Abstract: A formation fluid sampling tool is provided with a drill which drills into the formation in a manner perpendicular or oblique to the borehole wall. The tool comprises a mechanism for enhancing the mobility of the reservoir fluid, such as a heating element on the drill, hot fluid which is generated in the tool and injected into the drilled hole, or a solvent which is stored in the tool and injected by the tool into the drilled hole.

Abstract: An optical element, which may be part of a system for optical analysis of a material in contact with it, is kept clean by means of the vibrations of a high power acoustic resonator. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, in certain embodiments of the present invention, one or more optical interfacial elements may be integrated with a high power acoustic resonator to provide a robust sensing device that may provide for acoustic cleaning of the optical interfacial elements and/or combining optical and acoustic measurements made by the integrated system for analysis purposes. In certain aspects, the high power acoustic resonator may include an acoustic horn for focusing acoustic energy and the optical interfacial elements may be integrated with the acoustic horn.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for integrating optical interfacial elements with a high power acoustic resonator. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, in certain embodiments of the present invention, one or more optical interfacial elements may be integrated with a high power acoustic resonator to provide a robust sensing device that may provide for acoustic cleaning of the optical interfacial elements and/or combining optical and acoustic measurements made by the integrated system for analysis purposes. In certain aspects, the high power acoustic resonator may include an acoustic horn for focusing acoustic energy and the optical interfacial elements may be integrated with the acoustic horn.

Abstract: Hydraulic fracturing of a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir is carried out using an aqueous wellbore fluid which is an aqueous solution of a surfactant which has the formula (R1—X)nZ, where R1 is an aliphatic group comprising a C10-C25 principal straight chain bonded at a terminal carbon atom thereof to X, and comprising at least one C1-C6 side chain. X is a charged head group, Z is a counterion, and n is an integer which ensures that the surfactant is charge neutral. The surfactant reversibly thickens the aqueous solution such that the wellbore fluid is a viscoelastic gel. The viscoelastic gel breaks and undergoes a reduction in viscosity within the reservoir and surfactant from the broken gel mixes with hydrocarbon in the reservoir.

Abstract: Hydraulic fracturing of a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir is carried out using an aqueous wellbore fluid which is an aqueous solution of a surfactant which has the formula(R1?X)nZ, where R1 is an aliphatic group comprising a C10-C25 principal straight chain bonded at a terminal carbon atom thereof to X, and comprising at least one C1-C6 side chain. X is a charged head group, Z is a counterion, and n is an integer which ensures that the surfactant is charge neutral. The surfactant reversibly thickens the aqueous solution such that the wellbore fluid is a viscoelastic gel. The viscoelastic gel breaks and undergoes a reduction in viscosity within the reservoir and surfactant from the broken gel mixes with hydrocarbon in the reservoir.

Abstract: A formation fluid sampling tool is provided with a drill which drills into the formation in a manner perpendicular or oblique to the borehole wall. Preferably the tool introduces a mechanism into the drilled hole for enhancing the mobility of the reservoir fluid. In one embodiment the mechanism is a heating element on the drill. In another embodiment, the mechanism is hot fluid which is generated in the tool and injected into the drilled hole. In another embodiment, the mechanism is a solvent which is stored in the tool and injected by the tool into the drilled hole.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for integrating optical interfacial elements with a high power acoustic resonator. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, in certain embodiments of the present invention, one or more optical interfacial elements may be integrated with a high power acoustic resonator to provide a robust sensing device that may provide for acoustic cleaning of the optical interfacial elements and/or combining optical and acoustic measurements made by the integrated system for analysis purposes. In certain aspects, the high power acoustic resonator may include an acoustic horn for focusing acoustic energy and the optical interfacial elements may be integrated with the acoustic horn.

Abstract: A method to reduce water influx into a producing well is described comprising the steps of pumping a chemical composition into a production interval and into surrounding formation; said composition being capable of forming, firstly, a physically stabilized structure and, secondly, a chemically stabilized structure, wherein said physically stabilized structure being dissolvable by hydrocarbon containing fluids; letting said composition form said physically stabilized structure within the formation surrounding said production interval; changing pressure condition in said production interval such that the fluid flow within the surrounding formation is reversed; letting thereby in some portions of the formation hydrocarbon containing fluids dissolve said physically stabilized structure and chemically stabilize said structure in the remaining portions by a cross-linking reaction.

Abstract: The use of a hydrophobically modified water soluble polymer is described capable of being chemically cross-linked so as to produce a stable gel for blocking a water-bearing formation from a hydrocarbon-producing well. The polymer is essentially linear having hydrophilic side groups located at random positions along its backbone.

Abstract: The use of a hydrophobically modified water soluble polymer is described capable of being chemically cross-linked so as to produce a stable gel for blocking a water-bearing formation from a hydrocarbon-producing well. The polymer is essentially linear having hydrophilic side groups located at random positions along its backbone.

Abstract: A composition, in particular a wellbore service fluid, comprising monomeric surfactants, preferably viscoelastic surfactants, in combination with a polymerization agent. Additionally, the fluid may contain a cross-linking agent to cross-link the polymerized surfactants.

Abstract: A wellbore service fluid comprising viscoelastic surfactants in combination with means for controlling the concentration of at least partially charged sites within the fluid is described.

Abstract: A wellbore service fluid comprising viscoelastic surfactants in combination with cross-linkable, preferably hydrophobically modified, water soluble polymers is described, particularly applicable to water control operations.

Abstract: A wellbore service fluid comprising polymers having cross-linking groups capable of forming chemical bonds with other polymers without additional monomeric cross-linking agents is described, and related methods, particularly applicable to water control operations.