Abstract: Non-aqueous drilling fluids may be removed from a wellbore or tubing nor casing within the wellbore by introducing into the well a biodegradable aqueous fluid comprising banana.

Abstract: A method for altering a characteristic of the ground. The method comprises the steps of preparing a lignocellulosic material, suspending the lignocellulosic material in a slurry to create a lignocellulosic slurry, The method further includes the step of injecting the lignocellulosic slurry below the surface of the ground into a subterranean aperture. The method also comprises the placement of anchoring devices in the ground to alter at least one force experienced by the ground so that the shape of the subterranean aperture into which the solids are transported is altered.

Abstract: Acidizing a sandstone formation in Earth crust, including pumping ammonium salts (an ammonium salt not having fluoride and an ammonium salt having fluoride) and nitrite salt through a wellbore into a sandstone formation, pumping an acid through the wellbore into the sandstone formation, generating heat, nitrogen gas, and hydrofluoric acid from reaction of the ammonium salts with the nitrite salt and the acid in the sandstone formation, and acidizing the sandstone formation with the hydrofluoric acid.

Abstract: A treatment fluid can include a base fluid and a lost-circulation package. The lost-circulation package can include plurality of particles of a first, second, and third lost-circulation material. The plurality of particles can be cellulose, sized calcium carbonate, and fibers. The particle size distribution of the plurality of particles can be selected such that the particles enter permeable areas of a subterranean formation to help prevent loss of the base fluid into the formation and allow most of the particles to pass through the screen of a shale shaker. The plurality of particles can have a particle size distribution of a d10 value in the range of 30 to 55 microns, a d50 value in the range of 60 to 100 microns, and a d90 value in the range of 130 to 190 microns. The treatment fluid can be used in an oil and gas operation.

Abstract: A method of drilling is disclosed that includes introducing a water-based drilling fluid into a drill string disposed within a wellbore, circulating the water-based drilling fluid through the drill string and the wellbore, and extending the wellbore using the drill string while circulating the water-based drilling fluid, wherein the water-based drilling fluid includes water and a lubricating additive including a de-oiled cake, wherein the de-oiled cake are residues obtained after extraction of oil from a plant source, wherein the de-oiled cake is in particulate form having a particle size of 100 microns or less. A composition is disclosed that includes water-based drilling fluid including water and a lubricant additive comprising a de-oiled cake, wherein the de-oiled cake are residues obtained after extraction of oil from a plant source and wherein the de-oiled cake has a particle size of 100 microns or less.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a spacer fluid includes an aqueous fluid, a weighting agent, and a clay stabilizer consisting of one or more polyethylene polyamines having a first structure H2NCH2CH2(NHCH2CH2)xNH2, where x is an integer greater than or equal to 3. The amount of the clay stabilizer may be from 0.1 wt. % to 10 wt. % relative to the total weight of the spacer fluid. The average molecular weight of the polyethylene polyamines in the spacer fluid having the first structure may be from 200 g/mol to 400 g/mol. All of the polyethylene polyamines in the spacer fluid having the first structure may be encompassed in the clay stabilizer. Methods for cementing a casing in a wellbore using the spacer fluid are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a composite laminate includes dequilling chicken feathers to form chicken feather fibers (CFFs). The CFFs and Ceiba Pentandra bark fibers (CPFs) are milled to form milled CFFs and milled CPFs so that the milled CFFs have a length of smaller than 200 microns and the milled CPFs have a length of smaller than 600 microns. The CFFs are treated with an amine compatibilizer to esterify carboxy groups present on keratin in the CFFs. A mixture of an epoxy resin, the milled CFFs, and the milled CPFs is solution cast to form an epoxy composite. A first carbon fabric layer and a second carbon fabric layer are placed on a front side and a backside, respectively, of the epoxy composite to form an epoxy laminate precursor. The epoxy laminate precursor is compression molded to cure the epoxy laminate precursor to form the composite laminate.

Abstract: An invert-emulsion drilling fluid may include a dispersed aqueous phase including an aqueous base fluid, a continuous non-aqueous phase including a non-aqueous base fluid, and a first bridging package. The first bridging package may include one or more particulate carbonate materials. All of the particulate carbonate materials of the invert-emulsion drilling fluid may be part of the first bridging package. The first bridging package may have a trimodal particle size distribution such that the particle size distribution of the first bridging package includes three peaks, wherein each peak may be in the range of less than or equal to 300 microns in the particle size distribution. The invert-emulsion drilling fluid may be included in methods for reducing lost circulation in subterranean formations during drilling operations.

Abstract: A human hair lost circulation material (LCM) is provided. The human hair LCM includes human hairs obtained from sources of human hair waste such as barber shops, saloons, beauty parlors, and religious sites. The human hair LCM may include human hair having a diameter in the range of about 50 microns to about 150 microns and human hair having a length in the range of 2 millimeters (mm) to about 4 centimeters (cm). Methods of lost circulation control using and formation of a human hair LCM are also provided.

Abstract: A clay control additive for wellbore fluids comprises a blended starch polymer solution comprising a quarternary amine-functionalized starch polymer. The polymer is preferably cationized to a degree of substitution of at least 0.30. The starches may be synthetic or blended from natural amylose cationic starches. In an embodiment, a further additive comprises cactus mucilage obtained from the Opuntia genus, which may be combined with the starch polymer in a 1 to 95% solution. In another embodiment, both the starch and the mucilage may be further combined with conventional additives (e.g., choline chloride) to further enhance the clay control properties.

Abstract: A human hair lost circulation material (LCM) is provided. The human hair LCM includes human hairs obtained from sources of human hair waste such as barber shops, saloons, beauty parlors, and religious sites. The human hair LCM may include human hair having a diameter in the range of about 50 microns to about 150 microns and human hair having a length in the range of 2 millimeters (mm) to about 4 centimeters (cm). Methods of lost circulation control using and formation of a human hair LCM are also provided.

Abstract: Cement slurries, cured cements, and methods of making cured cement and methods of using cement slurries are provided. The cement slurries have, among other attributes, increased yield point, reduced density, improved mechanical properties, increased resistance to H2S, and may be used, for instance, in the oil and gas drilling industry. The cement slurry comprises cement precursor material, Saudi Arabian volcanic ash, and an aqueous solution. The Saudi Arabian volcanic ash comprises SO3, CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, and K2O and the cement slurry is free of any other SiO2 additive.

Abstract: A date tree waste-based lost circulation material (LCM) is provided. The date tree waste LCM may include includes fibers from the date tree waste produced from processing date trees in the production of date fruits. The date tree waste may include fibers from one or more of the following: date tree trunks, date tree rachis, date tree leaflets, date tree panicles, and date tree roots. The date tree waste LCM may include fibers having lengths in the range of 5 millimeters (5 mm) to 15 mm, diameters in the range of 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm, and having an aspect ratio range of 6 to 30. Methods of lost circulation control using and manufacture of a date tree waste LCM are also provided.

Abstract: A date tree waste-based lost circulation material (LCM) is provided. The date tree waste LCM may include includes fibers from the date tree waste produced from processing date trees in the production of date fruits. The date tree waste may include fibers from one or more of the following: date tree trunks, date tree rachis, date tree leaflets, date tree panicles, and date tree roots. The date tree waste LCM may include fibers having lengths in the range of 5 millimeters (5 mm) to 15 mm, diameters in the range of 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm, and having an aspect ratio range of 6 to 30. Methods of lost circulation control using and manufacture of a date tree waste LCM are also provided.

Abstract: A lost circulation material (LCM) that includes spheres having radially distributed hooks and latches to facilitate engagement (such as interlocking) of the spheres is provided. Each sphere has a plurality of hooks and a plurality of latches to engage latches and hooks respectively of adjacent spheres. Each hook may include two hook arms, and each latch may define an aperture to receive a hook arm. The spheres may form plugs in channels, fractures, and other openings in a lost circulation zone. Additionally or alternatively, the spheres may form a bridge on which other LCMs may accumulate to seal openings in a lost circulation zone. Methods of preventing lost circulation using the spheres are also provided.

Abstract: A lost circulation material (LCM) having date fruit caps is provided. The date fruit cap LCM includes date fruit caps from a date tree. The date fruit caps have multiple flakes (for example, three flakes) attached at one end to an end cap and free at the other end. The date fruit caps may be obtained from the waste product of date tree and date fruit processing. The date fruit cap LCM may be added to a drilling fluid (for example, a drilling mud) to mitigate or prevent such lost circulation in a well. Methods of lost circulation control with the date fruit cap LCM are also provided.

Abstract: A wellbore treatment fluid comprising: a base fluid; and additive comprising a first polymer bundle selected from the group consisting of cellulose nanofibrils, cellulose nanocrystals, and combinations thereof, wherein one or more functional groups of the first polymer are chemically modified A method of treating a portion of a wellbore comprising: introducing the treatment fluid into the wellbore.

Abstract: A rapidly dehydrating lost circulation material (LCM) composition is provided. The LCM composition may include a carrier fluid, volcanic ash, a viscosifier, and date tree rachis fibers. The carrier fluid may be water and the viscosifier may be a cellulosic microfiber. The LCM composition may form a rapidly dehydrating loss control slurry (RDLCS). The LCM composition may be formed by mixing the carrier fluid, the volcanic ash, the viscosifier, and the date tree rachis fibers in a mixer to form a homogenous mixture. Methods of lost circulation control and manufacture of a rapidly dehydrating LCM are also provided.

Abstract: A wood-based blasting material is formed for introduction into a blasting fluid by mixing high-density pellet particles of various sizes. The pellet particles are formed from sawdust or fiber pressed under high pressure, resulting in brittle pellets. The pellets may then be crumbled and screened into particles of an appropriate size. The particles do not disassociate into their constituent materials when mixed with the blasting fluid, and thus maintain their density during use in the abrasive blasting process.

Abstract: A wood-based cement additive is formed by mixing high-density pellet particles of various sizes. The additive is to be introduced into a cement source to create a slurry mixture. The density of the mixture of pellet particles is selected to be less than the density of the particular cement type in which the pellet particles are introduced. The pellet particles are formed from sawdust or fiber pressed under high pressure, resulting in brittle pellets. The pellets may then be crumbled and screened into particles of an appropriate size. The particles do not disassociate into their constituent materials when mixed with the cement, and thus maintain their density during use in the cementing process.

Abstract: An additive for drilling fluid used as both a sealing agent to prevent seepage loss and a shale stabilizing agent in subterranean wellbores. The additive includes ground bituminous coal having a selected particle size distribution wherein the bituminous coal is between 60% to 80% of the additive by weight. The additive also includes solvent extracted ground flaxmeal which is between 20% to 40% of the additive by weight.

Abstract: A wood-based loss circulation material is formed with a density matched to the density of the drilling fluid to which the loss circulation material will be added. The material is formed from sawdust or fiber pressed under high pressure into high-density pellets. The resulting pellets are brittle, and may be crumbled and screened into particles of an appropriate size for a particular drilling fluid application. Different particle sizes may be employed to prevent seepage or fill voids during the well drilling process. The particles do not disassociate into their constituent materials when in the drilling fluid, and thus maintain their density during use.

Abstract: Drilling mud compositions and related methods are provided as embodiments of the present invention. The drilling mud compositions are water-based and contain volcanic ash. The compositions and methods of the present invention provide improved properties relative to tolerance of high salt content, cement, lime, and temperatures.

Abstract: A lost circulation additive including a guar chaff material. The method of forming a lost circulation fluid includes contacting the lost circulation additive with a base fluid. The method for treating a formation including injecting the loss circulation fluid into a wellbore.

Abstract: A method for drilling formations below the bottom of a body of water include mixing a selected amount of hagfish slime with water and drilling the formations using the slime-water mixture as a circulating drilling fluid.

Abstract: A lost circulation material and method for well treatment employing the material that is effective at sealing or plugging fractured zones and has utility over a wide range of temperatures, including high temperatures. The lost circulation material includes particulate material to quickly de-fluidize the fluid formulation, fibrous material to suspend particles in the slurrified form of the composition and increase the shear strength of the resultant seal, and non-Portland cement material for increasing the compressive strength.

Abstract: A variety of methods and compositions are disclosed, including, in one embodiment, a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising: providing coated particles, wherein the coated particles comprise solid particles coated with an expandable coating; and introducing the coated particles into a permeable zone of the subterranean formation such that the coated particles form a barrier to fluid flow in the permeable zone. In another embodiment, a method of drilling a well bore may be provided, the method comprising: including coated particles in a drilling fluid, the coated particles comprising solid particles coated with an expandable coating; using a drill bit to enlarge the well bore; and circulating the drilling fluid past the drill bit.

Abstract: A drilling fluid composition for horizontal directional drilling is a flowable aqueous slurry of biodegradable, non-toxic, preferably edible plant particles. The particle size of the plant-derived particles depends on the drill bit used. The particles should be small enough not to clog the fluid jet orifices in normal use. The slurry is pumped through to the drill bit in a warm or preferably hot state, e.g. 80-100° C. After ejection, the slurry cools rapidly, causing solidification and creating a lining on the tunnel wall.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising placing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising a lost-circulation composite material into a wellbore, wherein the lost-circulation composite material comprises a swellable component and a reinforcing component. A wellbore servicing fluid comprising a reinforcing component disposed within a swellable component wherein the swellable component comprises a crosslinked polymer.

Abstract: Compositions for lost circulation materials (LCM) and methods for using same in drilling and/or completing wellbores that help solve lost circulation problems in a wide range of fracture sizes, thereby advantageously eliminating the need for a variety of products for lost circulation in a field at any one time. An unexpected synergy and improved reduction in lost circulation is obtained. The invention provides specific LCM components in specific ratios that are analogs to lost circulation fractures and that yield superior performance in preventing or alleviating lost circulation in drilling and cementing boreholes. The invention compositions have a multi-modal particle size distribution (PSD) which provides a higher concentration of component materials in the same range of two or more fracture widths, thus allowing plugging to occur over a wider range than a single mode or narrow PSD.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides drilling fluid additives for reducing or controlling lost circulation in a drilling operation. The additives comprises particles. The particles comprise one or more solids in association a wax or waxy substance. A drilling fluid comprising a drilling fluid additive of the invention is also provided, as well as a method and use of the drilling fluid additive in a drilling operation to reduce or control lost circulation. Methods for manufacturing the drilling fluid additives are also described.

Abstract: Drilling mud compositions and related methods are provided as embodiments of the present invention. The drilling mud compositions are water-based and contain volcanic ash. The compositions and methods of the present invention provide improved properties relative to tolerance of high salt content, cement, lime, and temperatures.

Abstract: Drilling mud compositions and related methods are provided as embodiments of the present invention. The drilling mud compositions are water-based and contain volcanic ash. The compositions and methods of the present invention provide improved properties relative to tolerance of high salt content, cement, lime, and temperatures.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in contact with a subterranean formation, comprising placing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising a drilling fluid and lost circulation material into a lost circulation zone within the wellbore, wherein the lost circulation material comprises a polyelectrolyte multilayer material and a first counterion. A wellbore servicing fluid comprising a drilling fluid and a lost circulation material comprising a polyelectrolyte multilayer material and a counterion comprising a halide, wherein the LCM has a first state that is hydrophilic. A tunable lost circulation material comprising a base material, a polyelectrolyte multilayer on said base material, wherein the polyelectrolyte multilayer comprises a first electrolyte layer, a second electrolyte layer, and a charged surface, and a counterion, wherein wettability of the lost circulation material is a function of the counterion.

Abstract: Of the many compositions and methods provided herein, one method includes providing a drilling fluid comprising a base drilling fluid and a plurality of particulates, wherein the base drilling fluid without the particulates is characterized by N1(B) and wherein the base drilling fluid with the particulates is characterized by N1(A); and adjusting a concentration of the particulates in the drilling fluid by comparing the value of ?N1(F) to ?N1(P) so that ?N1(F)??N1(P), wherein ?N1(F)=|N1(A)|?|N1(B)|.

Abstract: A method for determining a Plug Normal Stress Difference (?N1(P)) may include providing a test base drilling fluid that is characterized by N1(TB); adding a first concentration of a test particulate to the test base drilling fluid; adjusting the concentration of the test particulate in the test base drilling fluid to achieve a minimum concentration of the test particulate in the test base drilling fluid that will substantially plug a tapered slot, wherein the test base drilling fluid with the minimum concentration of the test particulate is characterized by N1(TA); and calculating ?N1(P)=|N1(TA)|?|N1(TB)| wherein each First Normal Stress Difference is measured by the same procedure.

Abstract: Compositions of lost circulation materials are provided that are useful for identifying the location of fluid loss in a wellbore. The compositions include additives which enhance a property of the composition such that they can be detected by an LWD or MWD tool capable of measuring the property when the composition is deployed in a region of loss, and can be distinguished by the LWD or MWD tool from the formation and mud fluid. Methods are also provided for using the composition to detect the location of fluid loss and for controlling the loss of fluid from the wellbore. The methods involve deploying the compositions in loss regions by adding the compositions to drilling mud, and measuring a property of the compositions using an LWD or MWD tool.

Abstract: The present application is directed to an aqueous composition made up of an alkali metal silicate; a hardener containing at least one dibasic ester, at least one nonionic surfactant, at least one terpene or terpene derivative and optionally at least one polyalkylene glycol; and a retarder. The composition is useful for reducing the permeability in a subterranean formation, so as to reduce or prevent water flow and circulation loss of well fluids such as drilling fluids or cement.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a drilling, drill-in, and completion water-based mud composition containing micro or nanoparticles for use in hydrocarbon drilling. The water-based drilling mud composition includes water present in an amount sufficient to maintain flowability of the water-based drilling mud composition, and drilling mud, which includes particles. The particles are selected from microparticles, nanoparticles, and combinations thereof. The water-based drilling mud composition also includes an effective amount of a multi-functional mud additive, which includes psyllium seed husk powder. The water-based drilling mud composition is operable to keep the particles stabilized and dispersed throughout the drilling mud composition in the absence of a surfactant.

Abstract: A composition for wellbore consolidation comprises fibers having a core formed from a material that is electrically and/or magnetically susceptible, and a polymeric coating. When the composition is placed in a wellbore in a zone to be consolidated and an electric current or magnetic field is applied, the fibers bond together by melting or setting of the polymeric coating.

Abstract: Drilling mud compositions and related methods are provided as embodiments of the present invention. The drilling mud compositions are water-based and contain volcanic ash. The compositions and methods of the present invention provide improved properties relative to tolerance of high salt content, cement, lime, and temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a granulated powder containing at least one vegetable protein and at least one vegetable fiber, characterized in that it has a laser volume mean diameter D4,3 of between 10 ?m and 500 ?m, preferably between 50 ?m and 350 ?m, and even more preferably between 70 ?m and 250 ?m, and a dry matter content, determined after stoving at 130° C. for 2 hours, of greater than 80%, preferably greater than 85%, and even more preferably greater than 90%. The present invention also concerns a process for manufacturing this granulated powder as well as its use in various industrial field, and more particularly in the food-processing field, where it is used as a functional agent such as an emulsifying, overrun, stabilizing, thickening and/or gelling agent, in particular for totally or partially replacing certain animal proteins in the preparation of food products.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore comprising contacting a wellbore servicing composition with a rheology modifying additive wherein the rheology modifying additive comprises a gum and a polymeric material. A method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprising providing a sealant composition comprising cement, water, and a rheology modifying additive wherein the rheology modifying additive comprises a gum and an anionic polymer, placing the composition in the subterranean formation, and allowing the cement composition to set therein.

Abstract: A lost circulation material and method for well treatment employing the material that is effective at sealing or plugging small fissures and large fractures and has utility over a wide range of temperatures, including high temperatures. The material has an optimized bimodal particle distribution and optionally has a polymer flocculent or water swellable polymer.

Abstract: A composition of matter and a method of sealing a permeable formation are provided incorporating the composition to reduce or eliminate lost circulation in permeable formations up to at least 6000 psi. The composition comprises one or more sealing components, a wetting component, a viscosifier component, an activator or flocculant component, and an extender. A dry mixture of the components may be added directly from the bag to the drilling mud up to the rate of 90 pounds per barrel. The mixture will seal the formation in an aqueous or organic environment. The mixture de-waters at a rapid rate without regard to the time and temperature required for curing agents or other additives. The mixture may be weighted and does not require additional agents such as defoamers, accelerators, retarders or spacers to de-water and set as a solid plug.

Abstract: A process for minimizing breaking of an emulsion type drilling fluid system comprising one or more fibrous lost circulation material, the process comprising: determining the water retention value of one or more candidate fibrous lost circulation materials; and, formulating the emulsion type drilling fluid system to comprise fibrous lost circulation material consisting of one or more of the candidate fibrous lost circulation materials having a water retention value of about 1 or less.

Abstract: Disclosed are spacer fluids comprising cement kiln dust (“CKD”) and methods of use in subterranean formations.

Abstract: A method of slurrifying drill cuttings that includes admixing oil-contaminated drill cuttings, water, and at least one surface active agent; emulsifying at least a portion of the oil contaminants within the mixture; and forming a pourable slurry of drill cuttings in water is disclosed.

Abstract: A well fluid additive system prepackaged to the specifications of each particular well. The system comprises a supporting member, and a plurality of additives which additive is each individually segregated from the other additives. This system reduces waste as the exact proportions are delivered to the well as needed.

Abstract: Drilling fluid additive compositions are provided for use with synthetic, oil based, or water based drilling fluids. The combined additive and drilling fluid are effective for reducing lost circulation, seepage loss as well as wellbore strengthening and/or wellbore lining. The method includes injecting the drilling fluid and 0.01 or more pounds per barrel of a loss control additive including ground and sized pumice, barite, anthracite or dolomite.