Abstract: The permeability of barrier layers formed from sodium bentonite clay may be significantly and unpredictably impacted upon contacting various ionic substances. Modifying agents may be admixed with sodium bentonite clay to lessen the impacts resulting from its contact with an ionic substance. Suitable modifying agents may comprise an anionic substance selected from the group consisting of a diutan, a polymer containing a 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid monomer, any salt thereof, and any combination thereof. Methods for forming a barrier layer may comprise: providing a barrier material comprising sodium bentonite clay and a modifying agent admixed with the sodium bentonite clay, the modifying agent comprising an anionic substance selected from the group consisting of a diutan, a polymer containing a 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid monomer, any salt thereof, and any combination thereof; and forming a barrier layer comprising the barrier material.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to hydroxy-terminated poly(alkylene oxide) copolymer surfactants for use downhole, downhole compositions including the same, and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation. The method can include obtaining or providing a composition including a hydroxy-terminated poly(alkylene oxide) copolymer surfactant. The copolymer surfactant can include a first repeating unit having the structure —[R1O]—, wherein at each occurrence R1 is independently a substituted or unsubstituted (C2-C10)alkylene group. The copolymer surfactant can include a second repeating unit having the structure —[R2O]—, wherein at each occurrence R2 is independently a substituted or unsubstituted (C2-C10)alkylene group. The first repeating unit can have a lower molecular weight than the second repeating unit.

Abstract: Polymer-based drilling fluids may be used as an alternative to drilling fluids containing bentonite or other clay materials, although filter cake formation with polymer-based drilling fluids can often be inadequate. Drilling methods can comprise: providing a drilling fluid comprising a carrier fluid, a non-crosslinked hydroxyalkylcellulose polymer, and a plurality of non-biodegradable particulates; drilling a borehole in the presence of the drilling fluid; and forming a filter cake within the borehole, the filter cake comprising the non-crosslinked hydroxyalkylcellulose polymer and the non-biodegradable particulates.

Abstract: The permeability of barrier layers formed from sodium bentonite clay may be significantly and unpredictably impacted upon contacting various ionic substances. Modifying agents may be admixed with sodium bentonite clay to lessen the impacts resulting from its contact with an ionic substance. Suitable modifying agents may comprise an anionic substance selected from the group consisting of a diutan, a polymer containing a 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid monomer, any salt thereof, and any combination thereof. Methods for forming a barrier layer may comprise: providing a barrier material comprising sodium bentonite clay and a modifying agent admixed with the sodium bentonite clay, the modifying agent comprising an anionic substance selected from the group consisting of a diutan, a polymer containing a 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid monomer, any salt thereof, and any combination thereof; and forming a barrier layer comprising the barrier material.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to hydroxy-terminated poly(alkylene oxide) copolymer surfactants for use downhole, downhole compositions including the same, and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation. The method can include obtaining or providing a composition including a hydroxy-terminated poly(alkylene oxide) copolymer surfactant. The copolymer surfactant can include a first repeating unit having the structure —[R1O]—, wherein at each occurrence R1 is independently a substituted or unsubstituted (C2-C10)alkylene group. The copolymer surfactant can include a second repeating unit having the structure —[R2O]—, wherein at each occurrence R2 is independently a substituted or unsubstituted (C2-C10)alkylene group. The first repeating unit can have a lower molecular weight than the second repeating unit.

Abstract: A wellbore treatment fluid comprising: a base fluid; and a fluid loss additive package, the fluid loss additive package comprising: a water-swellable, superabsorbent polymer; a derivatized cellulose; and non-swellable particles that are insoluble in the base fluid. A method of drilling a wellbore into a subterranean formation comprising: providing the drilling fluid; and forming the wellbore using a drill bit and the drilling fluid.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to hydroxy-terminated poly(alkylene oxide) copolymer surfactants for use downhole, downhole compositions including the same, and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation. The method can include obtaining or providing a composition including a hydroxy-terminated poly(alkylene oxide) copolymer surfactant. The copolymer surfactant can include a first repeating unit having the structure —[R1O]—, wherein at each occurrence R1 is independently a substituted or unsubstituted (C2-C10)alkylene group. The copolymer surfactant can include a second repeating unit having the structure —[R2O]—, wherein at each occurrence R2 is independently a substituted or unsubstituted (C2-C10)alkylene group. The first repeating unit can have a lower molecular weight than the second repeating unit.

Abstract: A wellbore treatment fluid comprising: a base fluid; and a fluid loss additive package, the fluid loss additive package comprising: a water-swellable, superabsorbent polymer; a derivatized cellulose; and non-swellable particles that are insoluble in the base fluid. A method of drilling a wellbore into a subterranean formation comprising: providing the drilling fluid; and forming the wellbore using a drill bit and the drilling fluid.

Abstract: Polymer-based drilling fluids may be used as an alternative to drilling fluids containing bentonite or other clay materials, although filter cake formation with polymer-based drilling fluids can often be inadequate. Drilling methods can comprise: providing a drilling fluid comprising a carrier fluid, a non-crosslinked hydroxyalkylcellulose polymer, and a plurality of non-biodegradable particulates; drilling a borehole in the presence of the drilling fluid; and forming a filter cake within the borehole, the filter cake comprising the non-crosslinked hydroxyalkylcellulose polymer and the non-biodegradable particulates.

Abstract: Dry drilling fluid additives may include a dry mixture that comprises a clay stabilizing agent at about 76% to about 93% by weight of the dry mixture, a dispersant at about 3% to about 6% by weight of the dry mixture, and a surfactant at about 4% to about 18% by weight of the dry mixture. Such dry drilling fluid additives may be useful in methods and systems for drilling wellbore penetrating subterranean formations, especially deviated and highly-deviated wellbores.

Abstract: Dry drilling fluid additives may include a dry mixture that comprises a clay stabilizing agent at about 76% to about 93% by weight of the dry mixture, a dispersant at about 3% to about 6% by weight of the dry mixture, and a surfactant at about 4% to about 18% by weight of the dry mixture. Such dry drilling fluid additives may be useful in methods and systems for drilling wellbore penetrating subterranean formations, especially deviated and highly-deviated wellbores.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to hydroxy-terminated poly(alkylene oxide) copolymer surfactants for use downhole, downhole compositions including the same, and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation. The method can include obtaining or providing a composition including a hydroxy-terminated poly(alkylene oxide) copolymer surfactant. The copolymer surfactant can include a first repeating unit having the structure —[R1O]—, wherein at each occurrence R1 is independently a substituted or unsubstituted (C2-C10)alkylene group. The copolymer surfactant can include a second repeating unit having the structure —[R2O]—, wherein at each occurrence R2 is independently a substituted or unsubstituted (C2-C10)alkylene group. The first repeating unit can have a lower molecular weight than the second repeating unit.

Abstract: A subterranean grouting method including (a) placing a sample of a grout mixture within a test container, (b) separating a sand component from the sample, (c) determining if the grout mixture exhibits a thermal conductivity within a predetermined thermal conductivity range based upon a proportion of the sand component within the sample, and (d) upon determining that the grout mixture exhibits a thermal conductivity with the predetermined thermal conductivity range, securing a conduit within a subterranean bore with the grout mixture, wherein (a), (b), (c), and (d) are carried out proximate each other at a job site.

Abstract: A subterranean grouting method comprising (a) placing a sample of a grout mixture within a test container, (b) separating a sand component from the sample, (c) determining if the grout mixture exhibits a thermal conductivity within a predetermined thermal conductivity threshold based upon a proportion of the sand component within the sample, and (d) upon determining that the grout mixture exhibits a thermal conductivity with the predetermined thermal conductivity range, securing a conduit within a subterranean bore with the grout mixture, wherein (a), (b), (c), and (d) are carried out proximate each other at a job site.