Abstract: A process for the separation of mercaptans from gases, and especially from natural gas by absorption in a hydrocarbon oil and regeneration of the oil by oxidation of the mercaptans to sulfonic acids. The oxidation can be carried out at the absorption temperature and pressure by means of an oxidant in an aqueous medium. The regenerated oil is recycled after separation from the aqueous phase containing the sulfonic acids.

Abstract: Method and installation for the production of hydrocarbons from a mixture of said hydrocarbons with an aqueous phase by use of a reinjection unit (7), and a separation unit (8) and with regulating the reinjection rate as a function of the content of hydrocarbons (16,15) in the aqueous phase.

Abstract: A device for drilling lateral boreholes from a cased parent well comprises selecting and coupling means adapted to cooperate with a deflection unit placed within the parent well. The selecting and coupling means are mounted at the lower end of an extension unit formed by interassembled tubular elements. The upper end of the extension unit is rigidly fixed to a suspension swivel within the wellhead and at least one slip joint is interposed between two tubular elements. The internal diameter of each tubular element is such that a drilling packer can be housed within the tubular elements.

Abstract: A device is provided for connecting a guide line of an undersea installation. Inside the body of the connector is fixed an axial rod supporting a locking jacket with fingers carried by resilient blades. The rod ends in a centering nose having a cut out, whereas, above the centering nose a sliding ring is mounted on the rod and is held in position by a shearable pin. The guide post has a bore whose divergent section forms with a divergent face a housing for the locking fingers. When, for unlocking the connection, a tractive force is exerted on the connector body, the pin is sheared and the ring, by sliding, opens the passage for the fingers, which allows the connector to be released and raised. This connector requires no angular position with respect to the guide rod and makes any disconnecting tool superfluous.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically closing a bottom safety valve in a pumped oil well in case of a cessation of pumping, and reopening the valve when pumping resumes. A conventional valve pump is installed in the production tube. A channel, which is connected to the production tube, passes through the valve body, and is blocked by a controllable flap. The valve body also contains a second channel, the two channels communicating by means of a cavity which is located upstream of the flap. A push rod slidably retained in the second channel is actuated by a piston for opening and closing the flap. A conduit connects the downstream portion of the production tube to an admission chamber and thereby transmits pressure to the piston; such that, when the downstream pressure of the valve pump is greater than that at the bottom of the well, the flap remains open; and when the difference in the pressures is reversed, the push rod causes the flap to close.

Abstract: A method for measuring vibrational stresses and velocities of waves propagated within formations surrounding a wellbore essentially consists in simultaneously measuring the vibrational stress and vibrational velocity produced by propagation of the vibration within the medium, then in establishing a ratio of magnitudes relating to the vibrational stress and velocity in respect of one and the same measuring point. The method and device provided by the invention also find applications in the separation of different types of secondary waves generated during propagation of a primary wave in a medium.

Abstract: A regenerative process is provided for removing mercaptans contained in a gas by means of an absorbing agent based on at least one metal oxide capable of chemically fixing the mercaptans. The process comprises an absorption step to fix the mercaptans on the absorbing agent and a regeneration step for regenerating the absorbing agent laden with sulphur-containing products resulting from said fixation. The regeneration is carried out by sweeping the absorbing agent with a hot inert gas to bring the absorbing agent to a temperature between 250.degree. and 500.degree. C. and desorb the sulfur-containing products, and by contacting the absorbing agent thus treated with a gas containing free oxygen to reoxidize the absorbing agent and by cooling the reoxidized absorbing agent by sweeping with a cold inert gas.

Abstract: Production of pertroleum deposits in which water is mixed with the hydrocarbons. The quality of separation is controlled by incorporating within a packer (200) a regulated valve (100) which receives the flow of reinjection water after its separation in a unit (7), the water passing into a fluorescence analyzer (4). The results of the measurement are transmitted to a microprocessor unit (12) which produces a signal which actuates a hydraulic pump (9), which in its turn, actuates the valve (100). Separation of water from the hydrocarbons at the bottom of the well and control of the quality of the separation are effected before the reinjection of the water in a subterranean deposit zone (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the control and monitoring of a well head submerged in a liquid.The apparatus comprises electrovalve control means, an electronic system for controlling and monitoring the well head, monitoring sensors, connecting means connected to the electronic system and a station on the surface of the liquid medium using a transmission line. The electronic system comprises a first channel connected to the control means and to the sensors, supplied with electric power by the line and a second channel for controlling the control means and which is supplied with electric power by said line. The second channel and the electrovalve control means are also connected to an autonomous power supply, which is independent of the line. Each of the channels and the connection established bidirectional communications with the station.Application to the control and monitoring of submerged well heads.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system of communications between a station on the surface of a liquid medium and submerged control and monitoring means of a group of submerged well head valves remote from the station.For each valve, the system comprises a control and monitoring module connected to an electrovalve and to sensors corresponding to said valve, transmission means connected to communications channels and to modules for simultaneously applying to said modules any control signals supplied by the station. The modules are connected to monitoring signal multiplexing means. The transmission means and multiplexing means are connected to the communications channels by switching means, which automatically select one of the channels in the case of an operating incident on the other channel.Application to the control of submerged oil or gas well valves.

Abstract: A reservoir (1) filled with fluid communicates through a central opening 21 with the inside of a flexible bladder 22 isolating the contents of the reservoir from the sea environment and equilizing the pressure inside the reservoir with the external hydrostatic pressure. An internal dividing wall 2 divides the reservoir into two compartments, the central compartment 3 to which is connected a duct 12 for the expanded fluid and housing a pump 8 for discharge to the platform and for draining water and the annular peripheral compartment 4 housing the pumps 5, 6 for feeding the compressed fluid to the accumulators. The installation can be used as a self contained hydraulic unit or fluid storage reservoir when the pressurized fluid supply is provided from the surface.

Abstract: A tool-positioning device is composed of a branch assembly in which each branch tube communicates with each branch flow string, an intermediate assembly provided with convergent tubes and a connecting assembly provided with a spline for guiding the connecting assembly with respect to one of the flow strings. An orientation and guiding member is interposed between the intermediate assembly and pumping means housed within a production tube. The orientation and guiding member has a slit which is oriented with respect to the spline in order to have a fixed and invariable position.

Abstract: A stress-limiting device for a flexible riser which stress-limiting device glides in a set of guides rigidly attached to an articulated structure emplaced in the deep sea. The device includes an elastic guide tube element coaxial to the riser, with the stiffness of the guide tube increasing progressively from the top to the bottom of said guide tube, whereby the stiffness characteristic is appreciable in the lower region of the guide tube, which lower region is affixed to a structure attached to a wellhead or the like via an aligned fitting, whereby the guide tube is held in contact with the riser by the intermediary of a plurality of support mechanisms one of which includes a fitted bushing which glides in the lower, rigid part of the guide tube. The device makes it possible to shut down and resume operation of offshore wells which have been equipped for production.

Abstract: Equipment for depositing processing products in wells after being lowered inside production tubes for depositing cement to seal perforations in the production tube and also for depositing detergents or acid.A syringe comprises a clock mechanism which, after a given period of time and through the medium of a striker for piercing a cap which seals a pressurized oil reservoir, actuates a hydraulic bolt comprising a barrel, a piston, a fixed liner encased in a movable liner and means for maintaining the movable liner in a raised position.A central rod rigid with the movable liner traverses a syringe body, of which the filling space is provided with discharge orifices co-operating with a valve carried by the end of the central rod.

Abstract: Flow calorimeter for fluids at low temperature and at high pressure essentially and which includes an electrical energy supply and two temperature sensors disposed within the fluid. The electrical energy supply includes a very tightly wound coil occupying an entire passage section of the pipe. The temperature measurements may be carried out by platinum sensors that are positioned at a predetermined distance in the pipe from the electric energy supply. Each temperature sensor can be dismantled and replaced separately.

Abstract: Process of preparation of sulphonyl alkane halides by the reaction between an alkane, sulphur dioxide and a halogen, in the presence of ultraviolet light in the gaseous phase; the gaseous mixture of the reactants contains at least 4 moles of SO.sub.2 per mole of hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A process is provided for eliminating COS and CS.sub.2 compounds contained in an industrial gas. The gas containing an appropriate quantity of water vapor is contacted with a titanium oxide catalyst arranged in a high temperature reaction zone. The reaction is carried out while maintaining at specific values the ratio R between the number of water vapor moles and the number of moles of the compound(s) COS and CS.sub.2 in the supplied gas in contact with the catalyst, as well as the temperature at the outlet from the reaction zone. The process is applicable to the treatment of industrial gases usable in organic synthesis and containing COS and CS.sub.2 as impurities susceptible of perturbating synthesis reactions.

Abstract: Compositions for the hydration of keratinic substances constituted by amino acid sulfoxides. A particular product is methionine sulfoxide. Important application in cosmetology where these products are incorporated in aqueous and organic solutions and oily or other emulsions. These products play a hydrating role in skin application and act as a softening agent on the hair.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the heating power of a combustible gas. The ratio of the temperature of gases entering and exiting a calorimeter is maintained substantially equal to 1, and the entering air is maintained at its water saturation limit. The calorimeter comprises two concentric cells having a central chimney closed at the top and housing a burner. A coiled tube discharges gases from the chimney. Two temperature probes transmit signals to a microprocessor which actuates a heat exchanger provided in an external wall of the outermost concentric cell.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for adjusting the amine load upon an absorption column for the desulfuration of gases uses a photometric cell allowing measurements of absorption to be taken, wherein the process comprises performing the said adjustment as a function of the residual content in the amine of the gas to be eliminated, the sample being drawn off in liquid phase from inside the column. The application of said process to the processing of natural acid gases is disclosed together with an embodiment of a photometer cell.