Abstract: A method for removing at least one contaminant selected from the group consisting of H2S and CO2 from contaminating streams, including the steps of providing an above ground stream comprising hydrocarbon containing the at least one contaminant, and positioning metal-containing nanoparticles having a particle size of less than or equal to about 100 nm in the stream, the metal-containing nanoparticles being selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal hydroxides and combinations thereof, whereby the nanoparticles adsorb the contaminants from the stream.

Abstract: A method for heating a subterranean formation includes the steps of positioning a well to a subterranean formation; disposing an energy transforming material in the formation; and exposing the material to energy whereby the material generates heat.

Abstract: A method for altering wettability of a reservoir formation includes the steps of providing a water-based fluid containing a wettability altering coating system; and flowing the fluid into a reservoir so as to coat the reservoir with the coating system.

Abstract: A method for removing at least one contaminant selected from the group consisting of H2S and CO2 from hydrocarbon streams, including the steps of providing a stream of hydrocarbon containing the at least one contaminant, and positioning metal-containing nanoparticles in the stream, the metal-containing nanoparticles being selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal hydroxides and combinations thereof, whereby the nanoparticles adsorb the contaminants from the stream.

Abstract: A method for altering wettability of a reservoir formation includes the steps of providing a water-based fluid containing a wettability altering coating system; and flowing the fluid into a reservoir so as to coat the reservoir with the coating system.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for consolidating an unconsolidated formation, which method includes the steps of providing a well drilled to an unconsolidated formation, providing a consolidation fluid in the form of a fluid suspension of nanoparticles, and flowing said consolidation fluid through the well and into the unconsolidated formation so as to position the nanoparticles between grains of the unconsolidated formation whereby the formation is consolidated over time.

Abstract: A method for removing at least one contaminant selected from the group consisting of H2S and CO2 from hydrocarbon streams, including the steps of providing a stream of hydrocarbon containing the at least one contaminant; the positioning metal-containing nanoparticles in the stream, the metal-containing nanoparticles being selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal hydroxides and combinations thereof, whereby the nanoparticles adsorb the contaminants from the stream.

Abstract: A method for drilling and completing a well includes the steps of drilling through a subterranean formation with a drill bit so as to form a well bore having a side wall; applying a consolidating material to the side wall under pressure so that said consolidating material flows into the side wall and provides a coated side wall coated with the consolidating material; and passing a scraping member having a desired profile past the coated side wall so as to provide the coated side wall with the desired profile an apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method for removing at least one contaminant selected from the group consisting of H2S and CO2 from hydrocarbon streams, including the steps of providing a stream of hydrocarbon containing the at least one contaminant; the positioning metal-containing nanoparticles in the stream, the metal-containing nanoparticles being selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal hydroxides and combinations thereof, whereby the nanoparticles adsorb the contaminants from the stream.

Abstract: A method for removing at least one contaminant selected from consisting of H2S and CO2 from hydrocabon streams, including the steps of providing a stream of hydrocarbon containg the at least one contaminant; the positioning metal-containing nanoparticles in the streams, the metal-containing nanoparticles being selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal hydroxides and combination thereof, whereby the nanoparticles absorb the contaminants from the stream.

Abstract: A method for heating a subterranean formation includes the steps of positioning a well to a subterranean formation; disposing an energy transforming material in the formation; and exposing the material to energy whereby the material generates heat.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for consolidating an unconsolidated formation, which method includes the steps of providing a well drilled to an unconsolidated formation, providing a consolidation fluid in the form of a fluid suspension of nanoparticles, and flowing said consolidation fluid through the well and into the unconsolidated formation so as to position the nanoparticles between grains of the unconsolidated formation whereby the formation is consolidated over time.

Abstract: A method for drilling and completing a well includes the steps of drilling through a subterranean formation with a drill bit so as to form a well bore having a side wall; applying a consolidating material to the side wall under pressure so that said consolidating material flows into the side wall and provides a coated side wall coated with the consolidating material; and passing a scraping member having a desired profile past the coated side wall so as to provide the coated side wall with the desired profile an apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a function in a flowing fluid includes an apparatus body and a drag member associated with the apparatus body. The drag member is configurable between drag configuration for moving with the fluid wherein the apparatus has a first drag and a reduced drag configuration for moving against the fluid wherein the apparatus has a second drag which is less than the first drag.

Abstract: A method for optimizing production from a gas lift well includes the steps of: obtaining a statistical model of production behavior of a gas lift well, the production behavior including known patterns of at least one production characteristic and corresponding operating parameters; operating the gas lift well at initial operating parameters; obtaining a real time value of the production characteristic from the gas lift well at the initial operating parameters; comparing the real time value of the production characteristic to the model to determine whether a known pattern is detected; and if a known pattern is detected, adjusting the operating parameters to the corresponding operating parameters. An apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a parameter of substance includes a cell defining an inner space, an inlet associated with the cell for introducing a sample of the substance to the inner space, an outlet associated with the cell for removing the sample from the inner space, an optic couple for passing NIR radiation through the sample in the inner space along an optic path so as to provide an NIR spectrum indicative of a parameter of the sample, the optic couple defining the optic path, and structure for directing flow in the inner space, whereby vortices within the inner space are inhibited and the NIR spectrum is rapidly provided upon introduction of the sample to the inner space.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a hydrocarbon so as to determine a desired parameter of the hydrocarbon includes the steps of providing a hydrocarbon to be evaluated, obtaining a near-infrared signal from the hydrocarbon, codifying the near-infrared signal so as to reduce the signal to a number of points, providing a neural network trained for correlating the number of points to the desired parameter and processing the number of points with the neural network so as to determine the desired parameter.