Abstract: A method of making a proppant is provided, wherein the method includes the steps of: (a) forming a particulate comprising: (i) a binder; and (ii) a filler; and (b) sintering the particulate to form a sintered proppant, wherein the sintered proppant comprises: (i) at least 20 wt % of alkaline earth oxide equivalent; and (ii) at least 20 wt % of silicon dioxide equivalent. A method of treating (e.g., fracturing) a subterranean formation is provided, the method including the steps of: (a) suspending the sintered proppant in a treatment fluid; and (b) introducing the sintered proppant into the subterranean formation. The sintered proppant is made with a raw material selected from the group consisting of: unhydrated cement, hydrated cement (e.g., construction cement or concrete waste), kiln dust, fly ash, limestone, lime, talc, olivine, dolomite, clay that contains a substantial concentration of alkaline earth oxide equivalent, and any combination thereof in any proportion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluids useful for subterranean operations, and more particularly, to fluorosurfactants useful for the reduction of water blocks, gas blocks, and/or gas condensates and their associated treatment fluids and methods. Provided is a method of treating a subterranean formation. The method may comprise contacting the subterranean formation with a fluorosurfactant. The fluorosurfactant may comprise an amine group, wherein the amine group comprises at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of a fluoroalkyl group, a fluoroalkenyl group, and combinations thereof, wherein the at least one substituent comprises about 3 carbons to about 22 carbons. Also provided are polymeric surfactants and treatment fluids that comprise fluorosurfactants.

Abstract: The present invention provides treatment fluids useful for subterranean operations, and more particularly, in at least one aspect, a treatment fluid that comprises a carrier fluid and a cationic surfactant comprising a cationic head group, a polar group attached to the head group, and a hydrophobic group that is either a saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight chain alkyl, and comprises about 6 carbons to about 22 carbons. The treatment fluids of the present invention are at least suitable for use as a remedial treatment for the reduction of existing water blocks, oil blocks, and/or gas condensates.

Abstract: A method for the encapsulation and triggered-release of water-soluble or water-dispersible materials. The method comprises a) providing an amount of electrolyte having a charge, b) providing an amount of counterion having a valence of at least 2, c) combining the polyelectrolyte and the counterion in a solution such that the polyelectrolyte self-assembles to form aggregates, d) adding a compound to be encapsulated, and e) adding nanoparticles to the solution such that nanoparticles arrange themselves around the aggregates. Release of the encapsulated species is triggered by disassembly or deformation of the microcapsules though disruption of the charge interactions. This method is specifically useful for the controlled viscosity reduction of the fracturing fluids commonly utilized in the oil field.

Abstract: A method of making a proppant is provided, wherein the method includes the steps of: (a) forming a particulate comprising: (i) a binder; and (ii) a filler; and (b) sintering the particulate to form a sintered proppant, wherein the sintered proppant comprises: (i) at least 20 wt % of alkaline earth oxide equivalent; and (ii) at least 20 wt % of silicon dioxide equivalent. A method of treating (e.g., fracturing) a subterranean formation is provided, the method including the steps of: (a) suspending a sintered proppant in a treatment fluid, wherein the sintered proppant comprises: (i) at least 20 wt % of alkaline earth oxide equivalent; and (ii) at least 20 wt % of silicon dioxide equivalent; and (b) introducing the sintered proppant into the subterranean formation (e.g., into a fracture). In addition, a sintered proppant is provided comprising: (i) at least 20 wt % of alkaline earth oxide equivalent; and (ii) at least 20 wt % of silicon dioxide equivalent.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of crosslinking polysaccharides to form crosslinked polysaccharides, and more particularly, to crosslinked polysaccharides that may be incorporated in fluids useful in, for example, applications requiring a crosslinked viscoelastic gel. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of crosslinking a polysaccharide comprising the steps of: providing a metal coordinating group having a reactive site, derivatizing a polysaccharide with the metal coordinating group to produce a derivatized polysaccharide having bidentate ligands, and crosslinking the derivatized polysaccharide having bidentate ligands with a metal ion to form a metal ligand coordination complex.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a guar gum powder, the method comprising the steps of: (a) flaking undehusked guar splits; and (b) grinding the flaked, undehusked guar splits to obtain guar gum powder. According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprises the steps of: (a) forming a treatment fluid, wherein the treatment fluid comprises: (i) an aqueous fluid; and (ii) a guar gum powder comprising at least 70% by weight gum material and at least 15% by weight husk material; and (b) introducing the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation through the wellbore, According to yet another aspect of the invention, the product of the method for producing a guar gum powder is used in the method for treating a subterranean formation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing guar gum, the method comprising the steps of: (a) sizing husk from guar seed into larger pieces and smaller pieces, (b) washing the larger pieces, (c) soaking the larger pieces, and (d) flaking the larger pieces to obtain guar gum. The invention also provides a method for processing undehusked guar splits, the method comprising the steps of: (a) dehusking undehusked guar splits to obtain dehusked guar splits and husk, and (b) sizing the husk into larger pieces and smaller pieces.

Abstract: Methods of making particulates for use in a subterranean application comprising: providing particulates of a settable composition comprising a cementitious material, a filler material, and an activator of the cementitious material; and pre-curing the particulates until the particulates reach a crush strength of about 50 psi or greater; and curing the pre-cured particulates at a temperature in the range of about 230° F. to about 600° F., so that at least a portion of the particulates comprise a newly formed crystalline phase.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a guar gum powder, the method comprising the steps of: (a) flaking undehusked guar splits; and (b) grinding the flaked, undehusked guar splits to obtain guar gum powder. According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprises the steps of: (a) forming a treatment fluid, wherein the treatment fluid comprises: (i) an aqueous fluid; and (ii) a guar gum powder comprising at least 70% by weight gum material and at least 15% by weight husk material; and (b) introducing the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation through the wellbore, According to yet another aspect of the invention, the product of the method for producing a guar gum powder is used in the method for treating a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Lightweight composite particulates and their use in subterranean applications such as production enhancement and completion are provided. In one embodiment a method of forming a lightweight particulate suitable for use as proppant or gravel in a subterranean operation comprising the steps of forming a substantially homogeneous mixture of PET and a filler material; forming the homogeneous mixture into particulates suitable for use in a subterranean environment is provided. Other embodiments provide methods of treating, fracturing, and gravel packing a chosen zone in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Methods of cementing in well bores using cement compositions having elasticity or high compressive strength and low permeability are provided. The cement compositions basically include particulate acid-degradable glass, water, at least one water-soluble polymerizable alkenoic acid monomer, and a water-soluble free-radical initiator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating subterranean formations. More particularly, the present invention relates to polymersomes, viscosifying agents that comprise polymersomes, and associated methods of use. In some embodiments, the present invention discloses methods of treating a section of a subterranean formation that comprises the steps of providing a viscosified treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous-based component, and a viscosifying agent that comprises a polymersome; and treating the section of the subterranean formation. In other embodiments, the present invention discloses methods of viscosifying a treatment fluid, suspending particulates in a treatment fluid, fracturing a subterranean formation, providing sand control in a section of a subterranean formation, and encapsulating treatment fluid additives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lightweight composite particulates and their use in subterranean applications such as production enhancement and completion. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of forming a lightweight particulate suitable for use as proppant or gravel in a subterranean operation comprising the steps of forming a substantially homogeneous mixture of PET and a filler material; forming the homogeneous mixture into particulates suitable for use in a subterranean environment. Other embodiments of the present invention provide methods of treating, fracturing, and gravel packing a chosen zone in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods of fracturing subterranean zones penetrated by well bores and improved fracturing fluids. The fracturing fluids are basically comprised of water, a terpolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, acrylamide and acrylic acid, or its salts, a cross-linking agent for the terpolymer and a delayed viscosity breaker for effecting a controlled reduction in the viscosity of the fracturing fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods of fracturing subterranean zones penetrated by well bores and improved fracturing fluids. The fracturing fluids are basically comprised of water, a terpolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, acrylamide and acrylic acid, or its salts, a cross-linking agent for the terpolymer and a delayed viscosity breaker for effecting a controlled reduction in the viscosity of the fracturing fluid.

Abstract: Methods of cementing in wellbores using cement compositions having elasticity or high compressive strength and low permeability are provided. The cement compositions are basically comprised of particulate acid degradable glass, water, at least one water soluble polymerizable alkenoic acid monomer and a water soluble free-radical initiator.

Abstract: Methods of cementing in wellbores using cement compositions having elasticity or high compressive strength and low permeability are provided. The cement compositions are basically comprised of particulate acid degradable glass, water, at least one water soluble polymerizable alkenoic acid monomer and a water soluble free-radical initiator.

Abstract: Methods of agglomerating hydraulic cement powder to improve its flow and handling characteristics are provided. One embodiment of the methods of the present invention is comprised of the steps of forming a mixture of the hydraulic cement powder with a particulate solid disintegrating agent, the disintegrating agent having the property of causing the break up of the agglomerated cement powder upon contact with water. Thereafter, the mixture is compressed into agglomerated pellets.

Abstract: Methods of agglomerating hydraulic cement powder to improve its flow and handling characteristics are provided. One embodiment of the methods of the present invention is comprised of the steps of forming a mixture of the hydraulic cement powder with a particulate solid disintegrating agent, the disintegrating agent having the property of causing the break up of the agglomerated cement powder upon contact with water. Thereafter, the mixture is compressed into agglomerated pellets.