Abstract: Process components, containers, and pipes are provided that are constructed from ultra-high strength, low alloy steels containing less than 9 wt % nickel and having tensile strengths greater than 830 MPa (120 ksi) and DBTTs lower than about −73° C. (−100° F.).

Abstract: Pipeline distribution network systems arc provided for transporting pressurized liquefied natural gas at a pressure of about 1035 kPa (150 psia) to about 7590 kPa (1100 psia) and at a temperature of about −123° C. (−190° F.) to about −62° C. (−80° F.). Pipes and other components of the pipeline distribution network systems are constructed from an ultra-high strength, low alloy steel containing less than 9 wt % nickel and having a tensile strength greater than 830 MPa (120 ksi) and a DBTT lower than about −73° C. (−100° F.).

Abstract: Systems are provided for vehicular, land-based distribution of pressurized liquefied natural gas at a pressure of about 1035 kPa (150 psia) to about 7590 kPa (1100 psia) and at a temperature of about -123.degree. C. (-190.degree. F.) to about -62.degree. C. (-80.degree. F.). The systems include at least one container that is constructed from an ultra-high strength, low alloy steel containing less than 9 wt % nickel and having a tensile strength greater than 830 MPa (120 ksi) and a DBTT lower than about -73.degree. C. (-100.degree. F.).

Abstract: A novel method of determining the probability that a planned drilling path will collide with an existing wellbore is disclosed. The method utilizes available uncertainty information to determine a probability for each of a plurality of segments of the planned drilling path that a projection of the segment onto a plane will intersect a projection of a corresponding segment of the existing wellbore onto the plane. The method of this invention then determines the net probability for each segment of the planned drilling path that the segment will intersect the corresponding segment of the existing wellbore by taking into account the effect of constraints imposed on each segment, by adjacent segments. The probability that the planned drilling path will intersect the existing wellbore is determined by adding together all of the net probabilities.

Abstract: A neutron logging tool is used to obtain information about fluids within a wellbore. The well is shut in and a neutron log count rate (M.sub.gas) is obtained in a portion of the wellbore containing primarily gaseous fluid and a neutron log count rate (M.sub.liquid) is obtained in a portion of the wellbore containing primarily liquid fluid. Then fluid flow is reestablished in the well and a neutron log count rate (M.sub.mix) is obtained over a logging interval of interest. Previously obtained calibration data relates (M.sub.gas), (M.sub.liquid), and (M.sub.mix) to relative quantities of gaseous fluid and liquid fluid within the wellbore.

Abstract: A method and composition are provided for reducing occurrence of scale in a subterranean formation during an enhanced oil recovery process. A treatment composition comprising an amino phosphonic acid and a copolymer of an alkenyl sulfonate and an ethylenically unsaturated comonomer is squeezed into the formation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for positioning a tool, such as a surveying instrument, in the deviated section of a borehole includes a flexible rod and a positioning assembly. The flexible rod extends from the vertical section into the deviated section of the borehole with the tool being connected to the downhole end of the rod. The positioning assembly is connected to the uphole end of the rod for positioning the downhole end of the rod in the deviated section of the borehole when the positioning assembly and the uphole end of the rod are in the vertical section of the borehole. In one embodiment, the positioning assembly is a biasing assembly, such as a weight, for urging the downhole end of the rod and tool into the deviated section. In another embodiment, the positioning assembly is an orienting assembly for rotationally orienting the rod and tool in the borehole as the rod is lowered into the borehole.

Abstract: There is provided a solvent system for use in oil wells and gas wells, which solvent system comprises a hydrocarbon solvent, such as a mixture of xylenes, a substantially water-soluble alcohol, such as a mixture of methanol and a propanol, and a substantially oil-soluble alcohol, such as a C.sub.8 -alcohol or C.sub.8 -alcohol mixture.The system can also contain a non-ionic dispersant, such as an oxyalkylated alcohol.

Abstract: This invention relates to water pollution control and concerns a method for removing dispersed oil droplets from water by contacting oleophilic bodies with an oil-water emulsion before the emulsion is separated in a settling tank. Oleophilic bodies which float on oil are provided in a settling tank into which an oil-water emulsion is introduced downwardly. Oil-free water is drawn off at the bottom of the tank.

Abstract: A method for generating oxygen-depleted air for injection into a subterranean coal seam for increasing production of methane. Air and produced fluids comprising methane are input into a fuel cell power system; and fuel cell power system exhaust comprising oxygen-depleted air is injected into the coal seam.

Abstract: A method of aligning a time record of sample data, such as a mass chromatogram of an unknown substance, with a time record of reference data, such as a mass chromatogram of a known substance. A coarse time-related alignment between the sample data and the reference data is produced independently of any similarities and differences between the sample data and the reference data. A determination is made of which, if any, distinguishing coarsely aligned sample data are within a predetermined time-related tolerance of any distinguishing reference data. For each distinguishing sample data which is within a predetermined time-related tolerance of a respective distinguishing reference date, a fine time-related alignment is produced between the respective sample data and its respective reference data. The respective sample data is then recorded with substantially the same time designation as the respective reference data.

Abstract: A method of determining the rotational orientation of a downhole tool on a rotatable conduit, such as a collar on a drillstring in a borehole, without interrupting the rotation of the drillstring, includes establishing the initial rotational orientation of the downhole tool; creating a pressure change to generate a signal; providing a reference point on the conduit; generating a reference signal each time the reference point rotates past a detector; generating the signal each time the conduit rotates through the defined rotational orientation with respect to the tool; and timing and comparing the occurrences of the referenced signal and the signal in order to monitor the rotational orientation of the downhole tool.

Abstract: A method of recovering methane from a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation by injecting a fluid that desorbs methane through at least one injection well into a subterranean formation and recovering desorbed methane through at least one production well. The initial rate of injection of the desorbing fluid can be increased without exceeding formation pressure limitations by injecting a preflush fluid having a desorbing efficiency less than a desorbing efficiency of the first fluid. This increase in injection of the desorbing fluid results in an increase in the recovery rate of methane.

Abstract: The flowpath for fluid injected into a hydrocarbon-containing subterranean formation for displacing hydrocarbons through the formation is determined by injecting a fluid into the formation through a wellbore, producing fluids from the formation through the wellbore, and measuring the percentage of injected fluid in produced fluids. A percentage of at least about 90% of injected fluid in produced fluids during production of about the first one-third of the total volume of injected fluid indicates that the primary flowpath is rock matrix.

Abstract: A method of recovering methane from a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation includes injecting a gas that desorbs methane through an injection well into a subterranean formation and recovering methane from a first and a second production wells, or from a first and a second layer. Areal and/or vertical sweep efficiency of the injected desorbing gas can be increased by selectively restricting the flow of recovered fluids from the first or the second production well with the highest monitored ratio of injected desorbing gas. The restriction of flow forces the desorbing gas into higher permeability areas of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating flowing immiscible fluid phases of different specific gravities includes an elongate conduit having an inlet for receiving incoming fluids, an outlet for discharging separated fluids, a first end and an open second end. The outlet is formed by the open second end. The inlet is longitudinally spaced away from the outlet on the elongate conduit. A flow assembly is provided for creating cyclonic flow of the fluid from the inlet through the outlet of the elongate conduit in order to centrifugally separate the fluids so that that the separated fluids flow concentrically through the outlet. The separator can include an outer tank surrounding the elongate conduit.

Abstract: An improved aqueous catalytic oxidation-reduction composition for oxidizing hydrogen sulfide to produce elemental sulfur and a method of removing hydrogen sulfide from a gas stream whereby a gas stream containing hydrogen sulfide is brought into contact with an aqueous catalytic oxidizing reaction composition containing a water soluble polyvalent metal salt having metal in the highest valence state and at least one nonionic surfactant having an HLB of from about 8 to about 10, preferably about 8.5 to about 9, which is adapted to wet the elemental sulfur formed. The nonionic surfactant is present in the reaction solution in an amount sufficient to substantially prevent formation of sulfur froth at the surface of the reaction solution and to cause the sulfur to precipitate as a granular solid that can be recovered by filtration, by centrifucation, or other similar means.

Abstract: A system and method of geophysical exploration is described whereby composition logs of the minerals comprising the formations surrounding a wellbore can be obtained. Samples of the formations surrounding a wellbore are obtained at selected intervals along the length of the wellbore. Each of the core samples is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation and a spectral response signal, representative of the electromagnetic response of each sample to the electromagnetic radiation is recorded. Peaks in the spectral response signals are located and correlated with minerals exhibiting similar electromagnetic characteristic response peaks. Since the samples were obtained from known depths within the wellbore, a composition log of the minerals comprising the formations surrounding the wellbore can be prepared displaying the minerals identified as a function of depth in the wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the vertical gradient of the vertical gravitational field using a gravity gradiometer comprising a housing containing a fluid, a float buoyantly supported within the fluid, mechanism for varying the metacentric height of the float, and apparatus for obtaining a measure of the gravitational gradient acting on the float resulting from varying the metacentric height.

Abstract: A method of installing an integrated deck onto an offshore platform substructure. The integrated deck is held by a support structure on a barge and transported to a preinstalled offshore platform substructure which is adapted to receive the barge and allow aligning of the integrated deck with the substructure for mating operations. Once the barge is positioned within the substructure, tethers are connected between the barge and anchoring foundation elements to moor the barge. Then the tethers are tensioned to minimize both vertical movement and lateral movement caused by wave action. Mating of the integrated deck and the substructure proceeds while tension loads in the tethers are maintained.