Abstract: A sintered, generally spherical ceramic body, having an alumina content of from about 52 to about 58 weight percent distributed substantially homogeneously throughout the body, a silica content from about 32 to about 39 weight percent distributed substantially homogeneously throughout the body, an apparent specific gravity of about 2.63 to about 2.67, and a bulk density of about 1.48 to about 1.56 grams per cubic centimeter.

Abstract: A process for utilizing microwaves to heat H2O and sulfur hexafluoride within a subterranean region wherein the heated H2O and sulfur hexafluoride contacts heavy oil in the subterranean region to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil and improve production of the heavy oil.

Abstract: Zinc, nickel and iron can be recovered from spent brines and produced water using a method that includes admixing an aqueous fluid with hydrazine to form a hydrazine complex and then filtering or otherwise removing the hydrazine complex from the aqueous fluid. Once treated, the aqueous fluid can then be recycled or at be the subject to an easier disposal. The isolated metal hydrazine complex may be recycled or discarded.

Abstract: Dissolved oxygen may be generated by adding a peroxide to a fluid stream and then catalytically decomposing the peroxide to generate oxygen. As the peroxide is catalytically decomposed, the oxygen may solubilize in a surrounding fluid so as to provide dissolved oxygen. In some examples, the amount of peroxide added to the fluid stream is controlled such that substantially all of the hydrogen peroxide added to the fluid stream catalytically decomposes and yet the dissolved oxygen concentration of the fluid stream does not exceed a dissolved oxygen saturation limit for the fluid stream.

Abstract: A lightweight proppant with high crush strength can include a ceramic such as silicon carbide or silicon nitride.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method of converting an oxy halide salt into a halide dioxide in a reaction zone under certain conditions is provided. More specifically, the method includes generating chlorine dioxide from a stable composition comprising an oxy halide salt by introducing said composition to a reducing agent and minimum temperature within the reaction zone. According to another aspect of the invention, a composition for a stable chlorine dioxide precursor comprising an oxy halide salt is provided.

Abstract: An improvement over known hydraulic fracturing fluids. Boundary layer kinetic mixing material is added to components of fracturing fluid wherein kinetic mixing material is a plurality of particles wherein at least 25% of particles are several types, i.e., having surface characteristics of thin walls, three dimensional wedge-like sharp blades, points, jagged bladelike surfaces, thin blade surfaces, three-dimensional blade shapes that may have shapes similar to a “Y”, “V” or “X” shape or other geometric shape, slightly curved thin walls having a shape similar to an egg shell shape, crushed hollow spheres, sharp bladelike features, 90° corners that are well defined, conglomerated protruding arms in various shapes, such as cylinders, rectangles, Y-shaped particles, X-shaped particles, octagons, pentagon, triangles, and diamonds.

Abstract: A sealant composition for servicing a wellbore comprising at least one gel system, a leak off prevention material and water.

Abstract: A composition and method for use in drilling or completing a subterranean well comprising a solidsfree, high-density brine composed of alkali metal polytungstate and blends thereof. These high-density brines are also useful as wellbore fluids and other non-oilfield fluids requiring high density properties.

Abstract: A system and method of treating a fluid to be used for hydraulic fracturing adds an effective amount of chlorine dioxide to the fluid to act as a biocide that kills harmful bacteria. A system for adding chlorine dioxide to the fluid can continuously add chlorine dioxide to an incoming flow of the fluid to produce a continuous flow of treated fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nanoparticle modified fluid that comprises nanoparticles; and a liquid carrier; where the nanoparticles have their surfaces modified so as to increase the viscosity of the nanoparticle modified fluid above that of a comparative nanoparticle modified fluid that contains the same nanoparticles whose surfaces are not modified, when both nanoparticle modified fluids are tested at the same shear rate and temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed are spacer fluids and methods of use in subterranean formations. Embodiments may include use of consolidating spacer fluids in displacement of drilling fluids from a well bore annulus.

Abstract: An encapsulated thixotropy agent may be added to aqueous well service fluids. Such fluids include drilling fluids, cement slurries and polymer pills. The well service fluid may be subjected to shearing action downhole, causing the thixotropy agent to be released and imparting thixotropy to the fluid. The thixotropy agent comprises a dry suspension of synthetic layered silicates.

Abstract: Methylhydroxyethyl cellulose may be used as an additive in cement slurries in the treatment of wells to prevent or reduce the occurrence of gas channeling. In addition to acting as a gas control additive, methylhydroxyethyl cellulose controls fluid loss, minimizes free fluid and stabilizes foam during cementing of the well.

Abstract: A wellbore treatment fluid comprising one or more high-density weighting materials selected from the group consisting of tungsten-containing materials, bismuth-containing materials, and tin-containing materials.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and composition for stimulating a hydrocarbon-bearing, heavy oil containing formation, a deep oil reservoir, or a tight oil reservoir, whereby exothermic reactants are utilized to generate in-situ steam and nitrogen gas downhole in the formation or the reservoir as an enhanced oil recovery process. An oil well stimulation method is provided, which includes injecting, into the one of the formation and the reservoir, an aqueous composition including an ammonium containing compound and a nitrite containing compound. The method further includes injecting, into the one of the formation and the reservoir, an activator. The activator initiates a reaction between the ammonium containing compound and the nitrite containing compound, such that the reaction generates steam and nitrogen gas, increasing localized pressure and improving oil mobility, in the one of the formation and the reservoir, thereby enhancing oil recovery from the one of the formation and the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods relating to the setting of fluids or slurries in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method of isolating a portion a wellbore by preparing a sealant composition comprising a fluid component and a polymeric additive component, placing the sealant composition into a wellbore and subjecting the sealant composition to ionizing radiation. The ionizing radiation can cause bonding between polymeric additive components and create a polymer matrix within the sealant composition that increases the mechanical strength of the sealant composition.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in contact with a subterranean formation, comprising placing into a wellbore a composition comprising a calcium aluminate cement and a polyvalent cation-containing compound, and allowing the composition to set. A method of increasing the thickening time of a calcium aluminate cement comprising contacting the calcium aluminate cement with a polyvalent cation-containing compound. A method of adjusting the thickening time of a calcium aluminate cement comprising contacting the calcium aluminate cement with a polyvalent cation-containing compound and at least one other set modifier.

Abstract: The invention relates to the area of oil and gas production (especially, to the production in which the propping technique is used for the stimulation of a well) and can be used in the development of a composition and a method of production of propping agents (proppant), as well as a method of application of these propping agents. A new type of proppant, proppant production method and use of the proppant are based on allowing the production of proppant having an apparent density of 2.5 to 4.0 g/cm3, as well as a high mechanical strength and a high chemical durability. A proppant contains granules made of the sintered feedstock, wherein the charge mixture containing at least one of the following materials—silicon carbide, boron carbide, titanium carbide, silicon nitride, titanium nitride, boron nitride, silicon oxynitrides, SIALON-type compounds, was used as the feedstock.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a method of servicing a well bore. The method may comprise introducing a lost circulation composition into a lost circulation zone, the lost circulation composition comprising hydraulic cement, nano-particles, amorphous silica, clay, and water. The method further may comprise allowing the lost circulation composition to set in the lost circulation zone. Another embodiment includes a lost circulation composition. The lost circulation may comprise hydraulic cement, nano-particles, amorphous silica, clay, and water.

Abstract: This disclosure is related to a method of treating a formation, a wellbore, or equipment in a wellbore. The method includes introducing a soluble abrasive material into a wellbore for various oil and gas operations. The method also includes introducing an acidic solution into the wellbore to dissolve at least a portion of the soluble abrasive material to allow for more efficient removal of the soluble abrasive material from the wellbore.

Abstract: A method of converting an inactive biocide into an active biocide comprises: contacting the inactive biocide with an activating agent, wherein the activating agent is capable of chemically reacting with the inactive biocide; and causing or allowing a chemical reaction to take place between the inactive biocide and the activating agent, wherein the chemical reaction produces the active biocide. The methods can also include deactivating the active biocide via a chemical reaction between the active biocide and a deactivating agent.

Abstract: The invention provides a material comprising: a core made of a solid material; a first layer surrounding the core made of a swellable material able to swell in contact with a fluid; a second layer surrounding the first layer made of a glue material able to glue to a third element.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed that comprise interground perlite and hydraulic cement. An embodiment provides a method of cementing comprising: providing a settable composition comprising perlite, hydraulic cement, and water, wherein the perlite and hydraulic cement are interground prior to combination with the water to form the settable composition; and allowing the settable composition to set.

Abstract: Of the many methods and compositions provided herein, one method includes a method comprising introducing a sealant composition into a well bore that penetrates a subterranean formation, wherein the sealant composition comprises a base fluid, a binder material, and a filler material; and allowing the sealant composition to form a cohesive sealant. One composition provided herein includes a sealant composition comprising a base fluid, a binder material, and a filler material, wherein the sealant composition will form a cohesive sealant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluids useful for subterranean operations, and more particularly, to fluorosurfactants useful for the reduction of water blocks, gas blocks, and/or gas condensates and their associated treatment fluids and methods. Provided is a method of treating a subterranean formation. The method may comprise contacting the subterranean formation with a fluorosurfactant. The fluorosurfactant may comprise an amine group, wherein the amine group comprises at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of a fluoroalkyl group, a fluoroalkenyl group, and combinations thereof, wherein the at least one substituent comprises about 3 carbons to about 22 carbons. Also provided are polymeric surfactants and treatment fluids that comprise fluorosurfactants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions that can be used to delay crystallization of a treatment solution so that thief zones or fractures are plugged in subterranean formations at a substantial distance from a wellbore. A supersaturated sodium aluminate solution, or other solutions, are introduced into the reservoir. The solution is relatively stable in the supersaturated state. Crystallization, or de-stabilizing the solution, can be controlled, which in turn plugs the thief zone or fracture at a designed point of time. By controlling the time that crystallization starts, i.e., the induction period, thief zones that are located at a substantial distant from the wellbore can be plugged.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and compositions relating to the setting of fluids or slurries in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method of isolating a portion a wellbore includes preparing a sealant composition having a fluid component, a polymeric additive constituent, and a set modifier component. The sealant composition is placed into a wellbore and subjected to ionizing radiation. The ionizing radiation can cause bonding between polymeric additive constituents and create a polymer matrix within the sealant composition that increases the mechanical strength of the sealant composition. The ionizing radiation also alters the set modifier component, triggering the thickening of the sealant composition.

Abstract: A well treatment composite comprising a well treatment agent adsorbed onto a water-insoluble adsorbent may be prepared by precipitating the well treatment agent, in the presence of a metal salt, from a liquid while the well treatment agent is being adsorbed onto the water-insoluble adsorbent. After a treatment fluid containing the composite is introduced into a well or a subterranean formation, the well treatment agent is slowly released from the composite. The composite permits a continuous supply of the well treatment agent into a targeted area and is particularly effective in high pH treatment fluids.

Abstract: A fluid loss pill that includes a crosslinked polymer gel, a brine, and solid salt particles disposed in said gel is described. Further, a method for reducing fluid loss that includes pumping a selected amount of a fluid loss pill into a wellbore leading to an oil-, condensate-, or gas-producing formation, the fluid loss pill including a crosslinked polymer gel, a brine, and solid salt particles disposed in said gel is described.

Abstract: A swellable article, including a matrix material and an exfoliatable graphene-based material disposed in the matrix material. The exfoliatable graphene-based material is operatively arranged to facilitate swelling of the swellable article upon exposure to a selected fluid by sorbing particles in the fluid. The swelling enables the swellable article to engage an adjacent structure. Methods of making and using a swellable article are also included.

Abstract: A gelled organic-based fluid system and method of forming and using the system. The fluid system is prepared by gelling an organic solvent, a viscoelastic surfactant, and a nitrogen compound having a free electron pair such as urea in an amount effective to both increase viscosity and increase a rate of breaking the viscosity, relative to the gelled system without the nitrogen compound. In a further aspect, the method is used to treat a well penetrating a subterranean formation, for example, in a coiled tubing cleanout, or the like.

Abstract: Synthetic ceramic proppants are described. Proppants having a monodispersity of 3-sigma distribution or lower are also described, including methods to make these proppants and methods of using these proppants.

Abstract: Synthetic ceramic proppants are described. Proppants having a monodispersity of 3-sigma distribution or lower are also described, including methods to make these proppants and methods of using these proppants.

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: An encapsulated reactant(s) having at least one encapsulant and at least one reactant. An outermost encapsulant is substantially nonreacting, impermeable and nondissolving with water. The reactant(s) contribute to at least one reaction with contaminants in environmental media rendering the environmental media less harmful. Processes for using the encapsulated reactant in environmental media is also hereby claimed.

Abstract: A method of reusing waste-water resulting from hydrocarbon production operations as a disinfectant. The method includes a) providing waste-water resulting from hydrocarbon production operations containing greater than 3 ppm bromide ion; b) adjusting the pH of the waste-water to a pH that renders the fracturing fluid non-scaling, while maximizing the production of hypobromous acid and c) adding a sufficient amount of an oxidizing agent to convert the bromide ion to hypobromous acid to provide a disinfectant solution.

Abstract: A process for conversion of conventional sand granules (or other particulates) to a ‘core-shell’ adsorbent granules in which GO (or GO-f) coating imparts nano structural features on the surface of the sand granules (or other particulates). Such materials are useful in a variety of engineering applications such as water purification, catalysis, capacitors, proppants, casting, and magnetic shielding.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided that relate to cementing operations. Methods and compositions that include a latex strength enhancer for enhancing the compressive strength of slag compositions.

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: A method of treating a medium for water fracturing is disclosed, the method comprises: introducing at least one biocide and at least one metabolic inhibitor in the medium, using the medium for water fracturing. In another aspect a method of controlling the post-fracture reservoir souring by the metabolic activities of sulfate reducing bacteria of a well is described: at least one biocide and at least one metabolic inhibitor are introduced in a medium made of water, the medium is used for fracturing the well, and the medium remains in the reservoir to kill and/or inhibit growth of sulfate reducing bacteria.

Abstract: A fracturing fluid for a downhole environment is disclosed, comprising a water-sensitive gel; and a hydrated breaker. A fracturing fluid for a downhole environment is also disclosed, the fracturing fluid comprising a water-sensitive carrier and a breaker, the breaker comprising one or more hydrates, and wherein water of the one or more hydrates is releasable so as to act with the water-sensitive carrier to reduce the viscosity of the fluid. A method of treating a downhole environment with a fracturing fluid is also disclosed, the method comprising: providing to the downhole environment a fluid comprising a water-sensitive carrier and a breaker, the breaker comprising one or more hydrates; and allowing water from the one or more hydrates to release so as to act with the carrier to reduce the viscosity of the fluid.

Abstract: A variety of methods and compositions are disclosed, including, in one embodiment, a method of treating a well comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and a blended cementitious component, wherein the blended cementitious component comprises kiln dust from two or more different sources; and introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method of converting an oxy halide salt into a halide dioxide in a reaction zone under certain conditions is provided. More specifically, the method includes generating chlorine dioxide from a stable composition comprising an oxy halide salt by introducing said composition to a reducing agent and minimum temperature within the reaction zone. According to another aspect of the invention, a composition for a stable chlorine dioxide precursor comprising an oxy halide salt is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to proppants which can be used to prop open subterranean formation fractions. Proppant formulations are further disclosed which use one or more proppants of the present invention. Methods to prop open subterranean formation fractions are further disclosed. In addition, other uses for the proppants of the present invention are further disclosed, as well as methods of making the proppants.

Abstract: The present invention includes well treatment fluids and methods utilizing nano-particles. An embodiment of a method of the present invention may comprise introducing a treatment fluid comprising nano-clay into a subterranean formation. The treatment fluid may be selected from the group consisting of a cement composition, a drilling fluid, a spacer fluid, and a lost circulation control composition. Another embodiment of the present invention may comprise a method of cementing. The method of cementing may comprise introducing a cement composition comprising a hydraulic cement, nano-clay, and water into a subterranean formation. The method further may comprise allowing the cement composition to set in the subterranean formation. Yet another embodiment of the present invention may comprise a treatment fluid, the treatment fluid comprising nano-clay. The treatment fluid may be selected from the group consisting of a cement composition, a drilling fluid, a spacer fluid, and a lost circulation control composition.

Abstract: The current application discloses methods and systems for preparing a wellbore treatment fluid precursor consolidated as one or more solid bodies; delivering the solid bodies to a logistics facility; and preparing a wellbore treatment fluid from the solid bodies. In some embodiments, the wellbore treatment fluid is a fracturing fluid for conducting a hydraulic fracturing operation on a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore.

Abstract: A method of formulating a wellbore fluid that includes precipitating a weighting agent from a solution; and adding the precipitated weighting agent to a base fluid to form a wellbore fluid is disclosed. Fluids and methods of formulating wellbore fluids that contain dispersant coated precipitated weighting agents are also disclosed.

Abstract: Synthesis gas is more effectively produced from the underground gasification of coal from a coal seam when the casing lining is cemented with a cementitious slurry containing a cementitious material, graphite and an aluminum silicate, such as metakaolin. The cementitious slurry of the cement mix sets as a cement sheath at bottomhole static temperatures less than or equal to 65° C. The set cement may withstand extreme dry heat temperatures which are greater than or equal to 800° C.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a wellbore prior to the production of oil or gas is disclosed, wherein the wellbore has been drilled with an invert emulsion drilling mud that forms an invert emulsion filter cake. The method may include the steps of circulating a breaker fluid into the wellbore, where the breaker fluid includes an aqueous fluid, a water soluble polar organic solvent, a hydrolysable ester of a carboxylic acid, and a weighting age, and where the hydrolysable ester is selected so that upon hydrolysis an organic acid is released and the invert emulsion of the filter cake breaks.