Abstract: Reservoir characterization based on observations of displacements at the earth's surface. One method of characterizing a reservoir includes the steps of: detecting a response of the reservoir to a stimulus, the stimulus causing a pressure change in the reservoir; and determining a characteristic of the reservoir from the response to the stimulus. The response may be the pressure change which varies periodically over time, or a set of displacements of a surface of the earth. In another example, a method includes the steps of: detecting a set of displacements of the earth's surface corresponding to a pressure change in the reservoir; and determining a characteristic of the reservoir from the surface displacements. In yet another example, a method includes the steps of: detecting a set of displacements of the earth's surface corresponding to a change in volume of the reservoir; and determining a characteristic of the reservoir from the surface displacements.

Abstract: A method for constructing elastoplastic property correlations in multicomponent particulate systems. The method includes obtaining parameters from geophysical data of a sediment-hydrate system, where the parameters include shyd and pc, and where shyd is a hydrate saturation and pc is a confining pressure. The method further includes determining a Young's modulus (E) of the sediment-hydrate system using the parameters and a correlation, where the correlation is E p c = 90.58 + 78.90 ? 0.5831 + 800.4 ? s hyd 1.371 ? 1.022 , and where ?=pc/c and c is a scaling variable with dimensions of pressure. The method further includes adjusting a field operation based on the Young's modulus of the sediment-hydrate system.

Abstract: A method for constructing elastoplastic property correlations in multicomponent particulate systems. The method includes obtaining parameters from geophysical data of a sediment-hydrate system, where the parameters include shyd and pc, and where shyd is a hydrate saturation and pc is a confining pressure. The method further includes determining a Young's modulus (E) of the sediment-hydrate system using the parameters and a correlation, where the correlation is E p c = 90.58 + 78.90 ? 0.5831 + 800.4 ? s hyd 1.371 ? 1.022 , and where ?=pc/c and c is a scaling variable with dimensions of pressure. The method further includes adjusting a field operation based on the Young's modulus of the sediment-hydrate system.

Abstract: A method and a system for accessing a target fluid in a formation of an oilfield are provided. The method involves acquiring physicochemical property information of a portion of the formation, determining a type and a concentration of a chemical agent based on the physicochemical property information of the portion of the formation, and applying the chemical agent at the portion of the formation to provide a chemical action, where the target fluid is released at the portion of the formation responding to the chemical action.

Abstract: A method and a system for accessing a target fluid in a formation of an oilfield are provided. The method involves acquiring physicochemical property information of a portion of the formation, determining a type and a concentration of a chemical agent based on the physicochemical property information of the portion of the formation, and applying the chemical agent at the portion of the formation to provide a chemical action, where the target fluid is released at the portion of the formation responding to the chemical action.

Abstract: A method for reducing a skin effect in a downhole environment is provided, including the step of radiating vibrational waves at a wellbore wall such that the vibrational waves have at least one direction of greatest vibrational energy transfer directed toward the wall, thereby reducing the skin effect. An apparatus for reducing a skin effect in a downhole environment is also provided. The apparatus includes at least one vibrational wave source having at least one direction of greatest vibrational energy transfer, and a means for positioning the vibrational wave source proximate a wellbore wall.

Abstract: Reservoir characterization based on observations of displacements at the earth's surface. One method of characterizing a reservoir includes the steps of: detecting a response of the reservoir to a stimulus, the stimulus causing a pressure change in the reservoir; and determining a characteristic of the reservoir from the response to the stimulus. The response may be the pressure change which varies periodically over time, or a set of displacements of a surface of the earth. In another example, a method includes the steps of: detecting a set of displacements of the earth's surface corresponding to a pressure change in the reservoir; and determining a characteristic of the reservoir from the surface displacements. In yet another example, a method includes the steps of: detecting a set of displacements of the earth's surface corresponding to a change in volume of the reservoir; and determining a characteristic of the reservoir from the surface displacements.

Abstract: A method for generating acoustic waves, the method having the steps of: extending a tine from a support structure so that a proximal end of the tine is attached to the support structure and a distal end of the tine is uninhibited; positioning an oscillator so as to be supported by the support structure and to mechanically communicate with the tine; and oscillating the tine with the oscillator.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating acoustic waves, the apparatus having: a support structure; two tines extending from the support structure so that proximal ends of the two tines are attached to the support structure so that distal ends of the two tines are positioned with standoffs relative to a dimension of the support structure and the distal ends of the two tines are uninhibited, wherein the two tines each comprise a moment arm; and an oscillator in mechanical communication with the two tines.

Abstract: In a method for drilling, completing and fracturing a subterranean formation, an electrical potential is applied to oil or synthetic based drilling fluid to increase the viscosity of the fluid and enable the fluid to entrain drill cuttings and proppant. The same base fluid may be used for drilling, completion and fracturing by adjusting the electrical potential and consequently the viscosity of the fluid for the particular application. In fracturing, little or no potential is applied until the fluid enters the zone of the formation to be fractured. High potential is then applied at the fracture point of the formation to effect fracturing and to enable the fluid to transport proppant into the fracture.

Abstract: A system and method for treating a fluid flowing in a pipe according to which an element is provided in the pipe that vibrates to produce acoustic energy. The strength and frequency of the acoustic energy are such that the viscosity of the fluid is reduced.

Abstract: A method is provided for drilling, completing and fracturing a subterranean formation. In the method, an electrical potential is applied to oil or synthetic based drilling fluid to increase the viscosity of the fluid and enable the fluid to entrain drill cuttings and proppant. The same base fluid may be used for drilling, completion and fracturing by adjusting the electrical potential and consequently the viscosity of the fluid for the particular application. In fracturing, little or no potential is applied until the fluid enters the zone of the formation to be fractured. High potential is then applied at the fracture point of the formation to effect fracturing and to enable the fluid to transport proppant into the fracture.

Abstract: A method is described for using an electro-rheological fluid as a drilling and completion fluid or as a well service or fracturing fluid. By adjusting the viscosity of the fluid through application of an electrical potential to the fluid, the fluid has enhanced flexibility and multiplicity of purpose over prior art fluids.

Abstract: A method is described for using an electro-rheological fluid as a drilling and completion fluid or as a well service or fracturing fluid. By adjusting the viscosity of the fluid through application of an electrical potential to the fluid, the fluid has enhanced flexibility and multiplicity of purpose over prior art fluids.