Wellbore synthesis techniques are disclosed suitable for use in geothermal applications. Embodiments are provided where open hole drilled wellbores are sealed while drilling to form an impervious layer at the wellbore/formation interface. The techniques may be chemical, thermal, mechanical, biological and are fully intended to irreversibly damage the formation in terms of the permeability thereof. With the permeability negated, the wellbore may be used to create a closed loop surface to surface geothermal well operable in the absence of well casing for maximizing thermal transfer to a circulating working fluid. Formulations for the working and drilling fluids are disclosed.

A method and a system for oil recovery are provided. An exemplary method includes injecting thickened carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) into the top of a reservoir containing oil. An interface is formed between the thickened CO.sub.2 and the oil. The oil is mobilized by the thickened CO.sub.2. The mobilized oil is recovered with a recovery well drilled below the reservoir.

A system and method for removing water from mine areas. In one embodiment, one or more directionally drilled dewatering wells are drilled into the geologic formation such that at least a portion of the dewatering well is positioned underneath the mine. In one embodiment, one or more of the dewatering wells may originate outside the perimeter of the mine so as not to interfere with mine operations. In one embodiment, a hydrogeologic assessment along with mine dewatering requirements may be used to generate a mine dewatering plan. In one embodiment, a hydrogeologic assessment along with a determination of the dewatering requirements of the mine and surrounding areas may be used to create a mine dewatering plan. In one embodiment, the mine dewatering plan provides design information pertaining to each dewatering well.

Novel catalysts comprising nickel oxide nanoparticles supported on alumina nanoparticles, methods of their manufacture, heavy oil compositions contacted by these nanocatalysts and methods of their use are disclosed. The novel nanocatalysts are useful, inter alia, in the upgrading of heavy oil fractions or as aids in oil recovery from steam-assisted well reservoirs.

An induction device and method for introducing an inductor loop into a rock formation to heating an oil reservoir in the rock formation to extract oil extraction, wherein a first inductor bore is chilled for introducing a first inductor arm, a second inductor bore is drilled for introducing a second inductor arm, at least one intersecting bore is drilled to create a first area of intersection with the first inductor bore and a second area of intersection with the second inductor bore, the first inductor arm is introduced into the first inductor bore and the second inductor arm is introduced into the second inductor bore, and at least one connecting arm is introduced into the intersecting bore for electrically conductive connection to the two inductor arms in the two areas of intersection so as to form the inductor loop.

A computer-implemented method for well location optimization for high inclination complex well trajectories includes calculating a thickness of a target geological layer with respect to a planned intersection angle between wellbores and the target geological layer, wherein the target geological layer comprises a known complex geology. A sensitivity of the wellbores is calculated based on reservoir parameters derived from the calculated thickness of the target geological layer at the planned intersection angle. A least sensitive wellbore is selected from the wellbores, wherein the least sensitive wellbore of the wellbores has a lowest uncertainty in geological layer orientation and wellbore orientation.

A method of removing wellbore water from a production wellbore includes determining a production flow rate. The method also includes determining a target production flow rate of the production fluid and comparing the production flow rate to a flow rate threshold associated with the target production flow rate. The method also includes determining, based on a result of comparing the production flow rate to the flow rate threshold, that the production flow rate satisfies the threshold. The method also includes activating a fluid moving device fluidly coupled to a wellbore string extending from a terranean surface to the water to inject, into the water, at least one of i) a surfactant, ii) a gas, or iii) a foaming agent, allowing the water and the production fluid to emulsify together and thereby allowing a mixture of water and production fluid to flow to the terranean surface of the wellbore.

A well configuration for co-injection processes, wherein a horizontal producer well at the bottom of the pay is combined with injection or injection and producer wells that are vertical and above the lower horizontal production well. This well arrangement minimizes “blanket” effects by non-condensable gases.

Provided is a self-deflecting multilateral junction, a method, and a well system. The self-deflecting multilateral junction, in one aspect, includes a deflection device having an uphole end and a downhole end, the deflection device including a main tubular, a first flow path off the main tubular and operable to couple to a wellbore, a second flow path off the main tubular and operable to couple to a lateral wellbore, the second flow path having a lateral seal bore, and a deflecting ramp. The self-deflecting multilateral junction, according to this aspect, further includes a lateral stinger positioned within the main tubular and releasably coupled to the deflection device, the lateral stinger including a nose end configured to extend into the second flow path, a valve member, and a lateral seal for engaging the lateral seal bore.

A method in accordance with some embodiments comprises receiving input parameters specifying fracturing requirements, electronically accessing formation data associated with a target formation, and using a computer processor to dynamically generate a fracturing plan for at least one of a plurality of boreholes in the target formation. The plan includes potential fracture locations and lengths that account for existing or planned fracture locations along others of the plurality of boreholes and that further account for the received input parameters and the accessed formation data. The method also comprises fracturing the target formation along the plurality of boreholes in accordance with the fracturing plan.