Abstract: A hydrocyclone separator for separating oil and water components of a fluid mixture to provide a more dense water component that is substantially free of oil, having three outlets at the end of the hydrocyclone opposite the inlet end. One of the outlets receives the more dense water component of the mixture. A second of these outlets receives an axial stream of the less dense oil components from the separating chamber. A third outlet is concentrically arranged around the first outlet for the removal of a stream of the oil/water mixture in which one of the components has a presence of the other component which is greater than desired. The stream from this third outlet is then recycled to the inlet end of the separating chamber.

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 cyclone separator with an inlet and two outlets for separating oil and water from an oil-water mixture wherein the separation chamber has a large diameter inlet end and a smaller diameter underflow outlet end, and is generally comprised of first, second and third chamber portions axially arranged in that order from the larger diameter end to the smaller diameter end, a first inlet portion is followed by a tapered, second portion and then a substantially cylindrical third portion. The overflow is arranged as an axial outlet at the inlet end of the chamber. The underflow outlet end is provided with a cone shaped end portion of increasing diameter in the direction of flow and a choke portion downstream of the cone shaped portion, the choke having a reducing diameter configuration.

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: Liquid separator and method of separating oil and water components of a liquid mixture wherein the oil component is made up of droplets of a less dense phase in a more dense water phase, using a hydrocyclone for separating the components. A less dense component of the mixture separated by the hydrocyclone is passed from the underflow of the hydrocyclone to a filter device for further separation. A residence vessel may be provided upstream of the hydrocyclone for coalescing the mixture prior to passage into the hydrocyclone.

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: 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 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: A high efficiency hydrocyclone for separating a dispersed liquid phase from a continuous liquid phase in a mixture includes a separation chamber having an effective separation portion L.sub.e that begins where the slope or curve of the portion is less than 2.degree.. The area to volume ratio of this effective portion L.sub.e falls within certain limits which promote more efficient separation, particularly of smaller droplet sizes of the dispersed phase.

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: A high efficiency hydrocyclone for separating liquid constituents of a mixture wherein one constituent is a dispersed phase in another continuous phase constituent. The separation chamber of the hydrocyclone is configured such that a first steep tapered or curved portion progresses to a second less steeply tapered or curved portion with the beginning of such second less tapered portion being arranged close to the inlet end. A third substantially cylindrical portion extends from the second portion to an underflow outlet and is of an extended length to provide for continued separation of the mixture and particularly to separate smaller droplet sizes of the dispersed phase.