Abstract: The present invention relates to well bore stabilization and, more particularly, to treatment fluids that may reduce the tendency of shales to swell and associated methods. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of stabilizing a subterranean formation that comprises a shale, the method comprising contacting the subterranean formation that comprises the shale with a treatment fluid, the treatment fluid comprising a base fluid, and a hydrophobically modified polymer. In other embodiments, the treatment fluids comprise a base fluid and a hydrophilically modified polymer. In yet other embodiments, the present invention provides shale-inhibiting components, treatment fluids, and methods of reducing the tendency of shale to swell when exposed to a treatment fluid.

Abstract: Methods of forming chemical casings include drilling a well bore with a drilling fluid having a pH in the range of from about 6 to 10 and comprising water, a water soluble or water dispersible polymer which is capable of being cross-linked by a thermoset resin and causing the resin to be hard and tough when cured, a particulate curable solid thermoset resin, a water soluble or dispersible thermoset resin, and a delayed dispersible acid-catalyst for curing the solid thermoset resin and the water soluble thermoset resin, whereby the drilling fluid forms a filter cake on the walls of the wellbore that cures into a hard and tough cross-linked chemical casing thereon.

Abstract: Methods of consolidating formations include drilling a well bore with a drilling fluid that comprises water, a polymeric cationic catalyst which is adsorbed on minerals and rocks in weak unconsolidated zones or formations and then further contacting the unconsolidated formation with a treating fluid comprising a water soluble or dispersible polymer which is cross-linked by a thermoset resin and causes the resin to be hard and tough when cured, and a water soluble or dispersible thermoset resin which cross-links the polymer, is catalyzed and cured by the catalyst and consolidates the weak zone or formation so that sloughing is prevented.

Abstract: Methods of consolidating unconsolidated weak zones or formations and forming chemical casings include drilling a well bore with a drilling fluid having a pH in the range of from about 6 to 10 and that comprises water, a polymeric cationic catalyst which is adsorbed on the mineral surfaces in the weak zone, a particulate curable solid thermoset resin and a delay acid catalyst for curing the solid resin, and forming a filter cake on the walls of the well bore. The filter cake is then contacted with a treating fluid comprising a water soluble or water dispersible polymer which is capable of being crosslinked by a thermoset resin and causing the resin to be hard and tough when cured, and a water soluble or dispersible thermoset resin, whereby the treating fluid components deposit on the filter cake and the thermoset resin cures into a hard and tough cross-linked chemical casing thereon.

Abstract: A composition of matter for use in stablizing shale formations in earth boreholes comprising polymeric products, e.g., polymers of a dialkyl aminoalkyl methacrylate, which can optionally be quaternized with an alkyl halide to produce drilling fluid additives which stablize borehole formations containing reactive clays in the presence of an aqueous medium.

Abstract: Methods of consolidating formations or forming chemical casing or both while drilling are provided. One method of the invention comprises drilling a well bore with a drilling fluid comprised of water, a polymeric cationic catalyst which is adsorbed on weak zones or formations formed of unconsolidated clays, shale, sand stone and the like, a water soluble or dispersible polymer which is cross-linked by a thermoset resin and causes the resin to be hard and tough when cured, a particulate curable solid thermoset resin, a water soluble thermoset resin, and a delayed dispersible acid catalyst for curing the solid and water soluble resins. The drilling fluid forms a filter cake on the walls of the well bore that cures and consolidates the unconsolidated weak zones and formations penetrated by the well bore so that sloughing is prevented and forms a hard and tough cross-linked chemical casing on the walls of the well bore.

Abstract: Methods of consolidating formations or forming chemical casing or both while drilling are provided. One method of the invention comprises drilling a well bore with a drilling fluid comprised of water, a polymeric cationic catalyst which is adsorbed on weak zones or formations formed of unconsolidated clays, shale, sand stone and the like, a water soluble or dispersible polymer which is cross-linked by a thermoset resin and causes the resin to be hard and tough when cured, a particulate curable solid thermoset resin, a water soluble thermoset resin, and a delayed dispersible acid catalyst for curing the solid and water soluble resins. The drilling fluid forms a filter cake on the walls of the well bore that cures and consolidates the unconsolidated weak zones and formations penetrated by the well bore so that sloughing is prevented and forms a hard and tough cross-linked chemical casing on the walls of the well bore.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for tagging individual boards in a pack of lumber. The apparatus includes a support frame with a jump chain conveyer, a lift, a back stop or bump plate, a labeling assembly including a printer and a stapler, an optical, ultrasonic, or RF detector for determining the position of a leading board within the pack, a positioning assembly for moving the labeling assembly in three dimensions via stepper motors, servo motors, or hydraulic cylinders, a computer, and a bidirectional communications link connecting the detector, the labeling assembly, and the positioning assembly to the computer. In operation, a pack of lumber is placed onto the conveyer, lifted, and conveyed by the moving chains to abut the back stop where it is lowered onto the support frame. The operator inputs the number of courses in the pack, the dimensions of the boards, the size of the pack, and other selected identifying indicia into the computer.

Abstract: A well completion spacer fluid is provided which is particularly suitable for separating a cement slurry from drilling fluid in primary cementing operations. The well completion spacer fluid is also useful for separating other potentially incompatible fluids in the wellbore, such as, separating drilling fluid from a completion brine. The spacer fluid basically comprises water, a hydrous magnesium silicate clay, silica and organic polymer(s).

Abstract: Methods and compositions for removing gelled and dehydrated drilling fluid and filter cake from the walls of wellbores are provided. The methods basically include contacting the drilling fluid and filter cake with a removal composition comprised of an aqueous sugar solution for a period of time sufficient to cause the disintegration of the drilling fluid and filter cake. The composition, having the disintegrated drilling fluid and filter cake dispersed therein, is then displaced from the wellbore.

Abstract: A programmable electronic time delay initiator includes a digital time-delay circuit that counts in response to a dual-resonator clock and, at the end of the programmed time delay, gates the pre-stored charge on a capacitor to a semiconductor bridge initiator to fire an explosive. The timer circuit includes a combined crystal/RC oscillator that provides high accuracy oscillations from the crystal or oscillations from the RC components in the event the crystal fails. The timer circuit functions in response to multi-part serial commands delivered on a conventional two-wire path. The timer is initially powered-on to provide power to a capacitor that supplies power to the time-delay and related circuits. An initial ATTENTION pulse initializes the circuitry and starts a watchdog timer that counts a fixed number of clock cycles and resets the logic if a following WRITE, ARM, or FIRE command is not received.

Abstract: An improved method for fracturing oil wells is disclosed and claimed herein. In particular, the present invention involves the determination of the direction of fracture propagation, i.e., perpendicular to the minimum stress existing within a given formation and the alignment of perforations produced by a variety of perforating devices with the previously determined direction of fracture propagation. The methods disclosed and claimed herein will eliminate many problems encountered in the prior art, including reducing the pressure required to initiate fractures and reducing the undesirable effects of near wellbore tortuosity. A solidified compound may be placed proximate the fractures to further limit undesirable sand production.

Abstract: An improved method for completing wells formed in both consolidated and unconsolidated formations is disclosed. Further, methods are disclosed for completing deviated wells formed in consolidated formations which require stimulation by hydraulic fracturing. The present invention specifically relates to more efficient, less expensive techniques for well completion comprising novel techniques for the utilization of permeably consolidatably, resin coated particulates.

Abstract: Methods of treating a previously fractured bacteria contaminated subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore whereby the bacteria contamination is substantially reduced or eliminated are provided. The methods basically comprise mixing a bactericide with a fracturing fluid in an amount effective to contact and kill bacteria contained in the formation and pumping the mixture into the formation at a rate and pressure sufficient to re-fracture the formation. The re-fracturing of the formation causes the bactericide to be distributed throughout the formation and to contact and kill bacteria contained therein without adversely effecting the productivity of the formation.

Abstract: A composition for and method of removing polymeric material from a porous media such as a subterranean formation. The method comprises contacting the polymeric material with an aqueous composition having a pH of from about 2 to about 10 and comprising an oxidizing agent, a water soluble carboxylic acid, and optionally, a source which is effective in promoting the decomposition of the oxidizing agent.

Abstract: An inverter fluid that intermixes with a non-aqueous (e.g., oil) external/aqueous internal fluid to cause external/internal inversion is designed. This includes testing a selected inverter fluid with a test fluid having a composition nominally equivalent to the composition of the non-aqueous external/aqueous internal fluid. A quantity of the designed inverter fluid is made and placed in the annulus of a well, such as an oil or gas well, to remove the non-aqueous external/aqueous internal fluid on at least a portion of one or more surfaces of the annulus. This can include pumping the inverter fluid along with a stream of cement. The inverter fluid displaces at least part of the non-aqueous external/aqueous internal fluid in the annular region and inverts the coating of non-aqueous external/aqueous internal fluid sufficient to remove the coating ahead of the cement.