A water processing system (10) comprises a reactor (12) configured to receive a feed water input (FW). The reactor (12) is configured to convert the feed water input (FW) into a steam output (S) for use in a downstream operation. The processing system (10) is configured to utilise the thermal and/or mechanical energy of the feed water input (FW) to partially power the conversion of the feed water input (FW) to the steam output (S). The system (10) further comprises a heat generator arrangement operatively associated with the reactor (12), the heat generator arrangement supplying the remaining thermal energy required to convert the feed water input (FW) into the steam output (S).

A method of conditioning a well bore featuring an annulus (50) between a bore-lining tubing (20) and a surrounding bore wall (110) comprises pumping conditioning fluid through an inner tubing (10) located within the bore-lining tubing (20) and into a portion of the well bore containing the bore-lining tubing to affect the temperature of the portion of the well bore containing the bore-lining tubing. The annulus (50) between the bore-lining tubing (20) and the surrounding bore wall (110) is at least partially filled with settable material (54). The affected temperature of the portion of the well bore containing the bore-lining tubing influences the setting of the settable material. For example, heating the bore may accelerate setting of the material, while cooling the bore may retard setting of the material.

A method of conditioning a well bore featuring an annulus (50) between a bore-lining tubing (20) and a surrounding bore wall (110) comprises pumping conditioning fluid through an inner tubing (10) located within the bore-lining tubing (20) and into a portion of the well bore containing the bore-lining tubing to affect the temperature of the portion of the well bore containing the bore-lining tubing. The annulus (50) between the bore-lining tubing (20) and the surrounding bore wall (110) is at least partially filled with settable material (54). The affected temperature of the portion of the well bore containing the bore-lining tubing influences the setting of the settable material. For example, heating the bore may accelerate setting of the material, while cooling the bore may retard setting of the material.

The invention relates to a method of managing the heating of fluids flowing in an undersea pipe network (2-1) providing a connection between a surface installation (6) and at least one undersea production well (4), the method comprising releasably connecting at least one fluid heater station (14a, 14b) to an undersea pipe and controlling said heater station as a function of the mode of operation of the pipe network.

A method for reducing breakdown pressure at a formation includes detecting a tight reservoir formation in a well and providing hydraulic fracturing equipment assembled together as a hydraulic fracturing system at a surface of the well. The hydraulic fracturing system includes a fluid source containing a base fluid and fluidly connected to a blender and a pump and manifold system fluidly connecting an outlet of the blender to a wellhead of the well. The method further includes connecting a cooling system to the hydraulic fracturing system, using the cooling system to cool the base fluid to a cooled base temperature upstream of the pump and manifold system, pumping the cooled base fluid down the well to the tight reservoir formation, and using the cooled base fluid to lower a temperature of the tight reservoir formation and reduce a breakdown pressure of the tight reservoir formation.

Methods of actuating a well tool can include releasing chemical energy from at least one portion of a reactive material, thermally expanding a substance in response to the released chemical energy, and applying pressure to a piston as a result of thermally expanding the substance, thereby actuating the well tool, with these steps being repeated for each of multiple actuations of the well tool. A well tool actuator can include a substance contained in a chamber, one or more portions of a reactive material from which chemical energy is released, and a piston to which pressure is applied due to thermal expansion of the substance in response to each release of chemical energy. A well tool actuator which can be actuated multiple times may include multiple portions of a gas generating reactive material, and a piston to which pressure is applied due to generation of the gas.

A resistive cable-based well heater for providing heat to an oil or gas bearing formation includes a length of coiled tubing having a sealed down-hole end and an open-ended cable support adapter attached to the up-hole end of the coiled tubing. A bundle of cables is contained within the coiled tubing. The cables extend from the upper opening of the adapter and have free upper ends. A wedging tube is placed in the open end of the adapter to support the cables against the interior sidewall of the adapter when the well heater is deployed in a well. The wedging tube has an inner surface shaped to conform to the shape of one or more of the cables and an outer surface configured for weight bearing frictional contact with the inner sidewall of the cable support adapter.

A resistive cable-based well heater for providing heat to an oil or gas bearing formation includes a length of coiled tubing having a sealed down-hole end and an open-ended cable support adapter attached to the up-hole end of the coiled tubing. A bundle of cables is contained within the coiled tubing. The cables extend from the upper opening of the adapter and have free upper ends. A wedging tube is placed in the open end of the adapter to support the cables against the interior sidewall of the adapter when the well heater is deployed in a well. The wedging tube has an inner surface shaped to conform to the shape of one or more of the cables and an outer surface configured for weight bearing frictional contact with the inner sidewall of the cable support adapter.

Embodiments of systems and methods for generating power in the vicinity of a drilling rig are disclosed. During a drilling operation, heat generated by drilling fluid flowing from a borehole, exhaust from an engine, and/or fluid from an engine's water (or other fluid) jacket, for example, may be utilized by corresponding heat exchangers to facilitate heat transfer to a working fluid. The heated working fluid may cause an ORC unit to generate electrical power.

Embodiments of systems and methods for generating power in the vicinity of a drilling rig are disclosed. During a drilling operation, heat generated by drilling fluid flowing from a borehole, exhaust from an engine, and/or fluid from an engine's water (or other fluid) jacket, for example, may be utilized by corresponding heat exchangers to facilitate heat transfer to a working fluid. The heated working fluid may cause an ORC unit to generate electrical power.