Abstract: Compositions and methods that mitigate pressure buildup in the annular space between two tubular bodies in subterranean wells. The composition of the invention comprises an aqueous solution of crosslinkable acrylamide-base polymer, a crosslinker and a gas. Once foamed and placed in the annular space, the composition provides a resilient, flexible, compressible and durable body that is able to compensate for pressure increases in the annular space, thereby protecting the integrity of the tubular bodies.

Abstract: A method of selectively blocking fractures in a subterranean formation by injecting a diversion agent into the well is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the method comprises injecting a diversion agent into a subterranean formation to form an alkaline-earth carbonate precipitate from decomposition of a carbonyl compound, wherein the diversion agent includes the carbonyl compound and an alkaline-earth halide salt.

Abstract: Delivery of a substance to a subterranean location is achieved by suspending the substance as nanoparticles in a carrier fluid in which the substance is insoluble. First a dispersible powder composition, is formed by dissolving the substance in a solvent, emulsifying the resulting solution as the dispersed phase of an emulsion, and freeze-drying the emulsion to a powder. On mixing the powder with a fluid in which the substance is insoluble, the insoluble substance becomes a dispersion of nanoparticles which is pumped to the subterranean location. At the subterranean location a tracer dispersed as nanoparticles may migrate from injected water into hydrocarbon in a hydrocarbon reservoir. Another possibility is that the carrier fluid contains polymer and the dispersed nanoparticles comprise an agent which participates in cross-linking and consequent viscosification of the polymer at the subterranean location.

Abstract: A process for fracturing a subterraneous formation in the production of an oil well is described. The process steps include injecting an initial charge of a mixture, the mixture being formed from at least a water-insoluble adsorbent and at least one well treatment agent, into a well bore formed in the subterraneous formation so as to form a downhole matrix within the formation; injecting a solution comprised of an additional amount of the well treatment agent into the formation after the initial charge of the at least one well treatment agent has been substantially depleted; and then pressurizing the well bore for a time and under conditions sufficient to reactivate the downhole matrix in the formation, so that the treatment agent activity of the matrix is increased relative to the treatment agent activity of the matrix just prior to injecting the solution.

Abstract: Embodiments disclose method and compositions that comprise cement kiln dust and rice husk ash. An embodiment comprises a method of cementing comprising: placing a settable composition into a subterranean formation, the settable composition comprising cement kiln dust, rice husk ash, and water; and allowing the settable composition to set.

Abstract: An apparatus including at least four different modules, the first module being a treatment conditions module structured to interpret a specified pumping rate and a specified salt concentration. The second is a hydration requirements module structured to determine at least one of a hydration vessel fluid volume and a specified temperature in response to the specified pumping rate. The third is a dynamic brine generation module structured to control a flow rate of a first fluid, at least one of a clay stabilizer precursor, an acid precursor and a base precursor; and a polymer material into a hydration vessel in response to the specified salt concentration and the at least one of the hydration vessel fluid volume and the specified temperature. The fourth is a treatment fluid flow module structured to control a flow rate of a treatment fluid from the hydration vessel in response to the specified pumping rate.

Abstract: A method for the controlled delivery of a fracturing fluid to a well bore comprises formulating an aqueous base fluid such that it meets or exhibits desired physical and chemical characteristics for an optimal fracturing fluid. The formulation of the aqueous base fluid max involve commingling one or more sources of waste water with a source of fresh water followed by controlled injection of one or more additives. This process is substantially completed prior to delivering the aqueous base fluid to the well site. This allows the delivery of an optimal volume of the aqueous base fluid with homogeneously blended additives to the well bore.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of hydrocarbon production from a hydrocarbon reservoir. The method includes providing a substantially horizontal wellbore having at least one productive interval within a hydrocarbon reservoir and forming at least one non-conductive transverse fracture in the reservoir along the substantially horizontal wellbore. An injection well is also provided. A fluid is injected into the reservoir through the injection well to displace hydrocarbons within the reservoir toward a production portion of the substantially horizontal wellbore. Fluid production from the at least one production interval into the substantially horizontal wellbore flows through an inflow control device that can restrict the fluid flow. A non-conductive transverse fracture can form a barrier within the reservoir to divert injected fluids to increase sweep efficiency and reduce the influx of injected fluids into the production interval.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to plug-and-abandon operations that use plugging compositions comprising cement kiln dust, pumicite, and/or lime. An embodiment includes a method of plugging a well bore for abandonment comprising: placing a plugging composition in the well bore, the plugging composition comprising: cement kiln dust in an amount of about 5% to about 100% by weight of cementitious components, pumicite in an amount of about 5% to about 100% by weight of cementitious components, 0% to about 24% of Portland cement by weight of cementitious components, and water; and allowing the plugging composition to set and form a plug.

Abstract: The present invention relates to acid-soluble cement compositions that comprise cement kiln dust (“CKD”) and/or a natural pozzolan and associated methods of use. An embodiment includes a method of cementing comprising: placing an acid-soluble cement composition in a subterranean formation, wherein the acid-soluble cement composition comprises a hydraulic cement, a component selected from the group consisting of CKD, pumicite, and a combination thereof, and water; allowing the acid-soluble cement composition to set; and contacting the set acid-soluble cement composition with an acid to dissolve the set acid-soluble cement composition.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising providing a fluid diode in fluid communication with the wellbore, and transferring a fluid through the fluid diode. A fluid flow control tool, comprising a tubular diode sleeve comprising a diode aperture, a tubular inner ported sleeve received concentrically within the diode sleeve, the inner ported sleeve comprising an inner port in fluid communication with the diode aperture, and a tubular outer ported sleeved within which the diode sleeve is received concentrically, the outer ported sleeve comprising an outer port in fluid communication with the diode aperture, wherein a shape of the diode aperture, a location of the inner port relative to the diode aperture, and a location of the outer port relative to the diode aperture provide a fluid flow resistance to fluid transferred to the inner port from the outer port and a different fluid flow resistance to fluid transferred to the outer port from the inner port.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods comprising a plurality of particles which are magnetically attracted to one another in response to exposure to an magnetic field, and which maintain attraction to one another after removal of the magnetic field, the attraction being disabled when the particles are demagnetized, whereby the particles operate to alter the rheological properties of a fluid in which the particles are mixed when the attraction is enabled or disabled is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed that comprise cement kiln dust having a mean particle size that has been altered. An embodiment discloses a subterranean treatment method comprising: introducing a treatment fluid into a subterranean formation, wherein the treatment fluid comprises cement kiln dust having a mean particle size that has been altered from its original size by grinding, separating, or a combination thereof. Another embodiment discloses a subterranean treatment method comprising: introducing a treatment fluid into a subterranean formation, wherein the treatment fluid comprises cement kiln dust having a mean particle size that has been reduced from its original size.

Abstract: A method of heating a subsurface formation includes introducing a molten salt into a first passageway of a conduit-in-conduit heater at a first location. The molten salt is passed through the conduit-in-conduit heater in the formation to a second location. Heat transfers from the molten salt to a treatment area during passage of the molten salt through the conduit-in-conduit heater. The molten salt is removed from the conduit-in-conduit heater at a second location spaced away from the first location.

Abstract: Methods of treating subterranean formations to reduce bacteria load are provided. Some methods include the steps of providing a treatment fluid, particulates, and tri-n-butyl tetradecyl phosphonium chloride (TTPC) wherein the TTPC is in liquid form or in solution; coating the TTPC onto the particulates; combining the particulates coated with TTPC with the treatment fluid to create a suspension; and, placing the suspension into the portion of the subterranean formation. Other methods involve the use of TTPC in the form of a solid salt.

Abstract: Systems and methods for maximizing energy recovery from a subterranean formation are herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, a selected subterranean open-hole interval is isolated and at least one fracture is stimulated in the isolated subterranean open-hole interval.

Abstract: A plurality of first barrier wells are formed in a formation for a first barrier. A substantially constant spacing separates adjacent first barrier wells. The formation is analyzed to determine the principal fracture direction of at least one layer of the formation. An offset distance of second barrier wells relative to first barrier wells is determined based on the principal fracture direction to limit a maximum separation distance between a closest barrier well and a theoretical fracture extending between the first barrier and the second barrier along the principal fracture direction to a distance of less than one half of the spacing that separates adjacent first barrier wells. The second barrier wells are offset from the first barrier wells by a distance that is at least substantially the same as the offset distance.

Abstract: Of the methods provided herein, is a method comprising: providing a clean-up fluid comprising a peroxide-generating compound and an aqueous base fluid; placing the clean-up fluid in a subterranean formation; removing contaminants from at least a portion of the subterranean formation to form a cleaned portion of the formation; providing a consolidation agent; placing the consolidation agent on at least a portion of the cleaned portion of the formation; and allowing the consolidation agent to adhere to at least a plurality of unconsolidated particulates in the cleaned portion of the formation.

Abstract: A method of controlling pressure in a wellbore can include placing a barrier substance in the wellbore while a fluid is present in the wellbore, and flowing another fluid into the wellbore while the first fluid and the barrier substance are in the wellbore. The first and second fluids may have different densities. Another method can include circulating a fluid through a tubular string and an annulus formed between the tubular string and the wellbore, then partially withdrawing the tubular string from the wellbore, then placing a barrier substance in the wellbore, then partially withdrawing the tubular string from the wellbore and then flowing another fluid into the wellbore. A well system can include at least two fluids in a wellbore, the fluids having different densities, and a barrier substance separating the fluids.

Abstract: The present invention provides settable compositions and methods of using settable compositions that comprise a hydraulic cement; a partially calcined kiln feed comprising SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, SO3, Na2O, and K2O; metakaolin; and water. The location to be cemented may be above ground or in a subterranean formation.