Abstract: A centralizer includes a centralizer body to be situated at the outer surface of a pipe string in the form of casing, liner, or the like used while drilling, the centralizer body being formed with a plurality of outer centralizer blades arranged in an inclined manner to the longitudinal axis thereof, wherein the centralizer body has an separate split inner tube secured to the pipe string by means of a press fit, and low friction inner surface of the centralizer body and separate center tube facing each other are made from low friction material.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for lowering the water dew point subsea in a produced multiphase hydrocarbon fluid stream containing water, the method comprising the steps of: separating (10) the hydrocarbon fluid stream (1) into a liquid phase (3) and a first gas phase (2); cooling (20) the first gas phase in a controlled manner to knock out water or condensing water and optionally other condensates while keeping the fluid above a hydrate formation temperature thereof; separating off condensed liquids (6) and a second gas phase; wherein the second gas phase (8) has a water dew point which is lower than that of the initial multiphase hydrocarbon fluid stream. The invention also concerns a system for lowering the water dew point subsea.

Abstract: A system for separating an input fluid flow comprising gas and liquid into separate gas and liquid flows is provided. The system includes a primary separator configured to receive the input fluid flow and to separate the input fluid flow into a primary separator liquid output flow and a primary separator gas output flow, a first secondary inline separator connected downstream from the primary separator to polish the primary separator gas output flow, a second secondary inline separator connected downstream from the primary separator to polish the primary separator liquid output flow, a system gas outlet, a system liquid outlet, a primary separator gas output valve on the primary separator gas output flow, and a control system configured to receive measurements of liquid level within the primary separator, and identify, using the received measurements, whether a position of the primary separator gas output valve is to be changed.

Abstract: A method and system for automated ultrasonic cavitation cleaning in a liquid analysis system and measurement of a process liquid contained inside a container or flowing in a process line by means of an inline or side-stream optical system. The method and system can be used in high pressure subsea conditions by means of an automated piston driven system for isolating the analysis chamber and achieving low pressure conditions inside the analysis chamber during the cavitation cleaning mode.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from a low permeability reservoir formation. A wellbore with a plurality of fractures designated as one of a first or a second set of fractures is provided. A first fluid conduit is formed by an annulus between an outer casing of a tubular and an inner tubular member, and is arranged to transport produced hydrocarbons. An interior of the inner tubular member forms a second fluid conduit which is arranged to transport an injection fluid. A set of first openings is provided in fluid connection with the first fluid conduit, each first opening being located to substantially align with one of a first set of fractures. A set of second openings is provided in fluid connection with the second fluid conduit, each second opening being located to substantially align with one of a second set of fractures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining contents of a conduit containing at least one fluid is described. The conduit may be at least partially defined by at least one wall portion. The wall portion may be cooled. After cooling said, the temperature at least one temperature sensor located adjacent to the wall portion may be measured. A characteristic of said contents is determined based on said measured temperature at the or each temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method of centralizing a tubing in a wellbore includes providing one or more expandable elements between the tubing and a surrounding casing located in a wellbore and expanding the expandable elements against the casing so as to cause the tubing to become centered within the casing. Alternatively, one or more portions of a tubing are expanded against a surrounding casing located in a wellbore so as to cause the tubing to become centered within the casing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for direct tie-in of pipelines are disclosed. An apparatus is attached to a portion of a pipeline, the apparatus including a tensioning member and a buoyancy element attached to the tensioning member such that, when submerged, the pipeline is deflected as a result of a buoyancy force tensioning the tensioning member, and on releasing the buoyancy element, direct tie-in of the pipeline is performed.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated bacterial strain selected from the group of bacterial strains deposited under accession number ECACC 15010609; ECACC 15010601; ECACC 15010602; ECACC 15010603; ECACC 15010604; ECACC 15010605; ECACC 15010606; ECACC 15010607; ECACC 15010608; and a bacterial strain having all the identifying characteristics of one or more of the strains. The use of said bacterial strains in a method of treating an oil reservoir, a method of bioremediation and a method for the production of a biosurfactant-like substance is also provided. The invention still further provides a biosurfactant-like substance so obtained and the use thereof in method of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and a method of environmental remediation.

Abstract: The invention provides an automated method for selecting a microbial strain from within a microbial strain library which can degrade or emulsify a target oil substrate. An apparatus, device or system adapted to perform the method of the invention is further provided. The use of the method of the invention in a method for preparing a microbial inoculum suitable for use to degrade or emulsify a target oil substrate; in a method of treating an oil reservoir or environmental remediation; and in a method for producing a biosurfactant-like substance is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for laying pipelines. The apparatus is attached to a portion of a pipeline and includes a tensioning member and a buoyancy element attached to a mid-portion of the tensioning member. When the buoyancy element is submerged, the buoyancy force tensions the tensioning member, and the pipeline will take the intended deflected shape to follow seabed depressions.

Abstract: A method for estimating saturation using mCSEM data and stochastic petrophysical models by quantifying the average water saturation in a reservoir given the transverse resistance (TR) obtained from mCSEM data, including the following steps: a) obtaining mCSEM survey data from a subsurface region of interest, b) performing an inversion of the obtained mCSEM data, c) subtracting a background resistivity trend from the mCSEM inversion data from the resistivity trend of the mCSEM inversion data from inside a hydrocarbon reservoir, d) estimating the location of an anomaly in the mCSEM inversion data, e) estimating the magnitude of the transverse resistance associated with an anomaly from the mCSEM inversion data, f) estimating an initial average reservoir saturation corresponding to transverse resistance using a stochastic petrophysical model and Monte Carlo simulation connecting reservoir parameters to transverse resistance, and g) integrating the obtained saturation distribution as a function of transverse resis

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for upgrading a heavy hydrocarbon mixture, said process comprising: i) dividing said heavy hydrocarbon mixture into at least a first portion and a second portion, wherein said first portion comprises 10-45% wt of the heavy hydrocarbon mixture and said second portion comprises 90-55% wt of the heavy hydrocarbon mixture; ii) thermally upgrading said first portion of heavy hydrocarbon mixture in an upgrader to produce a lighter hydrocarbon mixture; and iii) mixing said lighter hydrocarbon mixture with a heavy hydrocarbon mixture to produce an upgraded hydrocarbon mixture, wherein, on entry to said upgrader, the composition of said first portion of heavy hydrocarbon mixture is identical to that of said second portion of heavy hydrocarbon mixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the location of a material located behind an obstruction. A plurality of acoustic resonators (6) having a known resonant frequency are dispersed in the material (3), the material to be located on a first side of the obstruction (2). An instrument (5) is provided at an opposite side of the obstruction to the material. The instrument emits an acoustic signal and measures a response. If the resonant frequency is detected, it is determined that the material is located substantially adjacent to the instrument. The apparatus may be used for determining the height of cement slurry located between a well casing wall and a borehole.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for removing metal naphthenate from a crude hydrocarbon mixture comprising: —mixing said crude hydrocarbon mixture (1) comprising metal naphthenate with an acid (3) in the presence of water, wherein said acid converts said metal naphthenate to naphthenic acids and metal salts; —allowing said metal salt to partition into a water phase; —separating said crude heavy hydrocarbon mixture (5) comprising naphthenic acid and said water phase (6) comprising said metal salt; and —preferably pumping said water phase comprising metal salt to a formation.

Abstract: A downhole installation comprises: a first pipe layer 8, a second pipe layer 10 about the first pipe layer 8, an annulus 12 between the first pipe layer 8 and the second pipe layer, and a geological formation out-side of the second pipe layer 10.

Abstract: An acoustic measurement tool comprises a transmitter for generating acoustic signals and at least one acoustic receiver spaced from the transmitter and configured to receive an acoustic signal, generated by the transmitter, and which has encountered a medium of interest. Moreover, at least one acoustic reference receiver is located adjacent the transmitter and is configured to receive an acoustic signal, generated by the transmitter, prior to the acoustic signal encountering the medium of interest.

Abstract: A method of plugging a well extending into a hydrocarbon bearing formation facilitates temporary or permanent abandonment of the well. The method includes forming two or more plugs within the well, the plugs being formed at longitudinally spaced apart locations whilst providing a fluid communication path from a region above the topmost plug to the or each space between adjacent plugs. This configuration facilitates pressure testing of one or more of the plugs by conducting fluid through said path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of storing CO2 in a geological formation, said method comprising (i) injecting a first composition comprising CO2 into said formation; and (ii) injecting a second composition comprising CO2 and at least one CO2 soluble polymer into said formation, wherein steps (i) and (ii) are performed separately and in any order and wherein said first and second compositions are different.

Abstract: Reducing the diameter of a well bore has many advantages. To achieve this a subsurface well bore is provided comprising one or more expandable sleeve components, preferably expandable liners, each expandable sleeve component being fully overlapped by one or more non expandable sleeve component, preferably conventional liners, such that the interior of the well bore is cased entirely by non expandable sleeve components. In addition the through holes for downhole lines can be provided within the well head rather than the tubing hanger. As the tubing hanger does not need to provide space for through holes and associated mounting couplings, its diameter can be reduced, thus reducing the internal diameter of the well bore by several inches.