Abstract: A method and system for determining formation properties based on a fracture treatment that may include collecting data from a fracture treatment for a well. A flow regime of the fracture treatment is determined based on the data. Formation properties may be determined based on the flow regime and the data.

Abstract: A refracture-candidate diagnostic test is an injection of compressible or slightly compressible fluid at pressures in excess of minimum in-situ stress and formation fracture pressure with pressure decline following injection test recorded to detect a fracture retaining residual width from previous stimulation treatments. The diagnostic consists of small volume injections with injection time being a small fraction of time required for compressible or slightly compressible reservoir fluid to exhibit pseudoradial flow. The fracture-injection portion of a test can be considered as occurring instantaneously. Data measurements are transformed into a constant rate equivalent pressure transformation to obtain adjusted pressures or adjusted pseudovariables which are analyzed to identify dual unit-slope before and after closure periods confirming a residual retaining width.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods for drilling well bores penetrating producing zones while controlling formation particulates. Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of consolidating formation particulates surrounding a well bore comprising the steps of providing a drilling composition comprising a drilling fluid and a consolidating material, using the drilling composition to drill at least a portion of the well bore, allowing the consolidating material in the drilling composition to penetrate into the walls of the well bore, and allowing the consolidating material in the drilling composition to consolidate at least a portion of the formation particulates surrounding the well bore.

Abstract: A method of injecting a treatment fluid into a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising providing a treatment fluid having a viscosity; determining the breakdown pressure of the portion of the subterranean formation; calculating the maximum sustainable flow rate for the treatment fluid; and, injecting the treatment fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation at a flow rate less than or equal to the maximum sustainable flow rate for the treatment fluid. A method of injecting a treatment fluid into a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising providing a treatment fluid having a viscosity; determining the breakdown pressure of the portion of the subterranean formation; calculating the maximum allowable treatment fluid viscosity; adjusting the viscosity of the treatment fluid to a viscosity less than or equal to the maximum allowable treatment fluid viscosity; and injecting the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation at the selected treatment fluid flow rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to subterranean treatment fluids, and more particularly, the present invention relates to subterranean treatment fluids comprising relative permeability modifiers and methods for using such subterranean treatment fluids in subterranean operations to reduce the production of water from and stimulate hydrocarbon production in a subterranean formation. In certain embodiments, the methods of the present invention generally comprise the steps of providing a permeability-modifying aqueous treatment fluid comprising a relative permeability modifier and contacting a subterranean formation with the permeability-modifying aqueous treatment fluid. Optionally, the permeability-modifying aqueous treatment fluid may be injected in the subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture therein. In another embodiment, the methods of the present invention further comprise the step of injecting an acidizing treatment into the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Many methods are provided herein including, in one embodiment, a method comprising: providing a fluid that comprises an acid, crosslinked oxidized xanthan, and optionally, a base fluid; placing the fluid in a well bore penetrating a subterranean formation; and allowing the fluid to acidize at least a portion of the formation or damage contained therein. In another embodiment, herein provided is a fluid for subterranean uses comprising an acid and crosslinked, oxidized xanthan.

Abstract: Many methods and compositions are provided. One of the methods provided comprises the steps of: providing an aqueous treatment fluid that comprises a polysaccharide and a dual functional component, the aqueous treatment fluid having a first viscosity; allowing the dual functional component to interact with the polysaccharide such that the viscosity of the aqueous treatment fluid increases to a second viscosity, the second viscosity being greater than the first viscosity; placing the aqueous treatment fluid into a subterranean formation; and allowing the dual functional component to interact with the polysaccharide so as to reduce the second viscosity of the aqueous treatment fluid to a third viscosity, the third viscosity being less than the second viscosity. An example of a composition is a viscosified treatment fluid for treating subterranean formations comprising: an aqueous base fluid and an apparent cross linked reaction product of a polysaccharide and a dual functional component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved low-quality particulates and methods of making such improved particulates. A method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising providing a slurry comprising a treatment fluid and low-quality particulates at least partially coated with an aqueous tackifying composition, wherein the aqueous tackifying composition comprises an aqueous tackifier compound and an aqueous liquid; introducing the slurry into a subterranean formation; and, depositing the coated, low-quality particulates into the portion of this subterranean formation. A method of improving particulates, comprising at least partially coating low-quality particulates with an aqueous tackifying composition, wherein the aqueous tackifying composition comprises an aqueous tackifier compound and an aqueous liquid.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for inducing fractures in a subterranean formation and more particularly methods and apparatus to place a first fracture with a first orientation in a formation followed by a second fracture with a second angular orientation in the formation are provided. First and second fractures are initiated at about a fracturing location. The initiation of the first fracture is characterized by a first orientation line. The first fracture temporarily alters a stress field in the subterranean formation. The initiation of the second fracture is characterized by a second orientation line. The first orientation line and the second orientation line have an angular disposition to each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a viscosified treatment fluid comprising: providing a treatment fluid that comprises water and a gelling agent; contacting the treatment fluid with a boronic acid crosslinking agent so as to form a crosslinked gelling agent, wherein the boronic acid crosslinking agent comprises a compound having the formula: The present invention also provides methods of crosslinking gelling agent molecules, methods of treating a subterranean formation, methods of reusing viscosified treatment fluids, methods of fracturing subterranean formations, and methods of placing a gravel pack in subterranean formations. The present invention also provides boronic acid crosslinking agents and viscosified treatment fluids that comprise crosslinked gelling agents, the crosslinked gelling agent being formed from a reaction comprising a gelling agent and a boronic acid crosslinking agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to well bore stabilization and, more particularly, to treatment fluids that may reduce the tendency of shales to swell and associated methods. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of stabilizing a subterranean formation that comprises a shale, the method comprising contacting the subterranean formation that comprises the shale with a treatment fluid, the treatment fluid comprising a base fluid, and a hydrophobically modified polymer. In other embodiments, the treatment fluids comprise a base fluid and a hydrophilically modified polymer. In yet other embodiments, the present invention provides shale-inhibiting components, treatment fluids, and methods of reducing the tendency of shale to swell when exposed to a treatment fluid.

Abstract: Many methods are provided herein including, in one embodiment, a method comprising: providing a fluid that comprises an acid, crosslinked oxidized xanthan, and optionally, a base fluid; placing the fluid in a well bore penetrating a subterranean formation; and allowing the fluid to acidize at least a portion of the formation or damage contained therein. In another embodiment, herein provided is a fluid for subterranean uses comprising an acid and crosslinked, oxidized xanthan.

Abstract: Methods of using water-soluble hydrophobically modified polymers to treat intervals of a subterranean formation having variable permeabilities. An exemplary embodiment provides a method of treating an interval of a subterranean formation having a permeability that varies. The method comprises contacting the interval with a water-soluble hydrophobically modified polymer capable of selectively reducing the effective permeability of the interval to water without a comparable reduction of the effective permeability of the interval to hydrocarbons. The hydrophobically modified polymer modifies the interval to have a more uniform permeability without substantially preventing the flow of fluids through the interval. The method further comprises introducing a treatment fluid into the interval. The more uniform permeability of the interval allows for a more uniform treatment of the interval by the treatment fluid than would be allowed without treatment of the interval with the hydrophobically modified polymer.

Abstract: Among many things, in some embodiments, dual-function additives that enhance fluid loss control and the stability of viscoelastic surfactant fluids, and their associated methods of use in subterranean formations, are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a viscoelastic surfactant fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a viscoelastic surfactant, and a dual-function additive that comprises a soap component; and introducing the viscoelastic surfactant fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Acidic treatment fluids used in industrial and/or subterranean operations, and more particularly, acidic treatment fluids comprising clarified xanthan gelling agents, and methods of use in industrial and/or subterranean operations, are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing an acidic treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, an acid, and a gelling agent that comprises clarified xanthan; and introducing the acidic treatment fluid into a portion of a subterranean formation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a silicone-tackifier matrix composition that comprises at least one silicone polymer component, at least one tackifying agent, and at least one curing agent and/or at least one cross linking agent.

Abstract: Acidic treatment fluids used in industrial and/or subterranean operations, and more particularly, acidic treatment fluids comprising clarified xanthan gelling agents, and methods of use in industrial and/or subterranean operations, are provided. In one embodiment, the acidic treatment fluids comprise an aqueous base fluid, an acid, and a gelling agent comprising clarified xanthan.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: (a) mixing a particulate and an active material to obtain an at least partially coated particulate, wherein: (i) water forms a contact angle of less than 90 degrees with a surface of the particulate, (ii) the active material is capable of forming a coating on the particulate, (iii) the active material forms a contact angle less than 90 degrees with the particulate, and (iv) water forms a contact angle of greater than 90 degrees with a layer of the active material; (b) mixing the at least partially coated particulate and a carrier fluid to obtain a treatment fluid; and (c) introducing the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation through the wellbore to deposit the at least partially coated particulate into the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Among many things, in some embodiments, dual-function additives that enhance fluid loss control and the stability of viscoelastic surfactant fluids, and their associated methods of use in subterranean formations, are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a viscoelastic surfactant fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a viscoelastic surfactant, and a dual-function additive that comprises a soap component; and introducing the viscoelastic surfactant fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Methods and compositions that include a method comprising providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a biocide, a biocide enhancer, a friction reducer, and a compatibility aid, and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. A composition provided includes a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, a biocide, a biocide enhancer, a friction reducer, and a compatibility aid.