Abstract: A method is provided for producing a guar gum powder, the method comprising the steps of: (a) flaking undehusked guar splits; and (b) grinding the flaked, undehusked guar splits to obtain guar gum powder. According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprises the steps of: (a) forming a treatment fluid, wherein the treatment fluid comprises: (i) an aqueous fluid; and (ii) a guar gum powder comprising at least 70% by weight gum material and at least 15% by weight husk material; and (b) introducing the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation through the wellbore, According to yet another aspect of the invention, the product of the method for producing a guar gum powder is used in the method for treating a subterranean formation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing guar gum, the method comprising the steps of: (a) sizing husk from guar seed into larger pieces and smaller pieces, (b) washing the larger pieces, (c) soaking the larger pieces, and (d) flaking the larger pieces to obtain guar gum. The invention also provides a method for processing undehusked guar splits, the method comprising the steps of: (a) dehusking undehusked guar splits to obtain dehusked guar splits and husk, and (b) sizing the husk into larger pieces and smaller pieces.

Abstract: Additives for use in treatment operations, and more particularly, additives that include chlorinated carbohydrates, are provided. An example of an additive is a well fluid additive for use in a subterranean formation that includes a chlorinated carbohydrate. Another example of an additive is a well fluid additive for use in a subterranean formation that includes a chlorinated carbohydrate and a tartaric acid.

Abstract: Methods of using density-reducing additives comprising low-density particulates in subterranean cementing operations are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of cementing comprising: providing a cement composition comprising a cement component, a base fluid, and a density-reducing additive comprising particulates that comprise an agglomerating material; placing the cement composition in a location to be cemented; and allowing the cement composition to set therein.

Abstract: Density-reducing additives comprising low-density particulates, and cement compositions comprising such additives, are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a cement composition comprising: a cement component; a density-reducing additive comprising particulates that comprise an agglomerating material; and a base fluid.

Abstract: Cement compositions, and more particularly, cement compositions that include maltodextrin. An example is a cement composition that includes: a hydraulic cement, water, and an additive comprising maltodextrin. Another example is a cement composition that includes: a hydraulic cement, water, and an additive comprising maltodextrin and an organic acid. Another example is a cement composition that includes: a hydraulic cement, water, and an additive comprising maltodextrin and tartaric acid.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a rheological property of a fluid with a particulate includes: (a) a receptacle having a cylindrical side wall enclosed by a bottom wall defining a cavity for receiving a fluid to be tested; (b) an axial support adapted to be positioned in the cavity of the receptacle, whereby relative rotational motion can be imparted to the receptacle and the axial support; (c) at least one inward projection extending inward from an inside surface of the receptacle; (d) at least one outward projection extending outward from the axial support; and (e) at least one projection for directing fluid flow that has at least one major surface angled or curved upward. A method of testing a rheological property of a fluid with a particulate includes: (a) placing a sample of the fluid and the particulate in the apparatus; (b) imparting relative rotational motion to the receptacle and the axial support; and (c) measuring the torque between the receptacle and the axial support.

Abstract: Subterranean treatment operations, and more particularly, methods of treating subterranean formations using treatment fluid compositions including chlorinated carbohydrates, are provided. An example of a method is a method of treating a subterranean formation, including: providing a treatment fluid including water, a hydraulic cement, and a chlorinated carbohydrate; placing the treatment fluid in a subterranean formation; and permitting the treatment fluid to treat the formation. An example of a method is a method that includes providing a cement composition that includes water, a hydraulic cement, and an additive that includes a chlorinated carbohydrate and a tartaric acid; placing the cement composition in a subterranean formation; and permitting the cement composition to set therein.

Abstract: Subterranean treatment operations, and more particularly, methods of cementing subterranean formations using cement compositions including maltodextrin, are provided. An example of a method of the present invention is a method of cementing a subterranean formation, comprising: providing a cement composition comprising water, a hydraulic cement, and an additive comprising maltodextrin; placing the cement composition in a subterranean formation; and permitting the cement composition to set in the formation.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a rheological property of a fluid with a particulate includes: (a) a receptacle having a cylindrical side wall enclosed by a bottom wall defining a cavity for receiving a fluid to be tested; (b) an axial support adapted to be positioned in the cavity of the receptacle, whereby relative rotational motion can be imparted to the receptacle and the axial support; (c) at least one inward projection extending inward from an inside surface of the receptacle; (d) at least one outward projection extending outward from the axial support; and (e) at least one projection for directing fluid flow that has at least one major surface angled or curved upward. A method of testing a rheological property of a fluid with a particulate includes: (a) placing a sample of the fluid and the particulate in the apparatus; (b) imparting relative rotational motion to the receptacle and the axial support; and (c) measuring the torque between the receptacle and the axial support.

Abstract: Cement compositions comprising an improved fluid loss control additive are provided. The cement compositions are suitable for use in surface and subterranean applications. The cement compositions may be particularly useful for subterranean well completion and remedial operations, such as primary cementing, e.g., cementing casings and liners in well bores, including those in production wells, which include multi-lateral subterranean wells. They also may be useful for surface cementing operations, including construction cementing operations. Examples of compositions include cement compositions.

Abstract: Improved fluid loss control additives for use in cement compositions are provided. The improved fluid loss control additives and cement compositions are suitable for use in surface and subterranean applications. The improved fluid loss control additives and cement compositions may be particularly useful for subterranean well completion and remedial operations, such as primary cementing, e.g., cementing casings and liners in well bores, including those in production wells, which include multi-lateral subterranean wells. They also may be useful for surface cementing operations, including construction cementing operations. Examples of compositions include fluid loss control additives.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a guar gum powder, the method comprising the steps of: (a) flaking undehusked guar splits; and (b) grinding the flaked, undehusked guar splits to obtain guar gum powder. According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprises the steps of: (a) forming a treatment fluid, wherein the treatment fluid comprises: (i) an aqueous fluid; and (ii) a guar gum powder comprising at least 70% by weight gum material and at least 15% by weight husk material; and (b) introducing the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation through the wellbore, According to yet another aspect of the invention, the product of the method for producing a guar gum powder is used in the method for treating a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Treatment fluid compositions, and more particularly, treatment fluid compositions that include chlorinated carbohydrates. An example is a treatment fluid that includes: a hydraulic cement; water; and a chlorinated carbohydrate. Another example of a treatment fluid is a cement composition including: a hydraulic cement; water; and an additive including a chlorinated carbohydrate and a tartaric acid.

Abstract: Cement compositions comprising a strength-enhancing lost circulation material, and methods for cementing using such cement compositions. Exemplary embodiments of the cement compositions comprise cement, water, and a strength-enhancing lost circulation material. Optionally, other additives suitable for inclusion in cement compositions may be added.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of subterranean formations, and more specifically, treatment fluids containing vitrified shale and methods of using these treatment fluids in subterranean formations, are provided. An example of a method is a method of displacing a fluid in a well bore. Another example of a method is a method of separating fluids in a well bore in a subterranean formation. An example of a composition is a spacer fluid comprising vitrified shale and a base fluid.

Abstract: Cement compositions are provided that comprise a hydraulic cement, water, and a set retarder composition, the set retarder composition comprising an acrylamide polymer derivative; and an iron compound. In some embodiments, cement compositions are provided that comprise a hydraulic cement comprising a cement, water, and a set retarder composition, the set retarder composition comprising a lignin-based retarder and an iron compound.

Abstract: Cement compositions comprising an improved fluid loss control additive, and methods for cementing using such cement compositions, are provided herein. Exemplary embodiments of the cement compositions comprise a hydraulic cement, water, and a fluid loss control additive comprising an acrylamide copolymer derivative, a dispersant, and a hydratable polymer. Optionally, other additives suitable for inclusion in cement compositions may be added.

Abstract: Cement compositions comprising a strength-enhancing lost circulation material, and methods for cementing using such cement compositions are provided. Exemplary embodiments of the cement compositions comprise cement, water, and a strength-enhancing lost circulation material. Optionally, other additives suitable for inclusion in cement compositions may be added.

Abstract: Cement compositions comprising set retarder compositions, and methods of using the cement compositions in surface and subterranean applications are provided. In some embodiments, cement compositions are provided that comprise a hydraulic cement comprising an API cement, water, and a set retarder composition, the set retarder composition comprising an acrylamide polymer derivative; and an iron compound. In other embodiments, cement compositions, set retarder compositions, methods of cementing, methods of retarding the set time of a cement composition, and methods of preparing a cement composition are provided.