Abstract: The means and method of the present invention includes a source of microwave energy and associated elements which provide microwave energy to a petroleum stream. Other circuitry include elements which receive microwave energy from the petroleum stream. Electronic apparatus provides at least two outputs utilizing the provided microwave energy, the received microwave energy and known values for 100 percent oil, 100 percent solids of one specie and 100 percent water, corresponding to different ratios of ratios involving oil and water, oil and solids, and water and solids.

Abstract: The present invention includes a crucible which holds volatile material to be tested. The crucible is lowered into an oven apparatus and removed from the oven apparatus by equipment programmed in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: The means and method of the present invention includes a source of microwave energy and associated elements which provide microwave energy to a petroleum stream. Other circuitry include elements which receive microwave energy from the petroleum stream. Electronic apparatus provides at least one outputs utilizing the provided microwave energy, the received microwave energy and known values for 100 percent oil, percent surfactant and 100 percent water, corresponding to a ratio of surfactant to oil/water mixture.

Abstract: A system determines the relative amounts of phases in multiphase flow, typically the liquid (or gas) fraction of a stream in two-phase flow. More particularly, the system quickly and reliably determines the liquid (or gas) fraction of a flowing two-phase stream, such as a process stream commonly found in chemical processing or in petroleum production operations. The system yields accurate results regardless of the exact flow regime under which the two-phase stream is flowing.

Abstract: A well pressure monitoring system in which a hydrocarbon fluid is being produced through a Christmas tree or similar flow controller apparatus. Well pressure is transmitted through a tap-off communicated to a pressure sensor. The pressure is thereafter transmitted to a base or control station. To avoid a major uncontrolled flow of the hydrocarbon from the well in the event of inadvertent breakage or accident to the monitoring system, an excess flow control valve is positioned between the well flow and the pressure sensor. The excess flow valve functions to cut off fluid flow, but is provided with a vent passage in the valve actuator through which a minimal amount of the hydrocarbon can escape. When the damage to the monitoring system has been overcome, the vent passage will allow a downstream pressure build-up in the closed system, thus permitting a biasing spring to automatically reset the valve to open and operable position, thereby stabilizing the pressure acting on the actuator.

Abstract: Pumping apparatus pumps an oil water mixture from a body of water containing oil. A first sample stream is taken from the oil water mixture. The oil/water mixture is then stratified to provide an oil rich stream and a water rich stream. The oil rich stream is also sampled to provide a second sample stream. A water cut monitor receives both sample streams and determines the water cuts of both sample streams and provides corresponding water cut signals. A control subsystem controls the volumetric flows of the oil rich stream and the water rich stream in accordance with the water cut signals.

Abstract: A burner comprises a plurality of nozzles used to introduce a reactive mixture of hydrocarbon fuel and an oxidizing gas into a reaction chamber where synthesis gas is produced. A pyrometer connected to the nozzles senses the temperature of the reaction chamber.

Abstract: The present invention includes a dielectric sensor which provides at least two signals corresponding to the sensed dielectric of a petroleum stream. A temperature sensor also senses the temperature of the petroleum stream and provides a corresponding temperature signal. Crossplot data arrange the two parameters associated with the petroleum stream dielectric is stored in a memory. The memory is accessed using signals from the dielectric sensor and the temperature sensor to select data from the memory. An output circuit provides a water cut signal in accordance with the selected data.

Abstract: A hot feed gas is controlled by utilizing a nuclear magnetic resonance analyzer to analyze the composition of the gas and to provide at least one corresponding composition signal. A valve controls the flow of the gas in accordance with a control signal. A network connected to the analyzer and to the valve provides the control signal to the values in accordance with the composition signal so as to control the flow of the gas as a function of the composition of the gas.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for ascertaining the relative amount of two or more phases present in a multiphase flow, such as produced petroleum, through a pipe. Multiphase flow is temporarily diverted into a test section. Normal flow is then restored with fluids trapped in the test pipe. One or more floats of proper densities inside the test pipe are allowed to float to and stabilize at positions representative of the phase interfaces. An electromagnetic, radioactive, acoustic, or other sensor is used from outside the test pipe to locate the interfaces as indicated by the position of the floats. The relative amount of the various phases is then calculated. In an alternative embodiment, the velocity of a piston located inside the test section is also measured to give the total flow rate of the multiphase flow. The total volumetric flow rate, along with the relative phase amounts gives the absolute volumetric phase flow rates.

Abstract: A water cut meter includes a test cell through which a petroleum stream will flow. The test cell includes an outer shell, a sensor probe which cooperates with the outer shell to form a sensor capacitor with the flow of the petroleum stream as the dielectric and a reference probe surrounded with pure oil as the dielectric to form a reference capacitor. Processing apparatus includes a comparator network electrically connected to the sensor capacitor and to reference capacitor which compares the capacitance of the sensor capacitor with the capacitance of the reference capacitor. The comparator network provides a signal corresponding to the capacitance difference between the sensor and reference capacitors. An output circuit connected to the comparator network provides an output corresponding to the water cut of the petroleum stream in accordance with the signal from the comparator network.

Abstract: A petroleum stream control system includes a valve receiving a petroleum stream which divides the petroleum stream into at least two petroleum substreams in accordance with the control signal. A sample stream is withdrawn from each substream and irradiated with microwave energy. Microwave energies that have passed through the sample streams are received. A signal circuit generated signals corresponding to an electrical property of the sample stream in accordance with the received microwave energies. A control circuit provides the control signal to the valve in accordance with the signals from the signal circuit, so as to control the dividing of the petroleum stream.

Abstract: A potassium salt which is soluble either in water or in an oil-based drilling mud is forced via filtrate invasion into permeable subsurface formation zones adjacent a well borehole via an over-balanced drilling mud or completion system. Well logging is then performed in an interval of interest in the formations using natural gamma ray spectrometry. Gamma radiation at an energy of 1.46 MeV from the naturally occurring radioactive potassium isotope .sup.40 K is detected. Gamma radiation levels of the isotope .sup.40 K above normal background readings indicate the presence of permeable formations.

Abstract: The present invention is an automatic filter cleaning system which includes a solvent dewaxing filter which removes wax from a wax mix slurry and provides a filtrate. Status control apparatus is connected to the filter for affecting the operational status of the filter. Drain apparatus responsive to a control signal controls draining of the filter. Cleaning apparatus is also connected to the filter. A control network connected to the status apparatus, the draining apparatus and the cleaning apparatus controls those apparatus in a manner so as to allow selective changing of the status of the filter from an operational state to a down state to automatically drain the filter and clean the filter while the filter is in the down state.

Abstract: A multiphase petroleum stream pipeline analyzer including a defoaming device connected to an upstream section of the pipeline which reduces foam in the petroleum stream. Apparatus stratifies the petroleum stream after defoaming by causing the stream to flow down a decline at a predetermined angle to the horizontal. A device traps gas released during stratification and provides the gas to an accumulator. Liquid exits from the trap device and is allowed to re-enter the downstream section of the pipeline. The accumulator also accumulates gas from the defoaming operation and the stratification. The gas is allowed to exit from the accumulator to the downstream section of the pipeline so as to recombine the petroleum stream. A plurality of sensors monitor liquid and gas in the trap, and exit from the trap and the accumulator for various conditions of the liquid and the gas and provides corresponding signals. A water cut monitor provides a signal corresponding to the water cut of the liquid.

Abstract: Valve means includes a first pipe which receives a signal fluid stream. The stream is separated into two substreams in accordance with a control signal. A second and third pipe are connected to the separating apparatus provides the substreams external to the valve.

Abstract: A marine seismic system includes a streamer cable which is towed by a vessel in a body of water. The streamer cable includes a plurality of hydrophones located at predetermined positions in the streamer cable which receives vibrations resulting from a seismic event occurring in the water, and provides signals corresponding to the received vibrations. The streamer cable also includes a plurality of receivers located at predetermined position in the streamer cable. Each receiver receives acoustical signals provided by acoustical sources and provide electrical signals corresponding to the received acoustical signals. A seismic event source provides a seismic event in the water. A plurality of acoustical sources cooperating with the seismic event source also provides encoded acoustical signals into the water when the seismic event source provides a seismic event.

Abstract: A petroleum stream microwave watercut monitor of the present invention includes a test cell having a petroleum flowing through it. A source, connected to a first antenna located within the test cell, provides microwave energy to the first antenna so as to irradiate the petroleum stream in the test cell with microwave energy. A second antenna located in the test cell and connected to a detector outside of the test cell receives the microwave energy that has passed through the petroleum stream and provides it to the detector. The detector provides an intensity signal corresponding to the received microwave energy. An indicator provides an indication of the watercut of the petroleum stream in accordance with the intensity and the phases difference between the microwave energy provided by the source and the received microwave energy. The test cell means also includes means for reducing an amount of debris in a portion of the petroleum stream flowing between both antenna.

Abstract: The flow rate monitor includes a test line containing a chamber wherein the test line is declinated at a predetermined angle so stratification of liquid and gas will occur in the chamber. A sample stream is removed from the liquid in the chamber and provided to a separator which separates the gas from the sample stream to provide a gas output and a liquid output. The gas output and the liquid output is returned to the test line. The water cut of the liquid output is determined while the pressure of the composite petroleum stream is sensed along with the temperature. The volumetric flow rate of the composite petroleum stream is monitored and the flow rate signal is provided. The density of the composite petroleum stream is also monitored. The flow rate of all three coponents of the composite petroleum stream is determined in accordance with the temperature signal, the pressure signal, the water cut signal, the flow rate signal and the density signal.

Abstract: The conductance meter includes source means which irradiates a fluid with microwave energy. A receiver receives microwave energy that has passed through the fluid and provides the received microwave energy as test microwave energy. Electronic apparatus determines the conductance of the fluid in accordance with the amplitude of the test microwave energy and the phase difference between the microwave energy from the source and the test microwave energy from the receiver where only 1 microwave frequency is used.