Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of determining the source of a particular fluid or particulate, and to novel tracer matrixes that may be used in such methods. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of detecting particulate or fluid flow from a first location to a second location comprising the steps of: introducing a tracer matrix comprising a polymeric material and a photoactive material to the first location; and detecting the photoactive material at the second location. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of detecting flow from a first zone and a second zone in a multizonal well in a subterranean formation comprising the steps of: introducing a first photoactive tracer into the first zone; introducing a second photoactive tracer into the second zone; and detecting the first and the second photoactive tracers in the return flow from the first and second zones.

Abstract: An apparatus (110) and method for treating an interval of a wellbore comprises an outer tubular (112) disposed within the wellbore. A sand control screen (118) is disposed within the outer tubular (112). A treatment fluid passageway (144) is formed between the sand control screen (118) and outer tubular (112). In addition, a production pathway (130) is formed between the sand control screen (118) and outer tubular (112). When the apparatus (110) is in an operable position, the region between the outer tubular (112) and the wellbore serves as a primary path for delivery of a treatment fluid, the production pathway (130) serves as a secondary path for delivery of the treatment fluid if the primary path becomes blocked and the treatment fluid passageway (144) serves as a tertiary path for delivery of the treatment fluid if the primary and secondary paths become blocked.

Abstract: Method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprising: placing a pre-pad fluid into a portion of a subterranean formation wherein the pre-pad fluid comprises a low-viscosity aqueous tackifying composition that comprises an aqueous tackifier compound and an aqueous fluid; placing a fracturing fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or extend at least one fracture therein; and, activating the aqueous tackifier compound with an activator so as to consolidate the unconsolidated particulates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for removing resin coatings. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and compositions for removing coatings comprising epoxy and/or furan. Some embodiments of the methods of the present invention comprise removing a resin coating from a surface comprising the step of applying to the surface a cleaning solution comprising: a pH-adjusting agent, a solvent, and water. Other embodiments of the present invention comprise cleaning solutions comprising a pH-adjusting agent, a solvent, and water wherein the cleaning solution is suitable for use in cleaning a resin from a surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for creating reduced-density, coated particulates and methods for using such particulates in subterranean operations. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and compositions for effecting the density of particulates by coating them on-the-fly with a density-reducing material. One embodiment of the present invention describes methods of making a reduced-density, coated particulate comprising the steps of coating a particulate material with a coating material to create a coated particulate; providing a density-reducing material; and, adhering the density-reducing material to the surface of the coated particulate on-the-fly to create reduced-density, coated particulates.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for completing a subterranean zone penetrated by a wellbore are provided. The improved methods basically comprise the steps of placing a sand control screen (e.g., screens, screened pipes, perforated liners, prepacked screens, etc.) and an outer shroud assembly mounted over the sand screen in the wellbore adjacent the zone to be completed, the shroud having perforated and blank (non-perforated) segments with the blank segments corresponding to selected intervals of the wellbore, for example problem zones such as shale streaks or isolated zones where flows are restricted by mechanical seals or packers, and injecting particulate material into the wellbore, whereby gravel packing takes place in the remaining length of the wellbore/shroud annulus without voids. The inner annulus between the shroud and screen provides an alternate flow path for the slurry to bypass the blocked intervals and continue with its placement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treatment operations in subterranean zones, and more particularly, to consolidation compositions and methods of using these consolidation compositions to mitigate water production from subterranean formations. The present invention provides methods for mitigating the production of water from a subterranean formation by injecting consolidation compositions comprising a furan-based resin into an interval in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method of stimulating and stabilizing an area of a subterranean formation comprising placing an acid fluid into an area of a subterranean formation and allowing the acid to at least partially dissolve a portion of the area of the subterranean formation; placing a consolidation fluid into the area of the subterranean formation; and, placing an afterflush fluid into the area of the subterranean formation. A method of stimulating and stabilizing an area of a subterranean formation comprising placing an acid fluid into an area of a subterranean formation and allowing the acid to at least partially dissolve a portion of the area of the subterranean formation; placing a consolidation fluid into the area of the subterranean formation; and, placing a fracturing fluid into the area of the subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or extend at least one fracture therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for enhancing subterranean well productivity by enhancing fracture conductivity. A method of increasing the conductivity of a fracture in a portion of a subterranean formation comprising providing a slurry comprising a fracturing fluid, a degradable material, and proppant particulates coated with a tackifying agent; allowing the degradable material to become at least temporarily attached to the tackifying agent coated onto the proppant particulates so as to avoid substantial segregation of the degradable material from the proppant particulates within the slurry; introducing the slurry to the fracture and allowing the proppant particulates and degradable material to form a substantially uniform particulate pack; and, allowing the degradable material to degrade and produce a particulate pack having voids therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stabilizing surfaces within a subterranean formation using particulates coated with a consolidating liquid.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing and recovering data in a well, according to which one or more sensors are located in an area of the well for sensing data associated with the well and transmitting corresponding signals. A tool is lowered into the area and a receiver mounted on the tool is adapted to receive the signals and transmit the signals to the ground surface.

Abstract: A method of consolidating a proppant particulates comprising substantially coating proppant particulates with an integrated consolidation fluid comprising a hardening agent that itself comprises a piperazine, a derivative of piperazine, or a combination thereof; placing the coated proppant particulates into a portion of a subterranean formation; and, allowing the integrated consolidation fluid to substantially cure. A method of stabilizing a portion of a subterranean formation comprising applying a preflush solution to the subterranean formation; applying an integrated consolidation fluid to the subterranean formation, wherein the integrated consolidation fluid comprises a hardening agent component itself comprising a piperazine, a derivative of piperazine, or a combination thereof; and, allowing the integrated consolidation fluid to substantially cure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to increasing the permeability of a subterranean formation by forming a resinous mass having conductive channels through which fluids can be produced in the formation. Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of creating a permeable resinous mass comprising the steps of selecting an interval along a well bore; providing a resin slurry comprising an acid curable resin, filler, and degradable material; placing the resin slurry into the selected interval; and, activating the acid curable resin using an activator wherein the activation causes the acid curable resin to substantially cure, the degradable material to substantially degrade, and forms the permeable resinous mass.

Abstract: The present invention involves enhancing the conductivity of subterranean propped fractures penetrating formations while controlling proppant flowback. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved consolidation performance of resin-coated proppants and their use in controlling proppant flowback. Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of controlling proppant flowback from a fracture in a subterranean zone comprising the steps of providing resin coated proppant; providing tackifying composition; coating the tackifying composition onto at least a portion of the resin coated proppant to create tackyfied resin coated proppant; introducing the tackyfied resin coated proppant into a subterranean fracture; and, allowing the tackyfied resin coated proppant to substantially cure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for controlling the migration of particulates, such as proppant and formation sands, from subterranean formations using solutions of tackifying materials. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising the steps of placing a tackifying composition into the subterranean formation and then placing an after-flush fluid into the subterranean formation.

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: The present invention relates to improved methods for completing well bores along producing zones and, more particularly, to methods for strengthening near well bore subterranean formations. Some embodiments of the present invention provide a method of strengthening the near well bore region of a subterranean formation comprising the steps of isolating a zone of interest along a well bore; either hydrajetting a slot in the zone of interest or acidizing the zone of interest to create wormholes; filling the slot or wormholes with a consolidation material wherein the viscosity of the consolidation material is sufficient to enable the consolidation material to penetrate a distance into the formation; and, allowing the consolidation material to substantially cure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods for completing well bores along producing zones while controlling formation sands and increasing surface area available for production. Some embodiments of the methods of the present invention provide methods of controlling the migration of formation sand in a well bore and increasing surface area for well production comprising the steps of hydrajetting at least one slot into a zone along a well bore; and, placing a consolidation material comprising particulates into the slot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for creating and using particulate materials having treating agents absorbed thereon and coated with a degradable coating material. One embodiment of a method of the present invention provides a method treating to a subterranean formation comprising placing a coated, treated particulate into a subterranean formation wherein the coated, treated particulate comprises a particulate material having a treating agent placed thereon and a substantially complete layer of a degradable coating material coated placed thereon over the treating agent.

Abstract: An apparatus (50) for monitoring a treatment process in a treatment interval (58) includes a packer assembly (60) and a sand control screen assembly (64) connected relative to the packer assembly (60). A cross-over assembly (62) provides lateral communication paths (92, 98) downhole and uphole of the packer assembly for respectively delivering of a treatment fluid (84) and taking return fluid. A wash pipe assembly (76) is positioned in communication with the lateral communication path (98) uphole of the packer assembly (60) and extending into the interior of the sand control screen assembly (64). At least one sensor (80) is operably associated with the wash pipe assembly (76) to collect data relative to at least one property of the treatment fluid during a treatment process such that a characteristic of the treatment fluid (84) is regulatable during the treatment process based upon the data.