Abstract: A formulation for use as a lost circulation preventive material is a cement-forming aqueous fluid comprising water, at least one viscoelastic surfactant (VES), at least one monovalent or multivalent salt, at least one magnesium powder, and at least one retarder. The formulation is used in a method of drilling into a subterranean formation that includes introducing into a wellbore passing at least partially through the subterranean formation the cement-forming aqueous fluid, and further increasing the viscosity of the aqueous fluid by the action of the VES forming elongated micelles; where the at least one monovalent salt is present in an amount effective to pseudo-crosslink the elongated VES micelles to further increase the viscosity of the aqueous fluid. The formulation further forms a cement by reacting the at least one magnesium powder and the water which reaction is retarded by the retarder. The water may be saline water.

Abstract: A drilling assembly is tripped in a cased hole to make more open hole. The assembly features retracted scrapers and a closed circulation sub so that the drilling can commence with string pressure delivered to bit nozzles due to the circulation sub being in a closed position. When drilling is done and the bit is to be removed, an object lands on a seat on a sleeve that acts as a piston to break scraper retainers for casing scraping deployment and to open the circulation port. A bypass opens around the seated ball when the sleeve shifts to allow flow around the seated ball for circulation while scraping. Drilling and casing scraping are accomplished in a single trip.

Abstract: Methods for extracting hydrocarbon gas utilize a vacuum chamber with a mud chamber portion that is expandable and contractible. Gas is extracted at vacuum pressures.

Abstract: A method for predicting a path of a borehole that will be drilled in a rock formation by a bottomhole assembly (BHA) having a drill bit includes: constructing a model of the BHA; calculating confined compressive strength of the rock formation using an axial motion drill bit model that receives drilling parameter, drill bit design and lithology information; calculating lateral motion of the drill bit using a lateral motion drill bit model; calculating a ratio of lateral motion to axial motion using the lateral motion drill bit model; calculating an inclination angle and an azimuthal direction of the BHA using a BHA steering model that receives the ratio; and iterating the above steps by updating the BHA model to include extending the borehole an incremental distance in the direction of the inclination angle and the azimuthal direction and displacing the BHA the incremental distance in the extended borehole.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining at least one parameter of interest of an earth formation. Methods include using at least one transmitter to initiate at a single location in the formation a first electromagnetic signal at a first frequency and a second electromagnetic signal at a second frequency different than the first frequency for propagation through the formation; receiving the first electromagnetic signal propagating through the formation and the second electromagnetic signal propagating through the formation at a single receiver non-collocated with the at least one transmitter; estimating a relative phase shift of the second electromagnetic signal relative to the first electromagnetic signal; estimating a relative attenuation of the second electromagnetic signal relative to the first electromagnetic signal; using the relative attenuation and the relative phase shift to estimate a parameter of interest of the formation. The receiver may be unsynchronized with respect to the transmitter.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of manufacturing a fiber optic cable includes selecting a cable support structure configured to support an optical fiber sensor, adhering the optical fiber sensor to the cable support structure by applying a temporary adhesive, and installing a protective layer around the cable support structure and the temporarily adhered optical fiber sensor. The method further includes removing a bond between the optical fiber sensor and the temporary adhesive, wherein removing the bond includes injecting a debonding material into a space formed between the cable support structure and the protective layer, and injecting a permanent adhesive into the space, the permanent adhesive configured to immobilize the optical fiber sensor relative to the protective layer and allow strain to be transferred from the protective layer to the optical fiber sensor.

Abstract: A tubular for reservoir fines control includes a body having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a flow path. A plurality of openings are formed in the body connecting the outer surface and the flow path. A material mesh is overlaid onto the outer surface. The material mesh is formed from a material swellable upon exposure to a selected fluid. The material mesh has a selected porosity allowing methane to pass into the flow path while preventing passage of fines.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well comprises: forming a fracturing composition comprising a carrier fluid; and a superabsorbent polymer component comprising one or more of the following: a first composite of a proppant and a first superabsorbent polymer in an unhydrated form, the first superabsorbent polymer being at least partially embedded in a void area of the proppant; a coated superabsorbent polymer; a superabsorbent material having a three-dimensional network; or a second composite of a second superabsorbent polymer and a slow-release breaker; and pumping the hydraulic fracturing composition into the subterranean formation to create or enlarge a fracture.

Abstract: A dual bore packer features axially offset tapered thread connections so that the pressure rating and size of the connections in each of the bores can be as large as possible. This is enabled by providing as thick a wall as possible between the bores in the zone where the connecting tapered thread is placed.

Abstract: Adding a cationic starch and/or an anionic starch to a conventional demulsifier or water clarifier reduces activity of the resulting product without losing demulsifier or water clarifier performance.

Abstract: A method of cementing a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation comprises injecting into the wellbore a settable slurry comprising: an aqueous carrier; an aggregate; urea; a calcium source; and a calcium carbonate producing agent comprising a microbe, an enzyme, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; and allowing the slurry to set.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of performing an energy industry operation includes receiving a byproduct fluid from a fluid conditioning system, the fluid conditioning system configured to at least partially desalinate seawater and produce desalinated seawater and the byproduct fluid, the byproduct fluid having a higher salt concentration than the received seawater. The method also includes performing an energy industry operation that includes injecting an injection fluid including the byproduct fluid by a pumping device through a carrier disposed in a borehole in an earth formation and into at least one of the borehole and the earth formation.

Abstract: An alignment device for a sliding sleeve in a housing in a tubular string features a patterned alignment ring that remains stationary. The sliding sleeve in one of its end positions has a mating profile such that profile misalignment results in profile alignment as the sliding sleeve is axially advanced toward the alignment ring. In a choke application the fully closed position of the choke brings the profiles together to induce relative rotation into an aligned configuration of the ports on the sliding sleeve with the ports on the surrounding housing. Misalignment can occur when tools are run through the sliding sleeve for other downhole operations and the design parameters for the choke prevent the use of alignment lugs in axial slots. The mating profiles do not reduce the drift dimension through the sliding sleeve and allow higher housing pressure ratings for deep set applications with large operating differential pressures.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method includes receiving seismic data from an array of seismic receivers, selecting a time window, and dividing the time window into a plurality of consecutive time segments, each corresponding to a subset of the seismic data. The method also includes performing a transformation of each subset into a frequency domain subset having a total frequency band, and selecting a narrow frequency band bounded by the lowest frequency of the total band and a threshold frequency. The method further includes, for each of the plurality of frequencies in the narrow frequency band, determining a cross-spectral density matrix (CSDM) of data values in each frequency domain subset, decomposing the CSDM to generate a plurality of eigenvalues, and removing at least the most significant eigenvalue from each frequency domain subset. The method still further includes transforming each frequency domain subset into a time domain to generate de-noised seismic data.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) apparatus includes a transmitting assembly configured to emit one or more dual-wait-time pulse sequences, and a receiving assembly configured to detect a long-wait-time echo train and a short-wait-time echo train. The apparatus also includes a processor configured to perform at least one of: estimating a difference between the long-wait-time echo train and the short-wait-time echo train to generate a differential echo-train, inverting the differential echo-train into a differential T2 distribution, and detecting a motion artefact in response to determining that the differential echo-train includes a short-T2 porosity fraction that is greater than a threshold value; and inverting two echo trains into two T2 distributions, calculating at least two porosity fractions for each of the two T2 distributions, estimating a shift of a porosity amount between the at least two porosity fractions, and detecting the motion artefact based on the shift.

Abstract: An article comprises a substrate, a coating disposed on a surface of the substrate. The coating comprises a carbon composite dispersed in one or more of the following: a polymer matrix; a metallic matrix; or a ceramic matrix. The carbon composite comprises carbon and a binder containing one or more of the following: SiO2; Si; B; B2O3; a filler metal; or an alloy of the filler metal.

Abstract: A downhole system includes a tubular having a longitudinal axis, and a conductive trace applied on the tubular. The conductive trace is configured to deliver a signal between uphole and downhole locations of the tubular.

Abstract: A dilution system for a hydraulic fracturing fluid includes a dilution manifold, a hydration unit configured to provide a source of liquid, a diluent line connecting the hydration unit to the dilution manifold, a diluent flow control valve on the diluent line, a hydration tank configured to hydrate a mixed additive, a gravity-driven viscous fluid line connecting an exit of the hydration tank to the dilution manifold, a viscous fluid flow meter on the viscous fluid line, and a viscous fluid control valve on the viscous fluid line.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the formation of hydrates within subsea or over-land pipeline systems. The compositions and methods include the use of organic salt solutions, such as an acetate salt solution, to precondition, treat, and/or dewater the pipeline systems, or employ the use of the organic salt solutions during other pre-commissioning operations. An effective concentration of an organic salt solution acts to reduce hydrates and/or inhibit hydrate formation within the pipeline systems.

Abstract: A method of forming polycrystalline diamond includes encapsulating diamond particles, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide in a container. The encapsulated diamond particles, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide are subjected to a pressure of at least 4.5 GPa and a temperature of at least 1,400° C. to form inter-granular bonds between the diamond particles. A cutting element includes polycrystalline diamond material comprising inter-bonded grains of diamond. The polycrystalline diamond material is substantially free of graphitic carbon and metallic compounds. The polycrystalline diamond material exhibits a density of at least about 3.49 g/cm3 and a modulus of at least about 1,000 GPa. An earth-boring tool may include such a cutting element secured to a body.