Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface shale formations. The methods utilize in-situ reaction of kerogen involving liquid phase chemistry at ambient temperatures at pressures for the subsurface shale formation. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen to render it mobile using metal particulate catalysts. In the methods disclosed herein a fluid comprising metal is provided to the subsurface shale formation comprising kerogen in an inorganic matrix. A reducing agent is provided to the subsurface shale formation. The kerogen is converted by contacting the kerogen with a metal particulate catalyst formed from the metal; and a mobile kerogen-based product is formed. At least a portion of the mobile kerogen-based product is recovered. The kerogen-derived product can be upgraded to provide commercial products.

Abstract: Methods for performing a wellbore maintenance operation on a system of wellbores used for improved oil recovery are disclosed. A plurality of wellbores are drilled and perforated to receive production fluids from a reservoir. The wellbores are fluidly connected to a production well that is drilled to a depth below the perforations of the wellbores. The production fluids drain and collect in the production well for delivery to the surface. A pump can be used for delivering the production fluids from the production well. During repair and maintenance operations, a fluid is injected into the production well for safely removing the pump components. The fluid is counterbalanced by the pressures in the connected wellbores such that the fluid does not rise above the perforations in the connected wellbores.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are useful for lifting reservoir fluid in a gas-producing wellbore through the application of a differential between pressure of the gas in the wellbore's gas-production conduit a lower end of which is disposed in reservoir fluid accumulated at a bottom of the wellbore and pressure of the wellbore annulus. The apparatus comprises a collection module disposed in the gas-producing wellbore for collecting by condensation reservoir fluid being lifted as vapor with produced gas in a gas-production conduit disposed in the wellbore, and one or more lift modules for applying the pressure differential to lift the reservoir fluid collected by condensation, and optionally reservoir fluid accumulated at the bottom of the wellbore, within the wellbore.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are useful for lifting reservoir fluid in a gas-producing wellbore through the application of a differential between pressure of the gas in the wellbore's gas-production conduit a lower end of which is disposed in reservoir fluid accumulated at a bottom of the wellbore and pressure of the wellbore annulus. The apparatus comprises a collection module disposed in the gas-producing wellbore for collecting by condensation reservoir fluid being lifted as vapor with produced gas in a gas-production conduit disposed in the wellbore, and one or more lift modules for applying the pressure differential to lift the reservoir fluid collected by condensation, and optionally reservoir fluid accumulated at the bottom of the wellbore, within the wellbore.

Abstract: A molten metal plug which expands upon solidification can be used to form a pressure resistant seal in a tubular such as is used in oil and gas exploration and production.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation, in which subterranean formation being in fluid communication with the surface includes creating a fracture in said subterranean formation, said fracture having more than one fracture faces; and injecting into said fracture an encapsulated formation etching agent, wherein said encapsulated formation etching agent includes a formation etching agent and an encapsulating agent and wherein said formation etching agent etches the fracture faces of the fracture so as to form a flow channel in said formation. The formation etching agent may be selected from mineral acids and mixtures thereof, organic acids and mixtures thereof, mineral acids and mixtures of mineral acids mixed with gelling agent, organic acids and mixtures of organic acids mixed with gelling agent, water soluble hydroxides and mixtures of water soluble hydroxides, and water soluble hydroxides and mixtures of water soluble hydroxides mixed with gelling agent.

Abstract: An improved method for preventing iron precipitation from a spent oil well acidizing solution is disclosed. The acidizing solution is preceded into the tubular goods and formation by the injection of an iron sensitive, acid insensitive acidified surfactant solution.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a method for improving the permeability of an underground hydrocarbon reservoir containing clay particles or other silaceous fines where damage has occurred or may occur. The method requires the injection into the hydrocarbon reservoir of an aqueous treating solution having a pH greater than about 12 and comprising about 2% to about 25% by weight of an alkali metal hydroxide. The invention also includes the injection of an aqueous buffer solution into the reservoir before, and optionally, after the injection of the treating solution. The before and after buffer solutions should have a pH greater than about 12 and comprise about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of alkali metal hydroxide and about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of alkali metal salt. The high pH aqueous buffer solutions maintain reaction products in solution, minimizing precipitation within the formation from the treating solution.

Abstract: A method which protects an RF applicator during the in-situ RF retorting of a hydrocarbon stratum from a borehole which traverses the hydrocarbon stratum including lining that portion of the borehole traversing the hydrocarbon stratum with a non-conductive high temperature material.

Abstract: A method or system for raising gas and liquid from a well used in in situ heating of a formation. Such heating may be done by radio frequency having an appropriate wave length in the earth e.g. about fifteen meters. The well has a production tube suspended from the well head. And, the method steps include sweeping the annulus with dry gas to drive the products up the production tube, at low flow. Also, another step is that of measuring the pressure differential between the annulus and the outlet of the production tube. And, another step is that of increasing the flow of the dry gas whenever the pressure differential exceeds a predetermined minimum. The increased flow is continued for an interval long enough to clear the liquid product that has risen in the tube and caused the differential pressure increase.