The present invention relates to methods for controlling the migration of particulates, such as proppant and formation sands, from subterranean formations using solutions of tackifying materials. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising the steps of placing a tackifying composition into the subterranean formation and then placing an after-flush fluid into the subterranean formation.

Methods for controlling migration of particulates in a subterranean formation

The present invention provides reduced-density coated particulates and methods for enhancing the transport of such particulates into well bores and fractures, and for enhancing the conductivity and permeability of subterranean formations using such particulates, and for sand control treatments using such particulates. The reduced-density, coated particulates of the present invention generally comprise particulate having a surface and a coating wherein the surface comprises a porous or partially hollow geometry and coating is capable of trapping a fluid between the particulate's surface and the coating.

Reduced-density proppants and methods of using reduced-density proppants to enhance their transport in well bores and fractures

A method of propping at least one fracture in a subterranean formation, that comprises forming a plurality of proppant aggregates, each proppant aggregate comprising a binding fluid and a filler material, and introducing the plurality of proppant aggregates into the at least one fracture, is provided. Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation also are provided.

Methods of hydraulic fracturing and of propping fractures in subterranean formations

A system including a mechanism for recovering oil and/or gas from an underground formation, the oil and/or gas comprising one or more sulfur compounds; a mechanism for converting at least a portion of the sulfur compounds from the recovered oil and/or gas into a carbon disulfide formulation; and a mechanism for releasing at least a portion of the carbon disulfide formulation into a formation.

Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas

A method of stimulating a production interval adjacent a well bore having a casing disposed therein, that comprises introducing a carrier fluid comprising first particulates into the well bore, packing the first particulates into a plurality of perforations in the casing, perforating at least one remedial perforation in the casing adjacent to the production interval, and stimulating the production interval through the at least one remedial perforation. Also provided are methods of stimulating multiple production intervals adjacent a well bore.

Methods of stimulating a subterranean formation comprising multiple production intervals

For extracting a liquid (such as oil) from a porous medium, the liquid is subjected to pulses that propagate through the liquid flowing through the pores of the medium. The pulses cause momentary surges in the velocity of the liquid, which keeps the pores open. The pulses can be generated in the production well, or in a separate excitation well. If the pulses travel with the liquid, the velocity of travel of the liquid through the pores can be increased. The solid matrix is kept stationary, and the pulses move through the liquid. The pulses in the liquid can be generated directly in the liquid, or indirectly in the liquid via a localised area of the solid matrix.

Enhancement of flow rates through porous media

Pressure Pulse Workovers in Heavy Oil

Laboratory tests initiated in January 1997 demonstrated clearly that periodic, large-amplitude, low-frequency stran excitation of porous media leads to large flow enhancements. Based on these results, a new liquid flow enhancement technology for reservoirs was formulated, and a successful full-scale field experiment was executed in early 1999. Other field projects in 1999 through 2001 waterfloods in heavy oil cold production wells with sand influx confirmed the expectation that pressure pulsing, properly executed, increases oil production rate at low cost. The first trial showed that period application of large amplitude, liquid-phase pressure pulses increased oil production rates, decreased water-oil ratio, and increased the percentage of sand produced, even without large-scale injection. Though experience to date is in heavy oil, the process is general and will work in all porous media that have interconnected pore space. Furthermore, the method works in single-phase and two-phase liquid saturated cases, although the presence of large amounts of free gas is detrimental. Based on the field and laboratory work, and considering the nature of the physical processes, it appears likely that pressure pulsing will also help reduce coning and viscous fingering instabilities, help overcome capillary blockages, and result in more total oil recovery over time.

Pressure Pulsing at the Reservoir Scale: A New IOR Approach

Applying pulses to liquid being injected into wells makes the ground/liquid formation more homogenous, and more penetrative. A system for automatically creating the pulses is described, in which a piston is acted upon by the pressure differential (PDAF) between the supplied accumulator pressure and the formation pressure. The changing levels of the PDAF as the pulse-valve opens (and the PDAF falls) and as the pulse-valve closes (and the PDAF rises) are harnessed to actuate an inhibitor that restrain movement of the valve-piston, and delays opening and/or closing of the pulse-valve. The pulse-valve is engineered to open explosively, and thus create penetrative porosity-waves in the formation. The system includes a pressurized-gas accumulator, and injection-check-valve which can maintain pulsing even when the ground is not saturated, and the static injector, which allows non-pulsed injection only when the ground is non-saturated.

System for pulse-injecting fluid into a borehole

W hen technology based on new science is started, there can be a lot of skeptici<,m, which is a healthy reaction. The ~kepticism encountered by PE-TECII as pressure pul!.ing is gradually introduced ha\\ been partly overcome, but only in the Canadian heavy oil industry. Here arc some typical remarks we have encountered over the last three year:., accompanied by our responses. u se seismic excitation have, to our knowledge, met with failure in China, Canada, and the United States. Senior engineers from western oil companies have examined claims that mechanical vibrations are being used successfully, they appear unconvinced, even after site visits. Also, the numerous artic les in the Rus~ian

Brett Charles Davidson

Papers

Enhancement of flow rates through porous media

Pressure Pulse Workovers in Heavy Oil

Pressure Pulsing at the Reservoir Scale: A New IOR Approach

System for pulse-injecting fluid into a borehole

Pressure Pulsing: The Ups And Downs of Starting a New Technology