Abstract: The present invention provides for on-site capture of methane at sea, for isotopic examination. Liquid and interfering gases are separated from the methane; the methane is oxidized to form carbon dioxide and water; and the carbon dioxide and water are isotopically analyzed for carbon and deuterium distribution to determine methane origin, as an aid to evaluation of hydrocarbon potential of an earth formation.

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 occurs. Thus, differentiating between high-intensity amplitude annomalies of nongas- and gas-containing media is simplified: progressive change in amplitude intensity of resulting traces generated by the field array as a function of offset between each source-detector pair, is associated with the last-mentioned medium only.

Abstract: A ball check valve is provided for use in a thermosiphoning solar energy system. The valve is extremely sensitive to low pressure variations and will permit reverse thermosiphoning above specified operating temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention presents a novel method for injection molding a header to the open-ended tubes of an elastomeric solar collector. Special mold pieces and mandrels are required to carry out the invention.

Abstract: A pressure-controlled valve comprising an elastic-walled conductor, such as a tube, with a flow-obstructing body within the conductor. Fluid flow through the conductor is controlled by expanding the elastic wall away from the flow-obstructing body to provide fluid flow paths and by contracting the elastic-wall of the conductor toward the body to close the flow paths. Expansion and contraction of the elastic-wall of the conductor is in response to the differential pressure between the inside and the outside of the conductor.

Abstract: A process for avoiding compaction and permeability reduction in carbonate formations when fluids are injected into such formations in a manner to produce hydrocarbons from such formations. The process involves controlling the pH and the state of mineral saturation of the injection fluids.

Abstract: A heat transmission module wherein a natural-circulation, solar collector, storage tank, insulation and other interrelated parts are fabricated as a unitary structure capable of bearing a load.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the quality of wet steam flowing in a steam line utilizing the relationship between critical flow pressure (P.sub.c) and upstream pressure (P.sub.u) to develop a critical pressure ratio P.sub.c /P.sub.u to obtain the steam water mixture inlet enthalpy (H) from empirical curves and the steam quality from the equation:Steam Quality=[(H-h.sub.w)/(h.sub.s -h.sub.w)]P.sub.uwhereH.sub.w =specific enthalphy of water, andH.sub.s =specific enthalpy of steam bath both at P.sub.u.

Abstract: A method of in-situ coal recovery in slurry form from a coal deposit by first contacting the coal with a gaseous mixture of an oxygen-containing gas containing vaporized NO.sub.2, then with an aqueous alkaline solution to slurry the coal, and then recovering the slurried coal from the deposit.

Abstract: An improved baffle for use in an oil-water separation tank including a perpendicular solid portion and an inclined slotted portion extending downwardly and inwardly in the direction of flow from the lower edge of the perpendicular solid portion, the slotted portion having at least three rows of downwardly spaced apart slots extending laterally across the slotted portion, the uppermost of said rows an averge of from 1/2 to 2 slots per lateral meter and each of the lower rows therefrom having at least 25% more slots than said uppermost row.

Abstract: A packer cup assembly useful on tubing at high temperatures and includes a special sealing element having a frangible back up portion to provide pack off in a well.

Abstract: Recovery of viscous petroleum such as from a thick tar sand formation is assisted using a closed-loop flow path formed in a production well extending from the earth's surface through a substantial portion of the formation for conducting hot fluid to reduce the viscosity of the petroleum in the formation to develop a first potential passage in the formation outside the flow path into which a hot drive fluid is injected through a injection well to promote movement of the petroleum to the production well for production and to develop a second potential passage for fluid flow in the formation from a linearly spaced apart injection well for injection of a hot drive fluid to further promote movement of additional petroleum to the production well.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a compliant platform for use in deep water. The platform comprises a structure including a working deck positioned above the water by a plurality of leg members which are rigidly connected to the working deck and are pinned into the bottom of the body of water. Horizontal bracing members are rigidly connected between the leg members. Vibration-influencing means are located on the structure to provide the structure with a first mode of vibration with a frequency less than the frequency of the peak of spectral wave density profile expected in the body of water at the location of the structure and a second mode of vibration with a frequency greater than the peak frequency of the spectral wave density profile expected in the body of water at the location of the structure.

Abstract: Method of transporting iron ore by forming an aqueous slurry containing by volume 20 to 45 percent iron ore; from 0.02 to 0.4 percent by weight based on iron ore in the slurry of a dispersant; and from 0.01 to 0.2 percent by weight based on water in the slurry of an organic polymer and moving the slurry through a pipeline.

Abstract: Low heat conductive frangible centralizers are provided for use in a tubing string in a well and include a central tubular section connectable into the tubing string and having a plurality of radially extending polymerized furfuryl alcohol impregnated cordierite lugs in spaced apart position on the periphery of the tubular section with means to disconnectably connect such lugs on the tubular section.

Abstract: A marine riser, which is hung from a drilling platform floating on a body of water and connected at its lower end to a wellhead, is buoyantly tensioned by one or more float cans with open bottoms. These float cans are connected at their upper end to the riser to which air under pressure is controllably supplied. The pressurized air blows out the water in each can to achieve the desired buoyancy. The float can may having an air dump valve interconnected with similar valves in the other cans. The function of these valves is to release the pressurized air in the can if the riser parts. At the upper end of the riser is a slip joint, which may include safety water-dampening gear to further reduce upward motion of a parted riser. The optional dampening gear comprises an annular piston formed by the upper section of the slip joint that forces water through ports in the exterior of the lower section of the slip joint as the riser below the slip joint moves upward.

Abstract: A steam injection system including a steam deflector connectable into a tubing string which steam deflector provides for selectively passing steam through the tubing string to the bottom thereof or diverting steam from inside the tubing string out into the wall liner-tubing annulus and in a direction concentric with and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubing string and above the bottom end thereof utilizing a sliding-sleeve arrangement and packer cup means packing off the well liner-tubing annulus both above and below the steam deflector.

Abstract: A negative energy power supply which operates submerged equipment like a hydraulic actuator. A main component of the system is a submerged chamber held at substantially atmospheric pressure. It is connected to submerged equipment having intake and discharge ports controllable by remotely operated valves. When the intake port is opened to water at the submerged depth of the equipment and the discharge port is vented to the chamber, the resulting pressure difference operates the submerged equipment. The system can also have appropriately connected to it, a pressure amplifier to increase the water pressure at a submerged location and a pump to purge the chamber.

Abstract: A method of improving hydrocarbon recovery from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation utilizing a steam drive from an injection well to a production well wherein the quality of the injected steam is maintained at a value between 35 and 45% to maximize the heat utilization of the steam.

Abstract: A steam deflector connectable into a tubing string is provided for selectively passing steam through the tubing string to the bottom thereof or diverting steam from inside the tubing string out into the well liner-tubing annulus without causing a vortex effect and in a direction concentric with and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubing string and above the bottom end thereof utilizing a sliding-sleeve arrangement.