Abstract:
A substance includes diamond particles having a maximum linear dimension of less than about 1 μm and an organic compound attached to surfaces of the diamond particles. The organic compound may include a surfactant or a polymer. A method of forming a substance includes exposing diamond particles to an organic compound, and exposing the diamond particles in the presence of the organic compound to ultrasonic energy. The diamond particles may have a maximum linear dimension of less than about 1 μm. A composition includes a liquid, a plurality of diamond nanoparticles dispersed within the liquid, and an organic compound attached to surfaces of the diamond nanoparticles. A method includes mixing a plurality of diamond particles with a solution comprising a liquid solvent and an organic compound, and exposing the mixture including the plurality of diamond nanoparticles and the solution to ultrasonic energy.
Abstract:
Fracturing slurries are prepared on the fly using a solids pump to feed the solid such as a gel into a liquid stream of normally water for pumping downhole with a large capacity triplex pump. The solids pump is preferably a Posimetric® style which delivers the solid into the fluid pipeline in a manner that keeps fluid from backing into the solids hopper above the solids pump. A separate fluid tank is connected to a fluid pump to pressurize a suction line to a boost pump before reaching the triplex pump and pumping into the subterranean formation. The solids pump can deliver between the fluid and boost pumps in which case the solids go through the triplex pump or alternatively the solids can be delivered into the higher pressure discharge line of the triplex pump.
Abstract:
Methods of making cutting elements for earth-boring tools may involve placing a powdered mixture into a mold. The powdered mixture may include a plurality of core particles comprising a diamond material and having an average diameter of between 1 μm and 500 μm, a coating material adhered to and covering at least a portion of an outer surface of each core particle of the plurality of core particles, the coating material comprising an amine terminated group, and a plurality of nanoparticles selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes, nanographite, nanographene, non-diamond carbon allotropes, surface modified nanodiamond, nanoscale particles of BeO, and nanoscale particles comprising a Group VIIIA element adhered to the coating material. The powdered mixture may be sintered to form a polycrystalline diamond table. The polycrystalline diamond table may be attached to a substrate.
Abstract:
Flow control devices for regulating fluid flow from a subterranean formation by utilizing materials containing hydrophilic surfaces in a flow path of formation fluids. The flow control device comprises a tubular body, a flow path, and a material having a hydrophilic surface disposed within the flow path to restrict the flow of water. Methods of making and systems utilizing the flow control devices are disclosed.
Abstract:
Methods of fabricating polycrystalline diamond include subjecting a particle mixture to high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) conditions to form inter-granular diamond-to-diamond bonds. Before being subjected to HPHT conditions, the particle mixture includes a plurality of non-diamond nanoparticles, diamond nanoparticles, and diamond grit. The non-diamond nanoparticles includes carbon-free cores and at least one functional group attached to the cores. Cutting elements for use in an earth-boring tool include a polycrystalline diamond material formed by such processes. Earth-boring tools include such cutting elements.
Abstract:
A method of extracting hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation comprises forming a suspension comprising reactive particles and a carrier fluid. The suspension is introduced into a subterranean formation containing a hydrocarbon material. At least a portion of the reactive particles are exothermically reacted with at least one other material within the subterranean formation to form a treated hydrocarbon material from the hydrocarbon material. The treated hydrocarbon material is extracted from the subterranean formation. An additional method of extracting hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation, and a method of treating a hydrocarbon material within a subterranean formation are also described.
Abstract:
A formulation for use as a lost circulation preventive material is a cement-forming aqueous fluid comprising water, a viscoelastic surfactant (VES), a monovalent or multivalent salt, a magnesium powder, a retarder, a weighting material, and a dispersant. The formulation is used in a method of drilling into a subterranean formation that includes introducing into a wellbore passing at least partially through the subterranean formation the cement-forming aqueous fluid, and further increasing the viscosity of the aqueous fluid with the VES; where the monovalent salt is present in an amount effective to pseudo-crosslink the elongated VES micelles to further increase the viscosity of fluid. The formulation further forms a cement by reacting the magnesium powder and the water which reaction is retarded by the retarder. The water may be saline water. When the fluid density is greater than 14 pounds per gallon, a dispersant is required, such as a sulfonated copolymer.
Abstract:
A sensor system for monitoring downhole corrosion may include a first test sample and a second test sample for measuring corrosion conditions and collecting data related to the corrosion conditions and an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit may include a measuring device for analyzing the first test sample and the second test sample and to obtain corrosion data related to the corrosion conditions and a communication module for transmitting the corrosion data related to the corrosion conditions to a surface above the borehole. A multi-borehole monitoring system may include a plurality of sensor systems disposed in a plurality of boreholes and a monitoring module. The monitoring module may analyze the corrosion data, to manipulate the corrosion data, and to produce a visual representation of the corrosion data. Methods of monitoring corrosion downhole may include receiving the corrosion data at the multi-borehole monitoring system from the plurality of plurality of sensor systems.
Abstract:
A formulation for use as a lost circulation preventive material is a cement-forming aqueous fluid comprising water, a viscoelastic surfactant (VES), a monovalent or multivalent salt, a magnesium powder, a retarder, a weighting material, and a dispersant. The formulation is used in a method of drilling into a subterranean formation that includes introducing into a wellbore passing at least partially through the subterranean formation the cement-forming aqueous fluid, and further increasing the viscosity of the aqueous fluid with the VES; where the monovalent salt is present in an amount effective to pseudo-crosslink the elongated VES micelles to further increase the viscosity of fluid. The formulation further forms a cement by reacting the magnesium powder and the water which reaction is retarded by the retarder. The water may be saline water. When the fluid density is greater than 14 pounds per gallon, a dispersant is required, such as a sulfonated copolymer.
Abstract:
A method of obtaining a hydrocarbon material from a mined material comprises forming a colloidal dispersion comprising solid particles and a carrier fluid. The colloidal dispersion is mixed with a mined, hydrocarbon-containing material to form an emulsion stabilized by the solid particles. At least one property of the emulsion is modified to destabilize the emulsion. Additional methods of obtaining a hydrocarbon material from a mined material, and a stabilized emulsion are also described.