Abstract: An improved method for deteriming the transit time of a radioactive tracer for steam injection profiles in steam injection wells is disclosed. Radiation decay data is collected at two detectors at different depths. The data is then transformed into a new data set, consisting of time intervals between successive decay events. Tracer radiation decay events are distinguished from background radiation decay events by using statistical methods to establish a high probability that background radiation decay events are excluded. The total set of time intervals are then divided into subgroups of a specified sample size. The arrival time of the tracer is determined as the first time at which a specified minimum number of identified tracer radiation decay events occur successively.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for directionally applying high pressure jets to well casing or liners to clean openings in the casing, liner and the adjacent geologic formation which are plugged with foreign matter. High velocity jets of liquid having a velocity in excess of 700 feet per second are jetted from jet orifices having a 1/16th to 1/4th inch diameter and having a standoff distance between 5 and 100 diameters of the orifice from the openings to remove substantially all plugging material from the openings. Power swivels permit rotation and Kelly hoses allow reciprocation of the jet tool and tubing string while maintaining high pressure in the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for analyzing seismic shear wave data, using a layer stripping technique, to predict subsurface stress regimes is disclosed. Polarization directions of shear wave data, from either a vertical seismic profile or from surface reflection data, are analyzed, and time lags between fast and slow split shear wave are determined. Natural polarization directions of and time lags between the split shear waves in an upper layer are determined above the shallowest depth where data cues suggest polarization changes take place. Source and receiver axes of the data below the depth of polarization changes are rotated by an azimuth angle, to bring the axes into proper aligment. A static time shift is then applied to eliminate the time lag in the upper layer above the depth where polarization changes were indicated.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the effectiveness of fluid transport in a fines-containing earthen formation and inhibiting permeability damage of that formation. Wet steam is generated from a feedwater that contains potassium chloride, enough anhydrous ammonia is added into the steam to produce sufficient ammonium ions in the vapor phase condensate to inhibit permeability damage of the formation in the vicinity of the vapor phase, enough carbon dioxide is added into the steam effective to the pH of the vapor phase condensate between 7.5 and 10.5, the wet steam is injected into the formation, and then the steam is blown down to vaporize liquid water of the formation and cause the vaporized water to leave the portion.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for placing gravel within an annulus formed in a non-vertical borehole by the placement of a screen within the borehole. First, a slurry of gravel, polymer, and oil field brines is injected into the annulus to control fluid leakoff, pack the perforations, and pack from 50% to 75% of the screen-borehole annulus. Then a slurry of gravel and water is injected into the annulus until the annulus is completely packed.

Abstract: A method for analyzing seismic shear wave data, using a layer stripping technique, to determine fault plane stress build-up is disclosed. Polarization directions of shear wave data, from either a vertical seismic profile or from surface reflection data, are analyzed, and time lags between fast and slow split shear wave are determined. Natural polarization directions of and time lags between the split shear waves in an upper layer are determined above the shallowest depth where data cues suggest polarization changes take place. Source and receiver axes of the data below the depth of polarization changes are rotated by an azimuth angle, to bring the axes into proper alignment. A static time shift is then applied to eliminate the time lag in the upper layer above the depth where polarization changes were indicated. Shear wave polarization azimuth angles, and time lags between the shear waves are determined for the depth of investigation, and are compared to the strike of a nearby fault.

Abstract: A method id disclosed for enhancing the uniformity of steam distribution in a multiple steam injection system having a steam generator, a primary steam header, at least one secondary steam header, a primary steam line connecting the generator to the primary header, at least one secondary steam line connecting the primary header to the secondary steam header, and a plurality of tertiary steam lines connecting the secondary steam header to a plurality of steam injection wells. The enhanced uniformity of steam distribution results in better heat distribution between the wells. In that method, a surfactant is injected into the primary steam line and the secondary steam line, and the surfactant and steam are mixed sufficiently so that the surfactant and the steam enter each header as a foam. The concentration of the surfactant in the foam is from 10 ppm. to 5 wt %. Preferably, the surfactant is injected within seventy-five feet of the steam header.

Abstract: Recovery of viscous petroleum such as from tar sands is assisted using a controlled flow of hot fluid and hydrogen-containing gas in a flow path within the formation; thus a solid-wall hollow tubular member in the formation is used for conducting hot fluid to promote hydrogenation in conjunction with a hydrogen-containing gas and reduce viscosity of the petroleum to develop a potential passage in the formation outside the tubular member into which a drive fluid is injected to promote movement of the petroleum to a production position.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the effectiveness of fluid transport in a petroleum reservoir. That method comprises increasing the permeability of a portion of the reservoir by removing liquid water from that portion by evaporating off the liquid water. Preferably, substantially all of the liquid water is removed. In one embodiment, the liquid water is evaporated off by heating the portion to a temperature above the boiling point of water for the ambient pressure of the portion. In another embodiment, the liquid water is evaporated off by injecting into the reservoir a gas (such as heated nitrogen) that is undersaturated with respect to water. In a third embodiment, steam is injected into a well within the portion, and the steam is blown down to vaporize substantially all of the liquid water and to cause the vaporized water to leave the portion. In still another embodiment, superheated steam is injected into the reservoir.

Abstract: I disclose a method for upgrading low-grade uintaite to high-grade uintaite having a desired meltpoint. It comprises dissolving the uintaite in a medium polarity solvent, mixing the dissolved uintaite with a nonpolar saturated hydrocarbon solvent at a volume-to-volume ratio that determines the meltpoint of the upgraded uintaite product, separating residual asphaltenes from the mixture, and recovering the medium polarity solvent and nonpolar saturated hydrocarbon to produce an upgraded uintaite having the desired meltpoint.

Abstract: A method for digitizing seismic traces comprising optically digitizing the seismic sections to produce a digitized image, normalizing the digitized image for brightness to produce a normalized digitized image, geometrically straightening the digitized image, and recovering the negative portions of said seismic traces to produce a fully restored wave form of the digitized image.

Abstract: A method of determining relative liquid and vapor phase steam profiles in a steam injection well utilizes an unstable radioactive isotope. A dual detector gamma ray logging tool is inserted into the well at a depth below the perforation zone. The unstable radioactive isotope is then injected into the steam flow, and it naturally hydrolyzes from a vapor phase into a liquid phase at a known rate, so that at a given time after injection, the relative proportions of the vapor phase and the liquid phase can be determined. The transmit times of the vapor and liquid phases to pass between the gamma ray detectors is measured and the above steps are then repeated at a second location. The amount of fluid entering a formation between the first and second locations can then be determined.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for prolonging the useful life of scale inhibitors injected within a formation. This method involves injecting aqueous solution of polyquaternary amines into the formation. This solution of polyquaternary amines can be injected either prior to or simultaneously with the injection of the scale inhibitors. The scale inhibitors are preferably non-polymeric scale inhibitors. Preferably, the polyquaternary amine is a poly(dimethylamine-co-epichlorohydrin) or a poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride).

Abstract: An improved method to determine the quality of a material disposed in an annular space behind a casing (or a liner) in a wellbore. A transit time of a sound wave to travel through a specimen of the material is determined, and a pulse velocity is calculated. The slurry density and mixing rate of the material are determined at a wellsite, and the slurry volume can then be calculated by multiplying the amount of time that the slurry remains at the slurry density by the mixing rate. The slurry has a theoretical acoustical impedance that is equal to the slurry density multiplied by the pulse velocity. The true annular displacement volume and a theoretical acoustical impedance map, an attenuation rate map, and a voltage map are than drawn. After running an acoustical log, a calculated acoustical impedance is derived, and is compared to the theoretical acoustical impedance to detertmine the quality of the material.

Abstract: A water-based drilling mud additive comprising a pre-blended combination of about 2 parts of high softening point uintaite, about 1 part of a lower softening point uintaite, about 1 part of causticized lignite, and a strongly lipophilic, non-ionic surfactant is disclosed. This composition decreases shale sloughing and borehole instability during drilling of wells.

Abstract: A method of determining mass flow rate and phase distribution of gas/liquid two-phase flows is disclosed. The method uses a Coriolis-based mass flow meter. Flow streams of known mass flow rate and phase distribution are directed through the meter and correlation factors are obtained using an apparent mass flow rate output and an apparent density output from the Coriolis meter. The true mass flow rate and phase distribution of unknown flow streams can then be determined.

Abstract: Production of viscous hydrocarbons is initiated by first injecting an injection fluid down at least two tubing strings in a wellbore having multiple tubing strings therein. Following an initiation phase, flow of injection fluid in the production tubing string is ceased, and production of formation fluid to the surface commenced in the heated tubing. The production of formation fluids is controlled, and entry of uncondensed steam from the formation into the wellbore avoided by maintaining a liquid level in the formation which is above the production perforations.

Abstract: A polymer having pendant silyl ether groups is disclosed having a minimum solubility parameter of 6.85 (cal/cc).sup.1/2 or less. That minimum solubility parameter is reduced to 6.85 (cal/cc).sup.1/2 or less by control of the number of pendant silyl ether groups and by the selection of said silyl ether groups. The polymer can be formed by reacting a olefin monomer with a silyl monomer or by grafting a silyl monomer onto an unsaturated polyolefin. Preferably, the silyl monomer is either a vinyl trimethylsilyl ether monomer, a vinyl dimethylchlorosilane monomer, or a vinyl methyldichlorosilane monomer. Preferably, the olefin monomer is decene, and the unsaturated polyolefin is polydecene.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fluid injection and oil production from a single wellbore which includes providing a path of communication between the injection and production zones.

Abstract: A polymer is disclosed that is useful in increasing the viscosity of carbon dioxide. That polymer comprises a polydialkylsilalkylene polymer; wherein the dialkyl group is preferably dimethyl, methylethyl, or diethyl; and the alkylene group is preferably ethylene or methylene. Preferably, the polymer is polydimethylsilalkylene. That polymer can be used in a method for recovering oil from an underground oil-bearing earth formation penetrated by an injection well and a producing well, in which method carbon dioxide is injected into the formation to displace oil towards the producing well from which oil is produced to the surface. The viscosity of the carbon dioxide injected into the formation is increased at least three-fold by the presence of a sufficient amount of the polydialkylsilalkylene polymer and a sufficient amount of a cosolvent to form a solution of the polymer in the carbon dioxide.