Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.

Ricky A Cox

James E Griffith

John Lewis Dennis, Jr

Jiten Chatterji

Bobby J King

Roger Stanley Cromwell

B Raghava Reddy

Krishna M Ravi

Frank Zamora

Karen Luke

Bryan K Waugh

The present invention relates to methods of chemically generating gas in aqueous fluids utilized in the drilling and completion of wells such as drilling fluids, spacer fluids, and aqueous acid solutions. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of preventing the formation of fractures in a subterranean formation during a drilling operation. In other embodiments, the present invention provides methods of separating a first fluid and a second fluid in a subterranean formation; methods of forming lightweight well treatment fluids; methods of enhancing the permeability of a subterranean zone; lightweight drilling fluids; lightweight spacer fluids; foamed aqueous acidic well treatment fluids; and methods of making foamed aqueous and aqueous acidic well treatment fluids.

Methods of generating gas in well fluids

Improved methods of generating gas in and foaming aqueous well fluids introduced into a subterranean zone are provided. A method of the invention includes the steps of combining with an alkaline aqueous well fluid one or more gas generating chemicals and a mixture of foaming and foaming stabilizing surfactants so that the gas generating chemical or chemicals react with the alkaline aqueous well fluid and gas and foam are formed in the well fluid while it is being pumped, and then pumping the well fluid into the subterranean zone.

Methods and apparatus for forming metal or metal alloy casings in well bores are provided. A method of the invention comprises the steps of providing and pumping a fluid suspension of a particulate metal or metal alloy into a pipe string within a well bore having a casing forming tool connected thereto. The casing forming tool includes an internal passageway sealingly communicated with the pipe string and with a plurality of radial openings in the tool positioned around the periphery thereof. An internal heater for heating the fluid suspension and melting the particulate metal or metal alloy and an internal rotating impeller for imparting centrifugal force to the fluid suspension are provided in the casing forming tool. Centrifugal force is imparted to the fluid suspension by the rotating impeller whereby the melted particulate metal or metal alloy forms a casing which solidifies on the walls of the well bore.

Methods and apparatus for forming metal casings in well bores

Oil-based settable spotting fluid compositions and methods of using the compositions are provided. The oil-based settable spotting fluid compositions are basically comprised of oil, an emulsifying surfactant for emulsifying the oil with water whereby an oil-external emulsion is formed, a de-emulsifying surfactant which in time de-emulsifies said oil-external emulsion when the emulsion is contacted with external water, a hydraulic settable component selected from the group consisting of ASTM Class C or the equivalent fly ash and ASTM Class F or the equivalent fly ash together with a source of calcium and water selected from the group consisting of fresh water and salt water.

Oil-based settable spotting fluid

The present invention provides improved compositions and methods of using the compositions for sealing subterranean zones. One composition of the invention is comprised of water, a silane coupling agent, an organophilic clay, an epoxy resin and a hardening agent for said epoxy resin.

Sealing subterranean zones

A method and apparatus for foaming and then testing the foamed fluid. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical pressure vessel with upper and lower caps. A circular disk with a plurality of openings, which are preferably circular openings, is placed in the pressure vessel. The apparatus also includes a motor with a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft is attached to the pressure vessel so that when the motor is actuated, the pressure vessel can be rotated in a desired revolutions per minute. The method includes placing a mixture in the pressure vessel and then attaching the caps to the upper and lower ends of the vessel. The upper cap has a pressure gauge and has a pressure inlet and a pressure relief valve. The circular disk is placed in the vessel. The vessel is pressurized to a desired pressure with a gas motor. The motor is then actuated to rotate the vessel. As the vessel rotates, the circular disk is caused to move through the mixture, which will contain at least water, cement and a foaming agent, to disperse the gas through the fluid. The rotation of the vessel will filly foam the fluid. Tests can then be conducted on the filly foamed fluid. A fluid loss test can be conducted by opening the pressure relief valve to relieve pressure in the vessel and by opening a valve in the bottom cap to allow filtrates to pass out of the vessel. Compression tests can be conducted by curing the mixed sample inside the vessel at a desired temperature for a desired time and thereafter removing the cured sample from the pressure vessel to conduct compressive strength tests.

Apparatus and method for foaming fluids and for testing foamed fluids

The present invention provides improved compositions and methods of using the compositions for sealing subterranean zones. One composition of the invention is comprised of water, an aqueous rubber latex, an organophilic clay, sodium carbonate, an epoxy resin and a hardening agent for said epoxy resin.

Improved settable spotting fluid compositions and methods are provided. The settable spotting fluid compositions are basically comprised of a hydraulic settable component comprised of fly ash, a fluid loss control additive, a gel strength inhibiting additive, a set retarding additive and water selected from the group of fresh water and salt water present in an amount sufficient to form a slurry having a density in the range of from about 12 to about 15 pounds per gallon.

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Comanche, OK, United States of America

Ricky A Cox