Abstract: A self-adaptive cement formulation includes cement, water and asphaltite-mineral particles. The set cement demonstrates self-healing properties when exposed to methane, and is particularly suited for well-cementing applications. After placement and curing, the self-healing properties help maintain zonal isolation should bonding be disrupted between the set cement and the formation or a casing string, should cracks or defects appear in the set-cement matrix, or both.

Abstract: A self-adaptive cement formulation includes cement, water, block copolymer and asphaltite-mineral particles. The set cement demonstrates self-healing properties when exposed to methane, and is particularly suited for well-cementing applications. After placement and curing, the self-healing properties help maintain zonal isolation should bonding be disrupted between the set cement and the formation or a casing string, should cracks or defects appear in the set-cement matrix, or both.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of isolating a selected reservoir zone in a subterranean reservoir comprising at least the step of squeezing a treatment fluid into the selected reservoir zone, the treatment fluid comprising: a viscosifying agent; a fluid loss control agent; and a particulate material. The invention further provides a treatment fluid comprising a base fluid; a viscosifying agent; at least 20 kg/m3 of a fluid loss control agent; and a particulate material.

Abstract: A composition comprises: a treatment fluid comprising a lost-circulation material, wherein the lost-circulation material comprises asphalt, and wherein the lost-circulation material has a median particle size in the range from about 0.001 millimeters to about 25.4 millimeters. According to another embodiment, the composition comprises: a treatment fluid comprising a lost-circulation material, wherein the lost-circulation material comprises asphalt, and wherein the median particle size and the concentration of the lost-circulation material is selected such that the treatment fluid has a sealing pressure of at least 30 psi (0.2 MPa). A method of eliminating or reducing lost circulation from a well comprises: introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of the well.

Abstract: The current application discloses methods and systems for preparing a wellbore treatment fluid precursor consolidated as one or more solid bodies; delivering the solid bodies to a logistics facility; and preparing a wellbore treatment fluid from the solid bodies. In some embodiments, the wellbore treatment fluid is a fracturing fluid for conducting a hydraulic fracturing operation on a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore.

Abstract: A composition comprises: a treatment fluid comprising a lost-circulation material, wherein the lost-circulation material comprises asphalt, and wherein the lost-circulation material has a median particle size in the range from about 0.001 millimeters to about 25.4 millimeters. According to another embodiment, the composition comprises: a treatment fluid comprising a lost-circulation material, wherein the lost-circulation material comprises asphalt, and wherein the median particle size and the concentration of the lost-circulation material is selected such that the treatment fluid has a sealing pressure of at least 30 psi (0.2 MPa). A method of eliminating or reducing lost circulation from a well comprises: introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of the well.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for using heavy petroleum fraction as a drive fluid in the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation. The hydrocarbons may be in the form of bitumen or heavy oil. The heavy petroleum fraction may be injected into at least one injection well and hydrocarbons produced out of at least one distinct production well. The heavy petroleum fraction may be co-injected together with steam and/or hot water and/or solvent. The heavy petroleum fraction may be a heavy fraction of a process used to upgrade crude oil, such as a heavy asphaltene fraction produced from solvent deasphalting crude oil produced by this recovery process.

Abstract: Described is a way to reduce solvent usage in solvent-dominated oil recovery processes through the use of an emulsion. Injection of an emulsion into an oil reservoir is performed as an alternative or supplement to solvent injection to minimize solvent usage per unit amount of oil recovered. The emulsion may contain solvent and the solvent may form an external-phase of the emulsion. A solvent-external emulsion may be injected and formed using an aqueous liquid or a gas as the internal phase. The emulsion may be an aqueous-external, vapor-internal emulsion with solvent being injected separately or simultaneously. Polymer may be added to viscosify the emulsions and use them for flow diversion in a solvent-dominated process.

Abstract: The recovery of oil from a reservoir is assisted by injecting a diluent into the reservoir formation to reduce the viscosity of the crude oil. This diluent is a mixture of a material which is an asphaltene precipitant, especially supercritical carbon dioxide, and a more polar material which comprises at least one aliphatic compound which includes at least one of a cycloaliphatic ring, an olefinic unsaturation, an ester or ether group. The inclusion of such an aliphatic compound which is more polar than the asphaltene precipitant reduces asphaltene precipitation and can enhance the efficiency of oil recovery when the precipitant is by supercritical carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of generating a basic water-in-oil emulsion for use in recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation. The emulsion may be used to displace hydrocarbons from the formation. The emulsions used are ‘basic’ in the sense that they do not have added surfactants and are not solid-stabilized. The emulsions are made using a hydrocarbon having at least one of the following properties: (i) greater than five weight percent (wt %) asphaltene content, (ii) greater than two wt % sulfur content, and (iii) less than 22 dyne/cm interfacial tension between the hydrocarbon liquid and the aqueous liquid.

Abstract: A method is given for reducing fluid loss in downhole operations such as drilling and completion. A composition containing a fusing solid is injected into the fluid loss flow path; the fusing solid fuses at formation temperature when the injection pressure is released and the formation matrix surfaces forming the flow path close on the composition. The fusing solid is gilsonite, or a similar material, or resin coated particles. The composition may optionally contain one or more of fibers, flakes, an activator, and a dispersant.

Abstract: Pellets can be injected into oil and gas production equipment that may contain stagnant or slow moving system fluids to treat the stagnant or slow moving system fluids to prevent conditions such as corrosion. The pellets have a density such that they may be moved through the equipment by system fluids passing therethrough. When the pellets come into contact with the stagnant or slow moving system fluids, sufficient pellets enter the stagnant or slow moving system fluids to treat it. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Compositions comprising at least one C4-C30 olefin or oxidation product thereof and kerosene or an aromatic solvent are particularly effective for use in removing asphaltene and asphaltene-containing organic deposits and in preventing or reducing the precipitation and deposition of asphaltenes from hydrocarbon fluids. When added to heavy oils comprising asphaltenes, alone or in combination with dispersants and further inhibitors, the invented compositions lower viscosity and pour point, and aid in preventing asphaltene precipitation during transport and in combustion.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for using heavy petroleum fraction as a drive fluid in the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation. The hydrocarbons may be in the form of bitumen or heavy oil. The heavy petroleum fraction may be injected into at least one injection well and hydrocarbons produced out of at least one distinct production well. The heavy petroleum fraction may be co-injected together with steam and/or hot water and/or solvent. The heavy petroleum fraction may be a heavy fraction of a process used to upgrade crude oil, such as a heavy asphaltene fraction produced from solvent deasphalting crude oil produced by this recovery process.

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: A method is given for reducing fluid loss in downhole operations such as drilling and completion. A composition containing a fusing solid is injected into the fluid loss flow path; the fusing solid fuses at formation temperature when the injection pressure is released and the formation matrix surfaces forming the flow path close on the composition. The fusing solid is gilsonite, or a similar material, or resin coated particles. The composition may optionally contain one or more of fibers, flakes, an activator, and a dispersant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of forming and using an in situ heavy hydrocarbon emulsion produced during drilling operations from heavy oil and/or crude bitumen recovered through processes such as cyclic steam stimulation and steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD). After optional upgrading at the surface, the emulsion may be used as a road construction material, fuel source or an asphalt emulsion flux.

Abstract: A method and composition is provided for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore to restore lost circulation. In one embodiment, the composition comprises a pellet comprising a mixture of lost circulation materials (LCMs).

Abstract: Well-working fluid compositions containing certain processed inorganic, oil and water wettable ground elastomeric crumb rubber materials to decrease the seepage loss of various fluids to subterranean formations in which these well working fluids are required and utilized are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of reducing the seepage and whole mud loss of these well working fluids utilizing such ground elastomeric crumb rubber materials.

Abstract: Sulfonated uintaite is prepared by sulfonating a naturally occurring uintaite charge with a sulfonating agent such as sulfur trioxide, fuming sulfuric acid, chlorosulfonic acid, oleum, or concentrated sulfuric acid to produce sulfonic acids of uintaite. The resulting sulfonic acids are neutralized with a caustic neutralizing agent and sulfonated uintaite is the product. The sulfonated uintaite product is dried and packaged. The produced sulfonated uintaite is useful in oil and gas well working fluids (drilling muds). Neutralization of the resulting sulfonic acids with sodium hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide as the caustic neutralizing agent yields water and oil-soluble or dispersible salts of the sulfonated uintaite. Neutralization with Ca(OH)2 (calcium hydroxide) as the caustic neutralizing agent yields a product which is preferable in oil-based muds.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved metal corrosion inhibitor for use in aqueous acid solutions which is relatively non-toxic and inexpensive. The corrosion inhibitor is a mixture comprised of oligomerized aromatic amines prepared by contacting the still bottoms residue produced in the distillation of quinoline from coal tar with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved metal corrosion inhibitor for use in aqueous acid solutions which is relatively non-toxic and inexpensive. The corrosion inhibitor is a mixture comprised of oligomerized aromatic amines prepared by contacting the still bottoms residue produced in the distillation of quinoline from coal tar with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: A method for forming a stable emulsion of a viscous hydrocarbon in an aqueous buffer solution includes the steps of: providing a viscous hydrocarbon containing an inactive natural surfactant and having a salt content by weight of less than or equal to about 15 ppm and having a water content by weight of less than or equal to about 0.1%; forming a solution of a buffer additive in an aqueous solution to provide a basic aqueous buffer solution, the buffer additive being operative to extract and activate the inactive natural surfactant from the viscous hydrocarbon; and mixing the viscous hydrocarbon with the aqueous buffer solution at a rate sufficient to provide an emulsion of the viscous hydrocarbon in the aqueous buffer solution, whereby the buffer additive extracts the inactive natural surfactant from the viscous hydrocarbon into the aqueous buffer solution and activates the inactive natural surfactant so as to stabilize the emulsion. According to the invention, the buffer additive is a water soluble amine.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a coated breaker chemical in which the coating comprises a blend of a neutralized sulfonated ionomer and asphalt. Preferably, the coating contains from about 1 to 20 wt. % asphalt and from 99 to 80 wt. % of the neutralized sulfonated ionomer. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coating contains about 7 wt. % asphalt and about 93 wt. % of the neutralized sulfonated ionomer.

Abstract: A method and combination of materials for freeing stuck pipe involves first the spotting of a clear brine, preferably calcium chloride, calcium bromide or zinc bromide, or mixtures thereof, for a given period of time, preferably at least about 8 hours, in the stuck region of the pipe, followed by the spotting of a spotting agent selected from wetting agents, surfactants, lubricants, or mixtures thereof, in the region of the stuck pipe.