Abstract: A system and method for stimulating a formation penetrated by a wellbore and vibrating a device for supporting a gravel pack in the wellbore, according to which the build up of scale on the device is sensed and a corresponding signal is output. A tool is lowered into the wellbore, and includes a driver for driving an acoustic transducer coupled to the device for vibrating the device and stimulating the formation.

Abstract: A package and methods for treating a wellbore using the same. In one embodiment, the method comprises servicing a wellbore in contact with a subterranean formation by placing a material in the wellbore, wherein the material is disposed within a closed container. The material is suitable for use in a wellbore and is capable of plugging a flow pathway. The method further comprises releasing the material from the container. In an embodiment, the material is a swelling agent, which may plug a permeable zone.

Abstract: Methods of remediating a subterranean formation comprising directing vibrational waves at a portion of the subterranean formation containing fines; allowing the vibrational waves to displace at least a portion of the fines; and introducing a consolidating agent into the portion of the subterranean formation through a well bore that penetrates the portion of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Methods of cementing in a subterranean formation include passing a swelling agent to a permeable zone in a subterranean formation. The swelling agent is combined with a carrier fluid before being passed to the permeable zone. Upon contacting an aqueous fluid, the swelling agent swells in the permeable zone. The aqueous fluid may already be present in the subterranean formation, or alternatively, it may be introduced to the subterranean formation after passing the swelling agent into the subterranean formation. The swelling agent substantially inhibits a cement slurry subsequently pumped into the subterranean formation from passing through the permeable zone. The cement slurry therefore continues flowing down through the casing and up through the annulus where it sets and forms a strong cement column.

Abstract: Methods of cementing in a subterranean formation include passing a swelling agent to a permeable zone in a subterranean formation. The swelling agent is combined with a carrier fluid before being passed to the permeable zone. Upon contacting an aqueous fluid, the swelling agent swells in the permeable zone. The aqueous fluid may already be present in the subterranean formation, or alternatively, it may be introduced to the subterranean formation after passing the swelling agent into the subterranean formation. The swelling agent substantially inhibits a cement slurry subsequently pumped into the subterranean formation from passing through the permeable zone. The cement slurry therefore continues flowing down through the casing and up through the annulus where it sets and forms a strong cement column.

Abstract: A method for the determination of anisotropic material properties in subterranean rock formations by means of radially oriented and generally equally angularly spaced sidewall cores obtained by use of a rotary sidewall coring tool. The measurement values obtained from testing of the sidewall cores are utilized to obtain an accurate prediction of the shape of the ellipse that describes the variation in the material property under consideration as a function of direction in the bedding plane of the subterranean rock formation.

Abstract: Methods of completing poorly consolidated subterranean formations bounded by one or more consolidated formations to prevent sand production from the poorly consolidated formations are provided. The methods basically comprise the steps of drilling a well bore into the consolidated boundary formation adjacent to the poorly consolidated formation, creating a propped fracture communicating with the well bore in the consolidated boundary formation which extends into the poorly consolidated formation and producing fluids from the poorly consolidated formation into the well bore by way of the propped fracture.

Abstract: A fracture oriented completion tool system for use in a casing string in a wellbore. The completion tool comprises a casing valve having a radioactive source therein, the orientation of which may be determined by use of a detector apparatus, such as a rotational gamma ray detector. The casing valve thus may be aligned with the fracture of a zone of interest in the well. A plurality of casing valves may be used, with at least one having a radioactive source. A swivel connection may be used to interconnect the casing valve so that housing ports therein may be aligned as the casing is run into the wellbore. In one preferred embodiment, the swivel connection is a locking swivel connection. A method of positioning a casing string in the well utilizing the completion tool is also disclosed.

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 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.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation having a well bore extending thereinto. The method comprises the steps of: (a) placing a jetting tool in the well bore such that the jetting tool is positioned within the subterranean formation, the jetting tool including a jetting nozzle; (b) orienting, by rotating the jetting tool about a longitudinal axis, the jetting tool such that the directional orientation of the jetting nozzle substantially corresponds to a predetermined fracturing direction; and (c) cutting a slot in the subterranean formation (and/or casing) by substantially maintaining the jetting nozzle orientation established in step (b) while both (1) spraying a jetting fluid out of the first jetting nozzle and (2) moving the jetting tool longitudinally within the well bore along the longitudinal axis.

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 well bore tortuosity.

Abstract: An additive for addition to conventional well treatment fluids to enhance the ability of the fluids to be recovered from subterranean formations, to generate a foam in association with the fluids and/or to enhance the ability of the fluids to remove water and other connate fluids interlocked with gas in the formations. The additive includes about 25% to about 50% by volume of a microemulsion generating component which forms an acid and/or water external microemulsion when added to the treatment fluid, and about 50% to about 75% by volume of a foaming agent component. The foaming agent component includes at least one nonionic surface active agent having an HLB of from 12 to 22. The additive is particularly suitable for addition to foam fracturing fluids useful for stimulating tight or otherwise unconventional gas formations. Also provided are a gas well treatment composition employing the inventive additive and a method of treating a subterranean formation in which the inventive composition is employed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining the orientation of a wellbore relative to stress fields within a formation through analysis of pressure climb data during a test fracturing operation. The test fracturing operation may be formed in a plurality of wells having a known angular relation to one another in a given formation. A known angular or azimuthal relationship between the wells may be correlated with the derivative of the pressure decline proximate the relief in pressure area to define maximum azimuthal stress field and a minimum azimuthal stress field in the formation.

Abstract: A method for measuring the azimuthal strike orientation of induced fractures in subterranean formations from which the maximum and minimum in situ stress direction can be inferred. The method utilizes an oriented core of a formation and computed tomography imagery for measuring the azimuthal strike orientation of induced fractures.

Abstract: Methods of detecting and measuring in-situ elastic anisotropy in a subterranean rock formation penetrated by a well bore are provided. The methods basically include exerting pressure on the formation by way of the well bore, and measuring the incremental diametral displacements of the well bore at a location therein adjacent the formation as the pressure on the formation is increased. The magnitudes of the diametral displacements are compared to detect and measure elastic anisotropy in the formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for determining the gas permeability of very low permeability subterranean formations as well as the gas permeability reducing effects of injecting one or more treatment fluids thereinto. A gas is injected into a core sample of the formation at a selected substantially constant pressure, and the injection is continued for a long period of time to insure steady state flow conditions. The temperature of the gas as it flows through the core sample and the flow rate of the gas exiting the core sample are measured, and the native state gas permeability of the core sample is calculated therefrom. One or more treatment fluids can be injected into the core sample after the native state permeability is determined. Thereafter, the gas permeability can again be determined and compared to the native state permeability.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus are provided for orienting a particular well completion in accordance with azimuths determined with respect to magnetic north. The invention permits the perforating gun of a wireline tool to be properly oriented in either a vertical or non-vertical wellbore. A wireline tool is described whose lower section contains a gun section and is rotatably joined to the upper section and may be rotated about a swivel joint assembly to move independently of the upper section and in accordance with an orienting means. The rotation may be accomplished by mechanical, hydraulic or electrical means of imparting rotation. In addition, preferred embodiments of the invention include a distant display such that operators may verify directional orientation of charges prior to initiating them. Alternative embodiments are provided for practicing the invention using multiple passes into the well which involve less risk of damage to portions of the well tool.

Abstract: An improved method for determining the magnitude of the minimum principle horizontal stress within a formation is disclosed and claimed herein. In particular, the inventive method involves the use of a wireline retrievable circumferential acoustic scanning tool during an open hole microfracture test to determine the magnitude of the minimum principle horizontal stress in the formation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a procedure to control fracture orientation in underground formations to increase well productivity. The method is performed by hydraulically fracturing the formation and propping and plugging the fractures which result. The formation is then perforated or notched in a direction angularly disposed relative to the anticipated fracture formation and first hydraulic fracture. The presence of the first fracture will force the second fracture to propagate in a direction away from that of the first fracture. A method for simultaneously fracturing the formation in two directions is also provided.