Abstract: Chemical treating liquids (e.g. scale inhibitors) are dispersed in the producing interval by (a) extending a slim tube along the production tube into connection with a more rigid tube extending below a dual packer and the production tube, and (b) inflowing a mixture of gas-saturated treating liquid and gas through the slim tube.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation which reduces sand packing in a producing well completed in a zone adjacent the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. The method includes the steps of producing a fluid from the formation which contains both a hydrocarbon phase and an aqueous phase, and simultaneously therewith, injecting a sand control agent, such as a quarternized acylated condensed alkanolamine, into the well adjacent the production zone at a rate to obtain a wellhead concentration of the agent in the aqueous phase in the produced fluid effective to flocculate the concomitantly produced sand particles. The sand particles so treated have a reduced tendency to pack in the well bore and are safely produced with the formation fluids. The method may be practiced in conjunction with conventional sand control techniques, or may be employed as the sole means of sand control.

Abstract: A method of reducing the permeability to water of a subterranean geological formation containing sandstone. The method is carried out by contacting the formation with an aqueous mixture comprising a water-soluble anionic polymer having a molecular weight greater than 100,000 and subsequently contacting the anionic polymer with a polymer stabilizing fluid comprising a water-soluble cationic polymer having a molecular weight greater than 1,000.

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

Abstract: A liquid chemical, such as a corrosion inhibitor, is inserted into a producing well by pouring the chemical into an elongate carrier and then dropping the carrier into the well. The liquid chemical and the carrier are selected so that the carrier is dissolved by the chemical. The chemical is therefore delivered into the well toward the bottom thereof where it is desired to place the chemical.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process whereby heavy, viscous crude oil may be produced from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation utilizing a jet pump without the problems associated with cavitation damage of the jet pump found in the prior art. The jet pump is operated with a power fluid comprising water and surfactant, the power fluid forming an emulsion with the heavy, viscous crude oil in the jet stream of the jet pump.

Abstract: The accumulation of inorganic mineral scale such as barium sulfate in oil field formations and/or production equipment is inhibited by adding to formation fluid or produced fluid a scale formation inhibitory amount of a polyalkoxy sulfonate of the general formula(RO[R'O].sub.x (CH.sub.2).sub.y SO.sub.3).sub.z Mwherein R is a hydrophobe, R'O is a C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O or a C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O group or some combination thereof, M is a monovalent or divalet cation, x is 2 to 10, y is 0 to about 4 and z is 1 or 2.

Abstract: An electrical submersible well pump installation has a downhole secondary pump for pumping scale inhibiting chemicals below the downhole pumping assembly. The downhole pumping assembly includes a centrifugal primary pump driven by an electrical motor located below the pump and separated by a seal section for preventing well fluids from entering the motor. The secondary pump is also driven by the motor and is located between the seal section and the primary pump. The secondary pump has an intake connected to a tube that extends upwardly above the intake of the primary pump. The secondary pump has a discharge port connected to a discharge tube that extends downwardly to a point below the motor. Chemicals introduced at the surface into the annulus flow downwardly into the intake of the secondary pump and are discharged below the motor. The secondary pump has an inverted impeller and diffuser that have a discharge on the lower end for discharging fluids downwardly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing fluids within a subterranean borehole wherein a submersible pump is introduced into the borehole at a first location. An intake port of the pump is connected to the first end of an intake duct having an unconnected second end located at a second location within the wellbore from which location fluid is to be withdrawn. An output port of the pump is connected to a first end of a second duct having an unconnected second end at a third location within the wellbore into which location fluid is to be introduced. By activating the pump, fluids, such as scale and corrosion inhibitors, are distributed from above the intake of a production pump to as low in the borehole as is required to protect wellbore contents.

Abstract: A composition comprising the reaction adduct or neutralized product resulting from the reaction of a maleic anhydride and an oil containing a polynuclear aromatic compound is provided which, when applied to a metal surface, forms a corrosion-inhibiting film thereon. The composition is particularly useful in the treatment of down-hole metal surfaces in oil and gas wells to inhibit the corrosion of the metal.

Abstract: A corrosion-inhibiting composition of matter comprising (1) the reaction mass resulting from the reaction of an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated hydrocarbyl nitrile and a metal hydrocarbyl sulfonate, (2) an alcohol, (3) a hydrocarbon diluent, and optionally (4) an epoxy resin. The composition is particularly useful in the treatment of downhole metal surfaces in oil and gas wells for inhibiting the corrosion of the metal.

Abstract: Process for preventing the precipitation of elementary sulfur in the riser pipes of probes for natural gas including a solvent for sulfur. For the dissolution of the precipitating elementary sulfur an ester of an optionally mono- or poly-unsaturated fatty acid and/or the reaction product of H.sub.2 S with an ester of a mono- or poly-unsaturated fatty acid, optionally in solution, is used. The solvent for sulfur is liquid under the conditions in the mining probe and only slightly soluble in the gas.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling the deposition of metal-containing scales, such as iron silicate scale, from a hot, aqueous, geothermal brine or the like, without substantial corrosion of brine handling equipment. The brine is contacted with (1) an amount of an acid sufficient to reduce the pH of the brine between 0.1 and 0.5 unit and (2) a greater than stoichiometric amount of a reducing agent for reducing trivalent iron and manganese cations in a high temperature brine solution to divalent ions. An overall decrease in scale deposition, especially of iron silicate scale, is achieved while a silver-rich scale can be recovered from silver-containing brines.

Abstract: There is provided a method for treating a subsurface oil field formation penetrated by an oil-producing well bore comprising: injecting into said formation an emulsified, oil soluble polymeric composition of a polymer.

Abstract: A composition is provided which, when applied to a metal surface, forms a corrosion-inhibiting film thereon. The composition comprises an amine, a hydrocarbon or alcohol diluent and carbon dioxide. The composition can be prepared by pressuring carbon dioxide gas into a solution of the amine. The composition is particularly useful in the treatment of down-well metal surfaces in oil and gas wells to inhibit the corrosion of the metal.

Abstract: A method for treating a hot water-containing fluid stream passing through a conduit, under conditions of temperature and pressure whereupon at least a portion of the water flashes to steam, to inhibit the formation of scale deposited on the conduit and/or dissolve any such scale already formed, and to inhibit corrosion of the conduit wherein there is added to the fluid stream an effective amount of a solution of a water-soluble compound which provides a nitrogen-containing cation capable of flashing to become a gas at high temperatures selected from the group consisting of ammonium halides, ammonium salts of inorganic acids, ammonium salts of organic acids, ammonium salts of alpha hydroxy organic acids, quaternary ammonium halides, quaternary ammonium salts of inorganic acids, quaternary ammonium salts of organic acids, amine salts of inorganic acids, amine salts of organic acids and amides. Optionally the solution or dispersion also contains a water-soluble or dispersible polymer and/or a buffering agent.

Abstract: A method for reducing concentrations of hydrogen sulfide present in subterranean well fluids by injection of a stabilized solution of chlorine dioxide. The stabilized chlorine dioxide solution is introduced into the subterranean well by injecting the solution through the well bore. This method also includes the reduction of the hydrogen sulfide content in drilling mud which has been contaminated by hydrogen sulfide present in a hydrocarbon well by mixing a stabilized solution of chlorine dioxide with the drilling mud. This method requires the preparation of a stabilized chlorine dioxide solution, a determination of the approximate amount of hydrogen sulfide which might be brought to the surface by the drilling mud and the introduction of the predetermined amount of stabilized chlorine dioxide solution into the drilling mud.

Abstract: A method for conditioning a flow of hot geothermal brine or aqueous liquid to reduce scale formation by pH-sensitive, dissolved materials includes injecting into the flow of brine or liquid an anhydrous, halogenated acid precursor which hydrolyzes in the brine or liquid to form a hydrohalic acid. The acid precursor, which may be tetrachloromethane, is preferably injected into an extraction well at the vicinity of the producing formation at a rate reducing the pH of the brine or liquid about one pH unit, or to about 3.5, near the injection point. The method also provides for increasing, if necessary, the acid precursor hydrolysis rate in the brine or liquid by atomizing the injected acid precursor with a pressurized fluid, preferably gaseous nitrogen.

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

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

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

Abstract: A liquid well-treating chemical composition is injected into the production tubing during gas lift operations by providing a differential pressure operated valve downhole from the lowermost gas lift flow valve and maintaining sufficient liquid head of the chemical composition in the annulus to open the valve and cause the liquid chemical composition to pass into the interior of the production tubing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus as provided for periodically supplying a quantity of fluid containing a corrosion inhibitor or other treating fluid to both the internal and external surfaces of downhole components of a subterranean well. The corrosion inhibitor is introduced in the fluid that normally fills the annulus defined between the well casing and the production string. This fluid is periodically subjected to a cyclic pressure and the cyclic pressure is employed to operate valving apparatus disposed in the vicinity of the packer to periodically inject a quantity of the annulus fluid containing the corrosion inhibitor into a bypass passage extending through the packer and, hence, into the production fluid, which the carries the corrosion inhibitor to internally disposed downhole components in the well bore.

Abstract: A modification is provided in an assembly for use in an offshore well test string during oil or gas tests on exploration wells. The well has a well bore and a test string with a subsea test tree located in the vicinity of the subsea blowout preventor at the sea floor. The modified assembly includes at least one line having one end in communication with a supply of methanol and the other end in communication with the test string below the sea floor.

Abstract: A method for protecting the steel casing and production tubing in a carbon dioxide production well from the corrosive effects of the produced carbon dioxide. The cased well is filled with corrosion inhibitor liquid and fluid communication between the producing formation and the casing is established by perforating or the like. A pump means, e.q. electrically driven, centrifugal pump system and a packer means are lowered on the production tubing to a point adjacent or slightly above the producing formation. The packer means is set to isolate the pump means from the well annulus above the packer means. The corrosion inhibitor liquid below the packer is pumped to the surface through the production tubing and the well is now ready to produce carbon dioxide.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a valve placed in a subsea blowout preventer stack during a production test of a well producing gas comprises a valve body containing two valve elements in series and a releasable control unit. A fluid to inhibit the formation of natural-gas hydrates can be injected into the valve body by means of a pump on the surface and through a high-pressure hose. A lateral connector fixed to the control unit is fitted in a sealed manner into a receptacle on the valve body to allow reconnection of the inhibiting fluid injection system.

Abstract: In order to prevent scale formation in a hot dry rock geothermal system, a mixture of acetone and water is utilized as the working fluid. Such fluid reduces the amount of scale formation generally associated with such system.

Abstract: One string of corrosion resistant tubing and a casing string which has a corrosion resistant bottom section can be connected between a wellhead and a deep, hot reservoir so that a corrosive reservoir fluid can be produced while keeping it isolated from wellbore or wellhead tubulars of conventional low alloy steel thus preventing corrosion without maintaining a downhole injection of corrosion inhibitor.

Abstract: A surface controlled subsurface safety valve for controlling fluid flow through a tubing string in an oil or gas well is combined with an injector valve, which is used for injecting a chemical fluid into the tubing string. The pressure exerted by the chemical fluid is used to operate both the injector valve and the subsurface safety valve. The injector valve is designed to open at an injection pressure equal to or greater than the pressure needed to hold the safety valve in its open position.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the formation of scale from aqueous solutions containing scale-forming ions at temperatures of up to 400.degree. F. and above during production and utilization of such aqueous solutions comprising adding to the solutions certain amines, amides, thioamides, carboxylic acids or amide reaction products of carboxylic acids and various amines.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the formation of scale from aqueous solutions containing scale-forming ions at temperatures of 400.degree. F. and above during production and utilization of such aqueous solutions comprising adding to the solutions certain substituted iminodi(methylene phosphonic acid) compounds or a water-soluble salt thereof.