The Sulfur Is Part Of A Sulfonate Group Patents (Class 507/255)
  • Patent number: 9988346
    Abstract: Provided herein are inter alia novel compositions and methods having application in the field of enhanced oil recovery. In particular, the large hydrophobe compounds and mixtures thereof presented herein can be used, inter alia, for the recovery of a large range of crude oil compositions from challenging reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Harcros Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Upali P. Weerasooriya, Gary A. Pope, Peter Radford, Howard Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20150141303
    Abstract: A binary or ternary surfactant mixture for use in enhanced oil recovery within a reservoir having total dissolved solids greater than approximately 80,000 parts per million (i.e., heavy to extreme brine conditions) includes at least two of a propoxylated/ethoxylated alcohol sulfate, an ethoxylated alcohol sulfate, and a monoalkyl or dialkyl diphenyloxide disulfonate. The surfactant mixture is used without alcohol, which is unnecessary to maintain solution stability and good coalescence rates and thus improves compatibility with polymers added to improve the mobility ratio. During testing, exceptional solution stability, excellent oil recovery capability, and good compatibility was observed with these surfactant blends. The mixtures are effective at concentrations below 1% and as low as 0.1% by weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Harwell, Tzu-Ping Hsu, Bruce L. Roberts, Bor-Jier Shiau, Mahesh Budhathoki, Prapas Lohateeraparp
  • Publication number: 20150094240
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds of polyfunctionalized polyethylene and polypropylene glycols, their synthesis and their use, in particular as tracers in applications related to oil and gas production, and especially as specific markers of various target fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Lars KILAAS, Erland NORDGARD, Anne DALAGER DYRLI
  • Patent number: 8871695
    Abstract: Nanoemulsions, miniemulsions, microemulsion systems with excess oil or water or both (Winsor III) or single phase microemulsions (Winsor IV) may be formed in situ during hydrocarbon recovery operations after drilling with OBM or SBM using one or more fluid pills. 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 in situ-formed fluid may be created from a polar phase, a nonpolar phase, at least one viscosifier, and at least one surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Lirio Quintero, Chad F. Christian, Alexander McKellar, Cristina Torres, David E. Clark, Thomas A. Jones
  • Patent number: 8853136
    Abstract: A process for mineral oil production, especially Winsor type III microemulsion flooding, in which an aqueous surfactant formulation which comprises at least one alkylpolyalkoxysulfate comprising propoxy groups, and at least one further surfactant differing therefrom is used, is forced through injection wells into a mineral oil deposit and crude oil is removed from the deposit through production wells. The alkylpolyalkoxysulfate comprising propoxy groups is prepared in this case by sulfating an alkoxylated alcohol, the alkoxylated alcohol being prepared by alkoxylating an alcohol using double metal cyanide catalysts or double hydroxide clays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Christian Bittner, Günter Oetter, Jack Tinsley, Christian Spindler, Gabriela Alvarez Jürgenson, Sophie Vogel
  • Publication number: 20140262282
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Varadarjan Dwarakanath, Robert Shong
  • Publication number: 20140262286
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to compositions and methods that are used for remediation of near-wellbore damage. A specific aspect is a composition comprising an olefin sulfonate, a sulfosuccinate, and a chemical selected from the group consisting of an alcohol alkoxylated sulfate, an alcohol alkoxylated carboxylate, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Robert Matthew Dean, Will S. Slaughter, Dustin Luke Walker, Sophany Thach
  • Patent number: 8772204
    Abstract: The present invention relates to fluids useful for subterranean operations, and more particularly, to fluorosurfactants useful for the reduction of water blocks, gas blocks, and/or gas condensates and their associated treatment fluids and methods. Provided is a method of treating a subterranean formation. The Method may comprise contacting the subterranean formation with a fluorosurfactant. The fluorosurfactant may comprise an amine group, wherein the amine group comprises at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of a fluoroalkyl group, a fluoroalkenyl group, and combinations thereof, wherein the at least one substituent comprises about 3 carbons to about 22 carbons. Also provided are polymeric surfactants and treatment fluids that comprise fluorosurfactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis R. Norman, Rajesh K. Saini
  • Publication number: 20140135239
    Abstract: The present invention provides the use of a sulfosuccinate as a corrosion inhibitor. In particular, the sulfosuccinate may be used to inhibit the corrosion of a metal component that is, or will be, in contact with an aqueous fluid, in order to prevent or reduce corrosion of the metal component. The sulfosuccinate may be used to inhibit corrosion of a metal component in an industrial aqueous system, such as a hydrocarbon plant; a chemical plant; a water plant; or a paper manufacturing plant, and in particular in an oilfield system or a downstream oil-related system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Rhodia Operations
    Inventors: Alan Fellows, Kevan Hatchman, Chris Jones
  • Patent number: 8697613
    Abstract: Methods comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid, a friction reducing polymer, and an antiflocculation additive; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid, a friction reducing polymer, and an antiflocculation additive; and introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation at rate in the range of from about 30 barrels to about 250 barrels per minute so as to create or enhance one or more fractures in the subterranean formation. Aqueous treatment fluids comprising: an aqueous fluid, a friction reducing polymer in an amount sufficient to reduce friction without forming a gel, and an antiflocculation additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. McMechan, Jimmie D. Weaver, Thomas D. Welton, Robert E. Hanes, Jr., Karen L. King, Gary P. Funkhouser
  • Publication number: 20140096967
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Mukul M. Sharma, Bo Gao
  • Patent number: 8680028
    Abstract: A method for the treatment of rock formations which may or may not be underground and, more particularly, of oil or gas production wells, water-injection wells intended to flood hydrocarbon (oil or gas) reservoirs or gas mines or gas storage wells includes a step of injecting, into the rock formation or well, a microgel obtained by dilution in water of a self-invertible inverse latex or of a self-invertible inverse microlatex of a crosslinked polyelectrolyte, obtained by copolymerization, in the presence of a crosslinking agent of partially- or totally-salified free 2-methyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]-1-propanesulfonic acid, with at least one cationic monomer chosen from: 2,N,N,N-tetramethyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]propanammonium chloride; N,N,N-trimethyl-3-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]propanammonium chloride; diallyldimethylammonium chloride; N,N,N-trimethyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)]ethanammonium chloride; N,N,N-trimethyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-methyl-2-propenyl)]ethanammonium chloride; or N,N,N-trimethyl-3-[(1-oxo-2-meth
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignees: Societe d'Exploitation de Produits pour les Industries Chimiques SEPPIC, Poweltec
    Inventors: Olivier Braun, Paul Mallo, Alain Zaitoun
  • Patent number: 8669212
    Abstract: The present invention relates to fluids useful for subterranean operations, and more particularly, to fluorosurfactants useful for the reduction of water blocks, gas blocks, and/or gas condensates and their associated treatment fluids and methods. Provided is a method of treating a subterranean formation. The method may comprise contacting the subterranean formation with a fluorosurfactant. The fluorosurfactant may comprise an amine group, wherein the amine group comprises at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of a fluoroalkyl group, a fluoroalkenyl group, and combinations thereof, wherein the at least one substituent comprises about 3 carbons to about 22 carbons. Also provided are polymeric surfactants and treatment fluids that comprise fluorosurfactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis R. Norman, Rajesh K. Saini
  • Patent number: 8669214
    Abstract: The invention is directed to stable crosslinked water-soluble swellable polymers and methods for making same. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising expandable polymeric particles having anionic sites and labile crosslinkers and stable crosslinkers, said particle mixed with a fluid and a cationic crosslinker that is capable of further crosslinking the particle on degradation of the labile crosslinker and exposure of the anionic sites so as to form a gel. A particularly important use is as an injection fluid in petroleum production, where the expandable polymeric particles are injected into target zone and when the heat and/or suitable pH of the target zone cause degradation of the labile crosslinker and the particle expands, the cationic crosslinker crosslinks the polymer to form a gel, thus diverting water to lower permeability regions and improving oil recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, University of Kansas
    Inventors: Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, James H. Hedges, David R. Zornes, Riley B. Needham, Huili Guan, Jenn-Tai Liang, Cory Berkland, James P. Johnson, Min Cheng, Faye L. Scully
  • Patent number: 8664167
    Abstract: A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising (a) providing a hydrocarbon recovery composition to at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein the hydrocarbon recovery composition comprises a propoxylated composition which comprises (1) a glycerol sulfonate of a propoxylated primary alcohol having a branched aliphatic group with an average carbon number from 10 to 24 and having an average number of branches per aliphatic group of from 0.7 to 2.5 and having at least 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Kirk Herbert Raney, Thomas Carl Semple
  • Publication number: 20140005082
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Julian Richard Barnes, James Laurel Buechele, Robert Hardy Ellison, Kirk Herbert Raney, Thomas Carl Semple, Johan Paul Smit
  • Patent number: 8613318
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Marie-Pierre Labeau, Guillaume Degre, Rajesh Ranjan, Isabelle Henaut, René Tabary, Jean-François Argillier
  • Patent number: 8584751
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Christian Bittner, Günter Oetter, Jack Tinsley, Christian Spindler, Gabriela Alvarez Jürgenson, Sophie Vogel
  • Patent number: 8584750
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Christian Bittner, Oetter Günter, Jack Tinsley, Christian Spindler, Gabriela Alvarez Jürgenson, Sophie Vogel
  • Publication number: 20130281327
    Abstract: Provided herein are inter alia novel compositions and methods having application in the field of enhanced oil recovery. In particular, the short hydrophobe compounds and mixtures thereof presented herein can be used, inter alia, for the recovery of a large range of crude oil compositions from challenging reservoirs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Upali P. Weerasooriya, Gary A. Pope
  • Publication number: 20130252855
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Upali P. Weerasooriya, Gary A. Pope, Mojdeh Delshad
  • Publication number: 20130196886
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrocarbon recovery composition comprising a combination of an internal olefin sulfonate and an alkoxy glycidyl sulfonate, more specifically a hydrocarbon recovery composition comprising surfactant and water, wherein the surfactant comprises a combination of an internal olefin sulfonate with a chain length of greater than C20 and an alkoxy glycidyl sulfonate selected from an ethoxylated glycidyl sulfonate and a propoxylated glycidyl sulfonate. Further, the invention relates to a method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising (a) providing a hydrocarbon recovery composition to at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein the composition comprises a blend of an internal olefin sulfonate and an alkoxy glycidyl sulfonate; and (b) allowing the composition to interact with hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Julian Richard Barnes, George J. Hirasaki, Clarence A. Miller, Maura Puerto
  • Patent number: 8470746
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating a water- and hydrocarbon-producing subterranean formation with a relative permeability modifier, and more specifically, to improved treatment fluids, methods for preparing treatment fluids, and methods for use thereof in a subterranean formation. Methods of the present invention comprise providing a treatment fluid comprising a relative permeability modifier, at least one surfactant, and an aqueous phase base fluid; and placing the treatment fluid in a subterranean formation. The relative permeability modifier comprises a hydrophobically modified hydrophilic polymer. The at least one surfactant is operable to maintain the relative permeability modifier in a dissolved state in the treatment fluid above a pH of about 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry S. Eoff
  • Publication number: 20130098612
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventor: BASF SE
  • Publication number: 20130098609
    Abstract: A process for mineral oil production, in which an aqueous formulation comprising tris(2-hydroxyphenyl)methane of the general formula (I) is injected into a mineral oil deposit through an injection well and the crude oil is withdrawn from the deposit through a production well, where the R1, R2 and R radicals in the formula (I) are each defined as follows: R is independently 1 to 2 hydrocarbyl radicals per phenyl ring, R1 is preferably H or OH, R2 are independently radicals of the general formula (III), —(R5—O—)n—R6—X??(III) where n is a number from 1-50, and where the R5 radicals are R7 groups R6 is a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, X is H or an acidic end group, R10 is, for example, C1-C6-hydrocarbyl radical, enables improved mineral oil production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: Wintershall Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Wintershall Holding GmbH
  • Publication number: 20130102504
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventor: BASF SE
  • Patent number: 8415278
    Abstract: A composition for treating a portion of a wellbore or a portion of a subterranean formation is provided, the composition comprising: (a) water; (b) a source of hydrogen peroxide, and (c) an activator for the source of hydrogen peroxide; wherein the pH of the composition is adjusted to be within an appropriate range for the type of activator. A method for treating a portion of a wellbore or a portion of a subterranean formation, the method comprising the steps of: forming or providing a composition comprising: (a) water; (b) a source of hydrogen peroxide, and (c) an activator for the source of hydrogen peroxide; wherein the pH of the composition is adjusted within an appropriate range for the type of activator; and introducing the composition through a wellbore to treat a portion of a wellbore or a portion of a subterranean formation. The activator can be a water-soluble alkanoyl-donor compound or a chelated transition metal. Preferably, the composition further comprises an iron chelating agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Sanders, Jeffrey L. Mundy, Fong Fong Foo, Rajesh K. Saini
  • Publication number: 20130029883
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: CESI CHEMICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Keith Dismuke, Richard Nelson Fox, Herbert Juppe, Phillip B. Kaufman, Glenn S. Penny, Bill Zhou
  • Publication number: 20120220502
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of alkylalkoxysulfonates for the production of foams, which are stable at high temperatures, e.g. up to about 250° C. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing of high temperature stable foams by using a foamable aqueous composition comprising at least one linear alkylalkoxysulfonate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Gabriela Alvarez Jürgenson, Günter Oetter, Vandana Kurkal-Siebert, Marta Reinoso Garcia, Stefan Stein, Geza Horvath Szabo
  • Patent number: 8093187
    Abstract: Composition and method for shortening the shear recovery time of cationic, zwitterionic, and amphoteric viscoelastic surfactant fluid systems by adding an effective amount of a co-gelling agent selected from triblock oligomeric compounds having hydrophilic (for example polyether) and hydrophobic (for example alkyl) portions. The co-gelling agent also increases fluid viscosity and very low co-gelling agent concentration is needed. Preferred surfactants are betaines and quaternary amines. The fluids are useful in oilfield treatments, for example fracturing and gravel packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yiyan Chen, Jesse C. Lee
  • Publication number: 20110269652
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: ST. FRANCIS XAVIER UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: D. Gerrard Marangoni, T. Bruce Grindley, Nusrat Jahan, Christian Petropolis, Thomas Tran, Nawal Paul
  • Patent number: 8039422
    Abstract: An acid-in-oil emulsion having a corrosion inhibitor as the external phase has been found to prevent downhole corrosion when acidizing carbonate formations to enhance hydrocarbon recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Ali A. Al-Zahrani
  • Patent number: 8008236
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas D. Welton
  • Patent number: 8008235
    Abstract: The present invention provides drilling fluids that comprise a base fluid and a water-soluble relative permeability modifier. In addition, the present invention provides methods of reducing the permeability of a subterranean formation to aqueous-based fluids during the drilling phase that comprises providing a water-soluble relative permeability modifier; and placing the water-soluble relative permeability modifier into the subterranean formation during the drilling phase. The present invention provides methods of drilling a well bore in a subterranean formation comprising providing a drilling fluid that comprises a base fluid and a water-soluble relative permeability modifier, and placing the drilling fluid in the subterranean formation. The water-soluble relative permeability modifiers of the present invention generally may comprise hydrophilically modified polymers, hydrophobically modified polymers, or water-soluble polymers without hydrophobic or hydrophilic modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry S. Eoff, Eldon D. Dalrymple, B. Raghava Reddy
  • Patent number: 7994102
    Abstract: An acid treatment composition is provided including a corrosion inhibitor and an optional corrosion inhibitor intensifier in an acidic solution. More specifically, the composition includes an anionic surfactant. Methods for treating wells with these acid treatment compositions are also provided that help control corrosion of the steel used in the wells during the acid treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: D V Satyanarayana Gupta, Joel Lynn Boles
  • Patent number: 7985718
    Abstract: The use of a surfactant mixture comprising at least one surfactant having a hydrocarbon radical composed of from 12 to 30 carbon atoms and at least one cosurfactant having a branched hydrocarbon radical composed of from 6 to 11 carbon atoms for tertiary mineral oil extraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Ulrich Steinbrenner, Christian Bittner, Oetter Günter, Marcus Guzmann
  • Patent number: 7977284
    Abstract: A method of making phenol and alkylphenol ethoxylates non-estrogenic by inserting 1 mole of propylene oxide onto the phenolic group before proceeding with the addition of ethylene oxide or mixtures of ethylene and propylene oxide. The final phenolic products can be further reacted to form sulfates, sulfonates, phosphate esters, condensed alkylphenol alkoxylates and other derivatives of alkylphenol or phenol. Non-estrogenic phenol and alkylphenol alkoxylates and their derivatives have been found to be excellent salt tolerant, high temperature stable surfactants for oil recovery from subterranean reservoirs. These products are also useful in forming emulsions of heavy crude for transportation through pipelines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Oil Chem Technologies, Inc
    Inventors: Paul Berger, Christie Berger
  • Patent number: 7963329
    Abstract: A method including a) injecting into the formation an aqueous solution containing a polymer and a surfactant to create a organic phase and a aqueous phase, the surfactant being capable of reducing the interfacial tension between the phases to less than 1 dyne/cm; b) recovering a portion of the organic and aqueous phases containing at least a portion of the polymer and surfactant components and a portion of native petroleum surfactants generated in the porous formation; c) adjusting the conditions of the recovered portions to force a portion of the polymer and surfactant from one phase into the other phase by use of chemical, physical, electrical or gravitational means or a combination of said means; d) separating the polymer-and surfactant-containing phase; e) concentrating the polymer and surfactant components in the separated phase; and f) re-injecting at least a portion of the concentrated polymer and surfactant components into the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Gordon Thomas Shahin, Joseph Michael Redican
  • Publication number: 20110083847
    Abstract: A process for mineral oil production, especially Winsor type III microemulsion flooding, in which an aqueous surfactant formulation which comprises at least one alkylpolyalkoxysulfate comprising propoxy groups, and at least one further surfactant differing therefrom is used, is forced through injection wells into a mineral oil deposit and crude oil is removed from the deposit through production wells. The alkylpolyalkoxysulfate comprising propoxy groups is prepared in this case by sulfating an alkoxylated alcohol, the alkoxylated alcohol being prepared by alkoxylating an alcohol using double metal cyanide catalysts or double hydroxide clays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Christian Bittner, Günter Oetter, Jack Tinsley, Christian Spindler, Gabriela Alvarez Jürgenson, Sophie Vogel
  • Patent number: 7923417
    Abstract: A composition for treating a portion of a wellbore or a portion of a subterranean formation is provided, the composition comprising: (a) water; (b) a source of hydrogen peroxide, and (c) an activator for the source of hydrogen peroxide; wherein the pH of the composition is adjusted to be within an appropriate range for the type of activator. A method for treating a portion of a wellbore or a portion of a subterranean formation, the method comprising the steps of: forming or providing a composition comprising: (a) water; (b) a source of hydrogen peroxide, and (c) an activator for the source of hydrogen peroxide; wherein the pH of the composition is adjusted within an appropriate range for the type of activator; and introducing the composition through a wellbore to treat a portion of a wellbore or a portion of a subterranean formation. The activator can be a water-soluble alkanoyl-donor compound or a chelated transition metal. Preferably, the composition further comprises an iron chelating agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Sanders, Jeffrey L. Mundy, Fong Fong Foo, Rajesh K. Saini
  • Publication number: 20110021389
    Abstract: A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising (a) providing a hydrocarbon recovery composition to at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein the hydrocarbon recovery composition comprises a propoxylated composition which comprises (1) a glycerol sulfonate of a propoxylated primary alcohol having a branched aliphatic group with an average carbon number from 10 to 24 and having an average number of branches per aliphatic group of from 0.7 to 2.5 and having at least 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ B.V.
    Inventors: Kirk Herbert Raney, Thomas Carl Semple
  • Patent number: 7749944
    Abstract: Methods of improving shear recovery time of viscoelastic surfactant fluid systems are described, one method involving providing a viscoelastic surfactant fluid system comprising a major portion of a surfactant and a rheology enhancer in a concentration sufficient to shorten shear recovery time of the fluid system compared to shear recovery time of the fluid system absent the rheology enhancer, the rheology enhancer selected from aromatic sulfonates having a molecular weight of at least 500; and injecting the fluid system down a well. The rheology enhancer may be a lignosulfonate derived from wood pulping. Viscoelastic surfactant systems including the rheology enhancer are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yiyan Chen, Jesse C. Lee, Eric Hanson
  • Patent number: 7741251
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry S. Eoff, B. Raghava Reddy, J. Michael Wilson
  • Patent number: 7704927
    Abstract: Methods and compositions useful in acidizing a subterranean formation with an oil-in-water emulsion that includes a sulfonate ester, a fluoride salt, a proppant, and water. The reaction of the ester and fluoride salt is delayed so that hydrofluoric acid is produced in-situ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Qi Qu, Xiaolan Wang
  • Patent number: 7638468
    Abstract: The invention relates to surfactant based viscoelastic fluids for enhancing the productivity of a hydrocarbon-bearing formations, such as oil wells. The viscoelastic fluids of the invention have particular applicability in acid fracturing of subterranean formations surrounding oil and gas wells. The viscoelastic fluid contains an inorganic acid and at least one C10 to C24 alkyl trialkyl quaternary ammonium aromatic salt such as quaternary ammonium salicylate or phthalate. An anionic surfactant may also be present in the viscoelastic fluid. The addition of the C10 to C24 alkyl trialkyl quaternary ammonium aromatic salt to the inorganic acid causes gellation of the acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: D. V. Satyanarayana Gupta, Greg Niechwiadowicz, Kewei Zhang
  • Patent number: 7629299
    Abstract: A method of recovering crude oil from a subterranean hydrocarbon containing formation which comprises (a) injecting into said formation an aqueous solution containing an effective amount alkali metal, alkaline-earth or ammonium salts of alcohol ether sulfonates derived from unsaturated alcohol ethers, and (b) displacing said solution into one or more injection wells and recovering the oil from one or more production wells. The unsaturated alkoxylated alcohol contain various amounts of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and butylene oxides elected to optimize their interfacial properties with different types of crude oil with different brines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Oil Chem Technologies
    Inventors: Paul Daniel Berger, Christie Huimin Berger, Guohua Cao, Oliver Hsu
  • Patent number: 7622429
    Abstract: A composition for inhibiting or preventing the formation of emulsions and asphaltic sludges in the presence of treating acids during the acid stimulation of hydrocarbon wells is provided. The composition includes an alkyl aryl sulfonic acid or salt thereof, an acetylenic alcohol, an alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonic acid or derivative thereof, in an alkyl alcohol solvent. The disclosed compositions can be used in an acid treatment solution, such as 15% hydrochloric acid, to prevent and resolve live acid and spent acid emulsions for a wide range of crude oils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventor: Malcolm Stuart Knopp
  • Patent number: 7618926
    Abstract: A synergistic blend for foaming concentrated brines comprises at least one foaming agent (in an amount between from about 10 to about 90 weight percent of the blend) and a compound of the formula: CnH2n+1—N—[(CH2)mCOOM]2??(I) wherein n is 4 to 11, M is an alkali metal and m is 1 to 3. Especially suitable as foaming agent are quaternary ammonium salts, alkyl betaines, alkylamidopropyl betaines, sulfabetaines, hydroxysultaines, amphoteric perfluorohydrocarbons, as well as alkylether sulfates. Such synergistic blends are especially useful in the foaming of saturated or near saturated brines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventor: Marek K. Pakulski
  • Publication number: 20090270281
    Abstract: The use of a surfactant mixture comprising at least one surfactant having a hydrocarbon radical composed of from 12 to 30 carbon atoms and at least one cosurfactant having a branched hydrocarbon radical composed of from 6 to 11 carbon atoms for tertiary mineral oil extraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Ulrich Steinbrenner, Christian Bittner, Gunter Oetter, Marcus Guzmann
  • Patent number: 7507695
    Abstract: A composition for inhibiting or preventing the formation of emulsions in the presence of treating acids during the acid stimulation of hydrocarbon wells is provided. The composition includes an alkyl aryl sulfonic acid or salt thereof, an acetylenic alcohol, an alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonic acid or derivative thereof, in an alkyl alcohol solvent. The disclosed compositions can be used in an acid treatment solution, such as 15% hydrochloric acid, to prevent and resolve live acid and spent acid emulsions for a wide range of crude oils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventor: Malcolm Stuart Knopp