Abstract: A method for continuously mixing a borehole fluid such as cement includes using a measurement of the solid fraction of a cement slurry as it is being mixed to determine the ratio of the solid and liquid components to be added to the slurry. A system for mixing the includes a liquid material (water) supply including a flow meter; a solid material (cement) supply; a mixer which receives the liquid and solid materials and includes an output for delivering materials from the mixer to a delivery system; a device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer; and a flow meter in the output; wherein measurements from the flow meters and the device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer are used to control the amount of solid and/or liquid material added to the mixer.

Abstract: Suspensions are provided of water-soluble materials in non-aqueous carrier fluids using suspension agents that include thixotropic agents and, optionally, organophilic clays. Methods of forming such suspensions are provided. Methods are also provided for using such suspensions to prepare aqueous solutions, in particular thickened aqueous solutions, in particular for use in oilfield treatments.

Abstract: An aqueous oilfield treatment fluid containing a chelating agent and an HF source is described. This fluid is effective at dissolving siliceous materials such as clays and keeping the dissolved materials in solution. In particular it is effective at preventing re-precipitation of initially-dissolved silicon as silica and therefore reduces damage to sandstones with which it is contacted. Methods are given for using this fluid for sandstone matrix stimulation, removal of clay-containing drilling fluid components and filter cakes from wellbores, sandstone acid fracturing, and gravel pack and proppant pack cleaning.

Abstract: A composition for use in an oil chamber of a tool includes a hydraulic oil; and a surfactant, wherein the surfactant is present at an amount sufficient to form micelles in the hydraulic oil. The composition may further include an amphiphilic copolymer. A method includes providing a hydraulic fluid composition comprising a hydraulic oil and a surfactant capable of forming micelles in the hydraulic oil; and filling a hydraulic chamber in the tool with the hydraulic fluid composition. The hydraulic fluid composition may further include an amphiphilic copolymer.

Abstract: Wellbore electrical cables according to the invention include at least one insulated conductor, at least one layer of armor wires surrounding the insulated conductor, and a polymeric material disposed in the interstitial spaces formed between armor wires and interstitial spaces formed between the armor wire layer and insulated conductor which may further include wear resistance particles or even short fibers, and the polymeric material may further form a polymeric jacket around an outer, layer of armor wires. The insulated conductor is formed from a plurality of metallic conductors encased in an insulated jacket.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for created multiple fractures in a subterranean formation with a single, continuous treatment operation. A plurality of burst disk assemblies are included, each having an independent burst pressure and corresponding to a specific interval to be treated, whereby the assemblies are arranged on a work or completion string such that the assembly with the lowest burst pressure is positioned at the toe, or lowest position, and subsequent assemblies have increasing burst pressures toward the heel of the string. As fluid is pumped down the string, pressure builds up to exceed the burst pressure of the first disk, allowing treatment fluid to contact the formation. Once a first interval treated or fractured, it may be isolated thereby allowing pressure to again build up in the string and burst subseqent disks.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating subterranean formations by first providing a suspension of colloidal particles prior to the injection of viscoelastic based treatment fluid, and injecting the treatment fluid into a well. The colloidal particles reduce fluid loss into the formation. According to a second embodiment, the treating fluid includes a hydrophobically-modified polymer, said hydrophobically-modified polymer being present at a concentration between approximately its overlap concentration c* and approximately its entanglement concentration ce. The method is particularly useful for fracturing operations in medium to high permeability formations.

Abstract: A modular work system permits Rig Up time to be substantially reduced by reducing the number of crane lifts required to offload equipment for a transport boat or vehicle. This is achieved by developing transport skids capable of holding multiple system components. The number of equipment components that must be mechanically coupled on location is reduced by pre-assembling the components and maintaining the assembly in operating condition during storage and transport. Skid design concepts are employed, wherein a skid system carries various pre-assembled components for transport, storage and operation. Specifically, a skid sub-system includes various related components. The components are either pre-assembled or are designed to complete a sub-assembly through final assembly on the rig. The skid is moved into place using the crane, and the assembly is completed. Additional sub-systems are mounted on additional skids which are designed to be mated with the other related skids and sub-assemblies.

Abstract: It is proposed a method for completing an unconsolidated interval, including particulates, in a subterranean formation, including a consolidation steps. The consolidation step is performed by injection of an aqueous solution of colloidal particles with a pH modifier and/or an ionic-strength modifier. A hard gel is formed that holds the particulates together. The consolidation is followed by hydraulic fracturing. Diversion towards area of less permeability may be enhanced by the use of micrometric particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fluid treatment of a selected interval of a well and then cleaning the selected interval and the apparatus of treatment residue. An straddle tool is run into the well to treatment depth on fluid supplying tubing and has upper and lower packers that establish sealing with the casing and define an annular interval between the packers and between the tool and casing. Fluid, such as fracturing fluid, is pumped through the tubing to the tool and is diverted through an outlet port of the tool into an upper portion of the annular interval. Fluid then flows from a lower portion of the annular interval through an inlet port below the outlet port and at low flow rate is dumped into the casing through a pressure responsive dump valve. The outlet port and inlet port are located to accomplish cleaning of residue from the packers.

Abstract: A cable includes a central insulated conductor with a plurality of outer insulated conductors disposed around the central conductor. Interstices formed between the central conductor and outer conductors are at least partially filled with a filler material. Filler materials suitable for high temperature use are included. A jacket encases the filler material and the central and outer conductors. In some embodiments a yarn strand is disposed in the interstices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to increase the bonding forces of a hydraulic cement to a subterranean pipe (such as a casing) by the addition of at least one cementitious expansive agent to increase the bulk volume of the cement plug and a latex. The method includes positioning a platform in a downhole pipe below the desired cement plug interval, positioning a plug dump bailer tool comprising a chamber for cement slurry and a valve to discharge the cement slurry on and above the platform, and discharging the cement slurry. The cement slurry includes an expansive agent and latex to increase the shear-bond between the downhole pipe and the cement plug.

Abstract: A dual stress member electrical cable includes an electrically conductive, load-bearing core, an insulating layer surrounding the core, and an electrically conductive, outer load-bearing member surrounding the insulating layer. The core may be formed of a solid wire of steel, aluminum, or titanium. The insulating layer may be formed of Teflon or PEEK. The outer load-bearing member may be a tube formed of Inconel, stainless steel, galvanized steel, or titanium.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved well cementing methods for use in cold environment, where the circulating temperature of the cement is typically within the range of 5 to 20° C. The improved well cementing methods include forming compositions that are essentially comprised of an aqueous fluid, a hydraulic cement binder and a set-accelerating admixture comprising an alkali or alkaline earth metal nitrate and an alkali or alkaline earth metal nitrite.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the time varying mechanical properties of a cement including propagating acoustic waves through a cement sample, measuring signals corresponding to the acoustic waves after they propagate in the sample, comparing attributes from the measured signals with corresponding attributes provided by a model accounting for at least initially estimated acoustic properties of the cement, using the differences between the measured and calculated signals to update the initially estimated acoustic properties of the material in the calculating model, using the differences between the measured and calculated signals, updating the initial acoustic properties in the model, processing N iterations of the comparison and updating either until the differences between measured and calculated signals are within a given tolerance factor or when the number i reaches a prescribed maximum and calculating the time varying mechanical properties of the cement from the final iterated acoustic properties.

Abstract: An electrical cable includes a conductor comprising a plurality of strands defining interstices therebetween and a first insulating layer comprising a polymer that is disposed on the conductor such that the first insulating layer substantially fills the interstices. Alternatively, an electrical cable includes a conductor comprising a plurality of strands defining interstices therebetween, a first insulating layer comprising a polymer that is disposed on the conductor such that the first insulating layer substantially fills the interstices, and an adhesion layer comprising a polymer that is disposed on the first insulating layer. The electrical cable further comprises a second insulating layer comprising a polymer that is disposed on the adhesion layer, wherein the adhesion layer is miscible with the polymer of the first insulating layer and the polymer of the second insulating layer.