Abstract: A system is provided for locating and delineating sea floor occurrences of petroleum seepage, achieved by apparatus for the detection of the resulting abnormal distribution of electrical potential within the affected sediments. The system uses an electrically insulating probe, deployed by steel cable from a ship, for the implantation of numerous electrodes within the sediment at depths between 60 cm and 5 m. Insulated conductors within the probe connect the electrodes to a reference electrode by way of an electrometer which facilitates measurement of the difference in electrical potential between any one of the probe electrodes and the reference electrode. Digital measurements are conducted to an associated acoustic modem and thence to the ship through the water. The system allows rapid assessments of sedimentary electrical conditions over large areas of seafloor by the repeated introduction, utilization, withdrawal, and relocation of the probe.

Abstract: In general, the invention features a method of marking a product for identification in which a low molecular weight hapten is associated with the product as a marker, where the hapten is non-deleterious to the product, inert with respect to the product, and not already associated with the product.

Abstract: A collective fluid inclusions volatiles sample is released from each of a plurality of sedimentary rock samples and analyzed as it is being released to determine composition thereof. Compositions are used for mapping the earth's subsurface.

Abstract: A method is described to evaluate the R.sub.wb parameter, which can be applied to the Dual Water log interpretation model by measuring the resistivity of initial brines and of filtrates from muds prepared with shales. The method allows a more precise evaluation of the R.sub.wb parameter and eventually the reservoir porosity as well as the hydrocarbon storage capacity of a given reservoir.

Abstract: A method of quantitative analysis of products, such as barite, bentonite or polymers, in a drilling fluid circulating in a wellbore being drilled is described. The method includes the steps of sampling the drilling fluid, and analysing the sample to determine the density of the fluid and the weight fraction of solids in the fluid. In addition, a known weight of the sample is dried to constant weight so as to obtain the products under the form of solids, which solids are analysed by an infrared spectroscopy technique. The concentration of the products in the drilling fluid is then determined. The method can be applied to the control of the drilling operation by monitoring the quantity of products added to the drilling fluid, such as barite and polymers, or a product coming from the borehole wall or the underground formation being drilled. The invention also applies to the control of the working condition of the mud solids equipment.

Abstract: An in-hole oil-drilling probe is mountable in a drill string to measure hydrocarbon concentrations in drilling fluid flowing around the drill string. The probe consists of a drill collar which is mountable in the drill string. A solvent, in which hydrocarbons are soluble, circulates within the drill collar through a hydrocarbon detection chamber. A membrane in the drill collar has an outer surface positioned to contact flowing drilling fluid and an inner surface positioned to contact circulating solvent within the drill collar. The membrane allows hydrocarbons to permeate from the drilling fluid into the solvent and into the hydrocarbon detection chamber with the solvent. A radiant energy source directs radiant ultra-violet energy into the hydrocarbon detection chamber. A sensor apparatus measures fluorescent energy radiating from the hydrocarbon detection chamber to determine solvent hydrocarbon concentration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for detecting leakage of hydrocarbons from and preventing corrosion of underground storage tanks. Soil samples near an underground storage tank are taken and analyzed in the field, preferably using hexane as a solvent to detect the presence of hydrocarbons such as heating and waste oil. The soil-to-tank potential of the tank and the presence of water within the tank are measured and, if warranted, cathodic protection provided to the tank to prevent corrosion or further corrosion.

Abstract: A collective fluid inclusions volatiles sample is released from each of a plurality of sedimentary rock samples and analyzed as it is being released to determine composition thereof. Compositions are used for mapping the earth's subsurface.

Abstract: A measurement/calibration/probe storage apparatus particularly suitable for measuring pH of fluids and slurries used in the treatment of oil and gas wells. The apparatus includes an enclosure having a conduit for the conveyance of a fluid or slurry therein, a flow chamber being in fluid communication with the conduit, a probe sensor for measuring a preselected attribute of a fluid, or slurry, residing within, or, passing through the flow chamber. The apparatus further includes an electronic processor in electrical communication with the probe sensor for calculating and providing a display of the attribute being measured and a calibration chamber being configured to receive the probe sensor. At least one calibration fluid container being in fluid communication with the calibration chamber is also provided. A control valve is provided for controlling the flow of fluid from each calibration fluid container into the calibration chamber and for controlling the draining of the calibration chamber.

Abstract: A test kit for determining the `total compost life`, and chemical stability of a moist compost sample, includes a transparent container for holding the compost sample, and a reactant mass, located within the container in the space not occupied by the compost sample. The reactant mass includes a pH basic reactant material, and a color change indicator material, responsive to pH changes in the atmosphere within the container. After the moist compost sample is charged into the container, the container is sealed and allowed to remain undisturbed for a prescribed time period, e.g., about three (3) hours. During this time, carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) and volatile organic acids are emitted from the sample into the space surrounding the chemically reactant mass. The pH basic reactant chemically reacts with the emitted carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2), in ionic form, or the emitted volatile organic acids, so as to produce a color change. The nature of the color change is an indication of the carbon dioxide (CO.sub.

Abstract: Methods are provided for using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to measure the bulk volume of oil and water in the polyurethane liner of sponge core. The method is accurate, rapid, and non-destructive. It provides information simultaneously in oil composition and viscosity.

Abstract: A collective fluid inclusions volatiles sample is released from each of a plurality of sedimentary rock samples and analyzed as it is being released to determine composition thereof. Compositions are used for mapping the earth's subsurface. The sample is released by an automated crushing mechanism and analyzed by a system of concurrently operated mass spectrometers each scanning a specific set of mass to charge ratio responses.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for detecting the effects of cell affecting agents on living cells. The method steps include providing living cells that are retained in a micro flow chamber. The micro flow chamber is adapted for either continuous or intermittent flow of solutions or suspensions in intimate contact with the cells. The solutions or suspensions, which contain a cell affecting agent, are then flowed in intimate contact with the cells and at least one effect of the cell affecting agent on the cells is measured by an appropriate detecting means, which is operatively associated with the micro flow chamber.

Abstract: A method for determining the suitability of an organ for transplant by performing one or more tests on the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels in the organ prior to the transplant operation. Specifically hyaluronic acid is used as the measure to determine liver transplant effectiveness.

Abstract: A method for determining residual oil saturation of a watered-out reservoir using two water soluble tracers having different partition coefficients in oil. The partitioning tracers are selected from the group consisting of tritiated or carbon 14 tagged alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, water and oil insoluble inorganics and organic radioactive isotopes. The tracers are injected into the formation, and their production curves are analyzed over a period of time to determine chromatographic separation of the tracers.

Abstract: Organic tracers are employed to monitor the movement of subterranean fluids. These organic tracers are (a) stable at elevated temperatures, (b) capable of being detected at low concentrations, and/or (c) not adversely affected by the make-up of at least one subterranean formation. In addition, a plurality of these tracers can be measured by a single analytical technique.

Abstract: A laboratory device and method are adapted to subject a same rock sample to successive liquid treatments without any intermediary handling of the sample. The device combines a chamber comprising a first part fitted with an inlet for introducing a rock sample and liquid reagents into the chamber; a heater for regulating the temperature in the chamber and a plug fitted within an open port for protecting the chamber from an overpressure. The first part also comprises means for stirring the contents of the chamber including a liquid by introducing gas as bubbles into the liquid. A second part of the chamber is located under the first part and a selective filtering unit is interposed between the first and second parts of the chamber, the filter has a porosity selected for retaining organic material contained in the sample.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing sharp breakthrough of tracers in a two-well tracer test by injecting a relatively small volume of tracer at a high rate into a temporary injection well, and utilizing the flow induced by producing wells to transport the tracers across the formation to a producing well. Measurement of residual oil saturation and sweep can be obtained by this method.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining the amount of fluids in a porous sample and determining petrophysical properties of those fluids. The methods employ a two component azeotropic solvent capable of dissolving both hydrocarbon and aqueous fluids in a porous sample. The methods extract the fluids from the porous sample with a soxhlet extractor using the azeotropic solvent and then separates the two components into a solvent containing hydrocarbon fluids and a solvent containing aqueous fluids. The amounts of these extracted fluids may then be determined and the petrophysical properties of the fluids determined.

Abstract: A sample of a fuel/oil/additive mixture is metered continuously to a channel-like, inclined test element along which there is an increasing temperature profile. Under the increasing action of heat on the flowing mixture, solid residual products form on the test element after a certain flow distance. Their weight and the flow distance are evaluated in order to evaluate the additive.

Abstract: Method and kit useful in geochemical exploration for petroleum oils. The method involves contacting a soil sample with serum from a rabbit that has not been immunized with petroleum oils, and determining the amount of the bound serum as indicative of the presence of petroleum oils in the geographic region from which the sample was obtained.

Abstract: A simple, on-site, field test method and kit for aromatic contamination in a water sample is provided. In the field test, the water sample is first extracted using an alkyl halide extractant, with a Friedel-Crafts Lewis acid catalyst being added to the resulting extractant phase. A reaction product is thereby produced having a characteristic color indicative of the amount and type of aromatic contamination.

Abstract: Oil and gas horizons in a wellbore are located by establishing from thermal logs thermal gradients for successive intervals free of drilling-induced thermal disturbances, identifying the mineral abundances surrounding the wellbore at each of said intervals, establishing ideal thermal conductivities for said mineral abundances based on assumptions that sand-rich formations have high thermal conductivities and are water-bearing and that shale-rich formations have low conductivities, determining an ideal heat flow at each interval by multiplying the thermal gradient at such interval by the ideal thermal conductivity of the mineral abundances at the interval, determining the average ideal heat flow for all of the intervals, and identifying the zones of the wellbore exhibiting anomalous ideal heat flows that are higher than the average heat flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the detection of hydrocarbons dissolved in bodies of water and for the determination of their concentration in the water wherein a water sample is introduced into a sealed system in which the hydrocarbons are driven out of solution into a gas phase by heating the sample or exposing it to low pressure, or both, a laser beam of a wavelength or a frequency which provides for at least partial overlapping with the absorption lines of the hydrocarbons is directed through the gaseous phase, a correction laser beam of a wavelength such that it is not subjected to absorption by hydrocarbons is also directed through the gaseous phase to determine the influence of gases other than hydrocarbons and the amount of hydrocarbons in the water iscalculated from the amount of light energy absorbed in the gas phase by any hydrocarbons therein and a correction as determined by the correction laser beam.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting oil and other lighter-than-water contaminants in an effluent stream in a sewage system. The apparatus includes a disposable detector which floats in the effluent stream and detects oil and other contaminants having a specific gravity lighter than the water by absorbing the oil and such contaminants in an oleophilic material, permitting the oil and other contaminants to rise and collect in a collection tube. The acidity of pH of the effluent being monitored is determined by routing a portion of the effluent stream across a litmus paper.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for analyzing fluid inclusions. A sectioned mineral sample is mounted on a glass slide and placed in a vacuum chamber. An optical microscope is used to examine the sample through a window in the vacuum chamber to identify a single fluid inclusion. A linear rotary feedthrough includes a diamond stylus on the end thereof that is received in the vacuum chamber. The feedthrough is manipulated by the operator to urge the diamond stylus against the identified fluid inclusion thereby rupturing the same. The gases, including evaporated volatile liquids, released from the inclusion are analyzed by a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A very rapid, sensitive method if provided for determination of the potential mutagenicity and/or carcinogenicity of certain petroleum oils by nitration of the oil and comparison of the light absorbance of its nitrated material with that obtained from one or more oils of known mutagenicity and/or carcinogenicity.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting oil and other lighter-than-water contaminants in an effluent stream in a sewage system. The apparatus includes a disposable detector which floats in the effluent stream and detects oil and other contaminants having a specific gravity lighter than the water by absorbing the oil and such contaminants in an oleophilic material, permitting the oil and other contaminants to rise and collect in a collection tube. The acidity or pH of the effluent being monitored is determined by routing a portion of the effluent stream through the lower side of the detector across a litmus paper. The detector is held in the sewage system by a securing system which indicates whether the detector has been tampered with since it was installed.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to the separation and collection of hydrocarbons, including methane, from a gas emanating from an earth formation to determine the hydrocarbon potential of such earth formation. The apparatus includes a sequential network of cryogenic traps, adsorbent traps and furnaces to recover methane in one such cryogenic trap as a condensed carbon dioxide sample, in combination with (i) a valve antecedent to such network and (ii) a vacuum pump subsequent to such network to continuously provide a subatmospheric pressure throughout the network and prevent condensation of oxygen or atmospheric carbon dioxide in the cryogenic traps.

Abstract: Residual oil saturation is determined by injecting an aqueous solution containing a carbonate salt, an acid-generating material and a radioactive material which are each selectively water soluble, displacing the solution with an aqueous solution devoid of the reactants and tracer, and, after CO.sub.2 has formed within the reservoir, producing aqueous fluid from the reservoir and utilizing radioactive analysis to measure the chromatographic separation between the radioactive material and the CO.sub.2.

Abstract: The oil saturation within a subterranean reservoir is determined by injecting water containing dissolved reactants which are substantially oil-insoluble and which convert the injected solution into a tracer-containing solution in which there is at least one each of oil and water tracers, with the oil tracers being gaseous, and chromatographically analyzing the patterns of the concentrations of the tracers within fluid produced from the reservoir for determining the oil saturation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for tagging methane by adding thereto one or more of the tracer compounds sulfur hexafluoride and chloropentafluoroethane. The methane being tagged is normally being stored in underground storage fields to provide identity and proof of ownership of the gas. The two tracer compounds are readily detectable at very low concentrations by electron capture gas chromatography apparatus which can be made portable and thus suitable for use in the field.

Abstract: The present invention provides for on-site capture of methane at sea at dry ice temperature, for isotopic examination. In more detail, after interfering gas species have been removed from subsequent operational steps, the methane is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water vapor, which are then trapped with a trapping tube maintained at dry ice temperature. The tube also houses a bed of granules made of porous polymer cross-linked to form a lattice network for retention of the carbon dioxide without a change in phase. Thereafter, the carbon and deuterium distribution of the oxidized methane products, carbon dioxide and water vapor, are determined by isotopic examination so as to establish their biogenic and/or thermogenic origin.

Abstract: Residual oil saturation is determined by injecting water containing or contacting dissolved halocarboxylic acid salt and carbonate salt into an oil and water containing reservoir and chromatographically analyzing the patterns of the concentrations of in situ generated CO.sub.2 and water soluble acid salt in fluid produced from the reservoir.

Abstract: An exploration method is disclosed for mapping subsurface migration of crude petroleum by measuring electron spin resonance signals from materials within samples of the subsurface formations and identifying the samples that contain petroleum crude by detecting enhancement and/or suppression of the electron resonance signals due to the addition of a chemical material. Electron spin resonance signals from crude oil are enhanced by the presence of iodine and suppressed by the presence of ferric chloride.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting and mapping volatile species emanating from an underground source. A mass spectrometer is used for species identification and multivariate statistics are employed to determine the character of the source. The character is quantitatively defined and the volatile species emanating from unknown areas is compared to a known source.

Abstract: The present invention provides for on-site capture of carbonaceous gas at sea, for isotopic examination to enable prediction of hydrocarbon potential of an earth formation underlying a body of water.

Abstract: The present invention provides for on-site capture of carbonaceous gas at sea, for isotopic examination to enable prediction of hydrocarbon potential of an earth formation underlying a body of water.

Abstract: A well logging method is disclosed for identifying the presence of crude petroleum within subsurface earth formations by detecting electron spin resonance signals along a well bore and identifying crude petroleum as the source of those signals by enhancing and/or suppressing the signal by the presence of a chemical. Electron spin resonance signals from crude oil are enhanced by the presence of iodine and suppressed by the presence of ferric chloride.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for determining the concentration of a brine tolerant sulfonate surfactant in a complex mixture containing, in addition to said brine tolerant sulfonate surfactant, lignosulfonates, crude oil, salts, and water and, optionally, petroleum sulfonates and alcohols, that comprises incorporating into the brine tolerant sulfonate surfactant molecule a small amount of tritium prior to addition to the complex mixture and determining the concentration of the brine tolerant sulfonate surfactant by measuring its radioactivity.

Abstract: The geochemical oil prospecting method is disclosed in which a crude oil sample is analyzed for the presence of distinctive patterns of aromatic sulfur compounds which are indicative of the petroleum source rock type. Using relative proportions of benzothiophenes, dibenzothiophene, isomeric methyl dibenzothiophenes, dimethyl- and trimethydibenzothiophenes a crude oil can be identified as having a carbonate or siliciclastic source. The information obtained can be used in combination with geological and seismic studies to determine potential oil locations.

Abstract: The present invention provides for on-site capture of carbonaceous gas at sea, for isotopic examination to enable prediction of hydrocarbon potential of an earth formation underlying a body of water.

Abstract: Method for enhancing electron spin resonance signals from crude petroleum by contacting the crude petroleum with a chemical which effects the population of free radical asphaltenes in the crude petroleum. The enhancement is in a positive sense when the chemical is a halogen and particularly iodine. The enhancement is in a negative sense (suppression) when the chemical is ferric chloride.