Rhodia Limited

Schlumberger Technology Corporation

Rhodia Operations

Paul-Joel Derian

David Josehph Dino

Ruoxin Li

Jiang Yang

Manilal S Dahayanake

Joseph H Y Niu

Robert Lee Reierson

Animesh Goswami

Tao Gao

Pascal Jean-Claude Herve

Viscoelastic surfactant based aqueous fluid systems useful as thickening agents in various applications, e.g. to suspend particles produced during the excavation of geologic formations. The surfactants are zwitterionic/amphoteric surfactants such as dihydroxyl alkyl glycinate, alkyl ampho acetate or propionate, alkyl betaine, alkyl amidopropyl betaine and alkylimino mono- or di-propionates derived from certain waxes, fats and oils. The thickening agent is used in conjunction with an inorganic water-soluble salt or organic additive such as phthalic acid, salicylic acid or their salts.

Viscoelastic surfactant fluids and related methods of use

Stable, pumpable aqueous surfactant compositions of water and alkyl phosphate ester salts having a molar ratio of mono- to di- alkyl phosphate esters equal to or greater than 80:20, with the surfactant composition being essentially free of water-soluble alcohol or co-solvent. The pumpable aqueous surfactant compositions have a solids content of about 40% by weight or more and exhibit one or more pumpable regions over a range of pH values for the aqueous surfactant composition.

High solids, pumpable aqueous compositions of high monoalkyl phosphate ester salt content

Methods for enhancing the stability of thickening agent solutions, especially guar solutions, by sterilizing the solution with UV light and/or adding a surfactant to the solution are disclosed. Thickening agent solutions and powders, including guar solutions and powders, as well as products made from these solutions and powders, are also disclosed.

Enhancement of guar solution stability

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Lawrenceville, NJ, United States of America

Paul-Joel Derian