Abstract: Methods to provide a fractured subterranean formation includes providing a wellbore in the subterranean formation and providing fractures in the subterranean using a mortar slurry configured to accomplish various objectives.

Abstract: A method is provided to provide fractures in a subterranean formation that utilizes set of first wire line controllable valves (108) to open communication between the inside of a casing (107) and an outside of a casing that has been cemented into a wellbore (101). A wire line controllable valve associated with each of the first valves isolates the inside of the casing downstream of the first valve. The two valves are operated by a wire line actuator. After each successive fracture is formed, the wire line actuator is moved past the next set of valve, changing their positions, and then the next fracture is formed. The valve isolating the downstream portions of the casing are either opened, milled out, or made of degradable material after the operation is complete to enable production from the formation through the fractures into the well bore.

Abstract: Rock strength is estimated during drilling using a rate of penetration model or a modified mechanical specific energy models. The rock strength estimate can be used in conducting further drilling, for example by a drilling system. Drilling parameters may be altered as a result of determining rock strength, for example to avoid undesirable trending fractures, such as extensive vertical fractures.

Abstract: A borehole is drilled in an earth formation using consecutive steps of: (a) drilling a first open hole section of a borehole, employing a first drill string extending into the borehole from a surface on the earth, to a casing setting depth; (b) retrieving the first drill string from the borehole to the surface; (c) everting a tubular element in the open hole section, wherein axially advancing an inner tube section of the tubular element into the borehole through and in relative axial movement to an outer tube section of the same tubular element; (d) creating an annular seal between the outer tube section and an inward facing wall of the borehole; (e) inserting a second drill string through the inner tube section into the borehole; and (f) further deepening the borehole by drilling a second open hole section of the borehole.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation via well bore may include introducing a plurality of particles into the subterranean formation via the well bore, each particle having a substrate and a layer of cement on the substrate. The cement may be in a state of suspended hydration and the method may include introducing moisture to the subterranean formation via the well bore. The method may also include allowing the particles and the moisture to contact one another. Contact between the particles and the moisture may cause the cement to move from a state of suspended hydration to a state of secondary hydration.

Abstract: A method for underdisplacing fracture proppant in a well bore. The method can include providing a set retainer having a passage configured to receive a wiper plug. The method may also include installing the set retainer in the well bore and injecting a proppant-laden fluid into the well bore, through the passage of the set retainer and through a perforation to create the fracture. The method may include providing a wiper plug configured to be received in the passage of the set retainer. The method may also include inserting the wiper plug into the well bore and allowing the wiper plug to wipe a portion of the proppant-laden fluid past the set retainer and into the fracture. Additionally, the method may include allowing the set retainer to receive the wiper plug.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation may include preparing a mortar slurry, injecting the mortar slurry into the subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create a fracture in the subterranean formation, allowing the mortar slurry to set, forming a mortar in the fracture, and providing a pulse of pressure sufficient to reopen the fracture and thereby provide cracks in the set mortar. The mortar slurry may be designed to form a pervious mortar, to crack under fracture closure pressure, or both.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for providing access to surfaces within a formation is provided, the method including: providing a wellbore from a first surface location to a second surface location; inserting into the wellbore a cylindrical cutting assembly connected to at least two wellbore tubulars, one of the wellbore tubular extending to each of the first surface location and the second surface location; and rotating the radial cylindrical cutting element.

Abstract: A method for accommodating thermal expansion of a heater in a formation includes flowing a heat transfer fluid through a conduit to provide heat to the formation and providing substantially constant tension to an end portion of the conduit that extends outside the formation. At least a portion of the end portion of the conduit is wound around a movable wheel used to apply tension to the conduit.

Abstract: A method is provided to produce hydrocarbons from a formation, the method includes the steps of: placing a pair of electrodes within a formation; applying differential voltages between pairs of electrodes wherein the voltage differences between the electrodes is greater than at least 10,000 volts; and producing hydrocarbons from the formation or an adjacent formation wherein the formation has an initial permeability of less than ten millidarcy. The invention also includes an apparatus effective to release pulses of electrical energy into the formation as this frequency and voltage at least until the formation has reached a point where the electrical potential arcs from one electrode to at least one other electrode.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation via well bore may include introducing a plurality of particles into the subterranean formation via the well bore, each particle having a substrate and a layer of cement on the substrate. The cement may be in a state of suspended hydration and the method may include introducing moisture to the subterranean formation via the well bore. The method may also include allowing the particles and the moisture to contact one another. Contact between the particles and the moisture may cause the cement to move from a state of suspended hydration to a state of secondary hydration.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a tubular, a first isolator connected to the tubular and configured to engage an interior surface of the wellbore, a first pressure gauge connected to the tubular and configured to take multiple pressure readings over a period of time, and a first perforation gun connected to the tubular without compromising the communication of fluid through an inner flow channel of the tubular. A method may include placing the apparatus in a wellbore, and actuating the isolator to provide isolation of a first zone in a formation. The method may include activating the perforation gun to provide fluid communication between an annulus of the wellbore and the zone in the formation. The method may include allowing the pressure gauge to take a plurality of pressure readings over a period of time. Based on the pressure readings, the method may include determining a formation characteristic.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for providing access to surfaces within a formation is provided, the method including: providing a wellbore from a first surface location to a second surface location; inserting into the wellbore a cylindrical cutting assembly connected to at least two wellbore tubulars, one of the wellbore tubular extending to each of the first surface location and the second surface location; and rotating the radial cylindrical cutting element.

Abstract: A method including providing sensors in injection and observation wells; increasing pressure within the injection well until a fracture extends from an initiation location through a portion of a subterranean formation to an intersection location in the observation well, wherein increasing pressure within the injection well comprises introducing fluid into the injection well; obtaining a measurement indicative of fracture initiation from the first sensor; determining a height of the fracture at the injection well; obtaining a measurement indicative of fracture intersection from the second sensor; determining a volume of fluid introduced between the fracture initiation and the fracture intersection; determining a distance between the initiation location and the intersection location; determining a time lapse between the fracture initiation and the fracture intersection; and using the determined values, calculating a hydraulic fracturing characteristic.

Abstract: A method of stimulating a subterranean formation is provided. The method includes determining a final fracture spacing. The method includes creating a first set of fractures at a first fracture spacing, the first fracture spacing being larger than the final fracture spacing. The method includes allowing production of fluids from the formation through the well bore via the first set of fractures for a period of time. The method includes, after the period of time, creating a second set of fractures. The final fracture spacing is less than or equal to an average fracture spacing between the first set of fractures and the second set of fractures.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Some embodiments generally relate to systems, methods, and/or processes for treating fluid produced from the subsurface formation. Some methods include providing heat to a first section of the hydrocarbon containing formation from a plurality of heaters located in the formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the heaters to heat a portion of the first section to mobilize formation fluid; and producing formation fluid from the formation.

Abstract: A method is provided to produce hydrocarbons from a formation, the method includes the steps of: placing a pair of electrodes within a formation; applying differential voltages between pairs of electrodes wherein the voltage differences between the electrodes is greater than at least 10,000 volts; and producing hydrocarbons from the formation or an adjacent formation wherein the formation has an initial permeability of less than ten millidarcy. The invention also includes an apparatus effective to release pulses of electrical energy into the formation as this frequency and voltage at least until the formation has reached a point where the electrical potential arcs from one electrode to at least one other electrode.

Abstract: A method for heating a subsurface formation includes applying heat from a plurality of heaters to at least a portion of the subsurface formation. A portion of one or more of the heaters are allowed to move relative to the heaters respective wellhead using sliding seals to accommodate thermal expansion of the heaters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Some embodiments generally relate to systems, methods, and/or processes for treating fluid produced from the subsurface formation. Some methods include providing heat to a first section of the hydrocarbon containing formation from a plurality of heaters located in the formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the heaters to heat a portion of the first section to mobilize formation fluid; and producing formation fluid from the formation.

Abstract: A method for heating a subsurface formation includes applying heat from a plurality of heaters to at least a portion of the subsurface formation. A portion of one or more of the heaters are allowed to move relative to the heaters respective wellhead using sliding seals to accommodate thermal expansion of the heaters.