Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for imparting only shear wave energy into the earth comprising a vibrating pad for connection to a mobile support, such as a wheeled vehicle, and means for vibrating the pad to impart at least two polarizations of shear wave energy into the earth. One such means includes azimuthally rotating the pad and/or the vibration energy generator.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus are disclosed for drilling a well including providing drilling data, which can include drilling rig parameters, geological parameters, wellbore parameters, and drillstring parameters, on a real time basis from at least one well into a database associated with a programmable digital computer. The drilling data can be provided via telephone lines, hard wire connections, radio transmissions, microwave transmissions or fiber optical transmissions into the database. Associated with the database is a monitoring facility where drilling activities are monitored and, if desired, future drilling actions are simulated utilizing the drilling data within the database.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for constructing an ice structure. The disclosed ice structures are a road and a grounded ice island which are constructed on a sheet of naturally-occurring ice in an ocean. A vehicle equipped for driving on ice includes thereon a rotatable grinding wheel which may be urged downwardly against the ice over which the vehicle is driven, thereby generating ice chips which are collected on the vehicle. The chips are mixed with water to form a slurry which is pumped through a hose to a portable sprayer through which the slurry is sprayed, thereby forming the ice structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of logging a subterranean formation through a wellbore containing a fluid, wherein no shear wave signal is obtainable utilizing conventional sonic well logging tools suspended in the wellbore. The shear wave signal is not obtainable usually because the acoustic velocity of the wellbore fluid is greater than the shear wave velocity of the formation to be logged. In the present method, the acoustic velocity of the wellbore fluid is adjusted until a shear velocity signal is obtainable by lowering the acoustic velocity of the wellbore fluid until it is less than the shear wave velocity of the formation. Thereafter, the formation is logged through the wellbore to obtain a shear wave signal.

Abstract: At least two methods of reconstituting the original form of a time/amplitude trace, such as seismic data, are disclosed wherein the seismic data has been rectified by a scanner to produce a signal representative of a hardcopy display of the trace. One of the methods comprises selecting a time window of a certain duration, obtaining a measurement of the predominant period within the selected positive components of the signal, and filtering the signal with a bandpass filter having a range of about F/2 to about 3F/2, where F equals the reciprocal of the predominant period of the signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating and removing sand from fluid streams are provided. The apparatus is comprised of a closed separator vessel having first and second compartments therein. An inlet connection is attached to the vessel for introducing the fluid stream into the first compartment and filter means for separating sand from the fluid stream are disposed within the first compartment. The fluid stream is caused to flow from the first compartment through the filter means into the second compartment from where the fluid stream is removed by way of an outlet connection attached to the vessel. Conduit means attached through a wall of the vessel are disposed within the first compartment for conducting and periodically discharging sand wash liquid thereinto.

Abstract: A seismic data acquisition system for use in shallow water covered areas comprises a flotation device which serves also to house the electronic components; anchoring device with mechanical filter device to protect the anchor, so as to insure its maintaining its position; seismic sensor device for detecting seismic waves in the water and converting them to electrical signals; radio receiver device for receiving operational control instructions; and device for amplifying, digitizing and storing the electrical signals provided by the sensor, preferably on a removable tape recording device.