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

Abstract

Methods for treating an oil or gas well having a wellbore and selecting compositions for treating an oil or gas well having a wellbore.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition for injecting into a wellbore, comprising:
 an aqueous carrier fluid; and   an emulsion or a microemulsion, wherein the emulsion or the microemulsion is present in an amount between about 0.1 wt % and about 2 wt % versus the total composition, and wherein the emulsion or microemulsion comprises:
 an aqueous phase; 
 a surfactant; 
 a freezing point depression agent; and 
 a solvent comprising an alpha-olefin. 
   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the alpha-olefin has between 6-12 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the alpha-olefin is selected from the group consisting of 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, 1-nonene, 1-decene, 1-undecene, and 1-dodecene. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the total amount of solvent present in the emulsion or microemulsion is between about 2 wt % and about 60 wt %. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the aqueous phase to the solvent in the emulsion or microemulsion is between 15:1 and 1:10. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the freezing point depression agent comprises a first type of freezing point depression agent and a second type of freezing point depression agent. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the freezing point depression agent comprises an alkylene glycol, an alcohol, and/or a salt. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the freezing point depression agent is present in the emulsion or microemulsion in an amount between about 5 wt % and about 40 wt %. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant comprises a first type of surfactant and a second type of surfactant. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkyl polyglycol or alkyl polyglucoside nonionic surfactants, or mixtures of said nonionic surfactants with an ionic surfactant comprising anionic, cationic, or zwitterionic surfactants. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is present in the emulsion or microemulsion in an amount between about 15 wt % and 55 wt %. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the emulsion or microemulsion further comprises a terpene. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the terpene or terpenoid is selected from the group consisting of linalool, geraniol, nopol, α-terpineol, menthol, eucalyptol, menthone, d-limonene, terpinolene, β-occimene, γ-terpinene, α-pinene, and citronellene. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous carrier fluid is selected from the group consisting of water, brine, and a well-treatment fluid. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein the well-treatment fluid comprises an acid, a fracturing fluid, or slickwater.