Abstract: A method for stimulating production from wells drilled into natural gas reservoirs characterized by lenticular deposits. The reservoir thickness through which the wells are drilled is divided into multi-stage zones that are further divided into single-stage zones. Each single-stage zone is perforated and then fractured. The fracturing is conducted in multiple stages to sequentially fracture each of the single-stage zones within a multi-stage zone; the fracturing stages being separated by ball sealers. Well spacing may also be controlled to match fracture drainage and size of the lenticular deposits.

Abstract: Suspended droplets of oil are separated from a waste water stream by the method and apparatus of the present invention. The oil and water mixture is injected into a partially submerged, vertical pipe. Gas bubbles injected into the lower end of the pipe, rise through the pipe and counter-currently contact the suspended oil droplets, thereby promoting the separation of the droplets from the waste water. The oil droplets coalesce and form a separate oil layer on top of the waste water which is readily withdrawn while clarified waste water is discharged from the lower end of the pipe. If employed to separate oil from a waste water stream on an offshore rig, the vertical pipe is submerged adjacent to the rig.

Abstract: A method for the controlled bending of a submerged pipeline is disclosed. The section of the pipeline which is to be bent is slightly elevated off the sea floor, preferably by buoys attached to the pipeline along its length. The end of the elevated section of pipeline is pulled in to the desired point of termination while a drag force is simultaneously applied to the elevated portion of the pipeline. The applied drag force should be sufficient to create a bending moment which causes the pipeline to bend along a well defined arc. Preferably, dragging means such as chains, cables, or clump weights extending from the pipeline to the sea floor are used to impose the necessary drag force on the pipeline and to control elevation of the pipeline above the sea floor.