A particulate separator system and method for petroleum wells are described. An embodiment comprises a two stage separator. A fluid mixture flows into an outer casing that surrounds an inner tube. The first stage comprises a number of baffles that help to separate gas from fluid as the fluid mixture falls downward within the casing. A second stage comprises a widened inner tube and a fin causing the fluid mixture to fall radially around the inner tube and downward. As the mixture gains speed the particulate matter is forced to the periphery of the mixture by centrifugal force. A pump intake on the bottom of the inner tube pulls in the fluid while the particulate matter falls away.

The present invention includes a method of cleaning a membrane contactor comprising: connecting a membrane contactor having a first and a second surface, the membrane contactor being in liquid communication with a first and a second liquid circulation loop; rerouting the source of oil-containing liquid from the membrane contactor; draining the oil-containing liquid in contact with the first surface of the membrane contactor via a drain; circulating a cleaning oil over the first surface of the membrane contactor; pumping a collection fluid over the second surface of the membrane contactor; and contacting the oil-containing liquid with the first surface of the membrane contactor under pressure to maximize oil coalescence at the first surface of the membrane contactor while also circulating the collection fluid over the second surface of the membrane contactor to capture the coalesced oil.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for separating a multiphase fluid stream that includes a heavier fluid component and a lighter fluid component. The fluid flows along a first helical flowpath with a first pitch. The first helical flowpath is sufficiently long to establish a stabilised rotating fluid flow pattern for the stream. The uniform rotating fluid also flows along a second helical flowpath, the second helical flowpath having a second pitch greater than the first pitch. The lighter fluid is removed from a radially inner region of the second helical flowpath. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for the separation of oil droplets from water, especially from water for reinjection into a subterranean formation as part of an oil and gas production operation. The method and apparatus are conveniently applied on a modular basis.

A subterranean product extraction composition may include a borehole fluid that may include a thiamine based shale inhibitor active to inhibit reactivity of a formation shale to a base fluid of a borehole fluid. A method of extracting a subterranean product via a borehole may include providing a borehole fluid containing a thiamine-based shale inhibitor and inhibiting reactivity of a formation shale contacted with the borehole fluid. A system for extracting a subterranean product via a borehole may include a tubular having an end in proximity to a formation shale and in fluid communication with a container dispensing a borehole fluid containing a thiamine-based shale inhibitor. The thiamine-based shale inhibitor is inert to the borehole fluid and has superior activity as compared to potassium chloride to inhibit shale reactivity. The borehole fluid may be a drilling fluid. The base fluid may be water.

An apparatus comprising one or more screens which in use eliminates sand and/or fluid slugs from blocking at a screen by placing at least the screen in an elevated secondary chamber, configured to prevent sand, fluid slugs and the like from accumulating around the screen.

An asphaltenes separation system comprising a flocculant feed system configured to add a flocculant to a production fluid to flocculate asphaltenes in the production fluid, and an asphaltenes separator configured to remove flocculated asphaltenes from the production fluid.

A method and apparatus for gas and solids separation from down-hole fluids is disclosed, including particular structural means for forcing the de-gassing of the gaseous liquid, including means for changing the velocity of the gaseous liquid (speed changes on each exit from the tubes owing to the volume difference between the tubes and the chamber), means for changing the direction of the gaseous liquid (owing to the flow changing direction from exiting one set of tubes to travel to the opening to enter the next set of tubes), and means for changing the pressure of the gaseous liquid (owing perhaps in part to evolution of gas upon entering increased volume).

This disclosure presents a process and system to determine characteristics of a subterranean formation proximate a borehole. Borehole material is typically pumped from the borehole, though borehole material can be used within the borehole as well. Extracted material of interest is collected from the borehole material and prepared for analyzation. Typically, the preparation can be a separation process, a filtering process, a moisture removal process, a pressure control process, a flow control process, a cleaning process, and other preparation processes. The prepared extracted material is placed in a laser dispersion spectroscopy device (LDS) where measurements can be taken. A LDS analyzer can generate results utilizing the measurements, where the results of the extracted material can include one or more of composition parameters, alkene parameters, and signature change parameters. The results can be communicated to other systems and processes to be used as inputs into well site operation plans and decisions.

A sand bypass separator is provided for separating particulate matter from a fluid mixture in a production well and directing the separated particulate matter away from a pump intake. The separator includes an outer tube, an inner tube positioned within the outer tube, and a bypass. The outer tube has a plurality of slots to allow the fluid mixture to enter the separator between the outer tube and the inner tube. As the fluid mixture moves downward, the fluid mixture reaches a downward velocity sufficient to allow the particulate matter in the fluid mixture to continue downward as the fluid is drawn into the inner tube through the pump intake. The bypass extends from above the pump intake to below the pump intake to collect and direct the separated particulate matter separated below the pump intake.

A seal section for use in a downhole submersible pumping system includes one or more fluid separation mechanisms, a shaft, a mechanical seal chamber and a mechanical seal inside the mechanical seal chamber. The seal section further comprises a mechanical seal protector around the mechanical seal. The mechanical seal protector includes a cap that surrounds a portion of the mechanical seal and a filter screen. The cap may also include one or more expulsion ports extending through the cap. The cap may be stationary or connected to the shaft and configured for rotation.