Abstract:
The present invention relates to formulations comprising an inversion facilitator additive and an active emulsion polymer, and methods for their use. The formulation can comprise a water-in-oil emulsion having the active emulsion polymer in an aqueous phase of the water-in-oil emulsion. The active emulsion polymer can be a friction-reducing polymer, a flocculant polymer, or any other polymer suitable for delivery within the aqueous phase of the water-in-oil emulsion.
Abstract:
The invention encompasses a modified proppant comprising a proppant particle and a hydrogel coating, wherein the hydrogel coating localizes on the surface of the proppant particle to produce the modified proppant. The invention also encompasses formulations comprising the modified proppant as well as methods for the manufacture and methods for the use of the modified proppant.
Abstract:
The invention relates to modified proppants, comprising a proppant particle and a hydrogel coating, wherein the hydrogel coating localizes on the surface of the proppant particle to produce the modified proppant. The proppant particles can be solids such as sand, bauxite, sintered bauxite, ceramic, or low density proppant. Alternatively or additionally, the proppant particle comprises a resin-coated substrate. Optionally, the modified proppant further comprises an adhesion promoter, optionally affixing the hydrogel coating to the resin-coated substrate. The hydrogel coating preferably comprises a water-swellable polymer. The hydrogel coating can be manufactured form a water soluble polymer. The preferred weight average molecular weight of the polymer is about 1 million g/mol, preferably about 5 million g/mol.
Abstract:
The invention provides formulations for facilitating the removal of oil from a surface using a chisel composition, wherein the chisel composition includes a polymer having one or more binding points with a high affinity for the surface, and one or more hydrophilic segments that form a hydrophilic coating on the surface, rendering the surface water-wet and thereby facilitating the removal of oil from the surface. The invention also provides for methods of use of such formulations.
Abstract:
The invention provides formulations for facilitating the removal of oil from a surface using a chisel composition, wherein the chisel composition includes a polymer having one or more binding points with a high affinity for the surface, and one or more hydrophilic segments that form a hydrophilic coating on the surface, rendering the surface water-wet and thereby facilitating the removal of oil from the surface. The invention also provides for methods of use of such formulations.
Abstract:
This invention relates to treating spent oil-based muds and breaking water-in-oil emulsions. The invention encompasses destabilizing formulations for an inverse emulsion, comprising a treatment additive, wherein the treatment additive is selected from the group consisting of hygroscopic materials, surfactant deactivators, and modifier polymers. The invention also encompasses methods of destabilizing a surfactant-containing water-in-oil emulsion and methods for processing a spent oil-based mud comprising an water-in-oil emulsion.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to polymer-enhanced proppant transport fluids, comprising a suspension fluid comprising a crosslinked synthetic polymer gel formulation, and a plurality of proppant particles. The invention also encompasses methods for improving production from an oil or gas well, methods of water blocking or water shutoff in an oil or gas well, methods of enhancing oil recovery from an oil source, methods of treating a petroleum-containing formation to reduce sand production, and methods of displacing fluid from a wellbore by viscous plug flow.