Abstract: A combined measuring and injecting flow cell has a single housing defining a pair of chambers connected by a small passage. The first or sensing chamber has an inlet valve and at least one monitoring member extending therein. The second or injection chamber has an outlet valve and at least one injector extending therein. Preferably at least one wall of the cell is transparent to allow visually monitoring the conditions within.

Abstract: A meso-scale profiling tool has separate upward and downward focused seismic sources, separate upward looking and downward looking directional receivers and a section of the tool containing the sources and receivers adapted to rotate with respect to the remainder of the tool so that the sources and receivers are always in a proper substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: A fast cycle system for transport of particulate material in dense phase has a feeder assembly dispensing material into a pulse pod assembly. The latter is connected to a pressurized pipeline and the pod of material is sent into the pipeline upon receipt of a pressure drop signal. Boosters spaced along the pipeline selectively vent and pressurize the pipeline driving the pod through to a receiver. The system including a receiving hopper and discharge valve in the receiving hopper for imparting, when actuated, peristaltic motion to the particulate material moving in the pipeline.

Abstract: The gas fraction and the slip velocity are proportional to the difference in dielectric readings taken in a vertically upward flowing stream of oil/water/gas and in a vertically downwardly flowing stream of the same mixture. Actual water cuts are obtained by appropriately adjusting the dielectric water cut readings.

Abstract: A liquid transfer method and apparatus has primary and secondary transfer lines, wherein the primary line carries fluid being moved from a supply container through a transfer assembly to a receiving container, and the secondary line carries pressurized inert gas to substantially purge liquid from the primary line. Pressurized gas is admitted into the system upon actuation of a liquid level sensing float valve in response to the liquid level in the transfer device. The pressurized gas actuates the closure of a valve on the primary line near the receiving container. The pressurized inert gas proceeds to force residual liquid out of the primary lines into the secondary lines and into the receiving container. Manual inspection and valve actuation is used to terminate gas flow and complete the purging process.

Abstract: A method for determining the widths of fractures in reservoir earthen cores utilizes a series of CT X-ray scans which are translated into an estimated porosity image. A region of interest within the image is selected and a frequency histogram of the porosity distribution is created. The contribution of the fracture widths to the pore volume is determined from the histogram.

Abstract: In a steam flood enhanced oil recovery operation, vapor and liquid in the casing annulus of the production wells is forwarded through a liquid separator with the thus separated vapor being forwarded to an eductor at the injection well where the vapor is mixed with incoming steam for injection and circulation through the formation.

Abstract: In a three phase fluid stream microwave monitor, an improved test cell having a fluid stream flowing through it with spaced, aligned first and second antenna located within the test cell to receive microwave energy, irradiate the fluid stream, and receive the microwave energy which has passed through the fluid stream. The test cell has a rotatable cage mounted to form a cylinder enclosing the antennas for reducing an amount of debris in a portion of the petroleum stream flowing therebetween. The cage includes vanes which cause it to rotate, under the influence of the flowing stream to thereby be self-cleaning. The cage also carries a block which lies between the antenna and perpendicular to the axis thereof. Rotation of the cage causes rotation of this block to modulate the microwave transmission in a manner indicative of the fluid velocity.

Abstract: System for remotely controlling the start-up of a closed-in well. A radio signal transmitted to the well actuates a main flow control valve to provisionally commence flow from the well into a conduit. During the provisional period, a comparator electronically analyzes the well's immediate operating pressure against a preferred operating parameter, and generates a signal representing the difference between the two. A generated signal further initiates such commands as will sustain well flow if the latter is within the preferred operating parameters, or after the brief provisional operating period, discontinues flow if necessary.

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: Cement bonding and bond logs in wells are significantly improved by imparting random or periodic, pulsating, oscillating or vibrating pressure to the fluids present during all stages of a cementing operation. The effect is to eliminate gelation of the fluids to improve cement placement and to enable consolidation of the cement slurry. The pressure pulses can also be detected to monitor the condition of the setting slurry.

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 rotary bearing downhole sub has an outer housing adapted to be connected to an upper drill string and to receive therein an inner mandril adapted to be connected to a lower drill string. Both the outer housing and the inner mandril are provided with radially directed splines which, when brought into meshed engagement, allow transmission of rotary motion between the upper and lower drill strings and through the sub.

Abstract: A method for determining the secondary (Vugular) porosity of a reservoir core sample uses X-ray (CT) computed tomography to quantify the porosity. This is then compared with log derived secondary porosity and used to quantify secondary porosity heterogeneity in wells where no core samples are available.

Abstract: A method for determining depth to basement from aeromagnetic data utilizes neural networks to automate the laborious process of profile interpretation. The neural networks provide consistency, accuracy and overall quality without bias of interpretation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the flow regime of multiphase fluid flowing in a closed pipeline system utilizes an entirely passive acoustical detector means. The acoustical pattern detected by the detector means is amplified and compared to known patterns to identify the flow regime according to its acoustical fingerprint.

Abstract: The steel casing of a well is deliberately magnetized with a known orientation by the passage therethrough of a tool having a demagnetizing section and a magnetizing section along with a gyrocompass section and a magnetic compass section. The casing is first demagnetized and then remagnetized with a polarization which can be determined. The two compasses establish the orientation of the remagnetized casing.

Abstract: A clip for mounting top panels of vinyl siding is formed from a continuous strip of metal with three contiguous portions joined by respective bights defining a pair of oppositely directed resilient panel gripping portions. One of the resilient portions engages the top panel and the other engages the next to top panel in such fashion as to allow limited relative float of the panels.

Abstract: A separator apparatus for breaking emulsions, particularly an emulsion formed of the hydrocarbon liquid and an aqueous solution, wherein the emulsion is introduced to a main separating tank. The latter includes at least one inlet for introducing emulsion, and a separate discharge port for conducting hydrocarbon-free aqueous component from the tank. An overflow trough positioned near the tank proportion includes a stripping weir which passes the flow of the hydrocarbon which has floated to the surface of the heavier water component. Emulsion flow to the tank is controlled by a flow regulator comprised primarily of a water level sensing means.