Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods of sealing a bridge plug or the like in a pipe disposed in a well bore. The methods basically include the steps of preparing a hardenable epoxy sealing composition which hardens into a resilient solid mass having a high pipe surface bond strength, placing the epoxy composition into the pipe adjacent to the bridge plug therein and allowing the epoxy composition to harden.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved foamed hardenable epoxy resin sealing compositions and methods which are particularly useful in the construction and repair of wells. The foamed epoxy resin compositions are corrosion resistant and have improved mechanical properties including elasticity and ductility.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for preventing high density well completion fluid loss are provided. The methods basically comprise the steps of preparing a high density cross-linked aqueous gelled composition having the rigidity required to resist entry into a permeable subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore, placing the high density cross-linked aqueous gelled composition in the portion of the well bore within the permeable subterranean formation and placing a high density completion fluid in the well bore behind the high density cross-linked gelled composition.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for cementing pipe strings in well bores are provided. The compositions are basically comprised of a hydraulic cement, water, an in situ foam generating additive and a water-wetting foam stabilizing surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved heat-shrinkable electrofusion fittings and methods. The fittings are basically comprised of an electrically heatable tubular plastic outer member which is shrinkable when heated to a transition temperature, an electrically heatable tubular plastic inner member positioned within the outer member which has a fusion temperature higher than the transition temperature and an electrically activated induction coil for energizing the inner and outer members.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved metal to plastic pipe transition fitting. The transition fitting basically comprises a metal sleeve having a pair of metal pipe sections attached thereto and an annular groove within the interior thereof. A plastic pipe is disposed within the metal sleeve which extends through one of the metal pipe sections. The end of the plastic pipe within the metal sleeve includes a plurality of spaced plastic retention rings and a snap ring attached thereto and the snap ring is engaged within the annular groove in the metal sleeve. At least one O-ring is disposed between the retention rings on the plastic pipe and a metal stiffening insert is disposed within the end portion of the plastic pipe within the metal sleeve.

Abstract: Improved coated inorganic pigments having a first coating of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2, or optionally other oxide such as a source of P.sub.2 O.sub.5, or mixtures thereof, an optional coating of ZrO.sub.2, SnO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2, CeO.sub.2 or mixtures thereof, and a final coating of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 which exhibit good durability, dispersibility, and optical properties in plastic or paint compositions are disclosed. Also disclosed is a process whereby an aqueous slurry of an inorganic pigment is milled to achieve a particular particle size distribution, a first coating of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2, or optionally other oxide such as a source of P.sub.2 O.sub.5, or mixtures thereof is precipitated onto the pigment material within a first pH range, an optional amount of ZrO.sub.2, SnO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, CeO.sub.2 or mixtures thereof is added to the aqueous slurry within a second pH range to obtain an optional coating over the first coating, and a final coating of Al.sub.2 O.sub.

Abstract: The present invention provides universal well cement additives and methods. The universal well cement additives improve the properties of a well cement slurry and are basically comprised of iron chloride, an alkali or alkaline-earth metal halide, an organic acid and a hydratable polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods of sealing openings in a well bore penetrating a subterranean zone into which fluids contained in the well bore are lost or from which fluids undesirably flow into the well bore. The methods basically comprise the steps of preparing a hardenable epoxy sealing composition comprising an epoxide containing liquid and a hardening agent, placing the epoxy sealing composition by way of the well bore into the openings and into the subterranean zone and allowing the epoxy composition to harden whereby the well bore is sealed.

Abstract: Polymeric well completion and remedial compositions which form highly pliable impermeable masses of desired rigidity and methods of using the compositions are provided. The compositions are basically comprised of water, a water soluble polymerizable monomer, a polymerization initiator and an oxygen scavenging agent. The composition is usually foamed and contains a gelling agent and a solid filler material to increase the density and/or rigidity of the impermeable mass formed.

Abstract: The present invention provides universal well cement additives and methods. The universal well cement additives improve the properties of a well cement slurry and can be comprised of iron chloride, a dispersing agent, an organic acid, a hydratable polymer and an ultra-fine particulate hydraulic cement.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of sealing conduits in multi-lateral wells whereby the sealant can withstand stress induced conduit movements without failure. The methods basically include the steps of preparing a hardenable epoxy composition having flexibility and resiliency upon hardening including an epoxide containing liquid or an epoxy resin and an epoxide containing liquid and a hardening agent. The epoxy composition is placed into a lateral well bore between a conduit therein and the walls of the lateral well bore and allowed to harden therein.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus are provided for recovering hydrocarbons from an intermittent or continuous inlet air-hydrocarbon vapor mixture. The air-hydrocarbon vapor mixture is caused to flow through a bed of solid adsorbent whereby hydrocarbons are removed therefrom and a residue gas stream of substantially hydrocarbon-free air is produced. The substantially hydrocarbon-free air is vented into the atmosphere and a second bed of solid adsorbent having hydrocarbons previously adsorbed thereon is regenerated by evacuation. As long as the concentration of hydrocarbons contained in the vented air is below a predetermined concentration, the inlet air-hydrocarbon vapor mixture is caused to continue to flow through the first bed of adsorbent. After the second bed of adsorbent is regenerated, the pumping and evacuation of the second bed is shut down and not restarted so long as the monitored concentration of hydrocarbons is below the predetermined concentration.

Abstract: Polymeric well completion and remedial compositions which form highly pliable and durable impermeable masses of desired rigidity and methods of using the compositions are provided. The compositions are basically comprised of water, a water soluble polymerizable monomer, a polymerization initiator and an oxygen scavenging agent. The compositions are usually foamed and can contain a gelling agent and a solid filler material to increase the density and/or rigidity of the impermeable mass formed and/or a vulcanizable rubber latex, vulcanizing agent and vulcanizing activator to provide durability and other properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods of placing proppant in fractures formed in a subterranean zone to prevent the subsequent flow-back of the proppant with fluids produced from the zone. The methods are basically comprised of the steps of depositing a mixture of hardenable resin composition coated proppant and uncoated proppant in the fractures and then causing the resin composition to harden into stationary permeable masses in the fractures.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods of sealing a subterranean zone to remedy the uncontrolled flow of fluids into and out of the zone. The methods basically comprise preparing a sealing composition and placing the composition into the zone to be sealed. The placement of the composition is controlled in a manner whereby portions of the sealing composition are continuously converted to sealing masses which are successively diverted into permeable portions of the zone until all of the permeable portions are sealed.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved well drilling fluids containing epoxy sealants and methods of drilling well bores using the drilling fluids. The drilling fluids basically include a base fluid selected from the group of water and oil, a viscosity increasing material and a hardenable epoxy sealant composition which becomes part of the filter cake formed on the walls of the well bore and hardens therein whereby the filter cake is consolidated into a stable solid mass.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of cleaning up a producing interval of a well bore drilled using a synthetic oil-water emulsion drill-in fluid. The methods basically comprise contacting filter cake and drill-in fluid on the walls of the well bore with three treatment fluids in three stages, the first and second treatment fluids being comprised of water, a filter cake dissolving acid, a mutual solvent and an emulsion penetrating agent. The third treatment fluid is comprised of water, a filter cake dissolving acid and a water wetting surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention provides light weight high temperature well cement compositions and methods. The compositions are basically comprised of calcium phosphate cement, water, a foaming agent, a foam stabilizer and a gas present in an amount sufficient to form a foam having a density in the range from about 11.5 to about 15 pounds per gallon.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of stabilizing the portion of an open-hole lateral well bore adjacent to and extending a distance from the junction of the lateral well bore with a primary well bore to prevent erosion and deformation of the lateral well bore during subsequent drilling and other operations. The methods basically comprise introducing a cement slurry into the portion of the lateral well bore adjacent to and extending a distance from the aforesaid junction under hydraulic pressure whereby the cement slurry enters voids and pore spaces in the walls of the well bore, allowing the cement slurry to set into a hard mass in the lateral well bore and then drilling excess set cement out of the lateral well bore. The stabilization ensures that when a liner is cemented in the lateral well bore, the junction between the liner and the casing in the primary well bore is sealed.