Abstract: Methods and compositions including silicate shale inhibitor additives. In some embodiments, the methods include introducing a shale inhibitor additive comprising a silicate anion and a quaternary ammonium cation into a treatment fluid; introducing the treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation that comprises shale; and allowing the shale inhibitor additive to interact with the shale in the subterranean formation to at least partially inhibit the shale.

Abstract: Described herein are aqueous composition(s) containing water; a viscoelastic surfactant; an acid; and a water-soluble acid retarding agent. Further described are methods of making and using such compositions.

Abstract: A fluid for use in hydraulic fracturing contains underivatized guar or a guar gum derivative as viscosifying or gelling polymer, a crosslinking agent, carbon dioxide as foaming agent and urea and, optionally, a bifunctional organic compound containing at least one hydroxyl group and at least one quaternary group and, optionally, a non-gaseous foaming agent. The fluid may be characterized by a low pH such as a pH than or equal to 3.0 and less than or equal to 5.0.

Abstract: The technology includes consecutively pumping an active pack and a displacement fluid into the near-wellbore region of a formation. The active pack is an emulsion system. The displacement fluid is an aqueous solution of calcium chloride or potassium chloride to which 1-2 vol % of IVV-1 or ChAS-M brand water repellent is added. Technical results include greater efficiency of geological and engineering operations involved in the killing of oil and gas wells, high heat stability and aggregate stability of the emulsion system for killing wells, and also the possibility of adjusting the viscosity properties of the emulsion system according to the porosity and permeability characteristics and the geological and physical characteristics of the near-wellbore region of a formation.

Abstract: A composition comprising an oleaginous base fluid, an emulsifier and a liquid tertiary amide is disclosed. A wellbore fluid may include an oleaginous continuous phase, a non-oleaginous discontinuous phase and the composition to stabilize the non-oleaginous discontinuous phase within the oleaginous continuous phase. A method comprising adding the composition to a wellbore fluid and emplacing the wellbore fluid mixed with the composition into a wellbore is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are phosphoester anticorrosion compositions comprising an adduct of an alkylphenol ethoxylate phosphate ester with 1,3,5,7-tetraazaadamantane. The adducts are storage stable neat or in a solvent. The adducts are suitably added at about 0.5 ppm to 500 ppm by weight or by volume to a water source comprising one or more corrodents to inhibit corrosion of metal surfaces contacting the water source. The phosphoester anticorrosion compositions are as effective or more effective at inhibiting corrosion than conventional sulfur-based corrosion inhibitors when compared on a weight or volume basis.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions including one or more corrosion inhibitors, one or more solvents and one or more Log P additives. The compositions are useful as corrosion inhibitors for use in the petroleum industry wherein the compositions are stable, pumpable, and pourable at temperatures as low as ?40° C. and as high as 60° C.

Abstract: The present invention discloses liquid quaternary ammonium salts that can be used to treat and coat the surfaces of the proppant sand or inorganic particles that are used in down-hole oil well fracturing operations as well as the containment structure and that these treated surfaces will cause water and oils to flow faster through the porous structure. These liquid quaternary ammonium salts can be chosen from a list that includes but is not limited to cocobis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylammonium ethyl sulfate, benzylcocobis(hydroxyethyl)ammonium 2-ethylhexylsulfate, dibenzylcocobishydroxyethyl ammonium phenolsulfonate, didecyldimethyl-ammonium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and tallow-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylammonium ethyl sulfate.

Abstract: Removing an asphaltene particle from a substrate includes contacting a silicate nanoparticle with a chemical group to form a functionalized silicate nanoparticle, the chemical group includes a first portion; and a second portion comprising a nonaromatic moiety, the first portion being bonded to the silicate nanoparticle; contacting the asphaltene particle with the functionalized silicate nanoparticle, the asphaltene particle being disposed on the substrate; interposing the functionalized silicate nanoparticle between the asphaltene particle and the substrate; and separating the asphaltene particle from the substrate with the functionalized silicate nanoparticle to remove the asphaltene particle. A composition includes a functionalized silicate nanoparticle comprising a reaction product of a silicate nanoparticle and a functionalization compound; and a fluid.

Abstract: A cement slurry includes from 1% to 90% BWOC of a cement precursor material based on the total weight of the cement slurry; and from 1% to 40% BWOC of a swelling additive based on the total weight of the cement slurry. The swelling additive includes at least one micronized rubber, at least one distillate, and at least one solvent-refined heavy paraffinic.

Abstract: According to at least one embodiment of the present description, a cement slurry includes 1% to 90% BWOC of a cement precursor material based on the total weight of the cement slurry; and from 1% to 40% BWOC of a swelling additive based on the total weight of the cement slurry. The swelling additive comprises at least one micronized rubber, at least one distillate, and at least one solvent-refined heavy paraffinic.

Abstract: The invention provides a synergistic surfactant composition comprising: (a) a first amphoteric surfactant, which is selected from C8-C22 sultaines, salts thereof, and mixtures thereof; and (b) a second amphoteric surfactant, which is selected from C8-C22 betaines and salts thereof, C8-C22 propionates and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof. This surfactant composition may be used to generate foam that is used for unloading a liquid from a hydrocarbon reservoir. It may be that the liquid unloading of foam generated using the surfactant composition is greater than that of foam generated from the first and second surfactants when they are foamed individually.

Abstract: Methods for making emulsifiers, emulsified drilling fluids, and methods for using the same are provided. In one or more embodiments, the method for making an emulsifier can include mixing a tall oil and a triamide. The triamide can have the chemical formula: where: x, y, and z are integers independently selected from 1 to 10, R1 is a C8-C20 alkyl, a C8-C20 alkenyl, a C8-C20 dialkenyl, or a C8-C20 alkynyl, R2 is H or ?independently selected for each [(CH2)xNR2(CH2)y] unit, where R4 is a C1-C3 alkylene or a C1-C3 alkylene alcohol, and where at least one R2 is ?and R3 is a C8-C20 alkyl, a C8-C20 alkenyl, a C8-C20 dialkenyl, or a C8-C20 alkynyl.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of petrochemical drilling and discloses a drilling fluid additive composition. The composition contains an emulsifier and a rheological modifier. The emulsifier is one or more of the compounds represented by Formula (1); the rheological modifier is dimer acid-organic amine copolymer, comprising structural units from the dimer acid, structural units from the alkylamine and structural units from the arylamine. The present invention further provides a drilling fluid containing the foregoing composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of petrochemical drilling and discloses a drilling fluid additive composition. The composition contains rheological modifier, emulsifier and tackifier. Among them, the rheological modifier is dimer acid-organic amine copolymer comprising structural units from dimer acid, structural units from alkylamine and structural units from arylamine; the tackifier is modified polysiloxane nano-particles, and the modifying group Z on the polysiloxane nano-particles is the emulsifier is one or more of the compounds represented by the following Formula (1). The present invention further provides a high temperature resistant clay-free whole-oil-based drilling fluid containing the foregoing composition. Through synergistic effect of the rheological modifier, the emulsifier and the tackifier in the composition, the present invention obtains a clay-free whole-oil-based drilling fluid with desirable suspending power and temperature resistance.

Abstract: A treatment fluid and method for simultaneously swelling an oil-swellable elastomer and breaking a filtercake in a well. The treatment fluid includes an emulsion comprising: (i) a continuous oil phase, wherein the oil phase comprises: (a) an oil; and (b) an emulsifier; and (ii) an internal aqueous phase, wherein the aqueous phase comprises: (a) water; and (b) a water-soluble hydrolyzable ester of a carboxylic acid; wherein the emulsion is stable to hydrolysis of the water-soluble hydrolyzable ester of the carboxylic acid. A method of treating a well includes the steps of: (A) forming the treatment fluid; and (B) introducing the treatment fluid into the portion of the wellbore, wherein: (i) a filtercake has been previously formed in the portion of the wellbore, wherein the filtercake comprises an acid-soluble or an acid-degradable material; and (ii) an oil-swellable elastomer has been previously deposited or positioned in the portion of the wellbore.

Abstract: Methods for treating a subterranean formation can comprise introducing a treatment fluid comprising dicarboxymethyl glutamic acid (GLDA) or a salt thereof into a subterranean formation. Methods for treating a sandstone formation can comprise introducing a treatment fluid comprising GLDA or a salt thereof into a sandstone formation, the treatment fluid having a pH above about 3.

Abstract: The invention provides an oilfield suspending friction reducer treatment composition fluid comprising from about 0.001 weight percent to about 0.5 weight percent of a drag reducing surfactant; at least one drag reducing enhancer selected from the group consisting of polymeric drag reduction enhancers, monomeric drag reduction enhancers, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Methods for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore where shear recovery time of viscoelastic surfactant treatment fluids is shorten by adding an effective amount of an fiber based rheology enhancer. The rheology enhancer also increases fluid viscosity. Further, the rheology enhancer also improves proppant settling. Some examples of surfactants are betaines and quaternary amines, and an example of fiber based rheology enhancer is polylactic acid fiber. The fluids are useful in oilfield treatments, as well as methods of preparing viscoelastic surfactant based fluids.

Abstract: Agents, chemicals and particles may be controllably released at remote locations, such as pre-selected or predetermined portions of subterranean formations, by binding or associating or trapping them with an association of micelles formed by a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) in an aqueous base fluid to increase the viscosity of the fluid. An internal breaker within the association of micelles disturbs the association of micelles at some later, predictable or predetermined time thereby reducing the viscosity of the aqueous viscoelastic treating fluid and releasing the agent, chemical or particle at a predetermined or selected location.

Abstract: Oilfield treatment compositions contain water, hydrochloric acid at a concentration between 15 wt % and 45.7 wt % and a first fixing agent. The first fixing agent comprises urea, a urea derivative or both. The molar ratio between the first fixing agent and water may be higher than or equal to 0.5, and urea is the dominant solvent species in the compositions. In these compositions the first fixing agent provides corrosion inhibition when exposed to steel. The compositions may also contain a second fixing agent and an inhibitor aid.

Abstract: Oilfield treatment compositions contain water, hydrochloric acid at a concentration between 15 wt % and 45.7 wt % and a first and second fixing agent. The first fixing agent comprises urea, a urea derivative or both. The second fixing agent may be a mixture or amines and alcohols. These compositions provide corrosion inhibition when exposed to steel. The compositions may also contain an inhibitor aid.

Abstract: Formulation for a natural product as a replacement for the use of traditional acidic chemical stimulation methods for the emulsification, removal and release of paraffin and asphaltenes from low producing or pumped off wells and reservoirs with the use of traditional methodologies. Also a method of use of formulation for stimulating an oil well consisting of introducing into the wellbore a biodegradable, non-reactive fluid system containing a water-miscible fatty acid solvent, a solution of fatty acids, an amino alcohol, and at least one non-ionic surfactant. The fluid system may be further in the form of a nanoemulsion that is formed by combining a colloidal solution with one or more emulsifiers, an alcohol, and water. The fluid system may be used in well remediation and stimulation as well as additional, alternative applications such as the cleaning of surface and/or downhole equipment.

Abstract: A method for breaking the viscosity of an aqueous fluid gelled with a water soluble polymer or a VES is disclosed. The method includes providing an aqueous fluid. The method also includes adding to the aqueous fluid, in any order: a water soluble polymer in an amount sufficient to form a gelled aqueous fluid having a viscosity, a water soluble oxidizing agent configured to generate free radicals and a plurality of metallic particles to produce a mixture comprising dispersed metallic particles dispersed within the gelled aqueous fluid, the metallic particles configured to dissolve in the gelled aqueous fluid and provide a reducing agent to accelerate the generation of free radicals. The method further includes dissolving the metallic particles in the gelled aqueous fluid to provide a source of at least one transition metal ion in an amount effective accelerate the generation of free radicals and reduce the viscosity.

Abstract: A method for recovering oil from a fractured reservoir having an oil-wettable matrix and comprising at least one injection well and one production well. This method comprises the following steps in such order: a)injecting by an injection well a solution of viscosity-enhancing surfactants, capable of penetrating into the array of fractures, having limited interaction with the matrix, and creating a plug in situ to reduce the perviousness of the fractures and to promote the passage of the solution of step b) into the matrix; b) injecting by an injection well a solution of surfactants, capable of interacting with the matrix to make water-wettable and to extract the oil therefrom; c) injecting by an injection well an aqueous solution to increasing the surface tension, impregnating the matrix and, after the plug in step a) is dissolved by the oil, driving the oil toward the production well.

Abstract: Propping compositions comprising: a hardenable, liquid external phase comprising an element selected from the group consisting of: a cement, a cement foam, a polymer, a resin, an aluminum, a flowable carrier fluid, and any combination thereof; and an internal phase that is either gas or liquid and that is immiscible with the external phase; wherein the internal phase exits the propping composition as the hardenable external phase hardens, leaving behind an hardened, interconnected porous network. Some propping compositions may require contact with a treatment for removal from the hardenable external phase and the treatment for removal may comprise at least one material selected from the group consisting of: an acid, a base, a chelant, an oxidizer, a solvent, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods and compositions of treating formations using viscoelastic treatment fluids are provided that reduce the amount of fluid loss to the formations due to the lack of polymer backbone in the viscoelastic treatment fluids. The methods and compositions of treating formations include a fluid loss additive that includes a copolymer that includes a hydrophilic monomeric unit and a first anchoring monomeric unit.

Abstract: The present invention includes the use of anhydride compositions, including alkyl and aryl anhydrides, for use as a demulsifier in resolving emulsions of water and oil. In particular, the anhydride composition can be used alone or in a blend with other demulsifiers. Suitable anhydrides suitable for the present invention include acetic and propionic, with acetic anhydride being preferred. The anhydride composition can be added directly to crude oil or other compositions to be resolved. As such, the demulsifier composition includes an anhydride, such as acetic anhydride, alone or in combination with other demulsifiers. The anhydride can be used in an amount ranging between trace and 100% by weight of the demulsifier composition.

Abstract: Methods, fluids, and compositions are provided for treating subterranean formations. The fluids can be servicing or drilling fluids including a base fluid and a particulate agent or biocide precursor particulate agent. The particulate agent can seal flow paths in the subterranean formation and subsequently can be degraded to allow flow to resume. The particulate agent may be a reaction product of a urea containing compound and an aldehyde containing compound. An example of such a reaction product is a methylene urea.

Abstract: Aqueous and substantially anhydrous fluids having particularly low thermal conductivities and variable densities are disclosed. The fluids include: one or more organic and/or inorganic salts and at least one aprotic polar organic solvent, a mixture of aprotic and protic polar organic solvents, and/or a polar organic solvent having both protic and aprotic polar functional group linkages. The fluids optionally include one or more viscosifying agents and are free of cross-linking agents. Methods for formulating and using the fluids are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of treating a formation includes preparing an aqueous solution having HCl in an amount between greater than 15% and 45.7% by weight, inclusive. The prepared aqueous solution includes a fixing agent (FA) present in a molar ratio of FA:HCl between 0.15 and 2.5 inclusive, where the FA is urea and/or a urea derivative, and further includes water present in an amount sufficient to dissolve the HCl and the FA. The aqueous solution includes substantially no polysaccharides. The method further includes providing an oilfield treatment fluid including the aqueous solution to a high pressure pump operating the high pressure pump to treat a wellbore and/or the formation fluidly coupled to the wellbore.

Abstract: Described herein are compounds, compositions, and methods for enhancing oil recovery.

Abstract: A well treatment fluid comprising a Pickering particle emulsion comprising particles of a first liquid phase dispersed in a continuous second liquid phase, and comprising a plurality of colloidal particles adsorbed to a liquid-liquid interface between the first liquid phase and the second liquid phase. Methods, equipment and/or systems for treating a subterranean formation utilizing such treatment fluids are also disclosed.

Abstract: Chemical compounds that are N-acyl amino acids or derivatives thereof having long chain N-acyl groups were found to have oil-releasing activity. Solutions containing these compounds may be introduced into oil reservoirs or onto oil-contaminated surface sites to release oil from oil-coated surfaces. The released oil may be recovered for further processing or waste disposal.

Abstract: Chemical compounds that are N-lauroyl amino acids containing a polyethylene oxide segment were found to have oil-releasing activity. Solutions containing these compounds may be introduced into oil reservoirs or onto oil-contaminated surface sites to release oil from oil-coated surfaces. The released oil may be recovered for further processing or waste disposal.

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: Methods of making a degradable ball composition comprising a carboxylic acid, a fatty alcohol, a fatty acid salt, a fatty ester, or a combination thereof comprising the steps of: forming a thermoplastic mass, and allowing the thermoplastic mass to cool as to form a degradable ball that is introduced in subterranean treatments by a carrier fluid.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a wellbore prior to the production of oil or gas is disclosed, wherein the wellbore has been drilled with an invert emulsion drilling mud that forms an invert emulsion filter cake. The method may include the steps of circulating a breaker fluid into the wellbore, where the breaker fluid includes an aqueous fluid, and imino diacetic acid or salt thereof. Optionally an acid buffering agent, and a weighting age are also included. The breaker fluid is formulated such that after a predetermined period of time and the filter cake present in the wellbore or on the wellbore face is substantially degraded. Other methods may also include drilling the wellbore with a water-based drilling mud that forms a water-based filter cake, wherein the method may include the steps of circulating a breaker fluid into the wellbore, where the breaker fluid may include an aqueous fluid, and an iminodiacetic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: Fluids viscosified with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) may have their fluid loss properties improved with the presence of at least one mineral oil slurried together in combination with at least one particulate fluid loss control agent that may be an alkaline earth metal oxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, transition metal oxides, transition metal hydroxides, and mixtures thereof. The mineral oil having the particulate fluid loss control agents slurried within it may initially be dispersed oil droplets in an internal, discontinuous phase of the fluid. In one non-limiting embodiment, the slurry is added to the fluid after it has been substantially gelled. The mineral oil/particulate slurry may enhance the ability of a particulate fluid loss control agent to reduce fluid loss. The presence of the mineral oil may also eventually reduce the viscosity of the VES-gelled aqueous fluid.

Abstract: A treatment fluid and method for simultaneously swelling an oil-swellable elastomer and breaking a filtercake in a well. The treatment fluid includes an emulsion comprising: (i) a continuous oil phase, wherein the oil phase comprises: (a) an oil; and (b) an emulsifier; and (ii) an internal aqueous phase, wherein the aqueous phase comprises: (a) water; and (b) a water-soluble hydrolyzable ester of a carboxylic acid; wherein the emulsion is stable to hydrolysis of the water-soluble hydrolyzable ester of the carboxylic acid. A method of treating a well includes the steps of: (A) forming the treatment fluid; and (B) introducing the treatment fluid into the portion of the wellbore, wherein: (i) a filtercake has been previously formed in the portion of the wellbore, wherein the filtercake comprises an acid-soluble or an acid-degradable material; and (ii) an oil-swellable elastomer has been previously deposited or positioned in the portion of the wellbore.

Abstract: A dilution system for a hydraulic fracturing fluid, the dilution system including a dilution manifold; a hydration unit configured to provide a source of liquid; a diluent line connecting the hydration unit to the dilution manifold. A diluent flow control valve on the diluent line. A hydration tank configured to hydrate a mixed additive. A gravity-driven viscous fluid line connecting an exit of the hydration tank to the dilution manifold. A viscous fluid flow meter on the viscous fluid line; and, a viscous fluid control valve on the viscous fluid line. Also included is a method of processing a fracturing fluid.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore involves introducing an acid treatment fluid through the wellbore into the formation. The treatment fluid is formed from a zwitterionic viscoelastic surfactant, an acid in an amount to provide the treatment fluid with an initial pH of ?0 and a rheology enhancer. The treatment fluid has a high viscosity at the initial pH and a lower viscosity when the pH of the treatment fluid is raised to an intermediate pH of from greater than 0 to about 5.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of for changing the water permeability of a subterranean formation of a well, the method comprising: providing a fluid comprising a liquid carrier and a viscoelastic surfactant; introducing the fluid into the well; and contacting the fluid and the subterranean formation wherein the action of the liquid carrier and the viscoelastic surfactant is able to change the water permeability of the subterranean formation. The fluid may further comprise methanol, or a salt which can be embodied within the carrier fluid. Advantageously, no further RPM polymer is used. In a first aspect the method is used for reducing the amount of water produced, in as second aspect for improving the oil recovery.

Abstract: Aqueous and substantially anhydrous fluids having particularly low thermal conductivities and variable densities are disclosed. The fluids include: one or more organic and/or inorganic salts and at least one aprotic polar organic solvent, a mixture of aprotic and protic polar organic solvents, and/or a polar organic solvent having both protic and aprotic polar functional group linkages. The fluids optionally include one or more viscosifying agents and are free of cross-linking agents. Methods for formulating and using the fluids are also disclosed.

Abstract: A treatment fluid comprising: water; a formate; and a corrosion inhibitor, wherein the corrosion inhibitor is capable of providing: (A) a pH of at least 10; and (B) a corrosion rate equal to or less than 4 mils per year wherein carbon dioxide accounts for at least 100 psi (0.7 MPa) of the total pressure, for a test fluid consisting essentially of: the water; the formate; and the corrosion inhibitor, and in the same proportions as in the treatment fluid, whereas a substantially identical test fluid without the corrosion inhibitor has a pH of less than 10 and a corrosion rate of greater than 4 mils per year under the testing conditions. The treatment fluid can further comprise a scale inhibitor. A method of treating a portion of a well comprises: forming the treatment fluid; and introducing the treatment fluid into the well.

Abstract: A treatment fluid comprising: water; a formate; and a corrosion inhibitor, wherein the corrosion inhibitor is capable of providing: (A) a pH of at least 10; and (B) a corrosion rate equal to or less than 4 mils per year wherein carbon dioxide accounts for at least 100 psi (0.7 MPa) of the total pressure, for a test fluid consisting essentially of: the water; the formate; and the corrosion inhibitor, and in the same proportions as in the treatment fluid, whereas a substantially identical test fluid without the corrosion inhibitor has a pH of less than 10 and a corrosion rate of greater than 4 mils per year under the testing conditions. The treatment fluid can further comprise a scale inhibitor. A method of treating a portion of a well comprises: forming the treatment fluid; and introducing the treatment fluid into the well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the assisted recovery of crude oil from an underground formation, comprising: a) injecting, via at least one injection means in contact with the underground formation containing the crude oil, a liquid containing a mixture of at least: i) a salty aqueous medium, ii) a mixture of two zwitterionic viscosising surfactants or a mixture of two populations of said surfactants having a bimodal characteristic of the narrow distribution of Ri groups as defined below, in a weight content of between 1 and 0.05 wt %, preferably between 0.5 and 0.1 wt %, and more preferably between 0.4 and 0.15 wt %, such that the liquid has an oil/water interface tension of about 10 mN/m (milinewton per meter) or less as measured at room temperature (25° C.) and a viscosity of about 3 cPs or more as measured at a temperature of 80° C.

Abstract: A stable polysaccharide particle suspension composition comprising: a carrier; an activator solvent comprising a) at least one dibasic methyl or ethyl ester; b) at least one compound of the formula R3OOC-A-CONR4R5 (IIa), wherein R3 represents a C1-C36 alkyl group; wherein R4 and R5 individually represents a C1-C36 alkyl group, wherein R4 and R5 can optionally together form a ring; and wherein A is a linear or branched divalent C2-C6 alkyl group; or c) a combination a) and b); an organo clay compound; and optionally, a surfactant; the composition being stable and capable of suspending polysaccharide particles. Slurries of polysaccharide particles in such suspension composition and methods of making the compositions and the slurries.

Abstract: Provided herein are, inter alia, compositions including a surfactant and a novel compound useful in enhanced oil recovery. The compositions and methods provided herein may be particularly useful for oil recovery under a broad range of reservoir conditions (e.g. high to low temperatures, high to low salinity, highly viscous oils).

Abstract: Provided herein, inter alia, are methods and compositions useful for heavy crude oil recovery. The emulsion compositions and non-surfactant aqueous compositions provided herein may be particularly useful for the recovery of heavy crude oils under a broad range of reservoir conditions (e.g. high to low temperatures, high to low salinity, highly viscous oils).