Abstract: A crosslinker composition that can produce delayed crosslinking of an aqueous solution of a crosslinkable organic polymer. The composition comprises an organic titanium complex. The composition further contains an organic hydroxycarboxylic acid, preferably hydroxyacetic acid. The pH of the composition is preferably less than 5. The pH of the composition is further preferably such that when sufficient amount of composition is added to an aqueous polymer solution to result in delayed crosslinking of the polymer, the composition produces a pH in the resulting gel solution, preferably of between about 3 to about 4.5. Gel solutions produced using the composition are particularly useful in fracturing subterranean formations, and in particular in fracturing subterranean formations penetrated by an oil well in which fracturing process carbon dioxide and a proppant are added to the fracturing fluid.

Abstract: A method of packing a well, particularly an oil, gas or water well. A particle/liquid slurry is injected into the wellbore, the particle density to liquid density ratio of which is no greater than about 2 to 1. The particles are substantially free of surface adhesive. The particles are strained out of the slurry in the wellbore, so as to produce a packed mass of the particles adjacent the formation. The packed mass is such as to allow flow of fluids therethrough between the formation and the wellbore, while substantially preventing particulate material from the formation passing therethrough and into the wellbore. The well may be deviated. The fluid density is preferably about 0.8 to about 1.2 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: The invention consists of a new process for selectively treating a subterranean formation without affecting or being effected by the two adjacent zones (above and below).Using the invented process, the treatment fluid is injected into the formation to be treated F, at the same time as two protection fluids, whether the same or different, are injected into the two adjacent zones (above [ZS] and below [ZI]).The process can be applied even in the presence of fractures, gravel-pack and their zones.

Abstract: A mixer suitable for mixing a particulate material with a liquid. The mixer has a particulate material conduit, and a volute chamber disposed about the conduit. The volute chamber has a liquid inlet and an open lower end through which the particulate material conduit extends, to define an annular liquid outlet of the volute chamber. A transition cone communicates with the liquid outlet of the volute chamber and extends downward from it. At least a portion of the transition cone tapers inward while extending downward from a position not substantially lower than an outlet at the lower end of the conduit, to a position which is not substantially thereabove. Preferably the transition cone tapers as described, from a position above the conduit outlet to a position therebelow. A substantially straight downpipe is connected to, and extends downward from, a lower end of the transition cone.

Abstract: The invention concerns a new process for plugging and/or consolidating a permeable geological formation, notably when traversed by a borehole.The process, according to this invention, comprises the following steps: (a) insertion into the formation of an overdelayed gelling compound, composed of a gelable material and a hardener, for which the setting time is considerably longer than the suitable positioning time for the composition, in such a way that this permeates the formation over a significant distance. (b) insertion, after a mechanical or fluid plug, of a rapid-action gelling agent, which causes the instantaneous gelling of that part of the overdelayed gelling compound in the immediate neighborhood of the interface between the zone to be treated and the borehole. Thus preventing displacement of the overdelayed gelling compound toward the interior of the formation. The resultant gelling being both resistant and correctly placed.The invention application is to oil, gas, water or geothermal drillings.

Abstract: The invention consists of a centrifugal mixer with an upper rotor (3) for projection of particles, which is hard-mounted to rotor (4) allowing centrifuging of fluid (15).The invention lies in the creation of a low-pressure zone within the high-pressure zone of enclosure (23), for introduction of particles (20); this in turn requires the use of disturber (27).The result is a remarkable degree of mixing of the water and cement and has applications for oil field services.

Abstract: An apparatus designed for the introduction or removal of fluids from a wellbore, which apparatus comprises an elongated, extendable member and means for extending it; attached to said extendable member a conduit adapted for carrying fluid along said member; and located near an extremity of the extendable member, a means for securing said conduit to the head of a wellbore to permit fluid flow through said conduit and into or from said wellbore. Also, a method for employing the foregoing apparatus to introduce or remove from a wellbore a fluid by attaching a securing means to a wellbore head and introducing into or removing therefrom a fluid by transporting said fluid through the conduit with a fluid transporting means, said fluid flowing in either direction as may be appropriate.

Abstract: An improved method of mixing a fracturing fluid slurry concentrate comprising a hydrophobic solvent base (e.g., diesel No. 2) and a dispersed hydratable polymer (e.g., hydroxypropyl guar) on a real time basis thus continuously producing a fully hydrated fracturing fluid during the actual fracturing of a subterranean earthen formation. Viscosity rise times of less than 5 minutes are achieved in a continuous operation without the use of large volume storage/hydration tanks, employing primarily conventionally necessary pumps.

Abstract: A chemical method of removing thiourea from spent hydrochloric acid cleaning solutions comprising the steps of: adjusting the pH to not less than 12 by addition of base to remove metal hydroxides; oxidizing thiourea to urea by the addition of at least 4 moles of hydrogen peroxide per mole of thiourea; and further oxidizing urea to nonregulated/nonhazardous compounds by the addition of at least 3 moles of a hypochlorite per mole of urea. UV analysis confirms a greater than 98% removal of thiourea from solutions containing 0.4 to 2.7 wt. % thiourea after as little as 3 hours with an exotherm, .DELTA.t, of less than 105.degree. F.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a mixing apparatus for mixing liquids and particulate solids which comprises an enclosed cylindrical housing with an inlet means and a liquid/solid outlet means coupled to said housing and a slinger disposed within said housing which comprises a flat disc with a plurality of circumferentially spaced vertical vanes and a cylindrical outer wall at the outer periphery of the cylindrical flat disc.

Abstract: A novel method and device for manipulating ferrofluids for use in cementing wells are disclosed. The cementitious fluids may comprise: (a) a hydraulic cement, (b) finely divided magnetic particles, (c) a binding agent or a surfactant, and (d) a liquid medium. The binding agent or surfactant is present in the compositions in an amount sufficient to render the compositions stable in a magnetic field. When used in cementing wells, the cementitious ferrofluids are implaced in the annulus separating a casing from the formation in a wellbore by conventional techniques and the slurry is subsequently subjected to an activating alternating magnetic field that causes movement of the flurry. The non-cementitious ferrofluids comprise: (a) finely divided magnetic particles, (b) stabilizing agent, and (c) a liquid medium. The movement of the slurry results in a "scrubbing" action against the surface of the casing and formation surfaces, and a mixing of the slurry which helps displace any residual drilling mud.

Abstract: A fracturing fluid based on quar gum exhibiting good viscosity and stability at temperatures from about 80.degree. C. to at least about 120.degree. C. The fracturing fluid includes a guar gum, a zirconium or hafnium cross-linking agent, and a bicarbonate salt in an aqueous solution at a pH from about 8 to about 10.

Abstract: A high pressure foam slurry generator, including a source of slurry, a source of gas, and a means for combining the slurry and the gas, which is usually nitrogen. A housing receiving the slurry and the gas has a connector with multiple channels. One channel for the nitrogen gas acts as an inlet and has a bushing with a series of multiple holes through which the nitrogen gas is broken into a plurality of high velocity streams. The slurry with a foamer agent added combines at right angles with the nitrogen gas and is formed before being pumped through a tubing string into a gas or oil well. Also included herein is a process for making foamed slurry by pumping a slurry capable of being foamed to a housing, pumping nitrogen to the same housing, separating the nitrogen into a plurality of high velocity streams, and combining the streams and the slurry in a foaming action. Either the slurry or the nitrogen may have two separate streams entering the housing as right angles to each other.

Abstract: A crosslinker composition that can produce delayed crosslinking of an aqueous solution of a crosslinkable organic polymer. The composition comprises a metal compound, preferably an organic metal complex, and most preferably an organic zirconium complex. The composition further contains an organic hydroxycarboxylic acid, preferably hydroxyacetic acid. The pH of the composition is preferably no more than 4.8. The pH of the composition is further preferably such that when sufficient amount of composition is added to an aqueous polymer solution to result in delayed crosslinking of the polymer, the composition produces a pH in the resulting gel solution, preferably of between about 3 and about 4.5. Gel solutions produced using the composition are particularly useful in fracturing subterranean formations, and in particular in fracturing subterranean formations penetrated by an oil well in which fracturing process carbon dioxide and a proppant are added to the fracturing fluid.

Abstract: A pyrolytic carbon coated particle for use in well fracturing and sand control applications comprising: a thermally stable substantially spherical substrate particle (e.g., ceramic composite bead or the like) and a substantially uniform layer of pyrolytically deposited carbon encapsulating said thermally stable substantially spherical substrate particle. Such carbon coated particles exhibit physical properties superior to materials commonly used in gravel pack and well fracturing operations as well as improved chemical resistance to acids, organics and steam.

Abstract: Particulate magnesium oxide prepared by calcining magnesium oxide at between about 1100.degree. C. and about 1500.degree. C. At least about 80% of the magnesium oxide particles are between about 150 microns to about 400 microns in diameter. This magnesium oxide is capable of producing expansion in set cements when the temperature thereof is at least about 60.degree. C. Preferably the magnesium oxide has been calcined at between about 1100.degree. C. to about 1300.degree. C. for about 1 to about 3 hours, and at least about 80% of the particles are between about 200 microns to about 325 microns. Further, the BET surface area of the particles is preferably between about 0.8 to about 1.8 m.sup.2 /g, and the acid neutralization time (using the method described) is between about 15 to 20 minutes, and further preferably between about 17 to about 25 minutes. Expandable cement compositions using such magnesium oxide, and a method of using them in cementing of wells, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various organometallic crosslinkers containing titanium or zirconium atoms in the +4 oxidation (valence) state have been used to crosslink solvatable polysaccharides (e.g., hydroxypropyl guar) in aqueous media. The crosslinked gels are useful as fracturing fluids. Aqueous solutions of the organometallic crosslinkers are stabilized against deterioration upon storage by adding an alkanolamine (e.g., triethanolamine). Additionally, the alkanolamines also stabilize the crosslinked gels against shear degradation at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: An adjustable cement head manifold connector including a first union having a passageway therethrough operably connected for a fluidtight connection with a cement head, a second union having a passageway therethrough having an end for operably connecting it in a fluidtight manner to a cement head, components for slidably connecting the first union and the second union in a fluidtight manner. The components for slidably connecting including a mandrel having one end fixed to one of the unions and slidably engaged with the other. The fixed end of the mandrel is preferably held with a combination of a sleeve surrounding the mandrel acting in conjunction with a nut which operatively engages and presses the mandrel against the seat at the opening of the union. The end of the mandrel which is slidably engaged utilizes a sleeve nut and O-ring arrnagement for fluidtight engagement against the mandrel.

Abstract: The cement compositions according to the invention are designed for cementing wells, in particular oil and gas or geothermal wells, and for withstanding very high temperatures.A combination of styrene-butadiene latex and a polyoxyethylenated nonylphenol stabilizer of this latex is provided. Cement sets at a right angle and gas migration in the annulus is prevented.

Abstract: A crosslinker composition that can produce delayed crosslinking of an aqueous solution of a crosslinkable organic polymer. The composition comprises an organic titanium complex. The composition further contains an organic alpha-hydroxymonocarboxylic acid, preferably hydroxyacetic acid. The pH of the composition is preferably less than 5. The pH of the composition is further preferably such that when sufficient amount of composition is added to an aqueous polymer solution to result in delayed crosslinking of the polymer, the composition produces a pH in the resulting gel solution, preferably of between about 3 and about 4.5. Gel solutions produced using the composition are particularly useful in fracturing subterranean formations, and in particular in fracturing subterranean formations penetrated by an oil well in which fracturing process carbon dioxide and a proppant are added to the fracturing fluid.