The characterization of the dielectric properties of wood–polymer composites (WPCs) is essential to understand their interaction with electromagnetic fields and evaluate their potential use for new applications. Thus, dielectric spectroscopy monitored the evolution of the dielectric properties of WPCs over a wide frequency range of 1 MHz to 1 GHz. WPCs were prepared using mixtures of different proportions (40%, 50%, and 60%) of wood and bark fibers from various species, high-density polyethylene, and maleated polyethylene (3%) by a two-step process, extrusion and compression molding. Results indicated that wood fibers modify the resistivity of polyethylene at low frequencies but have no effect at microwave frequencies. Increasing the fiber content increases the composites’ dielectric properties. The fibers’ cellulose content explains the variation in the dielectric properties of composites reinforced with fibers from different wood species. Indeed, composites with high cellulose content show higher dielectric constants.

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Currently, ultrasonic measurement is a widely used nondestructive approach to determine wood elastic properties, including the dynamic modulus of elasticity (DMOE). DMOE is determined based on wood density and ultrasonic wave velocity measurement. The use of wood average density to estimate DMOE introduces significant imprecision: Density varies due to intra-tree and intra-ring differences and differing silvicultural treatments. To ensure accurate DMOE assessment, we developed a prototype device to measure ultrasonic wave velocity with the same resolution as that provided by the X-ray densitometer for measuring wood density. A nondestructive method based on X-ray densitometry and the developed prototype was applied to determine radial and intra-ring wood DMOE profiles. This method provides accurate information on wood mechanical properties and their sources of variation. High-order polynomials were used to model intra-ring wood density and DMOE profiles in black spruce and jack pine wood. The transition from earlywood to latewood was defined as the inflection point. High and highly significant correlations were obtained between predicted and measured wood density and DMOE. An examination of the correlations between wood radial growth, density, and DMOE revealed close correlations between density and DMOE in rings, earlywood, and latewood

The objective of many matrix acidizing treatments in the Khuff carbonate formations is to remove drilling damage and enhance productivity after the drilling process. Open hole and multilateral completed wells, present several challenges that prevent an optimum intervention with coiled tubing (CT). Traditional practices have been limited to spot stages of pre-flushes, acid, and diversion systems in front of the formation from toe to heel without proper control over the placement process. Using an innovative workflow, interpretation of distributed temperature surveys (DTS) responses, correlated with reservoir data, assists in selectively placing fluids, maximizing the contact of stimulation fluids with the targeted formation sections. Two field applications, in dual-lateral horizontal open hole gas producers, that demonstrate how to optimize a stimulation treatment as it occurs, were implemented in a field in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In both cases, selective access to pay zones in each lateral was confirmed with DTS profiles. Following the pre-flush and the first acid pass, DTS measurements indicated acid effect over the permeable zones but also detected fluid movement towards non gas bearing thief zones. Foam and energized visco-elastic diverting acid fluids were used to divert acid to the target zones avoiding the lost of all stimulation fluids to the toe in one case and to the heel in the other well. After treatment, the gas production increased from zero to more than two times the expected rate in both wells. Understanding of the flow patterns as fluids are placed in the wellbore was possible. Changes to the fluid placement schedule during the job resulted in optimum acid coverage and efficient diversion confirmed by the downhole measurements. The identification of the thief zones was critical to avoid wasting fluids. This experience, the first ever gas wells in Middle East, represents an opportunity for un-locking production potential in similar gas developments.

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