Abstract: A pressure-up blow-down method for recovering oil from an underground hydrocarbon formation, comprising the steps of: injecting an injection fluid into alternatingly-spaced multiple-induced fractures which extend radially outwardly and along a horizontal portion of a wellbore in the formation; ceasing injection of said injection fluid; recovering to surface oil which flows from remaining of the multiple induced fractures into the wellbore; and successively repeating the foregoing steps one or more times. Gas preferentially is initially used as the injection fluid and after one successive iteration water is then used. A sliding sleeve or sleeves which may be selectively slid open and closed within the wellbore in accordance with the method to allow and prevent, at various time periods in the method, fluid communication with fluid injection fractures and oil production fractures.

Abstract: A pressure-up blow-down method for recovering oil from an underground hydrocarbon formation, comprising the steps of: injecting an injection fluid into alternatingly-spaced multiple-induced fractures which extend radially outwardly and along a horizontal portion of a wellbore in the formation; ceasing injection of said injection fluid; recovering to surface oil which flows from remaining of the multiple induced fractures into the wellbore; and successively repeating the foregoing steps one or more times. Gas preferentially is initially used as the injection fluid and after one successive iteration water is then used. A sliding sleeve or sleeves which may be selectively slid open and closed within the wellbore in accordance with the method to allow and prevent, at various time periods in the method, fluid communication with fluid injection fractures and oil production fractures.

Abstract: A dual flow/multi-flow pipe assembly for use in hydrocarbon recovery processes, having alternately-spaced apertures along a length thereof separated by packer elements, wherein alternating apertures fluidly connect with separate flow channels within the pipe assembly.

Abstract: A method for enhancing production from multiple-fractured underground “tight” formations. Spaced upwardly-extending injection fissures are created along a horizontal injection wellbore, and upwardly-extending collection fissures, alternately spaced with the injection fissures, are created along the horizontal injection wellbore or another adjacent production wellbore. The injection wellbore is supplied with fluid under pressure, which flows into such created fissures and drives reservoir fluids within the formation to the remaining (alternately) spaced adjacent fissures along such wellbore or another parallel adjacent (production) wellbore, thereby allowing reservoir fluids to flow downwardly along such alternately spaced production fissures for collection.

Abstract: A method for sweeping a subterranean petroleum reservoir and recovering hydrocarbons therefrom. Such method utilizes a plurality of spaced hydraulic fractures extending radially outwardly from, and spaced laterally along, a length of a single horizontal wellbore drilled through the reservoir. The hydraulic fractures are each in fluid communication with the drilled wellbore. A multi-channel tubing having a plurality of individual discrete channels therein extending along substantially a length thereof is placed in the horizontal wellbore, and at least one packer element situated along a length of said tubing is employed. The plurality of channels in the multi-channel tubing comprise, at a minimum, a fluid injection channel for transmitting a driving fluid to hydraulic fractures in the reservoir, and a separate hydrocarbon recovery channel for collecting hydrocarbons which drain into the reservoir and producing them to surface.

Abstract: A method of the simultaneous production of oil and combustion gases using gravity phase segregation and gravity drainage to produce hydrocarbons from a subterranean oil-bearing formation. Such method comprises initially injecting a fluid such as a solvent, steam, or an oxidizing gas through a pair of horizontal wells placed high in the formation and producing oil through a plurality of parallel lower horizontal wells situated low in the reservoir, each lower horizontal well perpendicularly disposed to said upper horizontal wells. In a preferred embodiment well liner segments are provided in lower horizontal wells, having apertures therein, to allow oil to flow into said lower horizontal wells. At locations where an upper horizontal well traverses a lower horizontal well such well liners possess no apertures thereby preventing oxidizing gas injected in said upper horizontal wells from flowing directly into said lower horizontal wells at such point at which said lower wells are traversed by said upper wells.

Abstract: An in situ combustion process entailing the simultaneous production of liquids and combustion gases that combines fluid drive, gravity phase segregation and gravity drainage to produce hydrocarbons from a subterranean oil-bearing formation, comprising initially injecting gas, steam or a fluid through a horizontal well placed high in the formation, and initially producing hydrocarbons through a lower, parallel horizontal well. Thereafter, in accordance with the method, production from the lower well is ceased, and a gas, liquid, or steam injected into such lower well, and an adjacent parallel well likewise low in the reservoir is used to produce the oil. Significant portions of a reservoir may thereby be exploited by continually drilling lower adjacent horizontal wells in a direction along the reservoir and converting penultimate lower production wells into injection wells and thereby driving hydrocarbons to an adjacent parallel production well for recovery to surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating COS and/or CS2 from a hydrocarbon-containing feed stream, and further eliminating H2S from such feed stream or converting all sulfur species in such feed stream to H2S and SO2 to allow for easy subsequent conversion of such H2S and SO2 to elemental sulfur in a Claus reaction. The method comprises: (i) injecting water so that the feed stream contains greater than 10 vol % (water equivalent); (ii) passing the feed stream through catalyst means which hydrogenates COS and/or CS2 to H2S; (iii) injecting O2 so that the stoichiometric ratio of O2 to H2S is at least 0.5:1.0; (iv) passing the stream though a reaction zone having oxidation catalyst means which oxidizes H2S to elemental sulfur or SO2 (depending on the amount of oxygen and water added); where the temperature of the reaction zone is above the elemental sulfur dew point.

Abstract: An acid-gas sorbent comprising an amine-composite. The present composite may comprise a first component comprising an amine compound at a concentration of from about 1 wt % to about 75 wt %; a second component comprising a hydrophilic polymer and/or a pre-polymer compound at a concentration of from about 1 wt % to about 30 wt %; and a third component comprising a cross-linking agent, and/or a coupling agent at a concentration of from about 0.01 wt % to about 30 wt %.

Abstract: A method of reducing sulfur compounds from an incoming gas stream, comprising flowing the gas stream over a hydrolysis catalyst to convert COS and CS2 to H2S and reduce SO2 to elemental sulfur to form an effluent stream; providing an acidic gas removal unit comprising an absorbent; flowing said effluent stream over said absorbent to produce a stream free of acidic gases; applying an acidic-gas desorption mode to said acidic-gas rich absorbent to produce an acidic gas stream; introducing oxygen to said acidic gas-rich stream; providing a direct oxidation vessel containing catalyst suitable for catalyzing the oxidation of the H2S to sulfur wherein the temperature of the vessel is at or above the sulfur dew point at the reaction pressure; and flowing said acidic gas-rich stream over said catalyst to produce a processed stream having a reduced level of sulfur compounds.

Abstract: An in-situ combustion process which process does not employ one or more separate gas venting wells. At least one vertical production well having a substantially vertical portion extending downwardly into the reservoir and a horizontal leg portion extending horizontally outwardly therefrom completed relatively low in the reservoir is provided. At least one vertical oxidizing gas injection well, positioned above and in spaced relation to the horizontal well, is positioned laterally along the horizontal well approximately midsection thereof. Oxidizing gas is injected therein and combustion fronts are caused to progress outwardly from such injection well in mutually opposite directions along the horizontal well.

Abstract: A modified process for recovering oil from an underground reservoir using the an in situ combustion process. A diluent, namely a hydrocarbon condensate, is injected within a separate wellbore, or alternatively within said separate wellbore and via tubing in a horizontal wellbore portion, preferably proximate the toe, of a vertical-horizontal well pair, to increase mobility of oil.

Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch process for producing diesel fuel or diesel blending stock with a high cetane number, in a concentration of 65-90 wt % at pressures below 200 psia, using a cobalt catalyst with a rhenium and/or ruthenium promoter. The catalyst is a cobalt catalyst with crystallites having an average diameter greater than 16 nanometers, and the resulting hydrocarbon product after a rough flash, contains less than 10 wt % waxes (>C23).

Abstract: A modified process for recovering oil from an underground reservoir using the toe-to-heel in situ combustion process. A diluent, namely a hydrocarbon condensate, is injected within a horizontal wellbore portion, preferably proximate the toe, of a vertical-horizontal well pair, or alternatively into an adjacent injection well, or both, to increase mobility of oil.

Abstract: A method of drilling a slim hole and inserting a slotted liner into such hole drilled in an underground reservoir using jet-drilling. The method enables jet-drilling to be effective in unconsolidated subterranean formations, such as some petroleum reservoirs. The method enables fluid injection or production to be undertaken on individual jet-drilled holes or on groups of holes drilled laterally at different vertical intervals in a vertical well within an underground formation.

Abstract: A well liner segment for use in hydrocarbon recovery processes. An elongate, typically cylindrical outer liner member, and an inner elongate liner member concentrically located therewithin is provided. Hydrocarbon upgrading catalyst is provided in the interstitial space between the two members. The outer liner members may be threadably coupled together. A slidable seal is provided between the outer liner and the inner liner to accommodated differential thermal growth between the two liners. A process for use of well liner segments having hydrocarbon upgrader catalyst pre-installed therein, is also provided, as is a method for manufacture of a well liner segment.

Abstract: A modified method for in situ recovery of hydrocarbon from an underground hydrocarbon-containing formation. An “L” shaped production well, having a vertical section, and a lower horizontal leg positioned low in the formation, is provided. The horizontal leg connects to the vertical section at a heel portion, and has a toe portion at an opposite end thereof. Oxidizing gas is injected into the formation in or proximate the vertical section. A combustion front sweeps outwardly from the vertical section and laterally within the formation above the horizontal leg, from the heel to the toe, causing hydrocarbons in the formation above the horizontal leg to drain downwardly into the horizontal leg, which are then delivered to surface via production tubing. A non-oxidizing gas is injected into at least the heel portion and preferably additional portions of the horizontal leg via injection tubing contained within the vertical section of the production well.

Abstract: A well liner segment for use in hydrocarbon recovery processes. An elongate, typically cylindrical outer liner member, and an inner elongate liner member concentrically located therewithin is provided. Hydrocarbon upgrading catalyst is provided in the interstitial space between the two members. The outer liner members may be threadably coupled together. A slidable seal is provided between the outer liner and the inner liner to accommodated differential thermal growth between the two liners. A process for use of well liner segments having hydrocarbon upgrader catalyst pre-installed therein, is also provided, as is a method for manufacture of a well liner segment.

Abstract: A modified process for recovering oil from an underground reservoir using the toe-to-heel in situ combustion process. A diluent, namely a hydrocarbon condensate, is injected within a horizontal wellbore portion, preferably proximate the toe, of a vertical-horizontal well pair, or alternatively into an adjacent injection well, or both, to increase mobility of oil.

Abstract: A modified method of in situ recovery of hydrocarbon from an underground hydrocarbon-containing formation. An “L” shaped production well, having a vertical upper section, and a lower horizontally-extending leg which is positioned low in the hydrocarbon formation, is provided. The horizontal leg connects to the vertical section of the production well at a heel portion and has a toe portion at an opposite end thereof. An oxidizing gas is injected into the formation proximate the vertical section of the production well. A vertical combustion front is created which is caused to sweep outwardly therefrom and laterally within the formation above the horizontal leg, from the heel to the toe of the horizontal leg, causing hydrocarbons in the formation above the horizontal leg to be upgraded and liquify, and thereafter to drain downwardly into the horizontal leg which is permeable, where such liquified hydrocarbons are then delivered to surface via production tubing.