Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090139719 | Cement-based particulates and methods of use - 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. | 06-04-2009 |
20100071901 | Sintered proppant made with a raw material containing alkaline earth equivalent - A method of making a proppant is provided, wherein the method includes the steps of: (a) forming a particulate comprising: (i) a binder; and (ii) a filler; and (b) sintering the particulate to form a sintered proppant, wherein the sintered proppant comprises: (i) at least 20 wt % of alkaline earth oxide equivalent; and (ii) at least 20 wt % of silicon dioxide equivalent. A method of treating (e.g., fracturing) a subterranean formation is provided, the method including the steps of: (a) suspending a sintered proppant in a treatment fluid, wherein the sintered proppant comprises: (i) at least 20 wt % of alkaline earth oxide equivalent; and (ii) at least 20 wt % of silicon dioxide equivalent; and (b) introducing the sintered proppant into the subterranean formation (e.g., into a fracture). In addition, a sintered proppant is provided comprising: (i) at least 20 wt % of alkaline earth oxide equivalent; and (ii) at least 20 wt % of silicon dioxide equivalent. The sintered proppant is made with a raw material selected from the group consisting of: unhydrated cement, hydrated cement (e.g., construction cement or concrete waste), kiln dust, fly ash, limestone, lime, talc, olivine, dolomite, clay that contains a substantial concentration of alkaline earth oxide equivalent, and any combination thereof in any proportion. | 03-25-2010 |
20100267594 | Nano-encapsulated triggered-release viscosity breakers - A method for the encapsulation and triggered-release of water-soluble or water-dispersible materials. The method comprises a) providing an amount of electrolyte having a charge, b) providing an amount of counterion having a valence of at least 2, c) combining the polyelectrolyte and the counterion in a solution such that the polyelectrolyte self-assembles to form aggregates, d) adding a compound to be encapsulated, and e) adding nanoparticles to the solution such that nanoparticles arrange themselves around the aggregates. Release of the encapsulated species is triggered by disassembly or deformation of the microcapsules though disruption of the charge interactions. This method is specifically useful for the controlled viscosity reduction of the fracturing fluids commonly utilized in the oil field. | 10-21-2010 |
20110053810 | Fluorosurfactants and Treatment Fluids for Reduction of Water Blocks, Oil Blocks, and/or Gas Condensates and Associated Methods - 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. | 03-03-2011 |
20110214860 | Clean Viscosified Treatment Fluids and Associated Methods - The present invention relates to low environmental impact treatment fluids comprising a compliant crosslinking agent, and methods of use employing such treatment fluids to treat subterranean formations. The methods include providing a low environmental impact treatment fluid including an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifying agent, and a compliant crosslinking agent that comprises an iron ion and a non-iron crosslinking metal ion; and placing the treatment fluid in a subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the viscosifying agent may be a compliant viscosifying agent. | 09-08-2011 |
20110214868 | Clean Viscosified Treatment Fluids and Associated Methods - Treatment fluids comprising an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifying agent, and a compliant dual-functional additive are provided. The present invention provides methods of using the treatment fluids in subterranean formations. One example of a suitable method includes providing a fracturing fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifying agent, and a compliant dual-functional additive that acts as a fluid loss control agent and a breaker and introducing the fracturing fluid 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 in the subterranean formation. | 09-08-2011 |
20120167803 | Cement-Based Particulates and Methods of Use - 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. | 07-05-2012 |
20120172262 | Fluorosurfactants and Treatment Fluids for Reduction of Water Blocks, Oil Blocks, and/or Gas Condensates and Associated Methods - 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. | 07-05-2012 |
20120181019 | NANOHYBRID PHASE INTERFACES FOR ALTERING WETTABILITY IN OIL FIELD APPLICATIONS - Methods of using nanohybrid-containing fluids in a well are provided. The methods include the steps of: (a) forming or providing a well fluid comprising a nanohybrid; and (b) introducing the well fluid into a well. The methods can be used in various applications, such as in drilling, completion, or intervention operations. | 07-19-2012 |
20120181029 | NANOHYBRID-STABILIZED EMULSIONS AND METHODS OF USE IN OIL FIELD APPLICATIONS - Methods of using nanohybrid-stabilized emulsions in a well are provided. The methods include the steps of: (a) forming an emulsion comprising: (i) a nanohybrid; (ii) water or an aqueous solution; and (iii) a water-immiscible liquid; (b) introducing a well fluid comprising the emulsion into a well; and (c) after the step of introducing, modifying the nanohybrid to break the emulsion in the well. The methods can be used in various applications, such as in drilling, completion, or intervention operations. | 07-19-2012 |
20120181033 | NANOHYBRID PHASE INTERFACES FOR FOAMING IN OIL FIELD APPLICATIONS - Methods of using nanohybrid-containing fluids in a well are provided. The methods include the steps of: (a) forming or providing a well fluid comprising a nanohybrid; and (b) introducing the well fluid into a well. The methods can be used in various applications, such as in drilling, completion, or intervention operations. | 07-19-2012 |
20130105167 | Novel Method for Enhancing Fracture Conductivity | 05-02-2013 |
20130345099 | Nano-Encapsulated Triggered-Release Viscosity Breaker - A method for the encapsulation and triggered-release of water-soluble or water-dispersible materials. The method comprises a) providing an amount of electrolyte having a charge, b) providing an amount of counterion having a valence of at least 2, c) combining the polyelectrolyte and the counterion in a solution such that the polyelectrolyte self-assembles to form aggregates, d) adding a compound to be encapsulated, and e) adding nanoparticles to the solution such that nanoparticles arrange themselves around the aggregates. Release of the encapsulated species is triggered by disassembly or deformation of the microcapsules though disruption of the charge interactions. This method is specifically useful for the controlled viscosity reduction of the fracturing fluids commonly utilized in the oil field. | 12-26-2013 |