Abstract: The present invention relates to multilayer coextruded thermoplastic stretch wrap films useful for the packaging or palletizing of goods. More particularly the films of this invention include at least three layers, the three layers having two outer layers and an intermediate layer positioned between said outer layers, the intermediate layer comprising a mixture of a first linear low density polyethylene and a polyolefin selected from the group consisting of homopolymers of propylene, copolymers of propylene and ethylene and mixtures thereof and at least one of the two outer layers comprising a second linear low density polyethylene. The force required to stretch the films of this invention may be controlled by the ratio of polyethylene to the selected polyolefin of the intermediate layer, by controlling the thickness of the intermediate layer relative to overall film thickness, by controlling the melt flow properties of the intermediate layer polyolefin resin or by a combination thereof.

Abstract: A well tool for delivering fluid (e.g. sand or gravel slurry) to different levels within a wellbore which is comprised of a delivery conduit which, in turn, has a plurality of exit ports spaced along its length. Each exit port has an exit tube connected thereto. Each exit tube includes a portion whose length lies substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the delivery conduit which permits larger exit ports to be used which, in turn, substantially reduces the likelihood of an exit port becoming blocked prior to completion of a well operation. Also, where at least a portion of an exit tube is inside the delivery conduit, the concentration of the sand flowing through the exit tube will be substantially the same as the original concentration in the slurry since sand particles will not tend to by-pass an exit port and remain in the slurry. This prevents the premature dehydration of the slurry and the resulting buildup of sand within the delivery conduit which is normally associated therewith.

Abstract: A method for fracturing and propping a thick and/or non-homogeneous fracture interval of a subterranean formation which is traversed by a wellbore. A workstring is lowered into the wellbore and a fracturing fluid is flowed into either or both ends of the fracture interval annulus (i.e. that portion of the well annulus which lies adjacent the fracture interval) to initiate a fracture. The flow of fracturing fluid is continued into one end of the annulus while a slurry containing proppants is flowed into the other end of the fracture interval annulus. During flow of fracturing fluid and slurry into the annulus, slurry and/or fracturing fluid is also delivered through alternate flowpaths to different levels within said fracture interval. This is continued until all of the levels or zones of the fracture interval have been fractured and propped.

Abstract: A method for recovering hydrocarbons (e.g. oil) from a low permeability subterranean reservoir of the type comprised primarily of diatomite. A first slug or volume of a heated fluid (e.g. 60% quality steam) is injected into the reservoir at a pressure greater than the fracturing pressure of the reservoir. The well is then shut in and the reservoir is allowed to soak for a prescribed period (e.g. 10 days or more) to allow the oil to displaced by the steam into the fractures by imbibition. The well is then produced until the production rate drops below an economical level. A second slug of steam is then injected and the cycles are repeated with the volume of each subsequent slug of steam being progressively smaller that the one before it (i.e. about 80%) and the respective soak period being increased by about 20% over that of the previous cycle.

Abstract: A method for completing a horizontal wellbore in a loosely consolidated or unconsolidated formation. To minimize collapse of the wellbore and minimize sand production while providing for greater flexibility in the placement of a sand control device in a horizontal wellbore, a slotted liner with a flexible sand control device affixed thereto is positioned into the horizontal wellbore. After positioning, the liner with sand control device attached, high permeability of openings within the liner is maintained when producing hydrocarbonaceous fluids from the formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of removing alkaline earth sulfate scale from the interior surface of downhole production tubing comprising contacting the scale with a solvent having a specific gravity of at least 1.2 while simultaneously milling the scale with a rotating mill head connected to a downhole motor.

Abstract: A method for enhanced hydraulic fracturing which comprises injecting a proppant laden fracturing fluid into a formation or reservoir at a rate and pressure sufficient to fracture said formation. Next, a thin spacer fluid is injected into the created fracture. Afterwards, a proppant laden fracturing fluid is injected into the formation at a rate and pressure sufficient to hold the created fracture open which allows proppant to be more evenly distributed throughout the created fracture as proppant falls through the spacer fluid thereby avoiding proppant convection in the created fracture while obtaining substantially improved propping of the fracture.

Abstract: A method for enhanced oil recovery from a low permeability diatomaceous reservoir by imbibition is described. In this method, oil is displaced from the reservoir with a horizontal wellbore by a combination of applied fluid pressure, plus "enhanced imbibition." Enhanced imbibition is accomplished by adding chemical additives, water, or brine to an injection fluid so that rock in the tight diatomaceous reservoir has a stronger affinity for the water present therein, thus releasing oil from the rock. The method is either continuous or cyclic.

Abstract: A method for enhanced oil recovery from a low permeability diatomaceous reservoir by imbibition is described. In this method, oil is displaced from a single injection well, or series of injection wells into a single producer or series of producing wells by a combination of applied fluid pressure, plus "enhanced imbibition." Enhanced imbibition is accomplished by adding chemical additives to the injection fluid so that rock in the tight reservoir has a stronger affinity for the water present therein, thus releasing oil from the rock.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant connection for use with tubular members having externally threaded ends. The connection includes a stress-bearing sleeve member having an interior surface and an exterior surface; and a fiber-filled polymeric composite shell having at least one internally threaded portion therein, the composite shell molded to the sleeve so as to be coaxially aligned and in close conforming contact with at least a substantial portion of the interior surface of the sleeve member. The composite shell has a thickness of greater than about 0.04 inches.

Abstract: A method for zone isolation or replacing a damaged or corroded casing with a solid plastic is described herein. A resin/curing agent mixture sufficient to form a hardened plastic or solid, underwater and/or at low wellbore temperatures that is also able to withstand downhole stresses, is placed into the wellbore so as to bind with the undamaged casing and close off any thief zone. Subsequently, the resin/curing agent mixture forms a hardened solid. The hardened solid is milled out if necessary so as to form a resinous casing the size of the original casing. Later, the hardened resinous casing is perforated to communicate with a targeted zone. Perforation is not required when isolating a zone. The hardened solid is of a strength sufficient to withstand stresses generated during EOR operations such as carbon dioxide or steam-flooding. Said solid is also resistant to workover acids and other chemicals used in EOR operations.

Abstract: A well completion process for improved cement placement in a horizontal wellbore. Initially, a cleaning fluid is circulated down the wellbore for conditioning and cleaning it. Afterwards, a production tube containing centralizers is positioned centrally within the wellbore. Next, "spacer fluids" of higher and lower densities are circulated within an annulus formed by the space between the tube and the wellbore so as to more substantially clean the annulus out. Subsequently, a cement having a density greater than the spacer fluid is pumped into the annulus. Thereafter, a light weight cement is pumped into the annulus thereby overriding the heavier cement and removing voids in the annulus resulting in more efficient cement placement.

Abstract: An improved method for hydraulically fracturing a formation or reservoir where a thermo-setting gellable mixture is utilized. This thermo-setting mixture is foamed either at the surface or in situ under fracturing pressures and conditions. The mixture and carrier fluid is of a composition such that the foamed mixture has a viscosity of sufficient magnitude to cause a created fracture to grow while the foamed mixture is kept under fracturing pressure and conditions. Once a fracture of a desired size and length has been generated, the resin is ignited and thermally set thus forming a porous hardened solid within the fracture thereby holding the fracture open. Once combustion is finished, no spent fracturing fluids or load fluids remain to be recovered. This porous solid props the fracture open thereby increasing the conductivity of the formation or reservoir and fluid flow therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus for 360.degree. azimuthal imaging of steel casing employs a transducer that is rotated around the inside wall of the casing for inducing and measuring variations in induced flux density within the casing as an indication of changes in casing thickness.

Abstract: A well tool (e.g. well screen) having a single connector for fluidly connecting the shunt conduits carried by adjacent joints of a well tool to thereby eliminate the need for separate, individual connectors. The single connector is slidably mounted on the central conduit of one of the joints and has a plurality of passages therethrough, each of which is adapted to receive a respective shunt conduit on one of the adjacent joints. After the central conduits of two adjacent joints are coupled together, the single connector is moved whereby the upper ends of the respective shunts on one joint enter the lower ends of the respective passages to thereby fluidly connect the respective shunt conduits. The single connector is then secured in a connected position.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a preparative technique for concentrating or isolating a surfactant from an oil/water emulsion. First, a an emulsion or sludge sample containing surfactants is separated into separate oil, water and solid phases. Thereafter, water droplets are injected into the oil phase. The water droplets fall through the oil phase, causing surfactant in the oil phase to adhere to said droplets which form a high-internal-phase-ratio (HIPR) water-in-oil emulsion that is rich in surfactants. This emulsion is subsequently separated into an oil and a water phase. The separated surfactant-rich oil phase is then analyzed to obtain information concerning the surfactant.

Abstract: A method for zone isolation, profile modification, remedial cementing, or replacing a damaged or corroded casing with a solid plastic is described. A solidifiable epoxy resin mixture, containing a critical amount of a hardener and curing agent for improved pumpability, is placed into a wellbore so as to bind with undamaged casing and close off any thief zones. Subsequently, the epoxy resin mixture forms a hardened solid underwater and/or at low wellbore temperatures that is able to withstand downhole stresses. The hardened solid is milled out if necessary so as to form a resinous casing the size of the original casing. Later, the hardened resinous casing is perforated to communicate with a targeted zone. Perforation is not required when isolating a zone. The hardened solid is of a strength sufficient to withstand stresses generated during EOR operations such as carbon dioxide or steam-flooding. Said solid is also resistant to workover acids and other chemicals used in EOR operations.

Abstract: A method for recovering connate fluids (e.g. oil) from a low permeability subterranean reservoir (e.g. diatomite) through a single wellbore. Upper and lower intervals are fractured from the wellbore that the fractured intervals only partially overlap, thereby leaving a partial, natural barrier formed of random-spaced, low permeable areas along the interface between the fractured intervals. This partial barrier improves the sweep efficiency of a drive fluid (e.g. water) which is injected into the lower fractured interval by forcing it to spread outward into the reservoir before it is flows through the upper fractured interval. The drive fluid is injected at approximately the same rate as that at which the fluids are produced so that displacement of oil occurs primarily due to imbibition.

Abstract: A method for placement of a long life scale inhibitor into a formation where variable density scale inhibitors are utilized. A substantially low density non-reactive fluid is loaded into an interval of the formation to be treated. Afterwards, a high density first stage scale inhibitor is injected into the interval. Thereafter, a low density spacer fluid is injected into the interval being treated. Next, a second stage high density scale inhibitor having a density lower than the first stage inhibitor is injected into said interval. Subsequently, a low density spacer is injected into the interval. Volume increments are repeatedly injected with decreasing fluid densities until a desired zone has been treated. The entire treatment is then overflushed with an inert high density fluid. Use of this method allows even inhibitor distribution in intervals of a formation with permeability variations thereby preventing scale build-up.