| Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120129745 | LUBRICANT FOR PERCUSSION EQUIPMENT - This invention discloses a lubricant suitable for use in percussion equipment. The lubricant comprises a base oil selected from the group consisting of Group I or Group II, blended in a synergistic amount with a gear oil package and a friction modifier. The lubricant exhibits superior wear and superior extreme pressure properties due to the synergistic effect of the gear oil package and the friction modifier. In a preferred embodiment, the gear oil package comprises a polyalkyl methacrylate polymer, and the friction modifier comprises a synthetic ester. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120125818 | PROCESS, METHOD, AND SYSTEM FOR REMOVING HEAVY METALS FROM FLUIDS - Trace element levels of heavy metals in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an oxidizing agent, converting heavy metals into heavy metal cations for subsequent separation from the crude oil. At least a complexing agent is added to convert the heavy metal cations into soluble heavy metal complexes in a water phase, which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals. In one embodiment, the complexing agent is selected from the group of metal halides, and the oxidizing agent is selected from the group of organic peracids, inorganic peracids and salts thereof. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120125817 | PROCESS, METHOD, AND SYSTEM FOR REMOVING HEAVY METALS FROM FLUIDS - Trace element levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an oxidant such as oxyhalites, converting elemental mercury into heavy metal cations for subsequent separation from the crude oil. In an improved method for the removal of mercury, at least a complexing agent is added to convert the heavy metal cations into soluble heavy metal complexes in a water phase, which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals. In one embodiment, the complexing agent is selected from the group of metal halides. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120125816 | PROCESS, METHOD, AND SYSTEM FOR REMOVING HEAVY METALS FROM FLUIDS - Trace element levels of heavy metals in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an oxidizing agent, extracting heavy metals into a water phase for subsequent separation from the crude oil. The oxidizing agent is selected from the group of hydroperoxides, organic peroxides, inorganic peracids and salts thereof, organic peracids and salts thereof, and ozone. In one embodiment, the oxidizing agent converts heavy metals into the heavy metal cations in a water-oil emulsion, which can be subsequently separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals. In one embodiment, at least a complexing agent can be added to facilitate the removal by forming soluble heavy metal complexes in the water phase. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120125644 | ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY IN LOW PERMEABILITY RESERVOIRS - A method for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery in low permeability reservoirs comprises first providing a subterranean reservoir comprising one or more hydrocarbons and water therewithin and a wellbore in fluid communication with the subterranean reservoir. Next, a substantially anhydrous composition is injected into the reservoir through the wellbore. The substantially anhydrous composition comprises carbon dioxide and one or more surfactants. The composition is suitable to form a foam upon contact with the water within the reservoir. The method often results in reduced wellbore corrosion and hydrate formation, reduced reservoir fingering, and enhanced carbon dioxide sweep efficiency over conventional methods. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120123684 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING MICRO-SEISMIC EVENTS AND CHARACTERIZING PROPERTIES OF A MEDIUM WITH NON-LINEAR ACOUSTIC INTERACTIONS - A method and system includes generating a first coded acoustic signal including pulses each having a modulated signal at a central frequency; and a second coded acoustic signal each pulse of which includes a modulated signal a central frequency of which is a fraction d of the central frequency of the modulated signal for the corresponding pulse in the first plurality of pulses. A receiver detects a third signal generated by a non-linear mixing process in the mixing zone and the signal is processed to extract the third signal to obtain an emulated micro-seismic event signal occurring at the mixing zone; and to characterize properties of the medium or creating a 3D image of the properties of the medium, or both, based on the emulated micro-seismic event signal. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120120767 | DATA ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INVESTIGATING SUB-SURFACE FEATURES OF A ROCK FORMATION - A system and a method includes generating a first signal at a first frequency; and a second signal at a second frequency. Respective sources are positioned within the borehole and controllable such that the signals intersect in an intersection volume outside the borehole. A receiver detects a difference signal returning to the borehole generated by a non-linear mixing process within the intersection volume, and records the detected signal and stores the detected signal in a storage device and records measurement parameters including a position of the first acoustic source, a position of the second acoustic source, a position of the receiver, elevation angle and azimuth angle of the first acoustic signal and elevation angle and azimuth angle of the second acoustic signal. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120120766 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INVESTIGATING SUB-SURFACE FEATURES OF A ROCK FORMATION USING COMPRESSIONAL ACOUSTIC SOURCES - A system and method for investigating rock formations outside a borehole are provided. The method includes generating a first compressional acoustic wave at a first frequency by a first acoustic source; and generating a second compressional acoustic wave at a second frequency by a second acoustic source. The first and the second acoustic sources are arranged within a localized area of the borehole. The first and the second acoustic waves intersect in an intersection volume outside the borehole. The method further includes receiving a third shear acoustic wave at a third frequency, the third shear acoustic wave returning to the borehole due to a non-linear mixing process in a non-linear mixing zone within the intersection volume at a receiver arranged in the borehole. The third frequency is equal to a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120120765 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INVESTIGATING SUB-SURFACE FEATURES OF A ROCK FORMATION WITH ACOUSTIC SOURCES GENERATING CONICAL BROADCAST SIGNALS - A method of interrogating a formation includes generating a conical acoustic signal, at a first frequency—a second conical acoustic signal at a second frequency each in the between approximately 500 Hz and 500 kHz such that the signals intersect in a desired intersection volume outside the borehole. The method further includes receiving, a difference signal returning to the borehole resulting from a non-linear mixing of the signals in a mixing zone within the intersection volume. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120120764 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INVESTIGATING SUB-SURFACE FEATURES AND 3D IMAGING OF NON-LINEAR PROPERTY, COMPRESSIONAL VELOCITY VP, SHEAR VELOCITY VS AND VELOCITY RATIO VP/VS OF A ROCK FORMATION - A system and a method for generating a three-dimensional image of a rock formation, compressional velocity VP, shear velocity VS and velocity ratio VP/VS of a rock formation are provided. A first acoustic signal includes a first plurality of pulses. A second acoustic signal from a second source includes a second plurality of pulses. A detected signal returning to the borehole includes a signal generated by a non-linear mixing process from the first and second acoustic signals in a non-linear mixing zone within an intersection volume. The received signal is processed to extract the signal over noise and/or signals resulting from linear interaction and the three dimensional image of is generated. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120120763 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INVESTIGATING SUB-SURFACE FEATURES OF A ROCK FORMATION WITH ACOUSTIC SOURCES GENERATING CODED SIGNALS - A system and a method for investigating rock formations includes generating, by a first acoustic source, a first acoustic signal comprising a first plurality of pulses, each pulse including a first modulated signal at a central frequency; and generating, by a second acoustic source, a second acoustic signal comprising a second plurality of pulses. A receiver arranged within the borehole receives a detected signal including a signal being generated by a non-linear mixing process from the first-and-second acoustic signal in a non-linear mixing zone within the intersection volume. The method also includes-processing the received signal to extract the signal generated by the non-linear mixing process over noise or over signals generated by a linear interaction process, or both. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120120761 | INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING SUB-SURFACE FEATURES OF A ROCK FORMATION - A system for investigating non-linear properties of a rock formation around a borehole is provided. The system includes a first sub-system configured to perform data acquisition, control and recording of data; a second subsystem in communication with the first sub-system and configured to perform non-linearity and velocity preliminary imaging; a third subsystem in communication with the first subsystem and configured to emit controlled acoustic broadcasts and receive acoustic energy; a fourth subsystem in communication with the first subsystem and the third subsystem and configured to generate a source signal directed towards the rock formation; and a fifth subsystem in communication with the third subsystem and the fourth subsystem and configured to perform detection of signals representative of the non-linear properties of the rock formation. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120111580 | TOOL AND METHOD FOR PLACEMENT OF A COMPONENT INTO A WELL - An apparatus and method is disclosed for insertion of a component into an oil or gas well. Typically, the well includes a cased hole section and may also include an uncased hole section. In some applications, the well deviates substantially from the vertical direction. The apparatus may include a tool member and an engagement mechanism mounted upon the tool member. The engagement mechanism is configured for selective frictional engagement to the cased hole section of the well. A piston is connected to the tool member and is configured for extension relative to the tool member. The component for insertion into the well may be a sand control screen, a perforating gun, or other device. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120111569 | CHEMICAL DELIVERY APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION - An apparatus, system and method for delivering a mixture of well treatment chemicals into a well are disclosed. A chemical distribution device includes mixing manifold that receives well treatment chemicals and solvent that are to be mixed. A siphon is positioned within the mixing manifold to control the fluid level. The mixture is not delivered from the chemical distribution device until the fluid level of the mixture is above a crest of the siphon. The mixture is delivered in a batch to the well via a flowline until the fluid level of the mixture is below the inlet of the siphon. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120108834 | BIOLUBRICANT ESTERS FROM THE ALCOHOLS OF UNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS - The present invention is generally directed to triester-based lubricant compositions. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these and other similar lubricant compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such triester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor comprising mono-unsaturated fatty acids, wherein such mono-unsaturated fatty acids are reduced to mono-unsaturated fatty alcohols en route to the synthesis of triester species for use as/in the triester-based lubricant compositions. Subsequent steps in such synthesis may employ carboxylic acids and/or acyl halides/anhydrides derived from biomass and/or Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120108682 | PROCESS OF SYNTHESIS GAS CONVERSION TO LIQUID HYDROCARBON MIXTURES USING ALTERNATING LAYERS OF SYNTHESIS GAS CONVERSION CATALYST, HYDROCRACKING AND HYDROISOMERIZATION CATALYST - Disclosed is a process for converting synthesis gas to liquid hydrocarbon mixtures useful in the production of fuels and petrochemicals. The synthesis gas is contacted with at least two layers of synthesis gas conversion catalyst wherein each synthesis gas conversion catalyst layer is followed by a layer of hydrocracking catalyst and hydroisomerization catalyst or separate layers of hydrocracking and hydroisomerization catalysts. The process can occur within a single reactor, at an essentially common reactor temperature and an essentially common reactor pressure. The process provides a high yield of naphtha range liquid hydrocarbons and a low yield of wax. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120108479 | COMPRESSOR OILS HAVING IMPROVED OXIDATION RESISTANCE - A compressor lubricant composition providing energy savings and exhibiting excellent oxidation stability is provided, as well as a process for preparation of the lubricant composition. The composition comprises: (i) from 68 to 99.999 wt % of an isomerized base oil or blend of isomerized base oils; (ii) 0.001 through 20 wt % of a blend of ashless additives, the ashless additives having a viscosity range at 40° C. of from 50 mm | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120103105 | TESTING DEVICE FOR STRESS CORROSION CRACKING - The present disclosure provides a device for stress corrosion testing of materials, e.g., a test specimen, in corrosive materials. It also provides a testing method that is easy to employ in a consistent and controlled manner and also makes efficient use of the potentially corrosive materials. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120103104 | TESTING DEVICE FOR STRESS CORROSION CRACKING - The present disclosure provides a device for stress corrosion testing of materials, e.g., a test specimen, in corrosive materials. It also provides a testing method that is easy to employ in a consistent and controlled manner and also makes efficient use of the potentially corrosive materials. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120101759 | COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FORECASTING PERFORMANCE OF WATER FLOODING OF AN OIL RESERVOIR SYSTEM USING A HYBRID ANALYTICAL-EMPIRICAL METHODOLOGY - Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for generating corrected performance data of water flooding of an oil reservoir system based on application of a statistical correction factor methodology (SCF). For example, data related to properties of the oil reservoir system and data related to a water flooding scenario are received. Water flooding performance data is generated based on application of an analytical water flooding performance computation methodology. Based on application of the SCF methodology to the generated water flooding performance data, corrected water flooding performance data is determined, representative of oil recovery by the water flooding of the oil reservoir system. The SCF methodology can also be used to evaluate water production based on parameters such as water-oil ratio and water cut, identify possible analog reservoirs that have similar water production performance, and calculate a Gross Injection Factor to account for water loss in the reservoir. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120097389 | NON-IONIC ALKALI POLYMER SOLUTIONS FOR ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY IN A SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION - A method for enhancing oil recovery is disclosed. The method includes providing a subsurface reservoir containing hydrocarbons therewithin and a wellbore in fluid communication with the subsurface reservoir. A solution for injection into the reservoir is formed by mixing a composition with at least one non-ionic chemical, at least one polymer, and at least one alkali. The non-ionic chemical can be alcohol alkoxylates such as alkylaryl alkoxy alcohols or alkyl alkoxy alcohols. The solution is solution is clear and aqueous stable when mixed. The solution is injected through the wellbore into the subsurface reservoir. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120089366 | ACCURATELY ACCOUNTING FOR SIZING UNCERTAINTY IN INSPECTION - In one embodiment, a method implemented by a processor that receives plural sets of values corresponding to plural matched pairs of anomalies from a first inspection and second inspection following the first inspection, a first portion of each pair corresponding to the first inspection and a second portion of each pair corresponding to the second inspection, the plural sets of values corresponding to wall loss information for plural locations of a fluid carrying vessel; computes first and second statistical descriptions of a respective accuracy of the first and second inspections; and computes a revised estimate of the plural sets of values based on the first and second statistical descriptions. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120089346 | PREDICTION OF REMAINING LIFE IN A HEAT EXCHANGER - In one embodiment, a method implemented by a processor that receives a first set of inputs comprising values associated with wall thickness, the values ascertained through an inspection method for a first zone of a heat exchanger, the first zone comprising a plurality of inspected and uninspected tubes; computes a respective estimate of a likelihood of a leak occurring at the plurality of inspected and uninspected tubes over a time continuum based on the first set of inputs, an age of the inspected tubes, and an accuracy of the inspection method; and provides a visualization of an estimate for a total likelihood of a leak for the heat exchanger based on the estimate for the first zone. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120085097 | UTILIZATION OF PROCESS HEAT BY-PRODUCT - Heat recovery systems and methods for producing electrical and/or mechanical power from a process heat by-product are provided. Sources of process heat by-product include hot flue gas streams, high temperature reactors, steam generators, gas turbines, diesel generators, and process columns. Heat recovery systems and methods include a process heat by-product stream for directly heating a working fluid of an organic Rankine cycle. The organic Rankine cycle includes a heat exchanger, a turbine-generator system for producing power, a condenser heat exchanger, and a pump for recirculating the working fluid to the heat exchanger. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120085096 | CAPACITY AND PERFORMANCE OF PROCESS COLUMNS BY OVERHEAD HEAT RECOVERY INTO AN ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE FOR POWER GENERATION - Heat recovery systems and methods for producing electrical and/or mechanical power from heat by-product of an overhead stream from a process column are provided. Heat recovery systems and methods include a process heat by-product stream for directly or indirectly heating a working fluid of an organic Rankine cycle. The organic Rankine cycle includes a heat exchanger, a turbine-generator system for producing electrical or mechanical power, a condenser heat exchanger, and a pump for recirculating the working fluid to the heat exchanger. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120085095 | UTILIZATION OF PROCESS HEAT BY-PRODUCT - Heat recovery systems and methods for producing electrical and/or mechanical power from a process heat by-product are provided. Sources of process heat by-product include hot flue gas streams, high temperature reactors, steam generators, gas turbines, diesel generators, and process columns. Heat recovery systems and methods include a process heat by-product stream for indirectly heating a working fluid of an organic Rankine cycle. The organic Rankine cycle includes a heat exchanger, a turbine-generator system for producing power, a condenser heat exchanger, and a pump for recirculating the working fluid to the heat exchanger. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120084055 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SENSING A LIQUID LEVEL - A system, method and device may be used to monitor fluid levels in a borehole. The system includes a pulse generator to generate a pulse of electromagnetic energy to propagate along the wellbore towards a surface of the fluid, a detector to detect a portion of the electromagnetic pulse reflected from the surface of the fluid and propagated along the wellbore towards the detector, a processor to analyze detected signals to determine a level of the surface of the fluid. In an embodiment, the system includes a pump controller to control the operation of a pump located in the wellbore based on the fluid surface level. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080186 | APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING SOLIDS IN SUBSEA DRILLING OR EXCAVATION - An apparatus, system and method is disclosed for processing geological solids or wellbore cuttings generated by excavation or drilling under a body of water. An apparatus for processing solids in association with a riser may employ a solids processing apparatus having a central cavity that is substantially free of mechanical obstructions. The central cavity may be positioned in-line with the riser. The apparatus may be adapted for receiving solids within the central cavity and reducing the particle size of the solids by action of a cutter assembly which is positioned outside of the central cavity. The cut and processed solids may be pumped to the surface of the water. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120075952 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR IMAGING OF NON-LINEAR AND LINEAR PROPERTIES OF FORMATIONS SURROUNDING A BOREHOLE - In some aspects of the disclosure, a method and an apparatus is disclosed for investigating material surrounding the borehole. The method includes generating within a borehole an intermittent low frequency vibration that propagates as a tube wave longitudinally to the borehole and induces a nonlinear response in one or more features in the material that are substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the borehole; generating within the borehole a sequence of high frequency pulses directed such that they travel longitudinally to the borehole within the surrounding material; and receiving, at one or more receivers positionable in the borehole, a signal that includes components from the low frequency vibration and the sequence of high frequency pulses during intermittent generation of the low frequency vibration, to investigate the material surrounding the borehole. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120075951 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR IMAGING OF NON-LINEAR AND LINEAR PROPERTIES OF FORMATIONS SURROUNDING A BOREHOLE - In some aspects of the disclosure, a method and an apparatus is disclosed for investigating material surrounding the borehole. The method includes generating a first low frequency acoustic wave within the borehole, wherein the first low frequency acoustic wave induces a linear and a nonlinear response in one or more features in the material that are substantially perpendicular to a radius of the borehole; directing a first sequence of high frequency pulses in a direction perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the borehole into the material contemporaneously with the first acoustic wave; and receiving one or more second high frequency pulses at one or more receivers positionable in the borehole produced by an interaction between the first sequence of high frequency pulses and the one or more features undergoing linear and nonlinear elastic distortion due to the first low frequency acoustic wave to investigate the material surrounding the borehole | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120072117 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING IMAGES OF SUBSURFACE STRUCTURES - A system and method for generating images of a subsurface region of interest is provided. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method of generating images related to a subsurface region of interest includes: accessing, via a central processing unit (CPU), seismic data and an earth model related to the subsurface region of interest; forward propagating a source wavefield using the earth model at a first time interval via at least one external co-processor coupled to the CPU; transferring, at a second time interval, the forward propagated source wavefield to the CPU for compression and external storage; backward propagating the seismic data at the first time interval via the external co-processor to derive backward propagated receiver wavefield; and transferring, at the second time interval, the backward propagated receiver wavefield to the CPU. Via the CPU, the method further includes retrieving the stored forward propagated source wavefield; decompressing the retrieved forward propagated source wavefield; and applying imaging conditions to the decompressed forward propagated source wavefield and backward propagated receiver wavefield to construct image data representative of the subsurface region of interest. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120067786 | PROCESS, METHOD, AND SYSTEM FOR REMOVING HEAVY METALS FROM FLUIDS - Trace element levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an iodine source, generating a water soluble heavy metal complex for subsequent removal from the crude oil. In one embodiment, the iodine source is generated in-situ in an oxidation-reduction reaction, by adding the crude oil to an iodine species having a charge and a reductant or an oxidant depending on the charge of the iodine species. In one embodiment with an iodine species having a positive charge and a reducing reagent, a complexing agent is also added to the crude oil to extract the heavy metal complex into the water phase to form water soluble heavy metal complexes which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120067785 | Process, Method, and System for Removing Heavy Metals from Fluids - Trace element levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an iodine source, generating a water soluble heavy metal complex for subsequent removal from the crude oil. In one embodiment, the iodine source is generated in-situ in an oxidation-reduction reaction, by adding the crude oil to an iodine species having a charge and a reductant or an oxidant depending on the charge of the iodine species. In one embodiment with an iodine species having a positive charge and a reducing reagent, a complexing agent is also added to the crude oil to extract the heavy metal complex into the water phase to form water soluble heavy metal complexes which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120067784 | Process, Method, and System for Removing Heavy Metals from Fluids - Trace levels of heavy metals in fluids such as crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with a composition comprising a compound of Formula (I), | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120067779 | Process, Method, and System for Removing Heavy Metals from Fluids - Trace element levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an iodine source, generating a water soluble heavy metal complex for subsequent removal from the crude oil. In one embodiment, the iodine source is generated in-situ in an oxidation-reduction reaction, by adding the crude oil to an iodine species having a charge and a reductant or an oxidant depending on the charge of the iodine species. In one embodiment with an iodine species having a positive charge and a reducing reagent, a complexing agent is also added to the crude oil to extract the heavy metal complex into the water phase to form water soluble heavy metal complexes which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120067208 | METHOD OF MAKING A CROSSLINKED FIBER MEMBRANE FROM A HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT, MONOESTERIFIED POLYIMIDE POLYMER - The present disclosure relates to a high molecular weight, monoesterified polyimide polymer. Such high molecular weight, monoesterified polyimide polymers are useful in forming crosslinked polymer membranes for the separation of fluid mixtures. According to its broadest aspect, the method of making a crosslinked membrane comprises the following steps: (a) preparing a polyimide polymer comprising carboxylic acid functional groups from a reaction solution comprising monomers and at least one solvent; (b) treating the polyimide polymer with a diol at esterification conditions in the presence of dehydrating conditions to form a monoesterified polyimide polymer; and (c) subjecting the monoesterified fiber to transesterification conditions to form a crosslinked fiber membrane, wherein the dehydrating conditions at least partially remove water produced during step (b). The crosslinked membranes can be used to separate at least one component from a feed stream including more than one component. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120065448 | OLIGOMERIZATION OF PROPYLENE AND LONGER CHAIN ALPHA OLEFINS TO PRODUCE BASE OIL PRODUCTS - We provide a process for making a base oil, comprising:
| 03-15-2012 |
| 20120065447 | OLIGOMERIZATION OF OLEFIN FEED COMPRISING PROPYLENE AND PROPANE TO PRODUCE BASE OIL - We provide a process for making a base oil, comprising:
| 03-15-2012 |
| 20120061295 | SYNTHESIS OF A CRYSTALLINE SILICOALUMINOPHOSPHATE - The present invention is a method for synthesizing non-zeolitic molecular sieves which have a three dimensional microporous framework comprising [AlO | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120059641 | Iterative Method and System To Construct Robust Proxy Models For Reservoir Simulation - A method, system and computer program product is disclosed for utilizing proxy models to evaluate a subterranean reservoir. The method includes constructing a proxy model from a set of sampling points to approximate simulation outputs of a reservoir model. The set of sampling points is updated by adding at least one new sampling point that is selected from a location associated with surface non-linearities such as gradients, curvature, and bending energy. Response surface values at new sampling points and distances to existing sampling points can also be used to evaluate new sampling points. Proxy models are refined with the updated set of sampling points until the proxy model satisfies a predetermined stopping criterion, such as when a predetermined number of iterations are reached or when changes to the response surface are below a predetermined threshold. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120040413 | CHLORINE DIOXIDE TREATMENT OF BIOMASS FEEDSTOCK - The instant invention pertains to the use of chlorine dioxide in new processes for treating lignocellulosic feedstocks, as well as, new compositions suitable for, for example, bioalcohol production. Advantageously, the processes and compositions of the present invention may be used in more environmentally friendly, cost-efficient production of fuels and, if desired, may be coupled with other biomass processing facilities such as Kraft pulp bleaching mills. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120028860 | Method of Preparing Greases - Provided is a method for preparing a grease composition, which comprises mixing grease components under high pressure and high flow rate impingement. In one embodiment, a first mixture of an amine in a lubricating base oil is mixed with an isocyanate in a lubricating base oil under high pressure and high flow impingement. In another embodiment, the mixing and reaction occurs in a reaction injection molding device. The orifice size through which each of the mixtures is introduced into a reaction/mixing zone is less than 0.030 inch (0.0762 centimeter) in diameter. The resulting grease composition is an extremely low noise grease, being virtually clear of any urea thickener particles, and/or can exhibit good high temperature resistance and mechanical stability. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120028859 | METHOD OF PREPARING GREASES - Provided is a method for preparing a grease composition, which comprises mixing an amine in a lubricating bas oil and an isocyanate in a lubricating base oil under high pressure and high flow rate impingement. In one embodiment, the mixing and reaction occurs in a reaction injection molding device. The resulting grease composition is an extremely low noise grease, being virtually clear of any urea thickener particles. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120024525 | FRACTURING FLUID WATER REUSE SYSTEM AND METHOD - Methods of processing a fluid recovered from an oil or gas extraction operation for reuse in a hydraulic fracturing fluid are described. The methods include providing an amount of a produced fluid composition containing iron and suspended solids and controlling at least one of the conductivity, iron content, oxidative strength, and pH of the composition, such that Fenton's reagent is formed in situ. Also described are hydraulic fracturing fluids produced using fluid recovered from an oil or gas production process and treated in accordance with the methods described herein as well as systems for preparing a hydraulic fracturing fluid having, as a fluid source, fluid recovered from an oil or gas production process that has been treated in accordance with the methods described herein. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023845 | Base Mat Assembly And Method For Constructing The Same - A precast reinforced concrete base mat element, a base mat assembly and method for constructing a base mat assembly from a plurality of the base mat elements are described. The base mat element comprises a concrete body having first and second conduits extending there through in first and second generally perpendicular directions and a liner plate anchored in the concrete body. Preferably the concrete bodies have interlocking surfaces formed there on. A plurality of the base mat elements may be juxtaposed together with the interlocking surfaces interlocking with one another and with the tensile members extending through the first and second tensile conduits and being post-tensioned and anchored about the base mat elements to clamp the base mat elements together. The liner plates may then be welded together to form a generally planar membrane. In one embodiment, at least one of the first and second tensile conduits is located above and one below the horizontal center planes of the concrete bodies to limit the base mat elements from displacing vertically relative to one another. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120010113 | METALWORKING FLUID COMPOSITIONS AND PREPARATION THEREOF - A metalworking fluid composition comprising an isomerized base oil having consecutive numbers of carbon atoms and less than 10 wt % naphthenic carbon by n-d-M is provided. The metalworking fluid has reduced mist formation, low foaming tendency and excellent air release properties, and excellent wear properties. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120004850 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MIGRATING SEISMIC DATA - A system and method that enable the processing of seismic data. In one embodiment, a system comprises a plurality of processing nodes and a server. The plurality of processing nodes are configured to process seismic data for migration. The server is operatively linked to each of the plurality of processing nodes to enable communication between the server and the processing nodes. The server may manage a set of stored beam tables that can be accessed by the processing nodes in order to process seismic data. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120004153 | Lithium Complex Grease with Improved Thickener Yield - Provided is an improved lithium complex grease. The grease composition has a higher thickener yield, yet good mechanical properties. The grease composition comprises a lubricating oil, a lithium complex thickener and a copolymer, which in one embodiment may comprise styrene and butadiene. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120004096 | ON-SITE DRYING OF AQUEOUS SALT FOR IONIC LIQUID MAKE-UP - Methods for amending the composition of catalyst inventory of ionic liquid catalyzed processes, whereby the catalytic activity of the catalyst inventory may be adjusted and maintained for the steady state operation of such processes by contacting the catalyst inventory with a liquid phase, catalyst make-up material comprising an anhydrous salt and/or a mixture of the ionic liquid with the salt, wherein the salt comprises a precursor of the ionic liquid. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120004095 | ACID CATALYST COMPOSITION HAVING A HIGH LEVEL OF CONJUNCT POLYMER. - An acid catalyst effective for a conversion of a hydrocarbon, comprising greater than 20 wt % of a conjunct polymer, and an ionic liquid catalyst; wherein the acid catalyst has a molar ratio of Al to a heteroatom selected from the group consisting of N, P, O, S, and combinations thereof greater than 2.0; and wherein the conversion is alkylation, isomerization, hydrocracking, polymerization, dimerization, oligomerization, acylation, acetylation, metathesis, copolymerization, dehalogenation, dehydration, olefin hydrogenation, or combinations thereof. Also, an acid catalyst effective for a conversion of a hydrocarbon, comprising greater than 15 wt % halide-containing conjunct polymer, and a Lewis acid; wherein less than 0.1 wt % solid precipitates from the catalyst when it is held for three hours or longer at 25° C. or below. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120000828 | HYDRODEMETALLIZATION CATALYST AND PROCESS - This invention is directed to hydrodemetallization catalysts and hydrodemetallization processes employing a magnesium aluminosilicate clay. The magnesium aluminosilicate clay has a characteristic | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120000668 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING HYDROCARBONS FROM A WELL - A system for producing hydrocarbons from a well includes an unloading unit that receives fluids from a wellhead. The unloading unit separates the oil and gas, and the oil is pumped to a pipeline. Using the unloading unit and the pump helps to reduce the pressure at the wellhead which helps increase production. The gas separated by the unloading unit is compressed and re-injected into the well to create a gas lift which further helps increase production. Capturing and reinjecting the separated gas for gas lift operations reduces environmental damages associated with conventional unloading unit and pump assemblies. The unloading unit, compressor, and pump are modular for quicker installation and a smaller footprint. After increasing the productive life of a first reservoir, the system can be broken down and reassembled for use at another reservoir. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120000658 | METHOD FOR IN SITU FLUID ASSESSMENT AND OPTIMIZATION DURING WELLBORE DISPLACEMENT OPERATIONS - The present invention is, in some embodiments directed to methods for optimizing wellbore displacement operations via in situ fluid property assessment/monitoring. By monitoring fluid properties in situ (i.e., downhole), fluid property assessment is direct instead of being inferred. Additionally, wherein such assessment/monitoring is carried out in real time, changes to the displacement fluid can be made “on-the-fly,” thereby contributing to an enhancement of the overall efficiency of the method. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110320128 | System and Method For Conformance Control In A Subterranean Reservoir - A system and method for optimizing the design of a conformance control treatment for a subterranean reservoir is disclosed. The system and method include performing tracer analysis between an injection well and a production well. A flow capacity and storage capacity curve is constructed from the tracer analysis. A storage capacity associated with a threshold residence time is determined using the flow capacity and storage capacity curve. A conformance control treatment is determined for the storage capacity associated with the threshold residence time. A chemical slug is injected into the injection well to increase the flow resistance in high permeability regions of a subterranean reservoir, thereby enhancing the recovery of hydrocarbons from the reservoir. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110320047 | DESIGN AND CONTROL OF MULTIPLE TUBING STRING WELL SYSTEMS - Design and control of well systems with multiple tubing strings is described. An example system models multiple tubing strings in wellbores as segments, with multiple control points selectively located among the segments. Each segment is modeled as one or more equations that describe characteristics of a fluid resource associated with the segment. The system can predict flow of fluids and energy in a wellbore by solving physical conservation equations subject to specified conditions. The system models multiple control points, and solves the equations to convergence to satisfy injection and production targets and specified constraints. Results may be used to improve production of the resource. The system can apply a variety of strategies to model wells via multiple control points, including conservation of mass and energy models, a global phase-component partitioning model, a conductive heat transfer model, a pseudo-pressure model, a non-Darcy flow model, a phase separation model, and so forth. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110319693 | IONIC LIQUID CATALYZED ALKYLATION WITH ETHYLENE IN ETHYLENE CONTAINING GAS STREAMS - An alkylation process comprising contacting in an alkylation zone under alkylation conditions an olefin containing gas stream with an isoparaffin in the presence of an ionic liquid catalyst composition to provide an alkylate product. In an embodiment, the olefin stream may comprise offgas containing ethylene together with one or more non-condensable and/or inert gases, and the offgas may be fed in its native state to an alkylation reactor containing the ionic liquid catalyst for the alkylation of isoparaffins to provide low volatility, high octane gasoline blending components. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110319685 | CATALYTIC PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS FOR BASE OIL PRODUCTION FROM LIGHT FEEDSTOCK - Processes and catalyst systems are provided for dewaxing a light hydrocarbon feedstock to form a lubricant base oil. A layered catalyst system of the present invention may comprise a first hydroisomerization dewaxing catalyst disposed upstream from a second hydroisomerization dewaxing catalyst. Each of the first and second hydroisomerization dewaxing catalysts may be selective for the isomerization of n-paraffins. The first hydroisomerization catalyst may have a higher level of selectivity for the isomerization of n-paraffins than the second hydroisomerization dewaxing catalyst. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110319258 | METHOD TO MAKE AN ACID CATALYST HAVING GREATER THAN 20 WT% CONJUNCT POLYMER - A method to make an acidic ionic liquid catalyst, by mixing aluminum chloride in the presence of a hydrocarbon solvent, an organic chloride, and optionally an ionic liquid; wherein the acidic ionic liquid catalyst does not precipitate out solids; and wherein the acidic ionic liquid catalyst has greater than 20 wt % conjunct polymer and a molar ratio of Al to a heteroatom selected from the group consisting of N, P, O, S, and combinations thereof greater than 2.0. Also a method to make the acidic ionic liquid catalyst comprising:
| 12-29-2011 |
| 20110315598 | CATALYTIC PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS FOR BASE OIL PRODUCTION USING ZEOLITE SSZ-32x - Processes and catalyst systems are provided for dewaxing a hydrocarbon feedstock to form a lubricant base oil. A layered catalyst system of the present invention may comprise a first hydroisomerization dewaxing catalyst disposed upstream from a second hydroisomerization dewaxing catalyst. Each of the first and second hydroisomerization dewaxing catalysts may be selective for the isomerization of n-paraffins. The first hydroisomerization catalyst may have a higher level of selectivity for the isomerization of n-paraffins than the second hydroisomerization dewaxing catalyst. At least one of the first and second hydroisomerization dewaxing catalysts comprises small crystallite zeolite SSZ-32x. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110315597 | CATALYTIC PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS FOR BASE OIL PRODUCTION FROM HEAVY FEEDSTOCK - Processes and catalyst systems are provided for dewaxing a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock to form a lubricant base oil. A layered catalyst system of the present invention may comprise a first hydroisomerization dewaxing catalyst disposed upstream from a second hydroisomerization dewaxing catalyst. Each of the first and second hydroisomerization dewaxing catalysts may be selective for the isomerization of n-paraffins. The first hydroisomerization catalyst has a first level of selectivity for the isomerization of n-paraffins, the second hydroisomerization dewaxing catalyst has a second level of selectivity for the isomerization of n-paraffins, and a layered catalyst system comprising the first and second hydroisomerization dewaxing catalysts has a third level of selectivity for the isomerization of n-paraffins. The third level of selectivity may be higher than each of the first level of selectivity and the second level of selectivity. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110315062 | RISER SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR USE WITH AN OFFSHORE PLATFORM - A riser support system for use in a body of water comprises a buoyant and ballastable support structure and a plurality of substantially vertical and rigid risers each of which is attached to the inside of the support structure at a location below the center of buoyancy of the support structure and below the surface of the body of water. Usually, each riser passes through the inside of a single tube in the support structure. Typically, the riser support system is used to support a plurality of risers and their surface wellheads inside the hull of an offshore platform, usually in such a manner that the axial movement of the risers and support structure is independent of the axial movement of the hull. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110311441 | PREPARATION OF MOLECULAR SIEVE SSZ-13 - Disclosed is a method for preparing crystalline zeolite SSZ-13, said method comprising (a) preparing a reaction mixture comprising (1) at least one active source of an oxide of a tetravalent element or mixture of tetravalent elements, (2) optionally at least on active source of an oxide of a trivalent element or mixture of trivalent elements, (3) at least one active source of an alkali metal, (4) seed crystals of zeolite SSZ-13, (5) benzyl trimethylammonium cation in an amount sufficient to form crystals of zeolite SSZ-13, the benzyl trimethylammonium cation being used in the absence of a 1-adamantammonium cation, and (6) an amount of water that is not substantially in excess of the amount required to cause and maintain crystallization of the small pore zeolite; and (b) heating said reaction mixture at crystallization conditions for sufficient time to form crystallized material containing crystals of SSZ-13. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110308146 | PROCESSES AND COMPOSITIONS FOR THE INCORPORATION OF BIOLOGICALLY-DERIVED ETHANOL INTO GASOLINE - In the present invention, a biofuel composition and processes for the incorporation of biologically-derived ethanol into gasoline are disclosed. The present invention discloses ways to use biologically-derived ethanol in gasoline while simultaneously enabling the blending of products from saturation of benzene. In addition, the present invention also discloses ways to use this ethanol with other volatile compounds from petroleum such as isopentane. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110303088 | Liquid Distributor for a Rotating Packed Bed - Provided is a method for contacting a gas with a liquid in a rotating packed bed. The method comprises providing a rotating packed bed comprising two sets of rotatable packing rings disposed within a chamber and defining an interior region. The rotating packed bed also comprises at least one liquid distributor with an inlet for accepting a liquid, the inlet in communication with an exit port for infusing the liquid into the interior region. The liquid distributor also comprises at least one gas outlet for accepting gas which has passed through the packed bed and for removing the gas from the interior region. The two sets of rotatable packing rings are caused to rotate. Liquid is infused into the interior region by way of the liquid inlet, and gas is injected through at least one gas inlet into the interior region, with the liquid and gas passing through each of the packing rings in countercurrent flow. Liquid is removed from the interior region through a liquid outlet, and gas is removed through the gas outlet in the liquid distributor. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110299960 | Method and System for Offshore Export and Offloading of LPG - A process and system for directly exporting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from an offshore location is disclosed. The process comprises (a) obtaining a mixture comprising oil and natural gas from a subsea well; (b) separating LPG from the mixture comprising oil and natural gas at a floating or fixed offshore processing facility; (c) offloading the LPG directly from the floating or fixed offshore processing facility via subsea offloading risers and at least one subsea offloading flowline connecting the processing facility to a floating or fixed offshore transfer station; and (d) transferring the LPG to an export tanker at the transfer station. The system comprises a floating or fixed offshore processing facility, a floating or fixed offshore transfer station, and a set of subsea offloading transfer lines connecting the processing facility and the transfer station. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110297618 | Filtering Process and System to Remove AlCl3 Particulates from Ionic Liquid - A process for the filtration of an ionic liquid involves feeding an ionic liquid containing precipitated metal halides to a first filtering zone, which includes at least one first filter, to provide a partially filtered product. The process further includes subsequently feeding the partially filtered product to a second filtering zone, which includes at least one second filter having a smaller pore size than the at least one first filter, to provide a filtered product. A filter system capable of filtering precipitated metal halides from ionic liquid is also disclosed. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110290479 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENHANCING OIL RECOVERY FROM A SUBTERRANEAN RESERVOIR - A system and method for optimizing sweep efficiency of an enhanced oil recovery process in a subterranean reservoir is disclosed. The system and method include computing a displacement coefficient representative of heterogeneity of an unswept region in the subterranean. A functional relationship between operating conditions of one or more well control devices and the displacement coefficient is determined The sweep efficiency of the enhanced oil recovery process can be optimized by adjusting the well control devices such that the displacement coefficient is minimized. Streamline simulation can be utilized to compute the displacement coefficient from the flow capacity and storage capacity of the unswept region in the subterranean reservoir. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110287985 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TREATING SUBTERRANEAN WELLS - The present invention is directed to a method and system for treating a well having a wellbore extending from a ground surface or subsea surface downhole to an oil producing formation. Oil producing formations are capable of generating formation fluids into a wellbore. Formation fluids are comprised of at least an oil fraction and an aqueous fraction. Emulsions may form during oil production, and such emulsions may be comprised of oil and water. Inhibitor compositions may be employed to break such emulsions. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110275876 | PROCESS FOR MEASURING AND ADJUSTING HALIDE IN AN ALKYLATION REACTOR - A process, comprising:
| 11-10-2011 |
| 20110269220 | GORDONIA SIHWENSIS AND USES THEREOF - Strains of | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110267065 | PACKER FLUID AND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTE SENSING - A system, method and device for interrogating a downhole environment in a borehole beneath a surface includes a source of electromagnetic energy operable to transmit an electromagnetic signal in the borehole, a sensor module, including a passive resonating circuit including a crystal oscillator having a resonant frequency that varies with changes in the condition in the downhole environment in response to a condition in the downhole environment in the borehole and a detector positionable to receive the reflected modulated electromagnetic signal. In an embodiment, a solids-free dielectric medium is provided within an annular volume in the borehole defined by the casing through which the electromagnetic signal is transmitted. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110262308 | APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ALKYLATE GASOLINE AND MIDDLE DISTILLATE - An apparatus comprising: a) an alkylation reactor holding an ionic liquid catalyst and a reactant mixture, b) a means for measuring levels of a halide in an effluent from the alkylation reactor, and c) a control system that receives a signal in response to the measuring and communicates changes in an operating condition that influences the yield of products from the reactant mixture. The control system is responsive to deviations outside a predetermined range of halide level that has been selected to obtain a ratio of a yield of an alkylate gasoline and a yield of a middle distillate from 0.31 to 4.0 in the product from the alkylation reactor. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110246164 | Methods For Performing Simulation of Surfactant Flooding of a Hydrocarbon Reservoir - The present invention performs numerical simulation of surfactant flooding during enhanced oil recovery of a given hydrocarbon reservoir. The present invention utilizes an improved method for determining relative permeability while maintaining physical consistency when the phase behavior varies between different phase Types. This new relative permeability model maintains the physical consistency in the transition from Type II(−) to Type III to Type II(+) systems and vice versa. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110240302 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOGGING CASED WELLBORES - The present invention is directed to methods and systems for obtaining log data on a cased wellbore concurrently with wellbore cleanout operations. In some such embodiments, a combination of at least one cleaning means and at least one logging tool are integrated or otherwise affixed to a common workstring, such that both wellbore cleanout and logging operations can be accomplished without having to remove the workstring from the well between such operations. In some such embodiments, the one or more logging tool(s) transmit information about the cased wellbore to the surface wirelessly. In some or other such embodiments, such information is transmitted via cable, in real-time or in batch mode. In some or still other such embodiments, such information is stored in memory and accessed subsequent to the workstring being extracted from the wellbore. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110237467 | NANOPARTICLE-DENSIFIED COMPLETION FLUIDS - The present invention is directed to completion fluid compositions and methods of making same. Such completion fluids are unique in that they utilize nanoparticles as weighting (densification) agents that increase the specific gravity (or density) of the fluid into which they are dispersed. Depending on their properties, such nanoparticulate weighting agents can vastly broaden the types of base fluid used in the completion fluid, permitting the use of non-aqueous and even hydrocarbon base fluids. Additionally, such nanoparticle-densified completion fluids can provide reduced environmental risks, and the nanoparticle weighting agents used therein can be more easily recovered from the based fluids into which they are dispersed. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110225985 | APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING A CRYOGENIC FLUID - Disclosed is an apparatus for transferring a cryogenic fluid. The apparatus includes a conduit having an inlet and outlet, a source of cryogenic fluid connected to the inlet for providing cryogenic fluid to the conduit and a cool down line disposed within the conduit, the cool down line in fluid communication with the source of cryogenic fluid. Such an apparatus enables a conduit for transferring a cryogenic fluid to be pre-cooled to a cryogenic temperature more quickly so that transfer operations can begin. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110211998 | SELECTIVE, INTEGRATED PROCESSING OF BIO-DERIVED ESTER SPECIES TO YIELD LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT HYDROCARBONS AND HYDROGEN FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BIOFUELS - The present invention relates to methods and systems for processing biomass to selectively yield a variety of hydrocarbon molecules and hydrogen as products, wherein some or all of these products can be further utilized for other biomass processing sub-processes, particularly wherein they lead to the generation of biofuels and/or other high-value products. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110209876 | Apparatus, System and Method For Releasing Fluids From A Subsea Riser - An apparatus, system and method for releasing fluid from a subsea marine riser is disclosed. A housing defines an interior space and an exterior region. The housing includes first and second ends adapted for respective sealed connection in a marine riser assembly. The housing may be defined on its interior space by a central cavity adapted for passage of a drill string. A plurality of ports may be provided for fluid release from the housing upon emergency disconnect of the riser from a subsea well. One or more gates may be provided in mating configuration with the housing. The gates may be moveable from a sealed position that restricts fluid flow through the ports to an open position that facilitates fluid release from the riser through the ports. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110203792 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND ASSEMBLY FOR WELLBORE MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS - Methods for performing a wellbore maintenance operation on a system of wellbores used for improved oil recovery are disclosed. A plurality of wellbores are drilled and perforated to receive production fluids from a reservoir. The wellbores are fluidly connected to a production well that is drilled to a depth below the perforations of the wellbores. The production fluids drain and collect in the production well for delivery to the surface. A pump can be used for delivering the production fluids from the production well. During repair and maintenance operations, a fluid is injected into the production well for safely removing the pump components. The fluid is counterbalanced by the pressures in the connected wellbores such that the fluid does not rise above the perforations in the connected wellbores. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110203165 | ENHANCED BIODIESEL FUEL HAVING IMPROVED LOW-TEMPERATURE PROPERTIES AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME - The present invention is generally directed to novel biodiesel fuel compositions having enhanced low-temperature properties. The present invention is additionally directed to methods (i.e., processes) for making such enhanced biodiesel fuels by improving the low-temperature properties of ester-based biodiesel fuels via in situ enhancement and/or additive enhancement. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110195881 | CONVERSION OF VEGETABLE OILS TO BASE OILS AND TRANSPORTATION FUELS - The present invention is directed to methods (processes) and systems for processing triglyceride-containing, biologically-derived oils to provide for base oils and transportation fuels, wherein partial oligomerization of fatty acids contained therein provide for an oligomerized mixture from which the base oils and transportation fuels can be extracted. Such methods and systems can involve an initial hydrotreating step or a direct isomerization of the oligomerized mixture. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110192077 | CONVERSION OF VEGETABLE OILS TO BASE OILS AND TRANSPORTATION FUELS - The present invention is directed to methods (processes) and systems for processing triglyceride-containing, biologically-derived oils to provide for base oils and transportation fuels, wherein partial oligomerization of fatty acids contained therein provide for an oligomerized mixture from which the base oils and transportation fuels can be extracted. Such methods and systems can involve an initial hydrotreating step or a direct isomerization of the oligomerized mixture. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110166052 | Gear Oil Compositions, Methods of Making and Using Thereof - A gear oil composition is provided. The composition comprises a synergistic amount of an isomerized base oil having consecutive numbers of carbon atoms and less than 10 wt % naphthenic carbon by n-d-M for the gear oil composition to have a traction coefficient at 15 mm | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110146993 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WATERFLOODING OFFSHORE RESERVOIRS - A mobile water injection system and method for performing waterflooding in offshore reservoirs, and more particularly to enhance oil recovery in marginal offshore reservoirs is disclosed. The mobile water injection system and method include portable equipment, including a submersible pump to recover water from a body of water, a water storage tank, filtration and chemical treatment equipment to treat the recovered water, and an injection pump to pump the treated water at high pressure into the reservoir such that the residual oil is driven to adjacent production wells to increase oil recovery. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110139432 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND ASSEMBLY FOR STEAM DISTRIBUTION ALONG A WELLBORE - Methods and apparatus for enhanced and improved viscous oil recovery are disclosed. A horizontal well is drilled through the viscous oil formation. A liner includes temperature actuated valves for delivering steam more uniformly along the heel and toe portions of the liner. The temperature actuated valves include an actuation mechanism that actuates from an open position to a closed position to control the flow of the steam therethrough. The actuation mechanism actuates to the closed position when it exceeds a predetermined temperature. Heat from the steam mobilizes and lowers the viscosity of the heavy crude wherein the crude is then produced to the surface via conventional lift arrangements. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110138684 | Integrated Syngas Fermentation Process and System - In some embodiments, the present invention relates to methods (processes) of syngas fermentation involving an integral gasification process, and to corresponding systems for carrying out or implementing such methods. In such methods and systems of the present invention, carbon dioxide (CO | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110136700 | Method and System for Preventing Clathrate Hydrate Blockage Formation in Flow Lines by Enhancing Water Cut - The present invention includes a method for inhibiting hydrate formation blockage in a flow line used to transport hydrocarbon containing fluids. Water is added to a hydrocarbon containing fluid to produce a water cut enhanced hydrocarbon containing fluid. Salt may be added to the hydrocarbon containing fluids as well. Hydrate formation blockage is inhibited from forming within the flow line by the addition of the water and/or the salt. Sufficient water may be added such that the hydrocarbon containing fluid is converted from a water in oil emulsion to a water continuous emulsion. A system for preventing the formation of hydrate blockage in conduits is also provided. The system includes a flow line for transporting a hydrocarbon containing fluid and a water injection conduit fluidly connected to the flow line to add water to the flow line to increase the water cut of a hydrocarbon containing fluid flowing through the flow line. A salt dispenser may also be included which is used to increase the salinity of the hydrocarbon containing fluid. The system may further include a water separator to separate hydrocarbons from water which receives fluids from the flow line. The flow line, water separator and water injection conduit may cooperate to form a loop wherein water from the flow line may be separated by the water separator and a portion of the separated water is delivered back to the water injection conduit to be reinjected into the flow line. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110128003 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT INCORPORATING A CRYSTAL OSCILLATOR - A system, method and device for interrogating a downhole environment in a borehole beneath a surface includes a source of electromagnetic energy, operable to transmit an electromagnetic signal in the borehole, a sensor module, including a passive resonating circuit including a crystal oscillator having a resonant frequency that varies with changes in the condition in the downhole environment to reflect the electromagnetic signal and to modulate the electromagnetic signal in response to a condition in the downhole environment in the borehole and a detector positionable to receive the reflected modulated electromagnetic signal. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110124056 | Pretreatment of Ligno-Cellulosic Biomass with Sulfonation - Provided are methods for the pretreatment of ligno-cellulosic biomass such as softwoods with bisulfite such as ammonium bisulfite without the need for exogenous acid. In one variation, a method of pretreating ligno-cellulosic biomass is provided including the following steps: a) providing ligno-cellulosic biomass; b) contacting the ligno-cellulosic biomass with a solution comprising bisulfite at an amount between 1 and 10% of a dry weight of the ligno-cellulosic biomass to form a slurry; c) heating the slurry to a first temperature of 150-210° C. for a first period of time to form a first mixture; d) cooling the first mixture to a second temperature of 100-200° C. to form a second mixture; and e) maintaining the second mixture at the second temperature for a second period of time to form pretreated ligno-cellulosic biomass; wherein the first temperature is higher than the second temperature. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110114340 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING FLUIDS IN A PIPELINE - A method of transporting carbon dioxide and crude oil in a pipeline is disclosed. The method includes providing supercritical carbon dioxide and heavy or extra heavy crude oil produced from a subterranean reservoir. The crude oil is mixed with the supercritical carbon dioxide to form a mixture having a viscosity less than the viscosity of the crude oil prior to mixing. The mixture is transported in a pipeline from a first location to a second location. The pipeline is maintained at sufficient pressures and temperatures such that any unsaturated carbon dioxide remains in a supercritical state while the mixture is transported through the pipeline. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110112258 | Polymerizable Higher Diamondoid Derivatives - Higher diamondoid derivatives capable of taking part in polymerization reactions are disclosed as well as intermediates to these derivatives, polymers formed from these derivatives and methods for preparing the polymers. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110107656 | CONVERSION OF VEGETABLE OILS TO BASE OILS AND TRANSPORTATION FUELS - The present invention is directed to methods (processes) and systems for processing triglyceride-containing, biologically-derived oils to provide for base oils and transportation fuels, wherein partial oligomerization of fatty acids contained therein provide for an oligomerized mixture from which the base oils and transportation fuels can be extracted. Such methods and systems can involve an initial hydrotreating step or a direct isomerization of the oligomerized mixture. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110098998 | MULTISCALE FINITE VOLUME METHOD FOR RESERVOIR SIMULATION - A Multiscale Finite Volume (MSFV) method is provided to efficiently solve large heterogeneous problems; it is usually employed for pressure equations and delivers conservative flux fields to be used in transport problems. It relies on the hypothesis that the fine-scale problem can be described by a set of local solutions coupled by a conservative coarse-scale problem. In numerically challenging cases, a more accurate localization approximation is used to obtain a good approximation of the fine-scale solution. According to an embodiment, a method is provided to iteratively improve the boundary conditions of the local problems, and is responsive to the data structure of the underlying MSFV method and employs a Krylov-subspace projection method to obtain an unconditionally stable scheme and accelerate convergence. In one embodiment the MSFV operator is used. Alternately, the MSFV operator is combined with an operator derived from the problem solved to construct the conservative flux field. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110094936 | Process for Improving the Lubricating Properties of Base Oils Using a Fischer-Tropsch Derived Bottoms - A method for improving the lubricating properties of a distillate base oil characterized by a pour point of 0 degrees C. or less and a boiling range having the 10 percent point falling between about 625 degrees F. and about 790 degrees F. and the 90 percent point falling between about 725 degrees F. and about 950 degrees F., the method comprises blending with said distillate base oil a sufficient amount of a pour point depressing base oil blending component to reduce the pour point of the resulting base oil blend at least 3 degrees C. below the pour point of the distillate base oil, wherein the pour point depressing base oil blending component is an isomerized Fischer-Tropsch derived bottoms product having a pour point that is at least 3 degrees C. higher than the pour point of the distillate base oil. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110094756 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INITIATING ANNULAR OBSTRUCTION IN A SUBSURFACE WELL - The present invention is directed to systems and methods for initiating annular obstructions in wells used in, or in support of, enhanced oil recovery operations—particularly enhanced oil recovery (EOR) efforts involving steam injection (e.g., steam flooding). In at least some instances, system and method embodiments of the present invention utilize one or more passively-activated annular obstruction devices (and/or hybrid active/passive devices) for inducing annular obstruction, wherein the associated passive or hybrid activation is at least partially controlled by thermal means such that it can be deemed to be thermally-directed or thermally-controlled. Such thermally-directed passive activation can afford considerably more control over the annular obstruction process and, correspondingly, over the overall steam injection into the formation and associated reservoir—thereby providing more efficient recovery of hydrocarbons. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110094755 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INITIATING ANNULAR OBSTRUCTION IN A SUBSURFACE WELL - The present invention is directed to systems and methods for initiating annular obstructions in wells used in, or in support of, enhanced oil recovery operations—particularly enhanced oil recovery (EOR) efforts involving steam injection (e.g., steam flooding). In at least some instances, system and method embodiments of the present invention utilize one or more passively-activated annular obstruction devices (and/or hybrid active/passive devices) for inducing annular obstruction, wherein the associated passive or hybrid activation is at least partially controlled by thermal means such that it can be deemed to be thermally-directed or thermally-controlled. Such thermally-directed passive activation can afford considerably more control over the annular obstruction process and, correspondingly, over the overall steam injection into the formation and associated reservoir—thereby providing more efficient recovery of hydrocarbons. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110094728 | STEAM DISTRIBUTION AND CONDITIONING ASSEMBLY FOR ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY OF VISCOUS OIL - Methods and apparatus for enhanced and improved viscous oil recovery are disclosed. A horizontal well is drilled through the viscous oil formation. A specially designed tubing string includes outlets that deliver steam more uniformly into the entire horizontal extent of the well borehole. Heat from the steam mobilizes and lowers the viscosity of the heavy crude wherein the crude is then produced to the surface via conventional lift arrangements. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110094727 | STEAM DISTRIBUTION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY OF VISCOUS OIL - Methods and apparatus for enhanced and improved viscous oil recovery are disclosed. A horizontal well is drilled through the viscous oil formation. A specially designed tubing string includes outlets that deliver steam more uniformly into the entire horizontal extent of the well borehole. Heat from the steam mobilizes and lowers the viscosity of the heavy crude wherein the crude is then produced to the surface via conventional lift arrangements. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110081256 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SENSING A LIQUID LEVEL - A system, method and device may be used to monitor fluid levels in a borehole. The system includes a pulse generator to generate a pulse of electromagnetic energy to propagate along the wellbore towards a surface of the fluid, a detector to detect a portion of the electromagnetic pulse reflected from the surface of the fluid and propagated along the wellbore towards the detector, a processor to analyze detected signals to determine a level of the surface of the fluid, and a pump controller to control the operation of a pump located in the wellbore based on the fluid surface level. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110080805 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A BEAM OF ACOUSTIC ENERGY FROM A BOREHOLE, AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF - In some aspects of the invention, a method of generating a beam of acoustic energy in a borehole is disclosed. The method includes generating a first broad-band acoustic pulse at a first broad-band frequency range having a first central frequency and a first bandwidth spread; generating a second broad-band acoustic pulse at a second broad-band frequency range different than the first frequency range having a second central frequency and a second bandwidth spread, wherein the first acoustic pulse and second acoustic pulse are generated by at least one transducer arranged on a tool located within the borehole; and transmitting the first and the second broad-band acoustic pulses into an acoustically non-linear medium, wherein the composition of the non-linear medium produces a collimated pulse by a non-linear mixing of the first and second acoustic pulses, wherein the collimated pulse has a frequency equal to the difference in frequencies between the first central frequency and the second central frequency and a bandwidth spread equal to the sum of the first bandwidth spread and the second bandwidth spread. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110080804 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A BEAM OF ACOUSTIC ENERGY FROM A BOREHOLE, AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF - In some aspects of the invention, a method of generating a beam of acoustic energy in a borehole is disclosed. The method includes generating a first acoustic wave at a first frequency; generating a second acoustic wave at a second frequency different than the first frequency, wherein the first acoustic wave and second acoustic wave are generated by at least one transducer carried by a tool located within the borehole; transmitting the first and the second acoustic waves into an acoustically non-linear medium, wherein the composition of the non-linear medium produces a collimated beam by a non-linear mixing of the first and second acoustic waves, wherein the collimated beam has a frequency based upon a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency; and transmitting the collimated beam through a diverging acoustic lens to compensate for a refractive effect caused by the curvature of the borehole. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110080803 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A BEAM OF ACOUSTIC ENERGY FROM A BOREHOLE, AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF - In some aspects of the invention, a method of generating a beam of acoustic energy in a borehole is disclosed. The method includes generating a first acoustic wave at a first frequency; generating a second acoustic wave at a second frequency different than the first frequency, wherein the first acoustic wave and second acoustic wave are generated by at least one transducer carried by a tool located within the borehole; transmitting the first and the second acoustic waves into an acoustically non-linear medium, wherein the composition of the non-linear medium produces a collimated beam by a non-linear mixing of the first and second acoustic waves, wherein the collimated beam has a frequency based upon a difference between the first frequency range and the second frequency, and wherein the non-linear medium has a velocity of sound between 100 m/s and 800 m/s. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110077922 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING OILFIELD SIMULATION OPERATIONS - The invention relates to a method of performing an oilfield operation of an oilfield having at least one wellsite, each wellsite having a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation for extracting fluid from an underground reservoir therein. The method includes determining a time-step for simulating the reservoir, the reservoir being represented as a plurality of gridded cells and being modeled as a multi-phase system using a plurality of partial differential equations, calculating a plurality of Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy (CFL) conditions of the reservoir model corresponding to the time-step, the plurality of CFL conditions comprising a temperature CFL condition, a composition CFL condition, and a saturation CFL condition, simulating a first cell of the plurality of gridded cells with an Implicit Pressure, Explicit Saturations (IMPES) system, and simulating a second cell of the plurality of gridded cells with a Fully Implicit Method (FIM) system. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110077184 | SYNTHESIS OF DIESTER-BASED BIOLUBRICANTS FROM EPOXIDES - The present invention is generally directed to methods of making diester-based lubricant compositions, wherein formation of diester species proceeds via direct esterification of epoxide intermediates. In some embodiments, the methods for making such diester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value (e.g., Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols) so as to produce high value diester-based lubricants. In some embodiments, such diester-based lubricants are derived from FT olefins and fatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110068794 | TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE TRANSDUCER - Methods for making and systems employing pressure and temperature sensors are described. Embodiments include a capacitive element including a first conductor plate and a second conductor plate. Each plate includes a conductor layer formed on a substrate. In a pressure sensor embodiment, seal is positioned at or near the edges of the conductor plates, and a gas retained in a gap defined between the plates. In a temperature sensor embodiment, the gap defined between the plates is in fluid communication with the external environment. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110062014 | PLASMA REACTOR - A plasma reactor ( | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110061860 | COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING SAND PRODUCTION IN A GEOMECHANICAL RESERVOIR SYSTEM - Systems and methods are provided for use in predicting sand production in a geomechanical reservoir system. Computation of the sand production predictions can include solving a system of partial differential equations that model the geomechanical reservoir system. Systems and methods also are provided for use in operating a geomechanical reservoir system based on the sand production prediction for controlling sand production in the geomechanical reservoir system. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110053817 | MULTI-GRADE ENGINE OIL FORMULATIONS COMPRISING A BIO-DERIVED ESTER COMPONENT - The present invention is generally directed to the present invention provides for multi-grade engine oil formulations comprising a diester component, wherein the diester component comprises vicinal diester species, and wherein at least a portion of said diester component is bio-derived. Many such formulations of the present invention are expected to favorably compete with similar, existing formulations comprising synthetic esters, but such formulations are generally expected to meet or exceed such existing formulations in a number of areas including, but not limited to, economics, biodegradability, and/or toxicity. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110028362 | Automatic Transmission Fluid - Provided are compositions for use in Automatic Transmission Fluids. More specifically, provided are Automatic Transmission Fluids made using Gas-to-Liquids lubricant base oils, which are formulated with minimal to no polymeric Viscosity Index improvers and processes for production thereof. The automatic transmission fluids disclosed herein contain a) a lubricant base oil having a Viscosity Index greater than a Viscosity Index Factor as calculated by the following equation: | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110026563 | PRESSURE SENSOR HAVING A ROTATIONAL RESPONSE TO THE ENVIRONMENT - Methods and systems of the invention are directed to a pressure sensor that includes a substrate, a first conductive plate, and a second conductive plate. The substrate is formed of a material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The first conductive plate is formed of a material having a CTE that is higher than the CTE of the substrate, and is attached to a first surface of the substrate. The second conductive plate is rotatably connected to the substrate through a hinge, and includes a portion that is adjacent to the first conductive plate. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110024109 | Simultaneous Drilling and Open Hole Wireline Logging for Drilling Rigs - A method of logging a wellbore comprises drilling a first wellbore to a depth using a drilling rig and drilling a second wellbore to a depth using the drilling rig. While the second wellbore is being drilled a logging operation is conducted in the first wellbore using the drilling rig. The logging operation can be conducted in the first wellbore via a wireline logging tool. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110022368 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WELL PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION - A system, software program, and method to evaluate the performance of a well in a subsurface reservoir are disclosed. A new well module is used to evaluate new wells to be placed in fluid communication with the subsurface reservoir. An existing well module is used to evaluate existing wells that are in fluid communication with the subsurface reservoir. Wells can be evaluated to calculate performance characteristics, optimize performance, resolve any associated performance issues, or a combination thereof. A well screening module is used to quickly calculate properties of a well. A visual display is used to display outputs from the new well module, the existing well module, or the well screening module. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110022336 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SENSING PRESSURE USING AN INDUCTIVE ELEMENT - Exemplary systems and method are directed to a sensing device, and to a pressure sensing system and method. An exemplary method includes supplying electromagnetic energy to a transducer which is configured to reflect the electromagnetic energy at a ring frequency determined by an inductance of the transducer, wherein the inductance changes in response to compression of the inductive element. The ring frequency of electromagnetic energy reflected by the transducer is correlated to a pressure value. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110020190 | SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING TRANSPORTATION FUELS FROM WASTE PLASTIC AND BIOMASS - The present invention is generally directed to methods and systems for producing biofuels via biomass, waste plastic, and/or Fischer-Tropsch product feeds. Such methods and systems are an improvement over the existing art at least in that they are feed-tolerant (i.e., allow for variability) and provide an economy of scale, while typically retaining the environmental benefits associated with such processing of such feeds. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110011592 | PULSE FRACTURING DEVICE AND METHOD - A method of inducing fracture in at least a portion of a geologic structure includes inducing acoustic waves into a fluid medium present in a borehole extending at least partially into the structure. Embodiments may include preheating or pressurizing the fluid medium prior to inducing the acoustic wave therein. A device for fracturing at least a portion of a geologic structure includes electrodes for producing a spark to generate ordinary acoustic waves in the fluid medium. Embodiments may include structures for preheating or pressurizing the fluid medium prior to inducing the acoustic wave therein. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110009300 | SYNTHESIS OF BIOLUBRICANT ESTERS FROM UNSATURATED FATTY ACID DERIVATIVES - The present invention is generally directed to diester-based lubricant compositions comprising one or more isomeric mixtures of diester species. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these and other similar lubricant compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such diester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor material from which mono-unsaturated free lipid species can be provided or otherwise generated, wherein such mono-unsaturated free lipid species arc converted to isomeric diol species en route to the synthesis of diester species for use as/in the diester-based lubricant compositions. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20100324318 | ENRICHMENT OF MONOUNSATURATED ACIDS/ESTERS IN VEGETABLE OIL- OR ANIMAL FAT-BASED FEEDSTOCK USING METAL SALTS DISSOLVED IN IONIC LIQUIDS - In some embodiments, the present invention relates to an enrichment process that involves a separation and/or fractionation and/or enrichment of monounsaturated fatty acid/ester molecules from polyunsaturated fatty acid/ester molecules or, correspondingly, monounsaturated molecules from saturated molecules. Such processes are at least partially based on π(pi)-complexation between metal ions and unsaturated bonds of the extractible molecules (fatty acids/esters), wherein a greater degree of unsaturation provides for greater coordinating (bond) strength and corresponding selectivity in the associated π-complexation with metal ions. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100324316 | PREPARATION OF TITANOSILICATE ZEOLITE TS-1 - A method is disclosed for preparing crystalline titanosilicate zeolite TS-1 from a reaction mixture containing only sufficient water to produce zeolite TS-1. In one embodiment, the reaction mixture is self-supporting and may be shaped if desired. In the method, the reaction mixture is heated at crystallization conditions and in the absence of an added external liquid phase, so that excess liquid need not be removed from the crystallized product. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100322522 | IMAGE MATCHING USING LINE SIGNATURE - A method and system of matching features in a pair of images using line signatures. The method includes determining a first similarity measure between a first line signature in a first image in the pair of images and a second line signature in a second image in the pair of images; determining a second similarity measure between the first line signature in the first image and a third line signature in the second image; comparing the first similarity measure with a first threshold value; comparing a difference between the first similarity and the second similarity with a second threshold value; and if the first similarity measure is greater than the first threshold value and the difference between the first similarity and the second similarity is greater than the second threshold value, the first line signature and the second line signature produce a match. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100322031 | SYSTEM FOR GENERATING A BEAM OF ACOUSTIC ENERGY FROM A BOREHOLE, AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF - In some aspects of the invention, a device, positioned within a well bore, configured to generate and direct an acoustic beam into a rock formation around a borehole is disclosed. The device comprises a source configured to generate a first signal at a first frequency and a second signal at a second frequency; a transducer configured to receive the generated first and the second signals and produce acoustic waves at the first frequency and the second frequency; and a non-linear material, coupled to the transducer, configured to generate a collimated beam with a frequency equal to the difference between the first frequency and the second frequency by a non-linear mixing process, wherein the non-linear material includes one or more of a mixture of liquids, a solid, a granular material, embedded microspheres, or an emulsion. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100322029 | SYSTEM FOR GENERATING A BEAM OF ACOUSTIC ENERGY FROM A BOREHOLE, AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF - In some aspects of the invention, a device, positioned within a well bore, configured to generate and direct an acoustic beam into a rock formation around a borehole is disclosed. The device comprises a source configured to generate a first signal at a first frequency and a second signal at a second frequency; a transducer configured to receive the generated first and the second signals and produce acoustic waves at the first frequency and the second frequency; and a non-linear material, coupled to the transducer, configured to generate a collimated beam with a frequency equal to the difference between the first frequency and the second frequency by a non-linear mixing process, wherein the non-linear material includes one or more of a mixture of liquids, a solid, a granular material, embedded microspheres, or an emulsion. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100312535 | UPSCALING OF FLOW AND TRANSPORT PARAMETERS FOR SIMULATION OF FLUID FLOW IN SUBSURFACE RESERVOIRS - An upscaling method for efficiently simulating a geological model of subsurface reservoir is disclosed. The method includes providing a fine-scale geological model of a subsurface reservoir associated with a fine-scale grid and a coarse-scale grid. Time-dependent fluid flow solutions, such as fluxes and saturations, are computed for the coarse-scale grid cells. The coarse-scale fluid flow solutions are distributed onto local fine-scale boundaries to obtain local fine-scale boundary conditions. Fine-scale cell fluid flow solutions are computed within the local fine-scale boundaries using the local fine-scale boundary conditions. Two-phase upscaling functions are computed with the fine-scale cell fluid flow solutions and are output to produce a display of fluid flow within the subsurface reservoir. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100311625 | BIOLUBRICANT ESTERS FROM THE ALCOHOLS OF UNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS - The present invention is generally directed to triester-based lubricant compositions. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these and other similar lubricant compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such triester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor comprising mono-unsaturated fatty acids, wherein such mono-unsaturated fatty acids are reduced to mono-unsaturated fatty alcohols en route to the synthesis of triester species for use as/in the triester-based lubricant compositions. Subsequent steps in such synthesis may employ carboxylic acids and/or acyl halides/anhydrides derived from biomass and/or Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100300872 | Methods for Low Temperature Hydrogen Sulfide Dissociation - A method of H | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100270038 | Kerogen Extraction from Subterranean Oil Shale Resources - The present invention is directed to methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations, wherein such methods rely on fracturing and/or rubblizing portions of said formations so as to enhance their fluid permeability, and wherein such methods further rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen so as to render it mobile. The present invention is also directed at systems for implementing at least some of the foregoing methods. Additionally, the present invention is also directed to methods of fracturing and/or rubblizing subsurface shale formations and to methods of chemically modifying kerogen in situ so as to render it mobile. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100263263 | Low Melting Point Triglycerides for Use in Fuels - In the present invention, a fuel composition and a process for making the same are disclosed. Specifically, in the present invention, triglycerides useful for distillate fuels are described along with their method for preparation from Fischer-Tropsch acid by-products and the glycerol by-product from biodiesel generation. By using these two by-product streams, the overall efficiency of both processes is improved and a new source of distillate fuels is created. These triglycerides can be used to improve the lubricity of Fischer-Tropsch derived distillate fuels. In addition, these triglycerides also have low melting points and have viscosities compatible with distillate fuels. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100261627 | DIESTER-BASED LUBRICANTS AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME - The present invention is generally directed to diester-based lubricant compositions. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these and other similar lubricant compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such diester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols so as to produce high value diester-based lubricants. In some embodiments, such diester-based lubricants are derived from FT olefins and fatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100250216 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHARACTERIZING FRACTURES IN A SUBSURFACE RESERVOIR - The disclosed methods, systems, and software are described to optimize fracture characteristics and simulate fluid flow rates in a well model. The well model, which includes at least one fracture intersecting a production well, is generated with static and dynamic data. Fluid flow in the well model is simulated to obtain simulated fluid flow rates between fractures and the well. Fracture properties, such as length, height and aperture, are then updated responsive to measured and simulated fluid flow rates. Multiple simulation runs and updating of the fracture properties can be performed until the simulated fluid flow rates converge with the measured fluid flow rates. Pressure data can be used to determine gridblock permeability, which in turn helps constrain the model, thus providing more reliable fracture properties. Uncertainty ranges of the fracture properties can also be calculated. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100243236 | NANOPARTICLE-DENSIFIED NEWTONIAN FLUIDS FOR USE AS CEMENTATION SPACER FLUIDS AND COMPLETION SPACER FLUIDS IN OIL AND GAS WELLS - The present invention is directed to methods for densifying cement spacer fluids for use in conjunction with drilling fluids and cement slurries for cementing operations involving oil and gas wells, wherein such densifying is done via the addition of nanoparticles to the spacer fluid. The present invention is also directed to analogous methods of densifying completion spacer fluids using nanoparticles, to Newtonian fluid compositions resulting from any such fluid densification, and to systems for implementing the use of such compositions in well cementing operations. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100236780 | Controlling the Pressure within an Annular Volume of a Wellbore - A process is described for replacing at least a portion of the liquid within the annular volume of a casing system within a wellbore with a second liquid. The second liquid is preselected to provide a measure of control of the pressure within the annular volume as the fluid within the volume is being heated. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100221453 | BIAS ENHANCED NUCLEATION OF DIAMOND FILMS IN A CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION PROCESS - Diamonds are used to nucleate diamond and diamond-like carbon films in a chemical vapor deposition process using bias enhancement. A negative bias is applied to the substrate, such that a cationic form of the diamond is accelerated toward the substrate during the nucleation phase of the deposition. In this manner, the diamondoid may be embedded or partially embedded in the substrate and/or growing film, increasing the adhesion of the film to the substrate. According to the present embodiments, it is not necessary to mechanically pre-seed the substrate for nucleation purposes. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100205854 | Low Melting Point Triglycerides for Use in Fuels - In the present invention, a fuel composition and a process for making the same are disclosed. Specifically, in the present invention, triglycerides useful for distillate fuels are described along with their method for preparation from Fischer-Tropsch acid by-products and the glycerol by-product from biodiesel generation. By using these two by-product streams, the overall efficiency of both processes is improved and a new source of distillate fuels is created. These triglycerides can be used to improve the lubricity of Fischer-Tropsch derived distillate fuels. In addition, these triglycerides also have low melting points and have viscosities compatible with distillate fuels. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100190985 | Heterodiamondoids - This invention is related to heteroatom containing diamondoids (i.e., “heterodiamondoids”) which are compounds having a diamondoid nucleus in which one or more of the diamondoid nucleus carbons has been substitutionally replaced with a noncarbon atom. These heteroatom substituents impart desirable properties to the diamondoid. In addition, the heterodiamondoids are functionalized affording compounds carrying one or more functional groups covalently pendant therefrom. This invention is further related to polymerizable functionalized heterodiamondoids. In a preferred aspect of this invention the diamondoid nuclei are triamantane and higher diamondoid nuclei. In another preferred aspect, the heteroatoms are selected to give rise to diamondoid materials which can serve as n- and p-type materials in electronic devices can serve as optically active materials. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100186586 | Process for Upgrading Natural Gas with Improved Management of CO2 - Disclosed herein are processes for producing a CO | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100174002 | Preparation of Cobalt-Ruthenium Fischer-Tropsch Catalysts - A method for forming a cobalt-containing Fischer-Tropsch catalyst involves precipitating a cobalt oxy-hydroxycarbonate species by turbulent mixing, during which a basic solution collides with an acidic solution comprising cobalt. The method further involves depositing the cobalt oxy-hydroxycarbonate species onto a support material to provide a catalyst comprising cobalt and the support material. The support material comprises one or more of alumina, silica, magnesia, titania, zirconia, ceria-zirconia, and magnesium aluminate. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100172806 | System and Apparatus for Ionic Liquid Catalyst Regeneration - Disclosed are a system and an apparatus for regenerating an ionic liquid catalyst, which has been deactivated by conjunct polymers during any type of reaction producing conjunct polymers as a by-product, for example, isoparaffin-olefin alkylation. The system and apparatus are designed such that solvent extraction of conjunct polymers, freed from the ionic liquid catalyst through its reaction with aluminum metal, occurs as soon as the conjunct polymers de-bond from the ionic liquid catalyst. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100168258 | Preparation of Cobalt-Ruthenium/zeolite fischer-tropsch catalysts - A method for forming a cobalt-containing Fischer-Tropsch catalyst involves precipitating a cobalt oxy-hydroxycarbonate species by turbulent mixing, during which a basic solution collides with an acidic solution comprising cobalt. The method further involves depositing the cobalt oxy-hydroxycarbonate species onto an acidic support to provide a catalyst comprising cobalt and the acidic support. The acidic support comprises a zeolite, a molecular sieve, or combinations thereof. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100163236 | Controlling the Pressure Within an Annular Volume of a Wellbore - A process is described for replacing at least a portion of the liquid within the annular volume of a casing system within a wellbore with a second liquid. The second liquid is preselected to provide a measure of control of the pressure within the annular volume as the fluid within the volume is being heated. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100161455 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SELLING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION REDUCTION CREDITS - The instant invention pertains to an apparatus and method to offset greenhouse gas emissions by offering to sell and/or selling emission reduction credits. The apparatus and method may be employed during a consumer transaction for the transfer of fuel. The apparatus and method may be used at the point of sale of a fuel transaction at a fuel dispenser, such as at a fuel pump. An offer to purchase credits is made to a customer at the fuel dispenser. A response is received from the customer, which is followed by the prompting for more information from the customer along with assistance given to the customer to determine the amount of credits to purchase. The purchase is made at the completion of the transaction. If the offer is rejected, credits are not purchased. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100161300 | System and method for forecasting production from a hydrocarbon reservoir - A system and method is taught to substantially automate forecasting for a hydrocarbon producing reservoir through integration of modeling module workflows. A control management module automatically generates static and dynamic offspring models, with static and dynamic modeling software, until a performance objective associated with the forecasting of the reservoir is satisfied. The performance objective can include an experimental design table to determine a sensitivity of a particular parameter or can be directed towards reservoir optimization, i.e., ultimate hydrocarbon recovery, net present value, reservoir percentage yield, reservoir fluid flow rate, or history matching error. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100161292 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EVALUATING DYNAMIC HETEROGENEITY IN EARTH MODELS - A method is disclosed having application notably towards ranking earth models responsive to dynamic heterogeneity. A plurality of earth models representing a subsurface reservoir are provided. Streamline analysis for each of the plurality of earth models is conducted. Flow Capacity (F) vs. Storage Capacity (Φ) curves are constructed for each of the plurality of earth models based on the streamline analysis. Dynamic heterogeneity for each of the plurality of earth models is computed from the Flow Capacity (F) vs. Storage Capacity (Φ) curves constructed for each of the plurality of earth models. The plurality of earth models are ranked responsive to dynamic heterogeneity. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100160464 | Zeolite Supported Cobalt Hybrid Fischer-Tropsch Catalyst - A method for forming a catalyst for synthesis gas conversion comprises impregnating a zeolite extrudate using a solution, for example, a substantially non-aqueous solution, comprising a cobalt salt to provide an impregnated zeolite extrudate and activating the impregnated zeolite extrudate by a reduction-oxidation-reduction cycle. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100159554 | BIOFUELS PROCESSES INTEGRATING PHOTOBIOREACTORS WITH ANAEROBIC DIGESTION - In the present invention, integrated processes for producing a biofuel are disclosed. Specifically, processes integrating photobioreactors with anaerobic digestion are disclosed. Anaerobic digestion can convert biomass into a biofuel. However, anaerobic digestion also produces carbon dioxide (CO | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100154292 | ENHANCED BIODIESEL FUEL HAVING IMPROVED LOW-TEMPERATURE PROPERTIES AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME - The present invention is generally directed to novel biodiesel fuel compositions having enhanced low-temperature properties. The present invention is additionally directed to methods (i.e., processes) for making such enhanced biodiesel fuels by improving the low-temperature properties of ester-based biodiesel fuels via in situ enhancement and/or additive enhancement. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100154291 | METHODS FOR IMPROVING LOW-TEMPERATURE PROPERTIES OF BIODIESEL FUEL - The present invention is generally directed to novel biodiesel fuel compositions having enhanced low-temperature properties. The present invention is additionally directed to methods (i.e., processes) for making such enhanced biodiesel fuels by improving the low-temperature properties of ester-based biodiesel fuels via in situ enhancement and/or additive enhancement. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100146847 | Lignin Upgrading for Hydroprocessing to Biofuel - The present invention is generally directed to methods for processing lignin-containing biomass so as to render it more amenable to hydroprocessing, wherein such processing typically reduces the level of oxygen in the biomass. Following such processing, the resulting reduced-oxygen lignin-derived product can be hydroprocessed into a biofuel suitable for use as a transportation fuel. Additionally, in some embodiments, such methods can be integrated with one or more other processes, wherein such other processes can be production and/or logistical in nature. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100140136 | SELECTIVE, INTEGRATED PROCESSING OF BIO-DERIVED ESTER SPECIES TO YIELD LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT HYDROCARBONS AND HYDROGEN FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BIOFUELS - The present invention relates to methods and systems for processing biomass to selectively yield a variety of hydrocarbon molecules and hydrogen as products, wherein some or all of these products can be further utilized for other biomass processing sub-processes, particularly wherein they lead to the generation of biofuels and/or other high-value products. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100138202 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF GRID GENERATION FOR DISCRETE FRACTURE MODELING - Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for generating accurate grids that can be used for simulation of highly complex subsurface reservoirs, such as fractured subsurface reservoirs. A representation of a fractured subsurface reservoir and an explicit discrete fracture represented within the fractured subsurface reservoir are provided. The representation of the fractured subsurface reservoir is decomposed into polyhedral cells. Interfaces between the polyhedral cells are selected to approximate the discrete fracture explicitly represented within the fractured subsurface reservoir. The selected interfaces are used to produce a grid that can be used for constructing a simulation model of the fractured subsurface reservoir. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100138196 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREDICTING FLUID FLOW CHARACTERISTICS WITHIN FRACTURED SUBSURFACE RESERVOIRS - A system and method having application notably towards predicting fluid flow characteristics within fractured subsurface reservoirs. The system and method include steps of reservoir characterization, gridding, discretization, and simulation of geologically realistic models describing the fractured subsurface reservoirs. A stochastic fracture representation that explicitly represents a network of fractures within a subsurface reservoir is constructed and used to build a fine-scale geological model. The model is then gridded such that the network of fractures is represented by interfaces between the fine-scale cells. The model is the discretized and simulated. Simulation can be on a fine-scale or on an upscaled course-scale to produce efficient and reliable prediction of fluid flow characteristics within the subsurface reservoir. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100130800 | Liquid-Liquid Separation Process Via Coalescers - A process for separating an ionic liquid from hydrocarbons employs a coalescer material having a stronger affinity for the ionic liquid than the hydrocarbons. The coalescer material can be a high surface area material having a large amount of contact area to which ionic liquid droplets dispersed in the hydrocarbons may adhere. The process includes feeding a mixture comprising ionic liquid droplets dispersed in hydrocarbons to a coalescer comprising the coalescer material. The process further includes a capture step involving adhering at least a portion of the ionic liquid droplets to the coalescer material to provide captured droplets and a coalescing step involving coalescing captured droplets into coalesced droplets. After the capture and coalescence steps, the coalesced droplets are allowed to fall from the coalescer material to separate the ionic liquid from the hydrocarbons and provide a hydrocarbon effluent. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100130799 | Process to Remove Dissolved AlCl3 from Ionic Liquid - Disclosed herein are processes in which precipitation permits removal of metal halides (e.g. AlCl | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100126948 | FILTERING PROCESS AND SYSTEM TO REMOVE AICI3 PARTICULATES FROM IONIC LIQUID - A process for the filtration of an ionic liquid involves feeding an ionic liquid containing precipitated metal halides to a first filtering zone, which includes at least one first filter, to provide a partially filtered product. The process further includes subsequently feeding the partially filtered product to a second filtering zone, which includes at least one second filter having a smaller pore size than the at least one first filter, to provide a filtered product. A filter system capable of filtering precipitated metal halides from ionic liquid is also disclosed. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100122811 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MITIGATING ANNULAR PRESSURE BUILDUP IN AN OIL OR GAS WELL - The present invention is generally directed to systems and methods for mitigating temperature-related pressure buildup in the trapped annulus of an oil or gas well, wherein such systems and methods employ production and/or tieback casing having one or more pressure mitigating chambers., and wherein such chambers make use of pistons, valves, and burst disks to mitigate pressure increases within the annulus. Such systems and methods can provide advantages over the prior art, particularly with respect to offshore wells. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100120642 | SYNTHESIS OF DIESTER-BASED LUBRICANTS FROM ENZYMATICALLY-DIRECTED EPOXIDES - The present invention is generally directed to methods of making diester-based lubricant compositions, wherein formation of diester species proceeds via esterification of epoxide intermediates, and wherein the epoxide intermediates are generated via an enzymatically-driven mechanism. In some embodiments, the methods for making such diester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value (e.g., Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols) so as to produce high value diester-based lubricants. In some embodiments, such diester-based lubricants are derived from FT olefins and fatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100112214 | Synthesis of Higher Diamondoids - In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods for synthesizing higher diamondoids, wherein said methods involve augmenting existing diamondoid molecules through the bonding of carbon atoms to such existing diamondoid species with intramolecular cross-linking so as to form larger diamondoids containing face-fused diamond-crystal (adamantane) cages with carbon frameworks superimposable on the cubic-diamond crystal lattice. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100108324 | Linear Actuation System in the Form of a Ring - A device for use in actuating a valve to control the flow of fluids through a flow tube comprises a stationary ring surrounding the flow tube, the ring having an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the flow tube. An interior of the ring and an exterior of the flow tube have complementary screw threads. At least three actuators are equally circumferentially spaced along an exterior of the ring. When activated an actuator induces a screw thread on the interior of the ring to engage a screw thread on the exterior of the flow tube such that the flow tube is moved in an axial direction relative to the ring. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100096138 | Controlling the Pressure Within an Annular Volume of a Wellbore - A process is described for replacing at least a portion of the liquid within the annular volume of a casing system within a wellbore with a second liquid. The second liquid is preselected to provide a measure of control of the pressure within the annular volume as the fluid within the volume is being heated. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100094605 | ITERATIVE MULTI-SCALE METHOD FOR FLOW IN POROUS MEDIA - Computer-implemented iterative multi-scale methods and systems are provided for handling simulation of complex, highly anisotropic, heterogeneous domains. A system and method can be configured to achieve simulation of structures where accurate localization assumptions do not exist. The iterative system and method smoothes the solution field by applying line relaxation in all spatial directions. The smoother is unconditionally stable and leads to sets of tri-diagonal linear systems that can be solved efficiently, such as by the Thomas algorithm. Furthermore, the iterative smoothing procedure, for the improvement of the localization assumptions, does not need to be applied in every time step of the computation. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100094012 | Heterodiamondoids - This invention is related to heteroatom containing diamondoids (i.e., “heterodiamondoids”) which are compounds having a diamondoid nucleus in which one or more of the diamondoid nucleus carbons has been substitutionally replaced with a noncarbon atom. These heteroatom substituents impart desirable properties to the diamondoid. In addition, the heterodiamondoids are functionalized affording compounds carrying one or more functional groups covalently pendant therefrom. This invention is further related to polymerizable functionalized heterodiamondoids. In a preferred aspect of this invention the diamondoid nuclei are triamantane and higher diamondoid nuclei. In another preferred aspect, the heteroatoms are selected to give rise to diamondoid materials which can serve as n- and p-type materials in electronic devices can serve as optically active materials. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100083563 | CO-PROCESSING DIESEL FUEL WITH VEGETABLE OIL TO GENERATE A LOW CLOUD POINT HYBRID DIESEL BIOFUEL - The foregoing describes methods and systems for co-processing vegetable oil and petroleum diesel to yield a hybrid diesel biofuel composition. As previously stated, in some embodiments the present invention is directed to methods/systems by/with which a mixture of vegetable oil and petroleum diesel is co-processed in two stages: the mixture is first hydrotreated to yield a reduced-sulfur hybrid intermediate, and then the hybrid intermediate is processed in an isomerization unit to yield a low cloud point hybrid diesel product that is partially derived from biomass. A notable benefit of at least some such methods/systems is that interstage removal of H | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100077651 | BIODIESEL-DERIVED COMBUSTION IMPROVER - The present invention is generally directed to novel fuel compositions and to methods (i.e., processes) for enhancing the combustion efficiency and/or other properties of diesel fuels, particularly wherein such diesel fuels are, or comprise, biodiesel, such biodiesel typically having poorer low-temperature properties than traditional (petroleum) diesel. Generally, such fuel compositions are provided by the creation and inclusion of a quantity of one or more epoxy-ester species, such species serving as combustion improvers for the fuel composition of which they are part. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100076738 | COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USE IN MODELING A GEOMECHANICAL RESERVOIR SYSTEM - Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for modeling a geomechanical reservoir system to provide fracturing predictions. The model predictions are generated by solving a system of partial differential equations that model the geomechanical reservoir system. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100071897 | METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING WELL PRODUCTION IN RESERVOIRS HAVING FLOW BARRIERS - Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for optimizing hydrocarbon recovery from subsurface formations, including subsurface formations having bottom water or edgewater. A system and method can be configured to receive data indicative of by-pass oil areas in the subsurface formation from reservoir simulation, identify flow barriers in the subsurface formation based on the by-pass oil areas identified by the reservoir simulation, and predict the lateral extension of the identified flow barriers in the subsurface formation. Infill horizontal wells can be placed at areas of the subsurface formation relative to the flow barriers such that production from a horizontal well in the subsurface formation optimizes hydrocarbon recovery. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100071775 | SUBSEA SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING EQUIPMENT OF A SUBSEA SYSTEM - A subsea system comprises a wellbore within a reservoir, equipment downstream of the wellbore, and a barrier connected to the equipment. The equipment is rated for a maximum pressure that is less than a maximum reservoir pressure and equal to or greater than the maximum reservoir pressure less external hydrostatic pressure experienced by the equipment. The barrier is rated for a maximum pressure that is equal to or greater than the maximum reservoir pressure. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100057413 | INDIRECT-ERROR-BASED, DYNAMIC UPSCALING OF MULTI-PHASE FLOW IN POROUS MEDIA - Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for an upscaling approach based on dynamic simulation of a given model. A system and method can be configured such that the accuracy of the upscaled model is continuously monitored via indirect error measures. If the indirect error measures are bigger than a specified tolerance, the upscaled model is dynamically updated with approximate fine-scale information that is reconstructed by a multi-scale finite volume method. Upscaling of multi-phase flow can include flow information in the underlying fine-scale. Adaptive prolongation and restriction operators are applied for flow and transport equations in constructing an approximate fine-scale solution. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100032171 | Supercritical Pentane as an Extractant for Oil Shale - The present invention is directed to methods of extracting a hydrocarbon-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations, wherein such methods rely on the use of an extraction fluid comprising pentane for facilitating the production of a mobile hydrocarbon-based product when the pentane contacts hydrocarbons in subsurface shale. The contacting process, and the subsequent process of recovering the mobile hydrocarbon-based product, is further enhanced by the methods of fracturing and/or rubblizing portions of the shale formation, so as to enhance their fluid permeability. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100029998 | Synthesis of a Crystalline Silicoaluminophosphate - The present invention is a method for synthesizing non-zeolitic molecular sieves which have a three dimensional microporous framework comprising [AlO | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100027376 | Optimizing Seismic Processing and Amplitude Inversion Utilizing Statistical Comparisons of Seismic to Well Control Data - A method for obtaining enhanced seismic data and optimized inverted reflectivities includes computing statistical well characterizations based upon band-limited well reflectivities for a subsurface region. Sets of processed seismic data are computed by applying differing processing sequences to seismic data corresponding to the subsurface region. Inverted reflectivities are computed by inverting the sets of processed seismic data. Statistical seismic characterizations are computed based upon the inverted reflectivities. Statistical difference measurements (SDMs) are computed between the statistical well and seismic characterizations. An optimal processing sequence is selected based upon the computed SDMs. Enhanced seismic data is obtained by processing the seismic data corresponding to the subsurface region. An optimal seismic inversion algorithm is obtained based upon the computed SDMs. The seismic data is inverted using the optimal seismic inversion algorithm to produce a set of optimized inverted reflectivities. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100018109 | Conversion of Vegetable Oils to Base Oils and Transportation Fuels - The present invention is directed to methods (processes) and systems for processing triglyceride-containing, biologically-derived oils to provide for base oils and transportation fuels, wherein partial oligomerization of fatty acids contained therein provide for an oligomerized mixture from which the base oils and transportation fuels can be extracted. Such methods and systems can involve an initial hydrotreating step or a direct isomerization of the oligomerized mixture. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100018108 | Conversion of Vegetable Oils to Base Oils and Transportation Fuels - The present invention is directed to methods (processes) and systems for processing triglyceride-containing, biologically-derived oils to provide for base oils and transportation fuels, wherein partial oligomerization of fatty acids contained therein provide for an oligomerized mixture from which the base oils and transportation fuels can be extracted. Such methods and systems can involve an initial hydrotreating step or a direct isomerization of the oligomerized mixture. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100004908 | MULTI-SCALE FINITE VOLUME METHOD FOR RESERVOIR SIMULATION - A multi-scale finite volume method for simulating a fine-scale geological model of subsurface reservoir is disclosed. The method includes providing a fine-scale geological model of a subsurface reservoir associated with a fine-scale grid, a coarse-scale grid, and a dual coarse-scale grid. A coarse-scale operator is constructed based on internal cells, edge cells, and node cells on the fine-scale grid that are defined by the dual coarse-scale grid. Pressure in the dual coarse-scale cells is computed using the coarse-scale operator. Pressure in the primary coarse-scale cells is computed using the computed pressure in the dual coarse-scale cells. A display is produced using the computed pressure in the primary coarse-scale cells. An iterative scheme can be applied such that the computed pressure in the primary coarse-scale cells converges to the fine-scale pressure solution and mass balance is maintained on the coarse-scale. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100000910 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING A TRACE ELEMENT FROM A LIQUID HYDROCARBON FEED - The present invention is generally directed to removing a trace element from a liquid hydrocarbon feed. The liquid hydrocarbon feed, containing the trace element, is mixed with the water along with a hydrocarbon-soluble additive. While being mixed, a compound, which in some cases is preferably insoluble, is formed by the hydrocarbon-soluble additive chemically reacting with the trace element. A phase separation device, such as a desalter or an oil-water separator, receives the oil-water emulsion containing the compound and resolves the mixture to produce the compound, effluent brine, and effluent liquid hydrocarbon with a reduced concentration of the trace element as compared to the liquid hydrocarbon feed. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to removing elemental mercury from a liquid hydrocarbon feed. A hydrocarbon-soluble sulfur-containing additive, typically an organic polysulfide, is mixed with the liquid hydrocarbon feed and water. The hydrocarbon-soluble, sulfur-containing additive reacts with the mercury, rapidly forming an agglomeration of mercuric sulfide which is then dispensed with the effluent brine or the effluent liquid hydrocarbon. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20090319242 | MULTI-SCALE METHOD FOR MULTI-PHASE FLOW IN POROUS MEDIA - A multi-scale method to efficiently determine the fine-scale saturation arising from multi-phase flow in a subsurface reservoir is disclosed. The method includes providing a simulation model that includes a fine-scale grid defining a plurality of fine-scale cells, and a coarse-scale grid defining a plurality of coarse-scale cells that are aggregates of the fine-scale cells. The coarse-scale cells are partitioned into saturation regions responsive to velocity and/or saturation changes from the saturation front. A fine-scale saturation is determined for each region and the saturation regions are assembled to obtain a fine-scale saturation distribution. A visual display can be output responsive to the fine-scale saturation distribution. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090313890 | DIESEL COMPOSITION AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A diesel fuel composition comprising a (1) sulfur content of less than 10 ppm; (2) a flash point of greater than 50° C.; (3) a UV absorbance, A | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090301704 | Recovery of Hydrocarbons Using Horizontal Wells - A method of drilling a wellbore useful for the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subsurface reservoir, penetrated by one or more wellbores previously injected with steam, comprises drilling a wellbore having a substantially horizontal productive portion lying within the subsurface reservoir. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090299080 | Photochromic Compound - [Problem] To provide a photochromic compound that is rapidly colored upon irradiation with ultraviolet light, and is rapidly decolored rapidly upon heat application after termination of irradiation with ultraviolet light, and to provide a process for producing the same. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090295792 | VIRTUAL PETROLEUM SYSTEM - A method of rendering three dimensional visualizations of two dimensional geophysical data includes converting each of a plurality of two dimensional data sets into a respective two dimensional image using two dimensional geological modeling and displaying the two dimensional images in a three dimensional space, the two dimensional images being located within the three dimensional space based on spatial relationships between locations from which the two dimensional data sets originate. An embodiment includes a system for performing the method. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090294121 | PULSE FRACTURING DEVICE AND METHOD - A method of inducing fracture in at least a portion of a geologic structure includes inducing acoustic waves into a fluid medium present in a borehole extending at least partially into the structure. Embodiments may include preheating or pressurizing the fluid medium prior to inducing the acoustic wave therein. A device for fracturing at least a portion of a geologic structure includes electrodes for producing a spark to generate ordinary acoustic waves in the fluid medium. Embodiments may include structures for preheating or pressurizing the fluid medium prior to inducing the acoustic wave therein. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090285728 | ISOLATION AND SUBSEQUENT UTILIZATION OF SATURATED FATTY ACIDS AND ALPHA-OLEFINS IN THE PRODUCTION OF ESTER-BASED BIOLUBRICANTS - The present invention is generally directed to the synthesis and/or manufacture of ester-based lubricant compositions. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these and other similar lubricant compositions, and to systems for implementing such methods (processes). In some embodiments, the methods for making such ester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor (e.g., triglyceride-bearing vegetable oils) such that the lubricant compositions generated by the methods and systems of the present invention can be properly deemed biolubricants. In these or other embodiments, lubricant precursor species can also be sourced or derived from Fischer-Tropsch (FT) and/or long-chain paraffin pyrolysis reaction products. The ester component of the lubricant compositions, produced in accordance with the methods and systems of the present invention, comprises largely diester species. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090277797 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REMOVING CONTAMINANTS FROM A FLUID - A method and system for removing contaminants from a fluid are provided. The method can generally include providing microstructures in the fluid. At least some of the contaminants in the fluid are attracted to the microstructures and adhered to the microstructures. With the contaminants attached to the microstructures, the microstructures can be separated from the fluid so that the contaminants are thereby removed from the fluid. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090272528 | METHOD OF MISCIBLE INJECTION TESTING OF OIL WELLS AND SYSTEM THEREOF - A method of determining reservoir permeability and geometry of a subterranean formation having a reservoir fluid including oil that has not been previously water-flooded includes isolating the subterranean formation to be tested; providing an injection fluid at a substantially constant rate from a wellhead to the formation being tested, wherein the injection fluid is miscible with the oil at the tested formation; sealing, at the top, the tested formation from further fluid injection; measuring pressure data in the tested formation including pressure injection data and pressure falloff data; and determining the reservoir permeability and geometry of the tested formation based on an analysis of the measured pressure injection data and the measured pressure falloff data using a well pressure model. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090268868 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING DEPOSITS ON AN INNER SURFACE OF A PASSAGE - A method and device for detecting mercury or other material deposits on an inner surface of an enclosed passage are provided. The device includes a detection unit that is adapted to be transported through the passage, and the detection unit includes a radiation source and an x-ray fluorescence detector. The radiation source is configured to emit a radiation emission toward the inner surface of the passage to excite a portion of the inner surface, and the x-ray fluorescence detector is configured to detect a resulting x-ray emission from the portion of the inner surface to identify a material deposit on the inner surface. The detection unit can identify material deposits at successive positions along a length of the passage and thereby generate a plurality of data points, each data point providing an indication of a material deposit existence for a corresponding position along the length of the passage. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090261040 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TREATING AN AQUEOUS STREAM IN THE PRODUCTION OF HYDROCARBON - A method and system for treating an aqueous stream in the production of hydrocarbon are provided. An osmotic operation is performed between the stream of produced water and a stream of draw fluid to transfer water from the produced water to the draw fluid, thereby diluting the draw fluid to form a stream of diluted draw fluid and concentrating the produced water to form a stream of concentrated produced water. The concentration of the produced water can facilitate the subsequent removal of contaminants therefrom, and, in some cases, the diluted draw fluid can be re-used, e.g., for injection into the well of the hydrocarbon production operation or as a fertilizing fluid. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090254281 | LITHOFACIES CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method of analyzing characteristics of a subterranean formation includes applying a wavelet transform to measured data or to derived data obtained from the measured data, the measured data obtained by measuring a physical property at each of a plurality of positions in a borehole that penetrates the subterranean formation; selecting one or more scales for analyzing wavelet coefficients; performing a segmentation of the data; calculating a distribution of wavelet coefficients for each scale, for one or more spatial directions of wavelet transform application, for the wavelet transform of the data and for each segment that belongs to the portion on which the wavelet transform has been calculated; and for each segment, analyzing a distribution of the data and the distribution of the wavelet coefficients for each scale in terms of their overlap with corresponding distributions of training samples to produce a geological interpretation of the subterranean formation. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090249950 | CROSSLINKED MEMBRANE AND POLYMER FOR MAKING SAME AND METHOD OF USING MEMBRANE - A composition of and a method of making high performances crosslinked membranes are described. The membranes have a high resistance to plasticization by use of crosslinking. The preferred polymer material for the membrane is a polyimide polymer comprising covalently bonded ester crosslinks. The resultant membrane exhibits a high permeability of CO | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090222744 | Methods and Systems for Conducting a Meeting in a Virtual Environment - Systems and methods of conducting a meeting between a plurality of people in a virtual environment are provided. A display associated with each of the plurality of people outputs a virtual conference room that includes an avatar associated with each of the plurality of people, and a virtual display that displays a 3-D model of a manufacturing facility. A selection of an object of the 3-D model is received and the virtual display displays information associated with the selected object of the 3-D model. The display associated with each of the plurality of people outputs the virtual conference room and the virtual display with the information associated with the selected object of the 3-D model. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090216505 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EFFICIENT WELL PLACEMENT OPTIMIZATION - The disclosed methods, systems, and software are described for optimizing well placement in a reservoir field. A geological model of a reservoir field, a grid defining a plurality of cells, one or more wells to be located within the plurality of cells, and an objective function are all provided. The geological model is associated with the grid defining the plurality of cells. The locations of the wells are represented by continuous well location variables associated with a continuous spatial domain. A gradient of the objective function is calculated responsive to the continuous well location variables. The locations of the wells are then adjusted responsive to the calculated gradient of the objective function. Iterative calculation of the gradient and adjustment of the wells continue until the well locations are optimized. A visual representation of the reservoir field can be generated based on the optimized well placements. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090205828 | Production and Delivery of a Fluid Mixture to an Annular Volume of a Wellbore - The methods described herein generally relate to preparing and delivering a fluid mixture to a confined volume, specifically an annular volume located between two concentrically oriented casing strings within a hydrocarbon fluid producing well. The fluid mixtures disclosed herein are useful in controlling pressure in localized volumes. The fluid mixtures comprise at least one polymerizable monomer and at least one inhibitor. The processes and methods disclosed herein allow the fluid mixture to be stored, shipped and/or injected into localized volumes, for example, an annular volume defined by concentric well casing strings. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090204332 | Method For Indexing A Subsurface Volume For The Purpose Of Inferring Geologic Information - A method of determining a horizon volume. In one embodiment, the horizon volume is determined from obtained seismic information, and maps the obtained seismic information onto a flattened volume such that in the flattened volume, horizons represented in the obtained seismic information are shifted to be substantially coplanar with a surface defined by the horizon volume as an estimate of a single chronostratigraphic time such that the parameters of the flattened volume include (i) a two-dimensional position in a surface plane, and (ii) a metric related to chronostratigraphic time. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204331 | Method For Determining Geological Information Related To A Subsurface Volume Of Interest - A method of determining geological information related to a subsurface volume. In one embodiment, the method comprises obtaining a seismic information related to a subsurface volume; determining a horizon volume that automatically maps the seismic information into a flattened volume, wherein one axis of the flattened volume corresponds to chronostratigraphic time, and wherein horizons represented by the seismic information are automatically accounted for in the horizon volume, and are shifted by the horizon volume into the flattened volume to be substantially planar and substantially perpendicular to the axis of the flattened volume that corresponds to chronostratigraphic time; determining a derivative of the horizon volume with respect to chronostratigraphic time; and determining geological information related to the subsurface volume based on the derivative of the horizon volume with respect to chronostratigraphic time. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090200201 | METHOD OF UPGRADING HEAVY HYDROCARBON STREAMS TO JET AND DIESEL PRODUCTS - The present invention is directed to a process for converting heavy hydrocarbonaceous feeds to jet and diesel products: using a single reactor, dual catalyst system; or using a single reactor, multiple catalyst system. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090198075 | SYNTHESIS OF DIESTER-BASED BIOLUBRICANTS FROM EPOXIDES - The present invention is generally directed to methods of making diester-based lubricant compositions, wherein formation of diester species proceeds via direct esterification of epoxide intermediates. In some embodiments, the methods for making such diester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value (e.g., Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols) so as to produce high value diester-based lubricants. In some embodiments, such diester-based lubricants are derived from FT olefins and tatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090192718 | SUBSURFACE PREDICTION METHOD AND SYSTEM - A method of predicting subsurface properties of a geologic formation includes acquiring seismic data for a subsurface region including the geologic formation of interest, computing seismic attributes of the measured seismic data over at least part of this geologic formation, determining internally consistent rock properties representative of the geologic formation, generating models of the same part of the geologic formation with these rock properties, computing synthetic seismic data from the models, computing the same attributes from these synthetic seismic data, and using Bayesian analysis to predict, from the probability of modeled attributes given the models, the probability of the actual subsurface properties given the measured attributes. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090178561 | Method of making a crosslinked fiber membrane from a high molecular weight, monoesterified polyimide polymer - The present disclosure relates to a high molecular weight, monoesterified polyimide polymer. Such high molecular weight, monoesterified polyimide polymers are useful in forming crosslinked polymer membranes for the separation of fluid mixtures. According to its broadest aspect, the method of making a crosslinked membrane comprises the following steps: (a) preparing a polyimide polymer comprising carboxylic acid functional groups from a reaction solution comprising monomers and at least one solvent; (b) treating the polyimide polymer with a diol at esterification conditions in the presence of dehydrating conditions to form a monoesterified polyimide polymer; and (c) subjecting the monoesterified fiber to transesterification conditions to form a crosslinked fiber membrane, wherein the dehydrating conditions at least partially remove water produced during step (b). The crosslinked membranes can be used to separate at least one component from a feed stream including more than one component. | 07-16-2009 |
| 20090174409 | DOWNHOLE SENSOR INTERROGATION EMPLOYING COAXIAL CABLE - The present invention is directed to methods and systems for oil field downhole sensing and communication during drilling and/or production, wherein such methods and systems utilize coaxial cable to transmit electromagnetic (EM) energy, continuously or as a pulse, to passive downhole sensors. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090173662 | Fischer-Tropsch Wax Composition and Method of Transport - The present invention relates to transportable product for the transportation of paraffinic wax and methods of transporting using this transportable product. The transportable product comprises 90 to 20 weight % of a liquid comprising >50 weight % alcohol and having a true vapor pressure of ≦14.7 psia when measured at 20° C., and 10 to 80 weight % of wax particles, wherein the wax particles comprise ≧75 weight % of wax particles larger than 0.1 mm. The transportable product and methods of transporting according to the present invention are able to accommodate a relatively high weight % of paraffinic wax particles in the transportable product while avoiding interparticle adhesion and clumping by ensuring that the wax particles are not too small and the amount of small wax particles is not excessive. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090171134 | Ionic liquid catalyst alkylation using split reactant streams - Provided is a process for producing low volatility, high quality gasoline blending components from a number of isoparaffin feed streams, olefin feed streams, and ionic liquid catalyst streams. The process entails providing an isoparaffin feed stream comprising isoparaffins, an olefin feed stream comprising olefins, and a catalyst stream comprising ionic liquid catalyst, and subsequently splitting at least the reactive olefin feed stream for feeding into the reaction zone at different locations. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090171133 | Ionic liquid catalyst alkylation using a loop reactor - Provided is a process for producing low volatility, high quality gasoline blending components which comprises recirculation of at least a portion of a recovered stream comprising primarily isoparaffins. Recirculation of the stream allows for an enhanced I/O ratio and a more cost effective process. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090170739 | Process for preparing a pour point depressing lubricant base oil component from waste plastic and use thereof - A process for making a pour point depressing lubricant base oil blending component comprises: pyrolyzing a plastics feed comprising polyethylene in a pyrolysis zone at a temperature in the range of about 450° C. to about 700° C. and a residence time in the range of about 3 minutes to about 1 hour to provide a pyrolysis effluent; isomerization dewaxing at least a portion of the pyrolysis effluent with an isomerization dewaxing catalyst in a catalytic isomerization dewaxing zone to provide a isomerization dewaxing effluent comprising a pour point depressing lubricant base oil blending component; and recovering the pour point depressing lubricant base oil blending component boiling in the range of about 900° F. to about 1100° F. and having a pour point in the range of about −15° C. to about 0° C. The pour point depressing lubricant base oil blending component can be used to improve lubricating properties (e.g. pour point) of a lubricant base oil. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090170688 | Process for ionic liquid catalyst regeneration - A regeneration process for re-activating an ionic liquid catalyst, which is useful in a variety of reactions, especially alkylation reactions, and which has been deactivated by conjunct polymers. The process includes a reaction step and a solvent extraction step. The process comprises (a) providing the ionic liquid catalyst, wherein at least a portion of the ionic liquid catalyst is bound to conjunct polymers; and (b) reacting the ionic liquid catalyst with aluminum metal to free the conjunct polymers from the ionic liquid catalyst in a stirred reactor or a fixed reactor. The conjunct polymer is then separated from the catalyst phase by solvent extraction in a stirred extraction or packed column. | 07-02-2009 |
