Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for generating acids for use downhole, for example, to break fluid-loss control pills. The delayed-release acid breakers of the present invention comprise orthoesters and/or poly(orthoesters).

Abstract: Provided are treatment fluids that comprise a base fluid and an orthoester-based surfactant. In some instances, the treatment fluid may have a pH of about 8.5 or greater. Also provided are emulsified treatment fluids that comprise an oleaginous phase, an aqueous phase having a pH of about 8.5 or greater, and an orthoester-based surfactant. Methods of using the treatment fluid and methods of facilitating flow through a conduit also are provided.

Abstract: Provided are treatment fluids that comprise a base fluid and an orthoester-based surfactant. In some instances, the treatment fluid may have a pH of about 8.5 or greater. Also provided are emulsified treatment fluids that comprise an oleaginous phase, an aqueous phase having a pH of about 8.5 or greater, and an orthoester-based surfactant. Methods of using the treatment fluid and methods of facilitating flow through a conduit also are provided.

Abstract: A method of making a proppant is provided, wherein the method includes the steps of: (a) forming a particulate comprising: (i) a binder; and (ii) a filler; and (b) sintering the particulate to form a sintered proppant, wherein the sintered proppant comprises: (i) at least 20 wt % of alkaline earth oxide equivalent; and (ii) at least 20 wt % of silicon dioxide equivalent. A method of treating (e.g., fracturing) a subterranean formation is provided, the method including the steps of: (a) suspending a sintered proppant in a treatment fluid, wherein the sintered proppant comprises: (i) at least 20 wt % of alkaline earth oxide equivalent; and (ii) at least 20 wt % of silicon dioxide equivalent; and (b) introducing the sintered proppant into the subterranean formation (e.g., into a fracture). In addition, a sintered proppant is provided comprising: (i) at least 20 wt % of alkaline earth oxide equivalent; and (ii) at least 20 wt % of silicon dioxide equivalent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of generating an acid downhole that comprise providing a degradable surfactant; introducing the degradable surfactant into a well bore that penetrates a subterranean formation; and allowing at least a portion of the degradable surfactant to degrade, thereby releasing an acid. Also provided are methods of degrading an acid-soluble component present within a subterranean formation, and methods of reducing the viscosity of a viscosified treatment fluid.

Abstract: Methods and compositions useful in treating subterranean formations, and more particularly, breaker compositions that may be useful in treating subterranean formations wherein synthetic polymers are used, are provided. Of the many methods and compositions provided herein, one composition comprises a source of hydrogen peroxide and an activator. One method comprises providing a polymer breaker composition comprising a source of hydrogen peroxide and an activator; introducing the polymer breaker composition into a well bore which penetrates a subterranean formation; allowing the activator to activate the source of hydrogen peroxide to create an oxidizing species; and allowing the oxidizing species to break synthetic polymers present in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for treating subterranean formations. A treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous liquid, and a degradable surfactant derived from a degradable polymer is provided. Also provided are emulsified treatment fluids and foamed treatment fluids that comprise degradable surfactants derived from degradable polymers.

Abstract: Substantially non-porous particulates formed from a starting mixture comprising at least one igneous or metamorphic material and which are suitable for use in subterranean operations such as gravel packing, frac-packing, and hydraulic fracturing and methods of using such particulates. Methods of using such particulates include fracturing, frac-packing, and gravel packing.

Abstract: Provided are treatment fluids that comprise a base fluid and an orthoester-based surfactant. In some instances, the treatment fluid may have a pH of about 8.5 or greater. Also provided are emulsified treatment fluids that comprise an oleaginous phase, an aqueous phase having a pH of about 8.5 or greater, and an orthoester-based surfactant. Methods of using the treatment fluid and methods of facilitating flow through a conduit also are provided.

Abstract: Certain reversible surfactants, treatment fluids, and methods of use employing such reversible surfactants in subterranean applications are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and a reversible surfactant that comprises a hydrophobic portion and a nitrogen-containing functional group that is capable of reacting with carbon dioxide to form a salt; and introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating subterranean formations. A method, that comprises providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous fluid, and a degradable surfactant derived from a degradable polymer; and introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation, is provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions including a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising a carrier fluid and a solid particle comprising a crosslinked aliphatic polyester; and placing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for generating acids for use downhole, for example, to break fluid-loss control pills. The delayed-release acid breakers of the present invention comprise orthoesters and/or poly(orthoesters).

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing wax deposition from a crude petroleum during transmission of the crude petroleum through a pipeline are provided. Compositions and methods of testing the deposition of wax from a petroleum sample are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of making particulates for use in a subterranean application comprising: providing particulates of a settable composition comprising a cementitious material, a filler material, and an activator of the cementitious material; and pre-curing the particulates until the particulates reach a crush strength of about 50 psi or greater; and curing the pre-cured particulates at a temperature in the range of about 230° F. to about 600° F., so that at least a portion of the particulates comprise a newly formed crystalline phase.

Abstract: A composition for treating a portion of a wellbore or a portion of a subterranean formation is provided, the composition comprising: (a) water; (b) a source of hydrogen peroxide, and (c) an activator for the source of hydrogen peroxide; wherein the pH of the composition is adjusted to be within an appropriate range for the type of activator. A method for treating a portion of a wellbore or a portion of a subterranean formation, the method comprising the steps of: forming or providing a composition comprising: (a) water; (b) a source of hydrogen peroxide, and (c) an activator for the source of hydrogen peroxide; wherein the pH of the composition is adjusted within an appropriate range for the type of activator; and introducing the composition through a wellbore to treat a portion of a wellbore or a portion of a subterranean formation. The activator can be a water-soluble alkanoyl-donor compound or a chelated transition metal. Preferably, the composition further comprises an iron chelating agent.

Abstract: A composition for treating a portion of a wellbore or a portion of a subterranean formation is provided, the composition comprising: (a) water; (b) a source of hydrogen peroxide, and (c) an activator for the source of hydrogen peroxide; wherein the pH of the composition is adjusted to be within an appropriate range for the type of activator. A method for treating a portion of a wellbore or a portion of a subterranean formation, the method comprising the steps of: forming or providing a composition comprising: (a) water; (b) a source of hydrogen peroxide, and (c) an activator for the source of hydrogen peroxide; wherein the pH of the composition is adjusted within an appropriate range for the type of activator; and introducing the composition through a wellbore to treat a portion of a wellbore or a portion of a subterranean formation. The activator can be a water-soluble alkanoyl-donor compound or a chelated transition metal. Preferably, the composition further comprises an iron chelating agent.

Abstract: Methods of acidizing subterranean formations or well bores, and more specifically, to acidizing systems involving acid-generating fluids that comprise acid-generating compounds and associated methods are provided. An example of a method of the present invention comprises: providing an acid-generating fluid that comprises an acid-generating compound; placing the acid-generating fluid into a well bore penetrating a subterranean formation; and allowing the acid-generating compound to produce an acid that then acidizes at least a portion of the subterranean formation or damage contained in the formation or well bore.

Abstract: Methods of acidizing subterranean formations or well bores, and more specifically, to acidizing systems involving acid-generating fluids that comprise acid-generating compounds and associated methods are provided. An example is a method that comprises: providing an acid-generating fluid that comprises an acid-generating compound; placing the acid-generating fluid into a subterranean formation; and allowing an acid to generate from the acid-generating fluid.

Abstract: Some methods are provided that comprise: providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid, and a stimuli-degradable gel formed by a reaction comprising a gelling agent, and a stimuli-degradable cross linking agent that includes at least one degradable group and two unsaturated terminal groups; placing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation; and allowing the stimuli-degradable gel to degrade.