Abstract: A method of treating a bottom hole region of a formation (BRF) with an estimated frequency for performing the stages, wherein the second and each stage is carried out when the factor and/or the daily crude oil flow rate of a well has decreased by 25% or more over the preceding 6 months of well operation. In the first and second stages, the BRF is treated with an emulsion system containing silicon dioxide nanoparticles, an acid composition, and an aqueous solution of potassium or calcium chloride. In the third stages, the BRF is treated with an emulsion system containing silicon dioxide nanoparticles, a composition of surfactants and alcohols, and an aqueous solution of potassium chloride or calcium chloride. The thermal stability of the emulsion system, increase the rate of development of an oil and gas bearing layer, increase the duration of a positive effect and enhance oil production.

Abstract: Fluids including a parylene-coated chemical entity and methods of treating a subterranean formation with such fluids are disclosed. The methods may include introducing a treatment fluid into a subterranean formation, the treatment fluid containing a parylene-coated particle having a chemical entity encapsulated therein.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating a portion of a well. The method according to this aspect comprises the steps of: (A) forming a treatment fluid, the treatment fluid comprising: (i) water; (ii) a water-soluble polymer; (iii) a complexed metal cation that: (a) has a valence state of at least three; and (b) is capable of cross-linking the water-soluble polymer; and (iv) an aromatic compound that is capable of dissolving, melting, or chemically decomposing, dissociating, or reacting, to form a chelating agent, wherein the chelating agent comprising vicinal substituents containing donor heteroatoms, and wherein the chelating agent is capable of chelating the metal cation; and (B) introducing the treatment fluid into the well.

Abstract: Improved hydraulic fracturing compositions are disclosed which help reduce potential negative environmental impact by hydraulic fracturing. The disclosed compositions have flammability and toxicity and are relatively safe for the environment. The compositions may also contain biodegradable components.

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: The present invention relates to solid-supported crosslinkers for treatment of a subterranean formation. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation. The method can include obtaining or providing a composition that includes a solid-supported crosslinker. The solid-supported crosslinker includes a supporting solid, and a crosslinker supported on the supporting solid. The method can also include contacting a subterranean material downhole with the composition.

Abstract: A pill for wellbore operations, that includes a base fluid; and at least two polymers that interact to form a gelatinous structure characterized as isolating and controllably transmitting hydrostatic pressure between a first wellbore fluid above the pill in a wellbore and a second wellbore fluid below the pill in the wellbore is disclosed.

Abstract: Ceramic propping agents include a plastic clay, aluminosilicate network modifier, strength enhancing agent, and binder. Usable strength enhancing agents can include nepheline materials having 0.1 to 5 percent iron oxide by weight. A resin coating can be used to encapsulate particles of the ceramic propping agent. The propping agent can be produced by grinding the components to the same approximate particle size, nucleating the particles by adding water, growing the resulting spherical pellets by adding additional particles that adhere to the surface of the spherical pellets, and vitrifying the pellets to form the propping agent.

Abstract: A ceramic propping agent, in the form of a spherical pellet, and containing common mineral particulate. The desired propping agent is defined as a particulate ceramic made from raw materials which may be comprised of about: 10%-90% parts by weight of a naturally occurring mineral particulate, 30%-70% parts by weight aluminosilicate network modifier, 0.25-20% parts by weight strength enhancer, and at least one part, typically less than 10% by weight, binder. For use in oil and/or natural gas wells as a hydraulic fracturing proppant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hollow hydrogel capsules. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation with a hollow hydrogel capsule including a hydrogel shell including a hydrolyzed and crosslinked polymerized composition. The hollow hydrogel capsule also includes a hollow interior including at least one component of a downhole composition for subterranean petroleum or water well drilling, stimulation, clean-up, production, completion, abandonment, or a combination thereof. In various embodiments, the present invention provides compositions comprising the hollow hydrogel capsules and methods of making the hollow hydrogel capsules.

Abstract: A composition of a treatment fluid and method for treating a zone of well. In an embodiment, the composition includes at least: (i) an aqueous phase; (ii) at least 5 ppm iron ion in the aqueous phase; (iii) a source of at least 5 ppm iodide ion to be dissolved in the aqueous phase; (iv) a water-soluble viscosity-increasing agent dissolved in the aqueous phase; and (v) a source of an oxidative breaker to be dissolved in the aqueous phase. In an embodiment, a method of treating a zone of a subterranean formation of a well includes at least the steps of: (a) forming a treatment fluid according to the composition; and (b) introducing the treatment fluid into the zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing the coning in an oil well of an underground reservoir delimited by an aquifer which comprises an injection phase of a micro(nano)-structured fluid with controlled release of barrier substances in said aquifer with the formation of an impermeable barrier located at the oil/water interface, characterized in that said fluid comprises an aqueous dispersion of microcapsules composed of a core comprising a modifying substance of the absolute permeability of the rock formation which contains said reservoir, a protective shell insoluble in water which coats said core. The present invention also relates to the above mentioned microcapsules and an aqueous dispersion comprising the above mentioned microcapsules to be used in said method.

Abstract: Sulfonated graft copolymer obtained by radical graft copolymerization of one or more synthetic monomers in the presence of hydroxyl-containing naturally derived materials. The graft copolymer includes 0.1 to 100 wt %, based on weight of the total synthetic monomers, of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated monomer having a sulfonic acid group, monoethylenically unsaturated sulfuric acid ester or salt thereof, with the monomer and hydroxyl-containing naturally derived materials present in a weight ratio of 5:95 to 95:5.

Abstract: A fluid loss pill that includes a crosslinked polymer gel, a brine, and solid salt particles disposed in said gel is described. Further, a method for reducing fluid loss that includes pumping a selected amount of a fluid loss pill into a wellbore leading to an oil-, condensate-, or gas-producing formation, the fluid loss pill including a crosslinked polymer gel, a brine, and solid salt particles disposed in said gel is described.

Abstract: Methods comprising providing a relative permeability modifier that comprises a hydrophilic polymer backbone with a hydrophobic modification and incorporating at least one cationic compound onto the hydrophilic polymer backbone. The hydrophilic polymer is one or more of: a polyacrylamide; a polyvinylamine; a poly(vinylamine/vinyl alcohol); an alkyl acrylate polymer; cellulose; chitosan; a polyamide; a polyetheramine; a polyhydroxyetheramine; a polylysine; a polysulfone; a gum; or a starch. The hydrophobic modification is achieved either by reacting the hydrophilic polymer with a hydrophobic compound or by a polymerization reaction product of a hydrophilic monomer and a hydrophobically modified hydrophilic monomer. The hydrophobic compound has an alkyl chain length from 4 to 22 carbons and is one or more of: an alkyl acrylate; an alkyl methacrylate; an alkyl acrylamide; an alkyl methacrylamide; or an alkyl dimethylammoniumethyl methacrylate halide.

Abstract: A ceramic propping agent, in the form of a spherical pellet, and containing common mineral particulate. The desired propping agent is defined as a particulate ceramic made from raw materials which may be comprised of about: 10%-90% parts by weight of a naturally occurring mineral particulate, 30%-70% parts by weight aluminosilicate network modifier, 0.25-20% parts by weight strength enhancer, and at least one part, typically less than 10% by weight, binder. For use in oil and/or natural gas wells as a hydraulic fracturing proppant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for oil recovery from a reservoir which comprises the following phases: a) injecting a volume of a micro (nano)-structured fluid with released control of barrier substances into at least a portion of an underground reservoir containing oil, said micro (nano)-structured fluid comprising an aqueous dispersion of microcapsules composed of a core comprising a modifying substance of the absolute permeability of the rock formation which houses said reservoir, a protective shell insoluble in water which coats said core; b) clogging the porous intergranular spaces of said rock formation with said modifying substance with a reduction or inhibition of the absolute permeability of said rock formation, c) recovering said oil from the remaining portion of said reservoir by the further injection of a displacing fluid, preferably water.

Abstract: Treating fluid compositions for use in hydrocarbon recovery operations from subterranean formations are described, as well as methods for their preparation and use. In particular, treating fluid compositions are described which comprise a liquid, a crosslinkable organic polymer material that is at least partially soluble in the liquid, a crosslinking agent that is capable of increasing the viscosity of the treating fluid by crosslinking the organic polymer material in the liquid, and a crosslinking modifier additive which can delay or accelerate the crosslinking of the treating fluid composition. Such compositions may be used in a variety of hydrocarbon recovery operations including fracturing operations, drilling operations, gravel packing operations, water control operations, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a low residue hydraulic fracturing fluid which comprises an aqueous fluid and at least one polymeric gelling agent, wherein said polymeric gelling agent comprises at least one crosslinked, modified starch. The invention also relates to a method of fracturing a subterranean formation through the use of the aforementioned fracturing fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to environmentally friendly compositions and methods for removing or suppressing metal ions in waters, flowback waters, and produced waters to make such waters suitable for subsequent use in oil-field applications and for delinking metal cross-linked gelling agents. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of providing a competitive binder and allowing the competitive binder to interact with interfering metal ions in a flowback fluid to suppress or remove interfering metal ions.

Abstract: A system for reducing pressure drop associated with the turbulent flow of asphaltenic crude oil through a conduit. The crude oil has a high asphaltene content and/or a low API gravity. Such reduction in pressure drop is achieved by treating the asphaltenic crude oil with a high molecular weight drag reducing polymer that can have a solubility parameter within about 20 percent of the solubility parameter of the heavy crude oil. The drag reducing polymer can also comprise the residues of monomers having at least one heteroatom.

Abstract: An aqueous composition, a solid composition and method for producing the solid composition are disclosed. The aqueous and solid compositions may be used in a number of applications such as in processes to recover oil from a production well containing an oil slug and in processes to clarify aqueous slurries containing sedimentation. The compositions comprise a surfactant, a pre-gelatinized starch, an inorganic salt, an oil and a polymer. The method of manufacturing the solid composition includes exposing the aqueous composition to temperatures around 0 degrees F. A solid block stable at ambient temperatures is formed along with a liquid phase that may be separated from the solid block. Dispersing the solid composition in water further enhances flow stability.

Abstract: Methods comprising introducing a hydrophobically and cationically modified relative permeability modifier into a portion of a subterranean formation. The hydrophobically and cationically modified relative permeability modifier comprises a hydrophilic polymer backbone with a hydrophobic modification and a cationic modification. The cationic modification may comprise at least one cationic compound comprising an alkyl chain length of from 1 to 3 carbons.

Abstract: This disclosure provides compositions suitable as drilling fluids, completion fluids, work-over fluids, or stimulation/fracking fluids, which exhibit shale inhibiting, thermostabilizing, viscosifying, and fluid loss reducing effects when used for these purposes. In some embodiments, this disclosure provides compositions that include a cellulose product comprising the contact product of: at least one cellulosic ether; at least one salt of a polyvalent metal ion; and at least one ligand or a salt of the ligand. The resulting cellulose products are useful in drilling of oil, gas, and other wells.

Abstract: A method of controlling or arresting the rate of depolymerization of a polymer composition during a biocide treatment, and use of such methods in oilfield and industrial applications. Also disclosed are methods of preparing a visco-stable application fluid containing a biocide in an amount effective to reduce bacteria count, as well as additive compositions capable of reducing bacteria count in application fluids while maintaining viscosity in such fluids. Also disclosed are methods of preparing biocide-containing application fluids with improved friction reducing properties, as well as related compositions.

Abstract: Of the many compositions and methods provided herein, one example composition includes a treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous fluid; and a tar stabilizing polymer comprising at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of a styrene polymer, an acrylate polymer, a styrene-acrylate polymer, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: A well treatment composition comprises: an aqueous liquid; a fluid loss additive, wherein the fluid loss additive comprises a high molecular weight, water-swellable polymer; and an amphiphilic dispersant, wherein the well treatment composition has an activity of at least 10%. A method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprises: introducing a cement composition into the subterranean formation, the cement composition comprising: (i) cement; (ii) water; and (iii) the well treatment composition; and allowing the cement composition to set.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to gels for use in downhole applications containing the reaction product of at least one polymer, or polymer precursor, and at least one oxazoline crosslinking agent, wherein the at least one polymer, or polymer precursor, and the oxazoline crosslinking agent are normally combined in a solution, and methods including the use thereof.

Abstract: Methods of using relative permeability modifiers for the diversion of aqueous fluids during subterranean operations are provided. An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of diverting fluids in a subterranean formation that may comprise providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid and a relative permeability modifier that comprises water-soluble polymer with hydrophobic or hydrophilic modification; introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation; and at least a first portion of the treatment fluid to penetrate into a portion of the subterranean formation so as to substantially divert a second portion of the treatment fluid or another aqueous treatment fluid to another portion of the subterranean.

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.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing lost circulation in drilling wells, employing composite materials as lost circulation materials. The composites comprise a thermoplastic polymer and cellulosic fibers. Optionally the composites may include other components such as calcium carbonate, clay, oil and other blending agents.

Abstract: A drilling fluid includes a base fluid and a circulation loss reducing additive package having a polysaccharide, a cellulose derivative and a pH controlling component.

Abstract: Water soluble uncrosslinked polysaccharides may be fluid loss control agents for viscoelastic surfactant (VES) fluids used for stimulation (e.g. fracturing) or well completion in hydrocarbon recovery operations. The VES fluid may further include proppant or gravel, if it is intended for use as a fracturing fluid or a gravel packing fluid, although such uses do not require that the fluid contain proppant or gravel. The water soluble uncrosslinked polysaccharide fluid loss control agents may include, but not be limited to guar gum and derivatives thereof; cellulose and derivatives thereof; propylene glycol alginate; salts (e.g. sodium, potassium, and calcium salts) of iota, kappa, and lambda carrageenan; agar-agar; xanthan gum; and the like; and/or mixtures thereof. The fluid loss control agent may be added to the aqueous viscoelastic treating fluid prior to VES addition, and/or at the same time and/or after the VES is added.

Abstract: In various embodiments, provided are materials and methods for controlling the flow of water, steam, drilling fluid, hydraulic stimulation fluid, hydrocarbon (oil or gas), or combinations thereof, in drilled wells (such as enhanced geothermal system wells, oil wells, or natural gas wells) by at least partially and temporarily obstructing one or more of a geologic fracture, perforation, or wellbore in a reversible manner.

Abstract: A method is provided for inhibiting scale in a hydrocarbon system, including the steps of: providing a hydrocarbon system; providing an aloe-derived scale inhibitor; and mixing the aloe-derived scale inhibitor with the hydrocarbon system in amounts effective to inhibit formation of scale. The scale inhibitor is an aloe vera gel/aloe sap mix dissolved in water at a concentration of between about 5 and about 50% wt/wt, which includes polysaccharides having a hydrocarbon chain structure having carboxyl and alcohol functional groups that interact with divalent ions.

Abstract: The present invention provides drilling fluids that comprise a base fluid and a water-soluble relative permeability modifier. In addition, the present invention provides methods of reducing the permeability of a subterranean formation to aqueous-based fluids during the drilling phase that comprises providing a water-soluble relative permeability modifier; and placing the water-soluble relative permeability modifier into the subterranean formation during the drilling phase. The present invention provides methods of drilling a well bore in a subterranean formation comprising providing a drilling fluid that comprises a base fluid and a water-soluble relative permeability modifier, and placing the drilling fluid in the subterranean formation. The water-soluble relative permeability modifiers of the present invention generally may comprise hydrophilically modified polymers, hydrophobically modified polymers, or water-soluble polymers without hydrophobic or hydrophilic modification.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for reducing the viscosity of hydrocarbon liquids encountered in petroleum operations. The method includes forming a low viscosity emulsion by contacting hydrocarbon liquids with an effective amount of a water-soluble polymer having pendant methyl ether groups.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to aqueous based wellbore fluids for preventing wellbore fluid loss downhole containing at least one copolymer formed from at least one natural polymer monomer and at least one latex monomer, and an aqueous base fluid.

Abstract: Methods and compositions including a method comprising introducing a hydrophobically and cationically modified relative permeability modifier into a portion of a subterranean formation, wherein the hydrophobically and cationically modified relative permeability modifier comprises a hydrophilic polymer backbone with a hydrophobic modification and a cationic modification.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating a portion of a well. The method according to this aspect comprises the steps of: (A) forming a treatment fluid, the treatment fluid comprising: (i) water; (ii) a water-soluble polymer; (iii) a complexed metal cation that: (a) has a valence state of at least three; and (b) is capable of cross-linking the water-soluble polymer; and (iv) an aromatic compound that is capable of dissolving, melting, or chemically decomposing, dissociating, or reacting, to form a chelating agent, wherein the chelating agent comprising vicinal substituents containing donor heteroatoms, and wherein the chelating agent is capable of chelating the metal cation; and (B) introducing the treatment fluid into the well.

Abstract: A method for viscosifying brine systems utilized in oilfield applications comprising: a) preparing a heavy brine system comprising obtaining an aqueous brine system comprising a hydrated polysaccharide and at least one multivalent salt, wherein the density of the aqueous brine system is greater than about 10 pounds per gallon (ppg), and adding an effective amount of an alkaline agent, thereby increasing the viscosity of the brine system.

Abstract: A method of treating a formation that includes emplacing an oxidizing breaker fluid into a region of the formation occupied by a gel; and allowing sufficient time for the oxidizing breaker fluid to degrade the gel is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to subterranean treatment fluids, and more particularly, the present invention relates to subterranean treatment fluids comprising relative permeability modifiers and methods for using such subterranean treatment fluids in subterranean operations to reduce the production of water from and stimulate hydrocarbon production in a subterranean formation. In certain embodiments, the methods of the present invention generally comprise the steps of providing a permeability-modifying aqueous treatment fluid comprising a relative permeability modifier and contacting a subterranean formation with the permeability-modifying aqueous treatment fluid. Optionally, the permeability-modifying aqueous treatment fluid may be injected in the subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture therein. In another embodiment, the methods of the present invention further comprise the step of injecting an acidizing treatment into the subterranean formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to well bore stabilization and, more particularly, to treatment fluids that may reduce the tendency of shales to swell and associated methods. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of stabilizing a subterranean formation that comprises a shale, the method comprising contacting the subterranean formation that comprises the shale with a treatment fluid, the treatment fluid comprising a base fluid, and a hydrophobically modified polymer. In other embodiments, the treatment fluids comprise a base fluid and a hydrophilically modified polymer. In yet other embodiments, the present invention provides shale-inhibiting components, treatment fluids, and methods of reducing the tendency of shale to swell when exposed to a treatment fluid.

Abstract: An engineered composition for reducing lost circulation in a well includes a mixture of coarse, medium and optional fine particles, and a blend of long fibers and short fibers. The long fibers are rigid and the short fibers are flexible. The long fibers form a tridimensional mat or net in the lost-circulation pathway that traps the mixture of particles and short flexible fibers to form a mudcake. The mixture of particles and blend of fibers may be added to water-based and oil-based drilling fluids. The composition, size, and concentration of each component of the mixture of particles and blend of fibers may be fine-tuned for each application.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for reducing the viscosity of hydrocarbon liquids encountered in petroleum operations. The method includes forming a low viscosity emulsion by contacting hydrocarbon liquids with an effective amount of a water-soluble polymer having pendant methyl ether groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for carrier fluids comprising water-absorbent fibers. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising providing a slurry wherein the slurry comprises a servicing fluid, particulates, and a degradable, water-absorbent material wherein the degradable, water-absorbent material acts to help keep the particulates from settling out of the slurry; and, introducing the slurry into the portion of the subterranean formation. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a slurry suitable for use in subterranean operations comprising a servicing fluid, particulates, and a degradable, water-absorbent material wherein the degradable, water-absorbent material acts to help keep the particulates from settling out of the slurry.

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: Treating fluid compositions for use in hydrocarbon recovery operations from subterranean formations are described, as well as methods for their preparation and use. In particular, treating fluid compositions are described which comprise a liquid, a crosslinkable organic polymer material that is at least partially soluble in the liquid, a crosslinking agent that is capable of increasing the viscosity of the treating fluid by crosslinking the organic polymer material in the liquid, and a crosslinking modifier additive which can delay or accelerate the crosslinking of the treating fluid composition. Such compositions may be used in a variety of hydrocarbon recovery operations including fracturing operations, drilling operations, gravel packing operations, water control operations, and the like.

Abstract: Chemical wash compositions comprising a sulfonated lignin and a taurate are provided. In one embodiment, a chemical wash composition is provided comprising water, a sulfonated lignin, and a taurate.