Abstract: Methods and systems for treating a subterranean formation. The method comprises adding proppant particulates to a fluidized bed granulator; spraying a binding agent on the proppant particulates to at least partially coat the proppant particulates with the binding agent, wherein the coated proppant particulates form proto-aggregates; adding the proto-aggregates to a treatment fluid; and introducing the treatment fluid into a fracture within the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Methods for propping a fracture. The method comprises providing a treatment fluid comprising a polyester, a water-miscible solvent, and a proppant and then pumping the treatment fluid through an aqueous fluid within a wellbore to form an amorphous polymeric web. The method further comprises pumping the amorphous polymeric web into a fracture within a subterranean formation and then allowing the amorphous polymeric web to dissolve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a composition for stabilizing a geological formation in oil fields, gas fields, water pumping fields, mining or tunnel constructions. The composition has a hardening temperature in the range from about 40° C. to about 120° C. and can therefore be used to stabilize a geological formation in oil fields, gas fields, water pumping fields as well as in mining or tunnel constructions.

Abstract: A method for enhanced or improved oil recovery includes injecting a miscible injection fluid comprising an unfractionated hydrocarbon mixture through an injection well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation. Simultaneously and/or subsequently, a mobility control fluid is injected into the hydrocarbon bearing formation. Residual hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon bearing formation are mobilized and displaced by the miscible injection fluid and/or the mobility control fluid to a production well through which they are produced to the surface.

Abstract: A plugging device, well system and method. In one example, a wrap, band or other type of binding is utilized to secure together multiple fibers, tubes, filaments, films, fabrics or lines of the plugging device. In another example, fibers, tubes, filaments, films, fabrics or lines are fused, adhered or bonded to an outer surface of a body of the plugging device. In other examples, a material of the plugging device may become more rigid or swell in a well. A plugging device may comprise a body loosely enclosed in a bag, wrapper or other enclosure.

Abstract: A method for use with a subterranean well can include releasing flow conveyed plugging devices into the well, each of the plugging devices including a body and, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of lines and fibers, and the plugging devices blocking flow through respective openings in the well. Another method can include perforating a zone, releasing a set of flow conveyed plugging devices into the well, each of the plugging devices including a body and, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of lines and fibers, the set of plugging devices blocking flow through respective perforations in the zone, perforating another zone, releasing another set of the flow conveyed plugging devices into the well, and the second set of plugging devices blocking flow through respective perforations in the second zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting and providing heavy crude oil from subterranean oil fields. The method utilizes a specially designed mixing mandrel to facilitate the combination and mixing of a high AP gravity diluent with heavy crude oil from a subterranean oil reservoir, such that the resulting heavy oil mixture can be efficiently pumped to the surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting surfactants for use in subterranean formations are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a sample of oil from at least a portion of a subterranean formation; measuring at least one of the total acid number (TAN) and the total base number (TBN) of the oil sample; and selecting a set of surfactants to evaluate for a treatment in at least a portion of the subterranean formation based on at least one of the TAN and the TBN of the oil sample, the set of surfactants selected from the group consisting of: a set of cationic surfactants, a set of anionic surfactants, and a set of zwitterionic surfactants.

Abstract: A hybrid particle mix lost circulation material (LCM) is provided. The hybrid particle mix LCM includes date palm seed particles produced from date palm seeds and scrap tire particles produced from scrap tires. The LCM may include date palm seed particles in the range of about 50 wt % to about 80% and scrap tire particles in the range of about 50 wt % to about 20 wt %. Methods of lost circulation control and manufacture of a hybrid particle mix LCM are also provided.

Abstract: A coated proppant includes a solid core proppant particle and a heavy metal recovery coating, including heavy metal recovery crystals embedded within a polymer resin matrix. A process for the manufacture of a coated proppant includes providing a solid core proppant particle, and forming on the solid core proppant particle, a heavy metal recovery coating including heavy metal recovery crystals embedded within a polymer resin matrix.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for removing deposits in an oil or gas well by contacting the annular fluid in a batch-wise method with an effective amount of a composition comprising a water-soluble copolymer. These methods are advantageous because they can be used as needed to improve well operation. The methods use a water-soluble copolymer comprised of an acrylamide monomer and one or more cationic monomer.

Abstract: A method of controlling flow in a subterranean well can include a device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well, the device comprising a material selected from poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and/or poly-methacrylic acid. The material may degrade in the well. A system for use with a well can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, and the flow conveyed device including a material selected from poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and/or poly-methacrylic acid. A flow conveyed device for use in a subterranean well can include a body and a degradable material extending outwardly from the body, the degradable material being formed as a film, tube or filament.

Abstract: A flow conveyed device for use in a well can include a body and a plurality of lines joined to the body, each of the lines having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body, and each of the lines including fibers. A method of controlling flow in a well can include a device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well, and the device including a plurality of lines extending outwardly from a body. Each of the lines may include fibers. A system for use with a well can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, the flow conveyed device including a body with a plurality of lines extending outwardly from the body, the body including at least one knot.

Abstract: The phenomena of nutrient adsorption are utilised to enhance nutrient bioavailability and enhance methanogenesis efficiency. Thus methods for avoiding or reversing such adsorption or utilising the phenomena in a way favourable to promotion of methanogenesis in a formation, for example, through desorption of bound nutrients, or adsorption competing bacteria nutrients or methanogen toxicants, etc., are provided herein.

Abstract: A fibrous plugging device for use in a subterranean well can include a body having fibers and a retainer material. The retainer material retains a shape of the body. A system for use with a well can include a fibrous plugging device conveyed by fluid flow in the well. The fibrous plugging device includes a body comprising multiple fibers. The fibrous plugging device engages an opening in the well, and thereby seals off the opening. A method for use with a well can include flowing a fluid through the well, thereby conveying at least one fibrous plugging device including a body having multiple fibers, and the fibrous plugging device sealingly engaging an opening in the well, thereby substantially preventing flow through the opening.

Abstract: Methods including (a) introducing an invert microemulsified acid (“IMA”) treatment fluid into a subterranean formation at a rate and pressure sufficient to create or enhance a fracture in a first treatment interval therein, wherein the IMA treatment fluid comprises a surfactant, a non-aqueous external phase, and aqueous dispersed phase droplets, and wherein the non-aqueous external phase further comprises micro-proppant particulates and at least a portion of the aqueous dispersed phase droplets further comprise an acid; (b) destabilizing the IMA treatment fluid in the fracture, thereby exposing the acid, wherein the micro-proppant particulates form a proppant pack in the fracture and the acid etches a channel in the fracture and/or adjacent to the fracture.

Abstract: A method of operating a drilling rig that is located above a wellbore center includes building a casing string stand using a mouse hole that is offset from the wellbore center, wherein the casting string stand comprises two sections of casing; racking the casing string stand in a casing string racking board that is coupled to a mast of the drilling rig, and cementing the casing string stand to a wall of the wellbore. The method further includes racking a drill string stand in a drill string racking board that is coupled to the mast of the drilling rig, wherein the drill string racking board is generally aligned with the casing string racking board in two directions, but is located above the casing string racking board in a third, vertical direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a contraction agent for a water-absorbing resin that is used as a proppant in stratum hydraulic fracturing, the contraction agent containing: a metal ion-containing substance and a breaking agent for water-absorbing resins used in stratum hydraulic fracturing; and an iron ion-containing substance and/or ascorbic acid, and/or a persulfate. Also provided is a kit for use in stratum hydraulic fracturing, the kit provided with a swelling agent containing a water-absorbing resin, an iron ion-containing substance, and ascorbic acid, the kit being for stratum hydraulic fracturing, wherein the kit consists of A) a proppant containing a water-absorbing resin, and B) a contraction agent for the water-absorbing resin containing a metal ion-containing substance.

Abstract: Formulations and methods for remediating subterranean-formed metal-polymer complexes in wells in subterranean formations are described. In one embodiment, the method includes injecting a metal-polymer complex remediation mixture containing a metal complexing agent into a subterranean formation adjacent to a well at a pressure below the fracture pressure of the formation. A sufficient contact time is allowed and then the metal-polymer complex remediation mixture is pumped from the subsurface. This has been shown to remediate polymer-containing, subterranean-formed metal-polymer complexes in shale formations. Without being held to a particular theory, it appears that the metal complexing agent is forming metal complexes with the metals in the complexes, and particularly divalent metal ions. This removal of naturally occurring metals may be un-crosslinking and causing the metal-polymer complexes to go into solution, thereby removing the blockages caused by the metal-polymer complexes.

Abstract: Alkyl ester spotting fluid compositions and processes for freeing differentially stuck pipe are provided. An alkyl ester spotting fluid composition includes an invert emulsion having an alkyl ester as the external phase and water as the internal phase. In some embodiments, the alkyl ester spotting fluid composition may include the alkyl ester invert emulsion and an emulsifier. The alkyl ester spotting fluid composition may be introduced downhole in the vicinity of a portion of a differentially stuck pipe such that the spotting fluid composition contacts the mudcake and frees the differentially stuck pipe.