Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, apparatus, and systems to minimize environmental impact, water use, and overall cost of drilling and hydraulic fracturing for crude oil and natural gas. Some variations of the invention provide a fracturing-fluid additive composition comprising a water-soluble portion of a biomass-pyrolysis liquid. In some embodiments, the fracturing-fluid additive composition is substantially biodegradable and is not toxic. Some variations provide improved proppants for oil or gas well fracturing. Other variations of this invention relate to drilling-fluid additive compositions, and methods of using these compositions. This invention can significantly improve the environmental, economic, and social sustainability associated with drilling and fracturing for production of oil and gas.

Abstract: Compounds of biodegradable surfactants useful for optimizing the separation of impurities typical of hydrocarbons, and designed to intervene and stabilize the molecular structure of crude oil, with no significant alterations of the crude's intrinsic composition are disclosed. The biodegradable surfactants compounds coexist with a non-ionic surfactant and an organic mix in emulsion form with the purpose of isolating crude from the pipeline, reduce friction to improve crude flow and to enter the crude macromolecule to modify the hydrocarbon chain to reduce its density and thus its viscosity; including compounds of biodegradable surfactants that comprise sodium hydroxide 1N, potassium chloride, sulphonic acid, dodecanoic acid, nonylphenol, terpene-1 and water, preferably hard water.

Abstract: Compounds of biodegradable surfactants useful for optimizing the separation of impurities typical of hydrocarbons, and designed to intervene and stabilize the molecular structure of crude oil, with no significant alterations of the crude's intrinsec composition are disclosed. The biodegradable surfactants compounds coexist with a non-ionic surfactant and an organic mix in emulsion form with the purpose of isolating crude from the pipeline, reduce friction to improve crude flow and to enter the crude macromolecule to modify the hydrocarbon chain to reduce its density and thus its viscosity; including compounds of biodegradable surfactants that comprise sodium hydroxide 1N, potassium chloride, sulphonic acid, dodecanoic acid, nonylphenol, terpene-1 and water, preferably hard water.

Abstract: Biphenylmono- and polysulphonic acids and salts thereof, fluorenemono- and polysulphonic acids and salts thereof as well as p-terphenylmono- and polysulphonic acids and salts thereof may be used successfully as tracers for surveying, monitoring and/or measuring movements of aqueous fluids in aqueous and/or non-aqueous media. Said substances are especially suited for surveying or monitoring movements of fluids in oil wells or reservoirs as well as for fluid movements in hydrothermal reservoirs.

Abstract: A gelling agent for a hydrocarbon fracturing fluid is disclosed, comprising the general formula of: in which X is an OR1, NR1R2, or SR1 group, R1 is an organic group having 2-24 carbon atoms, and R2 is an organic group or a hydrogen. Y is an NR3R4 or SR3 group, R3 is an organic group having 2-24 carbon atoms, and R4 is an organic group or a hydrogen. A method of making a gelling agent for a hydrocarbon fracturing fluid is also disclosed. Phosphorus oxyhalide is reacted with a chemical reagent to produce substantially only diester phosphorus oxyhalide, the chemical reagent comprising at least one of an organic alcohol having 2-24 carbon atoms, an organic amine with an organic group having 2-24 carbon atoms, and an organic sulfide having 2-24 carbon atoms. The diester phosphorus oxyhalide is then hydrolyzed to produce diester phosphoric acid.

Abstract: Proppants for use in fractured or gravel packed/frac packed oil and gas wells are provided with a contaminant removal component to remove one or more of the contaminants found in subterranean water/hydrocarbon from a production well. The water/hydrocarbon cleaning proppant solids may be used as discrete particles in a proppant formulation, as a coating on proppant solids in pores of a porous proppant solid or as part of the proppant's internal structure. The contaminant removal component removes contaminants, especially dissolved contaminants, in the subterranean water or hydrocarbon before the water/hydrocarbon leaves the well. For those contaminant removal components that can be regenerated, such as ion exchange resins, a measured quantity of an acidic regeneration solution can be injected into the fractured stratum for regeneration and recovered when the well resumes production.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising placing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising a coupling agent, a hardenable resin and a hardening agent into the wellbore wherein the coupling agent comprises a multihydroxy phenyl, a dihydroxy phenyl, a trihydroxy phenyl, ascorbic acid, a hydroxymethylnaphthol, an oxidation product thereof, a derivative thereof, or combinations thereof. A wellbore servicing fluid comprising a coupling agent, a hardenable resin, a hardening agent and a proppant wherein the coupling agent comprises a multihydroxy phenyl, a dihydroxy phenyl, a trihydroxy phenyl, ascorbic acid, a hydroxymethylphenol, a hydroxymethylnaphthol, an oxidation product thereof, a derivative thereof, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: New hydrocarbon based slurry compositions and drilling, fracturing, completion and production fluids including the hydrocarbon based slurry composition are disclosed, where the composition includes a hydrocarbon soluble polymer adapted to decrease particle settling rates of particulate materials present in the fluids and in the case of fluids that include hydratable materials to increase hydration properties of such materials.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for determining the effectiveness of one or more asphaltene dispersant additives for inhibiting or preventing asphaltene precipitation in a hydrocarbon-containing material subjected to elevated temperature and pressure conditions.

Abstract: A composition including HCl, urea, complex substituted keto-amine-hydrochloride, an alcohol, an ethoxylate, and a ketone is provided for performing hydraulic fracturing or oil or gas wells, solubilizing calcium carbonate, or lowering salt and bicarbonate levels in irrigation systems.

Abstract: The instant invention pertains to a composition which may be useful for enhancing oil recovery. The composition typically comprises the reaction mixture of at least (a) two or more compounds capable of generating at least about 20 kcal to about 150 kcal per mole when contacted; (b) one or more suitable surfactants or one or more suitable polymers or a mixture thereof; and (c) oil. The invention also pertains to a method for enhancing oil recovery wherein a suitable system is injected through a wellbore into a reservoir to enhance mobility of oil.

Abstract: Articles and methods utilizing radiation susceptible materials are provided herein. In one aspect, a proppant, a treatment fluid, or both, may comprise a radiation susceptible material. In another aspect, a method is provided comprising disposing in a formation fracture, a proppant and/or a treatment fluid that comprises a radiation susceptible material, irradiating the radiation susceptible material with neutrons, measuring gamma-radiation emitted from the radiation susceptible material in a single pass, and determining formation fracture height from the measured gamma-radiation. The single-pass may be a continuous process or a periodic process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for introducing additives into formation fluid from an oil and gas well in or moving through equipment and systems located downstream from the oil and gas well. The method is practiced using pellets having a density sufficient to suspend the pellet at an interface of two phases of fluid within the Downstream Equipment. The pellets are prepared from a pellet matrix, such as an ethoxylated wax, and, optionally, a weighting agent as well as an additive. By varying the amount of weighting agent, the density of the pellet can be varied to suspend it at a desired point for a time sufficient to deliver the additive to the desired point within the Downstream Equipment. The method of the invention may also be used with Refinery Equipment such as a fuel distribution system or a waste water treatment system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a viscosified treatment fluid comprising: providing a treatment fluid that comprises water and a gelling agent; contacting the treatment fluid with a boronic acid crosslinking agent so as to form a crosslinked gelling agent, wherein the boronic acid crosslinking agent comprises a compound having the formula: The present invention also provides methods of crosslinking gelling agent molecules, methods of treating a subterranean formation, methods of reusing viscosified treatment fluids, methods of fracturing subterranean formations, and methods of placing a gravel pack in subterranean formations. The present invention also provides boronic acid crosslinking agents and viscosified treatment fluids that comprise crosslinked gelling agents, the crosslinked gelling agent being formed from a reaction comprising a gelling agent and a boronic acid crosslinking agent.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of increasing the viscosity of a treatment fluid comprising the steps of: adding a networking agent to the treatment fluid, wherein the networking agent is represented by the formula: Y—X—[B(OR)2]n, wherein: Y is at least partially capable of forming a crosslink between a gelling agent molecule, a second networking agent, and/or a combination thereof; X is at least partially capable of preventing or inhibiting a reaction represented by the formula: ROH+R?B(OR)2?R?OH+B(OR)3; R and R? are a hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or a combination thereof; and n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1; allowing at least one crosslink to form between the networking agent and a gelling agent molecule, a second networking agent, and/or a combination thereof; and allowing the viscosity of the treatment fluid to increase.

Abstract: A low-density ceramic proppant is formed from a light aggregate of a natural mineral and a ceramic binding material in the form of a proppant granule. The light aggregate expands in volume when burnt so that the density of the aggregate is changed. A method of preparing a proppant material is carried out by pre-crushing and pre-mixing of raw components. This is followed by their granulation into proppant granules, drying and screening of the granules to a selected size. The raw components include at least a ceramic binding material and a light aggregate of a natural mineral that, when burnt, expands in volume so that the specific volume of the aggregate is changed. The burning of the light aggregate may be accomplished before or after the aggregate is mixed with the binding material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a viscosified treatment fluid comprising: providing a treatment fluid that comprises water and a gelling agent; contacting the treatment fluid with a boronic acid crosslinking agent so as to form a crosslinked gelling agent, wherein the boronic acid crosslinking agent comprises a compound having the formula: The present invention also provides methods of crosslinking gelling agent molecules, methods of treating a subterranean formation, methods of reusing viscosified treatment fluids, methods of fracturing subterranean formations, and methods of placing a gravel pack in subterranean formations. The present invention also provides boronic acid crosslinking agents and viscosified treatment fluids that comprise crosslinked gelling agents, the crosslinked gelling agent being formed from a reaction comprising a gelling agent and a boronic acid crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A method to control drilling fluid properties, including: circulating a drilling fluid through a wellbore to form a suspension of drilled solids in the drilling fluid; and separating the suspension in a separator to form a particulate fraction and an effluent, wherein the particulate fraction includes at least a portion of the drilled solids and the effluent includes the drilling fluid. The particulate fraction may include particulates having a minimum particle size of 100 microns or greater, and the effluent may include a micronized weighting agent having a particle size d90 of 10 microns or less.

Abstract: A method for increasing the foam stability of foams made with cationic, zwitterionic, and amphoteric viscoelastic surfactant fluid systems by adding an effective amount of an amphiphilic polymeric foam stabilizer containing at least one portion that is a partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl ester or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylate. The foam stabilizer allows foams to be used at temperatures at which the unfoamed fluids would not have stable viscosity, and allows use of lower viscoelastic surfactant concentrations in the liquid phase. Preferred surfactants are betaines and quaternary amines. The fluids are useful in oilfield treatments, for example fracturing and gravel packing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treatment operations in subterranean zones, and more particularly, to consolidation compositions and methods of using these consolidation compositions to mitigate water production from subterranean formations. The present invention provides methods for mitigating the production of water from a subterranean formation by injecting consolidation compositions comprising a furan-based resin into an interval in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Methods of increasing the permeability of a portion of a subterranean formation may comprise providing a remediation fluid capable of decreasing the tackiness of a tackifying agent, the remediation fluid comprising a surfactant; introducing the remediation fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation, wherein a plurality of tackified particulates at least partially coated with formation fines are located within the portion; and allowing at least a substantial portion of the formation fines to detach from the plurality of tackified particulates.

Abstract: For tubing/casing annulus plug treatment to plug a well, a tubing/casing annulus plug additive including a dry mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, a filter aid, and an optional reinforcing material, preferably of fibers and/or comminuted plant materials. The method of forming a tubing/casing annulus plug fluid includes contacting the additive with water or an aqueous solution, with a method of plugging the tubing/casing annulus of a well further including the step of injecting the fluid into the annulus.

Abstract: A wellbore fluid having a non-aqueous continuous liquid phase that exhibits an electrical conductivity of not less than 10 &mgr;S m−1 at 1 kHz comprises a polar organic liquid (POL) which exhibits a dielectric constant of at least about 5.0 and a Hildebrand Solubility Parameter of at least about 17 (J cm−3)1/2. Oils or other organic liquids (OL) known to be suitable as the continuous liquid phase of wellbore fluids, may be used in admixture with POL component. Certain inorganic salts, organic bases, quaternary ammonium salts or hydroxides (the dissolved component, DC), display sufficient solubility (and current carrying abilities) in POL, OL or in mixtures of liquid (POL) and liquid (OL) to further improve the electrical conductivity of the mixture. The wellbore fluid can be used for providing enhanced information from electrical logging tools, measurement while drilling, logging while drilling, geosteering and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inhibiting corrosion of corrosion-prone metal surfaces by organic acid-containing petroleum streams by providing an effective corrosion-inhibiting amount of certain sulfur and phosphorus-free aromatic compounds substituted with nitrogen, containing functional groups at the 5- or 3, 5-position, typically up to 1000 wppm, to the metal surface.

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

Abstract: 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: An improved concentrated surfactant formulation and process for the recovery of residual oil from subterranean petroleum reservoirs, and more particularly an improved alkali surfactant flooding process which results in ultra-low interfacial tensions between the injected material and the residual oil, wherein the concentrated surfactant formulation is supplied at a concentration above, at, or, below its CMC, also providing in situ formation of surface active material formed from the reaction of naturally occurring organic acidic components with the injected alkali material which serves to increase the efficiency of oil recovery.

Abstract: Formation of fouling deposits in a hydrocarbon process stream during processing at elevated temperatures is reduced by including in the hydrocarbon process stream an antifouling amount of a salt of a hydrocarbyl-substituted linked hydroxyaromatic compound, where the linked compound comprises at least two aromatic moieties.

Abstract: This invention concerns a corrosion-inhibitor nominally comprised of a phenolic compound and a hydroxide-bearing compound capable of imparting a pH of 9 to water, the inclusion thereof in aerated water-based fluids and foams, and the use of these fluids in wellbore applications; particularly applications conducted at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A method for forming a stable emulsion of a viscous hydrocarbon in an aqueous buffer solution includes the steps of: providing a viscous hydrocarbon containing an inactive natural surfactant and having a salt content by weight of less than or equal to about 15 ppm and having a water content by weight of less than or equal to about 0.1%; forming a solution of a buffer additive in an aqueous solution to provide a basic aqueous buffer solution, the buffer additive being operative to extract and activate the inactive natural surfactant from the viscous hydrocarbon; and mixing the viscous hydrocarbon with the aqueous buffer solution at a rate sufficient to provide an emulsion of the viscous hydrocarbon in the aqueous buffer solution, whereby the buffer additive extracts the inactive natural surfactant from the viscous hydrocarbon into the aqueous buffer solution and activates the inactive natural surfactant so as to stabilize the emulsion. According to the invention, the buffer additive is a water soluble amine.

Abstract: An aqueous gellable composition capable of producing gels resistant to syneresis in the presence of divalent ions, contains:a water-soluble acrylamide polymer or copolymer,a crosslinking agent formed by a water-soluble aldehyde, or a water-soluble aldehyde and a water-soluble phenol,a water-soluble anti-syneresis agent selected from: organic carboxy acids, organic hydroxy acids and aminoacids, or among aminophosphonic acids and their alkali-metal or ammonium salts.When malonic acid is used, a delay in aqueous composition gelation is additionally obtained.