Abstract: A gaming system compatible with patron-controlled portable electronic devices, such as smart phones or tablet computers, is described. The gaming system can include electronic gaming machines that are compatible to receive both virtual ticket vouchers and printed ticket vouchers that are redeemable for credits on the electronic gaming machines. Information associated with a virtual ticket voucher can be stored on a patron-controlled portable electronic device and then can be wireless transmitted to the electronic gaming machines. The electronic gaming machines can be configured to issue virtual ticket vouchers and printed ticket vouchers that can be redeemed for cash or additional game play on another electronic gaming machine. In one embodiment, the electronic gaming machine can be configured to issue a virtual ticket voucher to a patron-controlled portable electronic device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel approach for storing, analyzing, and/or accessing biological data in a cloud computing environment. Sequence data generated by a particular sequencing device may be uploaded to the cloud computing environment during a sequencing run, which reduces the on-site storage needs for the sequence data. Analysis of the data may also be performed in the cloud computing environment, and the instructions for such analysis may be set at the originating sequencing device. The sequence data in the cloud computing environment may be shared according to permissions. Further, the sequence data may be modified or annotated by authorized secondary users.

Abstract: A gaming system compatible with patron-controlled portable electronic devices, such as smart phones or tablet computers, is described. The gaming system can include electronic gaming machines that are compatible to receive both virtual ticket vouchers and printed ticket vouchers that are redeemable for credits on the electronic gaming machines. Information associated with a virtual ticket voucher can be stored on a patron-controlled portable electronic device and then can be wireless transmitted to the electronic gaming machines. The electronic gaming machines can be configured to issue virtual ticket vouchers and printed ticket vouchers that can be redeemed for cash or additional game play on another electronic gaming machine. In one embodiment, the electronic gaming machine can be configured to issue a virtual ticket voucher to a patron-controlled portable electronic device.

Abstract: A gaming system compatible with patron-controlled portable electronic devices, such as smart phones or tablet computers, is described. The gaming system can include electronic gaming machines that are compatible to receive both virtual ticket vouchers and printed ticket vouchers that are redeemable for credits on the electronic gaming machines. Information associated with a virtual ticket voucher can be stored on a patron-controlled portable electronic device and then can be wireless transmitted to the electronic gaming machines. The electronic gaming machines can be configured to issue virtual ticket vouchers and printed ticket vouchers that can be redeemed for cash or additional game play on another electronic gaming machine. In one embodiment, the electronic gaming machine can be configured to issue a virtual ticket voucher to a patron-controlled portable electronic device.

Abstract: The flow of well treatment fluids may be diverted from a high permeability zone to a low permeability zone within a fracture network within a subterranean formation by use of a mixture comprising a dissolvable diverter and a proppant. At least a portion of the high permeability zone is propped open with the proppant of the mixture and at least a portion of the high permeability zone is blocked with the diverter. A fluid is then pumped into the subterranean formation and into a lower permeability zone of the formation farther from the wellbore. The diverter in the high permeability zones may then be dissolved at in-situ reservoir conditions and hydrocarbons produced from the high permeability propped zones of the fracture network. The mixture has particular applicability in the enhancement of production or hydrocarbons from high permeability zones in a fracture network located near the wellbore.

Abstract: The flow of a fluid may be diverted from a high permeability zone to a low permeability portion of a subterranean formation by use of particulates comprising dicarboxylic acid, ester or an anhydride of the formula: or an anhydride thereof, wherein R1 is —COO—(R5O)y—R4 or —H; R2 and R3 are selected from the group consisting of —H and —COO—(R5O)y—R4, provided both R2 and R3 are —COO—(R5O)y—R4 when R1 is —H and further provided only one of R2 or R3 is —COO—(R5O)y—R4 when R1 is —COO—(R5O)y—R4, R4 is —H or a C1-C6 alkyl group, R5 is a C1-C6 alkylene group, and each y is 0 to 5. The dicarboxylic acid, ester or anhydride may further be admixed with an aliphatic polyester having the general formula of repeating units: where n is an integer between 75 and 10,000 and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, acetyl, heteroatoms, and mixtures; thereof.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation comprises forming a storable aqueous suspension comprising a carrier fluid, a superabsorbent polymer, a proppant the proppant being suspended in the carrier fluid as a substantially perfectly supported particulate; diluting the storable aqueous suspension in-line to a desired concentration; and introducing the diluted storable aqueous suspension into the subterranean formation. A sand control method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The complexity of a fracture network within a subterranean formation may be enhanced by pumping a high breakdown pressure fluid followed by a low breakdown pressure fluid into the formation. The method increases the Stimulated Reservoir Volume (SRV) of the formation and provides for a network of ancillary fractures within the formation.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of evaluating fluid trapping in an earth formation includes injecting a water-based fluid into at least one fluid channel fabricated on a substrate, the at least one fluid channel having a pore structure configured to represent a condition of an earth formation. The method also includes injecting oil into an inlet of the at least one fluid channel until at least a selected amount of the injected oil exits the channel, imaging the fluid channel and determining an amount of remaining fluid in the fluid channel after injection of the oil, the remaining fluid being an amount of the oil and/or an amount of the water-based fluid, and estimating a proportion of the total volume of the fluid channel occupied by the remaining fluid to determine an amount of fluid trapping in the pore structure. The method further includes analyzing the amount of fluid trapping.

Abstract: A system and method for stimulating hydrocarbon production from a wellbore that perforates the formation around the wellbore in strategic locations so that fractures can be formed in the formation having specific orientations. The system includes deep penetration perforators that extend past a portion of the formation adjacent the wellbore having locally high internal stresses (a stress cage); and big hole perforators that form perforations with a larger entrance diameter. The perforators form perforations in the formation that are axially consolidated along the wellbore. After perforating, the wellbore is hydraulically fractured with high pressure fluid, which creates fractures in a formation surrounding the wellbore that extend radially outward from the perforations. Creating perforations that are axially consolidated reduces the chances of forming competing fractures in the formation during fracturing.

Abstract: Compositions for suspending proppants in a hydraulic fracture of a subterranean formation involve a carrier fluid, a plurality of proppants, and a plurality of fabric pieces where each fabric includes a plurality of connected filaments. A method of using the compositions includes hydraulically fracturing the subterranean formation to form fractures in the formation; during and/or after hydraulically fracturing the subterranean formation, introducing proppants into the fractures; during and/or after hydraulically fracturing the subterranean formation, introducing fabric in the form of fabric pieces into the fractures, where the fabric contacts and inhibits or prevents the proppant from settling by gravity within the fractures; and closing the fractures against the proppants. Optionally a portion of the fabric pieces may be hydrolyzed. In another option, the fabric pieces may each comprise at least one shape changing filament.

Abstract: A method of hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore comprises: providing a diverting fluid comprising a carrier fluid, a first superabsorbent polymer and a second superabsorbent polymer, the second superabsorbent polymer having a shape, or a composition, or a combination thereof different from that of the first superabsorbent polymer; injecting the diverting fluid into the subterranean formation; and injecting a fracturing fluid into the formation after injecting the diverting fluid. A viscosity modifying agent can be present in the diverting fluid. Superabsorbent polymers can also be used to develop a temporary filter cake at the formation face to reduce or eliminate the fluid leakoff out of the wellbore.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation comprises forming a storable aqueous suspension comprising a carrier fluid, a superabsorbent polymer, a proppant the proppant being suspended in the carrier fluid as a substantially perfectly supported particulate; diluting the storable aqueous suspension in-line to a desired concentration; and introducing the diluted storable aqueous suspension into the subterranean formation. A sand control method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well comprises: combining an aqueous carrier with a superabsorbent polymer and a borated galactomannan to form a hydraulic fracturing composition; and pumping the hydraulic fracturing composition into the well.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation comprises forming a storable aqueous suspension comprising a carrier fluid, a superabsorbent polymer, a proppant the proppant being suspended in the carrier fluid as a substantially perfectly supported particulate; diluting the storable aqueous suspension in-line to a desired concentration; and introducing the diluted storable aqueous suspension into the subterranean formation. A sand control method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The flow of a fluid may be diverted from a high permeability zone to a low permeability portion of a subterranean formation by use of particulates comprising a mixture of (i) at least one aliphatic polyester having the general formula of repeating units: where n is an integer between 75 and 10,000 and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, acetyl, heteroatoms, and mixtures thereof; and (ii) at least one compound of the formula: or an anhydride thereof wherein: R1 is —COO—(R5O)y—R4 or —H; R2 and R3 are selected from the group consisting of —H and —COO—(R5O)y—R4; provided both R2 or R3 are —COO—(R5O)y—R4 when R1 is —H and further provided only one of R2 or R3 is —COO—(R5O)y—R4 when R1 is —COO—(R5O)y—R4 R4 is —H or a C1-C6 alkyl group; R5 is a C1-C6 alkylene group; and each y is 0 to 5.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of performing an energy industry operation includes: collecting historical data relating to one or more previously performed operations having a characteristic common to both the one or more previously performed operations and a proposed operation; planning the proposed operation based on the historical data, the proposed operation associated with one or more operational parameters; performing the proposed operation; measuring a condition during performance of the proposed operation and comparing the measured condition to the historical data; and automatically adjusting the one or more operational parameters based on the comparison.

Abstract: The flow of well treatment fluids may be diverted from a high permeability zone to a low permeability zone within a fracture network within a subterranean formation by use of a mixture comprising a dissolvable diverter and a proppant. At least a portion of the high permeability zone is propped open with the proppant of the mixture and at least a portion of the high permeability zone is blocked with the diverter. A fluid is then pumped into the subterranean formation and into a lower permeability zone of the formation farther from the wellbore. The diverter in the high permeability zones may then be dissolved at in-situ reservoir conditions and hydrocarbons produced from the high permeability propped zones of the fracture network. The mixture has particular applicability in the enhancement of production or hydrocarbons from high permeability zones in a fracture network located near the wellbore.

Abstract: The flow of a fluid may be diverted from a high permeability zone to a low permeability portion of a subterranean formation by use of particulates comprising dicarboxylic acid, ester or an anhydride of the formula: or an anhydride thereof, wherein R1 is —COO—(R5O)y—R4 or —H; R2 and R3 are selected from the group consisting of —H and —COO—(R5O)y—R4, provided both R2 and nR3 are —COO—(R5O)y—R4 when R1 is —H and further provided only one of R2 or R3 is —COO—(R5O)y—R4 when R1 is —COO—(R5O)y—R4, R4 is —H or a C1-C6 alkyl group, R5 is a C1-C6 alkylene group, and each y is 0 to 5.

Abstract: The flow of well treatment fluids may be diverted from a high permeability zone to a low permeability zone within a fracture network within a subterranean formation by use of a mixture comprising a dissolvable diverter and a proppant. At least a portion of the high permeability zone is propped open with the proppant of the mixture and at least a portion of the high permeability zone is blocked with the diverter. A fluid is then pumped into the subterranean formation and into a lower permeability zone of the formation farther from the wellbore. The diverter in the high permeability zones may then be dissolved at in-situ reservoir conditions and hydrocarbons produced from the high permeability propped zones of the fracture network. The mixture has particular applicability in the enhancement of production or hydrocarbons from high permeability zones in a fracture network located near the wellbore.