Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium is presented for use in enhancing oil recovery in a subsurface reservoir comprising. The method, system and computer readable medium defines a plurality of grid levels on a geological model of a subsurface reservoir. Connectivities and transmissibilities are calculated between neighboring cells in the same grid and between connecting cells between different grid levels. Gas and/or fluid dynamics are simulated using dynamic grid refinement where the connectivities and transmissibilities are updated at each time step based on the previously calculated connectivities and transmissibilities.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to drilling fluid compositions, and their method of use, comprising a non-toxic and low cost-to-produce mineral base oil comprising 90 to 100% branched and cyclic-paraffins and virtually aromatic free. The disclosed base oils are suitable to replace diesel oil and distillates in any drilling operation and offers a reduced environmental impact and improved health and safety of employees.

Abstract: A method is described for time-lapse seismic imaging that may include detecting moiré patterns in seismic images generated from time-lapse seismic data and identifying geologic features based on the moiré patterns. The method may be executed by a computer system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described for automated seismic interpretation that includes receiving, at one or more processors, a pre-stack seismic dataset representative of the subsurface volume of interest; performing, via the one or more processors, a machine learning algorithm on the pre-stack seismic dataset to identify seismic facies based on AVA clusters, wherein the identified seismic facies include cluster sequences in depth for a plurality of spatial x-y locations in the subsurface volume; performing, via the one or more processors, seismic interpretation of the seismic dataset based on the identified seismic facies to generate a digital image of the seismic interpretation; and displaying the digital image of the seismic interpretation on a user interface.

Abstract: A drill bit for downhole electrocrushing drilling is disclosed. A electrocrushing drill bit may include a bit body; an electrode coupled to a power source and the bit body, the electrode having a distal portion for engaging with a surface of a wellbore; a ground ring coupled to the bit body proximate to the electrode and having a distal portion for engaging with the surface of the wellbore, the electrode and the ground ring positioned in relation to each other such that an electric field produced by a voltage applied between the ground ring and the electrode is enhanced at a portion of the electrode proximate to the distal portion of the electrode and at a portion of the ground ring proximate to the distal portion of the ground ring; and an insulator coupled to the bit body between the electrode and the ground ring.

Abstract: A workflow to optimize a fracturing fluid for injection into a subterranean formation is provided. The workflow comprises measurement of fundamental properties and characteristics of reservoir rock and fluid, their interaction with fracturing fluid, computer-based models and laboratory performance testing to select preferred fracturing base fluid and additives package for use in fracturing/re-fracturing stimulation of specific shale formations to enhance hydrocarbon recovery.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a heavy lubricating base oil by hydrocracking a lubricating oil feedstock at high yield. The lubricating oil feedstock contains a hydroprocessed stream that is difficult to process using a conventional catalyst system. The catalyst used in the process includes a mixed metal sulfide catalyst that comprises at least one Group VIB metal and at least one Group VIII metal. The process also provides for hydroisomerization and hydrofinishing process steps to prepare the lubricating base oil.

Abstract: A preconditioning fluid is provided for producing crude oil from a subterranean formation. The preconditioning fluid produces an interface with crude oil in the formation that is more elastic than the interface between formation brine and the crude oil and has a favorable Amott-Harvey wettability index for oil recovery under the dominant hydrocarbon recovery mechanisms. The more elastic interface and improved Amott-Harvey wettability index is consistent with higher recoveries of crude oil from the formation.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of computer-implemented methods, computing systems, and program products for analyzing a flood operation on a hydrocarbon reservoir. For example, an embodiment of a computer implemented method of determining a value of injected fluid includes, for a first injection well of the hydrocarbon reservoir: receiving injection rate data for the first injection well and production rate data for at least one production well communicating with the injection well, running capacitance resistance modeling using the received data to generate an interwell connectivity for each injection well and production well pair, determining a value of injected fluid for each injection well and production well pair using the generated interwell connectivity for the well pair and an oil-cut value for the production well of the pair, and aggregating the generated values of injected fluid per pair to determine a value of injected fluid for the first injection well.

Abstract: Depth-averaged flow simulation systems and methods provided herein employ parameterized templates for dynamical depth profiling for at least one step of a simulation.

Abstract: A second-stage hydrocracking catalyst is provided comprising: a. from 40 wt % to 70 wt % of a zeolite USY having an ASDI from 0.05 to 0.18; b. an amorphous silica alumina; c. a second alumina; and d. 0.1 to 10 wt % noble metal; wherein the second-stage hydrocracking catalyst has a BET surface area from 450 to 650 m2/g. A second-stage hydrocracking process is provided comprising using the second-stage hydrocracking catalyst to produce middle distillate. A method for making the second-stage hydrocracking catalyst is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for maintaining the performance and operational stability of an RF (radio frequency) antenna that is positioned in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, for heating the formation using electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency range. Contaminants such as water or brine, metallic particulates and ionic or organic materials frequently occur in a wellbore being prepared for RF heating, or in an RF antenna installed in the wellbore. Prior to applying RF electrical energy to the formation, the antenna is decontaminated by circulating a preconditioning fluid through the antenna and recovering a spent fluid for treating and recycle. Decontamination is continued while the spent fluid from the antenna includes, but not limited to, water, metallic particles, ionic species, organic compounds contaminants, etc. An operational power level of radio frequency electrical energy is then applied to the decontaminated antenna for providing thermal energy to the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly includes a base pipe having openings having non-uniform cross-section. The sand control screen assembly can also include a drainage layer positioned about the base pipe, a filter medium, and a protective shroud. The sand control screen assembly prevents the flow of particulate material of a predetermined size therethrough and allows the flow of production fluids therethrough.

Abstract: A second-stage hydrocracking catalyst is provided, comprising: a) a zeolite beta having an OD acidity of 20 to 400 ?mol/g and an average domain size from 800 to 1500 nm2; b) a zeolite USY having an ASDI between 0.05 and 0.12; c) a catalyst support; and d) 0.1 to 10 wt % noble metal; wherein the second-stage hydrocracking catalyst provides a hydrogen consumption less than 350 SCFB across a range of synthetic conversions up to 37 wt % when used to hydrocrack hydrocarbonaceous feeds having an initial boiling point greater than 380° F. (193° C.). A second-stage hydrocracking process using the second-stage hydrocracking process is provided. A method to make the second-stage hydrocracking catalyst is also provided.

Abstract: Particulate mercury, in the form of metacinnabar, is removed from crude oil by thermally treating the crude oil at temperatures in a range from 150° C. to 350° C. and at a pressure sufficient to limit the amount of crude vaporizing to no more than 10 wt. %. In the thermal treatment, the particulate mercury is converted into elemental mercury, which can be removed by directly adsorption from the crude onto a support. In one embodiment, the elemental mercury can be removed by stripping the crude with a gas, and then adsorbing the mercury onto a support. The crude oil can be optionally treated prior to stabilization and contains 0.1 wt. % or more of C4-hydrocarbons. Following the thermal treatment, the treated crude is cooled and the pressure is reduced. The C4-hydrocarbons then vaporize from the crude and carry the elemental mercury with them. The elemental mercury in this hydrocarbon gas stream may then be removed by a solid adsorbent.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for removing carbon steel components of a subsea oilfield facility in a subsea environment by accelerating the corrosion of the carbon steel components in the surrounding seawater, by a passive and/or active impressed current method. In the passive method, the facility is connected to a cathodic metal of greater electrical potential, such as copper. In order to cause the maximum and uniform corrosion, it is preferred that a wire of the chosen cathodic metal be extended along the facility and through pipelines. In the active impressed current method, an external DC electrical supply is used to apply an electrical potential difference between the steel components of the facility and the cathodic metal.

Abstract: A method is provided for recovering mercury from a crude oil into an alkaline ammonium sulfide contacting solution. Soluble mercury complexes in the contacting solution are converted to particulate mercury. The particulate mercury can be recovered by filtering, and the ammonium sulfide in the contacting solution recycled to the aqueous contacting solution.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the timing of a fluid driven positive displacement pump (FDPDP) are disclosed using pump inlet pressure, flow rate and time domain control. Pressure is thus controlled at various flow rates of fluids to be pumped in subsea environments. The FDPDP includes a plurality of pressure vessels connected by piping, each vessel having two chambers. One chamber is connected to a source of fluid to be pumped and the other chamber is connected to a source of driving fluid. The methods synchronize pumping chambers that have no mechanical means to control timing between each pumping chamber. The control methods described utilize algorithms which receive feedback from the pumping system to control the pumping sequence and adapt to any parameter changes to maintain a constant range of desired pressure.

Abstract: A system and a computer implemented method for performing simultaneous petrophysical analysis for composition and texture of a rock formation. The method includes inputting a set of response equations for sand, shale and fluid that are present in the rock formation, wherein the shale comprises laminated shale, dispersed shale and structural shale; determining simultaneously a solution of the set of response equations, the solution describing composition and texture of the rock formation; and determining from the solution volume fractions for sand, shale and fluid and a texture of the shale including fractions of laminated shale, dispersed shale and structural shale.

Abstract: We provide systems for ionic liquid catalyzed hydrocarbon conversion that comprise a modular reactor comprising a plurality of mixer modules. The mixer modules may be arranged in series. One or more feed modules are disposed between the mixer modules. Such systems may be used for ionic liquid catalyzed alkylation reactions. Processes for ionic liquid catalyzed hydrocarbon conversion are also disclosed.