Abstract: A solids flow distribution apparatus is disclosed for use with two or more solid separation devices, such as shale shakers. The appartatus includes a plenum in communication with a source of flow of solids and liquid, such as from a drilling rig's mud system. The plenum includes lower outlets positioned adjacent inlet zones for each solid separation device. Valves are positioned across the lower outlets for regulating the quantity of solids and liquids that flow into the inlet zones of each solid separation device. A variable distribution apparatus is included within the plenum adjacent the flow inlet for regulating the proportion of solids directed towards each solid separation device.

Abstract: A set of dipmeter data comprising monunimodal-symmetric datasets is processed prior to correlation and dip computation and display by transforming the nonunimodal-symmetric datasets into unimodal-symmetric datasets while maintaining the subsets which are already unimodal-symmetric.

Abstract: A set of representative subpopulations of a dataset such as a set of depth related formation log responses is selected by (a) classifying the dataset into n=a disjoint clusters; (b) determining discriminant function for the thus produced n=a disjoint clusters; (c) generating a measure respresentative of agreement/disagreement betweeen the classification generated by cluster analysis in step (a) and the classification generated by discriminant analysis in step (b); (d) repeating steps a-c for other numbers n=a, b, c, . . . ; and (e) selecting the set n=k where k is a, b, c, . . . , where the measure shows best agreement.

Abstract: A whirl resistant drill bit is disclosed for use in rotary drilling. The drill bit includes a generally cylindrical bit body with a plurality of cutting elements extending out from a lower end surface. The cutter elements are grouped in sets such that a first set of cutters are disposed at substantially an equal radius from a center of the bit body to create a groove in the material being drilled. A second set of cutters is connected to the lower end surface with each cutter therein in overlapping radial relationship with each other and extending a maximum distance from the lower end surface less than that of the first set of cutters. At least one cutter of the second set is in overlapping radial relationship with at least one of the cutters within the first set of cutters. This cutter arrangement causes the drill bit to cut grooves within the formation material that tends to prevent destructive bit whirl. Further, adjustments can be made to vary the back rake angle and side rake angle to prevent bit whirl.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone separation system is disclosed for separating a fluid mixture into at least two separate density components and for precluding remixing of semi-separated higher density components. A first and second hydrocyclone separators each has a central overflow outlet, a tangential fluid inlet, and a central overflow outlet. The first and second hydrocyclone separators are oppositely disposed such that a curved flow direction conduit extends from the underflow outlet of the first hydrocyclone separator to the tangential fluid inlet of the second hydrocyclone separator. Thereby, rotating fluid exiting the underflow of the first hydrocyclone separator is tangentially passed into the inlet of the second hydrocyclone separator precluding remixing of semi-separated higher density components and increasing the overall separation efficiency of the system.

Abstract: A method of flowing a high viscosity substance, such as a delayed cross-linked fracturing gel, through a conduit or well fracture at a low apparent viscosity comprises selecting a cross-linkable fluid having nonhomogeneous flow properties and flowing the fluid through the conduit or well fracture at fluid conditions which produce nonhomogeneous flow of the fluid at low apparent viscosity, and preferably at a minimal apparent viscosity. Also included is a method of determining the fluid conditions at which the fluid flows nonhomogeneously at a low or minimal apparent viscosity. The method may further comprise crosslinking the fluid while inputting shear energy to the fluid and determining the ranges of shear energy input to the fluid which produce nonhomogeneous flow of the fluid at a low apparent viscosity. The fluid may then be flowed at flow rates which create fluid shear energies within the ranges which produce nonhomogeneous flow at a low or minimal apparent viscosity in a conduit or well fracture.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining rock compressive strength of a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore. A mathematical model of a drill bit and an estimate of rock ductility of a particular subterranean formation in conjunction with weight-on-bit (WOB), bit rotational speed RPM, and rate of penetration (ROP) are used as inputs. From the above inputs, the rock compressive strength can be determined while the wellbore is being drilled or afterwards. A depth correlated log can be generated of rock compressive strength that can be compared to other logs obtained from adjacent wellbores to obtain a refined estimate of the depth of a particular subterranean formation feature. Further, the above method can be utilized for obtaining an indication of bit wear or bit damage while the bit is drilling a wellbore by comparing a first rock compressive strength log of a wellbore to a rock compressive strength log being generated while the drill bit is actually drilling a second wellbore.

Abstract: A remedial treatment for coal degas wells is described which enhances the production flow of gas and/or water from the wells. The treatment comprises the steps of: (a) injecting an aqueous foam through the wellbore and into the coal seam(s) at a pump rate of about 10 to about 40 BPM; and (b) flowing back the well at the maximum rate through an open, unrestricted choke.

Abstract: Sulfur species are removed from a Claus plant tail gas stream by contacting with zinc oxide in the presence of sufficient reducing equivalents for conversion of sulfur compounds to hydrogen sulfide. In another aspect, sulfur compounds are converted to hydrogen sulfide prior to contacting with zinc oxide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for disconnecting a marine riser assembly from a subsea wellhead when the marine riser assembly contains substantially gas, the marine riser assembly comprising a riser and a wellhead connector having an internal shoulder for abutting against the top of the subsea wellhead. The method comprises equalizing the pressure acting on the internal shoulder of the wellhead connector and the seawater pressure acting external to the wellhead connector.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to suppress coherent noise in seismic data. Based on the Karhunen-Loeve Transform, this method trains on a region containing undesired coherent noise. Eigenvectors determined from the convariance matrix of that noise are used to reconstruct the noise throughout the data set. Subtracting the reconstruction from the original data leaves a residual in which the coherent noise has been suppressed. Applying this method to a shot record of marine seismic data illustrates that the procedure does suppress noise on actual seismic data.

Abstract: A portion of the acid gas feedstream to a Claus plant is passed through Claus catalyst to strip residual sulfur and sulfur compounds from the catalyst. The resulting gas-in-process containing the stripped compounds can then be provided to a Claus conversion step.

Abstract: An offshore well test platform system is positionable above one or more underwater wells and comprises a submerged buoy restrained below the surface of the water by a plurality of laterally extending, tensioned cables, a platform structure removably connected to a submerged buoy with an upper portion that extends above the surface of the water, and a flexible riser that connects the well to a well test platform deck above the surface of the water.

Abstract: A vibration dampening assembly, such as a dynamic balancing apparatus, is connected to a drill bit, a downhole motor or drillstring to exert a variable force to counteract vibration inducing forces. The dynamic balancing apparatus includes a support body which supports a plurality of freely movable masses so that the masses move to a position for opposing an imbalance force which rotates with, and at the same speed as, the drill bit, downhole motor or drillstring.

Abstract: To divert sufficient fluid flow through an unsealed bearing section of a downhole drilling motor, a flow control apparatus is provided for insertion between the power section of the motor and the bottom of a drill bit which is to be turned by the motor. The flow control apparatus includes a variable flow channel having a selectable effective cross-sectional area preferably embodied by a valve. A selected effective cross-sectional area is chosen by a control mechanism, such as a snap ring or a spring used to control the position of a valve member of the valve in response to different flow rates of fluid pumped through the valve depending upon whether the drill bit is on-bottom or off-bottom. In one embodiment the apparatus is incorporated within the interior of a drill bit which has angled flow channels to direct flushing fluid flow to side wall locations where reaming occurs. Flow through these outlets is controlled by positioning of the valve member.

Abstract: A skimmer system comprising a skimmer device for collecting a surface contaminant layer from a liquid component, pumping means for transferring the surface contaminant layer from the skimmer device to a remote location, and positioning means for maneuvering the skimmer device about the surface contaminant layer.

Abstract: The orientation of a downhole steering assembly used in drilling a horizontal well is located with respect to the earth using a sub placed above the downhole assembly. The sub comprises a housing having a central bore defining an inlet flow passageway said housing further defining a toroidal chamber in communication with said passageway. The toroidal chamber has a pocket, a valve seat, and a spherical valve that is rotatable in said toroidal chamber from a normally seated position in the pocket. Upon rotation of the drill string the spherical valve plugs the valve seat and causes an increase in the resistance to flow in the drilling mud through the drill string that can be detected at the surface.

Abstract: A drill bit includes a drill bit body, a cutting member and a fluid course extending in front of the cutting member. The fluid course includes a progressively widening diffuser having a particular design which allows pressure recovery in a fluid flowed through an axial bore of the drill bit body, through a narrow throat of the fluid course in front of the cutting member, and out the progressively widening diffuser of the fluid course. As a result, a significantly reduced pressure is obtained in front of the cutting member, which reduced pressure is below a borehole pressure where the drill bit is used.

Abstract: A method of producing coalbed methane by injecting inert gas, such as nitrogen, through an injection well into the coal seam and recovering coalbed methane from a production well(s). Methane desorption from coal is achieved by reduction in methane partial pressure rather than by reduction in total pressure alone.

Abstract: To stabilize a drill string and to reduce or prevent wellbore deviation in directional drilling, weight rods by which weight is to be applied to drill bit are maintained free-standing and under compression within a drill string while the drill string itself is maintained in tension to limit or prevent lateral deviation of the weight rods in compression. Weight provided by the weight rods is transferred to the drill bit through a load transfer member in compression connected between the drill string and the drill bit.