Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery process comprises injection of water into a subterranean formation followed by the injection of a surfactant such as a micellar fluid and a thickening agent such as a polymer solution to drive oil toward a production well. Temperatures and pressures of injection of the water, surfactant, and thickening agent are controlled so as to thermoelastically fracture the formation behind the oil-water bank to increase the injectivity rate and propagation rate of the slugs of fluids behind the oil-water bank to control the shape of the flood front and to minimize misdirected fracturing ahead of the flood front.

Abstract: A downhole tool is supported by coilable tubing extending into the wellbore from a tubing injection and withdrawal apparatus and includes an elongated electrical signal transmitting cable extending through the tube between the tool and the injection apparatus. The tool is connected to one end of the tube by a connector assembly which provides for limited swiveling movement of the tool relative to the end of the tube to preclude excessive lateral loads from being exerted on the tool during positioning of the tool in the wellbore. The connector assembly includes a frangible coupling comprising coupling members which are interconnected by shearable pins whereby separation from the tool will occur at the connector assembly in the event the tool becomes stuck in the wellbore. One of the coupling members includes a fishing neck for engagement with a suitable fishing tool whereby the downhole tool may be retrieved if separated from the tubing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drilling a wellbore in the earth from a location in a body of water wherein the drilling operation generates a substantial amount of a mixture of solid drilling cuttings, water and at least one hydrocarbonaceous oil wherein the water and oil are removed from the solid drilling cuttings and any retain solid particles in said water and oil are removed therefrom prior to reuse, disposal, or other disposition of said water and oil.

Abstract: The effective permeability of subterranean hydrocarbon bearing formations with respect to surfactant and drive fluid injection processes is enhanced by preceding the surfactant fluid injection step with creation of multiple formation fractures using tailored pressure pulses produced by gas generating propellant canisters disposed in the injection well. Fluid injectivity rates are increased by subsequent fracture extensions provided by repeated steps of generating high pressure gas pulses at selected intervals.

Abstract: A process for recovering hydrocarbons, e.g., crude petroleum, from a formation comprising: (a) injecting carbon dioxide into the formation; (b) shutting off the wells to the formation to allow the carbon dioxide to contact and disperse in the hydrocarbons in the formation; (c) recovering hydrocarbons from the formation; (d) repeating steps (a), (b) and (c) at least once; (e) injecting a carbonated aqueous liquid composition into the formation to drive the hydrocarbons toward the production well or wells and (f) recovering hydrocarbons from the formation.

Abstract: A process for viscous oil recovery from a subsurface formation wherein the electric power is generated by burning combustible material and the electric power is passed through the formation via electrodes, preferably producing wells, to apply heat to the oil and reduce its viscosity. Simultaneously therewith, the hot flue gas is used to heat water which is injected into the formation to apply heat to the formation, or reduce loss of the heat created by the electric current, or to force oil toward the producing wells, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: An improved strobe lamp holder is formed of a member with a semi-circular appearing, trough-like, reflective curved inner surface in the direction of the axis of the member. Covering the light emitting opening of the lamp is a light diffusing material. Covering the open ends of the trough-like curved surface is a light confining material. The holder is adapted for placement of a strobe bulb inside the trough-like curved surface, diffusive material and light confining ends is a strobe bulb. The improved strobe lamp holder is adapted to emit light rays in a predominantly rectangular pattern with the length of the rectangle oriented perpendicular to the axis of the reflecting curved surface. The improved strobe lamp holder is designed for use in centrifuge measurement of liquid production into or out of mineral cores.

Abstract: A well cleanout system for removing accumulations of solid particles in a gravel pack screen or liner and in the vicinity of a casing or liner hanger includes a tubular extension member which may be lowered into the production fluid tubing string and secured to a nipple at the lower end of the tubing string. Coiled tubing with a nozzle arrangement on the distal end thereof is extended through the tubular extension member and into the wellbore for jetting a cleanout fluid into the wellbore to entrain solids in a fluid stream which is pumped to the surface through the production tubing. The coiled tubing, nozzle and extesnion member may be retrieved by unlocking the extension member and pulling the coiled tubing out of the wellbore.

Abstract: A method for restoring the catalytic activity of solid particles using an improved apparatus for separating solid particles from vapor is disclosed. The apparatus includes a novel inlet system, a novel particle outlet system and a chamber having novel dimensional relationships which result in an apparatus that separates solid particles from vapor with less attrition, or "break-up" of particulate matter, while maintaining a high separation efficiency at high loading conditions, e.g., the apparatus maintains a tangential wall velocity of less than about 50 feet per second and separates, from a mixture of solid particles and vapor, more than about 95% of the solid particles that are larger than about 20 microns in diameter while processing more than about 200 cubic feet of the mixture per second.

Abstract: Electrical resistance heating of subterranean viscous fluid deposits is provided by a wellbore having a conductive casing section and a coupling disposed in proximity to the formation. An elongated, flexible fluid injection or withdrawal tube extends into the wellbore, is secured to the coupling, and is connected to a source of electrical energy. The tube is preferably of composite construction having an inner steel core, an outer copper layer and a reinforced plastic corrosion resistant coating over the copper layer.

Abstract: A method for hydraulic fracturing a subterranean formation region to control the fracture extent in vertical and horizontal directions characterized by the injection of cold liquid into the formation region to precool the region and reduce the stresses in the formation region so that a hydraulic fracture may be propagated at a lower fluid injection pressure. The shape of the cooled region may be controlled by injection of various quantities of leakoff control agent during injection of the cold liquid and extension of the hydraulic fracture may be carried out simultaneously with the cold liquid flooding or by raising the pressure after the flood front has progressed a desired radial extent from the wellbore. The fracturing operation may be completed by injecting a pad of cold liquid with a high concentration of leakoff control agent to seal the fracture face followed by injection of liquid carrying a sufficient quantity of proppant material to maintain the fracture width and conductivity at the desired level.

Abstract: A gravel pack well completion includes an elongated gravel pack screen connected at its upper end to a production tube which in turn is connected to a production fluid pump. The gravel pack screen includes an elongated tube interposed therein and having a primary inlet located generally in the vicinity of the lower end of the screen for maintaining sufficient liquid flow velocity within the screen to prevent settling and accumulation in the wellbore of entrained fine solids entering said screen with production liquids. A gas port is provided in the upper end of the draft tube to conduct gas into said production tube and to prevent significant accumulation of gas in the wellbore at the gravel pack.

Abstract: In deep drainhole drilling, a specially oriented drill collar of generally elliptic cross section is combined with a drill bit, a downhole motor and means adapted to deflect the bit to drill the build section of the drainhole curving at a medium angle of 2.degree. to 50.degree. per hundred feet. Preferably, the drill collar is at least twenty feet long. The elliptic drill collar is oriented in a manner such that the minor axis of the ellipse lies generally in the direction of the intended curve of the build interval. For the desired vertical build, this places the locus of the minimum axis of the ellipse toward the vertical and the locus of major axis toward the horizontal when the curved interval of the drainhole approaches horizontal. Preferably, the minor axis is at least twenty percent shorter than the major axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for dehydrating slurries such as water based drilling fluids heavily laden with drill cuttings and other earth solids comprising a rotating drum which is heated by combustion of a fuel air mixture to generate relatively large quantities of combustion products for heating in an enclosed chamber defined by said drum. The slurry to be dehydrated is injected into the interior of the drum or against the outer sidewall thereof for rapid exposure and substantially flash evaporation of the slurry liquids. An outer housing may be constructed around the drum and in one embodiment the drum is arranged inclined to the horizontal with the slurry introduced into the interior of the drum and the combustion chamber formed between the outer housing and the drum. In another embodiment the combustion chamber is formed on the interior of the drum and the evaporation chamber is formed between the drum and the outer housing.

Abstract: There is provided a reliable carbon dioxide miscible displacement process wherein a propane-rich in place oil transition zone is created by huff and puff techniques. The enriched oil transition zone uses less LPG solvent per unit volume and is less critical or has greater tolerance to reservoir conditions than a carbon dioxide process would otherwise have if the propane were injected as a displacing slug. The huff stage of injection of the propane material may be followed by a period of shut in. The process may be repeated several times. Propane injection also demethanizes the zone around the injection well, thereby removing methane which interferes with development of miscibility between carbon dioxide and in place oil. After creation of the transition zone, carbon dioxide with or without other fluids is injected to displace oil from the reservoir.

Abstract: An electrode well extending into a subterranean formation containing viscous hydrocarbons comprising a plurality of electrode tubes which are formed by extension of an elongated tube from the surface above the formation using a coiled tube injection unit or lowering the tubes on drill pipe, diverting the tubes radially outwardly from the wellbore into the formation and penetrating the formation with the electrode tubes using hydraulic jetting action by pumping fluid through the tubes during the insertion process. The tubes are installed axially spaced apart using respective tube guide members which are inserted into the wellbore and operate to form a curved path for diverting the tubes into the formation during the insertion process and for supporting the end of the tube after its insertion into the wellbore.

Abstract: A flow line control valve is provided with internal erosion and corrosion trim liners and means for detecting for leaks in the liners. There is also provided fuller range, positive shutoff throttle means designed to reduce erosion and corrosion of the throttling parts and valve seat. The low flow rate throttling action is provided by progressive and accumulative flow through one or more stages of throttling flow passages of and by a nose end of the throttling means. Preferably the nose end is concavely tapered. Also preferably two or more stages of throttling spaced apart flow passages of increasing size are employed. Postive long lasting shut-off is assured by combining throttling and seat surfaces of different angles of taper.

Abstract: A portable hand held pistol grip type conductor wrapping tool has a tool body with a forward projecting nose portion having a transverse face and a polygonal boss formed thereon for receiving a generally disk shaped mounting bracket for a conductor insulation stripping device. The mounting bracket has a polygonal recess complementary to and adapted to be supported on the boss in one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced working positions with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tool. A threaded nose projection extends forwardly from the boss for receiving a not and resilient "o" ring type gasket for retaining the mounting bracket rigidly secured on the tool body in its selected working position.

Abstract: There is described an insulating connector for the wellhead of an electrode well used for heating a subsurface formation by electrical power dissipation in the formation. The insulating connector has two iron base metal fittings (for example, steel flange halves) heat shrink fitted to a piece of ceramic pipe with a nonferrous second metal between the outer surface of the ceramic and the inner surface of the metal fittings. The nonferrous metal (for example, copper) has a lower yield than steel and a higher thermal expansion coefficient than the iron base metal and deforms, compensates and distributes the stresses caused in the shrink fitted members by the differences expansion between steel and ceramics.

Abstract: A subterranean viscous oil bearing formation is progressively produced in a preselected direction by a combination of steps conducted in sets of wells spaced from each other in the preselected direction. A first set of wells is used to both apply electrical heat to the formation and inject brine, preferably at low rates. Then electrical heating and brine injection are applied to a second set of wells spaced in the preselected direction from the first set of wells. Electrical heating in the first of wells is ceased and hot aqueous fluid injection is commenced. These steps are moved in sequence to coact with each other and traverse and produce the formation thereby providing a more energy efficient process. Variations cover electrically stimulated huff and puff backflowing or producing steps to control wellbore resistance and distribute the heat uniformly in the proper direction. A pressure maintenance fluid may also be injected in the depleted part of the formation.