Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining position in a pipe provides for the precise determination of location and associated characteristics of each pipe joint of a well, cross country pipeline or other fluid transmission line. The system includes a passive or active radio identification device at each joint in the pipe or casing string. The devices are preferably sealed within the resilient seal positioned between each pipe or casing joint. A pipeline tool includes a radio transmitter and receiver, with the transmitter transmitting on a frequency selected for resonating the identification devices. The resonant response of each device is detected by a receiver in the pipeline tool, with the response transmitted to the surface via the wireline to which the tool is connected. Alternatively, the tool may include storage information means until the tool can be recovered from the well or pipe.

Abstract: A process is provided for treating a liquid effluent from a gas to liquid conversion reactor. A synthesis gas is initially converted to a liquid hydrocarbon phase in the gas to liquid conversion reactor. The liquid hydrocarbon phase includes a heavier liquid paraffinic wax compound and a lighter liquid paraffinic compound. The liquid hydrocarbon phase is discharged from the gas to liquid conversion reactor in a reactor effluent and an abrasive solid particle medium is entrained in the reactor effluent to form a fluidizable mixture. The reactor effluent is conveyed past a heat transfer surface which is cooler than the reactor effluent. The fluidizable mixture is contacted with the heat transfer surface and the liquid hydrocarbon phase is cooled to a temperature below the melting point of the heavier liquid paraffinic wax compound. Consequently, the heavier liquid paraffinic wax compound is converted to a plurality of unconsolidated solid wax particles.

Abstract: A method is provided for predicting a value of a designated rock or fluid property in a subterranean geologic volume. An experimentally determined seismic value of acoustic impedance is assigned to a model volume correlated to the subterranean geologic volume. A first predicted value of the designated rock or fluid property is also assigned to the model volume. A first predicted value of acoustic impedance for the model volume is calculated from a response model using the first predicted value of the designated rock or fluid property, wherein the response model is responsive to changes in predicted values of the designated rock or fluid property. The first predicted value of acoustic impedance is compared to the seismic value of acoustic impedance to determine a difference between the predicted and seismic values of acoustic impedance.

Abstract: A method of creating a seismic wave in a subterranean environment wherein solid propellant material is positioned in a subterranean well and ignited thereby generating a seismic wave. The seismic wave is recorded at distance from where the propellant material is ignited by means of geophones or similar recording devices. The propellant material is geometrically configured with the assistance of computer modeling. The pressure generated by the ignition is recorded in the well and used to validate the computer model for configuring subsequent propellant material employed as a seismic source.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of completing a well that penetrates a subterranean formation and more particularly to a method for screen placement during proppant packing of formation perforations or fractures created by hydraulic fracturing techniques. The top of the screen is placed at a sufficient distance below the top of the perforations such that the frac pack pumping rate does not bridge off at the top of the screen when the frac pack is being pumped.

Abstract: Volume Seismic textures are evaluated using a Voxel Coupling Matrix (VCM) to capture and characterize three dimensional seismic reflection patterns. To extract the VCM seismic textural information at a specific location within the seismic amplitude input data, a finite number of neighboring voxels called a texture element (texel) are processed to create the VCM. The VCM is then processed to create a plurality of texture attributes. This processing is performed at each voxel location throughout the whole seismic data volume to create multiple texture attribute volumes. These attribute volumes are subsequently used as inputs into an attribute-trace classification method to produce a seismic interpretation volume. The interpretation volume is displayed using any number of distinct colors to represent various numbers of classes of reflection patterns present within the seismic volume.

Abstract: A process is provided for combusting a low heating value fuel gas in a combustor to drive an associated gas turbine. A low heating value fuel gas feed is divided into a burner portion and a combustion chamber portion. The combustion chamber portion and a combustion air are conveyed into a mixing zone of the combustor to form an air/fuel mixture. The burner portion is conveyed into a flame zone of the combustor through a burner nozzle while a first portion of the air/fuel mixture is conveyed into the flame zone through a burner port adjacent to the burner nozzle. The burner portion and first portion of the air/fuel mixture are contacted in the flame zone to combust the portions and produce flame zone products. The flame zone products are conveyed into an oxidation zone of the combustor downstream of the flame zone while a second portion of the air/fuel mixture is also conveyed into the oxidation zone.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing the permeability of or fluid mobility within a carbonate-containing treatment region in or proximate to a hydrocarbon-bearing formation below an earthen surface penetrated by a well bore. The process is initiated by preparing a gelation solution at the earthen surface which includes an acrylamide polymer, a crosslinking agent, a stabilizing agent and an aqueous solvent. The stabilizing agent is an acid additive, acidic pH buffer system, or delayed acid generator. The crosslinking agent is a chromium(III) complex having one or more chromium(III) cations and one or more carboxylate anions. The gelation solution is injected into the well bore and displaced into the treatment region where it is gelled in situ to form a gel which substantially reduces the permeability of or fluid mobility within the treatment region.

Abstract: Adverse effects of asphaltenes in liquid hydrocarbons are reduced by incorporating into the liquid hydrocarbon sufficient concentration, e.g., about 0.5 to 5 weight % of a dispersant to disassemble or break up agglomerates of the asphaltenes. The dispersant has a polarity of about 0.3 to about 3.2 Debye Units and is preferably selected from the group of toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, tetralin, furan, phenol, ethyl benzoate, butraldehyde, acetophenone and cyclohexanone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for perforating and stimulating a subterranean formation which is penetrated by a well bore having casing positioned therein so as to establish fluid communication between the formation and the well bore. Substantially rigid, flexible, or liquid propellant is interposed between the casing and at least one shaped charge in a subterranean well bore and is ignited due to the shock, heat and/or pressure generated from the detonated charge. Upon burning, the propellant material generates gases which clean perforations formed in the formation by detonation of the shaped charge(s) and which extend fluid communication between the formation and the well bore.

Abstract: A system and process are provided for converting a light hydrocarbon gas to a synthetic heavier hydrocarbon liquid. The system includes an autothermal reformer, a Fischer-Tropsch reactor and a Brayton cycle that are structurally and functionally integrated. In the practice of the process, a mixture of a hydrocarbon feed gas, a compressed air feed and process steam is fed to the autothermal reformer to produce a synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is fed to the Fischer-Tropsch reactor where it is catalytically reacted to produce heavy hydrocarbons. The outlet from the Fischer-Tropsch reactor is separated into water, a low heating value tail gas, and the desired hydrocarbon liquid product. The water is pressurized and heated to generate process steam. The tail gas is heated and fed with compressed air and steam to the Brayton cycle having a combustor and a series of power turbines and compressors.

Abstract: A foamed gel composition useful in a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation to reduce the permeability of a treatment region therein or control the mobility of a drive fluid in the formation. The foamed gel is formed from a crosslinkable carboxylate-containing polymer, a crosslinking agent containing a reactive transition metal cation, a polyvinyl alcohol, an aqueous solvent, and an added gas.

Abstract: A remedially deployable subsurface valve assembly is provided including a first tubing string, a first safety valve positioned in the first tubing string, a second tubing string, and a second safety valve positioned in the second tubing string. The first tubing string is a rigid production tubing string deployed in a hydrocarbon production wellbore extending beneath an earthen surface. The second tubing string is a flexible coiled tubing string remedially deployed in the interior of the first tubing string when the first safety valve fails. The second safety valve, which is located at the end of the second tubing string, is nested within the first safety valve to render the first safety valve inoperably fixed in the opened position. A seal, which is positioned in the annulus formed between the first and second tubing strings, defines a pressurizable segment of the annulus in pressure communication with the second safety valve.

Abstract: A method for stimulating a subterranean formation which is penetrated by a well bore having casing positioned therein so as to establish fluid communication between the formation and the well bore. Propellant is secured to the outer surface of a carrier having a plurality of apertures formed therein. Detonating cord is positioned within said carrier and when ignited causes the propellant to ignite initially at each aperture. In this manner, the propellant is caused to burn in controlled, uniform manner. Upon burning, the propellant generates gases which clean perforations previously formed through the casing into the formation and which extend fluid communication between the formation and the well bore.

Abstract: A computer system that creates a metadata file having records connected to geographic locations on a map. The system also stores data relating to geographic locations into the metadata file. A user of the system can then select a geographic location from the map, which causes the system to present a list of all data available for that location. From the list, the user selects data to be processed in some manner, and the system launches software to perform the processing on the data for the user. In addition, the system converts the data into a common data exchange format, so that the data can be processed using any program that can access the data exchange format. The system provides conversion software to convert to and from the data exchange format, for each type of software that is used by the system for processing data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for severing a tubular, such as a drill string, which is stuck within a subterranean well bore. A volume of liquid explosive is positioned within a housing and initially restrained against movement therein. The housing is lowered within the tubular and positioned at a location where the tubular is to be severed. The volume of liquid explosive is then moved into closer proximity to the tubular and detonated thereby severing the tubular. A portion of the tubular is then removed from the well bore.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing the permeability of or fluid mobility within a high-temperature treatment region in or proximate to a hydrocarbon-bearing formation below an earthen surface penetrated by a well bore. The process is initiated by preparing a gelation solution at the earthen surface which includes a base loading of a high molecular weight acrylamide polymer, an additive loading of a low molecular weight acrylamide polymer, a crosslinking agent, and an aqueous solvent. The crosslinking agent is preferably a chromium(III) complex having one or more chromium(III) cations and one or more carboxylate anions. The resulting gelation solution is injected into the well bore and displaced into the treatment region where it is gelled in situ to form a gel which substantially reduces the permeability of or fluid mobility within the treatment region.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for monitoring contact levels of fluids in a subterranean oil reservoir. A monitoring wellbore is provided from an earthen surface into the oil reservoir which includes an oil zone, a water zone, and a gas zone, each having a level in the reservoir. The monitoring wellbore contains a plurality of fluids including an oil phase, a water phase and a gas phase, each have a level in the monitoring wellbore which substantially corresponds to the level of the oil, water and gas zones, respectively, in the reservoir proximal to the monitoring wellbore. The method includes positioning a transducer pair having a first and a second transducer in the oil phase of the monitoring wellbore, transmitting a plurality of first acoustic output signals from the first transducer in a first direction and transmitting a plurality of second acoustic output signals from the second transducer in a second direction.

Abstract: A process is provided for disposing of hydrogen sulfide contained in a gas stream, wherein a first gas feed stream having a hydrogen sulfide gas component, a second gas feed stream having an oxygen gas component, and an aqueous liquid feed stream are combined to form a reaction mixture. The aqueous liquid feed stream may be water available in remote oilfield locales, such as produced water, or sea water. The aqueous liquid feed stream may include a significant concentration of preexisting sulfate ions, in which case it is generally desirable to remove the preexisting sulfate ions using membrane separation before mixing the aqueous liquid feed stream with the first and second gas feed streams. The resultant low sulfate liquid may further comprise one or more of the following dissolved ions: Na.sup.+,K.sup.+, Mg.sup.2+, Cl.sup.-, Br.sup.-, HCO.sub.3.sup.-.

Abstract: A process is provided for constructing a fluid impermeable subterranean barrier wall in a permeable earthen material at an earthen surface. The process is initiated by excavating an earthen pit in the permeable earthen material. A gelable slurry is prepared including unconsolidated solids, an aqueous solvent, a crosslinkable polymer, and a polymer crosslinking agent. The unconsolidated solids have a bulk component consisting of a soil or a clay. The unconsolidated solids can also include a number of additive agents which enhance the performance of the gelable slurry, such as density control agents, mixing agents, permeability reduction agents, filtration control agents and strength loss reduction agents. The gelable slurry is placed in the earthen pit and gelled to substantial maturity. The resulting gel binds the unconsolidated solids present in the earthen pit to convert the gelable slurry to a gelled continuum of consolidated solids, which forms the fluid impermeable barrier wall in the earthen pit.