Methods and compositions for stimulating the production of hydrocarbons from subterranean formations

Abstract

Methods and compositions for stimulating of the production of hydrocarbons (e.g., formation crude oil and/or formation gas) from subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the compositions are emulsions or microemulsions, which may include water, a terpene, and a surfactant. In some embodiments, methods of selecting a composition for treating an oil or gas well are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An emulsion or a microemulsion for stimulating an oil or gas well, comprising:
 an aqueous phase;   a surfactant; and   a non-aqueous phase comprising a terpene solvent, wherein the terpene solvent is nopol or eucalyptol.   
     
     
         2 . The emulsion or the microemulsion of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the aqueous phase to the total amount of terpene solvent is between about 3:1 and about 1:2. 
     
     
         3 . The emulsion or the microemulsion of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the aqueous phase to the total amount of terpene solvent is between about 10:1 and about 3:1. 
     
     
         4 . The emulsion or the microemulsion of  claim 1 , further comprising a freezing point depression agent. 
     
     
         5 . The emulsion or the microemulsion of  claim 4 , wherein the freezing point depression agent comprises a first type of freezing point depression agent and a second type of freezing point depression agent. 
     
     
         6 . The emulsion or the microemulsion of  claim 4 , wherein the freezing point depression agent is selected from the group consisting of an alkylene glycol, an alcohol, a salt, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The emulsion or the microemulsion of  claim 4 , wherein the freezing point depression agent is present in an amount between about 5 wt % and about 40 wt % versus the total emulsion or microemulsion. 
     
     
         8 . The emulsion or the microemulsion of  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant comprises a first type of surfactant and a second type of surfactant. 
     
     
         9 . The emulsion or the microemulsion of  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl polyglycol nonionic surfactant, an alkyl polyglucoside nonionic surfactant and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The emulsion or the microemulsion of  claim 9 , wherein the surfactant further comprises an anionic, cationic, or zwitterionic surfactant. 
     
     
         11 . The emulsion or the microemulsion of  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is present in an amount between about 15 wt % and about 55 wt % versus the total emulsion or microemulsion. 
     
     
         12 . The emulsion or the microemulsion of  claim 1 , further comprising a second type of terpene solvent. 
     
     
         13 . A composition for injecting into a wellbore, comprising:
 an aqueous carrier fluid; and   the emulsion or the microemulsion of  claim 1 , wherein the emulsion or the microemulsion is present in an amount between about 0.1 wt % and about 2 wt % versus the total composition.   
     
     
         14 . A composition for injecting into a wellbore, comprising:
 an aqueous carrier fluid; and   the emulsion or the microemulsion of  claim 2 , wherein the emulsion or the microemulsion is present in an amount between about 0.1 wt % and about 2 wt % versus the total composition.