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: 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: 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: A method of indicating the release of a plug, such as a cementing plug for an oil or gas well, includes releasing a plug from a retained position in a tube system, and in response to releasing the plug, opening an electrical circuit to which the plug was connected in the retained position. The method also includes generating, in response to opening the electrical circuit, a plug release indicator signal. The indicator signal can be generated in response to, for example, a low frequency electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: Well completion methods using an aqueous polymer composition such as rubber latex in a subterranean formation containing a salt zone. The composition is used to form a protective layer on the salt zone. The layer is substantially impermeable to fluids and prevents them from contacting the salt zone and creating a washed-out area therein. Further, the layer enables a freshwater cement slurry to be used in the well completion operations through the salt zone.

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: A dry mix additive, which is used to form a clay-free, i.e., non-argillaceous, inorganic salt-free, i.e., non-brine, biodegradable and chemically degradable aqueous-based wellbore fluid, which is capable of imparting non-Newtonian, pseudoplasticity and fluid loss controlling properties to aqueous systems for use in horizontal directional drilling, finding utility in horizontal environmental well installation for soil and groundwater remediation. The dry mixture comprises (1) from about 80-90 by weight of pre-gelatinized corn starch heteropolysaccharide, and (2) from about 10-20 by weight of a synthetic biopolymer such as Xanthan gum treated with a dispersing agent (glyoxal) for ease of dispersion. Sodium hypochlorite can be added, if desired, to the wellbore fluid to provide resistance to bacterial attack. The dry mixture is added to either fresh water or acidic water in amounts of 12-15 pounds of the dry mixture to a barrel (42 U.S.

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: This invention relates to methods of using environmentally friendly cementitious compositions for terminating water flow in a subterranean formation such as in a fresh water zone or water aquifer. Preferred compositions of the present invention include a hydraulic cementitious material such as Portland cement, a viscosifying agent such as bentonite which increases the viscosity of the composition in the presence of water, and a vegetable oil.

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: Ophthalmic no-line progressive addition lenses for spectacles are provided with increased sizes of usable intermediate and near addition zones. A preferred lens of the present invention comprises a distance zone, one or more intermediate addition zones and a near add zone wherein each of the zones has a generally spherical base curve. The intermediate and near addition zones are combined with the distance zone by connecting wedges which have aspheric base curves. An aspheric fringe is used to flatten the peripheral area of the bottom portion of the lens, thereby providing a thin and cosmetically acceptable lens.

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 relates to improved foamed well cement compositions, additives and methods. The additives, which foam and stabilize a cement slurry containing freshwater or saltwater, are basically comprised of an aqueous solution of an alpha-olefinic sulfonate surfactant and a betaine surfactant.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods and compositions for sealing a pipe string 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 high bond strength comprising an epoxide containing liquid, an organosilane compound and a hardening agent, placing the epoxy composition in the annulus between the pipe and the walls of the well bore and allowing the epoxy composition to harden.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods of sealing a string of pipe in a well bore. The methods basically include the steps of preparing a hardenable epoxy sealing composition which hardens into a solid mass having flexibility and resiliency comprising an epoxide containing liquid and a hardening agent, placing the epoxy composition in the annulus between the string of pipe and the walls of the well bore and allowing the epoxy resin to harden.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of modifying the properties of a subterranean stratum penetrated by a well bore to increase its strength and decrease its permeability. The methods basically include the steps of preparing a hardenable epoxy composition having flexibility upon hardening, pumping the epoxy composition into the subterranean stratum by way of the well bore and by way of the porosity of the stratum and then allowing the epoxy composition to harden in the stratum.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of modifying the properties of a subterranean stratum penetrated by a well bore to increase the resistance of the stratum to shear failure. The methods basically include the steps of preparing a hardenable epoxy composition having flexibility upon hardening including an epoxide containing liquid or an epoxy resin and an epoxide containing liquid and a hardening agent. The epoxy composition is pumped into the subterranean stratum by way of the well bore and by way of the porosity of the stratum and then allowed to harden in the stratum.