Abstract: A method for protecting marine pilings positioned to support a marine structure above the water wherein a plurality of pilings are positioned to support the marine structure. The method consisting essentially of positioning a fender over exposed surfaces of a protective coating on the pilings through the splash zone; and retaining the fender in position.

Abstract: Oil or water based drilling muds, together with other wellbore contaminants such as pipe thread sealants and lubricants are displaced from the well and the wellbore surfaces are cleaned by a system of four serially pumped fluid pills. The first stage fluid pill is a weighted spacer having an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant, a dispersant, a weighting agent and a viscosifier. The second stage pill is a drive fluid formed by water and a viscous polymer gel such as clarified xanthan gum having a viscosity/shear rate characteristic which minimizes mixing of the drive fluid pill with the displacement fluid pill. A buffer fluid pill comprising completion brine is interposed between the drive fluid pill and a fourth stage comprising a wash fluid pill using an organic solvent or a caustic alkyl polyglycoside as a final cleaning stage. The densities of the pills are controlled to minimize mixing and fingering of one pill into the other.

Abstract: Multiple gas lift valves interposed in a well tubing string are each configured to have gas flow ports adapted to emit a predetermined acoustic signal for transmission through the well to a microphone or similar acoustic signal receiver whereby a determination may be made of which gas lift valves are open or operating properly. One or more of the gas lift valves may also include fluid pressure, temperature and viscosity sensors as well as a valve opening sensor and/or valve pressure setting control and an associated signal controller/generator arrangement for generating signals for transmission to the surface. The signal generators may be of the acoustic or so-called stress wave type.

Abstract: Perforations and cracks in wellbore liners or casings may be temporarily or permanently covered by a radially-expansible, coiled sleeve member formed by a sheet of elastically-deflectable material such as stainless steel which is coiled and placed in a cylinder which may be conveyed into a well to a working position for deployment of the sleeve to expand into engagement with the casing wall to block the perforations or cracks. The cylinder includes a sleeve ejecting piston which may be urged to rapidly eject the sleeve from the cylinder by pressure fluid conveyed to the cylinder by coilable tubing or by a gas-generating charge material electrically connected to an E-line which also may be used to deploy the cylinder into its working position in the well.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing hydrocarbons in wastewater includes an oil separator and a stripper tower. The tower has a housing that includes a stripper section and a condensation section. The stripper section includes a plurality of trays and steam inlet under the trays. The condensation section includes a plurality of trays and a pan tray having provisions to allow vapors to rise from the stripper section.

Abstract: A method and system for using sonography to image the internal structure of geophysical and geologic models are disclosed. The sonography system includes a wand having a plurality of piezoelectric elements at an active surface thereof, each coupled to driver/receiver circuitry. Certain of the piezoelectric elements are selected as ultrasonic sources and receivers; the source/receiver designation may vary over time, as each of the elements may either generate or receive acoustic energy. A computer system, connected to the wand, receives signals from the receivers corresponding to reflected and refracted ultrasonic energy, and generates a zero offset trace image therefrom. In the geophysical case, the scale model is formed of materials such as plastics and rubbers having the desired properties for simulating the response of a portion or layer in the earth to ultrasonic vibrations.

Abstract: A tool for obtaining samples of the formation surrounding the wellbore, and method of obtaining such samples, is disclosed. The tool is implemented within a sub in a bottomhole assembly, preferably within side-pocket mandrels in the outer surface of drill collar pipe. The tool includes a series of sampling bits that may be fired into the surrounding formation by the activation of an explosive charge, and also includes an electronic unit for detecting a signal from the surface and activating the charge in response thereto. The signal may be communicated by way of mud-pulse telemetry, or by any other known telemetry technique. Separate groups of sampling bits, with separate switch and power units, may be provided to provide redundant operation; a decoder is included in this alternative, to allow for selection of one of the groups.

Abstract: A method for generating and maintaining drawings for an industrial facility by a) entering drawing information into a computer-aided drawing work station to produce a drawing in a format adapted for conversion to a form suitable for comparison with a master database and rule set; b) converting the drawing information into a form suitable for comparison with the master database; c) comparing the converted drawing information to the master database and rule set; d) generating a discrepancy report of any discrepancies between the drawing and the master database and rule set; e) resolving any such discrepancies; f) entering the converted drawing information into the master database; g) editing the master database; h) transferring an edited copy of the master database to the graphics system; i) importing the edited copy of the master database into the graphics section and updating symbology as appropriate; and, j) generating a human readable copy of the drawing.

Abstract: Gas compression and chilling systems, particularly adapted for compressing and chilling gas for transmission through arctic pipelines are provided with a cross heat exchanger for transferring heat from gas compressed to the inlet gas to the compressor. The heat exchanger is disposed upstream of an expander which may comprise a mechanical expander or a throttling valve, or both, to achieve a predetermined final output pressure and temperature. An aerial heat exchanger is interposed between the compression and expansion stages upstream of the inlet gas heat exchanger. One embodiment of the system uses two stages of compression, aerial cooling and expansion to the final temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A flow cell and probe member apparatus for a spectrophotometer type analyzer for fluids such as petroleum fuel blends using the absorbance characteristics of electromagnetic radiation in the ultra violet/visible light/near infrared portion of the spectrum includes a body having opposed branch parts which define a flow passage for the fluid to be analyzed and including opposed connector parts for connecting the body to fluid transmitting conduits. Opposed waveguide probes project into the flow path from opposed supporting branch parts of the cell body which have opposed surfaces which are spaced apart at a predetermined distance to locate the probe members in such a way that the transmission path length of the radiation signal is closely controlled to minimize errors in the absorbance readings.

Abstract: Duplex stainless steel having about 25% chrome, 7% nickel and 3.5% molybdenum content included in its chemical composition is gas tungsten arc welded by a manual procedure wherein a continuous or segmented root pass weld is made with a filler metal rod of a first diameter and plural cover passes are made in segments or continuously using a filler metal rod of a larger diameter. The weld may be cooled by demineralized water between passes to limit the interpass temperature of the weld to about 300.degree. F. or less. The use of a larger diameter filler rod for the cover passes with a 300.degree. F. temperature limit between passes and segment welds in intermediate and cover passes of 180.degree. reduces time to complete circumferential girth welds for duplex stainless steel pipe by more than 50 percent.

Abstract: A method for displaying seismic data to provide direct indications of the presence of hydrocarbons. Seismic data is processed using conventional amplitude versus offset techniques to obtain zero offset reflectivity, or A, traces and the amplitude versus offset slope, or B, traces. AB cross plots of each trace are then generated. Each sample point on the cross plot is then assigned a value corresponding to its deviation from the regression line of the cross plotted AB points. The assigned values are then plotted in their corresponding time sample positions to generate a trace or display providing a direct indication of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Multiphase fluid flow, such as gas and water, is controlled to provide splitting the flow from a supply conduit into one or more branch conduits with a predetermined gas-to-liquid ratio in the branch conduits by providing a flow mixing device interposed in the main conduit at the intersection of the main conduit with the branch conduits and a variable area orifice provided by a sleeve type closure member to effectively regulate the gas-to-liquid ratio entering the branch conduit. Gas to liquid ratios may be varied by providing the branch conduits as swivel connections to the main conduit so that the entry portion of the branch conduit may be oriented vertically upward or downward or at a selected position in between. Gas-to-liquid ratios may be measured by flowmeters and differential pressure gauges located upstream and downstream of the intersections of the branch conduits with the main supply conduit or manifold.

Abstract: A method of processing one or more multi-component sidestreams from a separation tower through a hydrocyclone(s) to remove a particular component from the sidestream before returning the remaining components of the stream to the tower for further processing. A sidestream is withdrawn from a first vertical point along a separation tower and is passed through a hydrocyclone which is operated at a split ratio so that the maximum amount of the unwanted component (e.g. water) is removed from the feedstream through the underflow of the hydrocyclone. The remaining components in the feedstream (now substantially free of the unwanted component, flows out the overflow of the hydrocyclone and are passed back into tower through a second vertical point below the withdrawal point to be further processed in the tower. Additional sidestreams can be withdrawn from the tower and processed in the same manner through respective hydrocyclones.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the productive capacity of a primary wellbore containing a conduit string such as casing involving removing at least a partial radial section of the casing to provide an aperture therein, setting tubing carrying a guide surface in the vicinity of the aperture and drilling a lateral wellbore at an angle to the primary wellbore using a coiled tubing conveyed drilling assembly.

Abstract: Novel formulations for aqueous foams which, in the presence of hydrocarbons, can persist for 24 hours or more. The foams are suitable for the suppression of hydrocarbon and polar organic vapors.

Abstract: A downhole gas-liquid separator for multiphase fluid producing wells includes a tubular member with a spiral baffle disposed therein and a duct including an inlet disposed adjacent the discharge end of the spiral baffle. Fluid flow into the separator undergoes substantial gas and liquid separation by centrifugal forces imposed on the liquid as it progresses through the spiral flowpath. Gas is drawn off at the discharge end of the spiral baffle and discharged into the wellbore annulus while liquid and a small amount of gas pass on through the separator and the production tubing to the surface. The spiral baffle may be disposed in the wellbore between the distal end of the production tubing string and the point of entry of gas and liquid into the wellbore. The separator may include a retrievable tubular body inserted in a ported nipple interposed in the tubing string.

Abstract: A system and method for matrix stimulation field monitoring providing real time control, optimization and post job evaluation of matrix treatments is disclosed herein. Using calculated or measured bottom hole pressures or coil tubing reflective pressures, the system and method predicts pre-treatment damage or skin from a step rate test, then shows the evolution of skin removal versus treating fluid volume in real time. The method and system provides real time information about diverter use, treatment height, damage radius and other important well parameters.

Abstract: A single point submersible mooring buoy for use in ice infested and severe sea state anchorages for transferring fluids between marine tankers and fluid handling facilities includes a buoy body having a rotatable turntable disposed thereon for supporting a hose reel and a mooring hawser and associated winch. The buoy includes onboard anchor chain windlasses for maintaining anchor chain tension in the surfaced as well as submerged positions. Suitable ballast tanks, compressed air reservoirs, hydraulic pumps and motors are disposed on the buoy and may be operated by remote control to move the buoy between floating and submerged positions and to provide for connecting and disconnecting the fluid transfer hose and mooring hawser with respect to a vessel such as a tanker.

Abstract: A method of performing a marine seismic survey is disclosed Seismic receivers, either hydrophones or geophones, are deployed in a set of parallel lines in the survey area. The acoustic energy is generated from a conventional marine seismic source towed by a vessel traveling in paths which are substantially perpendicular to the lines of receiver stations. The paths may pass over the lines of receiver stations, and may also pass outside of the receiver area. Alternative embodiments are disclosed which include sequencing of multiple sets of receiver station lines with one another, so that shots fired along different segments of the path correspond to the different sets of receiver stations. In addition, multiple sources may be towed and alternatively fired, to improve the survey efficiency.