A method includes disposing a device into a borehole in proximity to a subterranean formation where a filter cake has been formed adjacent thereto, the device comprising a support structure and a shape-memory article disposed at the support structure, the shape-memory article comprising a shape-memory polymer, wherein the device is disposed when the shape-memory article is in a compacted shape; exposing the shape-memory article to a fluid system to cause the shape-memory article to expand and conform to a surface of the borehole; exposing the filter cake to the fluid system; and removing the filter cake with the fluid system. The fluid system comprises (i) an acid component, a chelating agent, or a combination thereof; (ii) an activator, (iii) a viscosifier, (iv) water or a brine, and (v) optionally a surfactant.

A method of drilling in a subterranean formation. A method may include providing a direct emulsion drilling fluid comprising an aqueous fluid, an oil, and a polysorbate emulsifier; circulating the direct emulsion drilling fluid from a surface, through a wellbore, and back to the surface; and extending the wellbore in the subterranean formation while circulating the direct emulsion drilling fluid.

This invention presents a novel corrosion inhibitor. In the preferred embodiment, the inventive corrosion inhibitor comprises extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). In one embodiment, the invention presents a novel EPS corrosion inhibitor using waste activated sludge (WAS). In this embodiment, WAS is heated to release EPS from the microbial mixture.

An acid treatment composition includes a nonionic surfactant, including nonyl phenol ethoxylate. The acid treatment composition also includes a retarding agent comprising magnesium, an acid, and water. The nonionic surfactant and retarding agent of the acid treatment composition are reactive with carbonate.

A method for acid treatment of a wellbore in a carbonate formation is provided. The method includes dropping spacer solids into the well to fill the wellbore to perforations in a casing, dropping acidic solids into the wellbore on the top of the spacer solids, allowing the acidic solids to dissolve on top of the spacer solids forming an acidic solution, and injecting water into the wellbore to force the acidic solution into the carbonate formation.

A composition for inhibiting corrosion of a metal is provided. The corrosion inhibitor composition comprises 5-amino-2-mercaptobenzimidazole. The corrosion inhibitor composition can also comprise a 2-mercaptobenzimidazole derivative selected from the group consisting of 2-mercapto-5-methylbenzimidazole, 5-Ethoxy-2-mercaptobenzimidazole, 5-(difluoromethoxy)-2-mercapto-1H-benzimidazole 1-Methyl-1H-benzimidazole-2-thiol and 2-mercapto-5-nitrobenzimidazole. The corrosion inhibitor composition outperforms many other sulfur-containing corrosion inhibitors in kettle testing.

Methods of acidizing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore that include the steps of (a) injecting into the wellbore at a pressure below subterranean formation fracturing pressure a treatment fluid having a first viscosity and including an aqueous acid and a gelling agent selected from the group consisting of Formulas I-XI and combinations thereof; (b) forming at least one void in the subterranean formation with the treatment fluid; and (c) allowing the treatment fluid to attain a second viscosity that is greater than the first viscosity.

A method of reducing the viscosity of a crude oil, the method comprising adding to the crude oil (i) a surfactant compound including at least two hydrophobic groups wherein the resultant mixture has a water content of less than 10 vol %.

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.

An acid mixture includes hydrochloric acid, a monoamine corrosion inhibitor, and at least one of a diamine corrosion inhibitor and an acid additive. A method for inhibiting corrosion in an acid treatment operation includes introducing an acid mixture comprising hydrochloric acid and a monoamine corrosion inhibitor into at least one of a subterranean formation and subterranean wellbore. The method also includes maintaining the amount of the monoamine corrosion inhibitor in the acid mixture in the subterranean formation and/or the subterranean wellbore in a range of 10 ppm to 400 ppm for the duration of the acid treatment operation. The corrosion rate of steel parts of an acidic fluid circulation system in the acid mixture may be within an acceptable corrosion rate in a temperature range of 20° C. to 135° C.