Abstract: Crosslinkable-polymer compositions are provided that may be useful for, among other things, reducing, stopping, or diverting the flow of fluids in subterranean formations. The crosslinkable-polymer compositions may comprise an aqueous fluid, a chitosan-reacting polymer, chitosan, and a gelation-retarding additive comprising an acid derivative. Various methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides for a composition for treating a subterranean formation, the composition comprising a water-swellable agent and a sealing agent. Preferably, the water-swellable agent: i) absorbs greater than 100 weight % of water; and ii) swells to greater than 100 weight % as it absorbs water. Preferably the sealing agent: i) is greater than 0.01 weight % soluble in water; and ii) forms a three dimensional gel structure in water. The invention also provides for a method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: a) introducing a sealing agent into the subterranean formation; and b) introducing a water-swellable agent into the subterranean formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of cementing in a subterranean formation that includes providing a cement composition that includes water, cement, and a fluid loss control additive that includes a water-soluble hydrophobically modified polymer or a hydrophilically modified water-soluble polymer; placing the cement composition into the subterranean formation; and allowing the cement composition to set therein. In certain embodiments, the water-soluble hydrophobically modified polymer or the hydrophilically modified water-soluble polymer may include a polymer backbone that comprises polar heteroatoms. In another embodiment, the water-soluble hydrophobically modified polymer may be a reaction product of a hydrophobic compound with a polyvinylamine, a poly(vinylamine/vinyl alcohol), or an alkyl acrylate polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to spacer fluids used in subterranean operations and, more particularly, to spacer fluids that comprise water-soluble relative permeability modifiers and methods of using the spacer fluids in subterranean operations. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of displacing a first fluid from a well bore that comprises introducing the first fluid into the well bore; and displacing the first fluid with a spacer fluid, the spacer fluid comprising water, and a water-soluble relative permeability modifier comprising a hydrophobically modified polymer or a hydrophilically modified polymer. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a spacer fluid that comprises water, and a water-soluble relative permeability modifier comprising a hydrophobically modified polymer or a hydrophilically modified polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stimulating a subterranean formation penetrated by a well. The formation has a water-bearing section and a hydrocarbon-bearing section. The method includes the steps of: (a) introducing into the formation an aqueous treatment fluid containing a hydrophobically-modified relative permeability modifier, and (b) introducing an acidizing treatment fluid into the formation. The hydrophobically-modified RPM can be formed and introduced into the formation in several ways. For example, the hydrophobically-modified RPM can be the reaction product of a hydrophilic polymer and a hydrophobic compound that are capable of reacting with each other. The hydrophilic polymer is a polymer containing reactive amino groups in the polymer backbone or as pendant groups, which are capable of reacting with a hydrophobic alkyl halide compound.

Abstract: Provided herein are crosslinkable polymer composition that comprise an aqueous fluid; a water-soluble polymer comprising carbonyl groups; an organic crosslinking agent capable of crosslinking the water-soluble polymer comprising carbonyl groups; and a water-soluble carbonate retarder. Also provided are methods that comprise providing the crosslinkable polymer composition; introducing the crosslinkable polymer composition into a portion of the subterranean formation; and allowing the crosslinkable polymer composition to form a crosslinked gel in the portion of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods useful during sand control operations and, more particularly, to using water-soluble relative permeability modifiers that are useful for controlling fluid loss during sand control operations. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of providing fluid loss control during sand control operations comprising introducing a fluid that comprises a water-soluble relative permeability modifier into a well bore; and stabilizing unconsolidated formation particulates in a section of a subterranean formation penetrated by the well bore. In other embodiments, the present invention provides methods of providing fluid loss control during sand control operations and methods of reducing fluid loss from carrier fluids used in sand control operations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a well treatment fluid for use in a well, the well treatment fluid comprising water; an amine-based polymer; an polysaccharide-based polymer; and an oxidizing agent that is capable of at least partially oxidizing at least the polysaccharide-based polymer. The present invention also provides a method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: (a) forming a well treatment fluid comprising water; an amine-based polymer; a polysaccharide-based polymer; and an oxidizing agent that is capable of at least partially oxidizing at least a portion of the polysaccharide-based polymer; and (b) contacting the well treatment fluid with the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Improved methods and solutions for treating water and hydrocarbon producing subterranean formations to reduce the water permeability thereof are provided. The improved aqueous solutions comprise a hydrophilic reactive polymer, a hydrophobic compound capable of reacting with the polymer in situ and a surfactant. The methods basically comprise preparing and introducing into the formation the aqueous solution followed by shutting in the formation in order to permit reaction of the polymer and the hydrophobic compound. The reaction product attaches to adsorption sites on surfaces within the porosity of the formation and reduces the water permeability thereof without substantially reducing the hydrocarbon permeability thereof. Additionally, the current invention provides a pre-reacted hydrophobically modified relative permeability modifier and formation stimulation/re-stimulation methods for using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to subterranean treatment fluids, and more particularly, the present invention relates to subterranean treatment fluids comprising relative permeability modifiers and methods for using such subterranean treatment fluids in subterranean operations to reduce the production of water from and stimulate hydrocarbon production in a subterranean formation. In certain embodiments, the methods of the present invention generally comprise the steps of providing a permeability-modifying aqueous treatment fluid comprising a relative permeability modifier and contacting a subterranean formation with the permeability-modifying aqueous treatment fluid. Optionally, the permeability-modifying aqueous treatment fluid may be injected in the subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture therein. In another embodiment, the methods of the present invention further comprise the step of injecting an acidizing treatment into the subterranean formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a well treatment fluid for use in a well, the well treatment fluid comprising water; an amine-based polymer; an polysaccharide-based polymer; and an oxidizing agent that is capable of at least partially oxidizing at least the polysaccharide-based polymer. The present invention also provides a method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: (a) forming a well treatment fluid comprising water; an amine-based polymer; a polysaccharide-based polymer; and an oxidizing agent that is capable of at least partially oxidizing at least a portion of the polysaccharide-based polymer; and (b) contacting the well treatment fluid with the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Improved methods of treating water and hydrocarbon producing subterranean formations to reduce the water permeability thereof are provided. The methods basically comprise introducing into the formation a water flow resisting chemical which attaches to adsorption sites on surfaces within the porosity of the formation and reduces the water permeability thereof without substantially reducing the hydrocarbon permeability thereof. The water flow resisting chemical is comprised of a polymer of at least one hydrophilic monomer and at least one hydrophobically modified hydrophilic monomer.

Abstract: Improved methods of treating water and hydrocarbons producing subterranean formations to reduce the water permeabilities of the formations without substantially reducing the hydrocarbons permeabilities thereof are provided. The methods basically comprise introducing into the formation a chemical which does not resist water flow and attaches to adsorption sites on surfaces within the porosity of the formation but slowly washes off the sites as another fluid flows through the treated formation. Thereafter, a water flow resisting polymer is introduced into the formation so that it flows deeply into the porosity of the formation before the previously introduced chemical washes off and attaches to the adsorption sites as the chemical washes off.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing the amount of water produced from a subterranean formation as a result of stimulation of the subterranean formation. The method comprises the introduction of a first and second reactive polymer which leak-off into the formation and which are capable of subsequently reacting together to form a reaction product which selectively reduces the permeability of the formation to water flow through the formation. The reactive polymers react in situ to form a reaction product that binds to the formation in such a manner that the flow of water is selectively retarded through the matrix while the flow of oil is substantially unaffected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing the amount of water produced from a subterranean formation as a result of stimulation of the subterranean formation. The method comprises the introduction of a gelled fluid to initiate a fracture in a formation, introduction of a first and second reactive polymer which leak-off into the formation along the fracture and which are capable of subsequently reacting together to form a reaction product which selectively reduces the permeability of the formation to water flow through the formation into the fracture and introduction of a crosslinked gelled fluid to extend the fracture into the formation and facilitate the introduction of a propping agent into the created fracture. The reactive polymers react in situ to form a reaction product that binds to the formation in such a manner that the flow of water is selectively retarded through the matrix while the flow of oil is substantially unaffected.