Abstract: Methods for using shut-in pressures to determine uncertainties in a hydraulic fracturing process in a shale reservoir are described. Data commonly collected during multistage fracturing is used to calculate propped fracture height and induced stresses, as well as other variables, in the presence of horizontal stress anisotropy. These variables can then be incorporated into reservoir simulations to perform fracturing monitoring, forecast hydrocarbon recoveries, or modify fracturing plans.

Abstract: Method of making and using a proppant from captured carbon in either a carbon mineralization process or in a carbon nanomaterial manufacturing process is discussed, followed by treatments to ensure the quality control of the proppants so that they are suitable for use in hydraulic and other reservoir fracturing methods.

Abstract: Robust methods for quantitating the amount of elemental sulfur in a fluid whereby a caustic solution is mixed with the fluid, and the elemental sulfur present in the fluid reacts to form a colored solution that can be compared to a series of standards. The methods can be performed in a laboratory or the field and allow for real time feedback. Once the concentration of the elemental sulfur is known, appropriate methods of treatment can proceed. Test kits for performing the methods in the field are also described.

Abstract: A method and system generate steam for SAGD operation wherein steam generator blowdown water is acidified, cooled and clarified before reuse. Acid Clarification Treatment, or “ACT”, mitigates organic fouling in Once-Through Stream Generators. Lab tests quantitatively and qualitatively show that ACT reduces Total organic carbon (TOC) and ‘bad actors’ TOC, respectively, in blowdown streams.

Abstract: The invention relates to various nonlimiting embodiments that include methods, apparatuses or systems for processing natural gas comprising a heavies removal column processing natural gas and light oil reflux. The overhead stream goes to heavies treated natural gas storage. The heavies removal column reboiler bottoms stream product is input to a debutanizer column. The debutanizer column overhead lights are input to a flash drum where the bottoms is pumped through a heat exchanger as a light oil reflux input to the heavies removal column, while the debutanizer reboiler bottoms product is stored as stabilized condensate. Alternatively, debutanizer column overhead lights are sent to heavies treated gas storage and the bottoms stream product goes to a depentanizer column, the overhead lights are pumped through a heat exchanger as a light oil reflux input to the heavies removal column, while the depentanizer reboiler bottoms product is stabilized condensate.

Abstract: Method of carbon sequestration by capturing CO2 emissions and making a proppant from the captured carbon in either a carbon mineralization process or in a carbon nanomaterial manufacturing process, followed by treatments to ensure the quality control of the proppants so that they are suitable for use in hydraulic and other reservoir fracturing methods. Injection of the manufactured proppant in fracking thus sequesters the carbon from the original captured CO2 in the reservoir.

Abstract: Methods and systems for liquefying natural gas using environmentally-friendly low combustibility refrigerants are provided. Methods of liquefaction include cooling a fluid in an LNG facility via indirect heat exchange with an environmentally-friendly low combustibility refrigerants that are propane, ethane and methane mixed with small amounts of fluorinated olefin, but still within close proximity to the boiling points of the pure refrigerants such that the mixed refrigerants can still be used in an optimized cascade process.

Abstract: Scavenging chemicals used in mitigation treatments of hydrogen sulfide in hydrocarbon streams often continue to react and form polymers that foul the processing system. Disclosed herein are methods for determining if a scavenging chemical mitigator, or its reaction or degradation product, will polymerized during or after mitigation treatments. This information allows for the optimization of mitigation treatments that pre-emptively control or prevent polymer formation. Such pre-emption measures reduce the cost and time related to remedial actions to treat polymer-fouled equipment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of conducting a perf wash cement (“P/W/C”) abandonment job in an offshore oil or gas well annulus, in particular the washing or cementing operation using a rotating head with nozzles dispensing wash fluid or cement at pressure. A new design of bottom hole assembly is proposed in which the cementing tool has a relatively large diameter in order to optimize pressure whilst the wash tool has a relatively small diameter. The wash process, for a number of reasons, appears to be less sensitive to tool diameter and making the wash tool smaller reduces the overall risk of stuck pipe.

Abstract: A data acquisition program, which includes core, image log, microseismic, DAS, DTS, and pressure data, is described. This program can be used in conjunction with a variety of techniques to accurately monitor and conduct well stimulation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing cross-well interference and/or optimizing hydrocarbon production from a reservoir by obtaining low frequency DAS and DTS data and pressure data from a monitor well, when both the monitor and production well are shut-in, and then variably opening the production well for production, and detecting the temperature and pressure fluctuations that indication cross-well interference, and localizing the interference along the well length based on the low frequency DAS data. This information can be used to optimize well placement, completion plans, fracturing plans, and ultimately optimize production from a given reservoir.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method to indirectly measure the amount of elemental sulfur or amorphous dithiazine in a reservoir sample by converting them to H2S gas. The H2S is captured via caustic cyanide solution and quantified by analytical methods and correspond to the concentration of elemental sulfur or amorphous dithiazine. The method has particular applicability to determine where best to drill and avoid locations of high sulfur.

Abstract: A well configuration for co-injection processes, wherein a horizontal producer well at the bottom of the pay is combined with injection or injection and producer wells that are vertical and above the lower horizontal production well. This well arrangement minimizes “blanket” effects by non-condensable gases.

Abstract: A stick-slip vibration mitigation system and a method of using the system are provided. The system includes a sensor, a processor, a non-transitory storage medium, and a controller. The system is operable to be used with a drill-string in a wellbore during a drilling process to mitigate stick-slip vibration of the drill-string.

Abstract: A downhole tubing rotator that has a housing configured into a production tubing string in a well in a reservoir, the housing being generally cylindrical with a hollow center and containing a two pole, three phase induction squirrel cage motor operatively connected to a tubing rotator configured to clamp onto a production tubing joint and rotate one or more production tubing joints (but not an entire production tubing string) when the motor is activated. An armor-protected insulated power and control cable connects the motor to a control box positioned at a surface of a reservoir and various sensors provide feedback for the unit. Methods of using this tool are also provided.

Abstract: An inexpensive electrically conductive carrier is added to well bore fluids thereby allowing for a closed loop real-time data communication system for topside management of all downhole equipment including drilling, completion, production, logging, and workover equipment. Conductive carrier fluid provides a “real-time” digital and analog bi-directional data and communication solution between the surface operations of a well-bore and downhole tools. Conductive carrier fluid provides for the application of more sophisticated software essential for exact control requirements of sophisticated downhole equipment, thereby achieving optimized tool performance as well as future downhole tools.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for processing liquefied natural gas (LNG). In one implementation, a solvent is injected into a feed of natural gas at a solvent injection point. A mixed feed is produced from a dispersal of the solvent into the feed of natural gas. The mixed feed contains heavy components. A chilled feed is produced by chilling the mixed feed. The chilled feed includes a vapor and a condensed liquid. The condensed liquid contains a fouling portion of the heavy components condensed by the solvent during chilling. The liquid containing the fouling portion of the heavy components is separated from the vapor. The vapor is directed into a feed chiller heat exchanger following separation of the liquid containing the fouling portion of the heavy components from the vapor, such that the vapor being directed into feed chiller heat exchanger is free of freezing components.

Abstract: A method of optimizing production of a hydrocarbon-containing reservoir by measuring low-frequency Distributed Acoustic Sensing (LFDAS) data in the well during a time period of constant flow and during a time period of no flow and during a time period of perturbation of flow and simultaneously measuring Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) data from the well during a time period of constant flow and during a time period of no flow and during a time period of perturbation of flow. An initial model of reservoir flow is provided using the LFDAS and DTS data; the LFDAS and DTS data inverted using Markov chain Monte Carlo method to provide an optimized reservoir model, and that optimized profile utilized to manage hydrocarbon production from the well and other asset wells.

Abstract: A method for producing heavy oil, the method including testing a plurality of samples either from a reservoir play or simulating a reservoir play in a temperature and pressure controlled gravity drainage experiment. Test injection fluids are injected into the samples at a reservoir temperature and pressure and Cumulative Oil Production (COP) or Recovery Factor (RF) or similar feature measured over time. An injection profile is obtained by selecting n injection fluids based on a best COP or RF at a given time Tn, wherein n is a number of fluid injection stages and switching to an n+1 injection fluid when a rate of change (ROC) in the COP or RF drops at least 25%-75%, but preferably 40-60% or 50%. The injection profile is then implemented in the reservoir to produce heavy oil. Optimized injection profiles for certain reservoirs are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for preventing elemental sulfur deposition from a hydrocarbon fluid is disclosed. A mercaptan is added to a hydrocarbon fluid that has elemental sulfur and reacted with the elemental sulfur to produce a disulfide and hydrogen sulfide. Amines and/or surfactants can assist with the process. Secondary reactions between the disulfide and the elemental sulfur result in a polysulfide and a solvated sulfur-disulfide complex. The disulfide, hydrogen sulfide, polysulfide and solvated sulfur-disulfide complex do not deposit, and can optionally be removed.