Patent classifications
E21B21/063
SAGD saline water system optimization
A new water treatment system for SAGD operations is disclosed. Instead of treating both produced water and recycled water using warm lime softening systems, the recycled water is combined with saline water in a cold lime softening system. This results in slightly warmed reactions that require less chemicals during the lime softening process while also allowing for larger volumes of treated produced water to be generated by the warm lime softening system.
Graphene oxide coated membranes to increase the density of water base fluids
A method of servicing a wellbore extending from a surface of the earth and penetrating a subterranean formation, including: removing water from an aqueous based wellbore servicing fluid by contacting the aqueous based wellbore servicing fluid with a porous substrate coated with a hydrophilic and oleophobic coating, whereby water is removed from the aqueous based wellbore servicing fluid via passage through the porous substrate, and whereby a water concentration and a volume of the aqueous based wellbore servicing fluid are reduced and a density of the aqueous based wellbore servicing fluid is increased to provide a modified aqueous based wellbore servicing fluid.
Solvent-Induced Separation of Oilfield Emulsions
Systems and methods for separation of oleaginous fluids, aqueous fluids, and solids from drilling or other oilfield emulsions by solvent extraction. A method for separation of oilfield emulsions comprising: providing an oilfield emulsion prepared for use in a wellbore and/or recovered from a wellbore; mixing the oilfield emulsion with at least a solvent to form at least a mixture; and separating the mixture to at least partially recover an oleaginous phase of the oilfield emulsion.
Enhanced Techniques for Dewatering Thick Fine Tailings
Techniques for dewatering thick fine tailings may include flocculant dosing on a clay basis and then subjecting the flocculated tailings to dewatering, for instance by pipelining the flocculated material from flocculant addition to a deposition site. The thick fine tailings can be pre-treated by removing hydrocarbons and shear-thinning prior to flocculant addition.
DEMULSIFYING METHOD FOR DRILLING FLUIDS
A method for demulsifying a recovered drilling fluid is disclosed. A recovered drilling fluid is first combined with dilution water and a diethanolamine-based C.sub.8-C.sub.18 alkanolamide demulsifying agent. The recovered drilling fluid comprises hydrocarbons, a brine having at least 25% total dissolved solids, an emulsifier, and undissolved oil-wetted solids. In a second step, the mixture is separated, or is allowed to separate, into three distinct phases, including a clear oil phase comprising the hydrocarbons, a clear brine phase, and a water-wetted solid phase. Compositions suitable for use as demulsifiers and demulsified compositions are also disclosed. The alkanolamide demulsifying agents enable rapid, clean separation of phases and efficient recovery of 80% or more of the oil phase from the recovered drilling fluid
Simulation test method for gas extraction from tectonically-deformed coal seam in-situ by depressurizing horizontal well cavity
A simulation test method for gas extraction from a tectonically-deformed coal seam in-situ by depressurizing a horizontal well cavity. A coal series stratum structure reconstruction and similar material simulation subsystem simulates a tectonically-deformed coal reservoir. A horizontal well drilling and reaming simulation subsystem constructs a U-shaped well in which a horizontal well adjoins a vertical well, and performs a reaming process on a horizontal section thereof. A horizontal well hole-collapse cavity-construction depressurization excitation simulation subsystem performs pressure-pulse excitation and stress release on the horizontal well, and hydraulically displaces a coal-liquid-gas mixture such that the mixture is conveyed towards a vertical well section. A product lifting simulation subsystem further pulverizes the coal and lifts the mixture. A gas-liquid-solid separation simulation subsystem separates the coal, liquid and gas. A monitoring and control subsystem detects and controls the operation and the execution processes of equipment in real time.
Graphene Oxide Coated Membranes to Increase the Density of Water Base Fluids
A method of servicing a wellbore extending from a surface of the earth and penetrating a subterranean formation, including: removing water from an aqueous based wellbore servicing fluid by contacting the aqueous based wellbore servicing fluid with a porous substrate coated with a hydrophilic and oleophobic coating, whereby water is removed from the aqueous based wellbore servicing fluid via passage through the porous substrate, and whereby a water concentration and a volume of the aqueous based wellbore servicing fluid are reduced and a density of the aqueous based wellbore servicing fluid is increased to provide a modified aqueous based wellbore servicing fluid.
SETTABLE, REMOVABLE, AND REUSABLE LOST CIRCULATION FLUIDS
A method of drilling may include mixing, at the surface, a base fluid, a polyvalent cation reactive polymer, and a delayed source of polyvalent cation so as to form a treatment fluid; placing the treatment fluid in a subterranean formation to form a solid plug including the polyvalent cation reactive polymer crosslinked with the polyvalent cation; contacting the solid plug with a breaker so as to transform the solid plug into a reclaimed treatment fluid; and removing the reclaimed treatment fluid. A system for drilling may include a treatment fluid, at the surface, including a polyvalent cation reactive polymer, and a delayed source of a polyvalent cation, where the treatment fluid is settable in the formation to form a solid plug including the polyvalent cation reactive polymer and the polyvalent cation; and a breaker, separate from the treatment fluid at the surface, capable of liquefying the solid plug.
SIDE SADDLE DRILLING RIGS
A land-based drilling rig includes a first substructure and a second substructure, the second substructure being positioned generally parallel to the first substructure. The land-based drilling rig also includes a drill rig floor coupled to the first and second substructures, the drill rig floor including a V-door. The side of the drill rig floor has the V-door defining a V-door side of the drill rig floor, where the V-door side of the drill rig floor is parallel to the first substructure. The first and second substructures pivotably support the drill rig floor. The land-based drilling rig also includes a mast, the mast mechanically coupled to one or more of the first substructure, the second substructure, and the drill rig floor. The mast is pivotably coupled to one or more of the first substructure, the second substructure, and the drill rig floor by a mast pivot point. The mast includes a V-door side, the V-door side of the mast parallel to the first or second substructure. In addition, the land-based drilling rig includes a mast hydraulic lift cylinder coupled to the mast at a mast lift point and a choke manifold, the choke manifold positioned on the drill rig floor.
Solvent-induced separation of oilfield emulsions
Systems and methods for separation of oleaginous fluids, aqueous fluids, and solids from drilling or other oilfield emulsions by solvent extraction. A method for separation of oilfield emulsions comprising: providing an oilfield emulsion prepared for use in a wellbore and/or recovered from a wellbore; mixing the oilfield emulsion with at least a solvent to form at least a mixture; and separating the mixture to at least partially recover an oleaginous phase of the oilfield emulsion.