Abstract: Hot, newly molded glass articles are easily moved using sweepout arms having a plurality of graphite contact members that form a mosaic to present the hot glass piece with a substantially smooth graphite surface.

Abstract: A pressure actuated, telescoping subassembly is supported by a pipe string to axially move an attached member within a wellbore. Increasing fluid pressure to the subassembly actuates a telescoping action, axially moving the attached member but not the supporting pipe string. Motion can be used during rotary drilling or running of tubulars into a drilled borehole portion. Pressure actuation provides a way to remotely apply axial force to a member, such as a tool or drill string portion. Moving only the member instead of the entire drill string and member lowers the total force required to move members and provides a new way to chase drill bits and apply constant drilling forces. This minimizes the risk of pipe string overloading and buckling, exceeding rig weight limitations, and tool bit damage.

Abstract: Large gas pockets in a crude oil transfer pipeline are detected and separated. As a large gas pocket forms, the liquid level drops (and the hydraulic head declines) in the export riser portion of the transfer pipeline, increasing the pressure required to transfer the fluid. Detection of the lower level and separation decreases the pressure required. Smaller gas pockets, which can be swept down the export riser portion, are not separated. The detecting and separating functions can be combined in a float-type gas vent valve, or separate gas detectors and gas vent valves can be used. The separated gas can be recombined with the crude oil, or used at an import platform, or separately transported to an on-shore facility. If the separated gas requires pressurization, a compressor-expander may be used to compress gas for flow in one direction and recover power from the expanding gas during flow in the other direction.

Abstract: A low-cost method drilling and completing wells attaches a non-rotating jet drilling tool to coiled tubing. After drilling, the tubing portion outside the well is cut and the remaining tubing becomes the liner or casing for the well. By also using a residual bend remover, centralizers, and injecting a thermal cement slurry, very low cost steam injector wells can be drilled and completed.

Abstract: A polymer concrete pipe liner is formed from a fluidized, but substantially waterless cement containing mixture applied to the pipe interior. The mixture is composed of inorganic cement particles, a liquid styrene mixture and a minor amount of one or more poly-olefinically unsaturated co-monomers. The mixture substantially excludes acrylonitrile and acrylamide. The co-monomers are preferably selected from a group including trimethylolpropane-trimethacrylate, divinyl benzene, hexadiene, and polyvinylsiloxanes. Mixing the liquid and solid components forms a slurry which is transferred to a pipe interior. Transfer properties can be controlled by particulate gradation, dissolved polymers, and rheology control additives. The pipe is then spun to centrifugally cast the liner. The composition avoids the need for high temperature curing and toxic reactive unsaturates to co-polymerize and cross-link polystyrene.

Abstract: Weighted segments are repositioned during the running of tubulars into a deviated portion of the well. One method of repositioning adds separate weights to the top of a tubular string, runs the separate weight partially "down" the well, removes the weight downhole from the tubular string, and repositions and attaches the weight to an uphole portion of the tubular string prior to continuing the running operation. Another method partially runs a first portion of the tubulars detachably connected to heavy weight drill string, detaches and repositions the heavy drill string leaving the first tubular portion downhole, runs a second tubular portion downhole until it contact the first portion using the repositioned heavy drill string to assist in running, attaches the first tubular portion to the second tubular portion, and continues running the reattached assembly downhole.

Abstract: A short pulse of laser excitation and a synchronized gating time control of a fluorescence spectrograph detector are combined with a microscope, precise focusing and delivery optics, multi-mode illumination means, cooling, and temperature controls to form a new microspectrophotometry system. The gating control can block detection of any unwanted excitation radiation, such as nearly instantaneous (within 10.sup.-12 seconds) emissions after the sample is pulse excited and delayed emissions (after 10.sup.-7 seconds) after the sample is pulse excited. The gating also allows delayed emissions to be separately isolated. The microscopic focusing, pulse excitation and time segregation of detected emissions achieves a new level of precision in the detected structural spectra and property measurements not generally achievable for composite samples by prior art methods and devices.

Abstract: Real-time monitoring of a target production zone is followed by an oscillatory drilling path to create a borehole having improved zone drainage capability. Real-time monitoring uses geophones placed in adjacent wells or the well being drilled. The drilling process itself generates the seismic signals. When the geophones are located in the well being drilled, the seismic signals are transmitted from downhole to surface through intermittent pressurization of drilling mud. Once drilling penetrates the zone, the oscillatory path is followed by fracturing to improve fluid drainage paths and minimize additional drilling.

Abstract: A seismic recording system comprises a multichannel recorder connected to a cable formed from a plurality of signal conductors. Each of the signal conductors is connected to a different channel of the recorder. The cable has a plurality of takeouts located at spaced distances along its length. Each of the takeouts is connected to a different signal conductor of the cable. The system further includes a switch operably connected to one of the takeouts for selectively interconnecting the takeout and any one or more of several seismic detector connections upon receipt of a remotely generated signal. The system also includes a number of detector conduits, each of which has one end operably connected to a different one of the seismic detector connections of the switch. Each detector conduit has at least one geophone located along its length and operably connected thereto. A control is provided for transmitting a signal to a switch. The switch interconnects a selected group or groups of geophones with the recorder.

Abstract: One or more rigid sealing segments are attached to pipe end sections and the assembly lined to form a fluid-resistant joint. A segment surface forms the primary sealing interface of lined pipe sections without the need for a conventional removable liner edge seal. The lining process and configuration sealably bonds the liner to the fluid-resistant sealing segment and to the non-fluid-resistant pipe. The manner of bonding both avoids (or limits) liner stress and covers the non-fluid-resistant material of the pipe. In an alternative embodiment, the sealing segments are engaged at mating threaded surfaces, the mated threads providing a single primary sealing and engagement interface. Redundant liner end sealing may also be accomplished by a sandwiched deformable material if added reliability of sealing harsh fluids is desired. In another embodiment, portions of the rigid sealing segments are slidably mounted relative to each other and the primary seal interface is temperature actuated.

Abstract: Geothermal brine is passed through a zone containing a packing metal so as to reduce its tendency to deposit iron/silica scale, reduce corrosivity of the brine, and/or remove and recover metals from the brine. The method polishes the geothermal brine by contacting the brine with a packing metal higher in the electromotive series than silver for a time sufficient for a precious metals to precipitate onto the packing at brine temperature and pH conditions which inhibit iron-rich silica scale. Most preferably, the contacting is accomplished near an injection well at the end of a heat extraction process and the packing comprises coiled zinc-galvanized steel chicken wire mesh packed in a sufficient density to also act as a filter for suspended particles. Alternatively, contacting is also accomplished near the production well. Dissolving the packing in a suitable acid leaves a precious metal-rich residue behind for subsequent recovery.

Abstract: One or more rigid sealing segments are attached to pipe end sections and the assembly lined to form a fluid-resistant joint. A segment surface forms the primary sealing interface of lined pipe sections without the need for a conventional removable liner edge seal. The lining process and configuration sealably bonds the liner to the fluid-resistant sealing segment and to the non-fluid-resistant pipe. The manner of bonding both avoids (or limits) liner stress and covers the non-fluid-resistant material of the pipe. In an alternative embodiment, the sealing segments are engaged at mating threaded surfaces, the mated threads providing a single primary sealing and engagement interface. Redundant liner end sealing may also be accomplished by a sandwiched deformable material if added reliability of sealing harsh fluids is desired. In another embodiment, portions of the rigid sealing segments are slidably mounted relative to each other and the primary seal interface is temperature actuated.

Abstract: The invention comprises a seismic recording apparatus and method. A multichannel recorder is connected to a cable formed from a plurality of signal conductors. Each of the signal conductors is connected to a different channel of the recorder via a multiplexer. The cable has a plurality of takeouts located at spaced distances along its length. Each of the takeouts is connected to a different signal conductor of the cable. A switch means is operably connected to one of the takeouts for selectively interconnecting the takeout and any one or more of several seismic detector connections upon receipt of a remotely generated signal. The invention also includes a number of detector conduits, each of which has one end operably connected to a different one of the seismic detector connections of the switch means. Each detector conduit has at least one geophone located along its length and operably connected thereto. A control means is provided for transmitting a signal to the switch means.

Abstract: A pressure actuated, telescoping subassembly is supported by a pipe string to axially move an attached member within a wellbore. Increasing fluid pressure to the subassembly actuates a telescoping action, axially moving the attached member but not the supporting pipe string. Motion can be used during rotary drilling or running of tubulars into a drilled borehole portion. Pressure actuation provides a means to remotely apply axial force near the member, such as a tool or drill string portion. Moving only the member instead of the entire drill string and member lowers the total force required to move members and provides a new means to chase drill bits and apply constant drilling forces. This minimizes the risk of pipe string overloading and buckling, exceeding rig weight limitations, and tool bit damage.

Abstract: A method for controlling fouling of a heat exchange surface exposed to a high-enthalpy geothermal brine tending to form silica scale, but containing less than a saturated amount of cations capable of reacting with sulfates. The method adds a limited amount of sulfuric acid to the brine to form a mixture. The amount of sulfuric acid is limited to that required to produce sulfates sufficient to apparently complex with silica, but less than the amount required to increased the sulfates to above saturation amounts of sulfate reacting cations, significantly reducing or virtually eliminating sulfate and silica deposits and fouling. The addition is further controlled to an amount which reduces the pH of the mixture to no less than about 4.5. The addition does not significantly increase corrosion rates of mild steel heat exchanger materials of construction.

Abstract: Surface hydraulic fluid pressure and sucker rod displacement are measured and used to analyze the performance of a pumped oil well having a surface hydraulic actuator connected to a downhole pump by the sucker rod. The pressurized hydraulic fluid actuates a cyclic motion of the rod and a pumping of the oil. The measured rod motion and hydraulic fluid pressure are used together with an added flexible rod simulator to calculate a performance characteristic. The analysis method accounts for rod interactions with the hydraulic actuator and hydraulic pump. The present invention avoids installation of a load cell and disassembly/shutting down the operating pumping unit as is required by the conventional rocker beam analysis methods. The present invention also avoids flow measurements, as is required by conventional subsurface hydraulic motor and analysis methods, and complex dynamic frictional fluid loss analysis.

Abstract: A ported float shoe (5) and a landing collar (16) are attached at a first end of a portion of a casing string (4) and a sliding air trapping insert (20) is attached at the other end. The air trapping insert (20) includes a fluid flow passageway (24) blocked by a plug (22) attached by shear pins to the insert (20) or the air trapping insert is an inflatable insert (55) having a conduit (60) providing a fluid passageway to the first end. The air trapping insert and float shoe form an air cavity (12a or 12b) within the string portion (4). The air cavity provides buoyant forces during running, cementing or other casing operations within a borehole (2), reducing running drag and the related chance of a differentially stuck casing (4). It also allows reciprocation and rotation during cementing and avoids separate removal steps.

Abstract: A hydraulic setting and release system for run in and cementing of a work string and tubular within a borehole has a small diameter pipe string extending from a release tool through a packer to within the tubular. The system forms at least one annulus between the pipe string and tubular. The pipe string includes a ported nipple and a seat subassembly downstream of the ported nipple. The pipe string allows the packer to anchor the tubular, by being inflated through the port even when the seat is blocked. The pipe string also forms a flotation annulus which is sealed by, and the pipe string is supported by, a drag/seal subassembly downstream of the seat assembly. The system also includes a safety release tool for reliable uncoupling. Uncoupling is accomplished after run in, displacing a cement slurry slug separated by a plug or dart using a following pump down fluid which can land on the seat and block further flow and displacement of cement slurry, and anchoring.

Abstract: A hydraulic setting and release tool has a shear out setting assembly attached to a string coupling member. Upon reaching a predetermined hydraulic pressure, a piston of the tool shears restraining shear pins and moves in a body of the tool to release dogs that engage the coupling member. When used in running in a liner, the coupling member is a running head that rotates the liner during running in and cementing. When used as a drill string release tool, the coupling member is a release sub, the tool being placed serially with other string components. If the drill string gets stuck, it is separated by merely increasing the hydraulic pressure sufficiently to shear the pins and allow the piston to move and the dogs to retract to separate the release sub from the shear out assembly.

Abstract: A butt welded and lined flange connector allows the joining of pipe sections lined with a brittle material. Spacing and a sleeved liner at the weld end protects the liner during butt welding. A conventional flange face gasket is modified to protrude into the lined zone to perform a dual sealing function. Like conventional flanged joints, the modified gasket forms a seal sandwiched between the flange interface surfaces. However, departing from current practice, the single gasket also fills the gap and seals the liner edges, protecting the pipe sections from the flowing materials. The invention avoids separate putty-like or elastomeric liner seals as well as exotic liner surface configurations. The present invention is expected to be tolerant of severe conditions and cost effective in many applications.