Abstract: A horizontal vapor tight oil battery assembly includes a single, large size, combination separation and production tank for connection to a well-head. The separation of gas and water from oil and holding of the production oil all occurs within the same chamber. In one form, the combination separation and production tank is mounted on skids, and in another form, is adapted to be installed underground. The separation and production tanks are preferably adapted from surplus pressurized tank cars. Treaters may be used in association with the combination separation and production tank.

Abstract: The natural gas which is obtained from a maritime deposit is purified on a platform or ship and is then compressed and cooled while on the platform or ship before being delivered under pressure to a LNG tanker where liquefaction takes place by expansion. An expansion group is disposed on the tanker in order to obtain liquefied natural gas at approximately 1 bar while non-liquified residual gases are returned to the platform or ship via a return line.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating well water to remove dissolved minerals and entrained gases. An aerator is disposed within a well, the aerator being located being the frost line and the water table. Water from the reservoir within the well and/or from the associated pressure tank is directed through the aerator so that the aerator will cause gases such as hydrogen sulfide to be released from the water, and will also cause dissolved iron and manganese to oxidize and precipitate out of the water so that the quality of the water within the reservoir is substantially improved. The water flow through the aerator will preferably be controlled by the operation of a solenoid operated valve which may in turn be operated by a timer to cause periodic recycling of the water through the aerator and back into the reservoir.

Abstract: Certain dithiocarbamates are used as reverse demulsifiers, corrosion and scale inhibitors, flocculants, biocides, flotation aids, water clarifiers, interface control agents and antifoaming agents.

Abstract: A method for the in situ removal of mobilizable contaminants, including volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, from a contaminated unsaturated zone of primarily porous layers of soil, comprising pulsatilely injecting heated pressurized steam into a first location in the zone in order to heat the soil in the zone, and withdrawing the contaminants under subatmospheric pressure from the soil at a second location in the zone. In specific application, the pulsatile injection of steam is used to heat the soil without directly recovering injected steam for a significant period of time until the targeted soil in the zone is uniformly heated to steam temperature. The pulsatile injection directs the heat in particular directions and to particular areas in the soil zone as desired.

Abstract: A separator for oil well production fluids including oil, water and gases in which the separator includes a water siphon system having a vertically adjustable spill point for the discharge of water to a collection or disposal area for changing the interface level between the water in the bottom of the separator tank and the oil on top of the water in the separator tank. The separator is primarily constructed of a non-corrosive, non-conductive, high impact plastic with the siphon system and standpipe being positioned internally of the separator tank to reduce damage caused by high winds damaging such components by blowing down the separator which may have been weakened by corrosion with this arrangement also reducing the possibility of water in the siphon and standpipe being frozen which can occur when these components are oriented externally of the tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for disposing of water at gas wells. Water from the gas-water separator is circulated through an evaporator kept partially filled with water. Hot exhaust from the gas compressor is circulated through the evaporator in heat exchange relation with the water under conditions which permit the water to vaporize. The steam is vented to the environment. Venting of the steam from the evaporator is facilitated by feeding a stream of hot exhaust from the muffler into the evaporator.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for the continuous bioremediation of sites contaminated with a hazardous substance. The apparatus includes a subsurface pumping system, for removing the hazardous substance contained in a phase separate from groundwater, which is integrated with a means for microbiologically treating the contaminated site. The means for microbiologically treating the contaminated site preferably includes hazardous substance degrading microorganisms. In operation, a subsurface pumping system separates, either above or below-ground, a free-product phase from the contaminated groundwater. The separated free-product is stored for off-site disposal. Contaminated groundwater is fed into the microbiological treatment system for further treatment and eventual recirculation into the contaminated site.

Abstract: Hazardous volatile contaminants are removed from the ground by circulating air between two substantially parallel wells and by removing the vapors of the organic compound from the circulated air using at least one of a condenser and a demister. To enhance efficiency the air is recirculated in a closed loop. The heat output of the condensation process is used to heat the recirculated air. Pipes having openings along only a limited portion of their lengths are placed in the wells and the depth of the openings adjusted to treat one level at a time, thereby preventing shunting of air through more porous soil layers. Flow rates can be equalized by using circumferentially placed induction wells surrounding an extraction well (or the reverse) and by controlling air flow through individual sections of a given level.

Abstract: The installation combines with at least one production well-head an oil/gas separator of substantial vertical elongation and of which the major part may be housed in a pit sunk and lined closed to the working well, which permits of wide fluctuations in the oil/gas level between the high and low control points while ensuring sufficient submersion of the pump with which the separator is equipped. This apparatus makes it possible separately to draw off the gas on the one hand and the sufficiently degasified oil on the other, from a peripheral site to a central production station.

Abstract: A process for recovering oil from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir having a hydrocarbon and penetrated by a wellbore. The process comprises injecting through the wellbore and into the subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir an emulsifying composition containing an aqueous phase and a minor amount of an emulsifying agent such that the emulsifying composition contacts at least a portion of the hydrocarbon to form an oil-in-aqueous phase emulsion within the subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir.

Abstract: A process for removing and disposing of or neutralizing volatile contaminants existing in the vadose zone of earth and also in a below ground aquifer. The process includes the injection of substantially oxygen free air into the aquifer to retard the formation of aerobic bacteria and injection of oxygen rich air into the vadose zone to stimulate bacterial growth which aids contaminant recovery. Volatilized contaminants are pulled out of the soil through withdrawal wells which terminate in the vadose zone.

Abstract: The process is of special interest to refinieries in the neighborhood of existing oilfields. The crude oil additionally released in the known manner by the introduction of hot water or steam contains also a so-called petroleum gas consisting largely of methane as well as other combustible gases. According to the invention, this gas is converted in hydrogen using a cracking oven heated by a high-temperature reactor, with steam being produced by the heat released by the cracking oven.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for drawing up a special crude oil which is characterized by comprising the steps of extracting and separating a gas oil from a crude oil containing a great deal of wax or a high-viscosity crude oil which has been drawn up through an oil well, and drawing up the crude oil containing a great deal of wax or the high-viscosity crude oil, while injecting a part of the thus separated gas oil into the oil well. For the extraction and separation of the gas oil, a recycle oil is employed.

Abstract: A self treating paraffin removing mechanism utilizing existing above ground equipment. The above ground equipment utilized is a heater treater normally employed at the typical well for separating oil from water and wastes. As desired, the operator, utilizing this invention, can direct heated oil from the heater treater to the well head annulus and then down hole and back up through the well string so that paraffin and other wastes are removed from the interior of the well piping. The oil and waste are then passed to the heater treater in the normal manner and the operation can be repeated as often as necessary or as desired. As a result, no costly insulation of the entire well string nor costly utilization of heater oil trucks is needed and an inexpensive flexible alternative is provided.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulphide is scavenged from a feedstock comprising crude oil and hydrogen sulphide by adding a compound of general formula ##STR1## to the feedstock. R is an alkyl group containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl group, or an alkyl aryl group wherein the alkyl moiety contains 1 to 18 carbon atoms and L is a leaving group.Preferred scavengers include acetic anhydride and triacetamide.

Abstract: An in-well heat exchange method for improved recovery of subterranean fluids with poor flowability. The method includes conducting a fluid from a subterranean formation through a well in fluid communication therewith to the surface, and flowing a heated gas enriched in C.sub.5 plus hydrocarbons from the surface into the well in heat exchange relationship with the fluid conducted from the formation. In one embodiment,the heated gas is injected into the subterranean fluid as a lift gas to artificially lift the subterranean fluid to the surface, wet gas is separated from the produced fluid, and a portion of the recovered gas is heated and compressed for recycle as the lift gas.

Abstract: A method and system for decontaminating water, e.g., groundwater or process effluent, which is contaminated by small concentrations, e.g., in the range of 0.01 to 100 ppm, of dissolved volatile organic compounds (VOCs) includes introducing a flow of the water to an air stripping stage in which the water is directed through a packed column and air is directed through the column to air-strip organic molecules from the contaminated water; releasing the thus decontaminated water substantially free of the compounds to the environment; pretreating the organic compounds-carrying air in the substantial absence of water particles by a preheater; passing the heated air through a catalytic stage that oxidizes the organic compounds, and releasing the gaseous effluent from the catalytic stage to the atmosphere substantially free of organic contaminants.

Abstract: An apparatus for flaring waste gas from an oil well which utilizes hydrostatic pressure developed from a fluid reservoir maintained in a gooseneck pipe to prevent gas vapors in the flaring stack from escaping to a fluid pit. The fluid pit is utilized to store fluids which are filtered out of the waste gas. By use of the gooseneck system, the fluid pit, which often contains flammable materials, is isolated from the flare pit to prevent unwanted ignition of the materials in the fluid pit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of collecting volatile contaminants from a contaminated layer of earth. The apparatus is a closed-loop device which includes one or more contaminant withdrawal wells surrounded by multiple air reinjection wells connected by a conduit. One or more pumps serve to draw volatilized contaminant through the withdrawal well to the connecting conduit where it is captured or neutralized. Residual air from the withdrawal well is urged back into the ground through the air reinjection wells to encourage further contaminant to move toward the withdrawal well for collection.

Abstract: Driving of volatile impurities from a ground by mans of air is performed by aspirating an afterflow air and impurities containing gases which penetrated through a permeable wall of a shaft in a ground, at one or several locations in regions of expected high gas contents, air afterflow passages are extended to these regions for supplying the afterflow air, and an adjustable afterflow resistance is arranged in the passages for influencing a negative pressure value and a flow speed in these regions.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for facilitating gas production in a flooded or partially flooded gas well. The well is provided with normal casing perforated in the production zone; tubing of about two inches in diameter is run from the surface inside the casing through the production zone, and the lower end is connected to a tool with a cylinder of about six inches diameter surrounding the tubing for a length from about ten to one hundred feet. The bottom of the cylinder is closed normally; fluid rising from the production zone passes through the restricted area between the cylinder and the casing. Means, such as a compressor, for injecting gas, normally gas from the well, is connected to the top of the tubing; the injected gas passes down the tubing and back up between the walls of the tubing and the cylinder at high velocity with a jet-like thrust between the tubing and the casing thereby causing a pull on the producing zone to enhance production.

Abstract: A brine concentrator utilizing two separate concentrating devices in combination wherein a first concentrating device comprises a plurality of serpentine pipes interposed within a concentrator tank containing a dilute brine solution and a second concentrating device, including a venturi, is attached to the upper end of the concentrator tank and connected to receive exhaust gases from an exterior source. The brine solution which has been concentrated by the first concentrating device exit the tank through an output opening and is introduced into the venturi via a plurality of nozzles where it is mixed with the exhaust gases.A venting stack is also attached to the upper end of the tank for venting the exhaust gases emitted from the venturi and pre-heating dilute brine solution, which is introduced into the tank through the venting stack. As the solution travels down the stack and into the tank, it comes into contact with the exhaust gases exiting the tank from the venturi.

Abstract: A process of removing carbonates from a well of a water collection and treatment system utilizes "aggressive" water obtained prior to the end of the water treatment process to remove carbonate deposits from the well. A preferred embodiment uses water which is the product of a reverse osmosis desalinization water treatment step and which is injected with carbon dioxide to form an aqueous carbonic acid solution for removal of the carbonate.

Abstract: A method for collecting and maintaining oil at elevated pressures eliminates the undesirable discharge of volatile components to the atmosphere. At least two tanks are interconnected by a valved liquid inlet manifold and a valved gas outlet. While one tank is being filled with pressurized petroleum, the second tank is in valved vapor communication with the first tank and both tanks are isolated from atmosphere. This configuration permits the filling and storage of the first tank at pressures above atmospheric. When the first tank is full to capacity, the inlet manifold directs liquid into the second tank. Before unloading the first tank to a tank truck or pipeline, any excess vapor pressure is vented to the atmosphere. The process is repeated by introducing the second tank to an emptied first tank.

Abstract: Method of treating hard water containing dissolved and/or suspended volatile non-aqueous material, in which the water is heated by direct contact with steam to precipitate the hardness and resulting in three phases, namely, a gas phase comprising steam and vapor of volatile non-aqueous material, a soft water phase and a sludge (precipitate) phase. The gas phase is separated carrying with it the volatile non-aqueous components derived from the feed water. The soft water phase is separated from the sludge. The separated water phase is free or substantially free of volatile non-aqueous material and is suitable for use in a once through steam generator to produce saturated steam. The steam used to heat and strip the feed water is generated outside the process and preferably is steam generated in a conventional steam generator from a portion of the soft water produced in the process. The remainder of the soft water may be used to generate steam, e.g.

Abstract: Heavy crude oil or tar sand oil or bitumen is recovered from an underground formation containing the same by introducing into said formation via an injection well or conduit a hot alkaline aqueous fluid so as to bring about the movement or migration or stripping of said heavy crude oil or tar sand oil or bitumen from said formation into said hot alkaline aqueous fluid at the interface between said hot alkaline aqueous fluid and said heavy crude oil or tar sand oil or bitumen-containing formation as said hot alkaline aqueous fluid moves along within said formation from said injection well or conduit to a production well or conduit for the recovery of the resulting produced heavy crude oil or tar sand oil or bitumen from said formation as an emulsion via said production well or conduit.

Abstract: A two-step solvent stimulation method for producing heavy-oil from a formation wherein a horizontal wellbore is utilized. Said wellbore is filled with a solvent of a predetermined density. Next a displacement fluid having a density greater than said solvent is injected into the wellbore. Continued pumping of said displacement fluid causes the solvent having a lighter density to be displaced into said formation thereby enhancing the penetration of said solvent into the formation. Thereafter, pumping is terminated. Subsequently, the displacement fluid and solvent thinned heavy-oil are produced from said formation.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for treating a flow of hot, pressurized, hydrogen sulfide-containing geothermal steam, particularly a flow of high-energy, surplus steam substantially as produced from the ground. The apparatus comprises a first condenser in which most of the steam in the flow is condensed, and a first separator in which the steam condensate is separated from residual amounts of steam and non-condensable gases (including hydrogen sulfide). An after-cooler is provided for cooling the condensate to a disposal temperature of less than about 200.degree. F. before the condensate is discharged into a disposal well, the disposal temperature being such as to create a vacuum in the disposal well. A second condenser is provided in which is condensed a substantial amount of the steam in the mixture of residual steam and non-condensable gases, the condensate being separated from a mixture of residual steam and non-condensable gases in a second separator.

Abstract: A method for concentrating salt water. Salt water is separated from oil-water mixture which has been produced from a well. Salt water is introduced into a recirculating weir and mixed with more concentrated brine. Brine is recirculated through a thermal syphon apparatus. Recirculation includes passing brine, including some salt water, from weir into boiler vessel. Brine is heated within boiler vessel to a boiling temperature whereby brine, while boiling, generates steam which passes up out of weir. All of foregoing steps are performed at atmospheric pressure. The density of brine is sensed at a location in the lower vicinity of weir. Concentrated brine is released from lower vicinity when density at sensed temperature is at a level corresponding to a brine concentration near the precipitation of salt from solution. Salt water and brine is passed through a magnetic water treating unit. The concentrated brine, as released, is passed into a holding vessel.

Abstract: A process for disposing of fines produced with a substantially high viscosity oil. The viscosity of the oil will generally be less than 19 API degrees. Produced fines are mixed into a desired hydraulic fracturing fluid which fluid is used to fracture the formation. Once the formation has been fractured, additional fines in slurry form are pumped into the formation.

Abstract: The polysulphide is heated with a substance capable of dissolving elemental sulphur. After cooling, the polysulphide reduced to a lower numbver of S atoms is separated from the substance, which can be recovered.An important use consists in converting the polysulphide to the form of dimethyl disulphide, the solvent used for the dissolution of sulphur deposited in conduits, particularly those used for natural gas.

Abstract: A method of aqueous flooding of subterranean oil bearing formation for tertiary oil recovery involves injecting through a well into the formation a low alkaline pH aqueous sodium bicarbonate flooding solution. The flooding solution's pH ranges from about 8.25 to 9.25 and comprises from 0.25 to 5 weight percent and preferably about 0.75 to 3.0 weight percent of sodium bicarbonate and includes a petroleum recovery surfactant of 0.05 to 1.0 weight percent and between 1 and 20 weight percent of sodium chloride. After flooding, an oil and water mixture is withdrawn from the well and the oil is separated from the oil and water mixture.

Abstract: Process for in situ recovery of carbonaceous values from underground petroleum impregnated media such as oil shale, under controlled radiation from a microwave distributing source adjacent the media, e.g. in a borehole, effected in the absence of air, such that the radiation is distributed at least initially at incrementally increasing power and/or at least initially in intermittent interval cycles of on and off duration of the microwaves, for selective pyrolysis of the organic content of the media to liquid, vapor and gas form as the case may be under autogenous pressure in the pores of the media for driving the organic constituents therefrom for appropriate recovery, e.g. via the borehole, including breakup of larger molecules, e.g.

Abstract: A method for removing paraffin from a producing oil well comprising (a) contacting a mixture of a paraffin-dispersing effective amount of an alkyl or aralkyl polyoxyalkylene phosphate ester surfactant in the free acid form, or in the form of the alkali metal, amine, or ammonium salt, a mutual solvent and water, said mixture having a temperature of from about 30.degree. to 40.degree. F. higher than the melting point of the paraffin to be removed, with the interior of the oil well for a period of time sufficient to disperse paraffin within the well into the mixture; and (b)removing the mixture and the paraffin dispersed therein from the interior of the well.

Abstract: Production of at least a gaseous product containing a substantial amount of hydrogen sulphide via a bore-hole from an underground formation containing besides the hydrogen sulphide at least elemental sulphur by(a) injection of a liquid substantially consisting of hydrocarbons into the bore-hole or into the underground formation near to the end of the bore-hole;(b) producing a gaseous and a liquid fraction from the underground formation;(c) separating the gaseous fraction from the liquid fraction;(d) if necessary, separating an aqueous fraction of the product liquid fraction from the hydrocarbons-containing fraction;(e) heating the hydrocarbons-containing fraction preferably in the presence of hydrogen and a hydro-desulphurization catalyst, in order to remove elemental sulphur; and(f) reinjection of at least a part of the thus treated hydrocarbons-containing fraction into the bore-hole or into the underground formation near to the end of the bore-hole.

Abstract: A method is provided whereby continuous injection of lift gas into a producing geothermal well, preferably from a liquid-dominated reservoir, increases production flow of geothermal fluids from the well by initiating a steam distillation effect within the wellbore. Apparatus is also provided for continuously injecting the lift gas during production from the well.

Abstract: An oil well fluid processing system having a heater-treater and a gas separator mounted on a skid constructed in three sections that can be pinned together for transport. The heater-treater is pivotally mounted on the central section of the skid for pivotation to a position overlaying an end section that carries hydraulic actuating cylinders to raise the heater-treater to a vertical position. The gas separator is mounted on the other end section, and the gas separator and heater-treater are pre-plumbed with fluidly connectable pipe manifolds. The pipe manifold for the heater-treater has two portions that mate when the heater-treater is raised to a vertical position. Pinning of the skid sections is effected via apertured plates extending from the ends of the skid sections.

Abstract: A process of removing carbonates from a wall of a water collection and treatment system injects carbon dioxide into "aggressive" water obtained prior to the end of the water treatment process to form aqueous carbonic acid solution which is pumped into the well to react with the carbonate deposits to form bicarbonate solutions which are pumped from the well. A preferred embodiment forms the acid solution with the product of a reverse osmosis desalinization water treatment step. Another embodiment forms the solution with the product of a softening step.

Abstract: Apparatus to remove moisture from a natural gas stream includes:(a) a conduit for a stream of fluid, the stream containing impurities, such as H.sub.2 O and H.sub.2 S,(b) and a filter assembly in communication with the conduit for passing the stream and removing impurities therefrom, the filter assembly including(i) a longitudinally elongated barrel and first and second end structures at opposite ends of the barrel,(ii) the barrel containing filter material in granular form,(iii) the first end structure containing a fluid inlet and a first plenum communicating with the inlet and with the filter material in the barrel, and the second end structure containing a fluid outlet and a second plenum communicating with the outlet and with filter material in the barrel,(iv) and structure in the barrel to pressurize the filter material to prevent channeling, such structure for example including one or more pistons in the barrel.

Abstract: Method and means to pump a well with a hydraulically-driven downhole pump (15) as powered by a hydraulic surface unit (1) are disclosed, including a downhole filter assembly (71) and a flowline mounted oil leach (27) for supplying makeup oil to the surface unit.

Abstract: Sulfonate surfactants are removed from crude oil or crude oil emulsions, such as may be produced using enhanced recovery methods, by mixing with an aqueous solution of synthetic brine such as ammonium chloride, allowing the phases to separate, and removing the aqueous phase containing brine and sulfonates from the organic phase containing hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for drawing up a crude oil containing a great amount of wax or a high-viscosity crude oil. The method of the present invention is characterized by cracking or fractionating the crude oil which has been drawn up, in order to prepare a cracked oil or a gas oil, and by drawing up the crude oil, while injecting a part of the cracked oil or the gas oil into an oil well. According to the present invention, an efficient drawing operation can be achieved.

Abstract: For drilling mud during use in drilling a well an additive of FE Chelate is disclosed. The chelating agent preferably includes EDTA, HEDTA, NTA, or DTPA. It is oxygen regenerated at the surface to enable repeated use to remove H.sub.2 S. Any H.sub.2 S is converted to elemental sulfur, reducing risk of poisoning.

Abstract: A process for recovering petroleum from relatively impermeable formations. A permeable structure is formed to extend radially outward from the well bore and vapor, including solvent vapor, is introduced in a manner to condense primarily adjacent petroleum-containing portions of the formation, thereby forming a mixture of solvent and petroleum sufficiently mobile to flow downwardly and inwardly to a lower portion of the well bore leaving in place a leached volume of solids from which most of the petroleum has been removed.

Abstract: A hydraulic accumulator-compressor vessel using geothermal brine under pressure as a piston to compress waste (CO.sub.2 rich) gas is used in a system having a plurality of gas separators in tandem to recover pipeline quality gas from geothermal brine. A first high pressure separator feeds gas to a membrance separator which separates low pressure waste gas from high pressure quality gas. A second separator produces low pressure waste gas. Waste gas from both separators is combined and fed into the vessel through a port at the top as the vessel is drained for another compression cycle. High pressure brine is then admitted into the vessel through a port at the bottom of the vessel. Check valves control the flow of low pressure waste gas into the vessel and high pressure waste gas out of the vessel.

Abstract: Oil is dehydrated and/or desalted by the influence of a dewatering and desalting formulation which can be characterized as an admixture of (i) a demulsifier preferably an alkylene oxide alkyl phenol-formaldehyde condensate such as a poly ethoxylated nonylphenolformaldehyde condensate and (ii) a deoiler which is usefully a polyol such as ethylene glycol or poly (ethylene glycol) of Mw ranging from 106 to 44,000 and preferably ethylene glycol.The aqueous formulation may usefully contain a cosolvent such as isopropanol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of collecting volatile contaminants from the vadose layer of earth. The apparatus is a closed-loop device which includes one or more contaminant withdrawal wells surrounded by multiple air reinjection wells connected by a conduit. One or more pumps serve to draw volatilized contaminant through the withdrawal well to the connecting conduit where it is captured or neutralized. Residual air from the withdrawal well is urged back into the ground through the air reinjection wells to encourage further contaminant to move toward the withdrawal well for collection.

Abstract: An oil well is pumped with a jet pump using, as the power fluid, field salt water preferably from the same formation that the well is completed in. The jet pump comprises a series of metallic cylindrical components that are clamped together in a housing connected to the bottom of the tubing string. A tail pipe assembly extends below the bottom of the producing formation to lower the liquid level in the well as low as possible. A more sophisticated tail pipe assembly operates to reduce back pressure on the formation as much as possible.

Abstract: Volatile contaminants are removed from the vadose zone of contaminated ground by pumping volatilized contaminants from the vadose zone using one or more vacuum extraction wells.