Abstract: A method of improving production of heavy crude oil from a well by mixing a first solution of water soluble surfactant and water, and preferably forming a mixture of the first solution and an oil solvent, and pumping the mixture into the well to mix with the heavy crude oil to be produced. A desirable surfactant is a water soluble ethoxylated nonylphenol and a desirable oil solvent is kerosene distillate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement to a nitrogen or carbon dioxide rejection process used in an enhanced oil recovery project. In rejection processes for enhanced oil recovery projects at least a portion of a feed stream from the reservoir is precooled in a heat exchanger before distillation to separate the feed stream into a nitrogen or carbon dioxide fraction and a methane fraction. The improvement to this rejection process is the precooling of the feed stream by heat exchange with the nitrogen or carbon dioxide fraction and the methane fractions in a plate-fin heat exchanger with at least three circuits.

Abstract: The instant invention provides structure for removing "globs" of oil from water from a feed withdrawn from subsurface deposits. The "globs" are homogenized into the feed with a static mixer. The oil is subsequentially removed by conventional liquid separation means.

Abstract: A process for reducing scale formation in off-shore production platforms where sea water is used as a water-flooding medium. During production, sea water and connate water interact to make scale forming precipitates. Said precipitates fall out in an oil/water separator. Subsequently, additional sea water is injected as the separated aqueous phase leaves said separator thereby causing additional precipitates to form. Via this method, decreased amounts of scale preventing inhibitors are required.

Abstract: The method of the present invention relates to a gas lift operation wherein pressurized injection gas is mixed with pressurized injection liquid prior to introducing the pressurized mixture into a borehole. The pressurized injection gas and liquid mixture is introduced into one portion of the well bore to a point below an initial column of well fluid present in another portion of the well bore conduit. As the mixture of injection gas and liquid travels towards the bottom of the well bore the gas is compressed more and more by the height of the column of liquid thereabove and is subsequently passed to said another portion of the well bore where the gas rises and expands to lift the oil or other well fluid to the surface.

Abstract: A non-thermal, chemical "huff and puff" method for improved oil recovery is provided in which surfactant/cosurfactant/brine mixtures are used to recover viscous and other hydrocarbons from single wells.

Abstract: A subsea system for transmitting a multiphase flow of hydrocarbons produced from a subsea well positioned remotely from fluid storing and treating facilities. The system includes a subsea well template which encloses a plurality of well heads. A composite hydrocarbon flow is manifolded from the respective wells and conducted to a fluid separator which causes the composite stream to separate into discrete liquid and vaporous flows. The latter are then conducted through a multi-conductor riser to the treating and storage facility.

Abstract: When sulfonated surfactants are used to displace crude oil from a subterranean formation, the produced oil and water contain the surfactant and form a tight emulsion. This crude oil-water-surfactant emulsion is broken with a strong inorganic acid, for example, hydrochloric acid. The amount of acid added is sufficient to lower the pH of the water in the emulsion to 3.0 or lower. Thereafter, the oil is separated from the emulsion by conventional techniques.

Abstract: A process is provided in which carbon dioxide is injected into an oil-containing reservoir as an aid in recovering oil from the reservoir. Oil can be produced from at least one production well in the reservoir and carbon dioxide-containing hydrocarbon gas will be produced with the oil. Heavy ends are stripped from the carbon dioxide-containing hydrocarbon gas and substantially all of the carbon dioxide in reinjected into the oil-containing reservoir.

Abstract: A liquid/gas separator apparatus capable of being taken to a required location and sunk into position adjacent a submerged gas pipeline for separating intermittent slugs of liquid from gas in the pipeline includes at least one hollow elongated separator pressure vessel (3) having at least one inlet (4, 4a), for receiving from the pipeline, liquid/gas to be separated, at least one gas outlet (6, 6a) for discharging separated gas to another pipeline, and a plurality of liquid outlets (7) for liquid separated from liquid/gas in the separator vessel. Several hollow elongated liquid accumulator pressure vessels (8) are substantially rigidly interconnected, in spaced side-by-side substantially co-planar relationship, either by lateral pipes (9) or by a collector pipe (23) extending substantially horizontally at a lower level than the bottoms of the accumulator vessels (8) and connected to each accumulator vessel (8) by upwardly extending connecting pipes (24).

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.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for enhanced recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well wherein, before injection, the surfactant fluid is separated into two phases by the addition of small amounts of polymer and the portion having the higher sulfonate content is used as the surfactant slug. As an improvement we disclose the step of adding the phase of surfactant fluid with the lower sulfonate content to the polymer slug which is used to drive the surfactant fluid to further increase recovery.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for removing phenols from an underground gasification zone by injecting an alkaline material to convert at least a portion of the phenols to the corresponding salt and producing the solution of said salt. Thereafter, the salt can be converted to the free phenol or merely evaporated to dryness. In both of these cases, the phenol or salt can be incinerated.

Abstract: An improved fluid for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery in a subterranean oil-bearing reservoir comprising:dissolving a polymer in a surfactant fluid,allowing the mixture to separate and thereafter using the fraction with the highest sulfonate content as surfactant in a flood and thereafter following the use of the surfactant with polymer and water and subsequently forcing said fluids through the formation and recovering said hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the recovery of petroleum origin hydrocarbons from ground water tables at sites of refineries, oil and gasoline storage and distributing facilities, and the like. Pursuant to the invention, separate liquid handling devices, each in the nature of a vessel or canister and having liquid trapping and ejecting facilities that are free of mechanical pumping action, are employed for raising the ground water and liquid hydrocarbons that accumulate on the ground water table, respectively, through which the well or wells extend, and under the static pressure of the compressed air.

Abstract: A well test system for automatically testing a plurality of wells in an oilfield is disclosed. The system includes means for detecting leaking diverter valves. The system also includes means for purging a test separator as a function of the number of free water dumps and the number of emulsion oil dumps or for alternatively controlling the purging of the test vessel or separator as a function of time or alternatively as a function of the first to occur of a predetermined number of dumps being achieved or predetermined time having elapsed. The system also has means for determining leaking or stuck open dump valves in the water leg or emulsion oil line of the system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing supercritical carbon dioxide from a well along with minor amounts of kill water having formation salts dissolved therein. The salt water is the result of killing the well with fresh water during pump installation and/or removal operations at which time the water enters the CO.sub.2 producing formation and dissolves soluble salts which come into the well when the kill water returns to the well when it is put on production. Precipitation of salts carried by the kill water in the pump is prevented by continuously injecting water into the vicinity of the pump intake so as to dilute the returning kill water before it, or at least a portion of it, is vaporized into the water phase of the supercritical carbon dioxide. The volume of injected, substantially fresh water must be sufficient to handle the vaporization of water into the carbon dioxide in the pump as well as dilute the returning kill water so that the salts carried thereby remain in solution.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing supercritical carbon dioxide from a well along with minor amounts of water having formation salts dissolved therein. Precipitation of salts carried by the formation water in the pump is prevented by continuously injecting water into the vicinity of the pump intake so as to dilute the formation water before it, or at least a portion of it, is vaporized into the water phase of the supercritical carbon dioxide. The volume of injected, substantially fresh water must be sufficient to handle the vaporization of water into the carbon dioxide in the pump as well as dilute the formation water so that the salts carried thereby remain in solution.

Abstract: Hot gases from an underground coal gasification operation are used to pyrolyze mined coal, which is subsequently used for surface steam generation, the steam being utilized in the underground coal gasification operation. Valuable gases and hydrocarbon liquids are obtained from the process.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for separating gases and vapors from a geopressure or hydropressured brine without allowing precipitation of scale deposits on the walls of vessels and pipes. The apparatus includes a reactor having an inlet pipe provided with a Venturi throat and an expansion nozzle coupled with the throat to depressurize the brine to cause separation of the gases and vapors from the liquid and solid fractions of the brine. The gases and vapors travel out of the reactor through a central pipe extending downwardly and through the reactor. The brine in the form of a slurry gravitates in the reactor toward a first outlet pipe while clarified brine rises past an internal baffle and leaves the reactor through a second outlet pipe.

Abstract: A process is provided for recovering valuable metals from geothermal brine comprising introducing donor metallic particles into a geothermal zone which is dominated with hot-pressurized geothermal brine which contains a metal value selected from the group consisting of gold value, silver value, copper value, lead value, tin value and mixtures thereof. The donor metallic particle contains a donor metal selected from the group consisting of iron, zinc, aluminum and mixtures thereof. The process further comprises forming a deposit on the donor metallic particles by replacing at least a part of the donor particle with the metal values, producing a stream of the hot-pressurized geothermal brine containing the donor metallic particles which, in turn, contain the deposit of metal values, and separating the donor metallic particles from the thusly produced stream of hot-pressurized geothermal brine.

Abstract: In producing CO.sub.2 from subterranean reservoirs at conditions apt to cause both aqueous and CO.sub.2 -rich liquid phases to flow in pipes conveying the fluid, the formation of hydrates is prevented by adding a specified type of inorganic electrolyte hydrate inhibitor in proportions capable of maintaining an effective concentration within the aqueous liquid phase.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for separating gases and vapors from a geopressure or hydropressured brine without allowing precipitation of scale deposits on the walls of vessels and pipes. The apparatus includes a reactor having an inlet pipe provided with a Venturi throat and an expansion nozzle coupled with the throat to depressurize the brine to cause separation of the gases and vapors from the liquid and solid fractions of the brine. The gases and vapors travel out of the reactor through a central pipe extending downwardly and through the reactor. The brine in the form of a slurry gravitates in the reactor toward a first outlet pipe while clarified brine rises past in internal baffle and leaves the reactor through a second outlet pipe.

Abstract: Saline-tolerant surfactant is utilized in tertiary recovery of oil. The surfactant is concentrated in a portion of the produced oil and water and is recovered by the use of a cosolvent and fresh water. Both the cosolvent and surfactant are reclaimed for reuse, while the oil is released for sale.

Abstract: In producing CO.sub.2 from subterranean reservoirs at conditions apt to cause two-phase flow in pipes conveying the fluid, the formation of hydrates is prevented by adding a polyhydric alcohol hydrate inhibitor in proportions capable of maintaining an effective concentration within the aqueous liquid-phase in spite of partitioning of the inhibitor into a CO.sub.2 -rich liquid-phase of many times greater volume.

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.

Abstract: An oil shale process is provided to retort oil shale and purify oil shale retort water. In the process, raw oil shale is retorted in an in situ underground retort or in an above ground retort to liberate shale oil, light hydrocarbon gases and oil shale retort water. The retort water is separated from the shale oil and gases in a sump or in a fractionator or quench tower followed by an API oil/water separator. After the retort water is separated from the shale oil, the retort water is steam stripped, carbon adsorbed and biologically treated, preferably by granular carbon adsorbers followed by activated sludge treatment or by activated sludge containing powdered activated carbon. The retort water can be granularly filtered before being steam stripped. The purified retort water can be used in various other oil shale processes, such as dedusting, scrubbing, spent shale moisturing, backfilling, in situ feed gas injection and pulsed combustion.

Abstract: The effluent stream from a process for producing phenolic compounds is reacted with an aldehyde in the presence of a base to form a water soluble resol which is useful in enhanced oil recovery.

Abstract: A vessel in the form of a vertically-extended cylindrical tank receives oil well production containing a difficult-to-treat component. An elongated path for the production is formed within the tank with which to stratify production fluids. The upper stratum is oil containing some percentage of emulsion, the lower stratum is water containing some percentage of emulsion, and the intermediate stratum is a concentration of the remaining difficult-to-treat emulsion. A subsystem is provided for the liquids of each stratum. The subsystem processing the intermediate stratum extracts surfactant which has been used in facilitating production from the earth, and isopropanol utilized to break the bond of oil with the surfactant and water of the emulsion.

Abstract: This invention relates to secondary or tertiary recovery processes for the recovery of oil from subterranean oil-bearing reservoirs. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved method for the recovery of petroleum from underground reservoirs, which petroleum contains sulfonate surfactants and water and for a method of removing said sulfonate surfactants and water from petroleum produced from said recovery processes.

Abstract: An improved portable, versatile, modular, above-ground system and process for generating combustion gases, principally nitrogen and carbon dioxide, and steam, for removing particulate matter and corrosive components from the combustion gases, and for injecting the purified nitrogen and CO.sub.2, and steam, individually or in selected mixtures, at controlled temperatures and pressures into a subterranean formation bearing hydrocarbons to enhance the recovery thereof. The system includes a high-pressure combustion reactor for efficient generation of combustion gases at the required rates and at pressures up to about 8000 psi and temperatures up to about 4500.degree. F. The reactor is water-jacketed but lined with refractory material to minimize soot formation. Combustion chamber temperature is reduced to a safe level by water injection with the fuel.

Abstract: A safety system for eliminating the risk of liquids, rather than gases, being carried to a torch nose-piece or to a vent hole, during burning or dispersion of the gases associated with the production or treatment of hydrocarbons, particularly on off-shore installations. The gas flow line is connected to a storage volume or capacity, such as a torch foot tank. An overflow column is also connected to the gas flow line, and discharges below a liquid level, such as for example the sea, at a distance from the connection to the overflow column.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing and treating a well with a viscosity-enhanced treatment liquid which will not clog perforations, gravel packs, filters and the like. A selected viscosity-enhancing agent in particle size is mixed in a selected well treatment liquid to produce a dispersion and the mixing continued at least until hydration is initiated to form an interface between the particles and the liquid. The liquid containing the interface is then subjected to a simultaneous mechanical and hydraulic shearing action by passage through axial apertures in a relatively rotatable rotor and stator units which are disposed in axial juxtaposition with a spacing between the adjacent rotor and stator surfaces selected to be less than the minor dimensions of the interface produced by the dispersion of the selected well treatment liquid and viscosity-enhancing agent.

Abstract: A method of purifying waste water from oil well rigs in order that the water may be made suitable for reuse on the rig or disposed of conventionally is disclosed. The method incorporates a series of aerators and corresponding collection tanks to first aerate, then collect, the waste water a number of times. In each collection tank, sediment precipitates to the bottom of the tank, permitting the clearer water to overflow, or to be skimmed, from the collection tank. A soluble aluminum salt is added to the waste water at an initial stage of aeration in order to coagulate waste particles within the water and form solid precipitates which then settle to the tank bottom, permitting the clearer water to pass on to subsequent aerators and sedimentation tanks, until ultimately, the water may be disposed of without polluting or contaminating the environment.

Abstract: A process for recovering petroleum from deposits which have already been worked by primary extraction or are not suited for primary extraction. A gas in its supercritical state is introduced into the deposit. The supercritical gas charges itself with the petroleum while flowing through the deposit. The charged supercritical gas leaves the deposit and the petroleum is separated in a plurality of fractions from the charged supercritical gas.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for cyclic solvent stimulation of production of heavy oil from an underground reservoir penetrated by a well which comprises:(a) injecting into the reservoir a liquid solvent having a ratio of crude viscosity to solvent viscosity of at least about 10 and in an amount between about 5 barrels and about 25 barrels per foot of oil-bearing formation; and(b) thereafter producing a solvent-oil mixture.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a carbon dioxide-containing mixture which is miscible with crude oil. The method comprises maintaining a mixture of crude oil and carbon dioxide in an extraction zone at a temperature and pressure such that multiple phase equilibrium is achieved therebetween. A carbon dioxide-rich phase that includes a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons is withdrawn and is miscible with the reservoir crude oil when injected into the reservoir from which the crude oil was produced.

Abstract: A pressure-swing adsorption system is used to enrich the methane content of mine gas obtained from bores around mine shafts or galleries from the customary 25 to 45% by volume to a product gas quality of 50% by volume. Using a carbon molecular sieve adsorbent, the adsorption is carried out at 5 to 8 bar and is followed by a uniflow expansion to an intermediate pressure and a counterflow expansion to a flushing pressure of 1.1 to 2 bar. Counterflow flushing is carried out with waste gas and the product gas is a mixture of the gases obtained by counterflow expansion and flushing.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for recovering heavy crude oil from an underground reservoir penetrated by a well, which comprises (a) heating the reservoir surrounding the wellbore with steam at a temperature below coking temperature but sufficient to increase the temperature 40.degree.-200.degree. F. above the reservoir temperature; (b) producing the formation until most of the injected water is produced; (c) injecting a liquid solvent having a ratio of crude viscosity to solvent viscosity of at least about 10 and in an amount ranging from about 5 to about 25 barrels per foot of oil-bearing formation; (d) producing a solvent-crude mixture; and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d).

Abstract: A split-stream method and apparatus for preventing the accumulation of liquids, such as water or oil, in subterranean gas wells having low shut-in bottom hole pressures is provided. A compressor whose capacity can be less than the theoretical adiabatic horsepower for full wellhead depletion, is used to remove a two-phase liquid-gas mixture through a secondary fluid transmission conduit. Production of dry gas in larger quantities through a primary production conduit is then possible since liquids cannot accumulate to kill the well. An optional mechanism for initiating production in very low pressure wells and a means of preventing the buildup of paraffin is also described.

Abstract: Methods and means for economically compressing low volume, low pressure natural gas at the wellhead are provided. The means include an electrically operated, self starting compressor responsive to a low pressure inlet shut-off switch and a high pressure discharge shut-off switch. The means may also include a scrubber for separating liquid and condensate from the gas and means for automatically transporting such to a remote liquid storage tank. The compressor itself is an air compressor modified by the provision of natural gas crankcase purging and venting, suction port oil injection, and increase lubrication capacity.

Abstract: In-situ hydrogenation of an underground coal formation is carried out by fracturing the formation and sealing it, to provide an in-situ reactor site. Then a liquid solvent stream and a gaseous hydrogen stream are introduced into the fractured formation, allowing reaction and conversion of the coal to lighter, hydrogenated components.

Abstract: An improved portable, versatile, modular, above-ground system and process for generating combustion gases, principally nitrogen and carbon dioxide, and steam, for removing particulate matter and corrosive components from the combustion gases, and for injecting the purified nitrogen and CO.sub.2, and steam, individually or in selected mixtures, at controlled temperatures and pressures into a subterranean formation bearing hydrocarbons to enhance the recovery thereof. The system includes a high-pressure combustion reactor for efficient generation of combustion gases at the required rates and at pressures up to about 8000 psi and temperatures up to about 4500.degree. F. The reactor is water-jacketed but lined with refractory material to minimize soot formation. Combustion chamber temperature is reduced to a safe level by water injection with the fuel.

Abstract: A method of recovering crude oil for subsequent processing. The method contemplates the step of exposing the source of crude oil such as a subterranean petroleum reservoir or a vessel or container of tar sands, kerogen or the like to aliphatic or carboxylic acid, preferably oleic acid, to produce a solvated crude oil mixture of reduced viscosity. This mixture is saponifyed by reacting it with a nucleophilic base, preferably a hydroxide of potassium or sodium, under pressure whereby to separate the solvated mixture into petroleum crude and an acid soap which migrates to an aqueous phase. The petroleum crude is separated from the aqueous soap through conventional techniques. Afterwards, a desaponification step contemplates recovery of the aliphatic or carboxylic acid for subsequent recycling in the previously mentioned exposing step.

Abstract: Natural gas wells in a tight formation area are drilled and completed with piping, the piping being capped with a Christmas tree. The piping is then utilized as a reservoir to collect natural gas from the tight formation over a prolonged time period. Mobile pressure vessel units are employed periodically to recover the collected natural gas, on a schedule designed for maximum economic efficiency. In the preferred embodiment, the reservoir is formed between the inner production tubing and the outer casing tubing, and conduits are connected to direct the natural gas from the production tubing into the reservoir. Liquid/gas separators and dehydrator units are employed on wells as necessary, so that the natural gas stored in the reservoir is ready for transport.

Abstract: A method for in-situ coal gasification to recover a product gas having a predetermined H.sub.2 /CO ratio by introducing controlled amounts of carbon dioxide recovered from the product gas along with steam and oxygen injected into the coal deposits. The H.sub.2 /CO ratio of the product gas is preferably maintained within the range of 1.5 to 4.0.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the extraction and generation of solvent for continuous injection into a reservoir or subterranean deposit for the recovery of crude oil or liquified coal. Solvent contained in the recovered liquid mixture of organic compounds is vaporized by the bubbling and agitation of atmospheric air through a tank in which the recovered liquid mixture has been pumped. Various solvent compounds such as ethers or aromatic hydrocarbons are vaporized and drawn off from the tank by a suction pump or compressor and continuously reinjected into the deposit through an injection well. Apparatus in the form of a vertically disposed tube having an ambient atmospheric inlet is disposed within the solvent generator tank. Conventional storage tanks may be converted for the process by utilizing a telescoping tube arrangement which may be installed through a standard gaging or inspection port in the tank.

Abstract: In a cyclic method of solvent stimulation of a single oil well penetrating a viscous crude oil-containing formation, the well is first produced and a portion of the produced crude oil is subjected to a visbreaking operation to produce a hot visbroken crude oil having reduced viscosity. Production is terminated and a predetermined amount of the hot visbroken produced crude oil is injected into the formation via the well as a solvent, the formation is allowed to undergo a soak period, and the well is returned to production. Thereafter, production may be continued until the percentage of visbroken crude oil in the produced fluids is less than 12 percent and the above cycle may be repeated.

Abstract: A combined method for mining and reclaiming land is provided for non arable saline and saline seep lands by utilizing subterranean drain pipe along with normal precipitation and irrigation waters to dissolve water soluble salts and minerals for collection in subterranean drain pipe and subsequently removing minerals and salts and thereafter purifying the water before discharging the water into rivers or returning the water back to the land for further circulation and percolation through the land to be mined and reclaimed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for converting organic material of oil-shale to predominantly liquids. The oil-shale is first heated to a temperature from about 360.degree. C. to 475.degree. C. in an anionic atmosphere. The resulting liquids and gases are collected and the residue is extracted with a microemulsion capable of extracting organic material from the heat treated oil-shale.