Abstract: A method for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, comprising: providing a treatment slurry comprising a carrying fluid, a solid particulate and an agglomerant; injecting the treatment slurry into a fracture to form a substantially uniformly distributed mixture of the solid particulate and the agglomerant; and transforming the substantially uniform mixture into areas that are rich in solid particulate and areas that are substantially free of solid particulate, wherein the solid particulate and the agglomerant have substantially dissimilar velocities in the fracture and wherein said transforming results from said substantially dissimilar velocities is provided.

Abstract: A method for characterizing properties of a sample that employs a test apparatus including an isolated sample cell and pressure sensor where the isolated sample cell is loaded with the sample and gaseous test fluid to perform a number of different tests to derive properties of the sample. The tests can be performed over different parameters, such as different applied pressures of the test fluid to derive parameters related to apparent gas permeability of the sample as a function of applied pressure, different gaseous test fluids to characterize dependence of permeability of the sample on mean free molecular path or pressure, with both adsorptive and non-adsorptive test gases to characterize at least one property related to adsorptive interaction between the adsorptive test gas and the sample, and with samples of varying saturation levels to derive a measure of at least one property of the subsamples at corresponding saturation levels.

Abstract: Methods of stimulating subterranean formations are given in which thermite is placed downhole and then ignited. The thermite may be ignited with a downhole tool, the fracture may be mapped, and the thermite-affected region of the formation may be reconnected to the surface after the thermite reaction through the original or a second wellbore.

Abstract: A method for characterizing properties of a sample that employs a test apparatus including an isolated sample cell and pressure sensor where the isolated sample cell is loaded with the sample and gaseous test fluid to perform a number of different tests to derive properties of the sample. The tests can be performed over different parameters, such as different applied pressures of the test fluid to derive parameters related to apparent gas permeability of the sample as a function of applied pressure, different gaseous test fluids to characterize dependence of permeability of the sample on mean free molecular path or pressure, with both adsorptive and non-adsorptive test gases to characterize at least one property related to adsorptive interaction between the adsorptive test gas and the sample, and with samples of varying saturation levels to derive a measure of at least one property of the subsamples at corresponding saturation levels.

Abstract: A method of heterogeneous proppant placement in a subterranean fracture is disclosed. The method comprises injecting well treatment fluid including proppant (16) and proppant-spacing filler material (18) through a wellbore (10) into the fracture (20), heterogeneously placing the proppant in the fracture in a plurality of proppant clusters or islands (22) spaced apart by the material (24), and removing the filler material (24) to form open channels (26) around the pillars (28). The filler material can be dissolvable particles, initially acting as a consolidator during placement of the proppant in the fracture, and later dissolving to leave flow channels between the proppant pillars. The well treatment fluid can include extrametrical materials to provide reinforcement and consolidation of the proppant and, additionally or alternatively, to inhibit settling of the proppant in the treatment fluid.

Abstract: A method for characterizing properties of a sample that employs a test apparatus including an isolated sample cell and pressure sensor where the isolated sample cell is loaded with the sample and gaseous test fluid to perform a number of different tests to derive properties of the sample. The tests can be performed over different parameters, such as different applied pressures of the test fluid to derive parameters related to apparent gas permeability of the sample as a function of applied pressure, different gaseous test fluids to characterize dependence of permeability of the sample on mean free molecular path or pressure, with both adsorptive and non-adsorptive test gases to characterize at least one property related to adsorptive interaction between the adsorptive test gas and the sample, and with samples of varying saturation levels to derive a measure of at least one property of the subsamples at corresponding saturation levels.

Abstract: A method of injecting well treatment fluid including proppant and proppant-spacing filler material through a wellbore into the fracture, heterogeneously placing the proppant in the fracture in a plurality of proppant clusters or islands spaced apart by the material, and removing the filler material to form open channels around the pillars for fluid flow from the formation through the fracture toward the wellbore. The proppant and channelant can be segregated within the well treatment fluid, or segregated during placement in the fracture. The filler material can be dissolvable particles, initially acting as a filler material during placement of the proppant in the fracture, and later dissolving to leave the flow channels between the proppant pillars. The well treatment fluid can include extrametrical materials to provide reinforcement and consolidation of the proppant and/or to inhibit settling of the proppant.

Abstract: A method for determining characteristics of a mesoporous material using a desiccation or hydration test is disclosed. The test may involve using a test fluid and exposing sample of a core to a controlled environment, then weighing the samples. The samples may be core samples, comminuted samples, or cuttings. Utilizing the determined characteristics, properties of the mesoporous material, such as porosities, absolute permeabilities and relative permeabilities may be determined.

Abstract: A method for characterizing properties of a porous sample that employs a test apparatus including a sample cell and associated pressure sensor having a configuration that measures pressure of the isolated sample cell. The porous sample is divided into a number of pieces, which are loaded into the sample cell. The test apparatus is configured to perform a sequence of test operations whereby the loaded isolated sample cell is filled with test fluid under pressure and the pressure sensor is used to generate and store pressure data over time. A data processing system processes the pressure data in conjunction with a computational model that includes a set of pressure curves with a number of curve-related variables and associated values in order to identify a matching pressure curve, and processes the variable values for the matching pressure curve in order to derive bulk properties of the porous sample.

Abstract: A method for characterizing properties of a manufactured rock sample that employs first and second test apparatus. The first test apparatus includes a sample holder and associated pressure sensors, wherein the sample holder allows for a pulse of test fluid to flow through the sample, and the pressure sensors measure pressure upstream and downstream of the sample as the pulse of test fluid flows through the sample. The second test apparatus includes a sample cell and associated pressure sensor, wherein the sample cell has a configuration where the sample cell is isolated and filled with test fluid under pressure and the pressure sensor measures pressure of the isolated sample cell. The first and second test apparatus are used to measure bulk properties of the sample. The sample is partitioned into pieces, and the second test apparatus is used to measure properties for different size-groups of such sample pieces.

Abstract: A test apparatus (and method of operation) for characterizing properties of a sample under test (such as porous material, for example, samples of reservoir rock) that operates in conjunction with a source of test fluid. The test apparatus includes an intake valve fluidly coupled to the source of test fluid, a reference cell fluidly coupled to the source of test fluid via the intake valve, a sample cell that holds the sample under test, an isolation valve fluidly coupled between the reference cell and the sample cell, an exhaust port, an exhaust valve fluidly coupled between the sample cell and the exhaust port, a first pressure sensor associated with the reference cell for measuring pressure within the reference cell, and a second pressure sensor associated with the sample cell for measuring pressure within the sample cell. The method of operation includes calibration procedures to compensate for systematic measurement errors.

Abstract: A method of heterogeneous proppant placement in a subterranean fracture is disclosed. The method comprises injecting well treatment fluid including proppant (16) wherein the proppant comprises from 1 to 100 percent in weight of stiff, low-elasticity and low-deformability elongated particles (34) and proppant-spacing filler material called a channelant (18) through a wellbore (10) into the fracture (20), heterogeneously placing the proppant in the fracture in a plurality of proppant clusters or islands (22) spaced apart by the channelant (24), and removing the channelant filler material (24) to form open channels (26) around the pillars (28) for fluid flow from the formation (14) through the fracture (20) toward the wellbore (10). The proppant and channelant can be segregated within the well treatment fluid, or segregated during placement in the fracture.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation comprising generating a fracture in the subterranean formation, introducing a predetermined amount of proppant into a treatment fluid, and subsequently introducing a plugging agent into the treatment fluid before the entire predetermined amount of proppant reaches the fracture, minimizing overdisplacement of the proppant from the fracture.

Abstract: A method for characterizing properties of a sample that employs a test apparatus including an isolated sample cell and pressure sensor where the isolated sample cell is loaded with the sample and gaseous test fluid to perform a number of different tests to derive properties of the sample. The tests can be performed over different parameters, such as different applied pressures of the test fluid to derive parameters related to apparent gas permeability of the sample as a function of applied pressure, different gaseous test fluids to characterize dependence of permeability of the sample on mean free molecular path or pressure, with both adsorptive and non-adsorptive test gases to characterize at least one property related to adsorptive interaction between the adsorptive test gas and the sample, and with samples of varying saturation levels to derive a measure of at least one property of the subsamples at corresponding saturation levels.

Abstract: A method for characterizing properties of a manufactured rock sample that employs first and second test apparatus. The first test apparatus includes a sample holder and associated pressure sensors, wherein the sample holder allows for a pulse of test fluid to flow through the sample, and the pressure sensors measure pressure upstream and downstream of the sample as the pulse of test fluid flows through the sample. The second test apparatus includes a sample cell and associated pressure sensor, wherein the sample cell has a configuration where the sample cell is isolated and filled with test fluid under pressure and the pressure sensor measures pressure of the isolated sample cell. The first and second test apparatus are used to measure bulk properties of the sample. The sample is partitioned into pieces, and the second test apparatus is used to measure properties for different size-groups of such sample pieces.

Abstract: A method of heterogeneous proppant placement in a subterranean fracture is disclosed. The method comprises injecting well treatment fluid including proppant (16) wherein the proppant comprises from 1 to 100 percent in weight of stiff, low-elasticity and low-deformability elongated particles (34) and proppant-spacing filler material called a channelant (18) through a wellbore (10) into the fracture (20), heterogeneously placing the proppant in the fracture in a plurality of proppant clusters or islands (22) spaced apart by the channelant (24), and removing the channelant filler material (24) to form open channels (26) around the pillars (28) for fluid flow from the formation (14) through the fracture (20) toward the wellbore (10). The proppant and channelant can be segregated within the well treatment fluid, or segregated during placement in the fracture.

Abstract: A water absorbing composition includes a particle having a core of a water-swelling material. A coating substantially surrounds the core that temporarily prevents contact of water with the water-swelling material. The coating may be formed from a layer of water degradable material or a non-water-degradable, non-water absorbent encapsulating layer. A quantity of particles including delayed water-swelling particles formed at least in part from a water-swelling material and, optionally, non-water-swelling particles of the same or different size distributions can be used in treating a formation penetrated by a wellbore. A slurry of the particles is formed with a carrier fluid. The slurry of particles is introduced into the wellbore of the formation to facilitate treatment.

Abstract: A method for characterizing properties of a porous sample that employs a test apparatus including a sample cell and associated pressure sensor having a configuration that measures pressure of the isolated sample cell. The porous sample is divided into a number of pieces, which are loaded into the sample cell. The test apparatus is configured to perform a sequence of test operations whereby the loaded isolated sample cell is filled with test fluid under pressure and the pressure sensor is used to generate and store pressure data over time. A data processing system processes the pressure data in conjunction with a computational model that includes a set of pressure curves with a number of curve-related variables and associated values in order to identify a matching pressure curve, and processes the variable values for the matching pressure curve in order to derive bulk properties of the porous sample.

Abstract: A test apparatus (and method of operation) for characterizing properties of a sample under test (such as porous material, for example, samples of reservoir rock) that operates in conjunction with a source of test fluid. The test apparatus includes an intake valve fluidly coupled to the source of test fluid, a reference cell fluidly coupled to the source of test fluid via the intake valve, a sample cell that holds the sample under test, an isolation valve fluidly coupled between the reference cell and the sample cell, an exhaust port, an exhaust valve fluidly coupled between the sample cell and the exhaust port, a first pressure sensor associated with the reference cell for measuring pressure within the reference cell, and a second pressure sensor associated with the sample cell for measuring pressure within the sample cell. The method of operation includes calibration procedures to compensate for systematic measurement errors.

Abstract: A method for determining characteristics of a mesoporous material using a desiccation or hydration test is disclosed. The test may involve using a test fluid and exposing sample of a core to a controlled environment, then weighing the samples. The samples may be core samples, comminuted samples, or cuttings. Utilizing the determined characteristics, properties of the mesoporous material, such as porosities, absolute permeabilities and relative permeabilities may be determined.