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: Systems and methods for stimulating a plurality of zones of a subterranean formation to increase production of reservoir fluids therefrom. The subterranean formation contains a well that includes a liner that defines a liner conduit, and the systems and methods include stimulating the plurality of zones with a stimulation assembly that is present within the liner conduit without requiring removal of the stimulation assembly from the liner conduit. The stimulation assembly includes a perforation device, which is configured to selectively form one or more perforations in a plurality of portions of the liner, and a resettable sealing device, which is configured to fluidly isolate the plurality of portions of the liner from a plurality of respective downhole portions of the liner. The fluid isolation provides for selective introduction of a stimulant fluid to a selected zone of the subterranean formation that is associated with a corresponding portion of the liner.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stimulating a plurality of zones of a subterranean formation to increase production of reservoir fluids therefrom. The subterranean formation contains a well that includes a liner that defines a liner conduit, and the systems and methods include stimulating the plurality of zones with a stimulation assembly that is present within the liner conduit without requiring removal of the stimulation assembly from the liner conduit. The stimulation assembly includes a perforation device, which is configured to selectively form one or more perforations in a plurality of portions of the liner, and a resettable sealing device, which is configured to fluidly isolate the plurality of portions of the liner from a plurality of respective downhole portions of the liner. The fluid isolation provides for selective introduction of a stimulant fluid to a selected zone of the subterranean formation that is associated with a corresponding portion of the liner.

Abstract: Systems and methods for accessing and/or harvesting hydrocarbons from a wellbore. A method may include modeling a well to determine a length of a stimulation zone in the production interval, wherein the model is based, at least in part, on a reaction time for a stimulation process. Packers are placed in the well to fluidically isolate the stimulation zone from other zones in the well. The targeted zone is stimulated, such as by acid treatment. Hydrocarbons may be recovered from the stimulation zone.

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: A method of creating a network of fractures in a reservoir is provided. The method includes designing a desired fracture network system, and determining required in situ stresses to create the desired fracture network within the reservoir. The method further includes designing a layout of wells to alter the in situ stresses within the stress field, and then injecting a fracturing fluid under pressure into the reservoir to create an initial set of fractures within the reservoir. The method also includes monitoring the in situ stresses within the stress field, and modifying the in situ stresses within the stress field. The method then includes injecting a fracturing fluid under pressure into the reservoir in order to expand upon the initial set of fractures and to create the network of fractures. A method for producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation is also provided herein, wherein a fracture network is created from a single, deviated wellbore production.

Abstract: A method for drilling and completing a gravel packed well is disclosed. The method comprises drilling a wellbore with a drilling fluid, conditioning the drilling fluid, running the gravel packing assembly tools to depth in the wellbore with the conditioned drilling-fluid, and gravel packing a wellbore interval with a completion-fluid. The completion fluid may be the same as the drilling-fluid. This method may be combined with alternate-path sand screen technology to ensure proper distribution of the gravel pack.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for reducing the precipitation of aluminum compounds following the contact of an aluminum containing subterranean formation with an acid solution containing hydrofluoric acid are provided. In accordance with the methods, a hydroxy carboxylic acid is combined with the hydrofluoric acid solution and the subterranean formation is contacted with the resulting acid solution.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for reducing the precipitation of fluoride compounds following the contact of an aluminum containing subterranean formation with an acid solution containing hydrofluoric acid are provided. In accordance with the methods, a hydroxy carboxylic acid is combined with the hydrofluoric acid solution and the subterranean formation is contacted with the resulting acid solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods of treating subterranean formations using borate cross-linking compositions and borate cross-linked well treating fluids. The borate cross-linking compositions are basically comprised of a low viscosity hydrocarbon liquid, an organophillic clay, a slightly water soluble borate, a buffer and a dispersing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating subterranean formations and viscosified aqueous well treating compositions which break into thin fluids at temperatures in the range of from about 100.degree. F., to about 300.degree. F. A breaker system is included in the compositions comprised of an alkali metal chlorite or hypochlorite breaker and a breaker activator comprised of copper II ion or an amine, or both.

Abstract: The present invention provides borate cross-linked well treating fluids and methods of preparing and using the fluids in treating wells such as fracturing subterranean zones therein. The improved cross-linked treating fluids are basically comprised of water, a hydrated galactomannan gelling agent and a borate composition for buffering the treating fluid and cross-linking the hydrated galactomannan gelling agent comprised of water, a soluble boron source and an alkanolamine or alkylamine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of breaking an aqueous based viscosified fluid containing a breaker comprising an alkali metal chlorite or hypochlorite through use of a breaker activator comprising thioglycolate ion or a compound capable of producing thioglycolate ion in the aqueous fluid. The method is particularly effective in providing a controlled break in a treatment fluid introduced into a subterranean formation having a static temperature in the range of from about 100.degree. F. to about 200.degree. F.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of breaking an aqueous based viscosified fluid having potassium ions present therein with a breaker comprising an alkali metal chlorite or hypochlorite through use of a breaker activator comprising a source of ammonium ion in the aqueous fluid. The method is particularly effective in providing a controlled break in a treatment fluid introduced into a subterranean formation having a static temperature in the range of from about 100.degree. F. to about 300.degree. F. In some instances, a second breaker activator comprising a source of thioglycolate ion also may be admixed with the viscosified fluid to further accelerate breaker activation at temperatures below about 200.degree. F.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controllably breaking an aqueous based viscosified fluid containing a gel stabilizer such as sodium thiosulfate, when the fluid is within a subterranean formation having a temperature above about 175.degree. F. The method is accomplished by the incorporation of a particular selected breaker comprising an alkali metal chlorite or hypochlorite in the viscosified fluid containing the gel stabilizer. The method is particularly effective in providing a controlled break in a treatment fluid introduced into a subterranean formation having a static temperature in the range of from about 200.degree. F. to about 300.degree. F.