| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20080251250 | Annular Isolators for Expandable Tubulars in Wellbores - The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20090143255 | Methods and Compositions for Improving Well Bore Stability in Subterranean Formations - Films that may be created and/or placed in a well bore that prevent the flow of fluid into cracks or fractures in a portion of a subterranean formation penetrated by the well bore, and associated methods of use, are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid that comprises a base fluid and a film-forming polymer; introducing the treatment fluid into a portion of a well bore penetrating a portion of a subterranean formation, the well bore comprising an interior wall; and allowing the film-forming polymer to electrostatically interact with a surface of the interior wall of the well bore to form a substantially continuous film along a portion of the interior wall of the well bore, the substantially continuous film being capable of hindering the flow of a fluid therethrough. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090218089 | Phase-Controlled Well Flow Control and Associated Methods - Phase-controlled well flow control. A well system includes a flow control device which regulates flow of a fluid in the well system, the flow control device being responsive to both pressure and temperature in the well system to regulate flow of the fluid. A flow control device includes a flow regulator for regulating flow of a fluid through the flow control device, and an actuator which is operative to actuate the flow regulator in response to a predetermined relationship between a phase of the fluid and both pressure and temperature exposed to the actuator. A method of controlling a phase change of a fluid in a well system includes the steps of: flowing the fluid through a flow control device in the well system; and adjusting the flow control device in response to both pressure and temperature in the well system. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090301719 | Methods of Treating Subterranean Formations Utilizing Servicing Fluids Comprising Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Apparatus Thereof - Methods relating to servicing fluids that comprise gelled liquefied petroleum gas or servicing fluids that comprise a conventional gelled hydrocarbon fluid with liquefied petroleum gas are provided. In one embodiment, the methods of the present invention comprise providing a LPG servicing fluid comprising LPG and a gelling agent; pressurizing the LPG servicing fluid with one or more high-pressure pumps; introducing proppant particulates into at least a portion of the LPG servicing fluid using one or more high pressure pumps; and introducing the LPG servicing fluid comprising proppant particulates into at least a portion of a subterranean formation at a rate and pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one or more fractures therein. In one embodiment, a gelling agent may be metered into the LPG on-the-fly. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20100016184 | Orthoester-Based Surfactants and Associated Methods - Provided are treatment fluids that comprise a base fluid and an orthoester-based surfactant. In some instances, the treatment fluid may have a pH of about 8.5 or greater. Also provided are emulsified treatment fluids that comprise an oleaginous phase, an aqueous phase having a pH of about 8.5 or greater, and an orthoester-based surfactant. Methods of using the treatment fluid and methods of facilitating flow through a conduit also are provided. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100048430 | Delayed crosslinking agents for high-temperature fracturing - Treatment fluids comprising gelling agents and high-temperature, delayed crosslinkers, and methods of use in subterranean operations, are provided. In one embodiment, a method of treating a subterranean formation includes providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid; a gelling agent comprising terpolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, acrylamide, and acrylic acid or a salt thereof; and a crosslinking agent comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of zirconyl chloride and zirconium sulfate; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100190889 | POLYALKENOATE CEMENT COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF USE IN CEMENTING APPLICATIONS - Methods and compositions for cementing applications. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of cementing comprising the steps of: providing a cement composition that comprises: a polyelectrolyte and/or an alkenoic acid first monomer; a filler; and a crosslinking agent; placing the cement composition in a desired location; and allowing the cement composition to set therein. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20110042082 | Methods and Apparatuses for Releasing a Chemical into a Well Bore Upon Command - Methods and apparatuses for releasing a chemical in a well bore are disclosed. One apparatus includes a casing collar configured to couple to a casing string. A chemical container is disposed within the casing collar, and the casing collar is configured to release the chemical from the chemical reservoir. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110067875 | High Temperature Fracturing Fluids and Methods - Of the many methods and compositions provided by this invention, one method a method of treating a subterranean formation, comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous base fluid and a reaction product of a gelling agent comprising a copolymer or salt thereof comprising N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]acrylamide, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid or a salt thereof, and acrylamide; and a crosslinking agent; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110073295 | PHASE-CONTROLLED WELL FLOW CONTROL AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - Phase-controlled well flow control. A well system includes a flow control device which regulates flow of a fluid in the well system, the flow control device being responsive to both pressure and temperature in the well system to regulate flow of the fluid. A flow control device includes a flow regulator for regulating flow of a fluid through the flow control device, and an actuator which is operative to actuate the flow regulator in response to a predetermined relationship between a phase of the fluid and both pressure and temperature exposed to the actuator. A method of controlling a phase change of a fluid in a well system includes the steps of: flowing the fluid through a flow control device in the well system; and adjusting the flow control device in response to both pressure and temperature in the well system. | 03-31-2011 |