Abstract: Techniques for managing a hydraulic fracturing operation include receiving a selection of a proxy model that represents a first principles model of a hydraulic fracturing operation, the proxy model including at least one property of a plurality of properties of the first principles model associated with the hydraulic fracturing operation; simulating the selected proxy model to generate a modeled output based on the property; and determining a value of a control setpoint for hydraulic fracturing operation equipment based on the modeled output.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring properties of a sample utilizing a variable integrated computation element (ICE) formed of one or more layers of film that is physically sensitive to an electrical field or a magnetic field applied through the material. The thickness of a layer, and hence the optical properties of the ICE, can be electrically or magnetically altered to adjust the ICE for a analysis of a particular property of the sample, or to calibrate the ICE or to adjust the ICE to compensate for alterations to the ICE resulting from environmental conditions. The film may be formed of electrostrictive materials, piezoelectric materials, magnetorestrictive materials, and/or piezomagnetic materials.

Abstract: A method of cementing a subterranean formation includes providing a cement composition comprising cementitious material, aqueous base fluid, nanoparticles, synthetic clay, and a thixotropic modifier, where the solid materials are about 0 wt % to about 40 wt % of the total weight of the cement composition; introducing the cement composition into a subterranean formation; and allowing the cement composition to set in the subterranean formation. Cement compositions include cementitious material, aqueous base fluid, nanoparticles, synthetic clay, and a thixotropic modifier.

Abstract: A multifunctional end cap assembly for use in terminating the toe end of subsurface coiled tubing strings that include multiple sensors. The assembly includes provisions for turnarounds for DTS or DAS systems as well as provisions for connecting formation pressures with a pressure transducer within the coiled tubing string.

Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to measure a parameter of interest using a fiber optic cable. The parameters can be provided by a process that provides for multiplexed or distributed measurements. A multiplexed or a distributed architecture can include acoustic sensor units placed selectively along an optical fiber such that the acoustic sensor units effectively modulate the optical fiber with information regarding a parameter to provide the information to an interrogator coupled to the optical fiber that is separate from the acoustic sensor units.

Abstract: Pulsed-electric drilling systems can be augmented with multi-component electromagnetic field sensors on the drillstring, at the earth's surface, or in existing boreholes in the vicinity of the planned drilling path. The sensors detect electrical fields and/or magnetic fields caused by the electrical pulses and derive therefrom information of interest including, e.g., spark size and orientation, bit position, at-bit resistivity and permittivity, and tomographically mapped formation structures. The at-bit resistivity measurements can be for anisotropic or isotropic formations, and in the former case, can include vertical and horizontal resistivities and an orientation of the anisotropy axis. The sensors can illustratively include toroids, electrode arrays, tilted coil antennas, magnetic dipole antennas aligned with the tool axes, and magnetometers.

Abstract: Various embodiments include systems and methods to provide selectable variable gain to signals in measurements using incident radiation. The selectable variable gain may be used to normalize signals modulated in measurements using incident radiation. The selectable variable gain may be attained using a number of different techniques or various combinations of these techniques. These techniques may include modulating a modulator having modulating elements in which at least one modulating element acts on incident radiation differently from another modulating element of the modulator, modulating the use of electronic components in electronic circuitry of a detector, modulating a source of radiation or combinations thereof. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Calibration tools and procedures that provide one or more calibration methods for multi-component induction tools can include use of a tilted elliptical loop and a circular loop. Measurement signals may be used for analytic calibration of a multicomponent induction tool. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods of producing from multiple production zones with a single trip multi-zone completion system. One method includes arranging an outer completion string within an open hole section of a wellbore, the outer completion string having at least one sand screen disposed thereabout, extending a production tubing within the outer completion string, the production tubing having at least one interval control valve disposed thereon, communicably coupling the production tubing to the completion string at a crossover coupling having one or more control lines coupled thereto, actuating the at least one interval control valve to initiate production into the production tubing at the at least one interval control valve, and measuring one or more fluid and/or well environmental parameters external to the outer completion string with a surveillance line communicably coupled to one or more control lines at the crossover coupling.

Abstract: Of the many compositions and methods provided herein, one example composition includes a treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous fluid; and a tar stabilizing polymer comprising at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of a styrene polymer, an acrylate polymer, a styrene-acrylate polymer, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: A formation core analysis system can include an inner barrel and a toroidal electromagnetic antenna which transmits electromagnetic signals into a formation core when the core is received in the inner barrel. Another formation core analysis system can include an inner barrel and multiple longitudinally spaced apart electrodes which electrically contact a formation core when the core is received in the inner barrel. A speed of displacement of the core into the inner barrel may be indicated by differences between measurements taken via the electrodes as the core displaces into the inner barrel. A method of measuring resistivity of a formation core as the core is being cut can include transmitting electromagnetic signals into the core from a toroidal electromagnetic antenna as the core is being cut by a coring bit.

Abstract: A pumping system includes a probe to suction a fluid from a fluid reservoir, a pump in fluid communication with the probe, and a sensor for detecting phase changes in said pumping system. The sensor is in fluid communication with the probe or pump and is operable to generate a sensor signal. The pumping system also includes a fluid exit from the pumping system that is in fluid communication with said pump, and a variable force check valve that is located between the probe and fluid exit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for activating a down hole tool in a wellbore. A piston is moveable from a first position to a second position for activating the down hole tool. The piston includes a first side exposed to a first chamber, and a second side exposed to a second chamber. A rupture member has a first side exposed to the first chamber and a second side exposed to a third chamber. The rupture member is configured to rupture when a pressure differential between the first chamber and the third chamber reaches a predetermined threshold value, at which point the rupture member allows fluid communication between the first chamber and the third chamber. When the rupture member is intact, the piston is in the first position, and when the rupture member ruptures, the piston moves to the second position and activates the down hole tool.

Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods of providing a piezoelectric element having a surface front surface to operate as an active surface of a transducer on which a number of separate electrodes are disposed such that the electrodes on the front surface provide an effectively flat surface to the transducer. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Fluid flow influencer devices in chambers subsequent to vortex assemblies are described. A flow-affecting device can move from a first position to a second position based on a flow path of fluid flowing from the vortex assembly to the chamber. The flow path may depend on an amount of rotation of the fluid from the vortex assembly. The flow-affecting device in the first position can substantially allow fluid to flow through a chamber exit opening. The flow-affecting device in the second position can substantially restrict fluid from flowing through the chamber exit opening.

Abstract: Various resistivity logging tools, systems, and methods are disclosed. At least some tool embodiments include transmit and receive antennas that measure the electromagnetic response of the formation, at least one of which is tilted to provide a directional sensitivity. A processor converts the response (measured as a function of the tool's rotation angle) into a set of inversion parameters, which are then used to estimate the anisotropic properties of the formation. The set of inversion parameters includes at least one parameter based on an antipodal sum of the response signal, and may further include parameters based on an antipodal difference and an average of the signal response. Antipodal sum and difference values at different rotational orientations can be included in the set of inversion parameters, and they may be normalized to reduce environmental effects. Some tool embodiments collect the relevant formation measurements using parallel or perpendicular tilted antennas.

Abstract: Methods for treating a subterranean formation can comprise introducing a treatment fluid comprising dicarboxymethyl glutamic acid (GLDA) or a salt thereof into a subterranean formation, and at least partially removing an iron-containing material in the subterranean formation using the GLDA. Treatment fluids used in the methods may have a pH equal to or greater than about 2.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate a pump to obtain a formation fluid sample from a formation adjacent to a wellbore disposed within a reservoir, to detect a phase behavior associated with the fluid sample, and to adjust the volumetric pumping rate of the pump while repeating the operating and the detecting to maintain the pumping rate at a maintained rate, above which the phase behavior changes from a substantially single phase fluid flow to a substantially multi-phase flow. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive incident energy within a chamber defining a first part of an interaction volume that attenuates the incident energy as a function of path length to provide attenuated energy. Additional activity may include simultaneously transforming the attenuated energy characterized by a substantially exponential intensity function into resultant energy characterized by a substantially polynomial intensity function. The transformation may be accomplished using an interacted energy transformation element that defines a second part of the interaction volume, the transformation element operating to intercept the attenuated energy along a plurality of path lengths. Other activity may include transmitting the resultant energy to a receiver. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a resistivity of a formation comprising an instrumented bit assembly coupled to a bottom end of the apparatus. At least one first electromagnetic wave antenna transmits an electromagnetic wave signal into the formation. At least one second electromagnetic wave antenna located on the instrumented bit assembly and longitudinally spaced apart from the at least one first electromagnetic wave antenna receives the electromagnetic wave signal transmitted through the formation. Electronic circuitry is operably coupled to the at least one second electromagnetic wave antenna to process the received signal to determine a resistivity of the formation proximate the instrumented bit assembly.