Abstract: A water-based polymer drilling fluid, containing effective quantities of surfactants having HLB numbers equal to or greater than approximately 7, emulsifies oil and bitumen contained in oil sand cuttings, resulting in the oil and bitumen being dispersed into the mud as an emulsion. This eliminates or significantly reduces the ability of the oil, bitumen, and cuttings to clog the well or stick to drill string components when drilling a well through oil-bearing sands, particularly sands containing highly viscous oil or bitumen. The emulsification process separates the sand particles from the oil and bitumen, such that the sand particles can be removed when the mud is run through a conventional shale shaker or other suitable apparatus.

Abstract: A composition of matter and a method of sealing a permeable formation are provided incorporating the composition to reduce or eliminate lost circulation in permeable formations up to at least 6000 psi. The composition comprises one or more sealing components, a wetting component, a viscosifier component, an activator or flocculant component, and an extender. A dry mixture of the components may be added directly from the bag to the drilling mud up to the rate of 90 pounds per barrel. The mixture will seal the formation in an aqueous or organic environment. The mixture de-waters at a rapid rate without regard to the time and temperature required for curing agents or other additives. The mixture may be weighted and does not require additional agents such as defoamers, accelerators, retarders or spacers to de-water and set as a solid plug.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation including providing a well bore that includes a filter cake on at least a portion of the well bore and contacting at least a portion of the filter cake with a filter cake degradation fluid comprising a relative permeability modifier. The method also includes allowing the relative permeability modifier to retain at least a portion of the filter cake degradation fluid in the well bore for a time sufficient to contact the filtercake and allowing the filter cake to degrade.

Abstract: Pumpable multiple phase vesicle compositions carry agents and components downhole or through a conduit, and controllably releasing them at a different place and time by breaking the compositions. In one non-limiting embodiment the pumpable multiple phase vesicles have a third phase containing a first phase which bears the agent to be controllably released. The first and third phases of the vesicles are separated by a surface active material bilayer that forms the second phase. The pumpable multiple phase vesicles may have internal and external phases that are both oil miscible, both aqueous miscible, or both alcohol miscible. The surface active material bilayer may be composed of compounds such as phospholipids, alkyl polyglycosides, gemini surfactants, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan trioleate, and many others. The agent may be released by one or more of a variety of mechanisms.

Abstract: A drilling fluid comprising: a non-ionic surfactant including at least one of a branched alcohol ethoxylate and a capped alcohol ethoxylate, a detergent builder and a viscosifier.

Abstract: An invert emulsion wellbore fluid comprising an oleaginous continuous phase, an aqueous discontinuous phase, and an emulsifying fluid, wherein the emulsifying fluid comprises an aliphatic alcohol and a glycoside, is disclosed.

Abstract: A drilling fluid additive is provided and the additive consist of: syrup solids which are heated to evaporate water and then admixed with a liquid medium, and the syrup solids are derived from a group consisting essentially of agave syrup, barley syrup, sugar syrup, beets syrup, birch syrup, rice syrup, cane syrup, chocolate syrup, coconut syrup, corn syrup, date syrup, fruit syrup, golden syrup, high fructose corn syrup, karo syrup, citrus fruit syrup, maple syrup, molasses, Muscavado syrup, palm syrup, rice syrup, sorghum syrup, Turbinado syrup, vanilla syrup and mixtures and blends thereof.

Abstract: An air drilling misting fluid is provided and the fluid comprises: a continuous liquid phase solution comprising syrup, syrup solids and a first liquid medium, the syrup and syrup solids are derived from a group consisting essentially of agave syrup, barley syrup, sugar syrup, beets syrup, birch syrup, rice syrup, cane syrup, chocolate syrup, coconut syrup, corn syrup, date syrup, fruit syrup, golden syrup, high fructose corn syrup, inverted sugar syrup, karo syrup, citrus fruit syrup, maple syrup, molasses, Muscavado syrup, palm syrup, rice syrup, sorghum syrup, Turbinado syrup, vanilla syrup and mixtures and blends thereof; and a second liquid medium.

Abstract: A water based wellbore fluid that includes an aqueous fluid; a micronized weighting agent; a polysaccharide derivative; and at least one fatty acid ester derivative is disclosed.

Abstract: A water-based polymer drilling fluid, containing effective quantities of surfactants having HLB numbers equal to or greater than approximately 7, emulsifies oil and bitumen contained in oil sand cuttings, resulting in the oil and bitumen being dispersed into the mud as an emulsion. This eliminates or significantly reduces the ability of the oil, bitumen, and cuttings to clog the well or stick to drill string components when drilling a well through oil-bearing sands, particularly sands containing highly viscous oil or bitumen. The emulsification process separates the sand particles from the oil and bitumen, such that the sand particles can be removed when the mud is run through a conventional shale shaker or other suitable apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water-based drilling fluid composition comprising a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), wherein the CMC is characterized by forming a gel at 25° C. after high-shear dissolution in a 0.3 wt % aqueous sodium chloride solution, the final content of the CMC in the aqueous sodium chloride solution being I wt % for a CMC having a degree of polymerization of >4,000, 1.5. wt % for a CMC having a DP of >3,000-4,000, 2 wt % for a CMC having a DD of 1,500-3,000, and 4 wt % for a CMC having a DP of <1,500, the gel being a fluid having a storage modulus (G?) which exceeds the loss modulus (G?) over the entire frequency region of 0.01-10 Hz when measured on an oscillatory rheometer operating at a strain of 0.2.

Abstract: A process for producing a self-disrupting filter cake in an underground formation, which process comprises: (a) incorporating into a drilling fluid a solid polymer capable of being converted by hydrolysis into one or more organic acids; (b) using the drilling fluid to drill a wellbore into the underground formation such that the solid polymer in the drilling fluid contributes to the formation of a filter cake; and (c) allowing the solid polymer to hydrolyse in the presence of water and to disrupt the integrity of the filter cake. A drilling fluid which contains as a bridging agent one or more solid polymers capable of being converted by hydrolysis into one or more organic acids is also provided.

Abstract: An air drilling misting fluid is provided and the fluid comprises: a continuous liquid phase solution comprising syrup, syrup solids and a first liquid medium, the syrup and syrup solids are derived from a group consisting essentially of agave syrup, barley syrup, sugar syrup, beets syrup, birch syrup, rice syrup, cane syrup, chocolate syrup, coconut syrup, corn syrup, date syrup, fruit syrup, golden syrup, high fructose corn syrup, inverted sugar syrup, karo syrup, citrus fruit syrup, maple syrup, molasses, Muscavado syrup, palm syrup, rice syrup, sorghum syrup, Turbinado syrup, vanilla syrup and mixtures and blends thereof; and a second liquid medium.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention relate to a composition and a method for tailoring the rheology of a fluid for use in the oil field services industry including forming a fluid comprising a tetrakis(hydroxyalkyl) phosphonium salt and a polymer, and exposing the fluid to a temperature of about 20° C. to about 200° C., wherein a viscosity is observed that is at least about 5 percent different than if no salt were present. Embodiments of this invention also relate to a composition and a method for tailoring the rheology of a fluid for use in the oil field services industry including forming a fluid comprising a tetrakis(hydroxyalkyl) phosphonium salt and diutan and/or guar and/or guar derivatives and/or a combination thereof, and exposing the fluid to a temperature of about 20° C. to about 163° C., wherein a viscosity is observed that is at least about 5 percent lower than if no salt were present.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided that include a water-in-oil composition comprising an oil-based continuous phase and a discontinuous phase that comprises at least a plurality of hydrogel droplets and a method comprising providing a water-in-oil emulsion comprising an oil-based continuous phase and a discontinuous phase that comprises at least a plurality of hydrogel droplets; and placing the water-in-oil emulsion in a well bore penetrating a subterranean formation. Additional methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of controlling fluid loss from a subterranean formation of a well bore. In a first aspect, the method is done by providing a treatment fluid made of an aqueous fluid and a hydrophobic polymer; and introducing the treatment fluid into the wellbore. In a second aspect, the method is done by providing a treatment fluid made of water and a water soluble polymer; providing in the treatment fluid a fluid loss additive having a hydrophobic polymer; using the treatment fluid in a well bore of a subterranean formation; allowing the treatment fluid to establish a permeable filter cake with the water soluble polymer in at least a portion of the well bore; and allowing hydrophobic polymer to enter into the filter cake to reduce permeability of the filter cake.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods relating to treatment fluids that comprise transient polymer networks in subterranean applications. In one aspect, the invention provides a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and a transient polymer network, and placing the treatment fluid in a subterranean formation. In another aspect, the invention provides a subterranean treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous-base fluid and a transient polymer network.

Abstract: Disclosed are spacer fluids comprising cement kiln dust (“CKD”) and methods of use in subterranean formations.

Abstract: A drilling fluid additive is provided and the additive consist of: syrup solids which are heated to evaporate water and then admixed with a liquid medium, and the syrup solids are derived from a group consisting essentially of agave syrup, barley syrup, sugar syrup, beets syrup, birch syrup, rice syrup, cane syrup, chocolate syrup, coconut syrup, corn syrup, date syrup, fruit syrup, golden syrup, high fructose corn syrup, karo syrup, citrus fruit syrup, maple syrup, molasses, Muscavado syrup, palm syrup, rice syrup, sorghum syrup, Turbinado syrup, vanilla syrup and mixtures and blends thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cross-linkable chitosan composition comprising chitosan having a degree of deacetylation between 30 and 75%, wherein the chitosan is randomly deacetylated, and a cross-linking agent, wherein the molar ratio of the cross-linking agent to chitosan is 0.2:1 or less based on the number of functional groups in the cross-linking agent and the number of accessible amino groups in the chitosan. The invention also provides a chitosan hydrogel formed therefrom and uses thereof.

Abstract: Aqueous fluids for circulation through a well during drilling operations, especially drilling operations where shale and another clay bearing formations are encountered, and methods for circulating such clay stabilizing drilling fluids are provided for. The drilling fluid comprises an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifying polymer, a starch, and a chloride-free clay stabilizer. In one embodiment, the starch is selected from the group consisting of potato and corn starch and mixtures thereof and is present in relatively high amounts, i.e., starch in amounts from about 6 to about 18 lb/barrel of fluid, and stabilizer in amounts up to about 3% by volume of fluid. Other embodiments provide concentrations of polymer, starch, and clay stabilizer effective to provide the fluid with clay swelling of about 10% or less, preferably about 5% or less, and shale disintegration of about 10% or less, preferably about 5% or less. Preferably the novel fluids also comprise an environmentally friendly lubricant and surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bridging agents for use in subterranean formations, to well drill-in and servicing fluids comprising such bridging agents, and to methods of using such bridging agents and well drill-in and servicing fluids in subterranean drilling operations. An example of a well drill-in and servicing fluid of the present invention comprises a viscosified fluid, a fluid loss control additive, and a bridging agent comprising a degradable material.

Abstract: A downhole wellbore filtercake breaker is disclosed comprising one or more breaker chemicals (or activators thereof) capable of being activated with radiation to form one or more breaker reaction products which in turn are capable of reacting with the filtercake to chemically break down the filtercake. There is also disclosed a conventional reservoir drilling fluid modified to include an inactive, delayed, or sequestered breaker chemical or an activator thereof, wherein the breaker chemical (or activator) may be activated directly or indirectly by radiation, such as, microwave, visible, uV, soft x-ray, or other electromagnetic radiation. Also disclosed are methods for creating these filtercakes, and then breaking them via deploying a source of radiation that can be energized proximate to the filtercake. The breaker may be regenerated downhole by reaction with the filtercake breakdown products, and subjected again to a source of radiation to continue the breakdown of filtercake.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bridging agents for use in subterranean formations, to well drill-in and servicing fluids comprising such bridging agents, and to methods of using such bridging agents and well drill-in and servicing fluids in subterranean drilling operations. An example of a well drill-in and servicing fluid of the present invention comprises a viscosified fluid, a fluid loss control additive, and a bridging agent comprising a degradable material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water-based fluid for applications in the oil field, comprising non-ionic surfactants, stable at temperatures ranging from 10 to 90° C., having an HLB ranging from 8 to 20 and soluble in water, with a saline content ranging from 0 to 60% by weight, and possibly salts. The fluid can be conveniently used as completion fluid for preventing the formation of inverse W/O emulsions or as a remedial fluid for resolving emulsions already formed in oil wells in which oil-based mud has been used.

Abstract: Treatments fluids relating to the hydrolysis of water-hydrolysable materials are provided. In one embodiment, provided is a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous liquid, a water-miscible solvent, and a water-hydrolysable material. Also provided is a hydrolysis retarder composition that comprises an aqueous liquid and a water-miscible solvent.

Abstract: A drilling fluid additive is provided and the additive consist of: syrup solids in the amount from about 30 to about 90% by weight of total volume of the additive and a liquid medium in the amount from about 10 to about 70% by weight of total volume of the additive, said syrup solids are derived from a group consisting essentially of agave syrup, barley syrup, sugar syrup, beets syrup, birch syrup, rice syrup, cane syrup, chocolate syrup, coconut syrup, corn syrup, date syrup, fruit syrup, golden syrup, high fructose corn syrup, karo syrup, citrus fruit syrup, maple syrup, molasses, Muscavado syrup, palm syrup, rice syrup, sorghum syrup, Turbinado syrup, vanilla syrup and mixtures and blends thereof.

Abstract: Many methods are provided herein including, in one embodiment, a method comprising: providing a fluid that comprises an acid, crosslinked oxidized xanthan, and optionally, a base fluid; placing the fluid in a well bore penetrating a subterranean formation; and allowing the fluid to acidize at least a portion of the formation or damage contained therein. In another embodiment, herein provided is a fluid for subterranean uses comprising an acid and crosslinked, oxidized xanthan.

Abstract: The invention provides aqueous based well drilling and servicing fluids containing a polymer viscosifier with enhanced thermal stability provided by a diacid or diacid salt preferably having about two to about eight carbon atoms, such as, for example, sodium oxalate. The invention also provides a method of enhancing the thermal stability of aqueous based well drilling and servicing fluids containing a polymer viscosifer by adding diacid or diacid salt to the fluids.

Abstract: A drilling fluid additive is provided and the additive consist of: hydrolyzed glucose syrup solids in the amount from about 30 to about 90% by weight of total volume of the additive and a liquid medium in the amount from about 10 to about 70% by weight of total volume of the additive.

Abstract: A water-based drilling fluid containing Mn3O4 has been found to be effective in providing petroleum reservoirs with the ability to flow naturally and achieve a return permeability of 90% or greater without the need for acidizing treatments.

Abstract: Aqueous fluids comprising polysaccharide, dissolved salt, and borate anions. The fluids are useful, for example, as a drilling fluid.

Abstract: Of the many methods provided, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a method comprising: placing a drill-in fluid in a subterranean formation, the drill-in fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifier, a relative permeability modifier fluid loss control additive, and a degradable bridging agent comprising a degradable material capable of undergoing an irreversible degradation downhole; and forming a self-degrading filter cake comprising the bridging agent upon a surface within the formation whereby fluid loss through the self-degrading filter cake is reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed are stabilized aqueous polymer compositions containing A) a stabilizing amount of a least a sulfur dye or containing a stabilizing amount of a sulfur dye with a compound comprising a heterocyclic system containing nitrogen and sulphur as ring heteroatoms and B) at least one polymer comprising groups which are capable of complex formation with ions. The aqueous polymer compositions are stabilized against thermal or other degradation processes of the polymer by addition of component A) to allow their use even under harsh conditions.

Abstract: Of the many compositions provided herein, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a drill-in fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifier, a relative permeability modifier fluid loss control additive, and a degradable bridging agent comprising a degradable material capable of undergoing an irreversible degradation downhole.

Abstract: Of the many methods provided herein, the present invention provides a method comprising: providing a drill-in fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifier, a relative permeability modifier fluid loss control additive, and a degradable bridging agent comprising a degradable material capable of undergoing an irreversible degradation downhole; placing the drill-in fluid in a subterranean formation; and allowing the relative permeability modifier fluid loss control additive to reduce fluid loss from the drill-in fluid to the subterranean formation. Another example is a method of degrading a filter cake in a subterranean formation comprising: providing a filter cake produced by a drill-in fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifier, a relative permeability modifier fluid loss control additive, and a degradable bridging agent comprising a degradable material capable of undergoing an irreversible degradation downhole; and allowing the degradable bridging agent to degrade.

Abstract: Methods of degrading filter cakes in subterranean formations are provided. An example of a method is a method of drilling a well bore in a subterranean formation. Another example of a method is a method of degrading a filter cake in a subterranean formation, the filter cake comprising an inorganic portion and an organic portion, and having been established in the formation by a well drill-in and servicing fluid that comprises a delayed-release acid component. An example of a composition is a well drill-in and servicing fluid.

Abstract: A process of preparing a well servicing fluid comprising viscosifying a heavy brine by contacting with a cationic polysaccharide and a composition thereof.

Abstract: A composition of matter and a method of sealing a permeable formation is provided incorporating the composition to reduce or eliminate lost circulation in permeable formations. The composition comprises one or more sealing components, ranging in size from approximately 10 to approximately 750 microns, a wetting component, a viscosifier component and an activator or flocculant. A dry mixture of the components may be added directly from the bag to the drilling mud to the permeable formation and will not set up inside the drill string. The mixture will seal the formation in an aqueous or organic environment, thus removing the need to form a pill in a slugging pit prior to introduction. The mixture dewaters at a rapid rate without regard to the time and temperature required for curing agents or other additives. The mixture does not require additional agents such as defoamers, accelerators, retarders or spacers to dewater and set as a solid plug.

Abstract: There is provided a wellbore fluid comprising a polymeric saccharide having a number average molecular weight of not more than 50,000 which is a fructan or a partially-hydrolysed fructan or partially-hydrolysed starch, said fructan of partially-hydrolysed fructan or partially-hydrolysed starch having been modified by the introduction of one or more groups having the formula R—NH—CO— and/or R—CO—, wherein R represents a group having 4 to 32 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A water-based drilling fluid containing Mn3O4 has been found to be effective in providing petroleum reservoirs with the ability to flow naturally and achieve a return permeability of 90% or greater without the need for acidizing treatments.

Abstract: Farnesene dimers and/or farnesane dimers and compositions thereof are described. The compositions provided comprise conventional additives. Methods of making and using the compounds and composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: An under-balanced drilling fluid additive is disclosed which reduces reactive shale and/or clay swelling during under-balanced drilling operations, where the additive includes an effective amount of a choline salt. A method for under-balanced drilling is also disclosed including the step of circulating a drilling fluid including an effective amount of a choline salt to reduce reactive shale and/or clay swelling during under-balanced drilling operations.

Abstract: Mesophase fluids may be pre-formed or formed in situ and may be used downhole for various treatments including, but not limited to, cleaning up and removing non-polar materials from reservoir production zones, removing wellbore damage, releasing stuck pipe, components in spacers and pills and the like in oil and gas wells. These treatments involve solubilization of the non-polar material into the emulsion when the treatment fluid contacts non-polar materials. These mesophase fluids use extended chain surfactants having propoxylated/ethoxylated spacer arms. The extended chain surfactants are intramolecular mixtures containing hydrophilic and lipophilic portions. They attain high solubilization in the mesophase fluids (e.g. single phase microemulsions), are in some instances insensitive to temperature and are useful for a wide variety of oil types.

Abstract: Improved in-situ filter cake degradation compositions for use in subterranean formations, well drill-in and servicing fluids including such in-situ filter cake degradation compositions, and methods of using such in-situ filter cake degradation compositions and well drill-in and servicing fluids in subterranean operations are provided. An example of a method is a method for forming a self-degrading filter cake in a subterranean formation. Another example of a method is a method of drilling a well bore in a subterranean formation. Another example of a method is a method of degrading a filter cake in a subterranean formation. An example of a composition is a well drill-in and servicing fluid. Another example of a composition is an in-situ filter cake degradation composition.

Abstract: Aqueous wellbore treatment fluids having improved thermal stability are provided. The wellbore treatment fluids comprise at least one polysaccharide and an effective amount of at least one polyacrylamide to maintain its stability at a temperature greater than about 250° F. A formate compound is not required to achieve high-temperature stability in the fluid. Thus, the fluid is less expensive than conventional polymer-containing aqueous wellbore treatment fluids. The aqueous fluid may serve as, for example, a drilling fluid in the wellbore and thus may be circulated through the wellbore without being concerned that it could become unstable due to exposure to relatively high downhole temperatures.

Abstract: Methods of improving the thermal stability of an aqueous wellbore treatment fluid are provided. The wellbore treatment fluid comprises at least one polysaccharide and an effective amount of at least one polyacrylamide to maintain its stability at a temperature greater than about 250° F. A formate compound is not required to achieve high-temperature stability in the fluid. Thus, the fluid is less expensive than conventional polymer-containing aqueous wellbore treatment fluids. The aqueous fluid may serve as, for example, a drilling fluid in the wellbore. It may be circulated through the wellbore without being concerned that it could become unstable due to exposure to relatively high downhole temperatures.

Abstract: The invention provides (1) a method of increasing the thermal stability of an oleaginous liquid containing a high surface area silica viscosifier therein by adding a water soluble biopolymer thereto; and (2) a drilling, completion, workover, or well servicing fluid comprising an oleaginous liquid, a water soluble biopolymer, and a high surface area silica viscosifier. The method and fluid may optionally contain a low molecular weight polar additive preferably having a molecular weight less than about 400 and containing one or more polar groups per molecule selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, and mixtures thereof.

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: A method of servicing a wellbore comprising introducing to the wellbore a wellbore servicing fluid comprising an additive composition comprising a polysaccharide having carboxylate and sulfonate groups. A method of servicing a wellbore comprising preparing at the well site an additive composition comprising a polysaccharide having carboxylate and sulfonate groups,introducing the additive composition into a wellbore servicing fluid, and placing the wellbore servicing fluid into a subterranean formation. A method of preparing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising contacting a polysaccharide composition with an oxidizing agent to form an oxidized polysaccharide, and contacting the oxidized polysaccharide with a sulfonating agent to form a carboxylated sulfonated polysaccharide, and contacting the carboxylated sulfonated polysaccharide with a wellbore servicing fluid.