公开(公告)号：US10137486B1

公开(公告)日：2018-11-27

申请号：US15906175

申请日：2018-02-27

Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Inventor： Roopa Kamath ,  Schaun Malcolm Smith ,  Deyuan Kong ,  Gunther H. Dieckmann ,  Cesar Ovalles

IPC: B09C1/00 ,  B09C1/02 ,  B09C1/06 ,  B09C1/08 ,  B09C1/10

Abstract: Contaminant-containing soil can be remediated by subjecting the soil to microwave irradiation to heat the soil to a combustion temperature of from 150° C. to 1200° C. to initiate combustion. A target amount of the contaminant in the soil is destroyed. An oxidizer gas can be flowed through the soil using a gas blower and at least one gas injection line and controlled at a rate such that a self-sustaining smoldering combustion front is formed that moves through the soil. A microwave absorber additive can be added to the soil to accelerate the heating of the soil. At least one waveguide connected to a source of microwave energy directs microwaves into the soil.

公开(公告)号：US10907473B2

公开(公告)日：2021-02-02

申请号：US15811972

申请日：2017-11-14

Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Inventor： Estrella Rogel ,  Cesar Ovalles ,  Michael Moir

IPC: E21B37/06 ,  E21B49/08

Abstract: A method includes analyzing a carbonaceous deposit for an asphaltene content from a hydrocarbon-containing fluid located in a well, a wellhead or a production line proximate the wellhead, and applying one or more preventative measures to the hydrocarbon-containing fluid located in the well, the wellhead or the production line proximate the wellhead based on the asphaltene content.

公开(公告)号：US20190241795A1

公开(公告)日：2019-08-08

申请号：US15890459

申请日：2018-02-07

Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Inventor： Cesar Ovalles ,  Estrella Rogel ,  Ian Phillip Benson ,  Ronald A. Behrens

IPC: C09K8/594 ,  E21B43/38 ,  E21B43/24 ,  E21B43/26

CPC classification number: C09K8/594 ,  E21B43/24 ,  E21B43/26 ,  E21B43/38

Abstract: In-situ upgrading of heavy hydrocarbons includes injecting into a reservoir solvent, an asphaltene precipitant additive and optionally steam, at a ratio of solvent to heavy hydrocarbon between 0.1:1 and 20:1 under reservoir conditions. The additive has C—H, C—C and/or C—O bonds that thermally crack to generate free radicals in the vapor phase after injection. Formed downhole are a blend containing an upgraded hydrocarbon, and precipitated asphaltenes. The upgraded hydrocarbon is produced such that the precipitated asphaltenes remain in the reservoir. The upgraded hydrocarbon has a greater API gravity, lower asphaltene content, and lower viscosity than the heavy hydrocarbon. The precipitated asphaltenes are present in a higher amount than a similar blend not containing the additive. A method for selecting the additive includes identifying candidate additives having bonds that crack to generate free radicals in the vapor phase at the operating temperature, and calculating percent increase of asphaltenes precipitated for each.

公开(公告)号：US20190169512A1

公开(公告)日：2019-06-06

申请号：US16272725

申请日：2019-02-11

Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Inventor： Estrella Rogel ,  Cesar Ovalles ,  Michael E. Moir

IPC: C10G75/00 ,  G06Q99/00

Abstract: A method for determining asphaltene stability in a hydrocarbon-containing material having solvated asphaltenes therein is disclosed. The method involves the steps of: (a) precipitating an amount of the asphaltenes from a liquid sample of the hydrocarbon-containing material with an alkane mobile phase solvent in a column; (b) dissolving a first amount and a second amount of the precipitated asphaltenes by gradually and continuously changing the alkane mobile phase solvent to a final mobile phase solvent having a solubility parameter at least 1 MPa0.5 higher than the alkane mobile phase solvent; (c) monitoring the concentration of eluted fractions from the column; (d) creating a solubility profile of the dissolved asphaltenes in the hydrocarbon-containing material; and (e) determining one or more asphaltene stability parameters of the hydrocarbon-containing material.

公开(公告)号：US20190145255A1

公开(公告)日：2019-05-16

申请号：US15811972

申请日：2017-11-14

Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Inventor： Estrella Rogel ,  Cesar Ovalles ,  Michael Moir

IPC: E21B49/08 ,  E21B37/06

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for analyzing a carbonaceous deposit for an asphaltene content from a hydrocarbon-containing fluid located in a well, a wellhead or a production line proximate the wellhead, and applying one or more preventative measures to the hydrocarbon-containing fluid located in the well, the wellhead or the production line proximate the wellhead based on the asphaltene content.