Abstract: A method for thermal fluid injection into a plurality of strata wherein a well is packed off to establish a first and a second zone. A first tubing string is introduced and is terminated in the first zone. The first tubing string is paralleled by a second tubing string. The first and second tubing strings are physically separated. A first fluid at a first temperature is injected into the first tubing string while a second fluid at a second temperature is simultaneously injected into the second tubing string. The first fluid at the first temperature is applied to the first zone while the second fluid at the second temperature is applied to the second zone.

Abstract: A wellhead expansion assembly for wells having a plurality of tubes carrying hot fluids into and out of a well. Thermal expansion of the tubing is a accommodated by provision of an expansion chamber for termination of each separate string of tubing. Expansion chambers are connected in series, female threaded end to male threaded end. A male end of a first expansion chamber is threadedly engaged with a wellhead donut while a terminal end of a last expansion chamber in the series is threadedly engaged with a cap.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing fluids within a subterranean borehole wherein a submersible pump is introduced into the borehole at a first location. An intake port of the pump is connected to the first end of an intake duct having an unconnected second end located at a second location within the wellbore from which location fluid is to be withdrawn. An output port of the pump is connected to a first end of a second duct having an unconnected second end at a third location within the wellbore into which location fluid is to be introduced. By activating the pump, fluids, such as scale and corrosion inhibitors, are distributed from above the intake of a production pump to as low in the borehole as is required to protect wellbore contents.

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 proximity effect heat-tracing system in which proximity effect heat-tracing circuits are fed in either direction from a plurality of feed points connected to a single main transformer to increase the length of pipeline supplied by a single main transformer. A secondary transformer interposed between a main transformer and a plurality of feed points reduces the voltage required to be applied to a proximity effect heat-tracing system of a given length. Two or more proximity effect heat-tracing systems used along the same length of pipeline, employ neutral conductors having approximately the same diameter as "hot" conductors where the secondary of the main transformer in each system is 180.degree. electrically out of phase with the secondary of the main transformer in the other system.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, progressive changes in amplitude as a function of offset of common gathers can be more easily identified by emphasizing the degree of amplitude variation between traces of each gather along a seismic line, and after generating semblance coefficients, displaying the resulting "weighted" offset traces or representations of such traces as function of either horizontal offset or centerpoint values. A significant --and progressive --change in P-wave reflection coefficient as a function of the angle of incidence (within sections) indicates valuable characteristics, say the fluid hydrocarbon-bearing potential and/or lithology of the reflecting horizon.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting abnormalities in proximity effect pipeline tracing circuits by coupling conductive elements carrying proximity effect circuit currents and having opposite polarities. These conductive elements are coupled to an additional conductive element which is in turn connected to a system for detecting current so that when the difference between the proximity effect circuit currents is non-zero, the current flows through the additional conductive element and is detected by a relay or ammeter.

Abstract: The present invention indicates that gas-containing strata of an earth formation have low Poisson's ratios and that the acoustic contrast (with the overburden rock) has a surprising effect as a function of the angle of incidence on a seismic wave associated with an array of sources and detectors: viz., a significant--and progressive--change in P-wave reflection coefficient as a function of the angle of incidence (within a gather of data) indicates the lithology of the reflecting horizon and the capping strata.

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: In accordance with the present invention, progressive changes in amplitude as a function of offset of common gathers can be more easily identified by emphasizing the degree of amplitude variation between "near" and "far" amplitude vs. time traces of each gather along a seismic line, and displaying the resulting near and far offset sections side-by-side. A significant--and progressive--change in P-wave reflection coefficient as a function of the angle of incidence (within sections) indicates valuable characteristics, say the fluid hydrocarbon-bearing potential and/or the lithology of the reflecting horizon.

Abstract: A packing material useful in a gravel pack for open or cased wells or in a prepack for use in steam or hot fluid injection and production wells. The packing material is a material which is insoluble in high temperature caustic fluids and subsurface formation fluids. Sintered bauxite is a claimed material.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining if sign-clipped variations of full-waveform traces can be used in subsequent cross-correlation processing without undue hardship. In accordance with one aspect, the present invention examines skewness of the amplitude spectrum of the full waveform. If the former significantly differs from conventional Gaussian distribution over the frequency range of interest, i.e., the amplitude spectrum is non-Gaussian, sign-clipped versions thereof can be used in subsequent cross-correlation processing without undue loss in processing accuracy. In another aspect, the present invention is used to edit a series of traces, one at a time, gathered by a large multichannel collection system. In this aspect, the different spectral noise estimates, including cross-correlation estimates generated from sign-clipped versions of the full-waveform traces, are advantageously used.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, fluid-flow properties of a rock sample based on NMR response of the hydrogen nuclei of interstitial fluids within the pore space of such sample, can be swiftly and accurately achieved using a computer-controlled, portable NMR instrument. Inherent instrument inadequacy of a DC field inhomogeneity is controllably augmented by a depolarizing code (provided via a computer-controller controlling a transmitter-pulser) to ensure complete magnetic memory erasing prior to a new measuring cycle. Result: Even though the instrument is placed at field sites away from the usual processing center, quick analysis of rock samples as during the drilling of a well, results.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water detection subassembly and method for forming same, for use in association with water detection system operating within a digital computing center. The subassembly includes a perforated protective shield fitted about a fabric mesh supporting copper conductors connected to a low voltage service. In that way, the shield completely isolates the fabric mesh and copper conductors against abuse such as provided from workmen's shoes coming into contact with the subassembly during repair, replacement or renovation of computing equipment at the center.The shields are conveniently formed from commercially available plastic pipe such as PVC, sliced longitudinally and then attached to the concrete sub-floor of the computing room along the two cut longitudinal surfaces. Since a pair of shields can be formed from each section of plastic pipe, the shields are inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: A packing material useful in a gravel pack for open or cased wells or in a prepack for use in steam or hot fluid injection and production wells. The packing material is a material which is insoluble in high temperature caustic fluids and subsurface formation fluids. Sintered bauxite is a claimed material.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the accurate mapping of shallow crustal earth formations by means for refractive seismic waves to identify structure as well as elastic parameters of the strata undergoing survey to indicate deposits of ore, marker rock, economic minerals and the like. In one aspect of the present invention, a "roll-along" technique is used in the field, such technique being both practical and economical. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is a provision for (i) stacking displays that allow for accurate identification of shape of the surveyed strata; and (ii) final depth displays of the refracting bed segments associated with seismic shear and compressional wave velocities as well as Poisson's ratio to indicate presence of ore, marker rocks, economic minerals and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring Reid Vapor Pressure, as defined in the ASTM D-323 procedure, of liquid hydrocarbon materials wherein a sample of material is drawn from a sample can into a sample chamber containing a bellows and then to a measuring chamber. An expansion chamber, containing a bellows, connects with a measuring chamber for adjusting the amount of air within the measuring chamber and for setting the pressure within the measuring chamber before introduction of the sample so that RVP measurement occurs at the appropriate pressure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing combustion chamber deposits during normal engine operation by advancing spark timing during intermittent series of compression strokes for each cylinder of a spark-ignition, internal-combustion engine in turn.

Abstract: The present invention provides disclosure of a core sampler that includes a rotatably extending outer barrel containing a relatively non-rotating core barrel which is extendable with the outer barrel in response to drilling mud pressure into the material to be cored by a mud turbine which rotates the outer barrel. The core sampler may be run in and out of a drill string on a wire line.