Abstract: Methods of treating subterranean zones and treating fluids are provided. The methods are basically comprised of preparing or providing a subterranean zone treating fluid comprising an aqueous fluid and an additive for preventing the swelling and migration of formation clays in the subterranean zone selected from the group consisting of 1-carboxy-N,N,N-trimethyl methanaminium chloride, 2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl ethanaminium acetate, and 2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl 1-propanaminium acetate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses two stage subterranean zone fracturing fluids and methods. A two stage subterranean zone fracturing fluid of the invention comprises a first stage fluid comprising a foamed liquid containing a water soluble gel breaker and a second stage fluid that comprises a viscous liquid containing a metal cross-linked gelling agent. Another two stage subterranean zone fracturing fluid comprises a first stage fluid comprising a foamed liquid containing a water soluble gel breaker and a second stage fluid comprising a viscous liquid containing a borate cross-linked gelling agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluid systems comprising a first fluid comprising carbon dioxide and a second fluid comprising an alkaline crosslinked fluid. The fluid combinations of the present invention may be used, for example, in hydraulic fracturing, frac-packing, and gravel packing. Some embodiments of the present invention provide systems for treating a subterranean formation comprising a first fluid comprising a foamed carbon dioxide fluid, an emulsion of carbon dioxide, or a carbon dioxide gel; and, a second fluid comprising an alkaline crosslinked fluid.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for placing particulate materials in subterranean zones penetrated by well bores. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a compacted particulate material fluid that comprises a compacted particulate material, and a foam within the pore spaces of the compacted particulate material, the foam comprising a pressurized gas and a liquid solution of a foam forming surfactant; and pumping the compacted particulate material fluid into the subterranean zone.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for placing particulate materials in subterranean zones penetrated by well bores are provided. The methods basically comprise the following steps. A pumpable compacted particulate material fluid is prepared or provided comprising compacted particulate material and a foam within the pore spaces of the compacted particulate material. The foam comprises a pressurized gas and a liquid solution of a foam forming surfactant. After being prepared or provided, the compacted particulate material fluid is pumped into a subterranean zone by way of a well bore penetrating the zone.

Abstract: Methods for treating subterranean formations, hydrophobically modified polymer compositions and fracturing fluid compositions containing hydrophobically modified polymer are provided. The hydrophobically modified polymer compositions wherein a plurality of hydrophobic groups are formed on the polymer, are basically comprised of water, a charged polymer, and surfactant. The surfactant has a charge opposite to that of the polymer and is capable of forming ion-pair associations with the polymer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for drilling a wellbore employing a drilling fluid providing the advantages of easy pumpability of a low viscosity fluid with the drill cuttings suspension capability of a highly viscous fluid. The viscosity of the fluid is also easily and quickly adjustable so that the fluid rheology may be adapted during drilling as the subterranean conditions change. These advantages are obtained by including in said fluid a reversibly crosslinkable polymer and an encapsulated crosslink activator. The crosslink activator causes crosslinking after the fluid is in the wellbore. The crosslinking is reversed at the well surface to reduce the viscosity of the fluid to enable the drill cuttings to be easily removed. Crosslink activator is added back to the fluid and the fluid is returned to the borehole. The amount of crosslink activator and/or crosslinkable polymer may be adjusted in the fluid to change the fluid rheology to conform the fluid to changes in the well conditions as monitored real time.

Abstract: Methods of fracturing subterranean zones to produce maximum hydrocarbon productivity are provided. The methods are basically comprised of providing a fracturing fluid comprised of water, a gelling agent present in an amount in the range of from about 0.06% to about 0.3% by weight of the water and an inorganic salt for preventing clay swelling present in an amount in the range of from about 0.01% to about 1% by weight of the water. The fracturing fluid is introduced into the subterranean zone at a rate and pressure sufficient to form fractures and the fracturing fluid is recovered from the zone.

Abstract: A device and a method for testing a viscosified fluid containing particulate indicate when the particulate is in suspension within the fluid and when it is not. The device and method stir the fluid and particulate mixture for a time during which the viscosity of the fluid changes such that during a first period of the stirring time substantially all the particulate remains suspended in the fluid and during a second period of the stirring time substantially all the particulate settles out of suspension in the fluid. A signal is generated during the first and second periods such that the signal has a characteristic that changes from the first period to the second period to indicate the change in particle carrying ability of the fluid. Other characteristics, including crosslinking time, can also be determined. A test chamber includes interacting projections extending from the inner surface of a cup receiving the fluid and from an axial support extending into the fluid in the cup.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for drilling a wellbore employing a drilling fluid providing the advantages of easy pumpability of a low viscosity fluid with the drill cuttings suspension capability of a highly viscous fluid. The viscosity of the fluid is also easily and quickly adjustable so that the fluid rheology may be adapted during drilling as the subterranean conditions change. These advantages are obtained by including in said fluid a reversibly crosslinkable polymer and an encapsulated crosslink activator. The crosslink activator causes crosslinking after the fluid is in the wellbore. The crosslinking is reversed at the well surface to reduce the viscosity of the fluid to enable the drill cuttings to be easily removed. Crosslink activator is added back to the fluid and the fluid is returned to the borehole. The amount of crosslink activator and/or crosslinkable polymer may be adjusted in the fluid to change the fluid rheology to conform the fluid to changes in the well conditions as monitored real time.

Abstract: A device and a method for testing a viscosified fluid containing particulate indicate when the particulate is in suspension within the fluid and when it is not. The device and method stir the fluid and particulate mixture for a time during which the viscosity of the fluid changes such that during a first period of the stirring time substantially all the particulate remains suspended in the fluid and during a second period of the stirring time substantially all the particulate settles out of suspension in the fluid. A signal is generated during the first and second periods such that the signal has a characteristic that changes from the first period to the second period to indicate the change in particle carrying ability of the fluid. Other characteristics, including crosslinking time, can also be determined. A test chamber includes interacting projections extending from the inner surface of a cup receiving the fluid and from an axial support extending into the fluid in the cup.

Abstract: Improved high temperature, low residue viscous well treating fluids and methods of using the fluids are provided by the present invention. The improved viscous well treating fluids are basically comprised of water; a hydrated galactomannan gelling agent; a retarded cross-linking composition for buffering the treating fluid and cross-linking the hydrated galactomannan gelling agent comprised of a liquid solvent, an organotitanate chelate and a borate ion producing compound; and a delayed gel breaker.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods of treating subterranean formations using borate cross-linking compositions and borate cross-linked well treating fluids. The borate cross-linking compositions are basically comprised of a low viscosity hydrocarbon liquid, an organophillic clay, a slightly water soluble borate, a buffer and a dispersing agent.

Abstract: An aqueous foamed fracturing fluid composition and method for using the foamed fracturing fluid for fracturing subterranean formations that have been penetrated by a wellbore wherein the foamed fracturing fluid comprises: (a) a viscosifier which is preferably either hydrophobically modified guar or hydrophobically modified hydroxymethylcellulose; (b) a surfactant which is preferably alpha olefin sulfonate; and (c) the gas phase includes either nitrogen or carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides borate cross-linked well treating fluids and methods of preparing and using the fluids in treating wells such as fracturing subterranean zones therein. The improved cross-linked treating fluids are basically comprised of water, a hydrated galactomannan gelling agent and a borate composition for buffering the treating fluid and cross-linking the hydrated galactomannan gelling agent comprised of water, a soluble boron source and an alkanolamine or alkylamine.

Abstract: An aqueous fracturing fluid composition and method for fracturing subterranean formations penetrated by a well bore wherein the fracturing fluid comprises a viscosity breaker that comprises a surfactant and a breaker which is solid at ambient surface conditions and dissolves at temperatures in the formation.

Abstract: An aqueous foamed fracturing fluid composition and method for using the foamed fracturing fluid for fracturing subterranean formations that have been penetrated by a wellbore wherein the foamed fracturing fluid comprises: (a) a viscosifier which is preferably either hydrophobically modified guar or hydrophobically modified hydroxymethylcellulose; (b) a surfactant which is preferably alpha olefin sulfonate; and (c) the gas phase includes either nitrogen or carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A gel fluid for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore including an aqueous liquid, an organic gelling agent and at least about 0.05% by weight, based on the weight of the aqueous liquid, of a broken gel fragment stabilizer. The gel fluid can optionally include crosslinking agents, proppant materials, pH buffers and other components. The broken gel fragment stabilizer is a dialkyl sulfosuccinate that has dispersing properties sufficient to diminish the propensity of broken gel fragments formed when the gel fluid breaks to agglomerate. Also provided is a method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore. The inventive gel fluid and method are particularly suitable for fracturing a subterranean formation to stimulate the production of hydrocarbons therefrom.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided which provide improved viscosity reduction of crosslinked hydratable polymer treating fluids in the presence of uncured resin-coated proppants. The uncured resins are generally uncured phenolic or furan resins. The breaker comprises an oxidizing agent to which is added a sequestering agent comprising a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and acrylic acid to sequester at least a portion of any phenolic extracts from said resin that may be present in said treating fluid from contact with the uncured resin.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a delayed crosslinking agent. This crosslinking agent contains a borate source and a water-soluble polysaccharide. Suggested borate sources include borax, boric acid, and sodium tetraborate. Guar gum, carboxymethylhydroxypropylguar, and hydroxypropylguar are recommended water-soluble polysaccharides. The borate source is present in an amount of from about 5 to about 30% percent by weight, calculated as B.sub.2 O.sub.3, of the water-soluble polysaccharide.These delayed crosslinking agents are transported to the well site and admixed with an aqueous solution containing additional water-soluble polysaccharide. The delayed crosslinking agents re-equilibrate in the aqueous solution of the water-soluble polysaccharide. The resulting compositions are useful as fracturing fluids.