Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for inducing fractures in a subterranean formation and more particularly to methods and apparatus to place a first fracture with a first orientation in a formation followed by a second fracture with a second angular orientation in the formation. The first and second fractures are initiated at about a fracturing location. The initiation of the first fracture is characterized by a first orientation line. The first fracture temporarily alters a stress field in the subterranean formation. The initiation of the second fracture is characterized by a second orientation line. The first orientation line and the second orientation line have an angular disposition to each other.

Abstract: Provided are treatment fluids that comprise a base fluid and an orthoester-based surfactant. In some instances, the treatment fluid may have a pH of about 8.5 or greater. Also provided are emulsified treatment fluids that comprise an oleaginous phase, an aqueous phase having a pH of about 8.5 or greater, and an orthoester-based surfactant. Methods of using the treatment fluid and methods of facilitating flow through a conduit also are provided.

Abstract: Methods for remediating a subterranean environment. Methods comprising introducing a cleanup fluid through a well bore and into a portion of a subterranean formation penetrated by the well bore, applying a pressure pulse to the cleanup fluid, and introducing a consolidating agent through the well bore and into the portion of the subterranean formation. Methods of cleaning a sand control screen comprises introducing a cleanup fluid through a sand control screen and into a portion of a subterranean formation, the sand control screen located in a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation; applying a pressure pulse to the cleanup fluid; and introducing a consolidating agent through the sand control screen and into the portion of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Provided are methods comprising providing an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising water, an anionic salt, a water-based friction reducing polymer, a polyol, an anionic surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant; mixing the aqueous polymer dispersion with additional water to form an aqueous treatment fluid; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. Also provided are methods comprising providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising water, an anionic salt, a water-based friction reducing polymer in an amount sufficient to provide friction reduction without forming a gel, a polyol, an anionic surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for controlling the migration of unconsolidated particulates in a portion of a subterranean formation, and more particularly, to the using a pressure pulse to enhance the effectiveness of placement of a consolidation fluid in a portion of a subterranean formation. Some methods of the present invention provide methods of treating a subterranean formation comprising injecting a consolidation fluid into the subterranean formation while periodically applying a pressure pulse having a given amplitude and frequency to the consolidation fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of fracturing high temperature subterranean zones and viscous aqueous foamed fracturing fluids therefor. A fracturing fluid of this invention comprises water, a terpolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane-sulfonic acid, acrylamide and acrylic acid or salts thereof, a gas, a foaming agent and a viscosity breaker for effecting a controlled reduction in the viscosity of the fracturing fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to subterranean well construction, and more particularly, to improved methods for producing gas from subterranean formations that include coal seams. The method according to the present invention includes the steps of drilling at least one substantially vertical well bore intersecting the coal seam, drilling at least one substantially horizontal well bore disposed substantially within the coal seam and exiting from the at least one substantially vertical well bore, and fracturing the coal seam along the at least one substantially horizontal well bore using a hydrajetting tool to produce a plurality of fractures. The plurality of fractures is spaced to maximize interference between the fractures and enhances the production of gas from the coal seam of the subterranean formation. A plurality of substantially horizontal well bores can also be drilled.

Abstract: Changes occurring downhole during a fracturing process can create or reflect pressure signals. Capturing and evaluating such pressure waves during fracturing enables personnel to monitor, in real time or later, what happens downhole. When a fracture extends, a burst of acoustic noise is embodied in a pressure wave or signal, as is noise coming from other sources. By transforming time-based pressure signals to a frequency base, one can monitor this acoustic noise. In a particular implementation, a waterfall plot of frequency spectra at successive time slices of the original signal is used to determine frequency ridges, such as a ridge of decreasing frequencies indicates fracture extension and a ridge of increasing frequencies indicates either closure or proppant backing up in the fracture. Filtering, such as wavelet filtering, can be used. A fracturing process can be controlled in response to determining whether the fracture is extending.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for controlling the flowback of proppants that have been placed inside fractures of a subterranean formation. The apparatus is defined by a plurality of solid balls, which comprise compressed springs that are encapsulated in a mass of fibrous material and an aqueous soluble mixture of a filler material and an adhesive. In the method according to the present invention, the solid balls are mixed in a viscous slurry and injected into the fractures with the proppants. Over time the aqueous soluble mixture dissolves releasing the compressed springs to fill the openings of the fractures. The fibrous network and expanded springs, which remain, act as a filter or screen to restrict the movement of the proppants from flowing back to the surface during production of the well.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide methods of obtaining data from a portion of a subterranean formation comprising providing proppant particulates wherein at least a portion of the proppant particulates are coated with an electroconductive resin that comprises a resin and a conductive material; placing the proppant particulates into a portion of a fracture so as to form an electroconductive proppant pack; providing a transmitter capable of sending an electric current into the electroconductive proppant pack; sending an electric current into the electroconductive proppant pack with the transmitter; providing a receiver capable of deflecting a reflected or conducted electric signal from the electroconductive proppant pack; and, receiving a reflected electric signal with the receiver.

Abstract: The current invention provides methods of using and drilling and servicing fluid compositions for depositing and removing filter cake from the walls of a well bore. The compositions make use of particulate solid bridging agent comprised of a salt of an organic acid. The bridging particles are dissolvable by a clean-up solution comprised of a mild solvent that is less corrosive than the conventional strong mineral acids used for this purpose.

Abstract: Light weight high strength particles and methods of treating subterranean producing zones utilizing the particles are provided. The light weight high strength particles of the invention are basically comprised of sintered mixtures of a base material and hollow microspheres.

Abstract: The present invention provides a well treatment fluid containing water, a amine-based polymer, and an oxidized polysaccharide-based polymer. The oxidized polysaccharide-based polymer is able to crosslink with the amine-based polymer and produce a gel having a viscosity of greater than about 20 cp, measured at a pH of about 4 to about 7 and at STP. The present invention also provides a method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore comprising the steps of: (a) forming the well treatment fluid, and (b) contacting the subterranean formation with the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of monitoring the injection of a fluid into a subterranean formation. The present invention also provides a method of fracturing a subterranean formation. All methods feature the use of a wavelet transform of data generated by the subterranean injection process.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for sealing subterranean zones having temperatures in the range of from about 80° F. to about 300° F. are provided. A method of the invention is basically comprised of the steps of providing a subterranean zone sealing composition that becomes substantially rigid when exposed to subterranean zone temperatures above about 80° F. and has a pH above about 8.5 comprised of water, a substantially fully hydrated depolymerized polymer and a cross-linking agent. The sealing composition is introduced into the subterranean zone whereby it becomes rigid and seals the zone. The sealing composition can subsequently be removed by contact with a fluid having a pH below about 8 when a boron compound is utilized as the cross-linking agent.

Abstract: An improved permeable cement composition for formation of downhole sand screens. The improved composition includes an effective amount of a surfactant. Addition of the surfactant to the permeable cement composition yields at least a pumpable slurry with a minimal amount of water or brine solution.

Abstract: A formation fracturing method with which to mitigate risk to hydrocarbon productivity includes pumping fracturing fluid, during at least part of a fracturing job time period, into a well to fracture a formation; generating signals, within the fracturing job time period, in response to at least one dimension of the fracture; and further pumping fracturing fluid, within the fracturing job time period, into the well in response to the generated signals. Further pumping includes controlling at least one of a pump rate of the further pumping and a viscosity (either fluid viscosity or particulate concentration) of the further pumped fracturing fluid. Control can include comparing a measured magnitude of at least one dimension of the fracture represented by the generated signals with a predetermined modeled magnitude of the same dimension. Tiltmeters can be used to sense fracture height and width, for example.

Abstract: A method of fracturing subterranean zones at temperature below about 200° F. wherein the fracturing fluid comprises water, a viscosity increasing gelling agent, a particulate proppant material, a delayed viscosity breaker for causing the fracturing fluid to revert to a thin fluid and a breaker activator comprising a mixture selected from the group of a mixture of cobaltous acetate and the sodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and a mixture of thioglycolic acid and sodium molybdate.

Abstract: Viscous well treating fluids and methods of treating subterranean zones penetrated by well bores are provided. The viscous fluids are basically comprised of water, a gelling agent and a delayed viscosity breaker comprising pentanedione peroxide.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating subterranean zones penetrated by well bores utilizing environmentally safe viscous fluids including a solubility increasing boron complex or ester forming compound. A method of the invention comprises the following steps. A viscous treating fluid composition is provided comprising water, a viscosity increasing polymer and a water soluble delayed polymer breaker that comprises a mixture of sodium perborate tetrahydrate and a solubility increasing boron complex or ester forming compound. The viscous treating fluid composition is introduced into the subterranean zone wherein the viscous treating fluid is allowed to break into a thin fluid of reduced viscosity.