Vibrating The Earth Or Material In Or Being Placed In The Earth Pores Patents (Class 166/249)
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Publication number: 20140352947Abstract: The present invention relates to a stimulation method for stimulating oil- or gas-containing parts of a formation, said parts being situated between an injection or a production well and a production well.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2012Publication date: December 4, 2014Inventor: Jørgen Hallundbæk
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Publication number: 20140332206Abstract: The present invention relates to a stimulation system for stimulation of oil production in an oil field. The stimulation system comprises a plurality wells, wherein a plurality of activation devices are arranged in the wells, and wherein the activation devices are activated with a frequency of once within a period of 1-365 days and with an energy discharge of at least 0.1 kilograms TNT equivalence per activation. Furthermore, the invention relates to a stimulation method.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2012Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventor: Jørgen Hallundbæk
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Patent number: 8881807Abstract: Disclosed herein is an autonomous and consistently active acoustic rehabilitation technology for wells, reservoirs, and extraction of natural resources using a borehole method. The invention can be used in oil, gas, mining, geological exploration industries, and in extraction technologies for oil and gas, including shale. It is especially useful for improvement of oil and gas output from wells and stimulation of production for maximizing recovery from reserves. The invention is applicable to areas including, but not limited to, well reserves using pumps, layer pressure supporting wells, and offshore-bed wells.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2014Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Well-Smart Technologies—Global, IncInventors: Ernest Orentlikherman, Isaak Orentlikherman
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Publication number: 20140305877Abstract: Several methods and devices are provided herein to generate shock waves that are used in the oil industry for well drilling, hydrocarbon or gas exploitation, fracking process or improved oil recovery (IOR), enhanced oil recovery (EOR), cleaning of process waters, oil spills byproducts and oil pipes, which can be used as independent systems or as auxiliary systems concomitantly with other existing technologies. The different devices consist of generating shock waves utilizing either one or more laser sources, or a self-generated combustible gas supply, or a micro-explosive pellet, or piezocrystals, or a piezofiber composite structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2013Publication date: October 16, 2014Inventors: Iulian CIOANTA, Cary MCGHIN
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Publication number: 20140290935Abstract: The present invention relates to a stimulation method comprising the steps of arranging a fluid-activated gun in a well through a well head and/or a blowout preventer, dividing the well into a first and a second part, the first part being closer to the well head and/or blowout preventer than the second part, pressurising the first part of the well with a hot fluid, the hot fluid having a temperature which is higher than the temperature of the formation at a downhole point of injection, activating the fluid-activated gun, thereby converting energy from the pressurised hot fluid into mechanical waves, directing said mechanical waves into the formation, and injecting the hot fluid into the formation simultaneous to activation of the fluid-activated gun by means of the hot fluid. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a stimulation system for stimulation of oil production in an oil field.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2012Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: WELLTEC A/SInventor: Jørgen Hallundbæk
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Publication number: 20140262228Abstract: A composition including a wellbore work fluid and a polymer having mechanically labile chemical bonds is injected downhole, and combines with fluid present downhole to yield a composite fluid. Mechanical energy (e.g., ultrasonic energy) is provided to the composite fluid downhole to cleave the mechanically labile chemical bonds in the polymer. The polymer may be used as a viscosifier, friction reducer, or fluid loss additive. Cleaving the mechanically labile chemical bonds with mechanical energy allows precise degradation downhole.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Jay Paul Deville, Hui Zhou
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Publication number: 20140262230Abstract: An artificial lift system and method for deliquification of gas production wells is provided. The artificial lift system comprises a downhole tool suspended by a power conductive cable in a wellbore. The downhole tool comprises an atomizing chamber for conversion of the liquid into droplets having an average diameter less than or equal to 10,000 microns. Natural gas produced by a producing zone of the subterranean reservoir transports the vaporized liquid molecules to the well surface. In operation, the atomizing chamber is located above the liquid column in the wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventor: Dennis John Harris
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Publication number: 20140262229Abstract: An acoustic artificial lift system and method for deliquification of gas production wells is provided. The artificial lift system comprises a down-hole acoustic tool suspended by a power conductive cable that converts electrical power to acoustic energy, thereby generating an acoustic wave. The acoustic tool is moved within the wellbore such that liquid molecules within the wellbore are vaporized by the acoustic wave. Natural gas produced by a producing zone of the subterranean reservoir transports the vaporized liquid molecules to the well surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventor: Dennis John Harris
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Publication number: 20140246191Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus, method and system for stimulating production of a natural resource (e.g., Oil, gas or water) producing well using vibrational energy delivered to the geological formation through a device that maybe permanently installed, and continuously or periodically operated even during recovery of the natural resource. The apparatus is of a downhole type. The apparatus is constructed to resist corrosion and provides one or more heat sink chambers for controlling heat dissipation during operation. The system provided by the invention is capable of monitoring production, adapting stimulation parameters based on user input and other pertinent parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: TECHNOLOGICAL Organization Name RESEARCH LTD.Inventor: Alfredo ZOLEZZI-GARRETON
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Publication number: 20140216727Abstract: Acoustic radiators for coal bed methane or shale gas production are configured to be strategically placed on drillstrings within gas production exhaust boreholes and hydraulically powered so they will radiate intense harmonic sonic waves to shake the solid media immediate to the wall areas. The gas volume output that can be realized by an exhaust well depends highly on the permeability of the media, especially at inside faces of the borehole. The shaking half-opens up fractures and pores in the solid media. Thus the permeability of the media to gas improves under such shaking and gas collection efficiencies are improved. The beneficial effects can be increased by locating two or more acoustic radiators proximate to one another in a phased relationship.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Inventors: Dmitry A. Kasyanov, Victor Zhoglikov
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Publication number: 20140216728Abstract: A shockwave generator pre-treats one or more production zones within a well to facilitate recovery of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons from the well. The well may be heated to a particular temperature, where after a cooling agent is introduced through the shockwave generator which effects a cooling action in the walls of the well and induces cracking which is propagated by the tremors or shocks of the cooling agent as it exits the generator. The initiated cracks may be further propagated using one or more additional stimulation methods, including a freeze-thaw method which is implemented through a subsystem having overlapping components with the shockwave generator subsystem.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: Triple D Technologies Inc.Inventor: Darrell S. Kosakewich
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Patent number: 8783364Abstract: A gas hydrate is produced by injecting guest molecules into voids in a layer of which temperature and pressure condition allows the guest molecules to cause to form hydrate, in a form of emulsion where liquid of the guest molecules is dispersed in water as minute particles having a size of less than a size of voids, and thereby dispersing the guest molecules uniformly into the voids in the layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Central Research Institute of Electric Power IndustryInventor: Yojiro Ikegawa
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Patent number: 8746333Abstract: A method and system for stimulating production of a natural resource (e.g., Oil, gas or water) producing well using vibrational energy delivered to the geological formation through a downhole type apparatus that maybe permanently installed, and continuously or periodically operated even during recovery of the natural resource. The apparatus is constructed to resist corrosion and provides one or more heat sink chambers for controlling heat dissipation during operation. The system is capable of monitoring production, adapting stimulation parameters based on user input and other pertinent parameters.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2010Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Technological Research LtdInventor: Alfredo Zolezzi-Garreton
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Publication number: 20140144621Abstract: The present invention relates to in situ methods of separating, refining and extracting hydrocarbons from an oil formation. In embodiments of the present invention the in situ methods includes: (a) making a perforation in the oil sand formation, (b) disposing a non-polar substance into the perforation without addition of polar fluid, (c) subjecting the non-polar fluid composition disposed in the perforation to ultrasonic vibrations, and (d) extracting the hydrocarbon from the perforation in the oil sand formation. The present invention relates also to methods of separating, refining and extracting hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon matrices such as oil sand or oil shale.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2011Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: 1555771 ALBERTA LTD.Inventor: Bruce Rout
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Patent number: 8684076Abstract: The method and apparatus for enhancing fluid removal from a fracture in a geologic formation by applying periodic/cyclic shock waves to the fracture in a formation surrounding a wellbore which has undergone fracturing. In accordance with the invention, the method includes the steps of arranging a device attached to an end of a tubing string inside a wellbore in a vicinity of said fracture for generating shock waves, providing a liquid via the tubing string into the device for generating shock waves with the amplitude Pa of shock waves determined by a following expression: 0.3 MPa?Pa?1.4Pp?0.8?gH, where Pp is a formation pore pressure, ? is a formation density, g is a gravity acceleration, H is a depth of said fracture, Pa is an amplitude of the shock wave.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventors: Sergey A Kostrov, William O Wooden
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Publication number: 20140027110Abstract: A plasma source for generating nonlinear, wide-band, periodic, directed, elastic oscillations in a fluid medium. The plasma source includes a plasma emitter having two electrodes defining a gap, a delivery device for introducing a metal conductor into the gap, and a high voltage transformer for powering the plasma emitter. A system and method for stimulating wells, deposits, and boreholes through controlled periodic oscillations generated using the plasma source. The system includes the plasma source, a ground control unit, and a support cable. In the method, the plasma source is submerged in the fluid medium of a well, deposit, or borehole and is used to create a metallic plasma in the gap. The metallic plasma emits a pressure pulse and shockwaves, which are directed into the fluid medium. Nonlinear, wide-band, periodic and elastic oscillations are generated in the fluid medium, including resonant oscillations by passage of the shockwaves.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Inventors: P. G. Ageev, A. A. Molchanov
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Publication number: 20140014328Abstract: The invention is directed to a hydraulic actuated pump system which lifts production fluids and re-circulating hydraulic fluid from a petroleum well. Additives may be added to the hydraulic fluid to apply direct chemical treatment to the production formation. A sonic stimulator may be included to stimulate and produce the same liquids from the horizontal section of the well.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: CANASONICS INC.Inventor: William Emil GROVES
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Publication number: 20130340999Abstract: A system and method are provided for producing controlled vibrations within a borehole. In one example, the system includes an encoder plate having a first surface, an anvil plate having a second surface, a movement mechanism configured to enable translational movement of the encoder plate relative to the anvil plate to allow the first surface to repeatedly impact the second surface to produce a plurality of vibration beats, and a vibration control mechanism configured to selectively control an amplitude of the vibration beats to encode information therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: HUNT ADVANCED DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.Inventor: TODD W. BENSON
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Patent number: 8613312Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for stimulating a borehole of a well. The invention provides an apparatus that generates low-frequency seismic type elastic waves that propagate to the geologic formation and in order to enhance the movement of fluids in the geologic formation toward a well. The apparatus may operate automatically driven by a power source that may be located on the ground surface. The regime of operation may be determined by user input. Operation of the apparatus may carried out while production of a natural resource is ongoing.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2010Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: Technological Research LtdInventor: Alfredo Zolezzi-Garreton
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Publication number: 20130333896Abstract: A method for disrupting an obstruction from a wellbore includes determining a location of an obstruction within a wellbore. An ultrasound transducer is deployed down an interior of a casing in the wellbore. Ultrasound energy is focused, using the ultrasound transducer, to the determined location of the obstruction and the obstruction is disrupted using the focused ultrasound energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicants: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC., SIEMENS CORPORATIONInventors: Stephen R. Barnes, Thomas O'Donnell
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Patent number: 8584747Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes communicating fluid downhole in the well. The technique includes enhancing fluid recovery from a reservoir by, downhole in the well, controlling the pumping of the fluid to create a pressure wave which propagates into the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2007Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: David Eslinger
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Patent number: 8567496Abstract: A system and method for managing a well site having a subterranean formation. The method comprises determining a first spectral attenuation of a first seismic wave measured from a first location, determining a second spectral attenuation of a second seismic wave measured from a second location, determining a reservoir attenuation anisotropy from a comparison of the first spectral attenuation to the second spectral attenuation, and determining at least one fracture parameter of the subterranean formation from a comparison of the first seismic wave to the second seismic wave.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Stewart Thomas Taylor, Joel Le Calvez
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Patent number: 8534353Abstract: The invention is directed to a hydraulic actuated pump system which lifts production fluids and re-circulating hydraulic fluid from a petroleum well. Additives may be added to the hydraulic fluid to apply direct chemical treatment to the production formation. A sonic stimulator may be included to stimulate and produce the same liquids from the horizontal section of the well.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Canasonics Inc.Inventor: Emil William Groves
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Patent number: 8534352Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for controllably mobilizing, flowing and maneuvering the flow of hydrocarbon-containing materials within and about a subterranean reservoir. The system comprises selectively positioning at a ground surface level above a subterranean reservoir containing hydrocarbon-containing materials, at least three seismic apparatus spaced apart in a triangulated configuration. The system is provided with an electronic seismic control device configured to controllably communicate with and cooperate with each of the seismic apparatus to concurrently modulate the amplitudes and frequencies of the vibrational energies produced therefrom. The system is provided with a sensing apparatus configured to detect and monitor changes in the fluidity and movement of the hydrocarbon-containing materials about the subterranean reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2008Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: University of ReginaInventor: Liming Dai
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Publication number: 20130220598Abstract: An ultrasonic fracking system and methods of using the same to extract hydrocarbons from underground geological formations (e.g., oil shale, coal beds, etc.) are disclosed. The system includes piezoelectric devices that are used to produce ultrasonic mechanical vibrations and induce fractures in the geological formations. In one embodiment, a system for extracting underground hydrocarbons comprises a plurality of piezoelectric devices capable of producing mechanical waves sufficient to fracture oil shale and other geological formations, a system of delivery for innocuous proppants to create a path of least resistance for enhanced hydrocarbon flow, and a vacuum pump connected to the fractures created by the piezoelectric devices to assist in removing the hydrocarbons.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Inventors: John L. Palumbo, Stephen A. Boyd
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Patent number: 8517093Abstract: A system and method are provided for producing controlled vibrations within a borehole. In one example, the system includes an encoder plate, an anvil plate, and a movement mechanism configured to enable rotational and translational movement of the encoder plate relative to the anvil plate to allow the encoder plate to repeatedly impact the anvil plate to create vibrations. The system also includes a vibration control mechanism configured to control an amplitude of the vibrations.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2013Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Hunt Advanced Drilling Technologies, L.L.C.Inventor: Todd W. Benson
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Publication number: 20130153211Abstract: According to some embodiments, a borehole deployable apparatus is described that can be used to generate strong vibrations in a subterranean rock formation. In some embodiments, the apparatus accelerates a mass using mechanisms built into the tool and causes the mass to strike the borehole wall. The mechanisms can control the mass acceleration, and the frequency of strikes. In some embodiments, the apparatus is designed for use in the field of petroleum recovery where the vibrations are used to create or re-establish a flow rate for the fluids in the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2012Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
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Publication number: 20130146281Abstract: A method of deep acid stimulation for a zone to be treated in an underground formation using an acidizing tool, the method including the steps of introducing the acidizing tool into the well bore, introducing the acid formulation onto the well bore wall at the treatment zone and introducing ultrasound energy into the underground formation at the treatment zone. The subsequent acid penetration depth is deeper than the initial acid penetration depth. A method of stress fracturing a portion of an underground formation includes the steps of introducing the acidizing tool into a well bore and introducing the acid formulation and the ultrasound energy at the focused treatment point. The weakened acidized spots in combination with the stress on the underground formation causes oriented stress-induced fractures to form that are fluidly coupled with the well bore. An acidizing tool includes an acid delivery system and an ultrasonic transmitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2012Publication date: June 13, 2013Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventor: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
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Patent number: 8459351Abstract: The method and apparatus for producing shock waves in a well wherein a device connected to the bottom of the tubing string in the borehole of the well filled by liquid and containing the upper and lower plungers movably arranged within corresponding cylinders for compressing a liquid inside the compression chamber and discharging the liquid into the borehole on upstroke thereby generating a shock wave. In addition, providing an exit of the lower plunger out of the lower cylinder at the top of upstroke of pumping unit on the distance ? determined by the following formulae: ? ? ( D 1 2 - D 2 2 ) ? A sw ? H Ed r 2 , where D1 and D2 are the outside diameters of the lower and upper plungers, Asw is the amplitude of generated shock wave, H is a depth of the lower plunger at the top of upstroke, E is modulus of elasticity of the sucker rod's material, dr is the diameter of sucker rods.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2012Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Inventors: Sergey A Kostrov, William O Wooden
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Patent number: 8453730Abstract: A technique improves the operational characteristics of a well device while the device is used in a wellbore environment. The well device benefits from a unique material, in the form of a negative stiffness material or a negative Poisson's ratio material, positioned to improve the operational characteristics of the well device. The material can be located to reduce vibration and/or other detrimental effects that can interfere with operation of the well device.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2008Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Reza Taherian, Henry N. Bachman
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Publication number: 20130075086Abstract: Naturally occurring microseismic events are monitored and utilized to synergistically augment a hydraulic fracturing process. Such events generally originate from the tidal dilational stress that makes it easier for fractures to open and slip. If the hydraulic fracturing process can be scheduled to occur coincident with elevated levels of naturally occurring microseismic activity, the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing can be increased. Accordingly, the resources consumed and the byproducts produced by the hydraulic fracturing process will be reduced as will be other elements of environmental damage. In like manner, where hydraulic fracturing cannot be used, the natural dilational stress may be synergistically enhanced with induced hydraulic pressures that are below the pressures required for conventional hydraulic fracturing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Inventor: Frank PRESS
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Publication number: 20120305240Abstract: A treatment device for treating liquids in oil, gas or water wells comprises an ultrasonic treatment device (1). The ultrasonic treatment device (1) includes a resonator (2), a transducer (9) and a matching transformer (10) for transferring a maximum of power from an ultrasonic generator to the transducer (9) through a long cable (11). The cable (11) has a considerable length of at least 3 km and is attached to a generator (5).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: PROGRESS ULTRASONICS AGInventor: Peter Solenthaler
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Publication number: 20120247757Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the downhole oscillator includes an outer housing at least partially surrounding a motor and a removably coupled eccentric member. The motor at least partially drives the rotation of the eccentric member thereby producing oscillations or vibrations along the outer diameter of at least a portion of the downhole assembly. The motor's action is at least partly facilitated by expulsion of fluid from the drill string through the motor and onto the outer housing interior such that the force of the fluid produces rotation in the motor. Rotation may be enhanced through similar expulsion of fluid from the eccentric member. Alternatively, the fluid may be expelled from the motor and/or eccentric member against the wellbore thereby providing the desired rotation. A method of use may include providing an outer housing, motor capable of producing rotational movement, and eccentric member and coupling same.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Inventor: Jerry L. Swinford
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Publication number: 20120211225Abstract: The method and apparatus for enhancing fluid removal from a fracture in a geologic formation by applying periodic/cyclic shock waves to the fracture in a formation surrounding a wellbore which has undergone fracturing. In accordance with the invention, the method includes the steps of arranging a device attached to the end of tubing inside the wellbore in the vicinity of said fracture for generating shock waves, providing a liquid via tubing into the device for generating shock waves with the amplitude Pa of shock waves determined by following expression: 0.3 MPa?Pa?1.4Pp?0.8?gH, where Pp is the formation pore pressure, ? is the formation density, g is a gravity acceleration, H is the depth of said fracture, Pa is the amplitude of the shock wave.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2011Publication date: August 23, 2012Inventors: Sergey A. Kostrov, William O. Wooden
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Publication number: 20120175107Abstract: The method and apparatus for producing shock waves in a well wherein a device connected to the bottom of the tubing string in the borehole of the well filled by liquid and containing the upper and lower plungers movably arranged within corresponding cylinders for compressing a liquid the compression chamber and discharging the liquid into the borehole on upstroke thereby generating a shock wave. In addition, providing an exit of the lower plunger out of the lower cylinder at the top of upstroke of pumping unit on the distance ? determined by the following formulae: ? ? ( D 1 2 - D 2 2 ) ? A sw ? H Ed r 2 , where D1 and D2 are the outside diameters of the lower and upper plungers, Asw is the required amplitude of generated shock wave, H is a depth of the lower plunger at the top of upstroke, E is modulus of elasticity of the sucker rod's material, dr is the diameter of sucker rods.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Inventors: Sergey A. Kostrov, William O. Wooden
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Publication number: 20120132416Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus, method and system for stimulating production of a natural resource (e.g., Oil, gas or water) producing well using vibrational energy delivered to the geological formation combined with one or more existing EOR treatments. Pressure waves are applied through a device that maybe permanently installed, and continuously or periodically operated during EOR treatment and even later during recovery of the natural resource. The vibrational energy provide a synergistic effect with existing EOR treatments, enhancing the outcome of EOR treatments. The invention provides a downhole type apparatus constructed to resist corrosion and provides one or more heat sink chambers for controlling heat dissipation during operation. The system provided by the invention is capable of monitoring production, adapting stimulation parameters based on user input and other pertinent parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2011Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH, LTD.Inventor: Alfredo ZOLEZZI-GARRETON
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Patent number: 8167037Abstract: A method and system for feeding liquefied carbon-dioxide gas into the ground, by which liquefied carbon-dioxide gas can be efficiently permeated and diffused in a deep aquifer. The disclosed method for feeding liquefied carbon-dioxide gas into the ground includes the following steps:using a pumping well to pump up water from a deep aquifer to aboveground; creating injection water; applying pulsatile hydraulic pressure to the injection water; feeding the injection water to which pulsatile hydraulic pressure has been applied into the deep aquifer via an injection well; feeding liquefied carbon-dioxide gas—while maintaining carbon-dioxide gas in a liquefied condition—from a storage tank into the injection well to a depth having such pressure and temperature in which the liquefied condition can be maintained; mixing the liquefied carbon-dioxide gas—in the form of fine droplets—with the injection water, thereby generating a mixture of those two liquids.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Mizuho Information & Research Institute Inc.Inventors: Hitoshi Koide, Junji Shinoda
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Patent number: 8157011Abstract: A system and method for performing a fracture operation on a well site having a subterranean formation with a reservoir therein. The method involves measuring at least one seismic wave before and after stimulating the subterranean formation, comparing the seismic waves measured before the stimulation of the subterranean formation to the seismic waves measured after stimulation of the subterranean formation, and determining at least one fracture parameter of the subterranean formation from the compared seismic waves.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2010Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Stewart Thomas Taylor, Joel Le Calvez
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Patent number: 8151876Abstract: Disclosed are processes for improving recovery of product from a subterranean carbonaceous deposit wherein there has been a reduction in product recovery from a production well, the processes comprising treating the deposit with a liquid that contains at least one of an oxoacid ester of phosphorous or an oxoacid acid ester of sulfur.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2009Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Ciris Energy, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Downey
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Publication number: 20120061077Abstract: To increase oil recovery from an oil reservoir, an acoustic transmitter is disposed in a source well and an acoustic receiver is disposed in a producing well. A portion of the oil reservoir is disposed between the source well and the producing well. An acoustic signal is transmitted from the acoustic transmitter at frequencies of 30 Hz and greater. The transmitted acoustic signal is received by the acoustic receiver and a resonant frequency of the portion of the oil reservoir is determined based on attenuation of the transmitted signal. The acoustic signal is transmitted from the acoustic transmitter at the determined resonant frequency to reduce a boundary layer effect between oil in the oil reservoir and a surface of a substrate in the oil reservoir and between the oil and a brine interface in the oil reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: Legacy Energy, Inc.Inventors: Michael Fraim, Rick Alan McGee
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Publication number: 20120043076Abstract: The invention is directed to a hydraulic actuated pump system which lifts production fluids and re-circulating hydraulic fluid from a petroleum well. Additives may be added to the hydraulic fluid to apply direct chemical treatment to the production formation. A sonic stimulator may be included to stimulate and produce the same liquids from the horizontal section of the well.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2011Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: CANASONICS INC.Inventor: Emil William GROVES
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Publication number: 20120043075Abstract: A method and assembly for recovering oil using elastic vibration energy involves placing a downhole apparatus in a well, which downhole apparatus is connected to aboveground power supply units and contains an ultrasonic transducer that provides for the generation of high frequency elastic vibrations, exciting elastic vibrations of different frequencies and then repeatedly applying the elastic vibrations to the oil formation, wherein both high and low frequency vibrations are applied to the formation. The low frequency vibrations are generated with the aid of an electric pulse device which is connected to an aboveground power supply and includes the following electrically interconnected components: a charger, a unit of energy storage capacitors, a discharge unit with electrodes, and two switching devices. The method and assembly make it possible to recover oil from depths of over 2000 meters and to act effectively on the formation being treated.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2010Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: OBSCHESTVO S OGRANICHENNOI OTVETSTVENNOSTJU "SONOVITA"Inventors: Anna Vladimirovna Abramova, Vadim Muratovich Bayazitov, Andrei Andreevich Pechkov
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Patent number: 8113278Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for enhanced oil recovery using at least one in-situ seismic energy generator for generating seismic acoustic waves. More particularly the system and method employ a downhole electro-hydraulic seismic pressure wave source to enhance the recovery of oil from reservoirs.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Hydroacoustics Inc.Inventors: Robert F. DeLaCroix, Dennis R Courtright
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Patent number: 8082989Abstract: A method for improving liquid injection into a rock formation. The method includes the steps of introducing a gas impulse device into a wellbore in the formation and pumping a pressurized liquid into the wellbore. The method also includes firing the gas impulse device periodically so that the device generates impulses of high pressure compressed gas. The gas expands through the pumped pressurized liquid substantially instantaneously increasing the liquid flow rate into the rock formation, and creates rapid cyclical injected liquid surges into the rock formation with liquid oscillation occurring inside the fractures and/or pores of the formation. The method may be used in regular oil production applications, waterflooding of wells that have ceased to be productive, in preventing lost circulation in oil wells, and in injecting hazardous wastes into rock formations.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2010Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Flow Industries Ltd.Inventors: Gennadi Kabishcher, Yuri Ass
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Patent number: 8051924Abstract: A braking device for drilling operations in a borehole includes a brake retainer having a plurality of brake connector openings defined therein, a body member having a tapered surface having a first diameter and a second diameter, the second diameter being larger than the first diameter, at least one brake element positioned at least partially between the brake retainer and the body member and in communication with the tapered surface and at least one of the brake connector openings, and a bias member configured to exert a biasing force on the body member to move the body member toward the brake retainer to move the brake element from contact with the first diameter of the tapered surface toward contact with the second diameter.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2011Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.Inventor: Christopher L. Drenth
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Patent number: 8047282Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for sonically activating cement slurries. In some implementations, a method of treating a subterranean formation includes positioning a settable composition including a capsule in a wellbore. The capsule is used to increase a setting rate in response to at least sonic signals. A sonic signal is transmitted to at least a portion of the settable composition to release an activator from the capsule.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2009Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.Inventors: Sam Lewis, Priscilla Reyes, Vijay Gupta, Brian R. Stoner, Anthony Badalamenti
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Publication number: 20110139440Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for stimulating a borehole of a well. The invention provides an apparatus that generates low-frequency seismic type elastic waves that propagate to the geologic formation and in order to enhance the movement of fluids in the geologic formation toward a well. The apparatus may operate automatically driven by a power source that may be located on the ground surface. The regime of operation may be determined by user input. Operation of the apparatus may carried out while production of a natural resource is ongoing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH LTD.Inventor: ALFREDO ZOLEZZI-GARRETON
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Publication number: 20110139441Abstract: The invention provides a system, method and downhole tool for stimulating a borehole of wells in reservoir. The invention allows a user to determine the type of stimulation adequate to promote production in a reservoir, and apply one or more treatments to each individual well by activating one or more modules comprised in the downhole tools. Furthermore, the tool comprises sensors that collect information in real-time of the state of the reservoir. The data collected is processed and newly acquired data is compared with previously acquired data to assess the development of production and further plan treatment strategies to optimize production.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH LTD.Inventor: Alfredo ZOLEZZI GARRETON
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Publication number: 20110127031Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus, method and system for stimulating production of a natural resource (e.g., Oil, gas or water) producing well using vibrational energy delivered to the geological formation through a device that maybe permanently installed, and continuously or periodically operated even during recovery of the natural resource. The apparatus is of a downhole type. The apparatus is constructed to resist corrosion and provides one or more heat sink chambers for controlling heat dissipation during operation. The system provided by the invention is capable of monitoring production, adapting stimulation parameters based on user input and other pertinent parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2010Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH LTD.Inventor: Alfredo ZOLEZZI GARRETON
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Publication number: 20110108268Abstract: The invention relates to the methods of treating a bottom-hole formation zone to increase in well productivity and rocks permeability. According to this method a pulse generator should be tripped in a well and the formation pulse treatment should be conducted by generating negative pressure pulses of amplitude higher than the tensile formation strength. The method provides the high fissuring rate by breaking formation fluid-bearing permeable rocks around a wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2010Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Arefievich Dmitry Chuprakov, Marc Jean Thiercelin, Gisele Thiercelin