Abstract: A pair of vertically spaced, parallel, co-extensive, horizontal injection and production wells and a laterally spaced, horizontal offset well are provided in a subterranean reservoir containing heavy oil. Fluid communication is established across the span of formation extending between the pair of wells. Steam-assisted gravity drainage (“SAGD”) is then practised by injecting steam through the injection well and producing heated oil and steam condensate through the production well, which is operated under steam trap control. Cyclic steam stimulation is practised at the offset well. The steam chamber developed at the offset well tends to grow toward the steam chamber of the SAGD pair, thereby accelerating development of communication between the SAGD pair and the offset well. This process is continued until fluid communication is established between the injection well and the offset well.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation comprises injecting steam and an additive into the formation. The additive has at least one nonaqueous fluid, which is selected so that the evaporation temperature of the additive is within about ±150° C. of the steam temperature at the operating pressure. Suitable additives include C1 to C25 hydrocarbons, and combinations thereof. At least a portion of the additive condenses in the formation. The mobility of the hydrocarbons is greater than that obtained using steam alone under substantially similar formation conditions.

Abstract: Used oil is treated in a reactor to remove contaminants. The reactor comprises a rotating vessel forming an internal reaction chamber. The vessel is housed within a heating chamber. The inside of the vessel is indirectly heated by conduction through the vessel walls. The reaction chamber contains a permanently resident charge of non-ablating, granular coarse solids. Within the reaction chamber, the oil is vaporized and pyrolyzed, producing a hydrocarbon vapour. Coke is formed as a byproduct. Contaminants, such as metals and halides, become associated with the coke. The coarse solids scour and comminute the coke to form fine solids. The fine solids are separated within the reaction chamber from the coarse solids and are removed from the vessel through a pipe located at the axis of the vessel. The hydrocarbon vapours are also removed from the vessel through the axial pipe, as a separate stream. Residual fine solids are separated in a cyclone from the vapour stream.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for enhancing oil recovery in oil-containing reservoirs formed of water-wet sand. The process involves placing oil-wet sand in the near-bore region of a production well. The process can be used to provide an improvement to both a conventional pressure driven fluid drive process and a conventional steam-assisted gravity drainage process. In the fluid drive process, the drive fluid is injected intermittently.

Abstract: A method is provided for blocking high permeability channels in subterranean geological formations, using swelling clay. A slurry is prepared by mixing swelling clay, such as bentonite, into an aqueous solution containing the salt of certain cations, which inhibit clay swelling. The cations K.sup.+, Ca.sup.2+ and Mg.sup.2+, among others, are inhibitive of clay swelling. The clay slurry is introduced into a geological formation, where it preferentially enters channels of high permeability. There the slurry is contacted by NaCl brine solution present in natural or injected drive fluids, and the inhibitive cations bound to the clay particles are replaced by Na.sup.+ ions, which attract water molecules and promote clay swelling. The Na.sup.+ -clay swells to up to 10 times its original volume, causing the slurry to acquire a gel-like consistency. The clay gel so formed is capable of blocking the flow of water, and can resist pressure of up to 500 kPa per meter.

Abstract: A method is presented for accurately surveying and determining the profile of the path of a subterranean wellbore containing a constant density fluid extending contiguously throughout. A first pressure sensor, associated with a downhole tool, is traversed station-by-station along the wellbore for measuring the pressure of the fluid within the wellbore at each station. A second pressure sensor is located within the wellbore fluid at a known elevation. The elevation of the first pressure sensor, at a station, is determined by adding the calculated differential height to the known absolute elevation of the second sensor. As each elevation is referenced to the second sensor, no cumulative errors are incurred. If the density of the fluid is unknown, a third pressure sensor within the wellbore fluid can be provided at a known elevation different from that of the second sensor. The areal position of each station is determined by conventional means associated with the downhole tool.

Abstract: A conventional screened liner is modified to enable fluid circulation through its length when working it toward a landing position in a horizontal wellbore. At surface, a sleeve of heat-liquifiable sealant (such as wax or tar) is formed internally in each perforated liner joint to blind the liner openings. The sleeve may have a central longitudinal bore formed therethrough or alternatively the sleeve is bored out to fully re-open the joint bore. In either case, the bore through the blinded joints enable circulating the liner into the wellbore. Once the liner is in place, the sealant can be removed by circulating steam past it to liquify it. By providing bore-forming blinded screen joints, it is now possible to circulate through the entire length of liner to remove sand blockages without reversing fluid flow through the liner openings.

Abstract: A transition metal salt, preferably ammonium heptamolybdate, is dissolved in water to provide a solution containing the dispersed catalyst precursor. The solution is atomized by passing it through an atomizing nozzle submerged in hot oil. The minute atomized droplets are delivered into the hot oil and the water is flashed to form steam bubbles. The precursor forms catalytic particles distributed in the oil.

Abstract: The invention provides a solvent-assisted method for mobilizing viscous heavy oil or bitumen in a reservoir under reservoir conditions without the need to adjust the temperature or pressure. The invention utilizes mixtures of hydrocarbon solvents such as ethane, propane and butane, which dissolve in oil and reduce its viscosity. Two or more solvents are mixed in such proportions that the dew point of the solvent mixture corresponds with reservoir temperature and pressure conditions. The solvent mixture, when injected into a reservoir, exists predominantly in the vapor phase, minimizing the solvent requirement. The invention can be practised in the context of paired injector and producer wells, or a single well cyclic system.

Abstract: A slug of solution, comprising a linear polymer such as polysulfone, polyethylene terephthalate or polyimide dissolved in a "good" solvent, such as morpholine, dimethylformamide m-cresol or dimethylsulfoxide, respectively, is emplaced in the near-wellbore region of an unconsolidated sand reservoir. A second slug comprising a poor solvent for the polymer, such as water or water+2-methanol is pumped into the region to contact the first slug. The linear polymer is precipitated and forms a three-dimensional network of interconnected strands extending through the fluid flow channels between the sand grains. The network functions to consolidate the sand without significantly damaging permeability. Petroleum and other fluids can then be produced without loose sand being entrained in the fluids. If necessary, this permeable network of plastic threads can be removed by re-injecting a slug of the good solvent to re-dissolve the plastic and reform the original linear polymer solution.

Abstract: A sand pack holder is provided for testing the properties of a sand sample or testing the performance of an oil recovery process in the sample. The sample is pressurized within the holder to simulate reservoir condition.

Abstract: Oil sand is treated to prevent the production of sulfur dioxide ("SO.sub.2 ") from a known rotating kiln-type processor. Lime or calcium oxide ("CaO") is added with the oil sand feed to the kiln. In the kiln, the CaO is mixed with the sulfur-containing bitumen of the oil sand and preheated. The preheated mixture is then pyrolysed, forming coke which is modified by the added CaO to reduce its tendency to produce SO.sub.2 when combusted. The modified coke is then combusted with air, producing substantially no SO.sub.2.

Abstract: In a hydrocracking process a feed mixture comprising: heavy oil containing asphaltenes and sulfur moieties; an oil-soluble, metal-containing compound additive (such as iron pentacarbonyl or molybdenum 2-ethyl hexanoate), which additive is operative to impede coalescence of coke precursors and which forms hydrocracking catalytic particles in situ; and, optionally, a hydrocarbon diluent which is a solvent for asphaltenes and which will assist with dispersion of the additive; is mixed for a prolonged period at low temperature (e.g., 80.degree. C.-190.degree. C.) in a first vessel or vessels to disperse the additive without significantly decomposing the additive. Preferably, the product mixture is then digested in a second vessel or vessels by mixing it at an elevated temperature (e.g., 250.degree. C.), to decompose the additive. The resulting mixture is then heated to hydrocracking temperature (e.g., 450.degree. C.) and introduced into a reactor.

Abstract: A method is provided for the stabilization and control of the two-phase flow of hot fluid containing water issuing from the top of an upwardly rising conduit or riser of a horizontal oil-production well. The fluid enters the bottom of the riser at a temperature higher than the saturation temperature of water at the conditions prevailing at the top of the riser. A first mass rate flow controller is coupled to a mass rate flow detector at the top of the well for controlling mass flow at a substantially constant rate over a short time interval. Signals indicative of the optimal flow rate for the process are input to a second controller. The second controller adjusts the mass flow rate setpoint of the first controller. The second controller has a time constant significantly longer than that of the first controller.

Abstract: The processor is of the type incorporating horizontal, concentric, co-extensive inner and outer tubular members which rotate together. The processor is modified in the following respects:The front end of the inner tubular member is circumferentially corrugated and may be provided in the form of a plurality of parallel tubes arranged in a ring array, to thereby increase the shell area to promote heat transfer through the tube walls;Means are provided for interconnecting the tubular members, which means can accommodate differing rates of thermal expansion; anda rock recycle tube assembly is provided to recover oversize material leaving the corrugated portion of the inner tubular member and reject it from the processor.

Abstract: It has been discovered that the production or recovery of oil or bitumen produced or recovered in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion form a porous water containing oil or bitumen producing formation is maintained and improved by maintaining the temperature of the produced oil or bitumen in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion at a temperature not lower than and preferably greater than Tc, wherein Tc is the minimum temperature for the oil or bitumen, such as in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion, to flow through the porous water-containing oil or bitumen producing formation. In a special practice of this invention to prevent water coning, a substantially water impermeable barrier can be produced in a water saturated formation by depositing therein a bitumen or oil-in-water emulsion barrier or zone at a temperature below Tc.

Abstract: A process is provided for enhancing the recovery of oil in a subterranean formation. The process involves injecting a surfactant-containing foam having oil-imbibing and transporting properties. A foam having such properties is selected either by determination of the lamella number or by micro-visualization techniques.

Abstract: A process is provided for hydrocracking a heavy oil bitumen and chemically related feedstock. The process comprises reacting said feedstock with a gaseous superacid in the presence of hydrogen with or without the use of a hydrogen transfer agent to thereby yield lower boiling point distillates.

Abstract: A solid carbonaceous fuel having reduced sulfur dioxide emission upon combustion is provided. The fuel comprises a coagglomerate formed of coke or coal, a novel silica-enhanced sulfur-dioxide sorbent and a bitumen binder.

Abstract: The processor is of the type incorporating horizontal, concentric, co-extensive inner and outer tubular members which rotate together. The processor is modified in the following respects:The front end of the inner tubular member is circumferentially corrugated and may be provided in the form of a plurality of parallel tubes arranged in a ring array, to thereby increase the shell area to promote heat transfer through the tube walls;Means are provided for interconnecting the tubular members, which means can accommodate differing rates of thermal expansion and;a rock recycle tube assembly is provided to recover oversize material leaving the corrugated portion of the inner tubular member and reject it from the processor.