Abstract: A quantity of insoluble solid particles is coated with a hydratable gelling agent to produce a composition comprised of a mass of discrete solid particles which is dry and flowable. The composition is made by placing a binder on the insoluble solid particles and then, while the binder is sticky, placing a hydratable gelling agent on the sticky binder to thereby form the composition. The hydratable gelling agent on the composition, upon contact with an aqueous liquid, operates to increase the viscosity of the aqueous liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bridging agents for use in subterranean formations, to well drill-in and servicing fluids comprising such bridging agents, and to methods of using such bridging agents and well drill-in and servicing fluids in subterranean drilling operations. An example of a well drill-in and servicing fluid of the present invention comprises a viscosified fluid, a fluid loss control additive, and a bridging agent comprising a degradable material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bridging agents for use in subterranean formations, to well drill-in and servicing fluids comprising such bridging agents, and to methods of using such bridging agents and well drill-in and servicing fluids in subterranean drilling operations. An example of a well drill-in and servicing fluid of the present invention comprises a viscosified fluid, a fluid loss control additive, and a bridging agent comprising a degradable material.

Abstract: Methods that include a method comprising: providing a degradable polymer, a viscosifier, and one solvent; combining the degradable polymer and the solvent to form a degradable polymer composition; allowing the degradable polymer to at least partially plasticize; and applying sufficient shear to the degradable polymer composition so that degradable particulates begin to form. Additional methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of affecting the rate at which a hydrolytically degradable material degrades comprising: providing a hydrolytically degradable material, the degradable material having an intrinsic degradation rate; providing a modifier, the modifier being capable of affecting the intrinsic degradation rate of the hydrolytically degradable material; placing the hydrolytically degradable material and the modifier into a subterranean formation; and allowing the modifier to affect the intrinsic degradation rate of the hydrolytically degradable material so that the hydrolytically degradable material degrades at a second degradation rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bridging agents for use in subterranean formations, to well drill-in and servicing fluids comprising such bridging agents, and to methods of using such bridging agents and well drill-in and servicing fluids in subterranean drilling operations. An example of a well drill-in and servicing fluid of the present invention comprises a viscosified fluid, a fluid loss control additive, and a bridging agent comprising a degradable material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bridging agents for use in subterranean formations, to well drill-in and servicing fluids comprising such bridging agents, and to methods of using such bridging agents and well drill-in and servicing fluids in subterranean drilling operations. An example of a well drill-in and servicing fluid of the present invention comprises a viscosified fluid, a fluid loss control additive, and a bridging agent comprising a degradable material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bridging agents for use in subterranean formations, to well drill-in and servicing fluids comprising such bridging agents, and to methods of using such bridging agents and well drill-in and servicing fluids in subterranean drilling operations. An example of a well drill-in and servicing fluid of the present invention comprises a viscosified fluid, a fluid loss control additive, and a bridging agent comprising a degradable material.

Abstract: Of the many methods provided, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a method comprising: placing a drill-in fluid in a subterranean formation, the drill-in fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifier, a relative permeability modifier fluid loss control additive, and a degradable bridging agent comprising a degradable material capable of undergoing an irreversible degradation downhole; and forming a self-degrading filter cake comprising the bridging agent upon a surface within the formation whereby fluid loss through the self-degrading filter cake is reduced.

Abstract: Of the many methods provided herein, the present invention provides a method comprising: providing a drill-in fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifier, a relative permeability modifier fluid loss control additive, and a degradable bridging agent comprising a degradable material capable of undergoing an irreversible degradation downhole; placing the drill-in fluid in a subterranean formation; and allowing the relative permeability modifier fluid loss control additive to reduce fluid loss from the drill-in fluid to the subterranean formation. Another example is a method of degrading a filter cake in a subterranean formation comprising: providing a filter cake produced by a drill-in fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifier, a relative permeability modifier fluid loss control additive, and a degradable bridging agent comprising a degradable material capable of undergoing an irreversible degradation downhole; and allowing the degradable bridging agent to degrade.

Abstract: Of the many compositions provided herein, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a drill-in fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifier, a relative permeability modifier fluid loss control additive, and a degradable bridging agent comprising a degradable material capable of undergoing an irreversible degradation downhole.

Abstract: Presented herein are improved bridging agents comprising a degradable material, improved subterranean treatment fluids comprising such improved bridging agents, and methods of using such improved subterranean treatment fluids in subterranean formations. An example of a method presented is a method of drilling a well bore in a subterranean formation. Another example of a method presented is a method of forming a self-degrading filter cake in a subterranean formation. Another example of a method presented is a method of degrading a filter cake in a subterranean formation. An example of a composition of the present invention is a treatment fluid including a viscosifier, a fluid loss control additive, and a bridging agent comprising a degradable material. Another example of a composition presented is a bridging agent comprising a degradable material.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use as a downhole tool or a component thereof for insertion into a wellbore. According to one aspect, the apparatus has a body having a chamber, wherein at least a portion of the body is radially expandable; and a water-swellable material in the chamber, wherein the water-swellable material is dissolvable in water. According to another aspect, the apparatus has a body having a chamber, wherein at least a portion of the body is radially expandable, and wherein at least a portion of the body is made with a material that is deteriorable by hydrolysis; and a water-swellable material in the chamber. According to a further aspect, the water-swellable material is dissolvable in water.

Abstract: Methods of degrading filter cakes in subterranean formations are provided. An example of a method is a method of drilling a well bore in a subterranean formation. Another example of a method is a method of degrading a filter cake in a subterranean formation, the filter cake comprising an inorganic portion and an organic portion, and having been established in the formation by a well drill-in and servicing fluid that comprises a delayed-release acid component. An example of a composition is a well drill-in and servicing fluid.

Abstract: Improved in-situ filter cake degradation compositions for use in subterranean formations, well drill-in and servicing fluids including such in-situ filter cake degradation compositions, and methods of using such in-situ filter cake degradation compositions and well drill-in and servicing fluids in subterranean operations are provided. An example of a method is a method for forming a self-degrading filter cake in a subterranean formation. Another example of a method is a method of drilling a well bore in a subterranean formation. Another example of a method is a method of degrading a filter cake in a subterranean formation. An example of a composition is a well drill-in and servicing fluid. Another example of a composition is an in-situ filter cake degradation composition.

Abstract: Methods are included herein that include a method comprising: providing a degradable particulate comprising a degradable polymer matrix and an dehydrated salt; and placing the degradable particulate in a subterranean formation. Other methods and compositions are provided as well.

Abstract: Many methods are presented including one that comprises: providing a well drill-in and servicing fluid comprising an aqueous fluid, a viscosifier, a fluid loss control additive, a bridging agent, and an orthoester composition; using the well drill-in and servicing fluid to drill a well bore in a subterranean formation; allowing the well drill-in and servicing fluid to establish a filter cake in at least a portion of the well bore; contacting at least a portion of the filter cake with a breaker fluid comprising an orthoester composition; and allowing at least a portion of the filter cake to degrade.

Abstract: The present invention relates to subterranean treatment operations. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved treatment fluids and methods of using such improved treatment fluids in subterranean formations. An example of a method of the present invention is a method of treating a subterranean formation. Another example of a method of the present invention is a method of drilling in a subterranean formation. Another example of a method of the present invention is a method of degrading a filter cake in a subterranean formation. An example of a composition of the present invention is a treatment fluid comprising a degradable diverting agent. Another example of a composition of the present invention is a degradable diverting agent for use in a subterranean treatment fluid.

Abstract: Compositions relating to fluid loss control operations are provided. In some embodiments, fluid loss treatment fluid compositions are provided that may comprise ceramic particulate bridging agents, wherein at least a portion of the ceramic particulate bridging agents comprise chemically bonded particulates, a partially depolymerized starch derivative, and a base fluid are provided. In other embodiments, fluid loss treatment fluid compositions are provided comprising ceramic particulate bridging agents, wherein at least a portion of the ceramic particulate bridging agents are substantially insoluble in water; a partially depolymerized starch derivative, and a base fluid.

Abstract: A disposable downhole tool or a component thereof comprises an effective amount of biodegradable material such that the tool or the component thereof desirably decomposes when exposed to a wellbore environment. In an embodiment, the biodegradable material comprises a degradable polymer. The biodegradable material may further comprise a hydrated organic or inorganic solid compound. The biodegradable material may also be selected to achieve a desired decomposition rate when the tool is exposed to the wellbore environment. In an embodiment, the disposable downhole tool further comprises an enclosure for storing a chemical solution that catalyzes decomposition. The tool may also comprise an activation mechanism for releasing the chemical solution from the enclosure. In various embodiments, the disposable downhole tool is a frac plug, a bridge plug, or a packer.