Abstract: The present invention relates to subterranean well cementing operations, and more particularly, to cement compositions that include high aspect ratio materials, and methods for using such cement compositions in subterranean formations. An example of a method of the present invention is a method of cementing in a subterranean formation. An example of a composition of the present invention is a cement composition for use in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for reducing the permeabilities of subterranean formations or zones are provided. The methods of the invention are basically comprised of introducing an aqueous composition into the formation or zone comprised of water, a water soluble organic polymer, an organic gelling agent for cross-linking the organic polymer and a gel retarder comprised of a chemical compound that hydrolyzes or thermolyzes to produce one or more acids in the composition and then allowing the aqueous composition to form a cross-linked gel in the formation or zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods useful during sand control operations and, more particularly, to using water-soluble relative permeability modifiers that are useful for controlling fluid loss during sand control operations. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of providing fluid loss control during sand control operations comprising introducing a fluid that comprises a water-soluble relative permeability modifier into a well bore; and stabilizing unconsolidated formation particulates in a section of a subterranean formation penetrated by the well bore. In other embodiments, the present invention provides methods of providing fluid loss control during sand control operations and methods of reducing fluid loss from carrier fluids used in sand control operations.

Abstract: Hydraulic cement compositions are provided that include a cement, water; and a dispersant that comprises a low molecular weight starch with anionic groups. The starch dispersants provided may possess desirable biodegradable properties making them particularly suitable for certain downhole well operations.

Abstract: A method and composition is provided for a relative permeability modifier for use with aqueous well treatment fluids that comprises a hydrophobically modified water soluble polymer or a hydrophilically modified water soluble polymer.

Abstract: Sealant compositions comprising a colloidally stabilized latex and methods of using the same to service a wellbore are provided. The sealant compositions may include: an aliphatic conjugated diene monomer; an additional monomer comprising a non-aromatic unsaturated mono- or di-carboxylic ester monomer, an aromatic unsaturated monomer, a nitrogen-containing monomer, or combinations thereof; and a protective colloid. The foregoing sealant composition may be displaced into the wellbore to isolate the subterranean formation from a portion of the wellbore, to support a conduit in the wellbore, to plug a void or crack in the conduit, to plug a void or crack in a cement sheath disposed in an annulus of the wellbore, to plug an opening between the cement sheath and the conduit, or combinations thereof. The colloidally stabilized latex remains substantially stable when exposed to salt, which may be present in the wellbore and/or in the sealant composition itself.

Abstract: The present invention relates to spacer fluids used in subterranean operations and, more particularly, to spacer fluids that comprise water-soluble relative permeability modifiers and methods of using the spacer fluids in subterranean operations. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of displacing a first fluid from a well bore that comprises introducing the first fluid into the well bore; and displacing the first fluid with a spacer fluid, the spacer fluid comprising water, and a water-soluble relative permeability modifier comprising a hydrophobically modified polymer or a hydrophilically modified polymer. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a spacer fluid that comprises water, and a water-soluble relative permeability modifier comprising a hydrophobically modified polymer or a hydrophilically modified polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides cement compositions that include degradable materials, and methods of using such compositions in subterranean cementing operations. An example of a method of the present invention includes: providing a cement composition that includes a hydraulic cement, and a degradable material; placing the cement composition in a subterranean formation; allowing the cement composition to set therein; and allowing the degradable material to degrade. Another example of a method of the present invention is a method of enhancing the mechanical properties of a cement composition including adding a degradable material to the cement composition and allowing the degradable material to degrade.

Abstract: Methods and cement compositions are provided for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a wellbore, wherein the cement composition comprises zeolite, cementitious material, and a mixing fluid.

Abstract: Methods of using relative permeability modifiers for the diversion of aqueous fluids during subterranean operations are provided. An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of diverting fluids in a subterranean formation that may comprise providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid and a relative permeability modifier that comprises water-soluble polymer with hydrophobic or hydrophilic modification; introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation; and at least a first portion of the treatment fluid to penetrate into a portion of the subterranean formation so as to substantially divert a second portion of the treatment fluid or another aqueous treatment fluid to another portion of the subterranean.

Abstract: Well bore servicing fluids are provided that include a thermally activated viscosification compound. Further, methods of servicing a well bore are provided that include displacing such a servicing fluid into the well bore, wherein a viscosity of the servicing fluid increases as it passes down the well bore due to its temperature increasing. Thus, the viscosity of the servicing fluid is effective to suspend solids therein when the servicing fluid is in the well bore. The servicing fluid may be, for example, a cement slurry, a drilling fluid, a gravel packing fluid, a fracturing fluid, a completion fluid, or a work-over fluid. In an embodiment, the thermally activated viscosification compound includes at least one water-soluble hydrophobically modified polymer comprising a hydrophobic substituent having from about 1 to about 22 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Methods of temporarily reducing the permeability of one or more selected sections of a subterranean formation penetrated by a horizontal well bore and the flow of water or water and hydrocarbons or hydrocarbons therefrom are provided. The methods comprise the steps of preparing or providing an aqueous treating fluid comprising water and a water-soluble formation permeability reducing agent, introducing the aqueous treating fluid into one or more selected sections and when required, contacting the one or more selected sections with an aqueous treating fluid comprising water and a formation permeability restoring chemical.

Abstract: Methods and cement compositions are provided for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a wellbore, wherein the cement compositions are a mixture of at least one cementitious material, a polymer emulsion that is at least one polar monomer and at least one elasticity enhancing monomer, and a mixing fluid. Such cement compositions are placed into subterranean zones and allowed to set therein. Such methods provide favorable mechanical properties, such as Young's modulus, compressive strength and tensile strength to the cement compositions when set.

Abstract: An exemplary method of the present invention for performing an injection operation includes providing a water-soluble relative permeability modifier, introducing the water-soluble relative permeability modifier into a subterranean formation; and injecting an aqueous injection fluid into the subterranean formation after introducing the water-soluble relative permeability modifier. An exemplary permeability-modifying injection fluid of the present invention contains water-soluble relative permeability modifier. The water-soluble relative permeability modifiers of the present invention include hydrophobically modified water-soluble polymers, hydrophilically modified water-soluble polymers, and water-soluble polymers without hydrophobic or hydrophilic modification.

Abstract: The present invention provides drilling fluids that comprise a base fluid and a water-soluble relative permeability modifier. In addition, the present invention provides methods of reducing the permeability of a subterranean formation to aqueous-based fluids during the drilling phase that comprises providing a water-soluble relative permeability modifier; and placing the water-soluble relative permeability modifier into the subterranean formation during the drilling phase. The present invention provides methods of drilling a well bore in a subterranean formation comprising providing a drilling fluid that comprises a base fluid and a water-soluble relative permeability modifier, and placing the drilling fluid in the subterranean formation. The water-soluble relative permeability modifiers of the present invention generally may comprise hydrophilically modified polymers, hydrophobically modified polymers, or water-soluble polymers without hydrophobic or hydrophilic modification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to subterranean operations, and more particularly, to settable fluids comprising particle-size distribution-adjusting agents, and methods of using such settable fluids in subterranean and surface applications. In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the settable fluid comprises a cement, a set retarder, and a particle-size distribution-adjusting agent. Exemplary methods of the present invention include, but are not limited to, methods of drilling with the settable fluids of the present invention, methods of cementing with the settable fluids of the present invention, and methods of using a settable fluid of the present invention to displace another fluid from a well bore in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to subterranean operations, and more particularly, to settable fluids comprising particle-size distribution-adjusting agents, and methods of using such settable fluids in subterranean and surface applications. In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the settable fluid comprises a cement, a set retarder, and a particle-size distribution-adjusting agent. Exemplary methods of the present invention include, but are not limited to, methods of drilling with the settable fluids of the present invention, methods of cementing with the settable fluids of the present invention, and methods of using a settable fluid of the present invention to displace another fluid from a well bore in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method of displaying a representation of a physiological signal produced by a patient. The method includes the acts of obtaining a portion of at least one physiological signal acquired from the patient, determining an area to display, and constructing a virtual image representing at least a portion of the patient. The virtual image including (M) polygonal areas. The method further includes transforming the obtained signal to a plurality of values, assigning each value to one of the (M) polygonal areas, assigning a visual characteristic to each polygonal area based in part on the assigned values, and displaying at least a portion of the virtual image including the assigned visual characteristics. The invention further provides a method of optimal feature selection for the classification of the physiological signals produced by a patient.

Abstract: Sealant compositions and methods of using the same to isolate a subterranean zone are provided. The compositions include partially polymerized furfuryl alcohol/aldehyde, a coupling agent, a diluent, a curing agent, a ductility imparting agent, and a filler for increasing the compressive strengths of the sealant compositions. Methods of isolating a subterranean zone include pumping the foregoing sealant composition into a well bore down through a conduit and up through an annulus disposed between the conduit and the walls of the well bore. The sealant composition exhibits a sufficiently long cure time such that it does not harden until it reaches the annulus. Thus, the sealant composition effectively attaches the conduit to the walls of the well bore. The sealant composition is substantially resistant to degradation by waste chemicals disposed of in the well bore.

Abstract: The present invention provides variable density fluid compositions and methods for using such compositions in a subterranean formation. One exemplary embodiment of the variable density fluid compositions of the present invention comprises a variable density fluid comprising: a base fluid; and a portion of elastic particles, the elastic particles having an isothermal compressibility factor in the range of from about 1.5×10?3 (1/psi) to about 1.5×10?9 (1/psi).