Abstract: A method for forming a consolidated gravel pack in a washed-out interval is provided where a borehole penetrates an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated oil or gas reservoir which is likely to introduce substantial amounts of sand into the borehole. After perforating the borehole's casing at a washed-out interval of the formation, sand is introduced into the interval. Afterwards, an aqueous hydroxide solution is injected into said interval. Next, a spacer volume of a water-immiscible hydrocarbonaceous liquid slug is injected into the interval. Thereafter, a water-miscible organic solvent slug containing alkylpolysilicate is injected into the interval. A permeability retentive silica cement is formed in the interval thereby making a consolidated gravel pack. Injection of the aqueous hydroxide and alkylpolysilicate slugs is continued until silica cement has been deposited to an extent sufficient to exclude formation fines and sand.

Abstract: A borehole logging tool is lowered into a borehole traversing a subsurface formation and a neutron detector measures the die-away of nuclear radiation in the formation. A model of the die-away of nuclear radiation is produced using exponential terms varying as the sum of borehole, formation and thermal neutron background components. Exponentially weighted moments of both the die-away measurements and die-away model are determined and equated. The equated moments are solved for the ratio of the borehole to formation amplitude components of the measurements. The formation decay constant is determined from at least the formation and thermal neutron background terms of the weighted measurement and model moments. An epithermal neutron lifetime is determined from the formation decay constant. This epithermal neutron lifetime and the amplitude ratio are used by a trained neural network to determine a lifetime correction and an apparent standoff.

Abstract: A recirculatory lubrication system for applying a film of lubricant to an open gear set having a pinion gear and a bull gear in meshing engagement with the pinion gear, the open gear set at least substantially enclosed by a gear set cover having a lower portion for collecting lubricant therein.

Abstract: A method for the injection of a pre-determined volume of gel below a fracture pressure limit is described. The fracture pressure limit for an unfractured formation is the fracture initiation pressure. The pressure limit for a previously fractured formation is the fracture extension pressure. Initially, a desired gel is injected into a thief zone at a constant rate while maintaining the injection pressure below the limiting fracture pressure. When the injection pressure reaches the formation fracture pressure limit, gel injection is halted for a period of about 3 hours. Afterwards, the bottom hole pressure is allowed to decline and stabilize. Next, gel injection is resumed at the same rate and pressure used prior to halting the injection. If necessary gel injection can be halted when the formation's pressure limit is again reached. After a period of about 3 hours, injection of gel can be again commenced. These steps can be repeated until a pre-determined volume of gel has been placed into the thief zone.

Abstract: A steam, carbon dioxide, or solvent injection method is used in combination with a cased well completed to have an upper vertical section, a lower vertical section and a horizontal section which connects the two vertical sections. Steam, carbon dioxide, or solvent is injected down tubing in the well and through perforations near the lower portion of the lower vertical section of the well and into an oil-bearing formation that is penetrated by the well. Oil is produced from the formation via perforations in the casing in the upper vertical section and thence upward through the annulus formed between the tubing and the casing to the surface of the earth for recovery.

Abstract: Alkylated citric acid derivatives obtained as a reaction product of citric acid and an alkyl alcohol or an amine have been found to be effective antiwear and friction modifying additives for fuels and lubricants.

Abstract: A method where gaseous carbon dioxide is used to provide gas lift of a thinned oil. Carbon dioxide is injected in intermittent slugs via an injection tubing that terminates in a productive interval of a formation. Carbon dioxide mixes with thinned oil in the productive interval thereby increasing gas lift and facilitating production of the oil to the surface.

Abstract: A combination of Mannich type reaction products of ethoxylated alkylated phenol, and alkylated arylamine possess excellent antioxidant properties. The presence of alkylated phenol in the structure is believed to provide a synergistic antioxidant activity with the aromatic amine. Presence of the alkylated aromatic moiety is believed to provide enhanced lubricant solubility compared to unalkylated diphenylamine type antioxidants. Application of these synergistic mixtures of additives and synthetic base stocks in premium automotive and industrial lubricants will significantly enhance stability and extend service life.

Abstract: A method of completing a well which includes the installion of a gravel pack completion adjacent a formation in the well. A fluid-loss agent is flowed into the well to form a barrier to flow into and/out of the formation prior to the installation of the gravel pack. A screen is then lowered into the well and is positioned adjacent the formation. A gravel slurry which includes a removal agent is flowed into the well to deposit gravel. The removal agent contacts and dissolves or disintegrates the flow barrier to thereby open flow to the formation during the placement of the gravel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gravel packing wherein a gravel slurry is distributed to different points of a wellbore annulus from a internal passage within the apparatus thereby protecting the passage from damage during operation. The apparatus is comprised of a plurality of gravel screen units which are connected together at the lower end of a workstring. Each gravelscreen unit is comprised of a gravel screen and a valve-outlet assembly which, in turn, is comprised of a collar having an outlet and a valve for opening and closing the outlet. A washpipe is positioned within the workstring and provides a passage for delivering the slurry internally to the outlets in each of the valve-outlet assemblies. The valves are closed when the washpipe is removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multilayer coextruded thermoplastic stretch wrap films useful for the packaging or palletizing of goods. More particularly the films of this invention comprise at least three layers having two outer layers and at least one intermediate layer placed between the outer layers. The intermediate layer includes a low melt index linear low density copolymer of ethylene and a minor amount of at least one alpha olefin having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, the low melt index linear low density copolymer having a melt index of between about 0.5 to about 2.5. At least one of the two outer layers includes a high melt index linear low density copolymer of ethylene and a minor amount of at least one alpha olefin having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, the high melt index linear low density copolymer having a melt index of greater than about 2.5, the high melt index linear low density copolymer containing from about 3.5 to about 15 weight percent n-hexane extractibles.

Abstract: A process for acidizing a formation where variable density acids are utilized. A substantially low density non-reactive fluid is loaded into an interval of the formation to be treated. Afterwards, a high density first stage acid is injected into the interval. Thereafter, a low density spacer fluid is injected into the interval being treated. Next, a second stage high density acid having a density lower than the first stage acid is injected into said interval. Subsequently, a low density spacer is injected into the interval. Volume increments are repeatedly injected with decreasing fluid densities until a desired zone has been treated. The entire treatment is then overflushed with an inert high density fluid.

Abstract: A method for enhanced oil recovery in a reservoir having a substantial silicon content where an organosilicone surfactant is co-injected with steam to generate a foam. The organosilicone surfactant component of the foam prevents a dissolution of the silicon-containing formation since local equilibrium is assured. Prevention of formation dissolution reduces caving near the wellbore and minimizes permeability reduction away from the wellbore.

Abstract: Two spaced apart zones of a carbonate containing formation are simultaneously acid fractured. A lower density fracturing acid is injected into an upper zone of the formation via an annulus of a perforated wellbore communicating with the upper zone thereby causing a fracture to propagate. Simultaneously therewith, a higher density fracturing acid is injected into a lower spaced apart zone via a tube within the wellbore which fluidly communicates with the lower zone thereby causing simultaneously the propagation of a second fracture. Neither fracture contacts the other although complete fracture growth and zonal acidizing is obtained.

Abstract: A container constituted of a microwave transparent material for the heating or cooking of foods or comestibles through the intermediary of microwaves at a high degree of efficiency and with an enhanced temperature uniformity.

Abstract: A well completion process for improved cement placement in a horizontal wellbore where a fluid is circulated down the wellbore for conditioning and cleaning it. Afterwards, a production tube containing centralizers is positioned centrally within the wellbore. Next, a "spacer fluid" is circulated within an annulus formed by the space between the tube and the wellbore so as to clean the annulus out. Subsequently, a cement having a density greater than the spacer fluid is pumped into the annulus. Thereafter, a light weight cement is pumped into the annulus thereby overriding the heavier cement and removing voids in the annulus resulting in more efficient cement placement.