A method includes injecting an aqueous-based injection fluid into a wellbore at a first temperature, where the aqueous-based injection fluid includes phase-changing nanodroplets having a liquid core and a shell. The method also includes exposing the phase-changing nanodroplets to a second temperature in the wellbore that is greater than or equal to a boiling point of the liquid core to change a liquid in the liquid core to a vapor phase and expand the phase-changing nanodroplets, thus removing debris from the wellbore and surrounding area.

Amidoamine-based gemini surfactants having dual chains connected via an alkenylene or alkynylene linker. Each chain contains a quaternary ammonium head group and an ethoxylated alkyl tail. A water-based drilling fluid containing the gemini surfactant is also provided. As examined by linear swelling and free swelling tests, the gemini surfactant is effective in reducing clay swelling.

A wellbore fluid including a first surfactant, a second surfactant, an activator and an aqueous base fluid is provided. The first surfactant has a structure represented by Formula (I): ##STR00001## where Y.sub.1, Y.sub.2, Y.sub.3, Y.sub.4 are each, independently, a sulfonate, a carboxylate, an ester or a hydroxyl group, m is an integer ranging from 2 to 3, and n, o, and k are each, independently, integers ranging from 2 to 10. The second surfactant has a structure represented by Formula (III): ##STR00002## where R.sub.2 is a C.sub.15—C.sub.27 hydrocarbon group or a C.sub.15—C.sub.29 substituted hydrocarbon group, R.sub.3 is C.sub.1—C.sub.10 hydrocarbon group, and p and q are each, independently, an integer ranging from 1 to 4. A method of using the wellbore fluid for treating a hydrocarbon-containing formation is also provided.

Methods of reducing drag in a flowing hydrocarbon include introducing to the flowing hydrocarbon an amount of a solid drag reducing additive effective to improve the flow, the solid drag reducing additive including a polymer particle prepared from at least one polar monomer and a percent by weight (wt%) of liquid of 50 wt% or less. Methods also include producing a solid drag reducing additive that includes forming a polymer from at least one polar monomer by emulsion polymerization; and disrupting the emulsion by adding at least one demulsifier and at least one anti-blocking agent to form the solid drag reducing additive. Compositions include a solid drag reducing additive comprising a polymer prepared from at least one polar monomer and having an average particle size in a range of about 100 .Math.m to about 500 .Math.m, wherein the solid drag reducing additive comprises less than 50 wt% of liquid.

A multicomponent nanocapsule composition comprising a core particle, an oil phase encapsulating the core particle, and an aqueous phase in which the encapsulated core particle is suspended is provided. The porous particle includes a cationic surfactant encapsulated in a porous particle. The oil phase includes an anionic surfactant and a zwitterionic surfactant. A method of making a multicomponent nanocapsule composition is also provided. A method of treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation with the multicomponent nanocapsule composition is provided. The method may include providing a multicomponent nanocapsule composition, introducing the multicomponent nanocapsule composition into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation, displacing hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon-bearing formation by contacting the multicomponent nanocapsule composition with the hydrocarbons, and recovering the hydrocarbons.

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.

A multicomponent nanocapsule composition comprising a core particle, an oil phase encapsulating the core particle, and an aqueous phase in which the encapsulated core particle is suspended is provided. The porous particle includes a cationic surfactant encapsulated in a porous particle. The oil phase includes an anionic surfactant and a zwitterionic surfactant. A method of making a multicomponent nanocapsule composition is also provided. A method of treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation with the multicomponent nanocapsule composition is provided. The method may include providing a multicomponent nanocapsule composition, introducing the multicomponent nanocapsule composition into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation, displacing hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon-bearing formation by contacting the multicomponent nanocapsule composition with the hydrocarbons, and recovering the hydrocarbons.

The present disclosure is directed to surfactants (in particular olefin sulfonates), surfactant packages, compositions derived thereof, and uses thereof in hydrocarbon recovery. Methods of making olefin sulfonate surfactants are also described.

The present invention relates to a hydraulic fracturing fluid composition comprising a homogeneous non-aqueous organic phase mixture which mixture comprises a base fluid and one or more surfactants.

A quaternized alkoxylated polyethylene amine can be used in a variety of industries, including the oil and gas servicing industry, as a laundry detergent, the personal care industry, as an industrial cleaner, paint, or coating, and mining operations industry. A treatment fluid comprises: a base fluid; and the surfactant. A method of treating a subterranean formation comprises introducing the treatment fluid into a well, wherein the well penetrates the subterranean formation.