Abstract: A method for performing a polymer flood of a hydrocarbon-bearing, subterranean reservoir. The method includes injecting a polymer solution from an injection well (32) into the subterranean reservoir to form a polymer slug in the subterranean reservoir, wherein the polymer slug has a leading front and a trailing rear (48), and a graded viscosity profile which decreases in viscosity from the front of the polymer slug to the rear of the polymer slug. The method additionally includes injecting an aqueous solution (50) from the injection well into the subterranean reservoir following to displace the polymer slug through the subterranean reservoir.

Abstract: A method for performing a polymer flood of a hydrocarbon-bearing, subterranean reservoir (5) includes (a) injecting a polymer solution from an injection well (32) into the subterranean reservoir to form a polymer slug (44) in the subterranean reservoir, wherein the polymer slug has a leading front (46) and a trailing rear (48), and an S-shaped graded viscosity profile which decreases convexly in viscosity from the front of the polymer slug to an inflection point and concavely in viscosity from the inflection point to the rear of the polymer slug, (b) injecting an aqueous solution (50) from the injection well into the subterranean reservoir following (a) to displace the polymer slug through the subterranean reservoir.

Abstract: A core holder assembly (100) for holding a test sample (200) including a consolidated porous medium includes an outer barrel including a central passage defined by an inner surface, a confining solid positioned in the central passage of the outer barrel, wherein the confining solid includes an outer surface sealed against the inner surface of the outer barrel and an inner surface, wherein the confining solid includes a rigid, lead-free material, and the test sample positioned within the confining solid, wherein the inner surface of the confining solid is sealed against an outer surface of the test sample.

Abstract: A capillary pressure assembly (50) for determining in situ capillary pressure in porous media (5) includes a hydrophobic member (170) including one or more ports (180) configured to communicate a pressure of a first phase of a fluid of the porous media to a first passage (103) of the capillary pressure assembly, wherein the porous media includes a consolidated porous media, a hydrophilic member (140) including a porous material configured to communicate a pressure of a second phase, immiscible with respect to the first phase, of the fluid of the porous media to a second passage (113) of the capillary pressure assembly, and a pressure sensor (60) configured to determine the capillary pressure in the porous media based on a pressure within the first passage and a pressure within the second passage.

Abstract: A method of assembling a pipeline at a seabed location comprises landing a connection tool on the seabed over a free end portion of a first pipeline section already placed on the seabed. The connection tool is locked to the free end portion of the first pipeline section, a lower end of a second pipeline section is connected to the connection tool via an initiation line. While applying tension to the initiation line against reaction force of the connection tool, at least a lower end portion of the second pipeline section is landed on the seabed with the lower end facing a free end of the first pipeline section. The lower end of the second pipeline section is then pulled into mechanical engagement with the free end of the first pipeline section.

Abstract: A method of installing a subsea pipeline supports at least one elongate pipe stalk at the surface of the sea at a first, relatively shallow-water location by virtue of buoyancy added to the pipe stalk. The pipe stalk is then towed at the surface to a second location that is in deeper water. There, with the pipe stalk supported between leading and trailing towing vessels, at least some of the added buoyancy is removed. This causes the pipe stalk to hang with catenary curvature beneath the surface between the vessels. The catenary-curved pipe stalk hanging between the vessels is then towed to a third location for subsea installation, which may involve upending the pipe stalk before landing a lower end portion of it on the seabed.

Abstract: A method of assembling a pipeline at a seabed location comprises landing a connection tool (10) on the seabed over a free end portion of a first pipeline section (12) already placed on the seabed. The connection tool is locked to the free end portion of the first pipeline section, a lower end of a second pipeline section (26) is connected to the connection tool via an initiation line (68). While applying tension to the initiation line against reaction force of the connection tool, at least a lower end portion of the second pipeline section is landed on the seabed with the lower end facing a free end of the first pipeline section. The lower end of the second pipeline section is then pulled into mechanical engagement with the free end of the first pipeline section.

Abstract: A method of installing a subsea pipeline supports at least one elongate pipe stalk at the surface of the sea at a first, relatively shallow-water location by virtue of buoyancy added to the pipe stalk. The pipe stalk is then towed at the surface to a second location that is in deeper water. There, with the pipe stalk supported between leading and trailing towing vessels, at least some of the added buoyancy is removed. This causes the pipe stalk to hang with catenary curvature beneath the surface between the vessels. The catenary-curved pipe stalk hanging between the vessels is then towed to a third location for subsea installation, which may involve upending the pipe stalk before landing a lower end portion of it on the seabed.