Abstract: A method to improve well performance in gravel packed wells. In this method a wellbore is perforated with four to twelve shots per foot. Thereafter, hydraulic fracturing is conducted in the formation via a viscous fracturing fluid, having a 20/40 mesh proppant therein, which creates and props a fracture. Hydraulic fracturing is ceased and a gravel pack is placed in the wellbore. The gravel pack contains gravel of a mesh smaller than the fracturing fluid proppant, e.g. 40/60 mesh. The larger mesh proppant in the fracture forms a screen which prevents entry of most fines or sand into the fracture while the smaller mesh proppant removes fines or sand escaping the fracture screen. Therefore, this combination removes substantially all fines or sand from hydrocarbonaceous fluids produced to the surface.

Abstract: A method for staging a fracturing treatment in a horizontal wellbore where solidified gel is used as a diverting medium. A desired section of the horizontal wellbore farthest removed from the angle of deviation from vertical of the wellbore is perforated. Via perforations contained in the horizontal section, the desired interval is fractured hydraulically. The gel is displaced with a "wiper plug" and the gel confined to the fractured interval and wellbore area adjacent the fractured interval. Here the gel forms a solid gel in the interval and a gel plug in the wellbore. Afterwards, another section of the horizontal well is perforated. Thereafter, a second desired interval is fractured. After completion of the fracturing process, the gel plug breaks and the "wiper plug" is pumped to the farthest end of the horizontal wellbore.

Abstract: A method for stimulating a formation penetrated by a horizontal wellbore where hydraulic fracturing is utilized. The horizontal wellbore casing is perforated on its top side. Thereafter, the formation is fractured through said perforations with a fracturing fluid containing a fused refractory proppant. The density of the proppant selected is equal to the density of the fracturing fluid utilized.

Abstract: A process for improved acidizing in carbonate formations, where controlled pulse fracturing (CPF) is utilized in combination with a retarded acid and a solidifiable gel. The solidifiable gel forms a solid formation gel in a zone of greater permeability and a gel plug in the wellbore. Said gel is formed from a melamine formaldehyde resin and a cross-linkable polymer. An inhibited acid is placed in an interval of said formation having lessened permeability. The retarded acid comprises hydrochloric, formic, acetic acid or mixtures thereof which is placed in a wellbore adjacent the area to be treated. Said acid can contain retarders and corrosion inhibitors sufficient to make said acid stable in the wellbore. At least one CPF device is placed in said acid near the interval to be treated. Upon detonation of said device, acid is forced into the interval of lessened permeability, thereby enhancing the acidizing treatmemt.

Abstract: A process for killing and suspending mixtures of hydrocarbonaceous fluid production, particularly oil, in a formation containing same which minimizes formation damage. First, a "spacer volume" of liquid containing a chemical blowing agent is directed into the formation's productive interval. Said blowing agent decomposes in the formation and generates gas sufficient to force hydrocarbonaceous fluids away from a wellbore in said formation. Thereafter, a solidifiable pumpable gel mixture is placed via a wellbore into the formation's productive interval and also within said wellbore. Said mixture solidifies in the formation and forms a gel plug within the wellbore. Thereafter, a light weight cement is placed over said gel plug effectively "killing" and suspending the production of hydrocarbonaceous fluids.

Abstract: A method for minimizing blockage in a zone of lesser permeability when injecting gels into a formation during profile control. A solidifiable gel which comprises a hydroxyproyl guar gum containing a gel breaker is injected into the formation where it enters a zone of lesser and a zone of greater permeability. Said gel blocks pores in the zone of lesser permeability. A second solidifiable gel formed from a melamine formaldehyde resin, a crosslinkable polymer, and lacking a gel breaker is injected into the zone of greater permeability where it subsequently solidifies. Said gel contained in the zone of lesser permeability liquefies thereby unblocking this zone. Afterwards, a water-flooding enhanced oil recovery method is directed into the zone of lesser permeability.

Abstract: A process for killing and suspending mixtures of hydrocarbonaceous fluid production, particularly oil, in a formation containing same which minimizes formation damage. First, a "spacer volume" of liquid containing a surfactant is directed into the formation's productive interval. Thereafter, a solidifiable pumpable gel mixture is placed via a wellbore into the formation's productive interval and also within said wellbore. Said mixture solidifies in the formation and forms a gel plug within the wellbore. Thereafter, a light weight cement is placed over said gel plug effectively "killing" and suspending the production of hydrocarbonaceous fluids. The gel mixture comprises (1) water; (2) a cross linkable polymer having at least one functional group selected form a member of the group consisting of an amide, an amine, a hydroxyl, or a thiol group; and (3) a partially methylated aminoplast resin which cross links with said polymer.

Abstract: A process for killing and suspending mixtures of hydrocarbonaceous fluid production, particularly oil, in a formation containing same which minimizes formation damage. First, a "Spacer volume" of liquid containing a chemical blowing agent is directed into the formation's productive interval. Said blowing agent decomposes in the formation and generates gas sufficient to force hydrocarbonaceous fluids away from a wellbore in said formation. Afterwards, a solidifiable pumpable gel mixture is placed via a wellbore into the formation's productive interval and also within said wellbore. Said mixture solidifies in the formation and forms a gel plug within the wellbore. Thereafter, a light weight cement is placed over said gel plug effectively "killing" and suspending the production of hydrocarbonaceous fluids.

Abstract: Silicon carbide is used as a proppant during a hydraulic fracturing process. The proppant is particularly useful when steam-flooding or acidizing a formation. This proppant is crush resistant and impervious to HCl and HCl/HF acids. High formation and reservoir stimulation temperatures do not affect said proppant. Induced fractures are therefore more effectively propped.

Abstract: A two-step process to stimulate a horizontal wellbore drilled into a carbonate formation. Initially, the wellbore is filled with acid. Because vertical communication exists in the vicinity of the wellbore, the acid enters into the fissures and cracks from the wellbore. Thereafter, a non-reactive displacement fluid, having a density greater than the acid, is injected into the wellbore. This more dense displacement fluid pushes the acid to greater depths into the formation so carbonate dissolution can take place which substantially increases the formation's permeability. Increased permeability enhances the production of hydrocarbonaceous fluids.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a horizontal wellbore where a first fluid have a known specific gravity is introduced into said wellbore. Thereafter, a second fluid having a specific gravity less than said first fluid is introduced into said wellbore. Said second fluid overrides the first fluid and contacts contaminants in the top of said wellbore while the second fluid contacts contaminants on the bottom of said wellbore. Both fluids and contaminants are removed thereby cleaning said wellbore.

Abstract: A process for controlling fines or sand in an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated formation or reservoir containing hydrocarbonaceous fluids where the reservoir is penetrated by at least one wellbore. The method includes the utilization of hydraulic fracturing and a fused refractory proppant in combination with control of the critical salinity rate and the critical flow velocity. The proppant increases thermal conductivity during a steam-flooding process while controlling fines or sand.

Abstract: A method for minimizing blockage in a zone of lesser permeability when injecting gels into a formation during profile control. A solidifiable gel containing a gel breaker is injected into the formation where it enters a zone of lesser and a zone of greater permeability. Said gel blocks pores in the zone of lesser permeability. Another solidifiable gel lacking a gel breaker is injected into the zone of greater permeability where it subsequently solidifies. Said gel contained in the zone of lesser permeability liquefies thereby unblocking this zone. Afterwards, a water-flooding enhanced oil recovery method is directed into the zone of lesser permeability.

Abstract: A two-step solvent stimulation method for producing heavy-oil from a formation wherein a horizontal wellbore is utilized. Said wellbore is filled with a solvent of a predetermined density. Next a displacement fluid having a density greater than said solvent is injected into the wellbore. Continued pumping of said displacement fluid causes the solvent having a lighter density to be displaced into said formation thereby enhancing the penetration of said solvent into the formation. Thereafter, pumping is terminated. Subsequently, the displacement fluid and solvent thinned heavy-oil are produced from said formation.

Abstract: A fused refractory crystal for propping an induced fracture in a formation to obtain increased heat transfer. The crystal is of a size sufficient to keep said fracture open while providing for increased heat to be transferred into the formation. Increased heat is transferred into the formation via the crystal due to the substantially increased thermal conductivity capacity of the crystal. These crystals are particularly beneficial when used as proppants while fracturing a formation when a subsequent thermal oil recovery method is used. The efficiency of a thermal oil recovery method is substantially increased due to the ability of said crystals to conduct heat.

Abstract: A process for creating multi-azimuth fractures by hydraulically fracturing a formation via a single wellbore where a special polymer is used as the fracturing fluid. An induced fracture is formed and a solidifiable gel material is injected into the fracture which is allowed to solidify. Thereafter, hydraulic fracturing with the special polymer is repeated causing the fracture trajectory to form contrary to the far-field in-situ stresses.

Abstract: A process for disposing of fines produced with a substantially high viscosity oil. The viscosity of the oil will generally be less than 19 API degrees. Produced fines are mixed into a desired hydraulic fracturing fluid which fluid is used to fracture the formation. Once the formation has been fractured, additional fines in slurry form are pumped into the formation.

Abstract: A method for killing and suspending hydrocarbonaceous fluid production, particularly oil and/or gas, in a formation containing same which minimizes formation damage. A solidifiable pumpable gel mixture is placed via a wellbore into the formation's productive interval and also within said wellbore. Said mixture solidifies in the formation and forms a gel plug within the wellbore. Thereafter, a light weight cement is placed over said gel plug effectively "killing" and suspending the production of hydrocarbonaceous fluids.

Abstract: A process for hydraulic fracturing where a fracturing fluid contains a clay stabilizing agent. Said agent stabilizes clay particles or fines along the face of a resulting formation fracture. Thereafter a fused refractory proppant is injected into the fracture. The proppant increases thermal conductivity during a steam-flooding oil recovery method while controlling clay particles and sand.

Abstract: A process for killing and suspending mixtures of hydrocarbonaceous fluid production, particulary oil, in a formation containing same which minimizes formation damage. First, a "spacer volume" of liquid containing a surfactant is directed into the formation's productive interval. Thereafter, a solidifiable pumpable gel mixture is placed via a wellbore into the formation's productive interval and also within said wellbore. Said mixture solidifies in the formation and forms a gel plug within the wellbore. Thereafter, a light weight cement is placed over said gel plug effectively "Killing" and suspending the production of hydrocarbonaceous fluids.