Abstract: This invention deals with a method for increasing the recovery factor in oil reservoirs through the injection of polymerization precursor liquids with low viscosity for the production of biopolymers in situ. The method acts in conjunction with the injection profile correction and advanced oil recovery. The invention also refers to the composition of liquids that are precursors of polymerization with low viscosity and to the use of spores or specific bacterium for said purpose. A polymerization precursor liquid is injected into the reservoir which impregnates the rocky matrix. Afterwards, a continuous injection of a polymerizable liquid with additives of low viscosity is performed. The creation of a biopolymer occurs in situ, adhering itself to the rocky matrix, preferably in the thief zones, blocking said zones.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for intercepting and connecting underground formations containing hydrocarbons, so as to make the production and injection of hydrocarbons technically and financially feasible in land and offshore oil production zones. It is claimed to be a method for the production and/or injection of hydrocarbons through thusly connected underground formations.

Abstract: A retractable igniter having a safety mechanism to retract the source of ignition during an inactive period, avoiding unnecessary contact with said source of ignition is described, such igniter comprises: an ignition chamber, an electrode, an electrical high voltage assembly, an electrical high voltage assembly, an external pipe, an internal pipe and an activation lever.

Abstract: An integrated process is described for producing biodiesel from oleaginous seeds, preferably castor bean seeds. The inventive process includes a transesterification reaction where the seeds themselves react with anhydrous ethyl alcohol in the presence of an alkaline catalyst. The resulting ethyl esters are then separated by decantation and neutralized and used as fuel for diesel engines, co-solvents for diesel and gasoline mixtures with anhydrous or hydrated ethyl alcohol. The solid fractions may be used as fertilizers, for feeding cattle and as a raw material for producing ethyl alcohol.

Abstract: A vegetable oil hydroconversion process is described for hydroconverting a mixture between 1 to 75% in mass of oil or natural fat (1) and the rest mineral oil (2), hydroconverted in a reactor (205) under conditions of pressure, temperature, hydrogen (flow 119) and sulfide catalyst of Groups VIII and VIB, obtaining, after sour water separation (flow 111) and rectification (flow 112), a specified diesel product (4). The product (4) has an ITQ/DCN (cetane number) higher than a product obtained from a pure mineral based oil would have, lower density than from a base oil and a plugging point depending on the mineral oil flow, as well as greater oxidation stability than the base oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a floating structure to receive maritime production or drilling installations that is provided with means to reduce movement caused by the action of environmental forces on it. These means confer a more stable behavior on the structure's movements.

Abstract: An apparatus for downflow fluid catalytic cracking is described, which comprises a regenerated catalyst riser carrying regenerated catalyst and a carrying fluid, those being directed through a crossover section to a distributor that will centrifuge gas and separate catalyst from carrying fluid, the catalyst being directed to a downflow reactor through a distributing basket provided with perforations. The upper part of the reactor is provided with feed injectors, which atomize the feed so that feed vaporization and feed and catalyst admixture is optimized. After the cracking reaction in downflow reactor, reaction products are separated and spent catalyst is directed to stripping and regeneration sections. The FCC process carried out in the apparatus is also described.

Abstract: Invention is of an improvement to seat of gate valves used for gas-lift producing oil wells, consisting of a seat lower part of which is curved there being a straight vertical art and a sloping straight lower part, central spacing consisting of a first part in the shape of a tapered nozzle at which gas is gradually speeded up, a second part which is the main restriction to flow, and a third part in the shape of a conical diffuser at which gas is gradually slowed down.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exploiting oilfields involving the installation of a well network in the form of an open or non-open ring that is generally non-circular. Horizontal well sections (3) are drilled from vertical injection (1) or producing (2) wells that already exist, to interlink them. The vertical wells that are located in the same line are used as injection wells, thereby promoting oil sweeping in the reservoir (R) towards the ring-shaped producing wells (P1) or (P2). In another embodiment, vertical service wells are drilled for monitoring the characteristics of the reservoir (R). From these wells, horizontal wells are drilled in a ring-shaped form to obtain concentric well rings from the periphery to the central region of the reservoir (R). The outermost horizontal well is used as injection well and the innermost annular horizontal wells are used as producing wells.

Abstract: A fiber optics differential pressure transducer (100, 200, 300, 400) containing Bragg networks (118), said transducer being used to measure the differential pressure in a Venturi installed inside a pipe (1), through which a fluid like oil is displaced. The transducer comprises a body (110, 230, 360, 410) of different geometries and a diaphragm (2), at least one Bragg network (118) being attached on each of the surfaces of the same. The diaphragm (2) is placed parallel or transversal to the transducer's body (100, 200, 300, 400). The transducer (200) is isolated from the process fluid by flexible mechanical seals (201) which transmit the pressure up to surfaces of the diaphragm (2). The transducer (300, 400) is provided with two relief microvalves for the purpose of protecting the sensor [diaphragms (2)] in overpressure events.

Abstract: A process for reduction of sulfur content in a hydrocarbon mixture, without considerable increase in gas production, comprising the introduction of a fraction of products obtained by the FCC process in a reaction zone of said unit. The cut must be introduced into the unit riser, in an area below the feed line of the heavy hydrocarbon streams to be cracked. Preferably, through one or more injection lines (5) placed near the point of gas injection line (3) entraining the catalyst in the riser (1).

Abstract: Process for reducing acidity in hydrocarbon mixtures, through thermal treatment of hydrocarbon streams, such as petroleum products, fractions and its derivatives, in the presence of a spent hydrorefinery catalyst, in other words, that has already been used in the Hydrotreatment units (HDT) of a refinery.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pre-installation of a petroleum wellhead on the seabed. The apparatus includes two principal components: a wellhead (1) and a ballast tube (9). The wellhead includes a tube in which are fixed guide fins (3) and structural fins (8). The ballast tube (9) includes a tube with a holding member (12) for its recovery after the wellhead (1) has been fixed on the seabed. The ballast tube (9) is placed inside the wellhead (1) and the assembly is launched towards the seabed, being embedded in it by the inherent weight of the assembly. After the wellhead (1) has been fixed, the ballast tube (9) is raised to the surface.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an injection charging system in delayed coking drums (11), comprised of at least two injection pipes (11a) connected to the sidewall of a coking drum (1) in its tricone portion, and fed by a circular distributor crown, in order to allow coupling or decoupling of the large lower flange (11e) of the coking drum (1) without needing to disconnect the injection system (11) from the pumping and heating system (10).

Abstract: A compensating suspension element configuration, in Y format, which tends to minimize undesirable movements at the top of suspended pipes in floating structures and to facilitate the arrangement of incoming pipes and the correct operation to install and connect these. More particularly, this design is applicable for use in deep and ultra-deep water operation and prioritizes the operational performance of flexible pipes (risers) and other pipes that arrive at the floating structure.

Abstract: A feed-dispersion system for hydrocarbon feeds of fluid catalytic cracking units is described, which comprises: a feed-injection system made up of two concentric conduits, where the atomization fluid flows through the inner conduit, while the liquid feed flows through the annular space formed by the outer surface of the inner conduit and the inner surface of the outer conduit; an atomization unit having nozzles arranged in rows, with one row having central nozzles connected to the inner conduit for atomization fluid, and two or more rows of side nozzles, connected to the outer feed conduit, the central nozzles and side nozzles of the atomization unit being geometrically placed so that the energy of the atomization fluid is fully transferred by contact to the flow of feed, this resulting in the complete atomization of the feed; a mixing chamber formed by the edges of the central nozzles, the dimensions of which are able to prevent the coalescence of the formed oil droplets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exploiting oilfields involving the installation of a well network in the form of an open or non-open ring that is generally non-circular. Horizontal well sections (3) are drilled from vertical injection (1) or producing (2) wells that already exist, to interlink them. The vertical wells that are located in the same line are used as injection wells, thereby promoting oil sweeping in the reservoir (R) towards the ring-shaped producing wells (P1) or (P2). In another embodiment, vertical service wells are drilled for monitoring the characteristics of the reservoir (R). From these wells, horizontal wells are drilled in a ring-shaped form to obtain concentric well rings from the periphery to the central region of the reservoir (R). The outermost horizontal well is used as injection well and the innermost annular horizontal wells are used as producing wells.

Abstract: A method to set a hollow device into an undersea flow pipe uses a flexible pig driven by a flow flowing into said flow pipe to displace a hollow device to a point where a stop means halts a displacement of said hollow device, thereby setting said hollow device into position. A method to retrieve a hollow device into an undersea flow pipe uses a flexible pig driven by a flow flowing into said flow pipe to retrieve said hollow device from a location where said hollow device operates halted by a stopping means.

Abstract: A process is described for fluid catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons with high levels of basic nitrogen, where hydrocarbon feedstocks A and B with different levels of basic nitrogen are injected in a segregated fashion, into different risers of a multiple riser FCCU that possesses at least two risers. The injection of the feedstocks is made in such a way that feedstock A, to be injected in the riser with greater volume—main riser 7—possessing a level of basic nitrogen at least 200 ppm lower than the level of feedstock B to be injected into the riser with lower volume—secondary riser (8).

Abstract: An improved cyclone system for disengaging solid and gaseous particles in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes with reduced coke formation in disengager vessels, without favoring release of the disengaged catalyst into cyclones in subsequent stages, said system comprising legless cyclones 42 fitted with external collector pipes 43, is described.