Abstract: A method and a tandem spacer consisting of an aqueous lead spacer fluid and an aqueous tail spacer fluid for displacing a drilling fluid from an annular space in a wellbore with a cement slurry is disclosed. The aqueous lead spacer fluid and the aqueous tail spacer fluid are formulated to minimize mixing between a displaced drilling fluid and a cement slurry and to clean contaminants from the annular space.

Abstract: A method for cleaning and rejuvenating an at least partially spent de-NOx catalyst comprising a porous ceramic metal oxide material containing a vanadium oxide and coated on a metal support by cleaning the catalyst with an oxalic acid solution and by contacting the catalyst with a vanadium compound solution.

Abstract: A reformulated diesel fuel meeting the requirements of ASTM D975-96a for a low-sulfur number 2 diesel fuel and providing reduced emission benefits relative to a certified diesel fuel, certified under Section 2282(g) Title 13, California Code of Regulations and containing less than 15 volume percent aromatics having a natural cetane number of at least 55, a sulfur content less than 15 ppmw, a nitrogen content less than 10 ppmw, a polycyclic aromatics content no greater than 1.5 weight percent and an initial boiling point of at least 350° F. and a method for producing and using the reformulated diesel fuel.

Abstract: A highly tensioned, suspended pipeline (HTSP) which is especially useful in permafrost regions, rugged terrain, and active seismic fault areas. Basically, the pipeline is comprised of segments which are fluidly connected together to form the desired length of the line. Each segment is comprised of a length of tensioned pipeline which extends between two fixed anchors and which is suspended over a plurality of vertical support towers therebetween. The length of pipeline is greater than the distance between the anchors to allow the pipeline to sag significantly between adjacent vertical supports whereby there is no need for expansion loops in the line.

Abstract: A method and a tandem spacer consisting of an aqueous lead spacer fluid and an aqueous tail spacer fluid for displacing a drilling fluid from an annular space in a wellbore with a cement slurry is disclosed. The aqueous lead spacer fluid and the aqueous tail spacer fluid are formulated to minimize mixing between a displaced drilling fluid and a cement slurry and to clean contaminants from the annular space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drilling a lateral from a primary wellbore having a short radius-of-curvature. The lateral is drilled by a downhole drilling unit which differs from prior art units of this type in that instead of connecting the drill bit directly to the downhole motor, a length of flexible drill pipe is used to connect the bit to the rotary power output of the motor. This length of flexible drill pipe below the downhole motor allows much larger build-up angles (e.g. 1-3° per foot) which, in turn, reduces the time and expense for short-radius laterals and increase the accuracy of placement of the lateral within the zone of interest (e.g. production formation).

Abstract: A method for treating a gas well to prevent any fresh water, which may have condensed out of the gas stream, from damaging the gas producing formation during the shut-in period. The well is shut-in and then an additive, e.g. a salt, alcohol, etc., is injected into the well to convert any accumulated fresh water into an aqueous solution which will not damage the formation. The additive can be injected in solid form or as a solution.

Abstract: A method and a tandem spacer consisting of an aqueous lead spacer fluid and an aqueous tail spacer fluid for displacing a drilling fluid from an annular space in a wellbore with a cement slurry is disclosed. The aqueous lead spacer fluid and the aqueous tail spacer fluid are formulated to minimize mixing between a displaced drilling fluid and a cement slurry and to clean contaminants from the annular space.

Abstract: A system for producing a mixed gas-oil stream which contains solid particulates wherein gas is to be separated and compressed downhole in a turbine-driven compressor before the gas is injected into a subterranean formation. The stream is passed through a first separator to separate out the particulates which are then passed through a bypass in the turbine without contacting the rotary vanes of the turbine thereby alleviating the erosive effects of the solids.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting external corrosion on an insulated pipeline including a pipe and a coating material around the pipe by positioning an alkaline material in the coating material.

Abstract: A method for strengthening a subterranean formation by injecting an aqueous gellable composition containing a cross-linkable polymer into the subterranean formation through a wellbore to increase the strength of the subterranean formation while retaining the ability of the subterranean formation to produce fluids.

Abstract: A composition containing a chelating agent and an amino carboxylic acid and a method for breaking a gel formed by a crosslinkable polymer and a crosslinking agent. The composition may also be used for selectively removing crosslinked polymer gels from an oil-bearing zone in a subterranean formation in the presence of a water formation plugged by a crosslinkable polymer and a crosslinking agent. Aqueous solutions of phosphonates and sulfonates are also useful in the method.

Abstract: A method and system for producing a mixed gas-oil stream through a tubing wherein at least a portion of the gas is separated from the stream and flowed through a restriction in the tubing to cool the separated gas and reduce its pressure to thereby retain larger amounts of liquid (i.e. condensate) in the gas-oil stream which is to be produced to the surface. The separated gas is compressed downhole before it is injected into a downhole formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus and method for collecting and recycling a petroleum by-product such as hydrocarbon residue from crude oil. The apparatus comprises a container having a top, bottom, and sides, an internal heating element, an inlet element, an outlet element, a pump connector, and optionally a plug element for an auxiliary connector. The present invention further provides a method for recycling waxy hydrocarbon residue from crude oil. The method comprises providing the container of the present invention; filling the container with a sufficient amount of the waxy hydrocarbon residue; heating the waxy hydrocarbon residue in the container in order to produce a liquefied hydrocarbon residue; pumping the liquefied hydrocarbon residue out of the container through the pump connector and into a separate storage vessel; and, recycling the liquefied hydrocarbon residue into a usable oil refinery product.

Abstract: A downhole assembly for setting a well tool (e.g. packer) comprising a setting tool which has a draw rod made in two portions which are slidably connected to allow relative movement therebetween. The upper portion is releasably latched to the well tool wherein the weight of the well tool is effectively supported by the workstring rather than the draw rod during positioning of the assembly. Upon actuation of the setting tool, the upper portion is released from the well tool thereby allowing movement between the portions to switch the weight of the well tool to the draw rod during the setting of the well tool. By effectively unloading the draw rod during positioning of the assembly, the assembly can be retrieved if necessary without inadvertently setting the well tool or shearing the draw rod.

Abstract: A reinforced tube joint formed by a first tube having an end portion; a stress collar fitted, with an interference fit, about the first tube so that the end portion of the first tube extends beyond the stress collar; and a second tube having an end rigidly connected to both the stress collar and the end portion of the first tube.

Abstract: The present invention is an integrated process for converting light hydrocarbon gas to heavier hydrocarbon liquids. In each embodiment, a Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process comprising a thermal reformer and a reactor containing an FT catalyst is combined with one or more additional processes to achieve operational synergies. In a first embodiment, an FT process is integrated with a cryogenic liquefied natural gas (LNG) process wherein tail gas from the FT reaction is used to drive a refrigeration compressor in the LNG process. The tail gas, optionally supplemented with natural gas, may be fed directly to a gas turbine or may be combusted in steam boiler, which in turn provides steam to a steam turbine. The natural gas may be processed prior to its being fed to the LNG process and the FT process in order to remove any impurities and/or condensate. The process may be further integrated with a fertilizer production process comprising an ammonia synthesis process and a urea synthesis process.

Abstract: A method and composition for removing deposits of heavy hydrocarbonaceous materials and finely divided inorganic particulate matter from wellbore and flowline surfaces using a composition containing an alkyl polyglycoside, an ethoxylated alcohol, a caustic and an alkyl alcohol.

Abstract: A computer system and method of operating the same to optimize the operating conditions of a petroleum production field, in which a plurality of wells are arranged according to drill sites, and connected to one or more central processing facilities, is disclosed. In this disclosed embodiment, gas compression capacity is a significant constraint on the operation of the complex production field, and surface line hydraulic effects of well production are to be considered in the optimization. A genetic algorithm is used to generate, and iteratively evaluate solution vectors, which are combinations of field operating parameters such as incremental gas-oil ratio cutoff and formation gas-oil ratio cutoff values. The evaluation includes the operation of an adaptive network to determine production header pressures, followed by modification of well output estimates to account for changes in the production header pressure.

Abstract: A method for forming a fracture in a viscous oil subterranean formation wherein a data-fracturing operation is carried out to first determine the “leak-off” rate for the formation and then the formation is fractured with a slurry wherein the liquid from the slurry will leak into the formation at the predetermined leak-off rate to thereby provide fractures of a desired length necessary in sand control or the like. In accordance with the present invention, the formation is treated before both the data-fracturing operation and the subsequent fracturing operation with a treatment fluid (e.g. diesel) which will interact with the viscous oil to reduce its viscosity so that the fracturing fluid can readily leak into the formation.