Abstract: A method for converting well drilling cuttings that carry petroleum hydrocarbons to an environmentally friendly humus-like product wherein salt, if present, is washed therefrom, the washed cuttings mixed with a feedstock having a carbon and nitrogen content sufficient to encourage a biopile composting reaction, forming an environmentally acceptable plant growth enhancing humus-like product by continuing the biopile composting reaction until (1) the biopile is reduced in weight and/or volume to a total biopile weight and/or volume that approaches the original weight and/or volume of the drill cuttings before the feedstock was added thereto, and (2) the total petroleum hydrocarbon content of the biopile is reduced to an environmentally friendly level for spreading on the earth's surface.

Abstract: A method for treating a gas well to prevent any fresh water, which may have condensed out of the gas stream, from damaging the gas producing formation during the shut-in period. The well is shut-in and then an additive, e.g. a salt, alcohol, etc., is injected into the well to convert any accumulated fresh water into an aqueous solution which will not damage the formation. The additive can be injected in solid form or as a solution.

Abstract: A method for replacing an old drive pipe in a slot on an offshore platform. The old drive pipe is first cut to provide an upper portion and a stub portion which remains firmly embedded in said marine bottom. Next, a guide cable is affixed to the stub portion of the old drive pipe and extends to the platform. The upper portion is then retrieved to the surface. A new drive pipe which carries a whipstock at its lower end is then made-up and lowered over the guide cable until the whipstock engages the stub portion where the new drive pipe is then diverted by the whipstock into a different path from that of the old drive pipe.

Abstract: A method and assembly for treating a portion (e.g. horizontal) of a wellbore for removing solids and for producing fluids therefrom. The assembly is comprised of dual flowpaths (e.g. tubing strings) extend from the surface into the portion of the wellbore to be treated and produced. A liner is connected on the lower end of the first flowpath while the second flowpath terminates within the upper end of the wellbore portion. A treating fluid is flowed down the first flowpath and through the liner into the wellbore to wash and entrain solids therein. The treating fluid and solids are then circulated back to the surface through the second flowpath. After treatment, the second flowpath is closed and fluids are produced through the liner and to the surface through the first flowpath.

Abstract: A method for stimulating a wellbore penetrating a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation by positioning a hydrajet in an uncased portion of the wellbore penetrating the formation; perforating the formation with the hydrajet; and producing carbonaceous fluids and particulates from the formation through the wellbore and, thereby, forming a cavity in the formation surrounding the wellbore.

Abstract: A method for increasing the production of methane from a subterranean carbonaceous formation by chemically stimulating the formation of additional free surface area or cleats in the organic constituents of the formation and by causing inorganically adsorbed methane to be released from contained clay-minerals to increase the rate of methane desorption from the formation by injecting an aqueous oxidizing solution containing at least one oxidant into the formation, and thereafter producing methane from the formation at an increased rate. Suitable oxidants include peroxide, ozone, oxygen, chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochloride, water soluble salts of hypochlorous acid, perchlorate, chlorate, persulfate, perborate, percarbonate, permanganate, nitrate and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for increasing the production of methane from a subterranean coal formation by chemically stimulating the formation of cleats in the formation to increase the rate of methane production from the formation by injecting an aqueous oxidant solution into the formation to stimulate the formation of cleats in the formation; and thereafter producing methane from the formation at an increased rate. Suitable oxidants include chlorine dioxide, metallic salts of perchlorate, chlorate, persulfate, perborate, percarbonate, permanganate, nitrate and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for increasing the methane recovery from a subterranean carbonaceous formation by chemically stimulating the formation of cleats and increasing the surface area in the carbonaceous formation by injecting a gaseous oxidant into the carbonaceous formation to stimulate the formation of cleats in and increase the surface area of carbonaceous material in the carbonaceous formation; and thereafter producing methane from the carbonaceous formation at an increased rate. The gaseous oxidant may be ozone, oxygen or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for increasing the permeability to methane of a subterranean coal formation by chemically stimulating the coal formation by injecting a gaseous oxidant into the coal formation and thereafter producing methane from the coal formation at an increased rate. The gaseous oxidant is ozone, oxygen or combinations thereof. The completion of wells penetrating a subterranean coal formation is facilitated by injecting a gaseous oxidant into the coal formation surrounding the well prior to forming a cavity in the coal formation around the well.

Abstract: A method for completing a well penetrating a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation by positioning a perforating gun in an uncased portion of a wellbore penetrating the solid carbonaceous subterranean formation; perforating the coal formation; and, producing fluids and particulate coal from the coal formation through the well to form a cavity in the coal formation surrounding the well.

Abstract: A method for increasing the production of methane from a subterranean coal formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by producing methane from the coal formation via the production well; passing a portion of the methane to a synthesis gas generation zone wherein at least a portion of the methane is reacted with an oxygen-containing gas to produce a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen; passing a major portion of the mixture to a hydrocarbon synthesis zone wherein the carbon monoxide and hydrogen are reacted to produce heavier hydrocarbons and a tail gas comprising nitrogen and carbon dioxide; separating a major portion of the tail gas from the hydrocarbons and recovering the hydrocarbons as a product stream; injecting at least a portion of the tail gas into the coal formation through the injection well. The methane may be obtained from a single well or a plurality of wells operated to produce the methane by a huff and puff process.

Abstract: A method for increasing the production of methane from a subterranean coal formation by chemically stimulating the formation of cleats in the coal formation in order to facilitate removal of formation water, and increase the rate of methane production from the coal formation is disclosed. The method comprises injecting an aqueous oxidant solution into the coal formations to stimulate the formation of cleats in the coal formation; and thereafter producing methane from the coal formations at an increased rate. The aqueous oxidant solution comprises hypochlorite, metallic salts of hypochlorous acid, hydrogen peroxide, ozone, oxygen and combinations thereof.