Abstract: At least two types of reflective or emissive materials are applied in alternating manner to a pile or other object to be moved. Ultraviolet energy is emitted toward the materials and reflections or emissions therefrom are received by appropriate detector elements which convert the different respective reflected or emitted energy spectra into corresponding electrical signals for use by a processor device to determine the distance and rate which the pile or object is being moved. The calculated information is channeled to a suitable display and a permanent recording device.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation comprising penetrating the formation with a plurality of wells arranged in a pattern defining a series of regular pentagons with a well at the center of each pentagon, injecting a fluid into the formation by way of the wells at the centers of the pentagons whereby hydrocarbons contained in the formation are displaced from the center wells towards the wells defining the pentagons and producing the hydrocarbons by way of the wells defining the pentagons.

Abstract: A fluidized bed boiler system and a manner of operating the same is provided wherein a fluidized particulate bed in which solids are not recycled is utilized. High temperature flue gas is directed to a boiler means. A portion of both the high temperature and a low temperature gas stream are recycled to a fluidizing gas stream for fluidizing the particulate bed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for temporarily mooring a tension leg platform while the permanent vertical tethering elements thereof are connected between the platform and an anchor located upon the ocean floor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for permanently mooring a tension leg platform.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for installing an underwater anchor system including a plurality of separate anchors for a tension leg platform. A cluster of tethering elements is connected between the tension leg platform and each of the separate anchors. Each anchor assembly includes a primary anchor which is first located approximately in a desired position upon the ocean floor. This position includes a lateral location and/or an angular orientation about a vertical axis. Then the position of the primary anchor is ascertained and compared to a desired position of the main anchor. The main anchor is designed to be lowered into engagement with the primary anchor. A relative position determining structure is interconnected between the primary and main anchors for varying the relative position of the main anchor relative to the primary anchor to correct for any difference between the ascertained final position of the primary anchor and the desired position of the main anchor.

Abstract: An improved prestressed conduit string for conducting heated fluids through a well bore comprised of a plurality of concentric double wall tube conduit sections each including an inner heated fluid conductor tube in tension prestress and a larger diameter outer tube in compression prestress to reduce heat transfer from the conducted fluids and prevent deformation of the conduit string when heated. By the present invention, the outer tubes of the conduit sections are shorter than the conductor tubes thereof whereby the ends of the conductor tubes extend short equal distances beyond the ends of the outer tubes.

Abstract: The strength of a weld joint joining the end of a first structural member to a second structural member wherein at least a portion of the weld joint is subject to cyclic tensioning stress is improved by applying a compressive stress load to the weld joint. An advantageous application is to the weld joints joining tubular members of offshore platforms.

Abstract: An internally baffled, horizontal flow, vertical oil separator or skimmer for the flotation and removal of oil from mixtures of oil and water has internal baffles that compel horizontal flow of a vertically elongated cross-section of fluid in the vertical vessel. The skimmer is of particular utility on offshore platforms where deck space is extremely expensive and limited.

Abstract: An improved offshore platform, the platform including three decks in the wellbay area; a first lower deck adapted to provide a workspace for the positioning of equipment to be lowered to the ocean floor, a second middle deck, said middle deck being the main production deck from which production conduits from said wellbores are supported and from which production operations are conducted after completion of said wellbores and a third upper deck said third deck being adapted to support drilling, completion and workover equipment and to provide a protective barrier between said equipment and said second deck.

Abstract: A method for drilling wellbores from an offshore platform to penetrate a subterranean formation using a combination of surface drilling techniques and subsea drilling techniques to achieve an improved effectiveness by avoiding the necessity for large conduits communicating the ocean floor and the offshore platform.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for insulating a well bore to reduce heat transfer between fluids flowing through the well bore and surrounding formations wherein a heat activated gel-forming fluid having heat insulating properties when gelled is introduced into the annular space between the well bore and the tubing string contained therein and caused to be gelled.

Abstract: A transfer and docking apparatus for use on variable draft marine vessels. A plurality of parallel sloping fenders extend from above the maximum draft level of the vessel to below the minimum draft level of the vessel. A stairway is provided adjacent and parallel to at least one of the fenders and is mounted inboard of the fender.

Abstract: A tension leg cable is connected between a floating structure and a seafloor anchor means. The cable is a multi-strand cable having voids between adjacent strands. A fluid tight vulcanized rubber sheath is provided covering an outer surface of the cable. A fluid tight corrosion resistant tubular member surrounds said sheath so as to define an annular space between the tubular member and the sheath. Means is provided for supplying an inert gas under pressure to said voids and said annular space. Means is provided for monitoring the pressure of said inert gas in said voids and said annular space to detect changes in said pressure so as to indicate a leak in either said sheath or said tubular member. Methods of construction of said tension leg cable are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for thermally stimulating and upgrading oil production from a heavy oil reservoir wherein the heavy oil produced from the reservoir is combined with a hydrogen donor diluent and the mixture is subjected to thermal cracking to upgrade the heavy oil into more valuable hydrocarbon products. The cracked products are fractionated into a light end vapor fraction, an intermediate liquid fraction, a gas oil fraction and a pitch fraction, and at least a portion of the gas oil fraction is hydrogenated by contacting it with a hydrogen-containing gas stream to produce the hydrogen donor diluent combined with the heavy oil. The pitch fraction is subjected to partial oxidation to produce the hydrogen-containing gas stream and a by-product gas stream containing steam which is combined with additional steam and injected into the heavy oil reservoir to enhance the mobility of heavy oil contained therein.

Abstract: A zone of increased heat and enhanced fluid mobility is established between an injection well and a production well vertically traversing a heavy oil (bitumen, tar) reservoir by (a) first horizontally hydraulically fracturing between the wells, and (b) then injecting hot water and/or steam into the injection well at a very high rate, at a sufficient pressure, and for a sufficient time (holding sufficient back pressure on the production well if needed) to float the formation along the fracture system between the wells, to effect channel flow of fluids through the floated fracture system (with production from the production well), and to effect effective and uniform heating of substantial reservoir volume perpendicular to the channel flow. Thereupon, other thermal methods such as matrix flow steam flooding can be employed to recover additional oil.

Abstract: Liquid level in tanks is gauged an can be controlled as follows. Liquid communication is provided from near the bottom of the tank to a liquid reservoir containing a liquid which is of different density and immiscible with the tank liquid. The reservoir is in liquid communication with a vertically elongated vessel having a relatively small horizontal area compared to the tank, communication being near the top of the reservoir if the reservoir liquid is less dense than the tank liquid and being near the bottom of the reservoir if the reservoir liquid is more dense than the tank liquid. The elongated vessel, which can be transparent or translucent so that the liquid level therein corresponding to the liquid level in the tank can be readily determined, can contain a float containing a proximity sensor triggering element.

Abstract: A fixed bottom transition joint for suspended pipe risers includes a structural member. This structural member is defined by a top surface having a predetermined diameter and by a parallel bottom surface having a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the top surface. Further defining the structural member is an outer surface which extends between the top and bottom surfaces and optimally tapers from the bottom surface to the top surface. Finally, an inner surface defines a longitudinal bore through the structural member.

Abstract: An alarm system for notifying personnel in an adjustably set priority sequence of an alarm condition includes one or more alarm sensors, a central alarm station, a plurality of primary remote stations, and one or more secondary remote stations. The alarm sensors are connected to the central alarm station to communicate the occurrence of alarm conditions thereto. The central alarm station includes a priority selector device, a device for establishing a primary notification signal based upon the signals received from the alarm sensors and upon the setting of the priority selector device. The central alarm station also includes a transmitter for transmitting the notification signal to the primary remote stations and a receiver for receiving an acknowledgement signal from the primary remote stations.

Abstract: A downhole riser assembly includes a tubular casing embedded in the ocean floor, said casing having a constant internal diameter and an upper end extending above said ocean floor. A tubular riser pipe is disposed in the casing and has an upper end connected to a floating vessel which may be a tension leg platform. The casing and riser are rigidly connected at a considerable distance below the ocean floor, said distance being on the order of 100 feet. When the floating structure is laterally displaced from a position directly above the casing, the riser pipe contacts the upper end of the casing. This contact limits the lateral deflection of the riser at the ocean floor and thereby limits the stresses in the riser.