Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for treating multiple interval well bores. More particularly, an isolation assembly may be used to allow for zonal isolation to allow treatment of selected productive or previously producing intervals in multiple interval well bores. One example of a method for treating a multiple interval well bore includes the steps of: introducing an isolation assembly to a well bore, the isolation assembly comprising a liner, one or more sleeves and a plurality of swellable packers, wherein the sleeves and swellable packers are disposed about the liner; deploying a shifting tool inside the liner, where the sleeves are configured so as to provide open, closed and open to screen positions when actuated by the shifting tool. An open position allows for treatment of the well bore while an open to screen position allows for receiving fluid from the well bore. A closed position re-establishes zonal isolation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to downhole wellbore operations such as drilling and completing wells in an earth formation include a laser device.

Abstract: Methods for setting particulate plugs in at least partially horizontal sections of well bores are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises the step of selecting a deposition location for a particulate plug within the at least partially horizontal section of the well bore. The method further comprises the step of providing a pumping conduit capable of delivering slurries to the deposition location. The method further comprises the step of pumping a first slurry through the pumping conduit to the deposition location such that a velocity of the first slurry in the well bore at the deposition location is less than or equal to the critical velocity of the first slurry in the well bore at the deposition location.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for improving the reliability of pinpoint stimulation operations are disclosed. The pinpoint stimulation improvement apparatus includes an elastomeric element and a spring positioned on an inner surface of the elastomeric element. A flow limiter is coupled to the elastomeric element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of increasing hydrocarbon production in an existing well in a hydrocarbon reservoir. The method includes the steps of forming a substantially horizontal transverse fractured wellbore that intersects the existing well and injecting a fluid remote from the existing well so as to form a fluid front that sweeps the hydrocarbons into the horizontal transverse fractured wellbore. Successive fractures can be sealed to control propagation of the fluid front and delay infiltration of the fluid into the production.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for treating multiple interval well bores. More particularly, an isolation assembly may be used to allow for zonal isolation to allow treatment of selected productive or previously producing intervals in multiple interval well bores. One example of a method for treating a multiple interval well bore includes the steps of: introducing an isolation assembly to a well bore, the isolation assembly comprising a liner, one or more sleeves and a plurality of swellable packers, wherein the sleeves and swellable packers are disposed about the liner; deploying a shifting tool inside the liner, where the sleeves are configured so as to provide open, closed and open to screen positions when actuated by the shifting tool. An open position allows for treatment of the well bore while an open to screen position allows for receiving fluid from the well bore. A closed position re-establishes zonal isolation.

Abstract: Methods, computer programs, and systems for evaluating and treating previously-fractured subterranean formations are provided. An example method includes, for one or more of the one or more layers, determining whether there are one or more existing fractures in the layer. The method further includes, for one or more of the one or more existing fractures, measuring one or more parameters of the existing fracture and determining conductivity damage to the existing fracture, based, at least in part, on one or more of the one or more measured parameters of the existing fracture. The method further includes selecting one or more remediative actions for the existing fracture, based, at least in part, on the conductivity damage.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for designing and optimizing the number, placement, and size of fractures in a subterranean formation and more particularly to methods that account for stress interference from other fractures when designing and optimizing the number, placement, and size of fractures in the subterranean formation. The present invention optimizes the number, placement and size of fractures in a subterranean formation. The present invention determines one or more geomechanical stresses induced by each fracture based on the dimensions and location of each fracture, including surface deformations caused by each fracture. The present invention determines a maximum number of fractures and a predicted stress field based on the geomechanical stresses induced by each of the fractures.

Abstract: Methods, computer programs, and systems for evaluating and treating previously-fractured subterranean formations are provided. An example method includes, for one or more of the one or more layers, determining whether there are one or more existing fractures in the layer. The method further includes, for one or more of the one or more existing fractures, measuring one or more parameters of the existing fracture and determining conductivity damage to the existing fracture, based, at least in part, on one or more of the one or more measured parameters of the existing fracture. The method further includes selecting one or more remediative actions for the existing fracture, based, at least in part, on the conductivity damage.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for treating multiple interval well bores. More particularly, an isolation assembly may be used to allow for zonal isolation to allow treatment of selected productive or previously producing intervals in multiple interval well bores. One example of a method for treating a multiple interval well bore includes the steps of: providing an isolation assembly comprising a liner and a plurality of swellable packers wherein the plurality of swellable packers are disposed around the liner at selected spacings; introducing the isolation assembly into the well bore; allowing at least one of the plurality of swellable packers to swell so as to provide zonal isolation of at least one of a plurality of selected intervals; establishing fluidic connectivity to the at least one of a plurality of selected intervals; and treating the at least one of a plurality of selected intervals.

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: 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 enhancing at least partially the structural integrity of a longitudinal portion of a deviated well bore are provided. The methods include providing a gravel matrix composition; providing a longitudinal portion of a deviated well bore; and placing a sufficient amount of the gravel matrix composition in the longitudinal portion to enhance the structural support of the longitudinal portion. Optional additives may include curable resins, tackifiers, and/or the incorporation of a degradable material in the gravel matrix composition.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for treating multiple interval well bores. More particularly, an isolation assembly may be used to allow for zonal isolation to allow treatment of selected productive or previously producing intervals in multiple interval well bores. One example of a method for treating a multiple interval well bore includes the steps of: providing an isolation assembly comprising a liner and a plurality of swellable packers wherein the plurality of swellable packers are disposed around the liner at selected spacings; introducing the isolation assembly into the well bore; allowing at least one of the plurality of swellable packers to swell so as to provide zonal isolation of at least one of a plurality of selected intervals; establishing fluidic connectivity to the at least one of a plurality of selected intervals; and treating the at least one of a plurality of selected intervals.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of forming packs in a plurality of perforations in a casing of a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: (a) forming a plug of a plugging particulate material in the wellbore of the casing, wherein the plug covers at least one perforation in the casing; (b) forming a pack of a first packing particulate material in at least one perforation located above the plug in the casing; (c) removing at least an upper portion of the plug to expose the at least one perforation in the casing that had been previously covered by at least the upper portion of the plug; and (d) forming a pack of a second packing particulate material in the at least one perforation exposed by removing at least the upper portion of the plug, wherein the second packing particulate material can be the same or different from the first packing particulate material.

Abstract: A method of stimulating a production interval adjacent a well bore having a casing disposed therein, that comprises introducing a carrier fluid comprising first particulates into the well bore, packing the first particulates into a plurality of perforations in the casing, perforating at least one remedial perforation in the casing adjacent to the production interval, and stimulating the production interval through the at least one remedial perforation. Also provided are methods of stimulating multiple production intervals adjacent a well bore.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of increasing hydrocarbon production in an existing well in a hydrocarbon reservoir. The method includes the steps of forming a substantially horizontal transverse fractured wellbore that intersects the existing well and injecting a fluid remote from the existing well so as to form a fluid front that sweeps the hydrocarbons into the horizontal transverse fractured wellbore. Successive fractures can be sealed to control propagation of the fluid front and delay infiltration of the fluid into the production.

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: A proactive conformance method for a well includes selecting a well either in a completion phase or early in a production phase of the well and performing a conformance treatment on the well in the completion phase or early in the production phase. The conformance treatment preferably is performed before the well is completed (i.e., sometime during the completion phase between the well having been drilled and the well being placed in production), such as after running open hole logging or before setting casing. Another preferred aspect is the use of magnetic resonance imaging, such as using magnetic resonance imaging to analyze the well to determine where unwanted mobile fluid is in a reservoir intersected by the well. Such a well is completed in response to using the magnetic resonance imaging, including treating the well to confine at least part of the unwanted mobile fluid determined to be in the reservoir.