Abstract: In alternative aspects, the invention provides process for the use of ionic liquids in the remediation and amelioration of oilsand materials, including treatment of tailings products including but not limited to mature fine tailings (MFT), separation of bitumen from oilsand, bitumen transportation, remediation of spilled bitumen and dilbit, treatment (breakage) of steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) and heavy oil emulsions solids removal from oil processing streams, in-situ bitumen recovery, in-situ extraction from mineral reservoirs, production well chemicals, CO2 sequestration and tracking fluids.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining the size of an underground fracture network. The method includes injecting a colloid into the formation, the colloid including a carrier liquid and sized particles with a particular size distribution. After extracting fluid from the formation, a quantity of the extracted sized particles is determined. Based on the size distribution of the injected sized particles and the measured quantity of extracted sized particles, the size of the fracture network is determined. Using sized particles means that the fractured network can be selectively determined as the particles are too large to enter the rock matrix itself.

Abstract: Polymer-coated nanoparticles, a composite nano-emulsion and a macro-emulsion are provided. In the polymer-coated nanoparticles, the polymer self-assembles into a cage-shaped structure to coat the nanoparticles; and the nanoparticles are iron-containing metal oxides. The polymer-coated nanoparticle shell provided by the present invention can be used as a stabilizer to prepare a composite nano-emulsion, and furthermore, a stable macro-emulsion can be prepared at an extremely low concentration. The problems that high-concentration surfactants and solid particles are required to stay on an oil-water interface in macro-emulsion synthesis, and surface tension is reduced to stabilize large oil drops are overcome.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining the fluid conductivity of a fluid network. The method includes injecting a nanoemulsion into the formation, the nanoemulsion including a carrier liquid and nanodroplets. The nanodroplets are stabilized within the carrier liquid by polymer-coated iron oxide nanoparticles. After extracting fluid from the formation, a parameter of the extracted nanodroplets is determined. Based on the determined parameter, the fluid conductivity of the fluid network is determined.

Abstract: In alternative aspects, the invention provides process for the use of ionic liquids in the remediation and amelioration of oilsand materials, including treatment of tailings products including but not limited to mature fine tailings (MFT), separation of bitumen from oilsand, bitumen transportation, remediation of spilled bitumen and dilbit, treatment (breakage) of steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) and heavy oil emulsions solids removal from oil processing streams, in-situ bitumen recovery, in-situ extraction from mineral reservoirs, production well chemicals, CO2 sequestration and tracking fluids.

Abstract: Stabilized foams are provided, adapted in particular for subterranean applications in hydrocarbon recovery operations. The foams are stabilized with surfactant-decorated nanoparticles, and the decoration of the nanoparticles with surfactant may be titrated to tune the stabilization of the foam.

Abstract: A process for the mobilization and extraction of organic matter such as kerogen from solids such as oil shale using ionic liquid. An ionic liquid is a salt in the liquid state which has a melting point below 200° C. The process may be carried out in a subsurface reservoir or at the surface.

Abstract: In alternative aspects, the invention provides process for the use of ionic liquids in the remediation and amelioration of oilsand materials, including treatment of tailings products including but not limited to mature fine tailings (MFT), separation of bitumen from oilsand, bitumen transportation, remediation of spilled bitumen and dilbit, treatment (breakage) of steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) and heavy oil emulsions, solids removal from oil processing streams, in-situ bitumen recovery, in-situ extraction from mineral reservoirs, production well chemicals, CO2 sequestration and fracking fluids.

Abstract: Processes for upgrading a heavy oil or heavy oil-derived feedstock in presence of an ionic liquid are described, and can improve the heavy oil or heavy oil-derived properties such as viscosity and composition, and reduced contaminant content, such as a reduced Total Acid Number (TAN) and a reduced heavy metal content. Processes for upgrading heavy oil or heavy oil-derived in presence of an ionic liquid can include a catalytic cracking treatment carried out under catalytic cracking conditions, and/or a non-catalytic treatment, as well as various separation steps to separate the ionic liquid or a diluent if present in the feedstock. The ionic liquids that can be used in the context of the processes described herein include ionic liquids that are feed-miscible or feed-immiscible.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the spatial distribution of materials within a sample using electromagnetic waves. The apparatus probes a sample with electromagnetic waves, measures the response, and determines the spatial configuration based on the measured response.

Abstract: In alternative aspects, the invention provides process for the use of ionic liquids in the remediation and amelioration of oilsand materials, including treatment of tailings products including but not limited to mature fine tailings (MFT), separation of bitumen from oilsand, bitumen transportation, remediation of spilled bitumen and dilbit, treatment (breakage) of steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) and heavy oil emulsions, solids removal from oil processing streams, in-situ bitumen recovery, in-situ extraction from mineral reservoirs, production well chemicals, CO2 sequestration and fracking fluids.

Abstract: A magnetic nanoparticle suitable for imaging a geological structure having one or more magnetic metal or metal oxide nanoparticles with a polymer grafted to the surface to form a magnetic nanoparticle, wherein the magnetic nanoparticle displays a colloidal stability under harsh salinity conditions or in a standard API brine.

Abstract: Methods for detection of the presence and distribution of oil in subsurface formation are described herein. The present invention involves injection of an aqueous dispersion of the nanoparticles into the potentially oil containing subsurface formation, followed by a remote detection of the oscillation responses of the nanoparticles in the oil/water interfaces in the reservoir rock by applying magnetic field.

Abstract: A novel idea involving the coupling of CO2 geological storage with methane and/or heat production (geothermal energy) from geopressured-geothermal aquifers is described herein. The production of energy from the extracted brine offsets the cost of capture, pressurization, and injection and the subsequent injection of brine containing carbon dioxide back into the aquifer. Calculations described in the present invention indicate that this offset would reduce the cost of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) to a point that CCS could survive in a competitive market environment without subsidies or a price on carbon.

Abstract: A magnetic nanoparticle suitable for imaging a geological structure having one or more magnetic metal or metal oxide nanoparticles with a polymer grafted to the surface to form a magnetic nanoparticle, wherein the magnetic nanoparticle displays a colloidal stability under harsh salinity conditions or in a standard API brine.

Abstract: Methods for detection of the presence and distribution of oil in subsurface formation are described herein. The present invention involves injection of an aqueous dispersion of the nanoparticles into the potentially oil containing subsurface formation, followed by a remote detection of the oscillation responses of the nanoparticles in the oil/water interfaces in the reservoir rock by applying magnetic field.

Abstract: A novel idea involving the coupling of CO2 geological storage with methane and/or heat production (geothermal energy) from geopressured-geothermal aquifers is described herein. The production of energy from the extracted brine offsets the cost of capture, pressurization, and injection and the subsequent injection of brine containing carbon dioxide back into the aquifer. Calculations described in the present invention indicate that this offset would reduce the cost of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) to a point that CCS could survive in a competitive market environment without subsidies or a price on carbon.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymer gel and method of making and using the same for use in high-permeability layers. This precision conformance control is accomplished by using paramagnetic nanoparticles and the application of the magnetic oscillation of prescribed frequency at the wellbore. If the polymer gel were created unintentionally at a certain layer, or there is a need to remove the gel blockage at the later stage of oil production, the gel could be broken and removed to restore the productivity from the layer.

Abstract: Methods for detection of the presence and distribution of oil in subsurface formation are described herein. The present invention involves injection of an aqueous dispersion of the nanoparticles into the potentially oil containing subsurface formation, followed by a remote detection of the oscillation responses of the nanoparticles in the oil/water interfaces in the reservoir rock by applying magnetic field.

Abstract: A novel idea involving the coupling of CO2 geological storage with methane and/or heat production (geothermal energy) from geopressured-geothermal aquifers is described herein. The production of energy from the extracted brine offsets the cost of capture, pressurization, and injection and the subsequent injection of brine containing carbon dioxide back into the aquifer. Calculations described in the present invention indicate that this offset would reduce the cost of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) to a point that CCS could survive in a competitive market environment without subsidies or a price on carbon.