Abstract: A method including the steps of: (a) providing a dispersion comprising: a water-soluble polysaccharide and a carrier fluid, wherein the carrier fluid comprises: (i) glycerol, and (ii) a mono-hydroxylic alcohol having 1-3 carbons, wherein the mono-hydroxylic alcohol is present in at least 0.1% by weight of the glycerol, wherein the polysaccharide is insoluble in the carrier fluid; (b) mixing the dispersion with at least water to form an aqueous well treatment fluid, wherein the polysaccharide is soluble in the aqueous phase of the aqueous wellbore treatment fluid; and (c) introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Compositions including relatively low reactivity acids and having a pH of from about 2 to about 5, mixed with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) and internal breakers may serve as fluids, in a non-limiting embodiment as drilling fluids, to open underground hydrocarbon reservoirs with carbonate contents of 10 wt % or above. The fluids initially have low viscosities. After the fluid flows out of the drill bit, the acids react with carbonates in the formation thereby increasing the pH of the fluids causing the VES to gel the fluid at the bottom of the hole and within the formation rock. Even when the subterranean formation contains naturally-occurring fractures, the viscosified fluid will reduce fluid loss into the formation. After drilling through the targeted formation, internal breakers in the viscosified fluids will break down the fluids to permit their removal, and production of the well with very little or no near well bore damage.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising preparing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising cement, water and a polyuronide polymer, placing the wellbore servicing fluid in the wellbore, and allowing the wellbore servicing fluid to set. A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising preparing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising a highly methylated pectin, cementitious material and water into the wellbore, placing the wellbore servicing fluid in the wellbore, and allowing the wellbore servicing fluid to set. A wellbore servicing fluid comprising cement, water and a polyuronide polymer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a drive force in a downhole environment includes chambers of a reactant and a catalyst, respectively, that are maintained separate until selectively exposed to one another. Once exposed, the reactant and catalyst produce expanding fluid pressure and sometimes heat. The products of the reaction are directed to a drive member to carry out a desired operation in the downhole environment.

Abstract: A method of reducing the viscosity of a water-based drilling fluid without requiring dilution. The method of reducing the viscosity of a water-based drilling fluid, includes: providing a water-based drilling fluid containing a peroxide degradable polymer and a weighting agent, adding a viscosity reducing additive containing an inorganic peroxide to the water-based drilling fluid while maintaining the pH of the water-based drilling fluid at a pH greater than about 8, circulating the water-based drilling fluid having a pH greater than about 8 through a wellbore, and heating the circulating water-based drilling fluid to a temperature of at least about 150° F. so as to activate the inorganic peroxide to degrade the peroxide degradable polymer.

Abstract: Methods of treating a subterranean formation can comprise introducing a pre-flush fluid into a subterranean formation having particulate matter therein; introducing a curable adhesive composition comprising a silane coupling agent and a polymer, the polymer having a reactive silicon end group, into the subterranean formation subsequent to the pre-flush fluid; introducing an aqueous post-flush fluid into the subterranean formation subsequent to the curable adhesive composition; and allowing the curable adhesive composition to at least partially consolidate particulate matter within the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Methods for reducing a viscosity of a viscosified fluid include reacting, such as by depolymerizing and/or decomposing, a polymeric material of the viscosified fluid with a breaking agent including one or more organic peroxide breakers having a structural feature selected from a cyclic peroxide segment and/or multiple linear peroxide moieties per molecule. The methods of treating the subterranean are provided that include reacting, such as by depolymerizing and/or decomposing, a polymeric material of a viscosified treatment fluid with one or more organic peroxide breakers having a structural feature selected from cyclic peroxide segment and/or multiple linear peroxide moieties per molecule to facilitate breaking of the viscosified treatment fluid after the fracturing or treatment is finished.

Abstract: Methods and systems relating to in situ decomposition of carbonyls at high temperature for fixing incomplete and failed well seals, are described. According to one embodiment, a method, comprises injecting a sealing agent into a subterranean well having sealing channels or voids in well casings. An alkaline-earth carbonate precipitate is formed from the decomposition of a carbonyl compound. The sealing agent includes the carbonyl compound and an alkaline-earth halide salt.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon-containing organic matter is extracted from a hydrocarbon-containing material that is a viscous liquid, liquid or gaseous fossil fuel material. A turpentine liquid is contacted with a hydrocarbon-containing material in-situ in an underground formation containing the fossil fuel material to form an extraction mixture so as to extract hydrocarbon-containing organic matter into the turpentine liquid and form an extraction liquid. The extraction liquid is removed from the formation, the extraction liquid including the turpentine liquid containing the extracted hydrocarbon-containing organic matter. The extracted hydrocarbon-containing organic matter is separated from a residual material not extracted.

Abstract: A treatment fluid for a well includes: (a) a water-soluble polymer, wherein the water-soluble polymer comprises a polymer of at least one non-acidic ethylenically unsaturated polar monomer; (b) an organic crosslinker comprising amine groups, wherein the organic crosslinker is capable of crosslinking the water-soluble polymer; (c) a weak organic acid; and (d) water; wherein the treatment fluid is a crosslinkable polymer composition.

Abstract: The invention describes improved fracturing compositions, methods of preparing fracturing compositions and methods of use. Importantly, the subject invention overcomes problems in the use of mists as an effective fracturing composition particularly having regard to the ability of a mist to transport an effective volume of proppant into a formation. As a result, the subject technologies provide an effective economic solution to using high ratio gas fracturing compositions that can be produced in a continuous (i.e. non-batch) process without the attendant capital and operating costs of current pure gas fracturing equipment.

Abstract: Introducing a fluid composition and a heat-generating fluid into a wellbore may improve timing and/or conditions of generating in situ heat downhole. The generated heat may be used to melt wax, and dissolve paraffins and asphaltenes or other deposits within the wellbore or in the reservoir itself. The fluid composition may include a base fluid and a metallic powder having a plurality of metallic powder particles. The base fluid may be or include a drilling fluid, a completion fluid, a stimulation fluid, a workover fluid, an activation fluid, and mixtures thereof. Each metallic powder particle may have a metallic particle core, and a coating disposed on the metallic particle core having a coating material. The metallic particle core may be released from the metallic powder particle. A heat-generating fluid may contact the released metallic particle core and thereby generate heat.

Abstract: Single-phase microemulsions, comprising a solvent, a surfactant blend and a carrier fluid, are effective spacer fluids for use during cementing operations. The solvent may be selected from the group consisting of monoterpenes, diterpenes, and alkyl or aryl esters of short-chain alcohols. The surfactant blend comprises a water-wetting surfactant or nonionic surfactant, a co-surfactant and an oil-solubilizing surfactant. The carrier fluid is aqueous. The solvent and surfactant blend are combined with the carrier fluid to produce the well-treatment microemulsion.

Abstract: A process for increasing, on an existing installation, the amount of water-soluble polymer in an emulsion injected into pipelines transporting oil produced at offshore oil wells, includes before injection, diluting the emulsion with fuel oil found on the platform or Floating Production Storage & Offloading unit (FPSO).

Abstract: A thickened aqueous composition is delivered to a subterranean location accessible via a wellbore by steps of i. providing a biphasic aqueous mixture comprising two aqueous solutions which, at surface temperature and pressure, are able to co-exist as separate aqueous phases in contact with each other, ii. pumping said biphasic aqueous system down the wellbore to the subterranean location, and iii. converting the biphasic mixture below ground so that its phases combine into a single aqueous phase which is more viscous than the biphasic mixture. The two phases of the aqueous biphasic mixture contain dissolved solutes which segregate between the two phases such that at least one first solute is present at a greater concentration in the first aqueous phase than in the second aqueous phase while at least one second solute is present at a greater concentration in the second aqueous phase than in the first aqueous phase.

Abstract: A treatment fluid comprises: a metal oxide, wherein the metal oxide is capable of forming a chelate complex or coordination complex with a ligand, wherein the chelate complex or coordination complex has a setting time of less than 90 minutes at a temperature of 71° F. and a pressure of 1 atmosphere. A method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprises: introducing the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation; allowing or causing a chelate complex or coordination complex to form between the metal oxide and a ligand; and allowing or causing the chelate complex or coordination complex to set.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation may be treated with an aqueous well treatment fluid which contains a hexose oxidase, such as glucose oxidase, mannose oxidase or galactose oxidase. The aqueous well treatment fluid further may contain a viscosifying polymer and an aldohexose. The aldohexose reacts in-situ with the hexose oxidase and molecular oxygen to produce hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide may then act as a breaker.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a chemical system of gas evolving oil viscosity diminishing compositions (GEOVDC) for stimulating the productive layer of an oil reservoir, that is to chemical compositions for a thermochemical treatment of an oil reservoir, more specifically for initiating a chemical reaction in the productive layer zone of the oil reservoir to produce heat and evolve gases so that the extraction of oil (petroleum) is improved. The invention is further directed to a method of thermochemically treating an oil reservoir by means of this chemical system, and to an apparatus for performing thermochemical treatment of an oil reservoir.

Abstract: It is provided a method and an apparatus for continuously thermally treating an oil reservoir, in particular a method and an apparatus for thermally treating an oil reservoir by separately introducing a first and a second composition into an oil well and contacting the first and second compositions in a pay zone of the oil reservoir to initiate a chemical reaction producing heat and gases. With the method and apparatus according to the present invention it becomes possible to simultaneously introduce the compositions into the oil well and to extract the resultant oil or oil containing mixture through the same oil well.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an acid emulsion fluid for use in sealing target portions of a hydrocarbon producing formation penetrated by a wellbore and the method of use thereof for fluid loss control.

Abstract: A method of agglomerating coal particles in a subterranean formation having a coal seam, comprising the steps of providing (a) a fluid having an aqueous medium and a first collector and/or a frother; (b) pumping the fluid into the formation and (c) contacting coal particles in the formation thereby agglomerating the contacted coal particles.

Abstract: Cement spacer fluids may be densified for use in conjunction with drilling fluids and cement slurries for cementing operations involving oil and gas wells, wherein such densifying is done via the addition of nanoparticles to the spacer fluid. The disclosure is directed to analogous methods of densifying completion spacer fluids using added nanoparticles and to systems for implementing the use of such nanoparticle-containing compositions in well cementing operations.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising at least in part shale formation, comprises providing a carrier fluid; providing a particulate blend including a first amount of particulates having a first average particle size between about 100 and 2000 microns and 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 0.75; combining the carrier fluid and the particulate blend into a fracturing slurry; fracturing the formation with the fracturing slurry to create at least a fracture; and removing the second amount of particulates from the fracture.

Abstract: A composition and method are disclosed. The composition includes a carrier fluid and a solids mixture combined to form a slurry, wherein the solids mixture comprises a plurality of volume-averaged particle size distribution (PSD) modes, wherein a first PSD mode comprises solids having a volume-average median size at least three times larger than the volume-average median size of a second PSD mode such that a packed volume fraction of the solids mixture exceeds 0.75, and wherein the solids mixture comprises a degradable material and includes a reactive solid. The method includes circulating the slurry through a wellbore to form a pack in a fracture and/or a screen-wellbore annulus; degrading the degradable material to increase porosity and permeability of the pack; and producing a reservoir fluid through the permeable pack.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for low damage gravel packing. The method comprises: combining a carrier fluid and a solids mixture into a slurry, wherein the solids mixture comprises a plurality of particle size distribution modes such that a packed volume fraction exceeds 0.75; contacting a screen with leak-off control agent to form a bridge; positioning the screen and circulating the slurry through the wellbore in any order such that the solids mixture is deposited between the screen and the wellbore; degrading the degradable material to increase porosity and permeability of the pack; removing the bridge; and producing a reservoir fluid from the formation. The system comprises the slurry, a tubing string and slurry pump to position the screen and circulate the slurry to form the bridge on the screen.

Abstract: A method of consolidating a fracture in a formation comprises injecting a solution of an alkali metal silicate into the formation causing the solution to react with the surfaces of the calcium containing inorganic compound deposits, locking the fine material on these surfaces in place and preventing fines generation during production in a well.

Abstract: A system for curing lost circulation is made of fibers and a material able to stick fibers in a network when activated. Such activation can be temperature or pH change or both. The fibers can be metallic amorphous fibers, metallic non-amorphous fibers, glass fibers, carbon fibers, polymeric fibers and combinations thereof. The material can be a fiber coating or an additional material, for example polyvinyl alcohol, polyurethane and heat activated epoxy resin.

Abstract: The application is directed to a hydraulic fracturing method and can be used for enhancement of the well production. The method for enhancement of fracture conductivity comprises the chemical treatment of the fracture surface and the space between the proppant pillars over the protective mask formed by material precipitated out from the proppant pillar.

Abstract: A foamed cement composition is disclosed for utilization in performing a variety of well cementing operations, and to methods for making and using same. The foamed cement composition basically includes a cement, water sufficient to form a pumpable slurry, a gas sufficient to foam the slurry, a foaming agent and optionally a foam stabilizing agent.

Abstract: A wellbore fluid that includes an oleaginous continuous phase; a non-oleaginous discontinuous phase comprising a water-soluble silicate therein; and an emulsifier to stabilize the non-oleaginous phase dispersed in the oleaginous phase is disclosed. A setting agent, including organic or inorganic setting agent may optionally be included to trigger gelation or precipitation of the silicate downhole.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface shale formations. The methods utilize in-situ reaction of kerogen involving liquid phase chemistry at ambient temperatures at pressures for the subsurface shale formation. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen to render it mobile using metal particulate catalysts. In the methods disclosed herein a fluid comprising metal is provided to the subsurface shale formation comprising kerogen in an inorganic matrix. A reducing agent is provided to the subsurface shale formation. The kerogen is converted by contacting the kerogen with a metal particulate catalyst formed from the metal; and a mobile kerogen-based product is formed. At least a portion of the mobile kerogen-based product is recovered. The kerogen-derived product can be upgraded to provide commercial products.

Abstract: A cement composition for use in a wellbore comprising a cement blend and at least two polyvinylalcohols wherein the polyvinylalcohols have different degrees of hydrolysis such that the rheology of the cement slurry capable of being formed from the composition is stable during temperatures changes.

Abstract: Of the many compositions and methods provided herein, one method includes contacting tar resident in a well bore with a tar stabilizer comprising an acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer; and allowing the tar stabilizer to interact with the tar to at least partially reduce the tendency of the tar to adhere to a surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to environmentally friendly delayed crosslinking complexes that are useful in subterranean treatment fluids. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of providing a treatment fluid having a first viscosity and includes: an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifying agent, a delayed crosslinking complex having: a metal and a ligand, the ligand having at least one hydroxyl group and at least one carboxylic acid group; and placing the treatment fluid in a subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the delayed crosslinking complex is compliant and/or the viscosifying agent is compliant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two-stage filter cake removal composition, and method of use thereof, for use in a wellbore for controlled removal of a filter cake present in a target production zone. The two-stage filter cake removal composition may include an enzyme present in an amount of between about 1% and 20%, and a mixture of hydrochloric acid and an organic acid present in amounts of between about 0.1% and 5% and about 0.1% and 10%, respectively, by weight. The two-stage filter cake removal composition, when the enzyme is applied to the filter cake in the target production zone in a first stage and the mixture of the hydrochloric acid and the organic acid is applied to the filter cake in the target production zone in a second stage, is operable to remove the filter cake in the target production zone over an extended reaction time.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the extraction of fluids from subterranean formation through wells using hydrogen produced in-situ. Certain embodiments produce hydrogen in-situ through reactions of a hydride. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the produced hydrogen is retained in the well bore for a sufficient amount of time to allow hydrogen to migrate into the subterranean formation. In certain embodiments, in absorbing the hydrogen, the subterranean formation desorbs and releases certain organic material for production through a well bore. In other embodiments, the subterranean formation is placed under pressure to drive the hydrogen further into the formation and into the molecular structure of the formations and substances contained therein. When pressure is released, the hydrogen creates additional fractures or cracks in the formation through explosive compression, thereby increasing permeability of the formation.

Abstract: The invention relates to treating of subterranean formations to increase the susceptibility (by way of chemical break down or solubilization, but not necessarily limited by these or any other theories) of large carbonaceous molecules therein, such as comprise coal, to bioconversion into methane and other useful hydrocarbon products by indigenous and/or non-indigenous microbial consortia, by introducing into the subterranean formations: (a) a solution containing at least one of an oxoacid ester of phosphorus or a thioacid ester of phosphorus; and (b) one or more other chemical compounds/chemical entities selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, carboxylic acids, esters of carboxylic acids, salts of carboxylic acids, oxoacids of phosphorus, salts of oxoacids of phosphorus, vitamins, minerals, mineral salts, metals, and yeast extracts.

Abstract: A wellbore fluid is an aqueous carrier liquid with first and second hydrophobic particulate materials suspended therein. The first hydrophobic particles have a higher specific gravity than the second hydrophobic particles and the fluid also comprises a gas to wet the surface of the particles and bind them together as agglomerates. The fluid may be a fracturing fluid or gravel packing fluid and the first particulate material may be proppant or gravel. The lighter second particulate material and the gas both reduce the density of the agglomerates which form so that they settle more slowly from the fluid, or are buoyant and do not settle. This facilitates transport and placement in a hydraulic fracture or gravel pack. One application of this is when fracturing a gas-shale with slickwater. The benefit of reduced settling is better placement of proppant so that a greater amount of the fracture is propped open.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a drive force in a downhole environment includes chambers of a reactant and a catalyst, respectively, that are maintained separate until selectively exposed to one another. Once exposed, the reactant and catalyst produce expanding fluid pressure and sometimes heat. The products of the reaction are directed to a drive member to carry out a desired operation in the downhole environment.

Abstract: Methods of isolating a portion of a wellbore comprising placing a sealant composition into a subterranean formation after drilling of the wellbore therein and subjecting the sealant composition to ionizing radiation wherein subjecting the sealant composition to the ionizing radiation alters the set modifier. The sealant composition comprises a set modifier selected from the group consisting of an accelerator, an oxidizing agent, a set retarder, and combinations thereof. And the sealant composition comprises a polymeric component.

Abstract: Treatment fluids may include an aqueous fluid, a microemulsion surfactant, and an amphiphilic polymer that itself includes a hydrophobic component and a hydrophilic component. Such treatment fluids may be utilized in subterranean formations such that the microemulsion surfactant forms a microemulsion that comprises the amphiphilic polymer within the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method for controlling driving fluid breakthrough caused by zones of pressure communication, i.e., a matrix bypass event (“MBE”) or a wormhole, having a void space and possibly areas of enhanced permeability (a halo region) associated with the void space, within a subterranean formation arising from use of a driving fluid in reservoirs where heavy/viscous oil is being produced. In embodiments, the method includes injection of a slurry of a cementitious material into the zone, which upon setting, provides a cement plug in the void space that reduces the pressure communication and flow of driving fluid within the zone. Another step injects a gel precursor within the zone, which upon setting, produces a gel plug that also reduces pressure communication and driving fluid flow through the halo region of the zone.

Abstract: An inflatable packer contains a reactive metal in an annular space between the mandrel and the element. A fluid is admitted into the annular space to start a reaction that gives off gas. The generated gas fills the annular space and inflates the element in the process. The actuating fluid can be water and the off gas can be hydrogen. The volume of the reactants can also increase as they swell in the reaction that generates the gas. A valve arrangement associated with the mandrel retains the gas pressure and prevents over-pressurization. The packer can be set in a surrounding tubular or in open hole.

Abstract: A wellbore fluid comprises an aqueous carrier liquid, hydrophobic fibers suspended therein, hydrophobic particulate material also suspended in the carrier liquid, and a gas to wet the surfaces of the particles and fibers and bind them together as agglomerates. The wellbore fluid may be a slickwater fracturing fluid and may be used for fracturing a tight gas reservoir. Using a combination of hydrophobic particulate material, hydrophobic fibers and gas inhibits settling out of the particulate material from an aqueous liquid. Because the gas acts to wet the surfaces of both materials and agglomerates them, the particulate material is made to adhere to the fibers; the fibers form a network which hinders settling of the particulate material adhering to them, and the agglomerates contain gas and so have a bulk density which is less than the specific gravity of the solids contained in the agglomerates.

Abstract: Provided is a method and composition for the in-situ generation of synthetic sweet spots in tight-gas formations. The composition can include nitrogen generating compounds, which upon activation, react to generate heat and nitrogen gas. The method of using the composition includes injecting the composition into a tight-gas formation such that upon activation, heat and nitrogen gas are generated. Upon the generation of nitrogen gas and heat within the formation, microfractures are produced within the formation and the hydrostatic pressure within the reservoir is reduced to less than the reservoir fluid pressure, such that the rate of production of hydrocarbons from the formation is increased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to encapsulated breakers and the use of encapsulated breakers for breaking viscosified treatment fluids. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of providing a viscosified treatment fluid having a first viscosity having a gelling agent, a crosslinking agent, a proppant, an aqueous-base fluid, and an encapsulated breaker composition having an encapsulant that has a poly(meth)acrylate blend; introducing the viscosified treatment fluid in the subterranean formation; creating or enhancing a fracture in a subterranean formation; and allowing the encapsulated breaker composition to release the breaker so as to reduce the viscosity of the viscosified treatment fluid to a second viscosity.

Abstract: A method of wellbore strengthening may include providing a wellbore strengthening fluid comprising a drilling fluid, a particulate, and a fiber; introducing the wellbore strengthening fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation; and forming a plug comprising the particulate and the fiber in a void near the wellbore, the plug being capable of maintaining integrity at about 1000 psi or greater overbalance pressure.

Abstract: Compositions containing an alkali swelling polymer and a pH buffer with a pH between 3 and 7 may be used to treat a wellbore. The pH buffer prevents the swelling of the alkali swellable polymer. The compositions may be placed in the wellbore, whereupon they contact another material with pH increasing properties. The pH of the compositions increases, causing the compositions to swell and form a seal. The alkali swelling polymer may be an alkali swelling latex.

Abstract: A persulfate compound activated by a strong base is used for low-temperature breaking of fluids viscosified with one or more water-soluble synthetic polymers, wherein the water-soluble synthetic polymers are selected from the group consisting of polyacrylamides, copolymers of polyacrylamide, derivatives of polyacrylamide or of copolymers of polyacrylamide, and any combination thereof. The breaker system can be used in an oilfield or pipeline application where such a synthetic polymer, a multi-chain polysaccharide, or combination thereof may be present in a fluid. It is particularly useful at low temperatures of less than 100° F.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation comprises providing a treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous fluid; a gelling agent, and a multifunctional boronic crosslinker comprising two or more boronic functional groups; and introducing the viscosified fluid into a subterranean formation.