Abstract: A fluid loss additive for addition to a cement slurry used in cementing a casing string in a wellbore. The additive reduces loss of water from the slurry into the formation, resulting in a better cement job. The additive is comprised of partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate polymer, calcium sulfate, a crosslinker for the polymer, and optionally a defoamer.

Abstract: A cyclone separator for separating components of a liquid mixture including oil and water phases has oppositely disposed separating chambers with a common intermediate portion positioned between the separating chambers which provides a common inlet and in one embodiment, a common overflow outlet. The oppositely directed underflow outlets can be curved to meet at a common discharge point.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating multi-phase liquid mixtures or at least partially separating a more dense liquid component of the mixture from a less dense liquid component thereof. An outer casing has a cavity therein, an intake port through which the mixture is fed to the apparatus, a first outlet port from which the less dense liquid component is discharged and a second outlet port from which the more dense liquid component is discharged. A cyclone separator is located within the cavity and has a plurality of separating chambers, each chamber having a primary portion which has a greater cross-sectional dimension at one end than at its other end and having a feed inlet, an overflow outlet at the end of the separating chamber of greater cross sectional dimension and an under flow outlet at the other end, and a closure for one end of the cavity.

Abstract: Spent aqueous alkanolamine solution containing free alkanolamine, alkali metal salts of anions which form heat stable salts with such alkanolamine and heat stable alkanolamine salts is reactivated by contacting the solution with an acidic cation ion exchange resin to remove alkali metal cations and alkanolamine cations resulting from (1) protonation of free alkanolamine with hydrogen on the resin and (2) the alkanolamine salts, followed by eluting the resin with aqueous ammonia to preferentially displace alkanolamine from the resin and thereafter eluting the resin with a dilute mineral acid to displace the ammonia, metal cations and any remaining alkanolamine. The displaced alkanolamine is recovered for reuse. The aqueous ammonia may also be recovered for reuse.

Abstract: 1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane or 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane are employed as solvents to remove oleophylic material from mineral particulates. In one aspect the method of this invention includes the steps of transporting oil-based mud-laden cuttings to a solid feed tank wherein the oil-based cuttings are subjected to turbulent mixing to leave the surface of the cuttings substantially free of oil. The cuttings are then subjected to countercurrent flow of solvent in order to separate oily solvent and fines smaller than a chosen diameter from the heavier solids. The heavier solids are cleaned of any remaining oil-based muds, separated from cleaning solvent and ultimately returned to the sea environment.

Abstract: A subsea storage structure for treatment and storing drill cuttings from drilling operations in the sea bottom includes a generally closed container or tank suitable to be positioned on the sea bottom near the drilling site, which tank is provided with an upper inlet for supply of drill cuttings, and an output to ambient water for water which is displaced during the supply of drill cuttings. The tank contains arrangements for cleansing of the drill cuttings and storage of accumulated oil, fluids and other constituents separated from the drill cuttings, and structure for extraction of the accumulated oil, fluids and other constitutents lighter than water.

Abstract: Scaling of a production well in a non-carbonate subterranean reservoir is inhibited by injecting into the reservoir the water soluble surfactant metal salt containing a terminal metal ion which is adsorbed on the surfaces of the reservoir and thereafter injecting an inhibitor selected from the group consisting of phosphonates and polymeric carboxylates. The inhibitor reacts with the metal, precipitating as the metal phosphonate or polymeric carboxylate which slowly dissolves in production water to inhibit the formation of scale.

Abstract: The present invention resides in improved graphite nipples which are suitable for connecting graphite electrodes. The graphite nipples are prepared by adding mesophase pitch-based carbon fibers into a typical nipple extrusion blend.

Abstract: An improved process for producing an anisotropic pitch product suitable for carbon fiber manufacture. A carbonaceous feedstock is heated at elevated temperature while passing a reactive sparging gas through the feedstock. The sparging gas is an oxidative gas such as a gaseous mixture containing a major proportion of inert gas and from about 0.1 to 2% by volume of oxygen. The process produces an anisotropic pitch having from 50 to 100% by volume mesophase which is suitable for producing good quality carbon fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively disconnecting a wireline from a downhole tool when the tool becomes lodged in an oil or gas well. The apparatus is directed to a wireline releasing device which includes a precharge chamber which can be pressurized to a predetermined amount for applying a force against a piston assembly located within the releasing device to hold together telescopically connected upper and lower tubular portions which are locked in place by retractable dogs which extend through aligned openings in the upper and lower tubular portions. The device is intended to be connected at one end to a length of wireline and, to another end, to the top of the downhole tool. During wireline operations, upon the downhole tool becoming lodged within the well, the wireline operator applies hydraulic or pneumatic pressure from the surface which exceeds the precharged pressure, which acts to disconnect the upper portion of the device from the lower portion and the downhole tool.

Abstract: A drilling method and apparatus for directional drilling of a borehole. The apparatus includes a retrievably mounted downhole monitor for sensing parameters of the drill rod to which a drill bit is attached. A bent-sub is connected with said drill rod behind the drill bit to position the drill bit to extend angularly with respect to the drill rod. An actuator such as a hydraulic ram is provided for exerting thrust along the axis of the drill rod on said drill bit. The drill rod and drill bit is not rotated with the use of a downhole motor. Based upon the signals received from the downhole monitor, the drill rod and bit are pulsed to effect the desired trajectory of the drilling.

Abstract: Apparatus (100) for separating components of a liquid mixture such as oil from water. The apparatus comprises a cyclonic device (110) and a separating device (150). The cyclonic device has a tangential inlet (112) for inlet of the mixture, an elongate chamber (114) in which, in use, the admitted mixture is subjected to contrifugal action and an outlet (116) from the components of the mixture are in use together taken. The separating device (150) may be a conventional cyclone separator having a separating chamber (154), with an inlet (152) coupled to in use receive the components from the outlet of the cyclonic device (110) for admission to the separating chamber (154), and separate outlets (156, 158) from the separating chamber (154) for respective outlet therefrom of th separated liquid components.

Abstract: A method for performing velocity analysis while eliminating the effects on weak signals caused by strong signals includes migrating each event of the pre-stack trace to a single location instead of all possible locations. This correct location is determined by ray-tracing through a velocity model. The input trace is divided into many windows, and each window is migrated to a place determined by ray-tracing the center of the window through the model. If the velocity model is accurate, each event will be migrated to the proper location yielding an accurate depth section with no migration artifacts. As a by-product, if the model is not accurate, the post-migrated parts (PMP's) provide a clean velocity analysis.

Abstract: Oil compositions comprising crude oils, fuel oils, mineral oils and synthetic oils having high pour points are provided with one or more enhanced characteristics such as improved pour point, viscosity or viscosity index by the addition of alkyl amine or alkyl mercaptan derivatives of a copolymer comprising an alpha olefin or an alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride.

Abstract: A process for coating a fibrous substrate with a hot melt wax composition is disclosed. The coating compositions comprise a mix of a fully refined paraffin wax, a petroleum wax selected from the group consisting of a recrystallized heavy intermediate wax and a microcrystalline wax and mixture thereof, a polymeric hydrocarbon compound, a tackifier resin optionally but preferred, a phenolic anti-oxidant.

Abstract: A lightweight, high modulus mooring element for a tension leg platform comprises a pretensioned composite member in fixed attachment to and surrounded by a metallic tubular member in compression prestress. The hybrid composite assembly offers significant cost and weight savings over an all steel mooring system for use in deep water tension leg platform mooring.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for a liquid mass non-venting flowmeter. The flowmeter apparatus gives correct flow regardless of changes in density, viscosity, or composition of the liquid and corrects flow in spite of errors common in currently used flowmeters, such as calibration shifts, restricted orifices and/or bearing drag and blade wear of turbine meters. The non-venting characteristic allows use with toxic and corrosive materials.

Abstract: Oil field chemicals are incorporated in polymeric particles of the condensation product of hydroxyacetic acid or the co-condensation product of hydroxyacetic acid and other compounds containing hydroxy-, carboxylic acid-, or hydroxycarboxylic acid moieties. The particles are introduced into an oil well bore and/or subterranean oil formation where the polymeric particles dissolve over a period of time and release the oil field chemicals.

Abstract: A melted polymer of hydroxyacetic acid with itself or with other hydroxy-, carboxylic acid-, or hydroxycarboxylic acid-containing moieties is subjected to high shear and injected into an organic liquid which is inert to the polymer to form an organic liquid dispersion of very fine polymer particles. In one aspect the melted polymer is combined with the organic liquid and the combination is thereafter subjected to high shear to form the fine particle polymer dispersion. A dispersion agent may also be used to aid in dispersing the particles. The dispersion is used for fluid loss control and gel breaking in subterranean formations.

Abstract: A method for determining the location of steeply dipping subsurfaces includes acquiring seismic reflection data, identifying select data which has characteristics indicating that the acoustic pulses which it represents have been reflected from a substantially horizontal interface and a steeply dipping interface, analyzing the select data to locate the steeply dipping interface and displaying the analyzed data.