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 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: The present invention relates to composite particulates comprising a base material and a nanoparticle material. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of using a sintered composite particulate in a subterranean application comprising providing a slurry comprising a sintered composite particulate comprising a base material and at least one nanoparticle material; and placing the slurry into a well bore penetrating a subterranean formation. Another embodiment of the present invention provides sintered composite particulates useful in completing and stimulating wells comprising a base material and nanoparticle material wherein the composite particulate comprises from about 0.

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.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for controlling the flowback of proppants that have been placed inside fractures of a subterranean formation. The apparatus is defined by a plurality of solid balls, which comprise compressed springs that are encapsulated in a mass of fibrous material and an aqueous soluble mixture of a filler material and an adhesive. In the method according to the present invention, the solid balls are mixed in a viscous slurry and injected into the fractures with the proppants. Over time the aqueous soluble mixture dissolves releasing the compressed springs to fill the openings of the fractures. The fibrous network and expanded springs, which remain, act as a filter or screen to restrict the movement of the proppants from flowing back to the surface during production of the well.

Abstract: The present invention provides reduced-density coated particulates and methods for enhancing the transport of such particulates into well bores and fractures, and for enhancing the conductivity and permeability of subterranean formations using such particulates, and for sand control treatments using such particulates. The reduced-density, coated particulates of the present invention generally comprise particulate having a surface and a coating wherein the surface comprises a porous or partially hollow geometry and coating is capable of trapping a fluid between the particulate's surface and the coating.

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: Improved methods and compositions for consolidating proppant in fractures formed in subterranean zones are provided. An improvement of this invention comprises using proppant particles having a coating of hardenable resin including a gel breaker. The gel breaker facilitates removal of gelled carrier fluid from the surface of the proppant particles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for delivering a well treatment fluid to a productive zone of a subterranean formation at the same time that a well bore is being drilled. The method includes the steps of delivering a drill-in fluid to a drill bit drilling a well bore in, or adjacent to, the productive zone; removing drill cuttings from the well bore; and simultaneous with these steps injecting the treatment fluid into the productive zone. The apparatus includes at least three nested tubes, which form one internal flow path and two annuluses. The drill-in fluid and drill cuttings are delivered to, and removed from, the drill bit, respectively, through the internal flow path and one of the two annuluses. The treatment fluid is delivered to the subterranean formation through the remaining annulus and an expandable bladder mounted to the intermediate and outer tubes.

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: A method and apparatus for generating patching resources in an information processing system having operating instructions on a Read Only Memory Device. The present invention simplifies the patch generation and installation processes. A patch resource is generated and used by a patch installation process. Patch resources are generated for each ROM version by comparing previous ROM versions to the new ROM version. A patch resource is comprised of a plurality of entries, each of which defines a vector table address, an offset into the vector table and the routine to be inserted. By comparing routines between the ROM versions, routines which are different or new are identified. These routines will become patch resource entries. For patch installation, the ROM version number for the installed ROM is determined; the proper patching resource is retrieved, and the patch resource entries cause the patches to be installed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating an object file that facilitates patching and the introduction of new function. The present invention accomplishes this without disturbing the original source file. The present invention is particularly useful in the generation of programs that will exist on a static device such as a Read Only Memory (ROM) device. The present invention requires that access to routines in the object file be referenced through a vector table located in Random Access Memory (RAM). If a routine in ROM must be patched (i.e. replaced) or if new function is added, the vector table is modified. Modification may be either changing the contents of an existing entry (replacement) or adding a new entry (new function).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating patching resources in an information processing system having operating instructions on a Read Only Memory Device. The present invention simplifies the patch generation and installation processes. A patch resource is generated and used by a patch installation process. Patch resources are generated for each ROM version by comparing previous ROM versions to the new ROM version. A patch resource is comprised of a plurality of entries, each of which defines a vector table address, an offset into the vector table and the routine to be inserted. By comparing routines between the ROM versions, routines which are different or new are identified. These routines will become patch resource entries. For patch installation, the ROM version number for the installed ROM is determined; the proper patching resource is retrieved, and the patch resource entries cause the patches to be installed.