Abstract: Methods can include introducing a cleaning fluid into a near-wellbore zone of an injection well penetrating a subterranean formation, wherein the cleaning fluid includes: 0.5 wt % to about 5 wt % of a surfactant blend comprising an alkoxy carbonate surfactant and an internal olefin sulfonate surfactant; salt water having a total dissolved solids (TDS) of about 15,000 mg/L or greater; and 0 wt % to about 0.05 wt % of an organic acid; and dispersing a hydrocarbon from the near-wellbore zone in the cleaning fluid. Compositions for cleaning a near-wellbore zone of a subterranean formation can include 0.5 wt % to about 5 wt % of a surfactant blend comprising an alkoxy carbonate surfactant and an internal olefin sulfonate surfactant; salt water having a total dissolved solids (TDS) of about 15,000 mg/L or greater; and 0 wt % to about 0.05 wt % of an organic acid.

Abstract: A sparingly soluble sulfonate-metal salt particle includes the metal ion salt of an alkyl aryl sulfonate, the metal ion salt of a petroleum sulfonate and a hydrophobically modified hydrophilic polymer, and has an average particle size diameter in a range of from about 50 nm to about 450 nm and is sparingly soluble in water at room temperature. A method of producing a sparingly soluble sulfonate-metal salt particle includes the steps of introducing an aqueous solution containing a metal ion salt into a reactor, introducing an aqueous solution containing a sulfonate surfactant and a polymer into the reactor, and operating the reactor such that the sparingly soluble sulfonate-metal salt particle forms from the interaction of the metal ion from the salt, the sulfonate surfactant and the polymer.

Abstract: A method of providing an optimal surfactant blend to improve waterflood efficiency comprises selecting candidate surfactant blends based on one or more of the following: a reservoir condition; information of a crude oil; information of an injection fluid; or information of a formation fluid, each candidate surfactant blends comprising at least two surfactants, one surfactant having a higher relative affinity for the crude oil than for the injection fluid and at least one surfactant having a higher affinity for the injection fluid than for the crude oil; evaluating phase behavior of the candidate surfactant blends to select surfactant blends that form a Winsor III system with the crude oil and the injection fluid at a reservoir temperature; and evaluating the selected surfactant blends in a porous media to select an optimal surfactant blend which achieves at least an additional 10% crude oil recovery after waterflood.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising: (a) providing a composition to at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein the composition comprises an anionic surfactant based on an alkoxylated primary alcohol having a branched aliphatic group, which group has an average carbon number of from 9 to 15 and an average number of branches of from 0.5 to 2.5, and having an average of at least 0.5 mole of alkylene oxide groups per mole of primary alcohol; and (b) allowing the composition to interact with hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing formation. Further, the invention relates to the hydrocarbon recovery composition that is used in said method.

Abstract: A new general purpose foaming agent having application as drilling fluid foaming agents or as any foaming agent needed an a wide variety of applications is disclosed, where the agent includes at least one anionic surfactant, at least one cationic surfactant, and mixtures thereof and one or more zwitterionic compounds. A method for using the foaming agent in capillary coiled tubing application is also disclosed. The foaming agents can also include additive to augment the properties of the foaming agent for a given application.

Abstract: Sulfate and sulfonate derivatives of unsaturated fatty alcohols, processes for making them, and methods of using them are disclosed. In one aspect, a monounsaturated fatty alcohol composition is made by reducing a metathesis-derived monounsaturated alkyl ester. The fatty alcohol composition is then converted to a sulfate or sulfonate derivative by one or more of alkoxylation, sulfation, sulfonation, and sulfitation. Of particular interest are the sulfate and ether sulfate derivatives.

Abstract: A wellbore treatment fluid is formed from an aqueous medium, a gas component, a viscosifying agent, and a surfactant. The surfactant is represented by the chemical formula: [R—(OCH2CH2)m—Oq—YOn]pX wherein R is a linear alkyl, branched alkyl, alkyl cycloaliphatic, or alkyl aryl group; O is an oxygen atom; Y is either a sulfur or phosphorus atom; m is 1 or more; n is a integer ranging from 1 to 3; p is a integer ranging from 1 to 4; q is a integer ranging from 0 to 1; and X is a cation. The fluid may be used in treating a subterranean formation penetrating by a wellbore by introducing the fluid into the wellbore. The fluid may be used in fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore by introducing the fluid into the formation at a pressure equal to or greater than the fracture initiation pressure.

Abstract: Controlling microbial growth and activity during Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery processes is disclosed. Specific control of microbial growth and activity in this process results in prevention of nutrient loss in transit and allows better targeting of microbial activity to the desired subsurface location(s).

Abstract: Methods of stimulating a well comprising providing a stimulation fluid comprising at least one surfactant and submicron particles, the submicron particles having a particle size between about 200 nm and about 800 nm and a specific surface area greater than about 5 square meters per gram; and introducing the stimulation fluid into a wellbore. Additional methods to enhance oil recovery from subterranean reservoirs accessible via a well are described.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosure, mixtures of different carbon length alcohols are used as the primary feedstock for Guerbet alcohols. Specifically, embodiments relate to a method of synthesizing mixed molecular weight surfactants from a mixture of primary alcohols comprising, receiving a mixture of primary alcohols comprising at least two different chain length primary alcohols and reacting the mixture of primary alcohols to produce a mixture of Guerbet alcohols. The mixture of Guerbet alcohols is then used to produce a surfactant composition comprising surfactants of different molecular weights.

Abstract: A method of converting an inactive biocide into an active biocide comprises: contacting the inactive biocide with an activating agent, wherein the activating agent is capable of chemically reacting with the inactive biocide; and causing or allowing a chemical reaction to take place between the inactive biocide and the activating agent, wherein the chemical reaction produces the active biocide. The methods can also include deactivating the active biocide via a chemical reaction between the active biocide and a deactivating agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surfactant mixture comprising at least one surfactant of the general formula (I) R1O—(CH2CH(CH2OR2)O)p-(D)n-(B)m-(A)l-(X)k—Y?1/bMb+??(I) where R1, R2, p, D, n, B, m, A, l, X, k, Y?, b, Mb+ are each as defined in the claims and the description. The invention further relates to processes for mineral oil production by means of Winsor type III microemulsion flooding using a surfactant formulation comprising the surfactant mixture.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for using an anionic surfactant composition for treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation or a reservoir, of formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 are identical or different and may independently be alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylene, aryl, propylene oxide, ethylene oxide or hydrogen groups in a straight or branched chain with 16 or more carbon atoms, X1 and X2 are identical or different and are selected from the group consisting of phosphate, sulfate, carboxylate, sulfonate or other suitable anionic groups, S is a spacer group selected from short or long arkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylene, stilbene, polyethers, and other suitable aliphatic or aromatic groups comprising 2 to 12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to highly-concentrated compositions of salts of alkyl polyalkoxy sulphates, whereby in total at least ? of all alkoxy unit of the alkyl polyalkoxy sulphates are propoxy units.

Abstract: Surfactant compositions useful for oil recovery comprise from 10 to 80 wt. % of a prapoxylated C12-C20 alcohol sulfate, from 10 to 80 wt. % of a C12-C20 internal olefin sulfonate, and from 0.1 to 10 wt. % of an ethoxylated C4-C12 alcohol sulfate. A minor proportion of the ethoxylated alcohol sulfate reduces or eliminates the need to rely on costly cosolvents for achieving good performance in enhanced oil recovery processes. Low interfaoial tensions and low microemulsion viscosities can be achieved when the ethoxylated alcohol sulfate accompanies the propoxytated alcohol sulfate and internal olefin sulfonate. Aqueous concentrates comprising water and the surfactant compositions described above are also disclosed. Dilution of the surfactant composition or aqueous concentrate with water or brine to the desired anionic actives level provides an injectable composition useful for EOR applications.

Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery formulation composition containing a sacrificial agent and a surfactant dispersed in a fluid is provided. The sacrificial agent reduces the amount of surfactant required to enhance oil recovery from a petroleum-bearing formation. The sacrificial agent is selected from the group consisting of a compound comprising a single carboxylic acid, a single carboxylic acid derivative, or a single carboxylate salt, or a compound lacking a carboxylic acid group, a carboxylate group, a sulfonic acid group, or a sulfonate group that is a pheol, a sulphonamide, or a thiol, or a compound having a molecular weight of 1000 or less that comprises one or more hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon recovery composition comprising vinylidene based alkoxylate derivatives. A method of treating a crude oil formation and a method of preparing the hydrocarbon recovery composition are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to an enhancing oil recovery method by injecting into a subterranean oil formation an aqueous flooding fluid comprising at least one injecting galactomannan polymer substituted by at least one sulfonation agent. The invention also relates to an flooding fluid having better injectivity properties than existing flooding fluids.

Abstract: A method of treating a medium for water fracturing is disclosed, the method comprises: introducing at least one biocide and at least one metabolic inhibitor in the medium, using the medium for water fracturing. In another aspect a method of controlling the post-fracture reservoir souring by the metabolic activities of sulfate reducing bacteria of a well is described: at least one biocide and at least one metabolic inhibitor are introduced in a medium made of water, the medium is used for fracturing the well, and the medium remains in the reservoir to kill and/or inhibit growth of sulfate reducing bacteria.

Abstract: A process for mineral oil production, especially Winsor type III microemulsion flooding, in which an aqueous surfactant formulation which comprises at least one nonionic surfactant having 8 to 30 ethoxy units, which has a polydispersity of from 1.01 to 1.12, and at least one further surfactant is forced through injection wells into a mineral oil deposit and crude oil is removed from the deposit through production wells.

Abstract: A process for mineral oil production especially Winsor type III microemulsion flooding, in which an aqueous surfactant formulation which comprises at least one nonionic surfactant having 11 to 40 ethoxy units and a hydrophobic radical having 8 to 32 carbon atoms and at least one further surfactant differing therefrom is forced through injection wells into a mineral oil deposit and crude oil is removed from the deposit through production wells.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed is a microemulsion flowback aid composition and a method of enhancing recovery of oil or gas during fracturing or stimulation processes. The microemulsion flowback aid composition includes (i) an oil-like phase comprising at least one nonionic surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of less than about 9; (ii) a coupling agent capable of stabilizing the microemulsion flowback aid composition; (iii) at least one water-soluble or dispersible nonionic surfactant that is different from the at least one nonionic surfactant in the oil-like phase; (iv) at least one additional surfactant selected from anionic, cationic, amphoteric, and combinations thereof; and (v) water.

Abstract: Aqueous compositions including a mild alkaline agent (i.e. compound of formula (I) or (V)) and a surfactant are provided. The compositions and methods of using the same are particularly useful in the field of enhanced oil recovery.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to prevent the proliferation of undesired life forms in a subterranean formation, comprising forming a fluid comprising an inhibitor; and introducing the inhibitor to a surface in the formation. Apparatus and methods to prevent the proliferation of undesired life forms along a surface of tubular or equipment for use in the oil field services industry, comprising forming a coating comprising an inhibitor; and introducing the coating to a surface of the tubular or equipment. Apparatus and methods to prevent the proliferation of undesired life forms along a surface of tubular or equipment for use in the oil field services industry, comprising forming a material comprising an inhibitor; and embedding the material into a surface of the tubular or equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surfactant mixture comprising at least three ionic surfactants which differ in terms of the hydrocarbyl moiety (R1)(R2)—CH—CH2— and are of the general formula (I) where R1, R2, A0, k, X, o, Y, a, b, M are each as defined in the description and the claims. The invention further relates to the use and preparation thereof, and to aqueous surfactant formulations comprising the mixtures, and to processes for producing mineral oil by means of Winsor type Ill microemulsion flooding, in which the aqueous surfactant formulation is injected into a mineral oil deposit through injection wells and crude oil is withdrawn from the deposit through production wells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surfactant mixture comprising at least three ionic surfactants which differ in terms of the hydrocarbyl moiety (R1)(R2)—CH—CH2— and are of the general formula (I) where R1, R2, A0, k, X, o, Y, a, b, M are each as defined in the description and the claims. The invention further relates to the use and preparation thereof, and to aqueous surfactant formulations comprising the mixtures, and to processes for producing mineral oil by means of Winsor type III microemulsion flooding, in which the aqueous surfactant formulation is injected into a mineral oil deposit through injection wells and crude oil is withdrawn from the deposit through production wells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surfactant mixture comprising at least three ionic surfactants which differ in terms of the hydrocarbyl moiety (R1)(R2)—CH—CH2— and are of the general formula (I) where R1, R2, A0, k, X, o, Y, a, b, M are each as defined in the description and the claims. The invention further relates to the use and preparation thereof, and to aqueous surfactant formulations comprising the mixtures, and to processes for producing mineral oil by means of Winsor type III microemulsion flooding, in which the aqueous surfactant formulation is injected into a mineral oil deposit through injection wells and crude oil is withdrawn from the deposit through production wells.

Abstract: Nanoemulsions, miniemulsions, microemulsion systems with excess oil or water or both (Winsor III) or single phase microemulsions (Winsor IV) may be pre-formed and used as one or more fluid pills during hydrocarbon recovery operations after drilling with OBM or SBM. The nanoemulsions, miniemulsions, microemulsion systems with excess oil or water or both or single phase microemulsions remove oil and solids from the well and wellbore surfaces. In one non-limiting embodiment, a single phase microemulsion (SPME) or other pre-formed fluid may be created from a polar phase, a nonpolar phase, an optional viscosifier, and at least one surfactant.

Abstract: Incorporating water-based polymer breakers, such as oxidizers, enzymes and/or acids, into a mixture of an oil and oil-soluble surfactants creates an emulsion that can then perform as a dual-functional breaker for reducing the viscosity of hybrid fluids gelled with both a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) and a polymer. The outer phase of the dual-functional breaker emulsion is oil, e.g. a mineral oil, containing an oil-soluble surfactant that will, over time and with heat, break the VES portion of the gel. As it does so, the polymer breaker in the internal aqueous phase will be released to then break the polymer portion of the gel. The polymer breaker will not start to break the polymer gel before the oil-soluble surfactant starts to break the VES gel. The overall breaking using the emulsion is slower as compared to introducing the polymer breaker and the oil-soluble surfactant in a non-emulsified form.

Abstract: A method of making a styryl phenol alkoxylate sulfate surfactant by alkoxylation of a styryl phenol using propylene oxide (PO) and/or ethylene oxide (EO) followed by a sulfation reaction. The styrylphenol alkoxylate sulfate surfactant of the present invention is made by a facile and inexpensive method. The large hydrophobe surfactants of the present invention find uses in EOR applications where it is used for solubilization and mobilization of oil optionally containing asphaltene, and for environmental cleanup. Further, the unsulfated version of the large hydrophobe styrylphenol alkoxylate surfactant of the present invention can be used as an ultra-high molecular weight non-ionic surfactant.

Abstract: A gas generating system for use in stimulation or in deliquification/dewatering includes a foam generating agent, a foam enhancing agent and a gas generating additive. The foam generating agent is absorbed or adsorbed on a first plurality of substrates and the foam boosting agent is absorbed or adsorbed on a second plurality of substrates. The gas generating additive preferably includes an acidic component contained within a releasing mechanism container and a carbonate or bicarbonate contained within a releasing mechanism container. The use of encapsulated substrate permits the staged and targeted delivery of treatment chemicals in fractures extending from the wellbore or in the wellbore itself.

Abstract: Methods for using a microemulsion system are disclosed which comprises a solvent subsystem, a co-solvent subsystem and a surfactant subsystem comprises at least one monoalkyl branched propoxy sulfate anionic surfactant, where the microemulsion system are useful in drilling, producing, remediation, and fracturing application to reduce water blocks and water blocking in formation of a producing formation.

Abstract: The present invention describes the method of making anionic ether sulfate surfactants by alkoxylation of a GA using PO and/or EO followed by a sulfation reaction. The GA of the present invention is made by a facile and inexpensive method that involves high temperature base catalyzed dimerization of a linear alcohol. The ether sulfate surfactants of the present invention find uses in EOR applications where it is used for solubilization and mobilization of oil and for environmental cleanup.

Abstract: A composition of a microemulsion including a mixture of a combination of surfactants and co-surfactants, an oil phase and an aqueous phase is described. In addition, a method for the advanced recovery of heavy oils is described which includes the steps of injecting a bank containing a microemulsion composition, injecting a bank of a polymer solution, and injecting water. The microemulsion composition can be applied in arenitic and carbonatic reservoirs, containing oils with API below 22.3° API, in both onshore and offshore fields.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an enhanced oil recovery formulation which comprises: (a) an alkylaromatic sulfonate; (b) an isomerized olefin sulfonate (c) a solvent; (d) a passivator; and (e) a polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for improving recovery of product from a subterranean carbonaceous deposit wherein there has been a reduction in product recovery from a production well, the processes comprising treating the deposit with a liquid that contains at least one of an oxoacid ester of phosphorous or an oxoacid acid ester of sulfur.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of synthesis of anionic surfactants by alkoxylation of a Guerbet alcohol (GA) having 12 to 36 carbon atoms using butylene oxide, and optionally propylene oxide and/or ethylene oxide followed by the incorporation of a terminal anionic group are described herein. The GA of the present invention is made by a facile and inexpensive method that involves high temperature base catalyzed dimerization of alcohols with 6 to 18 carbon atoms. The large hydrophobe ether surfactants of the present invention find uses in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications where it is used for solubilization and mobilization of oil and for environmental cleanup. Further, the hydrophobe alkoxylated GA without anionic terminal group can be used as an ultra-high molecular weight non-ionic surfactant.

Abstract: The invention relates to gemini surfactants of formula IA wherein A is a core derived from an organic polyhydroxy compound; R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrophobic group; and R3 and R4 are each independently a surfactant head group. Such surfactants can be used as components of fluids used in the petroleum industry or used in formulating cleansing compositions or detergent compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for mineral oil extraction by means of Winsor Type III microemulsion flooding, in which an aqueous surfactant formulation comprising at least one ionic surfactant of the general formula (R1)(R2)—CH—O-(D)n-(B)m-(A)l-XYa? a/b Mb+ is injected through injection boreholes into a mineral oil deposit, and crude oil is withdrawn from the deposit through production boreholes. The invention further relates to ionic surfactants of the general formula, to surfactant formulations, and to a process for preparation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for mineral oil extraction by means of Winsor type III microemulsion flooding, in which an aqueous surfactant formulation comprising at least three ionic surfactants which are different with regard to the alkyl moiety (R1)(R2)—CH—CH2— and are of the general formula (R1)(R2)—CH—CH2—O—(D)n—(B)m—(A)l—XYa? a/b Mb+ is injected through injection boreholes into a mineral oil deposit, and crude oil is withdrawn from the deposit through production boreholes. The invention further relates to surfactant formulations of ionic surfactants of the general formula.

Abstract: Many methods are provided including a method comprising: providing a surfactant gel having a first viscosity that comprises an aqueous base fluid and a surfactant; providing an ortho ester breaker; contacting the surfactant gel with the ortho ester breaker; allowing the ortho ester breaker to hydrolyze to produce an acid and an alcohol; and allowing the acid and/or the alcohol to interact with the surfactant gel so as to reduce the first viscosity of the surfactant gel to a second viscosity.

Abstract: A wellbore treatment fluid is formed from an aqueous medium, a gas component, a viscosifying agent, and a surfactant. The surfactant is represented by the chemical formula: [R—(OCH2CH2)m—Oq—YOn]pX wherein R is a linear alkyl, branched alkyl, alkyl cycloaliphatic, or alkyl aryl group; O is an oxygen atom; Y is either a sulfur or phosphorus atom; m is 1 or more; n is a integer ranging from 1 to 3; p is a integer ranging from 1 to 4; q is a integer ranging from 0 to 1; and X is a cation. The fluid may be used in treating a subterranean formation penetrating by a wellbore by introducing the fluid into the wellbore. The fluid may be used in fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore by introducing the fluid into the formation at a pressure equal to or greater than the fracture initiation pressure.

Abstract: A method of making a styryl phenol alkoxylate sulfate surfactant by alkoxylation of a styryl phenol using propylene oxide (PO) and/or ethylene oxide (EO) followed by a sulfation reaction. The styrylphenol alkoxylate sulfate surfactant of the present invention is made by a facile and inexpensive method. The large hydrophobe surfactants of the present invention find uses in EOR applications where it is used for solubilization and mobilization of oil optionally containing asphaltene, and for environmental cleanup. Further, the unsulfated version of the large hydrophobe styrylphenol alkoxylate surfactant of the present invention can be used as an ultra-high molecular weight non-ionic surfactant.

Abstract: A microemulsion system is disclosed which comprises a solvent subsystem, a co-solvent subsystem and a surfactant subsystem comprises at least one monoalkyl branched propoxy sulfate anionic surfactant, where the microemulsion system are useful in drilling, producing, remediation, and fracturing application to reduce water blocks and water blocking in formation of a producing formation.

Abstract: The present invention describes the method of making anionic ether sulfate surfactants by alkoxylation of a GA using PO and/or EO followed by a sulfation reaction. The GA of the present invention is made by a facile and inexpensive method that involves high temperature base catalyzed dimerization of a linear alcohol. The ether sulfate surfactants of the present invention find uses in EOR applications where it is used for solubilization and mobilization of oil and for environmental cleanup.

Abstract: A microemulsion system is disclosed which comprises a solvent subsystem, a co-solvent subsystem and a surfactant subsystem comprises at least one monoalkyl branched propoxy sulfate anionic surfactant, where the microemulsion system are useful in drilling, producing, remediation, and fracturing application to reduce water blocks and water blocking in formation of a producing formation.

Abstract: A surfactant blend for servicing wells includes a first non-ionic surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of between about 10 and about 15; a second non-ionic surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of between about 2 and about 6; and an anionic surfactant.

Abstract: A surfactant blend for servicing wells includes a first non-ionic surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of between about 10 and about 15; a second non-ionic surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of between about 2 and about 6; and an anionic surfactant.

Abstract: A sol of metallic alkoxide is pumped into a desired location in a wellbore and allowed to gel, creating solids in-situ. The sol is either unstabilized, requiring rapid placement before gelling, or the sol is stabilized, permitting off-site mixing. Sols can be stabilized with either surfactant or with interfacial polymers. Large concentrations of surfactant can be placed in the sol to create templates around which gelation occurs, creating porous solids.

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.