Abstract: A method, system and non-transitory computer-readable medium for forming a seismic image of a geological structure are provided. After obtaining seismic wave data including a plurality of seismic wave traces at a first region of the geological structure, a predicted time dispersion error of an actual time dispersion error that results from a use of a finite difference approximation in calculating predicted seismic wave data at a second region of the geological structure as if a seismic wave propagates from the first region to the second region of the geological structure, is calculated. A corrected predicted seismic wave data at the second region of the geological structure is calculated by applying the finite difference approximation to the seismic wave data at the first region of the geological structure compensated with the predicted time dispersion error.

Abstract: A method for estimating saturation using mCSEM data and stochastic petrophysical models by quantifying the average water saturation in a reservoir given the transverse resistance (TR) obtained from mCSEM data, including the following steps: a) obtaining mCSEM survey data from a subsurface region of interest, b) performing an inversion of the obtained mCSEM data, c) subtracting a background resistivity trend from the mCSEM inversion data from the resistivity trend of the mCSEM inversion data from inside a hydrocarbon reservoir, d) estimating the location of an anomaly in the mCSEM inversion data, e) estimating the magnitude of the transverse resistance associated with an anomaly from the mCSEM inversion data, f) estimating an initial average reservoir saturation corresponding to transverse resistance using a stochastic petrophysical model and Monte Carlo simulation connecting reservoir parameters to transverse resistance, and g) integrating the obtained saturation distribution as a function of transverse resis

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for upgrading a heavy hydrocarbon mixture, said process comprising: i) dividing said heavy hydrocarbon mixture into at least a first portion and a second portion, wherein said first portion comprises 10-45% wt of the heavy hydrocarbon mixture and said second portion comprises 90-55% wt of the heavy hydrocarbon mixture; ii) thermally upgrading said first portion of heavy hydrocarbon mixture in an upgrader to produce a lighter hydrocarbon mixture; and iii) mixing said lighter hydrocarbon mixture with a heavy hydrocarbon mixture to produce an upgraded hydrocarbon mixture, wherein, on entry to said upgrader, the composition of said first portion of heavy hydrocarbon mixture is identical to that of said second portion of heavy hydrocarbon mixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the location of a material located behind an obstruction. A plurality of acoustic resonators (6) having a known resonant frequency are dispersed in the material (3), the material to be located on a first side of the obstruction (2). An instrument (5) is provided at an opposite side of the obstruction to the material. The instrument emits an acoustic signal and measures a response. If the resonant frequency is detected, it is determined that the material is located substantially adjacent to the instrument. The apparatus may be used for determining the height of cement slurry located between a well casing wall and a borehole.

Abstract: A downhole installation comprises: a first pipe layer 8, a second pipe layer 10 about the first pipe layer 8, an annulus 12 between the first pipe layer 8 and the second pipe layer, and a geological formation out-side of the second pipe layer 10.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for removing metal naphthenate from a crude hydrocarbon mixture comprising: —mixing said crude hydrocarbon mixture (1) comprising metal naphthenate with an acid (3) in the presence of water, wherein said acid converts said metal naphthenate to naphthenic acids and metal salts; —allowing said metal salt to partition into a water phase; —separating said crude heavy hydrocarbon mixture (5) comprising naphthenic acid and said water phase (6) comprising said metal salt; and —preferably pumping said water phase comprising metal salt to a formation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation. A first well is provided in the formation, the first well being separated by an isolating material into at least a first and second zone, the first zone being substantially isolated from the second zone. A second well is provided in the formation. The second well is separated by an isolating material into at least a first and second zone, the first zone being substantially isolated from the second zone. A first fracture is provided in the formation, the first fracture extending substantially between the first zones. A second fracture is provided in the formation, the second fracture extending substantially between the second zones of the first and second wells. A fluid is injected into the formation from the first zone in the first well. Hydrocarbons are produced at the second zone of the second well.

Abstract: A method of plugging a well extending into a hydrocarbon bearing formation facilitates temporary or permanent abandonment of the well. The method includes forming two or more plugs within the well, the plugs being formed at longitudinally spaced apart locations whilst providing a fluid communication path from a region above the topmost plug to the or each space between adjacent plugs. This configuration facilitates pressure testing of one or more of the plugs by conducting fluid through said path.

Abstract: An acoustic measurement tool comprises a transmitter for generating acoustic signals and at least one acoustic receiver spaced from the transmitter and configured to receive an acoustic signal, generated by the transmitter, and which has encountered a medium of interest. Moreover, at least one acoustic reference receiver is located adjacent the transmitter and is configured to receive an acoustic signal, generated by the transmitter, prior to the acoustic signal encountering the medium of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of storing CO2 in a geological formation, said method comprising (i) injecting a first composition comprising CO2 into said formation; and (ii) injecting a second composition comprising CO2 and at least one CO2 soluble polymer into said formation, wherein steps (i) and (ii) are performed separately and in any order and wherein said first and second compositions are different.

Abstract: Reducing the diameter of a well bore has many advantages. To achieve this a subsurface well bore is provided comprising one or more expandable sleeve components, preferably expandable liners, each expandable sleeve component being fully overlapped by one or more non expandable sleeve component, preferably conventional liners, such that the interior of the well bore is cased entirely by non expandable sleeve components. In addition the through holes for downhole lines can be provided within the well head rather than the tubing hanger. As the tubing hanger does not need to provide space for through holes and associated mounting couplings, its diameter can be reduced, thus reducing the internal diameter of the well bore by several inches.

Abstract: There is described subsea apparatus and a method for processing fluid from a well. In an embodiment, a pipeline may be arranged to carry the multiphase fluid containing liquid and gas from the well. An outlet extending through a wall of the pipeline may let gas out of the pipeline from said region and through the outlet to separate said gas and liquid. A compressor may be connected to the outlet to compress the separated gas. Separated liquid may be conveyed along a sloping portion of the pipe to a low point in the seabed terrain, and may be conveyed to a pump for boosting the flow of liquid. The pump may be located in an excavated hole or glory hole below the seabed.

Abstract: A combined multi-phase pump and compressor unit and a gas compression system are provided. The combined multi-phase pump and compressor unit functions on a centrifugal principle for transporting liquid and gas from a flow conditioner to a remote multi-phase receiving plant, wherein a rotating separator separates liquid and gas upstream of a compressor part of the combined multi-phase pump and compressor unit, wherein the separated liquid is collected in a rotating annulus in such a way that the liquid is given kinetic energy which is converted to pressure energy in a static system, and wherein the pressurized liquid bypasses the compressor part of the combined multi-phase pump and compressor unit, and then is re-mixed with the gas downstream of the combined multi-phase pump and compressor unit.

Abstract: A gas compression system and a method of flow conditioning by a gas compression system are provided. A gas compression system includes a compact flow conditioner in a form of a flow conditioner tank and a combined multi-phase pump and compressor unit comprising an impeller configured to compress a mixture of gas and liquid, wherein the gas compression system is configured such that the gas and the liquid are separated in the flow conditioner tank, the separated gas and liquid are sucked up through the separate gas and liquid pipes and re-mixed again upstream of the impeller, and the liquid is distributed in a gas flow by Venturi effect, and wherein the Venturi effect is obtained by a constriction in the outlet pipe to the impeller, just upstream of the impeller.

Abstract: A self-adjustable valve or flow control device for controlling the flow of a fluid from one space or area to another by exploiting the Bernoulli principle, to control the flow of fluid, such as oil and/or gas including any water, from an oil or gas reservoir and into a production pipe of a well in the oil and/or gas reservoir, from an inlet port on an inlet side to an outlet port on an outlet side of the device. The valve includes a movable valve body arranged to be acted on by a temperature responsive device. The valve body is arranged to be actuated towards its closed position by the temperature responsive device in response to a predetermined increase in temperature in the fluid surrounding and/or entering the valve. The temperature responsive device includes an expandable device including a sealed structure at least partially filled with an expandable material.

Abstract: There is provided a method of chemically removing iron-containing casing from a well bore comprising injecting an acidic solution into said well bore, wherein said solution contacts said iron-containing casing and thereby accelerates oxidation of iron to iron cations, allowing said iron cations to dissolve in said solution, and removing said solution from said well bore. There is further provided a batch method of removing iron-containing casing from a well bore comprising injecting an acidic solution into said well bore, wherein said acidic solution contacts said iron-containing casing and thereby accelerates oxidation of iron to iron cations, and allowing said iron cations to dissolve in said acidic solution, wherein said well bore is at least partially open to the atmosphere.

Abstract: There is provided a method for removing iron-containing casing from a well bore comprising providing a cathode in said well bore, wherein said cathode is connected to the negative pole of a power source; connecting said iron-containing casing to the positive pole of said power source; injecting an electrolyte into said well bore, wherein said electrolyte contacts said iron-containing casing and said cathode; applying a current so that the iron in said iron-containing casing is oxidised to iron cations; allowing said iron cations to dissolve in said electrolyte; and removing said electrolyte from said well bore. Also provided are a system for removing iron-containing casing from a well bore, a method for monitoring the removal of an iron-containing casing from a well bore and a method for plugging and abandoning a well.

Abstract: A fairing device for the reduction of vortex-induced vibrations or motions and the minimization of drag about a substantially cylindrical element immersed in a fluid medium, comprising; a cylindrical element, a fairing rotatably mounted about the cylindrical element, the fairing comprising a shell with a cylindrical cross-sectional shape with an outer diameter (D) following the outer diameter of the cylindrical element from an upward stagnation point of 0 degrees to at least +/?90 degrees, and which at +/?90 degrees continues as two fin-like portions in an aft direction and defining a chord length (C), further comprising that the fin-like portions are convexly curved aft of +/?90 degrees thus tapering towards each other and defining a tail end opening or gap less than the fairing standoff height.

Abstract: A method of completing a well which has a longitudinal axis along a direction with a horizontal component, the method comprising rotating a first string and moving the first string into the well along the longitudinal axis of the well, providing a swivel joint rotatably connecting the first string to a second string, moving the second string along the longitudinal axis of the well into the well, wherein the second string comprises completion equipment, moving the completion equipment into the well along the longitudinal axis of the well.

Abstract: A first property, derivable from mass, of a drilling fluid is measured at a point upstream of a cuttings removal device. A second property (also derivable from mass) is measured at a point downstream of the cuttings removal device. A difference between the properties is determined over a period of time to obtain an estimate of the rate of cuttings removal. This allows the property of the drilling fluid before and after cuttings removal to be compared to give an indication of the rate of cuttings removal, which is indicative of the borehole cleaning.