Abstract: Methods of diverting fluid flow, controlling fluid loss, and/or providing zonal isolation in subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: providing a particulate material that comprises an electrically controlled propellant; placing the particulate material in at least a first portion of the subterranean formation; introducing a treatment fluid into the subterranean formation; and allowing the particulate material to at least partially divert the flow of the treatment fluid away from the first portion of the formation.

Abstract: Systems and methods using electrically controlled propellant to operate equipment in subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: providing a tool assembly that comprises a tool body and an electrically controlled propellant; and placing the tool assembly in at least a portion of a subterranean formation. Electrical current may be applied to at least a portion of the electrically controlled propellant to ignite the portion of the propellant to operate a portion of the tool assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining real time down hole flow measurements and proppant concentrations between perforations and/or perforation clusters during hydraulic fracturing in multistage stimulated wells.

Abstract: Disclosed are pump-down sensor devices that operate in conjunction with a fiber-optic sensing system to take downhole measurements and communicate them to the surface while moving untethered through a borehole. A pump-down sensor device in accordance with various embodiments includes one or more flow baffles configured for a specified buoyancy, and an electronics module for measuring one or more downhole parameters and transmitting an acoustic signal encoding the measured parameter(s). The acoustic signal can be detected using the fiber-optic sensing system. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Example apparatus, methods, and systems are described for performing bottom hole measurements in a downhole environment. In an example system, a bridge plug is deployed at a downhole location of a cased well, An optical fiber cable is deployed exterior to the casing of the well. The bridge plug includes a sensor and an acoustic signal generator, which transmits acoustic signals through the casing to the optical fiber cable.

Abstract: Systems and methods using electrically controlled propellant to operate equipment in subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: providing a tool assembly that comprises a tool body and an electrically controlled propellant; and placing the tool assembly in at least a portion of a subterranean formation. Electrical current may be applied to at least a portion of the electrically controlled propellant to ignite the portion of the propellant to operate a portion of the tool assembly.

Abstract: Methods of diverting fluid flow, controlling fluid loss, and/or providing zonal isolation in subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: providing a particulate material that comprises an electrically controlled propellant; placing the particulate material in at least a first portion of the subterranean formation; introducing a treatment fluid into the subterranean formation; and allowing the particulate material to at least partially divert the flow of the treatment fluid away from the first portion of the formation.

Abstract: A device is described for downhole seismic sensing utilizing electro acoustic technology in conjunction with moveable downhole seismic sources.

Abstract: Disclosed are pump-down sensor devices that operate in conjunction with a fiber-optic sensing system to take downhole measurements and communicate them to the surface while moving untethered through a borehole. A pump-down sensor device in accordance with various embodiments includes one or more flow baffles configured for a specified buoyancy, and an electronics module for measuring one or more downhole parameters and transmitting an acoustic signal encoding the measured parameter(s). The acoustic signal can be detected using the fiber-optic sensing system. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The use of a distributed fiber optic strain sensor system in horizontal hydraulic fracturing wells to determine several measurements of hydraulic fracture system geometry including number of far-field fractures, hydraulic and propped fracture length, fracture azimuth, and multi-planar fracture complexity.

Abstract: Example apparatus, methods, and systems are described for performing bottom hole measurements in a downhole environment. In an example system, a bridge plug is deployed at a downhole location of a cased well, An optical fiber cable is deployed exterior to the casing of the well. The bridge plug includes a sensor and an acoustic signal generator, which transmits acoustic signals through the casing to the optical fiber cable.

Abstract: A system and a method for producing an anisotropic velocity model. Vertical seismic profile (VSP) data is obtained for a geological area. At least two stiffness coefficients in a fourth-rank elasticity stiffness tensor are calculated based on p-wave and s-wave velocities determined using the VSP data. Microseismic profile data for the geological area is obtained and all remaining unknown stiffness coefficients in the fourth-rank elasticity stiffness tensor are calculated using the microseismic profile data.

Abstract: The use of a distributed fiber optic strain sensor system in horizontal hydraulic fracturing wells to determine several measurements of hydraulic fracture system geometry including number of farfield fractures, hydraulic and propped fracture length, fracture azimuth, and multi-planar fracture complexity.

Abstract: A system for use with a subterranean well can include a distributed strain sensor that senses strain along a casing which lines a treatment wellbore. The distributed strain sensor can extend across at least one fracture that intersects the wellbore. A method of monitoring at least one fracture in a subterranean well can include sensing strain in a portion of a casing where the fracture intersects the casing, the sensing being performed with a distributed strain sensor, and determining a geometry of the fracture, based on the sensing. The geometry can include a width of the fracture, a height of the fracture and an orientation of the fracture relative to a wellbore. The distributed strain sensor can include an optical waveguide.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a parameter of a subterranean formation using swellable materials is disclosed. The system may include a sensor device configured to detect a parameter of a subterranean formation. The system may also include a swellable material configured to position the sensor device toward a surface of the subterranean formation by swelling of the swellable material. The system may further include a telescoping section coupled to the sensor device and emplaced in the swellable material. The telescoping section may be configured to extend with the positioning of the sensor device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention provide for determining the orientation of natural fractures in the Earth resulting from hydraulic fracturing treatment. Data attribute information from a far-field point-source signal profile for a microseismic event is extracted in the time domain. An estimate of the orientation of the natural fracture is calculated in the time domain based on the extracted data attribute information.

Abstract: In oil and gas production, a process known as hydraulic fracturing is often used. Hydraulic fracturing involves pumping a fluid under pressure down a well bore into a fluid reservoir. When the pressurized fluid enters the reservoir, it produces localized failures of rock within the earth known as fractures. These fractures generate elastic waves known as microseisms that travel outward from the source of the fractures in a spherical wavefront. These microseisms can be measured with sensors located near the well bore, and their source determined. The microseismic wavefront is composed of compressional and shear waves. The amplitudes of the compressional and shear waves can be detected and measured and the ratio of the shear wave amplitude to the compressional wave amplitude which is known as the S/P ratio, can be determined.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring deformation of a rock mass around the vicinity of a fracture, commonly induced by hydraulic fracturing is provided. To this end, a well is drilled offset from the proposed fracture region, if no existing well is present. Once the well is formed to a depth approximately equal or exceeding the depth of the proposed fracture, a plurality of inclinometers, for example tiltmeters, are inserted downhole in the well. The inclinometers are located both above and below the approximate depth of the proposed fracture. The plurality of inclinometers may be arranged on a wireline that may be retrieved from the downhole portion of the well and used again or, alternatively, the inclinometers may be cemented in place. In either event, the inclinometers are used to measure the deformation of the rock around the induced fracture.

Abstract: A system for single-phase, steady-state permeability measurements of porous rock utilizes a fluid bridge arrangement analogous to a Wheatstone bridge. The arms of the bridge contain the sample and calibrated flow resistors.