Abstract: A composition of matter wherein amino resins such as melamine formaldehyde ("MF") resins co-gel and crosslink with polymers useful for profile control where said polymers have amine, amide, hydroxyl and thiol functionalities. Resulting gels are useful as profile control agents for high temperature reservoirs during a water-flooding operation.

Abstract: A process for creating multi-azimuth fractures by hydraulically fracturing a formation via a single wellbore where a special polymer is used as the fracturing fluid. An induced fracture is formed and a solidifiable gel material is injected into the fracture which is allowed to solidify. Thereafter, hydraulic fracturing with the special polymer is repeated causing the fracture trajectory to form contrary to the far-field in-situ stresses.

Abstract: A method for increasing the efficiency by which fracture fluids are produced back from a hydrocarbonaceous fluid bearing formation. To remove said fracture fluid, a chemical blowing agent is placed into the formation. After placement of said blowing agent and fracturing the formation, the blowing agent decomposes thereby either causing the filter cake to become more porous or providing a driving force for fluid load removal from the matrix. Increased porosity enhances communication between the formation and the fracture, thus increasing the efficiency of fracture fluid production. Gas liberation within the matrix establishes communication pathways for subsequent removal of hydrocarbonaceous fluids by displacing fluid loads into the fracture and the well.

Abstract: A method for reducing the permeability in a desired area of a formation wherein a foamed gel is formed in-situ by injecting a solution into said formation. Said solution comprises a gellable composition including water; a cross linkable polysaccharide biopolymer; an aminoplast resin which reinforces said biopolymer; and sufficient transitional metal ions to form a gel of the desired size and strength. The gelled solution is foamed by including therein a chemical surfactant, and a chemical blowing agent. Once in the formation to the desired depth, the chemical blowing agent decomposes and generates a gas sufficient to foam the gelled solution. The gelled foam stiffens and reduces the permeability in a desired area.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for simultaneous hydraulic fracturing of a hydrocarbonaceous fluid-bearing formation. Fractures are induced in said formation by hydraulically fracturing at least two wellbores simultaneously. While the formation remains pressurized curved fractures propagate from each wellbore forming fracture trajectories contrary to the far-field in-situ stresses. By applying simultaneous hydraulic pressure to both wellbores, at least one curved fracture trajectory will be caused to be transmitted from each wellbore and intersect a natural hydrocarbonaceous fracture contrary to the far-field in-situ stresses.

Abstract: A process for disposing of fines produced with a substantially high viscosity oil. The viscosity of the oil will generally be less than 19 API degrees. Produced fines are mixed into a desired hydraulic fracturing fluid which fluid is used to fracture the formation. Once the formation has been fractured, additional fines in slurry form are pumped into the formation.

Abstract: A method for killing and suspending hydrocarbonaceous fluid production, particularly oil and/or gas, in a formation containing same which minimizes formation damage. A solidifiable pumpable gel mixture is placed via a wellbore into the formation's productive interval and also within said wellbore. Said mixture solidifies in the formation and forms a gel plug within the wellbore. Thereafter, a light weight cement is placed over said gel plug effectively "killing" and suspending the production of hydrocarbonaceous fluids.

Abstract: A process for decreasing total fluid flow through a large natural or induced fracture where smaller multiple fractures are created. These multiple fractures each have a smaller aperture than said natural or induced fracture. The combined fluid flow through said multiple fractures is sufficiently less than the total fluid flow through said large fracture, thereby decreasing fluid bypass and improving sweep efficiency.

Abstract: A process for hydraulic fracturing where a fracturing fluid contains a clay stabilizing agent. Said agent stabilizes clay particles or fines along the face of a resulting formation fracture. Thereafter a fused refractory proppant is injected into the fracture. The proppant increases thermal conductivity during a steam-flooding oil recovery method while controlling clay particles and sand.

Abstract: A process for killing and suspending mixtures of hydrocarbonaceous fluid production, particulary oil, in a formation containing same which minimizes formation damage. First, a "spacer volume" of liquid containing a surfactant is directed into the formation's productive interval. Thereafter, a solidifiable pumpable gel mixture is placed via a wellbore into the formation's productive interval and also within said wellbore. Said mixture solidifies in the formation and forms a gel plug within the wellbore. Thereafter, a light weight cement is placed over said gel plug effectively "Killing" and suspending the production of hydrocarbonaceous fluids.

Abstract: An ultraviolet (UV) fluorescence microspectrophotometry process for measuring fluorescence spectra of oils in individual micro-sized inclusions. Interpretation of UV fluorescence of oil inclusions in an unknown sample is made by comparison to fluorescence spectra of oils of known composition. This method is a non-destructive process which allows the quality of oils in the undrilled basin to be determined by analyzing outcrop samples containing oil-bearing inclusions. By comparing the fluorescence properties of inclusion oils and reservoir oils, the history of oil migration in petroleum basins can be reconstructed.

Abstract: A process for generating gas in-situ where a decomposable chemical blowing agent is utilized in combination with an aqueous medium. When a slug of the aqueous medium containing said blowing agent is injected into the formation, heat from the formation, coinjected activators, reservoir fluids, or formation mineralogy causes said blowing agent to decompose thereby generating a gas. This gas forms bubbles which close pores in a more permeable zone of a formation which causes a drive fluid to be diverted into a less permeable zone for removal of hydrocarbonaceous fluids therefrom. Bubbles can also be formed by incorporating a water thickening amount of a water soluble polymer or gel into an aqueous medium containing a decomposable chemical blowing agent. A foam can be made in-situ by placing into an aqueous medium, a surfactant and a decomposable chemical blowing agent. In-situ generated bubbles or foam can be used to divert a drive fluid into a formation's less permeable zone.

Abstract: A method for minimizing formation damage during gravel packing operations in a loosely consolidated hydrocarbonaceous fluid producing formation penetrated by at least one well. Solidifiable chemical blocking agents are used to keep intrusive fluids, e.g. kill fluids, from the hydrocarbonaceous fluid producing interval of said formation during said gravel packing operation. Said blocking agents comprise gels wherein amino resins such as melamine formaldehyde ("MF") resins co-gel and crosslink with polymers useful for profile control where said polymers have amine, amide, hydroxyl and thiol functionalities.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing particulate matter from fluid wells where low pH conditions or high temperature exist. The process comprises forming a cylindrical shaped retainer having one closed and one open end. Said retainer has an inner and an outer wall which join with said closed end to provide a space between said walls. An open ended fused porous refractory tube is fitted within said space. Said retainer, with the refractory tube therein, is affixed to a delivery tube. This tube is directed into a formation where said refractory tube is used to control fines or sandflow entrained in fluids obtained from said formation. Being sandwiched between said walls, the refractory tube is protected from shock and is easily removed for cleaning. Said refractory tube is chemically resistant and endures high temperatures encountered during steam-flooding or steam injection.

Abstract: A composition of matter wherein amino resins such as melamine formaldehyde ("MF") resins modify polysaccharide polymers thereby forming gels with transitional metal ions useful for profile control where said polymers have amine, amide, hydroxyl and thiol funmctionalities. Said gels are thermally stable, brine tolerant and rehealable. Said resin modified polysaccharide polymers can be used in their liquid or ungelled state as a mobility control agent in a reservoir during the removal of hydrocarbonaceous fluids therefrom.

Abstract: A process for improving the effectiveness of control pulse fracturing in a carbonate formation wherein a high energy impulse device having a metallic sheath reactive with a retarded acid is utilized in combination with a retarded acid. Upon placement of such device within a wellbore, the metallic sheath reacts with the retarded acid and generates heat which activates said acid. Afterwards, the high energy impulse device is ignited which fractures the formation and forces the activated acid into the created fractures thereby enhancing acid contact with said formation.

Abstract: A process for acid treating a formation where a gelled and foamed acid pre-flush solution is utilized. Said pre-flush is injected into the formation under conditions and pressures sufficient to fracture said formation. Thereafter, a foamed acid solution is directed into the gelled and foamed acid pad. The resultant viscosity contrast causes the foamed acid to "finger" through said pad and unevenly etch the fracture face. "Fingering" of the foamed acid through said pad causes it to propagate substantially further into the formation than with existing sandstone acidizing processes.

Abstract: A process for recovering hydrocarbonaceous fluids from a formation having a substantially low pH where a rehealable gel prepared ex-situ is used to close off a zone of greater permeability. Said gel is obtained by mixing into an aqueous medium sufficient biopolymer amounts of a Xanthan or Alcaligene polysaccharide. This mixture is maintained at a pH of about 5.5 while an aminoplast resin in excess of 4,000 ppm is added thereto which causes said gel to form in about 0.5 to 6 hours. The resultant gel is suitable for use in a carbon-dioxide flood process. Said gels are very stable at a pH of less than about 5.5.

Abstract: An improved process for forming improved gels where biopolymers and synthetic polymers are cross-linked with melamine/formaldehyde and other amino resins at an optimal range of ratios of amine to aldehyde in the amino resins. This optimal range of ratios can vary from about 1:6 to about 1:30 amine to aldehyde. Resins utilized in said optimal range are most effective for producing improved firm, stable gels. The resultant gels are useful in waterflooding and carbon dioxide flooding operations during the recovery of hydrocarboneaceous fluids.

Abstract: Recovered formation fines are pumped in slurry form into an injection well during an enhanced oil recovery process e.g. a steam flood. Said injection can be done incrementally in stages in conjunction with said process. Said fines improve the sweep efficiency of the injected medium. This method is also beneficial where steam breakthrough has occurred since the breakthrough path is in a fluid or semi-solid state thereby allowing the fines slurry to be injected.