Abstract: Methods may include emplacing a downhole tool within a wellbore, sampling a fluid downhole with the downhole tool; analyzing the fluid, and calculating an interfacial tension (IFT), wherein calculating the acid-base IFT contribution comprises measuring a concentration of a surface-active species directly. Apparatuses for measuring an interfacial tension (IFT) in a fluid downhole may be part of a downhole tool and may include a sampling head to sample the fluid; and a downhole fluid analysis module that includes a spectrometer capable of measuring a concentration of a surface-active species in the fluid, and a processor configured to determine the IFT of the fluid downhole based on the measured concentration of the surface-active species.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore with a retarded acidizing fluid containing an acid and an acid retarding agent, the concentrations of which are adjusted based on measured parameter values of the formation. Also described is a method for treating a subterranean formation by introducing an acid to the formation following the introduction of an acid retarding agent to the formation. Also described is a method for acid fracturing a subterranean formation including reducing the concentration of an acid retarding agent contained in a retarded acidizing fluid over the course of the acid fracturing operation.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore with a retarded acidizing fluid containing an acid and an acid retarding agent, the concentrations of which are adjusted based on measured parameter values of the formation. Also described is a method for treating a subterranean formation by introducing an acid to the formation following the introduction of an acid retarding agent to the formation. Also described is a method for acid fracturing a subterranean formation including reducing the concentration of an acid retarding agent contained in a retarded acidizing fluid over the course of the acid fracturing operation.

Abstract: Multiphase flow metering is provided. In one possible implementation, a multiphase flow measurement system includes at least one reference temperature sensor at a first position configured to measure a first temperature of a multiphase flow. The multiphase flow measurement system also includes at least one heated temperature sensor at a second position downstream of the reference temperature sensor configured to excite the multiphase flow and measure a second temperature of the multiphase flow.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore with a retarded acidizing fluid containing an acid and an acid retarding agent, the concentrations of which are adjusted based on measured parameter values of the formation. Also described is a method for treating a subterranean formation by introducing an acid to the formation following the introduction of an acid retarding agent to the formation. Also described is a method for acid fracturing a subterranean formation including reducing the concentration of an acid retarding agent contained in a retarded acidizing fluid over the course of the acid fracturing operation.

Abstract: Methods may include emplacing a downhole tool within a wellbore, sampling a fluid downhole with the downhole tool; analyzing the fluid, and calculating an interfacial tension (IFT), wherein calculating the acid-base IFT contribution comprises measuring a concentration of a surface-active species directly. Apparatuses for measuring an interfacial tension (IFT) in a fluid downhole may be part of a downhole tool and may include a sampling head to sample the fluid; and a downhole fluid analysis module that includes a spectrometer capable of measuring a concentration of a surface-active species in the fluid, and a processor configured to determine the IFT of the fluid downhole based on the measured concentration of the surface-active species.

Abstract: Transverse fractures are formed from a borehole using hydraulic fracturing fluid while maintaining the downhole pressure close to a target pressure. The target pressure is selected to be greater than the expected transverse fracture initiation pressure at predetermined weak points, such as notches, and less than the expected longitudinal fracture initiation pressure. The process can be repeated to form multiple transverse fractures by pumping diversion composition(s).

Abstract: A wellbore is internally sealed using nanoparticles. Permeability properties are determined for a particular formation, along with its pore throat size distribution. A wellbore internal sealant (nanoparticle treatment fluid) is designed based on the determined permeability properties and pore throat size distribution. The nanoparticle treatment fluid is introduced into the formation. Pore throats within the formation are plugged by nanoparticles in the nanoparticle treatment fluid. Internal sealing reduces leak-off from filtercake damage, and also eliminates build-up of surface filtercake. Sealing the pore-structure of a particular wellbore zone alleviates the need for additional lost circulation material, resulting in a very thin filtercake and significantly reducing the chance of differential sticking. Oil-based muds can be replaced with water-based equivalents.

Abstract: A control line assembly and technique for fabricating the control line assembly are disclosed. The assembly includes drawn tubular segments through which a gas is flowed to purge contaminants. The outflow of contaminants due to the gas flow is monitored and the gas flow can be controlled and terminated when a sufficient quantity of contaminants has been extracted. The gas flow can be combined with a heat treatment cycle to further extract contaminants. The heat treatment cycle can include multiple heating stages that can be controlled based on the monitoring of the exiting contaminants.

Abstract: A downhole densitometer is used to determine one or more characteristics of a flowing fluid. The densitometer has one or more downhole x-ray sources and one or more downhole x-ray detectors. A fluid is allowed to flow past the x-ray sources. X-rays emitted by the x-ray sources and that have travelled through the flowing fluid are detected by the x-ray detectors. Characteristics of the flowing fluid are determined based on the detected x-rays. The densitometer may also have reference detectors used to measure a reference signal. The measured reference signal is used to normalize source emissions. The densitometer may be used as a permanent monitor and it may be used in conjunction with other sensors such as a flow-rate sensor or a capacitance sensor. The x-ray source may be, for example, a pyroelectric source, a radioisotopic source, or a traditional x-ray tube source.

Abstract: A downhole electrode assembly is provided for deployment in a wellbore that traverses a rock formation, wherein the wellbore is filled with a wellbore fluid. The electrode assembly includes an electrode for contacting the rock formation and a pliable structure that is configured during operation to contact the rock formation and provide a fluid barrier that isolates the electrode from the wellbore fluid. The assembly further includes a force member configured to apply a force that presses the assembly against the rock formation.

Abstract: Multiphase flow metering is provided. In one possible implementation, a multiphase flow measurement system includes at least one reference temperature sensor at a first position configured to measure a first temperature of a multiphase flow. The multiphase flow measurement system also includes at least one heated temperature sensor at a second position downstream of the reference temperature sensor configured to excite the multiphase flow and measure a second temperature of the multiphase flow.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore with a retarded acidizing fluid containing an acid and an acid retarding agent, the concentrations of which are adjusted based on measured parameter values of the formation. Also described is a method for treating a subterranean formation by introducing an acid to the formation following the introduction of an acid retarding agent to the formation. Also described is a method for acid fracturing a subterranean formation including reducing the concentration of an acid retarding agent contained in a retarded acidizing fluid over the course of the acid fracturing operation.

Abstract: A wellbore is internally sealed using nanoparticles. Permeability properties are determined for a particular formation, along with its pore throat size distribution. A wellbore internal sealant (nanoparticle treatment fluid) is designed based on the determined permeability properties and pore throat size distribution. The nanoparticle treatment fluid is introduced into the formation. Pore throats within the formation are plugged by nanoparticles in the nanoparticle treatment fluid. Internal sealing reduces leak-off from filtercake damage, and also eliminates build-up of surface filtercake. Sealing the pore-structure of a particular wellbore zone alleviates the need for additional lost circulation material, resulting in a very thin filtercake and significantly reducing the chance of differential sticking. Oil-based muds can be replaced with water-based equivalents.

Abstract: Methods may include detecting the presence of a component in a wellbore including irradiating an interval of a wellbore containing one or more components of a wellbore tool with a neutron source, wherein the one or more components of the wellbore tool comprise one or more tracer materials; measuring the radiation emitted from the one or more components of a wellbore tool; determining one or more of presence, location, and intensity of the radiation emitted from the one or more components of the wellbore tool. Devices may include a first element comprising one or more tracer materials, wherein the one or more tracer materials emit gamma radiation upon irradiation with a neutron source; wherein the tool is configured to be emplaced in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Transverse fractures are formed from a borehole using hydraulic fracturing fluid while maintaining the downhole pressure close to a target pressure. The target pressure is selected to be greater than the expected transverse fracture initiation pressure at predetermined weak points, such as notches, and less than the expected longitudinal fracture initiation pressure. The process can be repeated to form multiple transverse fractures by pumping diversion composition(s).

Abstract: Fracture monitoring is provided. In one possible implementation, a smart proppant bead includes electronic functionality, a transmitter, a sensor and a power source. In another possible implementation, a smart proppant bead includes electronic functionality, a transmitter, a receiver, a sensor and a power source. In yet another possible implementation, a smart proppant bead includes a computer-readable tangible medium with instructions directing a processor to receive an activation signal and access identification information associated with the smart proppant bead. Additional instructions direct a transmitter on the smart proppant bead to transmit the identification information associated with the smart proppant bead.

Abstract: A control line assembly and technique for fabricating the control line assembly are disclosed. The assembly includes drawn tubular segments through which a gas is flowed to purge contaminants. The outflow of contaminants due to the gas flow is monitored and the gas flow can be controlled and terminated when a sufficient quantity of contaminants has been extracted. The gas flow can be combined with a heat treatment cycle to further extract contaminants. The heat treatment cycle can include multiple heating stages that can be controlled based on the monitoring of the exiting contaminants.

Abstract: A downhole densitometer is used to determine one or more characteristics of a flowing fluid. The densitometer has one or more downhole x-ray sources and one or more downhole x-ray detectors. A fluid is allowed to flow past the x-ray sources. X-rays emitted by the x-ray sources and that have travelled through the flowing fluid are detected by the x-ray detectors. Characteristics of the flowing fluid are determined based on the detected x-rays. The densitometer may also have reference detectors used to measure a reference signal. The measured reference signal is used to normalize source emissions. The densitometer may be used as a permanent monitor and it may be used in conjunction with other sensors such as a flow-rate sensor or a capacitance sensor. The x-ray source may be, for example, a pyroelectric source, a radioisotopic source, or a traditional x-ray tube source.

Abstract: The sensor includes an optical waveguide defined in a light-transmitting medium. The waveguide includes a sensing portion and an non-sensing portion. The light-transmitting medium included in the sensing portion has defects that provide the light-transmitting medium with a deep band gap level between a valence band of the light-transmitting medium and a conduction band of the light-transmitting medium. The deep band gap level is configured such that the waveguide guiding light signals through the light-transmitting medium in the sensing portion causes free carriers to be generated in the light-transmitting medium. A detector is configured to detect the free carriers in the sensing region of the waveguide.