Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are polymers of specific quaternary ammonium monomers or co-polymers of these quaternary ammonium monomers wth other types of monomers wherein the greater portion of the co-polymer is comprised of the quaternary ammonium monomers. To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 160.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: A method for recovering oil by injecting an oxygen-containing gas containing at least 50 vol. % oxygen into the formation to initiate an in-situ combustion operation, separately producing oil and a flue gas from the formation, and separating carbon dioxide from the flue gas to produce a combustible gas.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a method for efficiently recovering viscous petroleum from hydrocarbon formations, particularly consolidated tar sand formations. A superheated paraffinic solvent under elevated pressure and temperature is injected into the formation. Thereafter, the formation is rapidly produced until pressure is depleted. The injection and production depletion cycle is then repeated.

Abstract: A method for the in situ conversion and recovery of heavy hydrocarbonaceous crude oil containing indigenous trace metal from two adjacent non-communicating hydrocarbon reservoirs which are alternately pressured and recovered which method comprises: (a) heating the heavy hydrocarbonaceous crude oil in a first reservoir to a hydrocarbon conversion temperature; (b) contacting the first reservoir with elemental essentially-anhydrous hydrogen at a pressure from about 200 to about 10,000 psig; (c) heating the heavy hydrocarbonaceous crude oil in a second reservoir to a hydrocarbon conversion temperature; (d) depressuring the first reservoir to yield an effluent comprising hydrocarbonaceous crude oil and unreacted elemental hydrogen; (e) separating the effluent from the first reservoir to recover a hydrocarbonaceous crude oil and a gaseous component comprising elemental hydrogen; (f) contacting the second reservoir with elemental essentially-anhydrous hydrogen, a portion of which is recovered in step (e), at a press

Abstract: Method for the underground gasification of solid fuels in which an underground fuel deposit is initially opened up and then converted into a gaseous fuel by means of a gasification medium. The opening of the fuel deposit is effected by treatment with a gas which is in the supercritical state, which takes on the volatile organic substances of the solid fuel and the water contained in the solid fuel. The dissolved organic compounds and the water are separated from the charged supercritical gas phase above ground in at least two fractions by pressure reduction and/or a change in temperature.

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 method for in situ recovery of oil from oil shale containing oil bearing compound. The method begins with thermally decomposing the kerogen underground to produce oil vapors, combustible gases, and carbon residue, followed by conducting the oil vapors and combustible gases to aboveground and recovering it there. Next comes the steps of burning the carbon residue underground at a controlled rate such that the temperature of the formation remains below the softening temperature of the spent shale and at controlled oxidation so that carbon monoxide is produced and of conducting the carbon monoxide to aboveground and recovering it. After the burning step has been completed comes the steps of injecting water in the form of liquid, vapor, mist or steam into the hot formation to produce steam at high temperature, and conducting the high temperature steam aboveground and recovering it there.

Abstract: An oil-in-water emulsion of crude oil, water and hydrophilic surfactant is resolved by first heating said emulsion until it separates into a surfactant laden water layer and an oil-rich emulsion layer, removing the water layer from the oil-rich emulsion layer, treating the emulsion layer by the addition of from 20 to 40 volume percent of water containing a demulsifier and recovering the crude oil which separates from the water upon standing.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of oil well production streams to process oil-contaminated sand to recover oil therefrom and produce an ecologically acceptable clean sand residue. The process involves separating the production fluid from an oil well having sand entrained therein into a plurality of components, one of which comprises an oil-contaminated sand. The contaminated sand is contacted with a light oil solvent to initiate a solvating action of the oil contaminant. The resulting mixture of oil-contaminated sand and solvent is then contacted with water and the system then gravity separated into discrete sand, water and oil phases. The oil and water phases may be removed from the sand and the sand phase again contacted with water and the resulting mixture then subjected to gravity separation to produce separate sand and water phases. The water phase is then removed and the sand passed to a suitable disposal facility.

Abstract: A portion of crude shale oil produced from an in situ oil shale retort is blended with shale oil produced from a Tosco II retorting process to produce a blended shale oil composition having a pour point lower than the pour point of the shale oil produced from the Tosco II retorting process.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are polyamine salts prepared by contacting poly(ethyleneimines) with organic or inorganic acids. The polyamines have a molecular weight of at least 1,000. To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 160.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: A single pass filtration process for the removal of suspended solids from completion fluids used in oil or gas well drilling operations which utilizes pressure injection of these fluids into a filter having pattern filter plates.

Abstract: A cylindrical housing is adapted to receive and discharge fluid in a subterranean well. In a preferred form, a plate is positioned in the cylinder separating it into first and second chambers. Filter adapter receiving means are disposed across the plate, with a filter adapter securable therein, the adapter having a passageway extending to the chambers. The adapter has a cylindrical housing having an enlarged cartridge positioning portion. A grooveway is defined on the adapter extending exteriorly therearound for securing one end of a cartridge filter. A cartridge filter is positionable on the adapter and provides a seal having an interiorly facing circumferentially extending lip for contact with the exterior of the cylindrical housing when the filter is located on the adapter, for sealingly securing the filter to the adapter.

Abstract: A process for the production of heavy oil from a subterranean oil reservoir by the injection of a hot aqueous fluid into the reservoir and the injection of a diluent solvent down the production well to produce a blend of solvent and oil having a decreased viscosity. The reservoir oil has a density greater than the density of water. The diluent solvent has a density such that the density of the resulting blend recovered from the production well also has a density greater than the density of the water. The water produced from the production well is separated from the blend and the blend then fractionated to recover a solvent fraction of the requisite density. This solvent fraction is then returned to the production well to produce additional blend within the well in a continuation of the process.

Abstract: The process of providing corrosion protection in a deep, offshore, corrosive gas well containing acid gases such as H.sub.2 S or CO.sub.2 by continuously circulating a manufactured carrier oil containing a corrosion inhibitor can be improved where that well or a nearby well produces a condensate that contains high boiling, organic compounds. Determinations can be made and utilized concerning whether, and to what extent, portions of such a carrier oil can be replaced by portions of such a condensate.

Abstract: Shale oil gas is recovered in situ from water-flooded, naturally porous, subterranean oil shale formations by injecting superheated steam under pressure into such formations through injection boreholes extending into the formations. Heat is transferred from the superheated steam to the oil shale, thereby in effect retorting the oil shale and converting the organic (kerogen) content thereof into oil in liquid or vapor form, usually accompanied by some gas. The released shale oil and gas are collected in the water naturally occurring in such a formation and in water resulting from the condensation of the injected steam and are recovered through extraction boreholes by moving both the water and the collected shale oil products to the surface through such boreholes. This is normally effected by pressure of the injected steam, but may be aided, if necessary, by pumping from the extraction boreholes.

Abstract: The recovery of heavy crude oils and tars from subterranean oil bearing formations is enhanced by the injection of pressurized and heated hydrocarbon vapor into a single well drilled into the formation. Condensation of the hydrocarbon vapor heats the heavy oil and tars entrapped in the formation and dilutes the oil so as to decrease its viscosity and enhance its flow into a lower portion of the well. The oil and solvent collected are removed to the surface by pumping. The preferred hydrocarbon vapor is a low boiling fraction derived by distillation of the oil recovered from the formation, however, some stable externally-produced aromatic hydrocarbon vapors of high solvent power such as benzene or toluene or mixtures thereof may also be used and reclaimed from the oil by distillation.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are salts of polymers and/or co-polymers of specific cationic monomers. To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 160.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: A method for the separation of extracted viscous crude oil placed in a reservoir of a opened cell. Materials such as oil shale, oil sand, or tar sand may be involved. Hot water is introduced to the top surface of the reservoir material in the cell while steam is injected into a steam gallery running through the cell. The hot water and steam may contain a surfactant. The bouyancy of the crude oil creates an artificial water drive which causes the water and oil to "flip-flop" so that the oil rises to the top of the reservoir and separates from the remainder of the reservoir material. This separated oil may be removed from the cell and the remaining material disposed of.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are salts of poly(tertiary amino)polyurethanes prepared by the reaction of polyisocyanates with diols containing at least one tertiary amino group which reaction product is then reduced in pH until water solubility is attained. To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 160.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: Steam is produced from low quality feedwater. A feedwater stream and a superheated steam stream are introduced into a contactor vessel where the superheated steam is contacted with the feedwater thereby producing saturated steam in the contactor vessel and precipitating minerals from the feedwater in the contactor vessel. The produced steam is withdrawn from the contactor vessel and divided into a primary stream and a secondary stream. The primary stream of produced steam is flowed to a use terminal such as a well for injecting the same into a subsurface formation as part of a steam flood system or such as a steam turbine. The secondary stream of steam is superheated and recycled to the contactor vessel. Waste water containing the solid minerals precipitated from the feedwater within the contactor vessel is withdrawn from the contactor vessel through a waste water discharge conduit.

Abstract: A process of stimulating oil recovery utilizing carbon dioxide in the liquid state is disclosed. The carbon dioxide is introduced into an underground formation where it partially dissolves in the crude oil present therein. A back pressure in the range of atmospheric to approximately 300 psi is maintained on the formation while the oil containing carbon dioxide is withdrawn. The carbon dioxide is thereafter separated from the oil.

Abstract: A process for separating and recovering bituminous material from tar sand and other viscous petroleum deposits, either in-situ or after mining the deposits. The process may also apply to heavy oil wells and to secondary and tertiary recovery of oil from wells. The bituminous-containing matter is contacted within a confined space with the vapors of a halogenated, organic solvent, whereby the bituminous material separates from the other matter. The bituminous material accumulates at the bottom of the confined space and is recovered therefrom.

Abstract: A process is provided for filtration of aqueous oil-containing brines that are substantially free from viscosity-increasing agents, which comprises adding to the aqueous oil-containing brine having a tendency to contaminate and plug a filter a sufficient amount of an oxidizing agent capable of reacting with plugging contaminants present in the brine to alleviate the plugging tendency, thereby extending filter life.

Abstract: A process for recovering thermal values and organic materials from solid carbonaceous fuels, i.e., bituminous coals and lignites, by contacting such fuels with waste foul condensates, known as black liquor, from pulping operations thereby to solubilize thermal value containing organic materials therefrom and simultaneously provide a use for the heretofore considered unusable black liquors, the disposal of which up to now has presented both an economical and ecological problem.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing gaseous hydrocarbons from formations comprising solid hydrocarbon hydrates located under either a body of land or a body of water. The vast natural resources of such hydrocarbon hydrates can thus now be economically mined. Relatively warm brine or water is brought down from an elevation above that of the hydrates through a portion of the apparatus and passes in contact with the hydrates, thus melting them. The liquid then continues up another portion of the apparatus, carrying entrained hydrocarbon vapors in the form of bubbles, which can easily be separated from the liquid. After a short startup procedure, the process and apparatus are substantially self-powered.

Abstract: A method for in situ separation of bitumen from bitumen-bearing subterranean deposits includes the step of injecting a solvent composition into the deposit. The solvent composition must have an inverse critical solution temperature in a two-phase system with water and be selected from a particular group of amines that includes triethylamine and diisopropylamine. When the solvent composition contacts the bitumen in the deposit, the bitumen is dissolved by the solvent. Thereafter, the bitumen/solvent mixture is removed and separated into a bitumen component and a solvent component. The bitumen is thereafter processed to yield a usable petroleum product.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process and apparatus for removing usable water and other components from drilling mud/waste mixtures containing water, solids, hydrocarbons and dissolved salt. Solids are separated from waste water resulting in recovery of a water stream containing hydrocarbons and dissolved salts. This stream is then separated into a recoverable hydrocarbon stream and a water stream containing dissolved salts. A reverse osmosis means is then utilized for separating the water stream containing dissolved salts into a permeate stream of environmentally safe water for reuse and a concentrated brine stream.

Abstract: Heavy oil or bitumen is extracted and removed from underground oil bearing formations having low permeability such as tar sands by injection of hot hydrocarbon solvent vapor into a single well hole at a pressure not substantially exceeding the pressure in the formation to effectively heat and extract the bitumen. The hot solvent vapor is passed downwardly through an annular passage of concentric piping place in the well bore and is injected out through upper performations in the casing and into the formation. The hot solvent vapor condenses in the formation and drains along with recovered oil through lower perforations back into the bottom end of the inner pipe, from which the product oil and solvent mixture is pumped to above ground. The solvent is partially reclaimed from the oil product by distillation means and the solvent friction is reheated and reinjected into the well bore for further use.

Abstract: Well treatment method and apparatus for chemically inhibiting downhole production equipment with corrosion inhibitors. Water is separated from the produced well fluid, and the flow rate and corrosive properties of the separated water is measured. Inhibitor solution is then injected into the stream of water in an amount which is proportional to the corrosive measurement of the water, thereby providing the exact amount of chemical treatment required to avoid downhole corrosion. The inhibitor and the water are intimately mixed, and the mixture is flowed into the casing annulus. The conductivity of the produced fluid is measured, and the measurement is used to adjust the rate of flow of the separated water to a value which assures that the mixture of water and inhibitor flow down through the hydrocarbons contained in the casing annulus.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for the in situ retorting of oil shale and purification products comprising establishing an underground in situ retort containing a mass of rubblized matter comprising oil shale and establishing a flame front within the rubblized matter. Oxygen containing gas comprising at least about 90 weight percent oxygen and diluent are passed into the retort to support combustion and form combustion gases suitable for the retorting of the rubblized mass and formation of off-gas comprising hydrogen, hydrocarbons, and contaminants. Off-gas comprising hydrogen, hydrocarbons, and contaminants is recovered from the retort and hydrocarbons and contaminants are substantially separated from at least a portion of the off-gas to produce a purified gas stream comprising hydrogen.

Abstract: Oil from an oil reservoir and subsequently from several oil reservoirs is recovered by injecting, in a first stage, a displacement agent in a gaseous state into the oil reservoir. Afterwards, in a second stage, there is withdrawn 90% of the displacement agent from the oil reservoir together with water through the wells. In a third stage there is injected into a second oil reservoir this withdrawn displacement agent, after water separation and drying and compression of the agent. As in the aforementioned stages 1-3 there is withdrawn from the second oil reservoir 90% from the displacement agent left in this oil reservoir which may be injected into the third oil reservoir, etc. The entire (overall) amount of the displacement agent used is half of the amount used according to previously known processes. At the end one recovers the used displacement agent. Initially one may even use a mixture of displacement agent with impurities that are purged by the injection process itself in the first oil reservoir.

Abstract: Oil recovery from formations is effected using a gas stream containing steam, carbon dioxide and nitrogen which is injected into the formation to form a water-oil mixture which is removed from the formation. The gas stream is formed by wet oxidation of a carbonaceous material which includes residual oil in the aqueous material remaining from oil separation.

Abstract: A process for enhanced oil recovery by gas injection into oil-bearing formations which comprises wet oxidizing combustible carbonaceous materials with oxygen, air or a mixture of oxygen and air to obtain a gas comprising a mixture of water vapor and carbon dioxide (and nitrogen in the event air is used), substantially free of oxides of sulfur and nitrogen; injecting said gaseous mixture into an oil-bearing formation to produce a mixture of oil and water; extracting said mixture of oil and water from the oil-bearing formation; separating the water from the latter mixture; and recycling the water to the wet oxidation reactor. Residual oil in the recycled water provides additional fuel for the wet oxidation reaction, and at the same time the need for costly water treatment is eliminated.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for recovering organic liquid such as gasoline which has settled on the water table in underground areas. The system comprises a conduit extending from the ground surface to a point just above the water table, a collection head fitted on the lower end of the conduit, a collection vessel connected to the upper end of the conduit and an exhaust means for creating less than atmospheric pressure in the vessel. The collection head has a liquid impermeable end portion and a liquid permeable intermediate portion for permitting the passage of liquid.

Abstract: Land-fill gas containing principally methane and carbon dioxide is injected into a partially depleted oil reservoir to stimulate crude oil production. Solution of injected gas, especially carbon dioxide, in the crude oil materially reduces its viscosity which together with pressurization increases oil flow. Gas separated from produced oil is fractionated into valuable methane-rich gas and carbon dioxide-rich gas which is recycled to the oil reservoir. Part or all of the land-fill gas may be first fractionated and the resultant carbon dioxide-rich gas then injected into the reservoir.

Abstract: The recovery of petroleum produced from an oil reservoir is enhanced by injecting water such as from a geopressured aquifer having a natural gas content at or near saturation at a temperature above 300.degree. F. into the oil reservoir at a flow rate sufficient to develop a back-pressure in the oil reservoir equal to between about 80% of its fracture pressure and a pressure below its fracture pressure and producing oil from the oil reservoir when the injection of water necessary to maintain the back-pressure below the oil reservoir fracture pressure drops below a predetermined level. The recovery of petroleum also is enhanced by using sand screening means to complete a portion of the well bore penetrating into the oil reservoir and a straddle packer assembly means which can be raised and lowered relative to the screening means.

Abstract: High sulfur crude oil is desulfurized by a low temperature (25.degree.-80.degree. C.) chlorinolysis at ambient pressure in the absence of organic solvent or diluent but in the presence of water (water/oil=0.3) followed by a water and caustic wash to remove sulfur and chlorine containing reaction products. The process can be practiced at the well site for the recovery of desulfurized oil used to generate steam for injection into the well for enhanced oil recovery.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multistage process for the removal of tar, water and particulate contaminants from a hot product gas resulting from the in-situ gasification of an underground coal deposit, which comprises passing the hot product gas through a first heat exchange zone in indirect heat exchange relationship with a gasification gas to thereby sufficiently reduce the temperature of the product gas so as to separate the tar present in the product gas and provide a substantially tar-free product gas. Thereafter, the tar-free product gas is withdrawn from the first heat exchange zone and passed through at least one subsequent heat exchange zone in indirect or direct heat exchange relationship with a heat exchange material which has a lower temperature than the product gas. A major portion of the water originally present in the hot product gas is removed in the subsequent heat exchange zone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for breaking an oil-in-water emulsion, in particular a raw emulsion produced in in situ tar sand plants, by first contacting with a polyethylene polymeric resin having a molecular weight in the range of 100,000 and 7,000,000 the raw emulsions; allowing to stand for two to four hours; adding a hydrocarbon diluent, optionally containing a larger amount of resin and then removing a mixture of diluent and oil floating on the water surface.

Abstract: A cylindrical housing is adapted to receive and discharge fluid in a subterranean well. In a preferred form, a plate is positioned in the cylinder separating it into first and second chambers. Filter adapter receiving means are disposed across the plate, with a filter adapter securable therein, the adapter having a passageway extending to the chambers. The adapter has a cylindrical housing having an enlarged cartridge positioning portion. A grooveway is defined on the adapter extending exteriorly therearound for securing one end of a cartridge filter. A cartridge filter is positionable on the adapter and provides a seal having an interiorly facing circumferentially extending lip for contact with the exterior of the cylindrical housing when the filter is located on the adapter, for sealingly securing the filter to the adapter.

Abstract: A process for thermally stimulating and upgrading oil production from a heavy oil reservoir wherein the heavy oil produced from the reservoir is combined with a hydrogen donor diluent and the mixture is subjected to thermal cracking to upgrade the heavy oil into more valuable hydrocarbon products. The cracked products are fractionated into a light end vapor fraction, an intermediate liquid fraction, a gas oil fraction and a pitch fraction, and at least a portion of the gas oil fraction is hydrogenated by contacting it with a hydrogen-containing gas stream to produce the hydrogen donor diluent combined with the heavy oil. The pitch fraction is subjected to partial oxidation to produce the hydrogen-containing gas stream and a by-product gas stream containing steam which is combined with additional steam and injected into the heavy oil reservoir to enhance the mobility of heavy oil contained therein.

Abstract: A method of natural gas production from wells drilled into geopressured aquifers containing methane saturated water, comprising using wells which permit initial flow of water with a complete absence of back pressure at the well head, and containing the flow of water until loss of pressure in the aquifer exsolves sufficient gas to reverse the gas/water permeability ratio, thus converting the flow entirely to natural gas and water vapor and creating a gas cap. A further embodiment is the subsequent use of rings of secondary wells of similar design, each ring located at approximately equal radial distances from the initial well, to produce similar gas caps which interact with-, and produce from-, the gas cap created by production from the initial well and the gas caps of the other secondary wells.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recovering natural gas from geopressured salt water by discharging the geopressured salt water from the subsurface strata into a variable volume tank at substantially atmospheric pressure. By flowing the discharged salt water over a plurality of mechanical baffles prior to entry of the salt water into the interior of the variable volume tank, release of the gas dissolved in the salt water is enhanced. In addition, electrodes are positioned in the path of the salt water flowing through the baffle area, and an AC electric current is established therethrough which aids in the release of additional hydrocarbon gases from the salt water. The pressurized hot salt water may also be utilized to generate electrical or mechanical energy before or after the release of the dissolved gases.

Abstract: An integrated in situ combustion process for recovering subterranean liquid and solid carbonaceous deposits in which the resulting flue gas of low heating value is combusted at substoichiometric conditions over two different oxidation catalysts in two combustion zones in series and is expanded in a gas turbine which drives the air compressor for injecting the combustion air into the underground carbonaceous deposit. One of the oxidation catalysts comprising platinum and at least one metal cocatalyst selected from Groups IIA and VIIB, Group VIII up through atomic No. 45, the lanthanides, chromium, zinc, silver, tin and antimony is provided to reduce the carbon monoxide in the combusted flue gas.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for breaking emulsions in fluids from in situ tar sands producing areas by adding thereto from 30 to 50 volume percent of a hydrocarbon diluent; an effective amount of a non-ionic water-soluble polyethylene oxide polymeric resin having a molecular weight in the range of 100,000 to 1,000,000 followed by the addition of 500 to 800 ppm of an alkali metal hydroxide which reacts with clays tending to stabilize the emulsion to prevent and remove clay deposits in the treating equipment. The hydroxide also enhances the ability of the resin to break the emulsion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for the recovery and removal of natural gas from a mine by liquefying and collecting the gas within the mine, and then transporting the liquified gas to the surface in a mobile tank. Natural gas is withdrawn from bore holes in a coal mine and liquefied using liquid nitrogen. A unique apparatus permits both the liquid nitrogen and the liquefied natural gas to be contained within a same insulated tank, enhancing the portable characteristics. Liquid nitrogen and its vapor are used to cool the natural gas so as to separate water and CO.sub.2. Means are disclosed for controlling the cooling by the cryogenic liquid by regulating the venting flow rate of its vapor in response to the pressure of the liquefied natural gas. The disclosed system eliminates the need for extensive piping and on-site pumping associated with conventional degasification processes.

Abstract: An oil-in-water emulsion of crude oil, water and surface active agents is broken by adding additional surface active agents, preferably relatively high equivalent weight petroleum sulfonates, to the emulsion and then subjecting the emulsion to conventional emulsion breaking techniques.

Abstract: A secondary oil recovery method and system utilizing a concentric tank arrangement receiving crude oil from an oil well in the inner tank thereof with the crude oil being heated by a solar furnace to facilitate separation of water, oil and gas with the water being disposed within the outer tank for insulation of the inner tank and for use in an injection well for water flooding with the gas being removed from the inner tank from a dome trap at the top thereof and separated oil being moved to a storage tank or other point of use from the inner tank. The solar furnace includes heat exchange tubes disposed in the inner and outer tanks and oriented in relation to a heat collector panel and provided with a heat exchange medium therein by which solar energy is used to heat the crude oil in the inner tank as well as the water at the bottom thereof and water in the outer tank.

Abstract: Petroleum is distilled into fractions and/or cracked to form gas and/or lighter oil fractions by pumping the oil into the boiler section of a unit disposed in a hot, deep, subterranean geothermal zone. The distillation can be aided by forming steam from the geothermal heat as a thermal carrier.