Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprises circulating a water-based or oil-based drilling fluid in the subterranean formation; the water-based or oil-based drilling fluid comprising a carrier, and a superabsorbent polymer present in an amount effective to reduce fluid leakoff during the drilling operation, the superabsorbent polymer comprising crosslinks formed before the superabsorbent polymer is combined with the carrier.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well comprises: forming a fracturing composition comprising a carrier fluid; and a superabsorbent polymer component comprising one or more of the following: a first composite of a proppant and a first superabsorbent polymer in an unhydrated form, the first superabsorbent polymer being at least partially embedded in a void area of the proppant; a coated superabsorbent polymer; a superabsorbent material having a three-dimensional network; or a second composite of a second superabsorbent polymer and a slow-release breaker; and pumping the hydraulic fracturing composition into the subterranean formation to create or enlarge a fracture.

Abstract: A segregating fluid for use in a wellbore includes an aqueous segregating carrier fluid; and a preformed synthetic polymer swellable in the aqueous segregating carrier fluid in an amount effective to segregate a first fluid from a second fluid in a wellbore.

Abstract: A cement isolation fluid for use in a wellbore during a cementing operation includes an aqueous carrier fluid and a preformed synthetic polymer swellable in the carrier fluid, in an amount effective to isolate a cement slurry from another drilling fluid present in the wellbore. A method of cementing a wellbore comprising a drilling fluid includes injecting the cement isolation fluid into the wellbore; injecting a cement slurry into the wellbore; and hardening the cement in the slurry to cement the wellbore.

Abstract: A cement spacer fluid for use in a wellbore includes an aqueous cement spacer carrier fluid and a preformed synthetic polymer swellable in the aqueous cement spacer carrier fluid in an amount effective to displace a drilling fluid during a cementing operation. Preferably, the polymer is particulate, and forms a hydrated pack of particles. A method of cementing a wellbore comprising a drilling fluid includes injecting the cement spacer fluid into the wellbore to displace the drilling fluid; injecting a cement slurry into the wellbore subsequent to injecting the cement spacer fluid; and hardening the cement in the slurry to cement the wellbore.

Abstract: A cement slurry for use in a wellbore during wellbore cementing includes an aqueous cement slurry and a preformed synthetic polymer swellable in the aqueous cement slurry.

Abstract: The method includes the introduction of a proppant-free stage and a proppant laden stage into the wellbore and/or subterranean formation. The method increases the effective fracture width and enhances fracture conductivity within the formation. Either the proppant-free stage or the proppant laden stage contains a breaker. At least one of the proppant-free stage or proppant laden stage contains a viscosifying agent to which the breaker has affinity. The viscosifying agent may be a superabsorbent, a viscosifying polymer (other than a superabsorbent) or a viscoelastic surfactant. The breaker has greater affinity for the viscosifying agent not present in the same stage as the breaker. Either the proppant-free stage or the proppant laden stage may be foamed.

Abstract: A method for building a plug in a horizontal wellbore using a fluid pill containing a suspended well treatment composite. The well treatment composite contains a core comprising at least one deformable particulate and at least one dissolvable diverter. At least a portion of the surface of the core is coated with at least one viscosifying polymer and at least one crosslinking agent. The fluid pill is pumped into the wellbore at the end of a fracturing treatment and the fluid pill may be displaced by a displacement fluid. The fluid pill may be diverted to an area of lower permeability by disassociating the dissolvable diverter from the core. The disassociated diverter blocks an area of higher permeability. The sized particle distribution of the diverter is sufficient to at least partially block the penetration of fluid into the high permeability zone. In the lower permeability zone, a thickened gel is formed by the in-situ reaction of the viscosifying polymer and crosslinking.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a foamed fracturing fluid comprising a carrier fluid; a polymer that is soluble in the carrier fluid; the polymer being a synthetic polymer, wherein the synthetic polymer comprises a labile group that is operative to facilitate decomposition of the synthetic polymer upon activation of the labile group; a foaming agent; and a gas constituent, the synthetic polymer, foaming agent and gas constituent being operative to increase the viscosity of the carrier fluid to about 50 centipoise or greater at 100 s?1, the foamed fracturing fluid being operative to reduce friction during a downhole fracturing operation and to transport a proppant during the downhole fracturing operation. A method for treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The method disclosed herein includes the introduction of proppant-free stage and a proppant laden stage into the wellbore and/or subterranean formation. The method increases the effective fracture width and enhances fracture conductivity within the formation. Either the proppant-free stage or the proppant laden stage contains a breaker. At least one of the proppant-free stage or proppant laden stage contains a viscosifying agent to which the breaker has affinity. The viscosifying agent may be a superabsorbent, a viscosifying polymer (other than a superabsorbent) or a viscoelastic surfactant. The breaker has greater affinity for the viscosifying agent not present in the same stage as the breaker. Either the proppant-free stage or the proppant laden stage may be foamed.

Abstract: The complexity of a fracture network may be enhanced during a hydraulic fracturing operation by monitoring operational parameters of the fracturing job and altering stress conditions in the well in response to the monitoring of the operational parameters. The operational parameters monitored may include the injection rate of the pumped fluid, the density of the pumped fluid or the bottomhole pressure of the well after the fluid is pumped. The method provides an increase to the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV).

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing method includes injecting a fluid containing a transitory binder and filler into a substantially horizontal well casing without any placement apparatus present in the substantially horizontal well casing, the filler containing particles of a solid material. The transitory binder and filler are placed over first perforations in the well casing. The method includes opening second perforations through the well casing, injecting additional fracturing fluid through the substantially horizontal well casing, and forming a plug over and through the first perforations with the transitory binder and filler.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing method includes injecting a fluid containing a transitory binder and filler into a substantially horizontal well casing without any placement apparatus present in the substantially horizontal well casing, the filler containing particles of a solid material. The transitory binder and filler are placed over first perforations in the well casing. The method includes opening second perforations through the well casing, injecting additional fracturing fluid through the substantially horizontal well casing, and forming a plug over and through the first perforations with the transitory binder and filler.