Abstract: A thixotropic gel suitable for use in subsurface bioremediation is provided along with a process of using the gel. The thixotropic gel provides a non-migrating injectable substrate that can provide below ground barrier properties. In addition, the gel components provide for a favorable environment in which certain contaminants are preferentially sequestered in the gel and subsequently remediated by either indigenous or introduced microorganisms.

Abstract: A cleaning composition including which comprises a surfactant and a propionate as co-surfactant and/or co-solvent. The composition can be used, for example, to clean drilling mud containing oils.

Abstract: Additives that may be useful in preventing fluid loss in certain subterranean formations and associated methods of use are provided. In one embodiment, the methods of the present invention comprise: providing a low molecular weight crosslinkable polymer and a crosslinking agent capable of crosslinking the low molecular weight crosslinkable polymer; and introducing the low molecular weight crosslinkable polymer and the crosslinking agent into at least a portion of a subterranean formation.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of alkyl amido quaternary ammonium salts, and formulations thereof, as thickening agents in aqueous based fluids, especially those used in oil field applications. The quaternary ammonium salts of the present invention exhibit improved gelling characteristics.

Abstract: In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides methods of controllably making a vinyl polymer hydrogel having desired physical properties without chemical cross links or radiation. The gelation process is modulated by controlling, for example, the temperature of a resultant vinyl polymer mixture having a gellant or using active ingredients provided in an inactive gellant complex.

Abstract: A process of producing a highly stable liquid crystal emulsion composition with improved qualities, in which a conventional complicated and costly process that requires specific equipment is streamlined into a simple and less costly process. A method of producing a liquid crystal emulsion composition having liquid crystal structure, comprising the steps of admixing 3 to 8 parts by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant which is a polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkyl ether having an HLB of 10 to 20 with 2 to 6 parts by weight of a lipophilic surfactant; admixing 5 to 10 parts by weight of the resulting admixture with 5 to 30 parts by weight of an oil component; admixing the obtained admixture with a mixture of 40 to 80 parts by weight of a water-soluble polyvalent alcohol and 8 to 40 parts by weight of water; and heating, homogeneously mixing and then cooling the thus obtained admixture.

Abstract: Metal cross-linked phosphate ester compositions impart fragile progressive gel structure to a variety of oil and invert emulsion-based drilling fluids at neutral or acidic pH. The fluids are useful for drilling wellbores in subterranean formations without need for organophilic clays to suspend drill solids. At greater concentrations, metal cross-linked phosphate ester compositions enhance fluid viscosity for suspending weighting materials in drilling fluids during transport of the fluids, as from a manufacturing or mixing facility to a drilling site.

Abstract: The invention relates to multiple emulsions comprising a primary emulsion in an external phase, and comprising a principle water phase and a principle oil phase, the multiple emulsion containing no more than about 1% of an emulsifier having an HLB of about 16 to about 20.

Abstract: 4:21 PM 3/6/02 A gel-form air freshener composition containing: (a) a linear alcohol alkoxylate in an amount of not more than about 7% by weight; (b) an amine oxide in an amount of not more than about 10% by weight; (c) a fragrance component in an amount of not more than about 10% by weight; and (d) an aqueous gel base in an amount of not more than about 96% by weight, all weights being based on the total weight of the gel-form air freshener composition.

Abstract: This invention provides a milk lotion, cream or the like which does not undergo oil-water phase separation but remains stable for a long time and, in addition, has a good skin feel with good spreadability. It is a water-in-oil emulsifier composition comprising liquid oil basis, liquid oil component gelling agent, water and, as a water-in-oil type surfactant, polyglycerin fatty acid ester and/or polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil.

Abstract: The invention provides a gelling agent comprising at least one sugar compound selected from the group consisting of sugar compounds represented by the formula (1) and sugar compounds represented by the formula (2). wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and each represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a halogen atom, and p is 0 or 1. The gelling agent of the invention is very useful as a gelling agent for an aqueous medium.

Abstract: An O/W/O type multiple emulsion in which an O/W type emulsion is dispersed in the outer phase oil wherein the O/W type emulsion in the inner phase contains water, an oil based ingredient, a surfactant and an amphiphilic substance chosen from those which can form a gel at ordinal temperature or higher in an amphiphilic substance-surfactant-oil-water system or N-long chain acyl acidic amino acid monosalt and an amphiphilic substance chosen from those which can form a gel at ordinal temperature or higher in an amphiphilic substance-N-long chain acyl acidic amino acid monosalt-oil-water system, said outer phase oil contains organophilic modified clay minerals and an emulsifying agent with a HLB of 7 or lower, and the weight ratio of the O/W type emulsion and the outer phase oil is 2:3-19:1. An O/W/O type multiple emulsion with superior stability over time and good usability.