Abstract: A method of drilling a subterranean formation includes providing an invert emulsion fluid comprising an oleaginous continuous phase; an internal phase comprising water; bentonite; and mixed metal layered hydroxides comprising hydroxide ions associated with at least two metal cations wherein one is divalent and another is trivalent; and drilling the subterranean formation with the drilling fluid. Invert emulsion drilling fluids include an oleaginous continuous phase; an internal phase comprising water; sodium bentonite; and mixed metal layered hydroxides comprising hydroxide ions associated with at least two metal cations.

Abstract: A composition useful for crosslinking phosphate esters in hydrocarbon gels used in formation fracturing performs especially well in cold temperatures, such as temperatures lower than (?)20° C. Methods of making the crosslinking composition and the gel are described; also methods of fracturing subterranean formations. Specific forms of ferric sulfate and ferric ammonium citrate are useful as ingredients of the crosslinking composition.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a unique drilling fluid composition and method for reducing lost mud circulation in wellbores due to seepage loss into fluid permeable subterranean formations. The drilling fluid composition comprises a variety of shapes and sizes of distinctive unadulterated elastomeric rubber particles derived from the tire retreading (recapping) process. These elastomeric rubber particles are incorporated into an aqueous, hydrocarbon, or synthetic drilling fluid in sufficient amounts as to plug holes, fractures, and fissures, form a mud cake, and thus stem the loss of drilling fluids from the lost circulation zone.

Abstract: A composition useful for crosslinking phosphate esters in hydrocarbon gels used in formation fracturing performs especially well in cold temperatures, such as temperatures lower than (?)20° C. Methods of making the crosslinking composition and the gel are described; also methods of fracturing subterranean formations. Specific forms of ferric sulfate and ferric ammonium citrate are useful as ingredients of the crosslinking composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an organic composition containing a functional component selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic polymer, an enzyme, a setting agent, a paraffin, an oil, a colorant and a hair or skin care substance. The method includes providing an n-nonyl ether, a functional component which is able to react with an n-nonyl alcohol component, and, if appropriate, at least one further additive substance; and mixing the n-nonyl ether, the functional component and the at least one further additive substance. The invention further relates to a method for producing and using a molded article, a method for producing an item to be packaged, the use of at least one n-nonyl ether, a method for producing and/or cleaning the surfaces of boreholes, drilling devises or drill cuttings, and also to methods for producing an oil or a gas.

Abstract: The present application relates to granules of powdery mineral particles produced by spray granulation of a liquid slurry comprising powdery minerals particles having particle size below 10 m, at least one water-reducing agent and/or at least one binder agent and/or at least one dispersing agent. The application further relates to a method for producing such granules.

Abstract: There is provided an improved method for removing water from oil based drilling fluids used in the drilling of boreholes through the ground wherein MgSO4 (magnesium sulfate) is added to the drilling fluid to scavenge the water therefrom.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of mixed hydroxydes of bivalent and trivalent metals with a three-dimensional spaced-lattice structure of the garnet type to control the thixotropic thickening of aqueous preparations, using swellable clays and/or other swellable layer-silicate compounds of natural and/or synthetic origin as visosity-increasing agents. The preferred garnet-type mixed hydroxydes are catoites of the basic structure Ca.sub.3 Al.sub.2 (OH).sub.12 a minor proportion of whose OH units can be exchanged for acid groups, in particular silicate groups.

Abstract: Corrosion inhibiting composition include the use of certain plant derived catechol complexes in aqueous based compositions, such as process water, and other aqueous and non-aqueous solvent based coating compositions. The compositions have corrosion inhibiting and/or biocide activity. The compositions find particular usefulness as coatings, including paints, on iron and aluminum metal surfaces.

Abstract: This invention concerns tin-, cerium-, and base-treated tin-bearing lignosulfonates, a process for their preparation from calcium lignosulfonate, and a process for the use thereof as drilling fluid additives.

Abstract: Aqueous drilling muds effective at high temperature containing complexes, preformed or formed in situ, of tetravalent zirconium with one or more organic acids, or relative salts, of general formula (I) ##STR1## where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, which can be the same or different, represent --H, --COOH, --CH.sub.3, --CH.sub.2 COOH or --CH(OH)COOH, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 jointly represent an oxo group (.dbd.O).

Abstract: This invention concerns tin-, cerium-, and base-treated tin-bearing lignosulfonates, a process for their preparation from calcium lignosulfonate, and a process for the use thereof as drilling fluid additives.

Abstract: A blended additive composition, which is useful for thinning aqueous drilling fluids, is disclosed. The composition includes a first component selected from the group including: a modified tannin, a modified lignite and sodium lignosulfonate; a second component being a polymer prepared from acrylic acid; and a third component being a metal compound selected from the group of metals including iron, tin, chromium, manganese, titanium, aluminum and zinc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to drilling fluid additives, more particularly to superior drilling fluid thinners or polyfunctional drilling fluid conditioners, and methods of their preparation. The thinners comprise chelates and complexes prepared by reaction of sulfonitrohumic acid and sulfolignin with compounds of elements of Groups IVB and VIII of the periodic table, and especially titanium zirconium iron sulfolignin sulfonitrohumates, as well as mixture formed in the reaction. These chelates are stable, and are readily binded with clay and have a good heat resistance. The thinners of the present invention can remarkably reduce viscosity, yield point, gel strength and water loss of well-drilling fluids, and have a high salts and calcium resistivity, and can be widely used in extracting and exploiting petroleum, natural gas, geothermal fluids and underground water.

Abstract: Novel compositions useful as fluid gelling agents, especially for use in subterranean applications such as drilling fluids, are prepared by reacting an aqueous dispersion of a clay, such as bentonite, with an aqueous gel of a monodispersed mixed metal layered hydroxide of the formula Li.sub.m D.sub.d T(OH).sub.(m+2d+3+na) A.sub.J.sup.n where D is a divalent metal, such as Mg, T is a trivalent metal, such as Al, and A represents other monovalent or polyvalent anions, the formula being described in detail in the disclosure.