An active combustion zone is established in situ within a permeable hydrocarbon formation. The permeable formation is periodically charged with a combustible gas, and is thereafter subjected to a high pressure pulse produced by detonation of the combustible gas within an injection well. The periodic pressure pulses drive the combustible gas into the in situ combustion zone. Combustion is sustained by injection of an oxidant. The injection of oxidant is terminated periodically, and the injection well along with the surrounding formation is pressurized and saturated with the combustible gas mixture. The combustible gas mixture is displaced through the permeable formation in advance of the combustion flame front in response to a high pressure pulse produced by detonation of the pressurized combustible gas within the injection well. In the preferred embodiment, the combustible injection gas is a mixture of hydrogen gas and chlorine gas. As the hydrogen/chlorine gas mixture undergoes combustion, a large volume of high pressure, high temperature hydrogen chloride gas is produced, together with an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid. The hydrochloric acid is forced into the surrounding permeable formation, and reacts with the carbonaceous materials to separate nitrogenous, sulphurous and arsenic compounds from the liquid oil product, by precipitation during distillation.

Pulsed in situ exothermic shock wave and retorting process for hydrocarbon recovery and detoxification of selected wastes

Compositions and methods for manufacturing composite laminate structures incorporating sheets having a moldable matrix are disclosed. Suitable compositions are prepared by mixing together a water dispersable organic binder, water, and appropriate additives (such as aggregates and fibers) which impart predetermined properties so that a sheet formed therefrom has the desired performance criteria. The compositions are formed into sheets by first extruding them into a sheet and then calendaring the sheet using a set of rollers. The calendered sheets are dried in an accelerated manner to form a substantially hardened sheet. The drying process is performed by heated rollers and/or a drying chamber. The inorganically filled sheets so formed may have properties substantially similar to sheets made from presently used materials like paper, cardboard, polystyrene, or plastic. Such sheets can be rolled, pressed, scored, perforated, folded, and glued before or after being incorporated into composite laminate structures. Such composite laminate structures have especial utility in the mass production of containers, particularly food and beverage containers.

Articles of manufacture and methods for manufacturing laminate structures including inorganically filled sheets

A water-base fluid for use in drilling, cementing, workover, fracturing and abandonment of subterranean wells through a formation containing shale which swells in the presence of water. In one illustrative embodiment, the drilling fluid is composed of an aqueous based continuous phase, a weighting agent, and a shale hydration inhibition agent. The shale hydration inhibition agent should have the general formula (I): in which R and R' independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or propyl, and X has a value from 1 to 6. The shale hydration inhibition agent is present in sufficient concentration to substantially reduce the swelling of shale drilling cuttings upon contact with the drilling fluid. The drilling fluid may be formulated to include a wide variety of components of aqueous based drilling fluids, such as weighting agents, fluid loss control agents, suspending agents, viscosifying agents, rheology control agents, as well as other compounds and materials known to one of skill in the art. The fluids may also be used in fracturing and the disposal by reinjection of drilling cutting into a selected subterranean disposal formation.

Shale hydration inhibition agent and method of use

A method having the following steps: running a circulation valve comprising a reactive material into the well bore on the casing; reverse-circulating an activator material in the well bore until the activator material contacts the reactive material of the circulation valve; reconfiguring the circulation valve by contact of the activator material with the reactive material; and reverse-circulating a cement composition in the well bore until the reconfigured circulation valve decreases flow of the cement composition. A circulation valve for cementing casing in a well bore, the valve having: a valve housing connected to the casing and comprising a reactive material; a plurality of holes in the housing, wherein the plurality of holes allow fluid communication between an inner diameter of the housing and an exterior of the housing, wherein the reactive material is expandable to close the plurality of holes.

Casing shoes and methods of reverse-circulation cementing of casing

A lancing device and method for self-collecting a sample of body fluid by penetrating a body tissue at a sampling site The invention includes a housing geometry configured for ease of use at different sampling sites on the body, even by persons having reduced dexterity and/or poor vision Depth of penetration is selectively controlled by adjusting the stroke range of a spring-driven lancet carrier A pressure applicator is included for stimulating flow of the body fluid A transparent portion permits observation of the sampling site

Lancing device and method of sample collection

Set delayed cement compositions capable of being retained in pumpable fluid states for long time periods and then activated to set into hard masses and methods of using such compositions for cementing zones at remote locations are provided. The compositions are comprised of hydraulic cement, water, one or more hydratable gel forming materials and one or more methylenephosphonic acid derivative set delaying agents.

Set delayed cement compositions and methods of using the same

A process for cementing adjacent a subterranean gas-containing zone, in which process a cement slurry containing a stabilized, dispersed gas is placed adjacent the zone. Sufficient gas is present in the cement slurry or is capable of being generated within the slurry to prevent the connate formation gas under pressure from passing into or around the cement prior to the time the cement has set up.

Well cementing process and gasified cements useful therein

Previous work on annular gas flow has shown that the behavior of cement between its fluid and set states is the controlling factor that may allow gas entry. This transition phase of cement previously has not been recognized in slurry design since its importance was not understood fully and since test procedures for its definition had not been presented or established. To predict the occurrence of annular gas flow and to design cement slurries capable of helping to prevent annular gas flow, it is necessary to define the slurry characteristics at the beginning and end of this transition period as well as the length of time of the transition state. Test techniques have been developed to study the start of this transition period. Additional tests have been conducted to define the condition of cement required to prevent gas entry. The test techniques developed to define this transition period of a cement slurry are described. Numerous job variables such as pumping time, placement time, slurry composition, and circulating temperature and pressure were investigated to evaluate their influence on transition time. A method for using transition time and static gel strength (SGS) development data to help predict annular gas flow and tomore » evaluate annular gas flow control materials is discussed.« less

Transition time of cement slurries between the fluid and set states

An essentially dry gas generation retarded aluminum powder for oil field cements is provided. The retarded aluminum powder is formed by dissolving an effective amount of an aluminum reaction rate retarder in an organic solvent, the retarder being selected from fatty acid esters of sorbitan, glycerol and pentaerythritol. Aluminum powder is mixed with the retarder-solvent solution whereby the aluminum powder is wetted with the solution followed by drying the aluminum powder by vacuum evaporating and removing the organic solvent therefrom. Methods of forming gas generation retarded oil field cements and using such cements are also provided.

Gas generation retarded aluminum powder for oil field cements

The present invention relates to novel lightweight cellular cement compositions, methods of preparing such compositions and methods of casting the compositions into lightweight high strength structural members.

David L. Sutton

Papers

Set delayed cement compositions and methods of using the same

Well cementing process and gasified cements useful therein

Transition time of cement slurries between the fluid and set states

Gas generation retarded aluminum powder for oil field cements

Lightweight cellular cement compositions and methods of casting the same