Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Presure within the formation may be controlled as a function of temperature or temperature within the formation may be controlled as a function of pressure to yield a desired mixture.

Abstract: A coal formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat sources may be used to heat the formation. The heat sources may be positioned within the formation in a pattern. The pattern may be a repeating pattern of triangles.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat may be supplied to the formation by reacting an oxidant with hydrocarbons adjacent to heater wellbores to generate heat. Generated heat may be transferred to the portion substantially by conduction to pyrolyze at least a portion of hydrocarbon material within the portion.

Abstract: A coal formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat input into the formation may be controlled to raise a temperature of the formation at a selected rate.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. After production of the mixture is ended, the portion may be cooled to produce a spent portion of the formation.

Abstract: The remediation treatment creates environmentally neutral species from hydrocarbon contaminants. For soils having a low porosity, fissures are created in the site by, for example, fluid, i.e., hydraulic or pneumatic, fracturing. A catalyst is injected into the site and is permitted to diffuse through the site. An oxidizing agent is then introduced into the site to release a free radical in a Fenton-type reaction. The compounds react to release a free radical, which acts upon the contaminants to form environmentally neutral species. Diffusion of both compounds is aided by turbulence induced in the groundwater. A pH-adjusting compound is added to optimize reaction conditions. Reaction vapors are collected above ground, filtered, and vented to the atmosphere, reducing the chance for gas pressure buildup and possibly dangerous, potentially explosive conditions.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat sources within a relatively thin layer of hydrocarbon material may be positioned in a staggered pattern near to edges of the layer so that superposition of heat from the heat sources allows a large percentage of the layer to reach a desired temperature.

Abstract: Improved method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface that substantially eliminates or reduces the disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems and methods. In particular, the present invention provides an articulated well with a drainage pattern that intersects a horizontal cavity well. The drainage patterns provide access to a large subterranean area from the surface while the vertical cavity well allows entrained water, hydrocarbons, and other deposits to be efficiently removed and/or produced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing pollutants from soil with the aid of a stripping gas which involves

Abstract: A method for removing water and producing methane from a subterranean coal seam. The method includes drilling a first substantially vertical well bore to the depth of the target coal seam, enlarging the bore of the vertical well at the depth of a target coal seam to provide an enlarged cavity, drilling an offset well intersecting the cavity substantially horizontally and then drilling through the cavity in order to drill substantially horizontal drainage well bores in the coal seam. The method may be used as a pre-mining step in conjunction with subterranean mining of the coal seam in order to remove methane and other dangerous gases and excess water from the coal seam in advance of mining operations.

Abstract: Improved method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface that substantially eliminates or reduces the disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems and methods. In particular, the present invention provides an articulated well with a drainage pattern that intersects a horizontal cavity well. The drainage patterns provide access to a large subterranean area from the surface while the vertical cavity well allows entrained water, hydrocarbons, and other deposits to be efficiently removed and/or produced.

Abstract: Improved method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface that substantially eliminates or reduces the disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems and methods. In particular, the present invention provides an articulated well with a drainage pattern that intersects a horizontal cavity well. The drainage patterns provide access to a large subterranean area from the surface while the vertical cavity well allows entrained water, hydrocarbons, and other deposits to be efficiently removed and/or produced.

Abstract: A method for remedying contamination of a subsurface environment by a non-aqueous phase liquid that is denser than water (DNAPL). The subsurface environment has a resident aqueous phase and a DNAPL phase. A dense aqueous solution that has a density greater than a density of the DNAPL phase is introduced to the subsurface environment. The dense aqueous solution displaces the resident aqueous phase and causes the DNAPL phase to rise above the greater density aqueous solution. The DNAPL phase is then recovered, which substantially remedies the contamination of the subsurface environment. An alternative method provides for introducing a dense solution layer that has a density greater than the density of the DNAPL phase beneath the subsurface region contaminated with the DNAPL phase. Next, the water table is lowered so as to create an unsaturated porous medium above the dense solution layer and to downwardly mobilize the DNAPL phase to the top of the dense solution layer.

Abstract: A method of stimulating coalbed methane production by injecting gas into a producer and subsequently placing the producer back on production is described. A decrease in water production may also result. The increase in gas production and decrease in water production may result from: (1) the displacement of water from the producer by gas; (2) the establishment of a mobile gas saturation at an extended distance into the coalbed, extending outward from the producer; and (3) the reduction in coalbed methane partial pressure between the coal matrix and the coal's cleat system.

Abstract: A method of relating three or four producing wells in an existing fossil fuel drilling field utilizes the equation Y2+X·Y−X2=0. The independent variable X represents the distance between any two known producing wells in the field. The dependant variable Y represents a distance between a known producing well and another well location, wherein each of the known producing wells and well locations depend upon which method utilized. In one method, a first origin well can be selected as a known producing well and then a distance from the origin well to a second producing well can be determined. Utilizing the above equation, a third well location can be determined by calculating a distance Y from the origin well to the third location. This well location can represent either an existing producing well located a distance from the origin well, or a new location at which a producing well can be drilled within the existing drilling field.

Abstract: The remediation treatment creates environmentally neutral species from hydrocarbon contaminants. A catalyst is injected into the site and is permitted to diffuse through the site. An oxidizing agent is then introduced into the site to release a free radical in a Fenton-type reaction. The compounds react to release a free radical, which acts upon the contaminants to form environmentally neutral species. Diffusion of both compounds is aided by turbulence induced in the groundwater. A pH-adjusting compound is added to optimize reaction conditions. Reaction vapors are collected above ground, filtered, and vented to the atmosphere, reducing the chance for gas pressure buildup and possibly dangerous, potentially explosive conditions.

Abstract: A method for remedying contamination of a subsurface environment by a non-aqueous phase liquid that is denser than water (DNAPL). The subsurface environment has a resident aqueous phase and a DNAPL phase. A dense aqueous solution that has a density greater than a density of the DNAPL phase is introduced to the subsurface environment. The dense aqueous solution displaces the resident aqueous phase and causes the DNAPL phase to rise above the greater density aqueous solution. The DNAPL phase is then recovered, which substantially remedies the contamination of the subsurface environment.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon reservoir undergoing secondary recovery is subject to a first and then at least a second gravity gradient survey in which a gravity gradiometer takes gradient measurements on the surface above the reservoir to define successive data sets. The differences between the first and subsequent gravity gradient survey yields information as to sub-surface density changes consequent to displacement of the hydrocarbon and the replacement thereof by the driveout fluid including the position, morphology, and velocity of the interface between the hydrocarbon to be recovered and the driveout fluid.

Abstract: A system for direct electric heating of a subsea pipeline is disclosed in the form of a pipe-in-pipe flowline having an electrically conductive outer carrier pipe and an electrically conductive inner pipe or flowline arranged longitudinally, substantially concentrically within the outer pipe. An annulus is defined between the inner and outer pipes and a pipe insulating joint assembly structurally joins, but electrically insulates, the inner and outer pipes at a first end of the subsea pipeline. A power input provided on the surface facilities is electrically connected across the inner and outer pipes at the first end of the pipeline, and an electrical pathway completes the circuit by connecting the inner and outer pipes at the second end of the pipeline.

Abstract: Methods of stimulating and producing multiple stratified hydrocarbon reservoirs having numerous separate reservoir compartments are provided. The methods basically comprise the steps of drilling a first well bore into a lower part of the reservoir having a horizontal portion which intersects a previously drilled second well bore therein. At least one fracture is formed extending into two or more reservoir compartments from the horizontal portion of the third well bore for conducted hydrocarbons in the reservoir into the horizontal portion of the first well bore from where the hydrocarbons flow into the second well bore and are withdrawn.

Abstract: A gravity-drainage hydrocarbon recovery method is provided to produce oil and gas from subterranean formations. A substantially horizontal high-permeability web is created at the bottom portion of an oil reservoir. The web is connected to a production well. The high-permeability web is fabricated by conventional drilling, high-pressure water jet drilling, and high-power microwave fracturing. Primary oil recovery will benefit from this configuration in terms of improved volumetric sweep efficiency, delayed gas break through, increased oil production rate and overall oil recovery. This method is also used with secondary oil recovery for which a gas is injected into the upper portion of a reservoir. Oil is produced from the bottom portion of the reservoir. If economically warranted, high-permeability web is also implemented to the injection well.

Abstract: A method for increasing the recovery of oil from a subterranean formation having at least one producer wellbore drilled therein, whereby a generally horizontal and generally circular wellbore is drilled so that oil is located between the generally horizontal and generally circular wellbore and the at least one producer wellbore. Fluid is injected through the generally horizontal and generally circular wellbore into the formation so that oil is swept to the at least one producer wellbore for recovery through the at least one producer wellbore.

Abstract: A method for increasing the production of methane from a subterranean carbonaceous formation by chemically stimulating the formation of additional free surface area or cleats in the organic constituents of the formation and by causing inorganically adsorbed methane to be released from contained clay-minerals to increase the rate of methane desorption from the formation by injecting an aqueous oxidizing solution containing at least one oxidant into the formation, and thereafter producing methane from the formation at an increased rate. Suitable oxidants include peroxide, ozone, oxygen, chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochloride, water soluble salts of hypochlorous acid, perchlorate, chlorate, persulfate, perborate, percarbonate, permanganate, nitrate and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The remediation treatment creates environmentally neutral species from hydrocarbon contaminants. A catalyst is injected into the site and is permitted to diffuse through the site. An oxidizing agent is then introduced into the site to release a free radical in a Fenton-type reaction. The compounds react to release a free radical, which acts upon the contaminants to form environmentally neutral species. Diffusion of both compounds is aided by turbulence induced in the groundwater. Reaction vapors are collected above ground, filtered, and vented to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for increasing the production of methane from a subterranean coal formation by chemically stimulating the formation of cleats in the formation to increase the rate of methane production from the formation by injecting an aqueous oxidant solution into the formation to stimulate the formation of cleats in the formation; and thereafter producing methane from the formation at an increased rate. Suitable oxidants include chlorine dioxide, metallic salts of perchlorate, chlorate, persulfate, perborate, percarbonate, permanganate, nitrate and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for increasing the methane recovery from a subterranean carbonaceous formation by chemically stimulating the formation of cleats and increasing the surface area in the carbonaceous formation by injecting a gaseous oxidant into the carbonaceous formation to stimulate the formation of cleats in and increase the surface area of carbonaceous material in the carbonaceous formation; and thereafter producing methane from the carbonaceous formation at an increased rate. The gaseous oxidant may be ozone, oxygen or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A sampling port is provided which has threaded ends for incorporating the port into a length of subsurface pipe. The port defines an internal receptacle which is in communication with subsurface fluids through a series of fine filtering slits. The receptacle is in further communication through a bore with a fitting carrying a length of tubing there which samples are transported to the surface. Each port further defines an additional bore through which tubing, cables, or similar components of adjacent ports may pass.

Abstract: This invention relates to enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques for improving the production economies and recovery efficiency of hydrocarbons from a reservoir after primary depletion has occurred. The reservoir has at least two production strata. At least one production well capable of producing fluids from both strata is placed into the reservoir. At least one injection well capable of injecting fluid into both strata is placed in the reservoir. At least one combination production/injection well for producing well fluid from only one of the strata is placed into the reservoir. The produced well fluid is separated into a mostly hydrocarbon component and a mostly water component in place downhole and reinjecting into the other of said strata the mostly water component by use of the combination production/injection well.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrokinetic soil decontamination system that uses special electrode wall configurations, treatment wall configurations, and a combination electrode/treatment wall. A special emplacement method for all the flowable wall materials is used and special wall material compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is a method for modeling the effects of interactions between wells on the watercuts in effluents produced by one or more wells through a zone of an underground hydrocarbon reservoir under development, swept by a fluid under pressure injected through one or more injection wells or swept by water from an aquiferous zone, in order to optimize the reservoir production. The method includes selecting a set of significant data from measurements taken from sweep fluid injection records and from records relative to the effluents produced by a series of wells of the zone, and setting up, by means of iterations, an optimized linear model connecting the variations with time of these watercuts with the variations with time of the significant data. The invention is useful to optimize the petroleum production of a reservoir.

Abstract: A method for increasing the permeability to methane of a subterranean coal formation by chemically stimulating the coal formation by injecting a gaseous oxidant into the coal formation and thereafter producing methane from the coal formation at an increased rate. The gaseous oxidant is ozone, oxygen or combinations thereof. The completion of wells penetrating a subterranean coal formation is facilitated by injecting a gaseous oxidant into the coal formation surrounding the well prior to forming a cavity in the coal formation around the well.

Abstract: A thermal oil recovery process is disclosed for use in a heavy oil reservoir having a plurality of laterally separated, generally vertical wells whose use have left the reservoir characterized by a heated depletion zone, a channel, voidage, or mobility and communication. The process includes the steps of: drilling a well having a horizontal section and an opening therein that is located laterally between at least two of the vertical wells and at a depth within the lower part of the reservoir; injecting a steam through the two vertical wells to establish thermal communication with said horizontal well; and using the combination of steam drive and gravity drainage to recover oil from the reservoir through the horizontal well.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the remediation of contaminated soils and ground water, production of oil and gas, and production of any solid, gas, and/or liquid from subsurface geologic and man-made formations including the steps of estimating the geometric boundaries of the region containing the material to be recovered, drilling a recovery well(s) into subsurface in a strategic location to recover the material of interest, establishing multiple sources of acoustical power in an array about and spaced-apart from the surface or at various depths below the surface in a borehole(s) and/or well(s), directing a volume of acoustical excitation from the sources into the region containing the material to be recovered, the excitation in the form of either controllable sinusoidal, square, pulsed, or various combinations of these three waveforms, and controlling the phasing, frequency, power, duration, and direction of these waveforms from the sources to increase and control the intensity of acoustical excitation in the region

Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method for increasing the production of methane from a subterranean coal formation by chemically stimulating the formation of cleats in the coal formation in order to facilitate removal of formation water, and increase the rate of methane production from the coal formation is disclosed. The method comprises injecting an aqueous oxidant solution into the coal formations to stimulate the formation of cleats in the coal formation; and thereafter producing methane from the coal formations at an increased rate. The aqueous oxidant solution comprises hypochlorite, metallic salts of hypochlorous acid, hydrogen peroxide, ozone, oxygen and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A well arrangement is used wherein the production wells are generally horizontal, positioned low in the reservoir and arranged generally perpendicularly to a laterally extending combustion front. The combustion front is propagated by a row of vertical air injection wells completed high in the reservoir. The open production wells function to cause the combustion front to advance along their lengths. The process is characterized by a generally upright combustion front having good vertical and lateral sweep.

Abstract: A method of producing a fluid from an earth formation is disclosed having a first fluid zone, a second fluid zone extending at a horizontal distance from the first fluid zone and a barrier zone located between said fluid zones. The fluid is produced through a production wellbore having a fluid inlet located in the first fluid zone. The method includes creating an inclined wellbore section being part of an auxiliary wellbore formed in the earth formation, the inclined wellbore section extending through the first fluid zone, the barrier zone and the second fluid zone so as to provide fluid communication between the fluid zones, closing the auxiliary wellbore at a selected location so as to prevent flow of fluid from the fluid zones through the auxiliary wellbore to the earth surface, and producing fluid flowing from the second fluid zone via the inclined wellbore section into the first fluid zone and through the production wellbore.

Abstract: A remediation method for decontamination of soil and groundwater that puts maximum remediation stress on the entire area and volume of contamination. This results in site restoration in days and weeks. The target contaminants are organic compounds such as hydrocarbon constituents associated with diesel fuel, gasoline, kerosene, solvents and creosote. Cleanup concentrations to non-detectable levels can be achieved when properly implemented. Positive pressure is used to push an uncontaminated gas throughout the entire contaminated area/volume. When contacting the contaminated area, volume and media, this gas becomes a carrier gas, stripping the contaminants and carrying them to ground level where they can be collected and treated or dissipated to the atmosphere. The method incorporates air entry points (vertical, horizontal, or directional) installed to a depth below the contamination, combined with a predetermined air entry point spacing (depth/spacing ratio).

Abstract: A process for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation having low permeability matrix blocks separated by a well-connected fracture network. Hot light gas is injected into the formation to heat the matrix blocks and create or enlarge a gas cap in the fracture network. The flowing pressure in one or more production wells is maintained at a value slightly less than the free gas pressure at the gas liquid interface, causing gas coning near the production well or wells. Both liquid and gas are recovered from below the gas/liquid interface in the fractures.

Abstract: A method for determining the reservoir properties of a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation is disclosed. The method uses field data obtained from an injection/flow-back test, which utilizes a gaseous desorbing fluid, in conjunction with reservoir modeling techniques to determine the reservoir quality and the enhanced methane recovery characteristics of the formation.

Abstract: An in-situ combustion method is provided for the recovery of viscous oil from an oil-bearing reservoir. A linear array of vertical air injection wells is drilled into the reservoir; the wells are completed in the upper portion of the reservoir. One or more gas production wells are provided, remote from the row of injection wells, said gas production wells also being completed in the upper portion of the reservoir. A horizontal oil production well is completed in the bottom portion of the reservoir, aligned with and positioned in spaced relation beneath the vertical injection wells. The reservoir is prepared for ignition and combustion is initiated at each of the injection wells. A hot fluid-transmissive chamber is formed around each of the injection wells as combustion proceeds. Combustion gas communication is established with the gas production wells.

Abstract: A thermal oil recovery process is disclosed for use in an oil reservoir containing a plurality of laterally separated generally vertical wells that have been used for cyclic steam stimulation and that have left in the reservoir at least one of a heated depletion zone and a channel. The process includes the steps of: drilling a well having a horizontal section and an opening therein that is located laterally between at least two of the vertical wells and at a depth within the lower part of the reservoir; injecting a heated fluid through the two vertical wells to establish thermal communication with said horizontal well; and using steam drive and gravity drainage to recover oil from the reservoir through the horizontal well.

Abstract: A method for heat injection into a subterranean diatomite formation is provided. A heater is placed in a wellbore within the diatomite formation, and the heater is then operated at a temperature above that which the heater could be operated at long term in order to better sinter the formation in the vicinity of the wellbore. The improved sintering of the diatomite significantly improves the heat transfer coefficient of the diatomite and thereby increases the rate at which heat can be injected from a constant limited long term heater temperature.

Abstract: A method for enhanced oil recovery from a low permeability diatomaceous reservoir by imbibition is described. In this method, oil is displaced from a single injection well, or series of injection wells into a single producer or series of producing wells by a combination of applied fluid pressure, plus "enhanced imbibition." Enhanced imbibition is accomplished by adding chemical additives to the injection fluid so that rock in the tight reservoir has a stronger affinity for the water present therein, thus releasing oil from the rock.

Abstract: A process to recover oil is provided wherein an oil containing subterranean formation is heated by conductive heat transfer. The high temperature levels of this process result in high recoveries of initial oil in place, and recovery of the oil within a short time period. This process is particularly applicable to diatomite formations that have low permeabilities.

Abstract: Process for hydraulically guiding a layer of gellable grout solution (containing water-soluble Al or Fe salts, alkali metal silicates, or silica sols) to form a sealed confining layer beneath or around a contaminated zone beneath the water table which prevents both lateral and down-ward movement of contaminants or contaminated water.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for recovering and/or upgrading hydrocarbons utilizing in situ combustion and horizontal wells. Vertical injection wells are utilized to inject an oxidant into a reservoir for in situ combustion, with the combustion gases vented through vertical wells offset from the injection wells, thus causing the combustion front to travel toward the vertical offset wells. Production of hydrocarbons is through horizontal wells positioned beneath the vertical offset wells. Upgrading occurs when the horizontal wells are shut in and hot fluids injected through the offset wells into hydrocarbons that have accumulated at the bottom of the offset wells.

Abstract: A method of forming well regions for improving well efficiency is performed by forming a first bore hole to a ground region having a relatively good liquid guiding properties, forming at least one second bore hole near the first bore hole to the same ground region, loosening and at least partially washing out components of a ground material surrounding the bore holes in the ground region by at least one of pumping in or aspirating liquid into or out at least one of the bore holes, and introducing into at least one of the bore holes after removing a bore tube, a well tube so that permeable well tube regions are located at the height of the washed ground region surrounding the bore holes.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from underground formations by employing a modified inverted 5-spot well pattern, which comprises drilling four substantially horizontal wells located along each of the four sides of an inverted 5-spot vertical well pattern, injecting an oil recovery fluid through the central injection well, producing hydrocarbons and other fluids through the vertical corner production wells, ceasing production through the vertical corner wells, and producing hydrocarbons and other fluids through the horizontal wells.

Abstract: A steam drive method for low permeability formations is described which utilizes a plurality of wellbores in an elongated pattern configuration. The wells initially undergo a cyclic steaming and production operation, wherein as each steaming cycle is initiated a fracture system is created having a heated zone surrounding each fracture. The cyclic steaming and production is repeated until thermal communication between vertical fracture planes is established, and oil recovery through the single well stimulation is significantly reduced. Thereafter, cyclic steaming is halted and new injection wells, centrally situated, are established and used to initiate a steam drive, wherein the heated zone around the fractures helps to reduce the viscosity of and mobilize the hydrocarbons not initially recovered during the cyclic steaming operation.