Abstract: A multistage pump (4) comprises: a plurality of components (50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110) comprising a plurality of pre-assembled pump modules (70, 90, 110) including at least one twin screw pump module (1, 2); characterised in that the multistage pump (4) further comprises an elongate sleeve (41) for housing the components (50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110); and securing means (42a, 42b) attachable or engagable with a portion of the elongate sleeve (41), the securing means (42a, 42b) being operable to fixedly retain the components (50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110) within the sleeve (41).

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method of seismic exploration that produces improved locations and timings for ocean bottom seismometers. The instant method utilizes linearized inversion in conjunction with a conventionally accurate clock to provide both time and positioning for each OBS unit with high accuracy as compared with the prior art approach. Inversion is one mathematical tool that effectively performs the requisite triangulation. Furthermore, the clock drift can be accounted for in the inversion scheme. The inversion not only determines the OBS position and shot timing errors, but also estimates the accuracy of the position and timing determination.

Abstract: Process for reducing the methane selectivity in a Fischer-Tropsch conversion of syngas to hydrocarbons, by using a catalyst composition containing (i) cobalt, either as the elemental metal, oxide, or a compound thermally decomposable to the elemental metal or oxide, (ii) zinc, in the form of the oxide or a compound thermally decomposable to the oxide, and (iii) platinum, in the elemental metal form, or in the form of a compound wherein the amount of platinum metal present in the composition is in the range 0.0001 to 1.50% w/w.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of an acid gas in a formation fluid from a subterranean formation comprises (a) lowering a coring assembly into a wellbore. The coring assembly including an outer core barrel and an inner core barrel disposed within the outer core barrel. The inner core barrel has an upper end, a lower end opposite the upper end, and a core sample chamber extending axially from the lower end. In addition, the method comprises (b) capturing a core sample from the subterranean formation within the sample chamber. Further, the method comprises (c) raising the coring assembly to the surface after (b). Still further the method comprises (d) contacting a formation fluid in the sample chamber with at least one detector during (c). Moreover, the method comprises (e) detecting the presence of a formation acid gas in the formation fluid with the at least one detector during (c).

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a strain element including a first optical fiber and an optical element including a second optical fiber. The optical element is compliantly coupled with the strain element to transfer a portion of strain experienced by the strain element to the optical element. A fiber optic cable includes a strain transfer member, a central optical fiber disposed through the strain transfer member, and a tight jacket mechanically coupling the central optical fiber and the strain transfer member. The fiber optic cable further includes a compliant layer disposed about and affixed to the strain transfer member; a peripheral optical fiber disposed in the compliant layer, such that a portion of the strain experienced by the strain transfer member is transferred to the peripheral optical fiber via the compliant layer; and a protective cover disposed about the compliant layer.

Abstract: A wellbore fluid comprising a base fluid and a particulate bridging agent comprised of a sparingly water-soluble material selected from the group consisting of melamine (2,4,5-triamino-1,3,5-triazine), lithium carbonate, lithium phosphate (Li3PO4), and magnesium sulfite.

Abstract: Method for increasing the recovery of crude oil from a reservoir containing at least one porous and permeable subterranean formation wherein the formation includes sandstone rock and at least one mineral that has a negative zeta potential under the reservoir conditions and wherein crude oil and connate water are present within the pores of the formation. The method is carried out by (A) injecting into the formation a slug of an aqueous displacement fluid that displaces crude oil from the surface of the pores of the formation wherein the pore volume (PV) of the slug of the aqueous displacement fluid is at least 0.

Abstract: Process for the production of a condensed-phase product from one or more gas-phase reactants, by feeding one or more reactants into a reactor, in which reactor the one or more reactants react in the gas-phase in the presence of a solid catalyst having one or more catalyst components to produce at least one product which is in a condensed-phase under reaction conditions. The solid catalyst is present as a bed having two or more regions in which the contact time of the one or more gas-phase reactants with the one or more catalyst components is different.

Abstract: A marine seismic source comprises a housing having a central axis, an open end, and a closed end opposite the open end. In addition, the seismic source includes a piston extending coaxially through the open end of the housing. The piston is adapted to axially reciprocate relative to the housing. Further, the piston has a first end distal the housing and a second end disposed within the housing.

Abstract: Wellbore fluid having a continuous aqueous phase, and containing at least one polymer which (a) has a number average molecular weight in the range of from 10,000 to less than 100,000; (b) contains hydrophilic units such that the polymer is at least 2% soluble in water at a temperature of 20° C. wherein none of said hydrophilic units comprise —CH2.CH2.O— units; and (c) contains pendant alkyl groups having at least 10 carbon atoms. The combined molecular weight of the pendant alkyl groups is in the range of from 15 to 70% by weight based on the weight of the polymer.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating the worst case corrosion in a pipeline for which pipeline wall thickness measurements are limited to sampled ultrasonic or radiography (UT/RT) measurements. A data library contains distributions of in-line inspection (IL) measurements for other pipelines, calibrated to correspond to UT/RT measurements as needed. These ILI datasets are randomly sampled multiple times, to obtain multiple sample sets from each ILI dataset. Candidate statistical distributions are evaluated for each sample set to determine which of the candidate statistical distributions most accurately estimates the worst case corrosion measured by ILI. A discriminant function is then derived from sample statistics and pipeline descriptors associated with the sample sets, along with the best candidate statistical distribution for that sample set.

Abstract: A motor assembly comprising a motor unit having a first end and a second end and being couplable adjacent the first end of the motor unit to an external electrical device, the motor unit comprising at least one motor winding extending between the first and second ends and an electrical return path extending from the second end to the first end, the electrical return path being in electrical contact at the first end with an electrical connector for supplying impressed secondary power to the external electrical device, wherein the first end of the motor unit is provided with means for coupling a power source to the motor winding and the second end of the motor unit is provided with means to electrically couple the motor winding to the electrical return path.

Abstract: Wellbore fluid having a continuous aqueous phase, and comprising at least one polymer which has a number average molecular weight in the range of from 10,000 to less than 100,000, wherein the polymer is selected from a copolymer of at least one hydrophilic monomer and at least one hydrophobic monomer containing an alkyl group having at least 8 carbon atoms. The hydrophilic monomer is selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid and itaconic acid, and sulfonate groups have been introduced into the copolymer by reaction of at least a portion of the carboxylic acid and/or anhydride groups with a compound of general formula R12N(CH2)nSO3X (I) or a compound of general formula HO(CH2)nSO3X (II). Each R1 is independently selected from hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, X is either H or a Group IA metal, and n is an integer of from 1 to 6.

Abstract: Wellbore fluid containing a base fluid and a particulate bridging agent comprised of melamine. A method is also described of forming a removable filter cake on the walls of a wellbore that penetrates a porous and permeable rock formation by placing in the wellbore a wellbore fluid containing a base fluid and melamine, and permitting the melamine to deposit from the wellbore fluid onto or into the walls of the wellbore to form the filter cake, whereby fluid loss to the formation through the removable filter cake is reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus for driving an open-ended conductor pipe into the ground. The apparatus includes, in combination, an open-ended conductor pipe capable of being driven into the ground, a drill string, a device for pumping fluid through the drill string, an arrangement for supporting the conductor pipe on the drill string, and a reciprocable impact driver supportable by the drill string within the conductor pipe. The apparatus further includes a device for reciprocating the reciprocable impact driver using fluid pumped through the drill string, an anvil capable of transferring the percussive force of the reciprocable impact driver to the conductor pipe, and jets for jetting fluid into the lower portion of the conductor pipe.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of olefins wherein a synthetic naphtha is passed to a steam cracker. The synthetic naphtha is derived from the fractionation of a Fischer-Tropsch product stream. The Fischer-Tropsch product stream may be separated into a lighter fraction and a heavy fraction and the heavy fraction may be hydrotreated prior to fractionation. Optionally the synthetic naphtha may be hydrogenated to produce a saturated synthetic naphtha which can then be subsequently passed to the steam cracker.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from a porous subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation by: (a) reducing the salinity of a saline source water by reverse osmosis using a membrane having a first surface and a second surface by (i) feeding the saline source water to the first surface of the membrane, and (ii) removing treated water of reduced salinity from the second surface of the membrane; and (b) injecting the treated water into the formation; wherein the membrane is selectively permeable to water over dissolved solids such that when (i) the saline source water has a total dissolved solids content of at least 17,500 ppm, and (ii) the applied pressure across the membrane is greater than the osmotic pressure across the membrane and lies within the range 45 to 90 bar (4.5 to 9.0 M Pa), the total dissolved solids content of the treated water is in the range 500 to 5000 ppm.

Abstract: Process for conversion of syngas to liquid hydrocarbons using a catalyst composition containing a support and a Fischer-Tropsch metal for the conversion of syngas to liquid hydrocarbons, in which a silylating compound modifier is added to the catalyst composition during catalyst preparation or during a post-treatment stage.

Abstract: An improved method and system of deploying a pipeline for fiber optic sensing applications. A plurality of pipe sections (11) are provided each having an internal pipe (13) surrounded by material layer(s). Opposed ends (17A) of each pipe section have a portion of the surrounding layer(s) removed or omitted. A tubular member (19) extends lengthwise along each pipe section within the surrounding layer(s) and has free ends (19A) that extend from respective terminal walls (20A) of the surrounding layer(s). Adjacent pipe sections are joined together. The tubular members of adjacent pipe sections are joined together to form a conduit that extends along the pipeline. The conduit is adapted to carry one or more fiber optic waveguides therein. At least one second layer of material is applied to the area between the joined pipe sections. The surrounding layer and the at least one second layer provide for insulation and/or protection of the internal pipes of the pipeline.

Abstract: There is provided a wellbore fluid having a continuous aqueous phase, and comprising at least one polymer which:—has a molecular weight in the range of from 2,000 to less than 100,000; contains hydrophilic units such that the polymer is at least 2% soluble in water at 20° C., and such that less than 50% by weight of said hydrophilic units comprise —CH2—CH2O— units; and contains pendant alkyl groups having at least 10 carbon atoms, the combined molecular weight of said pendant alkyl groups being in the range of from 15 to 70% by weight based on the weight of the polymer. Such aqueous based wellbore fluids exhibit significantly improved fluid loss properties when used in wellbore operations, such as drilling, completion or workover.