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.

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: Methods and compositions for stimulating of the production of hydrocarbons (e.g., formation crude oil and/or formation gas) from subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the compositions are emulsions or microemulsions, which may include water, a terpene, and a surfactant. In some embodiments, methods of selecting a composition for treating an oil or gas well are provided.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon recovery compounds that can be used as flowback agents and other purposes are disclosed. The compounds reduce water blockage when injected into a fractured reservoir. The composition includes a sorbitan emulsifier, ethoxylated wetting agent, and detergent.

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

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

Abstract: 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: Fracturing fluid compositions and methods of fracturing subterranean formations using polyboronic compounds as crosslinking agents are provided. The compositions and methods of the present invention allow for lower polymer loadings because achieving higher fracturing fluid viscosities can be achieved using less polymer than in traditional crosslinked systems.

Abstract: A microemulsion is formulated with a surfactant, a co-surfactant and brine, for recovery of heavy and extra-heavy crude oils by reducing the viscosity of such crude oils and improving their rheological properties for production and pipeline transportation.

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: 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: Of the many compositions and methods provided herein, an example method includes a method of treating a subterranean formation that comprises combining components comprising water and a density-matched suspension to prepare a treatment fluid, wherein the density-matched suspension comprises a suspending liquid and a solid particle suspended in the suspending liquid, and introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore. An example composition includes a suspension that comprises a suspending liquid comprising a hydrophobic liquid, wherein the hydrophobic liquid hydrolyzes when placed in contact with an aqueous fluid to form hydrophilic products, and a solid particle suspended in the suspending liquid, wherein the suspension is a density-matched suspension.

Abstract: Improved hydraulic fracturing compositions are disclosed which help reduce potential negative environmental impact by hydraulic fracturing. The disclosed compositions have flammability and toxicity and are relatively safe for the environment. The compositions may also contain biodegradable components.

Abstract: Novel derivatives of tris(2-hydroxyphenyl)methanes which have, as functional groups, polyalkoxy groups unmodified or modified with terminal hydrophilic groups, preparation of such compounds and use thereof, especially for mineral oil production.

Abstract: Disclosed are aqueous-based compositions and methods for treating a subterranean formation for inhibiting formation damage after the treatment. Compositions include an aqueous-based fluid, gelling agents, sparingly-soluble crosslinking agents, and one or more formation damage prevention agents, such as scale inhibitors, iron control agents, non-emulsifiers, clay stabilizers, or polymer breakers. The methods include performing a well treating operation, such as a hydraulic fracturing operation, using the compositions described and inhibiting formation damage, such as scale, iron formation, emulsions, or clay swelling within the subterranean formation. The inclusion of the formation damage preventing agents allows for long-term formation damage inhibition after the treatment.

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.

Abstract: The use of a solvent for bitumen extraction, either from mined oil sands or in situ. The solvent includes (a) a polar component, the polar component being a compound comprising a non-terminal carbonyl group; and (b) a non-polar component, the non-polar component being a substantially aliphatic substantially non-halogenated alkane. The solvent has a Hansen hydrogen bonding parameter of 0.3 to 1.7 and/or a volume ratio of (a):(b) in the range of 10:90 to 50:50.

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.

Abstract: Polyboronic compounds and methods of making them are provided. The polyboronic compounds are useful as crosslinking agents. The polyboronic compounds are produced by contacting a polymeric amine with a trialkylborate in the presence of a solvent so that the resulting molecule has more than one B—N bond.

Abstract: Polyboronic compounds and methods of making them are provided. The polyboronic compounds are useful as crosslinking agents. The polyboronic compounds are produced by contacting a polymeric amine with a trialkylborate in the presence of a solvent so that the resulting molecule has more than one B—N bond.

Abstract: A method for treating a subterranean formation includes forming a treatment fluid including a carrier fluid, a solid acid-precursor, and a solid scale inhibitor. The solid acid-precursor includes a material that forms an acid at downhole conditions in the subterranean formation. The method further includes adding a solid acid-responsive material into the treatment fluid, where the solid acid-responsive material enhances formation of acid from the solid acid-precursor in acidic conditions. The method includes performing an acid fracture treatment and inhibiting scale formation within the subterranean formation. The solid scale inhibitor allows for long-term scale inhibition after the treatment.

Abstract: Fracturing fluid compositions and methods of fracturing subterranean formations using polyboronic compounds as crosslinking agents are provided. The compositions and methods of the present invention allow for lower polymer loadings because achieving higher fracturing fluid viscosities can be achieved using less polymer than in traditional crosslinked systems.

Abstract: The invention concerns a treatment fluid for wells drilled in oil mud in the form of an emulsion of water in oil comprising: a continuous organic phase comprising at least one emulsion-breaking organo-soluble additive; a dispersed aqueous phase including at least one solid-dissolving agent for the controlled destabilization of the processing fluid; at least one emulsifying agent; at least one weight-increasing agent; the proportion and the nature of the hydrosoluble additive being chosen so as to obtain a delay effect for the destabilization of the emulsion so as to be compatible with the tank fluids. The invention also concerns a method of processing wells bored with oil-based muds, using said processing fluid.

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 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.

Abstract: Wellbore servicing fluids and methods of using the same to service a wellbore in a subterranean formation are provided. A filter cake in the wellbore is contacted with the gravel packing fluid, which comprises an oil-soluble additive capable of removing the filter cake. The additive undergoes hydrolysis to produce an acid upon contacting water provided from, for example, water in the wellbore servicing fluid, connate water in the subterranean formation, water in the filter cake, water produced by the subterranean formation, water pumped into the wellbore, or combinations thereof. The acid dissolves particulates in the filter cake in situ. In an embodiment in which the wellbore servicing fluid serves as a gravel packing fluid, the fluid also deposits gravel along the face of the subterranean formation, forming a barrier against the migration of sand from the formation and into the wellbore.

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 method of servicing a wellbore comprising providing a composition comprising a mutual solvent precursor, an acid precursor, and an aqueous fluid, and contacting the composition with oil wet solids in the wellbore. A method of servicing a wellbore comprising introducing an oil-based fluid into a wellbore, wherein the oil-based fluid forms oil wet solids in the wellbore, contacting the oil wet solids in the wellbore with a composition comprising a mutual solvent precursor; an acid precursor and an aqueous fluid, and allowing the oil wet solids to become water wet. A method of servicing a well bore comprising contacting a composition comprising a formate ester with oil wet solids in the well bore under conditions wherein the formate ester hydrolyzes to release formic acid, wherein the formic acid catalyzes the hydrolysis of additional formate ester, and wherein all or a portion of the formate ester converts at least a portion of the oil-wet solids to water-wet solids.

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.

Abstract: An aqueous, viscoelastic fluid gelled with a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) is inhibited against hydrate formation with an effective amount of an additive that could be one or more halide salts of alkali metals and alkali earth metals, formate salts, alcohols, glycols, glycol amines, sugars, sugar alcohols, amidoamine oxides, polymers such as polyamines, polyvinylpyrrolidones and derivatives thereof, polyvinyl alcohols and derivatives thereof, polycaprolactams and derivatives thereof, hydroxyethylcellulose, and mixtures thereof. These fluids are inhibited against hydrate formation and may have increased viscosity as well. The additives may increase viscosity to the point where less VES is required to maintain a given viscosity. These inhibited, aqueous, viscoelastic fluids may be used as treatment fluids for subterranean hydrocarbon formations, such as in stimulation treatments, e.g. hydraulic fracturing fluids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of chalcogen heterocyclic electron donating compounds as thermal decomposition reduction additives for gels used in well treatment fluids such as drilling fluids, fracturing fluids, and well completion and workover fluids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of chalcogen heterocyclic electron donating compounds as thermal decomposition reduction additives for gels used in well treatment fluids such as drilling fluids, fracturing fluids, and well completion and workover fluids.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore comprising providing a composition comprising a mutual solvent precursor, an acid precursor, and an aqueous fluid, and contacting the composition with oil wet solids in the wellbore. A method of servicing a wellbore comprising introducing an oil-based fluid into a wellbore, wherein the oil-based fluid forms oil wet solids in the wellbore, contacting the oil wet solids in the wellbore with a composition comprising a mutual solvent precursor; an acid precursor and an aqueous fluid, and allowing the oil wet solids to become water wet. A method of servicing a well bore comprising contacting a composition comprising a formate ester with oil wet solids in the well bore under conditions wherein the formate ester hydrolyzes to release formic acid, wherein the formic acid catalyzes the hydrolysis of additional formate ester, and wherein all or a portion of the formate ester converts at least a portion of the oil-wet solids to water-wet solids.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of chalcogen heterocyclic electron donating compounds as thermal decomposition reduction additives for gels used in well treatment fluids such as drilling fluids, fracturing fluids, and well completion and workover fluids.

Abstract: Disclosed are paraffin inhibitors prepared by admixing a polymer having the characteristic of inhibiting paraffin crystalline growth in formation fluid from oil and gas wells with a first solvent selected from the weak to moderate wax solvents and a second solvent selected from the strong wax solvents. Exemplary weak to moderate wax solvents include benzene, toluene, xylene, ethyl benzene, propyl benzene, trimethyl benzene and mixtures thereof. Exemplary strong wax solvents include cyclopentane, cyclohexane, carbon disulfide, decalin and mixtures thereof. The solvent system disclosed has desirably better solubility with the polymers, even at reduced temperatures, than either solvent alone. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of lining a well using expandable tubing including the steps of lowering a expandable tubing in a well bore; injecting a sealant composition into said well; letting the sealant composition solidify into a deformable matrix embedding at least a bottom section of said tubing within said well; and expanding the tubing. The invention allows the creation of a high quality seal at the shoe of the expandable casing because the deformable material is highly stressed by the expansion, and it also allows for the rest of the casing to be properly supported and protected by conventional cement, without incurring excessive wait-on-cement times.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of treating a subterranean formation utilizing a fluid having a splittable foamer, i.e., a fluid that creates a stable foam when it contacts the formation but that loses its ability to foam as it remains in contact with the formation for extended time. The present method has the advantage that the fluid can be recovered from the well unhindered by the difficulties involved with recovering a foamed fluid from a well. The present method does not require the use of breakers, though the splitting of the foam can be accelerated by introducing an organic or inorganic acid into the well, if so desired.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an under-neutralized alkylxylene sulfonic acid composition for enhanced oil recovery processes. The present invention is also directed to a method for enhancing the recovery of oil from a subterranean reservoir which method employs the under-neutralized alkylxylene sulfonic acid compositions of the present invention. The under-neutralized alkylxylene sulfonic acid compositions are employed in an aqueous media. The method optionally employs suitable co-surfactants, such as alcohols, alcohol ethers, polyalkylene glycols, poly(oxyalkylene)glycols and/or poly(oxyalkylene)glycol ethers.

Abstract: Stimulation, particularly fracturing or acidising, of hydrocarbon wells having bores leading to hydrocarbon bearing uses a fluid including a continuous phase of or including a compound of the formula (1): (R2)p—Ph—(CH2)m—COO—(AO)n—R1 where R1, AO, n, m, Ph, R2 and p having defined meanings and particularly where the esters are alkyl or alkenyl benzoate esters. These esters are beneficial by having a range of viscosities, especially extending to low viscosities, and attractive toxicological and environmental profiles for use in well stimulation.

Abstract: A method for in situ forming of an unstable oil in water emulsion includes the steps of providing a mixture of an aqueous alkali salt solution and a surfactant, and pumping the mixture down a well containing a crude hydrocarbon having an API gravity of less than or equal to 26 so as to provide an unstable emulsion in the well, the unstable emulsion having the hydrocarbon as a dispersed phase and the solution as a continuous phase and having a ratio by weight of the hydrocarbon to the solution of at least about 50:50.

Abstract: A method and composition for removing deposits of heavy hydrocarbonaceous materials and finely divided inorganic particulate matter from wellbore and flowline surfaces using a composition containing an alkyl polyglycoside, an ethoxylated alcohol, a caustic and an alkyl alcohol.

Abstract: Corrosion in aqueous alkanolamine, physical solvents, or combination of alkanolamine and physical solvent solutions used to remove acid gases from natural gas, synthetic gas, or light hydrocarbon streams can be reduced by addition of mixtures of oxygen scavengers or mixtures of oxygen scavengers and sodium molybdate. The oxygen scavengers must be promoted to reduce metal surfaces in contact with the solutions to a more passive, harder, and insoluble form at the operating temperature of the treating system. The sodium molybdate provides additional passivation especially in the imperfections on the surface of the metal where corrosion accelerates.

Abstract: A method and composition for removing deposits of heavy hydrocarbonaceous materials and finely divided drilling fluid solids from a wellbore using a composition containing an alkyl polyglycoside, an ethoxylated alcohol, a caustic and an alkyl alcohol by injecting the composition into the wellbore, maintaining the composition in the wellbore for a selected time and thereafter producing the composition from the wellbore.

Abstract: A well completion spacer fluid is provided which is particularly suitable for separating a cement slurry from drilling fluid in primary cementing operations. The well completion spacer fluid is also useful for separating other potentially incompatible fluids in the wellbore, such as, separating drilling fluid from a completion brine. The spacer fluid basically comprises water, a hydrous magnesium silicate clay, silica and organic polymer(s).

Abstract: A method of making a well fluid for use in a well which includes the steps of determining uphole and downhole operating temperatures in the well, and then contacting a well lubricant with a lubricating additive, wherein the lubricating additive has a cloud point temperature greater than the uphole operating temperature and less than the downhole operating temperature. A method of lubricating drilling equipment during opeation of a subterranean well, includes the steps of determining uphole and downhole operating temperatures in the well, and then contacting the drilling equipment with a treating fluid comprising a well lubricant and a lubricating additive, with the lubricating additive having a cloud point temperature greater than the uphole operating temperature and less than the downhole operating temperature.

Abstract: A solids-free, essentially all-oil wellbore fluid comprises (a) an organic fluid having (i) a melting point less than about 20.degree. C. (about 68.degree. F.), (ii) a flash point greater than about 54.4.degree. C. (about 130.degree. F.), and (iii) a dipole moment greater than 0 debye (D), and (b) a salt dissolved in the organic fluid. The wellbore fluid is employed in well drilling, completion, and work-over operations.

Abstract: Oil and gas wells and injection wells are cleaned of oil-based drilling muds, pipe thread compounds, other oil contaminants, cement and contaminants in injection water by a composition comprising fresh water or seawater, one-half to ten percent concentration of an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant and one to ten percent of a caustic agent such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide.