Abstract: A spacer fluid comprises a fluid and a viscosity agent. The viscosity agent is a mixture of at least two polyvinylalcohol compositions. A first polyvinylalcohol composition comprises polyvinylalcohols having a first degree of hydrolysis and a second polyvinylalcohol composition comprises polyvinylalcohols having a second degree of hydrolysis. The first and second degrees of hydrolysis are substantially different such that the rheology of the spacer fluid is stable during temperatures changes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for preventing gas hydrates formation in BOP fluids in deep water well operations that includes the step of adding at least 28% glycol by volume to a BOP fluid, whereby the hydrate phase equilibrium line shifts to the point where the operating conditions will not form a hydrate.

Abstract: A well treatment fluid contains a viscoelastic surfactant and a viscosification activator. The viscosification activator enhances the viscosity of the well treatment fluid in contrast to a treatment fluid that does not contain a viscosification activator.

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: Methods and compositions including a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid, a relative permeability modifier, and a chelating agent; introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates a subterranean formation; and allowing at least a first portion of the treatment fluid to penetrate into a portion of the subterranean formation so as to substantially divert a second portion of the treatment fluid to another portion of the subterranean formation.

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: A composition made of fibers and a material able to exhibit reverse solubility has utility for treating subterranean wells. The composition may used to cure lost circulation. The composition may be added to drilling fluids, spacer fluids or cement slurries. As the fluid temperature increases in a well, the reverse solubility material may precipitate and migrate to the fibers, causing the fibers to stick to each other and form a network, thereby forming a barrier that reduces further egress of treatment fluid from the wellbore.

Abstract: A method for degrading a downhole article includes exposing the downhole article comprising a controlled electrolytic material to a composition that comprises a reducing agent. The method also includes contacting the downhole article with the reducing agent to degrade the downhole article. Additionally, a composition for degrading a downhole article includes water, chelant, metal ions, and a reducing agent that includes ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, a derivative thereof, a salt thereof, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Diverting compositions for treating a subterranean zone substantially distanced from a wellbore, comprising: a carrier fluid; and a particulate, partially dehydrated or anhydrous borate source material that does not substantially swell when placed in contact with the carrier fluid. The carrier fluid is capable of carrying and placing the borate source material into a stimulation network substantially distanced from a wellbore, and wherein the borate source material is dissolvable through sufficient contact with an aqueous fluid. The carrier fluid is a water-miscible non-aqueous fluid selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, N,N-dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, 1,4-dioxane, dimethylsulfoxide, tetramethylenesulfone, acetonitrile, hexamethylphosphoramide, 1,3-methyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinone, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of for changing the water permeability of a subterranean formation of a well, the method comprising: providing a fluid comprising a liquid carrier and a viscoelastic surfactant; introducing the fluid into the well; and contacting the fluid and the subterranean formation wherein the action of the liquid carrier and the viscoelastic surfactant is able to change the water permeability of the subterranean formation. The fluid may further comprise methanol, or a salt which can be embodied within the carrier fluid. Advantageously, no further RPM polymer is used. In a first aspect the method is used for reducing the amount of water produced, in as second aspect for improving the oil recovery.

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: A method of cleaning a wellbore drilled with an oil-based drilling fluid that forms an oil-based filter cake may include: emplacing a breaker fluid into the wellbore, the breaker fluid comprising: a water-miscible non-aqueous fluid; at least one weighting salt; and at least one breaking agent; and shutting in the well for a period of time sufficient to initiate breaking of the oil-based filter cake.

Abstract: Fluids viscosified with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) may have their viscosities reduced (gels broken) by the direct or indirect action of an internal breaker composition that contains at least one mineral oil, at least one polyalphaolefin oil, at least one saturated fatty acid and/or at least one unsaturated fatty acid. The internal breaker may initially be dispersed oil droplets in an internal, discontinuous phase of the fluid. In one non-limiting embodiment, the internal breaker, e.g. mineral oil, is added to the fluid after it has been substantially gelled. An oil-soluble surfactant is present to enhance or accelerate the reduction of viscosity of the gelled aqueous fluid.

Abstract: The Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process can be controlled to create water that has desirable characteristics for use in secondary processes such as fracking or irrigation.

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 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.

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 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: A method of extracting hydrocarbon-containing organic matter from a hydrocarbon-containing material includes the steps of providing a first liquid comprising a turpentine liquid; contacting the hydrocarbon-containing material with the turpentine liquid to form an extraction mixture; extracting the hydrocarbon material into the turpentine liquid; and separating the extracted hydrocarbon material from a residual material not extracted.

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: Coacervate gels having excellent shear viscosities and other properties are made with anionic or cationic polymers, a smaller amount of a surfactant having a charge opposite that of the polymer, and a hydrophobic alcohol and an effective amount of a phosphorus-containing compound sufficient to increase the viscosity of coacervate gels up to 3 times as compared to the gels in the absence of the phosphorus-containing compound. The Zeta Potential of the gel is maintained at an absolute value of at least 20. Optional gel promoting additives include betaines and amine oxides. A preferred gel comprises poly diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, a lesser amount of sodium lauryl sulfonate, and lauryl alcohol. The gels are particularly useful in well drilling fluids and well fracturing fluids.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation. The method may include providing a fluid-loss control pill that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a gelling agent, and an internal breaker that is selected from the group consisting of inorganic delayed acids or inorganic salts. The method can include introducing the fluid-loss control pill into a subterranean formation, allowing the internal breaker to reduce the viscosity of the pill after a delay period, and allowing the fluid-loss control pill to break.

Abstract: The present invention provides 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 one or more internal olefin sulfonates having 17 or more carbon atoms, (b) adding water and/or brine from the hydrocarbon formation to the composition, (c) adding a solubilizer which comprises an ethoxylated alcohol wherein the alcohol before ethoxylation had an average molecular weight of at least about 220 and (d) allowing the composition to interact with hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing formation. The solubilizer may comprise less than about 0.1 wt %, preferably from about 0.02 to about 0.05 wt %, of the total composition and it may have from about 5 to about 9 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two-stage filter cake removal composition, and method of use thereof, for use in a wellbore for controlled removal of a filter cake present in a target production zone. The two-stage filter cake removal composition may include an enzyme present in an amount of between about 1% and 10%, and a glycolic acid in amounts of between about 1% and 10% by weight. Optionally, hydrochloric acid may be added to the glycolic acid, in an amount of about 1 and 5% by weight. The two-stage filter cake removal composition, when the enzyme is applied to the filter cake in the target production zone in a first stage and the glycolic acid is applied to the filter cake in the target production zone in a second stage, is operable to remove the filter cake in the target production zone over a predetermined extended reaction time.

Abstract: Method of treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation having brine and treated hydrocarbon-bearing formations. The method includes contacting a hydrocarbon-bearing formation with a composition comprising solvent and a polymer. The polymer comprises divalent units represented by formula: (formula I); and a plurality of alkyleneoxy groups. In some embodiments, the solvent at least one of solubilizes or displaces the brine in the formation. In some embodiments, the solvent includes at least one of a polyol or polyol ether independently having from 2 to 25 carbon atoms and at least one of water, a monohydroxy alcohol, an ether, or a ketone, wherein the monohydroxy alcohol, the ether, and the ketone each independently have up to 4 carbon atoms. Hydrocarbon-bearing formations and proppants treated with the polymer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition and method for resolving reverse emulsions and complex water external emulsions using one or more polyepihalohydrins, one or more polyelectrolytes thereof, and any combination thereof is disclosed and claimed. The disclosed invention may be used in any crude oil production process where such emulsions are encountered.

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: Method of selective quantitation of a polymerizable monomeric species in a well spacer fluid, said method comprising the steps of adding at least one solvent having a refractive index of less than about 1.33 to a sample of the complex mixture to produce a solvent phase, and measuring the refractive index of the solvent phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions that can be used to delay crystallization of a treatment solution so that thief zones or fractures are plugged in subterranean formations at a substantial distance from a wellbore. A supersaturated sodium aluminate solution, or other solutions, are introduced into the reservoir. The solution is relatively stable in the supersaturated state. Crystallization, or de-stabilizing the solution, can be controlled, which in turn plugs the thief zone or fracture at a designed point of time. By controlling the time that crystallization starts, i.e., the induction period, thief zones that are located at a substantial distant from the wellbore can be plugged.

Abstract: The present invention is a cryogenic subterranean fracturing fluid, comprising a liquefied industrial gas and a viscosity increasing additive. The liquefied industrial gas may be liquefied carbon dioxide, liquefied nitrogen, or a blend of the two. The liquefied industrial gas mixture should be substantially free of water. In this context, substantially free of water means less than 10% water by volume, or preferably less than 5% water by volume. In addition to the viscosity increasing additive, a proppant may be added to the fracturing fluid. In addition to the viscosity increasing additive and/or proppant additional additives may be added to the liquefied industrial gas as required.

Abstract: Solid, particulate dicarboxylic acids may be fluid loss control agents and/or viscosifying agents for viscoelastic surfactant (VES) fluids in treatments such as well completion or stimulation in hydrocarbon recovery operations. The fluid loss control agents may include, but not be limited to, dodecanedioic acid, undecanedioic acid, decanedioic acid, azelaic acid, suberic acid, and mixtures thereof having a mesh size of from about 20 mesh to about 400 mesh (about 841 to about 38 microns). A mutual solvent or a blend of at least two alcohols subsequently added to the aqueous viscoelastic surfactant treating fluid will at least partially dissolve the solid, particulate dicarboxylic acid fluid loss control agents, and optionally also “break” or reduce the viscosity of the aqueous viscoelastic surfactant treating fluid.

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 fluid comprising a plurality of particulates having an Apollonian particle size distribution dispersed in a carrier fluid optionally comprising a surfactant, the particulates, the carrier fluid, or both comprising a degradable oleaginous fluid. Methods to utilize the fluid are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided that relate to cementing operations. Methods and compositions that include a latex strength enhancer for enhancing the compressive strength of slag compositions.

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: The present invention relates to a method for oil recovery from a reservoir which comprises the following phases: a) injecting a volume of a micro (nano)-structured fluid with released control of barrier substances into at least a portion of an underground reservoir containing oil, said micro (nano)-structured fluid comprising an aqueous dispersion of microcapsules composed of a core comprising a modifying substance of the absolute permeability of the rock formation which houses said reservoir, a protective shell insoluble in water which coats said core; b) clogging the porous intergranular spaces of said rock formation with said modifying substance with a reduction or inhibition of the absolute permeability of said rock formation, c) recovering said oil from the remaining portion of said reservoir by the further injection of a displacing fluid, preferably water.

Abstract: The current application discloses methods and systems for preparing a wellbore treatment fluid precursor consolidated as one or more solid bodies; delivering the solid bodies to a logistics facility; and preparing a wellbore treatment fluid from the solid bodies. In some embodiments, the wellbore treatment fluid is a fracturing fluid for conducting a hydraulic fracturing operation on a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a wellbore prior to the production of oil or gas, wherein the wellbore has been drilled with an invert emulsion drilling mud that forms an invert emulsion filter cake is disclosed. The method may include circulating a breaker fluid into the wellbore, where the breaker fluid includes a non-oleaginous internal phase and an oleaginous external phase, where the non-oleaginous phase includes a water soluble polar organic solvent, a hydrolysable ester of a carboxylic acid, and a weighting agent, and the oleaginous external phase includes an oleaginous fluid and an emulsifier, and where the hydrolysable ester is selected so that upon hydrolysis an organic acid is released and the invert emulsion of the filter cake breaks.

Abstract: The present invention is a cryogenic subterranean fracturing fluid, comprising a liquefied industrial gas and a first additive. The liquefied industrial gas may be liquefied carbon dioxide, liquefied nitrogen, or a blend of the two. The liquefied industrial gas mixture should be substantially free of water. In this context, substantially free of water means less than 10% water by volume, or preferably less than 5% water by volume. In addition to the first additive, a proppant may be added to the fracturing fluid. In addition to the biocide and/or proppant additional additives may be added to the liquefied industrial gas as required. Non-limiting examples of such additives include ozone, a friction reducer, an acid, a gelling agent, a breaker, a scale inhibitor, a clay stabilizer, a corrosion inhibitor, an iron controller, an oxygen scavenger, a surfactant, a cross-linker, a non-emulsifier, a Ph Adjusting agent, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: An aqueous composition for removing scale deposits, especially on subsea equipment and a method of using the same is described. The aqueous composition comprises (a) a potassium phosphate compound; and (b) acetic acid. The composition is capable of dissolving away into seawater and poses little or no risk to the environment.

Abstract: A treatment fluid made of mineral acid, viscoelastic surfactant, at least one of a fluoride source and a chelant, and optionally a corrosion inhibitor. A method of combining a mineral acid, viscoelastic surfactant, at least one of a fluoride source and a chelant, and optionally a corrosion inhibitor, in a fluid mixture. A method of contacting a low-temperature formation with a fluid mixture of mineral acid, viscoelastic surfactant, at least one of a fluoride source and a chelant, and optionally a corrosion inhibitor.

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: A method for enhancing oil recovery is disclosed. The method includes providing a subsurface reservoir containing hydrocarbons therewithin and a wellbore in fluid communication with the subsurface reservoir. A solution for injection into the reservoir is formed by mixing a composition with at least one non-ionic chemical, at least one polymer, and at least one alkali. The non-ionic chemical can be alcohol alkoxylates such as alkylaryl alkoxy alcohols or alkyl alkoxy alcohols. The solution is solution is clear and aqueous stable when mixed. The solution is injected through the wellbore into the subsurface reservoir.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising at least in part shale formation, comprises providing a carrier fluid; providing a particulate blend including a first amount of particulates having a first average particle size between about 100 and 2000 microns and a second amount of particulates having a second average particle size between about three and twenty times smaller than the first average particle size, such that a packed volume fraction of the particulate blend exceeds 0.75; combining the carrier fluid and the particulate blend into a fracturing slurry; fracturing the formation with the fracturing slurry to create at least a fracture; and removing the second amount of particulates from the fracture.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of servicing a well. The method comprises providing a well servicing fluid. The well servicing fluid is formulated with the following components comprising, at least one friction reducer chosen from polychloroprenes, vinyl acetate polymers, polyalkylene oxides polyalphaolefins; and a nonaqueous carrier fluid. The well servicing fluid is introduced into the well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes employing industrial streams, including glycerol-containing by-products of triglyceride processing as well as waste glycol streams recovered from several sources, to produce oil well drilling, completion and hydrofracturing fluids.

Abstract: A fluid may contain nanoparticles and a base fluid where the base fluid may be a non-aqueous fluid. The base fluid may be, but is not limited to a drilling fluid, a completion fluid, a production fluid, and/or a stimulation fluid. The fluid may have at least one property, such as but not limited to a dielectric constant ranging from about 5 to about 10,000, an electrical conductivity ranging from about 1×10?6 S/m to about 1 S/m, and combinations thereof. The non-aqueous fluid may be a brine-in-oil emulsion, or a water-in-oil emulsion, and combinations thereof. The addition of nanoparticles to the base fluid may modify the electrical properties of the fluid.

Abstract: Emulsions for use in a well including: (a) a water-insoluble resinous material; (b) water; and (c) an emulsifier, wherein the emulsifier comprises a non-ionic, a cationic, or a zwitterionic emulsifier; wherein the continuous phase of the emulsion comprises the water; wherein a dispersed phase of the emulsion comprises the resinous material; wherein the dispersed phase is in the form of droplets having a size distribution range such that at least 50% of the droplets have a size of 0.5 micrometers-500 micrometers; wherein the resinous material of the droplets is in a concentration of at least 5% by weight of the water; and wherein the composition of the droplets has a viscosity of less than 2,000 Poise measured at 20° F. Methods include the steps of: (a) forming an emulsion described above; and (b) introducing the emulsion into a portion of a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method of extracting hydrocarbon-containing organic matter from a hydrocarbon-containing material includes the steps of providing a first liquid comprising a turpentine liquid; contacting the hydrocarbon-containing material with the turpentine liquid to form an extraction mixture; extracting the hydrocarbon material into the turpentine liquid; and separating the extracted hydrocarbon material from a residual material not extracted.