Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes isolating a sample having a known volume and obtained near a reservoir that has a reserve; extracting hydrocarbons from the sample; and identifying data associated with the hydrocarbons. The data may include the volume of the extracted hydrocarbons. The method also includes using the data to estimate the reserve of the reservoir. The method can also include pulverizing the sample to release additional hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The methods described are for determining distribution, orientation and dimensions of networks of hydraulically-induced fractures within a subterranean formation containing fluids. Detectable signals are generated by particles introduced into the fractures. In an exemplary method proppant-like particles are positioned in the formation during fracturing and allowed to generate a signal during or after fracturing activity. The detectable signals generated by the proppant-like particles are used to map fracture space.

Abstract: It is often desirable to suppress the growth of bacteria when conducting oilfield operations, particularly in the subterranean environment. Methods for suppressing growth of bacteria can comprise: providing a plurality of biocidal proppant particulates, the biocidal proppant particulates comprising a biocidal coating upon proppant particulates, the biocidal coating comprising a plurality of biocidal nanoparticles dispersed within a binder material; introducing the biocidal proppant particulates into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation; localizing at least a portion of the biocidal proppant particulates within the subterranean formation; and suppressing growth of one or more types of bacteria with the biocidal nanoparticles in the wellbore or in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Methods for selecting a surfactant for treating a subterranean formation based on the performance of the surfactant and the characteristics of the subterranean formation and the treatment fluids that may be used to treat that formation are provided. In one embodiment, the method may comprise providing a treatment fluid, formation materials, hydrocarbon, and a plurality of surfactants, wherein the hydrocarbon is acquired from a subterranean formation; selecting at least two surfactants from the plurality of surfactants by determining whether each of the plurality of surfactants separates a mixture of the treatment fluid and the hydrocarbon; and selecting at least one surfactant from the at least two surfactants by determining whether the hydrocarbon displaces the treatment fluid from the formation materials in the presence of each of the at least two surfactants.

Abstract: Methods for selecting a surfactant for treating a subterranean formation based on the performance of the surfactant and the characteristics of the subterranean formation and the treatment fluids that may be used to treat that formation are provided. In one embodiment, the method may comprise providing a treatment fluid, formation materials, hydrocarbon, and a plurality of surfactants, wherein the hydrocarbon is acquired from a subterranean formation; selecting at least two surfactants from the plurality of surfactants by determining whether each of the plurality of surfactants separates a mixture of the treatment fluid and the hydrocarbon; and selecting at least one surfactant from the at least two surfactants by determining whether the hydrocarbon displaces the treatment fluid from the formation materials in the presence of each of the at least two surfactants.

Abstract: A method of treating a well, the method including forming in-situ or using a polymeric material in a treatment fluid that is introduced into a well, wherein the polymeric material is produced by reacting: (a) a polysaccharide, wherein each molecule of the polysaccharide has at least one reducing chain end; and (b) a chain connector, wherein each molecule of the chain connector has at least two functional groups for reacting with the reducing end of the polysaccharide.

Abstract: It is often desirable to suppress the growth of bacteria when conducting oilfield operations, particularly in the subterranean environment. Methods for suppressing growth of bacteria can comprise: providing a plurality of biocidal proppant particulates, the biocidal proppant particulates comprising a biocidal coating upon proppant particulates, the biocidal coating comprising a plurality of biocidal nanoparticles dispersed within a binder material; introducing the biocidal proppant particulates into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation; localizing at least a portion of the biocidal proppant particulates within the subterranean formation; and suppressing growth of one or more types of bacteria with the biocidal nanoparticles in the wellbore or in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes isolating a sample having a known volume and obtained near a reservoir that has a reserve; extracting hydrocarbons from the sample; and identifying data associated with the hydrocarbons. The data may include the volume of the extracted hydrocarbons. The method also includes using the data to estimate the reserve of the reservoir. The method can also include pulverizing the sample to release additional hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Crosslinked gelling agents employed during subterranean operations use electronically-modified boronic acids to enable higher operating temperatures while allowing reduced gelling agent loadings; the boronic acids having Formula I: wherein X1 and X2 are independently selected from the group consisting of O, CH2, CH2O, OCH2, bond, and null and wherein either X1 or X2 is null, Y1 and Y2 are independently N or C, Ar is phenyl; m is 1 or 2, n is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and each Z is independently an electron withdrawing group selected from nitro, ester, carboxylic acids, carboxylates, halogen, cyano, amide, acyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, CF3, a quaternary ammonium salt, polyhaloalkyl, and carbamate, with the proviso that when n is 0, the link L between M1 and Ar includes an electron withdrawing group attached to Ar, and introducing the treatment fluids into subterranean formations.

Abstract: Methods of biosynthesizing bacterial extracellular galactomannan polysaccharides for use in subterranean formation operations such as drilling operations, fracturing operations, or gravel packing operations including providing a feedstock comprising mannose and galactose; providing bacteria effective at fermenting mannose and galactose; introducing the bacteria to the feedstock; and fermenting the bacteria so as to produce an extracellular galactomannan polysaccharide.

Abstract: Methods for determining distribution, orientation and dimensions of networks of hydraulically-induced fractures within a subterranean formation containing fluids. Micro-seismic events are generated by particles introduced into the fractures which are capable of explosive or chemical reaction. In one method, treated proppant having a reactive coating is positioned in the formation during fracturing and reactive particles are introduced. In another method, reactive particles having a reactive core and a non-reactive coating are positioned in the fractures and react upon removal of the non-reactive coating, such as by dissolving, and reaction with a reactive particle. The waves generated by the micro-seismic events are used to map fracture space.

Abstract: Methods for determining distribution, orientation and dimensions of networks of hydraulically-induced fractures within a subterranean formation containing fluids. Micro-seismic events are generated by particles introduced into the fractures which are capable of explosive or chemical reaction. In one method, treated proppant having a reactive coating is positioned in the formation during fracturing and reactive particles are introduced. In another method, reactive particles having a reactive core and a non-reactive coating are positioned in the fractures and react upon removal of the non-reactive coating, such as by dissolving, and reaction with a reactive particle. The waves generated by the micro-seismic events are used to map fracture space.

Abstract: A method of treating a well, the method including forming in-situ or using a polymeric material in a treatment fluid that is introduced into a well, wherein the polymeric material is produced by reacting: (a) a polysaccharide, wherein each molecule of the polysaccharide has at least one reducing chain end; and (b) a chain connector, wherein each molecule of the chain connector has at least two functional groups for reacting with the reducing end of the polysaccharide.

Abstract: The methods described are for determining distribution, orientation and dimensions of networks of hydraulically-induced fractures within a subterranean formation containing fluids. Detectable signals are generated by particles introduced into the fractures. In an exemplary method acoustic particles are positioned in the formation during fracturing and allowed to generate a signal during or after fracturing activity. The detectable signals generated by the acoustic particles are used to map fracture space.

Abstract: The methods described are for determining distribution, orientation and dimensions of networks of hydraulically-induced fractures within a subterranean formation containing fluids. Detectable signals are generated by particles introduced into the fractures. In an exemplary method proppant-like particles are positioned in the formation during fracturing and allowed to generate a signal during or after fracturing activity. The detectable signals generated by the proppant-like particles are used to map fracture space.

Abstract: Methods of biosynthesizing bacterial extracellular galactomannan polysaccharides for use in subterranean formation operations such as drilling operations, fracturing operations, or gravel packing operations including providing a feedstock comprising mannose and galactose; providing bacteria effective at fermenting mannose and galactose; introducing the bacteria to the feedstock; and fermenting the bacteria so as to produce an extracellular galactomannan polysaccharide.

Abstract: Crosslinked gelling agents employed during subterranean operations use electronically-modified boronic acids to enable higher operating temperatures while allowing reduced gelling agent loadings; the boronic acids having Formula I: wherein X1 and X2 are independently selected from the group consisting of O, CH2, CH2O, OCH2, bond, and null and wherein either X1 or X2 is null, Y1 and Y2 are independently N or C, Ar is phenyl; m is 1 or 2, n is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and each Z is independently an electron withdrawing group selected from nitro, ester, carboxylic acids, carboxylates, halogen, cyano, amide, acyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, CF3, a quaternary ammonium salt, polyhaloalkyl, and carbamate, with the proviso that when n is 0, the link L between M1 and Ar includes an electron withdrawing group attached to Ar, and introducing the treatment fluids into subterranean formations.

Abstract: Crosslinked gelling agents employed during subterranean operations use electronically-modified boronic acids to enable higher operating temperatures while allowing reduced gelling agent loadings; the boronic acids having Formula I: X1 and X2 are independently selected from O, CH2, CH2O, OCH2, bond, and null, Y1 and Y2 are independently N or C, Ar is a 5- or 6-membered ring aryl or heteroaryl group with a link L to monomer unit M1, m is 1 or 2, n is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and each Z is independently an electron withdrawing group selected from nitro, ester, carboxylic acids, carboxylates, halogen, cyano, amide, acyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, CF3, a quaternary ammonium salt, polyhaloalkyl, and carbamate, with the proviso that when n is 0, the link L between M1 and Ar includes an electron withdrawing group attached to Ar, and introducing the treatment fluids into subterranean formations.

Abstract: The methods described are for determining distribution, orientation and dimensions of networks of hydraulically-induced fractures within a subterranean formation containing fluids. Micro-seismic events are generated by particles introduced into the fractures which are capable of explosive or chemical reaction. In one method, treated proppant having a reactive coating is positioned in the formation during fracturing and reactive particles are introduced. In another method, reactive particles having a reactive core and a non-reactive coating are positioned in the fractures and react upon removal of the non-reactive coating, such as by dissolving, and reaction with a reactive particle. The waves generated by the micro-seismic events are used to map fracture space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to environmentally friendly delayed crosslinking complexes that are useful in subterranean treatment fluids. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of providing a treatment fluid having a first viscosity and includes: an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifying agent, a delayed crosslinking complex having: a metal and a ligand, the ligand having at least one hydroxyl group and at least one carboxylic acid group; and placing the treatment fluid in a subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the delayed crosslinking complex is compliant and/or the viscosifying agent is compliant.