Abstract: A method and apparatus include a first impermeable side wall disposed within a ground and a second impermeable side wall disposed within the ground. The apparatus even further includes a third impermeable gate wall disposed within the ground, the third impermeable side wall including a third height that is shorter than both a first height and a second height of the first and second impermeable side walls, a first end of the third impermeable side wall being coupled to a second end of the first impermeable side wall, and a second end of the third impermeable side wall being coupled to the second end of the second impermeable side wall.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon wells and methods cooperatively utilizing a gas lift assembly and an electric submersible pump, the hydrocarbon wells including a wellbore extending between a surface region and a subterranean formation, a downhole tubular defining a tubular conduit and extending within the wellbore, an electric pumping assembly, an electric power source, and a gas lift assembly. The methods include generating a pumped reservoir fluid stream, generating a gas lifted reservoir fluid stream, conveying the pumped reservoir fluid stream to a surface region via an ESP conduit, and conveying the gas lifted reservoir fluid stream to the surface region via an annular space that is distinct from the ESP conduit.

Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, systems and methods for controlling the direction of a drilling assembly within a borehole are described herein. An example system may include a housing 201 b (FIG. 2B) and a variable flow fluid pathway 203 (FIG. 2B) within the housing 201b. A fluid-controlled drive mechanism 209 (FIG. 2C) may be in fluid communication with the variable flow fluid pathway 203. Additionally, an offset mandrel 212 may be coupled to an output of the fluid-controlled drive mechanism 209. The offset mandrel 212 may be independently rotatable with respect to the housing 201b. The system may also include a bit shaft 216 pivotably coupled to the housing 201b and coupled to an eccentric receptacle of the offset mandrel 212.

Abstract: A system for removing liquids from an inclined wellbore includes a plug member positioned within a heel section of the inclined wellbore, the plug member including an orifice therethrough; a first tubular member having a first end for providing fluid flow from the first portion of the wellbore to the second portion of the wellbore, a second end positioned at least partially within the second portion of the wellbore and providing fluid flow from the first portion of the wellbore to the second portion of the wellbore; a second tubular member positioned within the second portion of the wellbore, the second tubular member having a first end for receiving fluid from the second portion of the wellbore, the second end positioned adjacent the surface of the inclined wellbore; and a pump for pumping fluid from the second tubular member to the surface.

Abstract: A method for recovering hydrocarbons from a sub-surface reservoir having present therein a wellbore in which a production conduit and an injection conduit are located includes injecting a heating fluid into the reservoir via said injection conduit where the heating fluid is released via a plurality of discrete permeable sections located along the length of the injection conduit and produced hydrocarbons are collected via a plurality of discrete permeable sections located along the length of the production conduit.

Abstract: A method of hydrocarbon resource recovery from a subterranean formation may include forming a plurality of spaced apart injector/producer well pairs in the subterranean formation. Each injector/producer well pair may include a laterally extending producer well and a laterally extending injector well spaced thereabove. The method may include forming an intermediate well adjacent a given injector/producer well pair, and operating a positioning actuator to position a radio frequency (RF) sensor coupled to the positioning actuator to at least one predetermined location within the intermediate well. The method may further include operating the RF sensor at the at least one predetermined location within the intermediate well to selectively sense at least one corresponding portion of the subterranean formation adjacent the given injector/producer well pair. The method may also include recovering hydrocarbon resources from the plurality of injector/producer well pairs including the given injector/producer well pair.

Abstract: A method of pumping production fluid from a wellbore includes deploying a centrifugal pump into a production wellbore; and pumping hydrocarbons from the production wellbore by rotating an impeller of the centrifugal pump in the production wellbore from surface using a drive string, wherein the impeller is rotated at a speed less than or equal to seventeen hundred fifty revolutions per minute.

Abstract: A method of processing a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation including a laterally extending injector well, a laterally extending producer well below the laterally extending injector well, and water within the subterranean formation, may include injecting a water changing agent into the laterally extending injector well to change the water in the subterranean formation adjacent the injector well to absorb less RF power. The method may also include applying RF power to an RF radiator within the injector well after injection of the water changing agent, and recovering hydrocarbon resources from the laterally extending producer well. In another embodiment, the method may include injecting a water driving agent into the laterally extending injector well.

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 of establishing fluid communication between a well pair in an oil-sand reservoir, where dilatable oil sands in the reservoir form a barrier to fluid communication between the well pair. Steam or water is circulated within at least one well to a region of the oil sands adjacent to the well. The steam or water pressure is increased to a dilation pressure sufficient to dilate the oil sands in the region. While circulating steam or water within the well at a substantially steady state, the steam or water pressure is maintained at a level sufficient to enlarge the dilated region, until detection of a signal indicative of fluid communication between the well pair. The rates and pressures of steam or water injection and production may be monitored and adjusted to vary a bottom-hole pressure in the well.

Abstract: A process for increasing the efficiency of hydrocarbon recovery from an underground formation containing viscous hydrocarbons through the use of both gravity drainage and mobile water drive. The process comprises a pair of vertically-spaced horizontal wells and a laterally offset horizontal well. A heated fluid is injected into the formation via a first well pair, and an adjacent horizontal well creates a pressure sink to draw the heated fluid laterally to assist growth of the formation drainage area for hydrocarbon recovery improvement. Injected fluids recovered from both producers are collected for recycling.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods for increasing the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir. In one embodiment, a method for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir is provided. The method includes positioning a first device into a first horizontal well, injecting a first fluid into the first horizontal well through the first device, producing hydrocarbons from a second horizontal well disposed below the first well, injecting a second fluid into a third well laterally offset from each of the first and second wells to drive fluids in the reservoir toward the second well while continuing to produce hydrocarbons from the second well, and selectively ceasing injection into the first well when the second well is in fluid communication with the third well.

Abstract: A process for recovering hydrocarbons from an in situ formation. The process includes the steps of injecting solvent though an injection well into an underground extraction chamber having a hydrocarbon extraction interface, warming the hydrocarbons at the extraction interface to cause the hydrocarbons to flow downwardly by gravity drainage. Barrier gases naturally emerge in the chamber as a result of the extraction process and are removed from the extraction interface to improve heat transfer from said solvent to said interface. The last step is to recover liquids such as hydrocarbons and water through a production well. The invention provides a separate flow path to remove hydrocarbon gases from the chamber at a preferred location. The preferred location is near the top of the chamber where the accumulated barrier gases help to limit the heat loss and can also provide a barrier to help maintain chamber integrity and confinement.

Abstract: A method for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir by operating a substantially gravity-controlled recovery process with two adjacent well pairs. Each well pair includes an injector well and a producer well. A mobilized zone forms around each well pair through the gravity-controlled recovery process, and a bypassed region forms between the adjacent well pairs when the respective mobilized zone of each well pair merge to form a common mobilized zone. A plurality of infill producer wells are provided in the bypassed region. The plurality of infill producer wells are operated to establish fluid communication between the plurality of infill producer wells and the common mobilized zone. Once fluid communication is established, the plurality of infill producer wells and the adjacent well pairs are operated under a substantially gravity-controlled recovery process, and hydrocarbons are recovered from the plurality of infill producer wells and from the producer wells.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for lifting hydrocarbons from reservoirs. A method includes injecting a heat carrier fluid comprising steam, hot water, or both into a first well and injecting an organic compound into a second well. The organic compound is selected to vaporize to a gas from the heat provided by the heat carrier fluid, forcing produced fluids to the surface. The produced fluids are collected at the surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Some embodiments generally relate to systems, methods, and/or processes for treating fluid produced from the subsurface formation. Some methods include providing heat to a first section of the hydrocarbon containing formation from a plurality of heaters located in the formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the heaters to heat a portion of the first section to mobilize formation fluid; and producing formation fluid from the formation.

Abstract: A method for extracting bitumen and/or extra-heavy oil from an underground deposit is provided. The energy for producing the steam and for the electric heating is generated in situ, for which purpose part of the extracted bitumen and/or extra-heavy oil is burned in an industrial turbine with a downstream generator coupled to the turbine. The industrial turbine may be a gas turbine or a steam turbine. In particular the industrial turbine with downstream generator is assigned a waste heat recovery steam generator which serves for generating the steam and accordingly takes the form of a boiler. Through intermediate storage of the bitumen and/or ultra-heavy oil produced it is possible to implement a self-contained closed circuit which operates autonomously, independently of any external energy supply, using approx. 20% of the extracted bitumen and/or extra-heavy oil for the purposes of extraction.

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 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 process for utilizing microwaves to heat solvent within a subterranean region wherein the heated solvent, vapor, contacts heavy oil in the subterranean region to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil and improve production of the heavy oil.

Abstract: A well system includes a main wellbore extending from a terranean surface toward a subterranean zone. A first lateral wellbore extends from the main wellbore into the subterranean zone. A second lateral wellbore extends from the main wellbore into the subterranean zone. A liner junction device resides in the main wellbore and has a first leg extending into the first lateral wellbore and a second leg extending downhole in the main wellbore. A treatment fluid injection string extends from in the main wellbore through the liner junction and into the first lateral wellbore and terminates in the first lateral wellbore. A seal in the first lateral wellbore seals against flow toward the main wellbore in an annulus adjacent an outer surface of the treatment fluid injection string.

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 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: 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: 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 heating heavy oil inside a production well. The method raises the subsurface temperature of heavy oil by utilizing an activator that has been injected below the surface. The activator is then excited with a generated microwave frequency such that the excited activator heats the heavy oil.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to in situ combustion. Configurations of the injection and production wells facilitate the in situ combustion. Utilizing wet combustion for some embodiments promotes heat displacement for hydrocarbon recovery with procedures in which one or more of the production and injection wells are configured with lengths deviated from vertical. In some embodiments for either dry or wet combustion, at least the production wells define intake lengths deviated from vertical and that are disposed at staged levels within a formation. Each of the productions wells during the in situ combustion allow for recovery of hydrocarbons through gravity drainage. Vertical separation between the intake lengths of the production wells enables differentiated and efficient removal of combustion gasses and the hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for producing hydrocarbons from reservoirs. A provided method includes drilling a first horizontal well substantially proximate to a base of a reservoir and drilling a second horizontal well at a horizontal offset from the first horizontal well. Fluid communication is established between the first horizontal well and the second horizontal well through cyclic production processes. A vertical mobilizing agent is injected into the reservoir and a lateral mobilizing agent is imposed on the reservoir. Fluids are produced from the first horizontal well.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising providing a fluid diode in fluid communication with the wellbore, and transferring a fluid through the fluid diode. A fluid flow control tool, comprising a tubular diode sleeve comprising a diode aperture, a tubular inner ported sleeve received concentrically within the diode sleeve, the inner ported sleeve comprising an inner port in fluid communication with the diode aperture, and a tubular outer ported sleeved within which the diode sleeve is received concentrically, the outer ported sleeve comprising an outer port in fluid communication with the diode aperture, wherein a shape of the diode aperture, a location of the inner port relative to the diode aperture, and a location of the outer port relative to the diode aperture provide a fluid flow resistance to fluid transferred to the inner port from the outer port and a different fluid flow resistance to fluid transferred to the outer port from the inner port.

Abstract: A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation includes providing heat to a first portion of the formation using a heater. The heating section of the heater is at least partially located in a substantially horizontal or inclined portion of a wellbore and is located in or proximate to a hydrocarbon containing layer of the formation. The heating section has a length that is at most 1/2 the length of the horizontal or inclined portion of the wellbore. At least a portion of the heating section in the wellbore is moved such that heat is provided to a second portion of the formation. The second portion is horizontally displaced from the first portion of the formation.

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. Drilled bores arranged to intersect the stratum provide an array of fluid flow paths through the stratum. Fluid communication established by the drilled bores enables production utilizing a producer borehole deviated from vertical and processes that rely on techniques such as gravity drainage through the fluid flow paths and/or injection through the fluid flow paths.

Abstract: A method for distributing injection fluid in a horizontal well bore in fluid communication with hydrocarbon bearing formation begins by determining flow resistance characteristics of the formation along at least a portion of the length of the horizontal well bore. An injection tubing string having a sidewall defining a tubing bore is injected into the horizontal well bore. The tubing string is provided with ports having a selected distribution and geometry. The annulus geometry is selectively controlled along the length of the tubing string through at least one of axial distribution of eccentricity and flow area of the annulus, so as to provide selected flow restriction characteristics along the annulus, such that when injection fluid is pumped into the tubing, a resulting flow resistance network is formed by the tubing bore, the ports, the annulus and the formation, resulting in a desired distribution of the fluid into the 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 producing bitumen or heavy oil from a subsurface oil sands reservoir, the subsurface oil sands reservoir and an overlying gas zone in fluid communication, the method includes providing an in situ combustion process in the overlying gas zone, to create or expand a combustion front within the overlying gas zone, providing a thermal recovery process in the oil sands reservoir, to create or expand a rising hot zone within the oil sands reservoir, and selectively operating the thermal recovery process or the in situ combustion process or both such that the rising hot zone does not intersect the overlying gas zone until the combustion front has moved beyond that portion of the overlying gas zone at the intersection.

Abstract: A novel method is provided for in situ combustion and recovery of oil from underground reservoirs including injecting oxygen into the reservoir at a region near the reservoir floor, establishing a combustion front wherein hot combustion gases rise at the combustion front, withdrawing hot combustion gases from a region near the reservoir ceiling, and extracting oil from a horizontal production well near the reservoir floor.

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: The present invention is a process for recovering oil from an underground oil-containing reservoir. The process includes providing one or more injection wells for injecting a gaseous fluid (steam and air) into the reservoir, the one or more injection wells having a plurality of generally horizontal injector legs, the injector legs positioned within a first depth region in the reservoir. The process further includes providing one or more extraction wells for recovering oil from the reservoir, the one or more extraction wells having plurality of generally horizontal extractor legs, the extractor legs positioned within a second depth region in the reservoir below the first depth region and spaced between the injector legs. Gaseous fluid, typically steam, is injected through the injector legs for a first period of time; and then air is injected through at least one of the injector legs. Alternative embodiments of the invention are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for drainage of a heavy oil reservoir via a horizontal wellbore. A method of improving production of fluid from a subterranean formation includes the step of propagating a generally vertical inclusion into the formation from a generally horizontal wellbore intersecting the formation. The inclusion is propagated into a portion of the formation having a bulk modulus of less than approximately 750,000 psi. A well system includes a generally vertical inclusion propagated into a subterranean formation from a generally horizontal wellbore which intersects the formation. The formation comprises weakly cemented sediment.

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 device for the in-situ extraction of a hydrocarbon-containing substance, while reducing the viscosity thereof, from an underground deposit, has at least one injection pipeline extending in the deposit and at least one production pipeline leading out of the deposit, which together form a so-called well pair. The injection and production pipelines each have a starting region extending above ground in some areas, and an active region connecting to the starting region inside the deposit. With the method, during a heating phase hot steam is applied to the injection and production pipelines, while during a production phase hot steam is applied only to the injection pipeline. Furthermore, the active region of the injection pipeline is additionally configured as an induction heater regarding the surrounding area in the deposit. In the associated device, for example, the well pair formed by the injection pipeline and production pipeline can be configured as electrodes.

Abstract: Methods for increasing the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir. A method may include the steps of injecting a first fluid into a first horizontal well in the reservoir by a first device; producing hydrocarbons from a second horizontal well disposed below the first well; injecting a second fluid into a third well laterally offset from each of the first and second wells while continuing to produce hydrocarbons from the second well; and selectively ceasing injection into the first well when the second well is in fluid communication with the third well. The first and second fluid may comprise steam, carbon dioxide, oxygen, or combinations thereof. Injection into the first well selectively may be ceased when pressure in the first well is increased to a first injection pressure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an in situ reservoir recovery process that uses a horizontal well located near the top of a reservoir and an inclined production well to extract bitumen or heavy oil from a reservoir. In a first stage, the top well is used for cold production of reservoir fluids to the surface, in which, reservoir fluids are pumped to the surface in the absence of stimulation by steam or other thermal and/or solvent injection. A lower production well is drilled into the formation below the top well. The top well is converted to an injection well or, if no cold production then a top well is drilled as an injector well. A portion of the bottom well is inclined so that one end of the incline is closer to the injector well than the other end of the incline. In the process, steam circulation creates a heated zone at the point of the two wells that are closest together in the reservoir.

Abstract: A cyclic steam soak (CSS) stimulation method for producing heated hydrocarbons from a viscous hydrocarbon-containing formation comprises the steps of: a) drilling a well (1) having a substantially horizontal or inclined lower section (3) into the viscous hydrocarbon-containing formation (4) substantially along the trajectory of the minimum compressive horizontal stress Sh; b) cutting at selected intervals along the length of the lower well section (3) substantially disk-shaped cavities (5A-5D) into the viscous hydrocarbon-containing formation (4) by a rotating hydraulic jet cutting device (6); c) completing the well (1); d) injecting steam into the well (1) and disk-shaped cavities (5A-5D) at such an elevated pressure that the hydraulic pressure in at least one disk-shaped cavity 5A is above the formation fracturing pressure, thereby fracturing the formation (4) and permitting the steam to invade the formation surrounding the fracture and to heat hydrocarbons in the steam invaded zone; e) interrupting steam i

Abstract: This invention relates to recovering hydrocarbons from oil shale preferably in-situ where the temperature of the oil shale deposit is controlled to maximize recovery of hydrocarbons and minimize decomposition of carbonate minerals into carbon dioxide that might be released into the atmosphere. The process includes generating heat from hydrocarbon gases recovered from the oil shale and then later performing a controlled burn of the char that is left in the spent shale after the kerogens have been thermally cracked and the most of the recoverable hydrocarbons have been recovered. The burning of the char is also controlled based on the temperature of the oil shale in-situ, the temperature of the gases returning to the surface from the oil shale and the carbon dioxide in the gases returning to the surface.

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 system and method for extracting hydrocarbon products from oil shale using nuclear energy sources for energy to fracture the oil shale formations and provide sufficient heat and pressure to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products. Embodiments of the present invention also disclose steps for extracting the hydrocarbon products from the oil shale formations.

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: 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 well liner segment for use in hydrocarbon recovery processes. An elongate, typically cylindrical outer liner member, and an inner elongate liner member concentrically located therewithin is provided. Hydrocarbon upgrading catalyst is provided in the interstitial space between the two members. The outer liner members may be threadably coupled together. A slidable seal is provided between the outer liner and the inner liner to accommodated differential thermal growth between the two liners. A process for use of well liner segments having hydrocarbon upgrader catalyst pre-installed therein, is also provided, as is a method for manufacture of a well liner segment.