Abstract: An apparatus and a method for testing a viscosified fluid containing particulate indicate when the particulate is in suspension within the fluid and when it is not. The apparatus and method stir the fluid and particulate mixture for a time during which the viscosity of the fluid changes such that during a first period of the stirring time substantially all the particulate remains suspended in the fluid and during a second period of the stirring time substantially all the particulate settles out of suspension in the fluid. A signal is generated during the first and second periods such that the signal has a characteristic that changes from the first period to the second period to indicate the change in particle carrying ability of the fluid. Other characteristics, including crosslinking time, can also be determined. A test chamber includes projections extending from the inner surface of a cup receiving the fluid and from an axial support extending into the fluid in the cup.

Abstract: Subterranean treatment fluids that exhibit enhanced particulate transport or suspension capabilities, and associated methods of use in certain subterranean treatments are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a linear gelled fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a plurality of particulates, and a linear particulate transport enhancing additive, the linear gelled fluid having a certain yield stress, crossover frequency, and/or particulate settling time; introducing the linear gelled fluid into the subterranean formation; and using the linear gelled fluid to create or enhance at least one fracture in at least a portion of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to downhole wellbore operations such as drilling and completing wells in an earth formation include a laser device.

Abstract: Methods are provided that include a method comprising providing a viscosified treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and a gelling agent that comprises a clarified xanthan; and placing the viscosified treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the method comprises placing the viscosified treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture in the subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the viscosified treatment fluid may also comprise a plurality of particulates. In some embodiments, the viscosified treatment fluids may be placed into at least a portion of a pipeline. Additional methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods that comprise selecting proppant for use in a fracturing fluid based on one or more factors, wherein the one or more factors comprise an interaction between the proppant and the fracturing fluid. Methods that comprise designing a treatment fluid that comprises a gelled base fluid and a particulate based on one or more factors, wherein the one or more factors comprise an interaction between the particulate and the gelled base fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a rheological property of a fluid with a particulate includes: (a) a receptacle having a cylindrical side wall enclosed by a bottom wall defining a cavity for receiving a fluid to be tested; (b) an axial support adapted to be positioned in the cavity of the receptacle, whereby relative rotational motion can be imparted to the receptacle and the axial support; (c) at least one inward projection extending inward from an inside surface of the receptacle; (d) at least one outward projection extending outward from the axial support; and (e) at least one projection for directing fluid flow that has at least one major surface angled or curved upward. A method of testing a rheological property of a fluid with a particulate includes: (a) placing a sample of the fluid and the particulate in the apparatus; (b) imparting relative rotational motion to the receptacle and the axial support; and (c) measuring the torque between the receptacle and the axial support.

Abstract: An apparatus for predicting a downhole viscosity of a treating fluid has an energizer and a viscometer. The treating fluid has a gel. The energizer is capable of energizing a sample of the gel. The viscometer is capable of measuring a viscosity of the energized sample. The viscosity of the sample is predictive downhole viscosity of the treating fluid. The predicted downhole viscosity may be used to improve downhole viscosity. After the downhole viscosity is predicted, a concentration modification fluid can be added to cause the predicted viscosity to approach a desired viscosity.

Abstract: Fluids useful as subterranean treatment fluids, and more particularly, polymeric fluid loss additives, subterranean treatment fluids with improved fluid loss control, and their associated methods of use, are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid that comprises a base fluid, and a polymeric fluid loss control additive that comprises at least a first plurality of polymer molecules having a first average molecular weight, and a second plurality of polymer molecules having a second average molecular weight, wherein the first average molecular weight is different from the second average molecular weight; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Subterranean treatment fluids that exhibit enhanced particulate transport or suspension capabilities, and associated methods of use in certain subterranean treatments are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a linear gelled fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a plurality of particulates, and a linear particulate transport enhancing additive, the linear gelled fluid having a certain yield stress, crossover frequency, and/or particulate settling time; introducing the linear gelled fluid into the subterranean formation; and using the linear gelled fluid to create or enhance at least one fracture in at least a portion of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Treatment fluids comprising gelling agents that comprise crosslinkable polymers and certain biopolymers, and methods of use in subterranean operations, are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprising: providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a crosslinking agent, and a gelling agent comprising a polymer that is a crosslinkable polymer, and a polymer that is a biopolymer wherein a molecule of the biopolymer (1) consists only of glucose, or (2) has a backbone comprising one or more units that comprise at least (a) one glucose unit and (b) one linear or cyclic pyranose-type monosaccharide unit, wherein (a) and (b) have different molecular structures; and introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a rheological property of a fluid with a particulate includes: (a) a receptacle having a cylindrical side wall enclosed by a bottom wall defining a cavity for receiving a fluid to be tested; (b) an axial support adapted to be positioned in the cavity of the receptacle, whereby relative rotational motion can be imparted to the receptacle and the axial support; (c) at least one inward projection extending inward from an inside surface of the receptacle; (d) at least one outward projection extending outward from the axial support; and (e) at least one projection for directing fluid flow that has at least one major surface angled or curved upward. A method of testing a rheological property of a fluid with a particulate includes: (a) placing a sample of the fluid and the particulate in the apparatus; (b) imparting relative rotational motion to the receptacle and the axial support; and (c) measuring the torque between the receptacle and the axial support.

Abstract: An apparatus for predicting a downhole viscosity of a treating fluid has an energizer and a viscometer. The treating fluid has a gel. The energizer is capable of energizing a sample of the gel. The viscometer is capable of measuring a viscosity of the energized sample. The viscosity of the sample is predictive downhole viscosity of the treating fluid. The predicted downhole viscosity may be used to improve downhole viscosity. After the downhole viscosity is predicted, a concentration modification fluid can be added to cause the predicted viscosity to approach a desired viscosity.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a rheological property of a fluid with a particulate includes: (a) a receptacle having a cylindrical side wall enclosed by a bottom wall defining a cavity for receiving a fluid to be tested; (b) an axial support adapted to be positioned in the cavity of the receptacle, whereby relative rotational motion can be imparted to the receptacle and the axial support; (c) at least one inward projection extending inward from an inside surface of the receptacle; (d) at least one outward projection extending outward from the axial support; and (e) at least one projection for directing fluid flow that has at least one major surface angled or curved upward. A method of testing a rheological property of a fluid with a particulate includes: (a) placing a sample of the fluid and the particulate in the apparatus; (b) imparting relative rotational motion to the receptacle and the axial support; and (c) measuring the torque between the receptacle and the axial support.

Abstract: A device and a method for testing a viscosified fluid containing particulate indicate when the particulate is in suspension within the fluid and when it is not. The device and method stir the fluid and particulate mixture for a time during which the viscosity of the fluid changes such that during a first period of the stirring time substantially all the particulate remains suspended in the fluid and during a second period of the stirring time substantially all the particulate settles out of suspension in the fluid. A signal is generated during the first and second periods such that the signal has a characteristic that changes from the first period to the second period to indicate the change in particle carrying ability of the fluid. Other characteristics, including crosslinking time, can also be determined. A test chamber includes interacting projections extending from the inner surface of a cup receiving the fluid and from an axial support extending into the fluid in the cup.

Abstract: A device and a method for testing a viscosified fluid containing particulate indicate when the particulate is in suspension within the fluid and when it is not. The device and method stir the fluid and particulate mixture for a time during which the viscosity of the fluid changes such that during a first period of the stirring time substantially all the particulate remains suspended in the fluid and during a second period of the stirring time substantially all the particulate settles out of suspension in the fluid. A signal is generated during the first and second periods such that the signal has a characteristic that changes from the first period to the second period to indicate the change in particle carrying ability of the fluid. Other characteristics, including crosslinking time, can also be determined. A test chamber includes interacting projections extending from the inner surface of a cup receiving the fluid and from an axial support extending into the fluid in the cup.

Abstract: Subterranean formation treating fluid concentrates, treating fluids and methods are provided by the present invention. The treating fluid concentrates are basically comprised of water and a substantially fully hydrated depolymerized polymer. The treating fluids which are formed by adding water to the treating fluid concentrates are basically comprised of water, a substantially fully hydrated depolymerized polymer and a crosslinking agent for crosslinking the hydrated depolymerized polymer.

Abstract: Subterranean formation treating fluid concentrates, treating fluids and methods are provided by the present invention. The treating fluid concentrates are basically comprised of water and a substantially fully hydrated depolymerized polymer. The treating fluids which are formed by adding water to the treating fluid concentrates are basically comprised of water, a substantially fully hydrated depolymerized polymer and a crosslinking agent for crosslinking the hydrated depolymerized polymer.

Abstract: Improved high temperature, low residue viscous well treating fluids and methods of using the fluids are provided by the present invention. The improved viscous well treating fluids are basically comprised of water; a hydrated galactomannan gelling agent; a retarded cross-linking composition for buffering the treating fluid and cross-linking the hydrated galactomannan gelling agent comprised of a liquid solvent, an organotitanate chelate and a borate ion producing compound; and a delayed gel breaker.