Abstract: The invention concerns modified hydrophobic polyelectrolytes by amide formation of a hydrophilic skeleton by n-alkylamines whereof the alkyl chain comprises 6 to 22 carbon atoms. Preferably, the amide formation is obtained by di-n-dodecylamine. The hydrophilic skeleton is preferably a sodium polyacrylate or polyacrylic acid corresponding to a statistical acrylate-AMPS copolymer. Said polymers can be used for stabilising direct or invert emulsions likely to be destabilised or inverted by a modification in the degree of salinity of the aqueous phase or a pH modification. The invention is particularly useful for stabilising oil drilling fluids or the like in particular drilling, fracturation, acidification or completion fluids.

Abstract: An invert emulsion suitable for drilling subterranean wells, in particular oil and gas wells is disclosed which has negative alkalinity and includes an oleaginous phase, and a non-oleaginous phase and an emulsifying agent which stabilizes the invert emulsion under conditions of negative alkalinity. The practice of the present invention permits the formulation of drilling fluids which are absent an alkaline reserve and are compatible with elastomers utilized in drilling equipment. Thus the invert emulsion fluids of the present invention are highly suitable for drilling oil and gas wells.

Abstract: An additive which increases the density of wellbore fluids used during the construction or repair of oil, gas, injection, water or geothermal wells comprises solid colloidal particles of weight average particle diameter (D50) of less than 2 microns, the particles being deflocculated by the action of a dispersant, preferably incorporated during the process of grinding or communication of the particles to the specified particle size. The additives may be used in any wellbore fluid such as drilling, cementing, completion, packing, work-over (repairing), stimulation, well killing and spacer fluids as well as in a dense media separating fluid or in a ship's ballast fluid.

Abstract: A water-base drilling fluid for use in drilling wells through a formation containing a shale which swells in the presence of water. The drilling fluid preferably includes: an aqueous based continuous phase, a weight material, and a shale hydration inhibition agent having the formula: H2N—R—{OR′}x—Y in which R and R′ are alkylene groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and x is a value from about 1 to about 25. The Y group should be an amine or alkoxy group, preferably a primary amine or a methoxy group. The shale hydration inhibition agent should be present in sufficient concentration to reduce the swelling of the shale. Also inclusive of the present invention is a method of reducing the swelling of shale clay encountered during the drilling of a subterranean well, the method comprising circulating in the well a water-base drilling fluid formulated in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A method of electrically logging subterranean wells using a conductive fluid includes a miscible combination of an oleaginous fluid, a polar organic solvent, an electrolytic salt, and a carbon dioxide buffer. The electrolytic salt or brine of the salt is present in a concentration sufficient to permit the electrical logging of the subterranean well. The polar organic solvent may be an oil soluble glycol or glycol ether such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and the like. The electrolytic salt or brine preferably includes a quaternary amine salt having the formula: wherein R is an alkyl having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, R′ is 2 to 6 carbon atoms alkyl group, B is hydrogen, oxyalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, A is hydrogen or alkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, x+y=1 to 15, z is 0 to 3, and M is a counter anion; or combinations thereof. The carbon dioxide buffer is preferably a trialkylanol amine.

Abstract: A method of determining the dimensional characteristics of a biological object included: measuring without physical contact or disruption of sterility the length, width and height above or below a reference plane of the biological object with an optical distance measuring device thereby creating a data set; and processing the data set in a computer so as to determine the dimensional characteristics of the biological feature. Preferably the optical distance measuring means is a laser based distance measuring device and the storage of x axis values, y axis values and distance values is in the electronic memory of a computer. The biological surface may be a wound bed or a dermal surface, or alternatively the biological surface may be vascular tissue including heart valves, veins and arteries.

Abstract: A side fin (10) for a surfboard has a base edge portion (13) which in use juxtaposes the surfboard, a leading edge (14) and a trailing edge (15) which meet to define fin tip (16). Fin (10) has a substantially planar fin base portion (17) extending from base edge portion (13), and a substantially curved fin tip portion (18) extending from fin base portion (17) to fin tip (16). When the fin profile is viewed in the longitudinal direction of the surfboard i.e. from leading edge (14) to trailing edge (15), the profile of fin base portion (17) is substantially rectilinear and the profile of fin tip portion (18) is curved.

Abstract: A method of electrically logging subterranean wells using a conductive fluid in which the conductive fluid includes a miscible combination of an oleaginous fluid, a polar organic solvent, and an electrolytic salt. The electrolytic salt or brine of the salt is present in a concentration sufficient to permit the electrical logging of the subterranean well. The medium may further include gelling agent, weight material, surfactant, or corrosion inhibitors. The polar organic solvent may preferably be a oil soluble glycol or glycol ether such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved glycol based aqueous drilling fluid. The drilling fluid of this invention has demonstrated utility in controlling and/or reducing swelling of clay formations in the drilling of subterranean wells.

Abstract: A process for cleaning-up drilling and completion fluid filtercakes using an aqueous wash containing water and cationic salts of polyaminocarboxylic acids at neutral or acidic pH.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful in creating boreholes, tunnels and other excavations in unstable soils and earth formations, especially those composed partially or wholly of sand, gravel or other granular or permeable material are disclosed. The fluids include a polymer, and a soluble silicate ion source. The fluids of the invention, when used according to the methods of the invention, have unique dual functionality as excavating fluids and as earth-grouting or soil-hardening compositions.

Abstract: A water-base drilling fluid for use in drilling wells through a formation containing a shale which swells in the presence of water. The drilling fluid preferably includes: an aqueous based continuous phase, a weight material, and a shale hydration inhibition agent having the formula: H2N—CH(CH3)CH2{—OCH2CH(CH3)—}x—NH2 in which x is a value less than 15. The shale hydration inhibition agent should be present in sufficient concentration to reduce the swelling of the shale. Preferably x has an average number between about 1 and about 5 and more preferably x has an average number of about 2.6. Also inclusive of the present invention is a method of reducing the swelling of shale clay encountered during the drilling of a subterranean well, the method comprising circulating in the well a water-base drilling fluid formulated in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A technique for polishing metal objects such as, for example, those made of aluminum, stainless steel, and brass is described. The technique employs a metal-polishing apparatus which includes a double-jointed arm assembly and a table assembly. The arm assembly includes a brush assembly, a handle, and an actuating device. The double-jointed nature of the arm assembly advantageously allows an operator to effectively polish a detailed and ornate metal object. The table assembly has a frame, a rotatable table-top assembly, and a mechanism for securing the object. The metal object to be polished is placed on the table-top assembly and allowed to rotate with respect to the frame. The technique also relates to the preparation, polishing, and post-polishing methods employed with the metal-polishing apparatus. The present technique enables aluminum, brass, and stainless steel objects to be effectively polished, and therefore refurbished, by removing a significant amount of damage (i.e.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods, apparatus and solutions for cryopreserving microscopic biological materials for biologically extended periods of time. The method comprises treating a suspension of biological material, in an appropriate buffer, with a cryoprotectant or combination of cryoprotectants which raises the glass transition temperature range of the sample. One or more dry protectants may be added to the cryosolution. The cryosolution is then nebulized and rapidly cooled with novel apparatus, dried by molecular distillation, stored and then rehydrated in a buffer prior to its use. The solutions comprise novel mixtures of cryoprotectants.

Abstract: A resin composition useful in well completion and remedial methods having improved flexibility upon setting or curing is disclosed. The resin composition includes a polymerizable resin, an oil soluble acid catalyst capable of causing polymerization of the resin at formation temperatures, and 10 to 70% by volume rubber. The rubber may be in the form of ground rubber or an aqueous dispersion or emulsion. Also disclosed are methods for the use of the resin composition in well completion and remediation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in a method for treating wells penetrating subsurface formations and in fluid communication with at least a portion of the subsurface formation for the purpose of sand consolidation, water exclusion, or well plugging, employing a treating fluid comprising acid catalyzed polymerizable resin, a hydrolyzable ester and an acid catalyst, which improvement provides greater control of set time and greater safety, which comprises replacing from a small percent up to the entire amount of hydrolyzable ester with an acetate derivative of the polymerizable resin, and optionally replacing a small percent up to the entire amount of the polymerizable resin with the acetate derivative. In the preferred embodiment furfuryl acetate replaces part to all of the hydrolyzable ester and, optionally, a percentage of the furfuryl alcohol.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the manufacture of microcapsules which comprises the steps of preparing hydrophobic and hydrophilic phase components. The hydrophobic phase component comprises a homogeneous solution of an electron donating chromogenic material and a hydrophobic material. The hydrophilic phase component comprises a mixture of a regulating agent and water, the regulating agent being a starch material. The hydrophobic phase component is combined with a hydrophilic phase component to form an oil-in-water emulsion. The oil-in-water emulsion further contains aqueous solutions of urea, resorcinol and formaldehyde. The pH of the oil-in-water emulsion is adjusted to a level at which the capsule wall forming reaction is initiated by the addition of a catalyst. The temperature of the partially reacted oil-in-water emulsion is then elevated to from about 50.degree. C. to about 80.degree. C.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to production of a photographic film assembly substantially free of optical pinholes for use as a base for negatives in self-developing film packs. The assembly comprises a paper layer and first and second layers of polyolefin adhered to opposite sides of the paper layer. The paper layer has a caliper of about 2 mils to about 4.5 mils and a basis weight of about 55 g/m.sup.2 to about 125 g/m.sup.2. The first and second polyolefin layers each have a layer weight of about 10 g/m.sup.2 to about 48 g/m.sup.2. Carbon black is uniformly dispersed in at least two out of the three layers. The total amount of carbon black in the assembly is about 2.5 g/m.sup.2 to about 4.0 g/m.sup.2.

Abstract: An improved drum closure assembly which includes a ring member and a cover member, the cover member being cooperatively sized for a fitted, overlapping relationship with the ring member. The ring member comprises outer and inner ring portions which are angularly displaced from parallel to one another. The cover member includes a top cover member and an annular wall member designed to about the outer ring portion of the ring member and to seal the assembly when in use.