Abstract: A logging-while-drilling apparatus having an asymmetrically efficient drive train for connecting a motor to a signal-generating rotary valve. The drive train includes a transmission which efficiently transmits torque from its input to its output but prevents the transmission of torque from its output to its input whereby the motor is effectively isolated from hydraulic torques produced by the valve.

Abstract: In seismic exploration, reflected seismic energy is detected by hydrophones to produce seismograms to emphasize a dipping formation which is of interest. The seismograms are produced by directing seismic energy from an array of sources at an angle such that it will reflect vertically from the dipping formation and intersect the hydrophones orthogonally. Directivity of the array is obtained by delaying the seismic pulses produced by each source.

Abstract: In marine seismic exploration, seismograms recording reflected energy generated from the firing of a seismic source are used to measure the characteristics of the medium through which the energy passes. These measurements are converted into control parameters for an array of seismic sources. When the array is fired under control of these parameters, seismograms having enhanced reflections are produced. As an example, at least one seismic source is fired to produce seismograms which are used in the measurement of water bottom reflectivity and water depth. The measured reflectivity and water depth are converted into a time domain operator representative of the inverse of the reverberation distortion in the water layer. An array of sources is then fired in a sequence which produces an acoustic pressure wave having the inverse time domain characteristics.

Abstract: Waterflood oil recovery process employing a Xanthomonas polysaccharide as a thickening agent in which the aqueous polysaccharide solution contains a C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 aliphatic alcohol. The aliphatic alcohol functions to stabilize the polysaccharide against thermal degradation in reservoirs having temperatures in excess of 60.degree. C. The polysaccharide solution may also contain an alkali metal carbonate which functions with the alcohol to impart further stability to the Xanthomonas polysaccharide solution.

Abstract: This specification discloses new compositions of matter, esters of arylaminoaryloxyalkanols, that are useful as antioxidants and organic compositions containing the antioxidants.

Abstract: A surfactant waterflooding process employing an anionic surfactant for use in oil reservoirs in which the connate waters exhibit high salinities and/or divalent metal ion concentrations in situations in which the available waters exhibit high salinities and/or divalent metal ion concentrations. The anionic surfactant comprises a hydrocarbyl amino ether-linked alkane sulfonate in which the hydrocarbyl group provides a lipophilic base and in which the ether linkage is provided by an alkoxy linkage having a ratio of carbon atoms to oxygen atoms within the range of 2 to 3. The surfactant may be a monosulfonate or disulfonate and may be employed alone or in conjunction with other additives. Thus it may be employed as a cosurfactant in combination with other anionic or nonionic surfactants or in combination with alcohols which function as surfactant cosolvents.

Abstract: This specification discloses a method and apparatus for producing and recovering alkanolamine from a mixture containing oxazolidone by hydrolyzing the mixture containing oxazolidone.

Abstract: This specification discloses a lubricant composition containing esters of arylaminophenoxyalkyl carboxylic acids as an antioxidant and new compositions of matter useful as antioxidants.

Abstract: A method for selecting a demulsifier for breaking a water-in-oil emulsion employs at least two electrodes to be immersed in a plurality of emulsion samples, each having a different demulsifier added. The current flow between the electrodes is recorded for each sample. The demulsifier producing the most rapid rate of change of current flow is identified as the most effective demulsifier in breaking the water-in-oil emulsion.

Abstract: In marine seismic exploration, a long array of sources efficiently transfers energy along the reflection path. Multiple reflection rejection is achieved by normal move-out discrimination at selected trace distances for each reflection. The length of the source array is changed in accordance with the geological characteristics of the sub-surface formations being explored and the reflection time of reflections from formations of interest. A split source array allows one section of the array to be moved with respect to the other to change the overall length of the array without changing the number of sources which are fired. Primary to multiple reflection enhancement is obtained by selecting only traces having source to detector offset distances with a primary to multiple amplitude response ratio greater than one.

Abstract: A radar transmitter directs a beam of microwve energy at a first frequency through the atmosphere. A gas seep in the atmosphere irradiated by the beam of microwave energy is excited to emit microwave energy at a second frequency characteristic of the particular species of gas. A radar receiver is tuned to produce video signals representative of the microwave energy at the second frequency. An amplitude discriminator measures the amplitudes of the video signals during each radar sweep as an indication of gas concentration in the seeps and counts the number of video signals during each radar seep as an indication of the size of the seeps.

Abstract: The recovery of oil by surfactant waterflooding involving the injection of a hydrocarbon slug followed by a thickened aqueous surfactant slug. The hydrocarbon slug is injected into the reservoir in an amount of at least 0.02 pore volume and has a viscosity less than that of the reservoir oil. The thickened surfactant slug comprises an aqueous solution of a surfactant system which includes an organic sulfonate surfactant and which functions to increase the viscosity of the aqueous liquid to a value at least as great as the viscosity of the reservoir oil while decreasing the oil-water interfacial tension. The surfactant slug may include one or more organic sulfonates, either alone or in mixture with a water-soluble aliphatic alcohol.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of oil from an oil-containing subterranean formation by waterflooding employing as an injection medium an aqueous solution of an anionic surfactant comprising a hydrocarbyl substituted succinimido aryl sulfonate and/or its succinamic acid derivative. Such surfactants retain their detergency and do not precipitate in aqueous systems containing high concentrations of brine, e.g., over 20,000 ppm Ca.sup.++, over 10,000 ppm Mg.sup.++ and over 50,000 ppm Na.sup.+. These surfactants are effective in mobilizing tertiary oil under highly saline environments and demonstrate low adsorptive losses. When used as cosurfactants, these materials significantly improve the brine tolerance of more sensitive surfactants, such as petroleum sulfonates.

Abstract: This specification discloses a method of cementing pipe in a well and discloses the use of a designed oil-wetting liquid and cement slurry for cementing pipe against evaporite sections penetrated by the well. The cement slurry is formulated from hydraulic cement, silica flour, ionization control agent, sodium chloride, weighting agent, dispersing and retarding agent, and water, and has a density within the range of about 15.8 to 21.0 pounds per gallon.

Abstract: This specification discloses a waterflooding process for producing oil from an oil-containing subterranean formation that is penetrated by an injection well and a production well. An aqueous solution of a water soluble copolymer having segments formed of blocks of an aromatic monomer and blocks of an olefinic monomer chemically modified to have an anionic function on the olefinic segments is injected into the formation to improve the recovery of oil therefrom.

Abstract: This specification discloses a method of treating a well drilled into the earth. In carrying out this method there is formed a lightweight thixotropic cement slurry that is comprised of a low density calcined shale cement, attapulgite and water, in ratios to provide a pumpable slurry that has zero water separation. This lightweight thixotropic cement slurry having zero water separation is placed in a well and allowed to set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a petroleum production stream at a remote location, e.g., offshore platform, to produce a liquid product stream having a stabilized vapor pressure, and a gas product stream having a stabilized, low dew point temperature at high pressure. The production stream is flowed through four separation stages where gas is separated from the liquid stream. The handling of the gas and condensed liquids from each of the stages is such that the present flow sequence closely simulates that of a conventional distillation tower and operates almost exactly the same except the principal driving force for vapor boil-up is pressure drop instead of reboiler heat. "Reboiler" heat is also provided in the process by heating the condensed liquid stream before it is returned to the third separation stage and this, along with the control of the pressure of the fourth stage, controls the final vapor pressure of the liquid product stream.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation which has undergone an in situ leaching operation which utilized an ammonium carbonate and/or bicarbonate lixiviant. In such a leach operation, ammonium ions will absorb into the clay in the formation and will present a threat of contamination to any ground waters that may be present in the formation. The present method involves flushing the formation with a strong, alkaline solution, e.g., sodium or calcium hydroxide, to convert the ammonium ions to ammonia which is easily carried from the formation by the alkaline solution. The alkaline solution is modified by adding a monovalent metal salt, e.g., sodium chloride, which prevents the clay from swelling which decreases the permeability of the formation. After substantially all of the ammonium ions are removed, the formation is then flushed with water to remove any alkaline solution which may remain in the formation.

Abstract: A pair of acoustic detectors are moved through a well to detect sound at various levels within the well. Electrical signals indicative of the detected sound are applied from the acoustic detectors by way of a conductor cable to uphole recording equipment including an amplifier, spectrum analyzer, crosscorrelator, and recorder. The spectrum analyzer provides frequency spectrums of the amplified signals from the acoustic detectors. The crosscorrelator provides an indication of the time differential between the traveltimes of acoustic noise to the acoustic detectors for use in the location of flow leaks through or behind the well casing.

Abstract: This specification discloses a lubricant composition containing a substituted 1,2,3-triazole as an antiwear agent and new compositions of matter useful as antiwear agents.