Abstract: A process is described for reducing the total acid number of a refinery feedstock. A refinery feedstock containing naphthenic acids is contacted with an effective amount of solid catalyst that has been pretreated with an aqueous caustic base, for a period of time sufficient to neutralize at least a portion of the naphthenic acids in the feedstock. Thereafter, the aqueous phase is separated from the neutralized refinery feedstock.

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