Abstract: A support system for supporting a frac blender or other heavy load on a transport vehicle includes a support frame having vertically extending slides for a lift platform whereby the load may be moved between a stowed position and an operating position along a vertical, linear path within the limits of the support frame.

Abstract: A method for evaluating well performance includes deriving a reservoir effective permeability estimate from data points in a production history, wherein the data points include dimensional flow rates and dimensional cumulative production, at least one of the data points has no sand face flowing pressure information; and deriving at least one reservoir property from the reservoir effective permeability estimate and the data points according to a well type and a boundary condition for a well that produced the production data.

Abstract: A gooseneck for coiled tubing operations have a folding design to allow for a more compact design for storage and transport. The gooseneck may remain attached to the injector during transport, thereby decreasing the equipment required to move and set-up the coiled tubing equipment. The gooseneck includes a linkage mechanism for connecting a pair of support struts between the injector body and the tubing guide. The linkage allows the guide to follow a substantially parabolic path as it tracks the tubing from the reel to the injector.

Abstract: The present invention related to a method for fracturing subterranean formations including the steps of (a) providing a water source; (b) adding a crosslinking agent to said water source; (c) adding a polymeric component to said water to create a fracturing fluid; (d) pumping said fracturing fluid into said formation. The fluid may contain an acrylamide-acrylate copolymer and any suitable number of additives. The additives are preferably combined with the water source to form an additive stream, to which the polymer is later added.

Abstract: A plugging fluid for plugging a subterranean formation zone surrounding a drill hole comprises an emulsion comprising a dispersed aqueous phase containing an aqueous base and a continuous hydrophobic phase containing a polymer consisting of a grafted cellulose ether derivative, a surfactant and a crosslinking activator of the polymer. The polymer is preferably 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose grafted with vinyl phosphonic acid. Upon shearing, preferably through the drilling bit, the emulsion inverts so that the rupture of the emulsion droplets releases the crosslinking activator into the water phase thus forming a gel structure.

Abstract: The use of a hydrophobically modified water soluble polymer is described capable of being chemically cross-linked so as to produce a stable gel for blocking a water-bearing formation from a hydrocarbon-producing well. The polymer is essentially linear having hydrophilic side groups located at random positions along its backbone.

Abstract: A low molecular weight, high melting point, crystalline, oil soluble additive for use in wellbore fluids is provided that is preferably a ground crystalline material of melting point over 80° C., preferably over 100° C. which is readily soluble in produced hydrocarbons such as crude oil and lighter condensates, and which exhibits a molecular weight of less than 1000, and preferably less than 500, and more preferably less than 300. Its particle size can be adjusted to bridge efficiently across different pore size formations and control its solubility rate.

Abstract: A float shoe comprising an upper section having a casing connection at an upper end thereof, and a lower section slidably coupled to the upper section, the lower section comprising a closed lower end and having at least one port disposed therein.

Abstract: Additives for drilling fluids, in particular for water-based drilling fluids are described which when added to the fluid at levels of up to 10% weight by volume reduces the accretion and bit-balling tendencies of shale cuttings exposed to said fluids. The additives are based on phosphonate chemistry, and are of the general class (I), wherein R, R′ and R″ are radicals exclusively containing H atoms or combinations of H, C, O or P atoms up to a maximum of 100 atoms.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a clayey geological formation surrounding a hydrocarbon well is described. It comprises the step of treating the formation with a first reactant and a second reactant, characterized in that a reaction of said first and said second reactant is essentially initiated in the presence of clayey material. The reaction can be characterized by substrate intercalation or condensation stabilization with no pH adjustment or stabilization through reaction of glycol with a carbonyl group containing second reactant or a reaction involving an epoxide ring opening under neutral or acidic conditions.

Abstract: A modular work system permits Rig Up time to be substantially reduced by reducing the number of crane lifts required to offload equipment for a transport boat or vehicle. This is achieved by developing transport skids capable of holding multiple system components. The number of equipment components that must be mechanically coupled on location is reduced by pre-assembling the components and maintaining the assembly in operating condition during storage and transport. Skid design concepts are employed, wherein a skid system carries various pre-assembled components for transport, storage and operation. Specifically, a skid sub-system includes various related components. The components are either pre-assembled or are designed to complete a sub-assembly through final assembly on the rig. The skid is moved into place using the crane, and the assembly is completed. Additional sub-systems are mounted on additional skids which are designed to be mated with the other related skids and sub-assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention provides cementing compositions for an oil well or the like, comprising an hydraulic binder, dense particles with a density higher than the density of the hydraulic binder, and reinforcing particles with a density of less than 1.5 g/cm3, preferably less than 1.2 g/cm3, constituted by a flexible material or rubber, of low compressibility and with an average grain size of less than 600 &mgr;m. The compositions of the invention are of particular advantage when preventing zones which are subjected to extreme stresses, such as perforation zones and the junctions of a multi-branch lateral well. They are also highly suitable for producing plugs.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for calibrating a formation permeability model with respect to data obtained from fluid flow measurements. A method according to the invention includes determining a correlation coefficient for a porosity-irreducible water saturation relationship; determining a leading coefficient for a formation permeability model; and determining at least one exponent parameter for the formation permeability model by minimizing a basis function that represents a difference between a formation permeability estimate derived from the formation permeability model and a formation permeability estimate derived from the fluid flow measurements.

Abstract: Herein is described a fluid that is useful in consolidating a formation without the use of a gravel pack and screen. In particular, the fluid is useful in consolidating heterogeneous formations where the permeability is not uniform over-the total formation thickness, e.g. a formation having at least a first layer and a second layer, wherein the permeability of the first layer is greater than that of the second layer. The fluid comprises at least one of a resin, a curing agent, and a surfactant, wherein the fluid is self-diverting. Optionally, a catalyst or other additives, such as an oil wetting agent, can be used. Fluids of the present invention are self-diverting, i.e.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water-based fluid, in particular for drilling, completion or for any other intervention in a well such as a hydrocarbon well, in which the viscosity is controlled by a system constituted by precipitated silica nanoparticles (A) associated with a water-soluble copolymer (B) comprising one or more water-soluble co-monomers (I) having little or no affinity for silica and one or more co-monomers (II) which absorb onto the silica. The invention is of particular application to the secondary recovery of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a tool for treating at least one wall in a critical zone of a borehole, in particular a borehole for development of a hydrocarbon, water, gas or analogous field, the method consisting in reinforcing the wall of the critical zone by a coating obtained from a base fluid which is pumped from the surface to a tool (1) to be projected against the wall of the critical zone where it forms the coating once it has set, the method being characterized in that it consists in storing at least one additive or activator in liquid form in a reservoir (R) of the tool (1), and in projecting the additive simultaneously with the base fluid against the wall of the critical zone via at least one injector (I) in order to activate setting of the base fluid.

Abstract: A vehicle, such as a truck, includes mixing and pumping equipment for mixing a liquid and a particulate material (e.g., cement) and for pumping the mixture. One application is to pump the mixture into a wellbore for cementing a casing or liner to the wellbore inner wall. The vehicle includes a cab, with the mixing and pumping equipment positioned behind the cab. The equipment includes one or more reservoirs, with at least one used as both a mixing and displacement tank. A hose assembly is also positioned on the vehicle. To reduce the weight load placed on the rear axle(s) of the vehicle, relatively heavy components, such as the pump, are placed further forward on the truck. In one arrangement, the pump may be placed between the cab and the one or more reservoirs.

Abstract: A method of machining a workpiece in a subterranean wellbore comprises the steps of: (a) providing a workpiece that comprises (1) a first section that comprises a first material, and (2) a second section that comprises a second material, the second section forming at least one surface of the workpiece; (b) placing the workpiece in a subterranean wellbore that is surrounded by a geologic formation; and (c) machining the workpiece to remove at least part of the second material in the second section, whereby at least one surface of the workpiece is formed into a desired configuration. This method allows, for example, a landing nipple to be installed in a wellbore, and customized locking recesses to be formed in the inner surface of the nipple at a later time.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises (1) a first structure that comprises (a) at least one extendable member that can be reconfigured from a coiled form to an extended form, the member having a flattened transverse cross-section when in the coiled form and a curved transverse cross-section when in the extended form, (b) a downhole well tool attached to the extendable member, and (c) a housing in which the extendable member can be coiled; (2) a well mounting device for supporting the first structure from the wellbore or the surface of a well; and (3) means for reconfiguring the extendable, coilable member in a wellbore from the coiled form to the extended form. Preferably, the extendable member is reversibly configurable between the coiled form and the extended form.

Abstract: A method of cementing a well permitting a reduction in the degree of diameter reduction of casing or liners required, and not requiring excessively large initial conductor casing, is described. The method is characterized by provision of an enlarged wellbore and a novel liner structure which is adapted for expansion of a reduced diameter section thereof downhole, providing, before expansion of the section, unimpeded flow of fluid from the enlarged wellbore during cementing and close fit of the expanded section with the casing or preceding liner, after cementing is completed and expansion of the section. A novel well liner structure and novel well liner expansion means are disclosed.