Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to processing flue gas from oxy-fuel combustion. Steam generated without contact of the steam with the flue gas combines with the flue gas for injection into a formation to facilitate oil recovery from the formation. Fluids produced include the oil and carbon dioxide with a lower concentration of oxygen than present in the flue gas that is injected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for accelerating start-up for SAGD-type operation by providing radio frequency heating devices inside the lateral wells that can re-heat the injected steam after losing heat energy during the initial injection. The method also extends the lateral wells such that the drilling of vertical wells can be reduced to save capital expenses.

Abstract: Methods and systems relate to in situ combustion utilizing configurations of injection and production wells to facilitate the in situ combustion. The wells define vertically deviated lengths that have different orientations from one another. Further, heating processes such as resistive heating and cyclic steam stimulation may take place in one or both of the injection and production wells to precondition a reservoir prior to the in situ combustion.

Abstract: In a lock drive train, the combination includes a pivoted lock bolt to be carried by a door, a casing, a rotary cylinder operatively rotatable during door opening or closing, a rack driven endwise in response to cylinder rotation, a gear rotatable by the driven rack, a pivoted lock dog driven by the gear, a bolt release lever, pivotable by the gear, between angular positions in which it is retained by the lock dog, the angular positions corresponding to extended and retracted positions of the bolt.

Abstract: The invention is a ratcheting open ended wrench comprising a main body having an elongate primary handle portion and an upper stationary jaw element, a secondary handle opposed to the primary handle portion and having a binding surface at the top being pivotally attached to the main body, a tertiary handle pivotally attached to the main body having a gear element cooperating with a geared end of a connecting rod, the opposing end pivotally and slidably fixed to a lower movable jaw assembly, the lower movable jaw assembly being spring biased against the upper stationary jaw and positioned within a main body guide slot so that the secondary handle binding surface contacts the lower jaw assembly and activation of the secondary handle clamps the lower movable jaw assembly relative to the upper stationary jaw. Activation of the tertiary handle counteracts the lower movable jaw spring bias to open the jaws.

Abstract: The present method produces treated water from a direct steam generator. The method begins by injecting water into a direct steam generator. The injected water is then vaporized with the direct steam generator to produce steam and an effluent stream. The combustible water impurities in the water are then combusted inside a chamber in the direct steam generator and the solid particles are removed from the effluent stream to produce a treated stream.

Abstract: A process for utilizing microwaves to heat H2O within a subterranean region wherein the heated H2O contacts heavy oil in the subterranean region to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil and improve production of the heavy oil.

Abstract: A process for utilizing microwaves to heat solvent within a subterranean region wherein the heated solvent, vapor, contacts heavy oil in the subterranean region to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil and improve production of the heavy oil.

Abstract: A process for utilizing microwaves to heat H2O within a subterranean region wherein the heated H2O contacts heavy oil in the subterranean region to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil and improve production of the heavy oil.

Abstract: Methods are provided for enhancing recovery of heavy oil from oil sand reservoirs through the creation of subsurface high permeability pathways distributed throughout the oil sand reservoirs. The high permeability pathways may be boreholes that extend through the oil sand reservoir. A portion of the high permeability pathway may be packed with high permeability particulate to provide structural support and allow for high permeability throughout the boreholes. After establishing the high permeability pathways throughout the oil sand reservoir, solvent may be introduced into the oil sand reservoir. The solvent has the beneficial effect of lowering the viscosity of the heavy oil, which aids in the extraction of the heavy oil. Thermal recovery processes and other enhancements may be combined with these methods to aid in reducing the viscosity of the heavy oil. Advantages of these methods include, accelerated hydrocarbon recovery, higher production efficiencies, lower costs, and lower extraction times.

Abstract: Methods relate to recovering coal bed methane. In-situ heating of coal facilitates desorption and diffusion of the methane for production of the methane through a wellbore. Water within fractures of the coal forms an electrical conduit through which current is passed. The heating relies at least in part on resistivity of the water, which thereby preheats the coal for the recovering of the methane.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to systems and methods of recovering oil from a formation. In operation, a steam chamber develops as a result of steam injection into the formation and the recovery of fluids including the oil through a production well. An auxiliary well spaced in a lateral direction from the production well helps ensure development of the steam chamber as desired. The auxiliary well may enable heating of the formation through establishing an electric potential between the auxiliary well and the production well or by resistive heating of material forming the auxiliary well. Further, the auxiliary well may provide a flow path for solvent or gas injection to facilitate the recovery through the production well.

Abstract: An underground reservoir is provided comprising an injection well and a production well. The production well has a horizontal section oriented generally perpendicularly to a generally linear and laterally extending, upright combustion front propagated from the injection well. The method relates to controlling location of inflow into a production well during in situ combustion. The horizontal section of the production well includes blocking agents to prevent well failure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to in situ combustion. Configurations of injection and production wells facilitate the in situ combustion. A first production well disposed in a first oil bearing reservoir is spaced from a second production well disposed in a second oil bearing reservoir separated from the first oil bearing reservoir by a stratum having lower permeability than the first and second oil bearing reservoirs. The stratum isolates one of the first and second production wells from one of the first and second oil bearing reservoirs. In situ combustion through the first oil bearing reservoir generates heat that irradiates into the second oil bearing reservoir to enable producing hydrocarbon with the second production well.

Abstract: A method for heating heavy oil inside a production well. The method raises the subsurface temperature of heavy oil by utilizing an activator that has been injected below the surface. The activator is then excited with a generated microwave frequency such that the excited activator heats the heavy oil.

Abstract: A method for preheating a formation prior to beginning steam assisted gravity drainage production. The method proceeds by forming a steam assisted gravity drainage production well pair within a formation. A preheating stage is then begun by injecting an activator into the formation. The preheating stage is then accomplished by exciting the activator with radio frequencies. This is followed by beginning the steam assisted gravity drainage operation.

Abstract: The present embodiment discloses a method for decreasing the time required for a start-up phase in a steam assisted gravity drainage production. The present method describes forming a steam assisted gravity drainage production well pair within a formation comprising an injection well and a production well, beginning a preheating stop by introducing heat between the injection well and the production well, beginning a steam squeeze stage by injection steam into the formation and beginning the steam assisted gravity drainage production.

Abstract: A method for reducing thermal loss in a formation comprising two zone capable of production. The method first begins drilling a pair of wells, comprising a first well and a second well in a formation having two production zones, wherein one production zone is a thief zone such that the first well and the second well are in fluid communication with the thief zone. A sealing agent is injected into the thief zone via a first well and produced from the second well. Either the first well or the second well is then capped to form a capped well and a uncapped well. An amount of activating agent is injected into the uncapped well to form in-situ a thermally restrictive substance inside the thief zone.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to producing hydrocarbons. Injecting a fluid mixture of steam and carbon dioxide into a hydrocarbon bearing formation facilitates recovery of the hydrocarbons. Further, limiting amounts of non-condensable gases in the mixture may promote dissolving of the carbon dioxide into the hydrocarbons upon contact of the mixture with the hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Door lock apparatus, comprising in combination an elongated housing having input code selectors on the housing, to enable door locking and/or unlocking via a locking element, a locking handle protruding from the housing, a coupling in the housing having parts that interfit to enable force transmission between said handle and element, and first means responsive to code selection to control coupling of the parts.