Abstract: A fluid may include an aqueous based continuous phase, a pH adjusting additive, wherein the pH adjusting additive is formic acid, and a clay hydration suppressant agent having the formula H2NCH(CH3)CH2(OCH(CH3)CH2)xNH2, wherein x is a value less than 15.

Abstract: Wellbore fluids may contain alkyl amine and cyclic organic acid complexes capable of controlling hydration in swellable formations such as shale- and clay-containing formations. Further, methods of drilling may utilize wellbore fluids containing a base fluid and a complex of alkyl amine and a cyclic organic acid.

Abstract: An aqueous-based treatment fluid comprising: a base fluid, wherein the base fluid comprises water; and an additive, wherein the additive comprises a biopolymer matrix and a compound comprising a functional group containing nitrogen, A method of using the aqueous-based treatment fluid comprising: introducing the treatment fluid into a wellbore, wherein the wellbore penetrates a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans may be removed from a fluid or gaseous stream by introducing a composite to the fluid or gaseous stream containing a hydrogen sulfide scavenger adsorbed onto a water-insoluble adsorbent.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to methods comprising providing a proposed invert emulsion formulation, wherein the proposed invert emulsion formulation comprises an oil phase, an aqueous phase, and a particulates fraction comprising a first sub-fraction and a second sub-fraction, wherein the first sub-fraction comprises high-gravity particulates and the second sub-fraction comprises low-gravity particulates; calculating an initial associative stability value of the proposed invert emulsion based on the degree of association between the aqueous phase and the particulates fraction comprising both the first sub-fraction and the second sub-fraction; manipulating the proposed invert emulsion based on the initial associative stability value so as to produce an associatively stable invert emulsion having a final associative stability value in the range of between about 50% and about 100%; and introducing the associatively stable invert emulsion into a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating a subterranean formation with salt-tolerant cement slurries including treating a salt-containing subterranean formation having sodium salts, potassium salts, magnesium salts, calcium salts, or any combination thereof comprising: providing a salt-tolerant cement slurry comprising: a base fluid, a cementitious material, a pozzolanic material, a salt-tolerant fluid loss additive, a salt additive, and optionally, an elastomer, a weight additive, a fluid loss intensifier, a strengthening agent, a dispersant, or any combination thereof; introducing the salt-tolerant cement slurry into the subterranean formation; and allowing the salt-tolerant cement slurry to set.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans may be removed from a fluid or gaseous stream by introducing a composite to the fluid or gaseous stream containing a hydrogen sulfide scavenger adsorbed onto a water-insoluble adsorbent.

Abstract: A method for providing one or more seals in an annular space between a well tubular and the surrounding formation or between pipes of a wellbore system includes determining an in-situ temperature, pressure, earth formation properties and one or more fluids present at one or more locations where the seals are desired. A sealing substance is placed at the locations and allowed to flow into the annular space and undergo curing to form one or more seals. The sealing substance may be a setting expoxy based, phenolic based or polyester based fluid that includes at least one solid component. The sealing substance has physical and fluid dynamic properties compatible with the determined in-situ parameters.

Abstract: A wellbore servicing method comprising circulating an invert emulsion fluid through a wellbore to form a filter cake within the wellbore, wherein the invert emulsion fluid comprises an oleaginous fluid, a non-oleaginous fluid, and an acid-sensitive surfactant, contacting at least a portion of the filter cake with an emulsion reversing fluid, wherein the emulsion reversing fluid comprises an acid precursor, wherein the acid precursor is not an acid, and wherein the acid precursor is configured to generate a quantity of acid after a predetermined delay period beginning at placement within a wellbore, allowing the emulsion reversing fluid to remain in contact with the filter cake for a soak period, and removing the filter cake from the wellbore.

Abstract: The equipment for drilling and reinforcing a borehole of a well comprises a drill pipe string carrying a drill tool at its lowermost end and a downhole treatment device held on the drill pipe string for applying a liner of polymer material at the surface of the borehole. The polymer material is a fusible and/or curable material dissolved and/or emulsified and/or dispersed in drilling fluid or mud circulated through the drill pipe string and an annulus between the drill pipe string and the wall of the borehole. The treatment device is adapted to concentrate energy for fusing and/or curing the polymer material contained in the drilling fluid in a limited space at the vicinity of the wall of the borehole. The treatment device thus focuses its energy in the vicinity of the wall and allows a continuous reinforcing of the borehole simultaneously while drilling.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore comprises determining a cation exchange capacity of a sample of a shale, determining a swelling characteristic of the shale using the cation exchange capacity in an equation comprising a term of the form: Az % salt=x(cation exchange capacity)y where Az % salt is a final swelling volume of the shale in the presence of an aqueous fluid having a salt concentration of z %, and x and y are empirical constants, determining a composition of a wellbore servicing fluid based on the determined swelling characteristic, and drilling the wellbore using the wellbore servicing fluid.

Abstract: Improved methods and additives for eliminating or reducing concentrations of hydrogen sulfide or soluble sulfide ions for use in subterranean formations and fluids are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid comprising a base liquid and a sulfide scavenging additive comprising one or more reducing sugars; introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation; and allowing at least a portion of the sulfide scavenging additive to interact with hydrogen sulfide or sulfide ions present in the treatment fluid to produce a precipitate comprising one or more sulfur species.

Abstract: A self-triggering, in-situ crosslinking fluid system is provided for controlling lost circulation for drilling in a carbonate formation. Methods of drilling a well include the steps of: (A) forming a drilling fluid comprising an aqueous phase, wherein the aqueous phase comprises: (i) water; (ii) acid, wherein the acid is at least sufficiently strong and in at least a sufficient concentration such that the aqueous phase has an initial pH of less than about 2; (iii) a viscosity-increasing agent; and (iv) a crosslinker, wherein the crosslinker is selected or controlled to crosslink the viscosity-increasing agent at a pH range anywhere in a range of about 1.5 to about 6.5 and that is at least higher than the initial pH of the aqueous phase; and (B) drilling with the drilling fluid to form a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Treatment fluid compositions may comprise transient polymer networks for use in methods related to subterranean applications. In one aspect, a method may include providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and a transient polymer network, and placing the treatment fluid in a subterranean formation. In another aspect, a subterranean treatment fluid may include an aqueous-base fluid and a transient polymer network.

Abstract: Methods for sealing voids and cracks in subterranean-formation rock that contains carbonate minerals, thereby minimizing or stopping fluid flow between the formation rock and the wellbore of a subterranean well, comprise pumping a solution of one or more lattices that contains at least one carboxylated monomer down a well during drilling and allowing it to enter voids (e.g., pores, fractures, vugs and caverns) in the carbonate-containing formation. The solution reacts with divalent cations liberated by the carbonates and forms a plug.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an emulsion, consisting of an oil phase and an aqueous phase and comprising as emulsion components (?1) 15 to 40% by weight of at least one water-immiscible organic solvent as solvent of the oil phase, (?2) 15 to 40% by weight of water as solvent of the aqueous phase, (?3) 10 to 40% by weight of at least one surfactant, (?4) 10 to 40% by weight of an alkoxylated fatty alcohol and (?5) 0 to 25% by weight of at least one other additive, wherein the quantities by weight of the components (?1) to (?5) are each relative to the total weight of the emulsion, and together add up to 100% by weight. The invention further relates to a method for producing an emulsion, to the emulsion which can be obtained from said method, to the use of an emulsion, to a method for cleaning the surfaces of well holes, drilling devices or drillings, to a method for producing a well bore, and to a method for producing an oil or a gas.

Abstract: The current application discloses compositions and methods for reducing fluid loss during subterranean operations. CO2 activated swellable elastomers can be used in subterranean operations to reduce fluid loss. In particular, the current application discloses compositions and methods for reducing lost circulation during drilling and drilling related subterranean operations.

Abstract: A drilling mud comprising a base fluid in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion comprising droplets of a brine phase dispersed in a continuous oil phase wherein the brine phase has a dissolved salt concentration of at least 2.5 weight % and the emulsion is stabilized with (i) a first polymeric emulsifier that is a block or graft copolymer of the general formula (A-COO)mB, wherein m is an integer of at least 2, A is a polymeric component having a molecular weight of at least 500 and is the residue of an oil-soluble complex mono-carboxylic acid and (ii) a second polymeric emulsifier that is a graft copolymer of a polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer and an alpha olefin selected from the group consisting of C14 to C20 alphaolefins and mixtures thereof and wherein structural units derived from vinylpyrrolidone are present in the graft copolymer in an amount in the range of 40 to 50 mole %.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation while drilling a well includes the steps of preparing a fluid useful for drilling a wellbore into the formation; drilling the wellbore into the formation with the fluid; acidizing the fluid such that the acid soluble additive is degraded; and fracturing the formation with the fluid in the wellbore to create a channel in the 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 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: An inhibitive water-based polymer mud system and method for using the system in drilling and in stabilizing wellbores for use in water sensitive formations as an alternative to oil-based muds or water-based muds comprising ferro-chrome lignosulfonates. The system comprises a fresh water or salt water base thinned or dispersed with a sulfonated acrylic copolymer having a hybrid/graft lignosulfonate multipolymer structure containing carboxylate and sulfonate functional groups with synthetic polymer side chains covalently linked to a base lignosulfonate material, having a molecular weight in the range of about 1,000 to about 15,000, and having a high anionic charge density.

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 viscoelastic drilling fluid for drilling in underground rock formations, comprising (a) an aqueous and/or organic liquid base, (b) at least one weighting agent, in particulate form, with a mass per unit volume of at least 2 g/cm3, preferably at least 4 g/cm3, in suspension in said liquid base, and (c) carbon nanotubes with a mean diameter of between 10 and 30 nm and a specific surface in excess of 200 m2/g, preferably of between 200 m2/g and 250 m2/g and a drilling method using such a fluid.

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: A bottom hole assembly connected to coiled tubing to create an acid tunnel in a wellbore formation. High pressure acid is pumped down the coiled tubing and out a nozzle located at the end of the bottom hole assembly. The bottom hole assembly includes a first reversible knuckle joint and a second reversible knuckle joint to properly position the nozzle against the wellbore and to allow the assembly to adjust its angle as it initiates and moves through the lateral tunnel. The two reversible knuckle joints increases the radius of curvature of the bottom hole assembly while providing a sufficient attack angle for the nozzle against the wellbore. The two knuckle joints may be adjusted in response to loads applied on the assembly as the assembly moves through the lateral tunnel.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of one or more water-soluble reactive liquid component capable of subsequent polymerization or cross-linking to form a solid to improve the zonal isolation and alleviate the impacts of cracks and fissures in the cement sheath around a completed subterranean well. It includes the steps of injecting a wellbore fluid carrying the reactive component or additive into the wellbore, injecting a cementitious composition as slurry into the wellbore and letting said reactive liquid component pass through at least one of the interfaces between cement and formation, cement and filter cake, and filter cake and formation before forming a solid of said reactive liquid component that traverses said at least one of the interfaces.

Abstract: Wellbore strengthening during drilling may be achieved by including chemicals in the drilling fluid that can be polymerised when exposed to microwave energy. Selected chemicals are mixed with the drilling fluid but do not react with it. The chemicals concentrate in a filter cake on the borehole wall during drilling-fluid circulation. A tool, which comprises a microwave source, is used to trigger polymerisation or crosslinking reactions within the filter cake. The polymerisation or crosslinking reactions cause the formation of a film or gel that strengthens the wellbore.

Abstract: An assembly and methods for constructing a MONOWELL include a monodiameter casing disposed in a monodiameter wellbore having diametric efficiency with a monobore production delivery system disposed within the monodiameter casing. An assembly for constructing a monodiameter wellbore includes a bottomhole assembly having a overgauge hole drilling member, a directional steering assembly, a measurement while drilling tool, and a logging while drilling tool; a work string attached to the bottomhole assembly and extending to the surface; drilling fluids flowing through the work string and bottomhole assembly; chemical casing casing the borehole; expandable casing disposed in the wellbore; and a sealing composition disposed between the expandable casing and the wellbore.

Abstract: A method of preventing or treating lost circulation during the drilling of a well comprises the addition, at concentration ranging between about 0.5 and 6 pounds per barrel, of water-dispersible fibers having a length between about 10 and 25 mm, for instance glass or polymer fibers, to a pumped aqueous base-fluid including solid particles having an equivalent diameter of less than 300 ?m. The base-fluid with the solid particles can be the drilling fluid or a small-volume pill specially pumped for curing lost circulation.

Abstract: A drilling fluid comprising: a non-ionic surfactant including at least one of a branched alcohol ethoxylate and a capped alcohol ethoxylate, a detergent builder and a viscosifier.

Abstract: System and methods for creating shaped, non-circular boreholes in rocks especially for use with geothermal heat pump applications and for increasing wellbore support in applications such as horizontal oil and gas drilling are described. The systems and methods when applied to geothermal heat pumps create an elliptical shaped hole that is optimized for placing heat transfer tubes with a minimum of grout used. The significantly reduced cross-sectional area of the elliptical borehole also increases the overall drilling rate in rock and especially in hard rocks. In horizontal hard-rock drilling, creation of a horizontal non-circular borehole or modification of a circular borehole to a non-circular geometry is used to stabilize the borehole prior to casing insertion, and may also allow the use of lower mud pressures improving drilling rates. The system uses a non-contacting drilling system which in one embodiment uses a supersonic flame jet drilling system with a movable nozzle that swings between pivot points.

Abstract: Compositions including relatively low reactivity acids, mixed with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) and internal breakers may serve as drilling fluids to open underground hydrocarbon reservoirs with carbonate contents of 10 wt % or above. The drilling fluids have low viscosities in the drilling pipe. After the fluid flows out of the drill bit, the acids react with carbonates in the formation thereby increasing the pH of the drilling fluids causing the VES to gel the fluid at the bottom of the hole and the downhole annulus between the drilling pipe and the formation rock. The viscosified drilling fluid will reduce fluid loss and will carry no dissolved drilling debris to the surface. After drilling through the targeted formation, the internal breakers in the viscosified drilling fluids will break down the fluids to permit their removal, and the well is ready to produce with very little or no near well bore damage.

Abstract: Wellbore treatment kits are provide that include a polymeric solution for placement in a wellbore that penetrates a subterranean formation and an activator for causing a polymer to precipitate out of the polymeric solution when it contacts the polymeric solution, wherein the resulting precipitate is capable of at least partially blocking a flow of a wellbore servicing fluid into the subterranean formation. The wellbore servicing fluid may be, for example, a drilling fluid, a cement composition, a workover fluid, or combinations thereof. The polymeric solution may comprise, for example, a poly vinyl pyrrolidone aqueous solution, and the activator may comprise, for example, a formate brine. When desirable, the precipitate may be easily and quickly removed from the subterranean formation by dissolving it in fresh water.

Abstract: Methods are provided for reducing the loss of a wellbore servicing fluid to a subterranean formation. A polymeric solution and an activator may be contacted in the formation, thereby forming a precipitate to at least partially block fluid from flowing further into the formation. The fluid may be, for example, a drilling fluid, a cement composition, a workover fluid, or combinations thereof. The polymeric solution may comprise a polyvinylpyrrolidone aqueous solution, and the activator may comprise a formate brine. In one embodiment, the polymeric solution and the activator are contacted before completing a drilling operation in the wellbore. In another embodiment, they are contacted before completing a primary cementing operation in the wellbore. In yet another embodiment, they are contacted before completing a secondary cementing operation in the wellbore. When desirable, the precipitate may be easily and quickly removed from the subterranean formation by dissolving it in fresh water.

Abstract: A bottomhole assembly is provided with a cathode. The cathode produces a static field in the earth formation and by the electroosmotic effect, inhibits the invasion of the formation by borehole fluids and reduces formation damage. The cathode also results in improved estimates of formation permeability using flow tests. A cathode on a wireline string may be used to reduce water saturation in an invaded zone near a borehole.

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: The present invention relates to improved methods for drilling well bores penetrating producing zones while controlling formation particulates. Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of consolidating formation particulates surrounding a well bore comprising the steps of providing a drilling composition comprising a drilling fluid and a consolidating material, using the drilling composition to drill at least a portion of the well bore, allowing the consolidating material in the drilling composition to penetrate into the walls of the well bore, and allowing the consolidating material in the drilling composition to consolidate at least a portion of the formation particulates surrounding the well bore.

Abstract: Single phase microemulsions improve the removal of filter cakes formed during drilling with oil-based muds (OBMs). The single phase microemulsion removes oil and solids from the deposited filter cake. Optionally, an acid capable of solubilizing the filter cake bridging particles may also be used with the microemulsion. In one non-limiting embodiment the acid may be a polyamino carboxylic acid. Skin damage removal from internal and external filter cake deposition can be reduced. In another optional embodiment, the single phase microemulsion may contain a filtration control additive for delaying the filter cake removal, destruction or conversion.

Abstract: System and methods for creating shaped, non-circular boreholes in rocks especially for use with geothermal heat pump applications and for increasing wellbore support in applications such as horizontal oil and gas drilling are described. The systems and methods when applied to geothermal heat pumps create an elliptical shaped hole that is optimized for placing heat transfer tubes with a minimum of grout used. The significantly reduced cross-sectional area of the elliptical borehole also increases the overall drilling rate in rock and especially in hard rocks. In horizontal hard-rock drilling, creation of a horizontal non-circular borehole or modification of a circular borehole to a non-circular geometry is used to stabilize the borehole prior to casing insertion, and may also allow the use of lower mud pressures improving drilling rates. The system uses a non-contacting drilling system which in one embodiment uses a supersonic flame jet drilling system with a movable nozzle that swings between pivot points.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for improving wellbores stability of a hydrocarbon bearing shale formation using nanoparticles to decrease swelling and plug pore throats.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a tool for wellbore strengthening during drilling. Selected chemicals are mixed with the drilling fluid but do not react with it. The chemicals concentrate in the filtercake. A tool, which comprises a microwave source, is used to trigger polymerisation or crosslinking reactions within the filtercake downhole. The polymerisation or crosslinking reactions results in a film or a gel that strengthens the wellbore.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing an underground formation surrounding a borehole comprising placing a treatment fluid in the formation, the treatment fluid comprising cross-linkable polymer and a cross-linking agent, and allowing the treatment fluid to gel in-situ, characterized in that after placement of the treatment fluid in the formation, an activator fluid is pumped into the well to bring about cross linking of the polymer to form the gel.

Abstract: A subterranean formation stimulation method utilizes a treatment fluid comprising residual drilling fluid injected into the formation, and producing the stimulated formation. In one embodiment, a tight gas formation is fractured and the fracture has a higher conductivity than the formation.

Abstract: A method for reducing circulation loss during drilling operations, the method comprising: performing drilling operations using a water-based drilling fluid system comprising a first amount of water insoluble particulate; providing the drilling fluid system with a second amount of alkali metal silicate, the first amount of water insoluble particulate and the second amount of alkali metal silicate comprising a circulation loss combination; and reducing the pH of the water-based drilling fluid system using a quantity of water soluble activating agent effective to form an effective circulation loss structure after a period of time.

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 invention concerns a method for casing a borehole which consists of successively lowering an unlimited plurality of strings of casing having a common diameter, the next one through the preceding one, to be installed one beneath the other and being sealingly connected. Thus a next casing (6) is lowered folded through the preceding casing (5) and the expansion process consists either in injecting pressurized fluid through the drillstring (54) towards the next casing (6) so as to re-inflate it, or the next casing (6) is a cylindrical pipe having a diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the preceding casing (5) and the expansion process consists in forcing a cylindrical gauge (52) from the top end (26) to the bottom bell (28) of the next casing (6) so as to increase its diameter to make it equal to the diameter of the preceding casing (5). The method can use a cementing shoe (34) and a metal-to-metal seal (29) between the casing string.

Abstract: An element for profiling a wall of a borehole includes a shaft (12; 32) having at least one projecting radially, thread-tapping element (13), and a rotation-transmitting element (15, 35) provided at the first end (14; 34) of the shaft (12); and a cleaning member (21; 41, 46) provided on one of the opposite first (16; 34, 36) and second (34, 36) ends of the shaft a (12; 32).

Abstract: Methods and compositions for cementing, especially drilling fluids that comprise zeolite and a carrier fluid, and cementing compositions made with such drilling fluids.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for precisely controlling the rotation of a drill string. A sensor monitors the rotation of the drill string and transmits the rotational information to a computer. The computer controls the rotation of the motor driving the drill string and rotates the drill string through an angle input by the operator. The computer may also utilize the sensor's rotational information to oscillate the drill string between two predetermined angles. The computer may also receive orientation information from a downhole tool sensor. The downhole tool information may be combined with the rotational information to enable the computer to accurately reorient the downhole tool.