Methods and compositions for use in oil and/or gas wells
Methods and compositions comprising an emulsion or a microemulsion for use in various aspects of the life cycle of an oil and/or gas well are provided. In some embodiments, the emulsion or the microemulsion comprises water, a solvent, and a surfactant, and optionally, one or more additives.
1. A composition for use in an oil and/or gas well having a wellbore, comprising a fluid and an emulsion or microemulsion, wherein the emulsion or the microemulsion comprises:
water;
an alcohol;
a solvent comprising a terpene; and
a surfactant, wherein the surfactant has a structure as in Formula I:
wherein each of R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , R 10 , and R 11 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, and —CH═CHAr, provided at least one of R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , R 10 , and R 11 is —CH═CHAr;
Ar is an aryl group;
R 12 is hydrogen or alkyl;
n is 1-100; and
m is 1.
2. The composition as in claim 1 , wherein the surfactant comprises a styrylphenol ethoxylate surfactant.
3. The composition as in claim 1 , wherein R 7 is —CH═CHAr.
4. The composition as in claim 1 , wherein R 8 is —CH═CHAr.
5. The composition as in claim 1 , wherein R 9 is —CH═CHAr.
6. The composition as in claim 1 , wherein R 10 is hydrogen.
7. The composition as in claim 1 , wherein R 11 is hydrogen.
8. The composition as in claim 1 , wherein R 12 is hydrogen.
9. The composition as in claim 1 , wherein n=10.
10. The composition as in claim 1 , wherein the alcohol comprises isopropanol.
11. The composition as in claim 1 , wherein the terpene is d-limonene.
12. The composition as in claim 1 , wherein the terpene is a citrus terpene.
13. The composition as in claim 1 , wherein the terpene is dipentene.
14. The composition as in claim 1 , wherein R 12 is a C 1-6 alkyl.
15. The composition as in claim 1 , wherein R 12 is methyl or ethyl.