Abstract: A cavitation device is used to heat and facilitation the separation of mixtures and emulsions of oil and water. Waste heat from the power source for the cavitation device may be utilized to elevate the temperature of incoming mixtures or emulsions. The heated mixture of emulsion is sent to a separation vessel where vapor may be removed and/or recovered, and where oil is removed as it separates into an identifiable layer. The separation vessel may be a flash tank.

Abstract: Cesium solutions are treated in a cavitation device to increase their temperature and facilitate the removal of water from them. The context is normally an oil well fluid or a mining solution. The concentrated solutions can be reused, in the case of oil well fluids, or more easily handled for recovery of the elemental cesium or cesium in the form of a salt. Thermal energy is saved by using the concentrate or the water vapor to heat various streams within the system.

Abstract: Methods of creating and using robust neural network ensembles are disclosed. Some embodiments take the form of computer-based methods that comprise receiving a set of available inputs; receiving training data; training at least one neural network for each of at least two different subsets of the set of available inputs; and providing at least two trained neural networks having different subsets of the available inputs as components of a neural network ensemble configured to transform the available inputs into at least one output. The neural network ensemble may be applied as a log synthesis method that comprises: receiving a set of downhole logs; applying a first subset of downhole logs to a first neural network to obtain an estimated log; applying a second, different subset of the downhole logs to a second neural network to obtain an estimated log; and combining the estimated logs to obtain a synthetic log.

Abstract: Logging systems and methods are disclosed to reduce usage of radioisotopic sources. Some embodiments comprise collecting at least one output log of a training well bore from measurements with a radioisotopic source; collecting at least one input log of the training well bore from measurements by a non-radioisotopic logging tool; training a neural network to predict the output log from the at least one input log; collecting at least one input log of a development well bore from measurements by the non-radioisotopic logging tool; and processing the at least one input log of the development well bore to synthesize at least one output log of the development well bore. The output logs may include formation density and neutron porosity logs.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining the locations and heights of fractures in a subterranean formation using a neutron-emitting logging tool. Utilizing predetermined relationships (1) between logging tool count rates and associated apparent formation hydrogen index values and (2) between logging tool count rate ratios and associated apparent formation hydrogen index values, the methods detect the presence and heights in the formation of proppant containing high thermal neutron capture cross section material in a manner substantially eliminating proppant determination uncertainty resulting from a prior change in formation hydrogen index values. A second, associated, method employing logging tool count rates and count rate ratios to determine the presence of proppant containing high thermal neutron capture cross section absorbers utilizes a crossplot of count rate versus ratio.

Abstract: A method for determining the location and height of a fracture in a subterranean formation using a neutron emitting logging tool. The method includes obtaining a pre-fracture data set, fracturing the formation with a slurry that includes a proppant doped with a high thermal neutron capture cross-section material, obtaining a post-fracture data set, comparing the pre-fracture data set and the post-fracture data set to determine the location of the proppant, and correlating the location of the proppant to a depth measurement of the borehole to determine the location and height of the fracture. Using the PNC tool, it is also possible to determine whether the proppant is located in the fracture, in the borehole adjacent to the fracture, or in both. The method may also include a plurality of post-fracture logging procedures used to determine various fracture and production characteristics in the formation.

Abstract: Cesium solutions are treated in a cavitation device to increase their temperature and facilitate the removal of water from them. The context is normally an oil well fluid or a mining solution. The concentrated solutions can be reused, in the case of oil well fluids, or more easily handled for recovery of the elemental cesium or cesium in the form of a salt. Thermal energy is saved by using the concentrate or the water vapor to heat various streams within the system.

Abstract: Oilfield completion, drilling and workover fluids containing iron are treated to remove the iron by passing them through a cavitation device together with an oxidizing agent. The cavitation device intimately mixes the oxidizing agent with the fluid while increasing the temperature of the fluid, thus promoting the oxidation reaction. Ferric hydrate and other solids or colloidal iron are removed in a filter capable of removing particles as small as 0.5 micron. The system may be enhanced by the addition of a bed of activated carbon capable of catalyzing the oxidation reaction.

Abstract: Oilfield completion, drilling, produced, flowback, and workover fluids containing iron are treated to remove the iron by passing them through a cavitation device together with an oxidizing agent and with the addition of lime. The cavitation device intimately mixes the oxidizing agent with the fluid while increasing the temperature of the fluid, thus promoting the oxidation reaction. Lime contributes to an increase in pH while promoting the formation of floc. Ferric hydrate and other solids or colloidal iron are removed in a filter capable of removing particles as small as 0.5 micron. The system may be enhanced by the addition of a bed of activated carbon capable of catalyzing the oxidation reaction.

Abstract: Membrane tubes or similar membrane devices are arrayed in layers so that liquid placed on their outer surfaces may be evaporated and also drain onto lower membrane devices. The entire array is subjected to moving air to enhance evaporation. The membrane devices function as filters while permeating water from industrial fluids while also providing evaporative surfaces to reduce the volume of used aqueous industrial fluids. The retentate surfaces of the membrane devices may also be on the interiors of the devices, and the permeate contacted with flowing air to evaporate the permeate. Unevaporated permeate is collected in either configuration for use as clean water, and concentrated fluid may be more easily handled, disposed or, and/or its components recycled. A cavitation device may be used to heat the aqueous industrial fluid to enhance permeation and evaporation rates with minimal scaling.

Abstract: A cavitation device is used to heat, concentrate and recycle or otherwise reuse dilute and other oil well fluids, brines and muds, and solution mining fluids, all of which commonly contain ingredients worthy of conservation. The cavitation device can be powered by a Diesel engine whose exhaust may be used to heat the incoming fluid, and the product of the cavitation device is directed to a flash tank.

Abstract: A system and method of drilling and/or perforating uses a laser beam to remove material, such as to perforate the casing, cement and formation or drill a well bore. The system and method can further or alternately encompass material analysis that can be performed without removing the material from the well bore. The analysis can be performed apart from or in connection with drilling operations and/or perforating the casing, cement and formation. The analysis can be used in a feed back loop to adjust material removal, adjust material analysis, determine the location of future material removal, and for other uses.

Abstract: A separating system for separating a fluid mixture incorporates a smart surface having reversibly switchable properties. A voltage is selectively applied to the smart surface to attract or repel constituents of a fluid mixture, such as oil and water produced from a hydrocarbon well. The smart surface can be used in a conditioner to increase droplet size prior to entering a conventional separator, or the smart surface and other elements of the invention can be incorporated into an otherwise conventional separator to enhance separation. In a related aspect, a concentration sensor incorporating smart surfaces senses concentration of the fluid mixture's constituents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for making in situ thermal property determinations utilizing a heat source employed in wellbore stabilization procedures, well drilling, or well perforating, for example. In particular, using a heat source, such as a laser driller, to enable formation temperature measurements. Based on these measurements, thermal properties of the formation may be inferred.

Abstract: A system and method of drilling and/or perforating uses a laser beam to remove material, such as to perforate the casing, cement and formation or drill a well bore. The system and method can further or alternately encompass material analysis that can be performed without removing the material from the well bore. The analysis can be performed apart from or in connection with drilling operations and/or perforating the casing, cement and formation. The analysis can be used in a feed back loop to adjust material removal, adjust material analysis, determine the location of future material removal, and for other uses.

Abstract: A separating system for separating a fluid mixture incorporates a smart surface having reversibly switchable properties. A voltage is selectively applied to the smart surface to attract or repel constituents of a fluid mixture, such as oil and water produced from a hydrocarbon well. The smart surface can be used in a conditioner to increase droplet size prior to entering a conventional separator, or the smart surface and other elements of the invention can be incorporated into an otherwise conventional separator to enhance separation. In a related aspect, a concentration sensor incorporating smart surfaces senses concentration of the fluid mixture's constituents.

Abstract: A method comprises heating a formation adjacent a selected depth level within a wellbore extending into the formation, forming a temporary liner in the wellbore, measuring a first temperature of the formation at the selected depth level at a first time after heating the formation, measuring a second temperature of the formation at the selected depth level at a second time after heating the formation, and combining the temperature measurements to derive an indication of thermal properties of the formation. An apparatus comprises a coiled tubing drillstring extending into a wellbore, an assembly supported by the drillstring, the assembly comprising an extruder that extrudes a liner material onto a wall of the wellbore, a heat source that heats the liner material and a formation, and at least one temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the formation.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a neural network ensemble. Conventional algorithms are used to train a number of neural networks having error diversity, for example by having a different number of hidden nodes in each network. A genetic algorithm having a multi-objective fitness function is used to select one or more ensembles. The fitness function includes a negative error correlation objective to insure diversity among the ensemble members. A genetic algorithm may be used to select weighting factors for the multi-objective function. In one application, a trained model may be used to produce synthetic open hole logs in response to inputs of cased hole log data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for making in situ thermal property determinations utilizing a heat source employed in wellbore stabilization procedures, well drilling, or well perforating, for example. In particular, using a heat source, such as a laser driller, to enable formation temperature measurements. Based on these measurements, thermal properties of the formation may be inferred.

Abstract: A method for real-time monitoring of fracture extension during a fracturing treatment of a producing subterranean formation. A radioactive tracer injector is coupled to and spaced from a gamma ray detector by a distance approximately equal to a distance from a point of injection during fracturing to a boundary between the desired interval to be fractured and an adjacent formation which it is desired not to fracture. A programmed central processing unit positioned at a surface location receives spectral signals generated by the gamma ray detector during the fracturing treatment and generates a fracture penetration signal and a fracture injection pump control signal that stops a fracture injection pump whenever the fracture extension signal indicates the presence of radioactive tracer material within the producing subterranean formation at the depth location of the gamma ray detector.