Abstract: The present invention involves methods of preparing coated particulates and using such coated particulates in subterranean applications such as production enhancement and sand control. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of preparing coated particulates comprising the steps of coating particulates with a resin or a tackifying agent to create pre-coated particulates; and, covering the pre-coated particulates with a partitioning agent to create coated particulates.

Abstract: Methods of remediating a subterranean formation comprising directing vibrational waves at a portion of the subterranean formation containing fines; allowing the vibrational waves to displace at least a portion of the fines; and introducing a consolidating agent into the portion of the subterranean formation through a well bore that penetrates the portion of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation, comprising: at least partially coating particulates with a first layer of a first curable resin and allowing the first curable resin to substantially cure; and then, at least partially coating the particulates with a second layer of a second curable resin; and allowing the second layer of the second curable resin to substantially cure; and then, slurrying the coated particulates into a treatment fluid and placing the slurry into a subterranean formation. Improved particulates suitable for use in subterranean formations, comprising low-quality particulates that have been at least partially coated with a first layer of a first curable resin and then at least partially coated with a second layer of a second curable resin and wherein the first layer of the first curable resin is allowed to substantially cure before the application of the second layer of the second curable resin.

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: The present invention relates to improved low-quality particulates and methods of making such improved particulates. A method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising providing a slurry comprising a treatment fluid and low-quality particulates at least partially coated with an aqueous tackifying composition, wherein the aqueous tackifying composition comprises an aqueous tackifier compound and an aqueous liquid; introducing the slurry into a subterranean formation; and, depositing the coated, low-quality particulates into the portion of this subterranean formation. A method of improving particulates, comprising at least partially coating low-quality particulates with an aqueous tackifying composition, wherein the aqueous tackifying composition comprises an aqueous tackifier compound and an aqueous liquid.

Abstract: Methods for controlling particulate segregation comprising providing a mixture of an aqueous tackifying composition with a treatment fluid; slurrying the mixture with a first type of solid particulates and a second type of solid particulates and wherein the first type of solid particulates have a tendency to segregate from the second type of solid particulates when slurried into a liquid; and, placing the slurry into a portion of a subterranean formation. Methods for controlling particulate segregation comprising providing a treatment fluid; at least partially coating with an aqueous tackifying composition: a first type of solid particulates and a second type of solid particulates and wherein the first type of solid particulates have a tendency to segregate from the second type of solid particulates when slurried into a liquid; slurrying the two types of particulates into the treatment fluid; and, placing the slurry into a portion of a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method of propping at least one fracture in a subterranean formation, that comprises forming a plurality of proppant aggregates, each proppant aggregate comprising a binding fluid and a filler material, and introducing the plurality of proppant aggregates into the at least one fracture, is provided. Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation also are provided.

Abstract: Cement compositions useful in subterranean applications are provided. More particularly, permeable cement compositions for forming consolidated permeable cement masses in well bores to prevent sand influx into the well bores with produced fluids are provided. In one embodiment, the permeable cement compositions of the present invention comprise a hydraulic cement, water, and a degradable material capable of undergoing an irreversible degradation downhole selected from the group consisting of a degradable polymer selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides, chitins, chitosans, proteins, aliphatic polyesters, poly(lactides), poly(glycolides), poly(?-caprolactones), poly(hydroxybutyrates), polyanhydrides, aliphatic polycarbonates, poly(orthoesters), poly(amino acids), poly(ethylene oxides), and polyphosphazenes; and a dehydrated salt.

Abstract: A method of propping at least one fracture in a subterranean formation is provided, the method comprising: forming a plurality of fly ash aggregates, each fly ash aggregate comprising an aqueous component and fly ash; introducing the plurality of fly ash aggregates into the at least one fracture; and curing at least a portion of the fly ash aggregates into at least one hardened mass. Also provided are methods of fracturing a subterranean formation and methods for the downhole formation of proppant particulates.

Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention presents a foaming additive that comprises at least one amidopropyl betaine having the formula: R—CONHCH2CH2CH2N+(CH3)2CH2COO? wherein R is a capryloyl, a capryl, an octyl, a decyl, a cococyl radical, or a mixture thereof. This foaming additive may be utilized in foamed treatment fluids, and those foamed treatment fluids may be utilized in fracturing and sand control treatments in subterranean operations. Associated methods also are presented herein.

Abstract: Foamed completion fluids and methods of completing subterranean zones penetrated by well bores are disclosed. A method of completing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore comprises the steps of providing or preparing a foamed completion fluid comprising water, one or more salts, a gas and a capryl/capramidopropylbetaine surfactant foaming agent, introducing the foamed treating fluid into the subterranean zone, and then carrying out a completion operation in the subterranean zone.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation or of stabilizing a surface within a subterranean fracture comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising lightweight proppant at least partially coated with an adhesive substance; introducing the treatment fluid into a portion of a subterranean formation; depositing at least a portion of the lightweight proppant in the portion of the subterranean formation; allowing at least a portion of the lightweight proppant in the subterranean formation to form a particulate pack; and, allowing at least a portion of the adhesive substance to migrate from the lightweight particulates to a surface within the portion of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method of injecting a treatment fluid into a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising providing a treatment fluid having a viscosity; determining the breakdown pressure of the portion of the subterranean formation; calculating the maximum sustainable flow rate for the treatment fluid; and, injecting the treatment fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation at a flow rate less than or equal to the maximum sustainable flow rate for the treatment fluid. A method of injecting a treatment fluid into a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising providing a treatment fluid having a viscosity; determining the breakdown pressure of the portion of the subterranean formation; calculating the maximum allowable treatment fluid viscosity; adjusting the viscosity of the treatment fluid to a viscosity less than or equal to the maximum allowable treatment fluid viscosity; and injecting the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation at the selected treatment fluid flow rate.

Abstract: A method of inducing tip screenout during a frac-packing treatment comprising injecting a proppant slurry into a subterranean formation, wherein the proppant slurry comprises a proppant material, a fracturing fluid, and degradable particulates and wherein the degradable particulates physically interact with themselves and with the proppant material to aid in inducing tip screenout. A method of preparing a proppant slurry for inducing tip screenout during a frac-packing treatment, comprising blending a proppant material with a fracturing fluid and degradable particulates wherein the degradable particulates physically interact with themselves and with the proppant material to aid in inducing tip screenout. A proppant slurry for inducing tip screenout during a frac-packing treatment, comprising a proppant material, a fracturing fluid, and degradable particulates wherein the degradable particulates physically interact with themselves and with the proppant material to aid in inducing tip screenout.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high porosity propped fractures and methods of creating high porosity propped fractures in portions of subterranean formations. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of forming a high porosity propped fracture in a subterranean formation, comprising providing a slurry comprising a fracturing fluid and proppant particulates coated with an adhesive substance; introducing the slurry into a portion of a fracture within the subterranean formation; and, depositing the proppant particulates into the portion of the fracture within the subterranean formation so as to form a high porosity propped fracture. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a high porosity propped fracture comprising proppant particulates substantially coated with an adhesive substance wherein the propped fracture has a porosity of at least about 50%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for carrier fluids comprising water-absorbent fibers. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising providing a slurry wherein the slurry comprises a servicing fluid, particulates, and a degradable, water-absorbent material wherein the degradable, water-absorbent material acts to help keep the particulates from settling out of the slurry; and, introducing the slurry into the portion of the subterranean formation. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a slurry suitable for use in subterranean operations comprising a servicing fluid, particulates, and a degradable, water-absorbent material wherein the degradable, water-absorbent material acts to help keep the particulates from settling out of the slurry.

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: Light weight high strength particles and methods of treating subterranean producing zones utilizing the particles are provided. The light weight high strength particles of the invention are basically comprised of sintered mixtures of a base material and hollow microspheres.

Abstract: Methods of consolidating subterranean zones and hardenable resin compositions are provided. A hardenable resin composition of the invention basically comprises a furan liquid resin mixture comprising a 2-furanmethanol homopolymer and furfuryl alcohol, an organosilane coupling agent and an acid catalyst.

Abstract: A system and method for fracturing an earth formation surrounding a borehole includes an elongate conduit positioned in the borehole. A packer assembly is provided about the conduit and is adapted to seal an annulus between the conduit and the borehole. A packing passage is provided and adapted to communicate a first side of the packer assembly to the annulus between the conduit and the borehole on a second side of the packer assembly. The conduit has at least one inlet into the conduit on the second side of the packer assembly adapted to allow flow from outside of the conduit to the interior of the conduit. The conduit has at least one ported sub having at least one lateral jet aperture therein adapted to direct fluids within the conduit into the earth formation to fracture the earth formation.