Abstract: A proactive conformance method for a well includes selecting a well either in a completion phase or early in a production phase of the well and performing a conformance treatment on the well in the completion phase or early in the production phase. The conformance treatment preferably is performed before the well is completed (i.e., sometime during the completion phase between the well having been drilled and the well being placed in production), such as after running open hole logging or before setting casing. Another preferred aspect is the use of magnetic resonance imaging, such as using magnetic resonance imaging to analyze the well to determine where unwanted mobile fluid is in a reservoir intersected by the well. Such a well is completed in response to using the magnetic resonance imaging, including treating the well to confine at least part of the unwanted mobile fluid determined to be in the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of stimulating fluid production from an unconsolidated formation penetrated by a wellbore while preventing the migration of formation sand with fluids produced from the formation. The methods basically comprise the steps of injecting a liquid composition into a portion of the formation surrounding the wellbore which converts into a gel-like substance and plugs the permeability of the injected portion of the formation, but allows the injected portion to remain flexible and resist breakdown due to pressure cycling therein, creating at least one fracture in the formation extending from the wellbore through the plugged portion of the formation into an unplugged portion thereof and depositing hardenable resin composition coated proppant in the fracture and causing the resin composition to harden and consolidate the proppant into a hard permeable mass.

Abstract: A wireless coiled tubing joint locator for locating joints or collars in a production tubing string. The joint locator is adapted for running into a well on coiled tubing, and other downhole tools may be connectable to the joint locator. An electromagnetic coil assembly senses the increased mass of a pipe joint, and provides a signal to an electric circuit which generates a momentary electric output signal received by a pilot solenoid valve. The solenoid valve momentarily opens a pilot passageway which activates a piston to close a circulation port in the joint locator. This closing of the circulation point results in an increase in a surface pressure reading observable by the operator. A rupture disk is provided so that pressure cannot be applied to any downhole tool below the joint locator prematurely, and a seat sleeve is provided to prevent premature communication of fluid to the rupture disk but can be opened at any time by dropping a ball into the joint locator.

Abstract: A gripper block for use in grippingly engaging coiled tubing, pipe, rod, cable or like objects having various outside dimensions is provided. The gripper block has a gripping portion which includes a curved and a planar gripping surface. The planar gripping surface preferably includes a pair of opposed sloped planar gripping surfaces to engage coiled tubing, preferably steel coiled tubing of varying diameters. The sloped gripping surfaces preferably provide a V-shaped engagement configuration. The curved gripping surface is adapted to engage coiled tubing, preferably composite coiled tubing having a diameter less than the coiled tubing to be engaged by the sloped gripping surfaces.

Abstract: A composition and method for acidizing a formation in the presence of ferric ion, free sulfur and/or sulfides is disclosed. The composition employs a ferric ion reducing agent and a sulfide reactant separately or in combination. The ferric ion reducing agent is a thioalkyl acid. The sulfide reactant compounds include &agr;-diketones and saturated and &agr;-unsaturated cyclic ketones. In another aspect, the reducing activity of the thioalkyl acid is accelerated by the presence of a catalytic quantity of a compound or mixture of compounds which yield in acid solution cuprous ion, cupric ion or combinations thereof with iodide ion.

Abstract: A ball drop tool, for dropping a ball to a ball seat located in a tool, or tool string therebelow. The ball drop tool has an upper end adapted to be connected to the lower end of the coiled tubing string. The ball drop tool includes a housing with a ball drop cage positioned therein. The ball drop cage has a rocker arm pivotally attached thereto. The rocker arm can be pivoted so that a lower end thereof extends radially inwardly into an opening and will hold a ball in the cage. The cage will move downwardly in the housing until the lower end of the rocker arm is retracted from the opening, which will allow the ball to pass downwardly through the ball drop housing so that it can be received in a ball seat in a tool therebelow.

Abstract: A low pressure, high temperature composite bridge plug. The bridge plug comprises a mandrel with a plurality of slips disposed therearound. A wedge is initially attached to said mandrel and in planar contact with the slips for forcing the slips radially outwardly into gripping engagement with a wellbore. An elastomeric sealing element is disposed on the mandrel and compressed between the wedge and a shoulder on the mandrel to expand the packing element radially outward into sealing engagement with the wellbore. A plurality of ratchets retained in a ratchet body grippingly engage the mandrel to prevent the plug from unsetting. The mandrel, slips, wedge and ratchet body are preferably made of non-metallic, composite materials for easy drilling.

Abstract: A cryogenic pump manifold with subcooler and heat exchanger. The manifold comprises an inlet header with a subcooler disposed around it and a heat exchanger on the inlet side of the inlet header and subcooler. An expansion device is disposed between the inlet header and subcooler, and some liquid is diverted from the header and evaporated into a gas through the expansion device thereby lowering the temperature of the expanded gas which provides significant cooling to the cryogenic liquid entering the suction of the pump. An ejector may be positioned in the exhaust line from the heat exchanger to increase the flow rate, resulting in even more cooling. The cooling improves the overall performance of the pump and increases the ambient temperature range of operation of the pump. A method of cooling cryogenic liquid entering the suction of a pump is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pressure activated bendable tool assembly having a longitudinal centerline, the tool assembly comprising an adapter sub for connection to an end of a tubular member having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough and a plurality of bend elements positioned in a serial relationship also having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough, the bore being in fluid communication with the bore of the adapter sub and each adjacent bending element. The bend elements are axially retained by a plurality of retainer sleeves. The retainer sleeves limit the amount the bend elements may be longitudinally displaced from each other about a preselected side of the retainer sleeve element. A head-sub forms a distal end of the tool assembly opposite of the adapter sub.

Abstract: Improved high temperature, low residue viscous well treating fluids and methods of using the fluids are provided by the present invention. The improved viscous well treating fluids are basically comprised of water; a hydrated galactomannan gelling agent; a retarded cross-linking composition for buffering the treating fluid and cross-linking the hydrated galactomannan gelling agent comprised of a liquid solvent, an organotitanate chelate and a borate ion producing compound; and a delayed gel breaker.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating subterranean formations with viscosified aqueous well treating compositions which break into thin fluids at static temperatures in the range of from about 150° F. to about 200° F. A breaker system is included in the compositions comprised of an alkali metal or ammonium persulfate breaker and a breaker activity delaying agent comprised of an alkali metal chlorite or hypochlorite.

Abstract: Methods of preventing the production of sand with fluids produced from a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore are provided. The methods basically comprise the steps of preparing a resin composition which delayedly forms a hardened open cell foam capable of allowing the passage of well fluids therethrough while screening and preventing the passage of formation sand and then placing the resin composition adjacent to the formation by way of the well bore.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation with a particulate laden fluid whereby particulate flowback is reduced or prevented while also providing a controlled release of a treatment chemical within the formation. The method includes the steps of providing a fluid suspension including a mixture of a particulate, a tackifying compound and a treatment chemical, pumping the suspension into a subterranean formation and depositing the mixture within the formation whereby the tackifying compound retards movement of at least a portion of the particulate within the formation upon flow of fluids from the subterranean formation and said tackifying compound retards release of at least a portion.

Abstract: A coiled tubing injector apparatus for use in inserting coiled tubing into a well, temporarily suspending the coiled tubing, and removing the coiled tubing from the well is described. The apparatus includes a base with a pair of spaced carriages extending upwardly therefrom. The base is attached to a superstructure. The carriages each have a gripper chain drive system rotatably mounted thereon and movable therewith. An actuation and linkage system allows the carriages to move toward and away from one another in a lateral or transverse direction with respect to the superstructure and the base. Thus, the gripper chain systems can be engaged or disengaged from tubing extending through the apparatus. Each of the carriages are pivotally attached to the base with a load pin which extends through lugs attached to the base and corresponding lugs extending down from the carriage.

Abstract: A heavy-duty logging and perforating cablehead for coiled tubing. The cablehead includes an upper and lower housing which are shearably connected by shear pins. An actuating piston is slidably disposed in the housing. When the piston is in a running position, the piston holds a lug in locking engagement with the upper and lower housings such that the shear pins cannot be sheared. When the piston is moved to a releasing position, the lugs are released so that the upper and lower housings may be separated, thereby shearing the shear pins. Actuation of the piston is accomplished by pumping fluid down the coiled tubing and through a flow path in the cablehead and by applying pressure to the piston.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for reducing the permeabilities of subterranean zones are provided. The methods of the invention are basically comprised of introducing an aqueous composition comprised of a chelated organic gelling agent and a copolymer of an ethylenically unsaturated polar monomer and an ethylenically unsaturated ester or a terpolymer or tetrapolymer of an ethylenically unsaturated polar monomer, an ethylenically unsaturated ester and a monomer selected from AMPS® and/or N-vinylpyrrolidone into the zone and then allowing the aqueous composition to form a cross-linked gel in the zone.

Abstract: A polymer composition for pumping downhole to gel in a subterranean formation comprises a water-soluble copolymer of (i) at least one non-acidic ethylenically unsaturated polar monomer and (ii) at least one copolymerisable ethylenically unsaturated ester; and an organic gelling agent therefor.

Abstract: Improved metal corrosion inhibitors, acid compositions containing the inhibitors and methods of using the acid compositions are provided by the present invention. The metal corrosion inhibitors are basically comprised of one or more acetylenic alcohols and hexamethylenetetramine.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of sealing subterranean zones using high density sealing compositions. The methods are basically comprised of introducing a sealing composition into the subterranean zone comprised of a high density aqueous salt solution, a polymerizable monomer and a polymerizable initiator and allowing said sealing composition to form a sealing gel in said zone.

Abstract: A multi-zone screenless well fracturing method and apparatus which allows multiple zones in a well to be treated with one trip of the apparatus into the hole. The apparatus includes a tool string generally comprising a crossover, a packer below the crossover, and a concentric wash pipe extending below the packer. The crossover has a first portion in communication with a tubing string connected thereto and a second portion in communication with a well annulus above the packer. The first portion of the crossover is in communication with the inner wash pipe, and the second portion of the crossover is in communication with the outer wash pipe. The tool string is adapted to stab through a plurality of big bore casing packers which are positioned between adjacent zones. A method of fracturing multiple zones in a well while monitoring conditions at the zone is also disclosed.