Abstract: Using a complex emulsion for treating a subterranean formation, such as to dissolve minerals therein (e.g. carbonates, scales, and/or filter cake) to improve permeability, substantially improves post treatment fluid clean-up for improved hydrocarbon production. The complex emulsion is made by mixing an acid aqueous phase with an oil external microemulsion to give an initial product, where the acid aqueous phase is an external phase and the microemulsion is an internal phase. Then the initial product is mixed with a second oil (e.g. xylene, diesel, toluene, kerosene, other aromatics, refined hydrocarbons and the like) containing an emulsifier to make a complex emulsion.

Abstract: Many reservoirs of interest include heavy oil. In such reservoirs, NMR measurements have difficulty distinguishing between heavy oil and water in the formation. An acoustic signal is used to modify the relaxation time distribution of water and heavy oil in opposite directions and thus increase the separability of the distributions.

Abstract: A drag reducing additive for heavy oil, such as crude oil, includes a polymeric alkyl-substituted phenol formaldehyde resin and a solvent having at least one of an ester (e.g. ethyl acetate), an aldehyde (e.g. butyraldehyde), and an aromatic hydrocarbon (e.g. toluene, xylene, and the like), or mixtures thereof. When used together with a diluent (e.g. condensate, naphtha, or the like), the additive may reduce viscosity of the combined oil, diluent, and additive by at least 20%, increase throughput by at least 6%, reduce power consumption by at least 3%, reduce the diluent proportion by at least 3%, or some combination of these effects, as compared with an otherwise identical heavy oil without the additive.

Abstract: Fluid systems may contain elements to provide changes in bulk fluid density in response to various environmental conditions. One environmental driver to the variable density is pressure; other environmental drivers include, but are not limited to, temperature or changes in chemistry. The variable density of the fluid is beneficial for controlling sub-surface pressures within desirable pore pressure and fracture gradient envelopes. The variability of fluid density permits construction and operation of a wellbore with much longer hole sections than when using conventional single gradient fluids.

Abstract: A flow conduit may have at least one orifice, which conduit 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 (e.g. filter cake). The flow pathway between the orifice and the source is temporarily blocked with a degradable material. A delayed degradation material layer is present over or covering the degradable material. The delayed degradation material layer degrades at a rate slower than the degradable barrier. The degradable material and delayed degradation material layer disintegrate (e.g. via time, temperature, a solvent). The degradable material optionally produces a product that removes the temporary coating. The method is useful in one 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 coating is filter cake.

Abstract: A conduit interrogation tool is provided that includes a pair of spaced apart contact elements that deform as the tool moves in the conduit. A deformation control member positioned proximate the contact element reduces or limits deformation of the contact element to a desired extent.

Abstract: A seismic data acquisition apparatus having a recorder co-located with a sensor unit in a seismic spread and a communication device for direct communication with a central recorder. A memory located in the recorder and/or in the central controller holds location parameters associated with the sensor unit, and the parameters can be updated. Methods of seismic data acquisition including sensing seismic energy and recording the sensed energy at the sensor location. Delivering the recorded information to a central recorder by manually retrieving removable memory from each recorder, by wireless transmission of the information, or by removing the information from each recorder by inductive or cable connectors and a transfer device. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: The detecting and monitoring of solid structure or phase transformation, such as those used for testing the formation of gas hydrates and their inhibition by chemical additives may be conducted in a multi-test assembly of laboratory bench scale loops. The test loop contains a fluid that includes water and hydrate-forming guest molecules such as methane, ethane, carbon dioxide and the like at hydrate-forming conditions of low temperature and high pressure. A small bit or “pig” may be circulated through the test loop at variable speeds to circulate the fluid in the loop. The pig may be moved or impelled through the test loop remotely. The exterior of the pig and/or the interior of the loop may be smooth and/or have a friction-reducing coating thereon to facilitate movement of the pig through the loop. The formation of hydrates may be monitored with consistent and reproducible results.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus and method for estimating one or more formation properties downhole. The apparatus includes a tool body that has a longitudinal axis. The tool body has a number of metallic pillars that are attached to or are an integral part of the tool body. Antenna wires may be positioned on the tool body between the pillars in a plurality of orientations to provide a multidirectional antenna. An insulating material is used to cover the antenna wires. A high magnetic permeability material is placed between the antenna wires and the tool body. The antenna may be configured to operate as a transmitter or as a receiver for a resistivity sensor or an NMR sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide a time-dependent calibration to essentially eliminate pipe effect in pulse-induction logging while drilling. Use of two receivers to provide calibration and measurement information allows determination of formation properties in a downhole environment while eliminating the effect of tool effects.

Abstract: The seeding of calcium carbonate into a calcium chloride-contaminated monoethylene glycol (MEG) stream accelerates the growth of calcium carbonate particles to a size that enhances their removal from the stream by filtration. A seeding vessel allows the calcium carbonate particles a time period to grow. Sodium carbonate may be added to the contaminated stream to facilitate calcium carbonate particle growth. A recycle seeding conduit may recycle seeds from a filtration unit to the seeding vessel. A base such as sodium hydroxide may be added to accelerate the precipitation process.

Abstract: Pulse sequences are applied to a fluid in an earth formation in a static magnetic field and NMR spin echo signals are obtained. The signals are processed to give a distribution of a relaxation time at a plurality of depths. Semblance between the distributions and a log of a formation property are used to identify depths at which portions of the distributions are similar to the formation property logs.

Abstract: A seismic data acquisition system includes a controller, a plurality of sensor stations and a plurality of seismic sources. Each sensor station includes a sensor coupled to the earth for sensing seismic energy in the earth. The sensor provides a signal indicative of the sensed seismic energy and a recorder device co-located with the sensor unit that receives and stores the signals. A communication device is co-located with the sensor station and provides direct two-way wireless communication with the central controller. In one embodiment, in-field personnel determine elevation values, or Z values, for the sensor stations and seismic source by accessing a digital elevation model or a look-up table based on the digital elevation model. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: An inflow control device may include flow control elements along a flow path. The flow control elements may change the inertial direction of the fluid flowing in the flow path. The change in inertial direction occurs at junctures along the flow path. The flow control elements may also be configured to form segmented pressure drops across the flow path. The segmented pressure drops may include a first pressure drop segment and a second pressure drop segment that is different from the first pressure drop segment. The pressure drop segments may be generated by a passage, an orifice or a slot. In embodiments, the plurality of flow control elements may separate the fluid into at least two flow paths. The flow control elements may also be configured to cause an increase in a pressure drop in the flow path as a concentration of water increases in the fluid.

Abstract: The disclosure, in on aspect, provides a method for performing a laser operation in a wellbore that includes displacing a wellbore fluid with a laser-compatible medium proximate a location in the wellbore where a work is desired to be performed; positioning a laser head proximate the laser-compatible medium; and passing a laser beam via the laser-compatible medium to the location for performing the laser operation. In another aspect, the disclosure provides a laser apparatus for performing a laser operation at a worksite having a fluid that includes a laser power unit that supplies laser energy to a laser head placed proximate the worksite; a fluid displacement unit that displaces at least a portion of the fluid adjacent the worksite with a laser-compatible medium; and a controller that operates the laser head to pass the laser beam to the worksite through the laser-compatible medium. In another aspect, the disclosure provides an imager associated with the laser apparatus that provides images of the worksite.

Abstract: Measurements made with a multicomponent logging system oriented in a horizontal position above the surface of the earth must satisfy certain relationships. These relationships are used to establish calibration errors in the system.

Abstract: A transient electromagnetic (TEM) signal is recorded in an earth formation during vibration of a logging tool. Concurrently, accelerometer measurements are made. The accelerometer measurements are used to correct the TEM signal for the vibration using the accelerometer measurement and a transfer function relating the TEM signal and the accelerometer. The transfer function may be determined using measurements in a water tank or by using the tail end of the TEM measurements.

Abstract: A rotating, transversely magnetized, magnet on a drill collar induces magnetization in a casing of a preexisting well. A coil rotating synchronously with the magnet produces a current at twice the frequency of rotation and having an amplitude that depends upon the distance from the magnet to the preexisting well. Alternatively, a variable magnetic field is produced in the casing using a switchable magnet.

Abstract: A golf swing training device has a base with a top side and a bottom side, where at least one ground anchor extends from the base away from the bottom side to engage the ground. The base also has at least one substantially horizontal indicator rod on the top side thereof, where the rod has a proximal end fixed to the base and a distal end extending from the base, where the rod has transverse sides, where the rod is configured to vibrate in a generally horizontal plane. The golf swing training device additionally has at least one bumper on the base on either side of the substantially horizontal indicator rod, where the horizontal indicator rod is configured to vibrate or move between the bumpers in a transverse horizontal direction where range of horizontal direction is limited by the bumpers.

Abstract: Homogenous and stable adjuvants in the form of microemulsions for use in agriculture containing: a) a mixture of surfactants comprising i) one or more anionic derivatives of an alkylpolyglycoside; ii) one or more alkylpolyglycosides; iii) one or more anionic derivatives of a fatty alcohol; b) one or more methyl esters of fatty acids deriving from the transesterification of vegetable oils, one or more vegetable oils, or mixture thereof; c) one or more nonionic surfactants; d) water.