Abstract: A system and method for extracting hydrocarbon products from oil shale using nuclear energy sources for energy to fracture the oil shale formations and provide sufficient heat and pressure to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products. Embodiments of the present invention also disclose steps for extracting the hydrocarbon products from the oil shale formations.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a location of a borehole for production of petroleum from an earth formation is provided. The system includes: an assembly including at least one of an injection conduit for injecting a thermal source into the formation and a production conduit for recovering material including the petroleum from the formation; a guide conduit attached to at least a portion of the at least one of the injection conduit and the production conduit, the guide conduit extending in a direction at least substantially parallel to the at least one of the injection conduit and the production conduit; and a detection source conduit insertable through the guide conduit and configured to dispose therein a detection source for detecting a location of the assembly in the formation. A method of monitoring a location of a borehole for production of petroleum from an earth formation is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting hydrocarbon products from oil sands using nuclear energy sources for power to decrease the viscosity of bitumen in oil sands deposits and provide sufficient heat and pressure to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products. Steps for extracting the hydrocarbon products form the oil sands deposits are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention deals with a method to liquefy the viscous oil of oil wells and also to clean the paraffin off the walls of tubing and other production equipment. The method consists in using heat produced by a thermal generator, and also using steam produced by the contact between the thermal generator and water. The thermal generator is a metallic shielded container of cylindrical shape holding individual units of already encapsulated Strontium-90 sources able to generate a temperature of 100 degree Celsius or a combination of encapsulated Strontium-90 sources able to generate 100 degree Celsius each in order to obtain, according to necessities, up to or over 600 degree Celsius. The thermal generator is transported in a metal housing such as that patented by Joan G. Crihan (U.S. Pat. No. 6,455,013 of 2002), one of the undersigned, incorporated herein by reference, to a processing site.

Abstract: A radiofrequency reactor for use in thermally recovering oil and related materials includes a radiofrequency antenna configured to be positioned within a well, where the well is provided within an area in which crude oil exists in the ground. The radiofrequency antenna includes a cylindrically-shaped radiating element for radiating radiofrequency energy into the area in which crude oil exists. The cylindrically-shaped radiating element is configured to allow passage of fluids there through. The radiofrequency reactor also includes a radiofrequency generator electrically coupled to the radiofrequency antenna. The radiofrequency reactor is operable to control the radiofrequency energy generated.

Abstract: A composition, apparatus and method for use in a wellbore is described. In one aspect, a composition may include a shape-conforming material and nanoparticles sufficient to absorb a selected form of energy to heat the shape-conforming material to near or above a glass transition temperature. A method of deploying an apparatus using such a composition may include placing the apparatus at a suitable location in a wellbore and exposing the composition to the selected energy to deploy the apparatus in the wellbore.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing in a formation fracture, a proppant and/or a fracturing fluid that comprises a radiation susceptible material that comprises indium and/or vanadium; irradiating the radiation susceptible material with neutrons; measuring gamma-radiation emitted from the radiation susceptible material in a single pass; wherein the single pass does not involve measuring of background radiation from previous or subsequent logging passes; and determining formation fracture height from the measured gamma-radiation.

Abstract: An in situ heat treatment system for producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation includes a plurality of wellbores in the formation. At least one heater is positioned in at least two of the wellbores. A self-regulating nuclear reactor provides energy to at least one of the heaters to heat the temperature of the formation to temperatures that allow for hydrocarbon production from the formation. A temperature of the self-regulating nuclear reactor is controlled by controlling a pressure of hydrogen supplied to the self-regulating nuclear reactor, and wherein the pressure is regulated based upon formation conditions.

Abstract: An in situ heat treatment system for producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation includes a plurality of wellbores in the formation. At least one heater is positioned in at least two of the wellbores. A self-regulating nuclear reactor provides energy to at least one of the heaters to increase the temperature of at least a portion of the formation to temperatures that allow for hydrocarbon production from the formation. Heat input to at least a portion of the formation over time at least approximately correlates to a rate of decay of the power from the self-regulating nuclear reactor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the temporary or permanent storage of nuclear waste materials comprising the placing of waste materials into one or more repositories or boreholes constructed into an unconventional oil formation. The thermal flux of the waste materials fracture the formation, alters the chemical and/or physical properties of hydrocarbon material within the subterranean formation to allow removal of the altered material. A mixture of hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and/or other formation fluids are produced from the formation. The radioactivity of high-level radioactive waste affords proliferation resistance to plutonium placed in the periphery of the repository or the deepest portion of a borehole.

Abstract: Systems and methods that include providing, e.g., obtaining or preparing, a material that includes a hydrocarbon carried by an inorganic substrate, and exposing the material to a plurality of energetic particles, such as accelerated charged particles, such as electrons or ions.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting hydrocarbon products from limestone using nuclear energy sources for energy to fracture the limestone formations and provide sufficient heat and pressure to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products. Embodiments of the present invention also disclose steps for extracting the hydrocarbon products from the limestone formations.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting hydrocarbon products from oil shale using nuclear energy sources for energy to fracture the oil shale formations and provide sufficient heat and pressure to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products. Embodiments of the present invention also disclose steps for extracting the hydrocarbon products from the oil shale formations.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the use of radiofrequency energy to heat heavy crude oil or both heavy crude oil and subsurface water in situ, thereby enhancing the recovery and handling of such oil. The present invention further relates to methods for applying radiofrequency energy to heavy oils in the reservoir to promote in situ upgrading to facilitate recovery. This invention also relates to systems to apply radiofrequency energy to heavy oils in situ.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting hydrocarbon products from oil shale using nuclear energy sources for energy to fracture the oil shale formations and provide sufficient heat and pressure to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products. Embodiments of the present invention also disclose steps for extracting the hydrocarbon products from the oil shale formations.

Abstract: A NMR device is presented that includes a drill collar having non-rotating sleeve containing permanent magnets. The non-rotating sleeve is clamped against a borehole wall and decoupled from drilling vibrations during NMR measurements. The transmitter and receiver are located on the rotating part of the drill collar. Alternatively the permanent magnets and the RF receiver antenna and/or receiver electronics are placed on the non-rotating sleeve which is clamped against the borehole wall and decoupled from drilling vibrations, with the transmitting antenna located on the rotating drill collar. Alternatively a non-rotating stabilizer is provided above or below a NMR sensor. A stabilizer is activated to stabilize the rotating NMR sensor located on the drilling collar in the bore hole.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the decontamination of waste matter, in particular for soil remediation. The methods include making and applying a polymer composition to waste matter and subjecting the waste matter and polymer composition to radiation, preferably microwave radiation.

Abstract: A dual injection system for selectively injecting a treating fluid in a predetermined treating zone (16) of a well bore hole (10) adjacent a productive zone (14) with a marker fluid injected from the annulus (36) outside a coiled tubing string (34). The coiled tubing string (34) is inserted within the well bore hole (10) and a sensor (40) is provided on the coiled tubing string (34) with a lower end portion (42) extending below the sensor (40) for the discharge of the treating fluid from the lower end (44) of the extending end portion (42). The sensor (40) senses a detectable material, such as a radioactive material, in the marker fluid injected from the annulus (36) outside the coiled tubing string (34) and may be reciprocated within the well with the coiled tubing string (34) for determining the interface (46) between the marker fluid and the treating fluid so that the treating fluid does not enter the productive zone (18). In one embodiment (FIG.

Abstract: Heavy crude oil containing at least 1% by weight water is hydrotreated and upgraded while being produced downhole in a production well. During production the heavy crude oil containing water is subjected to sonic energy at a low frequency of 400 Hz to 10 kHz downhole in the presence of a metal hydrogenation catalyst that causes the water in the crude oil to react and form hydrogen which then hydrotreats and upgrades the heavy crude oil during production. In another embodiment, if the heavy crude oil does not contain water, the hydrogen may be formed in-situ by contacting the heavy crude oil downhole with a chemical compound comprising ammonia, hydrazine and formic acid that in the presence of a metal hydrogenation catalyst and sonic energy causes the chemical compound to react and form hydrogen which then hydrotreats the heavy crude oil during production. Suitable catalysts include nickel on zinc dust, platinum on carbon and palladium on carbon, preferably nickel on zinc dust.

Abstract: A process for treating naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) comprises use of NORM as a mud constituent in a drilling mud manufacturing process and particle size reduction of the NORM particles during or before that process to attain a selected particle size corresponding to that of a particulate drilling mud component, said particle size reduction being optionally accompanied by additional mixing, if necessary, of the NORM and mud component particles, the aim of said use being the achievement of irreversible dilution of the NORM particles in said component to nullify the radioactive nature thereof.

Abstract: A method of determining relative liquid and vapor phase steam profiles in a steam injection well utilizes an unstable radioactive isotope. A dual detector gamma ray logging tool is inserted into the well at a depth below the perforation zone. The unstable radioactive isotope is then injected into the steam flow, and it naturally hydrolyzes from a vapor phase into a liquid phase at a known rate, so that at a given time after injection, the relative proportions of the vapor phase and the liquid phase can be determined. The transmit times of the vapor and liquid phases to pass between the gamma ray detectors is measured and the above steps are then repeated at a second location. The amount of fluid entering a formation between the first and second locations can then be determined.

Abstract: In order to properly treat the tubing of an oil producing borehole, and prevent hazard to personnel at the oil production site, the contamination of tubing by the formation of scale or radioactive deposits on the inner wall thereof is determined by measurement of the low-level radiation emitted by the scale and calculation of the radiation level which would be detected in the vicinity of the outer wall of the tubing in the absence of contributions by the radioactivity of surrounding earth formations. This is accomplished by a logging tool and method which includes a sonde which includes a detector and is lowered in the tubing to detect and count the gamma rays emitted by the scale or radioactive deposits at different depths in the borehole tubing.

Abstract: A method for reducing organic contaminants in a well initially breaks down complex organic compounds by radiation with gamma radiation. The remaining materials are subjected to oxygen radicals in the water, the oxygen radicals reacting with the materials to assist in the degradation. A carrier is formed with a plurality of containers fixed together by struts, and each container has a quantity of radioactive material to provide the radiation. Air, oxygen and or peroxide may be fed to the well to provide enough oxygen to produce the oxygen radicals, or the water may be cavitated to free the oxygen in the water.The apparatus & method may also be adapted with proper shielding for use in surface applications, such as surface water intakes (biofouling by Asiatic clams), general ground water and haz-waste treatment.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the hydraulic fracturing of a subsurface formation. The formation is fractured with a fracturing fluid or a proppant containing a characteristic element of the formation which emits delayed gamma rays when activated with neutrons. The formation is activation logged before and after such fracturing. The difference in the logs is a measure of the extent of travel of the fracturing fluid or extent of deposition of the proppant within the fractured formation.

Abstract: Test recovery of crude oil by injection of a heat carrier into the oil stum is effected by generating thermal energy in the crude oil deposit or at a location at which a well enters this deposit by carrying out a catalytic methanization reaction and transferring the resulting heat to the heat carrier which can be steam or an inert gas. The heat carrier then is introduced into the crude oil stratum and increases the mobility of the crude oil.

Abstract: A method relates to the oil recovery and comprises feeding a bactericidal agent to the bottom-hole zone of a formation being worked, the bactericidal agent comprising gamma-radiation with a dose of at least 150 krad.

Abstract: A system for controlling production in an oil well comprises a controller for activating the means for causing reciprocation of the sucker-rods; a sensing means secured to the outer surface of the production tubing near the lower end thereof comprising a radioactive source spaced from a radioactivity detector such that oil at that level will fill the said space, means associated with said radioactivity detector for counting the output of the detector and establishing an "off signal" when the frequency of the output is indicative of no oil in the said space; means for converting the "off signal" into an acoustical signal directed up the borehole; and receiving means at the top of the borehole for detecting the acoustical representation of the "off signal" and transmitting it as an electric signal to said controller.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for determining the concentration of a brine tolerant sulfonate surfactant in a complex mixture containing, in addition to said brine tolerant sulfonate surfactant, lignosulfonates, crude oil, salts, and water and, optionally, petroleum sulfonates and alcohols, that comprises incorporating into the brine tolerant sulfonate surfactant molecule a small amount of tritium prior to addition to the complex mixture and determining the concentration of the brine tolerant sulfonate surfactant by measuring its radioactivity.

Abstract: A method of converting organic waste into useful petroleum products and for recovering previously unrecoverable residual oil in oil bearing geologic layers. An organic slurry containing obligatory anaerobes is first formed from garbage, sewage and the like to which may be added various catalysts such as iron or cobalt. The slurry is then pumped into a geological layer, which is preferably oil bearing, having a temperature of a magnitude which allows anaerobic digestion to continue. One or more explosive devices are positioned above the geological layer and below an explosion directing cap. After a period of anaerobic digestion, the explosive devices are detonated causing heat and pressure to be applied to the organic waste in the geological layer. The combination of heat and pressure cause various chemical reactions, including molecular restructuring, to occur which convert the organic waste into various petroleum products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for using heat generated by absorption of radiation from nuclear waste materials to reduce the viscosity of petroleum products contained within a subsurface earth formation. The nuclear waste material is positioned in a salt water formation underlying the subsurface earth formation so that the radiation emitted by the material heats the salt water formation. Conduction and convection transfer the heat to the subsurface earth formation, raising the temperature and thereby reducing the viscosity of the petroleum products. To prevent radioactive contamination within the salt water formation, the nuclear waste material may be encapsulated in a material selected to absorb alpha and beta radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for generating synthetic fuels from carbonaceous minerals such as oil shale and coal by dispersing a catalytic agent by suitable explosive means into carbonaceous deposits. The explosives serve to fracture and rubblize the carbonaceous mineral as well as conveying the catalyst onto and in close proximity to the fractured particles. The catalyst coated particles are then converted, in whole or part, to gaseous and liquid products by conventional processes such as retorting, gasification, hydroretorting, hydrogenation, or the like, wherein this process or part of it is accelerated, decelerated, or otherwise favored by the presence of the catalytic agent. This process is capable of producing an increased yield and/or better quality product since it is possible to maintain greater control over the conversion step.

Abstract: This specification discloses a method of completing a well that penetrates a subterranean formation. The formation is vertically fractured and a lower portion of the fracture is propped by hydraulic fracturing techniques leaving an overlying unpropped portion of the fracture. The well is treated to block the communication of the unpropped portion of the fracture with the well.

Abstract: The injectivity profile of a heterogeneous formation and/or vertical conformance is improved by injecting an aqueous solution into the formation, the solution containing a polymer obtained as a product of radiation-induced polymerizatin of acrylamide and/or methacrylamide and acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and/or alkali metal salts thereof. The polymerization is preferably carried out in a 10-60% aqueous solution with gamma radiation; the aqueous monomer solution preferably contains 25-99% acrylamide and 1-75% sodium acrylate. Immiscible, miscible, or miscible-like displacing processes can be used in conjunction with this invention.

Abstract: A system for reducing radioactivity released to the biosphere in the course of producing natural gas from a reservoir stimulated by the detonation of nuclear explosives therein. Tritiated water produced with the gas is separated out and returned to a nuclear chimney through a string of tubing positioned within the well casing. The tubing string is positioned within the well casing in a manner which enhances separation of the water out of the gas and minimizes entrainment of water into the gas flowing out of the chimney.