Abstract: A method of preparing and using a subterranean formation stabilization agent. The stabilization agent includes a guanidyl copolymer and may be admixed with a fracturing fluid and optionally brine. The stabilization agent is effective in preventing and/or reducing, for example, clay swelling and fines migration from a subterranean formation contacted with the stabilization agent.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to enhanced oil recovery methods for highly viscous oil reservoirs containing large amounts of mobile water. One method includes injecting a carbon disulfide formulation or fluid into the formation via a first well and displacing the mobile water from the formation with the carbon disulfide fluid. The highly viscous oil is then solubilized using the carbon disulfide fluid, thereby generating a mixture of mobilized oil. The mixture of mobilized oil is then forced towards a second well and subsequently produced from the second well.

Abstract: Methods for improving the quality of hydrocarbon fluids produced by in situ pyrolysis or mobilization of organic-rich rock, such as oil shale, coal, or heavy oil. The methods involve reducing the content of olefins, which can lead to precipitation and sludge formation in pipelines and during storage of produced oils. The olefin content is reduced by arranging wells and controlling well pressures such that hydrocarbon fluids generated in situ are caused to pass through and contact pyrolyzed zones in which coke has been left. This contacting chemically hydrogenates a portion of the olefins in the pyrolysis oil by reducing the hydrogen content of the coke.

Abstract: A system and process are provided for recovering petroleum from a formation. An oil recovery formulation comprising at least 75 mol % dimethyl sulfide that is first contact miscible with a liquid petroleum composition is introduced into a subterranean petroleum bearing formation comprising heavy oil, extra heavy oil, or bitumen, and petroleum is produced from the formation.

Abstract: One undeveloped alternative fuel is methane dissolved in ground water. Equipment for extracting methane from ground water is readily available. This Application presents a process to produce and use dissolved natural gas in the United States. The process includes the use of production wells, pumps, gas/water separators, compressors, low pressure gathering lines, and water disposal wells. Dissolved methane is present in virtually every basin now known to produce oil and dry gas. The Great Valley of California alone contains undeveloped dissolved methane resources of about 1,200 trillion cubic feet (TCF). Dry gas production in 150 years was about 10 TCF. The first full scale test of the extraction process was completed on Jul. 7-8, 2010 in California. Laboratory analyses of the gas produced showed that it was equal in heat value (about 940 to 975 BTU per cubic foot) to dry gas produced from the same field.

Abstract: A system and process are provided for recovering petroleum from a formation. An oil recovery formulation comprising at least 75 mol % dimethyl sulfide that is first contact miscible with a liquid petroleum composition is introduced into a petroleum bearing formation, an oil immiscible formulation is introduced into the formation subsequent to introduction of the oil recovery formulation into the formation, and petroleum is produced from the formation.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating an oil reservoir to reduce the amount of sulfide in the production fluid obtained from a production well. The production fluid is treated with nitrate and/or nitrite ions, or another inorganic oxidizing agent, in an aqueous solution that is added to an injection well that is in contact with the production well.

Abstract: A system and process are provided for recovering petroleum from a formation. An oil recovery formulation comprising at least 75 mol % dimethyl sulfide that is first contact miscible with a liquid petroleum composition is introduced into a petroleum bearing formation and petroleum is produced from the formation.

Abstract: A system and process are provided for recovering petroleum from a formation. An oil recovery formulation comprising at least 75 vol. % dimethyl sulfide is introduced into a subterranean petroleum bearing formation and petroleum is produced from the formation.

Abstract: Certain viscous oil reservoirs are too deep to be commercially mined but lack an adequate top seal to employ in situ recovery methods such as SAGD. Without an adequate top seal, gases from the reservoir can rise into overlying aquifers and potentially to the surface. While ice-like hydrates would not normally form above the oil reservoir during in situ recovery, an additive can be added to promote hydrate formation. In this way, a hydrate barrier can be formed to act as a top seal to contain these gases.

Abstract: The present invention is an in-situ apparatus for generating carbon dioxide gas at an oil site for use in enhanced oil recovery (EOR). The apparatus includes a steam generator adapted to boil and superheat water to generate a source of superheated steam, as well as a source of essentially pure oxygen. The apparatus also includes a steam reformer adapted to react a carbonaceous material with the superheated steam and the pure oxygen, in an absence of air, to generate a driver gas comprising primarily carbon dioxide gas and hydrogen gas. A separator is adapted to separate at least a portion of the carbon dioxide gas from the rest of the driver gas to generate a carbon dioxide-rich driver gas and a hydrogen-rich fuel gas. A compressor is used for compressing the carbon dioxide-rich driver gas for use in enhanced oil recovery, and the compressed carbon dioxide-rich driver gas, with substantially no oxygen, is injected to a predetermined depth in order to enhance oil recovery at the oil site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of extracting hydrocarbons from an oil matrix, either above the surface or in site in an oil deposit and to methods for treating soils contaminated with hydrocarbons and other contaminants. The methods of the present invention are based on the use of a citrus-based solvent and ultrasound energy to extract hydrocarbons from an oil matrix and to treat soils contaminated with organic and/or inorganic contaminants.

Abstract: Techniques for reducing a carbon emissions intensity of a fuel includes injecting a carbon dioxide fluid into a first wellbore; producing a hydrocarbon fluid from a second wellbore to a terranean surface; and producing a fuel from the produced hydrocarbon fluid, the fuel including a low-carbon fuel and assigned an emissions credit based on a source of the carbon dioxide fluid.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving recovery from a subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir are described. A method includes drilling a horizontal well in a zone proximate to a contiguous section of cap rock over a reservoir interval. A refrigerant is flowed through the horizontal well to freeze water in the zone, forming a freeze wall in contact with the contiguous section of cap rock. A chamber is formed above the reservoir interval, wherein the chamber includes the contiguous section of cap rock and at least one freeze wall.

Abstract: Methods and systems relate to recovering hydrocarbons from within formations in which hydrocarbon bearing reservoirs are separated from one another by a fluid flow obstructing natural stratum. Relative to the reservoirs, the stratum inhibits or blocks vertical fluid flow within the formation. Lateral bores divert from lengths of injector and producer wells along where extending in a horizontal direction. These bores pass upward through the formation to intersect the stratum and provide an array of fluid flow paths through the stratum. In a side direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction of the wells, the lateral bores from the injector well pass through the stratum inside of where the lateral bores from the producer well pass through stratum. Fluid communication established by the bores limits counter-current flow through the bores in processes that rely on techniques such as gravity drainage.

Abstract: Method of recovering oil from a subterranean formation which comprises a step of injecting an aqueous composition comprising alkyl and/or alk(en)yl oligolucoside (ether) carboxylates into the subterranean formation and method of alkali-surfactant flooding and alkali-surfactant-polymer-flooding using such alkyl and/or alk(en)yl oligolucoside (ether) carboxylates.

Abstract: Gas Stream Production The present invention provides a method for the production of carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen gas streams, the method comprising: (i) thermally treating a feedstock material to produce a syngas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen and plasma-treating the syngas in a plasma treatment unit; (ii) reacting the plasma-treated syngas with water in a further treatment unit, whereby at least some of the carbon monoxide is converted into carbon dioxide; and (iii) recovering hydrogen and/or, separately, carbon dioxide from the syngas.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for enhancing the productivity of oil wells involving the introduction of specifically determined amounts of pulsed electrical stimulation to the well reservoir by applying electrical current thereto through the well head and well casing for predetermined amounts of time.

Abstract: Methods for hydrocarbon recovery from a subsurface formation include removing a mixture comprising hydrocarbons and particulate solids from a first formation. At least a portion of the hydrocarbons are separated from the particulate solids. The particulate solids are separated into a plurality of streams. A mixed slurry comprising a first portion of the plurality of streams is injected through a first pipe into the first formation. A waste stream comprising a second portion of the plurality of streams is injected through a second pipe into a second formation. The first formation and the second formation lie in a substantially vertical line.

Abstract: An underwater placed assembly produces gas or gas and oil/condensate from a subsea gaseous reservoir, where at least one production well is provided from the seabed to a production zone and at least one water injection well is provided from the seabed to an injection zone. The assembly includes: a pressure increasing device connected to the outlet of the production well in order to increase the pressure in a production flow from the production well, and a water turbine that is connected to and driving the pressure increasing device.

Abstract: Novel derivatives of tris(2-hydroxyphenyl)methanes which have, as functional groups, polyalkoxy groups unmodified or modified with terminal hydrophilic groups, preparation of such compounds and use thereof, especially for mineral oil production.

Abstract: The invention relates to an enhanced recovery method that optimizes the stages of pumping, transport and surface treatment of the production effluent. The method of the invention comprises the following stages: injecting into said reservoir (1) a sweep fluid comprising at least one polymer so as to displace said hydrocarbons towards at least one production well (4), collecting a production effluent comprising the hydrocarbons through production well (4), injecting into said effluent at least one degradation agent for said polymer.

Abstract: Methods and systems relate to steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) utilizing well pairs that are at least initially in fluid communication through drilled bores toward their toe ends. At least one of a horizontal injection well and horizontal production well of such a well pair includes a hooked length toward toe ends of each other connecting said injection well and said production well. The methods and systems improve SAGD oil production, reduce SAGD start-up time and costs, and improve overall SAGD performance.

Abstract: Methods and systems for in situ extraction of bitumen from deposits of bitumen-containing material are described. The methods and systems can generally include establishing freeze walls within the deposit of bitumen-containing material to establish a confined zone into which solvents can be injected in order to extract bitumen from the bitumen-containing deposits. Different types of solvents can be sequentially injected in order to extract bitumen and also help reduce the amount of solvent left behind in the deposit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for forecasting performance of polymer flooding of an oil reservoir system. For example, property data of the oil reservoir system and polymer flooding scenario data are received. Numerical simulations are performed to generate values of an effective mobility ratio and response time for the polymer and water flooding. A correlation for the polymer flooding effective mobility ratio is determined and used in a predictive model to generate polymer and water flooding performance data, representative of oil recovery by the polymer and water flooding of the oil reservoir system.

Abstract: The present techniques provide methods and systems for fracturing reservoirs without directly treating them. For example, an embodiment provides a method for fracturing a subterranean formation. The method includes causing a volumetric increase in a zone proximate to the subterranean formation so as to apply a mechanical stress to the subterranean formation, creating a fracture network in the subterranean formation to improve permeability therein.

Abstract: A method and systems for using a non-volatile solvent to recover heavy oils are provided. In a method a solvent that includes a non-volatile component is injected into the reservoir. A mobilizing fluid is injected into the reservoir. Fluid is produced from the reservoir, wherein the fluid comprises the solvent, the mobilizing fluid, and the hydrocarbons from the reservoir.

Abstract: A method and systems are provided for the enhancement of a start-up of a resource recovery process. The system includes a well pair including a production well at a first elevation and an injection well at a higher elevation. The well pair is configured to force an initial fluid communication between the production well and the injection well to occur at a selected region along a completion of the production well and a completion of the injection well.

Abstract: A method of drilling a first well and a second well into the reservoir includes forming a conduit between the first well and the second well. The conduit is filled with a conduit material. Finally, a low viscosity fluid is injected into the conduit to establish fluid communication between the first well and the second well.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons may be produced from a well which comprises a contour section that follows a contour of a depression on a contoured base above which the reservoir is formed. Hydrocarbons may also be produced from a first well in a gravity-controlled recovery process and a second well which extends under and across the first well. For recovery of hydrocarbons from a reservoir, a pair of injection and production wells may be positioned and configured to optimize an initial rate of production from a pay region in the reservoir, and another well for producing hydrocarbons may be located below the production well and be positioned and configured to optimize an amount of hydrocarbon recovery from the pay region.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for in-situ upgrading bitumen or heavy oils during thermal recovery operations. In one embodiment, steam injection for thermal recovery of bitumen in a dolomitic or limestone reservoir matrix material can be carried out at a higher temperature, a higher pressure, a longer dwell time or a combination of all three to allow the mobilized bitumen to remain in contact with the catalytic materials in the dolomitic or limestone reservoir matrix material for longer times at higher temperatures and pressures. In another embodiment, catalytic materials such as for example, oxides or carbonates of calcium, magnesium, potassium, nickel and/or iron can be injected into the reservoir along with steam to further enhance catalytic activity during the heating, mobilization and recovery phases of a thermal recovery operation.

Abstract: An in situ combustion process entailing the simultaneous production of liquids and combustion gases that combines fluid drive, gravity phase segregation and gravity drainage to produce hydrocarbons from a subterranean oil-bearing formation, comprising initially injecting a gas through a horizontal well placed high in the formation and producing combustion gas and oil through parallel and laterally offset horizontal wells that are placed low in the formation. wherein the reservoir exploitation proceeds with sequential conversion of production wells to injection wells in a line-drive mode of operation. The process may also be employed without in situ combustion, using instead a gaseous solvent or steam injection.

Abstract: There is provided a method for modeling a hydrocarbon reservoir that includes generating a reservoir model that has a plurality of coarse grid cells. A plurality of fine grid models is generated, wherein each fine grid model corresponds to one of the plurality of coarse grid cells that surround a flux interface. The method also includes simulating the plurality of fine grid models using a training simulation to obtain a set of training parameters, including a potential at each coarse grid cell surrounding the flux interface and a flux across the flux interface. A machine learning algorithm is used to generate a constitutive relationship that provides a solution to fluid flow through the flux interface. The method also includes simulating the hydrocarbon reservoir using the constitutive relationship and generating a data representation of a physical hydrocarbon reservoir in a non-transitory, computer-readable medium based on the results of the simulation.

Abstract: Clathrate reservoirs of Class II are modified in order to improve the ability to produce hydrocarbons from them. Specifically a method for improving producibility of subsurface clathrate formation underlain by a mobile aquifer includes drilling a borehole to a depth providing access to the mobile aquifer and injecting a material into the mobile aquifer such that the material passes through pore spaces and forms a barrier underlying the clathrate formation and substantially impeding fluid flow from the mobile aquifer into contact with the clathrate formation.

Abstract: A process to recover heavy oil from a hydrocarbon reservoir, said process comprising injecting oxygen-containing gas and steam separately injected via separate wells into the reservoir to cause heated hydrocarbon fluids to flow more readily to a production well, wherein: (i) the hydrocarbon is heavy oil (API from 10 to 20; with some initial gas injectivity (ii) the ratio of oxygen/steam injectant gas is controlled in the range from 0.05 to 1.00 (v/v) (iii) the process uses Cyclic Steam Stimulation or Steam Flooding techniques and well geometry, with extra well(s) or a segregated zone to inject oxygen gas wherein the oxygen contact zone within the reservoir is less than substantially 50 metres long.

Abstract: A process of increasing recovery rate of hydrocarbon from a reservoir of bituminous sands is disclosed. The process comprises softening bitumen in a region in the reservoir to generate a fluid comprising a hydrocarbon, to allow the fluid to drain by gravity from the region into a production well below the region for recovery of the hydrocarbon; and providing vapour of a compound to the region, and allowing the compound to disperse and condense in the region. The compound is represented by wherein (i) m is 1, and A is —NH2 or —N(H)CH2CH2OH; or (ii) m is 1 or greater than 1, and A is —OR1, R1 being an alkyl group. A mixture comprising steam and vapour of the compound for injection into the reservoir and a system for recovery of hydrocarbon from the reservoir are also disclosed.

Abstract: To protect an underground aquifer from pollution due to the extraction of subsurface products from a recovery well or other subsurface mining operation, a plurality of barrier injection wells are formed around the recovery well/subsurface operation, each barrier injection well terminating in a groundwater layer to be protected. A polymer matrix material is then into the injection wells such that the material exiting each injection well expands and overlaps with material exiting from adjacent wells prior to solidification, thereby forming an isolation barrier within the groundwater layer. In the preferred embodiment, the polymer matrix material is a cellulose polymer hydrogel matrix material which is injected in gel form. Following recovery of the hydrocarbonaceous products from the recovery well(s), the injected polymer matrix material may be reheated and subsequently liquefied allowing full groundwater flow to occur.

Abstract: A chemical composition and methods for use in the recovery of viscous oil and other desired hydrocarbons from subterranean reservoirs and from excavated material comprising oil sands or oil shale, and to remediate contaminated soil and subterranean reservoirs. Adding the composition to viscous oil renders it pipelineable by significantly reducing its viscosity. The chemical composition comprises an alkane, an ether, and an aromatic hydrocarbon. The composition is an organic solvent mixture that interacts highly favorably with non-polar hydrocarbons but is mostly immiscible with water and acts as a diluent, lowering the viscosity and raising the specific gravity of viscous oil. Additional water and heat are not required. Methods of using the composition in subterranean reservoirs and with excavated material including oil sands or oil shale and contaminated soil and subterranean reservoirs needing remediation, are highly efficient, economical, and reduce or eliminate adverse environmental consequences.

Abstract: A method is provided for drilling a well in a reservoir. The method includes planning a well trajectory for a serpentine well pair. The production well is drilled using lateral displacements and vertical displacements to follow a base of a pay interval in the reservoir. The production well is completed with perforations in regions comprising a hydrocarbon. At least a portion of the production well includes a liner with no perforations.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of hydrocarbon such as bitumen/EHO from a hydrocarbon bearing formation in which are situated an upper injection well and a lower production well, the method comprising the steps: preheating an area around and between the wells by circulating hot solvent through the completed interval of each of the wells until sufficient hydraulic communication between both wells is achieved; injecting one of more hydrocarbon solvents into the upper injection well at or above critical temperature of the solvent or solvent mixture, thereby causing a mixture of hydrocarbon and solvent to flow by gravity drainage to the lower production well; and producing the hydrocarbon to the surface through the lower production well. A non-condensable gas may be injected into the solvent chamber created by the hydrocarbon solvent.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using one or more electrolyzed aqueous solutions to treat subterranean reservoirs containing hydrocarbons are disclosed herein. In some cases, the methods include using an electrochemical cell to produce electrolyzed acidic water, electrolyzed alkaline water, and/or stabilized acidic water. In such cases, the electrolyzed acidic water, the electrolyzed alkaline water, and/or the stabilized acidic water is introduced to the well. While the electrolyzed water can be used for a variety of purposes, in some cases, it is used to improve hydraulic fracturing, water flooding, and well stimulation techniques. In some cases, the electrolyzed water is mixed with one or more other materials, such as a proppant, a hydraulic fracturing fluid, a polymer, or another additive. Additional implementations are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and instructions encoded in a computer-readable medium can perform operations related to simulating injection treatments applied to a subterranean formation from multiple well bores in the subterranean formation. A subterranean formation model representing rock blocks of a subterranean formation is received. Information on multiple injection treatments for multiple well bores in the subterranean formation is received. The subterranean formation model and the information on the injection treatments is used to predict a response of each of the rock blocks to forces acting on the rock block during the injection treatments. The injection treatments may include, for example, multiple fracture treatments for simultaneous application to the subterranean formation. In some implementations, injection treatments may be designed for a multiple-well bore system based on the predicted response of the rock blocks.

Abstract: Processes relating to the production of methane, carbon dioxide, gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons, and other valuable products from subterranean carbon bearing formations, in-situ, are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, such production utilizes indigenous and/or non-indigenous microbial consortia that are capable of converting a carbon bearing material such as shale or coal to desired products. In a particularly preferred embodiment there is provided a process for bioconverting a carbon-bearing subterranean formation, wherein the process comprises injecting fluid into a carbon bearing deposit with at least one injection well and removing injected fluid and product from the deposit through at least one production well, and controlling fluid pressure within at least a portion of the deposit by use of the injected fluid, the pressure being controlled such that the fluid pressure within at least a portion of the deposit exceeds the fluid pressure that normally exists in that portion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multi-step in situ extraction process for heavy oil reservoirs using a solvent having various steps, including, removing, from areas in contact with said heavy oil, solvent blockers to create voids and to increase an interfacial area of unextracted heavy oil contactable by said solvent and injecting solvent in vapour form into the voids to raise the reservoir pressure until sufficient solvent is present in a liquid form to fill the voids and to contact said increased interfacial area of said heavy oil. Next the reservoir is shut in for a period of time to permit said solvent to diffuse into said unextracted oil across said interfacial area from the solvent filled voids in a ripening step to create a reduced viscosity blend of solvent and oil and one or more reservoir characteristics is measured to confirm the extent of solvent dilution that has occurred of the unextracted oil in the reservoir.

Abstract: A method of recovering oil from a subterranean formation which includes an association production well involves contacting oil in the formation with a treatment fluid formulation which includes polyvinylalcohol and collecting oil which is being contacted with said treatment fluid formulation by said production well. Use of the polyvinylalcohol, optionally in combination with other materials, facilitates recovery of oil from subterranean formation, particularly those involving medium or high viscosity oils.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of heavy oil from an underground reservoir, comprising: injecting an oil-in-water nanoemulsion into one or more injection wells; recovering said heavy oil from one or more production wells. Said process is particularly advantageous for enhancing the recovery of heavy oils from underground reservoirs within the range of technologies for tertiary recovery, usually known as “EOR” (Enhanced Oil Recovery”).

Abstract: Water flood materials may contain an effective amount of a nano-sized particulate additive to inhibit or control the movement of fines within a subterranean formation during a water flood secondary recovery operation. The particulate additive may be an alkaline earth metal oxide, alkaline earth metal hydroxide, alkali metal oxide, alkali metal hydroxide, transition metal oxide, transition metal hydroxide, post-transition metal oxide, post-transition metal hydroxide, piezoelectric crystal, and/or pyroelectric crystal. The particle size of the magnesium oxide or other agent may be nanometer scale, which scale may provide unique particle charges that help control and stabilize the fines, e.g. clays.

Abstract: Compositions having shear-gelling and shear-thickening properties are based on an amphiphilic polymer combined with hydrophilic particles and polyethyleneoxide. The hydrophilic particles preferably consist of a hydrous sodium lithium magnesium silicate. The amphiphilic polymer may be a synthetic polymer, a hydrophobically modified biopolymer, or both. The compositions may be employed in enhanced oil recovery operations.

Abstract: A system for detecting and remediating a discharge of fuel from a fuel source facility is disclosed. The system can comprise a contamination detection subsystem configured to detect a discharge of fuel from the fuel source facility and a remediation subsystem configured to remediate contamination due to the discharge of fuel. A controller can automatically activate the remediation subsystem upon detection of a discharge by the contamination detection subsystem. The controller can automatically send a notification that a contamination has been detected and the remediation system has been activated. Alternatively or in addition, the controller can automatically send a notification that a contamination has been detected and the remediation system has been activated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using threshold scale inhibitors of the formula: wherein n is 2 or 3 and M is hydrogen or an alkali metal cation, for preventing calcium carbonate, iron carbonate, and calcium sulfate scale formation in oilwell brines containing dissolved iron.