Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for treating fluids, especially spacer fluids and cement compositions as well as drilling, completion and stimulation fluids including, but not limited to, drilling muds, well cleanup fluids, workover fluids, conformance fluids, gravel pack fluids, acidizing fluids, fracturing fluids and the like for introduction into a subterranean zone penetrated by a wellbore, wherein the treating fluid comprises zeolite and a carrier fluid. The treating fluid may additionally include one or more of a viscosifier, organic polymer, dispersants, surfactants and weighting materials.

Abstract: A system and method for stimulating a formation surrounding a well and vibrating a device for supporting a gravel pack in the well, according to which a build up of scale on the device is sensed and a corresponding signal is output. A driver is provided for driving a transducer coupled to the device for vibrating the device and removing scale from the device.

Abstract: Methods are described for providing localized heating in an oil well at precise depths to accomplish or expedite specific objectives. The methods involve the use of a heating tool which can be lowered into an oil well to apply heat at a precise depth to achieve a desired result. The specific objectives may include localized heating of a fresh cement slurry to accelerate curing, or localized heating of recently emplaced chemicals which are formulated to be thermally activated. One purpose of such chemicals is to viscosify or increase in gel strength after being pumped into an oil well production zone, in order to restrict the production of unwanted formation fluids such as water.

Abstract: Methods and cement compositions for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a wellbore. The cement compositions include cementitious material, a polymer emulsion and a mixing fluid. The polymer emulsion includes at least one polar monomer and at least one elasticity enhancing monomer.

Abstract: A method is provided for selecting a cementing composition for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore. The method involves determining a group of effective cementing compositions from a group of cementing compositions given estimated conditions experienced during the life of the well, and estimating the risk parameters for each of the group of effective cementing compositions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for moving a tubing along a path, according to which the tubing is engaged by an outer chain which is driven to advance the tubing. The chain is adapted to be deflected radially in response to an increase in the diameter of the tubing, and a plate is compressed in response to the deflection of the chain to accommodate the variation in diameter.

Abstract: A method and cementing composition is provided for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore, wherein the cementing composition comprises a mixture of cementitious material, a polymeric cement cohesion additive, and sufficient water to form a slurry. The polymeric cement cohesion additive is a high molecular weight hydroxyethylcellulose. The method comprises placing the cement composition in the subterranean zone and allowing the cement composition to set into a solid mass therein.

Abstract: The treatment well tiltmeter system comprises one or more tiltmeter assemblies which are located within an active treatment well. The treatment well tiltmeter system provides data from the downhole tiltmeters, and can be used to map hydraulic fracture growth or other subsurface processes from the collected downhole tilt data versus time. The system provides tilt data inversion of data from each of the treatment well tiltmeter assemblies, and provides isolation of data signals from noise associated with the treatment well environment. As well, the treatment well tiltmeter system provides geomechanical modeling for treatment well processes.

Abstract: Compositions including pellets of alum, a smectite mineral material, and optionally sodium or calcium carbonate, that can be delivered to a phosphate impoundment located at or near the bottom of a body of water. The pellets of alum, smectite mineral material and optionally sodium or calcium carbonate are dropped in a body of water, and the alum is released over time, as the pellet descends to the bottom of the body of water.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention provide for determining the orientation of natural fractures in the Earth resulting from hydraulic fracturing treatment. Data attribute information from a far-field point-source signal profile for a microseismic event is extracted in the time domain. An estimate of the orientation of the natural fracture is calculated in the time domain based on the extracted data attribute information.

Abstract: A new, non-wrapping approach to functionalizing nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes, in organic and inorganic solvents is provided. In accordance with certain embodiments, carbon nanotube surfaces are functionalized in a non-wrapping fashion by functional conjugated polymers that include functional groups. Various embodiments provide polymers that noncovalently bond with carbon nanotubes in a non-wrapping fashion. For example, various embodiments of polymers are provided that comprise a relatively rigid backbone that is suitable for noncovalently bonding with a carbon nanotube substantially along the nanotube's length, as opposed to about its diameter. In preferred polymers, the major interaction between the polymer backbone and the nanotube surface is parallel ?-stacking. In certain implementations, the polymers further comprise at least one functional extension from the backbone that are any of various desired functional groups for functionalizing a carbon nanotube.

Abstract: This invention described a novel use for cartilage extract, namely a shark cartilage extract, in a combined anti-tumor therapy. The cartilage extract is used in combination with anti-neoplastics. The combined therapy provides for a higher anti-tumor efficacy with no concomitant increase, even better with a decrease, of toxic side effects.

Abstract: A computing device receives first information about a customer. The computing device outputs second information to at least first and second loan sources. The second information includes at least a portion of the first information. From the first and second loan sources, the computing device receives submissions of respective first and second bids for providing a loan to the customer for purchase of an item. The computing device identifies at least one of the first and second bids as being most favorable. To the customer, the computing device outputs third information about the identified bid, including an identity of at least one of the loan sources that submitted the identified bid.

Abstract: A method and system for producing a plurality of pilot beacon signals with different carrier frequencies is disclosed. One original pilot beacon signal is first obtained, and a splitter is used to make copies of the pilot beacon signal. Each of the copies are fed into a mixer for generating a plurality of intermediate signals with different frequencies. A bandpass filter is subsequently used to select a final one among the intermediate signals. Thus, a set of pilot beacon signals with different frequencies are successfully obtained.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a base member and a lid member attached to the base member and movable between a closed position and an open position. A display is mounted on a first side of the lid member positioned adjacent the base member when the lid member is in the closed position. An optical drive is mounted on a second side of the lid member opposite the first side.

Abstract: A customer configured computer includes a keyboard having an exterior surface and input components mounted on a portion of the exterior surface. A user wrist rest area is adjacent the keyboard and includes a pad retention apparatus having a base member with a protruding contoured surface and a peripheral edge extending from the contoured surface; a resilient pad member covering the contoured surface and having a terminal edge extending toward the peripheral edge; and a frame member attached to the peripheral edge and securing the terminal edge of the resilient pad member between the frame member and the base member.

Abstract: A chassis has a module bay and a module is movably mounted to extend from and retract into the bay. A latch is mounted on the module and includes a movable portion mounted to extend from and retract into the module. A catch member is mounted on the latch and is actuated by the movable portion of the latch to extend into engagement with the chassis in response to the movable portion being retracted into the module.

Abstract: An architecture for dynamic IP address management is disclosed. The architecture includes a gateway (GW) coupled between a private IP network and a public IP network. A dynamic host configuration processor (DHCP) is operatively coupled to the GW. A network address translator (NAT) couples to the GW. Lastly, a processor, operatively coupled to the GW and the DHCP, is provided for dynamically assigning to a private IP network subscriber equipment an external IP address and a corresponding IP address hold time as a function of an application to be performed. Assignment of the external IP address and a corresponding IP address hold time is in response to a) a request for accessing the public IP network by a subscriber equipment of the private IP network to perform the application, or b) a request for accessing the private IP network by an entity of the public IP network. The external IP address is selected from a prescribed number of external IP addresses available to the private IP network.

Abstract: A system and method to connect a caller to a callee through the services of an operator, the method comprising: connecting the caller to the operator through an origination switch; connecting the operator to the callee through a destination switch; sending a release message to the destination switch with a request for a callee address; receiving the address at the operator; sending a release message to the origination switch with the callee address; and connecting the callee with the caller by utilizing the callee address. The method can also include putting the callee on hold at the destination switch and sending the callee address from the destination switch. The method can also include putting the caller on hold at the origination switch while receiving the callee address from the operator. The operator can be an automated operator, a manual operator, or a private branch exchange, for example. The network can be an asynchronous transfer mode network and, or an Internet Protocol network, for example.