Abstract: A method and cementing composition for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore, wherein the cementing composition comprises a mixture of cementitious material, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and sufficient water to form a slurry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to subterranean cementing operations, and more particularly, to cement compositions comprising elastic particles and having improved mechanical properties, and methods of using such compositions in subterranean cementing operations. An example of a method of the present invention comprises the steps of: providing a cement composition comprising a base fluid, a hydraulic cement, and a portion of elastic particles; placing the cement composition in a well bore in a subterranean formation; permitting a portion of the cement composition to enter openings in a region of the subterranean formation in fluid communication with the well bore; and permitting the portion of the cement composition to seal the openings off from the well bore. Another example of a method of the present invention comprises the step of adding a portion of elastic particles to a cement composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of chemically generating gas in aqueous fluids utilized in the drilling and completion of wells such as drilling fluids, spacer fluids, and aqueous acid solutions. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of preventing the formation of fractures in a subterranean formation during a drilling operation. In other embodiments, the present invention provides methods of separating a first fluid and a second fluid in a subterranean formation; methods of forming lightweight well treatment fluids; methods of enhancing the permeability of a subterranean zone; lightweight drilling fluids; lightweight spacer fluids; foamed aqueous acidic well treatment fluids; and methods of making foamed aqueous and aqueous acidic well treatment fluids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of generating gas in and foaming well treating fluids during pumping of the treating fluids or after the treating fluids are placed in a subterranean zone, or both. A method of the present invention provides a method of making a foamed well fluid that comprises a gas comprising the steps of combining an aqueous fluid, a surfactant, an encapsulated activator, and a gas generating chemical, the gas generating chemical being present in an amount in the range of from about 0.1% to 100% of a water component in the aqueous well fluid; and allowing the gas generating chemical and the encapsulated activator to react so that gas is generated in the aqueous fluid to form a foamed well fluid. Methods of cementing, fracturing, cementing compositions, fracturing fluid compositions, and foamed well fluid compositions also are provided.

Abstract: Lightweight cement compositions and methods of cementing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore utilizing the compositions are provided. A lightweight cement composition of the invention is basically comprised of a coarse particulate hydraulic cement, an ultrafine particulate hydraulic cement mixture comprised of slag cement and a Portland or equivalent cement, fly ash, fumed silica, hollow glass spheres and water.

Abstract: Cement compositions comprising flexible, compressible beads, processes for preparing such cement compositions, and methods of cementing in subterranean formations using such cement compositions. One or more flexible, compressible beads are mixed with the cement before pumping the cement into a well bore. The flexible, compressible beads are preferably composed of an elastomeric material such as a copolymer of methylmethacrylate and acrylonitrile; a terpolymer of methylmethacrylate, acrylonitrile, and dichloroethane; a styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer; and polystyrene. The flexible, compressible beads may be heated to expand the beads before mixing with the cement such that the ensuing cement composition will have a desired density. Non-flexible beads such as spherulites may also be added to the cement compositions.

Abstract: The current invention provides a method for enhancing the formation stability of water sensitive, reactive formations penetrated by a wellbore. The method of the current invention provides an accurate evaluation of the impact of cementing fluids on water sensitive, reactive formations and provides the ability to accurately formulate cementing fluids in order to enhance the stability of such formations. When necessary, the method of the current invention additionally provides for the application of an osmotic semi-permeable membrane to the face of the formation.

Abstract: A method is provided for selecting a cementing composition for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore. The method involves comprising determining a group of effective cementing compositions from a group of cementing compositions given estimated conditions experienced during the life of the well, and estimating the risk parameters for each of the group of effective cementing compositions.

Abstract: Improved methods of generating gas in and foaming well treating fluids introduced into a subterranean zone are provided. A method of the invention includes the steps of combining one or more gas generating chemicals with the well treating fluid and combining one or more delayed encapsulated activators having selected release times with the well treating fluid containing the gas generating chemicals so that the gas generating chemicals react with the delayed encapsulated oxidizing agent activators and gas and foam are formed in the treating fluid while the treating fluid is being pumped and after being placed in the subterranean zone.

Abstract: Improved methods of generating gas in and foaming aqueous well fluids introduced into a subterranean zone are provided. A method of the invention includes the steps of combining with an alkaline aqueous well fluid one or more gas generating chemicals and a mixture of foaming and foaming stabilizing surfactants so that the gas generating chemical or chemicals react with the alkaline aqueous well fluid and gas and foam are formed in the well fluid while it is being pumped, and then pumping the well fluid into the subterranean zone.

Abstract: A method and cementing composition is provided for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore, wherein the cementing composition comprises a mixture of cementitious material, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and sufficient water to form a slurry.

Abstract: A cement composition for use in borehole applications comprising hydraulic cement, sufficient water to form a slurry, and an effective amount of a resilience/toughness enhancing additive comprising a thermoplastic block copolymer having a tensile strength of from 500 to 4000 psi, a recoverable elongation of 200 to 1000 percent and exhibiting temperature stability in the range of 30E to 500 EF, the cement composition being useful for forming seals at desired locations in wellbores or formations penetrated by wellbores by placing the composition in the desired location and permitting the composition to set.

Abstract: A method is provided for selecting a cementing composition for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore. The method involves comprising determining a group of effective cementing compositions from a group of cementing compositions given estimated conditions experienced during the life of the well, and estimating the risk parameters for each of the group of effective cementing compositions.

Abstract: Improved methods of generating gas in and foaming well treating fluids introduced into a subterranean zone are provided. A method of the invention includes the steps of combining one or more gas generating chemicals with the well treating fluid and combining one or more delayed encapsulated activators having selected release times with the well treating fluid containing the gas generating chemicals so that the gas generating chemicals react with the delayed encapsulated oxidizing agent activators and gas and foam are formed in the treating fluid while the treating fluid is being pumped and after being placed in the subterranean zone.

Abstract: Improved methods of generating gas in and foaming aqueous well fluids introduced into a subterranean zone are provided. A method of the invention includes the steps of combining with an alkaline aqueous well fluid one or more gas generating chemicals and a mixture of foaming and foaming stabilizing surfactants so that the gas generating chemical or chemicals react with the alkaline aqueous well fluid and gas and foam are formed in the well fluid while it is being pumped, and then pumping the well fluid into the subterranean zone.

Abstract: In accordance with a method of this invention, formation integrity problems are discovered, diagnosed and corrected in successively drilled subterranean well bore intervals. If one or more of well bore fluid outflows, formation fluid inflows or inadequate well bore pressure containment integrity are discovered in a drilled well bore interval, well logs are run and other relevant well bore data is collected in the drilled well bore interval and analyzed to provide a specific treatment using a specific pumpable sealing composition for sealing and increasing the pressure containment integrity of the well bore. Thereafter, the sealing composition is pumped into the drilled well bore interval whereby the well bore interval is sealed or the pressure containment integrity is increased, or both.

Abstract: A method is provided for selecting a cementing composition for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore. The method involves comprising determining a group of effective cementing compositions from a group of cementing compositions given estimated conditions experienced during the life of the well, and estimating the risk parameters for each of the group of effective cementing compositions.

Abstract: Lightweight cement compositions and methods of cementing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore utilizing the compositions are provided. A lightweight cement composition of the invention is basically comprised of a coarse particulate hydraulic cement, an ultrafine particulate hydraulic cement mixture comprised of slag cement and a Portland or equivalent cement, fly ash, fumed silica, hollow glass spheres and water.

Abstract: Lightweight cement compositions and methods of cementing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore utilizing the compositions are provided. A lightweight cement composition of the invention is basically comprised of a coarse particulate hydraulic cement, an ultrafine particulate hydraulic cement mixture comprised of slag cement and a Portland or equivalent cement, fly ash, fumed silica, hollow glass spheres and water.

Abstract: Lightweight cement compositions and methods of cementing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore utilizing the compositions are provided. A lightweight cement composition of the invention is basically comprised of a coarse particulate hydraulic cement, an ultrafine particulate hydraulic cement mixture comprised of slag cement and a Portland or equivalent cement, fly ash, fumed silica, hollow glass spheres and water.