Abstract: This Invention relates to a novel reversible thickener, i.e., a fluid whose viscosity can be carefully modulated—from very low viscosity to sufficient viscosity to act as a barrier to further flow; particularly preferred embodiments are directed to fluids and methods for stimulating hydrocarbon low viscosity to sufficient viscosity to act as a barrier to further flow; particularly preferred-bearing formations—i.e., to increase the production of oil/gas from the formation. In particular, the Present Invention is directed to a family of fluids (and methods incorporating those fluids) intended to be pumped through a wellbore and into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

Abstract: An oil field production chemical, especially a scale inhibitor, is in the form of particles thereof carrying a coating e.g. of a dispersing agent. The coating may be polymeric such as an oligomeric polyacid polyester, a polymeric alkoxylated alcohol or a fatty acid polyamine condensate or it may also be a surfactant and may be used in the form of a suspension in an inert oil, such as diesel oil or kerosene which may be injected into a subterranean formation to inhibit the formation of deposits, e.g. scale in oil wells over a longer period than compounds free of the coating.

Abstract: A method of making a rheology modified aqueous composition, particularly useful for drilling, milling and mining applications, is disclosed. The method includes admixing, with a clay and water, a material or materials whose constituents substantially conform to the proportions of the empirical formula M′mM″n(OH)(2m+3n+qa+br)(Aq)a(Br)b.

Abstract: A method for recovering oil in a reservoir by generating chemical microexplosions in the reservoir. The invention treats the hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir by decomposing in situ at least one imidazolidone derivative, thereby generating heat, shock, and CO2. A preferred method comprises the steps of depositing an imidazolidone derivative into the formation and depositing an acid into the formation to cause the imidazolidone derivative to decompose and generate heat and gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for gelling liquid hydrocarbons by the introduction of certain phosphate esters, a crosslinking agent, and an enhancer. The enhancer of the present invention is preferably an oxyalkylated amine or a blend of an oxyalkylated amine with another amine or a non-nitrogen-containing component. Mixed phosphate esters containing an oxyalkylene group are useful in the practice of the invention. Gel-forming compositions for addition to liquid hydrocarbons, as well as methods for forming fracturing fluids, are encompassed. The present compositions and methods are an improvement in the field of hydrocarbon gelling, e.g., in fracturing formations, by providing more rapid gellation and greater viscosities.

Abstract: Gelatin capsules containing oil field chemicals, preferably weighted with a heavy metal compound, are made more stable under certain conditions by the incorporation of a strong chelating agent. The microcapsules can provide an extended treatment period since many materials that would damage the microcapsules are controlled by the chelating agent.

Abstract: Methods and acidizing compositions for reducing the corrosion of the metal surfaces of tubular goods and the like and reducing the precipitation of metal sulfide from the acidizing compositions are provided. The methods basically comprise the steps of combining an aldol-amine adduct with an aqueous acid solution to preferentially react with sulfide ions subsequently dissolved by the aqueous acid solution and thereby prevent subsequently dissolved metal ions from reacting therewith and precipitating, and then introducing the aqueous acid solution containing the aldol-amine adduct into a well or other location to be acidized.

Abstract: Solid surfactant suspension compositions are formed by combining solid surfactants, such as alpha-olefin sulfonates, with an organic base fluid, such as diesel. Solid surfactant suspensions may be combined with an aqueous carrier fluid to form surfactant-containing fluids suitable for, among other things, forming foams or for water wetting surfaces. Solid surfactant suspensions may also be combined with additive materials, such as polymer particles, to form a dispersion or emulsion. Polymer-containing solid surfactant suspensions may also be combined with aqueous carrier fluids to form, for example, viscosified, gelled, or foamed fluids. Concentration of solid surfactant materials contained in a solid surfactant suspension may be varied to affect the function the solid surfactant suspension. For example, the solid surfactant material may function as a polymer surface wetting agent, an emulsifier, a dispersant, a viscosifier, and/or a foamer in well completion and remedial and/or workover fluids.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for gelling liquid hydrocarbons by the introduction of certain phosphate esters, a crosslinking agent, and an enhancer. The enhancer of the present invention is preferably an oxyalkylated amine or a blend of an oxyalkylated amine with another amine or a non-nitrogen-containing component. Mixed phosphate esters containing an oxyalkylene group are useful in the practice of the invention. Gel-forming compositions for addition to liquid hydrocarbons, as well as methods for forming fracturing fluids, are encompassed. The present compositions and methods are an improvement in the field of hydrocarbon gelling, e.g., in fracturing formations, by providing more rapid gellation and greater viscosities.

Abstract: A well treatment fluid such as a fracturing fluid or drilling fluid which comprises a water-in-oil emulsion containing an amine or amine oxide surfactant of the following formula: or a protonated form thereof wherein R3 is a hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl having from about 8 to about 30 carbon atoms, and R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl having up to 30 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Invert emulsion compositions including an oleaginous, a non-oleaginous and an amine surfactant that are useful in the oil and gas well drilling art are disclosed. The amine surfactant is selected so that the invert emulsion can be converted form a water-in-oil type emulsion to a oil-in-water type emulsion upon the protonation of the amine surfactant. Deprotonation of the amine surfactant reverses the conversion.

Abstract: Solid, slowly dispersible well treatment composites are provided which have a sufficiently high melting point to prevent melting of the composite in hot weather. The composites have a low solubility and high specific gravity compared to prior art treatment agents; thus the composites readily sink in well and pipeline fluids and slowly release treatment ingredients over time, depending on the downhole and pipeline conditions. The composites include a nonylphenol ethoxylate having at least about 50 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of nonylphenol and a fatty acid amide having from 14-20 carbon atoms. Preferably, the composites further include a weighting agent and active ingredients selected from the group consisting of corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors, bactericides, scale converters, foaming agents, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the composites are spherical in shape and are passed through pipelines for maintenance and treatment of the pipelines.

Abstract: Solid, slowly dispersible well treatment composites are provided which have a sufficiently high melting point to prevent melting of the composite in hot weather. The composites have a low solubility and high specific gravity compared to prior art treatment agents; thus the composites readily sink in well and pipeline fluids and slowly release treatment ingredients over time, depending on the downhole and pipeline conditions. The composites include a compound selected from the group consisting of nonylphenol ethoxylates having at least about 50 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of nonylphenol, fatty acid amides having from 14-20 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the composites further include a weighting agent and active ingredients selected from the group consisting of corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors, bactericides, scale converters, foaming agents, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for facilitating the disposal of flowable and pumpable working fluids based on emulsifiers containing W/O invert emulsions--more particularly corresponding auxiliaries of the type used in geological exploration, such as oil-based w/o invert drilling muds--and for the simplified cleaning of solid surfaces soiled therewith, if desired using flowable spraying aids, the process being characterized in that, by selecting and adapting the emulsifiers/emulsifier systems to the oil phase of the invert emulsion, temperature-controlled phase inversion is achieved at temperatures below the in-use temperatures of the w/o invert emulsions, but above the freezing point of the aqueous phase and in that disposal and cleaning are carried out at temperatures in and/or below the phase inversion temperature range.

Abstract: Solid, slowly dispersible well treatment composites are provided which have a sufficiently high melting point to prevent melting of the composite in hot weather. The composites have a low solubility and high specific gravity compared to prior art treatment agents; thus the composites readily sink in well fluids and slowly release treatment ingredients over time, depending on the downhole conditions. The composites include a nonylphenol ethoxylate having at least about 50 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of nonylphenol and a fatty acid amide having from 16-20 carbon atoms. Preferably, the composites further include a weighting agent and active ingredients selected from the group consisting of corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors, bactericides, scale converters, foaming agents, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Increased foam quality and resistance to hydrocarbon defoaming for foams used in well boring and stimulation processes as well as secondary and tertiary oil recovery is obtained using imidazoline-based amphoacetates of higher purity, containing essentially negligible amounts of unalkylated amido amines, lower amounts of glycolic acid salts and monochloroacetate salts.The higher purity amphoacetates can be obtained via processes utilizing precise pH control during the reaction of imidazoline, or its open-chain derivatives, with alkylating agents, e.g. sodium monochloroacetate. These higher-purity amphoacetates contain essentially fully alkylated products and lower amounts of glycolic acid derivatives, even though a ratio of monohaloalkylate to substituted imidazoline, or its open-ring derivative, of less than 1.5:1.0 and close to 1.0:1.0 is used.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for suppressing the formation of hydrates during drilling operations under conditions that are conducive to hydrate formation comprising using a water based fluid selected from the group consisting of a drilling, a drill-in, and a completion fluid, wherein said water based fluid comprises as an integral component a hydrate suppressing amount of a water-soluble organic compound having a molecular weight below about 800 and said fluid has effective rheology and fluid loss control properties.

Abstract: Method and composition for gel formation in hydrocarbon recovery, in which an organic phosphate ester is gelled by a novel activator composition comprising iron sulfate, dibutylaminoethanol, and a phosphate surfactant.

Abstract: The invention relates to flowable and pumpable multicomponent mixtures based on a multiphase mixture of water and oil containing emulsifiers and, if desired, other soluble, emulsifiable and/or dispersible auxiliaries for their use in exploration by drilling and/or for the further treatment of the wells thus drilled. The invention is characterized by the use of emulsifiers or emulsifier systems which, in the particular multicomponent mixture in question, lead to temperature-controlled phase inversion at a phase inversion temperature (PIT) in a temperature range of which the upper limit is so far below the working temperature of the multicomponent mixture in geological exploration that the water-based part of the multicomponent mixture is present as a disperse (invert) phase in the continuous oil phase (w/o invert emulsion) while the lower limit of this temperature range enables the multicomponent mixture to be converted into an o/w emulsion with a continuous aqueous phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of protecting ferrous metal well tubular goods and the like disposed in a well bore penetrating a subterranean formation from corrosion. The method basically includes the steps of introducing a liquid or solution of a tackifying compound having ferrous metal corrosion inhibition properties into the well bore whereby the tackifying compound is coated onto the tubular goods thereby providing extended corrosion protection to the tubular goods. Thereafter, formation fluids are produced from the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Oil degradable encapsulated breaker particles are used in fracturing operations to break hydro-carbon liquid gelled with salts of alkyl phosphate esters. The preferred breaker chemical is particulate urea coated with sulfonated EPDM.

Abstract: By the present invention, improved metal corrosion inhibited aqueous organic acid compositions and methods are provided. The compositions are basically comprised of water, an organic acid, a corrosion inhibitor comprising at least one rosin amine derivative and a low toxicity corrosion inhibitor intensifier selected from the group consisting of thioglycolic acid and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A method of removing the filter cake formed from invert emulsion compositions including an oleaginous, a non-oleaginous and an acid sensitive surfactant in an oil and gas well are disclosed. The acid sensitive surfactant is selected so that the invert emulsion can be broken and residual filter cake solids made water-wet upon the addition of an acidic wash fluid to the well.

Abstract: The present invention provides borate cross-linked well treating fluids and methods of preparing and using the fluids in treating wells such as fracturing subterranean zones therein. The improved cross-linked treating fluids are basically comprised of water, a hydrated galactomannan gelling agent and a borate composition for buffering the treating fluid and cross-linking the hydrated galactomannan gelling agent comprised of water, a soluble boron source and an alkanolamine or alkylamine.

Abstract: A method of formulating a zirconium lactate compound is accomplished by combining in solution lactic acid or a lactate salt with zirconium carbonate. The reacting solution forms zirconium lactate and carbon dioxide which is evolved as a gas from the solution. This eliminates the need to filter or wash the zirconium lactate in order to remove undesirable by-products. The zirconium lactate can be used as a crosslinking agent for crosslinking aqueous polymer gels used in such things as fracturing fluids for fracturing subterranean formations of oil and gas wells.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition comprising a mixture of a brine and a liquid oil, and (A) an emulsifying amount of (i) at least one reaction product of a hydrocarbyl-substituted succinic acylating agent, and at least one of (a) ammonia, (b) an alcohol, or (c) an amine, or at least one salt of the reaction product; or (ii) at least one reaction product of a hydroxyaromatic compound, an aldehyde, and an amine, and (B) at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of a polyoxyalkylene amine, a polyoxyalkylene amide, a polyoxyalkylene alcohol, a polyoxyalkylene phenol, a polyoxyalkylene ester, a fatty acid salt, an amine or an alkaline earth or transition metal sulfonate, or a reaction product of a hydroxyamine or a polyalkylenepolyamine with an acylating agent selected from the group consisting of a fatty monocarboxylic acylating agents, a dicarboxylic acylating agent other than a succinic acylating agent, and a tricarboxylic acylating agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optimized lubricating composition including, in useful amount, an ester and a fatty acid, and optionally, the invention also relates to a well fluid including the lubricating composition according to the invention and the use of the composition for controlling the lubricity of a water-base fluid.

Abstract: Increased foam quality and resistance to hydrocarbon defoaming for foams used in well boring and stimulation processes as well as secondary and tertiary oil recovery is obtained using imidazoline-based amphoacetates of higher purity, containing essentially negligible amounts of unalkylated amido amines, lower amounts of glycolic acid salts and monochloroacetate salts.The higher purity amphoacetates can be obtained via processes utilizing precise pH control during the reaction of imidazoline, or its open-chain derivatives, with alkylating agents, e.g. sodium monochloroacetate. These higher-purity amphoacetates contain essentially fully alkylated products and lower amounts of glycolic acid derivatives, even though a ratio of monohaloalkylate to substituted imidazoline, or its open-ring derivative, of less than 1.5:1.0 and close to 1.0:1.0 is used.

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: The present invention provides nonionic alkanolamides which may be added to drilling fluids in order to minimize hydration and prevent erosion loss of water-sensitive shale substrates. Preferred alkanolamides are acetamide mono- and diethanolamines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, comprising the steps of:introducing into a well borehole a composition, comprising water, an acid, and (A) at least one reaction product of (A-1) at least one hydrocarbyl-substituted carboxylic acylating agent selected from the group consisting of a dicarboxylic acylating agent, a succinic acylating agent, a Dieis-Alder diacid, a dimer acid acylating agent, a tricarboxylic acylating agent, a polycarboxylic acylating agent, or mixtures thereof, and (A-2) at least one amine-terminated polyoxyalkylene or (A-3) at least one hydroxy-terminated polyoxyalkylene having a number average molecular weight from about 600 to about 30,000, or a mixture of said (A-2) amine-terminated polyoxyalkylenes and (A-3) hydroxy-terminated polyoxyalkylenes. The reaction product (A) may be used alone, or in combination with one or more surfactants.

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: The present invention provides amphoteric acetates, diacetates, and glycinates which may be added to drilling fluids in order to minimize hydration and prevent erosion loss of water-sensitive shale substrates.

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: New compositions are disclosed that are useful for the prevention of sludge or emulsions during the drilling or workover of producing oil wells. These compositions are comprised of a N,N-dialkyl amide of a fatty acid, a hydrocarbon solvent for petroleum and a mutual oil/water solvent. Also taught and claimed is a method of preventing such sludge or emulsion formation or of breaking the same after it is formed.

Abstract: Viscoelastic surfactant based aqueous fluid systems are described that are useful in fracturing subterranean formations penetrated by a wellbore. The preferred thickening agents are quaternary ammonium halide salts derived from certain waxes, fats and oils. The thickening agent is used in conjunction with an inorganic water soluble salt such as ammonium chloride or potassium chloride, and an organic stabilizing additive selected from the group of organic salts such as sodium salicylate. The resulting fluids are stable to a fluid temperature of about 225.degree. F.

Abstract: The invention is a foam method for improving conformance during a steam flood or carbon dioxide flood in a subterranean, oil-containing formation penetrated by at least one injection well and at least one production well. In a steam flood oil recovery process, sweep efficiency is improved by injecting steam until steam breakthrough occurs at the production well after which a mixture of steam, a noncondensible gas, and an aqueous surfactant-polypeptide solution is injected into the formation. The aqueous surfactant-polypeptide solution forms a stable foam with the formation oil at formation conditions that reduce the permeability of the highly permeable steam swept zones thereby diverting the steam to other portions of the formation containing unswept oil. The polypeptide is used as a partial substitute for the surfactant to improve the cost of the foam-forming mixture without reducing its effectiveness in increasing sweep efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides low viscosity acid-in-oil emulsions, surfactant systems and methods of using the emulsions and surfactants for stimulating the production of hydrocarbons from subterranean producing formations. The low viscosity acid-in-oil emulsions are basically comprised of a hydrocarbon oil forming the external phase of the emulsion, an emulsifying agent of a type which forms and stabilizes an acid-in-oil emulsion, an emulsion viscosity reducing agent comprising a fatty ammonium salt of a fatty acid and an aqueous acid solution forming the internal phase of the emulsion.

Abstract: A method for the inhibition of scale deposition on the surfaces of a well coproducing oil and scale forming brines comprising injecting into the well reservoir an acidic aqueous solution at a first pH containing dissolved therein a scale inhibitor, multivalent metal ions, and a heat-sensitive pH-increasing substance containing no more than 10 carbon atoms, which decomposes at elevated temperatures liberating an alkaline compound such that the solution is inherently heated by the higher ambient reservoir temperature to a temperature at which the alkaline compound is liberated from the heat-sensitive substance thus raising the pH of the solution to a point at which a sparingly soluble multivalent metal salt of the scale inhibitor is phase separated from the solution on the porous surfaces of the reservoir rock formation, providing for a slow release of inhibitor into the produced brines when the well is in its production phase.