Abstract: A cuttings processing system processes return fluid recovered while drilling a wellbore at an offshore location. The processing system includes a separator having an inlet receiving the return fluid, an accelerator coupled to the inlet that accelerates the return fluid, and a conical spinning member that receives the accelerated return fluid from the accelerator and applies a centrifugal force to the return fluid. The acceleration provides the return fluid with a tangential velocity that substantially matches the rotational speed of the conical spinning member. The separator also has a liquid discharge port that discharging the substantially liquid component to a tank or pipe and a solids discharge opening that discharges the substantially solid component out of the separator. In one embodiment, a conveyance device transports the solids component from the separator to a selected location on the offshore facility.

Abstract: A drilling system comprises a tubular member disposed in a wellbore having a downhole assembly disposed therein. At least one electrical device is disposed in the downhole assembly. A fuel cell is disposed in the downhole assembly and operatively coupled to the electrical device for providing electrical power thereto. The fuel cell extracts at least a portion of its fuel supply from the flowing drilling fluid downhole. In another aspect, a pipeline system comprises a pipeline having a fluid flowing therein. An electrically powered device is disposed in the pipeline. A fuel cell is operatively coupled to the electrically powered device for providing electrical power thereto. The fuel cell extracts at least a portion of a fuel supply from a fluid flowing in the pipeline.

Abstract: A seismic ocean bottom cable array is provided for use in subsurface exploration. The array includes receiver stations for measuring seismic signals, and a cable including conductors for data transmission and an externally attached stress member. The array is assembled during deployment by attaching the data transmission cables and receiver stations to the stress member as it is lowered into the water.

Abstract: The process involves first taking height measurements of a surface area at a relatively high resolution, such as 0.1 microns over a range of about 100 microns, of a particular surface area of a substrate prior to any corrosive effect on the substrate. This measurement or scan gives a first digital surface map. The substrate is then subjected to a corrosive environment. The same surface area is then measured with the same height resolution to give a second map, where the height of the surface area may be diminished or reduced in local areas or pits characteristic of localized corrosion. The two surface maps are subtracted to give a measurement of the extent of localized corrosion. The two surface maps may be subtracted electronically or digitally. This method may be accomplished over a relatively short time period, e.g. hours, as compared with conventional corrosion evaluation techniques.

Abstract: A pseudo-image is produced by combining deep-reading azimuthally sensitive resistivity measurements with azimuthally insensitive resistivity measurements made by a multiple propagation resistivity tool. This image is useful in reservoir navigation. Features on the azimuthally sensitive measurements such as saddle-points and mid-points are diagnostic of bed geometry relative to the borehole.

Abstract: The present invention is refereed to a white solid photoinitiator in the form of powder and consisting of 2-hydroxy-1-{4-[4-(2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propionyl)-phenoxy]-phenyl}-2-methyl-propan-1-one (COMPOUND1), and to the procedure for its preparation.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating data between a downhole tool and a surface controller is provided that comprises a rotating drill string extending in a borehole and having a downhole telemetry module disposed proximate a bottom end thereof and transmitting a first signal across a telemetry channel. A surface telemetry module is disposed proximate a top end of the rotating drill string and is adapted to receive the first signal transmitted by the downhole telemetry module across the transmission channel. The surface telemetry module has a radio frequency transmitter disposed therein for transmitting a second signal related to the first signal. A stationary communication module has a radio frequency receiver adapted to receive the second signal.

Abstract: Cross-component measurements made with a dual-transmitter configuration are processed to estimate a distance to an interface in an anisotropic earth formation. Optionally, measurements may be made with two receivers, also in the dual transmitter configuration.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a sealing apparatus for use in a tubular member. In one embodiment, the sealing apparatus includes an expandable sleeve and an expandable a toroidal/ring-shaped seal. The seal seats within a circumferential saddle or groove formed in the sleeve. An exemplary seal has an enlarged diameter portion and presents a radially outward sealing surface. During expansion, the enlarged diameter portion is compressed against the tubular member but, at least initially, the remainder of the sealing surface is not compressed. Thus, the pressure associated with the compression is focused on the limited contact area between the seal and the tubular. Continued expansion can increase the contact pressure and/or the amount of contact area. In one arrangement, the seal is configured to provide a gas tight seal.

Abstract: A copolymer useful as a demulsifier or water clarifier may be prepared by polymerizing at least one aromatic monomer having one or more polymerizable double bonds; at least one oleophilic monomer having one or more polymerizable double bonds; at least one ionizable monomer having a polymerizable double bond; and at least one hydrophilic monomer having one or more polymerizable double bonds, under polymerization conditions sufficient to prepare a copolymer. The copolymer may, in some embodiments, be prepared and used as a latex.

Abstract: Polymeric nanoemulsions facilitate flow and reduce drag and friction in multiphase pipelines containing both oil and water (e.g., oil/water, oil/water/gas, oil/water/solids, and oil/water/gas/solids) such as are used for oil or gas production, gathering, and transmission; hydrotransport of oilsand or heavy oil slurries and the like. Specific examples of suitable drag reducing polymers include polyacrylamide. The emulsions have a hydrocarbon external phase, droplets of an aqueous internal phase having water-soluble polymer dissolved therein, where the droplets have an average particle size below about 200 nm, and at least one surfactant to form a stable nanoemulsion. The nanoemulsions advantageously have a low viscosity of about 200 cP or less.

Abstract: Devices and methods for methods for cleaning of excess cement from a production assembly as well as from the annulus surrounding the production assembly. A hydrostatic closed circulation valve (HCCV) assembly is described that is primarily actuatable between open and closed positions by varying hydraulic pressure in the flowbore of the production assembly. The valve assembly is useful for selectively circulating working fluid into the annulus from the flowbore of the production assembly.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention provides for detecting a flow of a formation fluid entering into a wellbore. An ultrasonic sensor is placed in a wellbore. The sensor has a resonant member that is exposed to a fluid in the wellbore. At a location in the wellbore, acoustic energy is measured wherein the acoustic energy is related to turbulence from formation fluid entering the wellbore. In another embodiment of the invention a tool is provided for detecting a flow of a formation fluid into a downhole location in a wellbore. The ultrasonic sensor has a resonant member that is adapted to be in contact with a fluid in the wellbore. The sensor generates electrical signals when exposed to ultrasonic turbulences caused by a formation fluid entering into the wellbore. A processor processes the electrical signals to detect the flow of the formation fluid entering into the wellbore.

Abstract: A flow conduit may have at least one orifice is in the vicinity of a flow source. The source is at least partially covered (and flow blocked by) an optional temporary coating or barrier. The flow pathway between the orifice and the source is temporarily blocked with a degradable material or barrier. The material disintegrates (e.g. under the influence of time or temperature) to optionally produce a product that removes the temporary coating in the area adjacent the barrier. The method is useful in one non-limiting context of recovering hydrocarbons where the flow conduit is the casing or liner of the well and the flow source is a subterranean reservoir where the temporary coating is a filter cake.

Abstract: Measurements made with a multicomponent logging instrument when used in a substantially horizontal borehole in earth formations are diagnostic of the direction of beds relative to the position of the borehole. When the logging instrument is conveyed on a drilling assembly, the drilling trajectory may be maintained to follow a predetermined trajectory or to maintain a desired distance from a boundary such as an oil-water contact.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for using an acoustic logging tool conveyed in a borehole in an earth formation for determining a characteristic of the formation. The method comprises using a first acoustic source for generating an acoustic signal in the earth formation at a first frequency. A second acoustic source spaced apart from the first source is used for generating an acoustic signal in the earth formation at a second frequency different from the first frequency. An acoustic receiver is used for receiving a third acoustic signal indicative of said characteristic. The third acoustic signal has a frequency substantially equal to a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency. The third acoustic signal is produced by a nonlinear interaction between the first signal and the second signal in a portion of said earth formation.

Abstract: The transfer function of the communication channel in a mud pulse telemetry system is determined by sending a known signal through the channel and spectral analysis of the received signal. The known signal may be a chirp signal or a stepped frequency signal. Based on the determined transfer function, operating parameters of the pulser are adjusted.

Abstract: In one method, the permeabilities are obtained by correcting the geometric factor derived from combining the FRA analysis and buildup analysis. In a second method, the permeabilities are obtained by combining the spherical permeability estimated from buildup analysis and the geometric skin factor obtained from history matching the probe-pressure data. In other methods, horizontal and vertical permeabilities are determined by analysis of pressure drawdown made with a single probe of circular aperture in a deviated borehole at two different walls of the borehole.

Abstract: In one method, the permeabilities are obtained by correcting the geometric factor derived from combining the FRA analysis and buildup analysis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for estimating terminal purity or terminal contamination for a fluid during the withdrawal of the fluid from a subsurface formation. The apparatus and method provide for measuring refractive index of the fluid over a time period, fitting a curve through the refractive index measurements or data values derived therefrom and estimating a terminal refractive index or terminal value for the data values from the fitted to curve to estimate the terminal contamination or purity for the fluid.