Liquid crystals for drilling, completion and production fluids

A method of conducting an operation in a location selected from the group consisting of a wellbore, a subterranean formation, a reservoir, hydrocarbon production facilities, geothermal wells, and combinations thereof, the method comprising:

• introducing a liquid crystal-containing fluid into the location, where the fluid comprises liquid crystals selected from the group consisting of:
• pre-formed liquid crystals which comprise:
• a component selected from the group consisting of an aqueous phase and a non-aqueous phase, and
• a liquid crystal-forming component selected from the group consisting of at least one surfactant, at least one polymer, at least one copolymer, nanotubes, and mixtures thereof;
• and
• in situ liquid crystal-forming components comprising:
• a component selected from the group consisting of an aqueous phase and a non-aqueous phase, and
• a liquid crystal-forming component selected from the group consisting of at least one surfactant, at least one polymer, at least one copolymer, nanotubes, and mixtures thereof, the method further comprising forming liquid crystals in situ adjacent the location;
• where the aqueous phase and non-aqueous phase may already be present in the location and the method further comprises introducing the in situ liquid crystal-forming components into the location;
• and
• at least one further action selected from the group consisting of:
• circulating the fluid in the wellbore;
• fracturing the subterranean formation;
• removing damage from a location selected from the group consisting of the wellbore and the subterranean formation;
• removing solids from a location selected from the group consisting of the wellbore and the subterranean formation;
• drilling the wellbore;
• releasing an additive into the wellbore;
• reducing fluid loss into the formation;
• controlling trapped annular pressure;
• selectively gelling an oil layer in oil/water mixtures;
• reducing the production of water relative to the production of hydrocarbon;
• modifying the rheology of the fluid;
• reducing the drag of the fluid;
• lubricating moving equipment in the wellbore;
• removing heat from the wellbore;
• crosslinking components of loss circulation pills;
• reversing an emulsifier with a magnetic field;
• increasing rate of penetration by response of the fluid to an electric field or magnetic field at a drill bit;
• dispersing nanoparticles;
• strengthening the wellbore;
• improving the properties of cement in the wellbore;
• delivering an additive into the wellbore or subterranean formation;
• and
• combinations thereof,
• where the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of:
• nonionic surfactants further selected from the group consisting of alkyl polyglycosides, sorbitan esters, methyl glucoside esters, alcohol ethoxylates, polyglycol esters, fluorocarbon surfactants, and amphiphilic copolymers;
• anionic surfactants further selected from the group consisting of alkali metal alkyl sulfates, alkyl or alkylaryl sulfonates, linear or branched alkyl ether sulfates and sulfonates, alcohol polypropoxylated sulfates, alcohol polyethoxylated sulfates, alkyl or alkylaryl disulfonates, alkyl disulfates, alkyl sulphosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfates, linear and branched ether sulfates;
• cationic surfactants further selected from the group consisting of arginine methyl esters, ester quats, alkanolamines and alkylenediamides;
• amphoteric surfactants further selected from the group consisting of alkyl betaines, alkylamidopropyl betaines, sulfobetaines, aminopropionates, sultaines, and imido propionic acids;
• and
• dimeric or gemini surfactants, extended surfactants, silicone surfactants, Janus surfactants, cleavable surfactants;
• and
• combinations thereof;
• and
• where the liquid crystals further comprise:
• from about 2 to about 99 wt % of the surfactant;
• up to about 90 wt % water;
• from 0 to about 30 wt % of a co-surfactant;
• and
• up to about 99 wt % of an oil.