosity and can be pumped deep into reservoirs, where they will cross link in situ, thus increasing their viscosity and/or form a gel and blocking thief zones. Methods of making and using such polymers are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed here compositions and methods suitable for injection of a nanosurfactant composition into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation for enhanced recovery operations. The nanosurfactant composition includes nanoassemblies that contain a petroleum sulfonate surfactant, mineral oil, a zwitterionic co-surfactant, and a cationic co-surfactant.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide compositions and methods suitable for injection of a nanosurfactant-based foam composition into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation for enhanced recovery operations. The nanosurfactant-based foam composition includes a gaseous component and nanoassemblies. The nanoassemblies contain a petroleum sulfonate surfactant, mineral oil, and a zwitterionic co-surfactant.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide compositions and methods suitable for injection of a nanosurfactant-based foam composition into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation for hydraulic fracturing operations. The nanosurfactant-based foam composition includes a gaseous component and nanoassemblies that contain a petroleum sulfonate surfactant, mineral oil, and a zwitterionic co-surfactant.

Abstract: A composition for use in a wellbore activity, the composition comprising a stabilized divalent iodide brine, the stabilized divalent iodide brine comprises a divalent salt system, where the divalent salt system comprises a divalent iodide, an primary iodide stabilizer, the primary iodide stabilizer operable to remove free iodine, prevent the formation of free iodine, and suppress TCT, and an aqueous fluid, where the stabilized divalent iodide brine has a density greater than 11 lb/gal, where the stabilized divalent iodide brines has a TCT of less than or equal to 70 deg F.

Abstract: Presented herein are methods and systems for mitigating condensate banking for example, by altering the wettability of a rock formation in the vicinity of a wellbore for a gas condensate reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed here compositions and methods suitable for injection of a nanosurfactant-containing fluid into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation for enhanced recovery operations. Embodiments of the composition contain a petroleum sulfonate surfactant, mineral oil, and a zwitterionic co-surfactant.

Abstract: Disclosed are water treatment apparatus and processes for the generation of injection water from seawater and produced water. The first water treatment apparatus includes a reverse osmosis (RO) unit that treats the seawater, a pretreatment unit that pretreats the produced water, and a carrier gas extraction (CGE) unit or dynamic vapor recompression (DyVaR) that treats the pretreated produced water and generates fresh water. The fresh water and the RO permeate are mixed with a portion of the seawater to generate the injection water. A second water treatment apparatus includes a reverse osmosis (RO) unit and a nanofiltration (NF) that treats the seawater in parallel, a pretreatment unit that pretreats the produced water, and a CGE unit or DyVaR unit that treats the pretreated produced water and generates fresh water. The fresh water and the RO permeate are mixed with the NF reject to generate injection water.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons within a reservoir includes (a) injecting an aqueous solution into the reservoir. The aqueous solution includes water and a thermally activated chemical species. The thermally activated chemical species is urea, a urea derivative, or a carbamate. The thermally activated chemical agent is thermally activated at or above a threshold temperature less than 200° C. In addition, the method includes (b) thermally activating the thermally activated chemical species in the aqueous solution during or after (a) at a temperature equal to or greater than the threshold temperature to produce carbon-dioxide and at least one of ammonia, amine, and alkanolamine within the reservoir. Further, the method includes (c) increasing the water wettability of the subterranean formation in response to the thermally activation in (b). Still further, the method includes (d) waterflooding the reservoir with water after (a), (b) and (c).

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds, compositions, and methods having application in the field of enhanced oil recovery (EOR). In particular, provided herein are co-solvents, as well as aqueous compositions comprising these co-solvents, that can be used for the recovery of a large range of crude oil compositions from reservoirs.

Abstract: Viscous aqueous injections fluids including polymers having hydrophilic moieties and hydrophobic groups and at least one of crude oil emulsions and amphiphilic diblock copolymers are provided herein. Methods of making the aqueous injection fluids, and methods of using the aqueous injection fluids for oil recovery are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of establishing a plug in a hydrocarbon reservoir, the method comprising introducing into the reservoir a formulation comprising solid particles and a viscosifier and then reducing the viscosity of said viscosifier, thereby causing said solid particles to form a plug within said hydrocarbon reservoir. Also provided is a method of establishing a plug in a hydrocarbon reservoir, the method comprising introducing into the reservoir a formulation comprising: (a) microorganisms or cell-free enzymes; (b) solid particles; and (c) a viscosifier which is a substrate for the microorganisms or cell-free enzymes of (a). Also provided is a formulation comprising: (a) microorganisms or cell-free enzymes; (b) solid particles made from wood or a wood derived product; and (c) a viscosifier which is a substrate for the microorganisms or cell-free enzymes of (a).

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method for treating a geologic formation that includes providing a hydraulic fracture model, providing a first value representative of a volume of kerogen breaker in a fracturing fluid, determining a discrete fracture network (DFN) based on the hydraulic fracture model and the first value, determining a geomechanical model based on the DFN and a reservoir model based on the DFN, determining a hydrocarbon production volume based on the geomechanical model and the reservoir model, adjusting the first value based on the hydrocarbon production volume, and adjusting a volume of kerogen breaker in the fracturing fluid to a hydrocarbon reservoir based on the adjusted first value.

Abstract: A method of acidizing a subterranean geological formation by injecting an emulsified acid into a wellbore, wherein the emulsified acid includes at least an aqueous phase comprising a hydrochloric acid solution, an oil phase comprising waste oil, and an emulsifier, and wherein the waste oil contains 45-75% by weight of aromatic compounds and preferably contains less than 0.5% by weight of non-hydrocarbon compounds. Various embodiments, and combinations of embodiments, of the emulsified acid and the method of acidizing are provided.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis unit for processing a feed solution is provided. The unit includes a pressure vessel includes an inlet end, an outlet end, and a vessel body extending between the inlet end and the outlet end. The reverse osmosis unit further includes a plurality of first membrane modules positioned within the pressure vessel. Each first membrane module of the plurality of first membrane modules has a first salt permeance value. At least one second membrane module is positioned within the pressure vessel and coupled in flow communication to the plurality of first membrane modules. The at least one second membrane module has a second salt permeance value that is different from the first salt permeance value.

Abstract: A lost circulation material (LCM) is provided having an alkaline nanosilica dispersion and an ester activator. The alkaline nanosilica dispersion and the ester activator may form a gelled solid after interaction over a contact period. Methods of lost circulation control using the LCM are also provided.

Abstract: Enhanced methods of recovering hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon reservoir having a production zone and a water zone underlying the production zone include measuring viscosities of formation water and hydrocarbon from the hydrocarbon reservoir, lowering a mobility ratio of the formation water with respect to the hydrocarbon by formulating a viscosifying polymer blend; forming viscosified water from the formation water in the hydrocarbon reservoir by injecting the viscosifying polymer blend into the water zone of the hydrocarbon reservoir; producing the viscosified water from the hydrocarbon reservoir; and producing the hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon reservoir.

Abstract: Provided herein are liquid polymer (LP) compositions comprising a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer), as well as methods for preparing inverted polymer solutions by inverting these LP compositions in an aqueous fluid. The resulting inverted polymer solutions can have a concentration of a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer) of from 50 to 15,000 ppm, and a filter ratio of 1.5 or less at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter. Also provided are methods of using these inverted polymer solutions in oil and gas operations, including enhanced oil recovery.

Abstract: A method for treating a geologic formation that includes providing a hydraulic fracture model, providing a first value representative of a volume of kerogen breaker in a fracturing fluid, determining a discrete fracture network (DFN) based on the hydraulic fracture model and the first value, determining a geomechanical model based on the DFN and a reservoir model based on the DFN, determining a hydrocarbon production volume based on the geomechanical model and the reservoir model, adjusting the first value based on the hydrocarbon production volume, and adjusting a volume of kerogen breaker in the fracturing fluid to a hydrocarbon reservoir based on the adjusted first value.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to compositions for treatment of a subterranean formation, and methods and systems including the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation that can include obtaining or providing a substantially solid composition. The substantially solid composition can include a hydrogen fluoride precursor salt and an amide hydrochloride salt. The method includes combining the substantially solid composition with a carrier fluid to form a mixture. The method includes placing the mixture in a subterranean formation downhole.

Abstract: A well treatment fluid is provided having an acidic nanosilica dispersion. The nanosilica dispersion of well treatment fluid may form a gelled solid after interaction with a formation over a period. Methods of reducing water production using the well treatment fluids are also provided.

Abstract: The present method forms a cross linked fracturing fluid using produced water. The produced water is a brine water having a TDS content of at least 45,000 mg/L. The produced water is mixed with a crosslinkable guar. The pH of the water is adjusted for hydration, if necessary, by adding acid prior to or with the addition of the guar to the produced water. The guar is allowed to hydrate in the water. A crosslinker is added and, if necessary, a base with or after the addition of the crosslinker, wherein the base is added to adjust the pH of the water for crosslinking.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to methods, compositions, and systems for enhanced oil recovery including a viscosifier polymer. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of enhanced oil recovery that can include obtaining or providing a composition that includes a viscosifier polymer. The viscosifier polymer includes an ethylene repeating unit including a —C(O)NH2 group and an ethylene repeating unit including an —S(O)2OR1 group, where the repeating units are in block, alternate, or random configuration. At each occurrence R1 can be independently selected from the group consisting of —H and a counterion. The method can include placing the composition in a subterranean formation downhole via an injection wellbore. The method can also include extracting material comprising petroleum from the subterranean formation downhole via a production wellbore.

Abstract: Methods for multi-directional enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) are disclosed that involve removal of oil from a reservoir that has an injection well, a producing well, and a plurality of lenses that contain oil and that each span between the injection well and the producing well. One method, among others, involves recovering primary oil from a primary set of lenses via the producing well by alternating injection one or more times of water and an injection gas, or IG (e.g., carbon dioxide, ethane, natural gas, nitrogen, etc., or any combination thereof) into the injection well so that the water and IG enter the primary set in a first direction and move the primary oil in the first direction.