Abstract: The present invention provides methods of reducing the production of both water and particulates from subterranean formations; the methods are particularly useful in conjunction with subterranean formations surrounding wellbores and fractures. The methods comprise the steps of applying to a subterranean formation a pre-flush fluid, applying aqueous surfactant fluid, applying a low-viscosity consolidating fluid, and applying an after-flush fluid.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide methods of obtaining data from a portion of a subterranean formation comprising providing proppant particulates wherein at least a portion of the proppant particulates are coated with an electroconductive resin that comprises a resin and a conductive material; placing the proppant particulates into a portion of a fracture so as to form an electroconductive proppant pack; providing a transmitter capable of sending an electric current into the electroconductive proppant pack; sending an electric current into the electroconductive proppant pack with the transmitter; providing a receiver capable of deflecting a reflected or conducted electric signal from the electroconductive proppant pack; and, receiving a reflected electric signal with the receiver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous tackifiers and methods of controlling particulates in subterranean formations using aqueous tackifiers. Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of controlling particulates, comprising placing an aqueous tackifier compound into a portion of a subterranean formation comprising unconsolidated particulates; and, activating the aqueous tackifier compound. Other embodiments of the present invention provide methods of coating a portion of a surface in a subterranean formation comprising substantially coating an aqueous tackifier compound onto a portion of a subterranean formation; and, activating the aqueous tackifier compound. Other embodiments of the present invention provide treatment fluids for controlling fine particulates, comprising a servicing fluid and an aqueous tackifier compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous based tackifier fluids and their use in stabilizing particulates in propped fractures. Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of creating a proppant pack in a subterranean formation, comprising introducing an aqueous servicing fluid comprising proppant particulates, wherein at least some of the proppant particulates are at least partially coated with an aqueous tackifier compound, into a subterranean fracture; and, activating the aqueous tackifier compound so as to form a proppant pack. Other embodiments provide methods of stabilizing a proppant pack comprising introducing an aqueous tackifier compound to at least a portion of an existing proppant pack; and, activating the aqueous tackifier compound so as to stabilize the proppant pack. Other embodiments provide servicing fluids comprising proppant particulates and an aqueous fluid wherein at least some of the proppant particulates are at least partially coated with an aqueous tackifier compound.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of stabilizing a portion of a subterranean formation or reducing the production of particulates from a portion of a subterranean formation comprising contacting the portion of the subterranean formation with a pre-flush fluid; contacting the portion of the subterranean formation with a consolidation fluid comprising a resin and an aqueous dissolvable solvent; and, contacting the portion of the subterranean formation with an after-flush fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to particulate composites comprising at least one resin and at least one nanoparticle material. Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprising providing a nanocomposite particulate comprising at least one resin and at least one nanoparticle material; substantially slurrying the nanocomposite particulate into a servicing fluid to create a slurry; and, placing the slurry a well bore penetrating the portion of the subterranean formation. Other embodiments of the present invention provide nanocomposite particulates suitable for use in a subterranean application comprising at least one resin and at least one nanoparticle material wherein the nanocomposite particulate comprises from about 0.1% to about 30% nanoparticle material by weight of the nanocomposite particulate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making proppants on-the-fly during subterranean treatment operations. Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of preparing proppant on-the-fly comprising providing discrete amounts of a resin mixture that comprises a resinous material and a filler material; placing the discrete amounts of resin mixture into a well bore comprising a treatment fluid; and, allowing the discrete amounts of the resin mixture to substantially cure and form proppant particles while inside the treatment fluid. Other embodiments of the present invention provide methods of fracturing a portion of a subterranean formation using proppant prepared on-the-fly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of stabilizing an unconsolidated portion in a subterranean formation and stimulating fluid production from the stabilized portion. Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of substantially stabilizing a portion of a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore and stimulating fluid production therefrom comprising placing a stabilizing composition into a near well bore area of a portion in a formation to create a stabilized portion; and, stimulating the stabilized portion so as to place the well bore in fluid communication with both the stabilized portion in the near-well bore area and an unstabilized portion of the formation in the far-well bore area.

Abstract: Improved methods and compositions for coating proppant particles with a hardenable resin composition, suspending the coated proppant particles in a fracturing fluid, and consolidating the proppant particles after being placed in fractures into permeable masses are provided. These methods and compositions are especially suitable for low temperature well, specifically those around the 60° F. to 225° F. ranges. Preferably, a liquid hardenable resin component is mixed with a liquid hardening agent component on-the-fly to form a hardenable resin composition. The hardenable resin composition is coated onto proppant particles on-the-fly that are conveyed from a source thereof to form resin-coated proppant particles in real-time. The resin-coated proppant particles are suspended in the fracturing fluid to be utilized down hole.

Abstract: Improved methods and compositions for consolidating proppant in subterranean fractures are provided. In certain embodiments, the hardenable resin compositions may be especially suited for consolidating proppant in subterranean fractures having temperatures above about 200° F. Improved methods include providing proppant particles coated with a hardenable resin composition mixed with a gelled liquid fracturing fluid, and introducing the fracturing fluid into a subterranean zone. The fracturing fluid may form one or more fractures in the subterranean zone and deposit the proppant particles coated with the resin composition therein. Thereafter, the hardenable resin composition on the proppant particles is allowed to harden by heat and to consolidate the proppant particles into degradation resistant permeable packs. The hardenable resin composition may include a liquid bisphenol A-epichlorohydrin resin, a 4,4?-diaminodiphenyl sulfone hardening agent, a solvent, a silane coupling agent, and a surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention provides cement compositions that include degradable materials, and methods of using such compositions in subterranean cementing operations. An example of a method of the present invention includes: providing a cement composition that includes a hydraulic cement, and a degradable material; placing the cement composition in a subterranean formation; allowing the cement composition to set therein; and allowing the degradable material to degrade. Another example of a method of the present invention is a method of enhancing the mechanical properties of a cement composition including adding a degradable material to the cement composition and allowing the degradable material to degrade.

Abstract: Methods of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprising: providing partitioned, coated particulates that comprise particulates, an adhesive substance, and a partitioning agent, and wherein the partitioning agent comprises a subterranean treatment chemical; substantially slurrying the partitioned, coated particulates in a treatment fluid to create a particulate slurry; and, placing the particulate slurry into the portion of the subterranean formation.

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: The present invention relates to curable, permeable resin compositions and methods of using such compositions. One embodiment of provides a method of creating a resin mass comprising the steps of combining a resin, a hardening agent, a hydrocarbon diluent, a silane coupling agent, a foaming agent, a compressible gas, and a degradable material to form a resin composition; placing the resin composition in a subterranean formation; and, allowing the resin to substantially cure and the degradable material to substantially degrade so as to form a permeable, hardened resin mass. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a resin composition useful in subterranean applications comprising a resin, a hardening agent, a hydrocarbon diluent, a silane coupling agent, a foaming agent, a compressible gas, and a degradable material.

Abstract: Methods of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprising: providing partitioned, coated particulates that comprise particulates, an adhesive substance, and a partitioning agent, and wherein the adhesive substance comprises an aqueous tackifying agent or a silyl modified polyamide; substantially slurrying the partitioned, coated particulates in a treatment fluid to create a particulate slurry; and, placing the particulate slurry into the portion of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for stabilizing an unconsolidated or weakly consolidated zone of a subterranean formation. One embodiment provides a method of stabilizing a subterranean formation comprising the steps of placing a gelable liquid composition into the subterranean formation, wherein the gelable liquid composition is capable of forming a gelled substance after placement; and, allowing the gelable liquid composition to convert into a gelled substance that stabilizes unconsolidated or weakly consolidated particles within the subterranean formation.

Abstract: The present invention described a resin composition comprising from about 5% to about 30% phenol, from about 40% to about 70% phenol formaldehyde, from about 10 to about 40% furfuryl alcohol, from about 0.1% to about 3% of a silane coupling agent, and from about 1% to about 15% of a surfactant and methods of using of that resin in controlling particulate flowback from a subterranean formation.

Abstract: The current invention provides an improved permeable cement composition for formation of downhole sand screens. The improved composition includes an effective amount of a surfactant. Addition of the surfactant to the permeable cement composition yields at least a pumpable slurry with a minimal amount of water or brine solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods for well stimulation and completion. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods of stimulating and completing well bores while controlling formation sand migration and proppant flowback. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of stimulating a formation surrounding a well bore comprising the steps of: (a) hydraulically fracturing a formation to create or enhance at least one fracture; (b) placing proppant coated with a tackifying agent into the far-well bore area of the fracture; and, (c) placing an agent capable of controlling particulate flowback into the well bore or near-well bore area of the fracture.

Abstract: The current invention provides an improved permeable cement composition for formation of downhole sand screens. The improved composition includes an effective amount of a surfactant. Addition of the surfactant to the permeable cement composition yields at least a pumpable slurry with a minimal amount of water or brine solution.