Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods for drilling well bores penetrating producing zones while controlling formation particulates. Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of drilling a well bore into a subterranean formation comprising the steps of providing a drilling composition comprising a drilling fluid and a consolidating material; and, using the drilling composition while drilling the well bore and allowing the consolidating material in the drilling composition to penetrate into the walls of the well bore.

Abstract: Methods for stabilizing unconsolidated or weakly consolidated portions of a subterranean formation and controlling the production of water in those portions include introducing a consolidating agent into the subterranean formation so as to transform a portion of the subterranean formation surrounding the well bore into a consolidated region; and introducing a relative permeability modifier fluid into the subterranean formation so as to penetrate at least a portion of the consolidated region. Fracturing steps may be used to reconnect the well bore to portions of the formation (e.g., formation reservoirs) in certain embodiments. Optionally, preflush fluids, after-flush fluids, and shutting-in periods may be used as desired.

Abstract: Improved methods for well stimulation and completion are provided. More particularly, the methods relate to stimulating and completing well bores while controlling formation sand migration and proppant flowback. One embodiment provides a method comprising: providing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore wherein the subterranean formation comprises at least one fracture; placing proppant coated with a tackifying agent into the far-well bore area of the fracture, wherein the far-well bore area of the fracture is an area within the fracture at least about 2 feet from the well bore in a direction substantially orthogonal to the well bore axis; and placing an agent capable of controlling particulate flowback into the well bore or near-well bore area of the fracture.

Abstract: Methods that comprise: providing a carrier fluid comprising a delayed breaker; providing a plurality of proppant aggregates comprising a binder fluid and a filler material; suspending the plurality of proppant aggregates in the carrier fluid; introducing the carrier fluid into the subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture, the carrier fluid comprising the plurality of proppant aggregates suspended therein; allowing the carrier fluid to break so as to reduce the viscosity of the carrier fluid; and recovering at least a portion of the carrier fluid from the at least one fracture wherein at least a substantial portion of the plurality of proppant aggregates remains in the at least one fracture so as to create a high porosity propped fracture.

Abstract: Methods of increasing the permeability of a portion of a subterranean formation may comprise providing a remediation fluid capable of decreasing the tackiness of a tackifying agent, the remediation fluid comprising a surfactant; introducing the remediation fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation, wherein a plurality of tackified particulates at least partially coated with formation fines are located within the portion; and allowing at least a substantial portion of the formation fines to detach from the plurality of tackified particulates.

Abstract: Novel uses of reactive surfactants in treating subterranean formations and/or proppant particulates are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a surfactant-treated proppant particulate comprising a proppant particulate that comprises at least one surface that has been allowed to interact with a reactive surfactant.

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: Provided are methods of modifying the stress-activated reactivity of subterranean fracture faces and other surfaces in subterranean formations. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid that comprises a base fluid and a surface-treating reagent capable of modifying the stress-activated reactivity of a mineral surface in a subterranean formation; introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation; and allowing the surface-treating reagent to modify the stress-activated reactivity of at least a portion of a mineral surface in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Provided are methods of modifying the surface stress-activated reactivity of proppant particulates used in subterranean operations. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a plurality of particulates, at least one of which comprises a mineral surface; providing a surface-treating reagent capable of modifying the stress-activated reactivity of a mineral surface of a particulate; and allowing the surface-treating reagent modify the stress-activated reactivity of at least a portion of the mineral surface of at least one particulate. In other embodiments, the methods comprise the use of particulates comprising a modified mineral surface in fluids introduced into subterranean formations.

Abstract: Novel uses of reactive surfactants in treating subterranean formations and/or proppant particulates are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid that comprises a base fluid and a reactive surfactant; introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation; and allowing the reactive surfactant to interact with a surface in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition for use in a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the composition comprising: a) a solvent consisting essentially of a water-soluble solvent selected from the group consisting of any solvent that is at least 25% by weight soluble in water and any mixture of two or more thereof in any proportion, wherein the solvent is from about 90% to about 99.9% by weight of the composition; and b) a tackifying compound, wherein the tackifying compound is from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of the composition; wherein the tackifying compound and the solvent are mutually selected such that, for the ratio of the tackifying compound to the solvent, the tackifying compound is soluble in the solvent. The invention also provides a method for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: a) forming the composition; and b) introducing the composition through the wellbore into the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Improved methods of using resins to consolidate particulates in relatively unconsolidated portions of a subterranean formation. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise: applying a preflush fluid to at least a portion of a subterranean formation; applying a resin composition to the portion of the subterranean formation, the resin composition comprising a liquid hardenable resin component that comprises a hardenable resin and a solvent, and a liquid hardening agent component that comprises a hardening agent, a solvent, a silane coupling agent, and a non-ionic surfactant; and applying a compatible afterflush fluid to the portion of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore. The method comprises the steps of: (a) introducing a composition through the wellbore into the subterranean formation, wherein the composition comprises: (i) a solvent consisting essentially of an aqueous dissolvable solvent comprising any solvent that is at least 25% by weight soluble in water, wherein the solvent is from about 90% to about 99.9% by weight of the composition; and (ii) a curable resin, wherein the curable resin is from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of the composition; wherein the curable resin and the solvent are mutually selected such that, for the ratio of the curable resin to the solvent, the curable resin is soluble in the solvent; and (b) installing a mechanical sand control device into the wellbore either before or after introducing the composition into the wellbore.

Abstract: Methods of controlling particulate migration in a portion of a subterranean formation comprising placing a pre-flush fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation; and then, placing a low-viscosity adhesive substance diluted with an aqueous dissolvable solvent into the portion of the subterranean formation; wherein the portion of a subterranean formation being treated has a regain permeability of at least about 70%. Methods of creating a stabilized region around a portion of a subterranean formation around a well bore having a screen or liner in place in that portion of the subterranean formation comprising placing a pre-flush fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation; and then, placing a low-viscosity adhesive substance diluted with an aqueous dissolvable solvent into that portion of the subterranean formation; wherein the portion of a subterranean formation being treated has regain permeability of at least about 70%.

Abstract: A system and method for sizing shoes for the foot of a user. A computer is provided that is adapted to receive a digital image of the foot, the computer having stored thereon a software package that includes an image processing component and a foot data component and optionally. The image processing component is adapted for receiving the digital image of the foot and producing a trace outline of the foot. The foot data component is adapted to receive the trace outline and determine foot data from the trace outline. The comparator component is adapted to receive the foot data and generate, based on the foot data, at least one of an indicator of the shoe size of the foot and an indicator of the best fitting shoe from among a plurality of shoes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of using polymer-coated particulates in subterranean operations such as gravel packing, frac-packing, and hydraulic fracturing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymer-coated particulates suitable for use in subterranean operations such as gravel packing, frac-packing, and hydraulic fracturing. One embodiment of the present invention provides improved particulates for use in a subterranean formation, comprising particulates at least partially coated with a polymer, wherein the polymer is deposited on the particulates by at least partially coating the particulates with a polymer solution comprising the polymer and a solvent and then exposing the particulates to an aqueous medium such that the solvent substantially dissociates from the polymer solution and such that the polymer substantially remains on the particulates.

Abstract: A method of using coated proppant slurries in subterranean applications such as production enhancement and sand control. Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of creating a stable slurry of coated particulates wherein the slurry is capable of being stored for at least 2 hours before use comprising the steps of: providing resin coated particulates wherein the resin comprises a resin that does not completely cure unless it is at least one of exposed to a temperature above about 175° F. or exposed to an external catalyst; and, substantially suspending the resin coated particulates in a servicing fluid to create a stable resin coated particulate slurry.

Abstract: One embodiment of the prevent invention provides a method of creating a high porosity propped fracture comprising creating a slurry comprising a treatment fluid, proppant particulates, pieces of reticulated foam having cells, and an adhesive substance such that the adhesive substance at least partially coats the proppant particulates and such that the proppant particulates become substantially embedded within the cells of the reticulated foam; and, depositing at least a portion of the reticulated foam fragments having proppant particulates embedded therein in one or more fractures within a portion of a subterranean formation so as to form a high porosity propped fracture.

Abstract: A method of forming a propped fracture comprising: providing a fracture having a far-well bore area and a near-well bore area; placing first proppant particulates at least partially coated with an adhesive substance; placing a portion of second proppant particulates in the near-well bore area of the fracture so as to form a high porosity propped region in the near-well bore. A method of stimulating a producing interval comprising: hydraulically fracturing to create a fracture having a far-well bore area and a near-well bore area; placing a portion of first proppant particulates at least partially coated with an adhesive substance in the far-well bore area of the fracture; and, placing a portion of second proppant particulates in the near-well bore area of the fracture to form a high porosity propped region in the near-well bore area.