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:
The illumination/imaging of a theorized target horizon that is below a theorized velocity contrast horizon where the velocity contrast horizon may represent the bottom of a salt dome by assessing the path of seismic energy for critical angle reflection/refraction and tabulates the successful paths and unsuccessful paths. For some subsurface locations, seismic energy will not reach the surface above the velocity contrast due to the shapes of the velocity contrast horizon and target horizon and the velocity model through which the studied waves propagate. Displays may be prepared and used for understanding illumination/imaging of the geology for drilling, reacquisition, and reprocessing to elicit information about subsurface geology that may have been overlooked or ignored. Future surveys avoid expensive surveying which cannot obtain useful seismic data as determined by the velocity contrast for the target locations due to the shapes of the horizons and the velocity model.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for reducing the effects of motion in a core-in-shell type heat exchanger are provided. One apparatus includes: (a) a heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger includes an internal volume defined within a shell and a plurality of spaced apart cores disposed within the internal volume of the shell, wherein the internal volume is flooded with a vaporizing fluid; and (b) a separation vessel connected to the heat exchanger, wherein the separation vessel is located at higher elevation than the heat exchanger, wherein the separation vessel is connected to the heat exchanger in such a manner so as to deliver a hot feed stream to heat exchanger and the receive a non-vaporizing stream from the heat exchanger.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a process for isolating one or more segments of a gravel packed well from other segments to treat the isolated segments and easily re-establish flow from the other segments after the treatment. The treatment includes techniques for enhancing or permanently blocking production from the isolated segment. The process includes the installation of a removable sealing element and a permeability poison that forms a fluid seal to prevent longitudinal fluid flow along the annular production space outside the tubular production pipe. With wireline or other low-cost wellbore workover systems, access is re-engaged with the secluded formation including removal of plugs and fluid seals within the tubular production pipe. The inventive process allows enhanced recovery of fluids by focusing treatments on problem areas without harming productive segments of the well.
Abstract:
Methods are disclosed for converting propane and higher alkanes to their corresponding alcohols through a multi-step process with olefin as an intermediate. Methods are also disclosed for facilitating the transportation, purification or other treatment of propylene and higher olefins using a chemical conversion to the corresponding alcohol and reconversion to olefin. Methods are also disclosed for converting propane and higher alkanes to olefins using the corresponding alcohol as a temporary intermediate to minimize purification, transportation and/or other treatment costs.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for displaying selected characteristics of geological features. Color-features, for example, hue, saturation and intensity, or other use selected color-features, are assigned to represent different attribute values of geological feature characteristics. The method provides for displaying multiple characteristics of multidimensional geological or other displays in one presentation. Various characteristics that may be displayed concurrently include geological feature position, shape, coordinates, thickness values, petrophysical values, amplitude values, and velocity values. The invention provides a device adapted for use by a workstation wherein geological data is read into memory and processed into a color display of a subterranean feature, or used in a computer programmed to produce images representative of a subsurface geological features.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a process for managing hydrogen in a hydrocarbon gas to liquid plant. The process includes passing a syngas feed stream produced by a partial oxidation reactor to a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, thereby converting the syngas to hydrocarbon liquids. The hydrogen management process further includes passing a second hydrogen rich stream produced by an auxiliary source to a hydrogen user such as an FT water stripper, an FT catalyst regeneration unit, and an FT product upgrading unit. The auxiliary source could be a process for converting hydrocarbons to syngas, a process for converting hydrocarbons to olefins, a process for converting hydrocarbons to aromatics, a process for catalytically dehydrogenating hydrocarbons, a process for catalytically cracking hydrocarbons, a process for refining petroleum, and a process for converting hydrocarbons to carbon filaments.