Abstract: A method is provided for gravel packing an open hole section of a hydrocarbon producing well. The method includes injecting a slurry comprising particulates dispersed in a carrier fluid into an annular space in the open hole section of the wellbore, and depositing the particulates in the annular space to form a gravel pack. Typically, inter-granular bonds form among the particulates, and thus form the gravel pack. In some embodiments, the inter-granular bonds generate grain-to-grain compressive strength which is strong enough to keep the gravel pack immobile.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a rock sample includes segmenting a digital image volume corresponding to the rock sample, to associate voxels in the digital image volume with pore space or solid material. A distance transform is applied to each pore space voxel. The distance transform assigns a distance value to the pore space voxel specifying distance from the pore space voxel to a solid material voxel. Drainage is numerically simulated by, for a pore space, selecting each distance value assigned to a pore space voxel that is greater than a predetermined threshold value to represent a radius of a sphere of a non-wetting fluid introduced into the pore space. The sphere is centered at the pore space voxel corresponding to the distance value. The digital image volume is numerically analyzed to characterize a material property of the rock sample at a non-wetting fluid saturation produced by the drainage.

Abstract: An automatic batch sequence computer control system is configured to automatically operate process valves in a delayed coker for a complete coke drum cycle. Double verification of the movement of the process valves is used to confirm advancing to the next step. Primary verification is achieved by using position sensors on the valves. Secondary verification is achieved by using monitored process conditions and confirming the measured conditions correlate with expected process conditions for an arrangement of valve positions at a given sequence in the coke drum cycle. A safety interlock system may be integrated with the control system.

Abstract: A system includes a tubular member (60) including a radially outer surface (60c) and a sensor assembly (128). The sensor assembly includes a strain sensor coupled to the radially outer surface. In addition, the sensor assembly includes a first coating having (134) a first hardness and a first tensile strength. The first coating encases the strain sensor (131,130) and at least part (64) of the outer surface. Further, the sensor assembly includes a second coating (136) having a second hardness that is greater than the first hardness and a second tensile strength that is greater than the first tensile strength. The second coating encases the first coating and at least another part (68) of the radially outer surface.

Abstract: A method for optimizing a desalting process in which a hydrocarbon feedstock is passed to a desalter through a line under a set of conditions, the hydrocarbon feedstock containing a hydrocarbon fluid, water and a salt, said method comprising: obtaining spectra of the hydrocarbon feedstock under a plurality of environments in the line; comparing the spectra; and based on the comparison of the spectra, either modifying or maintaining the set of conditions under which the hydrocarbon feedstock is passed to the desalter; wherein the spectra are obtained using neutron backscattering.

Abstract: A method comprises correlating—in a system which comprises a non-aqueous phase comprising a hydrocarbon fluid, and an aqueous phase—partitioning levels of a basic contaminant and/or an acid of interest into the aqueous phase with the pH of the aqueous phase. The partitioning levels of the basic contaminant and the acid of interest, as well as the pH of the aqueous phase, are obtained under conditions which are representative of those used in a partitioning process in which a basic contaminant is removed from a hydrocarbon fluid. The correlations may be used in a method for selecting an acidic environment for use in a partitioning process, for estimating corrosion risk downstream of a partitioning process, or for controlling a partitioning process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a furan derivative comprising the steps of (a) converting a monosaccharide to provide a keto-intermediate product; and (b) dehydrating the keto-intermediate product to provide a furan derivative; wherein the keto-intermediate product is pre-disposed to forming keto-furanose tautomers in solution. The method may further comprising a step of oxidizing the furan derivative to provide a furandicarboxylic acid or a furandicarboxylic acid derivative.

Abstract: Processes for the energy efficient recycle of naphthenes in a paraxylene manufacturing process comprise partially condensing a reactor effluent and using a sidedraw tower apparatus. The naphthenes are efficiently separated into the sidedraw stream of the sidedraw tower apparatus. At least a portion of the sidedraw stream is directed to a paraxylene recovery section that produces a paraxylene product and a paraxylene lean stream comprising essentially all of the naphthenes in the sidedraw stream directed to the paraxylene recovery section. The paraxylene lean stream is recycled back to the reactor thereby preventing excessive loss of naphthenes from the processes.

Abstract: A process for analysing a hydrocarbon stream comprises: withdrawing a hydrocarbon sample from a hydrocarbon stream; passing the hydrocarbon sample to an analysis device at a target temperature of greater than 120° C. and a target flow rate of greater than 20 litres per minute; and returning the hydrocarbon sample to the hydrocarbon stream. The process may be used for the on-line analysis of crude oil, in order to optimise a refinery operation.

Abstract: An automatic batch sequence computer control system is configured to automatically operate process valves in a delayed coker for a complete coke drum cycle. Double verification of the movement of the process valves is used to confirm advancing to the next step. Primary verification is achieved by using position sensors on the valves. Secondary verification is achieved by using monitored process conditions and confirming the measured conditions correlate with expected process conditions for an arrangement of valve positions at a given sequence in the coke drum cycle. A safety interlock system may be integrated with the control system.

Abstract: A system for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean well including a wellbore extending from a surface into a subterranean formation includes a wellhead disposed at the surface. In addition, the system includes a production tree coupled to the wellhead and a casing coupled to the wellhead and extending into the wellbore. Still further, the system includes a first production tubing string extending into the casing from the wellhead to a first production zone and a second production tubing string extending into the casing from the wellhead to the first production zone. The first production tubing string and the second production tubing string are each configured to provide a fluid flow path for gases from the first production zone. The second production tubing string is radially spaced from the first production tubing string. The first production tubing string has an inner diameter D1 that is larger than an inner diameter D2 of the second production tubing string.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons within a reservoir includes (a) injecting an aqueous solution into the reservoir. The aqueous solution includes water and a thermally activated chemical species. The thermally activated chemical species is urea, a urea derivative, or a carbamate. The thermally activated chemical agent is thermally activated at or above a threshold temperature less than 200 C. In addition, the method includes (b) thermally activating the thermally activated chemical species in the aqueous solution during or after (a) at a temperature equal to or greater than the threshold temperature to produce carbon-dioxide and at least one of ammonia, amine, and alkanolamine within the reservoir. Further, the method includes (c) increasing the water wettability of the subterranean formation in response to the thermally activation in (b). Still further, the method includes (d) waterflooding the reservoir with water after (a), (b) and (c).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to produce ketones suitable for use as fuels and lubricants by catalytic conversion of an acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation product mixture that can be derived from biomass.

Abstract: So-called “Popcorn shooting”, and especially continuous Popcorn shooting, combined with simultaneous source shooting allows considerable flexibility in producing high-resolution data and in creating source arrays. Using a combination of simultaneous source de-blending and Popcorn reconstruction it is possible to construct using post acquisition processing arrays of any desired length by constructing a popcorn pattern that takes into account the vessel speed and physical arrangement of guns behind the towing vessel.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for producing ketone(s) from the condensation of methyl ketone(s) and alcohol(s) in the presence of an amine catalyst and a metal catalyst. Such amine catalysts may be supported, for example, on a silica-alumina support. Such ketones may be suitable for use in producing fuels, gasoline additives, and/or lubricants, or precursors thereof. The methyl ketone(s) and/or alcohol(s) may be obtained from renewable sources, such as by fermentation of biomass.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for producing ?,?-unsaturated ketones from the condensation of methyl ketones in the presence of an amine catalyst. Such amine catalysts may be supported, for example, on a silica-alumina support. Such amine catalysts may be used in the presence of an additional acid. The ?,?-unsaturated ketones may be produced by dimerization and/or timerization of the methyl ketones. Such ?,?-unsaturated ketones may be suitable for use in producing fuels, gasoline additives, and/or lubricants, or precursors thereof. The methyl ketones may be obtained from renewable sources, such as by the fermentation of biomass.

Abstract: The instant invention is designed to provide an adaptive approach to removing short-period time/phase distortions within a downward-continuation process that is a key component of seismic migration algorithms. Using techniques analogous to residual statics corrections that are used in standard seismic processing, one inventive approach estimates and removes the effects of short wavelength velocity disruptions, thereby creating clearer seismic images of the subsurface of the earth. Additionally, the instant method will provide an updated velocity model that can be used to obtain further image improvement.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the catalytic conversion of alcohols into hydrocarbon ketones suitable for use as fuels. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to the catalytic conversion of a mixture of isopropanol-butanol-ethanol (IBE) or acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE), into ketones suitable for use as fuels. The ABE or IBE mixtures may be obtained from the fermentation of biomass or sugars.

Abstract: A system for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean well including a wellbore extending from a surface into a subterranean formation, the system including a wellhead disposed at the surface. In addition, the system includes a production tree coupled to the wellhead. Further, the system includes a casing coupled to the wellhead and extending into the wellbore. Still further, the system includes a first plurality of production tubing strings extending into the casing from the wellhead to a first production zone. Each of the first plurality of production tubing strings is configured to provide a fluid flow path for gases from the first production zone. The production tree is configured to selectively and independently control fluid flow through each of the first plurality of production tubing strings.

Abstract: The invention relates to enzymes having xylanase, mannanase and/or glucanase activity, e.g., catalyzing hydrolysis of internal ?-1,4-xylosidic linkages or endo-?-1,4-glucanase linkages; and/or degrading a linear polysaccharide beta-1,4-xylan into xylose. Thus, the invention provides methods and processes for breaking down hemicellulose, which is a major component of the cell wall of plants, including methods and processes for hydrolyzing hemicelluloses in any plant or wood or wood product, wood waste, paper pulp, paper product or paper waste or byproduct. In addition, methods of designing new xylanases, mannanases and/or glucanases and methods of use thereof are also provided. The xylanases, mannanases and/or glucanases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.