Abstract: A thermally insulating composition comprises: (A) an aqueous liquid, wherein the aqueous liquid is the continuous phase of the composition; (B) a particulate, wherein the particulate is silica, and wherein the particulate is a dispersed phase of the composition; and (C) an activator, wherein the activator causes at least some of the particulate to aggregate and form a network of at least the particulate, wherein the formation of the network causes the insulating composition to become a gel, and wherein the gelled insulating composition inhibits or prevents heat loss from two areas having different temperatures. A method of thermally insulating a portion of an annulus comprises: introducing the insulating composition into a portion of an annulus, wherein the gelled insulating composition inhibits or prevents heat loss from the portion of the annulus to an area adjacent to the outside of a second object.

Abstract: A treatment fluid for treating a portion of a high-temperature subterranean formation comprises: a base fluid, wherein the base fluid comprises water; a viscosifier, wherein the viscosifier is a polymer, and wherein the viscosifier is thermally stable up to a temperature of 325° F.; and a stabilizer package, wherein the stabilizer package: (A) comprises a first stabilizer and a second stabilizer, wherein the first stabilizer is an oxygen scavenger and the second stabilizer is a pH adjustor; and (B) is capable of increasing the thermal stability of the viscosifier to a temperature greater than 350° F., wherein the portion of the subterranean formation has a bottomhole temperature greater than 350° F. A method of treating a high-temperature subterranean formation comprises introducing the treatment fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method of treating a well the method including the steps of: (A) forming a fluid including: (i) a shear-thinning aqueous liquid phase; and (ii) an inorganic setting material; wherein the fluid is shear-thinning, pumpable, and settable; and (B) introducing the fluid into the well.

Abstract: A method of treating a well the method including the steps of: (A) forming a fluid including: (i) a shear-thinning aqueous liquid phase; and (ii) an inorganic setting material; wherein the fluid is shear-thinning, pumpable, and settable; and (B) introducing the fluid into the well.

Abstract: A method of treating a treatment zone in a well to reduce the permeability of the treatment zone including the steps of: introducing into the treatment zone a water-based treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous silica sol; and a water-soluble chemical activator for gelling the silica sol, wherein the chemical activator is selected from the group consisting of: phytic acid, methylglycinediacetic acid, a water-soluble polyepoxysuccinic acid, salicylic acid, ascorbic acid, tannic acid, and an alkali metal salt or ammonium salt of any of the foregoing; and shutting in treatment zone for at least a sufficient time to allow the treatment fluid to in-situ form a solid gel at a design temperature for the method. Alternatively, a first treatment fluid including the aqueous silica sol and a second treatment fluid including the chemical activator can be introduced into the treatment zone separately, in any order.

Abstract: A treatment fluid for treating a portion of a high-temperature subterranean formation comprises: a base fluid, wherein the base fluid comprises water; a viscosifier, wherein the viscosifier is a polymer, and wherein the viscosifier is thermally stable up to a temperature of 325° F.; and a stabilizer package, wherein the stabilizer package: (A) comprises a first stabilizer and a second stabilizer, wherein the first stabilizer is an oxygen scavenger and the second stabilizer is a pH adjustor; and (B) is capable of increasing the thermal stability of the viscosifier to a temperature greater than 350° F., wherein the portion of the subterranean formation has a bottomhole temperature greater than 350° F. A method of treating a high-temperature subterranean formation comprises introducing the treatment fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A treatment fluid for treating a portion of a high-temperature subterranean formation comprises: a base fluid, wherein the base fluid comprises water; a viscosifier, wherein the viscosifier is a polymer, and wherein the viscosifier is thermally stable up to a temperature of 325° F.; and a stabilizer package, wherein the stabilizer package: (A) comprises a first stabilizer and a second stabilizer, wherein the first stabilizer is an oxygen scavenger and the second stabilizer is a pH adjustor; and (B) is capable of increasing the thermal stability of the viscosifier to a temperature greater than 350° F., wherein the portion of the subterranean formation has a bottomhole temperature greater than 350° F. A method of treating a high-temperature subterranean formation comprises introducing the treatment fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method of treating a well the method including the steps of: (A) forming a fluid including: (i) a shear-thinning aqueous liquid phase; and (ii) an inorganic setting material; wherein the fluid is shear-thinning, pumpable, and settable; and (B) introducing the fluid into the well.

Abstract: An emulsion including: (a) an external oil phase, wherein the oil phase has a viscosity of less than 200 cP; (b) an internal water phase adjacent the external phase, wherein the internal water phase has a pH in the range of 5 to 9; (c) an emulsifier having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance in the range of 3 to 7 on the Davies scale; and (d) a Bronsted-Lowry base having a pKb(1) less than 12, wherein the base is encapsulated with an encapsulated breaker composition comprising: an encapsulant that comprises an ether cellulose. A method of treating a well includes the steps of: forming a treatment fluid including the emulsion; and introducing the treatment fluid into the well. In a preferred embodiment, the emulsion has a viscosity greater than 200 cP.

Abstract: A method of treating a treatment zone in a well to reduce the permeability of the treatment zone including the steps of: introducing into the treatment zone a water-based treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous silica sol; and a water-soluble chemical activator for gelling the silica sol, wherein the chemical activator is selected from the group consisting of: phytic acid, methylglycinediacetic acid, a water-soluble polyepoxysuccinic acid, salicylic acid, ascorbic acid, tannic acid, and an alkali metal salt or ammonium salt of any of the foregoing; and shutting in treatment zone for at least a sufficient time to allow the treatment fluid to in-situ form a solid gel at a design temperature for the method. Alternatively, a first treatment fluid including the aqueous silica sol and a second treatment fluid including the chemical activator can be introduced into the treatment zone separately, in any order.

Abstract: A method comprises providing a treatment fluid comprising a gelling agent, an aqueous base fluid, a buffer composition comprising a plurality of salts, and a crosslinking agent; and contacting a subterranean formation with the treatment fluid. The aqueous base fluid is preferably seawater and the buffer composition includes one or more salts present in the treatment fluid from about 1 to about 1000 pounds per gallon of treatment fluid.

Abstract: Methods and fluids are provided for the placement of a water-swellable polymer into a subterranean formation. The methods and fluids include a placement fluid that has an acidic aqueous phase. The water-swellable polymer does not substantially swell in the acidic aqueous phase. The acid is allowed or caused to be spent downhole, whereby the water-swellable polymer can then swell in the formation. In an embodiment, an oil-external emulsion having an internal acidic water phase is provided for placement of a water-swellable polymer into a subterranean formation. Preferably, the oil-external emulsion is adapted to break as the acid contained in the internal water phase is allowed or caused to be spent downhole.

Abstract: A method comprises providing a treatment fluid comprising a gelling agent, an aqueous base fluid, a buffer composition comprising a plurality of salts, and a crosslinking agent; and contacting a subterranean formation with the treatment fluid. The method may be used in subterranean formation having a temperature greater than about 200° F., and the treatment fluid useful with the method may have a high shear recovery greater than 100%.