Abstract: Systems and methods for managing pressures present in an annular space defined between casing strings contained within a subterranean well. These systems and methods may include providing a pressure distribution casing that includes a plurality of pressure distribution passages and distributing fluids present within the annular space along a length of the pressure distribution casing and/or between the annular space and the subterranean formation using a portion of the plurality of pressure distribution passages. Pressure distribution passages may be present on an inner surface of the pressure distribution casing, on an outer surface of the pressure distribution casing, and/or within a wall of the pressure distribution casing and may distribute the fluids along the length of the pressure distribution casing without distributing the fluids across and/or through a wall of the pressure distribution casing, such as between the inner surface and the outer surface of the pressure distribution casing.

Abstract: A tool assembly is provided that includes an actuatable tool such as a valve or a setting tool. And includes a location device that senses the location of the tool assembly within a tubular body based on a physical signature. The tool assembly also includes an on-board controller configured to send an activation signal to the actuatable tool when the location device has recognized a selected location of the tool based on the physical signature. The actuatable tool, the location device, and the on-board controller are together dimensioned and arranged to be deployed in the wellbore as an autonomous unit.

Abstract: Flow control systems and methods for use in hydrocarbon well operations include a tubular and a flow control apparatus. The tubular defines a well annulus and includes an outer member defining a flow conduit. Fluid communication between the well annulus and the flow conduit is provided by permeable portion(s) of the outer member. The flow control apparatus is disposed within the flow conduit and comprises conduit-defining and chamber-defining structural members. The conduit-defining structural member(s) is configured to divide the flow conduit into at least two flow control conduits. The chamber-defining structural member(s) is configured to divide at least one of the at least two flow control conduits into at least two flow control chambers. Each of the flow control chambers has at least one inlet and one outlet, each of which is adapted to allow fluid flow therethrough and to retain particles larger than a predetermined size.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons are described. The method includes disposing a plurality of sand control devices having a primary flow path and a secondary flowpath within a wellbore adjacent to a subsurface reservoir. A packer having primary and secondary flow paths is then coupled between two of the sand control devices such that the primary and secondary flow paths of the packer are in fluid flow communication with the primary and secondary flowpaths of the sand control devices. The packer is then set within an interval, which may be an open-hole section of the wellbore. With the packer set, gravel packing of the sand control devices in different intervals may be performed. The interval above the packer may be packed before the interval below the packer. A treatment fluid may then be injected into the wellbore via the secondary flow paths of the packer and sand control devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating lignocellulosic biomass to obtain useful products therefrom.

Abstract: The present techniques provide methods and systems for fracturing reservoirs without directly treating them. For example, an embodiment provides a method for fracturing a subterranean formation. The method includes causing a volumetric decrease in a zone proximate to the subterranean formation so as to apply a mechanical stress to the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fracturing a formation are provided. A method includes generating a subsurface model including the production formation and a zone proximate to the production formation. A number of scenarios are simulated in which a volumetric change is created in the zone proximate to the production formation. A scenario is selected from the plurality of scenarios to stimulate the production formation. The scenario is performed to create a fracture field in the production formation.

Abstract: The present techniques provide methods and systems for fracturing reservoirs without directly treating them. For example, an embodiment provides a method for fracturing a subterranean formation. The method includes causing a volumetric increase in a zone proximate to the subterranean formation so as to apply a mechanical stress to the subterranean formation, creating a fracture network in the subterranean formation to improve permeability therein.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for fracturing a production formation. A method includes drilling a well into a zone proximate to a production formation, and increasing a volume of the zone through the well in order to apply a mechanical stress to the production formation.

Abstract: The present techniques provide systems and methods for fracturing a production formation. A method includes creating a notch in a formation and causing a volumetric change in a treatment interval proximate to a production interval so as to apply a mechanical stress on the production interval, wherein the treatment interval, the production interval, or both are located within the formation. A horizontal fracture is created in the formation originating from the notch.

Abstract: A method is provided in which pretreated and densified cellulosic biomass particulates can hydrolyzed at a high solids loading rate as compared with the solids loading rate of loose hydrolysable cellulosic biomass fibers. The resulting high concentration sugar-containing stream can be easily converted to biofuels or an entire suite of other useful bioproducts.

Abstract: Method, system and apparatus to produce hydrocarbons includes a packer apparatus with a swellable packer element around primary and secondary flow paths, the packer is configured to block flow in a portion of a wellbore annulus. The method includes disposing sand control devices having shunt tubes and a packer within a wellbore adjacent to a subsurface reservoir. The packer is then set within an interval, which may be an open-hole section of the wellbore, and gravel packing the sand control devices in different intervals. Hydrocarbons are produced by passing hydrocarbons through the sand control devices with different intervals providing zonal isolation. In some embodiments, intervals may be alternatively packed and plugged, wherein the plugged intervals are not packed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for accessing a well to subterranean formations in which a first well control assembly is directly associated with the well and a second well control assembly is remotely and capable of being in fluid communication with the well.

Abstract: A process for producing sugars from lignocellulosic materials such as corn stover by the addition of corn stillage as a carbon source is disclosed. The sugars are formed by treating the combination of the corn stillage and the lignocellulosic materials with hydrolytic enzymes. The sugars can be fermented to ethanol, and the process improves ethanol production economies with an increased sugar yield from the lignocellulosic materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons is described. In the method, a failure mode for a well completion is identified. A numerical engineering model to describe an event that results in the failure mode is constructed. The numerical engineering model is converted into a response surface. Then, the response surface is associated with a user tool configured to provide the response surface for analysis of another well.

Abstract: Method, system and apparatus to produce hydrocarbons includes a packer apparatus with a swellable packer element around primary and secondary flow paths, the packer is configured to block flow in a portion of a wellbore annulus. The method includes disposing sand control devices having shunt tubes and a packer within a wellbore adjacent to a subsurface reservoir. The packer is then set within an interval, which may be an open-hole section of the wellbore, and gravel packing the sand control devices in different intervals. Hydrocarbons are produced by passing hydrocarbons through the sand control devices with different intervals providing zonal isolation. In some embodiments, intervals may be alternatively packed and plugged, wherein the plugged intervals are not packed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for extending the horizontal distance through which wells can be drilled. A horizontal tubular is used to convey a drillstring from a drilling rig toward a target location and a mud return line and pump on the surface is used to pump drilling mud returning from the bit back to the drilling rig.

Abstract: A method and apparatus associated with various phases of a well completion. In one embodiment, a method is described that includes identifying failure modes for a well completion. At least one technical limit associated with each of the failure modes is obtained. Then, an objective function for the well completion is formulated. Then, the objective function is solved to create a well performance limit.

Abstract: Flow control systems and methods for use in injection wells and in the production of hydrocarbons utilize a particulate material disposed in an external flow area of a flow control chamber having an internal flow channel and an external flow area separated at least by a permeable region. The particulate material transitions from a first accumulated condition to a free or released condition when a triggering condition is satisfied without requiring user or operator intervention. The released particles accumulate without user or operator intervention, to control the flow of production fluids through a flow control chamber by at least substantially blocking the permeable region between the external flow area and the internal flow channel.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons are described. One apparatus includes a swellable packer element around a primary and a secondary flow path, wherein the packer is configured to block flow in a portion of a wellbore annulus. One method includes disposing sand control devices having shunt tubes and a packer within a wellbore adjacent to a subsurface reservoir. The packer is then set within an interval, which may be an open-hole section of the wellbore. With the packer set, gravel packing of the sand control devices in different intervals may be performed. Then, hydrocarbons are produced from the wellbore by passing hydrocarbons through the sand control devices with the different intervals providing zonal isolation. In some embodiments, intervals may be alternatively packed and plugged, wherein the plugged intervals are not packed. In addition, the method may also include disposing the sand control devices and packer into the wellbore in conditioned drilling fluid.