Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and means of collecting oil from a reservoir overlying a water aquifer or basement rock using a manned tunnel. A manned tunnel is used as a physical barrier to intercept oil and water flowing downward along a formation dip and to preferentially collect the oil or the water through a series of collector stations. This method can be used for oil spill clean-ups or for hydrocarbon recovery in appropriate reservoirs.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and means of injecting hot fluids into a hydrocarbon formation using a combustion and steam generating device installed at or near the well-head of an injector well. The various embodiments are directed generally to substantially increasing energy efficiency of thermal recovery operations by efficiently utilizing the energy of the combustion products and waste heat from the generator. The generator apparatuses can be installed at the well-head which, in turn, can be located close to the producing formation. The combustion products may be injected into a well along with steam or sequestered at another location.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a selection process for installing underground workspace in or near a hydrocarbon deposit that is an appropriate workspace from which to drill, operate and service wells applicable to any of a number of methods of recovering hydrocarbons. The present invention includes a number of innovative methods for developing workspace for drilling from a shaft installed above, into or below a hydrocarbon deposit, particularly when the hydrocarbon reservoir is at significant formation pressure or has fluids (water oil or gases) that can enter the workspace. These methods can also be used for developing workspace for drilling from a tunnel installed above, into or below a hydrocarbon deposit. The present invention also discloses a procedure for evaluating the geology in and around the reservoir and using this information to select the most appropriate method of developing workspace for drilling from a shaft and/or tunnel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the separation of bitumen, such as by the Clark process or by a countercurrent de-sander, in an underground excavation machine, such as a tunnel boring machine.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for installing, operating and servicing wells in a hydrocarbon deposit from a lined shaft and/or tunnel system that is installed above, into or under a hydrocarbon deposit. The entire process of installing the shafts and tunnels as well as drilling and operating the wells is carried out while maintaining isolation between the work space and the ground formation. In one aspect of the invention, well-head devices may be precast into the tunnel or shaft lining to facilitate well installation and operation in the presence of formation pressure and/or potential fluid in-flows. In another aspect of the invention, the tunnel itself can be used as a large diameter well for collecting hydrocarbons and, if required, for injecting steam or diluents into a formation to mobilize heavy hydrocarbons such as heavy crude and bitumen.

Abstract: In one configuration, the present invention is directed to a method and system for extracting hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-containing deposit. One or more underground excavations designed to at least partially cave in are used to increase the permeability of the deposit.

Abstract: A system and method for fast system recovery that bypasses diagnostic routines by disconnecting failed hardware from the system before rebooting. Failed hardware and hardware that will be affected by removal of the failed hardware of the system are disconnected from the system. The system is restarted, and because the failed hardware is disconnected, diagnostic routines may safely be eliminated from the reboot process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the separation of bitumen, such as by the Clark process or by a countercurrent de-sander, in an underground excavation machine, such as a tunnel boring machine.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions in a data processing system for managing clocks. The functionality of clock sources in the data processing system is verified to identify a set of valid clock sources in response to beginning an initial load process. Hardware is initialized in the data processing system using a valid clock source from the set of valid clock sources.