Abstract: Flow control systems and methods for use in hydrocarbon well operations include a tubular and a flow control apparatus. The tubular defines a well annulus and includes an outer member defining a flow conduit. Fluid communication between the well annulus and the flow conduit is provided by permeable portion(s) of the outer member. The flow control apparatus is disposed within the flow conduit and comprises conduit-defining and chamber-defining structural members. The conduit-defining structural member(s) is configured to divide the flow conduit into at least two flow control conduits. The chamber-defining structural member(s) is configured to divide at least one of the at least two flow control conduits into at least two flow control chambers. Each of the flow control chambers has at least one inlet and one outlet, each of which is adapted to allow fluid flow therethrough and to retain particles larger than a predetermined size.

Abstract: The components of surfactant-laden fluids, such as those used in hydrocarbon recovery operations such as for stimulation, e.g. hydraulic fracturing, may be re-used and re-cycled into components for subsequent use in a wide range of similar or different operational fluids. In particular, aqueous fluids gelled with viscoelastic surfactants and having components therein to pseudo-crosslink the elongated VES micelles and for internal breaking may be separated into its component parts by relatively inexpensive methods such as filtration. One filtration method includes contacting the surfactant-containing fluid with a particle pack having particulate additives therein which filter out or extract fine solids from the fluid. In an alternate embodiment the surfactant-laden fluid is a nano- and/or micro-emulsion wellbore cleanup fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and related methods for removing hazardous trace elements from hydrocarbon reservoir effluent is implemented by placing an adsorbing volume of material designed to adsorb the hazardous trace elements into the vicinity of a producing formation face at a downhole location; and letting the reservoir effluent flow through the volume of adsorbing material.

Abstract: A fracturing fluid, gravel pack fluid and/or frac pack fluid containing particles such as proppants, gravel and/.or sand, may contain an effective amount of a nano-sized particulate additive to fixate or reduce fines migration, where the particulate additive is an alkaline earth metal oxide, alkaline earth metal hydroxide, alkali metal oxides, alkali metal hydroxides transition metal oxides, transition metal hydroxides, post-transition metal oxides, post-transition metal hydroxides piezoelectric crystals and pyroelectric crystals. The nano-sized particulate additive is optionally bound to the particles with a coating agent such as an oil, alcohol, glycol, glycol ethers, ketones, terpenes, etc. The particle size of the magnesium oxide or other agent may be nanometer scale but may be a larger scale than nanometer but still relatively small, which scale may provide unique particle charges that help fixate the formation fines.

Abstract: Of the many methods provided herein. one method comprises: providing at least a portion of a subterranean formation that comprises a shale; providing a plasticity modification fluid that comprises an aqueous fluid and an alkaline embrittlement modification agent; placing a pack completion assembly neighboring the portion of the subterranean formation; and embrittling at least a portion of the shale to form an embrittled shale portion.

Abstract: A method is provided for drilling a well in a reservoir. The method includes planning a well trajectory for a serpentine well pair. The production well is drilled using lateral displacements and vertical displacements to follow a base of a pay interval in the reservoir. The production well is completed with perforations in regions comprising a hydrocarbon. At least a portion of the production well includes a liner with no perforations.

Abstract: A cascading liquid air removal filter system is disclosed. Said system comprising a filter system having a bristles element. Said bristle element comprises a plurality of bristles each having a first end and a second end. Said bristles element comprises a plurality of fluid passages between said bristles. Said filter system is attached to a column of a well having one or more sections, between said column and a casing of said well. Said filter system comprises a filter outside diameter. Said casing comprises a casing internal diameter. Said filter outside diameter is equal to or larger than said casing internal diameter. Said fluid passages comprise a plurality of non-linear paths through said bristles element for a liquid passing through said filter system. Said filter system provides only said non-linear paths for said liquid to travel from a first end to a second end of said filter system.

Abstract: A method and a system for segmental flow control in an oil-gas well are disclosed. The oil-gas well includes a first annular space (111) and a second annular space (103). The first annular space (111) is formed with the space between the borehole wall (101) of the oil-gas well and a perforated tube (102) which is in the oil-gas well and extends along an axial direction of the oil-gas well; The second annular space(103) which is formed with the space between the perforated tube(102) and a flow-control filter string (105) which is in the perforated tube(102) and extends along the axial direction of the oil-gas well. The method includes filling anti-channeling isolating particles (109) in the first annular space (111) and the second annular space (103) to enable fluid to flow in the first annular space (111) and the second annular space (103) filled with the anti-channeling isolating particles (109) in the manner of seepage.

Abstract: A chopper mechanism for providing a fiber to a fluid at an oilfield. The chopper mechanism may be employed to process the fiber from an uncut form to a cut form in order to provide a mixture of the fluid and the fiber with flowback inhibiting character. Techniques of employing the chopper mechanism may be utilized at the site of an oilfield for applications such as fracturing, cementing, and drilling. Additionally, the chopper mechanism itself may be made available as a large high capacity chopper assembly, or a smaller handheld chopper gun for slower rate fiber supply operations.

Abstract: Methods using diagenesis source material including the steps of providing a diagenesis source material in a subterranean formation and introducing a first plurality of particulates into the subterranean formation. The diagenesis source material then consolidates at least a portion of the first plurality of particulates into a pack in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: An oil-gas well structure and a segmental flow-control method for a flow-control filter string (5) used in the oil-gas well are disclosed. The oil-gas well comprises a well wall (1) and a sand control screen (2) already run within the well wall, a clearance at least partially exists between the sand control screen (2) and the well wall (1), the flow-control filter string (5) is run into the sand control screen (2), the flow-control filter string (5) is provided with flow-control filters (6), an annular space is formed between the flow-control filters (6) and the sand control screen (2), and the clearance and the annular space are filled with anti-channeling flow pack-off particles (7).

Abstract: Certain emulsions and masses produced using those emulsions exhibited improved permeability and stability. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a composition that comprises a plurality of inorganic particulates, an aqueous component, and an organic component comprising at least one polymerizable monomer and at least one surface active agent in an amount of up to about 10% by volume of the organic component; permitting the composition to form an emulsion that comprises an internal aqueous phase in an amount of at least about 50% by volume of the emulsion and a continuous organic phase; introducing the composition into at least a portion of a subterranean formation; and permitting the composition to form a porous polymer mass in at least a portion of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Flow control systems and methods for use in injection wells and in the production of hydrocarbons utilize a particulate material disposed in an external flow area of a flow control chamber having an internal flow channel and an external flow area separated at least by a permeable region. The particulate material transitions from a first accumulated condition to a free or released condition when a triggering condition is satisfied without requiring user or operator intervention. The released particles accumulate without user or operator intervention, to control the flow of production fluids through a flow control chamber by at least substantially blocking the permeable region between the external flow area and the internal flow channel.

Abstract: The migration of coal fines within a bed is reduced, inhibited or constrained by contacting the fines with nanoparticles, such as magnesium oxide crystals having an average particle size of about 30 nm. These nanoparticles may coat a proppant during the fracturing of a subterranean formation to produce methane from a coal bed therein. The nanoparticles may also treat a proppant pack in a fractured coal bed. The nanoparticles cause the coal fines to thus bind to or associate with the proppants. Thus, most of the coal fines entering fractures away from the near-wellbore region will be restrained or controlled near their origin or source and the production of methane at a desired level will be maintained much longer than a similar situation than where the nanoparticles are not used.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing the migration of unconsolidated and/or loosely consolidated material into the wellbore. Such prevention is accomplished by introducing a well treatment comprising an expandable deployable structure into an uncosolidated zone proximate the wellbore. These deployable structures are inserted into the voids of the geological formation and using stored mechanical energy convert from an unexpanded or undeployed state to an expanded or deployed state. These deployable structures can exert forces, pressure or a combination of both in multiple directions on the surrounding media.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of creating a polymerized composition in a well bore: providing a polymerizable composition made of a polymerization initiator and a monomer polymerizable by frontal polymerization; introducing the polymerizable composition into the wellbore; exposing the polymerizable composition to a trigger to activate the frontal polymerization; and creating the polymerized composition.

Abstract: Non-spherical particulates are useful in the stimulation of subterranean formations. A proppant pack composed of the non-spherical particulates exhibits greater porosity than a corresponding proppant pack composed of spherical particulates. Non-spherical particulates which are hollow and non-porous may further be at least partially filled with a chemical treatment agent including water-soluble or oil-soluble chemical treatment agents.

Abstract: The invention discloses a storable composition for oilfield application including a slurry of a carrier fluid and a particulate blend made of proppant; the particulate blend comprising at least a first amount of particulates having a first average particle size between about 100 and 5000 ?m and at least a second amount of particulates having a second average particle size between about three and twenty times smaller than the first average particle size; such that a packed volume fraction of the particulate blend exceeds 0.74 and the particulate blend volume is sufficient to substantially avoid settling of the particulate in the carrier fluid.

Abstract: Methods of forming gravel packs while reducing fluid loss to the surrounding subterranean formation. The methods involve suspending gravel that has been coated with a tackifying agent and degradable fines into a low viscosity carrier fluid and then placing that suspension into a subterranean formation so as to form a gravel pack wherein, as the gravel pack is placed, the degradable fines to de-adhere from the gravel and to fill at least a portion of the pore spaces within the gravel pack so as to reducing fluid loss through the gravel pack.

Abstract: Lightweight polyamide particulates may be used in treatment of subterranean formations, including hydraulic fracturing and sand control methods, such as gravel packing. The polyamide particulates typically have an apparent specific gravity (ASG) between from about 1.05 to about 2.0 and are stable at temperatures up to 500° C. The polyamide particulates may be used in combination with a filler which further serves to increase the strength and temperature stability of the resulting composite. Fracture conductivity may be increased by the placement of the low density polyamide particulates as a partial monolayer.

Abstract: Methods and compositions useful for subterranean formation treatments, such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control that include porous materials. Such porous materials may be selectively configured porous material particles manufactured and/or treated with selected glazing materials, coating materials and/or penetrating materials to have desired strength and/or apparent density to fit particular downhole conditions for well treating such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control treatments. Porous materials may also be employed in selected combinations to optimize fracture or sand control performance, and/or may be employed as relatively lightweight materials in liquid carbon dioxide-based well treatment systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved low-quality particulates and methods of making such improved particulates. A method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising providing a slurry comprising a treatment fluid and low-quality particulates at least partially coated with an aqueous tackifying composition, wherein the aqueous tackifying composition comprises an aqueous tackifier compound and an aqueous liquid; introducing the slurry into a subterranean formation; and, depositing the coated, low-quality particulates into the portion of this subterranean formation. A method of improving particulates, comprising at least partially coating low-quality particulates with an aqueous tackifying composition, wherein the aqueous tackifying composition comprises an aqueous tackifier compound and an aqueous liquid.

Abstract: A cement composition resistant to carbon dioxide includes a hollow element for trapping carbonation products. The hollow element can be hollow spherical or quasi spherical particles including cenospheres, sodium-calcium-borosilicate glass microspheres, silica-alumina microspheres, or a combination thereof. Or the hollow element may be a spherical or quasi spherical void made in the set cement, for example by foaming the cement composition with a gas such as air, nitrogen or a combination thereof. The composition may be used to cement a subterranean well in which carbon dioxide is injected, stored or produced.

Abstract: Methods of controlling fluid loss in a subterranean formation comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid and a fluid loss control additive comprising a water-soluble polymer having hydrophobic or hydrophilic modification; introducing the treatment fluid into an interval of a well bore, the well bore penetrating the subterranean formation; creating one or more perforations in the interval of the well bore, wherein the perforations extend from the well bore and into the subterranean formation; and allowing the treatment fluid to contact a portion of the subterranean formation through the one or more perforations. Methods of a reducing fluid loss from a perforated and/or gravel packed interval of a well bore using a fluid loss control additive comprising a water-soluble polymer having hydrophobic or hydrophilic modification.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing the conductivity of fractures in subterranean formations comprising: providing a propped fracture in a subterranean formation wherein a plurality of proppant particulates reside in at least a portion of the fracture; providing a displacement fluid; introducing the displacement fluid into the propped fracture in the subterranean formation at a rate that is at least the matrix rate of the subterranean formation; and allowing the displacement fluid to displace at least a portion of the plurality of proppant particulates, thereby forming at least one channel in the propped fracture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filtering device which is especially designed for use as a well screen filter. The filtering device comprises a tubular supporting element (12) and two or more tubular segments (14) of a porous filter medium arranged in axial alignment to one another and concentrically and essentially coextensive with the tubular supporting element (12), said tubular supporting element (12) having a tubular wall provided with a plurality of perforations (26, 28, 30) and having a plurality of projections projecting from said tubular wall, said projections supporting the two or more tubular segments in axial alignment with the tubular wall, said tubular segments each having two end portions which are in sealing contact with the tubular supporting element or an end portion of another tubular segment.

Abstract: The invention is a composition, for use in treating oil wells, comprising fibres, hot melt adhesives and particulate solids. This composition has a wide range of applications including preventing or lessening lost circulation, wellbore strengthening or consolidation, controlling fluid loss, producing a “stress cage” effect, gravel packing, acting as an aid to cementing, and for proppant backflow control.

Abstract: A fluid loss control method uses a fluid loss control pill in a well in advance of a completion operation. An embodiment of the fluid loss control pill comprises polyester solids that are hydrolysable and can exhibit plastic deformation at formation conditions. An embodiment of the method comprises spotting the fluid loss control pill in the well adjacent to a formation to form a filtercake to inhibit fluid entry from the well into the formation, performing a completion operation comprising contacting the filtercake with overbalanced wellbore fluid, and degrading the filtercake wherein the polyester particles are hydrolyzed to remove formation damage.

Abstract: Flow control systems and methods for use in hydrocarbon well operations include a tubular and a flow control apparatus. The tubular defines a well annulus and includes an outer member defining a flow conduit. Fluid communication between the well annulus and the flow conduit is provided by permeable portion(s) of the outer member. The flow control apparatus is disposed within the flow conduit and comprises conduit-defining and chamber-defining structural members. The conduit-defining structural member(s) is configured to divide the flow conduit into at least two flow control conduits. The chamber-defining structural member(s) is configured to divide at least one of the at least two flow control conduits into at least two flow control chambers. Each of the flow control chambers has at least one inlet and one outlet, each of which is adapted to allow fluid flow therethrough and to retain particles larger than a predetermined size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to treat a subterranean formation including introducing a fluid comprising degradable material into a wellbore, contacting a surface of the wellbore with the fluid, and stimulating a surface of a subterranean formation, wherein the contacting the wellbore surface and stimulating the formation occur over a time period that is tailored by the properties of the degradable material. In some embodiments, the properties of the degradable material include a chemical composition, a surface area, a geometric shape of a particle of the material, a concentration of the material in the fluid, a density of the material, a dimension of a particle of the material, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A technique enables long-lasting filtering of fluid flow in a wellbore. The technique employs a base pipe and a sand control screen surrounding the base pipe. The sand control screen has a support layer, a filter media surrounding the support layer, and a protective shroud. At least one of the support layer and the protective shroud layer utilizes longitudinal ribs held in place by a transverse wire. The components of the sand control screen cooperate to provide a simple but durable system for long term filtering of sand from fluid flow in a wellbore.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wellbore operation, which includes the steps of: (a) introducing into a wellbore a wellbore fluid in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion comprising a dispersed brine phase and comprising as an emulsifier at least one polymer which contains both hydrophilic units and hydrophobic units, at least some of said hydrophilic units containing sulfonate groups, and at least some of said hydrophobic units containing pendant alkyl groups having at least 8 carbon atoms, wherein the sulfonate groups have been introduced into said polymer by first preparing a precursor polymer containing units derived from at least one unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or unsaturated anhydride and then reacting at least a portion of the carboxylic acid and/or anhydride groups of the precursor polymer with a compound of general formula R12N(CH2)nSO3X (I) and/or a compound of general formula HO(CH2)nSO3X (II) wherein each R1 is independently selected from hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, X is H, ammonium, or a Group IA met

Abstract: Lightweight polyamide particulates may be used in treatment of subterranean formations, including hydraulic fracturing and sand control methods, such as gravel packing. The polyamide particulates typically have an apparent specific gravity (ASG) between from about 1.05 to about 2.0 and are stable at temperatures up to 500° C. The polyamide particulates may be used in combination with a filler which further serves to increase the strength and temperature stability of the resulting composite. Fracture conductivity may be increased by the placement of the low density polyamide particulates as a partial monolayer.

Abstract: Non-spherical particulates are useful in the stimulation of subterranean formations. A proppant pack composed of the non-spherical particulates exhibits greater porosity than a corresponding proppant pack composed of spherical particulates. Non-spherical particulates which are hollow and non-porous may further be at least partially filled with a chemical treatment agent including water-soluble or oil-soluble chemical treatment agents.

Abstract: Lightweight polyamide particulates may be used in treatment of subterranean formations, including hydraulic fracturing and sand control methods, such as gravel packing. The polyamide particulates typically have an apparent specific gravity (ASG) between from about 1.05 to about 2.0 and are stable at temperatures up to 500° C. The polyamide particulates may be used in combination with a filler which further serves to increase the strength and temperature stability of the resulting composite. Fracture conductivity may be increased by the placement of the low density polyamide particulates as a partial monolayer.

Abstract: A power engine natural gas compressor system to optimize the extraction of natural gas from a reservoir and related gathering systems. The system is controlled by a distributed control system, which is a computer readable program, and allows for humane machine interface allowing for a more efficient use of the available power supply resulting in increased efficiency. Through the use of an integrated control system the present invention achieves a precise control of the overall operation of the system, which would be impossible to achieve through manual manipulation. The system of the present invention is a system capable of multiple functions with minimal losses with respect to efficiency. Different from the compressors found in the market the system uses a sophisticated process and control system, and is constructed and arranged in such a way that someone with little to no training can operate and maintain it.

Abstract: A wellbore fluid comprising a base fluid and a particulate bridging agent comprised of a sparingly water-soluble material selected from the group consisting of melamine (2,4,5-triamino-1,3,5-triazine), lithium carbonate, lithium phosphate (Li3PO4), and magnesium sulfite.

Abstract: A method for minimizing the amount of metal crosslinked viscosifier necessary for treating a wellbore with proppant or gravel is given. The method includes using fibers to aid in transporting, suspending and placing proppant or gravel in viscous carrier fluids otherwise having insufficient viscosity to prevent particulate settling. Fibers are given that have properties optimized for proppant transport but degrade after the treatment into degradation products that do not precipitate in the presence of ions in the water such as calcium and magnesium. Crosslinked polymer carrier fluids are identified that are not damaged by contaminants present in the fibers or by degradation products released by premature degradation of the fibers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method comprising providing a treatment fluid that comprises a base fluid and a silicone-tackifier matrix composition that comprises at least one silicone polymer component, at least one tackifying agent, and at least one curing agent and/or at least one cross linking agent; placing the treatment fluid in a subterranean formation; and allowing the silicone-tackifier matrix to form at least one silicone-tackifier matrix therein.

Abstract: Of the methods provided herein to control particulate migration, one method comprises: providing a portion of a subterranean formation comprising unconsolidated particulates; providing a tacky-consolidate treatment fluid comprising a tackifying compound, a curable resin, and a silane coupling agent; and placing the tacky-consolidate treatment fluid in the subterranean formation so as to form a tacky consolidate that comprises at least a portion of the unconsolidated particulates.

Abstract: Certain emulsions and masses produced using those emulsions exhibiting improved permeability and stability, and methods of preparation and use in subterranean operations, are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a composition that comprise a plurality of inorganic particulates, an aqueous component, and an organic component comprising at least one polymerizable monomer and at least one surface active agent in an amount of up to about 10% by volume of the organic component; permitting the composition to form an emulsion that comprises an internal aqueous phase in an amount of at least about 50% by volume of the emulsion and a continuous organic phase; introducing the composition into at least a portion of a subterranean formation; and permitting the composition to form a porous polymer mass in at least a portion of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Methods suitable for use in a subterranean formation utilizing particulates coated with both a tackifier and a resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved low-quality particulates and methods of making such improved particulates. A method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising providing a slurry comprising a treatment fluid and low-quality particulates at least partially coated with an aqueous tackifying composition, wherein the aqueous tackifying composition comprises an aqueous tackifier compound and an aqueous liquid; introducing the slurry into a subterranean formation; and, depositing the coated, low-quality particulates into the portion of this subterranean formation. A method of improving particulates, comprising at least partially coating low-quality particulates with an aqueous tackifying composition, wherein the aqueous tackifying composition comprises an aqueous tackifier compound and an aqueous liquid.

Abstract: Water production produced from a subterranean formation is inhibited or controlled by consolidated water sensitive porous medium (WSPM) packed within the flow path of the wellbore device container. The WSPM includes solid particles having a water hydrolyzable polymer at least partially coating the particles. The WSPM is packed under pressure within the flow path of the wellbore device container to consolidate it. The WSPM increases resistance to flow as water content increases in the fluid flowing through the flow path and decreases resistance to flow as water content decreases in the fluid flowing through the flow path.

Abstract: Methods and compositions useful for subterranean formation treatments, such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control that include porous materials. Such porous materials may be selectively configured porous material particles manufactured and/or treated with selected glazing materials, coating materials and/or penetrating materials to have desired strength and/or apparent density to fit particular downhole conditions for well treating such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control treatments. Porous materials may also be employed in selected combinations to optimize fracture or sand control performance, and/or may be employed as relatively lightweight materials in liquid carbon dioxide-based well treatment systems.

Abstract: A well screen (101) having a base pipe (103), a filter layer (105) arranged around the base pipe (103), and a discrete mesh outer standoff layer (107) arranged around the filter layer (105) in a first spiral wrap (109) is provided. The first spiral wrap (109) comprises a first succession of loops such that a trailing edge of a next one of the first succession of loops is in contact, or in overlap, with a leading edge of a previous one of the first succession of loops; and to produce a compressive force on the filter layer (105) radially towards the base pipe (103).

Abstract: The current disclosure describes a multifunctional fluid that addresses a new concept in the removal of filter cake. A composition is disclosed comprising: a carrier fluid, a surfactant, a fluorine source and an organic stabilizer able to minimize precipitation of fluorine The associated method to remove the filter cake is also described.

Abstract: Mixtures of fibers and solid particles are effective for curing fluid losses and lost circulation in a subterranean well. Stiff fibers are more effective than flexible ones; however, mixtures of stiff and flexible fibers have a synergistic effect. The quantity and particle-size distribution of the solids are optimized according to the stiffness, dimensions and concentrations of fibers.

Abstract: A treatment fluid that can be used for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is prepared from a primary treatment fluid component and an emulsion component mixed with the primary treatment fluid component. The emulsion component has an oil phase and an aqueous phase. The emulsion component comprising a source of insoluble silica particles and a source of calcium hydroxide, wherein the source of calcium hydroxide is present in the oil phase, and the source of insoluble silica particles are contained in the aqueous phase. The method is carried out by contacting at least a portion of the formation with the treatment fluid.

Abstract: A sol of metallic alkoxide is pumped into a desired location in a wellbore and allowed to gel, creating solids in-situ. The sol is either unstabilized, requiring rapid placement before gelling, or the sol is stabilized, permitting off-site mixing. Sols can be stabilized with either surfactant or with interfacial polymers. Large concentrations of surfactant can be placed in the sol to create templates around which gelation occurs, creating porous solids.