Abstract: The current invention provides an improved permeable cement composition for formation of downhole sand screens. The improved composition includes an effective amount of a surfactant. Addition of the surfactant to the permeable cement composition yields at least a pumpable slurry with a minimal amount of water or brine solution.

Abstract: The current invention provides an improved permeable cement composition for formation of downhole sand screens. The improved composition includes an effective amount of a surfactant. Addition of the surfactant to the permeable cement composition yields at least a pumpable slurry with a minimal amount of water or brine solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of determining the source of a particular fluid or particulate, and to novel tracer matrixes that may be used in such methods. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of detecting particulate or fluid flow from a first location to a second location comprising the steps of: introducing a tracer matrix comprising a polymeric material and a photoactive material to the first location; and detecting the photoactive material at the second location. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of detecting flow from a first zone and a second zone in a multizonal well in a subterranean formation comprising the steps of: introducing a first photoactive tracer into the first zone; introducing a second photoactive tracer into the second zone; and detecting the first and the second photoactive tracers in the return flow from the first and second zones.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for preventing fracture proppant particle flowback from subterranean zones penetrated by well bores are provided. The methods basically comprise the following steps. One or more fractures are formed in a subterranean zone and proppant particles coated with a curable liquid composition for consolidating the proppant particles into resilient permeable masses are deposited in the fractures. The curable liquid composition is a mixture of a tackifying compound liquid and a curable resin. After the coated proppant particles have been deposited, the curable liquid composition is allowed to cure.

Abstract: Improved methods and compositions for consolidating proppant in subterranean fractures are provided. In accordance with a method of the invention, proppant particles coated with a furfuryl alcohol resin composition are mixed with a gelled liquid fracturing fluid and the fracturing fluid is pumped into a subterranean zone. The fracturing fluid forms one or more fractures in the subterranean zone and deposits the proppant particles coated with the resin composition therein. Thereafter, the hardenable resin composition on the proppant particles is allowed to harden by heat and consolidate the proppant particles into chemical and thermal degradation resistant permeable packs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for removing resin coatings. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and compositions for removing coatings comprising epoxy and/or furan. Some embodiments of the methods of the present invention comprise removing a resin coating from a surface comprising the step of applying to the surface a cleaning solution comprising: a pH-adjusting agent, a solvent, and water. Other embodiments of the present invention comprise cleaning solutions comprising a pH-adjusting agent, a solvent, and water wherein the cleaning solution is suitable for use in cleaning a resin from a surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for creating reduced-density, coated particulates and methods for using such particulates in subterranean operations. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and compositions for effecting the density of particulates by coating them on-the-fly with a density-reducing material. One embodiment of the present invention describes methods of making a reduced-density, coated particulate comprising the steps of coating a particulate material with a coating material to create a coated particulate; providing a density-reducing material; and, adhering the density-reducing material to the surface of the coated particulate on-the-fly to create reduced-density, coated particulates.

Abstract: The present invention involves enhancing the conductivity of subterranean propped fractures penetrating formations while controlling proppant flowback. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved consolidation performance of resin-coated proppants and their use in controlling proppant flowback. Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of controlling proppant flowback from a fracture in a subterranean zone comprising the steps of providing resin coated proppant; providing tackifying composition; coating the tackifying composition onto at least a portion of the resin coated proppant to create tackyfied resin coated proppant; introducing the tackyfied resin coated proppant into a subterranean fracture; and, allowing the tackyfied resin coated proppant to substantially cure.

Abstract: A method of consolidating a proppant particulates comprising substantially coating proppant particulates with an integrated consolidation fluid comprising a hardening agent that itself comprises a piperazine, a derivative of piperazine, or a combination thereof; placing the coated proppant particulates into a portion of a subterranean formation; and, allowing the integrated consolidation fluid to substantially cure. A method of stabilizing a portion of a subterranean formation comprising applying a preflush solution to the subterranean formation; applying an integrated consolidation fluid to the subterranean formation, wherein the integrated consolidation fluid comprises a hardening agent component itself comprising a piperazine, a derivative of piperazine, or a combination thereof; and, allowing the integrated consolidation fluid to substantially cure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for controlling the migration of particulates, such as proppant and formation sands, from subterranean formations using solutions of tackifying materials. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising the steps of placing a tackifying composition into the subterranean formation and then placing an after-flush fluid into the subterranean formation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for controlling the flowback of proppants that have been placed inside fractures of a subterranean formation. The apparatus is defined by a plurality of solid balls, which comprise compressed springs that are encapsulated in a mass of fibrous material and an aqueous soluble mixture of a filler material and an adhesive. In the method according to the present invention, the solid balls are mixed in a viscous slurry and injected into the fractures with the proppants. Over time the aqueous soluble mixture dissolves releasing the compressed springs to fill the openings of the fractures. The fibrous network and expanded springs, which remain, act as a filter or screen to restrict the movement of the proppants from flowing back to the surface during production of the well.

Abstract: Methods of consolidating subterranean zones and hardenable resin compositions are provided. A hardenable resin composition of the invention basically comprises a furan liquid resin mixture comprising a 2-furanmethanol homopolymer and furfuryl alcohol, an organosilane coupling agent and an acid catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention described a resin composition comprising from about 5% to about 30% phenol, from about 40% to about 70% phenol formaldehyde, from about 10% to about 40% furfuryl alcohol, from about 0.1% to about 3% of a silane coupling agent, and from about 1% to about 15% of a surfactant and methods of using of that resin in consolidating subterranean formation fines.

Abstract: An expandable sand control screen (100) that is positionable within a wellbore comprises a fluid permeable generally tubular member (102) that is expanded downhole. A filtering assembly is disposed exteriorly of the generally tubular member (102). The filtering assembly includes a filter medium (106) that prevents the flow of particulate material of a predetermined size therethrough but allows the flow of production fluids therethrough. The filtering assembly also includes a compliable member (118) that has a thickness that is radially variable downhole. During or after expansion of the expandable sand control screen (100), the radial variability of the thickness of the compliable member (118) allows the expandable sand control screen (100) to comply with any irregularities in the wellbore profile, thereby preventing any void regions between the expandable sand control screen (100) and the wellbore.

Abstract: Methods of reducing or preventing particulate flow-back in subterranean zones. In accordance with the methods, a treating fluid having a mixture of reticulated foam fragments and particulate solids are suspended therein. The treating fluid is introduced into a subterranean zone and the mixture of the reticulated foam fragments and the particulate solids are deposited in the subterranean zone whereby the reticulated foam fragments retard or prevent the flow-back of the particulate solids and the transport of formation fines from the subterranean zone upon the flowing-back of fluid from the zone.

Abstract: Improved methods and compositions for consolidating proppant in subterranean fractures are provided. In accordance with the methods of the invention, proppant particles coated with a hardenable bisphenol A-epichlorohydrin resin composition are mixed with a gelled liquid fracturing fluid and the fracturing fluid is pumped into a subterranean zone. The fracturing fluid forms one or more fractures in the subterranean zone and deposits the proppant particles coated with the resin composition therein. Thereafter, the hardenable resin composition on the proppant particles is allowed to harden by heat and consolidate the proppant particles into degradation resistant permeable packs. The hardenable bisphenol A-epichlorohydrin resin compositions of the invention are storable for long periods of time before use.

Abstract: Methods of reducing or preventing particulate flow-back in subterranean zones are provided. In accordance with the methods, a treating fluid having a mixture of reticulated foam fragments and particulate solids suspended therein is provided. The treating fluid is introduced into a subterranean zone and the mixture of the reticulated foam fragments and the particulate solids are deposited in the subterranean zone whereby the reticulated foam fragments retard or prevent the flow-back of the particulate solids and the transport of formation fines from the subterranean zone upon the flowing-back of fluid from the zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of stabilizing subterranean formations and methods of reducing the production of particulates from subterranean formations, which are useful in conjunction with subterranean formations surrounding wellbores and fractures. The methods comprise the steps of applying to a subterranean formation a combination aqueous liquid and surfactant preflush solution, an integrated consolidation fluid and an afterflush fluid and then waiting a chosen period of time.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for determining the source of treatment fluids being produced from a production formation having multiple zones by introducing a treatment composition having a tracking material into a zone in the subterranean formation, and detecting the tracking material in treatment composition that flows back from the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for preventing fracture proppant particle flowback from subterranean zones penetrated by well bores are provided. The methods basically comprise the following steps. One or more fractures are formed in a subterranean zone and proppant particles coated with a curable liquid composition for consolidating the proppant particles into resilient permeable masses are deposited in the fractures. The curable liquid composition is a mixture of a tackifying compound liquid and a curable resin. After the coated proppant particles have been deposited, the curable liquid composition is allowed to cure.