Abstract: Methods and materials for sand control in water injection sites are disclosed. Proppant particles may be coated with some particles coated with a solid epoxy and other proppant particles coated with a solid epoxy curative (such as amine, hydroxyl, carboxyl, anhydride) that would bind the particles through an epoxy reaction. The invention may be advantageous for forming underground structures useful in the extraction of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method of placing compressible particles within a wellbore. The method first comprises accessing a wellbore. The wellbore has a first string of casing and a second string of casing, wherein the first string of casing surrounds an upper portion of the second string of casing, forming a trapped annulus. The method further includes pumping a fluid mixture down the second string of casing and back up the annulus. The fluid mixture comprises an aqueous carrier fluid having a plurality of compressible particles dispersed therein. Each of the compressible particles is fabricated to collapse in response to fluid pressure within the trapped annulus. The method additionally includes pumping cement into at least a lower portion of the annulus behind the fluid mixture, forming a column of cement, and thereby placing the fluid mixture in the annulus above the column of cement.

Abstract: A process for producing a base oil composition particularly adapted for use in oil-base drilling mud compositions. The process includes contacting drilling waste containing an oil-base mud phase with a solvent to produce a mixture of liquids and solids, separating the two phases, partially evaporating the liquids phase to produce an oil base composition substantially lacking low molecular weight carbon chain compounds and also lacking significant concentrations of benzene, toluene, xylene, and/or ethyl benzene, and having increased closed-cup flashpoint when compared to the oil-base mud phase in the drilling waste. The resulting base oil has enhanced health and safety characteristics for workers interacting with and otherwise exposed to the oil base composition during transporting, conditioning or using such compositions. The base oil produced and drilling methods using the recovered and recycled mud are also described.

Abstract: A method for concurrent fluid injection and production of a reservoir fluid from a hydraulically fractured horizontal well comprising the steps of completing a well in a formation to create the hydraulically fractured horizontal well; designating an alpha group; designating a beta group, such that each segment is in either the alpha group or the beta group, wherein the number and location of the segments in each of the alpha group and the beta group are based on the production configuration; initiating a first mode of operation; operating the hydraulically fractured horizontal well in the first mode of operation for a first mode run time; stopping the first mode of operation; initiating the second mode of operation; operating the hydraulically fractured horizontal well in the second mode of operation for a second mode run time; and cycling between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation.

Abstract: An artificial lift system can include an actuator operable to reciprocate a rod string in the well, the actuator including a piston reciprocably disposed in a cylinder, and a piston rod connected to the piston, and a rod rotator that continuously rotates the piston rod relative to the cylinder as the piston displaces in a longitudinal direction relative to the cylinder. A method of rotating a rod string can include connecting the rod string to a piston rod of an actuator, longitudinally reciprocating the piston rod relative to a cylinder of the actuator and a mandrel of a rod rotator, and rotating the piston rod relative to the mandrel in response to the reciprocating, the mandrel being disposed at least partially within the piston rod during the rotating. A rod rotator can include a mandrel having a helical external profile configured to attach to a cylinder of a hydraulic actuator, an internal profile complementarily shaped relative to the external profile, and a one-way clutch.

Abstract: Methods herein may include injecting a cement slurry having an aqueous base fluid, a cement, and a plurality of cellulose nanofibers dispersed in the aqueous base fluid. The plurality of cellulose nanofibers may be present in the slurry in an amount effective to provide a slurry density of not higher than 15 lb/gal.

Abstract: A protective tubular is run downhole into a wellbore in a subterranean formation. A non-metallic tubular is disposed within the protective tubular. The non-metallic tubular includes an adapter. The adapter includes a spring-loaded latch, a ball seat, a shear pin, and a ball catcher. While intact, the shear pin holds a position of the non-metallic tubular relative to the protective tubular. A ball is used to shear the shear pin of the adapter, thereby allowing the non-metallic tubular to move relative to the protective tubular. Pressure is applied to the ball to move the non-metallic tubular relative to the protective tubular. The non-metallic tubular is coupled to the protective tubular using the spring-loaded latch of the adapter. Pressure is applied to the ball to shear the ball seat of the adapter. A fluid is flowed into the non-metallic tubular through an opening defined by the adapter.

Abstract: One or more embodiments presently described are directed to drilling fluid compositions that include lubricants, methods for making drilling fluids, and methods for drilling subterranean wells utilizing the drilling fluids. According to one embodiment, a drilling fluid composition may include a base fluid including water, a weighting agent in an amount of from 0.1 weight percent (wt. %) to 75 wt. % relative to the total weight of the water-based drilling fluid, and a lubricant in an amount of from 1 wt. % to 10 wt. % relative to the total weight of the water-based drilling fluid. The lubricant may include one or more alkyl esters and a fatty acid blend including at least palmitic acid and stearic acid. The sum of the weight percent of the palmitic acid and stearic acid may be at least 50 wt. % of the fatty acid blend.

Abstract: An oil recovery method may include injecting 0.05 to 0.25 pore volumes of low-salinity water having 4,000-8,000 ppm of total dissolved solids into a reservoir, and then applying seismic stimulation to the reservoir for a predetermined duration. The steps of injecting low-salinity water and applying seismic stimulation are repeated until 0.25 to 1.0 pore volumes of the low-salinity water has been added to the reservoir. Then, high-salinity water having 35,000 to 57,000 ppm of total dissolved solids is introduced to the reservoir.

Abstract: An aqueous caustic composition comprising: a caustic component; an alkanolamine additive adapted to provide an extended buffering effect to the caustic composition when such is exposed to acid; and water. Uses and methods of using such compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is provided for recovering hydrocarbons, such as heavy oils, from a subterranean reservoir. The process includes providing a subcritical or a supercritical aqueous fluid at a high temperature and high pressure to the underground hydrocarbon reservoir, injecting the aqueous fluid into the reservoir to heat the hydrocarbons in the reservoir, and recovering the heated hydrocarbons from the reservoir. In some cases, the supercritical fluid is also used to upgrade the hydrocarbons and/or facilitate the transportation of the hydrocarbons from the production field to another location, such as a refinery. Advantageously, isentropic expansion may be employed anywhere in the system for a more efficient and effective processes and systems.

Abstract: Methods and systems produce petroleum products by insulating a thermal hydrocarbon recovery process from heat loss to surrounding areas of a formation utilizing an insulating composition including a non-gaseous phase component introduced into the reservoir that is different from water and insoluble in the hydrocarbons. The insulating composition may be disposed in the reservoir adjacent to where the heat loss is desired to be limited. In addition, the insulating composition may be disposed in a thief zone and may also be from an agent activated to form the composition at such desired locations by selecting activation dependent on at least one of temperature, time delay and oil saturation.

Abstract: A downhole acoustic stimulation tool comprises: a sealed chamber containing a liquid; a pair of electrodes located in the chamber; at least one transducer arranged to generate an acoustic field between the electrodes thereby inducing cavitation in a volume of the liquid between the electrodes; and at least one capacitor configured to apply a pulse voltage across the electrodes when discharged, thereby causing the cavitating volume of liquid to form a plasma which collapses to form a shockwave. The at least one transducer constitutes a first energy source, and the at least one capacitor back and electrodes constitute a second energy source. Alternative forms and arrangements of the first and second energy sources are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method may include: heating a drilling waste comprising water, oil, and solid particulate; vaporizing at least a portion of the water and oil from the drilling waste to form a vaporized fluid, wherein the step of vaporization is performed at a pressure less than about 101.325 kPa; and condensing the at least a portion of the water and oil to form a recovered fluid emulsion.

Abstract: An LCM placement device for placement of an LCM onto a test bed in a test cell is provided. The LCM placement device minimizes or prevents damage and degradation of the test bed during placement of the LCM. The device includes a funnel-shaped feeder, a cylindrical shaft, an inverted funnel-shaped dispenser, and an energy-absorbing disc coupled to the inverted funnel-shaped dispenser by legs. Processes for placement of an LCM onto a test bed in a test cell are also provided.

Abstract: An LCM placement device for placement of an LCM onto a test bed in a test cell is provided. The LCM placement device minimizes or prevents damage and degradation of the test bed during placement of the LCM. The device includes a funnel-shaped feeder, a cylindrical shaft, an inverted funnel-shaped dispenser, and an energy-absorbing disc coupled to the inverted funnel-shaped dispenser by legs. Processes for placement of an LCM onto a test bed in a test cell are also provided.

Abstract: A downhole tool can be advanced downhole a wellbore. The downhole tool can include an electromagnetic source, a directional antenna, and a casing. The casing can either completely or partially consist of ceramic materials. The directional antenna can be oriented to direct electromagnetic radiation generated by the electromagnetic source towards the ceramic materials of the casing. In response to receiving the electromagnetic radiation, the ceramic materials can absorb the electromagnetic radiation, which can cause the ceramic materials to rapidly increase in temperature.

Abstract: Provided is a PVA-containing additive for oil well cement superior in fluid loss-reducing property. Specifically, provided is an additive for oil well cement, the additive containing polyvinyl alcohol having a saponification value of 75 to 85 mol % and a viscosity-average polymerization degree of 2,800 to 4,500. Also provided are a cement composition containing the additive for oil well cement in an amount of 0.01 to 30% bwoc and a cement slurry containing the additive for oil well cement in an amount of 0.01 to 30% bwoc.

Abstract: The proposed method is an improved chemical flooding of an oil reservoir, especially one containing heavy oil or bitumen, that is cheaper than traditional chemical flooding techniques. This is obtained by viscosifying the displacing phase with a polyol, such as glycerol and/or its derivatives. Glycerol and its derivatives are an excellent additive because they are cheaper than the more commonly used chemicals, work only as a viscosifying agent, do not alter the reservoir properties, and have a wide range of viscosity facilitating the displacement of a wider range of heavy oils. This improved chemical flooding can be used with any other enhanced oil recovery technique, including thermal means, solvent assisted and polymer floodings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for increasing recovery, or flowback, of hydrocarbon compounds from hydrocarbon-containing subterranean reservoirs. The flowback compositions include an anionic sulfonated surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, water, and a coupling agent. The flowback compositions convert oil-wet rocks to water-wet, yet exhibit a low tendency of composition components to sorb to the rock. The flowback compositions do not cause formation of emulsions with hydrocarbon compounds within the subterranean environment. The flowback compositions are particularly useful for increasing the yield of hydrocarbons recovered from tight shale reservoirs.