Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for harnessing flow-induced electrostatic energy in a tubular length and using this energy to power electrical devices (e.g., flowmeters, electrically-actuated valves, etc.). The present invention is also directed to corresponding systems through which such methods are implemented.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for harnessing flow-induced electrostatic energy in a tubular length and using this energy to power electrical devices (e.g., flowmeters, electrically-actuated valves, etc.). The present invention is also directed to corresponding systems through which such methods are implemented.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for harnessing flow-induced electrostatic energy in a tubular length and using this energy to power electrical devices (e.g., flowmeters, electrically-actuated valves, etc.). The present invention is also directed to corresponding systems through which such methods are implemented.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for harnessing flow-induced electrostatic energy in a tubular length and using this energy to power electrical devices (e.g., flowmeters, electrically-actuated valves, etc.). The present invention is also directed to corresponding systems through which such methods are implemented.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes (methods) for harnessing flow-induced electrostatic energy in an oil and/or gas well and using this energy to power electrical devices (e.g., flowmeters, electrically-actuated valves, etc.) downhole. The present invention is also directed to corresponding systems through which such methods are implemented.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes (methods) for harnessing flow-induced electrostatic energy in an oil and/or gas well and using this energy to power electrical devices (e.g., flowmeters, electrically-actuated valves, etc.) downhole. The present invention is also directed to corresponding systems through which such methods are implemented.

Abstract: A perforation fluid is prepared having a solid material suspended in a liquid. The solid material includes particles having particle sizes that correspond to the pore throat sizes of one or more geological formations through which a well to be perforated runs. The solid material is self-degrading. Perforation of a well-casing of the well in the perforation fluid causes the solid material to instantaneously (or substantially so) form a self-degrading filter cake that facilitates setting of the final completions of the well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes (methods) for harnessing flow-induced electrostatic energy in an oil and/or gas well and using this energy to power electrical devices (e.g., flowmeters, electrically-actuated valves, etc.) downhole. The present invention is also directed to corresponding systems through which such methods are implemented.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes (methods) for harnessing flow-induced electrostatic energy in an oil and/or gas well and using this energy to power electrical devices (e.g., flowmeters, electrically-actuated valves, etc.) downhole. The present invention is also directed to corresponding systems through which such methods are implemented.

Abstract: A system and method for separating water and oil from a mixture of water and oil in a wellbore is disclosed. The system comprises a wellbore in fluid communication with an oil producing formation to receive a mixture of water and oil. The wellbore includes a horizontal portion and a vertical portion which extends to the wellbore surface. A string of tubing is disposed in the wellbore including segments of gravity tubing and segments of membrane tubing which both ideally disposed in the horizontal portion of the wellbore. The gravity tubing allows the mixture of water and oil to at least partially separate into a layer of oil and a layer of water. The membrane tubing includes a membrane which is selectively permeable to one of the water and oil. The water and oil are separated in the membrane tubing. The separated oil is transported to the well surface and the separated water is disposed of in a water disposal zone adjacent the wellbore.

Abstract: A system is provided which has a downhole membrane separator, including a membrane, which separates hydrocarbons, such as methane and oil, from other contaminants, such as CO2 and water. After the membrane becomes fouled with contaminants after separating a sufficient quantity of a feedstock, the membrane is backflushed or chemically treated, in place to assist in the removal of contaminants from the membrane. An explosive may be used to create the a pressure wave which backflushes the membrane. Or else, the pressure differential across the membrane may be reversed to create the backflushing action. Chemicals may be used to assist in removing foulants. Or else, a spray or bubbler system may be used to create turbulence to assist in the removal of a foulant. Methods of unfouling the membrane are also taught including backflushing and chemical treatment of the membranes to removed unwanted contaminants from the membrane.

Abstract: The volume of a water strata in an oil production reservoir is controlled by reinjecting separated water into that water strata. A production string is extended into a portion of a wellbore that extends laterally within the oil strata of the reservoir. A liquid flow including a hydrocarbon phase and a water phase is conducted from the oil strata into the laterally extending portion of the wellbore at a production zone. The water phase is separated from the liquid hydrocarbon phase within the production string, and then reinjected back into the water strata of the same reservoir from which it came, at a reinjection zone disposed below the production zone.

Abstract: A system and method for recovery of hydrocarbon gas and liquids from a sub-sea environment utilizing a sub-sea membrane separation system. The system includes a production string located in a sub-sea wellbore for removing hydrocarbons and contaminants from a sub-sea formation. At least one membrane separator for separating contaminants from hydrocarbons removed from the sub-sea formation is located underwater between the production string and a hydrocarbon collection tank such that a predetermined temperature of the hydrocarbons is obtained by the location of the membrane. In another embodiment, a tube is connected to a sub-sea production string for removing hydrocarbons and contaminants from a sub-sea wellbore. At least one membrane separator for separating contaminants from hydrocarbons in the tube is positioned between the production string and a hydrocarbon collection tank wherein the temperature of the hydrocarbons and contaminants is controlled by the location of the membrane.

Abstract: A system and method for recovery of hydrocarbon gas and liquids from a sub-sea environment utilizing a sub-sea membrane separation system. The system includes a production string located in a sub-sea wellbore for removing hydrocarbons and contaminants from a sub-sea formation. At least one membrane separator for separating contaminants from hydrocarbons removed from the sub-sea formation is located underwater between the production string and a hydrocarbon collection tank such that a predetermined temperature of the hydrocarbons is obtained by the location of the membrane. In another embodiment, a tube is connected to a sub-sea production string for removing hydrocarbons and contaminants from a sub-sea wellbore. At least one membrane separator for separating contaminants from hydrocarbons in the tube is positioned between the production string and a hydrocarbon collection tank wherein the temperature of the hydrocarbons and contaminants is controlled by the location of the membrane.

Abstract: A redundant membrane separation system and method for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants. The redundant membrane separation system includes a system and method wherein the flow of the produced hydrocarbons and contaminants from a production string can be diverted to one of at least two tubes while the membrane separation system in another of the tubes is serviced.

Abstract: A method and system for the downhole separation of a water and oil mixture and disposal of separated water utilizing a hydrostatic pressure head is disclosed. A separator apparatus is located in a wellbore at a depth substantially above a water disposal formation. A mixture of oil and water is received from an oil producing formation and delivered to the separator apparatus. The oil and water mixture is separated into separated water and separated oil by the separator apparatus. The separated oil is delivered to the well surface. The separated water is discharged from the separator apparatus into the wellbore creating a column of water above the water disposal formation. The hydrostatic pressure created by the column of water is ideally sufficient to cause the separated water to dissipate into the water disposal formation.

Abstract: A downhole preferential hydrocarbon gas recovery system and method employ preferentially selective materials to separate the hydrocarbon gas from contaminants. According to one aspect of the invention, the preferentially selective materials are arranged in tubes with the hydrocarbon gas flowing through the tubes and the contaminants permeating out through the preferentially selective material.

Abstract: While many materials have been used to inhibit scale formation previously, none have been fully satisfactory to prevent scale formation and precipitation of totally dissolved solids (TDS) in fluids used in well drilling, completion and workovers when the fluids contain divalent metal cations and when the formation contains carbon dioxide. Since many wells are completed into such formations, a continuing search has been directed to an improved method for preventing the formation of such scale. According to the present invention, metal carbonate scale formation and TDS precipitation in a well penetrating a subterranean formation wherein a fluid containing calcium, magnesium, barium or zinc is used in the presence of carbon dioxide is prevented by maintaining the fluid at a pH from about 2 to about 9 and adding from about 1 to about 5000 parts per million of a phosphonomethylated oxyalkyleneamine material having a molecular weight from about 150 to about 3000 to the fluid.

Abstract: In an improved method for inhibiting the formation of scale in a well penetrating a subterranean formation for the production of fluids from said formation, said method including injecting at least one scale inhibitor into said formation through said well so that said scale inhibitor is thereafter slowly released from said formation to inhibit the formation of scale, the improvement comprising: injecting at least one polymeric material into said well in an amount effective to prolong said scale formation inhibition, said polymeric material having a composition different from said scale inhibitor and being a copolymer derived from at least one first monomer having a maleic moiety and at least one second monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A pre-cured proppant charge useful, for example, for propping a fracture in a subterranean formation is disclosed. The charge is made up of a large number of particles composed of a single substrate particle which can be silica sand, glass beads, or the like, coated with a thermoset resin. The thermoset resin is one which, when it is the resin coating on particles of a proppant charge, produces such a charge when the Conductivity Ratio, as defined herein, throughout a given closure stress range is greater than that of a charge of the uncoated particles. The proppant is produced by coating the particulate substrate with a suitable thermosettable resin, controlling the coating step to produce substrate particles coated with a fusible, thermosetting resin, and curing the resin by heating the coated particles, so that substantially all of the resin coated particles are composed of a single substrate particle with a thermoset resin coating thereon, prior to introduction into a subterranean well.