Abstract: A mixture of an epoxy material and two hardeners is placed in a subsurface zone in which it is desired to form an impermeable zone, and the epoxy is thereafter allowed to harden. The epoxy material and hardeners are characterized inthat: (1) each hardener has a different activation temperature; (2) the amount of each hardener in the mixture is less than that required to totally react the epoxy material; (3) the epoxy material has a low viscosity at subsurface conditions of temperature and pressure; (4) the epoxy material is substantially immiscible with any fluids which are present in the subsurface area; and (5) the hardening time of the epoxy material is of short duration at subsurface conditions of temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing vibrational disturbance using fiber optic coils conducting circularly polarized light. A circularly polarized light source illuminates each of a sensing fiber optic coil in a disturbance-sensitive environment and a reference fiber optic coil in a constant environment, and light from both coils is analyzed through polarization shuttering to detect the degree of polarization rotation thereby to enable determination of frequency and amplitude of the disturbance.

Abstract: A refractory supporting end anchor for the end of a refractory lined conduit, and a lined conduit having a series of the anchors at the end thereof.

Abstract: A method for interval velocity analysis and reflector position determination from before stack seismic data includes developing a constant travel-time curve for a source and receiver pair. The process is repeated with other source and receiver pairs in order to generate a set of constant travel-time curves, and a series of the travel-time curves define an envelope curve for the reflector which is sharply focused at the true interval velocity. An additional embodiment provides a method for quantifying the velocities and permitting selection of the best velocity. Use of this selection method greatly enhances the speed and the overall operation accuracy.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining physical parameters of a disturbance using a fiber optic coil and linearly polarized source light. The apparatus directs a linearly polarized source light through the fiber optic coil being effected by a disturbance, and then measures the effect by comparing optically the source light and the light affected by changes in fiber coil index to detect and develop digital data related to frequency and amplitude of the disturbance.

Abstract: A method for classifying seismic data which uses a pattern recognition approach to comparing and equating data characteristics. Data is processed for a selected training area of such as a seismic section wherein a stochastic model of the data establishes data characteristics of either non-causal or causal type for selective comparison to similar data characteristics for other test areas of the data thereby to establish or classify similarities and/or distinctions between given training and test areas.

Abstract: Method of separating oil-water mixtures in which the oil is present as droplets so as to comprise the disperse phase, the mean droplet size being in the range 22 to 50 micron. Use is made of a cyclone separator having a swirl coefficient in the range 8 to 30, such as greater than 12.5, or at least 13. The swirl coefficient is defined as ##EQU1## where d.sub.i is the effective diameter at the inlet to the separator d.sub.2 is the nominal separator diameter at a downstream location, and A.sub.i is the total effective inlet area.

Abstract: An in-situ biocide having improved characteristics comprises polyoxymethylene polymers having an inherent viscosity of at least 0.1 as measured in para-chlorophenol at 60.degree. C. Such polymers provide continuous release of formaldehyde biocide in hydrocarbon production, transportation, ans storage systems by long term decomposition of the polyoxymethylene. The polyoxymethylenes used are water-insoluble materials, wherein decomposition rate can be controlled through the use of pH, temperature, and certain decomposition catalysts.

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 method for servicing an offshore well having a subsea blowout preventer. A sealing nipple having a wireline extending therethrough and connected to a servicing tool is lowered into the well and sealed by sealing rams of the blowout preventer. After the sealing rams are closed about the sealing nipple, the well can be pressurized through a fluid line extending to a work area. The method is particularly useful for pressurizing a cased well to eliminate any microannulus between the well casing and cement surrounding the casing prior to running a cement evaluation logging tool through the well.

Abstract: An improved process for producing an anisotropic pitch product suitable for carbon fiber manufacture. A carbonaceous feedstock substantially free of mesophase pitch is heated for a period of time at an elevated temperature while passing an oxidatively reactive sparging gas such as a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen through the feedstock. The oxidatively treated feedstock is then subjected to a heat soak, for a longer period of time in the absence of a sparging gas. Thereafter the heat soaked feedstock is heated at an elevated temperature in the presence of a non-oxidative sparging gas for a time period equal to or less than the heat soak to produce an anisotropic pitch having from 50 to 100% by volume mesophase which is suitable for producing good quality carbon fibers.

Abstract: A method for removing obsolete piling-anchored offshore platforms. The pilings at a desired cutoff point below the seabed are chilled to the point that toughness against brittle fracture is greatly reduced, and then a fracturing force is applied to the chilled section of piling.

Abstract: A high pH solution containing a silica material and an inorganic fluoride salt which hydrolyzes to form hydrofluoric acid are introduced into a subterranean zone where the pH is reduced by the acid whereby the silica material forms a gel and plugs the subterranean zone. The pH at which gelling occurs can be increased by adding a soluble inorganic salt to the solution.

Abstract: Terpolymers having enhanced pour point depressant properties are disclosed which comprise (1) an alkyl ester of unsaturated monocarboxylic acid, (2) an olefinically unsaturated homo or heterocyclic-nitrogen compound, and (3) an allyl acrylate or methacrylate or a perfluoroalkyl ethyl acrylate or methacrylate. A process for preparing the terpolymers is additionally disclosed.

Abstract: Oil compositions comprisin 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 meleic anhydride.

Abstract: A system is provided for the separation of oil from oily water, particularly where the oily water is available only at relatively low pressures insufficient ot drive a hydrocyclone separator. Particular combinations of pumps and hydrocyclones can be effective in these low pressure situations where the pressure boost required is not substantially greater than a differential pressure at which the pump begins to substantially degrade the volumetric mean size of droplets of oil in the oily water passing therethrough. This is achieved by operating the pump at relatively near its maximum flow rate capacity to substantially reduce on a percentage basis the effect of fluid slippage within the pump. Improved techniques for analysis of oil droplet size distribution are also disclosed.

Abstract: S-bar refractory anchors having at least one elliptical tab formed in the main body section are resistant to stress cracking.

Abstract: Trimethylbenzene is selectively prepared by contacting a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkane with magnesium under reaction conditions to produce a reaction product. The reaction product thus produced, is contacted with water or a lower alcohol to promote a protonolysis reaction. The reaction mixture or a fraction thereof from the protonolysis reaction is contacted with a metal containing Y zeolite catalyst under reaction conditions to produce trimethylbenzene.

Abstract: A virgin heavy oil is hydrotreated, separated into a light fraction and a heavy fraction which are separately delay coked to obtain (a) a coke product of low sulfur content suitable for use as recarburizer coke or for use in the manufacture of graphite electrodes used in the manufacture of steel and (b) a coke product of higher sulfur content suitable for use in electrodes employed in the manufacture of aluminum.

Abstract: An improved process for producing an anisotropic pitch product suitable for carbon fiber manufacture. A carbonaceous feedstock substantially free of mesophase pitch is heated at elevated temperature while passing an oxidatively reactive sparging gas such as air through the feedstock. The oxidatively treated feedstock, which remains substantially free of mesophase pitch, is then heated at a higher temperature in the presence of a non-oxidative sparging gas to produce an anisotropic pitch having from 50 to 100% by volume mesophase which is suitable for producing good quality carbon fibers.