Abstract: Methods are disclosed for hydraulic fracturing of subterranean reservoir formations using various combinations of gelled fluid, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide base components, in association with proppant and other additives. Selected base components are pumped down a wellbore tubing while other selected base components are simultaneously pumped down the wellbore tubing-casing annulus for downhole mixing into a composite fracturing fluid in the downhole region of the wellbore proximal to the reservoir objective. Thereby, changes may be timely effected in the composite fluid composition and fluid properties, substantially immediately prior to the composite fluid entering the formation. Such real-time modifications may be effected to readily preempt screenout occurrences and may facilitate composite fluid compositions which otherwise are frequently undesirable to pump from the surface. Such composite fluid combinations include components phases of each of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and a base fluid.

Abstract: A laparoscopic port adapter assembly 10 for conducting bile duct and related procedures, including a laparoscopic port 11, an introducer sheath 12 and a multiple conduit instrument guide 13. The instrument guide 13 may be inserted into a bile duct 14 to facilitate concurrent introduction of multiple instruments directly into the bile duct 14 without need for forceps manipulation of instruments through additional laparoscopic ports. The procedure may be conducted and viewed in real-time video to improve procedural efficiency and safety. Inventive related useful instruments and procedures are included to complement use and flexibility of the laparoscopic port adapter assembly 10. A preferred embodiment may include use of a three-conduit instrument guide 13 and concurrent introduction of a lithotripter 32, choledochoscope 31 and irrigative catheter 34 directly in the bile duct 14.

Abstract: The lifting assembly 10. 110 is provided for lifting oilfield tubular members T onto the floor of a derrick D. The assembly includes a lower base 12 which is positioned at a selected location relative to the derrick, and an upper platform 14 pivotally connected at its rearward end to the base. The upper platform has a substantially planar upper surface with a lateral width sufficient for supporting a plurality of oilfield tubulars T thereon. One or more v-shaped troughs 52, 54 are positioned along the platform each for receiving one of the plurality of oilfield tubular members. A hydraulic ram 16 operates against an inclined slide member 20, 116 for tilting the upper platform 18 relative to the base. A powered ejection unit 34 moves a tubular within the trough with respect to the derrick. A push member 56 substantially encloses the v-shaped trough and pushes the tubular. The method of the invention enhances oilfield operations by reducing delays, and substantially improves worker safety.

Abstract: A threaded, dual needle system is securely attached to a modified subcutaneous venous access port having an internal reservoir, used for intravenous drug therapy particularly in human cancer treatment. A hollow outer needle is paired with a removable, male-threaded solid inner point and inserted through the patient's tissue and through the port's protective, self-sealing silicon septum, and the solid inner needle is then removed, while the outer needle is left in place. Next, a hollow inner needle is threaded through the outer needle to a depth sufficient to interlock with a female-threaded port receptacle at the base of the port's fluid reservoir and rotated to install. Optional additional threading can permit securing the outer needle to the two inner needles. A breakaway system prevents displacement from unintended pulling of the flow-line. The system thus provides additional protection against needle displacement from venous access ports, the resulting leakage, and the problems caused thereby.

Abstract: A method for real-time monitoring of fracture extension during a fracturing treatment of a producing subterranean formation. A radioactive tracer injector is coupled to and spaced from a gamma ray detector by a distance approximately equal to a distance from a point of injection during fracturing to a boundary between the desired interval to be fractured and an adjacent formation which it is desired not to fracture. A programmed central processing unit positioned at a surface location receives spectral signals generated by the gamma ray detector during the fracturing treatment and generates a fracture penetration signal and a fracture injection pump control signal that stops a fracture injection pump whenever the fracture extension signal indicates the presence of radioactive tracer material within the producing subterranean formation at the depth location of the gamma ray detector.

Abstract: In connection with downhole placement of proppant materials for the purpose of enhancing oil recovery through a subsurface fracture-stimulation treatment, phenolic resin activator is injected after resin-coated proppant is pumped. The results are a reduced probability of problems attendant to premature screenout, savings in the quantity of activator needed, more concentrated placement of the activator close to the wellbore, and the ability to continue the fracturing treatment longer. Injection of activator is accomplished through tubing extending at least as deep as the perforations, while injection of proppant is done through the tubing-casing annulus.

Abstract: A tracer system can monitor in real-time the propagation of a fracture through a rock formation traversed by a well borehole, during hydraulic fracturing processes. The inventive system permits continuous measurement of the movement of gamma-emitting tracers in the fracturing fluid, while the fluid is pumped into the formation. The tracers are injected into the fluid from downhole-placed exploding charges. The fracturing fluid with the tracers passes through perforated production casing into the induced formation fracture, and the tracers emit characteristic gamma radiation. Multiple sodium-iodide scintillometer detectors, arrayed on the logging tool above and below the neutron source, are calibrated to detect the characteristic energy spectra emitted from the activated radioactive tracer isotopes in the fractured formation through the formation rock and the steel production casing and tubing.

Abstract: A tracer system can monitor in real-time the propagation of a fracture through a rock formation traversed by a well borehole, during hydraulic fracturing processes. The inventive system permits continuous measurement of the movement of gamma-emitting tracers in the fracturing fluid, while the fluid is pumped into the formation. The tracers are injected into the fluid from downhole-placed exploding charges. The fracturing fluid with the tracers passes through perforated production casing into the induced formation fracture, and the tracers emit characteristic gamma radiation. Multiple sodium-iodide scintillometer detectors, arrayed on the logging tool above and below the neutron source, are calibrated to detect the characteristic energy spectra emitted from the activated radioactive tracer isotopes in the fractured formation through the formation rock and the steel production casing and tubing.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for monitoring in real time the propagation of a fracture through a rock formation traversed by a well borehole, during hydraulic fracturing processes. The inventive system permits continuous measurement of the movement of gamma-emitting tracers in the fracturing fluid, while the fluid is pumped into the formation. The tracer isotopes pass by a downhole neutron source, which activates the tracer isotope nuclei, causing them to emit characteristic gamma radiation after the fracturing fluid passes through perforated production casing into the induced formation fracture. Multiple sodium-iodide scintillometer detectors, arrayed on the logging tool above and below the neutron source, are calibrated to detect the characteristic energy spectra emitted from the activated radioactive tracer isotopes in the fractured formation through the formation rock and the steel production casing and tubing.