Abstract: A method is provided for improved degradation of metal-crosslinked polymer gels, which are useful in oil and gas treating operations. In this method a polysaccharide having a higher degree of substitution than the polymer in the polymer gel is added to the gel. The polysaccharide removes the crosslinking metal ion from the gel to thus break down the gel and reduce its viscosity.

Abstract: Methods relating to using fracturing fluids in fracturing process for fracturing of subterranean formations are provided. The methods comprise sequentially injecting into a wellbore, alternating stages of a low-viscosity fracturing fluid having a first viscosity and a high-viscosity fracturing fluid having a second viscosity, wherein there is a viscosity difference such that the first viscosity is lower than the second viscosity.

Abstract: A fluid comprising: an aqueous phase; a cellulose derivative dispersed or dissolved in the aqueous phase; a guar derivative dispersed or dissolved in the aqueous phase; a titanium crosslinker dispersed or dissolved in the aqueous phase; and a zirconium crosslinker dispersed or dissolved in the aqueous phase. A method of treating a well or a well system can include: (A) forming a treatment fluid according to the disclosure; and (B) introducing the treatment fluid into a treatment zone of a well.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing treating pressure of a fracturing fluid. The systems and methods may include a liquid; one or more low molecular weight carboxymethyl celluloses; one or more high molecular weight carboxymethyl celluloses; and a transition metal crosslinking agent. The average molecular weight of the one or more high molecular weight carboxymethyl celluloses may be at least 1.5 times greater than the average molecular weight of the one or more low molecular weight carboxymethyl celluloses. The one or more low molecular weight carboxymethyl celluloses may have a molecular weight up to approximately 500,000 and the one or more high molecular weight carboxymethyl celluloses may have a molecular weight greater than approximately 750,000.

Abstract: Viscosified treatment fluids that include polyol derivatized cellulose may be useful in subterranean operations. For example, a method may include introducing a viscosified treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, wherein the viscosified treatment fluid comprises an aqueous base fluid, borate ions, and a polyol derivatized cellulose, and wherein the polyol derivatized cellulose comprise a cellulosic backbone derivatized with pendants comprising (1) a terminal polyol and (2) at least one of an internal 1,2,3-triazole, an internal ester, and an internal amide.

Abstract: The binding state of ionic materials, including metal ions, in a fluid phase can be determined using an integrated computational element. Methods for determining the binding state of an ionic material in a fluid phase can comprise optically interacting electromagnetic radiation with an ionic material and one or more integrated computational elements, the ionic material being located in a fluid phase while being optically interacted with the electromagnetic radiation; and determining one or more binding states of the ionic material in the fluid phase, using the one or more integrated computational elements.

Abstract: The binding state of ionic materials, including metal ions, in a fluid phase can be determined using an integrated computational element. Methods for determining the binding state of an ionic material in a fluid phase can comprise optically interacting electromagnetic radiation with an ionic material and one or more integrated computational elements, the ionic material being located in a fluid phase while being optically interacted with the electromagnetic radiation; and determining one or more binding states of the ionic material in the fluid phase, using the one or more integrated computational elements.

Abstract: Various molecular characteristics of a polymer may be determined using an integrated computational element to assay the polymer. Methods for assaying a polymer can comprise optically interacting electromagnetic radiation with a polymer and an integrated computational element; and determining a molecular characteristic of the polymer, using the integrated computational element. The molecular characteristic of the polymer may be used to determine a bulk characteristic of a fluid phase in which the polymer may be disposed.

Abstract: Various molecular characteristics of a polymer may be determined using an integrated computational element to assay the polymer. Methods for assaying a polymer can comprise optically interacting electromagnetic radiation with a polymer and an integrated computational element; and determining a molecular characteristic of the polymer, using the integrated computational element. The molecular characteristic of the polymer may be used to determine a bulk characteristic of a fluid phase in which the polymer may be disposed.

Abstract: Methods of treating a subterranean formations including providing a treatment fluid comprising a high salt concentration base fluid, a charged polymeric gelling agent, and proppant particulates suspended therein; wherein the high salt concentration base fluid comprises a concentration of salt in the range of from about 0.5% to saturation, and wherein the treatment fluid has a bulk viscosity of from about 30 cP to about 150 cP at a shear rate of about 40 sec?1; and introducing the treatment fluid comprising the proppant particulates into the subterranean formation.