Abstract: Precipitated particles may be formed under conditions that provide a particle morphology suitable for conveying a desired set of properties to a wellbore circulation fluid. Methods for using precipitated particles in a wellbore may comprise: selecting precipitation conditions for producing precipitated particles that are substantially non-spherical in shape, are about 1 micron or under in size, or any combination thereof; forming the precipitated particles from a reaction mixture under the precipitation conditions without using a polymeric dispersant; and introducing a wellbore circulation fluid comprising a plurality of the precipitated particles into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The precipitation conditions may include one or more of modulating various reaction conditions, applying an electric field to the reaction mixture, or including a carbohydrate-based material in the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Methods including precipitated and mined calcium carbonate lost circulation materials for use in subterranean formation operations. The precipitated calcium carbonate lost circulation materials are formed under a chosen set of precipitation conditions, including in situ in a subterranean formation. The mined calcium carbonate lost circulation materials are obtained in a desired morphological form under naturally occurring mined conditions. The precipitated and mined calcium carbonate lost circulation materials may be needle-shaped aragonite having an aspect ratio of about 1.4 to about 15.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to weighted compositions for treatment of a subterranean formation. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation. The method can include placing in the subterranean formation a coated weighting agent. The coated weighting agent can include a weighting agent and an inorganic coating material on the weighting agent.

Abstract: A fluid comprising: an aqueous phase; a cellulose derivative dispersed or dissolved in the aqueous phase; a guar derivative dispersed or dissolved in the aqueous phase; a titanium crosslinker dispersed or dissolved in the aqueous phase; and a zirconium crosslinker dispersed or dissolved in the aqueous phase. A method of treating a well or a well system can include: (A) forming a treatment fluid according to the disclosure; and (B) introducing the treatment fluid into a treatment zone of a well.

Abstract: An apparatus including an electromagnetic radiation source that emits electromagnetic radiation, a sample chamber comprising a fluid sample inlet for introducing a solids-laden fluid sample therein, and a detector that receives a backscattering signal and generates an output signal corresponding to a concentration of solids in the solids-laden fluid sample. The electromagnetic radiation transmits through the sample chamber and optically interacts with the solids-laden fluid sample to generate a backscattering signal. The sample chamber may include one or more of a shear bob for applying a shear rate to the solids-laden fluid sample, the shear bob suspended in the sample chamber and rotatable about an axis, a sealable fluid pressurizing inlet for pressurizing the sample chamber and a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure in the sample chamber when pressurized, and/or a temperature source for heating the solids-laden fluid sample.

Abstract: A yield stress measurement device and corresponding methods may use a two-capillary tube setup that measures the amount of a fluid drawn into each capillary and correlates that to the yield stress of the fluid. The devices and corresponding methods may be particularly useful for in-the-field measurements at well sites during drilling operations or other wellbore operations. An exemplary yield stress measurement apparatus may include a first capillary tube and a second capillary tube substantially perpendicular to each other, each capillary tube having two open ends and a length extending therebetween; a first and second length scale coupled to the lengths of the first and second capillary tubes, respectively; and a first fluid area and a second fluid area at one of the open ends of each of the first and second capillary tubes, respectively.

Abstract: Thermal conductivity measurements of a wellbore fluid may be used to derive the sag of the wellbore fluid (i.e., the inhomogeneity or gradation in particle distribution in the fluid as a result of the particles settling). For example, a method may include measuring a thermal conductivity of a fluid at two or more locations along a height of a vessel containing the fluid that comprises particles dispersed in a base fluid; and calculating a sag of the fluid based on the thermal conductivity at the two or more locations. In some instances, the temperature and pressure of the wellbore fluid may be changed and/or the wellbore fluid may be sheared to investigate their effects on sag.

Abstract: A method for the determination of the oil content for solids recovered from a wellbore is provided. The method comprises providing the solids recovered from the wellbore and measuring the thermal conductivity of the solids recovered from the wellbore using a thermal conductivity probe. The method further comprises using the thermal conductivity measurement to determine the oil content in the solids recovered from the wellbore.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to downhole fluid additives including a clay, a hydroxylated polymer, a cation, and water. The disclosure further relates to downhole fluids, including drilling fluids, spaces, cements, and proppant delivery fluids containing such as downhole fluid additive and methods of using such fluids. The downhole fluid additive may have any of a variety of functions in the downhole fluid and may confer any of a variety of properties upon it, such as salt tolerance or desired viscosities even at high downhole temperatures.

Abstract: A system and method for rheology measurements. The system may comprise a conduit; an ultrasound transmitter positioned to direct ultrasound pulses into the conduit; an ultrasound receiver positioned to receive sound waves from the conduit; a pump fluidically coupled to the conduit; and a heat exchanger fluidically coupled to the conduit. The method may comprise drawing a sample of a treatment fluid into the rheology measurement system; pressuring the sample of the treatment fluid; adjusting temperature of the treatment fluid; directing ultrasound pulses into the treatment fluid while the treatment fluid is flowing through the rheology measurement system; measuring sound waves reflected by the treatment fluid; and determining a velocity profile of the treatment fluid based at least on the measured sound waves.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring rheology of a treatment fluid. The system may comprise an ultrasound transmitter positioned to direct ultrasound pulses into the treatment fluid as the treatment fluid is being introduced into a wellbore; an ultrasound receiver positioned to receive sound waves reflected from the treatment fluid; and a computer system configured to determine a velocity profile of the treatment fluid based at least in part on the reflected sound waves. The method may comprise introducing a treatment fluid into a wellbore by way of a conduit; directing ultrasound pulses into the treatment fluid; measuring sound waves reflected by the treatment fluid; and determining a velocity profile of the treatment fluid based at least on the measured sound waves.

Abstract: A system and method for rheology measurement of a drilling fluid. The system may comprise an ultrasound transmitter positioned to direct ultrasound pulses into the drilling fluid; an ultrasound receiver positioned to receive sound waves reflected from the drilling fluid; and a computer system configured to determine a velocity profile of the drilling fluid based at least in part on the reflected sound waves. The method may comprise flowing at least a portion of the drilling fluid through a rheology measurement system; directing ultrasound pulses into the drilling fluid while the drilling fluid is flowing through the rheology measurement system; measuring sound waves reflected by the drilling fluid; and determining a velocity profile of the drilling fluid based at least on the measured sound waves.

Abstract: Ampholyte polymeric compound that comprises at least one nonionic monomer, at least one sulfonic acid-containing monomer, and at least one cationic monomer may be useful in viscosifying treatment fluids for use in subterranean operations at a concentration of about 0.5 v/v % to about 30 v/v % of the treatment fluid. Such operations may involve introducing the treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation optionally at a pressure sufficient to create or extend at least one fracture in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to a weighted composition for treatment of a subterranean formation. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation. The method can include placing in a subterranean formation a weighted composition. The weighted composition can include a weighting agent and an inorganic coating material on the weighting agent. The inorganic coating material can be a crystalline inorganic coating material. The inorganic coating material can be an amorphous inorganic coating material.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring the oil to water ratio of a drilling fluid are disclosed. An example drilling fluid monitoring and handling system comprises a mud pit coupled to a fluid supply system and a fluid analysis system. The fluid supply system is coupled to the mud pit and the fluid analysis system. The fluid analysis system is coupled to the mud pit and the fluid supply system, wherein the fluid analysis system comprises a dielectric probe.

Abstract: In-line viscosity measurement systems and related methods may be useful in measuring the viscosity of a fluid in a flow path and, more specifically, in-line measuring the viscosity of a drilling fluid when integrated with drilling systems. For example, a method may include drilling a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation while circulating a drilling fluid through the wellbore; measuring the viscosity of the drilling fluid with an in-line viscometer system after the drilling fluid has circulated through the wellbore, the in-line viscometer systems comprising either: (1) a two coaxial cylinder configuration, (2) a parallel plates configuration, or (3) a combination thereof positioned to allow for the drilling fluid to flow between the coaxial cylinders or parallel plates.

Abstract: Precipitated particles may be formed under conditions that provide a particle morphology suitable for conveying a desired set of properties to a wellbore circulation fluid. Methods for using precipitated particles in a wellbore may comprise: selecting precipitation conditions for producing precipitated particles that are substantially non-spherical in shape, are about 1 micron or under in size, or any combination thereof; forming the precipitated particles from a reaction mixture under the precipitation conditions without using a polymeric dispersant; and introducing a wellbore circulation fluid comprising a plurality of the precipitated particles into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The precipitation conditions may include one or more of modulating various reaction conditions, applying an electric field to the reaction mixture, or including a carbohydrate-based material in the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Introducing a treatment fluid comprising proppant particulates into a subterranean formation, the treatment fluid comprising a high salt concentration base fluid, a charged polymeric gelling agent, and proppant particulates suspended therein, wherein the high salt concentration base fluid comprises a concentration of salt in the range of from about 0.5% to saturation, and wherein the treatment fluid has a bulk viscosity of from about 30 cP to about 150 cP at a shear rate of about 40 sec?1.

Abstract: Ampholyte polymeric compounds that comprise at least one nonionic monomer, at least one sulfonic acid-containing monomer, and at least one cationic monomer may be useful as friction reducing agents in treatment fluids for use in subterranean operations at a concentration of about 0.001 v/v % to about 0.5 v/v % of the treatment fluid. Such operations may involve introducing the treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation optionally at a rate and/or a pressure sufficient to create or extend at least one fracture in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A process control system can include a vessel, and at least one heat transfer property sensor that measures a heat transfer property of a substance at the vessel. The process control system can also include a monitoring device that receives an output of the heat transfer property sensor, and a process control device that is adjusted in response to the heat transfer property sensor output. A method of controlling a process can include measuring a thermal conductivity of a substance at a vessel, and adjusting the process in response to the measuring.