Abstract: A sand consolidation method to provide for use in a borehole having an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated oil or gas reservoir which is likely to introduce substantial amounts of sand into the borehole and cause caving. After perforating the borehole's casing at an interval of the formation where sand will be produced, an aqueous slug of hydroxide is injected into said interval. Next, a spacer volume of a water-immiscible hydrocarbonaceous liquid slug is injected into the interval. Thereafter, a water-miscible solvent slug of an alkylpolysilicate is injected into the interval. A permeability retaining silica cement is formed in the interval. Injection of aqueous hydroxide and alkylpolysilicate slugs is continued until the interval has been consolidated by the silica cement to an extent sufficient to prevent sand migration and thereby prevent caving.

Abstract: A method for fracturing a subterranean formation containing desired natural resources in which controlled pulse fracturing (CPF) is combined with hydraulic fracturing in a second wellbore along with hydraulic fracturing in a first wellbore. Multiple radial vertical fractures are created by CPF in the second wellbore by a solidifiable gel material which is directed into created fractures during a subsequent hydraulic fracturing procedure. During this procedure, multiple vertical hydraulic fractures initiate in and propagate away from CPF created fractures thereby bringing the second wellbore fracture system into fluid communication with the fracture system of the first wellbore.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing sulfur from tail-gas emitted from a Claus sulfur recovery process. First, the tail-gas is oxidized so as to convert sulfur therein to sulfur oxides. Oxidized tail-gas is directed into an absorber where a solid absorbent absorbs substantially all the sulfur oxides thereon. After allowing sufficient time for a desired amount of sulfur oxides to be absorbed, absorption is ceased. Next, the solid absorbent containing the absorbed sulfur oxides is contacted with a reducing gas so as to release an off gas containing hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide. Upon releasing sulfur from the solid absorbent, the solid absorbent is regenerated and redirected into the absorber. Sulfur in the off gas emitted by regeneration is concentrated to an extent sufficient for use within a Claus sulfur recovery process for conversion to elemental sulfur. By combining this process with a Claus sulfur recovery process, sulfur dioxide emissions can be reduced to less than about two parts per million.

Abstract: A method for the disposal of waste water in a formation having varying permeability zones therein where a higher permeability zone is first closed to fluid flow via a solidifiable gellable mixture. This mixture forms a solid gel in the higher permeability zone. Afterwards, waste water is injected into a zone of lesser permeability which allows increased amounts of water to be placed into the formation.

Abstract: A method for gravel packing perforations in a wellbore where an acid is directed into the perforations so as to dissolve formation fines in channels contained in said perforations. The acid is of a strength sufficient to dissolve said fines. After the fines are dissolved, a sand consolidation agent is introduced into the perforations before the channels can be filled with formation fines. The consolidation agent remains in the perforations for a time sufficient to form a cement in situ which cement has permeability retentive characteristics. The cement forms pores of a size sufficient to exclude formation fines from the wellbore. Thereafter, a substantially fines free hydrocarbonaceous fluid is produced from the wellbore.

Abstract: A method for forming a gravel pack in a washed-out interval is provided where a borehole penetrates an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated oil or gas reservoir which is likely to introduce substantial amounts of sand into the borehole. After perforating the boreholes's casing at a washed-out interval of the formation, sand is introduced into the interval. Afterwards, an aqueous silicate slug is injected into said interval. Next, a spacer volume of a water-immiscible hydrocarbonaceous liquid is introduced into the interval. Thereafter, a water-miscible organic solvent slug, containing an alkylpolysilicate and an inorganic or organic salt or a chelated calcium mixture, is injected into the interval. A permeability retaining silicate cement is formed in the interval thereby making a gravel pack.

Abstract: A method for gravel packing perforations in a wellbore where an acid is directed into the perforations so as to dissolve formation fines in channels contained in said perforations. The acid is of a strength sufficient to dissolve said fines. After the fines are dissolved, a three slug sand consolidating agent is introduced into the perforations before the channels can be filled with formation fines. The consolidating agent remains in the perforations for a time sufficient to form a silicate cement in situ which cement has permeability retentive characteristics. The cement forms pores of a size sufficient to exclude formation fines from the wellbore. Thereafter, the wellbore is packed with gravel to remove any escaping fines from hydrocarbonaceous fluids produced to the surface.

Abstract: A conduction assisted steam flooding process is described where heavy oil is recovered from reservoirs with limited native injectivity and a high water saturated bottom zone. A horizontal well is placed above the water saturated zone. This well is perforated on its top side at selected intervals. An uninsulated tubing having a circumference smaller than the well is inserted therein to its furthest end thereby making a first and second conduit. Steam is injected into the second conduit and formation fluids are removed by the first conduit or tubing until steam communication is established between the two intervals. Once steam communication is established between the intervals, steam injection is ceased and a thermal packer is placed around the tubing so as to form two separated, spaced-apart, perforated intervals. Thereafter, steam is injected into the reservoir via one interval and hydrocarbonaceous fluids are removed at the other interval.

Abstract: A method for selectively closing an intermediate zone of a near wellbore area in a formation. Initially, a drillable mechanical packer is placed into the wellbore below the intermediate zone. The wellbore area adjacent to the intermediate zone is cooled to a critical temperature between about 130.degree. to about 180.degree. F. Subsequently, a novolac or resole-type phenolformaldehyde resin containing an acid catalyst is placed into the wellbore where it forms a solid platform over the packer and intermediate zone in about 2 hours. The critical temperature is maintained in the wellbore and intermediate zone while placing a second resinous material containing an alkaline catalyst into the wellbore and intermediate zone. Thereafter, the second material forms a steam resistant solid gel in the intermediate zone, thereby closing it.

Abstract: A method for time lapse electric logging in a cased hole in which electrodes are implanted in the casing or the hole is completed with a gravel packed non conductive, perforated liner that allows an open hole logging tool to be used for time-lapse logging. Thereafter, the implemented electrodes or a self-potential (SP) logging tool are used to monitor a steam-flooding EOR method by detecting two-phase flow with time lapse logging. A potential drop between the surface and zones of interest is measured with electrodes installed in a non-conductive casing or the SP logging tool.

Abstract: A method for forming a consolidated gravel pack in a washed-out interval is provided where a borehole penetrates an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated oil or gas reservoir which is likely to introduce substantial amounts of sand into the borehole. After perforating the borehole's casing at a washed-out interval of the formation, sand is introduced into the interval. Afterwards, an aqueous hydroxide solution is injected into said interval. Next, a spacer volume of a water-immiscible hydrocarbonaceous liquid slug is injected into the interval. Thereafter, a water-miscible organic solvent slug containing alkylpolysilicate is injected into the interval. A permeability retentive silica cement is formed in the interval thereby making a consolidated gravel pack. Injection of the aqueous hydroxide and alkylpolysilicate slugs is continued until silica cement has been deposited to an extent sufficient to exclude formation fines and sand.

Abstract: A method for controlling the profile of a formation where temperatures higher than 200.degree. F. are encountered. Initially, an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide or organoammonium hydroxide is injected into a zone of greater permeability in a formation. Thereafter, a spacer volume of a water miscible organic solvent is injected into said zone. Afterwards, a water-miscible organic solvent containing an alkylpolysilicate is injected into the greater permeability zone. A silica cement is formed in-situ thereby substantially closing off the higher permeability zone to fluid flow. Thereafter, a steam-flooding, water-flooding, carbon dioxide stimulation or fire-flooding EOR operation is commenced in a lower permeability zone.

Abstract: A sand consolidating method is provided for use in a borehole within an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated oil or gas reservoir which is likely to introduce substantial amounts of sand into the borehole and cause caving. After perforating the borehole's casing at an interval of the formation where sand will be produced, an aqueous silicate solution is injected into said interval. Next, a spacer volume of a water-immiscible hydrocarbonaceous liquid is introduced into the interval. Thereafter, a water-miscible organic solvent containing an alkylpolysilicate and inorganic salt or chelated calcium is injected into the interval. A permeability retentive silicate cement is formed in the interval. Injection of the aqueous silicate and organic solvent is continued until the interval has been consolidated by the silicate cement to an extent sufficient to prevent sand migration and thereby prevent caving.

Abstract: A method and composition for controlling the profile of a formation where temperatures higher than 200.degree. F. are encountered. An aqueous solution of an organoammonium silicate, alkali metal or ammonium silicate is injected into a zone of higher permeability in a formation. Subsequently, a spacer volume of a water-immiscible organic solvent is directed into said zone. Afterwards, a water-miscible organic solvent containing an alkylpolysilicate is injected into the higher permeability zone. A silica cement is formed in-situ thereby substantially closing the higher permeability zone to fluid flow. Thereafter, a steam-flooding, water-flooding, carbon dioxide-flooding, or fire-flooding EOR operation is commenced in a lower permeability zone.

Abstract: A method for forming a gravel pack in a washed-out interval is provided where a borehole penetrates an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated oil or gas reservoir which is likely to introduce substantial amounts of sand into the borehole. After perforating the borehole's casing at a washed-out interval of the formation, sand is introduced into the interval. Afterwards, an aqueous silicate solution is injected into said interval. Next, a spacer volume of a water-immiscible hydrocarbonaceous liquid is introduced into the interval. Thereafter, a water-miscible organic solvent containing an alkylpolysilicate is injected into the interval. A permeability retaining silica cement is formed in the interval thereby making a gravel pack. Injection of the aqueous silicate and organic solvent containing an alkylpolysilicate is continued until the interval has been consolidated by the silica cement to an extent sufficient to exclude sand and formation fines.

Abstract: A method for producing substantially sand or fines free hydrocarbonaceous fluids from a wellbore which is initially gravel packed. Thereafter, an acid is directed into the wellbore so as to dissolve formation fines in channels contained in perforations communicating with a productive interval of the formation. The acid is of a strength sufficient to dissolve said fines. After the fines are dissolved, a sand consolidation agent is introduced into the perforations before the channels can be filled with formation fines. The consolidation agent remains in the perforations for a time sufficient to form a cement in situ which cement has permeability retentive characteristics. The cement forms pores of a size sufficient to exclude formation fines from the wellbore.

Abstract: A foam/steam injection method for forming fractures is a for reservoir penetrated by a horizontal wellbore. Steam is injected into said wellbore at a pressure sufficient to fracture the formation. Water which is used to make the steam contains a foamable composition in an amount sufficient to make a foam upon contact with steam. Steam and foam enter the wellbore and create a fracture in an oil-rich zone. Thereafter, foam blocks further steam entry into the created fracture which causes another fracture to form at a second interval along the horizontal wellbore. These steps are repeated until a fracture system is made along the length of the wellbore.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method to improve matrix acidizing of a carbonate containing formation by taking advantage of wormholes which are created during acidizing. The wormholes are closed with a solidifiable gel which protects them from entry of additional acid. The solidifiable gel is allowed sufficient time to form a solid. After a solid gel is formed, additional acid is directed into the formation where it moves past the wormholes containing the solid gel. Thereafter, an additional volume of solidifiable gel is directed into the formation where it protects any subsequently formed wormholes and diverts the acid further into the formation. An additional volume of acid is directed into the formation and the steps repeated until the formation has been acidized to obtain a desired degree of permeability.

Abstract: A sand consolidation method is provided for use in a borehole having an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated oil or gas reservoir which is likely to introduce substantial amounts of sand into the borehole and cause caving. After perforating the borehole's casing at an interval of the formation where sand will be produced, an aqueous silicate solution is injected into said interval. Next, a spacer volume of a water-immiscible hydrocarbonaceous liquid is introduced into the interval. Thereafter, a water-miscible organic solvent containing an alkylpolysilicate is injected into the interval. A permeability retaining silica cement is formed in the interval. Injection of the aqueous silicate and organic solvent containing an alkylpolysilicate is continued until the interval has been consolidated by the silica cement to an extent sufficient to prevent sand migration and thereby prevent caving.

Abstract: A liquid membrane method for removing scale deposits wherein a novel chelating composition is utilized. The composition used in the external and internal aqueous phases of said membrane comprises an aqueous solution having a pH of about 8 to about 14, and an aminocarboxylic acid or polyamine chelant. Additionally, a catalyst or synergist is used in the external phase only. Preferred chelants comprise diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or alkali salts thereof. Anions of organic and inorganic acids comprise the catalyst used in the external phase. Catalysts which can be used include fluoride, oxalate, persulfate, dithionate, hypochlorite, formate, thio, amino and hydroxy acetate anions. When the solution containing the composition is contacted with a surface containing a scale deposit, the deposit dissolves substantially more scale quicker than heretofore possible.