Abstract: A process of managing inventory and delivery logistics of one or more chemical additives used at a well treatment site. The process includes placing one or more bulk containers at the well treatment site to maintain inventory capacity for one or more chemical additives on-site for a well treatment procedure. Monitoring chemical additive inventory within the one or more bulk containers. Making a determination, based on monitored chemical additive inventory, whether additional additive is needed in the one or more bulk containers; generating, based on the determination, initiation of an order for delivery of additional additive. delivering the additional additive in a delivery bulk container to the well treatment site. Also included is an automated additive inventory and delivery logistics control system.

Abstract: A wearable information gathering and processing system is described. The system includes an information obtaining device, the information obtaining device including at least one of a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, an infra red (IR) detector, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, a laser measurement device, microphone, or camera. The system also includes a processing device, the processing device including at least one of a voice recognition processor, a gesture recognition processor, or data processor, and an information-providing device coupled to the processing device, the information-providing device including at least one of a heads up display, a speaker, or a vibrator.

Abstract: A process of managing inventory and delivery logistics of one or more chemical additives used at a well treatment site. The process includes placing one or more bulk containers at the well treatment site to maintain inventory capacity for one or more chemical additives on-site for a well treatment procedure. Monitoring chemical additive inventory within the one or more bulk containers. Making a determination, based on monitored chemical additive inventory, whether additional additive is needed in the one or more bulk containers; generating, based on the determination, initiation of an order for delivery of additional additive. delivering the additional additive in a delivery bulk container to the well treatment site. Also included is an automated additive inventory and delivery logistics control system.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of allowing a subterranean formation to be fractured from an open hole well bore section includes providing a removable coating across substantially the entire surface of the wall of the well bore section, selectively removing the coating at a desired first fracture initiation location and allowing the first fracture to be formed in the vicinity of the desired first fracture initiation location.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of allowing a subterranean formation to be fractured from an open hole well bore section includes providing a removable coating across substantially the entire surface of the wall of the well bore section, selectively removing the coating at a desired first fracture initiation location and allowing the first fracture to be formed in the vicinity of the desired first fracture initiation location.

Abstract: A method of fracturing using deformable proppants minimizes proppant pack damage, without compromising the fracturing fluid's proppant transport properties during pumping, by use of deformable proppants. Selection of proppant is dependent upon the mechanical properties of the formation rock. The strength of the deformable proppant is dependent upon the modulus of the formation rock being treated such that the proppant is capable of providing, at the very least, a minimum level of conductivity in in-situ stress environments. The maximum elastic modulus of the deformable proppant is less than the minimum modulus of the formation rock which is being treated. The method is particularly applicable in fracturing operations of subterranean reservoirs such as those comprised primarily of coal, chalk, limestone, dolomite, shale, siltstone, diatomite, etc.

Abstract: A cement composition is provided including a cement and a low reactivity particle coated with a swellable polymeric material. The low reactivity particle is coated with a swellable polymeric material at a concentration of about 10 weight percent to about 50 weight percent, based on the weight of the cement. The swellable polymeric material swells to a larger volume when exposed to one or more hydrocarbons, depending on the selected polymeric material. The cement composition is used in a method as a self-sealing cement for cementing an oil and gas well, thereby minimizing or mitigating the unwanted migration of water or hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Methods and compositions useful for subterranean formation treatments, such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control that utilize relatively lightweight and/or substantially neutrally buoyant particulates. Particles that may be employed include particulates of naturally occurring materials that may be optionally strengthened or hardened by exposure to a modifying agent; porous materials including selectively configured porous material particles manufactured and/or treated with selected glazing materials, coating materials and/or penetrating materials; and well treating aggregates composed of an organic lightweight material and a weight modifying agent. The relatively lightweight particulate may be suspended as a substantially neutral buoyant particulate and stored with a carrier fluid as a pumpable slurry.

Abstract: An increase in effective propped lengths is evidenced in hydraulic fracturing treatments by the use of ultra lightweight (ULW) proppants. The ULW proppants have a density less than or equal to 2.45 g/cc and may be used as a mixture in a first proppant stage wherein at least one of the proppants is a ULW proppant. Alternatively, sequential proppant stages may be introduced into the formation wherein at least one of the proppant stages contain a ULW proppant and where at least one of the following conditions prevails: (i.) the density differential between the first proppant stage and the second proppant stage is greater than or equal to 0.2 g/cc; (ii.) both the first proppant stage and the second proppant stage contain a ULW proppant; (iii.) the rate of injection of the second proppant stage into the fracture is different from the rate of injection of the first proppant stage; or (iv.) the particle size of the second proppant stage is different from the particle size of the first proppant stage.

Abstract: Plastic beads, including polyamides and polystyrene beads crosslinked with divinylbenzene, having a curable resin coating are highly useful for sand control and/or hydraulic fracturing of subterranean. The curable resin coated plastic beads preferably have an apparent specific gravity less than about 1.5.

Abstract: A method of hydraulically fracturing a hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation ensures that the conductivity of water inflow below the productive zone of the subterranean formation is reduced. The method consists of two principal steps. In the first step, a fracture in and below the productive zone of the formation is initiated by introducing into the subterranean formation a fluid, free of a proppant, such as salt water, fresh water, brine, liquid hydrocarbon, and/or nitrogen or other gases. The proppant-free fluid may further be weighted. In the second step, a proppant laden slurry is introduced into the subterranean formation which contains a relatively lightweight density proppant. Either the fluid density of the proppant-free fluid is greater than the fluid density of the proppant laden slurry or the viscosity of the proppant-free fluid is greater than the viscosity of the proppant laden slurry.

Abstract: A structured composite is comprised of particulates having particle size distribution of at least two modes and a binder. The particle size distribution is preferably bi-modal or tri-modal. The composite may further contain a density-modifying agent for modifying the density of the composite. The particulates are preferably substantially spherical and may be ultra lightweight (ULW) materials. The resulting composites exhibit the requisite strength to survive downhole imposed stresses and temperatures.

Abstract: A method of fracturing using deformable proppants minimizes proppant pack damage, without compromising the fracturing fluid's proppant transport properties during pumping, by use of deformable proppants. Selection of proppant is dependent upon the mechanical properties of the formation rock. The strength of the deformable proppant is dependent upon the modulus of the formation rock being treated such that the proppant is capable of providing, at the very least, a minimum level of conductivity in in-situ stress environments. The maximum elastic modulus of the deformable proppant is less than the minimum modulus of the formation rock which is being treated. The method is particularly applicable in fracturing operations of subterranean reservoirs such as those comprised primarily of coal, chalk, limestone, dolomite, shale, siltstone, diatomite, etc.

Abstract: A well treating composition contains an aqueous acid and at least one relatively lightweight proppant, preferably having an apparent specific gravity (ASG) less than or equal to 2.45. The acid fracturing composition may used to acid fracture a hydrocarbon reservoir within a subterranean formation of an oil or gas well. The composition may further be used to stimulate the production of hydrocarbons. The proportion of relatively lightweight proppant to acid in the composition is such that the dimensional fracture conductivity (CfD) is in excess of 1.0. The aqueous acid typically has an ASG substantially equal to the ASG of the relatively lightweight particulate. As such, the relatively lightweight particulate is suspended in the aqueous acid.

Abstract: A subterranean formation having natural fractures, which is to be subjected to hydraulic fracturing, is first pre-treated with an ultra lightweight (ULW) proppant having an average particle size between from about 12/20 to about 40/70. The small ULW proppant flows into the natural fractures and packs the fractures. The formation is then subjected to hydraulic fracturing. The pre-treatment serves to enhance the effective propped fracture length of the formation during the hydraulic fracturing by reducing the loss of fluid from the subsequently pumped fracturing fluid. The method is applicable to hydrocarbon bearing formations as well as non-hydrocarbon bearing formations and has particular applicability to coal beds.

Abstract: Well treatment fluids containing a multimodal polymer mixture are disclosed, as are methods for their use. The fluids can contain a fluid, a polymer mixture, and a crosslinking agent. The polymer mixture has a multimodal molecular weight distribution such as a bimodal distribution, a trimodal distribution, or a tetramodal distribution. The polymer mixture can be a mixture of the same polymer, where different batches of different molecular weight distributions are combined. Alternatively, the polymer mixture can be a mixture of different polymers having different molecular weight distributions.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment of subterranean wells involving injecting a first fracturing fluid into a formation, and then injecting at least a second fracturing fluid into the formation in order to create extended conductive channels through a formation are described. The fracturing fluids can be similar in density, viscosity, pH and the other related characteristics. Alternatively, the fracturing fluids can differ in their densities, viscosities, and pH, allowing for variations in the conductive channels formed. Propping agents can also be included in one or both of the injected fluids, further enhancing the conductive channels formed. The described methods aid in minimizing proppant flowback problems typically associated with hydraulic fracturing techniques.

Abstract: Methods and compositions useful for subterranean formation treatments, such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control that utilize relatively lightweight and/or substantially neutrally buoyant particulates. Particles that may be employed include particulates of naturally occurring materials that may be optionally strengthened or hardened by exposure to a modifying agent; porous materials including selectively configured porous material particles manufactured and/or treated with selected glazing materials, coating materials and/or penetrating materials; and well treating aggregates composed of an organic lightweight material and a weight modifying agent. The relatively lightweight particulate may be suspended as a substantially neutral buoyant particulate and stored with a carrier fluid as a pumpable slurry.

Abstract: A method of hydraulically fracturing a hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation ensures that the conductivity of water inflow below the productive zone of the subterranean formation is reduced. The method consists of two principal steps. In the first step, a fracture in and below the productive zone of the formation is initiated by introducing into the subterranean formation a fluid, free of a proppant, such as salt water, fresh water, brine, liquid hydrocarbon, and/or nitrogen or other gases. The proppant-free fluid may further be weighted. In the second step, a proppant laden slurry is introduced into the subterranean formation which contains a relatively lightweight density proppant. Either the fluid density of the proppant-free fluid is greater than the fluid density of the proppant laden slurry or the viscosity of the proppant-free fluid is greater than the viscosity of the proppant laden slurry.