Granted Patent B2

US 8,524,641 · App. 12/883,368 · Granted Sep 3, 2013

Abstract

Claims (262)

1. A composition providing a stable foam, comprising

(a) an aqueous liquid;

(b) at least one, water soluble or dispersible, silicon-containing polyether foamant contained within the aqueous liquid; and

(c) a non-aqueous liquid

where

the aqueous liquid (a) comprises water and minerals (brine),

the non-aqueous liquid (c) substantially comprises liquid hydrocarbons, and

the silicon-containing polyether foamant (b) in the aqueous liquid (a) is defined as

M a M A b M B c M C d M E e D f D E g T h T E i Q j with

M=R 1 R 2 R 3 SiO 1/2 ;

M A =R 4 R 5 R 6 SiR E ;

M B =[(R 7 R 8 R 9 Si) k R 10 ] l Si(R 11 ) m (R 12 ) n R E ;

M C =[(R 13 R 14 R 15 Si) o R 16 ] p Si(R 17 ) q (R 18 ) r O 1/2 ;

M E =R 19 R 20 R E SiO 1/2 ;

D=R 21 R 22 SiO 2/2 ;

D E =R 23 R E SiO 2/2 ;

T=R 24 SiO 3/2 ;

T E =R E SiO 2/2 ; and

Q=SiO 4/2 ;

wherein

R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , R 11 , R 12 , R 13 , R 14 , R 15 , R 17 , R 18 , R 19 , R 20 , R 21 , R 22 , R 23 and R 24 are each independently selected from the group of OR 25 or monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R 10 and R 16 are polyvalent linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radicals, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, subject to the limitation that the valency of R 10 and R 16 is at least one and less than about 30;

R E is a monovalent radical defined as: —R 26 —(C 2 H 4 O) s (C 3 H 6 O) t (C 4 H 8 O) u —R 27 with the provision that the polymer must contain at least one R E group;

R 25 is a monovalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R 26 is oxygen or a divalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, with about 2 to about 30 carbon atoms;

R 27 is H or —C(═O)CH 3 or a monovalent saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms;

subscripts a, e, f, g, h, i and j are 0 or a positive integer subject to the limitation 1≦a+b+c+d+e+f+g+h+i+j<about 300;

subscript b is 0 or 1 subject to the limitation if b is 1 then a+c+d+e+f+g+h+i+j=0;

subscript c is 0 or 1 subject to the limitation if c is 1 then a+b+d+e+f+g+h+i+j=0;

subscript d is 0 or positive, subject to the proviso that if b+c=0 then d is positive;

subscript k is positive subject to the limitation 0<k<about 30 and k is equal the valency of R 10 −1;

subscript l is positive;

subscripts m and n are zero or positive subject to the limitation l+m+n=3;

subscript o is positive subject to the limitation 0<o<about 30 and o is equal the valency of R 16 −1;

subscript p is positive

subscripts q and r are individually zero or positive subject to the proviso that p+q+r=3; and

subscripts s, t and u are zero or positive subject to the limitation that s+t+u≧about 3.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein said silicon-containing polyether foamant (b) comprises a compound having the following formula:

M a M A b M B c M C d M E e D f D E g T h T E i Q j with

M=R 1 R 2 R 3 SiO 1/2 ;

M A =R 4 R 5 R 6 SiR E ;

M B =[(R 7 R 8 R 9 Si) k R 10 ] l Si(R 11 ) m (R 12 ) n R E ;

M C =[(R 13 R 14 R 15 Si) o R 16 ] p Si(R 17 ) q (R 18 ) r O 1/2 ;

M E =R 19 R 20 R E SiO 1/2 ;

D=R 21 R 22 SiO 2/2 ;

D E =R 23 R E SiO 2/2 ;

T=R 24 SiO 3/2 ;

T E =R E SiO 2/2 ; and

Q=SiO 4/2 ;

wherein

R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , R 11 , R 12 , R 13 , R 14 , R 15 , R 17 , R 18 , R 19 , R 20 , R 21 , R 22 , R 23 and R 24 are each independently selected from the group of OR 25 or monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 15 carbon atoms;

R 10 and R 16 are polyvalent linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radicals, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, subject to the limitation that the valency of R 10 and R 16 is at least one and less than about 25;

R E is a monovalent radical defined as: —R 26 —(C 2 H 4 O) s (C 3 H 6 O) t (C 4 H 8 O) u —R 27 with the provision that the polymer must contain at least one R E group;

R 25 is a monovalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 15 carbon atoms;

R 26 is oxygen or a divalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, with about 2 to about 25 carbon atoms;

R 27 is H or —C(═O)CH 3 or a monovalent saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having 1 to about 25 carbon atoms, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl group;

subscripts a, e, f, g, h, i and j are individually 0 or positive subject to the limitation 1≦a+b+c+d+e+f+g+h+i+j<about 200;

subscript b is 0 or 1 subject to the limitation if b is 1 then a+c+d+e+f+g+h+i+j=0;

subscript c is 0 or 1 subject to the limitation if c is 1 then a+b+d+e+f+g+h+i+j=0;

subscript d is 0 or positive, subject to the proviso that if b+c=0 then d is positive

subscript k is positive subject to the limitation 0<k<25 and k is equal the valency of R 10 −1;

subscript l is positive

subscripts m and n are zero or positive subject to the limitation l+m+n=3;

subscript o is positive subject to the limitation 0<o<about 25 and o is equal the valency of R 16 −1;

subscript p is positive;

subscripts q and r are individually zero or positive subject to the proviso that p+q+r=3; and

subscripts s, t and u are zero or positive subject to the limitation that s+t+u≧3.

3. The composition of claim 1 wherein said silicon-containing polyether foamant (b) comprises a compound having the following formula:

M a M A b M B c M C d M E e D f D E g T h T E i Q j with

M=R 1 R 2 R 3 SiO 1/2 ;

M A =R 4 R 5 R 6 SiR E ;

M B =[(R 7 R 8 R 9 Si) k R 10 ] l Si(R 11 ) m (R 12 ) n R E ;

M C =[(R 13 R 14 R 15 Si) o R 16 ] p Si(R 17 ) q (R 18 ) r O 1/2 ;

M E =R 19 R 20 R E SiO 1/2 ;

D=R 21 R 22 SiO 2/2 ;

D E =R 23 R E SiO 2/2 ;

T=R 24 SiO 3/2 ;

T E =R E SiO 2/2 ; and

Q=SiO 4/2 ;

wherein

R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , R 11 , R 12 , R 13 , R 14 , R 15 , R 17 , R 18 , R 19 , R 20 , R 21 , R 22 , R 23 and R 24 are each independently selected from the group of OR 25 or monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms;

R 10 and R 16 are polyvalent linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radicals, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, subject to the limitation that the valency of R 10 and R 16 is at least one and less than about 20;

R E is a monovalent radical defined as: —R 26 —(C 2 H 4 O) s (C 3 H 6 O) t (C 4 H 8 O) u —R 27 with the provision that the polymer must contain at least one R E group;

R 25 is a monovalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms;

R 26 is oxygen or a divalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, with about 2 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R 27 is H or —C(═O)CH 3 or a monovalent saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl group;

subscripts a, e, f, g, h, i and j are individually 0 or positive subject to the limitation a+1≦b+c+d+e+f+g+h+i+j<about 100;

subscript b is 0 or 1 subject to the limitation if b is 1 then a+c+d+e+f+g+h+i+j=0;

subscript c is 0 or 1 subject to the limitation if c is 1 then a+b+d+e+f+g+h+i+j=0;

subscript d is 0 or positive subject to the proviso that if b+c=0 then d is positive;

subscript k is positive subject to the limitation 0<k<20 and k is equal the valency of R 10 −1;

subscript l is positive;

subscripts m and n are individually zero or positive subject to the limitation l+m+n=3;

subscript o is positive subject to the limitation 0<o<20 and o is equal the valency of R 16 −1;

subscript p is positive;

subscripts q and r are individually zero or positive subject to the proviso that p+q+=3; and

subscripts s, t and u are individually zero or positive subject to the limitation that s+t+u≧3.

4. A composition providing a stable foam, comprising:

(a) an aqueous liquid;

(b) at least one, water soluble or dispersible, silicon-containing polyether foamant contained within the aqueous liquid; and

(c) a non-aqueous liquid,

where

the aqueous liquid (a) comprises water and minerals (brine),

the non-aqueous liquid (c) substantially comprises liquid hydrocarbons, and

wherein said silicon-containing polyether foamant (b) in the aqueous liquid (a) comprises a compound having the following formula:

M a D f D E g with

M=R 1 R 2 R 3 SiO 1/2 ;

D=R 21 R 22 SiO 2/2 ;

D E =R 23 R E SiO 2/2 ;

wherein

R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 21 , R 22 and R 23 are each independently selected from the group of OR 25 or monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R E is a monovalent radical defined as: —R 26 —(C 2 H 4 O) s (C 3 H 6 O) t (C 4 H 8 O) u —R 27 ;

R 25 is a monovalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R 26 is oxygen or a divalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, with about 2 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R 27 is H or —C(═O)CH 3 or a monovalent saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

subscript g is positive;

subscripts a and f are 0 or positive subject to the limitation a+f+g<about 15;

subscripts s, t and u are individually zero or positive subject to the limitation that s+t+u≧3; and,

the average molecular weight of the silicon-containing polyether foamant is less than 1,000 daltons.

5. A composition providing a stable foam, comprising:

(a) an aqueous liquid;

(b) at least one, water soluble or dispersible, silicon-containing polyether foamant contained within the aqueous liquid; and

(c) a non-aqueous liquid,

where

the aqueous liquid (a) comprises water and minerals (brine),

the non-aqueous liquid (c) substantially comprises liquid hydrocarbons, and

wherein said silicon-containing polyether foamant (b) in the aqueous liquid (a) comprises a compound having the following formula:

[(R 7 R 8 R 9 Si) k R 10 ]S l Si(R 11 ) m (R 12 ) n R E ;

wherein

R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , R 11 and R 12 are each independently selected from the group of OR 25 or monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R 10 is a polyvalent linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, subject to the limitation that the valency of R 10 is at least one and less than about 30;

R E is a monovalent radical defined as: —R 26 —(C 2 H 4 O) s (C 3 H 6 O) t (C 4 H 8 O) u —R 27 ;

R 25 is a monovalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R 26 is oxygen or a divalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, with about 2 to about 30 carbon atoms;

R 27 is H or —C(═O)CH 3 or a monovalent saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms;

subscript l is positive;

subscripts m and n are individually zero or positive subject to the limitation l+m+n=3.

6. The composition of claim 1 wherein said silicon-containing polyether foamant (b) comprises the compound having the following formula:

M C d D f D E g with

M C =[(R 13 R 14 R 15 Si) o R 16 ] p Si(R 17 ) q (R 18 ) r O 1/2 ;

D=R 21 R 22 SiO 2/2 ;

D E =R 23 R E SiO 2/2 ;

wherein

R 13 , R 14 , R 15 , R 17 , R 18 , R 21 , R 22 and R 23 are each independently selected from the group of OR 25 or monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R 16 is a polyvalent linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radicals, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, subject to the limitation that the valency of R 16 is at least one and less than about 30;

R E is a monovalent radical defined as: —R 26 —(C 2 H 4 O) s (C 3 H 6 O) t (C 4 H 8 O) u —R 27 ;

R 25 is a monovalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R 26 is oxygen or a divalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, with about 2 to about 30 carbon atoms;

R 27 is H or —C(═O)CH 3 or a monovalent saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms;

subscripts d and g are positive;

subscript f is 0 or positive subject to the proviso that d+f+g<about 20;

subscript o is positive subject to the limitation that 0<o<30 and o is equal the valency of R 16 −1;

subscript p is positive;

subscripts q and r are individually zero or positive subject to the proviso that p+q+r=3; and

subscripts s, t and u are individually zero or positive subject to the limitation that s+t+u≧3.

7. A composition providing a stable foam, comprising:

(a) an aqueous liquid;

(b) at least one, water soluble or dispersible, silicon-containing polyether foamant contained within the aqueous liquid; and

(c) a non-aqueous liquid,

where

the aqueous liquid (a) comprises water and minerals (brine),

the non-aqueous liquid (c) substantially comprises liquid hydrocarbons, and

wherein said silicon-containing polyether foamant (b) in the aqueous liquid (a) comprises a compound having the following formula:

M A =R 4 R 5 R 6 SiR E ;

wherein

R 4 , R 5 and R 6 are each independently selected from the group of OR 25 or monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R E is a monovalent radical defined as: —R 26 —(C 2 H 4 O) s (C 3 H 6 O) t (C 4 H 8 O) u —R 27 ;

R 25 is a monovalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R 26 is oxygen or a divalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, with about 2 to about 30 carbon atoms;

R 27 is H or —C(═O)CH 3 or a monovalent saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms;

subscripts s, t and u are individually zero or positive subject to the limitation that s+t+u≧3.

8. A method of making a stable foam from aqueous liquids by combining said aqueous liquids with a gas, in the presence of hydrocarbon liquids, with a foamant comprising at least one, water soluble or dispersible, silicon-containing polyether defined as

M a M A b M B c M C d M E e D f D E g T h T E i Q j with

M=R 1 R 2 R 3 SiO 1/2 ;

M A =R 4 R 5 R 6 SiR E ;

M B =[(R 7 R 8 R 9 Si) k R 10 ] l Si(R 11 ) m (R 12 ) n R E ;

M C =[(R 13 R 14 R 15 Si) o R 16 ] p Si(R 17 ) q (R 18 ) r O 1/2 ;

M E =R 19 R 20 R E SiO 1/2 ;

D=R 21 R 22 SiO 2/2 ;

D E =R 23 R E SiO 2/2 ;

T=R 24 SiO 3/2 ;

T E =R E SiO 2/2 ; and

Q=SiO 4/2 ;

wherein

R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , R 11 , R 12 , R 13 , R 14 , R 15 , R 17 , R 18 , R 19 , R 20 , R 21 , R 22 , R 23 and R 24 are each independently selected from the group of OR 25 or monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R 10 and R 16 are polyvalent linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radicals, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, subject to the limitation that the valency of R 10 and R 16 is at least one and less than about 30;

R E is a monovalent radical defined as: —R 26 —(C 2 H 4 O) s (C 3 H 6 O) t (C 4 H 8 O) u —R 27 with the provision that the polymer must contain at least one R E group;

R 25 is a monovalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R 26 is oxygen or a divalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, with about 2 to about 30 carbon atoms;

R 27 is H or —C(═O)CH 3 or a monovalent saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms;

subscripts a, e, f, g, h, i and j are individually 0 or positive subject to the limitation 1≦a+b+c+d+e+f+g+h+i+j<300;

subscript b is 0 or 1 subject to the limitation if b is 1 then a+c+d+e+f+g+h+i+j=0;

subscript c is 0 or 1 subject to the limitation if c is 1 then a+b+d+e+f+g+h+i+j=0;

subscript d is 0 or positive subject to the proviso that if b+c=0 then d is positive;

subscript k is positive subject to the limitation 0<k<30 and k is equal the valency of R 10 −1;

subscript l is positive

subscripts m and n are individually zero or positive subject to the limitation l+m+n=3;

subscript o is positive subject to the limitation 0<o<30 and o is equal the valency of R 16 −1;

subscript p is positive;

subscripts q and r are individually zero or positive subject to the proviso that p+q+r=3; and

subscripts s, t and u are individually zero or positive subject to the limitation that s+t+u≧3.

9. A method of making a stable foam from aqueous liquids by combining said aqueous liquids with a gas, in the presence of hydrocarbon liquids, with a foamant comprising at least one, water soluble or dispersible, silicon-containing polyether defined as

M a D f D E g with

M=R 1 R 2 R 3 SiO 1/2 ;

D=R 21 R 22 SiO 2/2 ;

D E =R 23 R E SiO 2/2 ;

wherein

R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 21 , R 22 and R 23 are each independently selected from the group of OR 25 or monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R E is a monovalent radical defined as: —R 26 —(C 2 H 4 O) s (C 3 H 6 O) t (C 4 H 8 O) u —R 27 ;

R 25 is a monovalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R 26 is oxygen or a divalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, with about 2 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R 27 is H or —C(═O)CH 3 or a monovalent saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

subscript g is positive;

subscripts a and f are individually 0 or positive subject to the limitation that a+f+g<about 15

subscripts s, t and u are individually zero or positive subject to the limitation that s+t+u≧3; and,

the average molecular weight of the silicon-containing polyether foamant is less than 1,000 daltons.

10. A method of making a stable foam from aqueous liquids by combining said aqueous liquids with a gas, in the presence of hydrocarbon liquids, with a foamant comprising at least one, water soluble or dispersible, silicon-containing polyether defined as

[(R 7 R 8 R 9 Si) k R 10 ] l Si(R 11 ) m (R 12 ) n R E ;

wherein

R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , R 11 and R 12 are each independently selected from the group of OR 25 or monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R 10 is a polyvalent linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, subject to the limitation that the valency of R 10 is at least one and less than about 30;

R E is a monovalent radical defined as: —R 26 —(C 2 H 4 O) s (C 3 H 6 O) t (C 4 H 8 O) u —R 27 ;

R 25 is a monovalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R 26 is oxygen or a divalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, with about 2 to about 30 carbon atoms;

R 27 is H or —C(═O)CH 3 or a monovalent saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms;

subscript l is positive;

subscripts m and n are individually zero or positive subject to the limitation l+m+n=3.

11. The foaming method of claim 8 wherein said silicon-containing polyether foamant (b) comprises the compound having the following formula:

M C d D f D E g with

M C =[(R 13 R 14 R 15 Si) o R 16 ] p Si(R 17 ) q (R 18 ) r O 1/2 ;

D=R 21 R 22 SiO 2/2 ;

D E =R 23 R E SiO 2/2 ;

wherein

R 13 , R 14 , R 15 , R 17 , R 18 , R 21 , R 22 and R 23 are each independently selected from the group of OR 25 or monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R 16 is a polyvalent linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radicals, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, subject to the limitation that the valency of R 16 is at least one and less than about 30;

R E is a monovalent radical defined as: —R 26 —(C 2 H 4 O) s (C 3 H 6 O) t (C 4 H 8 O) u —R 27 ;

R 25 is a monovalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R 26 is oxygen or a divalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, with about 2 to about 30 carbon atoms;

R 27 is H or —C(═O)CH 3 or a monovalent saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms;

subscripts d and g are positive;

subscript f is 0 or positive subject to the limitation that d+f+g<about 20;

subscript o is positive subject to the limitation that 0<o<30 and o is equal the valency of R 16 −1;

subscript p is positive;

subscripts q and r are individually zero or positive subject to the proviso that p+q+r=3; and

subscripts s, t and u are individually zero or positive subject to the limitation that s+t+u≧3.

12. A method of making a stable foam from aqueous liquids by combining said aqueous liquids with a gas, in the presence of hydrocarbon liquids, with a foamant comprising at least one, water soluble or dispersible, silicon-containing polyether defined as

M A =R 4 R 5 R 6 SiR E ;

wherein

R 4 , R 5 and R 6 are each independently selected from the group of OR 25 or monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R E is a monovalent radical defined as: —R 26 —(C 2 H 4 O) s (C 3 H 6 O) t (C 4 H 8 O) u —R 27 ;

R 25 is a monovalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;

R 26 is oxygen or a divalent, linear or branched unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, with about 2 to about 30 carbon atoms;

R 27 is H or —C(═O)CH 3 or a monovalent saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms and hydroxyl groups, having from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms;

subscripts s, t and u are individually zero or positive subject to the limitation that s+t+u≧3.

13. A method for removing liquid loading from gas wells comprising adding the foamant produced according to the method of claim 8 to said gas wells and removing said stable foam from said gas wells once formed.

14. A method for foam fracturing in drilling operations adding the foamant produced according to the method of claim 8 to said well being drilled.

15. A method for lifting formation fluids to the surface in oil wells comprising adding the foamant produced according to the method of claim 8 to said oil wells having fluids and lifting said formation fluids to the surface of said oil wells after they combine with said foamant.

16. The composition of claim 4 wherein R 27 contains nitrogen and optionally is an amine.

17. The composition of claim 1 wherein subscript d is positive and subscripts b and c are zero.

18. The composition of claim 1 wherein subscript c or subscript b is positive and subscript d is zero.

19. The method of claim 8 wherein subscript d is positive and subscripts b and c are zero.

20. The method of claim 8 wherein subscript c or subscript b is positive and subscript d is zero.

Assignments (24)