Abstract: Mercaptans and/or hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in hydrocarbons, naphthas, gasolines, and the like may be scavenged therefrom by being brought into intimate contact with a mercaptan scavenger formulation containing at least one disubstituted azodicarboxylate of the formula R1OOCN?NCOOR2, where R1 and R2 are independently alkyl groups, alkenyl groups and aromatic groups having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms. These scavengers remove mercaptans and/or H2S from hydrocarbons faster than many conventional mercaptan scavengers. An effective scavenging amount of disubstituted azodicarboxylate in the hydrocarbon fluid ranges from about 5 to about 20 parts by weight based on 1 part as sulfur of mercaptan and/or H2S.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for controlling the formation of liquid or gas slugs along a pipeline. In embodiments, an injection unit injects a liquid surface tension reducing agent, such as a foamant, into the pipeline upstream of the high point. A control unit can be used to control the injection unit. In certain arrangements, the control unit adjusts the injection of the agent based on measured parameters of interest. In embodiments where the control unit utilizes temperature measurements, one or more temperature sensors are positioned along the pipeline. The control unit utilizes the temperature measurements to determine whether a predetermined condition exists or a liquid or gas slug is present.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, computer program and data carrier for modeling a multidimensional, heterogeneous structure using a digital processing unit, by means of a grid built up of stacks of multidimensional cells. A cell is bounded by boundary surfaces and represents at least one property of the structure. The composition of a stack, the position of the stacks in the grid and the properties represented by cells are stored in memory means by the processing unit. For modeling a discontinuity, a respective stack is divided into two or more substacks separated by separating surfaces. The composition and the position of the substacks in a respective stack are stored in the memory means. The modeling method enables an accurate and fast computation of properties of the modeled structure or space.

Abstract: The technical challenges for a smooth transition between using both a thermodynamic hydrate inhibitor (THI) and a kinetic hydrate inhibitor (KHI) to simply using only the KHI in multiple tie-in gas natural gas production systems is solved by adding more THI in a first pipeline leg of the production system while ceasing adding THI in a second pipeline leg of the system. Further, more KHI is added into the second leg of the system, and subsequently THI is gradually and/or slowly reduced in the remaining legs of the system until only KHI is being injected, after which the KHI amount in all legs may be reduced to the equilibrium or steady-state levels.

Abstract: Fluids viscosified with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) may have their viscosities affected (increased or reduced) by the indirect or direct action of a composition that contains at least one fatty acid that has been affected, modified or reacted with an alkali metal halide salt, an alkaline earth metal halide salt, and/or an ammonium salt and a water soluble base. The composition containing the resulting saponification product is believed to either act as a co-surfactant with the VES itself to increase viscosity and/or possibly by disaggregating or otherwise affecting the micellar structure of the VES-gelled fluid. In a non-limiting instance, a brine fluid gelled with an amine oxide surfactant has its viscosity broken with a composition containing naturally-occurring fatty acids in canola oil reacted with a water soluble base such as NaOH, KOH, NH4OH, and the like with an alkali halide salt such as CaCl2, MgCl2, NaCl, NH4Cl and the like.

Abstract: A combined electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) is disclosed that uses magnetic shielding to increase the efficiency (defined as the received signal per unit of excitation current). In addition, electromagnetic shielding may also be used to reduce the direct coupling between the transmit and receive coils.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable medium for imaging an earth formation. A downhole assembly having a resistivity sensor is conveyed in a borehole penetrating the earth formation. The resistivity sensor includes a plurality of antenna coils arranged along a radial line that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the downhole assembly and configured to obtain measurements of a resistivity property of the earth formation. A processor images the earth formation using the obtained measurements.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide evolution from asphalt may be reduced or eliminated using an additive to act as a scavenger. Metal borate complexes when used as an additive in asphalt production, are an effective component in preventing or mitigating the evolution of hydrogen sulfide from asphalt.

Abstract: Structure for deep MWD resistivity measurements suitable for both geo-steering and measurements ahead of the drill bit is disclosed. The structure is capable of extracting information about resistivity of formation in the presence of conductive drill. In one embodiment, ahead-of-bit sensing is achieved via transient electromagnetic measurements when current is switched off in the transmitter loop and the transient signal is measured in the receiver loops placed at some distances from the receiver. To reduce a parasitic effect of the currents in the drill three-coil bucking system with magnetic nonconductive shield in combination with a highly conductive copper shield are applied. Specifically, a short (less than 1 m) copper cover and short (less than 0.2 m) ferrite cover are placed in the vicinity of transmitting and receiving coils. A bucking operation followed by an inversion is performed on received signals to obtain data reflecting parameters of the surrounding subsurface formations.

Abstract: A device for perforating and fracturing a formation in a single trip includes shaped charges and a volume of a gas generator. When activated by detonation of the shaped charges, the gas generator forms a high-pressure gas, which includes steam, that expands to stress and fracture the formation. Suitable gas generating materials include hydrates and hydroxides. Other materials that can be employed with the gas generator include oxidizers and material such as metals that increase the available heat for the activation of the gas generator.

Abstract: NMR spin echo signals are acquired downhole. Principal Component Analysis is used to represent the signals by a weighted combination of the principal components and these weights are telemetered to the surface. At the surface, the NMR spin echo signals are recovered and inverted to give formation properties.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for actuating a wellbore tool includes a body having a chamber in which a movable member is disposed. The movable member may connect to a selected wellbore tool. Within the chamber is a controllable fluid that substantially prevents relative movement between the body and the movable member when exposed to an applied magnetic field. A generator applies the magnetic field to the fluid and may change the applied magnetic field in response to a first control signal to release the movable member from the body. A driver displaces the movable member relative to the body once the movable member is released from the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrophobically modified hydroxyalkyl guar derivatives which dissolve rapidly in water, having a hydroxyalkyl molar substitution between 0.2 and 2.5 and containing hydrophobic groups comprising C10-C32 alkyl chains, to the procedure for their preparation and to their use in the formulation of well fluids.

Abstract: Caliper measurements made during rotation of an imager on a logging string are processed to estimate the location of the imager, and size and shape of the borehole. A piecewise elliptical fitting procedure may be used. These estimates may be used to correct measurements made by a standoff-sensitive formation evaluation sensor such as a neutron porosity tool. 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. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A radial or crossflow media filter comprising a housing such as a vessel or tank (1), the housing containing filter media (9), a contaminated flow inlet (2) and a discharge outlet (8), the inlet comprising a manifold (5) situated within the housing, the manifold (5) having flow outlets (6) which are directed laterally, away from the discharge outlet (8). The flow inlet may comprise a substantially vertically aligned elongate tubular manifold (5) with a plurality of flow distribution holes or slots disposed along its length. Furthermore, the discharge outlet (8) may be accessed through a chamber within the housing which contains a second filter media (11) which is of larger average particle size than the first filter media (9).

Abstract: Measurements made with at least two sensors (flow rate or pressure) during generation of a message concurrently with operation of a noise source are used to estimate a channel transfer function. The estimated transfer function is then used to attenuate pump noise in a mud pulse telemetry system. 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. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: One exemplary APD Device is used with a liner drilling assembly to control wellbore pressure. The APD Device reduces a dynamic pressure loss associated with the drilling fluid returning via a wellbore annulus. Another exemplary APD Device is used to control pressure in a wellbore when deploying wellbore equipment, including running, installing and/or operating wellbore tools. The APD Device is set to reduce a dynamic pressure loss associated with a circulating fluid. The APD Device can also be configured to reduce a surge effect associated with the running of the wellbore equipment. Still another APD Device is used to control pressure in a wellbore when completing or working over a well. Exemplary completion activity can include circulating fluid other than a drilling fluid, such as a gravel slurry. The APD Device can reduce the dynamic pressure loss associated with circulation of both drilling fluid and non-drilling fluid.

Abstract: A telemetry system for communication in a borehole uses two spaced-apart transducers. The outputs from the two transducers are filtered to decoupled tool signals traveling in opposite directions. One of the two signals may be it telemetry signal while other signal may be pump noise.

Abstract: A method for performing a wellbore-related activity may include positioning a sealing device along the wellbore; conveying a work string into the wellbore; using the work string to perform the activity; extracting the work string out of the wellbore; and shifting the sealing device to a closed position to seal a bore of the wellbore using a portion of the work string. A device that selectively seals or occludes a wellbore tubular may include a sealing device having a first and a second sealing element that seal a bore of the wellbore tubular. The first and second sealing elements may support a pressure applied in different directions. Pulling an engagement sleeve with the work string in an uphole direction may fold the first and second sealing elements into the closed position. The bore may be unsealed by applying a pressure cycle to shift the sealing device.

Abstract: Transient measurements made at two spaced apart receivers responsive to separate activation of two transmitters symmetrically disposed about the two receivers. The transmitters and receivers are on an instrument having a conductive body induces currents in the earth formation. The effect of the conductive body is removed by using deconvolving the signal at one receiver using the measured signal at the other receiver. The symmetric transmitter configuration also enables compensation for receiver differences.