Abstract: The present invention provides a percussion actuated wire line sampler for use in a drill string. The sampler includes a core barrel adapted to be inserted into the drill string and to be freely movable therein. A hydraulic percussion device (16) also insertable and freely movable in the drill string is connected to the core barrel. A downhole mud turbine (20) is provided and is responsive to drilling mud pressure to actuate the percussion device to drive the core barrel out of the end of the drill string into the material to be sampled.

Abstract: An improved particulate material is disclosed for use in a method for altering the permeability of a gravity override or relatively high permeability path through a subsurface earth formation resulting from fluid injection into the subsurface formation. The method includes adding selectively sized, finely divided, amorphous non-abrasive particulate material to a fluid and injecting the fluid into the gravity override or relatively high permeability path to deposit the particulate material thus altering the permeability in the override, or relatively high permeability path. The particulate material may include graphite, carbon black, clay suspensions, quartz, or other minerals reduced in size range to behave as non-abrasive amorphous material which will present a non-abrasive characteristic in injection wells and if the particulate material is produced with formation fluids from the treated formation.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, rotation of the inner barrel relative of the axis of symmetry of the core barrel (indicative of core twist-off or core sand erosion during coring operations) is detected by a novel sensor combination comprising a Hall-effect device imbedded in a support sleeve of a custom safety sub attached to the outer core barrel adjacent to a single signature magnet fitted to and carried by a special support ring attached to the inner barrel. In releasably attaching the inner and outer core barrels together, the special support ring is made to be locking through operation of a series of compression strings acting between the lower surface of the ring and the inner core barrel as to wedge the upper surface of the support ring against an annular stopper ring. Result: the inner core barrel does not rotate relative to the outer core barrel during the trip down to the bottom of the well bore.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, rotation of the inner barrel relative of the axis of symmetry of the core barrel (indicative of core twist off or core sand erosion during coring operations) is detected by a novel sensor combination comprising a battery-powered Hall-effect device fitted to the inner barrel imbedded in a support sleeve of a custom safety sub attached to the outer core barrel adjacent to a single signature magnet.During coring, circumferential passage of the Hall-effect device adjacent to the signature magnet (during rotation of the outer core barrel to generate a core), produces a series of signals of constant repetition rate. But with the occurrence of rotation of the inner core barrel irregular repetition intervals are produced at uphole indicating equipment connected to the Hall-effect device through conventional downhole telemetering and power generating equipment.

Abstract: Transient change in heat flux due to ultrasmall variation in flow conditions (say from no-flow to flow) within a series of relief flowlines to pinpoint sources of plant upset, is achieved by carefully positioning (in each flowline closely adjacent to an associated relief valve) a transducer-meter for sensing transient heat flux from a selected location completely exterior of the line; and recording in sequence: (i) a base line signal indicative of a no-flow, steady state condition at each selected location along the flowline, and (ii) a transient signal indicative of a flow condition. Both types of signals are generated by a plurality of thermocouples (a thermopile) attached to each flowline in a heat flux sensing relationship that takes into account the type of fluid being monitored and the temperature gradient existing across the relief valve.

Abstract: Transient change in heat flux due to ultrasmall variation in flow conditions (say from NO-FLOW-to-FLOW) within a series of flowlines to pinpoint sources of plant upset is achieved, by carefully positioning a series of M transducer-meters for sensing transient heat flux, each meter being disposed at a selected location completely exterior of a flowline, and recording in sequence at a central control center for each of the M meters at least a transient signal indicative of a FLOW condition. For each meter, signals are generated by a thermopile attached to each flowline in a heat flux sensing relationship. Location takes into account the type of fluid being monitored, and the temperature gradient existing across the relief valve. Recordation of the sensed signals is via a series of M recorders and alarm circuits at the control center.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, rotation of the inner barrel relative of the axis of symmetry of the core barrel (indicative of core twist off or core sand erosion during coring operations) is detected by a novel sensor combination comprising a Hall-effect device imbedded in a support sleeve of a custom safety sub attached to the outer core barrel adjacent to a signature magnet fitted to the inner barrel.During coring, circumferential passage of the Hall-effect device adjacent to the signature magnet (during rotation of the outer core barrel to generate a core), produces a series of signals of constant repetition rate. But with the occurrence of rotation of the inner core barrel irregular repetition rates are produced at uphole indicating equipment connected to the Hall-effect device through conventional downhole telemetering and power generating equipment. Result: sticking and jamming of the core can be immediately detected and uphole parameters modified to ease unsafe conditions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for increased recovery of crude petroleum from a subsurface formation containing petroleum deposits. The method combines steam and gas distillation drive using foam to divert the steam/gas and to establish a thermal barrier against heat loss into the surrounding formations. A noncondensable gas is injected with or after steam to produce a distillate bank which is moved through the formation from an injection well toward a production well. Fluids produced at the production well are monitored to provide information for control of the injected materials at the injection well.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a method of seismic exploration using non-impulsive vibratory sources activated by stationary, Gaussian codes. The method has the channel-capacity economy of sign-bit recording and the distortion-free quality of full-waveform seismic records, even through zero memory, non-linear representations ("ZNL's") are employed either during the collection or the processing steps that produce such final records. As a result, stratigraphic facies can be both economically and surprisingly indicated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for producing viscous petroleum from a subsurface formation. The apparatus includes a generally horizontal cased well through the subsurface formation with injection and production tubings within the well. The casing is perforated and the inner tubings carry a movable packer and a rotatable agitator. The method comprises injecting a heating and drive fluid for moving heated viscous petroleum through the perforations in the casing and into the well for production to the wellhead. Production is monitored for the ratio of produced packer fluid and viscous petroleum. Based on that ratio, the packer is moved within the casing to positions along the horizontal well to maximize production of petroleum. The rotatable agitator assists in removal from the well bore of formation solids produced with the viscous petroleum.

Abstract: Transient change in heat flux due to ultrasmall variation in flow conditions, say from flow-to-no flow within a flowline of a wellhead connected to an oil well penetrating an earth formation, is surprisingly useful in pinpointing the occurrence of adverse "pump pounding" during the production cycle of the well. In one respect, the change in flux is monitored within each flowline using a heat flux transducer/meter in series with a pump controller. Cascading the signal output, i.e. serially combining the outputs of N thermocouples the transducer/meter, enhances sensitivity. In a preferred case, N is about 80 but can be as high as 320, if desired.

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 portable NMR instrument. Inherent instrument inadequacies (DC field inhomogeneity and large phase background jitter) are themselves relied upon to increase the data-throughput efficiency, i.e., the number of NMR responses performed per unit time. 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, still results. Also, effects of possible echoes during subsequent measurements are prevented by using both the inhomogeneities of the DC field and the essentially random phase spectrum that is inherent in the instrument to average out echoes of prior generated NMR responses.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for editing seismic traces gathered by large multichannel collection systems using a pattern analysis of the noise spectrum of each trace. Analysis is limited to only a small time window, say the last second of the trace. In that way a minimum number of quantitative variables and mathematical manipulations are required to carry out the invention. On-site as well as off-site, processing of the traces in accordance with the method of the present invention, is contemplated.

Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle transportation system including improvements in an electrified roadway system and a vehicle for operation on the roadway. The roadway is energized in response to the presence of a vehicle having certain control systems and only when that vehicle satisfies certain predetermined conditions which provide safety features for foot traffic on the roadway system. The vehicle includes means for controlling energization of the roadway in response to actions and demands within the vehicle. Automatic control means are provided to maintain the vehicle in alignment with the roadway energization system.

Abstract: An improved insulated tubing string with insulated coupling formed of concentric tubing members insulated from each other to prevent heat from the inner tubing from being conducted to and through the outer tubing. The coupling joins the outer tubing of successive tubing assemblies to provide additional strength to the string and the inner tubing is insulated within the coupling to prevent heat loss at the coupling. The inner tubing is elongated during fabrication and joined to the outer tubing when elongated to reduce heat stress on the string when in use.

Abstract: A present invention relates to a method of depicting piping items of a pipe specification file of a computer-dominated piping graphics system, off-line, irrespective of piping class and without duplication. Interactive report generation increases likelihood of effective batch operations.

Abstract: A method for packing particulate material in the annulus surrounding a liner in a subsurface well having a substantial deviation from vertical. Foam carrier fluid is employed for placing the particulate material. The geometry of the apparatus at the location where the material is to be placed is described.

Abstract: An improved insulated tubing string with insulated coupling formed of concentric tubing members insulated from each other to prevent heat from the inner tubing from being conducted to and through the outer tubing. The coupling joins the outer tubing of successive tubing assemblies to provide additional strength to the string and the inner tubing is insulated within the coupling to prevent heat loss at the coupling. The inner tubing is elongated during fabrication and joined to the outer tubing when elongated to reduce heat stress on the string when in use.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing viscous petroleum from subsurface deposits. The method employs a vertical well and a horizontal well through the petroleum deposit. A combination of injection procedures through the horizontal and vertical well heat the viscous petroleum in the annulus around the horizontal well. Successive completion intervals are installed in the horizontal well to produce the heated petroleum. The petroleum is driven by a drive fluid passing through previously produced intervals.