Abstract: A method for removing a viscous hydrocarbonaceous fluid or oil from a formation where carbon dioxide is utilized. Gaseous carbon dioxide is injected, by a pre-set time interval or a computer actuated valve means, into a well near a productive interval. Injection continues for a time sufficient for the carbon dioxide and oil to mix thereby decreasing the oil's viscosity and facilitating gas lift of an oil of reduced viscosity to the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring thickness and traction properties of elastohydrodynamic lubricant (EHL) films is described. The apparatus utilizes at least one ball or roller loaded against the internal diameter of a transparent ring having a larger radius than said ball or roller. A lubricant is placed between the rotating roller and ring thereby forming an EHL film where the ball and ring contact. Roller and ring rotating speeds are controlled to obtain different amounts of relative sliding motion between their surfaces. Contact between the surfaces and the resultant film are observed via the transparent ring which allows optical measurements of lubricating film thickness. Traction forces generated during contact are measured by any suitable force measuring device.

Abstract: A method to improve the efficiency of scale dissolution in a formation containing multiple productive intervals where variable density liquids are utilized. Initially, a liquid composition sufficient to solubilize an alkaline-earth metal sulfate scale deposit is directed into a wellbore thereby contacting scale in one productive interval of the formation. Thereafter, a second scale solubilizing liquid having a density of about 0.1 wt % less than the first liquid is directed into the wellbore thereby contacting additional perforations and a higher interval. These scale solubilizing liquids with varying densities are allowed to remain in contact with perforations and productive intervals communicating therewith for a time sufficient to solubilize the scale deposit thereby efficiently removing said scale deposit from perforations and productive intervals at two different levels.

Abstract: A method of producing high water-cut gas via in situ water-disposal. Initially, a well is drilled and cased. The casing is perforated at an upper gas producing interval. Next, a tubing is run down through the casing and its lower end is perforated so as to fluidly communicate with a lower non-productive interval. The tubing is also perforated at a location below the producing interval and a production packer is placed between the casing's lower end and the tubing thereby forming an annulus. A slidable sleeve is positioned in the annulus to selectively open and close perforations on the tube side of the annulus. As gas is produced, water separated from the gas collects in the annulus and falls through perforations in the tubing where it is disposed of in the non-productive interval.

Abstract: An oxygenated foam is injected into a loosely consolidated, clay-containing sandstone formation surrounding a well penetrating a hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir. Combustion is initiated between the oxygenated foam and hydrocarbons within the reservoir to burn the formation and form said consolidated zone around the well that acts as a barrier to the passage of sand into the well along with produced hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Two spaced apart zones of a formation are simultaneously hydraulically fractured. A lower density fracturing fluid is injected into an upper zone of the formation via an annulus of a perforated wellbore communicating with the upper zone thereby causing a fracture to propagate. Simultaneously therewith, a higher density fracturing fluid is injected into a lower spaced apart zone via a tube within the wellbore which fluidly communicates with the lower zone thereby causing simultaneously the propagation of a second fracture. Neither fracture contacts the other although complete fracture growth is obtained.

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: An oxygenated foam is injected into a hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir within a diatomite-containing subsurface formation to hydraulically form a fracture within the reservoir. Combustion is initiated between the oxygenated foam and hydrocarbons within the reservoir to burn the formation and alter diatomite within the burned area into a hardened, more highly permeable material. The reservoir may again be fractured to shatter the hardened diatomite to further increase reservoir permeability and form a self-propped fracture within the reservoir.

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 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 and composition for controlling the profile of a formation where temperatures higher than 400.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 and an inorganic salt or a chelated calcium compound are injected into the higher permeability zone. A silicate 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 and apparatus for controlling the intrusion of steam (e.g. breakthrough) from a zone of a producing formation into a slotted liner of a gravel-packed, production well of a steam flood recovery operation. An assembly including a blank, scab conduit is lowered into the upper portion of the slotted liner to effectively block those openings in the slotted liner which lie adjacent the steam intrusion zone. A seal, (e.g. deformable metal seal, metal seal rings, etc.) is provided at the upper end of the blank conduit to block upward flow between the liner and blank conduit when the blank conduit is in place. In a further embodiment, a second set of seals can be provided to block the downward flow of steam between the blank conduit and the slotted liner.

Abstract: Non-acidic tin-, lead-, or indium-modified Pt/ZSM-5 catalysts are effective catalysts for the shape selective preferential hydrogenation of certain aromatic hydrocarbons in admixture with others. These catalysts can be used to reduce the aromatic content of gasoline and distillates.

Abstract: A method and assembly for completing a wellbore having a production interval which, in turn, has at least one trouble zone (i.e. unproductive zone) intermediate two productive zones. A well assembly is lowered to position and cement a scab conduit across the trouble zone to seal the zone off from the rest of the open-hole production interval before completing the well by casing the wellbore and gravel-packing the production interval.

Abstract: Alkyl ethers of sulfur-containing hydroxyl-derived aromatics have been found to be effective as high-performance synthetic lubricant base stocks with superior catalytic thermal/oxidative stabilities, excellent antiwear and load-carrying properties, as exemplified by bisphenol sulfide (BPS) based products. These ethers are also highly useful in fuel compositions.

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 borehole logging tool is lowered into a borehole traversing a subsurface formation and a neutron detector measures the die-away of nuclear radiation in the formation. A model of the die-away of nuclear radiation is produced using exponential terms varying as the sum of borehole, formation and thermal neutron background components. Exponentially weighted moments of both the die-away measurements and die-away model are determined and equated. The equated moments are solved for the ratio of the borehole to formation amplitude components of the measurements. The formation decay constant is determined from at least the formation and thermal neutron background terms of the weighted measurement and model moments. An epithermal neutron lifetime is determined from the formation decay constant. This epithermal neutron lifetime and the amplitude ratio are used by a trained neural network to determine a lifetime correction and an apparent standoff.

Abstract: A recirculatory lubrication system for applying a film of lubricant to an open gear set having a pinion gear and a bull gear in meshing engagement with the pinion gear, the open gear set at least substantially enclosed by a gear set cover having a lower portion for collecting lubricant therein.

Abstract: A method for the injection of a pre-determined volume of gel below a fracture pressure limit is described. The fracture pressure limit for an unfractured formation is the fracture initiation pressure. The pressure limit for a previously fractured formation is the fracture extension pressure. Initially, a desired gel is injected into a thief zone at a constant rate while maintaining the injection pressure below the limiting fracture pressure. When the injection pressure reaches the formation fracture pressure limit, gel injection is halted for a period of about 3 hours. Afterwards, the bottom hole pressure is allowed to decline and stabilize. Next, gel injection is resumed at the same rate and pressure used prior to halting the injection. If necessary gel injection can be halted when the formation's pressure limit is again reached. After a period of about 3 hours, injection of gel can be again commenced. These steps can be repeated until a pre-determined volume of gel has been placed into the thief zone.

Abstract: A steam, carbon dioxide, or solvent injection method is used in combination with a cased well completed to have an upper vertical section, a lower vertical section and a horizontal section which connects the two vertical sections. Steam, carbon dioxide, or solvent is injected down tubing in the well and through perforations near the lower portion of the lower vertical section of the well and into an oil-bearing formation that is penetrated by the well. Oil is produced from the formation via perforations in the casing in the upper vertical section and thence upward through the annulus formed between the tubing and the casing to the surface of the earth for recovery.