Abstract: There is provided an additive for and a method of using the additive to treat a clay-containing earthen formation, such as a subterranean formation, to substantially reduce formation damage caused by contact of the formation with an aqueous liquid foreign to the formation. The additive, which is employed in a water solution, is comprised of a chloride-free, quaternary ammonium compound which can be used without adverse affect upon animal, soil and water resources due to the chloride-free and substantial organic nature thereof. It thus biodegrades to environmentally acceptable end products.

Abstract: The invention is an effective, easy to produce, and economical corrosion inhibitor which can be used in a variety of environments. The corrosion inhibitor of the present invention is the salt of certain tertiary amines. The corrosion inhibitor is the reaction product of one or more tertiary amines and certain carboxylic acids, preferably a mixture of mercaptocarboxylic and carboxylic acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides corrosion inhibited well acidizing compositions and methods of using the compositions to acidize wells. The compositions basically comprise an aqueous acid solution, a corrosion inhibitor comprising at least one quaternary ammonium compound and a corrosion inhibitor intensifier comprised of aliphatic carboxylic acids, crude tall oil, tall oil fatty acids, rosin acids and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved quaternary ammonium compounds useful as metal corrosion inhibitors in aqueous acid solutions, methods of preparing the compounds, metal corrosion inhibited aqueous acid solutions containing the compounds and methods of protecting metal surfaces from acid corrosion using the compounds. The compounds are prepared by contacting the still bottoms residue produced in the distillation of quinoline from coal tar with oxygen to oligomerize aromatic amines contained therein and then reacting the oligomerized amines with a benzylhalide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water-based drilling fluid that reduces water adsorption and hydration of argillaceous rocks. The drilling fluid comprises a glycol with a molecular weight of less than about 200, an organic cationic material such as salts of choline or an organic salt of potassium, a filtration control agent, a viscosifier and water.

Abstract: Detergent compositions comprised of an alkyl polyglycoside and an ester quat corresponding to formula (II) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.2 CO is an aliphatic acyl radical containing 12 to 22 carbon atoms and 0, 1, 2 or 3 double bonds, n=2 or 3 and X stands for halide, methosulfate or methophosphate ion are provided which are useful for the production of surface-active agents and for the enhanced recovery of crude oil.

Abstract: Compounds selected from the group consisting of ammonia, ammonium-containing compounds, urea, urea homologues and analogues, and mixtures thereof surprisingly lower the crystallization temperature of aqueous, carbon disulfide precursor (e.g., thiocarbonate)-containing solutions.

Abstract: Compounds selected from the group consisting of urea, urea homologues and analogues, and mixtures thereof are employed to synergistically increase the dewaxing efficacy of aqueous, carbon disulfide precursor (e.g., thiocarbonate)-containing solutions.

Abstract: In the removal of particulates from a wellbore, such as in air drilling for hydrocarbon recovery, a mixture of an amphoteric foaming agent and, typically, an anionic surfactant is employed. An aqueous solution thereof having a pH of at least 9.5 is used to generate a foam for removing the particulates; then the foam is collapsed by the introduction of acid to reduce the pH below about 4, the particles are removed mechanically, the pH is restored to greater than 9.5, and the foaming solution is returned to the wellbore. The solution may be used several times; partial losses of foaming agent in the process may be easily replenished with each cycle. Cationic surfactants may be used instead of anionic, with foaming and foam collapse being controlled at opposite pH's. Savings are realized in water, drilling chemicals, and settling pits and the like for removing particulates from the foam.

Abstract: A process for increasing the viscosity of a zinc compound-containing brine which can be used for workover and completion fluids in oil field operations is provided. The process comprises contacting the zinc compound-containing brine with a polymer which comprises repeating units derived from an unsaturated amide having the formula of CH.sub.2 .dbd.CH--R--C(O)--NH.sub.2 and a vinylic sulfur compound selected from the group consisting of CH.sub.2 .dbd.CH--R'--SO.sub.3 M, CH.sub.2 .dbd.CH--R"--C(O)--N(H)--R"'--SO.sub.2 M, and mixtures thereof; wherein M is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkali metal, and combinations thereof; and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl radical having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Water soluble quaternary ammonium ethers of polysaccharides or polyols wherein the quaternary ammonium ether substituents correspond to the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a monohydroxylated or polyhydroxylated alkyl group containing between about one and about six carbon atoms; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are independently, alkyl groups containing between about one and about six carbon atoms; R.sub.4 is an alkyl group containing between about six and about 24 carbon atoms; and X is a halide, wherein the degree of substitution of said ethers ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.5. is provided. The composition have multiple uses as thickeners and are particularly suited for use in personal care products.