Abstract: A method for detecting an anomaly in an assembly of a first and a second object of electrically conductive material forming an intermediate space between them, comprising providing a device (5) comprising a transmitter/receiver arrangement (7) for generating an electromagnetic field, and for measuring a signal indicative of an eddy current which is generated in the assembly by the electromagnetic field; arranging the device in a measurement position within the intermediate space; activating the device so as to receive a signal indicative of an eddy current in the assembly; and comparing the signal with a norm so as to detect if an anomaly is present at the measurement position, and a device for detecting an anomaly in an assembly of a first and a second object forming an intermediate space between them, the device comprising a transmitter/receiver arrangement a fixation means which. is arranged to fix the transmitter/receiver arrangement at a measurement position with respect to the inspection object.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the installation of VIV suppression during the S-Lay installation of a subsea pipeline. A locking member will be interposed between a pipe and a fairing rotatably mounted on the pipe, sufficient to bias the fairing against rotating. Upon marine application, the locking member will degrade, thereby releasing the fairing.

Abstract: A method of joining a pair of tubular ends (1, 2) comprises: providing the tubular ends with intermeshing tapered edges (3, 4); joining the tubular ends by inserting an adhesive between the tapered edges and pressing the tapered edges (3, 4) together; arranging an axial load carrier collar (5) around the joined tubular ends; inserting an adhesive between the inner surface of the collar (5) and the outer surfaces of the joined tubular ends (3, 4); and inducing the adhesive to bond the inner surface of the collar (5) to the outer surfaces of the joined tubular ends. The axial load carrier collar (5) may be equipped with a series of flexible reinforcement strips (8, 9), which carry a majority of axial loads exerted on the tubular joint, such that only a minimal axial load is exerted on the bonded tapered edges (3, 4).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for using an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system that supplies an electrical current such that a metallic structure (10) has a negative voltage of between 0.5 and 1.5 Volt relative to earth to power one or more electrical appliances (5), the method comprising: —providing one or more electrical appliances (5) which each have a pair of electrical contacts (1,2); —connecting one electrical contact (1) of each electrical appliance to the structure; and —connecting the other electrical contact (2) of each electrical appliance to earth, thereby providing electrical power to each of the electrical appliances. It is preferred that the electrical appliances (5) are equipped with one or more DC-DC power converters (6) which are configured to enhance an electrical input voltage of between 0.5 and 1.5 Volt to an electrical output voltage of between 3 and 5 Volt.

Abstract: The invention includes method and apparatus for controlling the stability of a burner, preferably a low NOx burner, of a natural draft heater. The method includes measuring the draft over a time period and generating a measured output from which a draft function is determined that defines the relationship between the draft and time during the time period. A value for the burner stability is defined that is representative of a stable burner operation. The draft function is compared to the stable burner value to determine a differential value, and the operation of the fired heater is adjusted in response to the differential value. The apparatus includes means for measuring the draft over a time period and means for generating a measured output from which a draft function is determined that is proportional to the cyclic variation of the draft during the time period.

Abstract: A system for producing oil and/or gas from an underground formation comprising a first array of wells dispersed above the formation; a second array of wells dispersed above the formation; wherein the first array of wells comprises a mechanism to inject a miscible enhanced oil recovery formulation into the formation while the second array of wells comprises a mechanism to produce oil and/or gas from the formation for a first time period; and wherein the second array of wells comprises a mechanism to inject a remediation agent into the formation while the first array of wells comprises a mechanism to produce the miscible enhanced oil recovery formulation from the formation for a second time period.

Abstract: A system for assuring subsea hydrocarbon production flow in pipelines by chilling the hydrocarbon production flow in a heat exchanger and causing solids to form, periodically removing deposits and placing them in a slurry utilizing a closed loop pig launching and receiving systems.

Abstract: A system is provided for injecting an injection fluid into an earth formation via a wellbore formed in the earth formation and for producing hydrocarbon fluid from the earth formation via the wellbore. The system comprises an injection conduit extending into the wellbore and being in fluid communication with a plurality of outlet ports for injection fluid, and a production conduit extending into the wellbore and being in fluid communication with at least one inlet section for hydrocarbon fluid. The injection conduit is arranged to prevent fluid communication between the injection conduit and each said inlet section.

Abstract: A system for measuring a voltage differential in a current-carrying pipe using a propulsion vehicle for conveying the system inside the pipe, the system including a first contact for maintaining electrical contact with the pipe as the vehicle moves through the pipe; a second contact positioned in a spaced apart relationship from the first contact for maintaining electrical contact with the pipe as the vehicle moves through the pipe; and an AC voltage reading device connected to the first contact and the second contact for measuring the AC voltage between the first contact and the second contact as the vehicle moves through the pipe.

Abstract: A drilling system comprising a pipe comprising a first end and a second end; a drill bit near a first end of the pipe, adapted to drill a hole in a formation; a pipe rotator near a second end of the pipe adapted to rotate the pipe; and a pump connected to the pipe between the first end and the second end, the pump adapted to transport a fluid from the first end of the pipe to the second end of the pipe, the pump comprising a first portion adapted to rotate with the pipe and a second portion adapted to remain stationary relative to the pipe.

Abstract: A method for controlling water condensation in the pores of a near wellbore region of a permeable formation through which wet natural gas flows into an inflow section of an oil and/or gas production well, the method comprising controlling fluid transfer through the near wellbore region such that development of a water bank resulting from condensation of water in said region is inhibited or promoted. If the well is a gas production well then development of a water bank may be inhibited by controlling pressure drawdown, cyclic well shut in, fracturing and/or injection of heat generating and/or water transporting chemicals.

Abstract: There is disclosed an umbilical assembly comprising at least one elongated umbilical element, and at least one light weight, high strength reinforcing rod.

Abstract: A slug flow separator facilitates the separation of a mixture flow into component parts. The separator includes an upper-tier elongate conduit, a lower-tier elongate conduit and a plurality of spaced apart connectors. Each of the upper and lower-tier elongate conduits has an outlet and at least one of the upper and lower-tier elongate conduits has an inlet for receiving the mixture flow. The upper and lower-tier elongate conduits also each have a plurality of openings such that one connector of the plurality of connectors may interconnect one of the upper-tier elongate conduit openings with a one of the lower-tier elongate conduit openings. The connectors enable communication of at least one of a liquid component and the at least one of another liquid component and a gas component of the mixture flow therebetween.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of carbon disulfide comprising the following steps: (a) reacting carbon monoxide with hydrogen sulfide to form carbonyl sulfide and hydrogen; (b) contacting the carbonyl sulfide formed in step (a) with a catalyst effective for disproportionating carbonyl sulfide into carbon disulfide and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method for estimating minimum miscibility enrichment (MME) for an injectant used in gas flooding of a reservoir at a given operating pressure comprising performing a plurality of slim tube simulations for the reservoir, determining minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) for a plurality of injected gases, creating a plot of recovery factor (RF) vs. 1?(MMP?P)/MMP wherein P is the operating pressure of the reservoir having at least one of the plurality of injected gases, wherein 1?(MMP?P)/MMP is a dimensionless pressure, wherein the plot has a y-intercept and slope, obtaining a recovery factor equation RF=i+s(1?(MMP?P)/MMP) wherein i is the y-intercept and s is the slope, determining a value for i, determining a value for s and calculating the recovery factor.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting formation of hydrocarbon hydrates in mixtures of water and a hydrate-forming guest molecule has been discovered that involves adding a composition to the mixtures in an amount that is effective in inhibiting formation of the hydrocarbon hydrates under conditions otherwise effective to form the hydrocarbon hydrates in the absence of the reaction product. The composition includes at least one dendrimeric compound having a number average molecular weight of at least 1,000 atomic mass units (amu); and at least one small molecular weight species having less than 1,000 amu, selected from the group consisting of polyalkyleneimine, polyallylamine, starch, sugars, and polymers or copolymers of vinyl alcohol or allyl alcohol; and, optionally, at least one surfactant.

Abstract: There is disclosed a current tank system comprising a first current tank adapted to produce a first current in a first direction; a second current tank adapted to rotate to produce a second current in a second direction; a sample adapted to be exposed to the first current and the second current.

Abstract: A system including a mechanism for recovering oil and/or gas from an underground formation, the oil and/or gas comprising one or more sulfur compounds; a mechanism for converting at least a portion of the sulfur compounds from the recovered oil and/or gas into a carbon disulfide formulation; and a mechanism for releasing at least a portion of the carbon disulfide formulation into a formation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved regeneration process and system for the regeneration of a spent FCC catalyst in a regenerator without vertical partitions by introducing different fluidization gas streams to different regions of a dense phase catalyst zone at the lower end of the regenerator such as a high velocity central region and a low velocity annular zone are formed, positioned below a common dilute catalyst phase.

Abstract: Swirl tube separator for separating solids from a gas-solid containing feed comprising a tubular housing, an inlet for introducing a gas-solids mixture at one end of said housing, a solids outlet opening at the opposite end of said housing, and a co-axial positioned tubular gas outlet conduit placed at an end of said housing, wherein along the axis of the tubular housing a vortex extender pin is present.