Alkyl ester spotting fluid compositions and processes for freeing differentially stuck pipe are provided. An alkyl ester spotting fluid composition includes an invert emulsion having an alkyl ester as the external phase and water as the internal phase. In some embodiments, the alkyl ester spotting fluid composition may include the alkyl ester invert emulsion and an emulsifier. The alkyl ester spotting fluid composition may be introduced downhole in the vicinity of a portion of a differentially stuck pipe such that the spotting fluid composition contacts the mudcake and frees the differentially stuck pipe.