Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation is provided. A fracturing fluid is pumped into the formation to fracture the formation. A plurality of nanoparticles is mixed with the fracturing fluid and placed in the fracture. A plurality of conventional proppant particulates is also mixed with the fracturing fluid and placed in the fracture.

Abstract: An emulsion is mixed with fibers while the emulsion is moving through a surface tubing using a venturi. The fiber/emulsion mixture is injected into a pressurized tank and the pressurized fiber/emulsion mixture is injected from the pressurized tank into a desired location in a wellbore. Pumps and pressure boosters may be used to move the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing control agents for applications in the petroleum field, where a polymer bearing —OH, amine and/or amide functions, which is in the form of a divided solid, is reacted with at least one crosslinking agent bearing at least two —R groups capable of reacting with the —OH, amine or amide groups, under conditions where said polymer remains in solid form and where said crosslinking agent is at least partly in vapour form, The invention also relates to the control agents obtained in solid form according to this process, and also to the mixtures of these solid agents with other additives, which can be used in particular for the preparation of cement grout for oil extraction.

Abstract: The invention provides formulations for facilitating the removal of oil from a surface using a chisel composition, wherein the chisel composition includes a polymer having one or more binding points with a high affinity for the surface, and one or more hydrophilic segments that form a hydrophilic coating on the surface, rendering the surface water-wet and thereby facilitating the removal of oil from the surface. The invention also provides for methods of use of such formulations.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing composition includes: a superabsorbent polymer in an expanded state; a plurality of proppant particles disposed in the superabsorbent polymer; a well treatment agent, and a fluid to expand the superabsorbent polymer into the expanded state. A process for treating a well with well treatment agent includes disposing a hydraulic fracturing composition comprising the well treatment agent in a well. The well treatment agent can be a scale inhibitor, tracer, pH buffering agent, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Propping compositions comprising: a hardenable, liquid external phase comprising an element selected from the group consisting of: a cement, a cement foam, a polymer, a resin, an aluminum, a flowable carrier fluid, and any combination thereof; and an internal phase that is either gas or liquid and that is immiscible with the external phase; wherein the internal phase exits the propping composition as the hardenable external phase hardens, leaving behind an hardened, interconnected porous network. Some propping compositions may require contact with a treatment for removal from the hardenable external phase and the treatment for removal may comprise at least one material selected from the group consisting of: an acid, a base, a chelant, an oxidizer, a solvent, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: A composition for enhancing fluid viscosity including a mixture of at least one cationic or cationizable polymer and at least one anionic or anionizable (hydrolysable) polymer. The composition has a zeta potential at 25° C. in the range of 0.5 to 100 mV or ?0.5 to ?100 mV, typically 1 to 60 mV or ?1 to ?60 mV, or is a precursor convertible at a temperature of 100 to 250° C. to the composition having a zeta potential at 25° C. of 0.5 to 100 mV or ?0.5 to ?100 mV, typically 1 to 60 mV or ?1 to ?60 mV. Typically the compositions exhibit salt tolerance and interaction of both polymers at very high temperatures (>300° F.) such that the system exhibits an increase of viscosity at extreme temperatures. The compositions are useful for hydraulic fracturing, enhanced oil recovery, subterranean acidization, personal care as well as home and industrial cleaners.

Abstract: Methods of treating a subterranean formation are disclosed that include placing a treatment fluid into a subterranean formation, the treatment fluid containing a one or more polymers capable of consolidating to form a polymeric structure at a downhole location. Also disclosed are treatment fluids including a polymeric structure for treating a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A composition comprising, and methods of producing a solid state dispersion comprising particles dispersed in a water soluble polymer. Treatment fluids comprising, and methods of using the solid state dispersion are also disclosed.

Abstract: A thixotropic agent comprised of a gel which is comprised of a polymeric organic material cross-linked with certain boehmite aluminas having a crystallite size of less than about 100 ? as measured on the 120 plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to solid-supported crosslinkers for treatment of a subterranean formation. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation. The method can include obtaining or providing a composition that includes a solid-supported crosslinker. The solid-supported crosslinker includes a supporting solid, and a crosslinker supported on the supporting solid. The method can also include contacting a subterranean material downhole with the composition.

Abstract: A granulated mica composition may include mica having an average particle size less than about 20 mesh, and 0.01% to about 1.0% of a water soluble binder. The granulated mica composition may have a granule size greater than about 20 mesh. A process for producing a granulated inorganic particulate composition for use in oilfield applications may include mixing at least one inorganic particulate having an average particle size of less than about 20 mesh with water and at least one binder, and agglomerating the resulting mixture to form a granulated inorganic particulate having an average particle size of greater than about 20 mesh. A method for treating a subterranean formation may include admixing a granulated inorganic particle composition into a fluid, such that the inorganic particulate is dispersed into the fluid as a suspended inorganic particulate, and injecting the fluid and suspended inorganic particulate into the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Ceramic propping agents include a plastic clay, aluminosilicate network modifier, strength enhancing agent, and binder. Usable strength enhancing agents can include nepheline materials having 0.1 to 5 percent iron oxide by weight. A resin coating can be used to encapsulate particles of the ceramic propping agent. The propping agent can be produced by grinding the components to the same approximate particle size, nucleating the particles by adding water, growing the resulting spherical pellets by adding additional particles that adhere to the surface of the spherical pellets, and vitrifying the pellets to form the propping agent.

Abstract: The instant application relates to nanogels or compositions that hold multivalent metal ions until some level of nanogel degradation has occurred, then slowly release the multivalent metal ions for gelation with carboxylate containing polymers. Compositions comprising such nanogels, together with polymers that can be crosslinked with multivalent metal ions, allow the deployment of such mixtures in various applications, and greatly increased gelation times.

Abstract: A method, system, and composition for producing oil from a formation utilizing an oil recovery formulation comprising a surfactant, an ammonia liquid, an alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonate, a polymer, and water are provided.

Abstract: A ceramic propping agent, in the form of a spherical pellet, and containing common mineral particulate. The desired propping agent is defined as a particulate ceramic made from raw materials which may be comprised of about: 10%-90% parts by weight of a naturally occurring mineral particulate, 30%-70% parts by weight aluminosilicate network modifier, 0.25-20% parts by weight strength enhancer, and at least one part, typically less than 10% by weight, binder. For use in oil and/or natural gas wells as a hydraulic fracturing proppant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hollow hydrogel capsules. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation with a hollow hydrogel capsule including a hydrogel shell including a hydrolyzed and crosslinked polymerized composition. The hollow hydrogel capsule also includes a hollow interior including at least one component of a downhole composition for subterranean petroleum or water well drilling, stimulation, clean-up, production, completion, abandonment, or a combination thereof. In various embodiments, the present invention provides compositions comprising the hollow hydrogel capsules and methods of making the hollow hydrogel capsules.

Abstract: Methods comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid, a friction reducing polymer, and an antiflocculation additive; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid, a friction reducing polymer, and an antiflocculation additive; and introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation at rate in the range of from about 30 barrels to about 250 barrels per minute so as to create or enhance one or more fractures in the subterranean formation. Aqueous treatment fluids comprising: an aqueous fluid, a friction reducing polymer in an amount sufficient to reduce friction without forming a gel, and an antiflocculation additive.

Abstract: The invention is directed to long lasting crosslinked water-soluble swellable polymers, methods for making same, and their uses. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising expandable polymeric particles having cationic sites as well as labile crosslinkers and stable crosslinkers, said particle mixed with a fluid. A particularly important use is as an injection fluid in petroleum production, where the expandable polymeric particles are injected into a target zones in the reservoirs and when the heat and/or a suitable pH in the reservoir cause degradation of the labile crosslinker and when the particle expands, the cationic sites in the polymer adsorb to negative sites of the rock in the formation, thus diverting water to lower permeability regions and improving oil recovery. However, many other uses are possible.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore penetrating a formation comprising placing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising a modified proppant pack into the wellbore or formation wherein the modified proppant pack comprises a proppant and a self-assembly directing material. A modified proppant pack comprising a proppant and a self-assembly directing material comprising a water-soluble moiety, an oil-soluble moiety and a crosslinkable moiety.

Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery formulation composition containing a sacrificial agent and a surfactant dispersed in a fluid is provided. The sacrificial agent reduces the amount of surfactant required to enhance oil recovery from a petroleum-bearing formation. The sacrificial agent is selected from the group consisting of a compound comprising a single carboxylic acid, a single carboxylic acid derivative, or a single carboxylate salt, or a compound lacking a carboxylic acid group, a carboxylate group, a sulfonic acid group, or a sulfonate group that is a pheol, a sulphonamide, or a thiol, or a compound having a molecular weight of 1000 or less that comprises one or more hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: A sparingly soluble sulfonate-metal salt particle includes the metal ion salt of an alkyl aryl sulfonate, the metal ion salt of a petroleum sulfonate and a hydrophobically modified hydrophilic polymer, and has an average particle size diameter in a range of from about 50 nm to about 450 nm and is sparingly soluble in water at room temperature. A method of producing a sparingly soluble sulfonate-metal salt particle includes the steps of introducing an aqueous solution containing a metal ion salt into a reactor, introducing an aqueous solution containing a sulfonate surfactant and a polymer into the reactor, and operating the reactor such that the sparingly soluble sulfonate-metal salt particle forms from the interaction of the metal ion from the salt, the sulfonate surfactant and the polymer.

Abstract: High solids content slurry, systems and methods. The slurry comprises a carrier fluid and a solids mixture of first, second, third and fourth particle size distribution (PSD) modes wherein the first PSD mode is at least three times larger than the second PSD mode, which is larger than the third PSD mode, which is larger than the fourth PSD mode, and wherein at least one of the second and third PSD modes is less than 3 times larger than the respective third or fourth PSD mode. The method comprises forming the slurry, positioning a screen in a wellbore and circulating the slurry through the wellbore such that the solids mixture is deposited between the screen and the wellbore. The system comprises a pump to circulate the slurry, a workstring to position the screen and means for converting the slurry to a gravel pack.

Abstract: A ceramic propping agent, in the form of a spherical pellet, and containing common mineral particulate. The desired propping agent is defined as a particulate ceramic made from raw materials which may be comprised of about: 10%-90% parts by weight of a naturally occurring mineral particulate, 30%-70% parts by weight aluminosilicate network modifier, 0.25-20% parts by weight strength enhancer, and at least one part, typically less than 10% by weight, binder. For use in oil and/or natural gas wells as a hydraulic fracturing proppant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a degradable latex comprising a stable dispersion of macromolecules in a liquid medium, wherein the macromolecules comprise a primary moiety comprising a plurality of functional groups, and a plurality of secondary moiety each chemically bonded through a labile linkage to the functional groups of the primary moiety, wherein at least a portion of residues of the secondary moiety are dispersible in the liquid medium. Methods of making and degrading the degradable latex, treating a formation and a treatment fluid are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method comprising: providing at least one encaged treatment chemical that comprises a treatment chemical and a polymer carrier; placing the encaged treatment chemical into a portion of a subterranean formation; and allowing the treatment chemical to diffuse out of the encaged treatment chemical and into a portion of the subterranean formation or an area adjacent thereto.

Abstract: Well operating elements are described, one embodiment comprising a first component that is substantially non-dissolvable when exposed to a selected wellbore environment and a second component that is soluble in the selected wellbore environment and whose rate and/or location of dissolution is at least partially controlled by structure of the first component. A second embodiment includes the component that is soluble in the selected wellbore environment, and one or more exposure holes or passages in the soluble component to control its solubility. The second embodiment may or may not include a substantially non-dissolvable component. Methods of using the well operating elements in oilfield operations are also described. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Consolidation fluids comprising: an aqueous base fluid comprising a hardening agent; an emulsified resin having an aqueous external phase and an organic internal phase; a silane coupling agent; and a surfactant. The consolidation fluid itself may be emulsified and further comprise an emulsifying agent. The consolidation fluid may also be foamed in some cases.

Abstract: A well treatment composition is formed from a fluid mixture of a viscoelastic surfactant and a liquid carrier fluid. The fluid mixture has rheological properties wherein the mixture exhibits shear-thickening behavior when the shear rate is increased from a first shear rate to a second higher shear rate. The fluid mixture may further include a shear activation additive that interacts with the viscoelastic surfactant to facilitate the shear-thickening behavior. The method is accomplished by introducing the fluid mixture into a wellbore formed in a subterranean formation. In certain applications, the fluid mixture may be recycled by bringing the fluid mixture to the surface and reintroducing the fluid into the same or a different wellbore.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coated particle containing a particle and a coating, wherein the particle contains glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid or a partial salt thereof of the formula HnYm-GLDA, wherein Y is a cation, selected from the group of sodium, potassium and mixtures thereof, n+m=4, and wherein the coating contains at least one salt that contains as a cation at least one of sodium, potassium or lithium and as anion at least one of silicate sulfate, carbonate, chloride, nitrate, percarbonate, glycolate, oxalate, citrate, stearate, lactate, succinate, malonate, maleate, diglycolate, and fumarate, to a process to prepare such a particle, and, to the use thereof.

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.

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: A well treatment fluid and method of use includes water, at least one hydratable polymer, an optional crosslinking agent, and a delayed release percarbonate formulation effective to reduce initial viscosity of the fluid after a period of time. Also disclosed are processes for fracturing a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Various compositions are provided herein that include a composition that includes a well bore treatment fluid and a magnetically-sensitive component that includes a subterranean fluid additive. In some instances, the magnetically-sensitive component may be a ferrogel. In some instances, the ferrogel may include a polymer matrix and a magnetic species.

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 compositions and methods for enhancing fracture conductivity. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of providing a fracturing fluid and a flowable propping composition having a hardenable external phase and an internal phase where the internal phase is immiscible with the external phase; introducing the fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation; introducing the flowable propping composition into a fracture in the subterranean formation; allowing the hardenable external phase to form a hardened external phase in the fracture in the subterranean formation; and allowing the presence of the internal phase to be reduced from the hardened external phase thereby leaving a void volume in the hardened external phase.

Abstract: Fiber bundles are prepared by affixing at least two fibers with a binding agent. The binding agent is designed such that the fiber bundles remain intact as the fiber bundles are mixed with and suspended in a fluid. After the fiber bundles exit the mixing apparatus, the binding agent degrades and releases the individual fibers. This allows higher concentrations of fibers to be added to fluids without fouling the mixing apparatus.

Abstract: Methods including providing a downhole tool or a component thereof comprising a plasticized polymer composition that comprises a polymer and a water-soluble plasticizer, wherein the plasticized polymer composition has a first deflection test value; exposing the downhole tool or the component thereof to an aqueous-based medium; allowing the water-soluble plasticizer to leach out of the downhole tool or the component thereof, wherein the plasticized polymer composition has a second deflection test value after exposure to the aqueous-based medium, and wherein the second deflection test value is less than about 10% of the first deflection test value; and placing the downhole tool or the component thereof in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is carried out by introducing an emulsion composition into the formation through the wellbore wherein the formation has a formation temperature surrounding the wellbore of at least 120° C. The emulsion composition is formed from an aqueous acid component that forms an internal phase of the emulsion, non-aqueous component that forms an external phase of the emulsion, and a surfactant. The emulsion composition also includes an amount of fibers formed from high temperature polymer material. The high temperature polymer material is characterized by the property of not substantially degrading in water at pH<7 at temperatures below 80° C.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the production of a granule of a coated oxidizing compound which granule has good delayed release properties, said process comprising a) providing cores of an oxidizing compound produced by fluidized bed spray granulation, b) spraying on the oxidizing compound cores an aqueous solution of metal sili-cate in a fluidized bed, said aqueous solution comprising at least 15% by weight metal silicate, and c) drying to form a metal silicate coating layer on the oxidizing compound core, provided that the amount of metal silicate coating layer is at least 8%, preferably at least 10% by weight based on the total weight of the granule. The invention also provides such granule and well treatment fluids including such granule, and processes for use.

Abstract: A well treatment composition is formed from a fluid mixture of a viscoelastic surfactant and a liquid carrier fluid. The fluid mixture has rheological properties wherein the mixture exhibits shear-thickening behavior when the shear rate is increased from a first shear rate to a second higher shear rate. The fluid mixture may further include a shear activation additive that interacts with the viscoelastic surfactant to facilitate the shear-thickening behavior. The method is accomplished by introducing the fluid mixture into a wellbore formed in a subterranean formation. In certain applications, the fluid mixture may be recycled by bringing the fluid mixture to the surface and reintroducing the fluid into the same or a different wellbore.

Abstract: A well treatment composition comprises: an aqueous liquid; a fluid loss additive, wherein the fluid loss additive comprises a high molecular weight, water-swellable polymer; and an amphiphilic dispersant, wherein the well treatment composition has an activity of at least 10%. A method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprises: introducing a cement composition into the subterranean formation, the cement composition comprising: (i) cement; (ii) water; and (iii) the well treatment composition; and allowing the cement composition to set.

Abstract: A method of treating crude oil which comprises contacting the oil with a treatment fluid formulation comprising a polymeric material which comprises vinylalcohol repeat units, wherein said polymeric material is of a type which has a weight average molecular weight in the range 5,000 to 50,000 and/or wherein the viscosity of a 4 wt % aqueous solution of the polymeric material at 2° C. is in the range 1.5-7 cP. The oil may be contacted with the treatment fluid formulation underground by, for example, injection of the fluid formulation into an injection well or production well and the mobility of the oil contacted thereby is significantly improved.

Abstract: A method of recovering oil from a subterranean formation which includes an association production well involves contacting oil in the formation with a treatment fluid formulation which includes polyvinylalcohol and collecting oil which is being contacted with said treatment fluid formulation by said production well. Use of the polyvinylalcohol, optionally in combination with other materials, facilitates recovery of oil from subterranean formation, particularly those involving medium or high viscosity oils.

Abstract: Methods of using relative permeability modifiers for the diversion of aqueous fluids during subterranean operations are provided. An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of diverting fluids in a subterranean formation that may comprise providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid and a relative permeability modifier that comprises water-soluble polymer with hydrophobic or hydrophilic modification; introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation; and at least a first portion of the treatment fluid to penetrate into a portion of the subterranean formation so as to substantially divert a second portion of the treatment fluid or another aqueous treatment fluid to another portion of the subterranean.

Abstract: Methods of reducing the permeability of a subterranean formation to aqueous-based fluids using a water-soluble relative permeability modifier that comprises a hydrophobically modified polymer, wherein the hydrophobically modified polymer is a reaction product of: a hydrophilic polymer that comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyvinylamine, a poly(vinylamine/vinyl alcohol), and an alkyl acrylate polymer; and, a hydrophobic compound comprising at least one alkyl chain having a carbon chain length between about 4 and about 22 carbons. The water-soluble relative permeability modifier may be placed within a subterranean drilling operation such that the water-soluble relative permeability modifier attaches onto surfaces within the subterranean formation to effect permeability of aqueous fluids.

Abstract: A well treatment composition is formed from a fluid mixture of a viscoelastic surfactant and a liquid carrier fluid. The fluid mixture has rheological properties wherein the mixture exhibits shear-thickening behavior when the shear rate is increased from a first shear rate to a second higher shear rate. The fluid mixture may further include a shear activation additive that interacts with the viscoelastic surfactant to facilitate the shear-thickening behavior. The method is accomplished by introducing the fluid mixture into a wellbore formed in a subterranean formation. In certain applications, the fluid mixture may be recycled by bringing the fluid mixture to the surface and reintroducing the fluid into the same or a different wellbore.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for recovering oil from a subterranean reservoir using waterflooding, wherein the flooding fluid used in the waterflooding process comprises water and one or more ionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymers. The use of one or more ionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymers is expected to increase the recovery of oil by improving both the oil/water mobility ratio and the sweep efficiency in reservoirs with a high degree of heterogeneity.

Abstract: A method of heterogeneous proppant placement in a subterranean fracture is disclosed. The method comprises injecting well treatment fluid including proppant and a channelant through a wellbore into the fracture, heterogeneously placing the proppant in the fracture in a plurality of proppant clusters or islands spaced apart by the channelant, and removing the channelant filler material to form open channels around the pillars for fluid flow from the formation through the fracture toward the wellbore. The proppant and channelant can be segregated within the well treatment fluid, or segregated during placement in the fracture. The channelant can be dissolvable particles, initially acting as a filler material during placement of the proppant, and later dissolving to leave the flow channels between the proppant pillars. The well treatment fluid can include fibers to provide reinforcement and consolidation of the proppant and/or to inhibit settling of the proppant in the treatment fluid.

Abstract: Methods of making particulates for use in a subterranean application comprising: providing particulates of a settable composition comprising a cementitious material, a filler material, and an activator of the cementitious material; and pre-curing the particulates until the particulates reach a crush strength of about 50 psi or greater; and curing the pre-cured particulates at a temperature in the range of about 230° F. to about 600° F., so that at least a portion of the particulates comprise a newly formed crystalline phase.