Abstract: Fluids and methods of making and using the fluids that include, for example, well bore treatment fluids, kill fluids, packer fluids, thermal insulating fluids and the like that contain soluble weighting material. The fluids include: (a) an aqueous solvent such as water, and optionally one or more water-miscible organic liquids; and (b) one or more organic cationic tungstates, molybdates, and/or silicates dissolved in the solvent. In some cases, the fluids are substantially free of lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs), and francium (Fr) salts and/or ions. The fluid may also be an oil-based emulsion including the aqueous-based fluid. Methods of making and using both the aqueous fluids and oil-based emulsions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Precipitated particles may be formed under conditions that provide a particle morphology suitable for conveying a desired set of properties to a wellbore circulation fluid. Methods for using precipitated particles in a wellbore may comprise: selecting precipitation conditions for producing precipitated particles that are substantially non-spherical in shape, are about 1 micron or under in size, or any combination thereof; forming the precipitated particles from a reaction mixture under the precipitation conditions without using a polymeric dispersant; and introducing a wellbore circulation fluid comprising a plurality of the precipitated particles into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The precipitation conditions may include one or more of modulating various reaction conditions, applying an electric field to the reaction mixture, or including a carbohydrate-based material in the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A method of treating a treatment zone of a well, the method comprising: (A) forming a treatment fluid comprising: (i) a continuous gas phase comprising a gas; and (ii) a surfactant, wherein the surfactant has the following characteristics: (a) a normal boiling point less than 500° F. (260° C.) without significant thermal decomposition; and (b) providing a dynamic surface tension of less than about 40 dynes/cm for a 0.1 wt % solution, or having an HLB (Griffin) in the range of about 2 to about 20, or both; wherein the surfactant is dispersed in the gas; and (B) introducing the treatment fluid into the treatment zone.

Abstract: Turbidity measurement systems and methods of using the same are described. A turbidity measurement system comprise a vessel configured to hold a wellbore fluid, wherein a permeable obstruction to flow is positioned in the vessel; a light source positioned to direct light at the vessel; a light detector positioned to measure light intensity of light emitted by the light source and passing through the vessel; and a backscatter detector positioned to measure the light intensity of reflected light emitted from the light source.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the use of treatment fluids comprising metalate-based additives to treat subterranean formations are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise providing a treatment fluid comprising a non-aqueous base fluid and at least one metalate-based additive comprising: an anion selected from the group consisting of: a tungstate, a molybdate, a vanadate, a manganate, and any combination thereof, and an organic cation; and introducing the treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Turbidity measurement systems and methods of using the same are described. A turbidity measurement system comprises a vessel configured to hold a wellbore fluid, wherein a porous media is positioned in the vessel; a light source positioned to direct light at the vessel; a light detector positioned to measure light intensity of light emitted by the light source and passing through the vessel; a backscatter detector configured to measure the light intensity of reflected light emitted from the light source; and a computer system communicatively coupled to at least one of the light source, light detector, or light detector.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating a subterranean formation are described. The methods include providing a petrified cellulosic material, combining the petrified cellulosic material with a treatment fluid, and introducing the treatment fluid with the petrified cellulosic material in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using hydrophobizing agents to prevent or delay acidization and/or improve filter cake removal in subterranean formations are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and one or more hydrophobizing agents; contacting at least a portion of a surface within a subterranean formation with the treatment fluid; and allowing the hydrophobizing agent to interact with the portion of the surface within the subterranean formation to reduce its reactivity with an acid.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to weighted compositions for treatment of a subterranean formation. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation. The method can include placing in the subterranean formation a coated weighting agent. The coated weighting agent can include a weighting agent and an inorganic coating material on the weighting agent.

Abstract: Methods including precipitated and mined calcium carbonate lost circulation materials for use in subterranean formation operations. The precipitated calcium carbonate lost circulation materials are formed under a chosen set of precipitation conditions, including in situ in a subterranean formation. The mined calcium carbonate lost circulation materials are obtained in a desired morphological form under naturally occurring mined conditions. The precipitated and mined calcium carbonate lost circulation materials may be needle-shaped aragonite having an aspect ratio of about 1.4 to about 15.

Abstract: A sag-resistant fluid, such as a drilling fluid, a completion fluid, or a spacer fluid, including a colloidal suspension that includes a continuous liquid phase and a solid phase suspended in the continuous liquid phase. The solid phase includes a plurality of particles, having an average diameter of the plurality of particles less than about 1000 nm. The sag-resistant fluid has a density of from about 7 to about 30 lbm/gal, and exhibits a density variation of less than about 0.5 lbm/gal over a time period of at least about 16 hours. A method including circulating the sag-resistant fluid through a well.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the use of treatment fluids comprising metalate-based additives to treat subterranean formations are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise providing a treatment fluid comprising a non-aqueous base fluid and at least one metalate-based additive comprising: an anion selected from the group consisting of: a tungstate, a molybdate, a vanadate, a manganate, and any combination thereof, and an organic cation; and introducing the treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Methods including providing a treatment fluid comprising a base fluid, a wettability altering surfactant, and a chelating agent, wherein the treatment fluid has a pH of at least about 5; introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation; altering a wettability of the subterranean formation from oil-wet to either mixed-wet or water-wet with the wettability altering surfactant; and complexing metal ions in the subterranean formation with the chelating agent.

Abstract: A method of drilling a subterranean formation includes drilling the subterranean formation with a drilling fluid including a carbonate base fluid and an aqueous base fluid. The carbonates may be selected from ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, glycerol carbonate, butylene carbonate, 1,3-propylene carbonate, dialkylcarbonates, dimethylcarbonate, and mixtures thereof. Drilling fluids may include a carbonate base fluid, an aqueous base fluid and an optional base oil.

Abstract: Methods of coating solid particulates used in a wellbore fluid are described. The methods include providing a first solution that includes at least one inorganic sol precursor and at least one solvent, adding an aqueous solution to the first solution to form an inorganic sol that develops into an inorganic sol-gel, applying the inorganic sol-gel to the solid particulates, drying the solid particulates to form an inorganic sol-gel coating on the solid particulates, and mixing the coated solid particulates with a wellbore fluid.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electrocrushing drilling fluid with an electrocrushing drilling base fluid including a polar oil, a non-polar oil, or a combination thereof and glycerine carbonate. The electrocrushing drilling fluid or base fluid may further include water or glycerin. The electrocrushing drilling fluid may further contain at least one additive. The electrocrushing drilling fluid may have a dielectric constant or dielectric strength of at least a set amount, an electric conductivity less than a set amount, or a combination of these properties. The disclosure further relates to an electrocrushing drilling system containing the electrocrushing drilling fluid and an electrocrushing drill bit.

Abstract: An apparatus including an electromagnetic radiation source that emits electromagnetic radiation, a sample chamber comprising a fluid sample inlet for introducing a solids-laden fluid sample therein, and a detector that receives a backscattering signal and generates an output signal corresponding to a concentration of solids in the solids-laden fluid sample. The electromagnetic radiation transmits through the sample chamber and optically interacts with the solids-laden fluid sample to generate a backscattering signal. The sample chamber may include one or more of a shear bob for applying a shear rate to the solids-laden fluid sample, the shear bob suspended in the sample chamber and rotatable about an axis, a sealable fluid pressurizing inlet for pressurizing the sample chamber and a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure in the sample chamber when pressurized, and/or a temperature source for heating the solids-laden fluid sample.

Abstract: Thermal conductivity measurements of a wellbore fluid may be used to derive the sag of the wellbore fluid (i.e., the inhomogeneity or gradation in particle distribution in the fluid as a result of the particles settling). For example, a method may include measuring a thermal conductivity of a fluid at two or more locations along a height of a vessel containing the fluid that comprises particles dispersed in a base fluid; and calculating a sag of the fluid based on the thermal conductivity at the two or more locations. In some instances, the temperature and pressure of the wellbore fluid may be changed and/or the wellbore fluid may be sheared to investigate their effects on sag.

Abstract: A method for the determination of the oil content for solids recovered from a wellbore is provided. The method comprises providing the solids recovered from the wellbore and measuring the thermal conductivity of the solids recovered from the wellbore using a thermal conductivity probe. The method further comprises using the thermal conductivity measurement to determine the oil content in the solids recovered from the wellbore.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separation of oleaginous fluids, aqueous fluids, and solids from drilling or other oilfield emulsions by solvent extraction. A method for separation of oilfield emulsions comprising: providing an oilfield emulsion prepared for use in a wellbore and/or recovered from a wellbore; mixing the oilfield emulsion with at least a solvent to form at least a mixture; and separating the mixture to at least partially recover an oleaginous phase of the oilfield emulsion.