Patent ID: 7021378

Claim:
A method for retaining a treatment chemical in a subterranean formation containing hydrocarbons, the method comprising: (a) preparing an emulsion including: (i) an oil continuous phase; (ii) a first aqueous phase including a first treatment chemical which is to be retained in a subterranean formation; and (iii) a second aqueous phase including a second chemical which is to be reacted with the first treatment chemical in the subterranean formation to enhance retention of the treatment chemical in the subterranean formation; wherein the first and second aqueous phases remain generally separately dispersed and stable within the oil continuous phase; (b) placing the emulsion down a well bore and into the subterranean formation; and (c) allowing the first and second aqueous phases to interact with one another in the subterranean formation such that the first treatment chemical and the second chemical react with one another resulting in the first treatment chemical securing to the subterranean formation.