Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods that include producing oil and natural gas from a subterranean formation; separating the oil and the natural gas; dissolving at least a portion of the natural gas in water; exposing microorganisms that consume hydrocarbons to the water having the natural gas dissolved therein; and allowing higher-level organisms to consume the microorganisms.

Abstract: A slurry including a density-tunable aqueous heavy fracturing fluid and a method for completing a hydrocarbon well using such a slurry are provided herein. The slurry includes proppant particulates and the density-tunable aqueous heavy fracturing fluid, where the density-tunable aqueous heavy fracturing fluid includes a bromide-based compound. The density of the density-tunable aqueous heavy fracturing fluid is between 1 gram/cubic centimeter (g/cc) and 3.6 g/cc.

Abstract: A slurry including a density-tunable heavy fracturing fluid and a method for completing a hydrocarbon well using such a slurry are provided herein. The slurry includes a proppant and the density-tunable heavy fracturing fluid, where the density-tunable heavy fracturing fluid includes a pseudo heavy fluid suspension, a concentrated aqueous solution of a soluble heavy compound, and/or a high-density organic solution. The density of the density-tunable heavy fracturing fluid is between 1.25 grams/milliliter (g/ml) and 3.4 g/ml. Moreover, the density of the density-tunable heavy fracturing fluid is selected based on the density of the proppant. According to the method provided herein, the slurry is used to provide for more effective placement of the proppant within the fractures than can be achieved using only a slurry including conventional fracturing fluid and the proppant.

Abstract: A remote survey system includes an unmanned surface vehicle that includes a body, a propulsion system coupled to the body to provide mobility to the unmanned surface vehicle to traverse a surface of a waterbody, and a thickness detection assembly mounted to a hull of the body and including one or more thickness detection cameras. A central computer system is located at a command center and in wireless communication with the unmanned surface vehicle via a communication module. The one or more thickness detection cameras are positioned to obtain one or more images or videos of an air-oil-water interface on the surface of the waterbody, and a thickness of a released substance present on the surface of the waterbody is determined based on the one or more images or videos of the air-oil-water interface.

Abstract: A slurry including a density-tunable heavy fracturing fluid and a method for completing a hydrocarbon well using such a slurry are provided herein. The slurry includes a proppant and the density-tunable heavy fracturing fluid, where the density-tunable heavy fracturing fluid includes a pseudo heavy fluid suspension, a concentrated aqueous solution of a soluble heavy compound, and/or a high-density organic solution. The density of the density-tunable heavy fracturing fluid is between 1.25 grams/milliliter (g/ml) and 3.4 g/ml. Moreover, the density of the density-tunable heavy fracturing fluid is selected based on the density of the proppant. According to the method provided herein, the slurry is used to provide for more effective placement of the proppant within the fractures than can be achieved using only a slurry including conventional fracturing fluid and the proppant.

Abstract: Methods include providing a natural gas stream; directing a first fraction of the natural gas stream to a bioreactor including a propagating culture of hydrocarbon degrading microbes; directing a second fraction of the gas stream to a local power generator and converting the natural gas stream to electricity and heat; using a dynamic control system to balance of the gas stream to the first fraction and the second fraction based on one or more of the availability of electricity from an electricity grid and the price of electricity from the electricity grid; powering, at least in part, the bioreactor with the electricity generated by the local power generator; and harvesting the hydrocarbon degrading microbes from the bioreactor as a biomass. Related systems are also provided.

Abstract: A method of forming polymeric proppants in-situ during a fracturing operation. The method includes the steps of delivering reagents downhole and combining the reagents in a first mixing chamber to initiate polymerization; atomizing the combined reagents by passing them through an atomizer as they exit the first mixing chamber to form partially polymerized polymeric bodies; pumping water down a production casing; mixing the partially polymerized polymeric bodies and the water in a second mixing chamber; completing polymerization and forming solid polymeric proppants upon exiting the second mixing chamber; and passing the solid polymeric proppants through perforations in the casing and into fractures within the formation. A system for forming polymeric proppants in-situ during a fracturing operation and a method for forming solid polymeric proppants at the surface of a formation for use in a fracturing operation is also provided.

Abstract: Methods of mitigating lost circulation while drilling a wellbore. The methods include circulating a drilling mud to a downhole end of the wellbore via a drill string and, during the circulating, drilling the wellbore with a drill bit of the drill string. The methods also include detecting lost circulation within the wellbore while drilling the wellbore and include providing a monomer solution to the wellbore. The methods further include providing a catalyst to the wellbore responsive to detecting the lost circulation event and combining the monomer solution and the catalyst to polymerize a monomer from the monomer solution, within the wellbore, and forming a viscous plug within the wellbore. Subsequent to the combining, the methods include flowing at least a portion of the viscous plug within the wellbore and into a zone of lost circulation that extends within a subsurface region.

Abstract: A remote survey system includes an unmanned surface vehicle that includes a body, a propulsion system coupled to the body to provide mobility to the unmanned surface vehicle to traverse a surface of a waterbody, and a thickness detection assembly mounted to a hull of the body and including one or more thickness detection cameras. A central computer system is located at a command center and in wireless communication with the unmanned surface vehicle via a communication module. The one or more thickness detection cameras are positioned to obtain one or more images or videos of an air-oil-water interface on the surface of the waterbody, and a thickness of a released substance present on the surface of the waterbody is determined based on the one or more images or videos of the air-oil-water interface.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for controlling a well blowout comprising: a flow control device such as a blowout preventer on a wellbore, the primary throughbore of the flow control device comprising internal dimensional irregularities creating a non-uniform flow path in the primary throughbore which as sufficient fluid rate may enhance pressure fluid pressure drop therein; a control fluid aperture fluidly connected with the wellbore for introducing a control fluid through a control fluid aperture and into the primary throughbore while wellbore fluid flows through the wellbore; a hydrate component introduction pump for introducing the hydrate inducing component into the control fluid; a hydrate inducing fluid aperture positioned in the wellbore conduit below the control fluid aperture for introducing the hydrate inducing fluid into the wellbore and for combining with the control fluid that includes the hydrate inducing fluid to form a saturated hydrate forming fluid mixture within the primary throughbore wh

Abstract: Methods of mitigating lost circulation while drilling a wellbore. The methods include circulating a drilling mud to a downhole end of the wellbore via a drill string and, during the circulating, drilling the wellbore with a drill bit of the drill string. The methods also include detecting lost circulation within the wellbore while drilling the wellbore and include providing a monomer solution to the wellbore. The methods further include providing a catalyst to the wellbore responsive to detecting the lost circulation event and combining the monomer solution and the catalyst to polymerize a monomer from the monomer solution, within the wellbore, and forming a viscous plug within the wellbore. Subsequent to the combining, the methods include flowing at least a portion of the viscous plug within the wellbore and into a zone of lost circulation that extends within a subsurface region.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for controlling a well blowout comprising: a plug-forming agent reservoir comprising a plug-forming agent proximate a wellbore, the plug-forming agent reservoir in selective fluid communication with the wellbore; providing a pressure source capable of pressurizing the plug-forming agent reservoir containing the plug-forming agent to delivery pressure; and selectively introducing the pressurized first plug-forming agent into the wellbore to form a flow-restricting plug within the wellbore. Exemplary plug-forming agents are provided.

Abstract: A method for the subsea transport of a multi-phase production fluid from a wellhead to a point remote from the wellhead, the multi-phase production fluid comprising a water phase, an oil phase and a gas phase. The method includes introducing the multi-phase production fluid into a pipeline, the pipeline extending from proximate the wellhead to a point remote from the wellhead; imparting rotational motion to the multi-phase production fluid; wherein the rotational motion of the multi-phase production fluid separates the water phase from the oil phase and the gas phase and reduces the pressure drop along the pipeline. A system for the subsea transport of a multi-phase production fluid from a wellhead to a point remote from the wellhead and a method for reducing hydrate formation during the subsea transport of a multi-phase production fluid from a wellhead to a point remote from the wellhead are also provided.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for controlling a well blowout comprising: a flow control device such as a blowout preventer on a wellbore, the primary throughbore of the flow control device comprising internal dimensional irregularities creating a non-uniform flow path in the primary throughbore which as sufficient fluid rate may enhance pressure fluid pressure drop therein; a control fluid aperture fluidly connected with the wellbore for introducing a control fluid through a control fluid aperture and into the primary throughbore while wellbore fluid flows through the wellbore; a weighted fluid aperture positioned in the wellbore conduit below the control fluid aperture for introducing a weighted fluid into the wellbore while control fluid is also being introduced into the wellbore through the control fluid aperture.

Abstract: Apparatus, compositions, and methods for creating polymer plugs in wellbores and/or for enhancing wellbore stability, comprising: a flow control device such as a blowout preventer on a wellbore; a control fluid aperture fluidly connected with the wellbore for introducing a control fluid and/or a plug-forming agent such as a polymer, monomer, resinous, and/or crosslinkable material, through a control fluid aperture and into the primary throughbore while wellbore blowout fluid flows through the wellbore; and optionally, a weighted fluid aperture positioned in the wellbore conduit below the control fluid aperture for introducing a weighted fluid or another fluid or plug-forming agent into the wellbore. Exemplary plug-forming agents include dicyclopentadiene and norborene, and exemplary catalysts include Grubbs catalysts. The polymer plugs also may be utilized to hydraulic sealing within wellbores, such as during P&A and drilling operations for providing wellbore stability.

Abstract: An agent and a method for dispersing spilled oil, particularly on a body of water. The compound is a viscous dispersant liquid comprising a mixture of surfactants and a viscosifying agent that may be stored, shipped, mixed, and delivered on site using standard equipment and methods. The compound is released as a cohesive, persistent, visible, gel-like or paste-like liquid that floats on water. At least one method includes delivering the viscous dispersant liquid onto an oil spill in a body of water utilizing a jet airplane flying at over about 100 feet and spraying the liquid in large, pea-sized droplets.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for controlling a well blowout comprising: a flow control device such as a blowout preventer on a wellbore; a control fluid aperture fluidly connected with the wellbore for introducing a control fluid and/or a plug-forming agent such as a polymer, monomer, resinous, and/or crosslinkable material, through a control fluid aperture and into the primary throughbore while wellbore blowout fluid flows through the wellbore; and optionally, a weighted fluid aperture positioned in the wellbore conduit below the control fluid aperture for introducing a weighted fluid or another fluid or plug-forming agent into the wellbore.

Abstract: An agent and a method for dispersing spilled oil, particularly on a body of water. The compound is a viscous dispersant liquid comprising a mixture of surfactants and a viscosifying agent that may be stored, shipped, mixed, and delivered on site using standard equipment and methods. The compound is released as a cohesive, persistent, visible, gel-like or paste-like liquid that floats on water. At least one method includes delivering the viscous dispersant liquid onto an oil spill in a body of water utilizing a jet airplane flying at over about 100 feet and spraying the liquid in large, pea-sized droplets.

Abstract: A method for the subsea transport of a multi-phase production fluid from a wellhead to a point remote from the wellhead, the multi-phase production fluid comprising a water phase, an oil phase and a gas phase. The method includes introducing the multi-phase production fluid into a pipeline, the pipeline extending from proximate the wellhead to a point remote from the wellhead; imparting rotational motion to the multi-phase production fluid; wherein the rotational motion of the multi-phase production fluid separates the water phase from the oil phase and the gas phase and reduces the pressure drop along the pipeline. A system for the subsea transport of a multi-phase production fluid from a wellhead to a point remote from the wellhead and a method for reducing hydrate formation during the subsea transport of a multi-phase production fluid from a wellhead to a point remote from the wellhead are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems described herein are useful for determining a thickness of a substance on a surface of a body of water, in particular through the use of a thickness detection apparatus that includes a body and at least one camera. The body has a plurality of sides with at least a portion of one of the sides comprising a light transmitting material. At least one camera is disposed within the body and configured to generate at least one image through the light transmitting material of the substances extending a depth below an air-substance interface.