Abstract: A foaming apparatus and method according to which a mixture of gas and a liquid is introduced into a vessel and passes through a passage in the vessel. The flow of the mixture through the passage is increased to increase the velocity of the mixture and cause corresponding shearing forces on the mixture to create a turbulance and form foam from the mixture. The restrictor can be moved in the passage to vary the amount of restriction and therefore the amount of the foam.

Abstract: A foaming apparatus and method according to which a mixture of gas and a liquid is introduced into a vessel at a predetermined velocity and passes through a passage in the vessel. The flow of the mixture through the passage is increased to increase the velocity of the mixture and cause corresponding shearing forces on the mixture to create a turbulance and form foam from the mixture. The restrictor can be moved in the passage to vary the amount of restriction and therefore the amount of the foam.

Abstract: A foaming apparatus and method according to which a mixture of gas and a liquid is introduced into a vessel at a predetermined velocity and passes through a passage in the vessel. The flow of the mixture through the passage is increased to increase the velocity of the mixture and cause corresponding shearing forces on the mixture to create a turbulance and form foam from the mixture. The restrictor can be moved in the passage to vary the amount of restriction and therefore the amount of the foam.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for wellbore and formation heating. In the method, after perforation of the well, fracturing material is pumped into the perforations to fracture the formation. This fracturing material comprises a mixture of sand and thermosetting plastic. Heat is subsequently applied to the formation and thereby to the plastic to cause the plastic to set so that flow-back of the plastic and sand is prevented while still allowing fluid flow from the formation through the sand into the well casing. The heating apparatus comprises a dual tubing string with a burner chamber attached to the lower end thereof The outer tubing of the dual tubing string is adapted for connection to an oxygen source, and the inner tubing string is adapted for connection to a fuel source. The apparatus also comprises an ignition source for providing a spark to ignite the fuel and oxygen mixture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for wellbore and formation heating. In the method, after perforation of the well, fracturing material is pumped into the perforations to fracture the formation. This fracturing material comprises a mixture of sand and thermosetting plastic. Heat is subsequently applied to the formation and thereby to the plastic to cause the plastic to set so that flow-back of the plastic and sand is prevented while still allowing fluid flow from the formation through the sand into the well casing. The heating apparatus comprises a dual tubing string with a burner chamber attached to the lower end thereof. The outer tubing of the dual tubing string is adapted for connection to an oxygen source, and the inner tubing string is adapted for connection to a fuel source. The apparatus also comprises an ignition source for providing a spark to ignite the fuel and oxygen mixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus using hydrajetting of fluid to cut a lateral casing window for drilling a side track. The apparatus comprises a J-sub having a J-slot therein which guides movement of a jetting nozzle such that a window may be abrasively jetted in well casing in the general shape of the J-slot. In an alternate embodiment, a hydraulically activated actuator sub is used to operate the J-sub. The actuator sub is activated by alternately pressurizing and depressurizing the actuator sub to apply longitudinal movement and torque to the J-sub.

Abstract: Improved fracture propping agents and methods of using such agents are provided. The propping agents are basically comprised of a plurality of small pieces which are suspendable in a fracturing fluid and have adequate compressive strength to prevent the closure of a fracture into which they are carried. The propping agent pieces have passageways formed therethrough containing a dissolvable substance whereby when the substance is dissolved, the permeability of the propping agent to the flow of formation fluids is increased.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of widening or extending fractures in a subterranean formation which intersect a wellbore to enhance the flow of fluids from the formation. The enhancement is achieved by introducing an explosive gas comprising a gaseous oxidizer and a gaseous fuel and optionally a quantity of inert gas into at least one fracture intersecting the wellbore and then detonating the explosive gas. The detonation produces a pressure wave which passes down the length of the fracture. The pressure wave can cause the fracture to extend and can cause the face of the fracture to yield whereby rubble is produced within the fracture which can prop the fracture in an open position.Identical application of the method can be used to rubblize a formation for solution mining of minerals of said formation.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore utilizing high pressure gas. The method is accomplished by casing the well with high strength casing over a selected zone, installing a bridge plug, tubing conveyed perforating gun and packer over a selected zone and filling the casing between the packer and plug with high pressure gas. The gas is present in an amount sufficient to have a pressure of at least about 1.5 times the breakdown pressure of the formation. Upon perforation of the casing the formation is rapidly contacted with the high pressure gas which causes fractures to form in the formation.