Abstract: For well plug treatment to plug an abandoned well, a well plug additive including a dry mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a reinforcing material of fibers and/or comminuted plant materials. The method of forming a well plug fluid includes contacting the additive with water or an aqueous solution, with a method of plugging the well further including the step of injecting the fluid into the wellbore.

Abstract: The present invention provides cement compositions comprising an improved fluid loss control additive, and methods for cementing in a subterranean formation using such cement compositions. The cement compositions comprise a hydraulic cement, water, and a fluid loss control additive comprising at least two polymers connected by a pH-sensitive crosslink. Optionally, other ingredients may be included in the compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides environmentally safe foamed fracturing fluids, additives for foaming and stabilizing foamed fracturing fluids and methods of fracturing subterranean zones. The foamed fracturing fluids of this invention are basically comprised of water, a gelling agent for forming the water into gelled water and increasing the viscosity thereof, sufficient gas to form a foam, and an effective amount of an additive for foaming and stabilizing the gelled water comprised of hydrolyzed keratin.

Abstract: For conformance treatment to plug an opening in subterranean hydrocarbon bearing formation, a conformance additive including a dry mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a reinforcing material of fibers and/or comminuted plant materials. The method of forming a conformance fluid includes contacting the additive with water or an aqueous solution, with a method of conforming the formation further including the step of injecting the fluid into the formation to plug the opening.

Abstract: For conformance treatment to plug an opening in subterranean hydrocarbon bearing formation, a conformance additive including water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, a filter aid that is preferably diatomaceous earth, and optionally a reinforcing material. The method of forming a conformance fluid includes contacting the additive with water or an aqueous solution, with a method of conforming the formation further including the step of injecting the fluid into the formation to plug the opening.

Abstract: For well plug treatment to plug an abandoned well, a well plug additive including a dry mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and filter aid, and optionally, a reinforcing material preferably of fibers and/or comminuted plant materials. The method of forming a well plug fluid includes contacting the additive with water or an aqueous solution, with a method of plugging the well further including the step of injecting the fluid into the wellbore.

Abstract: An environmentally safe lost circulation material and method of use which provides effective drill bit lubrication over a wide temperature range and allows drilling in a variety of porous or fractured subterranean structures. The lost circulation material comprises generally pelletized cottonseed hulls together with between approximately 0.001% and 0.01% by weight of preservative. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the lost circulation material comprises of between approximately 98% and 99.5% by weight of pelletized cottonseed hulls, between approximately 0.5% and 2.0% by weight of corn starch, between approximately 0.001% and 0.01% by weight of surfactant, and between approximately 0.001% and 0.01% by weight of preservative. In another preferred embodiment, the lost circulation material comprises between approximately 50% and 80% by weight of pelletized cottonseed hulls, between approximately 10% and 40% by weight of pelletized wood, between approximately 0.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and gellable composition for decreasing the loss of fluid during well drilling or servicing operations. The gellable composition comprises a superabsorbent polymer in an acidic aqueous liquid in which the superabsorbent is not swellable. Preferably the gellable composition also contains a viscosifier, preferably chitosan. The method is practiced by forming the gellable composition, placing it at the location of fluid loss in a well, and mixing it with a basic aqueous liquid to raise the pH and thus allow the superabsorbent to expand in volume. Advantageously, the superabsorbent, chitosan, and an acid, preferably a solid acid, preferably sulfamic acid, are admixed to form an additive for preparing the gellable composition.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods for reducing lost circulation in wellbores. The invention utilizes certain selected water swellable polymers that swell at a rate slow enough to reach the lost circulation zone of a well before those polymers have swollen to an extent that disrupts the drilling process. These selected polymers may be used alone or in conjunction with other lost circulation materials which do not swell or also swell slowly enough to reach the lost circulation zone without interfering with the drilling operation. Mixtures of such materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides environmentally safe foamed acidizing fluids for acidizing subterranean zones, additives for foaming and stabilizing foamed acidizing fluids and methods of acidizing subterranean zones. The foamed acidizing fluids are basically comprised of an aqueous acid solution, sufficient gas to form a foam and an effective amount of an additive for foaming and stabilizing the aqueous acid solution comprised of hydrolyzed keratin.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of performing drilling operations wherein a drilling fluid is circulated in a well being drilled in the ground comprising the steps of grinding a tannin-containing organic waste to form granules, adding the ground tannin-containing organic waste product to the drilling fluid, and circulating the drilling fluid with the ground tannin-containing organic waste product in the well while drilling operations are being carried out. In a preferred embodiment, tannin-containing organic waste products include grape pomace, tomato pomace, yellow pine bark, yellow pine, wood bark and the like.

Abstract: A degradable compound, which may be used as a ball sealer and as an fluid loss additive for use in the oil and gas industry is disclosed. The compound comprises a particular composition of matter and injection molding technique that provides a ball sealer which will dissolve in stimulation or wellbore fluids after stimulation operations are complete. In a similar manner the compound may be used as a fluid loss additive which enhances the fracture filter cake and will dissolve completely after use in fracturing operations. Used as a ball sealer, the surface of the ball sealer softens slightly assuring a solid seal between the ball and the casing perforation. The pure composition when dissolved into wellbore fluids does not pose a hazard and has excellent dispersion in aqueous based wellbore fluids. The same composition, may be combined with fiber-glass to manufacture a high temperature ball sealer.

Abstract: For tubing/casing annulus plug treatment to plug a well, a tubing/casing annulus plug additive including a dry mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a reinforcing material of fibers and/or comminuted plant materials. The method of forming a tubing/casing annulus plug fluid includes contacting the additive with water or an aqueous solution, with a method of plugging the tubing/casing annulus of a well further including the step of injecting the fluid into the annulus.

Abstract: The addition of fibrous mixtures in intimate mixtures with particulates for fracturing and gravel packing decreases or eliminates the undesirable flowback of proppant or formation fines while stabilizing the sand pack and lowering the demand for high polymer loadings in the placement fluids. Fibers are useful for forming a porous pack in the subterranean formation. In some cases, channels or fingers of void spaces with reduced concentrations of proppant may be introduced into the proppant pack.

Abstract: For conformance treatment to plug an opening in subterranean hydrocarbon bearing formation, a conformance additive including a dry mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a reinforcing material of fibers and/or comminuted plant materials. The method of forming a conformance fluid includes contacting the additive with water or an aqueous solution, with a method of conforming the formation further including the step of injecting the fluid into the formation to plug the opening.

Abstract: A crosslinked acid gel comprising an emulsion polymer and an external activator is provided. Methods for acid fracturing subterranean formations using the crosslinked acid gel are also provided.

Abstract: For lost circulation treatment, a lost circulation additive including a dry mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a reinforcing material of fibers and/or comminuted plant materials. The method of forming a lost circulation fluid includes contacting the additive with water or an aqueous solution, with a method of conforming the formation further including the step of injecting the fluid into the wellbore.

Abstract: For hydraulic fracturing treatment to increase productivity of subterranean hydrocarbon bearing formation, a hydraulic fracturing additive including a dry mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a reinforcing material of fibers and/or comminuted plant materials. The method of forming a hydraulic fracturing fluid includes contacting the additive with water or an aqueous solution, with a method of hydraulically fracturing the formation further including the step of injecting the fluid into the wellbore.

Abstract: For well kill treatment to prevent the intrusion of formation fluids into the wellbore while the well is open, a well kill additive including a dry mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a reinforcing material of fibers and/or comminuted plant materials. The method of forming a well kill fluid includes contacting the additive with water or an aqueous solution, with a method of conforming the formation further including the step of injecting the fluid into the wellbore.

Abstract: A degradable ball sealer for use in the oil and gas industry is disclosed. The ball seat comprises a particular composition of matter and injection molding technique that provides a ball seal which will dissolve in stimulation or wellbore fluids after stimulation operations are complete. In use, the surface of the ball sealer softens slightly assuring a solid seal between the ball the and the casing perforation. The composition when dissolved into wellbore fluids does not pose a hazard and disperses well in aqueous based wellbore fluids. The same composition, made into a larger ball, may be used as a tubing sealer for pressure testing.

Abstract: Ground peanut hulls in the range of -150 to 250 standard size mesh are mixed with a viscosifier and added to a fluid for circulation in a borehole during drilling, completion and workover operations. Below 250 standard sieve mesh the ground peanut hulls are distributed in a range down to 700 standard sieve mesh, with some of the ground peanut hulls having a size less than 700 standard sieve mesh.

Abstract: A drilling fluid additive is provided including ground olive pulp. The ground olive pulp is prepared by drying olive pulp to remove residual water, and then grinding the pulp to a desirable particle size. The pulp is preferably ground to particle sizes of less than about 1500 microns. In a preferred embodiment, 90 percent of the particles are less than about 100 microns in size and 50 percent of the particles are less than about 30 microns in size. The ground olive pulp can be added to oil or water-based drilling fluids. The preparation and use of waste olive pulp as a drilling fluid additive provides an environmentally safe method for disposing of waste olive pulp.

Abstract: Corrosion inhibiting composition include the use of certain plant derived catechol complexes in aqueous based compositions, such as process water, and other aqueous and non-aqueous solvent based coating compositions. The compositions have corrosion inhibiting and/or biocide activity. The compositions find particular usefulness as coatings, including paints, on iron and aluminum metal surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing an encapsulated enzyme breaker and method of use in treating a subterranean formation. An encapsulated breaker is prepared by coating an enzyme on a cellulose substrate. A micron-sized particulate is admixed with the enzyme solution to prevent undesired agglomeration of the substrate. The enzyme solution coated substrate is covered with a membrane comprising a partially hydrolyzed acrylic crosslinked with either an aziridine prepolymer or a carbodiimide. The membrane contains imperfections through which an aqueous fluid may pass into the breaker to contact the enzyme and diffuse the enzyme outward from the breaker particle.

Abstract: An aqueous fracturing fluid composition and method for fracturing subterranean formations penetrated by a well bore wherein the fracturing fluid comprises a viscosity breaker that comprises a surfactant and a breaker which is solid at ambient surface conditions and dissolves at temperatures in the formation.

Abstract: A particulate gel breaker for the controlled reduction in viscosity of aqueous acid compositions used in fracture acidizing of subterranean formations, such as in oil and gas wells, is formed for use with crosslinked polymer gels which are crosslinked with organometallic compounds, such as titanium or zirconium. The gel breaker is composed of particles containing complexing materials such as fluoride, phosphate, sulfate anions and multi-carboxylated compounds, which are capable of complexing with the organometallic crosslinking compounds of the gel. The particles are coated with a water insoluble wood resin coating which reduces the rate of release of the complexing materials of the particles so that the viscosity of the gel is reduced at a retarded rate. The gel can thus be introduced into the well at a sufficiently high viscosity for fracturing and to allow time for the acid to penetrate the formation before the acid is released.