Abstract: A method of forming an impression sleeve on an impression packer for use in obtaining impressions in wells, the impression sleeve being formed of a mixture of partially cured synthetic nitrile rubber, natural rubber smoked sheet, silica powder and rubber processing oil.

Abstract: Recovery of viscous petroleum such as from a thick tar sand formation is assisted using a closed-loop flow path formed in a production well extending from the earth's surface through a substantial portion of the formation for conducting hot fluid to reduce the viscosity of the petroleum in the formation to develop a first potential passage in the formation outside the flow path into which a hot drive fluid is injected through a injection well to promote movement of the petroleum to the production well for production and to develop a second potential passage for fluid flow in the formation from a linearly spaced apart injection well for injection of a hot drive fluid to further promote movement of additional petroleum to the production well.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a compliant platform for use in deep water. The platform comprises a structure including a working deck positioned above the water by a plurality of leg members which are rigidly connected to the working deck and are pinned into the bottom of the body of water. Horizontal bracing members are rigidly connected between the leg members. Vibration-influencing means are located on the structure to provide the structure with a first mode of vibration with a frequency less than the frequency of the peak of spectral wave density profile expected in the body of water at the location of the structure and a second mode of vibration with a frequency greater than the peak frequency of the spectral wave density profile expected in the body of water at the location of the structure.

Abstract: The heat output over a segment of a heat generating pipe of the type comprising an elongated ferromagnetic pipe having an insulated conductor extending therethrough up to a given point with both the pipe and the conductor connected in series with a source of alternating current is reduced by making the pipe segment of a non-ferromagnetic material, e.g., aluminum. Dielectric unions can be used to couple the non-ferromagnetic pipe segment into the ferromagnetic pipe, in which case means are provided to electrically bypass the dielectric unions in order to maintain the series circuit through the conductor, ferromagnetic pipe and the non-ferromagnetic segment. Alternatively, the non-ferromagnetic segment can be connected directly is series with the ferromagnetic pipe.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for inserting into a bottom unloading valve of a railroad tank car which has been locked in an opened or partially opened position due to liquids solidifying therein. The apparatus is a portable electrical heating unit removably insertable into the valve so as to be in a heat-transmitting relationship within the fluid passage of the valve. The apparatus has a removable flange adaptor which is connected to the heating unit and securable directly to the bottom unloading valve or a fitting connected to the valve. A control means for regulating the heat output of the heating unit is electrically connected to the heating unit. A drain may be provided to allow the liquefied fluid to escape from the valve's fluid passage.

Abstract: A high-gain Josephson-type two-particle tunneling detector is positioned in a borehole penetrating an earth formation and tuned for response in a frequency range of 8400 to 9600 gigahertz. Result: IR emission due to "stretching" vibration of the C-H bonds of adjacently situated hydrocarbons can be detected in surprising fashion.

Abstract: A steam injection system including a steam deflector connectable into a tubing string which steam deflector provides for selectively passing steam through the tubing string to the bottom thereof or diverting steam from inside the tubing string out into the wall liner-tubing annulus and in a direction concentric with and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubing string and above the bottom end thereof utilizing a sliding-sleeve arrangement and packer cup means packing off the well liner-tubing annulus both above and below the steam deflector.

Abstract: A marine riser, which is hung from a drilling platform floating on a body of water and connected at its lower end to a wellhead, is buoyantly tensioned by one or more float cans with open bottoms. These float cans are connected at their upper end to the riser to which air under pressure is controllably supplied. The pressurized air blows out the water in each can to achieve the desired buoyancy. The float can may having an air dump valve interconnected with similar valves in the other cans. The function of these valves is to release the pressurized air in the can if the riser parts. At the upper end of the riser is a slip joint, which may include safety water-dampening gear to further reduce upward motion of a parted riser. The optional dampening gear comprises an annular piston formed by the upper section of the slip joint that forces water through ports in the exterior of the lower section of the slip joint as the riser below the slip joint moves upward.

Abstract: Low heat conductive frangible centralizers are provided for use in a tubing string in a well and include a central tubular section connectable into the tubing string and having a plurality of radially extending polymerized furfuryl alcohol impregnated cordierite lugs in spaced apart position on the periphery of the tubular section with means to disconnectably connect such lugs on the tubular section.

Abstract: A method of improving hydrocarbon recovery from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation utilizing a steam drive from an injection well to a production well wherein the quality of the injected steam is maintained at a value between 35 and 45% to maximize the heat utilization of the steam.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for directionally applying high pressure jets to well liners to clean openings which are plugged with foreign matter. High velocity jets of liquid having a velocity in excess of 700 feet per second are jetted from jet orifices having a standoff distance between five and 10 diameters of the orifice from the openings to remove substantially all plugging material from the openings. Apparatus for circulating foam is provided in combination with apparatus for delivering high pressure jets. New swivels and check valves permit rotation and reciprocation of the jet tool and tubing string while maintaining high pressure in the apparatus.

Abstract: A steam injection system including steam deflectors connectable into a tubing string positioned in a well which steam deflectors provide for distribution of steam through the tubing string to a plurality of intervals in the well without the use of packers and from which steam enters into the well liner-tubing annulus in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubing string.

Abstract: A shielded container for transportation of radioactive materials (RAM's) is disclosed in which leakage from the container is minimized due to constructional features including, inter alia, forming the container of a series of telescoping members having sliding fits between adjacent side walls and having at least two of the members including machine sealed lids and at least two of the elements including hand-tightenable caps. Result: A low probability of violation of Public Law 93-633 during transport of the RAM.

Abstract: A steam deflector connectable into a tubing string is provided for selectively passing steam through the tubing string to the bottom thereof or diverting steam from inside the tubing string out into the well liner-tubing annulus without causing a vortex effect and in a direction concentric with and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubing string and above the bottom end thereof utilizing a sliding-sleeve arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to gas-liquid separator useful in a well and utilizes centrifugal force to assist in separating gas from liquid and includes a central inner tubular member for flowing gas thus separated through the incoming gas-liquid mixture and also an annular passage for gas flow up through the incoming gas-liquid mixture.

Abstract: Phases are measured with a resolution of one degree, and frequencies are measured with a resolution of 0.01 Hz by the same circuitry. An internal voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is forced to operate at 360 times the frequency of the incoming test signal by use of a phase-locked loop and a 360 divider. Clock pulses from the VCO are counted throughout an interval of noncoincidence of the original test signal and any phase-shifted version of that test signal, and the count is digitally displayed directly as phase shift in degrees. Clock pulses from the VCO are counted throughout an interval of (1/3.6) second and the resulting count is digitally displayed with the last two digits marked off by a decimal point, as the frequency.

Abstract: A wash tank is provided for separating an oil-water mixture and utilizes a plurality of baffle sections to assist in separating oil and water. The baffle sections include solid perpendicular portions and sloping perforated portions arranged in a special configuration within the tank.

Abstract: A method of improving a steam drive wherein high-quality steam is initially injected into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation to initiate a steam drive from an injection well to a production well and then very low-quality steam or water is injected into the formation until the cumulative value of quality of all the injected fluid is reduced to a value between 35 and 45% to maximize the heat utilization of the steam in the formation and improve the sweep efficiency of the steam drive and then adjusting the quality of the steam injected into the formation to a value of between 35 and 45% to continue the steam drive.

Abstract: A shielding means which has a continuous sidewall made up of a first set of multiple layers of ballistic nylon. An open end of the sidewall is closed with a second set of multiple layers of ballastic nylon. The other open end of the sidewall fits over and is securable to a housing cover to be shielded.

Abstract: A credit card imprinter with a base for retaining the printing elements and transaction form. The imprinter includes a platen adapted to be moved from an initial position to an extreme position and back over the printing area on the base. Gear wheels are provided for positioning print wheels, and a stop means is provided to prevent movement of the platen to a movable mode until all the print wheels have been reset by actuation of a reset handle preceding a printing operation.