Earth boring, well treating, and oil field chemistry inventions 01/08

20080026954 - Emulsified polymer drilling fluid and methods of preparation: A water-based polymer drilling fluid, containing effective quantities of surfactants having HLB numbers equal to or greater than approximately 7, emulsifies oil and bitumen contained in oil sand cuttings, resulting in the oil and bitumen being dispersed into the mud as an emulsion. This eliminates or significantly reduces the ability... Agent: Donald V. Tomkins C/o Tomkins Law Office

20080026955 - Degradable particulates and associated methods: Methods that include a method comprising: providing a degradable polymer and a cryogenic fluid; combining the degradable polymer and the cryogenic fluid to form a degradable polymer composition; and applying sufficient shear to the degradable polymer composition so that degradable particulates begin to form. In some embodiments, at least a... Agent: Robert A. Kent

20080026956 - Drilling fluid containing microspheres and use thereof: The present invention provides a drilling fluid composition and a method of drilling comprising a drilling fluid, which may be oil- or water-based, and a composite microsphere component. The invention drilling fluid composition advantageously reduces the density of a conventional fluid, reduces costs associated with pumping and overcomes problems associated... Agent: 3m Innovative Properties Company

20080026957 - Treatment and production of subterranean formations with heteropolysaccharides: Disclosed are methods of treating wells and producing fluids from subterranean formations with treatment fluids comprising heteropolysaccharides. In particular, the invention relates to treatment and production methods with fluids containing a heteropolysaccharide, aqueous medium, and an electrolyte, wherein the fluids may further include a gas component, a surfactant and/or an... Agent: Schlumberger Technology Corporation David Cate

20080026958 - Magnesium peroxide difunctional components for cellulose derivatives and associated methods: One example of the many methods provided includes a method comprising: providing a fluid loss control pill that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a cellulose derivative and a dual functional component, the fluid loss control pill having a first viscosity; allowing the dual functional component to interact with the cellulose... Agent: Robert A. Kent

20080026959 - Degradable particulates and associated methods: Methods that include a method comprising: providing a degradable polymer and one solvent; combining the degradable polymer and the solvent to form a degradable polymer composition; allowing the degradable polymer to at least partially plasticize; and applying sufficient shear to the degradable polymer composition so that degradable particulates begin to... Agent: Robert A. Kent

20080026960 - Degradable particulates and associated methods: Methods that include a method comprising: providing a degradable polymer and one solvent, wherein the solvent comprises an aqueous fluid selected from the group consisting of fresh water, salt water, brine, seawater, and combinations thereof; combining the degradable polymer and the solvent to form a degradable polymer composition; allowing the... Agent: Robert A. Kent

20080026961 - Well cementing slurries containing fibers: The problem of fibre or particle settling in well cement slurries is addressed by providing a fluid containing two fibre components of differing properties. Such a well treatment fluid, comprising a base fluid; a first fibre component that it substantially more dense than the base fluid; and a second fibre... Agent: Schlumberger Technology Corporation David Cate

20080020947 - Novel microorganisms having oil biodegradability and method for bioremediation of oil-contaminated soil: Disclosed herein are novel microorganisms having excellent biodegradability and a method for the bioremediation of oil-contaminated soil. The novel microorganisms are specified as Rhodococcus baikoneurensis EN3 KCTC19082, Acinetobacter johnsonii EN67 KCTC12360 and Acinetobacter haemolyticus EN96 KCTC12361. In the bioremediation method, in addition to said novel microorganisms, various microorganisms of Nocardia... Agent: Thomas M. Galgano, Esq. Galgano & Associates, PLLC

20080020948 - Sulfonated graft copolymers: Sulfonated graft copolymer obtained by radical graft copolymerization of one or more synthetic monomers in the presence of hydroxyl-containing naturally derived materials. The graft copolymer includes 0.1 to 100 wt %, based on weight of the total synthetic monomers, of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated monomer having a sulfonic acid... Agent: National Starch And Chemical Company

20080020949 - Method for removing asphaltene deposits: Compositions comprising at least one C4-C30 olefin or oxidation product thereof and kerosene or an aromatic solvent are particularly effective for use in removing asphaltene and asphaltene-containing organic deposits and in preventing or reducing the precipitation and deposition of asphaltenes from hydrocarbon fluids. When added to heavy oils comprising asphaltenes,... Agent: Ineos Usa LLC

20080015118 - Diesel oil-based invert emulsion drilling fluids and methods of drilling boreholes: Diesel oil-based invert emulsion drilling fluids having fragile gel properties and improved performance. Methods are also disclosed for drilling, running casing, cementing, and/or producing hydrocarbons in a subterranean formation.... Agent: Karen B. Tripp

20080015119 - Methods of treating particulates and use in subterranean formations: Provided are methods of modifying the surface stress-activated reactivity of proppant particulates used in subterranean operations. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a plurality of particulates, at least one of which comprises a mineral surface; providing a surface-treating reagent capable of modifying the stress-activated reactivity of a mineral surface... Agent: Robert A. Kent

20080015120 - Application of degradable polymers in sand control: Degradable polylactic or polyhydroxyalkanoate polymers may be used to viscosify aqueous fluids for use in wells. Sand control screen or liner can be coated with a solid degradable polymer during placement in a well. Mechanical changes or flow changes in a well can be caused by solid degradable polymer that... Agent: Burleson Cooke L.L.P.

20080015121 - Compositions, methods and uses for sterically hindered quaternary ammonium compounds: A sterically hindered quaternary ammonium composition is prepared by contacting a solvent having hydroxyl functionality, a halohydrin, and a sterically hindered tertiary amine, under reaction conditions sufficient to produce a sterically hindered quaternary ammonium compound. The reaction proceeds with excellent yield. The resulting compounds are particularly useful for inhibiting formation... Agent: Madan, Mossman & Sriram, P.C.

20080009421 - Fluid loss additive for oil-based muds: A composition that includes a product resulting from a condensation reaction of quebracho with at least one organophilic species that includes a reactive amine is disclosed.... Agent: Osha Liang/mi

20080009422 - High performance water base drilling fluid: A water based drilling fluid which includes an aqueous fluid, at least one of a weighting agent and a gelling agent, and a lubricant, which includes at least one ester derivative of at least one fatty acid derived from castor oil is disclosed.... Agent: Osha Liang/mi

20080009423 - Self-degrading fibers and associated methods of use and manufacture: This invention relates to the use of degradable fibers, and more particularly, to self-degrading fibers and their associated methods of use and manufacture. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a self degrading fiber comprising: an outer shell, and a core liquid.... Agent: Robert A. Kent

20080009424 - Emulsified gelant: Composition and a process for reducing the water permeability more than the oil permeability using an gelant emulsified in oil. The use of a composition comprising an aqueous gelant emulsified in oil is also included in the present invention.... Agent: Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack, L.L.P.

20080009425 - Proppant and method of forming proppant: A proppant material is formed from a solid particle having at least one phase of a boron-containing component. The boron-containing component may be an Al2O3—B2O3 component and/or an Al2O3—B2O3—SiO2 component, which may be a chemical compound, a solid solution or a eutectic mixture. The proppant material may be formed by... Agent: Schlumberger Technology Corporation David Cate