Abstract: A downhole seismic signal source (vibrational or impulsive) capable of producing a signal of sufficiently high energy to permit the tool to be used in a deep wellbore (exceeding 4000 feet). A piston rod having two pistons reciprocates in an elongated cylindrical housing. An electrohydraulic valve controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to opposite sides of a first piston to control the piston rod's vertical movement. The second piston is positioned between a fluidic spring which balances the pressure of the wellbore fluid and a reservoir of hydraulic fluid which inflates a flexible bladder to produce the seismic signal in the wellbore fluid.

Abstract: In cosurfactant enhanced alkaline flooding of a formation containing anhydrite, the pH of the flooding material is maintained at a high lvel by the addition of an alkali metal sulfate or ammonium sulfate.

Abstract: An offshore drilling/production platform equipped with a retractable work deck. A light weight work deck constructed of tubular steel with plate steel attachment plates welded thereto. A plurality of variously configured removable panels can be bolted in a configuration that can provide the work surface needed to accomplish the tasks of installing wellhead equipment, inspecting the below deck regions of the platform or performing maintenance on such portions. A plurality of removable and foldable handrail sections are installed about the periphery of the configured work surface. The work deck can be retracted to a position immediately adjacent the lowermost fixed deck to protect it from wind and waves when not in use.

Abstract: Scaling of a production well in a non-carbonate subterranean reservoir is inhibited by injecting into the reservoir a mixture of a phosphonate inhibitor and a metal chelate where the metal chelate has a lower stability constant (Ke) than the phosphonate inhibitor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for indicating the position of a core member of a linear variable differential transformer having a primary coil and a secondary coil. A square pulse is applied to the primary coil. The secondary coil is sampled a predetermined time after applying the square pulse. In one embodiment a periodic square wave signal is applied to the primary and the secondary is periodically sampled.

Abstract: Formation of scale from radioactive components is monitored with a radiation detector. Upon indication of initiation of scale formation in a system, treatment with inhibitor is carried out.

Abstract: A sling assembly constructed of nylon fabric is useful in off-loading cargo to and from an offshore well platform, for example. Loops are formed in each fabric strap by passing one end through an eyelet formed in the other. A choker sleeve slides tightly behind each loop to enable the straps to be snugly positioned in contact with the article to be hoisted.

Abstract: Stoppage of gas-water streams due to the formation of gas hydrates is prevented by incorporating in such streams a surface active agent which inhibits the formation of gas hydrates and/or the agglomeration of hydrate crystallites into large crystalline masses.

Abstract: A partitioning radioactive tracer material is prepared by reacting an alkali-metal salt of radioactive iodine with chloroethanol in the presence of activated carbon.

Abstract: A refractory support device comprising two elongated members pivotally connected at one end and adapted to be attached to shaped connecting surfaces, and an insulated structure comprising connecting surfaces having the support devices attached thereto and having refractory material covering the surfaces and surrounding the support devices.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating a controlled parameter elliptically polarized shear wave into an earth medium. The apparatus consists of a baseplate for engagement with the earth medium in omni-directionally resistant manner and a reaction mass and actuator assembly affixed thereto and energizable to impart reciprocal lateral forces to the base-plate that exert a predetermined resultant force at a controlled rate of rotation.

Abstract: A microwave-based emulsion treating system comprising a microwave energy source and a microwave applicator for treating an oil-water emulsion is disclosed. The applicator includes an internal coalescer medium for enhancing the effects of the microwave energy in separating the emulsion.

Abstract: A marine seismic vibrator includes a housing having first and second housing portions defining an internal chamber therebetween. A hydraulic cylinder or other energizing device is connected between the first and second housing portions. The first and second housing portions are maintained in a spaced apart, non-contacting relationship. Relative motion between the first and second housing portions is provided by the hydraulic cylinder in order to generate acoustic waves in a surrounding body of water. An annular flexible seal construction is connected between the first and second housing portions for isolating the internal chamber from the surrounding body of water. This seal construction includes first and second flexible web portions sealingly connected to the first and second housing portions. A rigid hoop is connected between the first and second web portions for supporting the seal against pressure differentials between the internal chamber and the surrounding body of water.

Abstract: A method for securely mooring a floating tension leg platform and an anchoring base template. The method involves swinging an end of a neutrally buoyant, one piece tendon which has an enlarged connector downwardly into position adjacent an anchoring receptacle, pulling the enlarged connector through a side-entry opening in the receptacle, lifting the tendon to seat the enlarged connector in a load ring of the receptacle, adjusting the effective length of the tendon to place it in tension and repeating these steps for each of the mooring tendons. A one-piece, thin-walled, neutrally buoyant tendon is also disclosed.

Abstract: Hydroxyacetic acid condensation product is used as a fluid loss material in a formation fracturing process in which a fracturing fluid comprising a hydrolyzable aqueous gel is used. The hydroxyacetic acid condensation product degrades at formation conditions to provide hydroxyacetic acid which breaks the aqueous gel, which provides restored formation permeability without the need for separate addition of gel breaker.

Abstract: A through-tubing perforating apparatus for use in improving wellbore production. A plurality of shaped charges are interconnected by rigid links that each have eyelets to receive the suspension wire. These links, in conjunction with a guide which initially engages and slides along the suspension wire, keep the shaped charges in a substantially uniform orientation generally perpendicular to the sides of the wellbore. Once the apparatus emerges from the production tubing, a releasable latch interconnecting an upper terminal connector to the supporting wire is actuated permitting the charges, under the influence of the rigid links, to slump under their own weight into contact with the casing walls. This provides maximum penetration into the formation upon actuation of the charges. The expended apparatus can be dropped into the bottom of the wellbore with the aid of a sinker bar.

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 to 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: Apparatus for attaching a floating tension leg platform to an anchoring base template on the subsea floor. The apparatus includes an external mooring porch for each tendon, the porches being mounted on the outside surfaces of the platform's columns.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring casing wall thickness using an axial main coil for generating a flux field enveloping the casing wall, and sensing actual field distribution by means of plural radial sensing coils each disposed at a radial position within the casing thereby to derive data sufficient to model a reference calibration for good casing wall structure; and, sensing flux leakage from the casing wall to detect anomalies of wall structure relative to the established reference calibration for output indication versus position along the casing.

Abstract: Apparatus for incremental cylinder length control in hydraulic seismic vibrators having increased frequency range. The vibrator apparatus (10) of the type having a reaction mass (38) and axial cylinder bore (42) utilizes hydraulically movable end sleeves (86 and 96) in each end of the cylinder bore (42) so that the end sleeves (86 and 96) can be controllably positioned thereby to alter the cylinder volume and adjust the hydraulic drive system (18) for maximum efficiency relative to operating frequency.