Abstract: A downhole testing apparatus has a modular construction including a pump assembly, a screen assembly, a first packer assembly, an intake port assembly, and a second packer assembly. The pump assembly includes an improved ratchet assembly for opening and closing a relief port of a discharge passage of said pump. The pump assembly is constructed so that said ratchet assembly and the moving components of the pump are covered with a lubricating fluid contained between upper and lower seals.

Abstract: A pile of a commodity such as coal is coated with a composition which forms a continuous gel thereon whereby water incursion into the pile is prevented. The composition is comprised of a liquid hydrocarbon having a viscosity greater than about 50 centipoises at 75.degree. F. and a minimum boiling point greater than about 500.degree. F. gelled with an alkaline earth metal salt of rosin acid.

Abstract: A low-density, high-strength cement composition useful in a high temperature environment, such as in thermal wells, which includes hydraulic cement, a siliceous material and a relatively low-density inorganic material.

Abstract: An improved differential pressure hydraulic pressure convertor whose ratio of output pressure to input pressure may be easily varied comprising a valve housing, a pump housing having a cylindrical bore therethrough, a power cylinder including a differential piston located between the valve housing and the pump housing, a piston assembly detachably secured to the differential piston of the power assembly and, optionally, a sleeve installed in the cylindrical bore in the pump housing slidably receiving the piston of the piston assembly.

Abstract: The invention of this application is a dispersant system with various embodiments and subcombinations with exceptional dispersions including colloidal suspensions, aqueous hydrocarbon emulsions and emulsions with solid particulate additives dispersed therein. The basic dispersant system which makes the high stability, high weight dispersions or emulsions possible comprises an emulsifier composition containing a fatty acid amide, oleic acid, dimerized oleic acid and a particular type of surfactant dispersant. For certain applications the following optional components can be used: particulate filler or carrier; a hydrocarbon phase which can be either liquid or a colloidal solid; water soluble salts weighting agents; insoluble salts and conventional additives.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean well formation wherein a low pH highly viscous thixotropic treating fluid is introduced into the formation. The treating fluid is formed by combining an aqueous acid solution with an aqueous alkali metal silicate solution and a gelling agent whereby a highly viscous polymerized alkali metal silicate gel of low pH is produced followed by shearing of the gel to impart thixotropic properties thereto.

Abstract: A diaphragm for closing the bore of a tubular pile guide member and/or supporting leg member of a marine platform or similar structure, the diaphragm comprising reinforced elastomeric material having fabric type reinforcing means bonded to one or more reinforcing members in the outer periphery of the diaphragm and extending throughout the diaphragm with additional fabric type reinforcing means bonded to one or more reinforcing members or the fabric type reinforcing means in the periphery of the diaphragm and extending inwardly into the inner portion of the diaphragm without extending throughout the diaphragm.

Abstract: A diaphragm for closing the bore of a tubular piling guide member and/or supporting leg member of a marine platform or similar structure, the diaphragm comprising reinforced elastic material wrapped around and bonded to a plurality of reinforcing members in the diaphragm with the diaphragm being positively secured to the guide member and/or leg of the platform by means of two flat annular plates having fasteners retaining the diaphragm therebetween.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a powdered metal casing and an apparatus and method for making the powdered metal casing, which casing is useful for shaped explosive charges for perforating oil and gas wells.

Abstract: An improved centralizer includes upper and lower collars with a plurality of spring members attached at upper and lower ends to said collars. Each of said collars includes a first and second arcuate collar portion. A first peripheral end portion of said first collar portion includes a radially outward projecting channel. A second peripheral end portion of said second arcuate collar portion includes a radially inward projecting channel which overlaps with said outward projecting channel to define an axially extending hole which receives a latch pin. A novel connection between the collars and spring members is also provided. The collars include a continuous integrally formed peripherally extending bar spaced radially outward from a radially outer surface of the collars, upper and lower peripheral slots adjacent upper and lower edges of the bar, and an upper compression bearing surface.

Abstract: A method of clarifying and removing water from water-solids suspensions wherein the solids are formed into flocculent masses and clarified water is continuously removed by the withdrawal thereof through a screen.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a conduit connection including a first and a second conduit part, each having an axially extending flow passage and an end surface radially intersecting the flow passage. Each of the conduit parts includes an internal sealing cavity adjacent the end surface and radially off-set from the flow passage. A composite annular seal is interposed between the conduit parts and extends into the two sealing cavities. The composite annular seal includes a central rim portion from which extend two generally axially disposed lip portions projecting oppositely outwardly into the conduit sealing cavities, each lip portion having an annular groove therein. An elastomeric sealing member having a portion which mates with the annular groove in the lip portion of the composite sealing ring extends peripherally about each end of the lip portions and into conforming engagement with the internal sealing surfaces of the conduit parts.

Abstract: Particular aqueous gels, epoxy resin compositions and optional additives such as diluents, retarders and accelerators are described which produce a practical composition and method for in situ sand consolidation and gravel packing by which a resin coated sand is positioned in a desired location and cured by an internal catalyst to form a porous permeable or plugged consolidated mass.

Abstract: A high stability, nondamaging spacer fluid is provided containing readily available weighting agents such as calcium carbonate and iron carbonate dispersed in water using a polymer viscosifier, a salt inhibitor, a primary sulfonated dispersant and a secondary fatty acid amide dispersion. Conventional high density weighting agents can also be used. The spacer fluid is stable over a temperature range of about 32.degree.-300.degree. F. for extended periods with densities ranging from 11 to 17.6 pounds per gallon.

Abstract: A piston and cylinder motion dampening device having a spiral groove metering, an orificed two-way pressure relief valve or a screw-on spring or an over-extension limiting seal retainer.A push-together method of assembling a piston and cylinder motion dampening device.A motion dampening device with a baffle chamber.

Abstract: A retrievable plug for sealing a jacket leg of an offshore platform or similar cylindrical member. The plug comprises a plug body and upper and lower plug body retaining means which restrain the plug body from movement within the jacket leg or similar cylindrical member.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean well formation wherein a highly viscous thixotropic treating fluid is introduced into the formation. The highly viscous thixotropic treating fluid is formed by combining an aqueous acid solution with an aqueous alkali metal silicate solution whereby a polymerized alkali metal silicate gel is produced followed by shearing of the gel to impart thixotropic properties thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating high temperature well formations whereby highly viscous crosslinked gels are formed in the formations.

Abstract: A land vehicle for use as a blender for the mixing of dry, particulate, and liquid materials comprising a chassis having an articulated frame thereon, the articulated frame including a first translatable portion and a second translatable, rotatable portion rotatably secured to the first translatable portion whereby movement of the articulated frame with respect to the chassis between a first retracted position and a second extended position causes translational movement of the first translatable portion of the articulate frame and translational and rotational movement of the second translatable, rotatable portion of the articulated frame.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating an underground well formation whereby the treatment is confined to a desired zone within the formation. The methods comprise introducing one or more preflush fluids into one or more fractures in the formation followed by the introduction of a treating fluid having a density differing sufficiently from the density of the preflush fluids whereby the treating fluid is segregated and caused to flow into a desired zone within the formation.