Abstract: A drilling fluid composition comprising a continuous phase and a disperse phase, the continuous phase comprising fatty acid methyl esters derived from soy oil, and sunflower lecithin as an emulsifier. A method for increasing the electrical stability of a drilling fluid composition.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for using lubricants in subterranean formations, and specifically lubricants that comprise certain oils, surfactants and solvents, and methods for their use, are provided. In one embodiment, the methods include introducing a treatment fluid that includes a base fluid and a lubricant including at least one vegetable oil, at least one nonionic surfactant, and at least one cosolvent into at least a portion of a subterranean formation.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an aqueous acidizing fluid. In addition to an acid, the fluid contains an organophosphorus surfactant and/or an acid retarder. The organophosphorus surfactant may be an amino phosphonate or a phosphino carboxylate. The acid retarder comprises the combination of urea or a urea derivative and a bifunctional organic compound. Suitable bifunctional organic compounds contain at least one quaternary ammonium or phosphonium and at least one alcohol as well as salts of nitrogen containing heterocyclic rings.

Abstract: A method of minimizing the weight loss of mass of the drilling pipe and wellbore casing while drilling a subterranean well with an oil-based drilling fluid comprising adding to the oil-based drilling fluid an anti-wear additive based on sulfated, sulfonated or sulfited natural oils or fats of vegetable or animal origin.

Abstract: A method of spearheading an acid into a wellbore is adapted to avoid the gelation of a friction reducer polymer. The method comprises injecting a synthetic or modified acid composition down a wellbore, the composition comprising: a synthetic or modified acid; a solvent; and a chelating agent. Optionally the composition may comprise a corrosion inhibitor package. The method further includes allowing sufficient time for the synthetic or modified acid composition to react with material which require acidic treatment and injecting a fracturing composition comprising a liquid and a friction reducing polymer down the wellbore.

Abstract: GSH Dry Lubricant Additive is, chemically, magnesium aluminum silicate. It is a clay rich in titanium, magnesium, and aluminum. As an inanimate object, it does not “function” per se, but rather its properties are as such that it is highly beneficial to the drilling industry. It has a naturally high lubricity, a high stall torque, high gel strength, but a low plastic viscosity. This means that it effectively cools the bit while drilling, reduces friction in the system, supports cuttings better, but is easier to break out of a static gel strength than traditional engineered muds. Finally, as a high suspendability, low solids content material, it acts as a natural gel-state cement for unconsolidated LCM particles, effectively strengthening the wellbore.

Abstract: Alkyl ester spotting fluid compositions and processes for freeing differentially stuck pipe are provided. An alkyl ester spotting fluid composition includes an invert emulsion having an alkyl ester as the external phase and water as the internal phase. In some embodiments, the alkyl ester spotting fluid composition may include the alkyl ester invert emulsion and an emulsifier. The alkyl ester spotting fluid composition may be introduced downhole in the vicinity of a portion of a differentially stuck pipe such that the spotting fluid composition contacts the mudcake and frees the differentially stuck pipe.

Abstract: An oil-based drilling fluid and a method for maintaining viscosity of an oil-based drilling fluid over a temperature range of about 120° F. to about 40° F. The oil-based drilling fluid comprises a quaternary ammonium ion having a corresponding quaternary ammonium salt having a neat shear strength value less than 6000 lb/100 ft2. The organoclay drilling fluid additive imparts a first high shear viscosity to the oil-based drilling fluid at temperatures of 40° F. or less and imparts a second high shear viscosity to the oil-based drilling fluid at temperatures greater than or equal to 120°, wherein the difference between the first high shear viscosity and the second high shear viscosity is less than 110%. The organoclay drilling fluid additive, further imparts a first low shear viscosity to the oil-based drilling fluid at temperatures of 40° F. or less and imparts a second low shear viscosity to the oil-based drilling fluid at temperatures greater than or equal to 120° F.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to guanidine- or guanidinium-containing clay or shale stabilizers for treatment of subterranean formations, in various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation that can include placing a composition including a clay or shale stabilizer including at least one of a substituted guanidine group and a substituted guanidinium group in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A conveyance system is provided which conveys an object to a machining apparatus using a conveying apparatus and which further enables power saving. A controller calculates a first conveyance completion estimated time when conveyance from a first mounting position to machining apparatuses at a reference speed is complete. If a request to load a next object into the machining apparatus is issued by the machining apparatus, the controller decides a first moving speed of a conveying apparatus to be a reference speed when the machining apparatus is not performing a machining operation at the first conveyance completion estimated time and to be a low speed lower than the reference speed when the machining apparatus is performing the machining operation at the first conveyance completion estimated time.

Abstract: Weakly consolidated formations, semi consolidated formations, or unconsolidated formations treated with an aggregating, agglomerating or conglomerating composition, which alters an aggregation or zeta potential of formation surfaces and particulate to increase a maximum sand free production rate of producing formations and increases the injection rate of injection formations.

Abstract: Emulsions usable within a wellbore as drilling fluids can be prepared by adding an internal phase to an external phase to form an emulsion base, and adding solid organophilizated mineral structures, a matrix stabilizing agent, a weighting agent, and a secondary stabilizer to the emulsion base. The solid organophilizated mineral structures stabilize the emulsion base and affect the rheology thereof, and the matrix stabilizing agent and the secondary stabilizer can retain the stability and viscosity of the emulsion base in the presence of hydrophilic solids. In addition to use as a wellbore fluid independently, usable emulsions can be compatible with and combined with traditional emulsions to form a mixture usable within a wellbore a drilling fluid.

Abstract: Biofouling may be prevented or at least mitigated by employing a cinnamaldehyde additive to augment the affect of the conventional biocide. Exemplary cinnamaldehyde additives include, but are not limited to, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid and cinnamyl alcohol. A cinnamaldehyde additive by itself, in some embodiments, may also inhibit biofouling.

Abstract: A wellbore fluid that includes an aqueous based fluid; an amphoteric, viscoelastic surfactant; and a modified starch is disclosed. Methods of drilling subterranean wells, methods of reducing the loss of fluid out of subterranean wells, and methods of completing wellbores using aqueous-based fluids having an ampoteric, viscoelastic surfactant and a modified starch are also disclosed.

Abstract: A biocidal composition comprising tributyl tetradecyl phosphonium chloride and tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate at a weight ratio of 2:1 to 1:10, and its use for the control of microorganisms in aqueous and water-containing systems.

Abstract: Methods relate to using phosphate and/or nitrate brines to reduce hydrate formation in flowlines under conditions conducive for hydrate formation in the absence of the phosphate and/or nitrate brine. The phosphate and/or nitrate brines may include compatible anti-corrosion additives.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling microbial growth and/or activity in a gas field fluid or oil field fluid are provided, comprising: a) adding a first biocide component to the gas field fluid or oil field fluid in an amount effective to control microbial growth and/or activity; and b) after a delay, adding a second biocide component to the gas field fluid or oil field fluid.

Abstract: A method of controlling or arresting the rate of depolymerization of a polymer composition during a biocide treatment by controlling the pH of the composition, and use of such methods in oilfield applications.

Abstract: Coacervate gels having excellent shear viscosities and other properties are made with anionic or cationic polymers, a smaller amount of a surfactant having a charge opposite that of the polymer, and a hydrophobic alcohol and an effective amount of a phosphorus-containing compound sufficient to increase the viscosity of coacervate gels up to 3 times as compared to the gels in the absence of the phosphorus-containing compound. The Zeta Potential of the gel is maintained at an absolute value of at least 20. Optional gel promoting additives include betaines and amine oxides. A preferred gel comprises poly diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, a lesser amount of sodium lauryl sulfonate, and lauryl alcohol. The gels are particularly useful in well drilling fluids and well fracturing fluids.

Abstract: A corrosion control system is disclosed including an anionic oxygen inhibitor, a cationic acid inhibitor or dispersant, and a noxious species inhibitor or scavenger for use in a fluid in contact with a metallic surface at low temperature, moderate temperature and especially at high temperature. A drilling fluid, a completion fluid, a production fluid and a geothermal fluid including an effective amount of the corrosion control system is also disclosed as well as methods for making and using same.

Abstract: A drilling fluid comprising: a non-ionic surfactant including: a branched alcohol ethoxylate and/or a capped alcohol ethoxylate; and a detergent builder.

Abstract: An invert emulsion drilling fluid, and a method for the use thereof in drilling wellbores, with good rheological properties at high temperatures and pressures. One embodiment of the drilling fluids is free of organophilic clays and lignites, free of calcium chloride, and comprises glycerol in the internal phase, and a suspension agent comprising a combination of a fatty dimer diamine and a short chain acid, such as citric acid. In one embodiment, the base oil for the emulsion is a paraffin and/or mineral oil. The drilling fluids provide good rheological properties including good suspension of drill cuttings.

Abstract: An invert emulsion drilling fluid, and a method of drilling with such fluid, having substantially flat or relatively controlled rheology, as demonstrated by the drilling fluid exhibiting little change in its yield point and gel strength across a temperature range of from about 40° F. to about 180° F., and effected with addition of a fatty dimer diamine additive together with an acid and without the addition of organophilic clays or lignites.

Abstract: A corrosion control system is disclosed including an anionic oxygen inhibitor, a cationic acid inhibitor or dispersant, and a noxious species inhibitor or scavenger for use in a fluid in contact with a metallic surface at low temperature, moderate temperature and especially at high temperature. A drilling fluid, a completion fluid, a production fluid and a geothermal fluid including an effective amount of the corrosion control system is also disclosed as well as methods for making and using same.

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 fluid may contain nanoparticles and a base fluid where the base fluid may be a non-aqueous fluid. The base fluid may be, but is not limited to a drilling fluid, a completion fluid, a production fluid, and/or a stimulation fluid. The fluid may have at least one property, such as but not limited to a dielectric constant ranging from about 5 to about 10,000, an electrical conductivity ranging from about 1×10?6 S/m to about 1 S/m, and combinations thereof. The non-aqueous fluid may be a brine-in-oil emulsion, or a water-in-oil emulsion, and combinations thereof. The addition of nanoparticles to the base fluid may modify the electrical properties of the fluid.

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 method of servicing a wellbore in contact with a subterranean formation, comprising placing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising a drilling fluid and lost circulation material into a lost circulation zone within the wellbore, wherein the lost circulation material comprises a polyelectrolyte multilayer material and a first counterion. A wellbore servicing fluid comprising a drilling fluid and a lost circulation material comprising a polyelectrolyte multilayer material and a counterion comprising a halide, wherein the LCM has a first state that is hydrophilic. A tunable lost circulation material comprising a base material, a polyelectrolyte multilayer on said base material, wherein the polyelectrolyte multilayer comprises a first electrolyte layer, a second electrolyte layer, and a charged surface, and a counterion, wherein wettability of the lost circulation material is a function of the counterion.

Abstract: Methods relate to using phosphate and/or nitrate brines to reduce hydrate formation in flowlines under conditions conducive for hydrate formation in the absence of the phosphate and/or nitrate brine. The phosphate and/or nitrate brines may include compatible anti-corrosion additives.

Abstract: A water-based drilling fluid which includes an aqueous fluid and a water-soluble dissipative surfactant composition is described, wherein the dissipative surfactant composition includes at least one fatty acid or ester derivative of a plant or vegetable oil. Also described are methods of using such aqueous-based drilling fluids including the dissipative surfactant composition as described in hydrocarbon recovery operations associated with oil/tar sand, where such fluids act to increase the dispersant qualities of hydrocarbons within the oil/tar sand, and where such fluid exhibit a reduced coefficient of friction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preventing or alleviating the problems associated with corrosion and to novel formulations for use in such a method.

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: Phosphate brines are disclosed having reduced corrosive ratings. The phosphate brines include an additive system that reduces the corrosiveness of the phosphate brines compared to the phosphate brines in the absence of the additive system.

Abstract: Non-settable spacer fluids for use in subterranean operations comprising: a base liquid; vitrified shale; a chelating agent; a clay weighting agent; and a viscosifying agent. The chelating agent includes one or more of nitrilotriacetic acid, ethylene diamine tetracetic acid (EDTA), ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA), tartaric acid, a polycarboxylic acid, a lignosulphonate, hydroxyethylidene diphoshponic acid (HEDP), diethylene triamine penta (methylene phosphonic) acid (DETMP), amino-tri-methylene phosphonic acid (ATMP), ethylene diamine tetra (methylene phosphonic) acid (EDTMP), or salts thereof. The clay weighting agent is present in the range of about 0.01% to about 85% by weight of the spacer fluid. The viscosifying agent is present in the range of about 1% to about 10% by weight of the spacer fluid.

Abstract: A base fluid may contain graphene nanoparticles where the base fluid may include an oil-based fluid, a water-based fluid, and combinations thereof. The oil-based fluid may be a brine-in-oil emulsion, or a water-in-oil emulsion, and the water-based fluid may be an oil-in-water emulsion, or an oil-in-brine emulsion; and combinations thereof. The addition of graphene nanoparticles to the base fluid may improve one or more properties of the fluid, which may include the flow assurance properties of the fluid, the fluid loss control properties of the fluid, the rheological properties of the fluid, the stability of the fluid, the lubricity of the fluid, the electrical properties of the fluid, the viscosity of the fluid, the thermal properties of the fluid, and combinations thereof. The fluid may be a drilling fluid, a completion fluid, a production fluid, and/or a servicing fluid.

Abstract: Coacervate gels having excellent shear viscosities and other properties are made with anionic or cationic polymers, a smaller amount of a surfactant having a charge opposite that of the polymer, and a hydrophobic alcohol and an effective amount of a phosphorus-containing compound sufficient to increase the viscosity of coacervate gels up to 3 times as compared to the gels in the absence of the phosphorus-containing compound. The Zeta Potential of the gel is maintained at an absolute value of at least 20. Optional gel promoting additives include betaines and amine oxides. A preferred gel comprises poly diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, a lesser amount of sodium lauryl sulfonate, and lauryl alcohol. The gels are particularly useful in well drilling fluids and well fracturing fluids.

Abstract: A method of formulating a wellbore fluid that includes precipitating a weighting agent from a solution; and adding the precipitated weighting agent to a base fluid to form a wellbore fluid is disclosed. Fluids and methods of formulating wellbore fluids that contain dispersant coated precipitated weighting agents are also disclosed.

Abstract: Fluids for use in hydrocarbon recovery operations include water and at least one organo-anionic surfactant. The fluids may be used in methods for conducting hydrocarbon recovery operations, such as drilling operations, completion operations, production operations, injection operations. The fluid may be adapted to remediate a NAF filter cake. Exemplary organo-anionic surfactants may include one or more of monoethanol ammonium alkyl aromatic sulfonic acid, monoethanol ammonium alkyl carboxylic acid, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An invert emulsion drilling fluid, and a method of drilling with such fluid, having improved rheology at low mud weights and high temperatures. The improved rheology is effected with addition of hydrophobic amines, most preferably dimer diamines.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved lubrication in drilling and completion fluids used in subterrane drilling for oil and gas. The addition of zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP) acts as a lubricant, an enhancer to other lubricants and rate of penetration enhancer.

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: This invention relates to methods and compositions useful in treating crude sources, and more specifically, to methods and compositions useful in reducing the concentration of phosphorus in crude streams and hydrocarbon flowback fluids. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods that include a method comprising: providing a crude stream or a hydrocarbon flowback fluid; optionally testing the crude stream or the hydrocarbon flowback fluid for total phosphorus content; optionally testing the crude stream or hydrocarbon flowback fluid for volatile phosphorus content; adding a solution comprising a trivalent metal ion to the crude stream or the hydrocarbon flowback fluid; adding a sufficient amount of a caustic solution to the crude stream or the hydrocarbon flowback fluid to raise the pH of the stream or the fluid to about 8 or more; allowing at least a plurality of precipitates to form; removing at least one precipitate; and forming a clean crude stream or a clean hydrocarbon flowback fluid.

Abstract: An aqueous hydraulic fluid composition comprising a first lubricant comprising at least one phospholipid and a second lubricant comprising an alkoxylate salt. The aqueous hydraulic fluid composition contains less than about 20% by weight (preferably none or substantially none) of an oil selected from the group consisting of mineral oils, synthetic hydrocarbon oils, and mixtures thereof. The use of alkoxylate salts provides increased lubricity and also acts as an emulsion stabilizer for the composition.

Abstract: Compositions comprising: (A) at least one surfactant of the general formula (I) (R1—[(O—(CH2)2)x1(O—CH(CH3)CH2)x2]O)kP(?O)(OH)3-k??(I) wherein the sequence of the alkyleneoxy units is arbitrary, each R1 independently represents a moiety selected from the group consisting of linear and branched C12-C22-alkyl, C12-C22-alkenyl, C12-C22-alkynyl, (C11-C21-alkyl)carbonyl, (C11-C21-alkenyl)carbonyl and (C11-C21-alkynyl)carbonyl, k represents 1 or 2 and x1 and x2 each independently represent an integer of 0 to 20, the sum of x1 and x2 being a number of 1 to 20; and (B) at least one thickener comprising at least two hydrophobic groups R2 which are linked to one another via a bridging hydrophilic group (?), wherein each R2, independently represents a moiety selected from the group consisting of C8-C32-alkyl, C8-C32-alkenyl, C8-C32-alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, and aryl-C1-C32-alkyl, which in each case may have up to 3 hydroxyl substituents; wherein the composition has a pH which is viscosity-dependent.

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: A new class of secondary emulsifying agents for use in inverted mud and other inverted system is disclosed and method for making and using same.

Abstract: The invention provides a wellbore fluid which comprises an aqueous continuous phase and, dissolved in said aqueous continuous phase, at least one salt which exists in a liquid state at a temperature below 150° C. and which has an ammonium, phosphonium or sulfonium cation containing at least 5 carbon atoms, or a quaternised nitrogen-containing heterocyclic cation containing at least 6 carbon atoms; provided that said salt is not 2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl ethanaminium acetate; and a method of carrying out a wellbore operation, which comprises introducing into a wellbore in a clay-containing formation, a wellbore fluid according to the invention. The described salts are effective shale inhibitors.

Abstract: A method of insulating pipeline bundles used in recovering hydrocarbons from wells is disclosed. A polymeric substance, such as an orthophosphate ester, is injected into the annulus between a carrier pipe and the hydrocarbon conveying tubulars. A ferric salt, such as ferric sulphate, may be added as a gelling agent. The mixture results in a gel having a dynamic viscosity of greater than (1000) PaS. The gel insulates the inner hydrocarbon-conveying tubulars from the surrounding seawater thus helping to maintain the relatively high temperature therewithin. This in turn reduces the likelihood for chemicals, such as hydrates, to be precipitated out of the oil phase.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved lubrication in drilling and completion fluids used in subterrain drilling for oil and gas. The addition of zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP) acts as a lubricant, an enhancer to other lubricants and rate of penetration enhancer.