Texaco Inc.

Chevron U.s.a. Inc.

James Craig Pauley

Prakhar Prakash

Randall B Pruet

Irwin R Supernaw

Eric L Berger

Thomas M Williams

James Lindsey Gilbert Schrodt

The invention relates to the treatment of water, including for example treatment in connection with hydrocarbon production operations. Silica in water produces undesirable scaling in processing equipment, which causes excess energy usage and maintenance problems. Electrocoagulation (EC) at relatively high water temperature, followed by any of membrane distillation or forward osmosis (FO), may be combined with a subsequent process of ceramic ultra-filtration (UF filtration) employed to treat water. Water to be treated may be produced water that has been pumped from a subterranean reservoir. The treated water may be employed to generate steam. The treatment units (e.g., EC, forward osmosis, UF filtration, etc) can be configured into one system as an on-site installation or a mobile unit for on-site or off-site water treatment.

Apparatus and process for treatment of water

The invention relates to the treatment of water, including for example treatment in connection with hydrocarbon production operations. Silica in water produces undesirable scaling in processing equipment, which causes excess energy usage and maintenance problems. Electrocoagulation (EC) at relatively high water temperature followed by ultra-filtration (UF filtration) may be combined with forward osmosis (FO) to treat water. Water to be treated may be produced water that has been pumped from a subterranean reservoir. The treated water may be employed to generate steam. The treatment units (e.g., EC, forward osmosis, UF filtration, etc) can be configured into one system as an on-site installation or a mobile unit for on-site or off-site water treatment.

An apparatus and method are described for use in the area of equalizing and measuring the quality of steam exiting multiple branches in a two-phase distribution system. The system utilizes fluid level elevational differences to provide a self-correcting mechanism so that the system may be utilized regardless of incoming fluid quality or pressure. The system does not require an inlet seperator. A system having a T-junction with upper and lower manifolds is described. Also described is a system having a differential liquid bypass and vapor branch with flow restrictions. The flow restrictions may be an orifice plate, a venturi, or a control valve.

Apparatus and method for controlling and measuring steam quality

A device and method for determining the flow of steam in a production well has a sonde with a pair of gamma ray detectors and a source of gaseous radioactive material therein. The sonde is lowered into the well and measured amounts of the gas are released and detected by the gamma detectors to thereby determine the volume and velocity of steam flowing in the production well as well as its depth of entry.

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Bakersfield, CA, United States of America

James Craig Pauley