Abstract: A fluid handling system includes a vessel having an inlet and an outlet. A first fluid transfer device is associated with the inlet, and a second is associated with the outlet. The fluid transfer devices substantially reduce short-circuiting of fluid flow through the vessel between the inlet and outlet independently of a fluid flow rate through the vessel while continuously transferring fluid through the inlet and the outlet. Each of the fluid transfer devices includes a plurality of hydraulically parallel flow passages defined therein. The flow passages communicate the interior of the vessel with either the inlet or the outlet. The flow passages have substantially identical flow characteristics such that for any differential pressure across all of the passages of one device the passages have substantially equal fluid flow rates therethrough.

Abstract: A composite tubular member having an outer cylindrical member containing fibers oriented to resist internal pressure while providing low bending stiffness, an inner smaller centrally located core member located near the neutral axis of composite tubular member containing fibers oriented to provide high axial stiffness, high tensile stremgth and low bending stiffness and web members containing fibers oriented to resist shear stress, connecting the outer cylindrical member and the inner core member to form at least two separate cells within the composite tubular member.

Abstract: Low sulfur isotropic coke is produced by the delayed coking of a mixture of a pyrolysis tar and a residual oil which has been solvent extracted to remove paraffinic components and then air-blown.

Abstract: A composite tubular tendon containing axial fibers and helical fibers laid on an inner liner is connected to a circular opening in a hollow termination body having an opposite curved end which is connected with an elongated member smaller than the termination body. The inner liner of the composite tubular tendon abuts the circular opening in the hollow termination body and fibers of the composite tubular tendon are extended over and cover the termination body from the point of abutment to the elongated member which is smaller than the termination body. The axial fibers of the composite tubular tendon are continued over the termination body in a geodesic path and the helical fibers are continued over the termination body in a helical path.

Abstract: A water-producing zone in a reservoir penetrated by a gravel-packed well is isolated by placing a bridge plug in the well tubing adjacent to the top of the water-producing zone, then placing a first coarse sand on the bridge plug, followed by a fine sand on top of the coarse sand, and finally by placing a flowable resin on top of the fine sand where it spreads out through the gravel pack to provide a flow barrier to water.

Abstract: A method for improving velocity models so that constant-offset migrations estimate consistent positions for reflectors includes tomographic estimation of seismic transmission velocities from constant-offset depth migrations. A method of converting inconsistencies in reflector positioning from constant-offset migrations into equivalent errors in modeled travel times is introduced, so that conventional methods of traveltime tomography can improve the velocity model. An improved velocity model allows a more accurate migrated image of the subsurface. The estimated velocity model can also detect anomalous regions of geologic significance, such as low velocity gas accumulations and irregular near surface weathering. In an alternate embodiment the procedure can be iterative and allow alternating improvements in the positions of reflectors and in the velocity model.

Abstract: A method by which portions of a seismic data set are deleted since no meaningful data is contained in that portion contains the step where a line of data is examined, gather by gather, to determine the smallest useful arrival time for every offset. Data having an arrival time smaller than its useful arrival time is eliminated. In addition, the present method provides a manner of storing traces in pairs. In this method, the total number of traces is mathematically folded in half, storing the last trace with the first trace, etc. In an alternate embodiment, disk saving can be achieved by storing all the traces end to end in a single record and keeping track of the starting point and the length of each trace. The proposed method works for either SHOT or CDP gathers. Each line of data is examined, gather by gather, and the smallest useful arrival time is recorded for every offset.

Abstract: A monitoring device for determining presence of native hydrocarbons downward along a drilled borehole by analyzing upcoming drilling mud returning to the reserve pit. The device includes a short pulse laser of selected output wavelength disposed at a remote location to couple output light into a fiber optic cable that leads to a position at the reserve pit viewing the returning drill mud. The device employs optical coupling to project any hydrocarbon fluorescence light for return along the fiber optic cable to the remote position for reflection through a monochromator, and the fluorescence light is processed through a photomultiplier tube and data acquisition system to derive charcteristic decay lifetime signatures to distinguish between native hydrocarbons and any lighter oils contained in the drilling mud.

Abstract: Low permeability formations are hydraulically fractured with a fracturing fluid which includes a material capable of (1) bonding fine formation particles to prevent movement of the particles into and within the formation and (2) forming a permeability-reducing skin at the formation/fluid interface to reduce fluid leak-off into the formation. The stabilizing and fluid leak-off reducing material is comprised of a water soluble polymer and an alkaline potassium salt.

Abstract: A system for cleaning solids contaminated with solvent-soluble contaminants. The system, which includes both process and apparatus, comprises the use of at least two successive cleaning zones, each of which includes a slurrying stage and a centrifuge separation stage, wherein the solids to be cleaned and the solvent used for cleaning flow in countercurrent relationship to each other between the successive zones.

Abstract: A downhole seismic shear wave source is used to generate seismic shear waves a downhole environment. At least one double headed piston rod with a third piston on the center of the rod slides laterally in the downhole tool. Each end piston head is connected to a rolling diaphragm that is secured at its edges around the periphery of the piston receiving cavity. The cavity is filled with a low viscosity non-conducting oil. A servovalve is connected to opposite sides of the center piston head to produce low frequency vibration of the source generator. A veed target rod extends between the end piston heads, past a pair of eddy current transducers (ECTs) to monitor movement of the generator and provide feedback control to the servovalve. A second downhole seismic shear wave source contains a continuous vibrator ring replaces the diaphragm/oil system and a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) replaces the eddy current transducers as the feedback signal generator.

Abstract: A flow cell for use in highly corrosive environments is constructed from a cross union and contains opposing probes each with an external sapphire window which is sealed into a metal tube contained in each probe with melted glass and an optional plastic seal over the melted glass. Each portion of the cross union containing a probe has a right angle shoulder which abuts the end of the tube containing the sapphire window. An O-ring gasket is positioned between the right angle shoulder and tube end to form a tight cover over the glass seal when the probes are assembled in the flow cell, thereby protecting the glass seal and plastic seal from the corrosive environment.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing perforations in a silty formation prior to gravel packing. The perforations are contacted with a polymer/salt composition as or shortly after they are formed.

Abstract: The density and crush resistance of calcined coke are improved by depositing coker feedstock on green (uncalcined) coke, thereafter subjecting the coke to a heat soak and then calcining the coke.

Abstract: Friction loss in a saline liquid flowing through a conduit is reduced by combining fresh water and a water-in-oil emulsion of a water soluble friction reducing polymer, subjecting the combined material to mixing to invert the emulsion and introducing the inverted emulsion directly into the flowing saline liquid. In one aspect the water-in-oil emulsion is combined with saline water containing a surfactant to effect inversion prior to introduction of the combination into the flowing saline liquid.

Abstract: Petroleum residual oil which has been contacted with an oxygen-containing gas to increase its softening point is combined with a pyrolysis tar and the combination is subjected to delayed coking to produce isotropic coke containing reduced sulfur and having a low CTE ratio.

Abstract: A method for rapidly and efficiently generating traveltime tables for application in depth migration initially includes receiving a velocity model which may include a plurality of velocities in multiple layers between various subsurface reflectors. The model is plotted on a two dimensional grid with the subsurface reflectors identified. A traveltime to the first reflector is determined. Traveltimes from the sources on each layer boundary to all grid points above the next reflector are determined. For the initial iteration, the layer boundary is the surface and the source is the actual source used in shooting the line. For layers below the surface there will be more than one source or secondary source. The actual determination of traveltimes for these lower layers may be done by comparing the traveltimes to all points on the first reflector. The minimum traveltime is selected as the true traveltime to the first reflector. Next, all points where the reflector intersects the grid are found.

Abstract: A separating system is provided for a fluid stream containing oil, water and gas. The fluid stream has a nominal flow rate, a maximum surge flow rate, and a cycle time or period. The system includes upper and lower elongated horizontal vessels. A weir separates the upper vessel into an inlet surge chamber and a liquid over flow chamber. A gas separator is located in the inlet surge chamber of the upper vessel and separates gas from the incoming fluid stream. A gas outlet is defined in the upper vessel. A downcomer tube communicates the inlet surge chamber of the upper vessel with the lower vessel. Oil and water are separated from each other in the lower vessel, which has oil and water outlets defined therein. A liquid overflow drain line communicates the liquid overflow chamber of the upper vessel with the lower vessel.

Abstract: Hot melt wax compositions and a process for producing said hot melt wax compositions are disclosed. The wax compositions are suitable for coating fibrous materials, for example, paper and corrugated paper boards. The coating compositions comprise a mixture of a fully refined paraffin wax, a petroleum wax selected from the group consisting of a recrystallized heavy intermediate wax, a microcrystalline wax and mixtures thereof, a polymeric hydrocarbon compound, a tackifier resin and optionally, a phenolic anti-oxidant.