Abstract: Methods of acidizing subterranean formations or well bores, and more specifically, to acidizing systems involving acid-generating fluids that comprise acid-generating compounds and associated methods are provided. An example is a method that comprises: providing an acid-generating fluid that comprises an acid-generating compound; placing the acid-generating fluid into a subterranean formation; and allowing an acid to generate from the acid-generating fluid.

Abstract: Improved methods of placing and/or diverting treatment fluids in subterranean formations are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise introducing a treatment fluid into a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore, wherein the treatment fluid comprises: a base fluid, and a plurality of solid particulates comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of: a scale inhibitor, a chelating agent, and a combination thereof, wherein the solid particulates are substantially insoluble in the base fluid; and allowing at least a portion of the solid particulates to form a barrier or at partially divert a subsequent fluid.

Abstract: Methods for stimulating a high-permeability subterranean formation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises the step of selecting a target fracture geometry for a portion of a subterranean formation. The method further comprises the step of introducing a pad fluid comprising a fluid-loss-control additive into the portion of the subterranean formation to create or extend one or more fractures in the portion of the subterranean formation, wherein an amount of the fluid-loss-control additive is determined based at least in part on the target fracture geometry. The method further comprises allowing a barrier to form along at least a portion of the one or more fractures, wherein the barrier comprises the fluid-loss-control additive. The method further comprises introducing a slurry fluid comprising proppant particulates into the one or more fractures, wherein a tip screen-out occurs in at least one of the one or more fractures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bridging agents for use in subterranean formations, to well drill-in and servicing fluids comprising such bridging agents, and to methods of using such bridging agents and well drill-in and servicing fluids in subterranean drilling operations. An example of a well drill-in and servicing fluid of the present invention comprises a viscosified fluid, a fluid loss control additive, and a bridging agent comprising a degradable material.

Abstract: Methods comprising: providing a degradable polymer within a portion of a subterranean formation; introducing a base solution into the portion of the subterranean formation, wherein the base solution comprises at least one base selected from the group consisting of: ammonium hydroxide, an alcoholic alkaline solution, and an alkaline amine solution, and derivatives thereof; and allowing the base solution to degrade the degradable polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bridging agents for use in subterranean formations, to well drill-in and servicing fluids comprising such bridging agents, and to methods of using such bridging agents and well drill-in and servicing fluids in subterranean drilling operations. An example of a well drill-in and servicing fluid of the present invention comprises a viscosified fluid, a fluid loss control additive, and a bridging agent comprising a degradable material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bridging agents for use in subterranean formations, to well drill-in and servicing fluids comprising such bridging agents, and to methods of using such bridging agents and well drill-in and servicing fluids in subterranean drilling operations. An example of a well drill-in and servicing fluid of the present invention comprises a viscosified fluid, a fluid loss control additive, and a bridging agent comprising a degradable material.

Abstract: One example of the many methods provided includes a method comprising: providing a fluid loss control pill that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a cellulose derivative and a dual functional component, the fluid loss control pill having a first viscosity; allowing the dual functional component to interact with the cellulose derivative in the fluid loss control pill such that the viscosity of the fluid loss control pill increases to a second viscosity, the second viscosity being greater than the first viscosity; placing the fluid loss control pill in a subterranean formation; and allowing the dual functional component to interact with the cellulose derivative so as to reduce the second viscosity of the fluid loss control pill to a third viscosity, the third viscosity being less than the second viscosity.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for generating acids for use downhole, for example, to break fluid-loss control pills. The delayed-release acid breakers of the present invention comprise orthoesters and/or poly(orthoesters).

Abstract: Treatment fluids for and methods of treating subterranean formations are provided. In certain embodiments, a method is provided comprising providing a treatment fluid comprising a relative permeability modifier, a delayed filter cake breaker, and a carrier fluid, contacting at least a portion of a filter cake in a subterranean formation with the treatment fluid, and removing at least a portion of the filter cake.

Abstract: Treatments fluids relating to the hydrolysis of water-hydrolysable materials are provided. In one embodiment, provided is a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous liquid, a water-miscible solvent, and a water-hydrolysable material. Also provided is a hydrolysis retarder composition that comprises an aqueous liquid and a water-miscible solvent.

Abstract: Many methods are provided herein including a method of providing fluid loss control comprising: providing a treatment fluid; adding to the treatment fluid an acid-generating fluid loss control additive comprising an acid-generating component wherein the acid-generating fluid loss control additive forms droplets in the treatment fluid; and placing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. Other methods are provided as well.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of generating an acid downhole that comprise providing a degradable surfactant; introducing the degradable surfactant into a well bore that penetrates a subterranean formation; and allowing at least a portion of the degradable surfactant to degrade, thereby releasing an acid. Also provided are methods of degrading an acid-soluble component present within a subterranean formation, and methods of reducing the viscosity of a viscosified treatment fluid.

Abstract: A fluid for use in a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the fluid comprising: (a) water; (b) an orthoester; and (c) a surfactant comprising a tertiary alkyl amine ethoxylate generally represented by the following formula: (CH2—CH2—O)XH R—N< (CH2—CH2—O)YH wherein R is an alkyl group or aryl group, and wherein X and Y are each independently at least one. A method of fracturing a subterranean formation, comprising the step of forming a foamed fracturing fluid comprising water; an orthoester; a surfactant comprising a tertiary alkyl amine ethoxylate generally represented by the formula above; and a gas. The method also provides the step of introducing the foamed fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create a fracture in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use as a downhole tool or a component thereof for insertion into a wellbore. According to one aspect, the apparatus has a body having a chamber, wherein at least a portion of the body is radially expandable; and a water-swellable material in the chamber, wherein the water-swellable material is dissolvable in water. According to another aspect, the apparatus has a body having a chamber, wherein at least a portion of the body is radially expandable, and wherein at least a portion of the body is made with a material that is deteriorable by hydrolysis; and a water-swellable material in the chamber. According to a further aspect, the water-swellable material is dissolvable in water.

Abstract: Methods of drilling a well bore in a subterranean formation comprising placing a self-degrading kickoff plug or the like in the well bore are provided. An example of a method is a method comprising: providing a self-degrading cement composition that comprises a degradable material, an acid source, a base source, and a water source; placing the self-degrading cement composition in a desired location in a well bore that penetrates a subterranean formation; and allowing the self-degrading cement composition to set to form a hardened kickoff plug.

Abstract: Degradable kickoff plugs are provided. An example of a composition is a degradable kickoff plug that includes a degradable material; and an acid-base cement. Another example of a composition is a degradable kickoff plug formed by a method that includes: providing a self-degrading cement composition that includes a degradable material, an acid source, a base source, and a water source; placing the self-degrading cement composition in a desired location in a well bore that penetrates a subterranean formation; and allowing the self-degrading cement composition to set to form a hardened kickoff plug.

Abstract: The current invention provides methods of using and drilling and servicing fluid compositions for depositing and removing filter cake from the walls of a well bore. The compositions make use of particulate solid bridging agent comprised of a salt of an organic acid. The bridging particles are dissolvable by a clean-up solution comprised of a mild solvent that is less corrosive than the conventional strong mineral acids used for this purpose.

Abstract: Methods are provided for increasing the temperature of a section of conduit used for the production or transmission of hydrocarbon. According to one aspect, the method includes the steps of: (a) forming a treatment fluid comprising: (i) a carrier fluid; and (ii) a first reactant and a second reactant; and (b) introducing the treatment fluid into a section of conduit used for the production or transmission of hydrocarbon. The first reactant and second reactant are selected for being capable of reacting together in an exothermic chemical reaction; and the first and second reactant are in at least sufficient concentrations in the carrier fluid to generate a theoretical heat of reaction of at least 1,000 kJ/liter of the treatment fluid. At least some of at least one of the first reactant and the second reactant is suspended in the carrier fluid in a solid form that is adapted to help control the release of the reactant into the carrier fluid.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.