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This invention relates to reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluids and methods of their use and preparation. In one embodiment, this invention provides a method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprising: providing a reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon

This invention relates to reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluids and methods of their use and preparation. In one embodiment, this invention provides a method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprising: providing a reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid that comprises a liquid hydrocarbon and a gelling agent that comprises a polyvalent metal salt of a phosphoric acid ester, and treating the portion of the subterranean formation with the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid. In another embodiment, this invention provides a gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid: that comprises a liquid hydrocarbon and a gelling agent that comprises a polyvalent metal salt of a phosphoric acid ester; that has a concentration of less than about 250 mg/liter of trialkyl phosphate esters that have a molecular weight of less than about 350; and that has a diester-to-monoester content molar ratio of at least about 2:1.

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What is claimed is: 1. A method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprising: providing a reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid that comprises a liquid hydrocarbon and a gelling agent that comprises a polyvalent metal salt of a phosphoric acid ester wherein th

What is claimed is: 1. A method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprising: providing a reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid that comprises a liquid hydrocarbon and a gelling agent that comprises a polyvalent metal salt of a phosphoric acid ester wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid has a diester-to-monoester content molar ratio of at least about 2:1, and treating the portion of the subterranean formation with the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid has a concentration of less than about 100 mg/liter of trialkyl phosphate esters that have a molecular weight of less than about 350. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid has a concentration of less than about 50 mg/liter of trialkyl phosphate esters that have a molecular weight of less than about 350. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid comprises water and/or a base. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of: an α-olefin, an internal olefin, an alkane, an aromatic solvent, a cycloalkane, liquefied petroleum gas, kerosene, diesel oil, gas oil, fuel oil, a petroleum distillate, a crude oil mixture, and a mixture thereof. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid hydrocarbon is designed for use with CO2. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the polyvalent metal salt of a phosphoric acid ester is formed from the reaction of an activator composition that comprises a source of polyvalent metal ions and a phosphoric acid ester, the phosphoric acid ester having the formula: wherein R or R' comprises a hydrocarbon group having about 1 to about 30 carbon atoms; and R or R' comprises a hydrocarbon group having from about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the polyvalent metal ions are selected from the group consisting of: aluminum ions, gallium ions, lanthanum ions, ruthenium ions, iron ions, and lanthanide rare earth series ions. 9. The method of claim 7 wherein the polyvalent metal ions comprise ions having a +3 oxidation state. 10. The method of claim 7 wherein the activator composition is selected from the group consisting of: a ferric iron salt, aluminum chloride, sodium aluminate, and aluminum isopropoxide. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid comprises a surfactant. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of: imidazoline, a fatty acid soap, a fatty acid, dioctyl sulphosuccinate, sodium alkyl benzene sulphonate, a fatty acid ester, a fatty acid alkanolamide, and an amido betaine. 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the surfactant is present in the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid in an amount in the range of from about 0.1% to about 10% based on the gelling agent. 14. The method of claim 1 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid comprises an enhancer. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the enhancer provides at least some alkalinity to the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid. 16. The method of claim 14 wherein the enhancer has the general formula CnHmOxNy, wherein n is from about 1 to about 50, m is from about 0 to about the number necessary to satisfy the valence of the enhancer, x is from about 1 to about 10, and y is from about 0 to about 10. 17. The method of claim 14 wherein the enhancer is selected from the group consisting of: an ethoxylated amine, triethanolamine, N,N-dibutyl ethanol amine, an oxyalkylated di-C2-C8-alkyl amine, N,N-di-loweralkyl fatty amine, an oxyalkylated fatty amine, monoammonium citrate, bis(hydroxyethyl)tallowamine, ethoxylated dehydroabietylamine, and a mixture thereof. 18. The method of claim 1 wherein treating the subterranean formation involves fracturing a portion of the subterranean formation. 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid comprises proppant. 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the proppant is selected from the group consisting of nut shells, resin-coated nut shells, graded sand, resin-coated sand, sintered bauxite, particulate ceramic materials, glass beads, and particulate polymeric materials. 21. The method of claim 1 wherein treating the subterranean formation involves providing sand control to at least a portion of the subterranean formation. 22. The method of claim 21 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid comprises gravel. 23. The method of claim 1 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid comprises water, the water being present in an amount of at least about 0.05% by the total treatment fluid volume. 24. The method of claim 1 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid further comprises a breaker, the breaker being present in an amount sufficient to reduce the viscosity of the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid at a desired time. 25. The method of claim 24 wherein the breaker comprises a delayed gel breaker. 26. The method of claim 25 wherein the delayed gel breaker comprises an encapsulated delayed gel breaker. 27. The method of claim 25 wherein the delayed gel breaker is present in an amount in the range of from about 0.01% to about 3% w/v. 28. The method of claim 24 wherein the breaker is selected from the group consisting of: hard burned magnesium oxide, an alkali metal carbonate, alkali metal bicarbonate, alkali metal acetate, an alkaline earth metal oxides, an alkali metal hydroxide, an amine, and a weak acid. 29. The method of claim 24 wherein the breaker comprises a reducing agent that is capable of reducing ferric iron to ferrous iron. 30. The method of claim 29 wherein the reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of: stannous chloride, thioglycolic acid, hydrazine sulfate, sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate, sodium hypophosphite, potassium iodide, hydroxylamine hydrochloride, 2-mercaptoethanol, ascorbic acid, sodium thiosulfate, sodium dithionite, and sodium sulfite. 31. The method of claim 24 wherein the breaker is present in an amount of 0.0 1% to about 3% of the volume of the treatment fluid. 32. The method of claim 1 wherein the treating the subterranean formation involves using the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid to provide a plugging agent to a portion of the subterranean formation or a portion of a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation. 33. The method of claim 1 wherein treating the subterranean formation involves using the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid as a well bore cleanup fluid. 34. The method of claim 1 wherein treating the subterranean formation involves using the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid to perform a viscous sweep of a portion of the subterranean formation or a portion of a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation. 35. The method of claim 1 wherein treating the subterranean formation involves insulating a portion of the subterranean formation, a portion of a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation, or a tubing placed in a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation. 36. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of preparing the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid at the location of the subterranean formation. 37. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of preparing the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid at a location away from the subterranean formation and transporting the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid to the subterranean formation. 38. A method of fracturing a portion of a subterranean formation comprising: providing a reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid that comprises a liquid hydrocarbon and a gelling agent that comprises a polyvalent metal salt of a phosphoric acid ester wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid has a diester-to-monoester content molar ratio of at least about 2:1, and contacting the portion of the subterranean formation with the gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid under conditions effective to create or enhance at least one fracture in the subterranean formation. 39. The method of claim 38 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid has a concentration of less than about 100 mg/liter of trialkyl phosphate esters that have a molecular weight of less than about 350. 40. The method of claim 38 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid has a concentration of less than about 50 mg/liter of trialkyl phosphate esters that have a molecular weight of less than about 350. 41. The method of claim 38 wherein the gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid comprises water and/or a base. 42. The method of claim 38 wherein the gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid is selected from the group consisting of: an α-olefin, an internal olefin, an alkane, an aromatic solvent, a cycloalkane, liquefied petroleum gas, kerosene, diesel oil, gas oil, fuel oil, a petroleum distillate, a crude oil mixture, and a mixture thereof. 43. The method of claim 38 wherein the polyvalent metal salt of a phosphoric acid ester is present in an amount in the range of from about 0.1% to about 10% w/v. 44. The method of claim 38 wherein the polyvalent metal salt of a phosphoric acid ester is present in an amount in the range of from about 0.1% to about 5% w/v. 45. The method of claim 38 wherein the polyvalent metal salt of a phosphoric acid ester is formed from the reaction of an activator composition that comprises a source of polyvalent metal ions and a phosphoric acid ester, the phosphoric acid ester having the formula: wherein R or R' comprises a hydrocarbon group having about 1 to about 30 carbon atoms; and R or R' comprises a hydrocarbon group having from about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms. 46. The method of claim 45 wherein the polyvalent metal ions comprise ions having a +3 oxidation state. 47. The method of claim 38 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid comprises an enhancer. 48. The method of claim 47 wherein the enhancer has the general formula CnHmOxNy, wherein n is about 1 to about 50, m is about 0 to about the number necessary to satisfy the valence of the enhancer, x is about 1 to about 10, and y is about 0 to about 10. 49. The method of claim 38 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid comprises a surfactant. 50. The method of claim 38 wherein the gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid comprises proppant. 51. The method of claim 50 wherein the proppant is present in an amount in the range of from about 1 to about 32 pounds of proppant per gallon of treatment fluid. 52. The method of claim 50 wherein the proppant is selected from the group consisting of: nut shells, resin coated nut shells, graded sand, resin coated sand, sintered bauxite, particulate ceramic materials, glass beads, and particulate polymeric materials. 53. The method of claim 38 wherein the gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid further comprises a breaker, the breaker being present in an amount sufficient to reduce the viscosity of the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid at a desired time. 54. The method of claim 53 wherein the breaker is present in an amount of about 0.0 1% to about 3% w/v. 55. A method of providing sand control to a portion of a subterranean formation comprising: providing a reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid that comprises gravel particulates and a gelling agent that comprises a polyvalent metal salt of a phosphoric acid ester wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid has a diester-to-monoester content molar ratio of at least about 2:1; and contacting the portion of the subterranean formation with the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid so as to form a gravel pack near a portion of the subterranean formation. 56. The method of claim 55 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid has a concentration of less than about 100 mg/liter of trialkyl phosphate esters that have a molecular weight of less than about 350. 57. The method of claim 55 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid has concentration of less than about 50 mg/liter of trialkyl phosphate esters that have a molecular weight of less than about 350. 58. The method of claim 55 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid comprises water and/or a base. 59. The method of claim 55 wherein the gelled reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid is selected from the group consisting of: an α-olefin, an internal olefin, an alkane, an aromatic solvent, a cycloalkane, liquefied petroleum gas, kerosene, diesel oil, gas oil, fuel oil, a petroleum distillate, a crude oil mixture, and a mixture thereof. 60. The method of claim 55 wherein the polyvalent metal salt of a phosphoric acid ester is present in an amount in the range of from about 0.1% to about 10% w/v. 61. The method of claim 55 wherein the polyvalent metal salt of a phosphoric acid ester is present in an amount in the range of from about 0.1% to about 5% w/v. 62. The method of claim 55 wherein the polyvalent metal salt of a phosphoric acid ester is formed from the reaction of an activator composition that comprises a source of polyvalent metal ions and a phosphoric acid ester, the phosphoric acid ester having the formula: wherein R or R' comprises a hydrocarbon group having about 1 to about 30 carbon atoms; and R or R' comprises a hydrocarbon group having from about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms. 63. The method of claim 62 wherein the polyvalent metal ions comprise ions having a +3 oxidation state. 64. The method of claim 55 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid comprises an enhancer. 65. The method of claim 64 wherein the enhancer has the general formula CnHmOxNy, wherein n is about 1 to about 50, m is about 0 to about the number necessary to satisfy the valence, x is about 1 to about 10, and y is about 0 to about 10. 66. The method of claim 55 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid comprises a surfactant. 67. The method of claim 55 wherein the gravel is present in an amount in the range of from about 1 to about 32 pounds of gravel per gallon of treatment fluid. 68. The method of claim 55 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid further comprises a breaker, the breaker being present in an amount sufficient to reduce the viscosity of the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid at a desired time. 69. The method of claim 68 wherein the breaker is present in an amount of about 0.01% to about 3% w/v. 70. A method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprising: providing a reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid that comprises a liquid hydrocarbon and a gelling agent, the gelling agent comprising a polyvalent metal salt of a phosphoric acid ester wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid has a concentration of less than about 100 mg/liter of trialkyl phosphate esters that have a molecular weight of less than about 350; and treating the portion of the subterranean formation with the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid. 71. The method of claim 70 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid has a concentration of less than about 50 mg/liter of trialkyl phosphate esters that have a molecular weight of less than about 350. 72. The method of claim 70 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid comprises water and/or a base. 73. The method of claim 70 wherein the liquid hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of: an α-olefin, an internal olefin, an alkane, an aromatic solvent, a cycloalkane, liquefied petroleum gas, kerosene, diesel oil, gas oil, fuel oil, a petroleum distillate, a crude oil mixture, and a mixture thereof. 74. The method of claim 70 wherein the liquid hydrocarbon is designed for use with CO2. 75. The method of claim 70 wherein the polyvalent metal salt of a phosphoric acid ester is formed from the reaction of an activator composition that comprises a source of polyvalent metal ions and a phosphoric acid ester, the phosphoric acid ester having the formula: wherein R or R' comprises a hydrocarbon group having about 1 to about 30 carbon atoms; and R or R' comprises a hydrocarbon group having from about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms. 76. The method of claim 75 wherein the polyvalent metal ions are selected from the group consisting of: aluminum ions, gallium ions, lanthanum ions, ruthenium ions, iron ions, and lanthanide rare earth series ions. 77. The method of claim 75 wherein the polyvalent metal ions comprise ions having a +3 oxidation state. 78. The method of claim 75 wherein the activator composition is selected from the group consisting of: a ferric iron salt, aluminum chloride, sodium aluminate, and aluminum isopropoxide. 79. The method of claim 70 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid comprises a surfactant. 80. The method of claim 79 wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of: imidazoline, a fatty acid soap, a fatty acid, dioctyl sulphosuccinate, sodium alkyl benzene sulphonate, a fatty acid ester, a fatty acid alkanolamide, and an amido betaine. 81. The method of claim 79 wherein the surfactant is present in the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid in an amount in the range of from about 0.1% to about 10% based on the gelling agent. 82. The method of claim 70 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid comprises an enhancer. 83. The method of claim 82 wherein the enhancer provides at least some alkalinity to the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid. 84. The method of claim 82 wherein the enhancer has the general formula CnHmOxNy, wherein n is from about 1 to about 50, m is from about 0 to about the number necessary to satisfy the valence of the enhancer, x is from about 1 to about 10, and y is from about 0 to about 10. 85. The method of claim 82 wherein the enhancer is selected from the group consisting of: an ethoxylated amine, triethanolamine, N,N-dibutyl ethanol amine, an oxyalkylated di-C2-C8-alkyl amine, N,N-di-loweralkyl fatty amine, an oxyalkylated fatty amine, monoammonium citrate, bis(hydroxyethyl)tallowamine, ethoxylated dehydroabietylamine, and a mixture thereof. 86. The method of claim 70 wherein treating the subterranean formation involves fracturing a portion of the subterranean formation. 87. The method of claim 86 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid comprises a proppant. 88. The method of claim 87 wherein the proppant is selected from the group consisting of nut shells, resin-coated nut shells, graded sand, resin-coated sand, sintered bauxite, particulate ceramic materials, glass beads, and particulate polymeric materials. 89. The method of claim 70 wherein treating the subterranean formation involves providing sand control to at least a portion of the subterranean formation. 90. The method of claim 89 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid comprises gravel. 91. The method of claim 90 wherein the gravel is selected from the group consisting of nut shells, resin-coated nut shells, graded sand, resin-coated sand, sintered bauxite, particulate ceramic materials, glass beads, and particulate polymeric materials. 92. The method of claim 70 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid comprises water, the water being present in an amount of at least about 0.05% by the total treatment fluid volume. 93. The method of claim 70 wherein the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid further comprises a breaker, the breaker being present in an amount sufficient to reduce the viscosity of the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid at a desired time. 94. The method of claim 93 wherein the breaker comprises a delayed gel breaker. 95. The method of claim 94 wherein the delayed gel breaker comprises an encapsulated delayed gel breaker. 96. The method of claim 94 wherein the delayed gel breaker is present in an amount in the range of from about 0.0 1% to about 3% w/v. 97. The method of claim 93 wherein the breaker is selected from the group consisting of: a hard burned magnesium oxide, an alkali metal carbonate, an alkali metal bicarbonate, an alkali metal acetate, an alkaline earth metal oxides, an alkali metal hydroxide, an amine, and a weak acid. 98. The method of claim 93 wherein the breaker comprises a reducing agent that is capable of reducing ferric iron to ferrous iron. 99. The method of claim 98 wherein the reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of: stannous chloride, thioglycolic acid, hydrazine sulfate, sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate, sodium hypophosphite, potassium iodide, hydroxylamine hydrochloride, 2-mercaptoethanol, ascorbic acid, sodium thiosulfate, sodium dithionite, and sodium sulfite. 100. The method of claim 93 wherein the breaker is present in an amount of 0.01% to about 3% of the volume of the treatment fluid. 101. The method of claim 70 wherein the treating the subterranean formation involves using the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid to provide a plugging agent to a portion of the subterranean formation. 102. The method of claim 70 wherein treating the subterranean formation involves using the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid as a well bore cleanup fluid. 103. The method of claim 70 wherein treating the subterranean formation involves using the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid to perform a viscous sweep of a portion of the subterranean formation or a portion of a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation. 104. The method of claim 70 wherein treating the subterranean formation involves insulating a portion of the subterranean formation, a portion of a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation, or a tubing placed in a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation. 105. The method of claim 70 further comprising the step of preparing the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid at the location of the subterranean formation. 106. The method of claim 70 further comprising the step of preparing the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid at a location away from the subterranean formation and transporting the reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid to the subterranean formation.