Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130048542 | DESULFURIZATION OF HYDROCARBONS BY SOLVENT EXTRACTION - A high sulfur content hydrocarbon feedstream is treated by mixing one or more selected solvents with a sulfur-containing feedstream for a predetermined period of time, allowing the mixture to separate and form a sulfur-rich solvent-containing liquid phase and a crude oil phase of substantially lowered sulfur content, and withdrawing the sulfur-rich stream and regenerating the solvent. | 02-28-2013 |
20130068311 | Through Tubing Pumping System With Automatically Deployable and Retractable Seal - A downhole pumping system in production tubing having a seal between the intake and discharge of a through tubing downhole pump that automatically deploys when the pump initiates operation. The seal automatically disengages when the pump suspends operating and redeploys when the pump starts operating again. The pumping system can be set at a different depth before restarting the pump. The seal can include a bladder like member that has an opening facing towards the pump discharge, so that discharged fluid expands the bladder radially outward into sealing contact with the tubing. | 03-21-2013 |
20130068478 | PERMEABLE LOST CIRCULATION DRILLING LINER - A layer of permeable material is positioned on an area of lost circulation lithology in a wellbore. An example of the permeable material includes a planar member with perforations that is rolled into and retained in an annular configuration. The permeable material is lowered into the wellbore adjacent the area of lost circulation and allowed to unroll and expand radially outward against walls of the wellbore. The wellbore wall along the area of lost circulation lithology can be reamed out so the layer of permeable material is out of the way of a drill bit. A bridging agent can be applied on the interface where the permeable material contacts the wellbore wall. | 03-21-2013 |
20130068661 | PROCESS FOR THE SEQUENTIAL HYDROCONVERSION AND HYDRODESULFURIZATION OF WHOLE CRUDE OIL - The invention relates to a method for removing sulfur from crude oils using a catalytic hydrotreating process operating at moderate temperature and pressure and reduced hydrogen consumption. The process produces sweet crude oil having a sulfur content of between about 0.1 and 1.0 wt % in addition to reduced crude density. The method employs least two reactors in series, wherein the first reactor includes a hydroconversion catalyst and the second reactor includes a desulfurization catalyst. | 03-21-2013 |
20130075305 | SELECTIVE LIQUID-LIQUID EXTRACTION OF OXIDATIVE DESULFURIZATION REACTION PRODUCTS - The present invention provides selective extraction of sulfoxides, or sulfoxides in combination with sulfones, from hydrocarbon mixtures containing these compounds. A significant advantage of the invention is that oxidation products resulting from oxidative desulfurization of hydrocarbon feedstocks are selectively extracted with minimum co-extraction of non-oxidized products such as valuable hydrocarbon fuel components. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076754 | Seismic Image Filtering Machine to Generate a Filtered Seismic Image, Program Products, and Related Methods - Seismic image filtering machines, systems, program products, and computer implemented methods are provided to generate a filtered seismic image responsive to filtered seismic image data generated by attenuating coherent seismic noise from surface waves of an unfiltered wavefield constructed from unfiltered seismic image data through a single downward extrapolation of the unfiltered wavefield using a plurality of nonstationary convolution operators to perform localized filtering at each of a plurality of spatial locations of the unfiltered wavefield. Various embodiments, for example, can beneficially handle strong lateral velocity variations thus making various embodiments effective tools to remove complicated coherent seismic noise which is typically in the form of exponentially decaying evanescent waves. Embodiments of the present invention, for example, can use, as a part of the filtering mechanism, specially designed nonstationary convolution operators that are implemented in the space-frequency domain as nonstationary filters. | 03-28-2013 |
20130079222 | COMPOSITION AND PROCESS FOR THE REMOVAL OF SULFUR FROM MIDDLE DISTILLATE FUELS - A composition and process for removing sulfur from middle distillate petroleum hydrocarbon fuels. The composition includes an alumina component and a carbon component. The composition is present in an amount effective to adsorb sulfur compounds from the fuel. The alumina component and the carbon component preferably collectively comprise a composite material. The composition can further include a sulfur component, preferably a metal sulfide or sulfur oxide. The composition can also further include at least one compound having a Group VI or Group VIII metal from the periodic table. | 03-28-2013 |
20130081826 | IN-SITU GENERATED BUFFER SYSTEM - An aqueous buffered treatment solution for removing mud cake from a well bore treatment site is made by inducing an elevated temperature in an aqueous pre-buffer solution. The aqueous pre-buffer solution is made of an acid precursor that hydrolyzes into a treatment acid, a conjugate base salt that forms the conjugate base of the acid, and an aqueous fluid. Inducing the elevated temperature forms the treatment acid. The treatment acid is operable to remove mud cake.
| 04-04-2013 |
20130081955 | System, Apparatus, and Method for Utilization of Bracelet Galvanic Anodes to Protect Subterranean Well Casing Sections Shielded by Cement at a Cellar Area - A cathodic protection system is provided for a subterranean well casing having an enclosed upper section of the well casing being substantially shielded by a cellar from an impressed-current cathodic protection circuit passing through earth media. The impressed-current cathodic protection circuit is provided to protect an unenclosed lower section of the well casing. To protect the enclosed upper section of the well casing, a supplemental cathodic protection circuit is provided. The supplemental cathodic protection circuit is a galvanic anode cathodic protection circuit comprising the enclosed upper section of the well casing and one or more bracelet galvanic anodes being circumferentially mounted to the enclosed upper section. The enclosed upper section of the well casing and the one or more bracelet galvanic anodes are substantially surrounded by a cellar backfill, and the galvanic anode cathodic protection circuit is equally effective throughout a broad range of non-homogeneity within the cellar backfill. | 04-04-2013 |
20130082010 | TANK DEWATERING SENSING AND VALVE CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS - A system for separating water from crude oil includes a bulk-storage tank for storing unrefined crude oil, a first pipe for delivering water separated from crude oil in the bulk-storage tank to a containment system, a second pipe for delivering crude oil to a shipping system, a first valve for controlling flow in the first pipe, a second valve for controlling flow in the second pipe, and a control system for controlling operation of the first and second valves. The control system has a control device for controlling the first and second valves, an acoustic sensor array mounted on the first pipe for sensing a sound pressure level during flow of water through the first pipe, means for comparing the sensed sound pressure level with a predetermined sound pressure threshold level characterizing flow of oil-water mixture through the pipe, and a control device for closing the first valve and opening the second valve when the measured sound pressure level reaches the sound pressure threshold level. | 04-04-2013 |
20130090906 | HIGH PERFORMANCE AND GRID COMPUTING WITH QUALITY OF SERVICE CONTROL - High performance computing (HPC) and grid computing processing for seismic and reservoir simulation are performed without impacting or losing processing time in case of failures. A Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard is implemented in High Performance Computing (HPC) and grid computing platforms, to avoid the shortcomings of current Message Passing Interface (MPI) communication between computing modules, and provide quality of service (QoS) for such applications. QoS properties of the processing can be controlled. | 04-11-2013 |
20130092376 | CEMENT OIL-BASED MUD SPACER FORMULATION - A spacer fluid made of a viscosity thinner, a weighting agent, an antifoaming agent, and a non-ionic surfactant in a base aqueous fluid. In some instances, the viscosity thinner is a sulfomethylated tannin, the weighting agent is barium sulfate, the antifoaming agent is a silicone, and the non-ionic surfactant is an ethoxylated alcohol. A method of treating a well bore annulus in preparation of introducing water-based cement slurry into a well bore using the spacer fluid. A method of using the spacer fluid to position a first fluid into a well bore annulus of a well bore containing a second fluid. A method for fluidly isolating at least a portion of a well bore annulus in a well bore containing an oil-based drilling fluid using water-based cement slurry and the spacer fluid. | 04-18-2013 |
20130096896 | 4D SATURATION MODELING - Saturation models of subsurface reservoirs of interest are formed in a computer based on data from well logs, production data and core data. Data of these types obtained over a period of time are used to form 4-D Saturation models of a reservoir illustrative of fluid movement in the reservoir over time. The saturation models based on actual data are theft available for analysts to evaluate and display how gas and water have moved within the reservoir over time. | 04-18-2013 |
20130096897 | RESERVOIR MODELING WITH 4D SATURATION MODELS AND SIMULATION MODELS - Production based saturation models of subsurface reservoirs of interest are formed in a computer based on data from well logs, production data and core data. Data of these types obtained over a period of time are used to form 4-D actual or measured production based saturation models of a reservoir illustrative of fluid movement in the reservoir over time. Simulation models of fluid saturation of the reservoir are also formed for comparable times. Composite models of the production based saturation models and the simulation models are formed for analysts to evaluate accuracy of the simulation models of the reservoir taking into account production experience. The simulation models can then be adjusted for changes noted in the reservoir and based on how gas and water have actually moved within the reservoir over time. | 04-18-2013 |
20130098314 | EMISSION REDUCTION FROM MOBILE SOURCES BY ON-BOARD CARBON DIOXIDE CONVERSION TO FUEL - An apparatus and process for reducing vehicle emissions by converting exhaust gases to hydrocarbon fuel. The apparatus and process supplement conventional emission control techniques to further reduce vehicle emissions of harmful substances. The apparatus includes a heat exchanger to extract thermal energy from exhaust gases of a combustion engine that powers propulsion of a vehicle, a membrane separator to separate water and carbon dioxide from the exhaust gases, and a catalytic reactor comprising a nano catalyst. The catalytic reactor receives the water and the carbon dioxide from the membrane separator, contains a reaction of the water and the carbon dioxide that produces hydrocarbon fuel and is facilitated by the nano catalyst, and uses the thermal energy from the heat exchanger to stimulate the reaction. The catalytic reactor is contained within a body of the heat exchanger to facilitate the transfer of thermal energy. | 04-25-2013 |
20130103319 | METHODS FOR DETERMINING WELL CHARACTERISTICS AND PORE ARCHITECTURE UTILIZING CONVENTIONAL WELL LOGS - Methods, computer readable medium, apparatus, and program code for determining well characteristics and pore architecture for a hydrocarbon well utilizing data available from conventional/standard electronic well logs, are provided. An example of a method can include determining the value of well constants from well log data to include calculating water saturation, free water level location, wettability, and pore throat heterogeneity, and calculating pore architecture at log resolution responsive thereto. This can be accomplished, for example, by accessing well log data from a conventional well log, determining a linear regression line responsive to parameters calculated from the well log data, the linear regression line having a slope and an intercept, and determining a value of each of a plurality of well constants responsive to a value of the slope and of the intercept of the linear regression line. | 04-25-2013 |
20130112595 | HYDROCRACKING PROCESS WITH INTEGRAL INTERMEDIATE HYDROGEN SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION - An intermediate hydrogen separation and absorption-based purification system is integrated with a hydrocracking process for the production of relatively lower molecular weight products from a relatively heavy feedstock including sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing hydrocarbon compounds. The integrated process allows the processing of heavy hydrocarbon feedstock having high nitrogen and high sulfur contents in a single-stage configuration and the using of noble metal catalyst in the hydrocracking reaction zone. The integrated process increases the overall catalytic activity and hydrogenation capability to produce superior distillate products. | 05-09-2013 |
20130112596 | HYDROTREATING AND AROMATIC SATURATION PROCESS WITH INTEGRAL INTERMEDIATE HYDROGEN SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION - An intermediate hydrogen separation and purification system is integrated with a hydrotreating and an aromatic saturation process for the production of relatively lower molecular weight products from a relatively heavy feedstock including sulfur-containing and aromatic-containing hydrocarbon compounds. The integrated process allows the processing of heavy hydrocarbon feedstock having high aromatic and high sulfur contents in a single-stage configuration and the using of noble metal catalyst in the aromatic saturation zone. The integrated process increases the overall catalytic activity and hydrogenation capability to produce superior distillate products. | 05-09-2013 |
20130118382 | UTILIZATION OF HEAVY OIL ASH TO PRODUCE SELF-CONSOLIDATED CONCRETE - A heavy oil ash self-compacting concrete can include aggregate, heavy oil ash fines, water, and cement. The heavy oil ash can include more than 90% carbon, by weight. In an embodiment, the heavy oil ash self-compacting concrete can flow under its own weight and yet maintain a stable mixture consistency. | 05-16-2013 |
20130118735 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING POWER AND ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY - A method for producing a purified carbon dioxide product suitable for EOR and surplus electricity uses a vaporous hydrocarbon feed and a SOFC system. A SOFC system includes a condensate removal system, an acid gas removal system, a hydrodesulfurization system, a sorption bed system, a pre-reformer, a solid oxide fuel cell, a CO2 separations system and a CO2 dehydration system operable to form the purified carbon dioxide product, where the SOFC system is operable to produce surplus electricity from the electricity produced by the solid oxide fuel cell. A method of operating the pre-reformer to maximize the internal reforming capacity of a downstream solid oxide fuel cell uses a pre-reformer fluidly coupled on the upstream side of a solid oxide fuel cell. A method of enhancing hydrocarbon fluid recovery from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation using a SOFC system. | 05-16-2013 |
20130118807 | Methods For Geosteering A Drill Bit In Real Time Using Drilling Acoustic Signals - Disclosed is an apparatus, method, and program product for steering a drill bit within a pay zone in a lateral well. The method includes receiving acoustic signature data from a downhole processor assembly. The acoustic signature data includes an amplitude spectrum and one or more acoustic characteristics evaluated from an acoustic signal provided by a sensor arranged adjacent to a drill bit and generated in real-time as a result of rotational contact of the drill bit with encountered rock in the lateral well during drilling. The method further includes comparing the received real-time acoustic signature data to predetermined acoustic signatures determined for a plurality of rock samples, and identifying a lithology type of the rock being encountered by the drill bit based on the comparison. Further, the method includes steering the drill bit in a predefined direction, in real-time, based on the identified lithology type of the rock, for maintaining the drill bit within the pay zone of the lateral well. | 05-16-2013 |
20130118808 | Methods For Geosteering A Drill Bit In Real Time Using Surface Acoustic Signals - Disclosed is an apparatus, method, and program product for steering a drill bit within a pay zone in a lateral well. The method includes receiving acoustic signature data from an acoustic signal analyzing apparatus. The acoustic signature data includes an amplitude spectrum and one or more acoustic characteristics evaluated from an acoustic signal provided by a sensor attached to at least one of a drive shaft and a packing box of a drill rig, and generated in real-time as a result of rotational contact of the drill bit with encountered rock in the lateral well during drilling. The method further includes comparing the received real-time acoustic signature data to predetermined acoustic signatures determined for a plurality of rock samples, and identifying a lithology type of the rock being encountered by the drill bit based on the comparison. Further, the method includes steering the drill bit in a predetermined direction, in real-time, based on the identified lithology type of the rock, for maintaining the drill bit within the pay zone of the lateral well. | 05-16-2013 |
20130125677 | Classification Scheme of Sized Bridging Materials For Superior Drill-In Fluid Design - A classification scheme for classifying sized bridging materials is disclosed. The scheme identifies a durability metric for the sized bridging materials. The scheme then identifies a value range having a higher relative strength and a lower relative strength. The sized bridging materials may then be tested according to the durability metric and associated with a relative strength based on the durability metric determined during the test. | 05-23-2013 |
20130126038 | METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR COMBINED HYDROGEN AND ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION USING PETROLEUM FUELS - A SOFC system for producing a refined carbon dioxide product, electrical power and a compressed hydrogen product is presented. Introducing a hydrocarbon fuel and steam to the SOFC system, operating the SOFC system such that the steam-to-carbon molar ratio in the pre-reformer is in a range of from about 3:1 to about 4:1, the oxygen in the reformer combustion chamber is in excess, greater than 90% of the carbon dioxide produced during the process forms the refined carbon dioxide product are steps in the process. An alternative fueling station having a SOFC system is useful for fueling both electrical and hydrogen alternative fuel vehicles. Introducing steam and a hydrocarbon fuel, operating the alternative fueling station, coupling the alternative fuel vehicle to the alternative fueling station, introducing an amount of alternative fuel and decoupling the alternative fuel vehicle are steps in the method of use. | 05-23-2013 |
20130126169 | Tight Gas Stimulation by In-Situ Nitrogen Generation - Provided is a method and composition for the in-situ generation of synthetic sweet spots in tight-gas formations. The composition can include nitrogen generating compounds, which upon activation, react to generate heat and nitrogen gas. The method of using the composition includes injecting the composition into a tight-gas formation such that upon activation, heat and nitrogen gas are generated. Upon the generation of nitrogen gas and heat within the formation, microfractures are produced within the formation and the hydrostatic pressure within the reservoir is reduced to less than the reservoir fluid pressure, such that the rate of production of hydrocarbons from the formation is increased. | 05-23-2013 |
20130126175 | Synthetic Sweet Spots in Tight Formations by Injection of Nano Encapsulated Reactants - Provided is a method and composition for the in-situ generation of synthetic sweet spots in tight-gas formations. The composition can include gas generating compounds, which upon activation, exothermically react to generate heat and gas. The method of using the composition includes injecting the composition into a tight-gas formation such that upon activation, the heat and gas are generated, resulting in the formation of fractures and microfractures within the formation. | 05-23-2013 |
20130126176 | Dual-Phase Acid-Based Fracturing Composition With Corrosion Inhibitors and Method of Use Thereof - A dual-phase acid-based fracturing composition with corrosion inhibitors and method for use in acid-based matrix and fracturing operations in oil and gas wells is provided. The composition includes an acid, a hydrocarbon, a hydrocarbon-soluble corrosion inhibitor, an acid-soluble corrosion inhibitor, and an acid-soluble inhibitor aid. | 05-23-2013 |
20130126392 | SLURRY BED HYDROPROCESSING AND SYSTEM USING FEEDSTOCK CONTAINING DISSOLVED HYDROGEN - A system and process for conversion of heavy feedstocks in a slurry bed hydroprocessing reactor is provided in which (a) hydrogen gas is dissolved in the liquid feedstock by mixing and/or diffusion, (b) the mixture is flashed to remove and recover any light components and hydrogen, leaving a hydrogen-enriched feedstock. A homogenous and/or heterogeneous catalyst is added to the feedstock upstream of the inlet of the slurry bed hydroprocessing reactor. | 05-23-2013 |
20130131989 | APPARATUS AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM FOR DETERMINING WELL CHARACTERISTICS AND PORE ARCHITECTURE UTILIZING CONVENTIONAL WELL LOGS - Apparatus, computer readable media, method and program code for determining well characterstics and pore architecture for a hydrocarbon well utilizing data available from conventional/standard electronic well logs, are provided. An example apparatus is configured to perform operations which include determining the value of well constants from well log data to include calculating water saturation, free water level location, wettability, and pore throat heterogeneity, and calculating/pore architecture at log resolution responsive thereto. This can be accomplished, for example, by accessing well log data from a conventional well log, determining a linear regression line responsive to parameters calculated from the well log data, the linear regression line having a slope and an intercept, and determining a value of each of a plurality of well constants responsive to a value of the slope and of the intercept of the linear regression line. | 05-23-2013 |
20130132049 | COUPLED PIPE NETWORK - RESERVOIR MODELING FOR MULTI-BRANCH OIL WELLS - A convergent solution is provided for a coupled system where oil flow from a subsurface reservoir formation enters a number of pipes of a multi-branch well in the formation. An iterative linear system solver computer implemented methodology is developed, capable of handling a large number of unknowns which are present when modeling a multi-branch well. A systematic approach which defines proper boundary conditions at the reservoir level and at the wellhead is provided and utilized. | 05-23-2013 |
20130140012 | HEADER FOR AIR COOLED HEAT EXCHANGER - A header for an air cooled heat exchanger is provided. The header includes a housing having top and bottom walls and side walls and an inlet and an outlet, one of said side walls being a tube wall for connection to a plurality of heat exchanger tubes. The header includes a partition wall between the top and bottom walls defining upper and lower regions, the partition being a sheet having a higher central area which extends downward to corners of the upper region. Each corner has a drain aperture for fluid in the upper region to drain by gravity out of the upper region. | 06-06-2013 |
20130144088 | HYDROPHILIC MEMBRANE INTEGRATED OLEFIN HYDRATION PROCESS - A membrane-integrated hydration reactor that is operable to produce an associated alcohol product from an olefin using water includes a solid acid olefin hydration catalyst in a production zone and a hydrophilic membrane operable to selectively permit pervaporation of water one-way and not permit pervaporation of the associated alcohol or permeation of the olefin at olefin hydration process conditions in a separations zone. The production zone is operable to form a production zone product mixture made of the associated alcohol and any unreacted water. The associated separations zone is operable to form and produce both the associated alcohol product and a pervaporated water product from the production zone product mixture. A method of olefin hydration for forming an associated alcohol product from an olefin using water uses the membrane-integrated hydration reactor at olefin hydration process conditions. | 06-06-2013 |
20130146281 | Method and Acidizing Tool for Deep Acid Stimulation Using Ultrasound - A method of deep acid stimulation for a zone to be treated in an underground formation using an acidizing tool, the method including the steps of introducing the acidizing tool into the well bore, introducing the acid formulation onto the well bore wall at the treatment zone and introducing ultrasound energy into the underground formation at the treatment zone. The subsequent acid penetration depth is deeper than the initial acid penetration depth. A method of stress fracturing a portion of an underground formation includes the steps of introducing the acidizing tool into a well bore and introducing the acid formulation and the ultrasound energy at the focused treatment point. The weakened acidized spots in combination with the stress on the underground formation causes oriented stress-induced fractures to form that are fluidly coupled with the well bore. An acidizing tool includes an acid delivery system and an ultrasonic transmitter. | 06-13-2013 |
20130146289 | TWO-STAGE FILTER CAKE REMOVAL COMPOSITION FOR DRILLING FLUIDS AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF - Disclosed is a two-stage filter cake removal composition, and method of use thereof, for use in a wellbore for controlled removal of a filter cake present in a target production zone. The two-stage filter cake removal composition may include an enzyme present in an amount of between about 1% and 20%, and a mixture of hydrochloric acid and an organic acid present in amounts of between about 0.1% and 5% and about 0.1% and 10%, respectively, by weight. The two-stage filter cake removal composition, when the enzyme is applied to the filter cake in the target production zone in a first stage and the mixture of the hydrochloric acid and the organic acid is applied to the filter cake in the target production zone in a second stage, is operable to remove the filter cake in the target production zone over an extended reaction time. | 06-13-2013 |
20130146295 | FILTER CAKE REMOVAL COMPOSITION FOR DRILLING FLUIDS AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF - Disclosed is a filter cake removal composition, and method of use thereof, for use in a wellbore for controlled removal of a filter cake present in a target production zone. The filter cake removal composition includes hydrochloric acid and an organic acid. The filter cake removal composition, when a mixture of the hydrochloric acid and the organic acid is applied to the filter cake in the target production zone, is operable to dissolve the filter cake in the target production zone over an extended reaction time. The mixture includes the hydrochloric acid present in an amount of between about 0.1% and 5% by weight and the organic acid present in an amount of between about 0.1% and 10% by weight. | 06-13-2013 |
20130146756 | Super-Resolution Formation Fluid Imaging - Cross-well electromagnetic (EM) imaging is performed using high-power pulsed magnetic field sources, time-domain signal acquisition, low-noise magnetic field sensors, spatial oversampling and super-resolution image enhancement and injected magnetic nanofluids. Inter-well images are generated mapping electromagnetic (EM) signal speed (group velocity) rather than conductivity maps. EM velocity maps with improved resolution for both native and injected fluids are provided. | 06-13-2013 |
20130151156 | Electrical Submersible Pump Monitoring and Failure Prediction - Current supplied to electrical submersible pumps in wells is monitored, and signal processing based on wavelet analysis and phase diagram analysis is performed on the data obtained from monitoring. An incipient malfunction of the electrical submersible pump, such as one due to scale build-up in and around the pump, can be detected at an early stage. | 06-13-2013 |
20130153573 | STORAGE TANK FLOATING ROOF SUMP WITH EMERGENCY OVERFLOW - A floating roof and emergency overflow drainage system for water accumulated on the floating roof covering liquid in a storage tank, including: | 06-20-2013 |
20130155813 | ITERATIVE DIP-STEERING MEDIAN FILTER FOR SEISMIC DATA PROCESSING - An iterative dip-steering median filter is provided for random noise attenuation in seismic data where conflicting dips are indicated in the data. A number of dominant dips inside a processing window or sample of the data are identified by a Fourier-radial transform in the frequency-wavenumber domain. A median filter is then applied along the dominant dip to remove noise, and the remaining signal after filtering is retained for further median filter iterations. Iterations are repeated to apply the median filter along the most dominant dip in the remaining data. The processing continues in subsequent iterations until all selected dips have been processed. The remaining signal of each iteration is then summed for final output. | 06-20-2013 |
20130161004 | METHOD OF FRACTURING WHILE DRILLING - A method of fracturing a formation that at the same time drills a wellbore through the formation selectively deploys a seal from a drill string and pressurizes the wellbore beneath the seal. The seal can be formed by moving sliding blades into channels between cutting blades on a drill bit. The seal can also be a packer on the drill bit that selectively expands radially outward into sealing engagement with the wellbore. At a designated depth in the wellbore, the seal is deployed and fluid is diverted into the space. A pressurizing system pressurizes the fluid so that pressure in the space overcomes the formation strength and fractures the formation adjacent the enclosed space. The packer can be released, drilling can resume, and fracturing can occur at a different depth in the wellbore. | 06-27-2013 |
20130161012 | METHOD OF USING A NON-ACIDIC STIMULATION FLUID IN HIGH TEMPERATURE SANDSTONE FORMATIONS - A three step method of using a non-acidic stimulation fluid in high temperature sandstone formation is provided. The method consists of using a preflush brine, a non-acidic stimulation fluid, and an overflush brine. | 06-27-2013 |
20130161100 | INFLATABLE PACKER ELEMENT FOR USE WITH A DRILL BIT SUB - A system for use in a subterranean wellbore includes an earth boring bit on a lower end of a drill string, and an inflatable packer system. The packer system includes a pressure activated inlet valve that regulates pressurized fluid from within the drill string to the packer for inflating the packer. The inlet valve opens above a pressure used for drilling and includes a piston and spring disposed in a cylinder; the spring provides a biasing force against the piston and positions the piston between the annulus and an inlet port to the packer. When inflated, the packer extends radially outward from the drill string and into sealing engagement with an inner surface of the wellbore. | 06-27-2013 |
20130161101 | System and Method of Fracturing While Drilling - A system for a drilling and fracturing a wellbore in a single trip includes a drill string, drill bit, and a fluid flow means for delivering fluid through the string and drill bit. The drill bit includes a body with cutting elements, and nozzles between the cutting elements for washing away drilling generated cuttings. A packer on the drill bit selectively seals with an inner surface of the wellbore. Deploying the packer at a designated spot in the wellbore defines a fracturing zone in the wellbore. Closing the nozzles while opening side ports on the body delivers fracturing fluid into the space. A pressurizing system can be included to pressurized the fluid so that pressure in the space overcomes the formation strength and fractures the formation adjacent the enclosed space. The packer can be released, drilling can resume, and fracturing can occur at a different depth in the wellbore. | 06-27-2013 |
20130161102 | Drill Bit For Use In Boring A Wellbore And Subterranean Fracturing - A drill bit for use in drilling a wellbore and that can be used for fracturing the subterranean formation surrounding the wellbore. Included on the bit body is a packer for sealing against the wellbore wall during fracturing. A chamber in the drill bit houses a valve assembly for selectively diverting fluid between use in drilling and for use in fracturing. The fluid is delivered through a drill string that attaches to an upper end of the bit. The valve assembly can be shuttled between drilling and fracturing configurations by selectively adjusting an amount and/or pressure of the fluid flowing in the drill string. | 06-27-2013 |
20130168085 | ACTIVE DRILLING MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR EXTENDED REACH AND COMPLEX WELLS - A dynamically controlled drill string includes a communications sub, a circulation sub and a measurement sub. The communications sub is operable to receive a wireless signals and retransmit the signals wirelessly. The measurement sub is operable to detect a downhole condition and transmit wirelessly a corresponding data signal. The circulation sub is operable to selectively permit fluid communication between the interior fluid conduit and the exterior of the dynamically controlled drill string at the circulation sub. The circulation sub is operable to selectively permit fluid communication through the internal fluid conduit at the circulation sub. A method for using the dynamically controlled drill string in a well bore includes the steps of introducing the dynamically controlled drill string into the well bore and introducing fluid operable to modify a detected downhole conditions into the well bore. | 07-04-2013 |
20130173167 | Real-Time Dynamic Data Validation Methods For Intelligent Fields - Methods for managing an intelligent field, are provided. An exemplary method can include receiving real-time dynamic field data, analyzing validity of the dynamic field data, validating values of the field data, validating a state/condition of a well, and flagging well components, well conditions, and/or well state validation issues. | 07-04-2013 |
20130173168 | Real-Time Dynamic Data Validation Apparatus and Computer Readable Media For Intelligent Fields - Apparatus and computer readable media for managing an intelligent field, are provided. An exemplary apparatus can include hydrocarbon well instruments, a SCADA system, a process integration server and/or dynamic field data analyzing computer, and memory/computer readable media storing a dynamic field data analyzing computer program. The computer program can include instructions that when executed cause the dynamic field data analyzing computer to perform various operations to include receiving real-time dynamic field data, analyzing validity of the dynamic field data, validating values of the field data, validating a state/condition of a well, and flagging well components, well conditions, and/or well state validation issues. | 07-04-2013 |
20130180720 | Non-Acidic Exothermic Sandstone Stimulation Fluids - Provided is a method and composition for the in-situ generation of synthetic sweet spots in tight-gas formations. The composition can include nitrogen generating compounds, which upon activation, react to generate heat and nitrogen gas. The method of using the composition includes injecting the composition into a tight-gas formation such that upon activation, the heat and nitrogen gas generated | 07-18-2013 |
20130191091 | Machine, Computer Program Product and Method to Carry Out Parallel Reservoir Simulation - A machine, computer program product, and method to enable scalable parallel reservoir simulations for a variety of simulation model sizes are described herein. Some embodiments of the disclosed invention include a machine, methods, and implemented software for performing parallel processing of a grid defining a reservoir or oil/gas field using a plurality of sub-domains for the reservoir simulation, a parallel process of re-ordering a local cell index for each of the plurality of cells using characteristics of the cell and location within the at least one sub-domain and a parallel process of simulating at least one production characteristic of the reservoir. | 07-25-2013 |
20130192495 | SULFUR STEEL-SLAG AGGREGATE CONCRETE - A sulfur-steel slag aggregate concrete, and methods of preparing the sulfur-steel slag aggregate concrete and disposing of elemental sulfur, are disclosed. In embodiments, the sulfur-steel slag aggregate concrete includes elemental sulfur, steel slag aggregate, limestone powder, and sand. Modifiers, such as plasticizers, are not required and are not used in embodiments of the sulfur-sand limestone mortar. In embodiments of the method to prepare the sulfur-steel slag aggregate concrete, each of the elemental sulfur, limestone powder, steel-slag, and sand are heated to at least 140 C, then combined, and then allowed to solidify. | 08-01-2013 |
20130192496 | DISPOSAL OF SULFUR THROUGH USE AS SAND-SULFUR MORTAR - A sulfur-sand limestone mortar and methods of preparing the sulfur-sand limestone mortar and disposing of elemental sulfur, are disclosed. In embodiments, the sulfur-sand limestone mortar includes elemental sulfur, limestone powder, and sand. Modifiers, such as plasticizers, are not required and are not used in embodiments of the sulfur-sand limestone mortar. In embodiments of the method to prepare the sulfur-sand limestone mortar, each of the elemental sulfur, limestone powder, and sand are heated to at least 140 C, then combined, and then allowed to solidify. | 08-01-2013 |
20130202356 | Asphalt Compositions with Sulfur Modified Polyvinyl Acetate (PVAc) - Provided is an asphalt composition that includes a sulfur modified polymer composition and method of making same. The inclusion of 50% by weight sulfur, or greater, into the polymer composition results in a composition that is softer and having an increased melting point, relative to the unmodified polymer composition. | 08-08-2013 |
20130203902 | Sulfur Modified Polyvinyl Acetate (PVAc) - Provided are a sulfur modified polymer composition, free from asphalt, bitumen or like compounds, and method of making same. The inclusion of 50% by weight sulfur, or greater, into the polymer composition results in a composition that is softer and having an increased melting point, relative to the unmodified polymer composition. | 08-08-2013 |