Abstract: This inventive method provides a novel way of modeling basins in planning the drilling of crude oil and natural gas wells by accounting for thermodynamic considerations in tracking the pore pressure of a location of interest. By plotting the energy gradients, heat flux, and thermal conductivity of the location of interest, the user can more accurately identify the location of the Top of Geopressure and additional pertinent information during the well drilling planning process that can reduce costs and increase the safety of the process.

Abstract: GSH Dry Lubricant Additive is, chemically, magnesium aluminum silicate. It is a clay rich in titanium, magnesium, and aluminum. As an inanimate object, it does not “function” per se, but rather its properties are as such that it is highly beneficial to the drilling industry. It has a naturally high lubricity, a high stall torque, high gel strength, but a low plastic viscosity. This means that it effectively cools the bit while drilling, reduces friction in the system, supports cuttings better, but is easier to break out of a static gel strength than traditional engineered muds. Finally, as a high suspendability, low solids content material, it acts as a natural gel-state cement for unconsolidated LCM particles, effectively strengthening the wellbore.

Abstract: The inventive method provides a mechanism for enhancing oil and gas production in shale wells in order to prevent re-Fracking of the wells. The invention discloses the effect that temperature has on creating micro-fractures in the shale and offers opportunities to apply temperature in a way that increases seismic activity, including through the application of low quality steam or by heating the fracturing fluid.

Abstract: The inventive method provides a mechanism for enhancing oil and gas production in shale wells in order to prevent re-Fracking of the wells. The invention discloses the effect that temperature has on creating micro-fractures in the shale and offers opportunities to apply temperature in a way that increases seismic activity, including through the application of low quality steam or by heating the fracturing fluid.

Abstract: The inventive method provides a mechanism for enhancing oil and gas production in shale wells in order to prevent re-Fracking of the wells. The invention discloses the effect that temperature has on creating micro-fractures in the shale and offers opportunities to apply temperature in a way that increases seismic activity, including through the application of low quality steam or by heating the fracturing fluid.

Abstract: This inventive method provides a novel way of modeling basins in planning the drilling of crude oil and natural gas wells by accounting for thermodynamic considerations in tracking the pore pressure of a location of interest. By plotting the energy gradients, heat flux, and thermal conductivity of the location of interest, the user can more accurately identify the location of the Top of Geopressure and additional pertinent information during the well drilling planning process that can reduce costs and increase the safety of the process.

Abstract: This inventive method provides a novel way of modeling basins in planning the drilling of crude oil and natural gas wells by accounting for thermodynamic considerations in tracking the pore pressure of a location of interest. By plotting the energy gradients, heat flux, and thermal conductivity of the location of interest, the user can more accurately identify the location of the Top of Geopressure and additional pertinent information during the well drilling planning process that can reduce costs and increase the safety of the process.

Abstract: GSH Dry Lubricant Additive is, chemically, magnesium aluminum silicate. It is a clay rich in titanium, magnesium, and aluminum. As an inanimate object, it does not “function” per se, but rather its properties are as such that it is highly beneficial to the drilling industry. It has a naturally high lubricity, a high stall torque, high gel strength, but a low plastic viscosity. This means that it effectively cools the bit while drilling, reduces friction in the system, supports cuttings better, but is easier to break out of a static gel strength than traditional engineered muds. Finally, as a high suspendability, low solids content material, it acts as a natural gel-state cement for unconsolidated LCM particles, effectively strengthening the wellbore.

Abstract: During fracking processes, fluid is injected into the injection wells to cause micro-fractures in the shale. Contact between shale and water causes the development of micro-fractures. Given the deep location of the injection wells, the water is under high pressure that can build up over time and could potentially cause tremors. Based upon experiments on Pierre shale, it has been determined that the appearance of micro-fractures in shale begin with the saturation of capillaries, followed by ionic and diffusive transport of water into the shale clays. Using this discovery, a method for predicting the post-fracking pressure build-up in shale is disclosed.

Abstract: The inventive method provides a mechanism for enhancing oil and gas production in shale wells in order to prevent re-Fracking of the wells. The invention discloses the effect that temperature has on creating micro-fractures in the shale and offers opportunities to apply temperature in a way that increases seismic activity, including through the application of low quality steam or by heating the fracturing fluid.

Abstract: This inventive method provides a novel way of modeling basins in planning the drilling of crude oil and natural gas wells by accounting for thermodynamic considerations in tracking the pore pressure of a location of interest. By plotting the energy gradients, heat flux, and thermal conductivity of the location of interest, the user can more accurately identify the location of the Top of Geopressure and additional pertinent information during the well drilling planning process that can reduce costs and increase the safety of the process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating components of a fluid mixture. The apparatus includes a vortex generation zone shaped as an inverse truncated cone, a solids collection zone, a separation zone, one or more fluid inlets, one or more gas inlets, one or more fluid outlets, and one or more gas outlets. Gas is introduced into fluid in the vortex separation zone to facilitate the separation of components of the fluid mixture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating components of a fluid mixture. The apparatus includes a vortex generation zone shaped as an inverse truncated cone, a solids collection zone, a separation zone, one or more fluid inlets, one or more gas inlets, one or more fluid outlets, and one or more gas outlets. Gas is introduced into fluid in the vortex separation zone to facilitate the separation of components of the fluid mixture.

Abstract: The method for releasing the stuck pipe of the present invention uses a combination of components which oxidize the mud cake and generated gas bubbles to create an upward buoyancy for the oxidized mud cake. The spotting method of the present invention comprises adding to the borehole in the region of the stuck pipe: 1) an oxidizer which oxidizes the mud cake; and 2) at least one component which reacts in the borehole to generate a gas. Optionally, but preferably, the spotting method further uses a lubricant which is added to the borehole in the region of the stuck pipe. The lubricant acts to lubricate the oxidized parts of the mud cake. Also disclosed is a spotting fluid system comprising 1) an oxidizer which oxidizes the mud cake, 2) at least one component which reacts in the borehole to generate a gas, and, optionally a lubricant which acts to lubricate the oxidized parts of the mud cake.

Abstract: The method for releasing the stuck pipe of the present invention uses a combination of components which oxidize the mud cake and generated gas bubbles to create an upward buoyancy for the oxidized mud cake. The spotting method of the present invention comprises adding to the borehole in the region of the stuck pipe: 1) an oxidizer which oxidizes the mud cake; and 2) at least one component which reacts in the borehole to generate a gas. Optionally, but preferably, the spotting method further uses a lubricant which is added to the borehole in the region of the stuck pipe. The lubricant acts to lubricate the oxidized parts of the mud cake. Also disclosed is a spotting fluid system including 1) an oxidizer which oxidizes the mud cake, 2) at least one component which reacts in the borehole to generate a gas, and, optionally a lubricant which acts to lubricate the oxidized parts of the mud cake.

Abstract: A salt water drilling mud comprising a mixture salt water, a solid phase such as pre-hydrated bentonite, attapulgite, sepiolite, and extended bentonite, among others and optionally a synthetic oil, which is mixed with at least one of five different modules. A first module contains caustic, a natural wax and a natural thinner. A second module contains components of the first module and an alkali metal aluminate prepared by reacting the first module with aluminum metal. A third module contains the components of the first module and an alkali metal phosphate and/or alkali metal silicate. A fourth module contains the components of the first module, a saturated or unsaturated carboxylic acid source, a surfactant, and a preservative. The fifth module contains a combination of the first, third and fourth modules.

Abstract: A drilling fluid contains caustic, a natural wax, a natural thinner, glycerol, phosphoric acid and/or boric acid, and optionally a gel. The drilling fluid can be prepared in modules. Each module contains additional compounds to improve or change the action of the drilling fluid depending on the condition found in the field. The drilling fluid adjusts the properties of conventional drilling muds including increasing lubrication, thins the drilling mud, decreases bit balling, decreases rock resistance and controls phase separation of the drilling muds.

Abstract: A modular drilling mud system is described in terms of five different modules. A first module contains caustic, a natural wax and a natural thinner. A second module contains components of the first module and an alkali metal aluminate prepared by reacting the first module with aluminum metal. A third module contains the components of the first module and an alkali metal phosphate and/or alkali metal silicate. A fourth module contains the components of the first module, a saturated or unsaturated carboxylic acid source, a surfactant, and a preservative. The fifth module contains a combination of the first, third and fourth modules. The third, fourth and fifth modules can be used to effect various degrees of thinning and lubrication, and the second module can be used alone or in combination with another module to thicken the drilling mud.

Abstract: A system is provided for the optimization of particle separation in a shaker system of a well drilling system. A well bore is drilled with a rotary drilling system. A stream of drilling fluid is circulated through the rotary drilling system to carry rock particles away from the bottom of the well bore as the well bore is formed. This stream of drilling fluid with the rock particles being carried therein is passed through a shaker system for separating the rock particles from the drilling fluid. A value of at least one, and preferably a plurality of operating parameters of the rotary drilling system are monitored, which parameters correlate to an average size of the rock particles being generated. The shaker system is adjusted in response to these monitored values, and more particularly in response to control signals computed based upon these monitored values, to increase separation of the rock particles by the shaker system.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting pipe includes a support member defining an inner bowl surface in which is received a plurality of layers of arcuate slip segments. Preferably, the slip segments of each layer are staggered relative to the slip segments of adjacent layers.