Abstract: A process for in situ gasification of mineral oil in a subterranean formation comprises running a tool having a controllable thermal device therein from a surface production facility down to the subterranean formation, bringing said tool into operational proximity with the mineral oil in said subterranean formation, and activating the tool to operate the thermal device within a predetermined temperature range to generate gases or oily vapours from said mineral oil, which permits either an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method with reduced water contamination, or a gas production process (GPP) which is useful in reducing environmental risks normally associated with transport of crude oil.

Abstract: A process for in situ gasification of mineral oil in a subterranean formation comprises running a tool having a controllable thermal device therein from a surface production facility down to the subterranean formation, bringing said tool into operational proximity with the mineral oil in said subterranean formation, and activating the tool to operate the thermal device within a predetermined temperature range to generate gases or oily vapours from said mineral oil, which permits either an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method with reduced water contamination, or a gas production process (GPP) which is useful in reducing environmental risks normally associated with transport of crude oil.

Abstract: A process for recovering clay from contaminated clay-containing waste materials e.g. drill-cuttings arising from offshore/onshore oil & gas exploration and production processes, comprises a cleaning step to generate a clay of sufficient purity for reuse, and a particle sizing step to obtain a substantially consistent quality clay product optionally in the form of bulk particles or shaped to provide conveniently transportable product forms including granules, pellets, prills, packing elements, briquettes and the like shaped articles.

Abstract: A process for treating naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) comprises use of NORM as a mud constituent in a drilling mud manufacturing process and particle size reduction of the NORM particles during or before that process to attain a selected particle size corresponding to that of a particulate drilling mud component, said particle size reduction being optionally accompanied by additional mixing, if necessary, of the NORM and mud component particles, the aim of said use being the achievement of irreversible dilution of the NORM particles in said component to nullify the radioactive nature thereof.