Abstract: Mesophase surfactant solutions and/or micellar solutions, pre-formed single phase microemulsions (SPMEs), and in situ-formed fluids may be used to clean up and remove hydrocarbons and synthetic oils such as oil-based mud filter cake and near wellbore damage in oil and gas wells. Removal occurs by solubilization of the hydrocarbons and synthetic oils into the micellar solutions, SPME, in situ-formed fluids, etc. when the fluid formulation contacts the hydrocarbons and synthetic oils. An in situ-formed fluid (e.g. microemulsion), may be formed when one or more surfactant, an optional linker, optional co-surfactant, optional acid, optional co-solvent and a polar high-density brine phase, and eventually some amount of organic phase, contacts the subterranean location and solubilizes the hydrocarbons and synthetic oils encountered, such as in the near wellbore of a subterranean formation. The micellar solutions, microemulsions, in situ-formed fluids, etc.

Abstract: A treatment fluid that comprises a carrier fluid and a degradable material in the form of particles, fibers or both is provided or prepared. The treatment fluid is placed in a borehole such that the treatment fluid contacts a liner, a downhole filter, perforations, natural fractures, induced fractures, or a subterranean formation or combinations thereof. The treatment fluid is allowed to flow into the liner, downhole filter, perforation, natural or induced fracture or subterranean formation such that the degradable material forms at least one plug or filter cake (or both), preventing or reducing further fluid movement between the wellbore and the subterranean formation. The degradable material is then allowed to dissolve after a period of time, causing the plug or filter cake (or both) to weaken, thereby allowing removal of the plug or filter cake (or both) and reestablishing fluid movement between formation and the wellbore.

Abstract: Fluids containing surfactants and hydrophobic particles are effective media for cleaning non-aqueous fluids (NAFs) out of a subterranean wellbore. The fibers and surfactants are preferably added to a drilling fluid, a spacer fluid, a chemical wash, a cement slurry or combinations thereof. NAFs, such as an oil-base mud or a water-in-oil emulsion mud, are attracted to the fibers as the treatment fluid circulates in the wellbore.

Abstract: Systems and methods that produce bremsstrahlung radiation may facilitate the setting of a settable composition. For example, a method may include providing a settable composition in a portion of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, a portion of the subterranean formation, or both; conveying an electron accelerator tool along the wellbore proximal to the settable composition; producing an electron beam in the electron accelerator tool with a trajectory that impinges a converter material, thereby converting the electron beam to bremsstrahlung photons; manipulating the trajectory of the electron beam in a radial direction, an axial direction, or both of the wellbore with a rastoring device of the electron accelerator tool; and irradiating the settable composition with the bremsstrahlung photons.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon resource recovery system may include an RF source, and an RF antenna assembly coupled to the RF source and extending laterally within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery. The RF antenna assembly may include first and second tubular conductors, and a dielectric isolator coupled between the first and second tubular conductors to define a dipole antenna. The hydrocarbon resource recovery system may include solvent injectors within respective laterally extending wellbores extending transverse and above the RF antenna assembly and configured to selectively inject solvent into the subterranean formation adjacent the RF antenna assembly.

Abstract: A system and method of production of hydrocarbons, such as heavy oil or bitumen, by injection of steam, solvent and NCG is provided, which combines the benefits of SAGD, VAPEX, and the use of an additional producer, with specific timing specifications for the initiation of solvent injection prior to inter-chamber fluid communication.

Abstract: Proppant particles may be coated with some particles coated with a diene and other proppant particles coated with a dienophile that would bind the particles through a Diels-Alder reaction. In some other embodiments, proppant particles may be coated with alternating layers of diene and dienophile that would react through a Diels-Alder reaction. The invention may be advantageous for forming underground structures useful in the extraction of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A cement composition for use in a well that penetrates a subterranean formation comprising: cement; water; and an additive comprising zirconium dioxide, wherein at least a portion of the zirconium dioxide is in a metastable tetragonal phase, and wherein some or all of the zirconium dioxide that is in the metastable tetragonal phase transforms to a stable monoclinic phase after a stress is applied to the cement composition. The additive also reduces the dimensions of a crack located within the set cement composition. A method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprising: introducing a cement composition into the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A non-aqueous slurry contains a non-aqueous liquid immiscible in water (such as a hydrocarbon based oil) having dispersed therein a crosslinking agent (such as a borate crosslinking agent) and an oil-wetting surface active material. The non-aqueous slurry further contains an organophilic clay. The non-aqueous slurry, when used in an aqueous fracturing fluid, provides crosslinking delay between the crosslinking agent and a hydratable polymer, such as guar or guar derivatives. The aqueous fracturing fluid provides an enhanced fracture network after being pumped into a well.

Abstract: A system and method for producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface hydrocarbon-bearing formation. The system includes a production well, at least part of the production well located in a portion of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. A heating well is also provided, at least part of the heating well located in a portion of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation; wherein the heating well includes a main well and a plurality of smaller bore lateral wells extending into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. The smaller bore lateral wells improve heat distribution within the formation, and so fewer heating wells are required to achieve the same effect as using heating wells without smaller bore lateral wells.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for sealing subterranean spaces such as natural or induced fractures, vugs or annular spaces. The composition is composed of a base fluid consisting of a soluble alkali silicate, a gas generating additive, water, solids, and a setting agent. The gas generating additive may be coated or uncoated. The gas generating additive may also be in the form of a slurry. In the case of coated additives, the coating may act as a retarder or an accelerator to the expansion and setting agent of the soluble alkali silica. Similarly, the choice of carrier fluid in a slurry may retard or accelerate the expansion and setting of the alkali silicate-based plug.

Abstract: A wellbore treatment fluid comprising: a base fluid; and a fluid loss additive package, the fluid loss additive package comprising: a water-swellable, superabsorbent polymer; a derivatized cellulose; and non-swellable particles that are insoluble in the base fluid. A method of drilling a wellbore into a subterranean formation comprising: providing the drilling fluid; and forming the wellbore using a drill bit and the drilling fluid.

Abstract: A process for recovering oil from an oil-bearing formation is disclosed comprising providing a first oil recovery formulation comprising a first surfactant able to create low interfacial tension with reservoir crude oil; injecting the first oil recovery formulation into the oil-bearing formation via an injection well (201); providing a second oil recovery formulation having a second surfactant with a higher solubility in water than the first formulation; injecting the second oil recovery formulation into the oil-bearing formation via the injection well; and producing oil to a production well (203).

Abstract: A well cementing method includes combining a spacer polymer with a liquid in a first mixer and producing a spacer polymer blend yielding a spacer pumped into a well using a product pump. The method includes combining a cement additive with the liquid in the first mixer and producing a cement additive blend yielding a wellbore cement pumped into the well following the spacer using the product pump. Another well cementing method includes combining a cement additive with a liquid in a first mixer and producing a cement additive blend. The method combines bulk cement materials and the cement additive blend in a second mixer and produces a wellbore cement pumped into a well. A well cementing system includes a liquid pump, a first mixer, an additive feeder, a second mixer separate from the first mixer, a cement feeder, and a product pump.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cement compositions and methods of using cement compositions in subterranean formations. An embodiment comprises a method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprising: providing a cement composition comprising water, a pozzolan, hydrated lime, and a zeolite activator; introducing the cement composition into a subterranean formation; and allowing the cement composition to set in the subterranean formation, wherein the zeolite activator accelerates compressive strength development of the cement composition.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir comprises pre-heating by exposure to electromagnetic radiation from a electromagnetic radiation source, injecting through at least one injection well a solvent into the reservoir to dilute the hydrocarbons contained in the pre-conditioned portion, and producing through at least one production well a mixture of hydrocarbons and solvent. An apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir comprises at least one radio frequency antenna configured to transmit radio frequency energy into a subterranean reservoir, a power source to provide power to the at least one radio frequency antenna, at least one injection well configured to inject a solvent from a solvent supply source into the subterranean reservoir to lower the viscosity of the hydrocarbons, and at least one production well configured to produce a mixture comprising hydrocarbons and solvent from the subterranean reservoir.

Abstract: Methods of hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation to improve the production rates and ultimate recovery by contacting unconsolidated resin-coated proppant particulates residing in a propped fracture with a reactive crosslinker in order to form a consolidated proppant pack. Methods for using proppant surface chemistry in water injection wells to consolidate the resin-coated proppant particulates in a gravel packed or frac packed region of a wellbore.

Abstract: A method for controlling fluid loss into the pores of an underground formation during fracturing operations is provided. Nanoparticles are added to the fracturing fluid to plug the pore throats of pores in the underground formation. As a result, the fracturing fluid is inhibited from entering the pores. By minimizing fluid loss, higher fracturing fluid pressures are maintained, thereby resulting in more extensive fracture networks. Additionally, nanoparticles minimize the interaction between the fracturing fluid and the formation, especially in water sensitive formations. As a result, the nanoparticles help maintain the integrity and conductivity of the generated, propped fractures.

Abstract: A method for stimulating heavy oil recovery from CHOPS wells at or nearing the end of productive life but not experiencing water-out, wherein produced water is heated to below boiling point and injected back downhole to reduce heavy oil viscosity in the near-wellbore region and surrounding the wormhole network, enabling existing reservoir pressure to drive the reduced-viscosity heavy oil toward the well for production to surface. The injection-soak-production cycle can be repeated as desired so long as adequate reservoir pressure exists.

Abstract: A method for reducing permeability in a first region of a formation, including injecting a first composition in the first region from a first location near and/or adjacent the first region; and injecting a second composition in the first region from a second location near and/or adjacent the first region, wherein the first composition and the second composition are configured to react so as to form a reaction product capable of reducing the permeability in at least a portion of the first region.