Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090078414 | CHEMICALLY ENHANCED THERMAL RECOVERY OF HEAVY OIL - Described herein are methods for removing heavy oils from underground reservoirs. The methods involve the use of chemical compositions in combination with steam techniques for the efficient removal of heavy oils. | 03-26-2009 |
20090159288 | Chemically enhanced thermal recovery of heavy oil - Described herein are methods for removing heavy oils from underground reservoirs. The methods involve the use of chemical compositions in combination with steam techniques for the efficient removal of heavy oils. | 06-25-2009 |
20090266175 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CHARACTERIZING TWO PHASE FLUID FLOW - An apparatus (and corresponding method) for characterizing the fluid properties of a two phase fluid includes a restriction element (e.g., orifice plate or nozzle) along the flow path of the two phase fluid. At least one temperature sensor measures temperature of the two phase fluid flowing through the restriction element. A pressure sensor measures the pressure downstream of the restriction element. Time-of-flight measurements of pulses passing through the two phase fluid are made. The speed of sound within the two phase fluid is calculated from the time-of-flight measurements. At least one fluid property (e.g., a vapor phase fraction) of the two phase fluid is calculated from the measured pressure, the measured temperature, and the calculated speed of sound. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271129 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR CHARACTERIZING TWO PHASE FLUID FLOW IN AN INJECTION WELL - A method and corresponding system is provided for determining fluid properties of a two phase fluid flowing through various portions of a wellbore. Specifically, the method and corresponding system determines fluid properties (e.g. enthalpy flux) of the two phase fluid flowing upstream of the injector portion of the wellbore as well as fluid properties (e.g., mass flow rate and enthalpy flux) of the two phase fluid at various measurement locations along the injector. | 10-29-2009 |
20140262241 | Systems and Methods for the Production of a Subterranean Reservoir Containing Viscous Hydrocarbons - A method for recovering viscous hydrocarbons from a reservoir in a subterranean formation includes (a) injecting steam into the reservoir. In addition, the method includes (b) injecting a surfactant into the reservoir with the steam during (a). Further, the method includes (c) decreasing the viscosity of the hydrocarbons in the reservoir with thermal energy from the steam. Still further, the method includes (d) emulsifying the hydrocarbons with the surfactant during (b) and (c). Moreover, the method includes (e) mobilizing at least some of the hydrocarbons in the reservoir. | 09-18-2014 |
20140262242 | Systems and Methods for the Production of a Subterranean Reservoir Containing Viscous Hydrocarbons - A method for recovering viscous hydrocarbons from a reservoir in a subterranean formation includes (a) injecting steam into the reservoir. In addition, the method includes (b) injecting a thermally activated chemical species into the reservoir with the steam during (a). The thermally activated chemical species decomposes at a temperature between 40° and 200° C. Further, the method includes (c) decreasing the viscosity of the hydrocarbons in the reservoir during (a) and (b). Still further, the method includes (d) mobilizing at least some of the hydrocarbons in the reservoir. | 09-18-2014 |
20140262243 | Systems and Methods for Accelerating Production of Viscous Hydrocarbons in a Subterranean Reservoir with Thermally Activated Chemical Agents - A method for mobilizing viscous hydrocarbons in a reservoir includes (a) injecting an aqueous solution into the reservoir with the reservoir at the reservoir ambient temperature. The aqueous solution includes water and a water-soluble chemical agent that is substantially non-decomposable and substantially non-reactive in the reservoir at the reservoir ambient temperature. In addition, the method includes (b) adding thermal energy to the reservoir at any time after (a) to increase the temperature of at least a portion of the reservoir to an elevated temperature greater than the ambient temperature of the reservoir. Further, the method includes (c) in response to the elevated temperature in (b), mobilizing at least a portion of the hydrocarbons in the reservoir by reducing the viscosity of the hydrocarbons and allowing the chemical agent to enhance mobilization of the hydrocarbons. | 09-18-2014 |
20140262340 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DRILLING FROM UNDERGROUND ACCESS TUNNELS TO DEVELOP SUBTERRANEAN HYDROCARBON RESERVOIRS - A method for accessing a hydrocarbon reservoir in a subterranean formation from a subterranean tunnel system includes (a) drilling a first bore between an upper tunnel and a lower tunnel. In addition, the method includes (b) drilling a second bore downward from the lower tunnel. | 09-18-2014 |
20140262510 | CLOSED LOOP DRILLING FLUIDS CIRCULATION AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A closed loop drilling fluids circulation system includes a first drilling fluid circulation system disposed at a first subterranean drill site. The first drilling fluid circulation system includes a supply tank for holding clean drilling fluid and a solids control device configured to separate solids from used drilling fluid. In addition, the system includes a central processing facility disposed at a location remote from the first drill site and configured to receive used drilling fluid from the solids control device and supply clean drilling fluid to the supply tank. | 09-18-2014 |
20140262517 | DRILLING RIG FOR DRILLING FROM UNDERGROUND TUNNELS - A rig for drilling a borehole from an underground tunnel includes a base assembly, a drilling assembly mounted to the base assembly, an upper frame assembly mounted to the drilling assembly above the base assembly, and a support hood coupled to the drilling assembly and positioned above the upper frame assembly. The support hood is configured to bear against a ceiling of the tunnel during drilling operations. | 09-18-2014 |