Distinct, Separate Injection And Producing Wells Patents (Class 166/268)
  • Publication number: 20120193094
    Abstract: A method for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir by operating a substantially gravity-controlled recovery process with two adjacent well pairs. Each well pair includes an injector well and a producer well. A mobilized zone forms around each well pair through the gravity-controlled recovery process, and a bypassed region forms between the adjacent well pairs when the respective mobilized zone of each well pair merge to form a common mobilized zone. A plurality of infill producer wells are provided in the bypassed region. The plurality of infill producer wells are operated to establish fluid communication between the plurality of infill producer wells and the common mobilized zone. Once fluid communication is established, the plurality of infill producer wells and the adjacent well pairs are operated under a substantially gravity-controlled recovery process, and hydrocarbons are recovered from the plurality of infill producer wells and from the producer wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: John E. Arthur, Simon D. Gittins, Harbir S. Chhina
  • Patent number: 8215392
    Abstract: A rapid and inexpensive process for increasing the amount of hydrocarbons (e.g., oil) produced and the rate of production from subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs by displacing oil downwards within the oil reservoir and into an oil recovery apparatus is disclosed. The process is referred to as “gas-assisted gravity drainage” and comprises the steps of placing one or more horizontal producer wells near the bottom of a payzone (i.e., rock in which oil and gas are found in exploitable quantities) of a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir and injecting a fluid displacer (e.g., CO2) through one or more vertical wells or horizontal wells. Pre-existing vertical wells may be used to inject the fluid displacer into the reservoir. As the fluid displacer is injected into the top portion of the reservoir, it forms a gas zone, which displaces oil and water downward towards the horizontal producer well(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University And Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventor: Dandina N. Rao
  • Publication number: 20120168182
    Abstract: A method for producing oil and/or gas comprising injecting a miscible enhanced oil recovery formulation into fractures, karsts, and/or vugs of a formation for a first time period from a first well; producing oil and/or gas from the fractures, karsts, and/or vugs from a second well for the first time period; injecting a miscible enhanced oil recovery formulation into the fractures, karsts, and/or vugs for a second time period from the second well; and producing oil and/or gas from the fractures, karsts, and/or vugs from the first well for the second time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Chia-Fu HSU, Ronald Jan SCHOONEBEEK
  • Publication number: 20120152534
    Abstract: Methods for hydrocarbon recovery from a subsurface formation include removing a mixture comprising hydrocarbons and particulate solids from a first formation. At least a portion of the hydrocarbons are separated from the particulate solids. The particulate solids are separated into a plurality of streams. A mixed slurry comprising a first portion of the plurality of streams is injected through a first pipe into the first formation. A waste stream comprising a second portion of the plurality of streams is injected through a second pipe into a second formation. The first formation and the second formation lie in a substantially vertical line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Andrey A. Troshko, Sergio A. Leonardi, David P. Yale
  • Patent number: 8167041
    Abstract: A system and method for energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly recovery of bitumen aims at recovering unconventional oil in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way that has the potential of eliminating the need of natural gas currently employed for steam production and power generation. The system and method aims at providing low temperature steam for the stimulation of the formation by means of solar radiation. In addition, the system and method provides a novel solution for hydrogen production that does not employ reforming of natural gas. Furthermore, the use of thermoelectric devices in combination with low temperature steam can be employed to power an electrolysis plant to generate the hydrogen necessary to produce synthetic oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Masdar Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Matteo Chiesa, Vincent Berube, Andy Muto, Anurag Bajpayee, Daniel Kraemer
  • Patent number: 8162568
    Abstract: A remediation system for decontaminating a polluted site that delivers a remediation fluid to the polluted site and receives a contaminated effluent from the polluted site. The system includes a reactor that receives the contaminated effluent and generates an exit fluid stream and a first flow control mechanism coupled to the outlet of the reactor that releases a controlled portion of the exit fluid from the system, and delivers the remaining portion of the exit fluid as the remediation fluid, or delivers the remaining portion to a second flow control mechanism for combination with a controlled quantity of the second reactant to form the remediation fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Vast Power Portfolio, LLC
    Inventors: Bill Goheen, Ronald L. Klaus, David L. Hagen, Gary Ginter, Allen McGuire, Timothy Naylor
  • Patent number: 8151881
    Abstract: A SAGD system in a formation including a heated fluid injection well having a tubular including permeability control, one or more open hole anchors restricting thermal growth of the tubular and one or more baffles directing heated fluid application to target areas of the formation; a production well in fluid collecting proximity to the injection well the production well having a tubular with permeability control, one or more open hole anchors and one or more baffles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael H. Johnson, Namhyo Kim
  • Patent number: 8136590
    Abstract: A system for producing oil and/or gas from an underground formation comprising a first array of wells dispersed above the formation; a second array of wells dispersed above the formation; wherein the first array of wells comprises a mechanism to inject a miscible enhanced oil recovery formulation into the formation while the second array of wells comprises a mechanism to produce oil and/or gas from the formation for a first time period; and wherein the second array of wells comprises a mechanism to inject a miscible enhanced oil recovery formulation into the formation while the first array of wells comprises a mechanism to produce oil and/or gas from the formation for a second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Chia-Fu Hsu
  • Patent number: 8101556
    Abstract: The present invention provides treatment fluids useful for subterranean operations, and more particularly, in at least one aspect, a treatment fluid that comprises a carrier fluid and a cationic surfactant comprising a cationic head group, a polar group attached to the head group, and a hydrophobic group that is either a saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight chain alkyl, and comprises about 6 carbons to about 22 carbons. The treatment fluids of the present invention are at least suitable for use as a remedial treatment for the reduction of existing water blocks, oil blocks, and/or gas condensates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis R. Norman, Bobby E. Hall, Rajesh K. Saini, Anindya Ghosh
  • Patent number: 8101557
    Abstract: Fluids viscosified with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) may have their viscosities reduced (gels broken) by the direct or indirect action of a synergistic internal breaker composition that contains at least one first internal breaker that may be a mineral oil and a second breaker that may be an unsaturated fatty acid. The internal breakers may initially be dispersed oil droplets in an internal, discontinuous phase of the fluid. This combination of different types of internal breakers break the VES-gelled aqueous fluid faster than if one of the breaker types is used alone in an equivalent total amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James B. Crews, Tianping Huang
  • Publication number: 20110303410
    Abstract: A system for producing oil and/or gas from an underground formation comprising a first well above the formation; a second well above the formation; the first well comprises a mechanism to inject a miscible enhanced oil recovery formulation into the formation; the first well comprises a seal comprising a fluorinated polymer, the seal adapted to contain the miscible enhanced oil recovery formulation within a tubular; and the second well comprises a mechanism to produce oil and/or gas from the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: Shell International Research Maatschappij B.V.
    Inventor: Jemei Chang
  • Publication number: 20110290484
    Abstract: A system for producing oil and/or gas from an underground formation comprising a first well above the formation; a second well above the formation; the first well comprises a mechanism to inject a miscible enhanced oil recovery formulation into the formation; the first well comprises a seal comprising a composite material, the composite material comprising a plurality of fibers in a matrix, the matrix material comprising a fluorinated polymer or a polyketone, the seal adapted to contain the miscible enhanced oil recovery formulation within a tubular; and the second well comprises a mechanism to produce oil and/or gas from the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventor: Jemei Chang
  • Patent number: 8066067
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for diverting fluids either into or from a well are described. Some embodiments include a diverter conduit that is located in a bore of a tree. The invention relates especially but not exclusively to a diverter assembly connected to a wing branch of a tree. Some embodiments allow diversion of fluids out of a tree to a subsea processing apparatus followed by the return of at least some of these fluids to the tree for recovery. Alternative embodiments provide only one flowpath and do not include the return of any fluids to the tree. Some embodiments can be retrofitted to existing trees, which can allow the performance of a new function without having to replacing the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Publication number: 20110277992
    Abstract: A method for enhanced recovery of hydrocarbonaceous fluids, the method including the steps of connecting each of a plurality of wellbores together in fluid communication with a machined flow path, providing a surface fluid to the flow path, and generating an electrical field within the flow path to cause an electrochemical reaction to produce a gas from the fluid, such that the gas mixes with hydrocarbonaceous fluids and increases pressure within at least one of the plurality of wellbores, the flow path, and combinations thereof, thereby enhancing recovery of the hydrocarbonaceous fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Paul Grimes
  • Publication number: 20110272152
    Abstract: To recover oil, including viscous oil, from an underground reservoir, a cyclic solvent-dominated recovery process may be used. A viscosity reducing solvent is injected, and oil and solvent are produced. Unlike steam-dominated recovery processes, solvent-dominated recovery processes cause viscous fingering which should be controlled. To control viscous fingering, operational synchronization is used within groups and not between adjacent groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Kaminsky, Adam Coutee, Matthew A. Dawson, Owen J. Hehmeyer, Hao Huang, Ivan J. Kosik, Jean-Pierre Lebel, Robert Chick Wattenbarger
  • Publication number: 20110272151
    Abstract: A method comprising recovering a carbon source from a formation; converting at least a portion of the carbon source to a synthesis gas; converting at least a portion of the synthesis gas to an ether; and injecting at least a portion of the ether into the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Andreas Nicholas Matzakos
  • Publication number: 20110262987
    Abstract: Methods of producing useful products, such as hydrocarbons and other molecules that are useful as fuels, from carbonaceous materials, are disclosed. Such methods include obtaining a carbonaceous material, such as coal, from a deposit and treating the carbonaceous material with one or more chemicals, including acetic acid, salts of acetic acid, esters of acetic acid, hydroxides and peroxides, alone or in combination, to solubilize the material in preparation for further processing, such as bioconversion, to produce useful products, or solubilizing the carbonaceous material in a formation using the above-recited chemicals, removing the solubilized material from the formation and bioconverting it to produce useful products, or solubilizing the material using the above-recited chemicals and bioconverting at least a portion of the solubilized material in a formation followed by recovery of useful products from the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Robert A. Downey
  • Patent number: 8033335
    Abstract: An offshore universal riser system (OURS) and injection system (OURS-IS) inserted into a riser. The OURS/OUR-IS provides a means for pressurizing the marine riser to its maximum pressure capability and easily allows variation of the fluid density in the riser. The OURS-IS includes a riser pup joint with provision for injecting a fluid into the riser with isolation valves. The OURS includes a riser pup joint with an inner riser adapter, a pressure test nipple, a safety device, outlets with valves for diverting the mud flow, nipples with seal bores for accepting RCDs. The easy delivery of fluids to the OURS-IS is described. A method is detailed to manipulate the density in the riser to provide a wide range of operating pressures and densities enabling the concepts of Managed Pressure Drilling, Dual Density Drilling or Dual Gradient Drilling, and Underbalanced Drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Orbell, Christian Leuchtenberg
  • Patent number: 8008236
    Abstract: Many methods are provided including a method comprising: providing a surfactant gel having a first viscosity that comprises an aqueous base fluid and a surfactant; providing an ortho ester breaker; contacting the surfactant gel with the ortho ester breaker; allowing the ortho ester breaker to hydrolyze to produce an acid and an alcohol; and allowing the acid and/or the alcohol to interact with the surfactant gel so as to reduce the first viscosity of the surfactant gel to a second viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas D. Welton
  • Patent number: 7985718
    Abstract: The use of a surfactant mixture comprising at least one surfactant having a hydrocarbon radical composed of from 12 to 30 carbon atoms and at least one cosurfactant having a branched hydrocarbon radical composed of from 6 to 11 carbon atoms for tertiary mineral oil extraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Ulrich Steinbrenner, Christian Bittner, Oetter Günter, Marcus Guzmann
  • Publication number: 20110168391
    Abstract: Methods for accurately assessing the condition of a petroleum reservoir and designing and implementing a plan of action to increase production and recovery of petroleum from the reservoir. Information is gathered using a unique set of metrics and information gathering techniques and analyzed in a targeted fashion by properly weighting the data in the context of the particular reservoir and goals of the producer. A reservoir rating is generated using asymmetric analysis of metrics and then used to formulate a plan of action. Production architecture (e.g., number, location and manner of constructing oil and injector wells) is then constructed according to the plan of action. Reservoir performance can be continuously monitored and used to verify production and recovery goals and/or provide triggers or alarms to alter production equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: QRI GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Nansen G. Saleri, Robert M. Toronyi
  • Publication number: 20110173139
    Abstract: Systems, methods and processes teach by specific examples how the cost of sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) can be totally offset and turned into profits during coal powered electricity generation from revenue and co-benefits. The process is provided whereby fly ash-carbon mixtures, or de-volatilized coal char, or anthracite coal culm is co-fired in an air-cooled, slagging combustor with limestone or similar slag fluxing materials converts the ash into cementitious slag with properties similar to ground granulated blast furnace slag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Bert ZAUDERER
  • Patent number: 7977280
    Abstract: A process for minimizing breaking of an emulsion type drilling fluid system comprising one or more fibrous lost circulation material, the process comprising: determining the water retention value of one or more candidate fibrous lost circulation materials; and, formulating the emulsion type drilling fluid system to comprise fibrous lost circulation material consisting of one or more of the candidate fibrous lost circulation materials having a water retention value of about 1 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael A. Jarrett
  • Publication number: 20110162839
    Abstract: A fluid injection system for a wellbore includes an adapter configured to be retained in a safety valve landing nipple. The landing nipple is disposed in a production tubing inserted in the wellbore. The adapter includes a first sealed fluid passage between a part of the tubing disposed above the adapter and a first fluid injection line disposed in a part of the tubing below the adapter. The adapter includes a second sealed fluid passage between a part of the tubing below the adapter and a second fluid injection line disposed inside the tubing above the adapter. The second fluid injection line extends to a wellhead at an upper end of the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventor: Henning Hansen
  • Patent number: 7963329
    Abstract: A method including a) injecting into the formation an aqueous solution containing a polymer and a surfactant to create a organic phase and a aqueous phase, the surfactant being capable of reducing the interfacial tension between the phases to less than 1 dyne/cm; b) recovering a portion of the organic and aqueous phases containing at least a portion of the polymer and surfactant components and a portion of native petroleum surfactants generated in the porous formation; c) adjusting the conditions of the recovered portions to force a portion of the polymer and surfactant from one phase into the other phase by use of chemical, physical, electrical or gravitational means or a combination of said means; d) separating the polymer-and surfactant-containing phase; e) concentrating the polymer and surfactant components in the separated phase; and f) re-injecting at least a portion of the concentrated polymer and surfactant components into the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Gordon Thomas Shahin, Joseph Michael Redican
  • Patent number: 7963327
    Abstract: Methods for accurately assessing the condition of a petroleum reservoir and designing and implementing a plan of action to increase production and recovery of petroleum from the reservoir. Information is gathered using a unique set of metrics and information gathering techniques and analyzed in a targeted fashion by properly weighting the data in the context of the particular reservoir and goals of the producer. A reservoir rating is generated using asymmetric analysis of metrics and then used to formulate a plan of action. Production architecture (e.g., number, location and manner of constructing oil and injector wells) is then constructed according to the plan of action. Reservoir performance can be continuously monitored and used to verify production and recovery goals and/or provide triggers or alarms to alter production equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: QRI Group, LLC
    Inventors: Nansen G. Saleri, Robert M. Toronyi
  • Patent number: 7964539
    Abstract: This invention provides a method of controlling water in a subterranean formation, said method comprising contacting said formation with a water control treatment agent which comprises an organosilane in an amount effective to reduce the water permeability of at least part of said formation. At the same time, any decrease in the overall hydrocarbon (e.g. oil) permeability of said formation is preferably minimized. The invention further provides a method of plugging or sealing a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Statoil ASA
    Inventor: Hans Kristian Kotlar
  • Publication number: 20110132602
    Abstract: A system for producing oil and/or gas comprising a mechanism for releasing at least a portion of a sulfur containing compound into a formation; a first mechanism for converting at least a portion of the sulfur containing compound into a carbon disulfide formulation and/or a carbon oxysulfide formulation, the first mechanism for converting within the formation; and a second mechanism for converting at least a portion of the carbon disulfide formulation and/or a carbon oxysulfide formulation into another compound, the second mechanism for converting within the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Claudia Van Den Berg, Paul Clinton, Kees Van Gelder, Carolus Mattias Anna Maria Mesters, Patrick Guy Monin, Gerard Mulder, Raul Valdez, Dean Chien Wang
  • Patent number: 7955420
    Abstract: Produced natural gas containing carbon dioxide is dehydrated and chilled to liquefy the carbon dioxide and then fractionated to produce a waste stream of liquid carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Natural gas liquids may be first separated and removed before fractionation. After fractionation, the waste stream is pressurized and transmitted to a remote injection well for injection either for disposal of the waste stream and preferably to urge hydrocarbons toward the producing well. A hydrocarbon stream proceeds from fractionation to a methanol absorber system which removes carbon dioxide gas. The hydrocarbon stream is thereafter separated into at least hydrocarbon gas, nitrogen and helium. Some of the nitrogen is reintroduced into a fractionation tower to enhance the recovery of hydrocarbons. A methanol recovery system is provided to recover and reuse the methanol. The hydrocarbons are sold as natural gas and the helium is recovered and sold. Excess nitrogen is vented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Donald Leo Stinson
  • Patent number: 7942203
    Abstract: A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation. Heat may transfer from one or more heaters to a part of a formation. In some embodiments, heat from the one or more heat sources may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in a part of a subsurface formation. Hydrocarbons and/or other products may be produced from a subsurface formation. Certain embodiments describe apparatus, methods, and/or processes used in treating a subsurface or hydrocarbon containing formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Mark Gregory Picha, Lanny Gene Schoeling
  • Patent number: 7938182
    Abstract: A method for recovering natural gas from a group of subterranean zones containing natural gas, including injecting an amount of a displacing gas into a first subterranean zone, producing a first produced gas from the first subterranean zone, collecting an amount of the first produced gas wherein the quality of the collected first produced gas is higher than or equal to a threshold production quality for the first produced gas, injecting an amount of the first produced gas into a second subterranean zone wherein the quality of the injected first produced gas is higher than or equal to a threshold injection quality for the first produced gas, producing a second produced gas from the second subterranean zone, and collecting an amount of the second produced gas wherein the quality of the collected second produced gas is higher than or equal to a threshold production quality for the second produced gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Alberta Research Council Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Turta, Steve Sim, Ashok Singhal, Gary Bunio, Blaine F. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20110094737
    Abstract: A well treatment composition is formed from a fluid mixture of a viscoelastic surfactant and a liquid carrier fluid. The fluid mixture has rheological properties wherein the mixture exhibits shear-thickening behavior when the shear rate is increased from a first shear rate to a second higher shear rate. The fluid mixture may further include a shear activation additive that interacts with the viscoelastic surfactant to facilitate the shear-thickening behavior. The method is accomplished by introducing the fluid mixture into a wellbore formed in a subterranean formation. In certain applications, the fluid mixture may be recycled by bringing the fluid mixture to the surface and reintroducing the fluid into the same or a different wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Yiyan Chen, Oscar Bustos, Philip F. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7931082
    Abstract: A method of servicing multiple well locations from a central location that includes the steps of configuring a central location for distribution of well development task fluids to centralized service factories through fluid lines; preparing the treatment fluids at the centralized service factories; and treating wells with the treatment fluids according to well development tasks associated with each well. A system for centralized well treatment operations that includes a centralized well treatment center which pumps well development task fluids to centralized service factories; a plurality of systems with well development mechanisms; a first connection and second connection between a well and the centralized service factories, wherein the connections are directed to flowing and recovering treatment fluids respectively; a third and fourth connection between another well and the well treatment factory, wherein the connections are directed to flowing and recovering treatment fluids respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.,
    Inventor: Jim B. Surjaatmadja
  • Publication number: 20110088898
    Abstract: A method for recovering gas from a subterranean formation having a hydrate deposit located therein and a gas reservoir located under the hydrate deposit that includes injecting a hydrate-forming fluid into an upper region of the gas reservoir neighboring the hydrate deposit; and producing gaseous hydrocarbons from a lower region of the gas reservoir is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robert L. Horton, Frederick B. Growcock
  • Patent number: 7926561
    Abstract: A system for producing oil and/or gas from an underground formation comprising a first array of wells dispersed above the formation; a second array of wells dispersed above the formation; wherein the first array of wells comprises a mechanism to inject a miscible enhanced oil recovery formulation into the formation while the second array of wells comprises a mechanism to produce oil and/or gas from the formation for a first time period; and wherein the second array of wells comprises a mechanism to inject a remediation agent into the formation while the first array of wells comprises a mechanism to produce the miscible enhanced oil recovery formulation from the formation for a second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Steffen Berg
  • Publication number: 20110073307
    Abstract: Structures can be formed downhole by accumulating already existing materials and/or materials introduced into a well to perform a specified function. The formed structures may be used to obstruct fluid flow of production or injection fluids, carry mechanical loads, control electrical or magnetic properties of components, mechanically actuate a component, as well as others. The materials may be induced to form the specified structure, such as by application of a potential downhole. For example, electrical, magnetic, sonic, biological potentials, or a combination thereof may be established downhole to form specified structures in specified locations to perform specified functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Todd B. Miller, Syed Hamid, Juanita M. Cassidy, Donald G. Kyle, Pete Clement Dagenais, Michael L. Fripp, Ashok Santra
  • Patent number: 7914606
    Abstract: Produced natural gas containing carbon dioxide is dehydrated and chilled to liquefy the carbon dioxide and then fractionated to produce a waste stream of liquid carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Natural gas liquids may be first separated and removed before fractionation. After fractionation, the waste stream is pressurized and transmitted to a remote injection well for injection either for disposal of the waste stream and preferably to urge hydrocarbons toward the producing well. A hydrocarbon stream proceeds from fractionation to a methanol absorber system which removes carbon dioxide gas. The hydrocarbon stream is thereafter separated into at least hydrocarbon gas, nitrogen and helium. Some of the nitrogen is reintroduced into a fractionation tower to enhance the recovery of hydrocarbons. A methanol recovery system is provided to recover and reuse the methanol. The hydrocarbons are sold as natural gas and the helium is recovered and sold. Excess nitrogen is vented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventor: Donald Leo Stinson
  • Patent number: 7890264
    Abstract: A method of analyzing a subterranean formation. The method includes specifying a volume of interest in the subterranean formation, specifying an injector wellsite that penetrates the volume of interest, specifying a first producer wellsite and a second producer wellsite, each of which penetrates the volume of interest, calculating a first Injectivity-Productivity Index (IPI) for a first injector-producer wellsite pair which includes the injector wellsite and the first producer wellsite, calculating a second IPI for a second injector-producer wellsite pair which includes the injector wellsite and the second producer wellsite, determining whether the first IPI is substantially equal to the second IPI to obtain an analysis result, and adjusting a wellsite operation based on the analysis result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Jonathan Elphick
  • Publication number: 20110005747
    Abstract: A system and method for gas injection enhanced oil recovery is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of burning solid fuel and an oxygen-bearing gas in a combustion chamber. The method also includes the step directing an output stream of the burning step through a fluid pathway extending from the combustion chamber and underground to push oil toward a well. The method includes the step maintaining the pressure in the combustion chamber above ambient during the burning step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: JAMES C. LOEBIG
  • Publication number: 20100288466
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides, among other things, a system and process for extracting geothermal energy from a geologic formation. According to an embodiment of the method, coolant fluid is introduced into a first fracture system. The first fracture system is at a first height in the formation. The coolant fluid is collected from a second fracture system. The second fracture system is at a second height in the fracture system. The second height is lower than the first height. Coolant fluid introduced into the first fracture system percolates through the geologic formation from the first fracture system to the second fracture system, collecting heat from the geologic formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventor: George L. Danko
  • Publication number: 20100276983
    Abstract: This description is directed to a method and system for integrating an in-situ bitumen recovery operation with a bitumen mining operation for improved efficiencies and synergies therebetween. The method comprises obtaining a production fluid from the in-situ bitumen recovery operation, directing the production fluid to the bitumen mining operation, and incorporating the production fluid into the bitumen mining operation. The basic integrated system comprises a production well for recovering production fluid from the in-situ bitumen recovery operation, a bitumen mining and extraction facility, and a transporter for directing the production fluid from the production well to the bitumen mining and extraction facility for incorporation into the mining and extraction operation. The in-situ recovery operation may be a thermal operation, such as steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD), cyclic steam stimulation (CSS), or a derivative thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: James Andrew Dunn, Brian C. Speirs
  • Patent number: 7810565
    Abstract: An embodiment is an apparatus for generating a driver gas, for recovering fluid from the Earth's subsurface. The apparatus includes a fuel reformer, adapted to react a fuel with water to produce carbon dioxide gas and hydrogen gas; a compressor, adapted to compress a portion of the carbon dioxide gas and a portion of the hydrogen gas; a gas injection unit, adapted to inject the portion of the carbon dioxide gas and the portion of the hydrogen gas compressed by the compressor, into a subsurface reservoir; a gas capture unit, adapted to capture a portion of the carbon dioxide gas and the hydrogen gas, that emerges from the subsurface reservoir; and a control module capable of using subsurface data to regulate operation of the gas injection unit. The apparatus may also include a power generator adapted to utilize a portion of the hydrogen gas to generate power, hence producing electricity without greenhouse gas emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Pioneer Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Zubrin, Mark H. Berggren, Douwe Bruinsma
  • Patent number: 7806186
    Abstract: A submersible pumping system for use downhole that includes a housing, a pump and gas separator within the housing, a motor for driving the pump and separator, and a foaming agent injection system. The foaming agent injection system injects a foaming agent upstream of the pump and optionally upstream of the separator. The foaming agent injection system comprises a foaming agent supply, an injection pump, and foaming agent injection line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Donn J. Brown, Brown Lyle Wilson, David H. Neuroth
  • Patent number: 7802623
    Abstract: A method and a device (2) for destruction of organic material in injection water for an injection well (4), in which a means (10) for introduction of water in the injection well (4), and at least one electrochemical cell (16) with associated operating means are used for in situ electrolytic generation from water of at least short-lived, free hydroxyl radicals. The distinctive characteristic of the invention is that it comprises the following steps: (A) to connect the at least one electrochemical cell (16) to the injection well (4); and (B) by means of said operating means, to conduct the injection water through said cell (16) for in situ generation of at least free hydroxyl radicals from the injection water, insofar as free hydroxyl radicals immediately destruct organic material that they engage in the injection water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Well Processing AS
    Inventors: Helge Lunde, David Pinchin
  • Publication number: 20100200229
    Abstract: Some embodiments teach a method of recovering hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon formation. The method including: (a) generating injection gas, the injection gas having at least a predetermined pressure and a predetermined temperature; (b) injecting the injection gas into the hydrocarbon formation, and (c) recovering the hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon formation. Other embodiments are disclosed in this application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: HAMCO Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond Jefferd
  • Patent number: 7772161
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of pre-engineered pills for use with drilling mud. By introducing pills of ground elastomer into the well, the pills can improve the lubricity of the mud as well as aiding in wellbore cleaning, prevention of bit balling and reduction of fluid loss to thief zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventor: Robert R. Wood
  • Patent number: 7753972
    Abstract: The Portable Renewable Energy System for Enhanced Oil Recovery (“PRESEOR”) is a truck mobile system that reforms biomass into CO2 and hydrogen, following which the gases are separated, with the CO2 sequestered underground for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and the hydrogen used to generate several megawatts of carbon-free electricity. In contrast to large central power plants that are generally not well-located to support EOR, the small PRESEOR can go directly to the oilfields where it is needed, and do so in a timely manner. The PRESEOR sequesters more biomass-derived carbon than is released by the burning of the oil it yields, thereby producing not only carbon-free electricity but carbon-free oil. Using PRESEOR, over 80 billion barrels of U.S. oil would be made recoverable, without the need to drill new wells in pristine areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Pioneer Energy, Inc
    Inventors: Robert M. Zubrin, Mark H. Berggren
  • Publication number: 20100163226
    Abstract: A plume of combined gases are infused into hydrocarbon-bearing formations, “inert” as the major gas and “reactive” as the minor gas, where the minor gas reacts with hydrocarbons to fully saturate hydrocarbons with supercritical fluid, which migrate hydrocarbons out of formations, even at great distances from the regulated fuel cell source. Coal, tar sands, petroleum-contaminated soil, and/or oil wells that have lost gas pressure can also be desorbed by this in-situ method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: CRITICAL POINT ENERGY, LLC
    Inventor: David Allen ZORNES
  • Publication number: 20100132942
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon well treatment fluid is made recyclable by introducing a laminar flow enhancer into the fluid, resulting in a formulation called Slick Oil™ hydrocarbon fluid. A method of using a fluid in the treatment of a hydrocarbon reservoir is disclosed. A hydrocarbon fluid is injected into the hydrocarbon reservoir, the hydrocarbon fluid comprising hydrocarbons and a hydrophobic laminar flow enhancer. The hydrocarbon fluid is recovered from the hydrocarbon reservoir. The recovered hydrocarbon fluid is then cleaned by removing contaminants from the recovered hydrocarbon fluid that have been introduced into the hydrocarbon fluid from the hydrocarbon reservoir. The hydrocarbon fluid is then re-used by injecting the cleaned and recovered hydrocarbon fluid into at least one subsequent hydrocarbon reservoir. Proppant carrying abilities of a hydrocarbon fracturing fluid are enhanced by introducing a laminar flow enhancer into the fluid, resulting in a formulation called Slick Oil™ hydrocarbon fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: SYNOIL FLUIDS HOLDINGS INC.
    Inventor: John Edwards
  • Publication number: 20100126720
    Abstract: A method for distributing injection fluid in a horizontal well bore in fluid communication with hydrocarbon bearing formation begins by determining flow resistance characteristics of the formation along at least a portion of the length of the horizontal well bore. An injection tubing string having a sidewall defining a tubing bore is injected into the horizontal well bore. The tubing string is provided with ports having a selected distribution and geometry. The annulus geometry is selectively controlled along the length of the tubing string through at least one of axial distribution of eccentricity and flow area of the annulus, so as to provide selected flow restriction characteristics along the annulus, such that when injection fluid is pumped into the tubing, a resulting flow resistance network is formed by the tubing bore, the ports, the annulus and the formation, resulting in a desired distribution of the fluid into the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: NOETIC TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Trent Michael Victor Kaiser, Daniel Dall'Acqua, Morgan Douglas Allen, Maurice William Slack