Abstract: A cartridge sampler for collecting a target species from an environment for subsequent chemical analysis includes removable collection media having at least one molecule sensor thereon. The cartridge sampler includes a means for tagging a geospatial location and time that the fluid samples are provided to the collection media such that the location and time that the fluid samples are provided to the collection media can be later determined. Also disclosed are systems and methods for collecting species from various environments including a subsurface formation, a pipeline, and gaseous, soil or sub-slab, and aqueous environments. The cartridge sampler is fitted on or within a device designed for moving within each environment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of using accelerated corrosion to remove metallic assets.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation, deposition and adherence of scale to metallic and other surfaces in the equipment, vessels and/or piping of facilities for the handling of oil and gas produced fluid is disclosed. An effective scale inhibiting amount of alginate is added to a produced fluid containing a scale-forming divalent cation. The alginate effectively cross-links with a scale-forming divalent cation, e.g., calcium, forming an alginate gel for subsequent separation and removal from the produced fluid.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation, deposition and adherence of scale to metallic and other surfaces in the equipment, vessels and/or piping of facilities for the handling of oil and gas produced fluid is disclosed. An effective scale inhibiting amount of alginate is added to a produced fluid containing a scale-forming divalent cation. The alginate effectively cross-links with a scale-forming divalent cation, e.g., calcium, forming an alginate gel for subsequent separation and removal from the produced fluid.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation, deposition and adherence of scale to metallic and other surfaces in the equipment, vessels and/or piping of facilities for the handling of oil and gas produced fluid is disclosed. An effective scale inhibiting amount of alginate is added to a produced fluid containing a scale-forming divalent cation. The alginate effectively cross-links with a scale-forming divalent cation, e.g., calcium, forming an alginate gel for subsequent separation and removal from the produced fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for removing carbon steel components of a subsea oilfield facility in a subsea environment by accelerating the corrosion of the carbon steel components in the surrounding seawater, by a passive and/or active impressed current method. In the passive method, the facility is connected to a cathodic metal of greater electrical potential, such as copper. In order to cause the maximum and uniform corrosion, it is preferred that a wire of the chosen cathodic metal be extended along the facility and through pipelines. In the active impressed current method, an external DC electrical supply is used to apply an electrical potential difference between the steel components of the facility and the cathodic metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor assembly to detect and quantify organic and/or inorganic mercury compounds, including elemental mercury that may be present in gases or liquids, such as natural gas, air, condensates, crude oil, refined petroleum gas or liquids, and water including connate water, condensed water and water containing hydrate inhibitor(s). The sensor assembly includes a housing having a flow channel defined by an inlet, a sensor array, and an outlet. The sensor array is based on the differential sorption properties measured using a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor array, a chemiresistor array, or a combination of the two.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for removing carbon steel components of a subsea oilfield facility in a subsea environment by accelerating the corrosion of the carbon steel components in the surrounding seawater, by a passive and/or active impressed current method. In the passive method, the facility is connected to a cathodic metal of greater electrical potential, such as copper. In order to cause the maximum and uniform corrosion, it is preferred that a wire of the chosen cathodic metal be extended along the facility and through pipelines. In the active impressed current method, an external DC electrical supply is used to apply an electrical potential difference between the steel components of the facility and the cathodic metal.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation, deposition and adherence of scale to metallic and other surfaces in the equipment, vessels and/or piping of facilities for the handling of oil and gas produced fluid is disclosed. An effective scale inhibiting amount of alginate is added to a produced fluid containing a scale-forming divalent cation. The alginate effectively cross-links with a scale-forming divalent cation, e.g., calcium, forming an alginate gel for subsequent separation and removal from the produced fluid.

Abstract: Described herein is an underwater vehicle having a vehicle body with a buoyancy controller adapted to vary the buoyancy of the vehicle in order to control motion of the vehicle through an underwater environment. The vehicle further includes a sampling system and a sensor arrangement. The sampling system is adapted to sequentially sample fluid from the underwater environment at specified sampling times resulting in a sample sequence, each sample associated with a sample time and a fluid flow rate. The sensor arrangement includes a plurality of molecule sensors adapted to sense organic molecules in each respective sample of the sample sequence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remediating porous contaminated material. In the method, fuel material is combined with the contaminated material and a smoldering combustion process is initiated in the contaminated material to remediate the contaminated material. Control systems are provided to control the smoldering combustion process. The contaminated material may include oily waste, asbestos fibers, and/or at least one of a chlorinated solvent, a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), a dioxin, a furan and a polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH).

Abstract: A method for treating a volume of porous contaminated material is described. A combustible mixture (24) comprising a porous matrix and a distributed combustible contaminant is conveyed to a reaction vessel (12) having an ignition system (16). The ignition system is activated to initiate a smoldering combustion process in the reaction vessel and an oxidizer is distributed into the reaction vessel to sustain the smoldering combustion process. The porous matrix may comprise drill cuttings (324) with residual drilling fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sorption-based sensing system for sensing multiple selected species in a fluid. In one aspect, the sensing system comprises an optical conduit for guiding light from an input end to an output end, a detector for detecting at least one feature of the light at the output end associated with the optical characteristic, and an analyzer for determining at least one attribute of at least one of the multiple selected species in the fluid based on the detected feature. The optical conduit includes a sorptive portion having a set of different sorption properties associated with the multiple selected species. The sorptive portion is adapted to be positioned in the fluid to reversibly sorb at least one of the multiple selected species to vary an optical characteristic of the sorptive portion. In another aspect, there is provided a corresponding method for operating the sensing system.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for enhancing the distribution of an enhanced oil recovery fluid utilizing electrokinetic-induced migration for enhancing oil recovery from a subterranean reservoir. An enhanced oil recovery fluid is injected into the hydrocarbon bearing zone through the injection well. An electric field is generated through at least a portion of the hydrocarbon bearing zone to induce electrokinetic migration of the enhanced oil recovery fluid. Electrokinetic induced migration allows for the enhanced oil recovery fluid to contact portions of the reservoir that previously were unswept, which as a result enhances recovery of hydrocarbons through the production well.

Abstract: Described herein is an underwater vehicle having a vehicle body with a buoyancy controller adapted to vary the buoyancy of the vehicle in order to control motion of the vehicle through an underwater environment. The vehicle further includes a sampling system and a sensor arrangement. The sampling system is adapted to sequentially sample fluid from the underwater environment at specified sampling times resulting in a sample sequence, each sample associated with a sample time and a fluid flow rate. The sensor arrangement includes a plurality of molecule sensors adapted to sense organic molecules in each respective sample of the sample sequence.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen using a chemical oxidant so as to render it mobile. The oxidant is provided to a formation fluid in contact with the kerogen in the subsurface shale utilizing electrokinetic-induced migration. An electric field is generated through at least a portion of the kerogen rich zone to induce electrokinetic migration of the oxidant. A mobile kerogen-based product, that includes reaction products of kerogen conversion, is urged toward a production well utilizing electrokinetic-induced migration, and withdrawn from the subsurface shale formation. An electric field generated through at least a portion of the kerogen rich zone can also be utilized to induce migration of catalysts or catalyst precursors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor assembly to detect and quantify organic and/or inorganic mercury compounds, including elemental mercury that may be present in gases or liquids, such as natural gas, air, condensates, crude oil, refined petroleum gas or liquids, and water including connate water, condensed water and water containing hydrate inhibitor(s). The sensor assembly includes a housing having a flow channel defined by an inlet, a sensor array, and an outlet. The sensor array is based on the differential sorption properties measured using a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor array, a chemiresistor array, or a combination of the two.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is disclosed for detecting, speciating, and measuring a concentration of organic analytes in a fluid stream. The assembly includes a housing for containing elements of the sensor assembly; a sensor array configured to detect and measure the concentration of the organic analytes in the fluid sample and produce an electrical output signal indicative of a type and concentration of the organic analytes detected; an inlet channel through which a sample is drawn into the housing and into contact with the sensor array; an outlet channel through which the sample is expelled from the housing; and a sampler located within the housing for drawing the fluid sample into the housing via the inlet channel and expelling the sample via the outlet channel.

Abstract: A method for treating a volume of porous contaminated material is described. A combustible mixture (24) comprising a porous matrix and a distributed combustible contaminant is conveyed to a reaction vessel (12) having an ignition system (16). The ignition system is activated to initiate a smoldering combustion process in the reaction vessel and an oxidizer is distributed into the reaction vessel to sustain the smoldering combustion process. The porous matrix may comprise drill cuttings (324) with residual drilling fluid.

Abstract: A method is provided for remediating porous contaminated material. In the method, fuel material is combined with the contaminated material and a smoldering combustion process is initiated in the contaminated material to remediate the contaminated material. Control systems are provided to control the smoldering combustion process. The contaminated material may include oily waste, asbestos fibers, and/ or at least one of a chlorinated solvent, a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), a dioxin, a furan and a polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH).