Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for use within a borehole for seismic surveying that has a vertical array of seismic receivers connected to a cable, a top inflatable bladder connected to the cable above the top seismic receiver, and a bottom inflatable bladder connected to the cable below the bottom seismic receiver. The top bladder acoustically isolates all seismic receivers from the borehole environment above the top bladder. The bottom bladder acoustically isolates all seismic receivers from the borehole environment below the bottom bladder. Additional inflatable bladders are placed between each separate seismic receiver in the array.

Abstract: The present invention is comprised of a non-intrusive microwave sensor system for measuring fluid saturation or multiple fluids contained within a flowline or a fluid saturated porous medium. Here, the microwave oil saturation scanner (MOSS) comprises a transmit portion and a measurement portion. The transmit portion generates two signals for different purposes. The first signal is used as a reference signal upon which the sample signal is eventually compared. The second signal is transmitted through the sample which causes a phase angle shift and signal attenuation. The two signals are then compared in the measurement portion where the phase angle shift and the signal attenuation is related to the concentration of oil and water in the sample mixture.

Abstract: A polymer is disclosed that is useful in increasing the viscosity of carbon dioxide. That polymer comprises an organosilicon polymer having nonrandom crosslinkages that enhance backbone rigidity. Preferably, that polymer is a polyalkylsilsesquioxane. That polymer can be used in a method for recovering oil from an underground oil-bearing earth formation penetrated by an injection well and a producing well, in which method carbon dioxide is injected into the formation to displace oil towards the producing well from which oil is produced to the surface. The viscosity of the carbon dioxide injected into the formation is increased at least three-fold by the presence of a sufficient amount of the polymer and a sufficient amount of a cosolvent to form a solution of the polymer in the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for creating parallel vertical fractures from a horizontal or inclined wellbore. Magnitude and orientation of in situ stresses within the formation are determined, and a wellbore is drilled in the direction of the minimum horizontal in situ stress. The wellbore casing is then perforated in the vertical plane by selectively placing a pair of opposing perforations within the casing. Vertical fractures are then initiated and propagated in the plane perpendicular to the minimum horizontal in situ stress by applying hydraulic pressure to fluid in the wellbore casing.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for determining injection profiles in a steam injection well is disclosed. The mass flow rate of steam entering the well is measured. A well logging tool is then used to measure temperature and/or pressure profiles within the perforated zone of the well. A liquid phase tracer is then injected for a short time into the well with the steam. The well logging tool contains dual gamma ray detectors and is used to measure the transit time of the tracer slug. In the preferred embodiment, the liquid tracer is radioactive elemental iodine or sodium iodide. The procedure is repeated with a vapor phase tracer which is radioactive Krypton. Argon, or Xenon in the preferred embodiment. A vapor and liquid profile can then be calculated with simple mass balance equations. In a second approach, a spinner survey and a single tracer survey are conducted. By combining the spinner and tracer survey results, vapor and liquid rates can be determined and steam injection profiles can be calculated.

Abstract: An apparatus for the accurate measurement of pressure changes has a reference accumulator and a differential pressure transducer. The reference accumulator stores a pressure representative of the environment being measured. The differential pressure transducer measures the difference between the reference pressure and the pressure of the environment being measured. Connected to the reference accumulator is a valve that allows the reference accumulator to be charged to a pressure representative of the environment being measured and provides protection to the differential pressure transducer from overpressuring. This valve can be controlled remotely by electrical means. With the use of an isolation means, such as an isolation bellows, the whole apparatus can be protected from the environment being measured.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for enhancing the uniformity of steam distribution in a multiple steam injection system having a steam generator, a steam header, a primary steam line connecting the generator to the header, and a plurality of secondary steam lines connecting the header to a plurality of steam injection wells. The method comprises injecting a surfactant into the primary steam line, and mixing the surfactant and steam sufficiently so that the surfactant and the steam enter the header as a foam. The concentration of the surfactant in the foam is in the range of from 0.1 to 1.0 vol %. Preferably, the surfactant is injected into the primary steam line within seventy-five feet of the steam header. More preferably, the surfactant is injected into the primary steam line within fifty feet of the steam header. Still more preferably, the surfactant is injected into the primary steam line within twenty-five feet of the steam header.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for restricting the movement of a hydraulically actuated rudder assembly on a large ocean-going vessel during failure of the hydraulic system. It comprises a half-collar made of a material that is substantially incompressible along its lengthwise axis and is adapted to fit over a ram rod or a guide rod in a steering assembly between a cross-head and a ram rod sleeve or guide rod. The length of the half-collar is minimally less than the length between the cross-head and the terminus of the ram rod or guide rod when the rudder is in a neutral position.

Abstract: The invention deals with separating production fluids into separate components of oil, water, sand and gas in first and second stage separators. Preheating of the production fluid prior to entry into the first stage separator is partially accomplished by direct mixing with hot processed water taken from the effluent of the first stage separator and the second stage separator. Recirculated processed water may also be used to improve sand removal from the first and second stage separators.

Abstract: The present invention is a phosphate compound for use in a bacterial nutrient medium. The medium is injected downhole in a petroleum formation along with a bacteria (or its spore) and provides the bacteria with growth nutrients. The nutrient solution contains a phosphate compound which: will not precipitate out of solution under ambient conditions; will chelate alkaline earth, rare earth, transition and heavy metal ions; and provide a nutrient source for the bacteria.

Abstract: A polymer having pendant vinyl ether groups is disclosed having a minimum solubility parameter of 6.85 (cal/cc).sup.1/2 or less. That minimum solubility parameter is reduced to 6.85 (cal/cc).sup.1/2 or less by control of the number of pendant vinyl ether groups and by the selection of said vinyl ether groups. Preferably, the polymer has a molecular weight of over 1000 and is formed by reacting an olefin monomer (such as decene) with a vinyl(ethyl ether) monomer or by grafting a vinyl ether monomer onto an unsaturated polyolefin (such as polydecene).

Abstract: A punch tool is disclosed for creating an aperture in the wall of a heat exchanger tube. The punch tool comprises a cylindrical stem and bit means which is inserted into the tube from the tube sheet. The stem is retracted while the bit is forced upright by a rigid rod and punctures the tube.

Abstract: An economical, corrosion-resistant, wireline set and retrievable, downhole coupon holder is disclosed that has a non-metallic, elongated member having recessed slots and a mounting means for mounting the coupons within the recessed slots. Preferably, there are six pairs of slots, with each pair of slots being on opposite sides of the elongated member. Each pair of slots shares a common mounting means that fixes the ends of coupons within that pair of slots.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for controlling pH in the liquid and vapor phases of wet steam having such phases formed in a steam generation system from feedwater having therein at least one carbonate species which in the presence of steam forms a vapor phase component tending to lower the pH of the vapor phase of the steam upon condensation and a liquid phase component tending to raise the pH of the liquid phase of the steam. It comprises: (a) converting the feedwater in a steam generation system to steam having a vapor phase and a liquid phase; and (b) adding to the steam generation system, a heterocyclic, multifunctional, nitrogen-containing compound capable of forming a nonvolatile anionic component and a cationic component that, in the presence of said system, yields hydrogen ions for reducing the pH of the liquid phase of said steam and an alkaline component for increasing the pH of the vapor phase of said steam upon condensation.

Abstract: In its broadest aspect, the present invention provides a method for inhibiting silica dissolution in the vicinity of a well penetrating a hydrocarbon-containing formation. It includes: (a) adding an amount of a chmeical compound to a wet steam which forms an alkaline component in the vapor phase of the wet steam effective to inhibit corrosion in the vicinity of the vapor phase condensate; (b) separating the wet steam into the liquid phase and the vapor phase; (c) removing an amount of the liquid phase from the wet steam effective to reduce silica dissolution in the vicinity of the liquid phase; and (d) injecting the wet steam into the formation.

Abstract: A method of increasing the viscosity of CO.sub.2 at least three-fold by adding (1) a viscosifying amount of a polymer having a Minimum Solubility Parameter of 6.85 or less and a plurality of electron donor atoms selected from the group consisting of O, N, and S, and (2) a sufficient amount of a cosolvent to form a one-phase solution, said cosolvent being capable of (a) dissolving at least 2% by weight of CO.sub.2 at 25.degree. C. and 900 psig, and (b) forming a one-phase mixture with the polymer when the mixture contains 10 weight percent cosolvent at ambient temperature and a pressure sufficient to maintain the cosolvent in the liquid phase. New compositions containing CO.sub.2, the defined polymer and cosolvent are also claimed as is a method for recovering oil from underground formations using a viscosified CO.sub.2.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting permeability damage of a hydrocarbon formation containing clay minerals in the vicinity of a well penetrating the formation. It comprises: injecting a wet steam that includes (a) an amount of ammonia in the vapor phase of the wet steam to produce a concentration of ammonium ions in the vapor phase condensate of the wet steam effective to inhibit permeability damage of the formation in the vicinity of the vapor phase, and (b) an amount of a bicarbonate salt of the alkali metals, or mixtures thereof, effective to raise the liquid phase pH of the wet steam to within the range of about 7.5 to about 10.5.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the water content of crude oil in a pipeline is disclosed. The device consists of S-band tarnsmitting and receiving antennas, and X-band transmitting and receiving antennas. These are used to determine the complex dielectric constant of the fluid in a pipeline. Water salinity and an adjustment to the mixing formula are calculated using X-band and S-band sidewall links. The overall water content of the pipeline can then be determined by using as S-band main link that transmits a wave through a representative portion of the entire pipeline.

Abstract: A well bore annulus wiper plug is disclosed. The wiper plug has a central body and inner and outer elastomeric ribs. The ribs are generally in the shape of truncated cones. To operate the device, it is inserted in the annular space between well casing and a drill string. Fresh drilling mud is circulated downwardly through the annular space above the wiper plug. The wiper plug scrapes both the outside of the drill pipe and the inside of the casing free of a previous well fluid.

Abstract: The apparatus holds a section of an optical fiber in a fixed plane while permitting the tension on the optical fiber to be adjusted. The holder is configured to provide complete access to the optical fiber for chemical etching, ion beam etching, coating operations, and the like. The holder also protects the fiber during processing operations, such as the formation of gratings, when the optical fiber is weak and subject to handling damage. The holder is also suitable for use with fine wires, rods, and the like.