Abstract: This invention is directed to treating fluid production and subterranean formation treating methods as well as compositions for treating fluids that reuse at least part of a prior treating fluid, particularly a fluid having one or more constituents that can be relinked. This includes conditioning a selected at least partially delinked flow-back fluid, recovered from a first treating fluid pumped into a well, such that the conditioned selected at least partially delinked flow-back fluid provides a constituent for a second treating fluid. Also included are pricing considerations. A composition for a treating fluid includes a treating fluid residual recovered from a well, preferably conditioned as described. Examples of such fluids include fracturing fluids and gravel pack fluids.

Abstract: The present invention provides seawater-based cross-linked fracturing fluids and methods of preparing and using the fluids in fracturing subterranean formations penetrated by well bores and having temperatures above about 200° F. The improved cross-linked fracturing fluids are basically comprised of a gelling agent, seawater present in an amount sufficient to hydrate the gelling agent and to form a gelled aqueous fluid, and a delayed cross-linking agent, capable of causing delayed cross-linking of the gelling agent in the gelled aqueous fluid at a pH below the threshold for precipitate formation in seawater.

Abstract: A method of optimizing performance of a well system utilizes a neural network. In a described embodiment, the method includes the step of accumulating data indicative of the performance of the well system in response to variable influencing parameters. The data is used to train a neural network to model an output of the well system in response to the influencing parameters. An output of the neural network may then be input to a valuing model, e.g., to permit optimization of a value of the well system. The optimization process yields a set of prospective influencing parameters which may be incorporated into the well system to maximize its value.

Abstract: Methods of uniformly introducing aqueous treating fluids into subterranean producing zones are provided. The methods are basically comprised of the steps of packing perforation tunnels in the producing zone with a particulate solid anhydrous borate material which degrades and dissolves in water over time. A treating fluid is then introduced into the subterranean zone by way of the packed perforation tunnels whereby the treating fluid uniformly flows into the producing zone. The particulate solid anhydrous borate material in the perforation tunnels is allowed to degrade and dissolve in an aqueous fluid in contact therewith so that the aqueous fluid and produced formation fluids freely flow into the well bore.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for determining parameters inside a subterranean formation. In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of wireless data sensors are injected into the pores or fractures of a subterranean formation. The data sensors includes sensors that record parameters such as temperature, pressure and certain time stamps. Either autonoumously or upon command from a data interrogator tool located down hole, the plurality of data sensors form a wireless ad hoc network and telemeter the recorded data back to the data interrogator tool, which in turn communicates the data to a microprocessor located at the surface. Based on these data, the spatial distribution of the sensors and formation parameters such as temperature and pressure at each data sensor inside the subterranean formation can be obtained.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for preventing fracture proppant particle flowback from subterranean zones penetrated by well bores are provided. The methods basically comprise the following steps. One or more fractures are formed in a subterranean zone and proppant particles coated with a curable liquid composition for consolidating the proppant particles into resilient permeable masses are deposited in the fractures. The curable liquid composition is a mixture of a tackifying compound liquid and a curable resin. After the coated proppant particles have been deposited, the curable liquid composition is allowed to cure.

Abstract: A method for recovering oil from a reservoir is provided. This method comprises passing a swelling agent into a permeable zone of the reservoir that allows fluid to flow between an injection well and a producing well. An aqueous solution is passed into the reservoir to contact the swelling agent, thereby causing the swelling agent to swell and substantially block the permeable zone. One or more injectants are passed into the reservoir to remove oil therefrom. The swelling agent inhibits the injectants from passing through the permeable zone, ensuring that the injectants pass through the areas of the reservoir containing oil.

Abstract: A method and composition is provided for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore, wherein the sealing position comprises a mixture of gelling material, water, and cementitious material.

Abstract: Improved methods and compositions for consolidating proppant in subterranean fractures are provided. In accordance with a method of the invention, proppant particles coated with a furfuryl alcohol resin composition are mixed with a gelled liquid fracturing fluid and the fracturing fluid is pumped into a subterranean zone. The fracturing fluid forms one or more fractures in the subterranean zone and deposits the proppant particles coated with the resin composition therein. Thereafter, the hardenable resin composition on the proppant particles is allowed to harden by heat and consolidate the proppant particles into chemical and thermal degradation resistant permeable packs.

Abstract: Improved methods of preventing the flow-back of particulates deposited in subterranean formations with produced formation fluids are provided. The methods include extruding or injecting a solution or mixture of a particulate solid polymer through a plurality of small diameter ports into an aqueous carrier fluid containing suspended particulate material whereby polymer fibers and strands are formed in the carrier fluid. The polymer fibers and strands mix with the particulate material suspended in the carrier fluid as the carrier fluid is pumped into the subterranean formation. The mixture of the particulate material and the polymer fibers and strands is deposited in the subterranean formation so that the mixture forms at least one permeable pack that prevents the production of formation fines with fluids produced from the formation and prevents the flow-back of the deposited particulate solids, fibers or strands.

Abstract: Methods of drilling and completing open hole well bores and methods of removing filter cake comprised of a gelling agent and calcium carbonate are provided. A method of the invention for removing filter cake comprised of a gelling agent and calcium carbonate from the walls of an open hole well bore is basically comprised of the steps of contacting the filter cake with a delayed clean-up solution comprised of water and a formate ester and removing the clean-up solution from the well bore.

Abstract: A method and sealing composition is provided for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore, wherein the sealing composition comprises a mixture of cementitious material, cross-linkable material, and sufficient water to form a slurry.

Abstract: The current invention provides improved methods of completing wellbores penetrating unconsolidated and poorly consolidated subterranean zones. The methods basically comprise the steps of placing a coated proppant in fractures penetrating the subterranean zone, allowing the coated proppant to cure or set as a fluid permeable barrier to particulate matter and expanding an expandable well screen located adjacent to the fractures.

Abstract: Methods of forming through-tubing vent-screen tool completions in a well bore containing a producing zone are provided. The methods basically comprise placing the through-tubing vent-screen tool in the well bore adjacent to the producing zone, coating gravel to be placed in the well bore with a hardenable resin composition, combining the hardenable resin composition coated gravel with an aqueous carrier liquid, pumping the aqueous carrier liquid containing the coated gravel into the well bore between the producing zone and the tool to place hardenable resin composition gravel therein and allowing the hardenable resin composition to harden.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of preventing the flow of water or gas or both through a subterranean zone having a high temperature and a depth such that a long pumping time is required to place a sealing composition therein. The methods basically comprise the steps of preparing a polymeric sealing composition comprised of water, a cross-linking agent and a selected water-soluble polymer which reacts with the cross-linking agent and forms a sealing gel which is stable for a desired period of time at the temperature of the zone and has a pumping time before gelation in the presence of the cross-linking agent whereby the composition can be pumped to the depth of the zone and placed therein. Thereafter, the sealing composition is pumped into the zone and allowed to form a sealing gel therein.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for reducing the permeability of subterranean zones. More particularly, water-soluble polymeric compositions which form cross-linked gels in the zones. In general, the composition comprises (a) at least one water-soluble polymer; (b) at least one organic gelling agent capable of cross-linking the water-soluble polymer; and (c) at least one water-soluble formate. More preferably, the water-soluble polymer is a copolymer of (i) at least one non-acidic ethylenically unsaturated polar monomer, and (ii) at least one copolymerisable ethylenically unsaturated ester. The gelling agent is preferably selected from the group consisting of a polyalkyleneimine, polyfunctional aliphatic amine, an aralkylamine, and a heteroaralkylamine. The preferred water-soluble formate is selected from the group consisting of ammonium formate, lithium formate, sodium formate, potassium formate, rubidium formate, cesium formate, and francium formate.

Abstract: Methods of reducing or preventing particulate flow-back in subterranean zones. In accordance with the methods, a treating fluid having a mixture of reticulated foam fragments and particulate solids are suspended therein. The treating fluid is introduced into a subterranean zone and the mixture of the reticulated foam fragments and the particulate solids are deposited in the subterranean zone whereby the reticulated foam fragments retard or prevent the flow-back of the particulate solids and the transport of formation fines from the subterranean zone upon the flowing-back of fluid from the zone.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method of treating a subterranean formation is provided comprising the steps of: (a) forming a mixture comprising: (i) a particulate, (ii) an elastomer-forming component in a liquid form or in a solvent solution, and (iii) a fluid for carrying the particulate through the well into the subterranean formation; and (b) introducing the mixture into the subterranean formation. The elastomer-forming component has the following characteristics under laboratory testing: (a) the component, by itself or with a curing agent, is capable of being cured to form an elastomeric material, and (b) the component, at a test level of 2 percent by weight over the particulate alone and under conditions of sufficient stress loading, is capable of forming the particulate into a flexible and coherent mass.

Abstract: Methods of treating subterranean zones penetrated by well bores wherein the static temperatures of the zones are as high as 400° F. and greater include using aqueous treating fluids comprised of an aqueous liquid containing one or more inorganic monovalent salts, multivalent salts or both in an amount no greater than about 5% by weight of the aqueous liquid and one or more specific synthetic hectorite clay gelling and thixotropy imparting agents.

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.