Abstract: A borehole is drilled from the surface to an underground shale matrix. A pipe is inserted into the borehole. Openings are created in the pipe in fluid communication with fractures in the shale matrix. The interior surface of at least one section of pipe is coated with a contaminant-capturing substance. Fracturing fluid including water, proppants and chemicals is pumped through the pipe and into the fractures in the shale matrix. The fluid re-enters the pipe from the shale matrix and moves toward the surface through the coated pipe section where contaminants are sequestered by the coating. Natural gas or oil from the fractured shale then enters the pipe and moves to the surface to be collected. The coated pipe section remains in the ground permanently such that the necessity of disposing of the captured contaminants is eliminated.

Abstract: An in situ extraction process for the recovery of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon bearing formation, including the steps of injecting a solvent consisting substantially of one of the group of H2S, Ammonia or COS into the formation to mobilize the hydrocarbons for extraction by forming a mobile in situ extraction fluid; and lifting the extraction fluid containing the mobilized hydrocarbons from the underground formation to the surface. In a further aspect an extraction method for a specific reservoir is provided including the steps of: establishing a minimum desired extraction rate, based on a value for the porosity, permeability and dead oil viscosity of the in situ bitumen in the specific reservoir, determining a desired minimum operating extraction temperature determining a desirable range of operating pressures identifying solvents predicted to deliver the operating extraction temperature within the range of operating pressures, and selecting a preferred solvent to use in the process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of non-silicon containing alcohol compositions that are capable of breaking a foam and preventing the formation of a foam for application to industries such as oil/gas extraction, production and refining.

Abstract: Provided herein are, inter alia, compositions including a surfactant and a phenol-alkoxylate co-solvent useful in enhanced oil recovery. The compositions and methods provided herein are particularly useful for oil recovery under a broad range of reservoir conditions (e.g. high to low temperatures, high to low salinity, highly viscous oils).

Abstract: Heavy crude oils having high sulfur content and viscosities are upgraded by a hydrodesulfurization (HDS) process that includes microwave irradiation of a mixture of the sour heavy crude oil with at least one catalyst and optionally, one or more sensitizers, and irradiation in the presence of hydrogen. The process is also adapted to microwave treatment of hard to break emulsions, either above ground or below ground where water-in-oil emulsions are initially formed, followed by the catalytic hydrodesulfurization promoted by application of further microwave energy to the demulsified crude oil stream.

Abstract: A method includes introducing a treatment fluid including a first polymer gel into a subterranean formation to generate a production fluid having an aqueous portion and a hydrocarbon portion, treating the aqueous portion of the production fluid with chlorine dioxide to separate additional hydrocarbons from the aqueous portion, and adjusting the viscosity of the treated aqueous portion prior to introducing the treated aqueous portion back into the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method of microbial enhanced oil recovery from a wellbore in an oil-bearing formation that includes injecting water into the oil-bearing formation via a tubing string in the wellbore and introducing oxygen into the oil-bearing formation for consumption by microbes in the oil-bearing formation. The oxygen introduction includes delivering the oxygen into the oil-bearing formation without having the introduced oxygen contact the walls of the tubing string and without having the introduced oxygen contact the injected water within the tubing string while the injected water is in the tubing string.

Abstract: Proppants for use in fractured or gravel packed/frac packed oil and gas wells are provided with a contaminant removal component to remove one or more of the contaminants found in subterranean water/hydrocarbon from a production well. The water/hydrocarbon cleaning proppant solids may be used as discrete particles in a proppant formulation, as a coating on proppant solids in pores of a porous proppant solid or as part of the proppant's internal structure. The contaminant removal component removes contaminants, especially dissolved contaminants, in the subterranean water or hydrocarbon before the water/hydrocarbon leaves the well. For those contaminant removal components that can be regenerated, such as ion exchange resins, a measured quantity of an acidic regeneration solution can be injected into the fractured stratum for regeneration and recovered when the well resumes production.

Abstract: A downhole separator for separating solids from downhole well fluids comprises a cyclonic separation assembly. The assembly comprises a housing with at least one inlet port and an intake member disposed within the housing. The intake member includes a feed tube, a guide member disposed about the feed tube, and a vortex tube coaxially disposed within the feed tube. The assembly also comprises a cyclone body coaxially disposed within the housing and extending axially from the feed tube. In addition, the separator comprises an upper solids collection assembly coupled to the housing and configured to receive the separated solids from the cyclone body. Further, the separator comprises a lower solids collection assembly coupled to the housing and configured to receive the separated solids from the first solids collection assembly.

Abstract: An orbital downhole separator for separating well fluids into constituents of different specific gravities. Specifically, it is designed to separate water from oil or gas. The apparatus comprises a housing with a rotating member therein driven by a motor in the housing. Well fluid flows through the rotating member and is subjected to centrifugal force to separate the components. A flow conditioner is used to facilitate separation. The invention includes several different versions of the flow conditioner including an impeller, a stator and controllers for controlling the speed of the motor in response to signals related to the amount of petroleum in the water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a crown-shaped separation device for separating oil and water in a well. Separator joints are sleeved on a central tube, and a separator is arranged between adjacent separator joints. Settlement cups are sleeved on the central tube, and two adjacent settlement cups are inserted together. A multi-rib separating bowl is embedded in the settlement cup. The settlement cup is crown shape. The bottom of the settlement cup is formed with multiple ribs. An angle is formed between the convex rib of the bottom of the settlement cup and the horizontal line. The top edge of the settlement cup is sawtooth shape corresponding to the shape of the cup bottom. An annular space is formed between the cup base of the settlement cup and the central tube. The central tube corresponding to the annular space is provided with a fluid inlet.

Abstract: Three-phase separation is achieved downhole in a production well by forming an oil/liquid separation zone in the well between two packers which are positioned between producing and disposal zones. Gas is permitted to separate above the top packer. A pump is used to pump an oil/water mixture from above the top packer into the separation zone. Adequate residence time is permitted in the separation zone to achieve the separation. A check valve in the bottom packer is used to provide pressure to raise the oil to the wellhead. A control valve at the wellhead is used to control pressure in the separation zone and the relative sizes of the streams issuing therefrom.

Abstract: A borehole is drilled from the surface to an underground shale matrix. A pipe is inserted into the borehole. Openings are created in the pipe in fluid communication with fractures in the shale matrix. The interior surface of at least one section of pipe is coated with a contaminant-capturing substance. Fracturing fluid including water, proppants and chemicals is pumped through the pipe and into the fractures in the shale matrix. The fluid re-enters the pipe from the shale matrix and moves toward the surface through the coated pipe section where contaminants are sequestered by the coating. Natural gas or oil from the fractured shale then enters the pipe and moves to the surface to be collected. The coated pipe section remains in the ground permanently such that the necessity of disposing of the captured contaminants is eliminated.

Abstract: The method begins drilling a borehole from the surface to an underground shale matrix. A pipe is inserted into the borehole. Fractures are created in the shale matrix by pumping fracturing fluid including water, proppants and various chemicals into the shale matrix to widen the fractures. The interior surface of at least one section of pipe is coated with a contaminant-capturing substance. The fluid re-enters the pipe from the shale matrix and moves through the coated pipe section to the surface where contaminants are sequestered by the coating. Natural gas or oil from the fractured shale then enters the pipe and moves to the surface to be collected. The coated pipe section remains in the ground permanently such that the necessity of disposing of the captured contaminates is eliminated.

Abstract: Treatment fluids that include magnetic surfactants may be useful in various subterranean operations, e.g., particulate placement operations and drilling operations. For example, some methods may include introducing a treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the treatment fluid including at least a base fluid and a magnetic surfactant, the magnetic surfactant being a cationic surfactant having a magnetically susceptible counterion.

Abstract: A frac truck is provided for the portable metering and dispensing of sand into a fractionation fluid system. Hopper vessels for powder, sand or other aggregate have a discharge vent for releasing air that is displaced during the filling of the hoppers. Venting is required to prevent over pressurization; conventionally, this vented gas entrains a significant amount of solids that would subsequently be released into the atmosphere. A dust collector is mounted for receiving the vented air displaced when powdered material is loaded into the hoppers. The dust collector is connected through a vent tube communicating between the hoppers and the dust collector. Air vented from the hoppers is drawn though the dust collector and past and through a filter media, where clean air is discharged and solids collected. A low profile rotary airlock is used to discharge solids from the bottom of the dust collector.

Abstract: An oil and gas downhole device is disclosed wherein the device separates the oil and gas from undesired water, which returns to the formation.

Abstract: A new method separating sand, solids, and produced particulates down-hole in a well producing hydrocarbons. The separation assembly can include ether one, two, or more segments or stages of varying lengths depending upon the individual application. The assembly is installed into the tubing string or delivery conduit of a well producing hydrocarbons. One stage can consist of a velocity chamber whereby separation of particulates occurs by increasing the downward velocity of particulates and reducing the upward velocity of hydrocarbons thereby allowing the particulates to “fall-out” into a lower chamber where the particulates are captured. Another stage can consist of a filter whereby particulates are captured in a chamber that can consist of filtering materials such as gravel, rock, sand, wood, or manmade materials. Each of the stages can be employed individually or in combination.

Abstract: Method and device (100) for purifying and bringing water up from a water body (50), the device including: a hollow, vertical structure, having a first space (110) with a supply opening (112) for water to be purified; a boiling device (111) for such water which is driven with light from an optical fiber (12); a condenser (133) for condensing water vapour from the boiling device; a container (131) for condensed water, which container is connected to the condenser; and a conduit device (120) for water vapour between the space and the condenser. The space communicates freely with the water body. The outlet of the container is arranged above a heating location in the boiling device.

Abstract: A system and process are provided for recovering petroleum from a formation. An oil recovery formulation comprising at least 75 mol % dimethyl sulfide that is first contact miscible with a liquid petroleum composition is introduced into a petroleum bearing formation and petroleum and oil recovery formulation are produced from the formation. The produced oil recovery formulation is separated from the produced petroleum, and the produced oil recovery formulation is introduced into the formation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a downhole water-oil separation arrangement which includes a body having one or more portions thereof configured to have an affinity to a selected fluid. The body further will include one or more portions thereof that are configured to have an affinity to another fluid.

Abstract: Heavy crude oils having high sulfur content and viscosities are upgraded by a hydrodesulfurization (HDS) process that includes microwave irradiation of a mixture of the sour heavy crude oil with at least one catalyst and optionally, one or more sensitizers, and irradiation in the presence of hydrogen. The process is also adapted to microwave treatment of hard to break emulsions, either above ground or below ground where water-in-oil emulsions are initially formed, followed by the catalytic hydrodesulfurization promoted by application of further microwave energy to the demulsified crude oil stream.

Abstract: A downhole tool for removing debris from a wellbore comprises a body having a bore, a collection member, and a means for creating a hydraulic barrier within a wellbore annulus. The hydraulic barrier within the wellbore annulus restricts upward movement of a debris laden fluid within the wellbore annulus causing the debris laden fluid to be directed toward the collection member. Thus, the hydraulic barrier facilitates removal of debris from the wellbore.

Abstract: A method includes controlling a lift-gas compression process, controlling a lift-gas extraction process, and controlling a production separation process. The method also includes receiving asset data and optimizing the lift-gas compression process, the lift-gas injection process, and the production separation process according to the asset data.

Abstract: A cyclonic debris evacuation apparatus and method for removing debris in a pumping system. The apparatus includes a valve rod, a cyclone component, cup component, ring component, and ring coupler component. The cup component is composed of a high density poly-fiber material that helps in creating a positive seal between the cup component and barrel interior during pumping operations, helping to direct solids into the cup component and thereby preventing them from travelling southward in the direction of the barrel and causing damage. The cup component can include a specialized leading edge adapted to direct solids into the cup component. The apparatus can include a carbide ring that prevents solids from traveling further down onto the pump plunger section. The carbide ring can incorporate ports that feed into a main channel flow. The apparatus can include a top plunger adapter capable of connecting with a sucker rod.

Abstract: A method for performing shale gas operation is disclosed. The method may include drilling a first well, performing a fracturing operation in the well, recovering shale gas from the first well, supplying at least part of the shale gas recovered from the well to an electrical generator, generating electricity using the generator, and transferring the generated electricity to drilling equipment used to drill a second well.

Abstract: A cyclonic debris evacuation apparatus and method for evacuating debris in a pumping system that forms between the plunger exterior and barrel interior. The apparatus is configured for use with a valve rod and has a cyclone component, cup component, ring component, and ring coupler component. The apparatus is also configured for use with a hollow valve rod and has a hollow valve rod coupler component, cup component, ring component, and ring coupler component. The cup component can be composed of a high density poly-fiber material that helps in creating a positive seal between the cup component and barrel interior during pumping operations, helping to direct solids into the cup component and thereby preventing them from travelling southward in the direction of the barrel and causing damage. In another embodiment, the cup component can include a specialized leading edge adapted to direct solids into the cup component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to mitigate water loading in wellbores to increase oil and gas production and/or extend the life of the well. Beginning with a production wellbore through a subterranean formation used to extract hydrocarbons from a reservoir, a water draw-off wellbore, through the subterranean formation on a low-side of the production wellbore, is created to direct water to a non-producing formation. Fluids are produced through the production wellbore at a rate sufficient to lift the fluids to at least an entrance of the draw-off wellbore and allow the water to separate from the hydrocarbons due to gravity. The separated water is directed through the draw-off wellbore to the non-producing formation. Configurations of dual and multi-lateral production and draw-off wellbore arrangements are presented.

Abstract: A frac truck is provided for the portable metering and dispensing of sand into a fractionation fluid system. Hopper vessels for powder, sand or other aggregate have a discharge vent for releasing air that is displaced during the filling of the hoppers. Venting is required to prevent over pressurization; conventionally, this vented gas entrains a significant amount of solids that would subsequently be released into the atmosphere. A dust collector is mounted for receiving the vented air displaced when powdered material is loaded into the hoppers. The dust collector is connected through a vent tube communicating between the hoppers and the dust collector. Air vented from the hoppers is drawn though the dust collector and past and through a filter media, where clean air is discharged and solids collected. A low profile rotary airlock is used to discharge solids from the bottom of the dust collector.

Abstract: An apparatus and related methods for removing hazardous trace elements from hydrocarbon reservoir effluent is implemented by placing an adsorbing volume of material designed to adsorb the hazardous trace elements into the vicinity of a producing formation face at a downhole location; and letting the reservoir effluent flow through the volume of adsorbing material.

Abstract: A down hole fluid conditioning assembly, includable within a drilling bottom hole assembly or other tool configuration, creates a vortex to separate fluids such as drilling mud and the like into a lower density first portion and higher density second portion. The lower density first portion is directed toward the bottom hole assembly or other equipment to improve operational performance of the bottom hole assembly or other equipment. The higher-density second portion is directed away from the bottom hole assembly or other equipment, typically into a well annulus with an upward velocity component.

Abstract: A method for in situ heating of a subsurface formation is provided. The method includes receiving hydrocarbon fluids produced from the subsurface formation as a result of heating. The method also includes processing the produced fluids to generate a hydrocarbon stream. A portion of the hydrocarbon stream is then delivered to a combustor along with an oxygen-containing stream as a combustion mixture. A diluent gas stream may also be provided for cooling. The mixture is then combusted to generate electricity, and to release an exhaust stream comprising carbon dioxide. The method also includes using at least a portion of the exhaust gas stream generated from the combustion for injection or for sequestration, thereby minimizing atmospheric release. In addition, at least a portion of the electrical power is delivered to a plurality of electrically resistive heating elements to deliver heat to the subsurface formation. A low emission power generation system is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for treating a well having a wellbore extending from a ground surface or subsea surface downhole to an oil producing formation. Oil producing formations are capable of generating formation fluids into a wellbore. Formation fluids are comprised of at least an oil fraction and an aqueous fraction. Emulsions may form during oil production, and such emulsions may be comprised of oil and water. Inhibitor compositions may be employed to break such emulsions.

Abstract: A downhole well pumping assembly has a shroud with an upper section and a lower section sealed from one another. A submersible pump and a gas separator are housed within the upper section of the shroud. The gas separator has a liquid outlet in fluid communication with an intake of the pump, and a gas outlet in fluid communication with the gas outlet in the shroud. A motor is housed within the lower section of the shroud, the motor being coupled to the gas separator for rotating the gas Separator and the pump. A well fluid lower inlet is in the shroud below the motor and a well fluid lower outlet is in the shroud above the motor.

Abstract: A system is provided that is capable of providing heat across a produced interval during oil and gas production to minimize or reduce undesirable formation of gas hydrates in the wellbore. In one embodiment, the configuration provides a means to recycle heat generated by an electrical submersible pump. Heat from the pump may be applied downhole. One configuration is capable of providing for downhole separation of gas from produced fluids to reduce or eliminate gas transit through the pump. A heating element also may apply heat to produced fluids. In one embodiment, a system may provide for the safe containment and control of gas within the wellbore by the utilization of a safety valve.

Abstract: An above-motor mixed flow booster pump combined with a fluid crossover that directs up into the inside of an inverted shroud to allow enhanced gas separation. A gas and liquid separator is used to enhance separation. The system provides gas handling capability for high flow or low flow gas well dewatering applications, including vertical wells, horizontal wells, slant wells. The boost pump allows the moving of a mixed flow upwards to the top of an inverted shroud in wells lacking the required pressure.

Abstract: A seafloor pump assembly is installed within a caisson that has an upper end for receiving a flow of fluid containing gas and liquid. The pump assembly is enclosed within a shroud that has an upper end that seals around the pump assembly and a lower end that is below the motor and is open. A separating device is connected to an upper end portion of the discharge pipe within the caisson. The separating device causes separation of gas from the flow containing gas and liquid to be enhanced prior to the flow reaching the operating liquid level in the caisson.

Abstract: A method to separate a gas phase from a liquid phase in a subterranean formation that includes positioning a downhole tool in a wellbore, operating the downhole tool to form perforations in the subterranean formation in a manner that creates cyclonic motion in fluids that exit the subterranean formation and enter the wellbore through the perforations, the fluid having a gas phase and a liquid phase, and producing the liquid phase to the surface, whereby the liquid phase is substantially devoid of the gas phase as a result of the cyclonic motion.

Abstract: A statistical methodology is disclosed to provide time-to-event estimates for oilfield equipment. A method according to the present invention extracts unbiased information from equipment performance data and considers parameters interactions without recourse to data thinning. The analysis explicitly accounts for items of equipment that are still operational at the time of analysis. A method according to the present invention may also be utilized to apply survival analysis to any oilfield equipment components where time-to-event information has been recorded. The method of the present invention allows comparative reckoning between different components present in the system comprising several or many individual components and allows analysis of these components either individually or simultaneously, i.e., in the presence of other components.

Abstract: A gas separator for separating gas from a fluid in a production stream in a producing hydrocarbon well is described. The gas separator includes a central tube sized to fit into a well casing of the producing hydrocarbon well and having an input at its lower end for receiving the production stream and perforations at its upper end to allow the production stream to flow into the space between the central tube and the well casing. A suction tube is located inside the central tube, the suction tube is operable to draw fluid from the space between the central tube and the well casing and to deliver the fluid to an artificial lift mechanism.

Abstract: A downhole fluid separation assembly, including a body having greater affinity to a first fluid than a second fluid. The body is operatively arranged with openings for enabling fluid flow therethrough. A member is included that is movable with respect to the body and operatively arranged to compress a section of the body adjacent to the member for urging fluid out of the body and toward a target location. The body is configured to expand when not adjacent to the member for enabling fluid to reenter the body. A method of separating fluids is also included.

Abstract: A downhole assembly, including a line operatively arranged to carry a first fluid, and a trap arranged in fluid communication with the line, the trap operatively arranged to enable the first fluid to flow in a first direction, while capturing a second fluid in a compartment, thereby preventing migration of the second fluid through the line in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A downhole device having an oil/water separator having a well fluid inlet, an oil stream outlet conduit, and a water stream outlet conduit; a removable flow-restrictor located in at least one of the water stream outlet conduit or the oil stream outlet conduit.

Abstract: A process for converting heavy sulfur-containing crude oil into lighter crude oil with lower sulfur content and lower molecular weight is provided. The process is a low-temperature process using controlled cavitation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for diverting a ground water supply source located in a stratum that is hydraulically separated from a hydrocarbon-containing reservoir formation for injection into the reservoir proximate the oil-water interface to enhance the flow rate and production of the hydrocarbons through one or more well bores without pumping the injection water to the earth's surface. An electric submersible pump (ESP) and Y-tool assembly is positioned in the well bore at the level of the ground water supply and water is pumped down the well casing for injection into the formation, e.g., below the hydrocarbon-containing reservoir rock. Suitable seals, packers and cement plugs are provided to isolate the high pressure injection water from the ground water drawn into the first upper portion of the casing.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone separator assembly includes a longitudinal housing configured for disposal in a wellbore, wherein the longitudinal housing comprises a discharge head disposed at one end of the longitudinal housing, wherein the discharge head includes at least one overflow port and at least one underflow port; a plurality of hydrocyclones disposed arranged in a same orientation in the longitudinal housing, wherein the plurality of hydrocyclone each comprise an overflow exit and an underflow exit, wherein at least two of the overflow exits of the plurality of hydrocyclones are connected to a common tubing that is connected to the at least one overflow port on the discharge head, wherein at least two of the underflow exits of the plurality of hydrocyclones are connected to separate tubings that are connected to the at least one underflow port on the discharge head.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in launching cement plugs in a well cementing operation, comprising: a cylinder (108); a piston (118) slideably received in the bore of the cylinder; and an actuator (120) extending from the piston through the cylinder and operable by the piston for launching a plug (114,116) from the apparatus into the well; wherein a resilient damper cartridge (124) is slideably mounted on the actuator in the cylinder so as to be contactable by the piston, and a series of frangible pins (122) is located in the cylinder wall so as to provide temporary limits to the movement of the cartridge in the cylinder as the piston slides along the cylinder.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for treating a drilling fluid mixture including feeding the drilling fluid mixture to a hydrocyclone (or hydrocyclones) with a flow-volume-adjustable inlet for controlling flow of the drilling fluid mixture into the hydrocyclone(s). This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pump assembly for pumping a wellbore fluid in a wellbore includes a pump, a fluid separator, a motor for driving the pump, and a shroud disposed around the fluid separator for guiding a gas stream leaving the fluid separator, wherein the gas stream is prevented from mixing with fluids in the wellbore.

Abstract: A cement composition and method of applying remedial cement to a downhole perforation is described. The method involves the sequential delivery of a phosphate acid activator and a silicate suspension to the perforation to allow in situ reaction of the activator with the binder within the perforation, thereby forming a phosphosilicate plug.