Abstract: Treatment fluids comprising degradable diverting agents and methods of using such treatment fluids in subterranean formations are provided. Examples of methods include methods of fracturing a subterranean formation. Another example of a method is a method of enhancing production from multiple regions of a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore during a single trip through the well bore.

Abstract: Methods for stabilizing portions of a subterranean formation and controlling the production of water from those subterranean formations. In one embodiment, the methods of the present invention comprise: providing a consolidating agent; introducing the consolidating agent into an unconsolidated portion of a subterranean formation using a fluid diversion tool; allowing the consolidating agent to at least partially consolidate the unconsolidated portion of the subterranean formation; providing a relative permeability modifier; introducing the relative permeability modifier into the subterranean formation using a fluid diversion tool; and allowing the relative permeability modifier to modify the relative permeability of at least a portion of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Methods of initiating a fracture tip screenout, that comprise pumping an annulus fluid into an annulus, between the subterranean formation and a work string disposed within a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, at an annulus flow rate; and reducing the annulus flow rate below a fracture initiation flow point so that the fracture tip screenout is initiated in the one or more fractures in the subterranean formation, are provided. Also provided are methods of fracturing a portion of a subterranean formation and methods of estimating a fracture initiation flow point.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for cleaning a wellbore. The method is designed to remove debris particles from the wellbore by suspending the debris within the wellbore and then forming an approximately helical flow stream in the wellbore to remove the particles. One apparatus includes a body with a flow channel and multiple nozzles connecting to the flow channel and extending to the circumference of the body. Each nozzle has a nozzle axis that bisects the circumference forming a nozzle axis-circumference intersection; the nozzle axis is not on a plane that is formed by the vertical axis and the nozzle-axis-circumference intersection.

Abstract: A system and method for fracturing a hydrocarbon producing formation in which a fracturing tool is inserted in a wellbore adjacent the formation, and fracturing fluid is introduced into the annulus between the fracturing tool and the wellbore and flows to the formation.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a flow conditioning system for fluid jetting tools includes a housing having a plurality of jet nozzle openings and a fluid straightener disposed within the housing. The fluid straightener is defined by one or more vanes, and the vanes form a plurality of flow channels within the housing. Each flow channel is associated with at least one jet nozzle opening.

Abstract: A device for separating constituents of a fluid mixture includes an elongate vessel oriented at an acute angle to horizontal. The vessel is operable to receive the fluid mixture and direct the fluid mixture to flow in a convection cell spanning substantially a length of the vessel. The convection cell is formed by gravitational forces acting on the fluid mixture and is operable to deposit a heavy constituent of the fluid mixture about a lower end of the vessel and a light constituent of the fluid mixture about an upper end of the vessel.

Abstract: A wellbore completion design is provided, which creates a convective flow action that separates water and sand from hydrocarbons during production of the hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation. A deviated section of the wellbore creates the desired effect. The wellbore completion design may include a secondary bore, which intersects the deviated section of the wellbore at an acute angle, to accumulate the separated water and sand. An injection pump disposed in the toe section of the secondary bore can also be employed to pump the water back into the water containing portion of the subterranean formation. If solids are present in more than trace amounts, the toe section of the secondary bore may be formed at an acute angle to the remaining portion of the secondary bore to prevent blockage of the pump. Alternatively, a tertiary bore may be provided, so that the solids can accumulate in the secondary bore and the water can flow into the tertiary bore.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus includes an outer housing, or pressurized chamber, and an inner housing rotatably disposed in the outer housing. A bulk material inlet is defined at the upper end of the inner housing. The outer housing has a liquid inlet for the introduction of liquid. The inner housing has a plurality of liquid inlet ports for receiving liquid from the inner housing. The bulk material and liquid are mixed in the rotatable inner housing and pass through an exit of inner housing into the pressurized chamber. The slurry then passes out of the pressurized chamber through an outlet in the pressurized chamber. A rotor is disposed in and is connected to the inner housing. Rotation of the rotor causes rotation of the inner housing.

Abstract: A system and method for fracturing an earth formation surrounding a borehole includes an elongate conduit positioned in the borehole. A packer assembly is provided about the conduit and is adapted to seal an annulus between the conduit and the borehole. A packing passage is provided and adapted to communicate a first side of the packer assembly to the annulus between the conduit and the borehole on a second side of the packer assembly. The conduit has at least one inlet into the conduit on the second side of the packer assembly adapted to allow flow from outside of the conduit to the interior of the conduit. The conduit has at least one ported sub having at least one lateral jet aperture therein adapted to direct fluids within the conduit into the earth formation to fracture the earth formation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for fracturing a subterranean formation which use a liner fracturing tool. The liner fracturing tool consists of a liner, with at least one jet extending through the liner. During fracturing operations, fracturing fluid is pressured through the jet to form microfractures. Fractures are formed by the stagnation pressure of the fracturing fluid. The jets may be mounted within a jet holder that may be dissolved following fracturing operations to allow reservoir hydrocarbons to flow into the liner more readily.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a high-velocity fluid discharge device includes tubing having one or more orifices formed therein, a shroud coupled to the tubing such that, when a fluid flowing through the tubing exits the orifices, the fluid impinges on an inside surface of the shroud, and openings at both ends of the shroud. The openings have substantially the same areas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to subterranean well stimulation. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved methods of stimulating subterranean formations during drilling operations. In some embodiments, the present invention discloses methods of stimulating a section of a subterranean formation comprising (a) forming at least a portion of a well bore that at least penetrates a section of the subterranean formation using a drilling operation; (b) stimulation a section of the subterranean; and (c) continuing the drilling operation. In other embodiments, the present invention discloses methods of stimulation a section of a subterranean formation comprising (a) forming at least a portion of a well bore that at least penetrates a section of the subterranean formation using a drilling operation; (b) stimulating a section of the subterranean formation; and (c) continuing the drilling operation.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for wellbore production enhancement includes determining a location of a tubing connector of a tubing string having a plurality of tube sections, translating one or more slips downward to hold a position of the tubing string, disconnecting one of the tube sections above the tubing connector, thereby causing the discharge of a liquid out of the tubing string, directing the discharged liquid to a fluid containment, re-attaching the disconnected tube section to the tubing string, translating the tubing string upwardly, and disconnecting the tube section again.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a flow switchable check valve includes a housing, a guide member having a bore extending therethrough disposed within the housing, and a poppet having a head and a stem. The head has an upstream surface engaged with a seating surface on the housing when the poppet is in a first position. A pin extends into a groove such that the pin follows a pattern of the groove when the poppet is translated within the housing. The pattern is configured to direct the poppet from the first position to a second position when a force is applied to the head, and further configured to direct the poppet from the second position to a third position when the force is removed from the head, in which the third position is downstream from the first position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of isolating hydrajet stimulated zones from subsequent well operations. The method includes the step of drilling a wellbore into the subterranean formation of interest. Next, the wellbore may or may not be cased depending upon a number of factors including the nature and structure of the subterranean formation. Next, the casing, if one is installed, and wellbore are perforated using a high pressure fluid being ejected from a hydrajetting tool. A first zone of the subterranean formation is then fractured and stimulated. Next, the first zone is temporarily plugged or partially sealed by installing an isolation fluid into the wellbore adjacent to the one or more fractures and/or in the openings thereof, so that subsequent zones can be fractured and additional well operations can be performed.

Abstract: Methods of cleaning a surface comprising the step of jetting against a surface to be cleaned, a cleaning fluid comprising a liquid base fluid and degradable particles wherein the degradable particles act as an abrasive agent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing gas from a subterranean formation containing a coal seam. The method includes the steps of drilling a substantially vertical well bore into the subterranean formation, which intersects the coal seam and fracturing the coal seam using a hydrajetting tool to produce at least one pair of opposed bi-wing fractures substantially along a plane of maximum stress. One or more horizontal well bores may also be drilled into the coal seam along which the coal seam can be further fractured.

Abstract: An orbital downhole separator for separating well fluids into constituents of different specific gravities. Specifically, it is designed to separate water from oil or gas. The apparatus comprises a housing with a rotating member therein driven by a motor in the housing. Well fluid flows through the rotating member and is subjected to centrifugal force to separate the components. A flow conditioner is used to facilitate separation. The invention includes several different versions of the flow conditioner including an impeller, a stator and controllers for controlling the speed of the motor in response to signals related to the amount of petroleum in the water.

Abstract: A method of treating and completing a well includes positioning a downhole tool within a well. The downhole tool includes an elongated body defining a central passageway and including a plurality of production openings and at least one frac opening, a frac mandrel disposed within the central passageway, and a packer disposed about the elongated body. The method further includes securing the downhole tool in the well by the packer, fracing a formation through the frac opening, and producing a fluid from the formation through the production openings.