Abstract: The present invention relates to composite particulates comprising a base material and a nanoparticle material. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of using a sintered composite particulate in a subterranean application comprising providing a slurry comprising a sintered composite particulate comprising a base material and at least one nanoparticle material; and placing the slurry into a well bore penetrating a subterranean formation. Another embodiment of the present invention provides sintered composite particulates useful in completing and stimulating wells comprising a base material and nanoparticle material wherein the composite particulate comprises from about 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to particulate composites comprising at least one resin and at least one nanoparticle material. Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprising providing a nanocomposite particulate comprising at least one resin and at least one nanoparticle material; substantially slurrying the nanocomposite particulate into a servicing fluid to create a slurry; and, placing the slurry a well bore penetrating the portion of the subterranean formation. Other embodiments of the present invention provide nanocomposite particulates suitable for use in a subterranean application comprising at least one resin and at least one nanoparticle material wherein the nanocomposite particulate comprises from about 0.1% to about 30% nanoparticle material by weight of the nanocomposite particulate.

Abstract: Light weight high strength particles and methods of treating subterranean producing zones utilizing the particles are provided. The light weight high strength particles of the invention are basically comprised of sintered mixtures of a base material and hollow microspheres.

Abstract: Light weight high strength particles and methods of treating subterranean producing zones utilizing the particles are provided. The light weight high strength particles of the invention are basically comprised of sintered mixtures of a base material and hollow microspheres.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for completing unconsolidated subterranean zones penetrated by well bores are provided. The methods basically comprise the steps of placing a slotted pipe having openings formed therein which vary in size or in the number of openings along the length of the slotted pipe or both in the subterranean zone, isolating the annulus between the slotted pipe and the well bore and injecting particulate material into the annulus whereby the particulate material is uniformly packed therein.

Abstract: Automated objective crosslink time and crosslink temperature determinations are provided in a method of testing for chemical crosslinking of a fluid. A fluid having a crosslinking agent is placed in a vessel and a paddle is rotated through the fluid in the vessel at substantially a constant rotational speed. A paddle torque parameter is sensed at sequential times and digital signals are encoded to define digital torque data representing values of the sensed torque parameter. In response to stored digital torque data and digital time data, a baseline torque parameter value and a change in the digital torque data representing increasing torque of the paddle are determined. In response to the baseline torque parameter value and the change in the digital torque data, a crosslink time for the fluid is determined. A crosslink temperature can also be determined. This is determined in response to the crosslink time and stored digital temperature data that has been obtained at sequential times.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of controlling the growth of one or more vertically oriented fractures in a subterranean formation during a fracturing treatment. A first fluid having a known density and containing a diverting agent is introduced into a formation to create a fracture. A second fluid which may contain proppant and having a known density different from the first fluid then is introduced into the fracture whereby the second fluid selectively overrides or underrides the first fluid. Such fluid control forces the first fluid to the bottom or top of the fracture whereby the diverting agent therein is caused to screen out and impede further downward or upward growth of the fracture. The introduction of the second fluid then can be continued to extend the fracture as desired.