Abstract: In a method and apparatus for metering water content in an oil-water system by determining sonic velocities in the flowing oil-water mixture, and thereafter determining flow rate to provide individual oil and water rates which may then be integrated to provide oil and water volume of flow, the improvement comprising self-calibrating for salt content of the system water by measuring the speed of sound in the water phase only and utilizing the measured value in determinations of the system water cut.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for mooring a tension leg platform. The platform is positioned over an anchor means attached to the ocean floor. A plurality of guidelines or cables, attached to the anchor means, are called to the surface by means of acoustic recall buoys which are attached to a free end of the guide cables. The guide cables are then connected to the floating platform. Tension legs, each including a plurality of tubular leg elements threaded at each end, with threaded couplings connecting adjacent leg elements, are then lowered from the floating platform. Guide means connected between the tension legs and the guide cables direct the tension legs toward the anchor means on the ocean floor. A hydraulically actuated wellhead connector is connected to a lower end of the tension leg. The wellhead connector engages a wellhead body attached to the anchor means, and is locked thereto upon the sending of a hydraulic signal to the wellhead connector.

Abstract: Filterability of aqueous solutions of polymers employed to thicken waterfloods such as biopolymers (e.g. heteropolysaccharides) is improved by addition of a surfactant (e.g. a sulfated alkoxylated alcohol). Filterability is further enhanced by addition of an ethoxylated alcohol surfactant and/or an alcohol.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant bimetallic structure which includes a pair of butt-welded steel elements having protected surfaces extending to the weld; spaced, protective overlays of corrosion resistant non-ferrous metal joined to portions of the protected surface of each steel element on opposed sides of the weld; and a non-ferrous metal bridging plate bridging the weld and joined to outer sides of the spaced protective overlays by welds using said corrosion resistant non-ferrous metal as the weld metal. The space between the bridging plate, the spaced ends of the protective layers and the steel elements adjacent the weld is sealed against ingress of corrosive liquid.In a method of making the described structure, the steel elements are welded in end-to-end alignment. Sections of each element spaced from the weld are then encased with a corrosion resistant non-ferrous metal.

Abstract: A compressively stressed weld joint joining a first tubular member to a second tubular member is formed by sequentially:(a) imparting stress into at least one of the tubular members such that release thereof will compressively stress the weld joint,(b) welding the first tubular member to the second tubular member, and(c) releasing the stress such that the weld is in compressive stress.

Abstract: Geopressurized gas (methane) containing aquifers are produced into relatively low pressure reservoirs such as depleted or partially depleted oil and gas reservoirs. Primary production of the methane in the water is effected by exsolvation upon entering the low pressure reservoir and movement through the reservoir to production walls. Enhanced recovery of hydrocarbons remaining in depleted or partially depleted reservoirs results from one or more of (1) the sweeping action of the methane moving through the reservoir, (2) pressure maintenance and water drive associated with injection of the naturally pressured water, and (3) reservoir heating caused by the higher temperature of the injected geopressured water.

Abstract: A structure exposed to a marine environment is coated with a coating comprising stainless steel particles such as stainless steel flakes in a coating matrix. Marine growth is removed from the coating by impressing an electrical potential. Marine growth is also prevented. Preferably, the structure is coated with a first coating comprising metallic zinc prior to coating with a second coating comprising stainless steel flakes in an inorganic polymer matrix, and a cathodic potential is impressed.

Abstract: Buildup of scale on polished rods extending above certain stuffing boxes on wells producing relatively large amounts of brine incidental to oil production in arid regions is prevented by employing a rigid upper wiper ring in combination with a lower retaining ring in combination with a wiper assembly positioned above the stuffing box.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are produced from source rocks in fluid communication with geopressured sections by (a) producing fluids from the geopressured section to reduce pressure, (b) shutting in to allow migration from the source rock to the formerly geopressured section, and (c) producing the migrated hydrocarbons from the section.

Abstract: An anti-friction sucker rod coupling and guide apparatus comprises:(a) a rod member having an anti-friction surface along its cylindrical length;(b) fasteners affixed at each end of the rod member for attaching the rod member within a sucker rod string;(c) a rod guide having an inner anti-friction surface contacting the anti-friction surface of the rod member and slideably positioned about the rod member, the rod guide having an outer diameter sufficient to functionally contact the inner diameter of a tubing string in which the sucker rod string is positioned, the rod guide further including passageway sufficient to permit passage of produced fluid the fasteners adapted to maintain the rod guide on the rod member within deformation.

Abstract: Early detection of cracks in non-permeable, structural members subject to stress is effected before the cracks traverse the member by:(a) forming a cavity in the structural member or adjacent thereto such that a crack forming in the structural member provides a passage for a fluid to flow between the environment and the cavity without passing through the entire structural member,(b) sealing a fluid passageway in fluid communication from the cavity to a source of pressure different than ambient pressure at the structural member and to a pressure sensor,(c) imparting a higher or lower pressure to the cavity and the fluid passageway, and,(d) monitoring the internal pressure in the cavity and fluid passageway with the pressure sensor,Such that a crack in the structural member penetrating to the cavity allows passage of fluid between the environment and the cavity and is thus detected by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A method for creating a zone of relatively high permeability within a subterranean carbonaceous deposit which includes gasifying a portion of the carbonaceous deposit to provide a cavity, placing at least one explosive device in the deposit in the vicinity of the cavity so that energy generated upon detonation of the explosive device extends into the cavity, and detonating the explosive device thereby causing a portion of the carbonaceous deposit to be fragmented and to collapse into the cavity.

Abstract: A method and composition is provided for positioning a polymeric material having particulate matter disposed therein in a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore. The composition consists essentially of a hydrocarbon oil, a quaternary salt of an essentially undegraded, cellulose sulfate, solid particulate matter in an amount equal to from about 0.25 to about 22 pounds of particulate matter per gallon of hydrocarbon oil and an acid-settable thermosetting resin in an amount equal to from about 0.1 to about 5.0 gallons per cubic foot of particulate material. The composition is placed in contact with a subterranean formation in a wellbore by a method comprising injecting a first mixture consisting essentially of said quaternary salt of an essentially undegraded cellulose sulfate mixed with hydrocarbon oil followed by the injection of the composition with a post injection of an additional quantity of the quaternary salt in oil.

Abstract: Sand control in an incompetent formation is effected by squeezing a thickened composition [comprising a hydrocarbon oil carrier, particulate matter (e.g. sand) a base-settable thermosetting resin, a neutralizing agent (e.g. lauryl amine), a miscible polar solvent (e.g. ethanol), and a carboxy vinyl polymer (e.g. CARBOPOL 934)] in contact with the incompetent formation and curing with a basic catalyst.

Abstract: Early detection of cracks in nonpermeable, structural members subject to stress is effected before the cracks traverse the member by forming a plurality of cavities in the member or adjacent thereto in which a plurality of fluids at differing pressures are confined and monitored, such that a crack in the structural member penetrating between at least two cavities allows passage of fluid between the cavities and is thus detected by a pressure sensor. The apparatus and process is particularly applicable to early detection with vacuum of cracks in the heat affected zone adjacent to welds on critical stressed members of an offshore platform. A strain gauge system may be employed in conjunction with the crack detection system.

Abstract: Data useful to evaluate the effectiveness of or to design an enhanced recovery process (the recovery process involving mobilizing and moving hydrocarbons through a hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation from an injection well to a production well by injecting a mobilizing fluid into the injection well) are obtained by a process which comprises sequentially: determining hydrocarbon saturation in the formation in a volume in the formation near a well bore penetrating the formation, injecting sufficient of the mobilizing fluid to mobilize and move hydrocarbons from a volume in the formation near the well bore penetrating the formation, and determining by the single well tracer method a hydrocarbon saturation profile in a volume from which hydrocarbons are moved. The single well tracer method employed is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 3,623,842. The process is useful to evaluate surfactant floods, water floods, polymer floods, CO.sub.

Abstract: A method and composition is provided for positioning a polymeric material having particulate matter disposed therein in a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore. The composition consists essentially of a hydrocarbon oil, a quaternary salt of an essentially undegraded, cellulose sulfate, solid particulate matter in an amount equal to from about 0.25 to about 22 pounds of particulate matter per gallon of hydrocarbon oil and an acid-settable thermosetting resin in an amount equal to from about 0.1 to about 5.0 gallons per cubic foot of particulate material. The composition is placed in contact with a subterranean formation in a wellbore by a method comprising injecting a first mixture consisting essentially of said quaternary salt of an essentially undegraded cellulose sulfate mixed with hydrocarbon oil followed by the injection of the composition with a post injection of an additional quantity of the quaternary salt in oil.

Abstract: Sand control in an incompetent formation is effected by squeezing a thickened composition [comprising a hydrocarbon oil carrier, particulate matter (e.g. sand) a base-settable thermosetting resin, a neutralizing agent (e.g., lauryl amine), a miscible polar solvent (e.g. ethanol), and a carboxy vinyl polymer (e.g. CARBOPOL 934)] in contact with the incompetent formation and curing with a basic catalyst.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for metering water content in an oil-water system by measuring sonic velocity in a flowing oil-water mixture, thereafter to determine flow rate to provide individual oil and water rates which may then be integrated to provide oil and water volume of flow. The apparatus functions to provide continual readout of oil and water data by deriving bi-directional speed of sound through the moving medium with subsequent frequency difference processing to derive sonic velocity, flow rate measurement and subsequent integral data output.

Abstract: A method for obtaining logging data for use in the determination of the amount of residual oil in a subterranean oil bearing formation, the method comprising the steps of logging the formation, injecting into the formation an aqueous solution of a water soluble radioactive tracer compound, logging the formation, injecting into the formation a second aqueous solution of a radioactive tracer compound which is soluble in both water and oil, and thereafter logging the formation.