The invention relates to an apparatus and method for separating hydrocarbons from solid particles in a hydrocarbon-particulate-aqueous mixture. The apparatus comprises: a container for the mixture; a shockwave generator comprising two electrical terminals; and a pulsed power supply. The pulsed power supply is configured to apply a series of one or more voltage pulses to the terminals, such that, when each voltage pulse is applied to the terminals, a shockwave is applied to the mixture to promote separation of the components of the mixture. This may mitigate the need to heat the mixture and/or add chemicals to facilitate separation of hydrocarbons from solid particles such as sand or soil, mineral or carbonate particles.

A method comprises controlling an operating pressure of a fluid from a borehole. The fluid comprises solids and entrained gas. The method further comprises removing at least a portion of the entrained gas from the fluid at an upstream location. The method further comprises removing residual entrained gas from the fluid at a downstream location. The method further comprises separating at least a portion of the solids from the fluid. The method further comprises circulating the separated fluid back to the borehole. Separating of solids occurs after the removing of entrained gases from the fluid at the downstream location.

Some described examples relate to an apparatus for removing magnetically active particles from a fluid. The apparatus comprises at least one vessel for receiving a fluid comprising magnetically active or ferrous particles, and at least one electromagnet operable to produce a magnetic field within the vessel to act on the magnetically active or ferrous particles in use.

A gas separator, gas separation system, and method for separating gas from drilling cuttings by actively maintaining a liquid seal of liquid in a lower portion of a separation vessel by controlling an introduced amount of the liquid admitted to the separation vessel as a removed amount of the liquid is removed from the separation vessel and by promoting agitation of the drilling cuttings in the liquid in an agitation chamber within the lower portion of the separation vessel to aid removal of the drilling cuttings along with the removed amount of the liquid.

A negative pressure shale shaker integrated with negative pressure generation and gas-liquid separation includes a base, a liquid inlet buffer tank, a screen frame assembly, a support frame, a vacuum hose, a damping spring, a screen frame inclination angle adjustment device, a drainage hose, a negative pressure automatic drainage device, a vacuum pan, a three-way pipe, a liquid mist separator, a connecting pipe, a vacuum pressure limiting valve, a silencer and a negative pressure fan. A drilling fluid containing cuttings, after entering the screen with a negative pressure thereunder, rapidly passes through the screen along with air into a vacuum chamber. The air in the vacuum chamber is directly drawn away through holes formed on the side plates of the screen frame by the negative pressure fan.

A well system for handling downhole particles. The well system may include a mud pump, a shaker including a corrugated shaker screen, a drill string, an imaging device, and a data acquisition system that may include a processor. The processor may be programmed to determine a cross-sectional area of a portion of the corrugated shaker screen occupied by the downhole particles in a first image of the images based on the first image, on a known profile of corrugations of the corrugated shaker screen and a known distance and angle between the imaging device and the corrugated shaker screen to determine a volume of the downhole particles on the portion of the corrugated shaker screen in the first image based on the cross sectional area occupied by downhole particles, a velocity of the downhole particles moving across the corrugated shaker screen, and an image generation rate.

A method for removing solids submerged in a polymer-based slurry. The present invention filters used polymer-based slurries, containing solids, to return the slurry to a condition that is favorable to the owner. The method utilizes a first collection tank, an agitator, a shaker with a plurality of screens, a desander, a desilter, a centrifuge that removes solids down to a size range of 5-7 microns, and a second collection tank. Each component can be used in tandem depending on the polymer-based slurry characteristics that are required by the owner. The preferred embodiment includes the following steps: obtaining used polymer-based slurry, pumping the slurry into a first collection tank where the slurry undergoes agitation, pumping the slurry through a plurality of screens, pumping the slurry into a desander and/or a desilter, passing the slurry through a screen, and pumping the slurry in centrifuge that removes solids down to a size range of 5-7 microns. After completion of the method, the owner can decide to repeat the steps to obtain a polymer-based slurry in accordance with their requirements.

A process for producing a base oil composition particularly adapted for use in oil-base drilling mud compositions. The process includes contacting drilling waste containing an oil-base mud phase with a solvent to produce a mixture of liquids and solids, separating the two phases, partially evaporating the liquids phase to produce an oil base composition substantially lacking low molecular weight carbon chain compounds and also lacking significant concentrations of benzene, toluene, xylene, and/or ethyl benzene, and having increased closed-cup flashpoint when compared to the oil-base mud phase in the drilling waste. The resulting base oil has enhanced health and safety characteristics for workers interacting with and otherwise exposed to the oil base composition during transporting, conditioning or using such compositions. The base oil produced and drilling methods using the recovered and recycled mud are also described.

A method includes performing a downhole operation in a borehole in a formation. Downhole particles and drilling mud are captured at a surface from the borehole into a screen of a shaker during the downhole operation. Input power that comprises at least one of voltage, current, and leakage current being supplied to the shaker is monitored during operation of the shaker, it is determined whether the input power exceeds a threshold as a result of change in a load on the shaker. In response to determining that the input power exceeds the threshold as the result of change in the load on the shaker, it is determined that there is a kick condition in the borehole, where the kick condition comprises a condition in which a pressure of the formation exceeds a pressure in the borehole.

There are provided methods, systems and processes for the utilization of microbial and related genetic information for use in the exploration, determination, production and recovery of natural resources, including energy sources, and the monitoring, control and analysis of processes and activities.