Abstract: A method for determining an optimal radio frequency to break an emulsion comprises: analyzing an oil and water interface of an emulsion; defining the oil and water interface at a molecular level; simulating oscillation of molecules at the oil and water interface under different radio frequencies; and determining an optimal radio frequency to break the emulsion.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 10, 2016
Date of Patent:
May 28, 2019
Assignee:
CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
Inventors:
Jeff Michael Sheremata, Peter Nelson Slater
Abstract: An apparatus for correcting for deviation of an ambient magnetic field direction from a reference direction in a marine environment includes: an instrument assembly vessel configured to move through the marine environment; an inertial reference direction device disposed on the instrument assembly vessel and configured to measure a deviation of an aiming direction of the instrument assembly vessel from the reference direction; a reference magnetic compass disposed on the instrument assembly vessel and configured to measure a direction of the ambient magnetic field direction with respect to the aiming direction of the instrument assembly vessel and to transmit the measured direction; and a processor configured to receive the measured deviation and the measured direction and to calculate the deviation of the ambient magnetic field direction from the reference direction using the received measured deviation and direction.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 22, 2015
Date of Patent:
May 28, 2019
Assignee:
CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
Inventors:
Peter M. Eick, Joel D. Brewer, Tony Maultsby
Abstract: A method of monitoring hydraulic fracturing using DAS sensors in a treatment well and/or observation well is described. The raw data is transformed using a low pass filter (?0.05 Hz) and down-sampled to show the signal as the stimulation progresses. The resulting data can be used to optimize the hydraulic fracturing or improve reservoir models for other reservoirs.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 8, 2017
Date of Patent:
May 14, 2019
Assignee:
ConocoPhillips Company
Inventors:
Ge Jin, Charles C. Mosher, Frank P. Filice, Kyle R. Krueger, Ali Tura, Baishali Roy, Dana M. Jurick
Abstract: Producing hydrocarbons by steam assisted gravity drainage, more particularly utilizing conventional horizontal wellpair configuration of SAGD in conjunction of infill production wells the production wells comprising two or more fishbone lateral wells to inject steam initially and then switch to NCG-steam coinjection after establishing thermal communication between the thermal chamber and infill well.
Abstract: A method of forming a mudline cellar includes positioning a mudline cellar forming member on a seafloor surface. The mudline cellar forming member includes an outer surface and an inner surface that defines an inner cavity. The method further includes driving the mudline cellar forming member into the seafloor surface, and excavating the inner cavity of the mudline forming member to establish the mudline cellar.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 14, 2015
Date of Patent:
April 23, 2019
Assignee:
ConocoPhillips Company
Inventors:
Ravi P. Aurora, Mike B. Winfree, Jean-Christian M. Haffner
Abstract: A method for accelerating the decision making process for reservoir risk management is described. In particular, an ensemble based decisions and filter are used to quickly compare different information scenarios to determine the best strategy for developing a hydrocarbon-containing reservoir.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 12, 2016
Date of Patent:
April 16, 2019
Assignee:
CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
Inventors:
Yong Zhao, Andre J. Bouchard, Brian S. Ludolph
Abstract: Systems and methods contain fluids discharged from a subsea well or at the surface by capping the well blowout with a pre-positioned capping device. The capping device includes at least one blind shear ram and is separate from a blowout preventer. The blowout preventer may operate to control well events up to a certain pressure, above which the capping device is employed since the capping device has a higher pressure rating than the blowout preventer.
Abstract: A plunger lift system that uses a linear induction motor instead of gas or fluid pressure to lift the plunger. Electrical voltage is applied to electromagnets installed along the tubing of a wellbore that will induce magnets contained within a special plunger that is introduced inside the tubing to move it and allow it to lift liquids with a piston-like action. The electromotive force may be adjusted by varying the applied voltage as needed to lift the column of liquid from the wellbore or the current reversed to accelerate and optimize plunger descent.
Abstract: Methods and systems generate steam for injection in a well to facilitate oil recovery. Water is preheated at a central processing facility, transported to a well pad by hot water lines, and converted to steam by a steam generator at the well pad.
Abstract: Novel proppants, proppant mixes and proppant slurries comprising a diamagnetic polymeric proppant that exhibits induced paramagnetism in an AC field is used to prop hydraulic fractures, and the paramagnetism used to assess fracture width, depth, connectivity, branching and the like. Fracturing methods are also provided, together with fracture assessment and imaging methods.
Abstract: Systems and methods compute dysfunctions via mapping of tri-axial accelerations of drill pipe into drill-string motions. The methods remove gravitational and centripetal accelerations to yield corrected acceleration data due to the vibration only, transform the corrected acceleration data, and maps resulting transformed acceleration data into continuous drill-string positions. The maps provide 2D/3D visualization of drill-string motions to enable real-time optimization and control of well drilling operations and other scenarios where proactive detection of temporal events in automated systems may aid in avoiding failures.
Abstract: Methods of analyzing and optimizing a seismic survey design are described. Specifically, the sampling quality is analyzed as opposed to the overall quality of the whole survey. This allows for analysis of the impact of the offsets, obstacles, and other aspects of the survey on the sampling quality, which will improve the ability to compress the resulting data and minimize acquisition footprints.
Abstract: This invention generally relates to natural gas and methylotrophic energy generation, bio-generated fuels and microbiology. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides nutrient amendments and microbial compositions that are both specifically optimized to stimulate methanogenesis, or “methylotrophic” conversion. Additionally, the invention provides methods to develop nutrient amendments and microbial compositions that are both specifically optimized to stimulate methanogenesis in a given reservoir. The invention also provides methods for the evaluation of potentially damaging biomass formation and scale precipitation resulting from the addition of nutrient amendments. In another embodiment, the invention provides methods for simulating biogas in sub-surface conditions using a computational model.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 16, 2011
Date of Patent:
March 5, 2019
Assignee:
CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
Inventors:
Dariusz Strapoc, Michelle Ann Pittenger, Jaedong Lee, Adewale J. Lambo, Bradley James Huizinga, Courtney Hanna Turich
Abstract: A method and system for insulating wells using dual concentric vacuum insulated tubing layers with joints staggered with respect to one another. The method can be combined with other insulating methods, and well as with other subsidence mitigation techniques.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 2, 2014
Date of Patent:
December 25, 2018
Assignee:
ConocoPhillips Company
Inventors:
James A. Mills, Robert S. Redman, David L. Lee
Abstract: The present invention relates to drilling lateral wells or sidetrack wells from a primary wellbore to enhance the efficiency and productivity of oil and gas wells.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 20, 2016
Date of Patent:
December 25, 2018
Assignee:
ConocoPhillips Company
Inventors:
David G. Hearn, Lamar L. Gantt, Dan E. Venhaus, John G. Eller
Abstract: Paraffin deposits from downhole tubing, pumps and valves are removed by hot water and recycling the hot water to allow continual intermittent cleaning throughout the lifespan of the well. Heated water travels down the hollow rod annulus, entering the hollow rod string through ports at the bottom, temporarily heating both strings to melt and mobilized paraffin to enable intermittent pumping paraffin and debris to surface.
Abstract: A system and method for well abandonment, comprising installing a first steel plate comprising a hole having a pipe section attached above the hole, wherein a coupler may be installed to house a stopper which is then positioned below the surface casing having a second steel plate, the capping plate, affixed to the top of the surface casing. The stopper system then acts to prevent the exchange of wellbore fluid into the environment while allowing for proper venting of casing strings by pressure actuating the stopper system against the cap. The coupler further provides for attachment of various gas sampling or other monitoring equipment in for purposes of detection of leaks or other analytical objectives.
Abstract: A method of controlling a plurality of downhole tools in a wellbore, using first and second codes transmitted by hydraulic line to first address and then actuate the desired tool. A dedicated line is provided for terminating all actuated tools.
Abstract: The invention relates to a process for treating an aqueous solution from a subterranean formation of an oil and gas operation. The aqueous solution can be removed from the subterranean formation and treated in a heated centrifugal separator. The heated centrifugal separator can separate the kinetic hydrate inhibitor from the aqueous solution, and then the aqueous solution can be reintroduced into the subterranean formation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 23, 2016
Date of Patent:
November 20, 2018
Assignee:
CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
Inventors:
Joel Minier-Matar, Samir Gharfeh, Altaf Hussain, Samer Adham