Abstract: A method for predicting the critical solvent power of a visbroken residue stream of interest, CSPVisRes(OI) comprises predicting CSPVisRes(OI) from the critical percentage titrant of an atmospheric residue stream, CPTAR, the atmospheric residue stream being derived from the same crude oil as the visbroken residue stream of interest. A method for predicting the solvent power of a visbroken residue stream of interest, SPVisRes(OI), comprises predicting SPVisRes(OI) from the critical solvent power of the visbroken residue stream, CSPVisRes, and the critical percentage titrant of the visbroken residue stream, CPTVisRes. CPTVisRes is derived from the critical percentage cetane of the visbroken residue stream, CPCVisRes, which, in turn, is calculated from the P-value of the visbroken residue stream. The methods may be used to predict the stability of a fuel oil containing the visbroken residue.

Abstract: In some examples, a method comprises receiving, by a computer system, data from a plurality of equipment of a production facility; displaying, on a display unit of the computer system, a dynamic digital replica of the production facility, wherein accessing a digital replica of one of the plurality of equipment via the dynamic digital replica displays data for the one of the plurality of equipment of the production facility; analyzing the data for the one of the plurality of equipment; and generating, based on the analysis, a report on a health of the one of the plurality of equipment.

Abstract: A method includes receiving image data that is to be recognized by the at least one neural network. The image data is representative of a fault within a subsurface volume. The image data includes three-dimensional synthetic data. The method also includes generating an output via the at least one neural network based on the received image data. The method also includes comparing the output of the at least one neural network with a desired output; and modifying the neural network so that the output of the neural network corresponds to the desired output.

Abstract: A device may include a processor that may recover the signals misallocated in the deblending process of seismic data acquired with simultaneous sources. The processor may update the primary signal estimate based at least in part on a separation operation that separates coherence signals from noise signals in an output associated with the residual determined to be remaining energy for separation. The processor may be incorporated into the iterative primary signal estimate of the deblending process or be applied towards preexisting deblending output. In response to satisfying an end condition, the processor may transmit a deblended output that includes the weak coherence signals recovered from the misallocation or error in the primary signal estimate. The processor may also transmit the deblended output for use in generating a seismic image. The seismic image may represent hydrocarbons in a subsurface region of Earth or subsurface drilling hazards.

Abstract: A compact seismic source for seismic acquisition generating a humming signal includes a casing and a low-frequency reciprocating drive. The casing defines a fluid tight chamber and comprises a first casing section and a second casing section of roughly equal mass. The drive is disposed within the fluid tight chamber and, in operation, reinforces the natural reciprocating oscillation of the first and second casing sections relative to one another at a low seismic frequency. In one aspect, this action omni-directionally radiates the low frequency, humming seismic signal. On another aspect, the compact seismic source is substantially smaller than the wavelength of the low seismic frequency. Such a compact source may be deployed to omni-directionally radiate a low frequency, humming seismic signal during a seismic survey.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first transition probability matrix (TPM) of a subsurface region, wherein the TPM defines, for a given lithology at a current depth sample (or micro-layer), a probability of particular lithologies at a next depth sample (or micro-layer), receiving seismic data for the subsurface region, utilizing the first TPM and the seismic data to generate first pseudo wells, calculating a second TPM from the first pseudo wells, determining whether the second TPM is consistent with the first TPM, and utilizing the first pseudo wells to characterize a reservoir in the subsurface region when the second TPM is determined to be consistent with the first TPM.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a method of correcting recorded seismic data where each receiver clock is potentially inaccurate. Since the seismic wave field is not random, and contains coherent events that are recorded by all receivers in a local area, it is possible to estimate the differences in the time reference by comparing the recordings of different receivers in a local area. With no external time reference, time signal, or pilot trace, an entire seismic data itself can be used to determine how each receiver's clock is drifting from true time.

Abstract: A process is provided for recovering a heavy metal from a waste stream resulting from a process for producing aromatic carboxylic acid by liquid-phase oxidation of an aromatic feedstock compound in the presence of a heavy metal catalyst. The process comprises: (a) producing a carbonate salt precipitate of the heavy metal by adding a source of metal ions and carbonate or bicarbonate ions into the waste stream; (b) separating the precipitate from the waste stream; (c) washing the precipitate with an alkali solution having metal ions therein, wherein at least a portion of the metal ions in the alkali solution are the same as at least a portion of metal ions in the source of metal ions and carbonate or bicarbonate ions; and, (d) recovering the washed precipitate wherein the washed precipitate comprises the heavy metal ions. In one embodiment, the aromatic carboxylic acid comprises terephthalic acid.

Abstract: A method for cementing a borehole includes pumping a collection of fluids into the borehole through a tubular string in the borehole, flowing the collection of fluids up an annulus positioned between the tubular string and a sidewall of the borehole, monitoring a volume of the fluids pumped into the borehole, performing a first estimation of a position of the fluids based on the volume of the collection of fluids pumped into the borehole, and an initial estimate of an average diameter of the sidewall of at least a portion of the borehole, calculating a corrected estimate of the average diameter based on the first estimation and a pressure of the fluids measured at an inlet of the tubular string, and performing a second estimation of the position of the fluids based on the volume of the fluids pumped into the borehole and the corrected estimate of the average diameter.

Abstract: A method of seismic exploration above a region of the subsurface of the earth containing structural or stratigraphic features conducive to the presence, migration, or accumulation of hydrocarbons comprises setting a tow depth of a resonant seismic source, producing a resonant frequency at a first amplitude with the resonant seismic source at the tow depth, detecting a depth excursion from the tow depth, reducing an amplitude of the mass from the first amplitude to a second amplitude, preventing the mass from contacting at least one of the first end stop or the second end stop based on reducing the amplitude to the second amplitude, correcting the depth excursion to return the resonant seismic source to the tow depth, and increasing the amplitude from the second amplitude to produce the resonant frequency with the resonant seismic source at the tow depth.

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 method for determining a rate at which solid particles settle from a liquid in a slurry includes (a) mixing the solid particles and the liquid to form the slurry. In addition, the method includes (b) placing the slurry in an inner cavity of a vessel. Further, the method includes (c) measuring a hydrostatic pressure of the slurry at a bottom of the inner cavity over a period of time after (b). The method also includes (d) determining a quantity of the solid particles that settle from the liquid as a function of time over the period of time using the hydrostatic pressure measurements from (c).

Abstract: A method for mitigating a fluid flow from a target wellbore using a relief wellbore includes receiving wellbore geometry information of the target wellbore, receiving an initial interception point of the target wellbore, simulating a change in a three-dimensional flow characteristic of a kill fluid flow from a simulated relief wellbore and a target fluid flow from a simulated target wellbore resulting from an interaction between the kill fluid flow and the target fluid flow at the initial interception point, the simulated target wellbore designed using the received wellbore geometry information, and determining a final interception point of the target wellbore based on the simulation.

Abstract: A method of seismic exploration above a region of the subsurface containing structural or stratigraphic features conducive to the presence, migration, or accumulation of hydrocarbons comprises accessing at least a portion of a blended seismic source survey, separating the at least two interfering seismic source excitations using inversion separation, producing one or more source gathers based on the separating, and using the one or more source gathers to explore for hydrocarbons within said region of the subsurface. The blended source seismic survey contains at least two interfering seismic source excitations therein, and the seismic source excitations can be produced by seismic source types having different signatures or frequency characteristics.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for producing cyclic and acyclic ketones from trimerization and dimerization of alkyl ketones, including for example methyl ketones. Such cyclic and acyclic ketones may be suitable for use as fuel and lubricant precursors, and may be hydrodeoxygenated to form their corresponding cycloalkanes and alkanes. Such cycloalkanes and alkanes may be suitable for use as fuels, including jet fuels, and lubricants.

Abstract: Systems and methods process a measured ultrasonic response waveform to determine a well casing thickness and an acoustic impedance of a sealing medium surrounding the well casing. An array of simulated response waveforms corresponding to a set of candidate acoustic impedances for the sealing medium surrounding the well casing and a set of candidate well casing thicknesses is generated. A simulated response waveform from the array of simulated response waveforms is identified that best matches the measured response waveform so as to determine the sealing medium acoustic impedance.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that include generating reservoir property profiles corresponding to reservoir properties for pseudo wells based on reservoir data, generating seismic attributes for the pseudo wells, and training a machine learning model by comparing the reservoir property profiles against the seismic attributes. In this manner, the machine learning model may be used to predict reservoir properties for use with seismic exploration above a region of a subsurface that contains structural or stratigraphic features conducive to a presence, migration, or accumulation of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Processes for recovering a purified aromatic carboxylic acid include contacting a crude aromatic carboxylic acid with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst in a hydrogenation reactor to form a purified aromatic carboxylic acid; crystallizing the purified aromatic carboxylic acid to form a solid/liquid mixture comprising purified aromatic carboxylic acid solids; filtering the solid/liquid mixture in a rotary pressure filter apparatus to remove a liquid filtrate, washing the solid/liquid mixture in the rotary pressure apparatus with a wash fluid to form a washed solid/liquid mixture, and drying the washed solid/liquid mixture in the rotary pressure apparatus with an inert gas to form a filter cake comprising purified aromatic carboxylic acid solids and a wet gas stream; withdrawing the wet gas stream from the rotary pressure filter apparatus while maintaining the wet gas stream at a pressure above ambient; and recovering the purified aromatic carboxylic acid solids from the filter cake.

Abstract: A remotely operated device for inspecting and/or cleaning a subsea flexible pipe joint comprises a support assembly. In addition, the device comprises a tool positioning assembly coupled to the support assembly. The tool positioning assembly includes a rotating member disposed about a central axis. The tool positioning assembly is rotatable relative to the support assembly about the central axis. Further, the device comprises a cleaning assembly including a cleaning device adapted to clean the flexible pipe joint. The cleaning device is axially moveable relative to the rotating member. Still further, the device comprises a clamping assembly coupled to the support assembly. The clamping assembly has an open position disengaged with the section of the flexible pipe joint and a closed position engaging the section of the flexible pipe joint.

Abstract: A refinery built around a slurry phase hydrocracking process unit, such as a Veba Combi-Cracker (VCC), is simpler, produces more liquid product as transportation fuels and has much higher net cash margin than a refinery built around a coker or other bottoms upgrading processes. The VCC unit replaces one or more processing steps normally included in refineries as separate and distinct processing units including heavy distillate/gas oil cracking and optionally bottoms upgrading and deep desulfurization of diesel and gasoline range cuts. The refinery design is especially suited for heavy crude upgrading and can be tuned to provide a wide range of gasoline to distillate production ratios. The refinery design is “bottomless” in the sense that it produces no heavy fuel oil or asphalt as product and no solid fuel (e.g., petroleum coke).