Abstract: An apparatus and method of use thereof are disclosed herein for determining cement conditions adjacent a casing set within a wellbore. At least one acoustic transmitting and receiving transducer and at least one acoustic receiving transducer are positioned into contact with the interior surface of the casing. At least one pulse of acoustic energy is transmitted into the media surrounding the wellbore from the at least one acoustic transmitting and receiving transducer. Electrical signals are generated in response to acoustic energy received by both transducers from the surrounding media. Representations of the generated electrical signals are recorded as a function of the depth within the wellbore and are indicative of the cement conditions, including the casing-cement bond, the cement-formation bond, cement thickness, and the acoustic velocity associated with the cement.

Abstract: A compter-based log processing system is described herein for exploring a subsurface formation and that uses log signals and dip signals. The system includes signal processing circuitry for storing each signal as a value individually within a universally formatted relational data base, for identifying any portions of the log signal and the dip signal that are unacceptable, and means for replacing the identified unacceptable portions of either signal with a corresponding acceptable portion from the other signal. Further, the system has the capability of processing dipmeter data, as well as log data, utilizing conventional log processing editing, plotting, and analysis programs on a single system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an array of seismic energy receiver elements spaced specifically for attenuation of horizontally traveling seismic waves. In one embodiment, the rows of seismic energy receiver elements are spaced apart a crossline distance d and have a total crossline extent D, and d is less than the velocity divided by the maximum frequency of the noise to be attenuated and D is greater than the velocity divided by the minimum frequency of the noise to be attenuated. In another embodiment, two or more arrays of seismic energy receiver elements are interleaved. Also disclosed herein is a method for processiong seismic energy signals to attenuate predetermined wavelengths of seismic waves.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of degasification, wherein gas and water production from a coal field are maintained at high rates regardless of temporary changes in market demand. While all the produced water is disposed, surplus gas is reinjected in coal by converting some of the producers to injectors. When the demand for gas improves, the injection wells are put back on production. Recovery of gas from wells used as injectors is rapid because of increased reservoir pressure and high gas relative permeability near the wellbore.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for controlling subsidence during underground gasification of coal. Prior to the complete coal gasification step, holes are provided extending from the bottom to the top of the coal seam and these holes filled with heat resistant support material. Thereafter, the complete gasification process is carried out.

Abstract: A sonic well logging system and apparatus for determination of seismic wave velocities from a seismic wave propagating in a subterranean formation about a wellbore. The system includes the process of imparting a seismic wave into the subterranean formation about the wellbore, and receiving the seismic wave after it has interacted with the subterranean formation at a plurality of seismic receivers positioned in the wellbore. The seismic waves are transformed at each of the seismic receivers into a seismic signal and these signals nonlinearly stacked for a selected position in the wellbore to generate a velocity spectrum of seismic wave velocities. Coherency peaks are then selected from the velocity spectrum with each coherency peak having associated therewith a unique seismic wave velocity, such as P-wave, S-wave, tube wave and the like.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling production of fluids from a well. A transfer vessel receives fluids produced from an oil and gas well which separate into liquid and gas phases in the vessel. A gas pipeline and a liquid pipeline are provided for transporting produced gas and liquid, respectively, from the vessel. A gas pressure control valve is provided in the gas pipeline. A bypass conduit having a bypass valve therein forms a shunt around the pressure control valve in the gas pipeline. In the event of an abnormal rise of liquid in the vessel, the bypass valve closes thereby increasing gas pressure in the vessel to a pressure sufficient to boost liquid therefrom into an emergency vessel drain.

Abstract: A method of apparatus for controlling in a wellbore the force applied to a rotating drill bit of the type having fluid circulating through an opening in the lower end thereof. One aspect of the method comprises sensing the torque in the drill bit and varying the flow of the circulating fluid through the drill bit responsive to the torque. Apparatus is provided for maintaining constant torque in the drill bit by varying the fluid flow through the bit, which varies in turn the weight applied to the bit and therefore bit torque.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and related system for controlling the injection of fluid into a plurality of spaced wellbores using a fluid distribution system to direct fluid from a fluid source to each of the spaced wellbores. In the method, high/low fluid flow rate limits and high/low fluid pressure limits for each wellbore are determined and inputted into an RTU. The fluid flow rate and fluid pressure for each wellbore are measured at the fluid distribution system and the measured fluid flow rate and the fluid pressure for each wellbore are compared to the determined limits. Thereafter, the flow of fluid to each wellbore is adjusted at the fluid distribution system for those wellbores that have a measured fluid flow rate and/or fluid pressure outside of the determined limits and the adjustment is continued until the measured flow rate and fluid pressure are within the determined limits.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for collecting a sample from a flow of drill cuttings falling from a shale shaker. The apparatus comprises a receptacle having an opening at the upper end thereof for receiving such a sample, a housing for supporting said receptacle, and a cover for covering a selected portion of said opening, the cover being mounted on said housing.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone separation system is disclosed for separating a liquid mixture into at least two different density components. A central outlet of a primary separation chamber is in fluid communication with a tangential inlet of at least one secondary chamber via a conduit extending therebetween, whereby a rotating stream of the low density components exiting the central outlet of the primary separation chamber passes through the conduit and enters the secondary separation chamber with the same direction of rotation.

Abstract: Overbased sulfurized phenates formed by the process comprising contacting at reaction conditions a composition comprising a phenolic compound, sulfur and an alkaline earth metal base selected from the group consisting of calcium, barium, magnesium, and strontium, in an amount insufficient to fully react with the phenolic compound, and contacting the above intermediate composition with an additional amount of alkaline earth metal base and carbon dioxide, wherein the molar ratio of carbon dioxide absorbed to overbasing alkaline earth metal is from about 0.70 to about 0.95.

Abstract: This invention is an improvement over the simple riser pipe terminator, which has been applied at the mudline and at the platform level, to resist very large stresses in the riser pipes when a vertically moored platform (VMP) or other similarly tethered structure is subjected to wind, tide and current. A second or short terminator is used with the terminator to form a multiterminator which results in the length and weight of the terminator assembly for a given site being greatly reduced from that of the prior art terminator. Thus, the cost of construction of the terminator assembly is drastically reduced with the use of our invention. Also disclosed is a novel bearing arrangement between the structure VMP and the terminator assembly.

Abstract: Wellhead supported subsea template apparatus and methods of installing such template apparatus are provided. The template apparatus are each comprised of a central support member adapted to be positioned into engagement with an upper portion of an existing wellhead and to be supported thereon above the sea floor. Attached to the template are a plurality of laterally spaced guide slot members, mechanisms for removably connecting the central support member to a running tool, and mechanisms for preventing the support member from rotating on the wellhead after being positioned thereon.

Abstract: A turbine for driving a drill bit includes means for locking the turbine rotor. A generally cylindrical locking assembly is connected to the rotor via a splined connection which permits relative axial movement of the locking assembly and rotor while restricting relative rotational movement thereof. A tab extends radially outwardly from the locking assembly and is receivable in an axial groove formed on the inner surface of the turbine case. When so received, rotational movement of the locking assembly and thus the rotor is prevented. An annular cavity is formed on the inner surface of the turbine case adjacent one end of the groove. When the tab is received therein, rotational movement of the locking assembly and rotor relative to the turbine case is permitted. A wellbore may be reamed and washed with the rotor in its locked condition by rotating the drill string as in conventional rotary drilling and circulating fluid.

Abstract: A tubing assembly is disclosed for providing fluid communication and wireline access from a tubing string through a tubing remnant extending above a packer set within a casing. In combination, the tubing assembly comprises a funnel guide connectable to the lower portion of the tubing string, and a packer connectable with the tubing string above the funnel guide for establishing a sealed zone within the casing extending from above the funnel guide to the tubing remnant packer. The funnel guide further comprises a body having a lower flared skirt adapted to receive thereinto an upper portion of the tubing remnant, a central bore extending through the body, and devices on an upper portion thereof for connection to the tubing string.

Abstract: A terminator assembly is disclosed herein for use in mooring a floating structure to the floor of a body of water. A hawsepipe extends downwardly from adjacent an upper support on the floating structure and is supported by a lower support. Tension members utilized from mooring the floating structure extend downwardly from adjacent the upper support through the hawsepipe and a lower end of the tension member is adapted for connection to the floor of the body of water. A locking device is connected to an upper portion of each tension member for maintaining the tension member in tension by acting upon the upper portion of the hawsepipe to transfer the vertical loads through the hawsepipe to the lower support on the floating structure.

Abstract: Methods and related apparatus are described for determining lithological characteristics, such as formation material type and porosity, of an underground formation by utilizing compressional velocity (V.sub.p) and shear velocity (V.sub.s) data. One described method utilizes the plotting of V.sub.p and/or V.sub.s versus a Seismic Parameter, such ad K/.rho. or the Bulk Velocity, and boundaries of velocity values of certain formation material types to define a field of data points. By comparing the position of the data points to the boundaries of the formation material types, the formation material type and, later, porosity can be determined. A method is described for determining the presence of a hydrocarbon gas at a particular location in an underground formation utilizing the above methods. Also, a method is described for determining V.sub.s from V.sub.p data and obtained ratios of V.sub.p and V.sub.s for at least one formation material type.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a downhole sidewall coring tool having first and second power hydraulic systems in which changes in pressure drop in a portion of the first hydraulic system adjusts a control valve to change the pressure in a part of the second hydraulic system. Means are provided to adjust the operation of the control valve as a function of viscosity change in the hydraulic fluid caused by change in ambient temperature.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for completing a plurality of zones in a wellbore. A packer having a tubular element extending therethrough is suspended in a wellbore between two hydrocarbon-bearing zones of interest. The lower zone is perforated and stimulated if necessary. Thereafter, the tubular element is sealed with a plug which includes an explosive charge and the upper zone is fractured and stimulated. The explosive is then detonated thus severing the tubular element at the plug thereby permitting production of formation fluids from both zones into a common string of tubing.