Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a break in a screen of a vibratory separator includes an infeed section coupled to the housing such that at least a portion of the material passing through the screen and directed from the housing is directed through the infeed section, a detector screening element receiving material from the infeed section, wherein the detector screening element has a plurality of openings having a size equal to or slightly larger than the opening size of the screen in the vibratory separator, and a level sensor positioned above the detector screening element, wherein the level sensor is positioned to detect material build up on the detector screening element.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are given for delayed breaking of viscoelastic surfactant gels inside formation pores, particularly for use in hydraulic fracturing. Breaking inside formation pores is accomplished without mechanical intervention or use of a second fluid. Acidic internal breakers such as sulfuric acid and nitric acid are used. The break may be accelerated, for example with a free radical propagating species, or retarded, for example with an oxygen scavenger.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel wellbore treatment methods and fluids using compositions formed from an aqueous medium, a regularly substituted hydrophilically functional polysaccharide having a degree of substitution from about 0.1 to about 0.5, wherein the percent of insoluble polysaccharide is about 10% or less, and a crosslinker. The wellbore treatment fluid is particularly useful for fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore.

Abstract: An aqueous oilfield treatment fluid containing a chelating agent and an HF source is described. This fluid is effective at dissolving siliceous materials such as clays and keeping the dissolved materials in solution. In particular it is effective at preventing re-precipitation of initially-dissolved silicon as silica and therefore reduces damage to sandstones with which it is contacted. Methods are given for using this fluid for sandstone matrix stimulation, removal of clay-containing drilling fluid components and filter cakes from wellbores, sandstone acid fracturing, and gravel pack and proppant pack cleaning.

Abstract: A material and method for treating a fractured formation penetrated by a wellbore includes providing a quantity of resin coated particles having a particle size of from about 0.2 mm to about 2.35 mm. A quantity of smaller deformable or non-deformable particles is combined with the resin coated particles to form a generally uniform consolidated particle pack when mixed together and subjected to at least one of heat and pressure. A slurry of the particles is formed with a carrier fluid capable of suspending the particles. The slurry of particles is introduced into the wellbore of the formation. The resin coated particles and smaller deformable particles thus may form a consolidated particle pack in at least a portion of the fractures of the formation.

Abstract: Degradable material assisted diversion (DMAD) methods for well treatment, DMAD treatment fluids, and removable plugs for DMAD in downhole operations. A slurry of solid degradable material is injected into the well, a plug of the degradable material is formed, a downhole operation is performed around the plug diverter, and the plug is then degraded for removal. Degradation triggers can be temperature or chemical reactants, with optional accelerators or retarders to provide the desired timing for plug removal. In multilayer formation DMAD fracturing, the plug isolates a completed fracture while additional layers are sequentially fractured and plugged, and then the plugs are removed for flowback from the fractured layers. In DMAD fluids, an aqueous slurry can have a solids phase including a degradable material and a fluid phase including a viscoelastic surfactant. The solids phase can be a mixture of fibers and a particulate material.

Abstract: The problem of fiber or particle settling in well cement slurries is addressed by providing a fluid containing two fiber components of differing properties. Such a well treatment fluid, comprising a base fluid; a first fiber component that it substantially more dense than the base fluid; and a second fiber component that has a density close to that of the base fluid and is relatively flexible.

Abstract: A composition and method are given for self-destructive fluid loss additives and filter cakes in wellbores and subterranean formations. The fluid loss additives and filter cakes are formed from a mixture of particulate solid acid-precursors, such as a polylactic acid or a polyglycolic acid, and particulate solid acid-reactive materials, such as magnesium oxide or calcium carbonate. In the presence of water, the solid acid-precursors hydrolyze and dissolve, generating acids that then dissolve the solid acid-reactive materials. The composition is used in oilfield treatments such as drilling, completion and stimulation where it disappears when it is no longer needed without the use of mechanical means or injection of additional fluids.

Abstract: Disclosed are electric cables with improved armor wires used with wellbore devices to analyze geologic formations adjacent a wellbore. The cables include at least one insulated conductor, and one or more armor wires surrounding the insulated conductor. The armor wires include a low density core surrounded by a corrosion resistant alloy clad, where the alloy clad includes such alloys as beryllium-copper based alloys, nickel-chromium based alloys, superaustenitic stainless steel alloys, nickel-cobalt based alloys, nickel-molybdenum-chromium based alloys, and the like. The low density core may be based upon titanium or titanium alloys. The cables of the invention may be any useful electric cable design, including monocables, quadcables, heptacables, quadcables, slickline cables, multiline cables, coaxial cables, or seismic cables.

Abstract: A wireline logging assembly includes a cable having primary conductors, secondary conductors, and a central conductor. A first power source excites the primary conductors using a first propagation mode. A first telemetry transceiver excites the primary conductors using a second propagation mode orthogonal to the first mode. A second power source excites the secondary conductors and a second telemetry transceiver excites the central conductor. In one embodiment, the diameter of the primary conductors is greater than a diameter of the secondary conductors. The primary conductor includes four primary conductors symmetrically positioned around the center conductor and the secondary conductors include a secondary conductor positioned in the interstice between each pair of adjacent primary conductors.

Abstract: Electric cables used with wellbore devices to analyze geologic formations adjacent a wellbore including at least one insulated conductor, and one or more armor wires surrounding the insulated conductor, the armor wires formed of a high strength core surrounded by a corrosion resistant alloy clad. The alloy clad includes such alloys as beryllium-copper based alloys, nickel-chromium based alloys, superaustenitic stainless steel alloys, nickel-cobalt based alloys, nickel-molybdenum-chromium based alloys, and the like. The cables of the invention may be any useful electric cable, including monocables, quadcables, heptacables, quadcables, slickline cables, multiline cables, coaxial cables, or seismic cables.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating subterranean formation comprising providing distributed temperature sensors, injecting a treatment fluid and monitoring the temperature across the treatment interval during the injection process.