Abstract: The present invention provides a diamond like carbon coating comprising a surface comprising an interface and a lubricant film, said interface comprising atomic bonds between atoms in said diamond-like carbon coating and atoms in said lubricant precursor film. The invention also provides a method for producing said coating, interface, and film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a fluid for use in drilling and completion operations comprising mixing a fluid comprising a salt of an alkaline earth metal with a nonionic colloid-forming material in an amount and under conditions sufficient to convert a majority of said nonionic colloid-forming material into water insoluble hydrated colloidal complexes comprising hydrated ions of said alkaline earth metal complexed with said nonionic colloid-forming material, said complexes being effective to improve a property of said fluid selected from the group consisting of rheology, fluid loss control, and a combination thereof.

Abstract: In a heating apparatus for the heating of a solid or fluid medium, several permanent magnets are arranged on the periphery of a rotor which produce a magnetic field in whose region an electrically-conducting medium is arranged. The magnetic field from the permanent magnets is radiated approximately radially. By rotation of the rotor, a relative motion arises between the permanent magnets and the electrically-conducting medium, and eddy currents are effected within the medium, thereby causing heating of the same. Electrically-conductive water can be provided as the medium to be heated. In this embodiment electrically-conductive water is fed through a helical conducting coil, with an inlet and outlet side arranged around the rotor in proximity thereto, and is connected to a line which feeds to a user from the outlet side and back to the inlet side in a closed cycle. With this heating apparatus, heat is transferred to the medium with an improved efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting fouling during caustic washing of a propylene oxide product stream comprising treating a solution comprising a propylene oxide product stream and a caustic wash under conditions and with an amount of an amine effective to inhibit said fouling.

Abstract: The invention is a process and method for determination of the depth of a well during the process of drilling. A computer is housed in the drilling tool and pre-programmed with the data of the planned pattern of the borehole. Changes in the drilling mud pressure or flow of the drilling mud are detected by a downhole sensor and are used as a counter for the number of drilling string segments used. This, together with the known length of a drilling string segment, enables the computer to calculate the depth of the tool. The calculated depth is used by the computer to control the direction controlling device of the drilling tool.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid flow control device for controlling the formation fluid flow rates through a production string. The device includes a generally tubular body for placement into the wellbore. The tubular body has a screen at an outer surface for preventing sand from entering into tabular body. The fluid flowing through the screen passes through a labyrinth. A slidable sleeve on the labyrinth controls the fluid velocity there through. The slidable sleeve screen is moved by an electrically-operated device, such as a motor paced in the production string. The fluid leaving the labyrinth passes to a tubing in the tubular body for carrying the fluid to the surface. The flow control device further may include a control circuit in the production string for controlling the operation of the electrically-operated device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tool for use in wellbores. The tool is operated by the wellbore hydrostatic pressure. The tool includes one or more devices that operate when a mechanical force is applied to such devices. The tool includes at least one atmospheric chamber. A setting member disposed in the tool is utilized to provide the mechanical force in response to the application of the hydrostatic pressure thereto. Prior to activating the tool, the setting member is locked or restrained in an inoperative position. To operate the device, the tool is placed at a suitable location in the wellbore. The atmospheric chamber is charged with the wellbore fluid, which releases the setting member from its restrained or locked position, subjecting the setting member to the wellbore hydrostatic pressure, thereby providing the mechanical force to operate at least one of the devices.

Abstract: A sewer inspection device includes a body that has a number of transducers attached to the body. The transducers are attached on pads that can be extended away from the body to enable the transducers to make contact with a sewer wall. The device is lowered into the sewer in the compact, non-extended position of the pads. Subsequently, the pads are extended to make contact with the sewer walls. The body is pulled along the sewer by means of an armored cable extending to the surface. The armored cable includes a conductor or fiber-optic cable for carrying signals between the transducers and a surface controller. In one embodiment, the transducers generate ground penetrating radar (GPR) signals and detect the reflected signals. Defects in the vicinity of the sewer pipe affect the reflected signals. Analysis of the reflected signals provides information about the nature of the defects. Other embodiments of the invention include sonic, gamma ray and electromagnetic induction transducers.

Abstract: A propagation resistivity measurement-while-drilling device is used to measure borehole environmental parameters along with electromagnetic properties of the formation. Multiple transmitter-receiver pairs operating at one or more transmitter frequencies are used to obtain a set of amplitude and phase measurements. A model of the response of the borehole instrument in varying formation and borehole conditions is also utilized. Formation and borehole parameters of interest are selected by the analyst. The measured amplitude and phase data set is then combined with the model of the tool response to obtain the selected parameters of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of dissolving coke oven gas deposits comprising treating the deposits with a combination of a first amide and a second amide under conditions and at a ratio sufficient to dissolve a first amount of the deposit greater than a second amount of the deposit calculated based upon the proportional individual solvencies of the first amide and the second amide, wherein the first amide comprises N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for protecting the integrity of a core sample during transport from a subterranean formation to the surface comprising: cutting a core sample from the subterranean formation using a drilling fluid; encapsulating the core sample with an encapsulating material separate from the drilling fluid, the encapsulating material being capable in the absence of a chemical reaction of protecting core sample integrity during transport from said subterranean formation to said surface; and, transporting the encapsulated core sample from the subterranean formation to the surface.

Abstract: Rhenium oxide catalysts carried on aluminium silicates, if required with added boric oxide, tungsten oxide, molybdenum oxide or vanadium oxide for the metathesis of olefins and functionalised olefins, in particular of carboxylic acid esters, are provided, whereby the carrier material was hydrothermally treated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-fluid-filled streamer cable or towed array for performing seismic surveys in water-covered areas. The streamer cable includes a plurality of serially coupled active cable sections. Each active cable section includes an electro-mechanical cable that contains a single central strain member. A wire bundle is placed around the central strain member for transporting electrical power and data through the active section. A nonconductive foam material is extruded around the central strain section to provide a predetermined buoyancy to the fully assembled active cable section. A number of hydrophones are formed around and outside the electro-mechanical cable. The hydrophone preferably includes a pair of active element connected in series opposition. The hydrophone is centrally located within an outer jacket formed over the hydrophone. Electronic components, such as pre-amplifiers, are placed within the hydrophones.

Abstract: An arrangement of two closely spaced transmitters and two spaced apart receivers symmetrically disposed about the transmitters in a measurement while drilling tool avoids the effects of mutual coupling between the receivers. In one method of operation of the transmitters, each transmitter is sequentially activated while the other transmitter is decoupled to eliminate mutual coupling, and the recorded signals processed to take advantage of reciprocity relations. In another method of operation, both transmitters are operated simultaneously with one relative polarity and then with another relative polarity, to eliminate the effects of mutual coupling and to take advantage of reciprocity relations.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-branched wellbore systems and methods for forming and utilizing such wellbores. An access wellbore is formed substantially in a non-producing formation. From the access wellbore are drilled one or more branch wellbore into producing formations and into non-producing formations. Additional branch wellbores may be formed from the access wellbore or the branch wellbores. Seals between the access wellbore and the production wellbores are formed outside the hydrocarbon-bearing formations. Flow control devices and other devices are installed outside the access wellbore, thereby utilizing the access wellbore primarily for transporting fluids during production of hydrocarbons. The distance between the access wellbore and any other desired formation, such as the producing formations, is determined during drilling of the access wellbore, preferably by utilizing acoustic sensors deployed in a drilling assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a film for application to a surface of a material capable of transmitting heat and/or light. The film comprises: a solvent comprising at least one volatile organic compound in an amount sufficient to maintain flowability of the film after exposure to air and for a time sufficient to apply the film to the surface, whereupon the solvent evaporates and dries the film; a polymer in an amount sufficient to reversibly bind the film to the surface; and, an ultraviolet absorbent material in an amount sufficient to reduce transmission of said energy through said material. The film may be applied and removed upon demand by the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for easily and effectively removing adsorbed water molecules from an anodized surface using low intensity ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The present invention also provides a method for sealing an anodized aluminum surface which does not result in hazardous byproducts. The method involves, in vacuum: (1) vaporizing a selected precursor fluid; (2) condensing a flux of said precursor vapor onto the anodized aluminum surface; (3) and, bombarding said condensed precursor vapor with an energetic beam of ions to convert the porous anodized surface into an inert, solid, impermeable, and mechanically strong surface.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of monocarboxylic acids from the corresponding alcohols by alkali fusion wherein the oxidation is continuously accomplished in an extrusion reactor without addition of diluents and the alkali salts of the monocarboxylic acids are discharged from the reactor as a solid product and are directly neutralised with mineral acids. High-purity monocarboxylic acids are obtained after phase separation.

Abstract: A two piece suction strainer for use with a centrifugal pump is provided. The strainer includes a cage having the form of a basket and a cover having an integral hub formed as a hose shank fitting. The cover is securely placed in the open end of the cage basket. The hose is directly attached onto the hub. The cage and the cover preferably are injection molded from a high impact plastic.