| SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20160138723 | Isolatable Non-Slam Piston Check Valve - A valve assembly includes a valve body with a central passage, an upstream end for receiving a fluid, and a downstream end for discharging the fluid. A segment ball valve rotates between a valve open position to allow the fluid to flow through the central passage, and a valve closed position to prevent the fluid from flowing through the central passage. A check valve located within the central passage downstream from the segment ball valve is biased to prevent the fluid from traveling upstream through the central passage, and to allow the fluid to travel downstream past the check valve. A locking mechanism secures the check valve in a locked position to prevent the fluid from flowing past the check valve. A sealable cavity is located between the segment ball valve and the check valve, to contain a neutral media to achieve a double block and bleed feature. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160138172 | Gasket With Internal Galvanic Anode Ring - A gasket assembly for sealing between mating flange faces of a flanged connection with a central bore includes a seal member. The seal member is ring shaped and has a seal member profile on an inner diameter. A galvanic anode is a ring shaped member with an outer diameter that is in engagement with the seal member profile, and an inner diameter that is at least as large as a diameter of the central bore. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160137910 | COMPOSITIONS OF AND METHODS FOR USING HYDRAULIC FRACTURING FLUID FOR PETROLEUM PRODUCTION - A hydraulic fracturing fluid for use in oilfield applications is disclosed, the hydraulic fracturing fluid includes a spherical bead-forming liquid composition, the spherical bead-forming liquid composition comprised of a primary liquid precursor and a secondary liquid precursor, the primary liquid precursor comprises a micellar forming surfactant, a bead-forming compound, and a non-solids bearing liquid solvent; and the secondary liquid precursor comprises one or more curing agents, and one or more co-curing agents. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160131779 | System, Machine, and Computer-Readable Storage Medium for Forming an Enhanced Seismic Trace Using a Virtual Seismic Array - Embodiments of a system are provided for forming enhanced seismic array traces using virtual seismic sensors in addition to the real seismic sensors to form a virtual seismic array. The system receives the signal responses from the real sensors, processes the signal responses from the sensors to define virtual signals using a narrowband decomposition of the complex envelope of the sensor signal responses, calculates second- and fourth-order statistics to derive steering vectors for the array of real sensors, and forms a virtual seismic array in response thereto. Machines, computer program product, and computer-implemented methods are provided for forming enhanced seismic array traces by receiving the array responses from sensors, processing the signals to define virtual sensor signals and a virtual seismic array, and forming an array response for the virtual seismic array to form a seismic trace of enhanced resolution. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160115752 | Remedial Second-Stage Cementing Packer - A method for cementing an annular space outside of an inner casing of a subterranean well includes running and setting a cement packer assembly into a bore of the inner casing. The cement packer assembly includes a plurality of nails spaced around a circumference of the cement packer assembly. Slips are set and a lower end of each of the nails is pushed through the inner casing with a setting tool to form holes. A middle portion of the nails having a smaller outer dimension than the lower end of the nails is positioned within the holes. Cement is pumped through the inner casing, through the holes and into the annular space. A force is applied to the nails to move the nails through the holes and position a seal plate of each nail against an inside surface of the bore surrounding one of the holes. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160115107 | Olefin Hydration Process Using Oscillatory Baffled Reactor - A butanol production system and method for producing refined mixed butanols includes an internal baffle single pass reactor having an internal fluid conduit defined by an internal wall. The internal fluid conduit contains a process fluid comprising water, mixed butenes and mixed butanols, to form a crude product. Internal flow baffles are located along a length of the internal fluid conduit. Baffled cells are defined at an outer diameter by the internal wall and at ends by the internal flow baffles. A separation system separates water and mixed butenes from the crude product to produce refined mixed butanols. An oscillator assembly is coupled to the internal baffle single pass reactor and has a reciprocating oscillator head selectively movable in a back and forth linear motion, and in communication with the process fluid such that the process fluid undergoes a general sinusoidal movement along the internal baffle single pass reactor. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160107200 | AIR FILTER ULTRASONIC CLEANING SYSTEMS AND THE METHODS OF USING THE SAME - An ultrasonic wave washing unit may include a housing including a media inlet, a media outlet, and a bottom surface; a plurality of ultrasonic transducers disposed about and extending from the bottom surface; a support structure including a chair and sleeve, wherein the support structure is coaxially disposed within the housing within the plurality of ultrasonic transducers; wherein the chair is operable to hold an air filter and receive residue from the air filter when washed within the ultrasonic wave washing unit; and the sleeve is operable to engage with the air filter and secure the air filter within the chair. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160090809 | Scissor-Mechanism Closing Rams of Blow Out Preventors - A ram closing assembly for a blowout preventor has a main central bore and a radial bore normal to the main central bore and includes a ram body having a rotational pin proximate to an inner end. A pair of ram arm assemblies are located on opposite sides of the ram body. The ram arm assemblies have a shaped end and an elbow end. A rotating ram is pivotally connected to the rotational pin and to the elbow end of one of the ram arm assemblies. A ram actuator is movable relative to the ram body, to move the pair of ram arm assemblies to pivot the rotating rams about the rotational pin to a closed position. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160084079 | Fast-Setting Retrievable Slim-Hole Test Packer and Method of Use - A well test assembly sized for use in a slim-hole of a subterranean well includes an inner moveable sleeve having an inner circulation port and an inner fluid passage port. An outer housing has a first outer circulation port, an outer fluid passage port, and a second outer circulation port. A middle sleeve has: a middle circulation port aligned with the inner circulation port and the first outer circulation port when the assembly is in a lowering position; a middle fluid passage aligned with the inner fluid passage port and the outer fluid passage port when the assembly is in a collection position; and a fluid injection port aligned with the second outer circulation port when the assembly is in a retrieval position. A packer assembly seals an annulus between the middle sleeve and an inner diameter of the slim-hole when the assembly is in a setting position. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20160054259 | ANALYZER FOR MONITORING SALT CONTENT IN HIGH RESISTIVITY FLUIDS - An electrochemical polymerization based salt content analyzer configured to determine salt composition in a direct, fast, and serial manner. The salt content analyzer includes three electrodes: a working electrode, a counter electrode and a reference electrode. In operation, the current passing through the electrodes as a sweeping voltage is applied may be analyzed to determine the salt content of the analyte. The working electrode includes an access control mechanism to only expose a fraction of the working length of the working electrode to the outside environment at any given time. The access control mechanism is advanced between tests to expose a fresh portion of the working electrode. Thus, testing may be performed in a serial manner. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20150369229 | Downhole Chemical Injection Method and System for Use in ESP Applications - Provided is a chemical injection pump that is installed below an electric submersible pump. In general, the chemical injection pump is either driven by an electric motor that draws power from the electric submersible pump motor or from energized fluid leaving the electric submersible pump output port. The electric submersible pump provides electric or hydraulic power to run the chemical injection pump. Therefore, no surface chemical injection pump is required and hence less space is needed. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150353847 | Integrated Systems And Methods For Separation And Extraction Of Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Heterocyclic Compounds, And Organometallic Compounds From Hydrocarbon Feedstocks - Methods are provided for extracting heterocyclic compounds, organometallic compounds, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon feedstock such as crude oil or a crude fraction. The heterocyclic compounds and organometallic compounds are removed from the hydrocarbon feedstock through one or more successive extractions to form a first raffinate. The extractions use a first solvent system containing an ionic liquid formed from carbon dioxide and water. The polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons are removed from the first raffinate using a second solvent system containing an aprotic solvent such as NMP, DMSO, aromatics, or combinations thereof. The extracted compounds remain chemically intact and may be fractionated for further applications. Further methods are provided for producing a hydrocarbon raffinate having reduced levels of heterocyclic compounds, organometallic compounds, and 2-4 cycle polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150347898 | Predicting Well Markers from Artificial Neural-Network-Predicted Lithostratigraphic Facies - This disclosure generally describes methods and systems, including computer-implemented methods, computer-program products, and computer systems, for predicting well markers. One computer-implemented method includes separating neural-network (NN)-predicted facies output associated with a plurality of wells into two sets, a first set of NN-predicted facies output of training wells and a second set of NN-predicted facies output of target wells, calculating, for each training well of the plurality of wells, a sameness score between zones of NN-predicted facies output and human-identified lithostratigraphic units (finer zones), calculating a mean sameness score for the finer zones for all training wells, identifying finer zones with a mean sameness score greater than a threshold value as dominant facies zones, and iterating over each target well to calculate a top and depth position of each dominant facies zone determined based upon the NN-predicted facies output of the target well. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150343416 | Activation of Waste Metal Oxide as an Oxygen Carrier for Chemical Looping Combustion Applications - A process for producing black powder oxygen carriers for use in a chemical looping combustion unit includes the steps of: (a) removing and collecting the black powder waste material that was formed in a gas pipeline; (b) pre-treating the collected black powder to adjust its spherical shape to avoid attrition and fines production; and (c) activating the black powder to increase its reactivity rate and produce the black powder oxygen carrier that is suitable for use in the chemical looping combustion process as an oxygen carrier. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150329974 | 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. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150326582 | Apparatus, Systems, Platforms, and Methods For Securing Communication Data Exchanges Between Multiple Networks for Industrial and Non-Industrial Applications - Apparatus, systems, network platforms, and methods of providing secure communication between multiple networks, and program product for managing heat exchanger energy efficiency and retrofit for an industrial facility, are provided. According to an exemplary apparatus, the apparatus can include provisions for preventing uninterrupted application-to-application layer communications between the one or more secured networked members and the one or more networked enterprise members to thereby eliminate active files from being communicated, preventing communication of active files or other vulnerable files, and preventing establishment of active links or sessions, between the one or more secured networked members and the one or more networked enterprise members. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150323087 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMBINED BALL SEGMENT VALVE AND CHECK VALVE - A valve apparatus including a check valve and a ball segment valve is provided within a fluid system for handling a flammable working fluid. The valve apparatus is arranged such that flapper doors of the check valve longitudinally overlaps a ball segment of the ball segment valve when each are in respective open positions such that the valve apparatus maintains a face-to-face dimension of a standard ball valve. The valve apparatus can thus provide positive isolation and directional fluid control in a congested fluid system with space savings over single valves. An isolated chamber is defined between the flapper doors and the ball segment when each is in a respective closed position. A non-flammable fluid is injected into the isolated chamber to urge the flapper doors and ball segment toward the closed positions to thereby provide a safe environment for performing maintenance operations on downstream fluid components. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150322325 | Ecofriendly Lubricating Additives for Water-Based Wellbore Drilling Fluids - Some examples of producing water-based drilling fluids including ecofriendly lubricating additives are described. A raw material oil including fatty acids with a short chain alcohol is esterified in the presence of a catalyst to produce alkyl ester products and triglycerides. The alkyl ester products are washed and heated to remove any residual water or the short chain alcohol. A first quantity of the alkyl ester products is mixed with a second quantity of a water-based wellbore drilling fluid. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150321975 | PROCESS TO PRODUCE AROMATICS FROM CRUDE OIL - A process for producing aromatics from a hydrocarbon source in the presence of supercritical water comprising the steps of mixing a pressurized, pre-heated water stream with a pressurized, pre-heated petroleum feedstock, the pressurized, pre-heated water stream at a pressure above the critical pressure of water and a temperature above the critical temperature of water, feeding the combined stream to a supercritical water reactor to create a modified stream, cooling and depressurizing the modified stream, separating the depressurized stream in a vapor-liquid separator, condensing the vapor stream, separating the condensed stream into a water recovery stream and a light product recovery stream, extracting the aromatics from the light product recovery stream, depressurizing the liquid stream, separating the depressurized liquid stream in a heavy separator into an upgraded product stream, and recycling part of the upgraded product stream to the pressurized, pre-heated petroleum feedstock as a product recycle. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150315486 | Demulsification and Extraction of Biochemicals from Crude and its Fractions Using Water and Subcritical/Supercritical Carbon Dioxide as Proton Pump with pH Tuning without Precipitating Oil Components - A demulsification process for extracting surface active biochemical products from crude oil and its fractions when they are used as feedstock during biochemical productions utilizes subcritical/supercritical CO | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150308336 | CARBONYLS REMOVAL SYSTEM - A method to limit the deposition of metals from a syngas stream on a gas turbine comprising the steps of feeding the syngas stream to a pressure swing adsorption vessel of a pressure swing adsorption system, the syngas stream comprises carbonyls, the pressure swing adsorption vessel configured to perform a pressure swing adsorption cycle: adsorbing the carbonyls on a carbonyl selective adsorbent, leaving a turbine feed stream, reducing the pressure of the pressure swing adsorption vessel to a purge pressure less than the adsorbing pressure, purging the carbonyls from the carbonyl adsorbed adsorbent to create a tail gas stream, re-pressurizing the regenerated carbonyl adsorbent to the adsorbing pressure, feeding the tail gas stream to an incinerator configured to oxidize the carbonyls in the tail gas stream to metal oxides and carbon dioxide, and feeding the turbine feed stream to the gas turbine. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150306519 | METHOD FOR KILLING AND REMOVING MICROORGANISMS AND SCALE USING SEPARATION UNIT EQUIPPED WITH ROTATING MAGNETS - A method to continuously clean a fouled process stream using a magnetic field comprising feeding the fouled process stream, comprising a fouling constituent, to a magnetic separation unit. The magnetic separation unit comprising a separation vessel configured to receive the fouled process stream, a mounted magnet configured to generate the magnetic field operable to reduce a concentration of the fouling constituent. The mounted magnet comprising a magnet motor configured to rotate a shaft, the shaft configured to rotate a magnet, and the magnet configured to generate the magnetic field. A circulation pump fluidly connected to the separation vessel and a sampling point configured to allow removal of a sample. The method further includes measuring the concentration of the fouling constituent in the sample and supplying an effluent stream from the separation vessel to a clean collection vessel. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150300874 | Pipeline Integrity Monitoring Using Fiber Optics - In some examples of monitoring pipeline integrity using fiber optics, a first set of values that represent an attenuation of a light signal transmitted through an optical fiber positioned adjacent a pipeline to carry fluids and a second set of values that represent a dispersion of the light signal transmitted through the optical fiber are received. An attenuation profile of the light signal and a dispersion profile of the light signal through the optical fiber are generated based on the first and second sets of values, respectively. Using the profiles, a light-based profile signature describing an environment surrounding the optical fiber is generated, and compared with a baseline light-based profile signature describing an environment surrounding the optical fiber under a normal operating condition. A notification describing an operation of the pipeline is provided in response to the comparing. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150300143 | Chemically-Induced Pulsed Fracturing Method - A method of increasing a stimulated reservoir volume in a wellbore in a gas-containing formation includes the steps of mixing an exothermic reaction component to achieve a pre-selected solution pH, the exothermic reaction component is operable to react at a wellbore temperature to generate a pressure pulse, mixing the exothermic reaction component with a viscous fluid component operable to fracture the gas-containing formation to create fractures, and a proppant component, the proppant component carried to the fractures by the viscous fluid, the proppant component comprises a proppant operable to hold open the fractures, to form a fracturing fluid, injecting the fracturing fluid into the wellbore in the gas-containing formation to create fractures, and generating the pressure pulse when the exothermic reaction component reaches the wellbore temperature, the pressure pulse operable to create auxiliary fractures, wherein the auxiliary fractures create a fracture network, the fracture network increases the stimulated reservoir volume. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150300142 | Method For Enhanced Fracture Cleanup Using Redox Treatment - A method for improved hydrocarbon recovery from a formation due to cleanup of a residual viscous material is provided. The method comprising the steps of fracturing the formation with a fracturing fluid to generate fractures, the fracturing fluid comprising a viscous fluid component operable to fracture the formation leaving behind residual viscous material in the fractures, the viscous fluid having a viscosity; a proppant component comprising a proppant, the proppant operable to hold open the fractures, wherein the proppant component is carried to the fractures by the viscous fluid component; and a cleanup fluid, the cleanup fluid comprising: an acid precursor operable to trigger an exothermic reaction component, and the exothermic reaction component operable to generate heat, where the generated heat is operable to reduce a viscosity of the residual viscous material to create a reduced viscosity material operable to flow from the formation. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150286971 | BIT PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS - The performance of drill bits proposed for use in drilling wells is analyzed for comparison and evaluation based on field experience, projected drilling and formation conditions, and performance criteria. Drill bits of different types and from different possible sources are analyzed with a common processing methodology to provide cost per foot data based on several possible drilling criteria contemplated for a well. The present invention also incorporates historical data from other wells and from similar formations to those of the planned well, as well as performance in similar conditions of the types of drill bits contemplated, and projected drilling strategies and trajectories. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150284642 | SULFONE CRACKING USING SUPERCRITICAL WATER - A process for employing supercritical water, optionally in the presence of a catalyst, for the cracking of sulfones sulfoxides and mixtures thereof, which have been recovered and separated after the oxidative desulfurization of a stream of crude oil or distilled fractions thereof. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150279093 | 360-DEGREE CORE PHOTO IMAGE INTEGRATION AND INTERPRETATION IN A 3D PETROPHYSICAL MODELING ENVIRONMENT - The present disclosure describes methods and systems, including computer-implemented methods, computer-program products, and computer systems, for providing 360-degree well core sample photo image integration, calibration, and interpretation for modeling of reservoir formations and lithofacies distribution. One computer-implemented method includes receiving a 360-degree well core sample photo image, geospatially anchoring, by a computer, the received 360-degree well core sample photo image, decomposing, by a computer, the geospatially-anchored 360-degree well core sample photo image into a color numerical array, transforming, by a computer, the color numerical array into a formation image log, calibrating, by a computer, the formation image log for consistency with additionally available data, and generating, by a computer, 3D lithofacies interpretation and prediction data using the formation image log. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150266393 | System and Method For Fueling Alternative Fuel Vehicles - Disclosed is an alternative fuel fueling station useful for fueling both electrical and hydrogen alternative fuel vehicles simultaneously. The alternative fuel fueling station includes a solid oxide fuel cell, an electrical conduit, and a compressed hydrogen conduit, such that the alternative fuel fueling station can fuel both the electrical and hydrogen alternative fuel vehicles simultaneously. | 09-24-2015 |
| 20150260038 | WELL COMPLETION SLIDING SLEEVE VALVE BASED SAMPLING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A well completion system includes tubing, and packers that seal the annulus of the well outside the tubing. The packers are spaced to define voids in the annulus that are substantially free from hydrostatic pressure. Also included are hollow sleeve valves having upper and lower sealing elements, and that have closed and open positions. Each sleeve valve is positioned within the tubing at a depth corresponding to a void in the annulus. Ports extend through the sleeve valve and tubing, so that when the sleeve valve is closed, the port is closed, and when the sleeve valve is open, the port is open. Also included is a sampling tool having top and bottom sealing elements, the bottom sealing element for engaging the lower sealing element of a sleeve valve, and the top sealing element for engaging the upper sealing element of the sleeve valve when the sleeve valve is open. | 09-17-2015 |
| 20150260017 | GENERATING UNCONSTRAINED VORONOI GRIDS IN A DOMAIN CONTAINING COMPLEX INTERNAL BOUNDARIES - Unstructured grids are automatically constructed in a domain containing complex internal boundaries. Simulation grids are constructed for reservoirs or fields which contain complex fault planes. Reconciling among generated fault grid-points and other reservoir/field grid-points is performed, enabling the use of unconstrained Delaunay triangulation. High-quality orthogonal unstructured grids are provided with good convergence properties for reservoir simulation. | 09-17-2015 |
| 20150260016 | MODELING INTERSECTING FAULTS AND COMPLEX WELLBORES IN RESERVOIR SIMULATION - Orthogonal unstructured grids are automatically constructed for a field or reservoir model with two types of internal boundaries: complex wells and faults, or other discontinuities. The methodology is used to constructed simulation grids for reservoirs or fields which contains both complex fault planes and multi-lateral wells. A hierarchical grid point generation, prioritization, conflict point removal system is provided enabling the use of unconstrained Delaunay triangulation. High-quality orthogonal unstructured grids are produced with good convergence properties for reservoir simulation. | 09-17-2015 |
| 20150247940 | HISTORY MATCHING OF TIME-LAPSE CROSSWELL DATA USING ENSEMBLE KALMAN FILTERING - Data from crosswell seismic surveys is processed to provide crosswell time-lapse data to map fluid changes in a reservoir where time-lapse or 4D seismic data is unavailable or unreliable, such as in onshore reservoirs. The resultant processing results provide quantitative information for history matching purposes using a probabilistic approach to take in account uncertainties in the geological model and reduce uncertainties in reservoir production forecasts. | 09-03-2015 |
| 20150240985 | VARIABLE SPEED PIPELINE PIG WITH INTERNAL FLOW CAVITY - A pipeline pig includes a plurality of relief channels and a bypass channel extending therethrough. To regulate a speed of the pipeline pig, relief valves within the relief channels open when a differential pressure between upstream and downstream ends of the pipeline pig reaches a pre-selected minimum relief pressure. If the differential pressure reaches a pre-selected maximum relief pressure, such as when the pipeline pig encounters an obstruction, the relief valves close to allow the differential pressure to further increase to clear the obstruction. If the further increase in differential pressure is insufficient to clear the obstruction and the differential pressure reaches a pre-selected minimum bypass pressure, a bypass valve opens to permit fluid flow through the bypass channel while the relief valves are closed. Flow through the bypass channel operates to reduce turbulence and permit production through the pipeline if the pipeline pig becomes stuck and obstructs the pipeline. | 08-27-2015 |
| 20150233233 | MEASURING BEHIND CASING HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY BETWEEN RESERVOIR LAYERS - A measure of the hydraulic conductivity, F | 08-20-2015 |
| 20150233228 | FLUID HOMOGENIZER SYSTEM FOR GAS SEGREGATED LIQUID HYDROCARBON WELLS AND METHOD OF HOMOGENIZING LIQUIDS PRODUCED BY SUCH WELLS - A system and method for improving the flow characteristics of gaseous slug-laden liquid hydrocarbon wells, particularly from horizontal, of similar boreholes. The invention provides a system and method which essentially homogenizes the liquid and the gas, utilizing a unique flow tube arrangement and a sequence of steps by first breaking up and separating the slugged gas from the liquid at a first location, and then gathering it into holding location—i.e., an annulus section—where it is re-introduced in controlled amounts into the liquid downstream of the first location. The gas is re-introduced into the liquid flow in such pre-determined and controlled quantities as to promote better pressure and flow characteristics of the hydrocarbon liquid product. Various alternative gas/liquid separation devices are incorporated into the system of the invention, which devices may be located either in a vertical wellbore or a horizontal wellbore, depending upon the particular well characteristics. Optionally, an electric submersible pump may be incorporated where needed to assist the mixed production flow toward surface. A compressor may optionally be provided in the gaseous holding location, where needed. An apparatus for homogenizing production fluid from an oil well having one or more horizontal bores is also disclosed. | 08-20-2015 |
| 20150227442 | Circumventing Load Imbalance in Parallel Simulations Caused by Faulty Hardware Nodes - The present disclosure describes methods, systems, and computer program products for circumventing parallel processing load imbalance. One computer-implemented method includes generating a library function for a plurality of parallel-processing nodes, receiving timing statistics from each of the plurality of parallel-processing nodes, the timing statistics generated by executing the library function on each parallel-processing node, determining that a faulty parallel-processing node exists, signaling a simulator to checkpoint and stop a simulation executing on the parallel processing nodes, and removing the faulty parallel-processing node from parallel processing nodes available to execute the simulation. | 08-13-2015 |
| 20150226012 | Downhole Self-Isolating Wellbore Drilling Systems - One example of a downhole self-isolating wellbore drilling system to pulverize formation cuttings includes a cutting grinder tool and an isolation tool. The cutting grinder tool can be attached to a drill string uphole relative to a drill bit attached to a downhole end of the drill string. The cutting grinder tool can receive and pulverize formation cuttings resulting from drilling a formation using the drill bit. The isolation tool can be attached to the drill string uphole relative to the cutting grinder tool. The isolation tool can control flow of the pulverized formation cuttings mixed with a drilling mud uphole through the drill string. | 08-13-2015 |
| 20150225320 | Process for Production of Mixed Butanols and Diisobutenes as Fuel Blending Components - A process for simultaneously hydrating and oligomerizing a hydrocarbon feed comprising mixed olefins incudes the steps of: (a) introducing the hydrocarbon feed in the presence of water into a fixed bed; (b) contacting the hydrocarbon feed with a catalyst within said fixed bed reactor, where the catalyst is of the type that hydrates the mixed olefins to form mixed alcohols and oligomerizes at least a portion of the mixed olefins into oligomers to produce a first product stream that includes an organic phase and an aqueous phase; (c) introducing the first product stream into a first separator which separates the organic phase from the aqueous phase; (d) introducing the separated organic phase into a second separator which separates unreacted olefins from mixed alcohols and one or more oligomers which comprise a final product stream; and (e) introducing the separated aqueous phase into a third separator which separates an alcohol-water azeotrope component from water. | 08-13-2015 |
| 20150204762 | SAMPLING AND BLOCKAGE REMOVAL TOOL - A sampling and blockage removal tool for mounting at a drain point of a pipeline or vessel isolation has a body, a connection valve mounted on the body and having a threaded fitting for threadably engaging in a threaded opening provided in the isolation valve of a pipeline and for securing the tool in fluid communication with the isolation valve, and a sampling tube extendable into the body. The tube is formed as hollow rod having an outer thread. A hand wheel is rotatably secured to the body without a possibility of longitudinal displacement relative thereto and has an inner thread cooperating with the outer thread of the sampling tube for longitudinally displacing the tube in opposite directions. At an end of the sampling tube remote from the body a valve structure is provided for controlling fluid flow through the sampling tube. | 07-23-2015 |
| 20150204539 | Sour Gas Combustion Using In-situ Oxygen Production and Chemical Looping Combustion - A chemical looping combustion (CLC) process for sour gas combustion includes a number of reaction zones and is configured to provide in-situ oxygen production and in-situ removal of SO | 07-23-2015 |
| 20150191663 | EBULLATED-BED PROCESS FOR FEEDSTOCK CONTAINING DISSOLVED HYDROGEN - An improved system and method for processing feedstocks in an ebullated-bed hydroprocessing reactor is provided in which hydrogen gas is dissolved in the fresh and recycled liquid feedstock by mixing and/or diffusion of an excess of hydrogen, followed by flashing of the undissolved hydrogen upstream of the reactor inlet, introduction of the feed containing dissolved hydrogen into the ebullated-bed hydroprocessing reactor whereby the dissolved hydrogen eliminates or minimizes the prior art problems of gas hold-up and reduced operational efficiency of the recycle pump due to the presence of excess gas in the recycle stream when hydrogen gas was introduced as a separate phase into the reactor. | 07-09-2015 |
| 20150185174 | ANALYZER FOR MONITORING SALT CONTENT IN HIGH RESISTIVITY FLUIDS - An electrochemical polymerization based salt content analyzer configured to determine salt composition in a direct, fast, and serial manner. The salt content analyzer includes three electrodes: a working electrode, a counter electrode and a reference electrode. In operation, the current passing through the electrodes as a sweeping voltage is applied may be analyzed to determine the salt content of the analyte. When a voltage is applied, an electro-polymerizable monomer forms a thin film on the working electrode. The working electrode includes an access control mechanism to only expose a fraction of the working length of the working electrode to the outside environment at any given time. The access control mechanism is advanced between tests to expose a fresh portion of the working electrode and conceal the portion with a thin film of electro-polymerized monomer. Thus, testing may be performed in a serial manner. | 07-02-2015 |
| 20150184085 | DEMULSIFICATION OF EMULSIFIED PETROLEUM USING CARBON DIOXIDE AND RESIN SUPPLEMENT WITHOUT PRECIPITATION OF ASPHALTENES - Methods for demulsifying an emulsified petroleum source having a predetermined resin-to-asphaltene ratio without substantial aggregation or precipitation of asphaltenes may include adding a resin supplement to the emulsified petroleum source to form a resin-supplemented emulsion having a resin-to-asphaltene ratio above a predetermined critical value. An acidic-to-basic ratio of acidic functional groups to basic functional groups in the supplemented emulsion may be adjusted to be from about 0.25 to about 4.0. The resin-supplemented emulsion may be contacted with carbon dioxide to form an initial mixture having an emulsified oil phase and an emulsified aqueous phase. The initial mixture may be stabilized to facilitate rupture of the resin-supplemented emulsion, to cause phase separation, and to allow removal of a separated oil phase. The resin-to-asphaltene ratio being above the predetermined critical value in the supplemented emulsion maintains asphaltene suspension during demulsification, such that asphaltene agglomeration and precipitation are avoided. | 07-02-2015 |
| 20150183650 | OXYCOMBUSTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS WITH THERMALLY INTEGRATED AMMONIA SYNTHESIS - Oxycombustion systems and oxycombustion methods include thermally integrated ammonia synthesis. The oxycombustion systems may include an air separation unit that separates air into an oxygen stream and a nitrogen stream. An ammonia synthesis unit synthesizes ammonia from a hydrogen feed and the nitrogen stream to form a crude ammonia stream. An ammonia separation unit condenses the crude ammonia stream and separates the ammonia from any unreacted nitrogen and hydrogen to form a purified ammonia stream. An oxycombustion reactor combusts a fuel from a fuel feed stream in the presence of the oxygen stream from the air separation unit to generate hot water or steam. At least one thermal integration may be present in the oxycombustion systems and may be chosen from a reactor thermal linkage of the ammonia synthesis unit with the oxycombustion reactor, a separator thermal linkage of the air separation unit with the ammonia separation unit, or both. | 07-02-2015 |
| 20150159280 | CATHODIC PROTECTION AUTOMATED CURRENT AND POTENTIAL MEASURING DEVICE FOR ANODES PROTECTING VESSEL INTERNALS - Embodiments of systems and methods for providing cathodic protection to a fluid-containing vessel include measuring two distinct voltages at a junction box exterior to the fluid-containing vessel. The first voltage is measured across a shunt in the junction box such that a current magnitude through the shunt can be determined using Ohm's Law that is representative of a current output of one or more sacrificial anodes disposed within the fluid-containing vessel. The second voltage is measured by depressing a pushbutton of a momentary switch to open the switch and interrupt current flow through the shunt. The second voltage is representative of a voltage difference between the one or more sacrificial anodes and the a wall of the fluid-containing vessel. | 06-11-2015 |
| 20150159102 | Two-Step Process for Production of RON-enhanced Mixed Butanols and Diisobutenes - A two-step process for the oligomerization and hydration of a mixed butenes feed is provided and is implemented in a two-stage system. The two-step process yields a product consisting of diisobutenes (DIBs) and mixed butanols. The DIBs are produced via the selective oligomerization of isobutene in a first stage and the mixed butanols are produced via the hydration, in a second stage, of mixed butenes that remain unreacted in the first stage. | 06-11-2015 |
| 20150159018 | FOAMED SULFUR ASPHALTS FOR PAVEMENT RECYCLING AND SOIL STABILIZATION - Methods for manufacturing a foamed sulfur asphalt stabilized soil and a foamed sulfur asphalt are provided. The foamed sulfur asphalt stabilized soil includes an foamed sulfur asphalt, an air-dried aggregate, moisturizing water, and Portland cement. The foamed sulfur asphalt includes an asphalt binder, elemental sulfur, foaming air, and foaming water. The foamed sulfur asphalt has a foam half-life equal to or greater than about 6 seconds and a foam expansion ratio equal to or greater than 8. The foamed sulfur asphalt also has an amount of elemental sulfur in a range of from about 10% to about 50% by weight of the combined amounts of elemental sulfur and the asphalt binder in the foamed sulfur asphalt. | 06-11-2015 |
| 20150148578 | Unsupported Metal Substituted Heteropolyacid Catalysts For Dimerization And/Or Oligomerization of Olefins - The present invention relates to unsupported metal (e.g., cesium) substituted heteropolyacid catalyst compositions useful for the production of butene dimers and/or oligomers from a mixed butenes feed, in which, under mild conditions, all isomers of mixed butenes produce highly branched C8 and C8+ olefins, useful as octane enhancers. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150148572 | Process for the Dimerization/Oligomerization of Mixed Butenes Over an Ion-Exchange Resin Catalyst - Processes for the effective dimerization and oligomerization of a mixed butenes feed using an ion exchange resin based catalyst are provided. The dimerization and oligomerization processes produce highly branched C8 and C8+ olefins (e.g., C12, C16 and C20 olefins) which could be used as superior fuel blending component for higher energy contents, higher octane value, higher octane sensitivity and lower RVP. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150126648 | HEAVY OIL ASH IN ROOFING, DAMP-PROOFING, AND WATER PROOFING APPLICATIONS - This invention relates to asphalt compositions. More specifically, this invention relates to asphalt compositions including asphalt, heavy oil ash, and sulfur. The invention provides a heavy oil ash asphalt composition that includes a base asphalt, sulfur, and heavy oil ash resulting in improved properties, as well as a method of making the composition. The heavy oil asphalt compositions can be used for asphalt based roofing compositions, damp-proofing compositions, and water proofing materials. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150122398 | SULFUR ASPHALT IN ROOFING, DAMP-PROOFING AND WATER PROOFING - A method of waterproofing or damp proofing a protected member having a surface with a sulfur-extended plastomer asphalt binder composition uses a sulfur-extended plastomer asphalt binder composition that includes elemental sulfur, a plastomer and an asphalt binder. The method includes the steps of combining the plastomer with the asphalt binder maintained at a plastomer mixing temperature such that an intermediate asphalt binder mixture forms, and combining elemental sulfur with the intermediate asphalt binder maintained at a sulfur mixing temperature such that the sulfur-extended plastomer asphalt binder composition forms. The method also includes the step of applying the sulfur-extended plastomer asphalt binder composition to the surface of the protected member such that the sulfur-extended plastomer asphalt binder composition contacts, adheres to and forms a layer upon the surface of the protected member. The asphalt binder composition is applied at a temperature no greater than 150° C. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150122396 | SULFUR ASPHALT IN ROOFING, DAMP-PROOFING AND WATER PROOFING - A method of waterproofing or damp proofing a protected member having a surface with a sulfur-extended elastomer asphalt binder composition uses a sulfur-extended elastomer asphalt binder composition that includes elemental sulfur, an elastomer and an asphalt binder. The method includes the steps of combining the elastomer with the asphalt binder maintained at an elastomer mixing temperature such that an intermediate asphalt binder mixture forms, and combining elemental sulfur with the intermediate asphalt binder maintained at a sulfur mixing temperature such that the sulfur-extended elastomer asphalt binder composition forms. The method also includes the step of applying the sulfur-extended elastomer asphalt binder composition to the surface of the protected member such that the sulfur-extended elastomer asphalt binder composition contacts, adheres to and forms a layer upon the surface of the protected member. The asphalt binder composition is applied at a temperature no greater than 145° C. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150111716 | Tri-Axial Centrifuge Apparatus - The invention provides a tri-axial centrifuge apparatus for testing of petro-physical properties and gathering of geo-mechanical information, as well as methods of using the tri-axial centrifuge apparatus. The tri-axial centrifuge apparatus includes a tri-axial sample holder, a fluid sample holder, a centrifuge, at least one electrical sensor, at least one acoustic sensor, and an x-ray instrument. | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150096762 | FLEXIBLE ZONE INFLOW CONTROL DEVICE - A device for controlling fluid flow from a subsurface fluid reservoir into a production tubing siring includes, a tubular member defining a central bore. At least one nozzle extends through a side wall of the tubular member. A popper is moveable between an open position where fluids can flow into the central, bore through the nozzle, and a closed position where the nozzle is fluidly sealed. A circumferential external bead profile is located, on the stem and a circumferential groove is located in the nozzle for mating with the head profile of the stem and maintaining the popper in a closed position. The device can also have a shear member disposed between the stem of the popper and an inner surface of the nozzle for supporting the popper in an open position before the popper Is moved to the closed position. | 04-09-2015 |
| 20150094958 | COMBINING MULTIPLE GEOPHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES USING EXTENDED QUANTIZATION - Four or more seismic attributes are integrated or merged into imaging formats and displayed for geological interpretation via extended quantization. Multi-attribute integration and classification improves the ability to identify geologic facies, and reservoir properties such as thickness, fluid type, or fracture intensity and orientation. The extended quantization groups up to eight attributes as a single attribute for geophysical data classification. Data group reduction criteria are provided to reveal common geological targets in the data, while preserving small variations or thin layers often found in hydrocarbon reservoirs. By combining multiple attributes, image quality is enhanced while providing analysts the ability to observe channels that might not be visible in any single attribute. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150093257 | Peristaltic Submersible Pump - A system for displacing fluid inside of a tubular member includes at least one peristaltic pump. Each peristaltic pump includes an elongated core member with a longitudinal axis located within the tubular member. A flexible member surrounds, and is concentric to, the elongated core member. The flexible member has a plurality of circular bands disposed along a length of the flexible member, each circular band being moveable between a contracted condition with a minimal radius and an expanded condition with a maximal radius. An outer membrane covers the circular bands, forming a first fluid cavity between an outer surface of the outer membrane and an inner surface of the tubular member. The outer membrane is operable to generate peristaltic waves in the first fluid cavity by selectively moving each circular band between the contracted condition and the expanded condition. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150071036 | Dynamic Threshold Systems, Computer Readable Medium, and Program Code For Filtering Noise and Restoring Attenuated High-Frequency Components of Acoustic Signals - Systems, computer readable media, and program code to provide for filtering noise and/or restoring attenuated spectral components in acoustic signals, are provided. An exemplary embodiment of a system is configured for dynamically filtering each of a plurality of raw FFT data samples of a record to remove or attenuate background noise contained therein to thereby produce a corresponding plurality of cleaned FFT data samples. The sample-specific background noise is removed or attenuated by a record-specific dynamic filter to produce the corresponding cleaned FFT data samples. The system can also perform the operations of restoring the attenuated high-frequency components of the cleaned data samples through application of a record-specific Restoring Processor at least partially defined by a portion of the cleaned data samples and a Gain Function to thereby produce cleaned and restored data samples, and applying an inverse transformation to convert the cleaned and restored data samples into cleaned and restored data samples in time domain data. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150068769 | HANGER AND PENETRATOR FOR THROUGH TUBING ESP DEPLOYMENT WITH A VERTICAL PRODUCTION TREE - A hanger assembly for use in a vertical production tree that includes an annular piping spool member having a side opening, and a hanger having an outer surface profiled to selectively land in the piping spool member and a side opening registered with the side opening of the piping spool member. The hanger assembly also includes a vertical penetrator having an end selectively connected to a submersible device and an opposing end inserted into the hanger, and that is in communication with the side openings. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150068764 | EXPANDABLE TOOL HAVING HELICAL GEOMETRY - An expandable downhole tool for use in an oil well, including a flexible member rolled into a helix and comprising first and second lateral edges on opposing lateral ends of the member. The flexible member is selectively changeable between a compressed configuration wherein the transverse cross-section of the flexible member has a first diameter, and an expanded configuration wherein the transverse cross-section of the flexible member has a second diameter, the second diameter larger than the first diameter. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150068624 | MUD PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH - A pressure switch safety system includes a pressure switch for mounting to a mud pumping system. The pressure switch can be moved from a pressure switch open position to a pressure switch closed position when the pressure within the mud pumping system reaches an excess trigger pressure. The excess trigger is greater than the pressure required to activate a pressure relief valve system of the mud pumping system. An alarm and a timer are actuated when the pressure switch is moved from the pressure switch open position to the pressure switch closed position. The timer has a preset time interval. The system has a mud pump shut down control module that will shut down the mud pumping system after the preset time interval has elapsed. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150066373 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL RESERVOIR PRESSURE DETERMINATION USING REAL TIME PRESSURE DATA FROM DOWNHOLE GAUGES - Well production rate, injection rate and pressure data are measured in an existing reservoir using in situ real time measurement gauges. Production and injection rates are entered as input to a history match model in a data processing system. Measures of projected reservoir pressure with time are generated by running the updated history match model using a reservoir simulator. Actual reservoir data values obtained at a given date or time slice from reservoir production are compared with projected data obtained from the reservoir simulator for that same date or time slice. At each time slice, the real-time pressure values measured at the wellbore are converted into reservoir pressures through a well model. The real time reservoir pressure values and the projected reservoir pressure are then used to interpolate the reservoir pressure array over the entire three dimensions using a geostatistical modeling process. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150061684 | BOREHOLE ELECTRIC FIELD SURVEY WITH IMPROVED DISCRIMINATION OF SUBSURFACE FEATURES - Errors produced in a borehole to surface electromagnetic (BSEM) survey by near surface electrical anomalies on the estimates of formation properties are reduced. The effects of variations in subsurface electrical resistivity near the surface are separated from electrical resistivity changes at locations in the formations of interest far from the measurement region. A survey system includes one or more electrodes to inject electrical current at formation depth within a borehole, one or more counter electrodes which collect such current on the surface of the earth, and one or more electrodes to inject current on the surface. A transmitter is selectively connectable to different sets of the electrodes to cause a current to flow between the selected electrode sets. The resultant fields from the current flow are sensed and processed. The effects of near surface anomalies are detectable in the data and removable from the survey data of interest regarding the formations. The survey data more accurately indicates formation features or properties of interest. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150061683 | MAPPING RESISTIVITY DISTRIBUTION WITHIN THE EARTH - Resistivity in subsurface earth at locations kilometers away from wells in the reservoirs is mapped and monitored. An electromagnetic source with an electrode is deployed a borehole in the reservoir, and a group of sensors at counter electrodes is deployed at a number of other locations radially spaced at some distance from the well. The source transmits a current which flows to the counter electrodes causing an electromagnetic field which is sensed at the sensors. The source is activated at different depths in the well and ratios of the electromagnetic field sensed with the source at different depths used to obtain data to map the resistivity. The sensors are capable of sensing electromagnetic fields along two orthogonal axes, and the measurements at a sensor along these axes used to reduce undesirable effects of noise and other factors on the data measurements. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150061669 | Tri-Axial NMR Test Instrument - The invention provides a tri-axial nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus for testing of petro-physical properties and gathering of geo-mechanical information and methods of using the same. The tri-axial nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus includes a tri-axial load frame encasing a tri-axial load cell that includes a tri-axial sample holder, at least one electrical sensor, at least one acoustic sensor, and a nuclear magnetic resonance instrument. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150060073 | METHOD OF USING CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER (CSP) FOR THERMAL GAS WELL DELIQUIFICATION - A concentrated solar power (CSP) deliquification system for discouraging the accumulation of liquids in a wellbore includes a CSP heating subsystem, and an injection and recirculation subsystem. A working fluid is heated by the CSP heating subsystem and conveyed down-hole into the wellbore by the injection and recirculation subsystem. Heat is transferred from the working fluid to a production fluid within the wellbore, which facilitates maintenance of the production fluid in a gaseous or phase while in the wellbore. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150051322 | SULFUR EXTENDED ASPHALT MODIFIED WITH CRUMB RUBBER FOR PAVING AND ROOFING - This invention relates to asphalt compositions. The invention provides a sulfur rubber asphalt binder composition that includes a base asphalt having a softening point, elemental sulfur, and a crumb rubber material. The crumb rubber material is combined with the base asphalt and the elemental sulfur to create the sulfur rubber asphalt binder composition. The crumb rubber material is present in the sulfur rubber asphalt binder in an amount effective to increase the softening point as compared to the softening point of the base asphalt. | 02-19-2015 |
| 20150029036 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GROUND FAULT IMMUNE DATA MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS - Provided are systems and methods for ground fault immune data measurement system for electric submersible pumps. A data measurement system coupled to the ESP includes a surface unit coupled to a 3-phase power cable for providing power to a 3-phase motor of the ESP and a downhole unit coupled to the motor of the ESP and located downhole in a well. The downhole unit includes sensor and is configured to generate frequency modulated carrier signals for carrying the sensor data to the surface unit. Each of the frequency modulated carrier signals carries identical sensor data and is modulated to a different frequency. The carrier signals are shunted across the motor windings of the ESP motor and onto the 3-phase power cable via a capacitive coupling. Additionally, another carrier signal carrying control data may be transmitted from the surface unit to the downhole unit. | 01-29-2015 |
| 20150027507 | System and Method for Harvesting Energy Down-Hole from an Isothermal Segment of a Wellbore - Systems and methods of generating power in a wellbore extending through a subterranean formation are described. A swirling flow of pressurized fluid is passed through a vortex tube to generate a temperature differential between first and second outlets of the vortex tube. The temperature differential is applied to a thermoelectric generator configured to convert the temperature differential into a voltage. The thermoelectric generator produces electrical power that is transmittable to down-hole tools within the wellbore such as an inflow control valve. | 01-29-2015 |
| 20150021015 | INFLOW CONTROL VALVE AND DEVICE PRODUCING DISTINCT ACOUSTIC SIGNAL - Systems and methods for generating and monitoring an acoustic response to particular fluid flow conditions in a wellbore include incorporating a sound-producing element into each inflow control device installed in a wellbore. Each of the sound-producing elements generates an acoustic signature that is readily identifiable from each other sound-producing element installed in the wellbore. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150021013 | Electromagnetic Assisted Ceramic Materials for Heavy Oil Recovery and In-Situ Steam Generation - The disclosure provides a downhole tool, and method of using the downhole tool, for enhancing recovery of heavy oil from a formation. A method for enhancing recovery of heavy oil from a formation includes placing a downhole tool in a first wellbore. The downhole tool has an outer core having at least one ceramic portion and at least one electromagnetic antenna located within the outer core. Electromagnetic radiation is emitted from the at least one electromagnetic antenna to heat the at least one ceramic portion. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150021008 | Electromagnetic Assisted Ceramic Materials for Heavy Oil Recovery and In-Situ Steam Generation - The disclosure provides a downhole tool, and method of using the downhole tool, for enhancing recovery of heavy oil from a formation. The downhole tool includes an outer core having at least one ceramic portion. At least one electromagnetic antenna is disposed within the outer core. The at least one electromagnetic antenna is operable to emit electromagnetic radiation to heat the at least one ceramic portion. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20140354055 | HIGH EFFICIENCY SOLAR POWER GENERATOR FOR OFFSHORE APPLICATIONS - A dual-type solar power generator comprising a dual capture panel. The dual capture panel comprises a reflective surface configured to reflect solar radiation having a reflecting wavelength and an absorbent surface configured to absorb solar radiation having an absorbent wavelength to create a released electron stream. A thermal transfer unit comprising a receiving zone configured to absorb heat energy, a heat engine that converts the heat energy to mechanical work energy, and a generator configured to convert the mechanical work energy to an electric current, an electric conditioning system comprising an electrical buffer configured to prevent a cross flow of the released electron stream and the electric current, a power converter configured to equalize a released electron stream voltage with an electric current voltage, an electrical connector configured to combine the released stream voltage with the electric current voltage to create a power source. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140353043 | Method of Conversion of a Drilling Mud to a Gel-Based Lost Circulation Material to Combat Lost Circulation During Continuous Drilling - A method of conversion of a water-based mud to a gel-based LCM quickly to control lost circulation in a lost circulation zone in a wellbore during continuous drilling with a drilling mud, the drilling mud comprises a volcanic ash, water, a de-foamer, a pH buffer, and a polymer. The method comprises the steps of entering the lost circulation zone, determining a lost circulation volumetric flow rate, metering a first amount of a binder into the drilling mud to create a binder containing mud, pumping the binder containing drilling mud into the wellbore, and suspending metering of the first amount of the binder to the drilling mud after a pre-defined regulating period of time effective to permit the binder containing drilling mud to create a gel-based LCM operable to alter the lost circulation zone. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140345375 | Enhanced Reference Line Tank Calibration Method and Apparatus - A system for measuring the volume of a tank, including an optical device that emits a laser beam adjacent to a surface of the tank, and a magnetic trolley selectively moveable along the surface of the tank and configured to be remotely controlled by an operator. The magnetic trolley has a linear position sensor in communication with the laser beam to determine the position of the magnetic trolley relative to the laser beam as the magnetic trolley moves on the surface of the tank. A data processor communicates with the linear position sensor to calculate the volume of the tank based at least partially on the position data collected by the linear position sensor. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20140333307 | Downhole Salinity Measurement - A downhole salinity measurement and logging sensor system has multiple cells, each to measure conductivity, temperature and pressure of fluids at depths of interest in a wellbore. The multiple cells protect against effects of non-homogeneous wellbore fluids. The system also determines salinity of the liquid in the wellbore from conductance measurements, and stores the salinity data along with the temperature and pressure readings from the well. The sensors of conductivity, temperature and pressure are made using micro-fabrication technologies, and the system is packaged to comply with harsh downhole environments. The system may be deployed in the well with coiled tubing (CT), wireline or vehicles with a robotic system. The system can be deployed with an onboard memory, or with wireline surface access for real time access to measurement data or programming the device. | 11-13-2014 |
| 20140326280 | CLEANING APPARATUS FOR HEAT EXHANGE TUBES OF AIR COOLED HEAT EXCHANGERS - A spray mat for spraying cleaning fluid under pressure onto the outer surfaces of heat exchange tubes that extend in rows in a heat exchanger, the rows of tubes being spaced apart from each other with a generally planar space defined between each two adjacent rows, the spray mat formed of a plurality of spray strips, each spray strip including: (a) a base part having upper and lower surfaces, (b) a fluid inlet, (c) a plurality of spray nozzles spaced apart and secured on the upper and lower surfaces, and (d) a duct system for fluid coupling the fluid inlet to the spray nozzles, each spray strip is bendably and fluid coupled to the next forming a flexible spray mat which is positionable into and removable out of selected ones of the planar spaces between each two adjacent rows of the heat exchange tubes. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140311755 | APPARATUS FOR DRIVING AND MANEUVERING WIRELINE LOGGING TOOLS IN HIGH-ANGLED WELLS - A data logging apparatus for use in a wellbore of a fluid production well includes a forward portion for guiding the data logging tool through the wellbore. An elongated body having a first end and a second end includes electronic circuitry for receiving data from at least one sensor provided on the data logging tool. An elongated shaft having a first end is connected to the forward portion, and a second end of the elongated shaft is connected to the first end of the elongated body. A propulsion assembly is connected to the second end of the elongated body for self-propelling the data logging tool through the fluid production well. The self-propelled data logging tool can transverse though the wellbore having inclinations of at least fifty degrees. An outwardly extending support arm assembly is rotatably attached about the elongated shaft to prevent the logging tool from uncontrollably spinning. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140305840 | ASPHALT COMPOSITION - An asphalt composition includes asphalt and spent adsorbent material from a solvent deasphalting unit. The asphalt can comprise asphaltic material obtained from a solvent deasphalting unit, and spent adsorbent material in the asphalt composition was previously utilized in the solvent deasphalting unit. The asphalt composition can also include process reject materials. | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140299513 | PROCESS FOR OXIDATIVE CONVERSION OF ORGANOSULFUR COMPOUNDS IN LIQUID HYDROCARBON MIXTURES - The process for the desulfurization of a sulfur-containing hydrocarbon mixture, such as a full-range, hydrotreated diesel oil, is accomplished with an aqueous oxidizing agent in the presence of a catalyst and a co-catalyst, and thereafter selectively removing the oxidized compounds by solvent extraction. Optionally, the foregoing steps are followed by solvent stripping and recovery, and a final polishing step. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140299017 | Enhancing Properties of Sulfur Extended Asphalt Using Polyethylene Wax - This invention relates to asphalt compositions. More specifically, this invention relates to asphalt binder compositions including asphalt, elemental sulfur and polyethylene wax, and methods of making the same. In some aspects, the invention provides a sulfur wax asphalt binder composition that includes a base asphalt having viscoelastic properties, an elemental sulfur, and a polyethylene wax. The polyethylene wax is combined with the base asphalt and the elemental sulfur to create the sulfur wax asphalt binder composition. The polyethylene wax is present in the sulfur wax asphalt binder composition in an amount effective to increase the viscoelastic properties as compared to the viscoelastic properties of the base asphalt. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140295559 | METHOD FOR PREDICTION OF INHIBITION DURABILITY INDEX OF SHALE INHIBITORS AND INHIBITIVE DRILLING MUD SYSTEMS - Embodiments of a method used for determination of inhibition durability index (IDI) of an inhibitive mud system can include multiple stages, with each stage including specific steps. The first stage can include a dispersion test that evaluates the inhibition effects of a stability inhibitor after exposing the test material to the inhibitor. The second stage can include a durability inhibition assessment, which includes assessing the longevity of the effect of the inhibitor. A third stage can be used to graph or otherwise evaluate the results of the second stage or the first and second stages. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140290951 | FILTERCAKE REMOVAL USING EXOTHERMIC IN-SITU NITROGEN-PRODUCING REACTANTS - Removal of filtercake particles from a wellbore is achieved by injecting two (2) water-soluble nitrogen-containing salts and an organic acid resulting in the generation of nitrogen gas and elevated temperature. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140281743 | AUTOMATIC RECOVERY OF RESERVOIR SIMULATION RUNS FROM PROCESSING SYSTEM FAILURES - Reservoir simulation is performed for giant reservoir models in a parallel computing platform composed of a number of processor nodes. Automatic precautionary checkpoints are made at regular time intervals when computational time exceeds a preset value. The simulator receives and reacts to signals from a real time monitoring interface tool which monitors the health of the system. Checkpoints are also made done if a system problem which may cause a simulation job to fail is projected. The simulation job is subsequently restarted to continue simulation from the last checkpoint. The monitoring and automatic recovery are done automatically without need for user intervention. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140269744 | OIL FIELD PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM - An oil field process control system including a field versatile control gateway component that interfaces with a plurality of field devices using a broad range of hardwired and wireless protocols, offering in-the-field monitoring and control of each of the field devices and communicates with a remote central control room, exchanging data between the control room and the field using a multiplexed protocol that offers high data speeds and bandwidth, enabling a significant reduction of the amount of wiring, and conduits and other infrastructure expenses that would otherwise be incurred for such a highly reliable communications system. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266740 | FLARE NETWORK MONITORNG SYSTEM AND METHOD - A flare monitoring system that receives real-time data associated with the release of a processing facility's combustible fluids to a flare stack and analyzes the data in conjunction with parameters of the processing facility's flare-through elements such as manual valves, control valves, restriction orifices, flow meters, and the like. The results of the analysis are provided to operators in the form of reports that indicate: whether flaring events are of a routine or non-routine nature; the flared volume; the contribution of the flare-through elements to the flared volume; and so forth. The results can aid operators in reducing combustible fluid losses due to flaring and in mitigating emissions of sulfur, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140263337 | CENTRALLY THREADED PLUG FOR HEAT EXCHANGER TUBE AND REMOVAL TOOL - A tube plug insertable in one end of a heat exchange tube, the tube plug formed as an shaft having a distal part and an opposite proximal part which terminates in a proximal end with an threaded hole extending axially in the proximal end in the distal direction, and a plug removal tool having a proximal handle part and a distal stem part which has external threads that match threads in the threaded hole in the plug's shaft, the stem part being threadedly insertable into the threaded hole in the proximal end of the tube plug, whereby rotation of the stem will urge the tube plug to rotate relative to the heat exchange tube and break free from being lodged in the bore thereof. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140262941 | Two Stage Hydrocracking Process and Apparatus for Multiple Grade Lube Oil Base Feedstock Production - Multiple grades of lube oil base feedstock are produced within a two-stage hydrocracking unit. Effluent from a first hydrocracking zone is sent to a separation zone, which includes multiple separation vessels, and a heavy liquid stream enters one cell of a dual cell fractionator charge heater and is flashed in the distillation zone of a divided wall fractionation column. A portion of the bottom stream from one side of the divided wall column is sent to the second hydrocracking zone. Feed to a second cell of the dual cell fractionation column is derived from the effluent of this second hydrocracking zone. A different lube oil base feedstocks is derived from each of the cells of the dual cell fractionation column. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140262825 | Encapsulated Impressed Current Anode for Vessel Internal Cathodic Protection - Embodiments of a system and method for providing cathodic protection to a vessel include encapsulating a dimensionally stable anode with a wax-repellant cementitious coating. The anode, with the encapsulant, is inserted into a structure to be protected, such as a vessel for handling wet crude. A power supply is connected to the anode and to the vessel, making the vessel a cathode. When power is applied, ions flow from the anode, through the encapsulant and fluids in the vessel, to the vessel structure. The encapsulant prevents paraffin wax from building up on the anode. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140262334 | PREVENTION OF WIRELINE DAMAGE AT A DOWNHOLE WINDOW - A bottom hole assembly (BHA) which is transported via a wireline through downhole and lateral wellbores and thence through a wellbore window aperture, the BHA carrying with it a blocking tool which is adapted to engage the edge of a lateral wellbore window and prevent the wireline from contacting and abrading against that edge of the window, the blocking tool being detachable from the BHA which proceeds axially distally through the wellbore window while the wireline slides through the blocking tool. Upon withdrawal of the BHA the blocking tool is reattached thereto and is removed with it. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140262248 | SAND PRODUCTION CONTROL THROUGH THE USE OF MAGNETIC FORCES - A method for preventing the production and formation of loose sand particles during production of a production fluid includes converting in the production zone both a loose sand particle into a magnetized loose sand particle and a cemented sand particle into a magnetized cemented sand particle. The method includes introducing a magnetic source into a wellbore. The method includes operating the magnetic source such that a continuous magnetic field is generated and the continuous repulsive magnetic force is less than the mean cementation strength. The method includes producing the production fluid from the production zone to the wellbore at a production rate. The method includes maintaining the magnetic source and the production rate of the hydrocarbon fluid such that within the distance from the magnetic source the production fluid drag force is less than or equal to the continuous repulsive magnetic force. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140259889 | SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR HANDLING HEAVY OIL RESIDUE - The processes and systems herein described enable the use of CO | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140257702 | DETERMINING CONTINUOUS CAPILLARY PRESSURE CURVES FOR SUBSURFACE EARTH FORMATIONS USING SATURATION AND NMR LOG DATA - Continuous capillary pressure (P | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140254320 | VERTICAL SEISMIC PROFILING-COMMON MIDPOINT GATHERS (VSP-CMP) BY WAVEFIELD EXTRAPOLATION - Direct arrivals from walkaway vertical seismic profiling or VSP survey data are used to derive Green's functions representing the seismic wave amplitude and travel time information required to extrapolate the vertical seismic profiling survey data from individual wellbore receivers to the individual source locations. The derived Green's functions are employed in a convolution process with upcoming primary wavefields from the VSP survey data for other surface locations. The derived Green's functions are also used in a correlation process with downgoing wavefields from the VSP survey data to extend lateral coverage of the VSP image. The sets of VSP-CMP gathers so formed are then processed to obtain information about the subsurface formations. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140254319 | LOW FREQUENCY PASSIVE SEISMIC DATA ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING - Low sensitivity, single vertical axis or uniaxial transducer sensors are deployed along receiver lines across an area of interest to acquire low frequency passive seismic data from the earth. Recordings formed of the acquired low frequency passive seismic data are decomposed in the frequency-wavenumber (F-K) domain according to wavefront dipping angles into mono-dominant velocity seismic records. Resulting seismic waves of different types are identifiable based on the different dipping angles. Wavefields can then be analyzed separately in either time or frequency domains and analyzed or integrated with other data. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140251873 | INTEGRATED DESULFURIZATION AND DENITRIFICATION PROCESS INCLUDING MILD HYDROTREATING AND OXIDATION OF AROMATIC-RICH HYDROTREATED PRODUCTS - Reduction of sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing compounds from hydrocarbon feeds is achieved by first contacting the entire feed with a hydrotreating catalyst in a hydrotreating reaction zone operating under mild conditions to convert the labile organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds. An extraction zone downstream of the hydrotreating reaction zone separates an aromatic-rich fraction that contains a substantial amount of the remaining refractory organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds. The aromatic-lean fraction is substantially free of organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds, since the non-aromatic organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds were the labile organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds which were initially removed by mild hydrotreating. The aromatic-rich fraction is oxidized to convert the refractory organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds to oxidized sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing hydrocarbon compounds. These oxidized organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds are subsequently removed. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140251872 | INTEGRATED DESULFURIZATION AND DENITRIFICATION PROCESS INCLUDING MILD HYDROTREATING OF AROMATIC-LEAN FRACTION AND OXIDATION OF AROMATIC-RICH FRACTION - Deep desulfurization of hydrocarbon feeds containing undesired organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds to produce a hydrocarbon product having low levels of sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing compounds, is achieved by first subjecting the entire feed to an extraction zone to separate an aromatic-rich fraction containing a substantial amount of the refractory organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds and an aromatic-lean fraction containing a substantial amount of the labile organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds. The aromatic-lean fraction is contacted with a hydrotreating catalyst in a hydrotreating reaction zone operating under mild conditions to convert the labile organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds. The aromatic-rich fraction is oxidized to convert the refractory organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds to oxidized organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds. These oxidized organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds are subsequently removed, producing a stream containing reduced levels of organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140251871 | PROCESS TO UPGRADE AND DESULFURIZE CRUDE OIL BY SUPERCRITICAL WATER - This present invention generally relates to a process for upgrading and desulfurizing crude oil using supercritical water. In general, the invention provides a process for removal of contaminants from a crude oil stream by mixing the crude oil stream with supercritical water and then filtering out the precipitated solid compounds that result from mixing the crude oil stream with supercritical water. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140251618 | METHOD TO IMPROVE CONFORMANCE CONTROL IN CARBON DIOXIDE FLOODING - This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to enhancing the recovery of oil using carbon dioxide flooding processes. In general, the invention provides a process to improve oil recovery from a reservoir by injecting through a well into a reservoir a heavy oil slug composition that includes heavy oil that is mixed carbon dioxide. Following injecting the heavy oil slug composition, a carbon dioxide slug that includes carbon dioxide is injected through the well into the reservoir. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140249759 | 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. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140246205 | Apparatus for Downhole Water Production Control in an Oil Well - This invention relates to controlling production fluids downhole in an oil well. More specifically, this invention relates to control of water and pressure downhole. Provided are apparatus for controlling production fluids and pressures and methods of using the apparatus to control production fluids and pressures. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140246204 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCED WELL CONTROL IN SLIM COMPLETIONS - Embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus and methods for enhanced well control in slim completions. An embodiment can include an electrical submersible pump (“ESP”) positioned within a casing and having at least a portion thereof extending outwardly from a production tubing positioned within the casing. The production tubing terminates adjacent a distal end portion of a pump discharge to thereby provide greater interstitial space between outer surfaces of the portion of the pump disposed to extend outwardly from the production tubing and inner walls of the casing. This increased interstitial space, for example, can assist in cost savings by reducing the rate of erosion damage to the ESP. Embodiments of the present invention can further include a valve connected to inner walls of the casing and positioned distal from the ESP to control the flow of hydrocarbons. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140236559 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIA FOR MODELING COMPLEX WELLBORES IN FIELD-SCALE RESERVOIR SIMULATION - Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for a near-well unstructured grid model builder for generating a full-field unstructured grid for reservoir simulation. As described further below, the near-well unstructured grid model builder may include a workflow interface and a parallel unstructured grid model builder. The inputs to the near-well unstructured grid model builder may include existing well trajectory and completion data, future well data, a geological model, a structured grid simulation model, or any combination thereof. The near-well unstructured grid model builder may output a near-well unstructured grid having a specified grid resolution in regions of interest that include a well. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140236486 | Methods, Program Code, Computer Readable Media, and Apparatus For Predicting Matrix Permeability By Optimization and Variance Correction of K-Nearest Neighbors - Methods, program code, computer readable medium, and apparatus estimating permeability at unsampled (uncored) but logged interval locations in a reservoir based upon a similarity with log signatures from cored intervals, are provided. An example of a method can include performing a core plug-by-core plug blind test, defining an objective function which qualifies the quality of the permeability prediction to minimize discrepancies between measured and predicted permeability, optimizing calculated parameters, and estimating permeability values of uncored logged intervals. The method can also include applying a debiasing/variance restoration to compensate for inherent averaging artifacts | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140213699 | SULFUR MODIFIED ASPHALT FOR WARM MIX APPLICATIONS - Disclosed herein are an asphalt concrete mixture, an asphalt binder composition, and methods of preparing the related compositions. The asphalt binder compositions include a polyphosphoric acid, a macromolecular polymer having a saturated backbone with macromolecular modifications, sulfur, and non-surfactant additives based on wax chemistry. The compositions are capable of being performance graded and being used in warm mix asphalt applications. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140210634 | Down Hole Wireless Data and Power Transmission System - This present invention generally relates to the issue of signal obstruction in down hole applications. This invention relates to conformal coatings and down hole transmission systems to aid in transmission of wireless signals down hole. The conformal coating includes a substrate material that has an array of rods embedded therein. These embedded rods are made of a Mie Resonance based dielectric material. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140204711 | SIMULTANEOUS WAVELET EXTRACTION AND DECONVOLUTION PROCESSING IN THE TIME DOMAIN - Blind wavelet extraction and de-convolution is performed on seismic data to enable its practical usage in seismic processing and to provide quality control of data obtained in areas where data from wells are not available. The wavelet extraction and deconvolution are realized in the time domain by iteration, producing a mixed phase wavelet with minimal prior knowledge of the actual nature of the wavelet. As a result of the processing, the de-convolved seismic reflectivity is obtained simultaneously. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140203811 | INDUCED POLARIZATION MAPPING WITH BOREHOLE TO SURFACE ELECTROMAGNETIC TRANSMITTER DATA - An electromagnetic energy transmitter is provided for induced polarization mapping with a borehole to surface electromagnetic (BSEM) transmitter. The transmitter is lowered into a well borehole to a desired location in a well borehole to emit electromagnetic energy. An array of receivers spaced over an area of the earth surface senses the induced polarization response to the emitted electromagnetic energy in areas of interest for mapping. Maps are formed of the induced polarization responses sensed by the array of receivers. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140203810 | INDUCED POLARIZATION LOGGING WITH BOREHOLE TO SURFACE ELECTROMAGNETIC TRANSMITTER - An electromagnetic energy transmitter is provided for induced polarization logging with a borehole to surface electromagnetic (BSEM) transmitter. The transmitter is lowered into a well borehole to a desired location in a well borehole to emit electromagnetic energy for the surveys. The transmitter affords more accurate measurements of its position in the well borehole. The transmitter also senses pressure and temperature conditions at its borehole location to provide indications of detected potential problems in the well from the survey or other sources, and to reduce risks and enhance safety and quality of the operations. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140198617 | Method and Apparatus for In-Well Wireless Control Using Infrasound Sources - A system and method for downhole data communication using an infrasound wave generator and receivers. The infrasound waves have a low frequency and a wavelength that is much larger than the transverse dimensions of the well. When the infrasound waves are directed down the well, the well will act as a wave guide for low frequency excitations. The receivers are operatively connected to inflow valves and other downhole equipment, and receive the infrasound waves. If the waves are of a predetermined frequency, the receivers command the valves to open or close, or otherwise control downhole equipment. The infrasound waves can also be used to probe well geometry and to identify fluid properties within the well. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20140197074 | TARGETED DESULFURIZATION PROCESS AND APPARATUS INTEGRATING GAS PHASE OXIDATIVE DESULFURIZATION AND HYDRODESULFURIZATION TO PRODUCE DIESEL FUEL HAVING AN ULTRA-LOW LEVEL OF ORGANOSULFUR COMPOUNDS - Desulfurization of hydrocarbon feeds is achieved by flashing the feed at a target cut point temperature to obtain two fractions. A first fraction contains refractory organosulfur compounds, which boils at or above the target cut point temperature. A second fraction boiling below the target cut point temperature is substantially free of refractory sulfur-containing compounds. The second fraction is contacted with a hydrodesulfurization catalyst in a hydrodesulfurization reaction zone operating under mild conditions to reduce the quantity of organosulfur compounds to an ultra-low level. The first fraction is contacted with gaseous oxidizing agent over an oxidation catalyst having a formula Cu | 07-17-2014 |
| 20140196969 | ROBOTIC VEHICLE FOR HOLIDAY TESTING OF COATING ON STORAGE TANK BASE PLATES - A robotic holiday testing apparatus for detecting and marking holidays in the protective coating atop a metal base plate of a storage tank, including:
| 07-17-2014 |
| 20140194539 | CARBON DIOXIDE CONVERSION TO HYDROCARBON FUEL VIA SYNGAS PRODUCTION CELL HARNESSED FROM SOLAR RADIATION - A process for converting carbon dioxide to hydrocarbon fuels using solar energy harnessed with a solar thermal power system to create thermal energy and electricity, using the thermal energy to heat a fuel feed stream, the heated fuel feed stream comprising carbon dioxide and water, the carbon dioxide captured from a flue gas stream, converting the carbon dioxide and water in a syngas production cell, the syngas production cell comprising a solid oxide electrolyte, to create carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and converting the carbon monoxide and hydrogen to hydrocarbon fuels in a catalytic reactor. In at least one embodiment, the syngas production cell is a solid oxide fuel cell. In at least one embodiment, the syngas production cell is a solid oxide electrolyzer cell. | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140190868 | METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING CATALYST LOADING FOR HYDROCRACKING PROCESS - The invention relates to a method for optimizing layered catalytic processes. This is accomplished by testing various catalysts with a compound found in a feedstock to be tested, to determine the facility of the catalyst in hydrogenating, hydrosulfurizing, or hydrodenitrogenating the molecule, and hence the feedstock. In a preferred embodiment, the Double Bond Equivalence of the feedstock and molecule are determined, and catalysts are pre-selected based upon their known ability to work with materials of this DBE value. | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140187838 | SOUR GAS AND ACID NATURAL GAS SEPARATION MEMBRANE PROCESS BY PRE REMOVAL OF DISSOLVED ELEMENTAL SULFUR FOR PLUGGING PREVENTION - Methods for removing sulfur from a gas stream prior to sending the gas stream to a gas separation membrane system are provided. Two schemes are available. When the sulfur content is high or flow is relatively high, a scheme including two columns where one tower is regenerated if the sulfur concentration exceeds a preset value can be used. When the sulfur content is low or flow is relatively low, a scheme including one column and an absorption bed. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140174168 | METHOD FOR ASSESSING ABLATION MODULAI OF MUDCAKES TO PREDICT EASE OF MUDCAKE REMOVAL OR CLEANING EFFICIENCY OF CLEANING/WASHING/SPACER FLUIDS - Disclosed is a method and apparatus for determining an ablation modulus of a mudcake on a wellbore wall. According to various embodiments of the invention, the method includes preparing a mudcake, forming a mudcake assemblage comprising the prepared mudcake, screen, and a filter paper, and submerging and securing the mudcake assemblage in a container filled with a fluid. The fluid includes one of a native fluid and a foreign fluid to the mudcake. The method further includes agitating the fluid for a plurality of time intervals, removing the mudcake assemblage from the container after expiration of each time interval, and drying the mudcake assemblage. Further, the method includes weighing the mudcake assemblage to determine an interval weight for each time interval, and determining the ablation modulus of the mudcake on the wellbore wall by graphically correlating the determined interval weights of the remaining mudcake in the mudcake assemblage as a function of time. The ablation modulus of the mudcake is defined by a slope of a tangent of an initial portion of the graphical correlation between the determine interval weights and cumulative time. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140166873 | SUPER-RESOLUTION FORMATION FLUID IMAGING DATA ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING - 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. The acquired signals are processed and 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. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140163337 | SYSTEMS, COMPUTER MEDIUM AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FOR MONITORING AND IMPROVING BIOMECHANICAL HEALTH OF EMPLOYEES - Provided are embodiments of systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for monitoring the health of an employee while the employee is located in an employee workstation. A method including collecting, from a plurality of biomechanical sensors disposed throughout the employee workstation, biomechanical health data indicative of biomechanical characteristics of the employee, determining an employee biomechanical health profile based at least in part on the collected biomechanical health data. The employee biomechanical health profile including biomechanical health characteristics, biomechanical health conditions and/or biomechanical health risks for the employee. The method including generating a health plan for the employee based at least in part on the biomechanical health profile, and displaying the employee biomechanical health profile and the health plan to the employee. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140163336 | SYSTEMS, COMPUTER MEDIUM AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FOR MONITORING AND IMPROVING BIOMETRIC HEALTH OF EMPLOYEES - Provided are embodiments of systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for monitoring the health of an employee while the employee is located in an employee workstation. A method for monitoring the health of an employee including collecting, from a plurality of biometric sensors disposed throughout an employee workstation, biometric health data indicative of biometric characteristics of the employee. The method including determining an employee biometric health profile including biometric health characteristics, biometric health conditions and/or biometric health risks for the employee based at least in part on the collected biometric health data. The method including generating a health plan for the employee based at least in part on the biometric health profile, and displaying the employee biometric health profile and the health plan to the employee. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140163335 | SYSTEMS, COMPUTER MEDIUM AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FOR MONITORING AND IMPROVING HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES - Provided are embodiments of systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods to monitor the health of an employee. A method for monitoring the health of an employee while the employee is located in an employee workstation including collecting, from a plurality of biometric and biomechanical sensors disposed throughout an employee workstation, health data indicative of biometric and biomechanical characteristics of the employee. The plurality of biometric and biomechanical sensors adapted to sense biometric and biomechanical characteristics of the employee and output corresponding health data indicative of the biometric and biomechanical characteristics of the employee. The method including determining an employee health profile based at least in part on the collected health data, generating a health plan for the employee based at least in part on the health profile, and displaying health content including the employee health profile and the health plan for the employee. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140163333 | FLOOR MAT SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED, COMPUTER MEDIUM AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FOR MONITORING AND IMPROVING HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES - Provided are embodiments of systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for sensing health characteristics of a user using a floor mat including a set of health sensors integrated therewith. The set of health sensors including temperature sensors, body position sensors, and body fat sensors. A method including receiving, from the temperature sensors, temperature data corresponding to a sensed body temperature of the user, receiving, from the body position sensors, body position data corresponding to a sensed body position of the user, receiving, from the body fat sensors, body fat data corresponding to a sensed body fat of the user, and transmitting, to a computer workstation, health data corresponding to the temperature data, the body position data, and the body fat data for use in determining the body temperature, the body position, and the body fat of the user. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140163332 | CHAIR PAD SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED, COMPUTER MEDIUM AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FOR MONITORING AND IMPROVING HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES - Provided are embodiments of systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for sensing health characteristics of a user using a chair pad including a set of health sensors integrated therewith and including temperature sensors, body position sensors, and body fat sensors. A method for sensing health characteristics of a user including receiving, from the temperature sensors, temperature data corresponding to a sensed body temperature of the user, receiving, from the body position sensors, body position data corresponding to a sensed body position of the user, receiving, from the body fat sensors, body fat data corresponding to a sensed body fat of the user, and transmitting, to a computer workstation, health data corresponding to the temperature data, the body position data, and the body fat data for use in determining the body temperature, the body position, and the body fat of the user. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140163331 | CHAIR PAD SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED, COMPUTER MEDIUM AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FOR MONITORING AND IMPROVING HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES - Provided are embodiments of systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for sensing health characteristics of a user using a chair pad including a set of health sensors integrated therewith and including temperature sensors, body position sensors, and body fat sensors. A method for sensing health characteristics of a user including receiving, from the temperature sensors, temperature data corresponding to a sensed body temperature of the user, receiving, from the body position sensors, body position data corresponding to a sensed body position of the user, receiving, from the body fat sensors, body fat data corresponding to a sensed body fat of the user, and transmitting, to a computer workstation, health data corresponding to the temperature data, the body position data, and the body fat data for use in determining the body temperature, the body position, and the body fat of the user. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140163330 | FLOOR MAT SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED, COMPUTER MEDIUM AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS FOR MONITORING AND IMPROVING HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES - Provided are embodiments of systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for sensing health characteristics of a user using a floor mat including a set of health sensors integrated therewith. The set of health sensors including temperature sensors, body position sensors, and body fat sensors. A method including receiving, from the temperature sensors, temperature data corresponding to a sensed body temperature of the user, receiving, from the body position sensors, body position data corresponding to a sensed body position of the user, receiving, from the body fat sensors, body fat data corresponding to a sensed body fat of the user, and transmitting, to a computer workstation, health data corresponding to the temperature data, the body position data, and the body fat data for use in determining the body temperature, the body position, and the body fat of the user. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140156033 | INTEGRATED MONITORING, CONTROL AND EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE AND TRACKING SYSTEM - An integrated monitoring, control and equipment maintenance and tracking system and method is provided for managing a plurality of field devices. The integrated and coordinated system includes the monitoring and control system that uses safety subsystem field device data and process control subsystem field device data. When a compromised field device is determined, e.g., by the safety system and/or the process control system, information about testing, maintenance, repair or replacement is conveyed to the monitoring and control system. This information is used to modify the work orders created by the equipment maintenance and tracking system processor such that the compromised field device, or a field device at a location of the compromised field device, is not subject to unnecessary or excessively redundant testing. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140155303 | ZERO-LEAKOFF GEL - A silicate gel composition that is useful for sealing the face of a fracture of a formation. A method of sealing a face of a fracture of a formation with the silicate gel composition and diverting an acid treatment fluid. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140154634 | STAGED CHEMICAL LOOPING PROCESS WITH INTEGRATED OXYGEN GENERATION - Disclosed is a method for enhanced fuel combustion to maximize the capture of by-product carbon dioxide. According to various embodiments of the invention, a method for combusting fuel in a two-stage process is provided, which includes in-situ oxygen generation. In-situ oxygen generation allows for the operation of a second oxidation stage to further combust fuel, thus maximizing fuel conversion efficiency. The integrated oxygen generation also provides an increased secondary reactor temperature, thereby improving the overall thermal efficiency of the process. The means of in-situ oxygen is not restricted to one particular embodiment, and can occur using an oxygen generation reactor, an ion transport membrane, or both. A system configured to the second stage combustion method is also disclosed. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140154408 | ECONOMICAL HEAVY CONCRETE WEIGHT COATING FOR SUBMARINE PIPELINES - Economical heavy concrete weight coating is used as a weight coating for submarine pipes. The developed economical heavy concrete weight includes steel slag and iron ore as aggregate. Steel slag can contain iron and thus have a higher density than some other types of slag. By supplementing the steel slag with iron ore as aggregate, the economical heavy concrete weight coating can have a higher density than a coating having just slag. Economical heavy concrete weight coating can have a density greater than 190 pcf. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140149041 | ROCK FACIES PREDICTION IN NON-CORED WELLS FROM CORED WELLS - Facies in wells in areas of a hydrocarbon reservoir are predicted or postulated. Artificial neural networks are utilized to build a training image based on rock phases which are described and interpreted using existing data obtained from certain wells in the reservoir, and also well log characteristics of those same wells for each rock facies. Well logs from which wells where no well core data has been collected are then analyzed against the training image and the rock facies in the non-cored wells are postulated. The cost and also the possibility of damage to the wells from extraction of the core rock during drilling are avoided. | 05-29-2014 |
| 20140138084 | CALIPER STEERABLE TOOL FOR LATERAL SENSING AND ACCESSING - Embodiments of a method and apparatus for locating lateral wellbores extending from a main wellbore includes a caliper sensing tool having spring actuated calipers extending radially therefrom. Each of the calipers is connected to a sensor, such as a linear variable displacement sensor, that is used to calculate the radial extension distance of the respective caliper. When the tool is inserted through a wellbore and moves past a lateral wellbore opening, the calipers extend into the lateral wellbore opening. The extension, as well as contact with the surfaces of the lateral wellbore, are used to determine the wellbore depth location and azimuthal direction of the lateral wellbore. A deflectable steering arm is operable to be selectively steered into the lateral opening to facilitate access to the lateral wellbore for logging or intervention purposes. | 05-22-2014 |
| 20140136112 | PREDICTING PERFORMANCE OF GAS CONDENSATE RESERVOIRS - Multiphase flow behavior in gas condensate reservoirs is analyzed, and in particular estimating gas condensate well deliverability. Inflow performance relationship (IPR) measures for gas condensate wells are analytically generated and made available. The inflow performance relationship measures of gas condensate wells incorporate the effect of condensate banking as pressure near the well bore drops below the dew point. The inflow performance relationship measures are based on formation rock relative permeability data and Constant Composition Expansion (CCE) experiment data. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140131255 | OXIDATIVE DESULFURIZATION PROCESS AND SYSTEM USING GASEOUS OXIDANT-ENHANCED FEED - An oxidative desulfurization process is provided in which gaseous oxidant required for oxidative desulfurization reactions is dissolved in the feedstock upstream of the oxidative desulfurization reactor. Gaseous oxidant is mixed with a generally liquid phase feedstock (and in certain embodiment peroxide precursors are also mixed) in a mixing zone under conditions effective to dissolve the gaseous oxidant in the liquid feedstock. The gaseous oxidant dissolved in the hydrocarbon feedstock provides a gaseous oxidant-enhanced feedstock which is charged to the oxidative desulfurization reaction zone thereby permitting substantially liquid phase operation. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140131254 | Development of Continuous Online Salt-In-Crude Analyzer - The present invention relates to online analysis of crude oil from desalting processes. Online analysis of the crude oil that has been desalted will allow for real time adjustments to process operating parameters such that the salt concentration of the crude oil is maintained within acceptable parameters. This online analysis can yield a more efficient process, reduce energy consumption of the desalting process, and maintain corrosion rates within acceptable limits | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140131046 | Densifying Carbon Dioxide With a Dispersion of Carbon Dioxide-Philic Water Capsules - This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to the recovery of oil from sandstone and carbonate reservoirs using a process for preparing a dispersion of capsules for use downhole including the steps of providing capsules containing a dense liquid, each capsule having a capsule wall defining an inner area, the capsule wall having an outer side. The capsules are functionalized by adding a carbon dioxide-philic compound compound to the outer side of the capsule wall. A dispersion is then prepared by adding the functionalized capsules to supercritical carbon dioxide such that a stable dispersion of capsules in supercritical carbon dioxide is achieved. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140131038 | PLUGGING THIEF ZONES AND FRACTURES BY IN-SITU AND IN-DEPTH CRYSTALLIZATION FOR IMPROVING WATER SWEEP EFFICIENCY OF SANDSTONE AND CARBONATE RESERVOIRS - The present invention relates to methods and compositions that can be used to delay crystallization of a treatment solution so that thief zones or fractures are plugged in subterranean formations at a substantial distance from a wellbore. A supersaturated sodium aluminate solution, or other solutions, is introduced into the reservoir. The solution is relatively stable in the supersaturated state. Crystallization, or de-stabilizing the solution, can be controlled, which in turn plugs the thief zone or fracture at a designed point of time. By controlling the time that crystallization starts, that is, the induction period, thief zones that are located at a substantial distant from the wellbore can be plugged. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140129506 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AN EXPERT SYSTEM FOR WELL CONTROL USING BAYESIAN INTELLIGENCE - Systems and methods are provided for a well control expert system that provides well control recommendations for a drilling system. The well control expert system includes a well control Bayesian decision network (BDN) model that receives inputs and outputs recommendations based on Bayesian probability determinations. The well control BDN model includes a circulation section, a well control practices section, and a troubleshooting section. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140129199 | SEQUENTIAL FULLY IMPLICIT WELL MODEL FOR RESERVOIR SIMULATION - A subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir with wells is simulated by sequential solution of reservoir and well equations to simulate fluid flow inside the reservoir and well production rates. Sequential solution of reservoir and well equations treats wells as specified bottom hole pressure wells. This avoids solving large matrices resulting from the simultaneous solution of the reservoir and well equations which can be computationally very expensive for large number of unknowns and require special sparse matrix solvers. Such sequential solution involves regular reservoir system solvers complemented by a small matrix for the numerical solution of the well bottom hole pressures. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140116779 | APPLICATION OF DOWNHOLE ROTARY TRACTOR - A towing string useful for positioning a towed assembly into a horizontal well bore includes a towed assembly coupled to a tractor assembly. The tractor assembly is operable to convert introduced energy into a pulling force that is directed downhole. The tractor assembly includes a disposable motor and a coupled rotary tractor. The rotary tractor has a rotating portion that is operable to rotate around a central axis of the rotary tractor and a rotary element that is operable to frictionally engage the well bore wall. A method for using the towing string for positioning the towed assembly in the horizontal section includes introducing the towing string into the horizontal well bore, operating the towing string such that the rotary element frictionally engages the well bore wall, and introducing energy to the towing string such that the tractor assembly provides a pulling force directed downhole. | 05-01-2014 |
| 20140115121 | Integrated Nodes, Computer Readable Media and Program Products, and Computer-Implemented Methods For Providing An Integrated Node For Data Acquisition and Recovery, and for Remote Subsystem Control - Integrated nodes, such as programmable logic controllers, computer program products, computer readable media, and computer implemented methods are provided for process automation and subsystem communications, allowing a remote host to interface with a plurality of remote and in-plant subsystems and services using a wired or wireless network interface and having a database server and a protocol translator or translation server to convert and manipulate various industrial interfaces and protocols. Embodiments of the integrated node time-synchronize the plurality of remote subsystems, acquire and archive time-stamped process data, report exceptions therein to the remote host, and extract and transmit time-stamped process data to the remote host. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140114627 | METHOD FOR RECONSTRUCTING THE TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON CONTENT FROM COMPOSITIONAL MODELING ANALYSIS - Methods are provided for utilizing the results of compositional modeling analysis to obtain accurate total organic carbon values without the need for an oxidation step or lengthy sample preparation, and also to calculate the organic carbon value attributable to contaminants, such as drilling additives. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140114598 | Integrated Nodes, Computer Readable Media and Program Products, and Computer-Implemented Methods For Providing An Integrated Node For Data Acquisition, Verification and Conditioning, and for Remote Subsystem Control - Integrated nodes, such as programmable logic controllers, computer program products, computer readable media, and computer implemented methods are provided to allow a remote host to interface with a plurality of remote subsystems to thereby define an integrated node, and to provide for data acquisition, verification, and conditioning. An exemplary programmable logic controller includes a data acquirer configured to periodically acquire time-stamped data from each of the plurality of remote time-synchronized subsystems and archive the time-stamped data using the database server module, a data verifier configured to detect out-of-bounds measurements in the time-stamped data and to substitute the out-of-bounds measurements with new measurements, and a data reconciler configured to determine an operating state of the plurality of remote time-synchronized subsystems and to reconcile the plurality of verified measurements. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140110308 | PROCESS FOR HIGH SEVERITY CATALYTIC CRACKING OF CRUDE OIL - In an FCC process and system, a whole crude oil feedstock is directly converted into light olefins and other products. The feed is separated into a high boiling fraction and a low boiling fraction, and each fraction is processed in separate FCC downflow reactors. The catalyst, combined from both downflow reactors, is regenerated in a common vessel. The low carbon content in the catalyst particles from the low boiling fraction downflow reactor is insufficient to provide the necessary heat. By combining catalyst particles from the high boiling fraction having high carbon content helps to provide additional heat for regeneration. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140110121 | New Environmentally Friendly Fluid to Remove Mn3O4 Filter Cake - 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 10%, and a glycolic acid in amounts of between about 1% and 10% by weight. Optionally, hydrochloric acid may be added to the glycolic acid, in an amount of about 1 and 5% 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 glycolic 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 a predetermined extended reaction time. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140109652 | METHOD FOR DISPERSION AND ADSORPTION COEFFICIENT ESTIMATION USING AN ANALYSIS OF PRESSURE TRANSITION DURING A VISCOSITY-SWITCH - Disclosed is a method for estimating porous-media longitudinal dispersion and adsorption coefficients. According to various embodiments of the invention, a method for estimating porous-media longitudinal dispersion coefficients is provided, which includes introducing a pure phase component though a porous medium, and introducing a component having a same phase as the pure phase component through the porous medium. The component includes a viscosifying agent having a non-linear viscosity-concentration dependence. The method further includes measuring, using a permeability analyzer, a pressure drop across the porous medium after each introduction at a plurality of intervals over a period of time. Further, the method includes determining, using the measured pressure drops, a pressure transition, and analyzing the pressure transition across the porous medium to determine a dispersion coefficient for the porous medium. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140106958 | CLAY ADDITIVE FOR REDUCTION OF SULFUR IN CATALYTICALLY CRACKED GASOLINE - Compositions and processes for their use as additives for reducing the sulfur content of FCC gasoline employ a support material montmorillonite clay material. A fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) mixture, therefore, is provided comprising an FCC catalyst and separate particles of sulfur reduction additive consisting of porous montmorillonite clay. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140102987 | PLANT BASED MATERIAL USEFUL IN ADSORBING PETROLEUM PRODUCTS, PROCESSES FOR MAKING THESE, AND USES THEREOF - The invention relates to methods for making completely biodegradable, hydrophobic, oleophilic plant based materials which are useful in adsorption of petroleum products. The materials have an average diameter of from 1 to 5 mm, and an ash content of from 10% to 30%. The non-paraffin coating is an animal fat product, preferably produced by dissolving a pure animal fat and using this as the coating material. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140102297 | METHOD FOR REMOVAL OF CO2 FROM EXHAUST GAS USING FACILITATED TRANSPORT MEMBRANES AND STEAM SWEEPING - The invention relates to methods for separating CO | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140099245 | PROCESS AND SYSTEM EMPLOYING PHASE-CHANGING ABSORBENTS AND MAGNETICALLY RESPONSIVE SORBENT PARTICLES FOR ON-BOARD RECOVERY OF CARBON DIOXIDE FROM MOBILE SOURCES - A method and system are described for the on-board treatment of a hydrocarbon-fueled internal combustion engine (ICE) exhaust gas stream to reduce CO | 04-10-2014 |
| 20140090985 | Process for Reducing the Sulfur Content from Oxidized Sulfur-Containing Hydrocarbons - A process and system for reducing the sulfur content from a mixture of hydrocarbons and oxidized sulfur-containing hydrocarbons is provided by electrochemical decomposition. The electrochemical reactions occur under electrical potential and in the presence of an electrolyte solution that is effective promote decomposition of a portion of the oxidized sulfur compounds, to recover a hydrocarbon product having a reduced sulfur content while minimizing loss of hydrocarbon. | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140077820 | GSM/GPRS BASED METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAMS TO DETERMINE AND LOCATE HIGH IMPEDANCE FAULTS ON MEDIUM VOLTAGE DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS IN HIGH RESISTIVITY - Embodiments of the present invention include systems, methods, computer-readable media, and computer programs to determine and locate one or more faults on a distribution network in a high resistivity area. Embodiments of the present invention include a plurality of open conductor devices positioned on lateral ends of a plurality of distribution transformers. Each of the plurality of open conductor devices are configured to, for example, determine abnormal voltage readings and communicate such readings to a master station over a GSM/GPRS communication network. The master station, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, is configured to determine or verify the presence of one or more faults on the distribution network and the location of the one or more faults. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140066667 | OLEFIN HYDRATION PROCESS USING OSCILLATORY BAFFLED REACTOR - A butanol production system and method of producing refined mixed butanols from water and mixed butenes. The system includes an internal baffle single pass reactor, a separation system and an exterior motion driver. The reactor has baffled cells. The separations system is operable to separately selectively separate water and mixed butenes from the crude product such that a refined mixed butanols is produced. The exterior motion driver is operable to induce unsteadiness in the fluid flow of the process fluid through the reactor. A method for producing refined mixed butanols includes introducing mixed butenes, water and a butene hydration catalyst into the reactor, operating the butanol production system such that the external motion driver induces unsteadiness in the process fluid flow and the reaction of mixed butenes and water occurs in the presence of the butene hydration catalyst such that mixed butanols form. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140065501 | NON-CATALYTIC HYDROGEN GENERATION PROCESS FOR DELIVERY TO A HYDRODESULFURIZATION UNIT AND A SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM COMBINATION FOR AUXILIARY POWER UNIT APPLICATION - A non-catalytic hydrogen generation process is provided that supplies hydrogen to a hydrodesulfurization unit and a solid oxide fuel cell system combination, suitable for auxiliary power unit application. The non-catalytic nature of the process enables use of sulfur containing feedstock for generating hydrogen which is needed to process the sulfur containing feed to specifications suitable for the solid oxide fuel cell. Also, the non-catalytic nature of the process with fast dynamic characteristics is specifically applicable for startup and shutdown purposes that are typically needed for mobile applications. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140056687 | INTEGRATED METHOD OF DRIVING A CO2 COMPRESSOR OF A CO2-CAPTURE SYSTEM USING WASTE HEAT FROM AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE ON BOARD A MOBILE SOURCE - An integrated system and method for driving a CO | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140054199 | Hydrovisbreaking Process for Feedstock Containing Dissolved Hydrogen - An improved hydrovisbreaking process for reducing the viscosity of a liquid hydrocarbon feedstock is provided. A substantially single-phase hydrogen-enriched liquid hydrocarbon feedstock is obtained by mixing the feedstock with hydrogen gas and flashing off the excess hydrogen gas. Comparatively smaller reactor vessels can be used without a gas recycle system, thus reducing the capital cost of hydrovisbreaking process. Further the need for cutter stocks can be minimized or eliminated. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140054047 | EXPANDABLE LINER HANGER AND METHOD OF USE - An expandable liner hanger system for forging a pressure seal and hanging of the liner weight against outer casing string in a wellbore that includes an outer casing string, and an inner casing string positioned within the outer casing string and having an inner diameter. The system also includes an elongate inner string tool selectively insertable into the inner casing string and having a torque locking sleeve that removably couples with the inner casing string. Also included in the expandable liner hanger system is an expansion cone slidable along the inner string tool and having a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the inner casing string so that when the cone is urged into the inner casing string, the larger diameter cone deforms the inner casing string radially outward into engagement with the outer casing string. The system also includes a downhole hydraulic force intensifier. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140050050 | MICROSEISMIC SOURCE LOCATION ESTIMATION WITH HIGH RESOLUTION USING GREEN'S FUNCTIONS - The sources of microseismic hydraulic fracture events (“hydro-fracs”) are located for image mapping by the calculation of Green's functions G(x, z, t|x′, z′, | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140039853 | SCALABLE SIMULATION OF MULTIPHASE FLOW IN A FRACTURED SUBTERRANEAN RESERVOIR WITH MULTIPLE INTERACTING CONTINUA BY MATRIX SOLUTION - A subterranean reservoir where the pore space of media or formation rock is multimodal, and the media may have imbedded multiple scales of fracture networks, is simulated. The modes of the pore system and the scale of fracture networks are each represented as a separate, but interactive continuum with the other. A matrix solution with arrangement of the reservoir data adapted for parallel computation is utilized. The simulation allows multiple continua to be co-located and multi-interacting, in that each continuum may have current and counter-current multiple multiphase exchanges with other continua. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140039648 | SYSTEM FOR INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF A PLANT OR OTHER FACILITY - The present invention is a computerized inspection and maintenance system for an industrial plant or other facility. The system comprises a plurality of software modules which are both interactive with inspectors, maintenance, and supervisory personnel and interact with one another | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140039226 | PROCESS FOR THE HYDRATION OF MIXED BUTENES TO PRODUCE MIXED ALCOHOLS - Mixed butenes from a cracking process, or raffmates of MTBE or tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), are simultaneously hydrated using water in the presence of a catalyst to produce sec-butyl alcohol (SBA) and ter-butyl alcohol as the principal products, the mixed butanols having utility as fuel additives, e.g., as oxygenates and octane enhancers to replace MTBE, and as a neat fuel. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140031265 | CONTROLLED RELEASE OF SURFACTANTS FOR ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY - A sparingly soluble sulfonate-metal salt particle includes the metal ion salt of an alkyl aryl sulfonate, the metal ion salt of a petroleum sulfonate and a hydrophobically modified hydrophilic polymer, and has an average particle size diameter in a range of from about 50 nm to about 450 nm and is sparingly soluble in water at room temperature. A method of producing a sparingly soluble sulfonate-metal salt particle includes the steps of introducing an aqueous solution containing a metal ion salt into a reactor, introducing an aqueous solution containing a sulfonate surfactant and a polymer into the reactor, and operating the reactor such that the sparingly soluble sulfonate-metal salt particle forms from the interaction of the metal ion from the salt, the sulfonate surfactant and the polymer. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140027109 | UTILIZATION OF MICROWAVE TECHNOLOGY IN ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY PROCESS FOR DEEP AND SHALLOW APPLICATIONS - A method and system for treating a portion of a hydrocarbon-bearing formation of a crude oil reservoir containing heavy hydrocarbons using a microwave enhanced heavy hydrocarbon recovery system includes forming a horizontal injection well having an injection horizontal run, forming a horizontal microwave source well having a microwave source horizontal run, forming a horizontal production well having a production horizontal run, introducing a treatment fluid into the crude oil reservoir through the horizontal injection well, introducing a microwave antenna having a microwave emitter into the horizontal microwave source well, introducing electrical power to the microwave emitter such, forming a microwave energy field which reduces the viscosity of the heavy hydrocarbons and forms a production fluid forms, and extracting the production fluid through the horizontal production well. The injection horizontal run is positioned below both the microwave source horizontal run and the production horizontal run. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140025397 | Method for Monitoring and Improving Health and Productivity of Employees Using a Computer Mouse System - Provided are embodiments of systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for sensing health characteristics of a user using a computer mouse having a location sensor configured to sense movement of the computer mouse relative to a work surface on which the computer mouse is located, a temperature sensor, a blood condition sensor and a blood pressure sensor. A method including transmitting, to a computer workstation, location data corresponding to sensed movement of the computer mouse for use in determining movement of the mouse, receiving temperature data from the temperature sensor, blood condition data from the blood condition sensor and blood pressure data from the blood pressure sensor, and transmitting, to the computer workstation, health data corresponding to the temperature data, the blood condition data, and the blood pressure data for use in determining the body temperature, the blood saturation level, and the blood pressure of the user. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140025396 | Computer Mouse for Monitoring and Improving Health and Productivity of Employees - Provided are embodiments of systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for a computer mouse for sensing health characteristics of a user. A computer mouse including a location sensor adapted to sense movement of the computer mouse, a temperature sensor adapted to sense a body temperature of the user, a blood condition sensor adapted to sense a blood saturation level of the user, and a blood pressure sensor adapted to sense a blood pressure of the user. The computer mouse including a controller to transmit location data corresponding to the sensed movement of the computer mouse, temperature data corresponding to the sensed body temperature, blood condition data corresponding to the sensed blood saturation level, and blood pressure data corresponding to the sensed blood pressure, to a computer workstation for determining movement of the mouse and body temperature, blood saturation level, and the blood pressure of the user. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140025360 | FLOW PROFILING OF WELLS FROM MULTIPLE LOGS - Models of fluid flow in wells in formation of a subsurface earth reservoir are formed by computers based on measurements obtained by well logging tools run in the wells and measurements of formation rock characteristics obtained from laboratory data. The models so formed are used to form measures of injection/production profiles and assist reservoir engineers in allocation of production and injection wells for the reservoir, and in other reservoir production planning and analysis. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140025303 | MEASURING TRANSMISSIVITY OF WELLS FROM MULTIPLE LOGS - Models of fluid flow in wells in formation of a subsurface earth reservoir are formed by computers based on measurements obtained by well logging tools run in the wells and measurements of formation rock characteristics obtained from laboratory data. The models so formed are used to form measures of injection/production profiles and assist reservoir engineers in allocation of production and injection wells for the reservoir, and in other reservoir production planning and analysis. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140025302 | MEASURING OIL AND WATER TRANSMISSIVITY OF WELLS FROM MULTIPLE LOGS - Models of fluid flow in wells in formation of a subsurface earth reservoir are formed by computers based on measurements obtained by well logging tools run in the wells and measurements of formation rock characteristics obtained from laboratory data. The models so formed are used to form measures of injection/production profiles and assist reservoir engineers in allocation of production and injection wells for the reservoir, and in other reservoir production planning and analysis. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140020896 | SYSTEM AND METHOD EMPLOYING PERFORATING GUN FOR SAME LOCATION MULTIPLE RESERVOIR PENETRATIONS - Methods and apparatus are provided for conducting multiple successive same-location firings of a number of shaped charges carried by a perforating gun that is lowered into the wellbore and precisely positioned to align its charges with the penetration created by the first fired-charges in order to produce deeper and larger diameter penetrations that result in enhanced hydraulic fracturing of the reservoir and increased gas production from the completed well. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140019165 | Computer Mouse System and Associated Computer Medium for Monitoring and Improving Health and Productivity of Employees - Provided are embodiments of systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for sensing health characteristics of a user using a computer mouse including, a computer medium including program instructions executable by a to cause the steps of: activating set of health sensors integrated within a computer mouse, collecting health sensor data output by the set of health sensors, determining an updated health profile for an employee using the collected health sensor data, updating health information for the employee to reflect the updated health profile for the employee, and displaying the updated health profile for the employee. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140016468 | ADAPTIVE HYBRID WIRELESS AND WIRED PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM - A hybrid wired and wireless architecture for a process control system is disclosed that includes hierarchical adaptability and optimization capabilities. The system is arranged in three tiers, the first including a number of wireless end devices exchanging packets of data and/or instructions with the distributed control system, where each wireless end device is associated with one or more meters, remote terminal units, diagnostic devices, pumps, valves, sensors, or tank level measuring devices. The second tier includes a plurality of wireless routers, each including a memory that stores a routing table and a processor that routes packets. The third tier includes a master wireless gateway device operably connected to receive packets from and transmit packets to the distributed control system. The processor of each of the wireless routers routes packets across the tiers between the end devices and the wireless gateway devices based on the stored routing table. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140013660 | DUAL PHASE CATALYSTS SYSTEM FOR MIXED OLEFIN HYDRATIONS - Processes for producing mixed alcohols from mixed olefins and the catalyst systems for making such alcohols are provided. Additionally, processes for producing fuel compositions having mixed alcohols prepared from mixed olefins are also provided as embodiments of the present invention. The catalyst systems include a dual phase catalyst system that includes a water soluble acid catalyst and a solid acid catalyst. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20130343978 | SOUR GAS AND ACID NATURAL GAS SEPARATION MEMBRANE PROCESS BY PRE REMOVAL OF DISSOLVED ELEMENTAL SULFUR FOR PLUGGING PREVENTION - Methods for removing sulfur from a gas stream prior to sending the gas stream to a gas separation membrane system are provided. Two schemes are available. When the sulfur content is high or flow is relatively high, a scheme including two columns where one tower is regenerated if the sulfur concentration exceeds a preset value can be used. When the sulfur content is low or flow is relatively low, a scheme including one column and an absorption bed. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20130343957 | CRACKING SYSTEM INTEGRATING HYDROCRACKING AND FLUIDIZED CATALYTIC CRACKING - A system and method of cracking hydrocarbon feedstocks is provided that allows for significant flexibility in terms of the desired product yield. An integrated process includes introducing the feedstock and hydrogen into a first hydrocracking reaction zone containing a first hydrocracking catalyst to produce a first zone effluent. The first zone effluent and optionally additional hydrogen are passed to a second hydrocracking reaction zone containing a second hydrocracking catalyst to produce a second zone effluent. The second zone effluent is conveyed to a fractionating zone to at least a low boiling fraction and a high boiling fraction, and optionally one or more intermediate fractions. The bottoms fraction is passed to a fluidized catalytic cracking reaction and separation zone, from which olefins and gasoline are recovered. At least a portion of remaining cycle oil is passed from the fluidized catalytic cracking reaction and separation zone to the first and/or second hydrocracking reaction zone. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20130343956 | INTEGRATED HYDROCRACKING AND FLUIDIZED CATALYTIC CRACKING SYSTEM - A system and method of cracking hydrocarbon feedstocks is provided that allows for significant flexibility in terms of the desired product yield. An integrated process includes introducing the feedstock and hydrogen into a first hydrocracking reaction zone containing a first hydrocracking catalyst to produce a first zone effluent. The first zone effluent is passed to a fractionating zone to produce at least a low boiling fraction and a high boiling fraction, and optionally one or more intermediate fractions. The bottoms fraction is conveyed to a fluidized catalytic cracking reaction and separation zone, from which olefins and gasoline are recovered. At least a portion of remaining cycle oil is passed from the fluidized catalytic cracking reaction and separation zone to a second hydrocracking reaction zone containing a second hydrocracking catalyst to produce a second stage effluent. At least a portion of the second stage effluent is recycled to the fractionating zone and/or the first hydrocracking reaction zone. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20130341247 | MICROWAVE-PROMOTED DESULFURIZATION OF CRUDE OIL - Heavy crude oils having high sulfur content and viscosities are upgraded by a hydrodesulfurization (HDS) process that includes microwave irradiation of a mixture of the sour heavy crude oil with at least one catalyst and optionally, one or more sensitizers, and irradiation in the presence of hydrogen. The process is also adapted to microwave treatment of hard to break emulsions, either above ground or below ground where water-in-oil emulsions are initially formed, followed by the catalytic hydrodesulfurization promoted by application of further microwave energy to the demulsified crude oil stream. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20130334103 | DESULFURIZATION OF HYDROCARBON FEED USING GASEOUS OXIDANT - An apparatus and process for desulfurization of hydrocarbon feeds is disclosed in which pure nitrous oxide, or a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen or air, is used as a gaseous oxidant. Organosulfur compounds are converted to their corresponding oxides sulfones and/or sulfoxides in an oxidation reactor, and oxides are subsequently removed from the oxidation reactor effluent to recover a reduced sulfur-content hydrocarbon product. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20130334060 | HYDROGEN PRODUCTION FROM AN INTEGRATED ELECTROLYSIS CELL AND HYDROCARBON GASIFICATION REACTOR - An integrated process for hydrogen gas production includes:
| 12-19-2013 |
| 20130333354 | MEMBRANE SEPARATION METHOD AND SYSTEM UTILIZING WASTE HEAT FOR ON-BOARD RECOVERY AND STORAGE OF CO2 FROM MOTOR VEHICLE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE EXHAUST GASES - A method and system are described for on-board treatment of an exhaust stream containing CO | 12-19-2013 |
| 20130332131 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING DISPLAY OF PETROPHYSICAL PROPERTY HEIGHT PROFILE FOR BOTH VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL WELLBORES - A computerized system creates and communicates to a user a wellbore property-height profile of a selected property, such as permeability, at each cell location defining the wellbore. The property-height value is determined based on a “summation from base” algorithm. The system may also be used to create a property-height profile in horizontal and slant wells, by creating a plurality of vertical pseudo-wells which intersect the trajectory of the horizontal or slant well. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20130327024 | DIRECT DENSIFICATION METHOD AND SYSTEM UTILIZING WASTE HEAT FOR ON-BOARD RECOVERY AND STORAGE OF CO2 FROM MOTOR VEHICLE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE EXHAUST GASES - A method and system are described for on-board treatment of an exhaust stream containing CO | 12-12-2013 |
| 20130326610 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ACCESS TO A PLANT NETWORK - A system for centrally controlling access by computers in a corporate network to a plant network that runs plant applications. The system includes an access control computer in communication with the corporate network and includes a memory, a processor coupled to the memory and a multi-user application stored in the memory and executable by the processor. The multi-user application communicates with a plurality of computers in the corporate network concurrently and communicates with at least one plant application running in the plant network to retrieve data from and pass data to the plant application on behalf of the plurality of computers in the corporate network concurrently. Since all communication from the plurality of computers is tunneled through the access control computer, the likelihood of any virus or worm spreading into the plant network is minimized. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130325419 | RESERVOIR SIMULATION WITH SCALABLE GRID COMPUTING - Larger, expandable high performance computing (HPC) clusters which are of different generations and performance speeds are provided for reservoir simulation. This provides scalability and flexibility for running computation-intensive reservoir simulation jobs on HPC machines. Availability of larger numbers of processors in a processor pool makes simulation of giant models possible and also reduces fragmentation when multiple jobs are run. A hardware performance based domain decomposition is performed which results in computation load balancing. The reservoir domain is decomposed efficiently to reduce communication overhead. Adaptive detection of the available mix of computation resources is performed, and reservoir simulation decomposition methodology adjusts the distribution of load based on the available hardware and different processor generation resources to minimize the reservoir simulation runtime. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130325200 | Methods For Planning and Retrofit of Energy Efficient Eco-Industrial Parks Through Inter-Time-Inter-Systems Energy Integration - Methods of providing enhanced energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse gases for an eco-industrial park with retrofit in mind and eco-industrial park retrofit with retrofit in mind, are provided. An exemplary method includes identifying hybrid inter-time zones inter-area matching solutions through selecting best energy efficient routes, generating technically viable energy efficient eco-industrial parks alternatives, identifying best generation and allocation of energy utilities, and synthesizing a combined heat and power utility system that satisfies the eco-park demands during each time zone as well as rendering its best operating scenario at each specific time-zone. This inter-time-zones inter-area integration can include identifying the best and the second best matching solutions among processes in the eco-industrial park for spatial energy integration and the best and second best matching solutions among all time-zones for temporal energy integration and greenhouse gas emissions reduction for the optimal synthesis or retrofit of eco-industrial parks. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130318894 | Self-Ballasted, Roof-Integrated, Lightweight FRC PV Mounting System - A ballast tile system for supporting photovoltaic modules that includes at least one fiber-reinforced concrete ballast tile. The at least one ballast tile has a first mounting member extending upwardly from a top surface thereof, the first mounting member configured to receive a lower end of a photovoltaic module. The at least one ballast tile also has a second mounting member extending upwardly from the top surface thereof, the second mounting member configured to secure an upper edge of the photovoltaic module. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130317271 | Catalyst for Enhanced Propylene in Fluidized Catalytic Cracking - A fluid catalytic cracking catalyst for increased production of propylene and gasoline from heavy hydrocarbon feedstock, the catalyst comprising between 10 and 20% by weight of an ultra-stable Y-type zeolite, between 10 and 20% by weight of a phosphorous modified sub-micron ZSM-5, between 20 and 30% by weight of a pseudoboehmite alumina, and between 30 and 40% by weight kaolin. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130316936 | VOLCANIC ASH-BASED DRILLING MUD TO OVERCOME DRILLING CHALLENGES - Drilling mud compositions and related methods are provided as embodiments of the present invention. The drilling mud compositions are water-based and contain volcanic ash. The compositions and methods of the present invention provide improved properties relative to tolerance of high salt content, cement, lime, and temperatures. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130313162 | PETROLEUM UPGRADING AND DESULFURIZING PROCESS - A petroleum feedstock upgrading method is provided. The method includes supplying a mixed stream that includes hydrocarbon feedstock and water to a hydrothermal reactor where the mixed stream is maintained at a temperature and pressure greater than the critical temperatures and pressure of water in the absence of catalyst for a residence time sufficient to convert the mixed stream into a modified stream having an increased concentration of lighter hydrocarbons and/or concentration of sulfur containing compounds. The modified stream is then supplied to an adsorptive reaction stage charged with a solid adsorbent operable to remove at least a portion of the sulfur present to produce a trimmed stream. The trimmed stream is then separated into a gas and a liquid streams, and the liquid stream is separated into a water stream and an upgraded hydrocarbon product stream. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130312794 | CLEANING APPARATUS FOR HEAT EXCHANGE TUBES OF AIR COOLED HEAT EXCHANGERS - An apparatus, operable with a source of cleaning fluid under pressure, for cleaning external surfaces of heat exchange tubes of an air cooled heat exchanger which tubes are situated in generally horizontal rows vertically separated from each other, thus defining a generally horizontal zone between each two adjacent rows, including
| 11-28-2013 |
| 20130311098 | DETERMINATION OF ROCK MECHANICS FROM NORMAL AND TANGENTIAL FORCES WHILE SLABBING CORE SAMPLES - Mechanical properties of formation rock from a subsurface reservoir are measured with a computerized system while a core sample from the formation is being cut, during a process known as slabbing, for other analytical purposes. Forces exerted during cutting of the slab from the original core sample are sensed and stored in the computer system. The recorded force data, cutting time and dimensions of the core sample and the cut slab are processed in the computer system. Measures of characteristics and mechanical properties of the rock, such as rock strength and angle of internal friction, are obtained with the computer system. Separate and specialized testing procedures performed on test core plugs using samples specially extracted from the original core sample are not required. | 11-21-2013 |
| 20130306320 | COMPOSITION AND METHOD FOR TREATING CARBONATE RESERVOIRS - The composition and method for treating carbonate reservoirs provides a treatment fluid for the acid treatment of stratified subterranean formations. The treatment fluid is injected into a non-problematic or high permeability zone of a carbonate reservoir. The treatment fluid is formed from a zwitterionic viscoelastic surfactant, which forms about 7.5 vol % of the treatment fluid, hydrochloric acid forming about 15.0 vol % of the treatment fluid, and a corrosion inhibitor forming about 0.6 vol % of the treatment fluid, the balance being brine. The treatment fluid gels as the hydrochloric acid reacts with carbonate of the carbonate reservoir, thus forming a diverting block in the non-problematic or high permeability zone. Following formation of the diverting block, a further volume of the treatment fluid is injected into the carbonate reservoir. The diverting block diverts the treatment fluid into a problematic or low permeability zone of the carbonate reservoir. | 11-21-2013 |
| 20130303817 | Ethylene Oligomerization Process - An ethylene oligomerization system is useful for creating 1-butene from ethylene in the presence of an ethylene oligomerization catalyst. The ethylene oligomerization system includes an internal baffle single pass reactor, a separation system and an exterior motion driver. The exterior motion driver is operable to induce unsteadiness in the flow of the process fluid contained in the internal baffle single pass reactor by transferring motion into the process fluid. An ethylene oligomerization process is useful for creating a refined 1-butene product from ethylene using the ethylene oligomerization system. | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130299168 | ZERO-LEAKOFF GEL - A silicate gel composition that is useful for sealing the face of a fracture of a formation. A method of sealing a face of a fracture of a formation with the silicate gel composition and diverting an acid treatment fluid. | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130298761 | LIQUID, SLURRY AND FLOWABLE POWDER ADSORPTION/ABSORPTION METHOD AND SYSTEM UTILIZING WASTE HEAT FOR ON-BOARD RECOVERY AND STORAGE OF CO2 FROM MOTOR VEHICLE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE EXHAUST GASES - A method and system are described for on-board treatment of an exhaust stream containing CO | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130298532 | REVERSIBLE SOLID ADSORPTION METHOD AND SYSTEM UTILIZING WASTE HEAT FOR ON-BOARD RECOVERY AND STORAGE OF CO2 FROM MOTOR VEHICLE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE EXHAUST GASES - A method and system are described for on-board treatment of an exhaust stream containing CO | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130297272 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL MULTI-MODAL CORE AND GEOLOGICAL MODELING FOR OPTIMAL FIELD DEVELOPMENT - A roadmap for a field development strategy for optimal recovery is provided in a high quality 3D geological model. This geological model combines geological attributes, pore and rock properties for an optimum 3D representation of the reservoir thousands feet beneath the surface. The model is based on the pertinent geological facies, derived from well core description and detailed studies of rock, as well as fluid and pore properties (Full Pore System) obtained from laboratory analyses of core material and well log data. These data differentiate various important pore throat and pore body regions and relationships, i.e., macroporosity and microporosity. Understanding hydrocarbon volumes in the various pore type groups and then establishing proper recovery techniques through focused laboratory studies yields a field development strategy that can significantly increase hydrocarbon recovery from a reservoir. | 11-07-2013 |
| 20130292299 | INTEGRATED EBULLATED-BED PROCESS FOR WHOLE CRUDE OIL UPGRADING - A system and process for upgrading a whole crude oil feed in an integrated ebullated-bed and hydrotreater is provided in which the whole crude oil is flashed into a flashed straight run distillates fraction and an atmospheric residue fraction. The atmospheric residue fraction is hydroprocessed in an ebullated-bed reaction zone, while the flashed straight run distillates fraction and the products fraction produced from the ebullated-bed reaction zone are hydrotreated in a fixed-bed reaction zone. Distillates from the hydrotreater and the unconverted residue fraction from the ebullated-bed reaction zone can be combined to produce an upgraded synthetic crude oil. | 11-07-2013 |
| 20130291432 | Maximizing Aromatics Production From Hydrocracked Naphtha - A gasoline blending components production system useful for producing both aromatics and gasoline blending components from naphtha. The production system includes a light hydrocracked naphtha splitter, a medium hydrocracked naphtha splitter, a naphtha hydrotreater, an isomerization unit, a continuous catalytic reformer and aromatics complex. The production system is operable to produce both refined benzene and para-xylene products in addition to medium hydrocracked naphtha, isomerate, a C7s cut and a C9+ cut, which are useful for gasoline blending without additional treatment. A method for producing gasoline blending components while maximizing aromatic production includes introducing both stabilized hydrocracked naphtha to the light hydrocracked naphtha splitter and straight run naphtha to the naphtha hydrotreater. Operating the production system produces three types of hydrocracked naphtha: a light hydrocracked naphtha, a medium hydrocracked naphtha and a heavy hydrocracked naphtha. Light and heavy hydrocracked naphtha are directed to the naphtha hydrotreater. | 11-07-2013 |
| 20130283854 | Adsorbed Natural Gas Storage Facility - A method of using the natural gas storage facility to reduce the effect of diurnal demand on a natural gas source includes introducing natural gas into the natural gas storage facility, separating the natural gas into a heavy natural gas component and a light natural gas component, and retaining the components during a non-peak period of demand. The natural gas storage facility includes a guard bed system and an adsorption bed system. The method also includes releasing the heavy and light natural gas components, mixing them into a released natural gas component product and introducing it to the natural gas source during a peak period of demand. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130281750 | COMBINED HEAVY REFORMATE DEALKYLATION-TRANSALKYLATION PROCESS FOR MAXIMIZING XYLENES PRODUCTION - A method of forming mixed xylenes from a heavy reformate using a dealkylation-transalkylation system includes the step of introducing both a heavy reformate containing methyl ethyl benzenes and tri-methyl benzenes and that is sufficiently free of toluene and a hydrogen-containing material into the dealkylation stage such that the heavy reformate and the hydrogen-containing material intermingle and contact the hydrodealkylation catalyst. The dealkylation-transalkylation system includes dealkylation, non-aromatic product gas separations and transalkylation stages. Toluene forms from the reaction of methyl ethyl benzenes and hydrogen in the presence of the hydrodealkylation catalyst. The method also includes the step of introducing a dealkylated heavy reformate into the transalkylation stage such that the dealkylated heavy reformate contacts a transalkylation catalyst, forming a transalkylation stage product mixture includes mixed xylenes. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130277064 | SUBMERSIBLE PUMP SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A submersible pump system that is operable to permit selective access into a production zone of a well bore while a submersible pumping device is operating includes a Y-tool, a submersible pumping device, a control valve assembly and a power conduit. The control valve assembly is also operable to selectively permit access between the interior of the submersible pumping system and the exterior of the submersible pumping system. The valve is operable to form a dynamic seal. The power conduit is operable to convey both power and a pre-designated control signal simultaneously. A method for accessing the production zone of the well bore with a well bore tool uses the submersible pump system while the submersible pump system is producing production zone fluid. The submersible pumping device continues to operate without interruption after transmission of the pre-designated pump control signal. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130275137 | WARNING SYSTEM WITH SYNTHESIZED VOICE DIAGNOSTIC ANNOUNCEMENT CAPABILITY FOR FIELD DEVICES - Field devices, including sensors and final elements, are provided with a speech synthesizer and optionally a speech control chip, to sound audible voice maintenance and fault alarms to alert field personnel and, optionally, a voice message upon manual activation of a pushbutton or other switch directing them how to perform the maintenance task or clear the fault. | 10-17-2013 |
