The present invention proposes a combined treatment of scale removal and inhibition in reservoir rock (inhibition squeeze), by using inhibitors derived from organophosphonic acid, in acidic medium, aiming at minimizing the intervention time in well scale mitigation operations, in addition to reducing costs per treatment and the risks associated with the process.

Aspects of the present invention provide methods of drying lecithin in a batch reaction, comprising the steps of obtaining a lecithin-containing material (derived from a crude refining stream) comprising 15-50% water, 10-30% acetone insoluble matter, and 10-20% free fatty acid; adding a fatty acid source (also derived from a crude refining stream) to the lecithin-containing material composition to obtain a lecithin/fatty acid reaction mixture; and blowing dry gas through the gum/fatty acid reaction mixture to obtain a resultant dried lecithin fatty acid blend having a water content of less than 2%. The resultant dried lecithin fatty acid blend may be used in asphalt or oil field applications.

Aspects of the present invention provide methods of drying lecithin in a batch reaction, comprising the steps of obtaining a lecithin-containing material (derived from a crude refining stream) comprising 15-50% water, 10-30% acetone insoluble matter, and 10-20% free fatty acid; adding a fatty acid source (also derived from a crude refining stream) to the lecithin-containing material composition to obtain a lecithin/fatty acid reaction mixture; and blowing dry gas through the gum/fatty acid reaction mixture to obtain a resultant dried lecithin fatty acid blend having a water content of less than 2%. The resultant dried lecithin fatty acid blend may be used in asphalt or oil field applications.

A method of removing calcium-containing water-based filter cake from a wellbore involving contacting the calcium-containing filter cake with a biodegradable acid solution of water, hydrochloric acid, formic acid, citric acid, and a surfactant. The method is performed at a pressure of 200 to 400 psi and a temperature of 50 to 125° C. The method removes calcium-containing filter cake made of water, calcium carbonate, a polymer or starch and a clay. The method meets industry standard steel corrosion rates of less than 0.049 lb/ft.sup.2 per day. Also disclosed is a biodegradable acid solution of water, hydrochloric acid, formic acid, citric acid, and a surfactant that meets OECD 301B thresholds for ready biodegradability.

A method of removing calcium-containing water-based filter cake from a wellbore involving contacting the calcium-containing filter cake with a biodegradable acid solution of water, hydrochloric acid, formic acid, citric acid, and a surfactant. The method is performed at a pressure of 200 to 400 psi and a temperature of 50 to 125° C. The method removes calcium-containing filter cake made of water, calcium carbonate, a polymer or starch and a clay. The method meets industry standard steel corrosion rates of less than 0.049 lb/ft.sup.2 per day. Also disclosed is a biodegradable acid solution of water, hydrochloric acid, formic acid, citric acid, and a surfactant that meets OECD 301B thresholds for ready biodegradability.

The subject invention provides multi-functional biochemical compositions, as well as their use in enhancing oil recovery from an oil-bearing subterranean formation. Advantageously, the compositions and methods of the subject invention are operationally-friendly, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly. More specifically, in preferred embodiments, the subject invention provides a multi-functional composition for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) comprising one or more surfactants, one or more chelating agents, and one or more solvents.

The subject invention provides multi-functional biochemical compositions, as well as their use in enhancing oil recovery from an oil-bearing subterranean formation. Advantageously, the compositions and methods of the subject invention are operationally-friendly, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly. More specifically, in preferred embodiments, the subject invention provides a multi-functional composition for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) comprising one or more surfactants, one or more chelating agents, and one or more solvents.

The present invention addresses to a system that aims at reproducing situations close to those found in oil wells, in relation to the thermodynamic conditions (pressure and temperature), and the fluids present (by means of the chemical species involved), aiming at representing in a more realistic way the production scenarios to be faced. The main scope is to represent on a laboratory scale the phenomenon of depressurization with the release of carbon dioxide inducing the precipitation of calcite (calcium carbonate), the growth and agglomeration of inorganic crystals, and the phenomena of adhesion and scale on common metallic surfaces of elements of completion of oil wells.

The present invention addresses to a system that aims at reproducing situations close to those found in oil wells, in relation to the thermodynamic conditions (pressure and temperature), and the fluids present (by means of the chemical species involved), aiming at representing in a more realistic way the production scenarios to be faced. The main scope is to represent on a laboratory scale the phenomenon of depressurization with the release of carbon dioxide inducing the precipitation of calcite (calcium carbonate), the growth and agglomeration of inorganic crystals, and the phenomena of adhesion and scale on common metallic surfaces of elements of completion of oil wells.

Polymer matrix particles useful for inhibiting scale formation in oil and gas wells are described. The insoluble, porous, crosslinked polymer matrix includes a polymer backbone and ionic functional groups covalently bonded to the backbone, the ionic functional groups being capable of selectively attracting and binding salt scale-forming ions when in contact with a liquid containing such ions.