Abstract: Sediments collecting in process separator vessels for oil and gas flowstreams are evacuated by an apparatus which is connected to the separator vessel for circulating a slurry of separated liquid in said vessel and entrained solids fines out of said vessel, and separating the solids from the liquid and returning the liquid to the separator vessel. The apparatus includes a motor driven pump connected to cyclone separators and a variable speed motor control which maintains a substantially constant pressure of the solids free liquid returning to the separator vessel so that a substantially constant flow of liquid is supplied to a jet manifold in the separator vessel irrespective of changes in fluid density of the solids laden flowstream being discharged from the vessel.

Abstract: A system for controlling the flow of injection fluids and production fluids between a wellbore and one or more zones in a subterranean formation including an elongated tubing string extending within the wellbore and having one or more tubular ported mandrels interposed in the tubing string. Retrievable sleeves are insertable through the tubing string for registration with the mandrels in predetermined longitudinal and rotational positions as determined by a no-go shoulder on the mandrel and cooperating keys and key slots formed on the sleeves and the mandrels, respectively. The sleeves include removable orifice plugs which may be sized to control the flow of fluid through the sleeves between the tubing string and the wellbore. The sleeves are wireline insertable and retrievable so that changes in fluid flow control characteristics may be selectively carried out without pulling the tubing string from the wellbore.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separator or slug catcher includes an inlet flow diverter for disposition in a separator vessel wherein the flow diverter includes a generally cylindrical inner wall member and a cylindrical cap having a depending wall spaced from and surrounding the inner wall member. The cap includes a transverse top wall which is spaced from the top edge of the inner wall to provide an overflow path for surges of liquid and/or gas. An inlet conduit extends to a tangential opening formed in the inner wall member for introducing fluid into an interior chamber. The inner wall member includes a transverse bottomplate which is provided with a series of openings around its periphery. Slugs of gas and two-phase liquid flow in a vortical manner in the diverter chamber whereby the gas is separated from the liquid mixture and some de-emulsification of liquid is accomplished through centrifugal forces. Deswirled liquid exits the apparatus through a bottomplate under the gas-liquid interface in the separator vessel.

Abstract: The total mass flowrate of a multiphase fluid flowstream such as a water, oil and gas mixture being produced from subterranean wells is determined by passing the flowstream through an apparatus which forces a substantial change in direction of the fluid flowstream and wherein a pressure differential is measured across flow paths of known cross-sectional flow area. The total mass flow is determined from the cross-sectional flow areas, the measured total density of the flowstream and the differential pressure. A sample of the flowstream is withdrawn from the flow path, gas is separated from liquid and the liquid fraction of water is measured by passing the liquid mixture through a device which measures the dielectric constant of the liquid mixture using microwave radiation transmissivity or differential pressure between columns of the liquid mixture and a column of water of equal height is compared.

Abstract: Crude oil sludges and other relatively heavy hydrocarbon liquid sludges are mixed with diatomaceous earth or perlite to form a friable and flowable solids mixture which is conveyed to a combustion unit, such as rotary kiln, calciner or lift pipe type combustor, wherein combustion of the hydrocarbons is carried out to provide gaseous combustion products and a substantially hydrocarbon free solids mixture. The solids discharged from the combustion unit may be recycled for use in the mixing process to reduce the sludge to a friable material for introduction to the combustion unit and excess solids may be discharged for disposal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring changes in relative distance between a float and both a signal source and a detector. Also disclosed is the advantageous use of such an apparatus for detecting losses as little as 0.02 gallons of liquid per hour from a tank otherwise capable of storing 1,000 gallons or more of such a liquid.

Abstract: A process for recovering crude oil from a subterranean formation comprising injecting into the formation a liquid solution consisting essentially of at least one surfactant such as alkyl toluene sulfonate in an aqueous medium and injecting a gas to displace the movable oil effectively toward a production well. The process is advantageous in formations where temperatures preclude effective oil recovery using micellar/polymer chemical floods.

Abstract: A process for recovery of hydrocarbons from a porous reservoir comprising injecting substantially simultaneously into the reservoir a gas and an aqueous liquid including at least one surface active agent present in an amount up to about 50 percent of the critical micellar concentration such that menisci are formed in certain ones of the pore spaces of the reservoir to an extent that oil droplets lodged in others of the pore spaces are swept by the injected mixture toward a production well.

Abstract: A wellbore fluid sampling apparatus includes an elongated tubular housing having a floating piston disposed therein and dividing a bore in the housing into first and second chambers, one of the chambers being in communication with ports in the sidewall of the housing for receiving a sample of wellbore fluid in response to movement of the piston to enlarge the one chamber. The other chamber is charged with a liquid to prevent displacement of the piston until a control valve in the housing allows charging fluid to escape into a reservoir chamber whereby the piston moves to receive the fluid sample under wellbore pressure. The floating piston actuates a rod connected to a closure member to close off the bore in the fluid sampling chamber when a suitable fluid sample is obtained. A detent locks the actuating rod and the closure member in the closed position to capture the fluid sample for retrieval and analysis.

Abstract: Medium curvature deviated wellbores having a radius of curvature in the range of 200 feet to 400 feet are drilled with downhole drilling assemblies for drilling the curved wellbore portion and for correcting or holding the horizontal wellbore portion and which are connected to the end of a drillstem made up of elongated elastically bendable drillstem members which may be cyclically compressively stressed during rotation of the drillstem. The elastically bendable drillstem members are characterized by joint forming portions at opposite ends of an elongated tubular body and which are of a diameter which minimizes the tendency for the drillstem to buckle during drilling. Spaced apart stress bearing sleeves are attached to or integrally formed with the tubular body and are of a diameter greater than the body and preferably equal to the diameter of the tool joint portions.

Abstract: Particulate material such as fluidized bed particles, catalytic particles, and particles used in mechanical processes are measured to determine their attrition rate by providing an apparatus comprising a generally cylindrical housing having a rotary impeller disposed eccentrically in the housing for continuously agitating and impacting a quantity of particulate material being measured. A screen is formed in a sidewall of the housing and a vacuum pump is operably connected to the interior of the housing through the screen for continuously withdrawing fines generated during the attrition rate measurement process. Periodic sampling of the quantity of fines withdrawn is used to measure the mass of fines withdrawn per unit time. An equal mass of makeup material is admitted to the housing chamber after each sampling step until an equilibrium attrition rate is determined.

Abstract: A well pumping unit comprising a double acting hydraulic cylinder actuator supported on a mast above a wellhead and having a piston rod connected directly to the polish rod of an elongated subsurface pump rod string. A generally cylindrical annular counterweight is disposed around the mast and is interconnected with the cylinder actuator by flexible chains trained over crown sheaves and travelling sheaves connected to the upper piston rod offsetting the weight of the pump rod string and at least a portion of the weight of the fluid column in the well. The pumping unit is controlled by a hydraulic control system including a directional control valve and flow control valves for selectively controlling the strokes of the cylinder actuator. A hydraulic pressure load sensing system measures total load on the rod string and provides for automatic shutdown of the actuator if the fluid level in the well is pumped below a predetermined level.

Abstract: A connector for attaching a downhole tool to the end of a tubing string insertable in a wellbore includes a one-way valve to permit flow of fluids from the tubing string into the wellbore but to prevent the flow of fluids in the opposite direction. An electrical cable extends through central passages formed in the one-way valve and a frangible coupling which will separate the connector from the tool if the tool becomes stuck in the wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for determining the water dew point temperature of a water, hydrocarbon-containing gaseous material in which the water dew point is lower than the hydrocarbon dew point temperature comprises: an elongated column capable of being filled with liquid in substantial equilibrium with the water, hydrocarbon-containing gaseous material and placed in an environment having a temperature reduced relative to the water dew point of the material; a signal source acting to send signals through the column; a signal receiver acting to receive the signals sent through the column; a control system acting in response to the received signals to control the temperature of the liquid in the column at substantially the water dew point of the water, hydrocarbon-containing gaseous material; and a temperature indicator acting to determine the temperature of the liquid in the column. Improved methods for determining such water dew point temperature are also disclosed.

Abstract: Crude oils and other oleaginous substances which have washed onto and soaked thoroughly into coarse bottom sediments such as sand beaches and sediments forming the bottom of certain holding ponds may be released for recovery by mechanical or hydraulic plowing of the relatively loose sediments followed by hydraulic agitation of the sediments to permit the substances to float to the surface of the body of water. Shallow water beach areas may be plowed by a conventional crawler tractor having an array of ripper teeth fitted with hydraulic jet nozzles for severely agitating the sands which are plowed by the ripper teeth. A submersible pump or pump intake is preferably supported spaced from the normal path of the tractor and in the body of water to collect relatively clean water for discharge through the nozzles.

Abstract: Fiber optic cables and similar signal conductors are installed in fluid transmission pipelines by cutting the pipeline at spaced apart points to form a section of pipeline for receiving the cable, installing pipeline pig launching and receiving fittings on the section of pipeline to receive the cable, and pumping a pipeline pig from the launching fitting to the receiving fitting while connected to one end of the cable by pumping liquid or gas into the pipeline behind the pig. Pressure responsive seals are provided for engagement with the cable at the launching fitting to prevent leakage of pumped fluid from the pipeline section into which the cable is being installed. The seals may be used to seal cable entry and exit points on inactive pipelines. Active pipelines are restored to service by the installation of a cable seal assembly having a split stuffing box and packing gland arrangement for sealing the entry and exit point of the cable with respect to the pipeline.

Abstract: A modular connector for interconnecting a coilable tubing string with a downhole electrical tool and wherein an electric signal conducting cable extends through the tubing string and through the connector. The connector includes a swivel coupling having a coupling body with a spherical socket for receiving a spherical coupling member which is connectable to the downhole tool through a cable connector body secured to the spherical coupling member. A pin disposed in the coupling body projects into a slot in the spherical coupling member to prevent rotation of the tool with respect to the longitudinal central axes of the connector and the tool. The connector includes a frangible coupling for retrieving the tubing string if the downhole tool becomes stuck. Separation of the frangible coupling exposes a fishing head for retrieving the tool.

Abstract: Drill cuttings, and similar slurries or mixtures oily solid particles, are treated by a dryer apparatus which vaporizes the liquid and discharges relatively large solid particles for disposal. Vapor and entrained solid fines are conveyed from the dryer to a condenser and then to a rotary drum vacuum filter having a precoated filter media disposed thereon. The solid fines are filtered by the filter media comprising diatomaceous earth or perlite and the clarified condensed liquid is conveyed to separator means for separating oil, water and any other liquids present. The filter media stripped from the filter and contaminated with entrapped solid fines is conveyed through the dryer means and disposed with the solids particles being discharged from the dryer.

Abstract: A pipeline survey pig including an onboard inertial reference unit and signal processing units for receiving acceleration and angular velocity signals generated by the inertial reference unit, calculating resultant values of angular velocity and accelerations and averaging the calculated values to provide recordable signals related to the position of the pig and changes in curvature of the pipe. The pig is supported by a plurality of resilient cup shaped support members which have a stiffness characteristic whereby the natural frequency of vibration which may cause lateral excursions of the pig is less than the signal generating rate yet greater than the frequency of the signal to be measured. The center of stiffness and the center of gravity of the pig are disposed along the central axis of the pig and the pipeline section being measured and are preferably coincident with each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling granular material such as petroleum coke comprises an elongated drum characterized by a generally cylindrical shell wall having spaced apart circular segment pockets extending radially inwardly from the shell wall toward the central axis of the drum to provide extended heat transfer surfaces and flow spaces for cooling water. The cooling pockets are welded to the shell wall along the edges of opposed sidewalls of the pocket or conduit members themselves. The somewhat flexible drum shell resulting from the aforedescribed construction is strengthened and held substantially rigid for rotation about its central axis by a plurality of circumferentially spaced tension rods which extend from one end of the drum to the other and are engagable with a support plate.