Abstract: A method for determining at wellsites the swelling-clay content of cement mixtures by high-frequency dielectric measurements including: grinding a cement mix sample to a size suitable for testing; washing the cement mix sample with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than water, which may contain a soluble cation; packing the washed cement mix sample into a sample cell suitable for dielectric measurement; measuring the dielectric constant at a preselected frequency; and comparing the measured dielectric constant of the cement mix sample to calibration curves.

Abstract: A method for determining at wellsites the solids content of drilling fluids by high-frequency dielectric measurements including: preparing samples of the drilling fluid, of the drill cuttings from the formation, and of each solids-additives type added to the drilling fluid for uniform dielectric constant measurements at preselected frequencies and obtaining the solids content in accordance with the relationship between the dielectric constant measurements of the drilling fluid-solids, drill cuttings, and each of the solids-additives type. In accordance with the method of the invention two levels of determination are possible. These levels of determination depend upon whether the quantities of solids-additives type added to the drilling fluid are known.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a plurality of marine seismic sources in an array. The marine seismic sources are retained in retaining means which are mounted to a frame so that each source is separated from the nearest other source in the array by a predetermined distance. Shock absorbing means are mounted in the frame intermediate each of the retaining means and each other retaining means mounted to the frame.

Abstract: A method for conditioning the freezing zone liquid feedstream in the cryogenic separation of carbon dioxide and other acid gases from methane by use of distillation and a controlled freezing zone, including the step of sub-cooling the freezing zone liquid feedstream, so that this freezing zone liquid feedstream remains close to, but not quite at, carbon dioxide solidification conditions.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for initiating seismic data storage in an Isolated Distributed Recording System. An encoded acoustic signal is generated by an acoustic energy source which is detected at an isolated distributed recorder where it is correlated with a preselected correlating signal. Upon sufficient correlation between the encoded acoustic signal and the preselected correlating signal, seismic data are stored. In the preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for generating an encoded seismic signal utilizing a seismic energy source. The encoded seismic signal is correlated with a preselected correlating signal at an isolated distributed recorder; upon sufficient correlation between said signals, the isolated distributed recorder is triggered to store incoming seismic data commencing at the time the seismic data were generated and extending for a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A method for determining at wellsites the swelling-clay content of shales and shaly sandstones earth formations whereby a sample of the formation is washed with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than that of water, which fluid may contain a soluble cation, and measurements of the sample's dielectric constant are made at a preselected frequency for subsequent comparison to calibration curves, thereby obtaining a measurement of the welling-clay content of the formation. The determinations of the swelling-clay content may be performed at different levels depending on the nature of the samples.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively controlling isolated distributed recorders in an Isolated Distributed Recording System. Selection and control of isolated distributed recording units comprising a seismic data gathering Isolated Distributed Recording System are effected by transmitting preselected encoded acoustic seismic signals to which the isolated distributed recorders have been preconditioned to respond by effecting a desired control action. The same encoded acoustic seismic signal may also provide the seismic data for the experiment. Each isolated distributed recorder is conditioned to respond to several encoded acoustic signals, to discriminate against noise, and/or to respond to one such encoded acoustic signal by effecting a plurality of control actions at the isolated distributed recorder.