Abstract: Thermal recovery methods for recovering viscous hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation. The thermal recovery methods include performing a plurality of injection cycles. Each injection cycle in the plurality of injection cycles includes injecting a heated solvent vapor stream into a heated chamber that extends within the subterranean formation and fluidly contacting the viscous hydrocarbons with the heated solvent vapor stream to generate mobilized viscous hydrocarbons. Each injection cycle also includes injecting a steam stream into the heated chamber. The thermal recovery methods further include producing a chamber liquid and/or mobilized viscous hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method for loading liquefied nitrogen (LIN) into a cryogenic storage tank initially containing liquid natural gas (LNG) and a vapor space above the LNG. First and second nitrogen gas streams are provided. The first nitrogen stream has a lower temperature than the second nitrogen gas stream. While the LNG is offloaded from the storage tank, the first nitrogen gas stream is injected into the vapor space. The storage tank is then purged by injecting the second nitrogen gas stream into the storage tank to thereby reduce a natural gas content of the vapor space to less than 5 mol %. After purging the storage tank, the storage tank is loaded with LIN.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mitigating the effects of subsurface shunts during bulk heating of a subsurface formation are disclosed. The methods may include electrically connecting, and concurrently applying, first, second, and third alternating voltages to respective first, second, and third electrode assemblies within the subsurface formation. The first, second, and third alternating voltages may have the same frequency and respective first, second, and third phase angles. The second phase angle may be different than the first phase angle, and the third phase angle may be different than the second phase angle. The methods may include, upon determining a presence of a subsurface shunt between the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, electrically connecting the first electrode assembly to the second alternating voltage and applying the second alternating voltage to the first and second electrode assemblies while applying the third alternating voltage to the third electrode assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removing fluid from a slurry fluid and a plurality of solid particles including flowing a slurry stream that includes the slurry through a slurry conduit, injecting a displacing fluid through a first perforated region that is in fluid communication with the slurry conduit, displacing at least a portion of the slurry fluid from the slurry, and producing a displaced fluid stream, which may include the displaced portion of the slurry fluid and/or a portion of the injected displacing fluid, from a second perforated region that is in fluid communication with the slurry conduit. The systems and methods also may include producing a product slurry stream from the slurry conduit, separating the components of the displaced fluid stream, separating the components of the product slurry stream, and/or recycling a portion of one or more of the streams.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons includes forming a first electrode by creating a first hydraulic fracture within the subsurface formation and pumping a first electrically conductive material into the first hydraulic fracture; forming a second electrode by creating a second hydraulic fracture within the subsurface formation and pumping a second electrically conductive material into the second hydraulic fracture; electrically connecting a first power transmitting mechanism to the first electrode; electrically connecting a second power transmitting mechanism to the second electrode; and heating the subsurface formation between the first electrode and the second electrode by transmitting an electrical current via the first power transmitting mechanism to the first electrode and via the second power transmitting mechanism to the second electrode and by flowing the electrical current from the first electrode to the second electrode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for remediating an initially liquid-like slurry pond include distributing one or more floating wicks into the slurry pond, wherein the slurry pond includes a slurry with a supernatant level above the slurry. A method also includes placing a load on the slurry, wherein the load causes an effective stress on the slurry and aids in dewatering the slurry.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating mine tailings from water-absorbing polymers and regenerating the separated water-absorbing polymers. The systems and methods include a separation assembly that is configured to receive an augmented mine tailings slurry that includes mine tailings, water, and a swollen water-absorbing polymer. The separation assembly separates the swollen water-absorbing polymer from the augmented mine tailings slurry to produce a dewatered mine tailings slurry. The systems and methods further include a water-absorbing polymer regeneration unit that is configured to receive the swollen water-absorbing polymer. The water-absorbing polymer regeneration unit at least partially releases water from the swollen water-absorbing polymer to produce a regenerated water-absorbing polymer, and as a separate output or product, the released water.

Abstract: On-site generation of a fracturing fluid stream system includes a fracturing fluid generation assembly and a fracturing fluid supply assembly. The fracturing fluid generation assembly is configured to receive a hydrocarbon stream and to generate a fracturing fluid stream from the hydrocarbon stream. The fracturing fluid stream has an oxygen concentration, which is less than a limiting oxygen concentration for supporting combustion of a combustible fluid that is present within a subterranean formation. The fracturing fluid stream also has a combustible portion, which defines a concentration that is below a lower flammability limit of the combustible portion in the fracturing fluid stream. The fracturing fluid supply assembly is configured to receive the fracturing fluid stream and to convey the fracturing fluid stream to the subterranean formation to fracture the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mitigating the effects of subsurface shunts during bulk heating of a subsurface formation are disclosed. The methods may include electrically connecting, and concurrently applying, first, second, and third alternating voltages to respective first, second, and third electrode assemblies within the subsurface formation. The first, second, and third alternating voltages may have the same frequency and respective first, second, and third phase angles. The second phase angle may be different than the first phase angle, and the third phase angle may be different than the second phase angle. The methods may include, upon determining a presence of a subsurface shunt between the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, electrically connecting the first electrode assembly to the second alternating voltage and applying the second alternating voltage to the first and second electrode assemblies while applying the third alternating voltage to the third electrode assembly.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons includes forming a first electrode by creating a first hydraulic fracture within the subsurface formation and pumping a first electrically conductive material into the first hydraulic fracture; forming a second electrode by creating a second hydraulic fracture within the subsurface formation and pumping a second electrically conductive material into the second hydraulic fracture; electrically connecting a first power transmitting mechanism to the first electrode; electrically connecting a second power transmitting mechanism to the second electrode; and heating the subsurface formation between the first electrode and the second electrode by transmitting an electrical current via the first power transmitting mechanism to the first electrode and via the second power transmitting mechanism to the second electrode and by flowing the electrical current from the first electrode to the second electrode.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns methods for heating a subsurface formation using an electrical resistance heater. Preferably, the subsurface formation is an organic-rich rock formation, including, for example, an oil shale formation. The method may include providing an electrically conductive first member in a wellbore in a subsurface fornation, an electrically conductive second member in the wellbore, and an electrically conductive granular material in the wellbore. The granular material is positioned so as to provide an electrical connection between the first member and the second member. An electrical current is established across the first member, the granular material and the second member so as to generate resistive heat within the granular material. The surrounding subsurface formation is thereby conductively heated so as to cause formation hydrocarbons in the formation to be heated, and in some cases, pyrolyzed to form hydrocarbon fluids.

Abstract: A method for hydraulically fracturing subterranean formations in a manner resulting in improved propping of fractures, particularly in ductile rock formations such as gas-containing shales having a high clay content. The method allows for improved hydrocarbon production. The method involves injecting a first fluid having a first proppant concentration into the subsurface formation to form a fracture, reducing the pressure in the fracture and allowing the fracture to substantially close, and injecting a second fluid having a second proppant concentration into the fracture to re-open the fracture. The second proppant concentration is greater than the first proppant concentration. A portion of the proppant is effectively retained in the reopened fracture.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present technology provide systems and methods for producing power from coalbed methane (CBM) with decreased CO2 emissions. For example, a method of producing power according to an exemplary embodiment includes converting a feedstock from a hydrocarbon source into a gas mixture comprising CO2 and H2. The gas mixture is injected into a coalbed to cause CBM to desorb from the coal and CO2 to adsorb onto the coal. The hydrocarbon source is separate from the coalbed, i.e., does not exchange hydrocarbons with the hydrocarbon source. A gas mixture is produced from the coalbed, wherein the produced gas mixture includes H2 and CH4. The gas mixture may be combusted to generate power, while releasing lower amounts of CO2 than would be released from the combustion of pure CH4.

Abstract: Methods for recovering viscous oil include receiving electrical power from an electrical grid fed by at least one fluctuating electricity supply. The methods also include using at least a portion of the received electrical power to heat a first fluid stream using an electrical heater. The methods also include heating a second fluid stream with a fired-heater using a combustible fuel. The methods further include using both the first and second heated fluid streams to aid oil recovery. In accordance with these methods, the heat output of the electrical heater is adjusted during production operations to at least partially match an estimated mismatch between electrical power supply from and demand on the grid. At the same time, the heat output of the fired-heater is adjusted to at least partially compensate for fluctuations in the electrical heater heat output.

Abstract: A method for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery from a reservoir using a heating well to reduce overburden stress over portions of the reservoir and the heating well is located in a subsurface formation proximate to the reservoir. The method may include heating the subsurface formation via the heating well above the reservoir, below the reservoir, or both, to form an expansion pillar and producing a hydrocarbon from the reservoir.

Abstract: Multi-layered pipes, machines for forming multi-layered pipes, and methods of forming multi-layered pipes, such as for use in the hydrocarbon industry as may form high-pressure pipelines including forming an inner metal tube from a first metal stock, and while forming the inner metal tube, forming at least a second metal tube around the inner tube from at least a second metal stock. In some methods, sheet metal is bent to form tubes having seams, which are welded while the tubes are being formed. Some methods are performed proximate to an installation site for the multi-layered pipe, such as a hydrocarbon extraction or transportation site. Some methods are performed on a vehicle and proximate to an installation site.

Abstract: Systems and methods for decreasing compaction within a pyrolyzed zone are disclosed herein. The methods include injecting a sealing fluid into the pyrolyzed zone and flowing the sealing fluid to a peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone. The methods further include fluidly sealing the peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone with a sealing fluid where fluidly sealing limits a fluid leakage from the pyrolyzed zone. Subsequent to the fluidly sealing, the methods further include pressurizing the pyrolyzed zone to a zone pressure. The systems include hydrocarbon production systems and/or components thereof that are formed using the methods.

Abstract: On-site generation of a fracturing fluid stream system includes a fracturing fluid generation assembly and a fracturing fluid supply assembly. The fracturing fluid generation assembly is configured to receive a hydrocarbon stream and to generate a fracturing fluid stream from the hydrocarbon stream. The fracturing fluid stream has an oxygen concentration, which is less than a limiting oxygen concentration for supporting combustion of a combustible fluid that is present within a subterranean formation. The fracturing fluid stream also has a combustible portion, which defines a concentration that is below a lower flammability limit of the combustible portion in the fracturing fluid stream. The fracturing fluid supply assembly is configured to receive the fracturing fluid stream and to convey the fracturing fluid stream to the subterranean formation to fracture the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Described are methods of distributing a viscosity reducing solvent to a set of wells terminating in an underground oil reservoir where the variation in the net solvent injection rate is minimized. The net solvent injection rate is the difference between the total solvent injection rate and the total solvent production rate from the set of wells, for example on an instantaneous or daily rate basis. Minimizing this variation can reduce costs associated with surface solvent storage, subsurface solvent storage, and solvent supply, since solvent supply often is least expensive when supplied at near a fixed rate. One option is to operate well pairs and to inject solvent into one well of the pair while producing oil and solvent from the other well of the pair. These methods are particularly useful in solvent-dominated, cyclic or non-cyclic, viscous oil recovery processes.

Abstract: An in situ method of producing hydrocarbon fluids from an organic-rich rock formation may include heating an organic-rich rock formation, for example an oil shale formation, in situ to pyrolyze formation hydrocarbons, for example kerogen, to form a production fluid containing hydrocarbon fluids. The method may include separating the production fluid into at least a gas stream and a liquid stream, where the gas stream is a low BTU gas stream. The low BTU gas stream is then fed to a gas turbine where it is combusted and is used to generate electricity.