Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reducing drag in a fluid stream. The method includes admixing the components of a drag reducer to form an incipient drag reducer and injecting the incipient drag reducer into the fluid stream wherein the drag reducer components are admixed at the site of the fluid stream.

Abstract: A clayish subterranean formation, such as may be encountered in rock surrounding a well bore during hydrocarbon recovery operations may be stabilized with a polyamine salt of an imide of polymaleic anhydride. The salt may be unneutralized or partially neutralized. The invention is particularly relevant to hydraulic fracturing fluids used in enhanced oil recovery. The compositions of this invention are more environmentally friendly than some current technology.

Abstract: It has been discovered that certain fracturing fluid compositions can be used to fracture a subterranean formation and be permitted to stay within the formation for a relatively extended period of time, for example 28 days or more, before being flowed back or produced. At least two embodiments are envisioned, a bacteria-containing formulation and an anti-bacterial formulation. Both systems would be expected to prevent the potential of the fluid to oil wet the formulation (water block condition) by keeping the formation water wet through the use of water wetting surfactants or solvents. Additionally, both formulations would control reservoir crude souring (H2S generation by in situ sulfate-reducing bacteria), reservoir plugging (via slime biopolymers generated by in situ microbes, inorganic scale deposition like calcium carbonate or barium sulfate, and clay fines migration).

Abstract: A method for producing a stabilized polymer drag reducing agent slurry comprising combining a fatty acid wax and a liquid carrier to form a dispersion; pre-treating the dispersion by heating to partially dissolve the fatty acid wax in the liquid carrier; and adding the polymer drag reducing agent thereto, to form a stabilized polymer drag reducing agent slurry. The resulting slurry is relatively stable against settling, separation and agglomeration.

Abstract: A device for sealing and anchoring within a tubular member. The device comprises a top swage member disposed within the tubular member, with the top swage member having a longitudinal center of axis. Also included is a first sealing member disposed about the top swage member, with the first sealing member containing a first plurality of circumferential ribs disposed about the first sealing member. The device may also include a second sealing member that is attached to the first sealing member, with the second sealing member containing a second plurality of circumferential ribs disposed about the second sealing member. A bottom swage member is disposed within the second sealing member, with the bottom swage member having a longitudinal center of axis. The device further comprises a setting apparatus for driving the top swage longitudinally downward relative to the top swage's longitudinal center axis and for driving the bottom swage longitudinally upward relative to the bottom swage's center axis.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus and method for simple fluorescence spectrometry in a down hole environment. The apparatus and method utilization of two UV light bulbs and an optically clear UV coupler and a fluid containment system. The optically clear UV coupler and fluid containment system are made of sapphire. The apparatus is attached in a manner that enables light transmitted from a light source on the far side of the fluid containment system to pass through a pathway in a plate holding the UV bulbs. UV light illuminates the fluid, which in turn fluoresces light. The fluoresced light is transmitted back towards the UV bulb mount and through the pathway towards an optical spectrum analyzer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for isolating a downhole tool section from hydraulic and mechanical noise. Anchoring grippers are used in conjunction with a fluid diverter valve to anchor the tool section to a borehole wall and divert fluid flowing in the drill string away from sensitive test equipment during formation testing.

Abstract: It has been discovered that aminocarboxylic acids are effective breakers for polymer-gelled aqueous fracturing fluids, particularly in the temperature range between about 120° F. (49° C.) and about 280° F. (138° C.). The aminocarboxylic acids are believed to act directly on the polymer and not to any great extent or not to as an effective extent on a crosslinking agent, if present. The polymer may be a polysaccharide, and the aminocarboxylic acid may be selected from the group including, but not necessarily limited to, tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Na4EDTA), tetrasodium propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Na4PDTA), trisodium hydroxyethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Na4HEDTA), trisodium nitrilotriacetic acid (Na3NTA), salts of these acids, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Polypropylene having high maleic anhydride content, between about 5 and about 45 wt %, may be prepared by first reacting a metallocene-prepared polypropylene having terminal unsaturation with one mole equivalent of maleic anhydride to give polypropylene having a single unsaturation and a terminal succinic anhydride moiety. This product is then reacted with additional maleic anhydride in the presence of a free radical initiator (such as a peroxide or UV radiation) to give a polypropylene with maleic anhydride moieties along the backbone. The polypropylene product does not suffer scission or crosslinking with subsequently undesirable increases in molecular weight or viscosity. The maleic anhydride moieties provide reactivity to the polypropylene and thus expand its uses and applications.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting formation of hydrocarbon hydrates in mixtures of water and a hydrate-forming guest molecule involves adding a reaction product to the mixtures in an effective amount to inhibit formation of the hydrocarbon hydrates under conditions otherwise effective to form the hydrocarbon hydrates in the absence of the reaction product. The product is made by the reaction of first reactant that is an amine or polyamine, or alcohol or polyalcohol, with a second, aldehyde reactant and a third reactant that is an alcohol or polyalcohol or, an amide or polyamide. Preferably, if the first and third reactants are both an alcohol or both a polyalcohol, they are not the same. A non-limiting example of a suitable amine would be a fatty alkyl amine, while formaldehyde would be a non-limiting of a suitable aldehyde and polyacrylamide would be a suitable third reactant.

Abstract: It has been discovered that fracturing fluid breaker mechanisms are improved by the inclusion of a polyol alone that directly degrades the polysaccharide backbone, and optionally additionally by removing the crosslinking ion, if present. That is, viscosity reduction (breaking) occurs by breaking down the chemical bonds within the backbone directly, rather than by merely removing the crosslinking ion, if present. The gel does not have to be crosslinked for the method of the invention to be successful, although it may be crosslinked. In one non-limiting embodiment, the polyol has at least two hydroxyl groups on adjacent carbon atoms. In another embodiment, the polyols are monosaccharides such as glycerols and sugar alcohols, and may include mannitol, sorbitol, glucose, fructose, galactose, mannose, lactose, maltose, allose, etc. and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Non-polymeric drag reducing agents in the form of maleated fatty acids and the esters thereof and the organic, inorganic or amine salts thereof are described herein. These additives are useful to reduce drag in hydrocarbon fluids and multi-phase fluids of hydrocarbon(s) and water. No injection probes or other special equipment is expected to be required to introduce the drag reducing agent into the liquid stream, nor is grinding (cryogenic or otherwise) of the additive necessary to form a suitable drag reducing agent. The drag reducing additives of the invention are not subject to shear degradation and do not cause undesirable changes in the emulsion or fluid quality of the fluid being treated, or undesirable foaming.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing a polymer drag reducing agent (DRA) is described. The process concerns mixing a monomer and a catalyst in at least one continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) to form a mixture. The mixture is continuously injected into a volume continuously formed by a thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene. The thermoplastic material is periodically sealed off to form a temporary container or bag. The monomer is permitted to polymerize in the temporary container to form polymer. In one non-limiting embodiment, the polymerization in the bag takes place within an inert, circulating fluid that accelerates heat transfer. The polymer and the temporary container are then ground together, preferably at non-cryogenic temperatures, to produce a particulate polymer drag reducing agent. In one preferred, non-limiting embodiment, the grinding or pulverizing occurs in the presence of at least one solid organic grinding aid.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for modeling of faulting and fracturing uses “small scale rules” to produce large-scale results. One part of the method is a user interface for inputting deformations, preexisting faults and fractures, and material rock properties. The second part of the software is the code that solves the motion of each point or node in the subsurface volume defined by the user interface. The model may be defined in one of three modes: an aerial mode, in which the model is 2-dimensional with the material and a substrate on a horizontal plane; a cross-sectional mode similar to the aerial mode except that the nodes are in a vertical cross section and gravity is included in the model; and a 3-D model that is an extension into a third dimension of the 2-D model and deformation may be applied to the bottom and four sides of the material region.

Abstract: A method of homogeneously polymerizing styrene comprising admixing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer and an initiation system that is soluble in the monomer. This system includes a metal; a peroxide, hydroperoxide or mixture thereof; and a reductant. Under appropriate reaction conditions, the cyclic oxidation and reduction of the metal produces free radicals which initiate homogeneous polymerization of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The invention beneficially enables relatively low temperature processing with inexpensive initiation.

Abstract: It has been discovered that fracturing fluid breaker mechanisms are improved by the inclusion of a catalyzed polyol alone that directly degrades the polysaccharide backbone, and optionally additionally by removing the crosslinking ion, if present. That is, viscosity reduction (breaking) occurs by breaking down the chemical bonds within the backbone directly. The gel does not have to be crosslinked for the method of the invention to be successful, although it may be crosslinked. In one non-limiting embodiment, the polyol has at least two hydroxyl groups on adjacent carbon atoms. In another embodiment, the polyols are simple sugars and sugar alcohols, and may include mannitol, sorbitol, glucose, fructose, galactose, mannose, lactose, maltose, allose, etc. and mixtures thereof. The catalyzing metal ion may employ a metal selected from Groups VIB, VIIB, VIII, IB, and IIB of the Periodic Table (previous IUPAC American Group notation).

Abstract: Blown films and blow molded objects may be prepared using a polyethylene composition comprising a unimodal metallocene catalyzed polyethylene copolymer. The polyethylene copolymer has high melt fow rate and good melt strength allowing it to be useful in both extrusion and injection blow molding. Blown film prepared therewith has a high level of clarity.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for seismic data processing. Prestack seismic data is obtained that contains a plurality of reflectors. Non-parallel moveout of the plurality of reflectors is utilized to determine a source wavelet using an L2-Norm and a reflectivity parameter using an L1-Norm. The source wavelet and reflectivity parameters can be determined simultaneously. Source and reflectivity determination may further comprise minimization of a model objective function. The model objective function may be a function of at least one of i) said source wavelet, ii) a gradient parameter and iii) an intercept parameter. An AVO intercept and gradient parameters can be determined using the determined source wavelet and reflectivity parameter. Constraints may be placed on parameters to ensure physically realistic solutions.

Abstract: Syndiotactic polypropylene blends having a unique set of mechanical properties may be prepared by blending syndiotactic polypropylene with a high molecular weight mineral oil, an ultra low density polyethylene, or both. The syndiotactic polypropylene blends of the present invention have been found to have reduced flexural modulus, reduced haze, improved impact strength and shorter injection molding cycle times. It has been determined that the addition of about 5 to about 10 percent high molecular weight mineral oil to a syndiotactic polypropylene can decrease flexural modulus values by about 25 to about 30 percent. Moreover, the addition of up to about 10 percent mineral oil to the syndiotactic polypropylene material does not show signs of bleeding or impair clarity, in fact, percent haze values are slightly improved with the addition of mineral oil.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for modeling of faulting and fracturing uses “small scale rules” to produce large-scale results. One part of the method is a user interface for inputting deformations, preexisting faults and fractures, and material rock properties. The second part of the software is the code that solves the motion of each point or node in the subsurface volume defined by the user interface. The model may be defined in one of three modes: an aerial mode, in which the model is 2-dimensional with the material and a substrate on a horizontal plane; a cross-sectional mode similar to the aerial mode except that the nodes are in a vertical cross section and gravity is included in the model; and a 3-D model that is an extension into a third dimension of the 2-D model and deformation may be applied to the bottom and four sides of the material region.