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.

This disclosure relates to acidizing retarder compositions and methods of reducing the rate of carbonate dissolution in carbonate acidizing treatments of carbonate formations using the acidizing retarder compositions. The methods may include dissolving one or more retarder compounds in a solution comprising a strong acid to form acidizing retarder compositions, and introducing the acidizing retarder compositions to carbonate formations. The acidizing retarder compositions may include one or more retarder compounds and a strong acid. At least one of the one or more retarder compounds may be a poloxamer. A concentration of the strong acid in the acidizing retarder composition may be 5 weight percent or greater.

The invention relates to a wellbore fluid, which is a monovalent brine comprising one or more alkali bromide salt(s) and one or more TCT-reducing additive(s) selected from the group consisting of alkali nitrates. A method of treating a subterranean formation, comprising placing the wellbore fluids of the invention in a wellbore in the subterranean formation is also provided.

The invention relates to a wellbore fluid, which is a monovalent brine comprising one or more alkali bromide salt(s) and one or more TCT-reducing additive(s) selected from the group consisting of alkali nitrates. A method of treating a subterranean formation, comprising placing the wellbore fluids of the invention in a wellbore in the subterranean formation is also provided.

Relatively low molecular weight, branched polyethyleneimine (B-PE), a specific class of polyamine, has been shown to be effective at inhibiting the formation metal naphthenate precipitate (MNP) in systems and fluids that include an organic phase and an aqueous phase where the system or fluid further contains metal ions and tetra acid, and in particular the addition of low molecular weight, B-PE molecules prevents the formation of metal naphthenate precipitates/deposits in the fluids. Inhibition of alkali earth metal naphthenates (e.g. calcium naphthenate) and alkali metal naphthenates (e.g. sodium naphthenate) are particular non-limiting embodiments.

Relatively low molecular weight, branched polyethyleneimine (B-PE), a specific class of polyamine, has been shown to be effective at inhibiting the formation metal naphthenate precipitate (MNP) in systems and fluids that include an organic phase and an aqueous phase where the system or fluid further contains metal ions and tetra acid, and in particular the addition of low molecular weight, B-PE molecules prevents the formation of metal naphthenate precipitates/deposits in the fluids. Inhibition of alkali earth metal naphthenates (e.g. calcium naphthenate) and alkali metal naphthenates (e.g. sodium naphthenate) are particular non-limiting embodiments.

Compounds are identified that act as crystallization suppressants when added to clear brine fluids, significantly lowering the true crystallization temperatures of the brines, and allowing for higher salt content in clear brine fluids. The crystallization suppressants of the invention also allow for the preparation of higher density zinc free brines. Crystallization suppressant blends are also identified that allow for the preparation of high density clear brine fluids with lower viscosities.

Compounds are identified that act as crystallization suppressants when added to clear brine fluids, significantly lowering the true crystallization temperatures of the brines, and allowing for higher salt content in clear brine fluids. The crystallization suppressants of the invention also allow for the preparation of higher density zinc free brines. Crystallization suppressant blends are also identified that allow for the preparation of high density clear brine fluids with lower viscosities.

Release of hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid and fluoroboric acid into a well may be controlled by introducing into the well an aqueous fluid containing ammonium chloride, ammonium bifluoride, ammonium fluoroborate, ammonium tetrafluoroborate or a mixture thereof and a breaker. After being introduced into the well, the ammonium salt reacts with the breaker and the acid is released into the well.

An inhibited hydrofluoric acid aqueous composition, said composition comprising: hydrofluoric acid in solution; and a weak base selected from the group consisting of: lysine, arginine, histidine, glutamine, asparagine, tryptophan, and tyrosine; wherein said weak base and hydrofluoric acid are present in a molar ratio of at least 1:1. Also disclosed is a mud acid using this inhibited acid composition.