Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir comprises pre-heating by exposure to electromagnetic radiation from a electromagnetic radiation source, injecting through at least one injection well a solvent into the reservoir to dilute the hydrocarbons contained in the pre-conditioned portion, and producing through at least one production well a mixture of hydrocarbons and solvent. An apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir comprises at least one radio frequency antenna configured to transmit radio frequency energy into a subterranean reservoir, a power source to provide power to the at least one radio frequency antenna, at least one injection well configured to inject a solvent from a solvent supply source into the subterranean reservoir to lower the viscosity of the hydrocarbons, and at least one production well configured to produce a mixture comprising hydrocarbons and solvent from the subterranean reservoir.

Abstract: A method and system of generating a range of petroleum products from bitumen or heavy oil reservoir by installing wells from a combination of surface and underground well-head platforms while controlling carbon dioxide emissions during thermal recovery operations are provided.

Abstract: A method and system for feeding liquefied carbon-dioxide gas into the ground, by which liquefied carbon-dioxide gas can be efficiently permeated and diffused in a deep aquifer. The disclosed method for feeding liquefied carbon-dioxide gas into the ground includes the following steps:using a pumping well to pump up water from a deep aquifer to aboveground; creating injection water; applying pulsatile hydraulic pressure to the injection water; feeding the injection water to which pulsatile hydraulic pressure has been applied into the deep aquifer via an injection well; feeding liquefied carbon-dioxide gas—while maintaining carbon-dioxide gas in a liquefied condition—from a storage tank into the injection well to a depth having such pressure and temperature in which the liquefied condition can be maintained; mixing the liquefied carbon-dioxide gas—in the form of fine droplets—with the injection water, thereby generating a mixture of those two liquids.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for improving recovery of product from a subterranean carbonaceous deposit wherein there has been a reduction in product recovery from a production well, the processes comprising treating the deposit with a liquid that contains at least one of an oxoacid ester of phosphorous or an oxoacid acid ester of sulfur.

Abstract: A method of determining the inflow profile of an injection wellbore, comprising stopping injection of fluid into a formation, the formation intersected by a wellbore having a section uphole of the formation and a section within the formation, monitoring temperature at least partially along the uphole section of the wellbore and at least partially along the formation section of the wellbore, injecting fluid into the formation once the temperature in the uphole section of the wellbore increases, and monitoring the movement of the increased temperature fluid as it moves from the uphole section of the wellbore along the formation section of the wellbore. The monitoring may be performed using a distributed temperature sensing system.

Abstract: A modified process for recovering oil from an underground reservoir using the an in situ combustion process. A diluent, namely a hydrocarbon condensate, is injected within a separate wellbore, or alternatively within said separate wellbore and via tubing in a horizontal wellbore portion, preferably proximate the toe, of a vertical-horizontal well pair, to increase mobility of oil.

Abstract: A system for producing oil and/or gas from an underground formation comprising a first well above the formation; a second well above the formation; the first well comprises a mechanism to inject a miscible enhanced oil recovery formulation into the formation; the first well comprises a seal comprising a composite material, the composite material comprising a plurality of fibers in a matrix, the matrix material comprising a fluorinated polymer or a polyketone, the seal adapted to contain the miscible enhanced oil recovery formulation within a tubular; and the second well comprises a mechanism to produce oil and/or gas from the formation.

Abstract: A modified process for recovering oil from an underground reservoir using the an in situ combustion process. A diluent, namely a hydrocarbon condensate, is injected within a separate wellbore, or alternatively within said separate wellbore and via tubing in a horizontal wellbore portion, preferably proximate the toe, of a vertical-horizontal well pair, to increase mobility of oil.

Abstract: A method of determining the inflow profile of an injection wellbore, comprising stopping injection of fluid into a formation, the formation intersected by a wellbore having a section uphole of the formation and a section within the formation, monitoring temperature at least partially along the uphole section of the wellbore and at least partially along the formation section of the wellbore, injecting fluid into the formation once the temperature in the uphole section of the wellbore increases, and monitoring the movement of the increased temperature fluid as it moves from the uphole section of the wellbore along the formation section of the wellbore. The monitoring may be performed using a distributed temperature sensing system.

Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery method and apparatus for thermal processing of polymer-based waste to produce organic and inorganic processed materials. The organic and inorganic processed materials are injected as an injection stream into the ground to liberate ground oil. The liberated ground oil is withdrawn from the ground. The injection stream interacts with the ground oil to form a new oil and the new oil including the ground oil is withdrawn from the ground. Thermal processing is done with pyrolysis of waste tires.

Abstract: Methods for maintaining the rheology and reducing the fluid loss of chrome-free, aqueous-based wellbore fluids under high temperature-high pressure conditions are disclosed. The method may comprise formulating the chrome-free, aqueous wellbore fluid with an aqueous base fluid, at least one chrome-free viscosifier, at least one chrome-free fluid loss control additive, at least one chrome-free dispersant; and circulating the chrome-free aqueous-based wellbore fluid in a wellbore at temperatures exceeding 300° F.

Abstract: A modified process for recovering oil from an underground reservoir using the toe-to-heel in situ combustion process. A diluent, namely a hydrocarbon condensate, is injected within a horizontal wellbore portion, preferably proximate the toe, of a vertical-horizontal well pair, or alternatively into an adjacent injection well, or both, to increase mobility of oil.

Abstract: A method of increasing biogenic production of a combustible gas from a subterranean geologic formation is described. The method may include extracting formation water from the geologic formation, where the extracted formation water includes at least a first species and a second species of microorganism. The method may also include analyzing the extracted formation water to identify the first species of microorganism that promotes the biogenic production of the combustible gas. An amendment may be introduced to the formation water to promote the growth of the first species of microorganism, and the biological characteristics of the formation water may be altered to decrease a population of the second species in the geologic formation.

Abstract: A process for utilizing microwaves to heat H2O within a subterranean region wherein the heated H2O contacts heavy oil in the subterranean region to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil and improve production of the heavy oil.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons from a region having adjacent strata divided by an impermeable or partially permeable barrier and, wherein at least one of the strata contains hydrocarbons, comprises of sufficiently heating one of the stratum to allow heat to be conducted to the hydrocarbon containing stratum and producing hydrocarbons therefrom. In one aspect, both strata contain hydrocarbons, such as bitumen, and heat is generated by a steam assisted gravity drainage process to the adjacent stratum. Heat may also be generated by in-situ combustion of hydrocarbons to preheat an adjacent stratum, or by electrical heating. Once pre-conditioned to a higher in-situ temperature, hydrocarbon production may be facilitated by diluting the target pre-heated hydrocarbon bearing stratum with solvent injection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to in situ combustion. Configurations of injection and production wells facilitate the in situ combustion. A first production well disposed in a first oil bearing reservoir is spaced from a second production well disposed in a second oil bearing reservoir separated from the first oil bearing reservoir by a stratum having lower permeability than the first and second oil bearing reservoirs. The stratum isolates one of the first and second production wells from one of the first and second oil bearing reservoirs. In situ combustion through the first oil bearing reservoir generates heat that irradiates into the second oil bearing reservoir to enable producing hydrocarbon with the second production well.

Abstract: A method of oil production is provided. The method includes forming an injection well and a production well. The method also includes pumping a mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide (CO2) into the injection well. In addition, the method also includes minimizing gravity segregation by providing a relatively high level of CO2 in the mixture.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation described herein include providing heat to a first portion of the formation from a plurality of heaters in the first portion, producing produced through one or more production wells in a second portion of the formation, reducing or turning off heat provided to the first portion after a selected time, providing an oxidizing fluid through one or more of the heater wells in the first portion, providing heat to the first portion and the second portion through oxidation of at least some hydrocarbons in the first portion, and producing fluids through at least one of the production wells in the second portion. The produced fluids may include at least some oxidized hydrocarbons produced in the first portion.

Abstract: Methods for treating a tar sands formation are described herein. Methods for treating a tar sands may include heating a portion of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the portion. The heat may be controlled to increase the permeability of at least part of the portion to create an injection zone in the portion with an average permeability sufficient to allow injection of a fluid through the injection zone. A drive fluid and/or an oxidizing fluid may be provided into the injection zone. At least some hydrocarbons including mobilized hydrocarbons are produced from the portion.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon production apparatus comprises an injection well, perforated casing, hydrocarbon viscosity reducing fluid injection tubing, a first wellbore restrictor, and a production well. The injection well is bored above the production well within a hydrocarbon reservoir below a ground surface. The injection well comprises a heel end and a toe end. The perforated casing is positioned along a length of the injection well. The hydrocarbon viscosity reducing fluid injection tubing is disposed within the injection well and has a hydrocarbon viscosity reducing fluid injection end. The first wellbore restrictor is transversely disposed within the perforated casing to control hydrocarbon viscosity reducing fluid flow along the injection well, the first wellbore restrictor being spaced closer to the toe end of the injection well than the hydrocarbon viscosity reducing fluid injection end of the hydrocarbon viscosity reducing fluid injection tubing is to the toe end.

Abstract: A method for treating water at a water treatment facility is provided. In one aspect, the water has been circulated through a subsurface formation in a shale oil development area. The subsurface formation may comprise shale that has been spent due to pyrolysis of formation hydrocarbons. The method in one embodiment includes receiving the water at the water treatment facility, and treating the water at the water treatment facility in order to (i) substantially separate oil from the water, (ii) substantially remove organic materials from the water, (iii) substantially reduce hardness and alkalinity of the water, (iv) substantially remove dissolved inorganic solids from the water, and/or (v) substantially remove suspended solids from the water. The method may further includes delivering the water that has been treated at the water treatment facility re-injecting the treated water into the subsurface formation to continue leaching out contaminants from the spent shale.

Abstract: A method and system of producing hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon containing subterranean hydrate reservoir is disclosed. Waste heat is captured and transferred to a hydrocarbon bearing hydrate formation to dissociate hydrates into natural gas and water. The waste heat can be heat generated from surface facilities such as a Gas To Liquids (GTL) plant, a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant, an electric or power generation plant, and an onshore or offshore facility producing other conventional or unconventional hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir. Alternatively, the waste heat can be obtained from subterranean reservoirs such as hydrocarbon containing producing wells and geothermal wells producing heated water.

Abstract: A method and system for the use of low quality fuel and solids-rich water, like fine tailings or lime sludge, for extracting bitumen from shallow and deep underground oil sand formations. The method includes the steps of combustion fuel and oxidizing gas, mixing hot combustion gas with solids-rich water under controlled pressure, gasifying the liquid water to steam and solids, removing the solids from the gas phase to generate a solid lean gas, recovering the heat and condensing the steam to generate hot water, mixing the hot water with oilsands ore for extracting bitumen. The solid lean gas is mixed with saturated water to scrub the remaining solids and acid gases and produce saturated steam. The solids-rich saturated water is recycled and gasified by being mixed with the combustion gases, and the saturated steam is condensed to generate heat and condensate for steam generation for use in enhanced oil recovery.

Abstract: Methods of using geothermal energy to treat subsurface formations are described herein. Methods for using geothermal energy to treat a subsurface treatment area containing or proximate to hydrocarbons may include producing geothermally heated fluid from at least one subsurface region. Heat from at least a portion of the geothermally heated fluid may be transferred to the subsurface treatment area to heat the subsurface treatment area. At least some hydrocarbon fluids may be produced from the formation.

Abstract: A method for treating a tar sands formation is disclosed. The method includes heating a first portion of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the first portion. The heat is controlled to increase a fluid injectivity of the first portion. A drive fluid and/or an oxidizing fluid is injected and/or created in the first portion to cause at least some hydrocarbons to move from a second portion of the hydrocarbon layer to a third portion of the hydrocarbon layer. The second portion is between the first portion and the third portion. The first, second, and third portions are horizontally displaced from each other. The third portion is heated from one or more heaters located in the third portion. Hydrocarbons are produced from the third portion of the formation. The hydrocarbons include at least some hydrocarbons from the second portion of the formation.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrogen and extracting heavy oil from underground reserves is provided. This method includes providing a carbon monoxide source stream and a water vapor stream to a first reactor, wherein the first reactor comprises a water shift reactor and a membrane-type separation device. This method also includes separating the products of the water shift reactor, thereby producing at least a hydrogen-rich stream, and a high pressure off-gas stream. This method also includes providing the high pressure off-gas stream and an oxidant stream to a combustion chamber. This method also includes combusting the oxidant stream and the high pressure off-gas stream as at least part of a combustion cycle thereby producing a hot injection gas stream. This method also includes combining the hot injection gas stream with a liquid water stream, wherein the combined stream may be used to heat the underground reserve sufficiently to release petroleum hydrocarbons therefrom.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for spalling a material, for example to thermally drill a wellhole, are provided. Such methods may include directing a fluid having a temperature greater than about 500° C. above the ambient temperature of the material and less than about the temperature of the brittle-ductile transition temperature of the material to a target location on the surface of the material, wherein the fluid produces a heat flux of about 0.1 to about 50 MW/m2 at an interface between the fluid and the target location, and thereby creating spalls of the material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for spalling a geological formation, for example to thermally drill a wellhole, are provided. Such methods may include providing a housing comprising a reaction chamber and a catalyst element held within the reaction chamber, providing at least one jet nozzle, contacting one or more unreacted fluids or solids with the catalyst element, wherein the unreacted fluid or solid is adapted to react over the catalyst element, thus generating a reacted fluid, and emitting the reacted fluid through the at least one nozzle, wherein the at least one nozzle is directed to an excavation site within or on the geological rock formation, thereby creating spalls and/or a reacted rock region.

Abstract: A system including a mechanism for recovering oil and/or gas from an underground formation, the oil and/or gas comprising one or more sulfur compounds; a mechanism for converting at least a portion of the sulfur compounds from the recovered oil and/or gas into a carbon disulfide formulation; and a mechanism for releasing at least a portion of the carbon disulfide formulation into a formation.

Abstract: The present invention aims at recovering unconventional oil in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way that has the potential of eliminating the need of natural gas currently employed for steam production and power generation. Our invention aims at providing low temperature steam for the stimulation of the formation by means of solar radiation. In addition we propose a novel solution for hydrogen production that does not employ reforming of natural gas. We also illustrate how the use of thermoelectric devices in combination with low temperature steam can be employed to power an electrolysis plant to generate the hydrogen necessary to produce synthetic oil.

Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery method and apparatus for thermal processing of polymer-based waste to produce organic and inorganic processed materials. The organic and inorganic processed materials are injected as an injection stream into the ground to liberate ground oil. The liberated ground oil is withdrawn from the ground. The injection stream interacts with the ground oil to form a new oil and the new oil including the ground oil is withdrawn from the ground. Thermal processing is done with pyrolysis of waste tires.

Abstract: An aqueous fluid useful for the recovery of crude oil from a subterranean formation, including water and one or more organophosphorus materials and methods for using same.

Abstract: Methods of generating subsurface heat for treatment of a hydrocarbon containing formation are described herein. Methods include providing steam to at least a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation from a plurality of locations in a wellbore. The steam is hotter than a temperature of the portion. The steam is heated in the wellbore by combusting a stream comprising hydrogen sulfide in the wellbore. Heat from the combustion transfers to the steam. The steam provided the portion at a first location in the wellbore is hotter than steam provided at a second location in the wellbore along the length of the wellbore, where the first location is further from a surface of the formation than the second location along the length of the wellbore.

Abstract: Methods of generating subsurface heat for treatment of a hydrocarbon containing formation are described herein. Methods include providing water through one or more wellbores to at least a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation and combusting at least a portion of a fuel stream comprising hydrogen sulfide in the presence of an oxygen source in one or more heaters positioned in one of the wellbores to produce a combustion by-products stream. Heat from the combustion is transferred to a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation. The combustion by-products stream includes one or more sulfur oxides. Heat of solution is released by contacting at least a portion of the combustion by-products stream with a portion of the water and/or a portion of water in the hydrocarbon containing formation.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting hydrocarbon products from oil sands using nuclear energy sources for power to decrease the viscosity of bitumen in oil sands deposits and provide sufficient heat and pressure to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products. Steps for extracting the hydrocarbon products form the oil sands deposits are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating a nahcolite containing subsurface formation includes solution mining a first nahcolite bed above a hydrocarbon containing layer using a plurality of first solution mining wells. A second nahcolite bed is solution mined below the hydrocarbon containing layer using a plurality of second solution mining wells. At least one of the first solution mining wells is converted into a production well. The hydrocarbon containing layer is heated using a plurality of heaters. Formation fluid is produced from at least one converted first solution mining well.

Abstract: A system for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation is described. A conduit may be located in an opening in the formation. The conduit includes ferromagnetic material. An electrical conductor is positioned inside the conduit, and is electrically coupled to the conduit at or near an end portion of the conduit so that the electrical conductor and the conduit are electrically coupled in series. Electrical current flows in the electrical conductor in a substantially opposite direction to electrical current flow in the conduit during application of electrical current to the system. The flow of electrons is substantially confined to the inside of the conduit by the electromagnetic field generated from electrical current flow in the electrical conductor so that the outside surface of the conduit is at or near substantially zero potential at 25° C. The conduit may generate heat and heat the formation during application of electrical current.

Abstract: A method for treating an oil shale formation comprising nahcolite is disclosed. The method includes providing a first fluid to a portion of the formation through at least two injection wells. A second fluid is produced from the portion through at least one injection well until at least two injection wells are interconnected such that fluid can flow between the two injection wells. The second fluid includes at least some nahcolite dissolved in the first fluid. The first fluid is injected through one of the interconnected injection wells. The second fluid is produced from at least one of the interconnected injection wells. Heat is provided from one or more heaters to the formation to heat the formation. Hydrocarbon fluids are produced from the formation.

Abstract: A method for treating an oil shale formation comprising nahcolite includes providing a first fluid to a portion of the formation. A second fluid is produced from the portion. The second fluid includes at least some nahcolite dissolved in the first fluid. A controlled amount of oxidant is provided to the portion of the formation. Hydrocarbon fluids are produced from the formation.

Abstract: A method of dissociating methane hydrate deposits in-situ is provided in which a supply of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and fuel are provided, the oxygen and the carbon dioxide are mixed to form an oxidizer fluid, and the fuel is combusted downhole by reacting it with the oxidizer fluid to provide hot combustion products. The combustion products are placed in contact with a diluent fluid to produce a cooled product fluid at a temperature higher than the prevailing methane hydrate decomposition temperature. The cooled product fluid is injected into the methane hydrate deposit decomposing the hydrate and releasing natural gas.

Abstract: A method of bringing hydrocarbons from a well into production by introducing encapsulated bubbles into the fluid in the production string to reduce the hydrostatic pressure holding the hydrocarbons in the reservoir. For reservoirs where the reservoir pressure has been depleted to the point where the reservoir pressure is not sufficient to push a column of hydrocarbons to the surface at an acceptable rate, encapsulated bubbles can be continuously introduced into the production string at a suitable depth to reduce the pressure required to bring hydrocarbons to the surface and allowing the encapsulated bubbles to be recovered and recycled.

Abstract: A process for improved safety and productivity when undertaking oil recovery from an underground reservoir by the toe-to-heel in situ combustion process employing a horizontal production well. Water, steam, and/or a non-oxidizing gas, which in the preferred embodiment substantially comprises carbon dioxide which acts as a gaseous solvent, is injected into the reservoir for improving recovery in an in situ combustion recovery process, via either an injection well, a horizontal well, or both.

Abstract: A process for improved safety and productivity when undertaking oil recovery from an underground reservoir by the toe-to-heel in situ combustion process employing a horizontal production well. Water, steam, and/or a non-oxidizing gas, which in the preferred embodiment substantially comprises carbon dioxide which acts as a gaseous solvent, is injected into the reservoir for improving recovery in an in situ combustion recovery process, via either an injection well, a horizontal well, or both.

Abstract: A system including a mechanism for recovering oil and/or gas from an underground formation, the oil and/or gas comprising one or more sulfur compounds; a mechanism for converting at least a portion of the sulfur compounds from the recovered oil and/or gas into a carbon disulfide formulation; and a mechanism for releasing at least a portion of the carbon disulfide formulation into a formation.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for in-situ extraction of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon bearing formation. The system includes a well drilled through a hydrocarbon bearing formation, and a completion unit that places an injection tube near a fluid injection of a target zone and a production tube near a fluid production point of the target zone. The injection tube comprising a tube with an inner diameter between about 1 inch and about 2 inches. The system includes a heat source, and a thermal conduit fluid that delivers heat from the heat source to the target zone. A mixer mixes an oxygen mixture and an injection unit injects the oxygen mixture into the depleted target zone to combust a coke remainder within the target zone. The system further includes a recycling unit configured to circulate a cool gas through the heated target zone to absorb the thermal energy disposed in the heated target zone.

Abstract: A method to stimulate the biogenic production of a metabolite with enhanced hydrogen content that includes forming an opening in a geologic formation to provide access to a consortium of microorganisms, and injecting water into the opening to disperse at least a portion of the consortium over a larger region of a hydrocarbon deposit. The method may also include measuring a change in the rate of production of the metabolite in the formation. Also, an method to stimulate biogenic production of a metabolite that includes measuring a salinity level of formation water in a geologic formation, and injecting water into the opening to reduce the salinity level of the formation water in the formation. The method may also include measuring a change in the rate of production of the metabolite in the formation.

Abstract: A process for improved safety and productivity when undertaking oil recovery from an underground reservoir by the toe-to-heel in situ combustion process employing a horizontal production well. Water, steam, and/or a non-oxidizing gas, which in the preferred embodiment substantially comprises carbon dioxide which acts as a gaseous solvent, is injected into the reservoir for improving recovery in an in situ combustion recovery process, via either an injection well, a horizontal well, or both.

Abstract: Methods of using geothermal energy to treat subsurface formations are described herein. Methods for using geothermal energy to treat a subsurface treatment area containing or proximate to hydrocarbons may include producing geothermally heated fluid from at least one subsurface region. Heat from at least a portion of the geothermally heated fluid may be transferred to the subsurface treatment area to heat the subsurface treatment area. At least some hydrocarbon fluids may be produced from the formation.

Abstract: Method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation are described herein. Methods may include providing heat to a first section of the formation with one or more first heaters in the first section. First hydrocarbons may be heated in the first section such that at least some of the first hydrocarbons are mobilized. At least some of the mobilized first hydrocarbons may be produced through a production well located in a second section of the formation. The second section may be located substantially adjacent to the first section. A portion of the second section may be provided some heat from the mobilized first hydrocarbons, but is not conductively heated by heat from the first heaters. Heat may be provided to the second section with one or more second heaters in the second section to further heat the second section.

Abstract: The recovery of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon bearing rock, sands or other geological materials (collectively “rock”) uses a recovery fluid. In certain embodiments, the recovery fluid includes miscible compounds or an azeotrope-forming mixture (including an azeotrope), used alone or with other compositions. Two or more compounds in the recovery fluid yield a mixture with different and/or improved characteristics over those of one or more of the component compounds in both liquid and vapor states.