Abstract: In a delayed premium coking process the particle size of the premium coke is increased by the addition of a Lewis acid such as aluminum chloride to the coking process. Preferably the aluminum chloride is added during the latter part of the coking cycle.

Abstract: Processes and oxidizing agents for oxidizing sulfide ion found in sour water to innocuous, soluble sulfur species are provided. The processes basically comprise contacting the sour water with a nitrogen halogenated triazine or a nitrogen halogenated derivative thereof for a period of time sufficient to convert the sulfide ion to sulfate ion. The processes are particularly useful for removing sulfide ion from oil field produced waters, particularly waters associated with secondary recovery or enhanced oil recovery operations.

Abstract: An orbital vibratory mass is used for generating seismic signals and the like. An annular reaction mass is mounted on a crank by means of bearing. The reaction mass orbitally oscillates relative to the axis of the crank shaft without rotating. This reduces the internal forces created in the reaction mass by centrifugal force and enables less exotic, less expensive materials to be used in its construction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for hydraulically mining a location using a hydraulic monitor which has horizontal and vertical positionable control apparatus. The hydraulic monitor is connected to a source of high pressure water. Distance and direction measuring equipment are mounted on the monitor and controlled in a manner to scan the location. The output from the distance and direction measuring equipment is inputted to a computer and a visual video display monitor. The computer converts the information from the distance and direction measuring equipment to a visual representation of the cavity being mined. The hydraulic monitor includes a means for diverting the high velocity jet during the distance measuring period so that the water pressure is not varied in the high pressure pipe and the mined material is continuously washed toward the collection apparatus during the measuring period. All hydraulic monitor functions are controlled from remote operator location.

Abstract: An underwater vibrator apparatus for generating a shear wave into the consolidated seabed has a housing, a horizontally mounted mass attached to said housing for movement along an axis substantially parallel to the surface of the earth and hydraulic apparatus for oscillating the mass along the axis. Substantially all of the vibrator housing comprises a sidewall and a bottom. The sidewalls and bottom form a wedge-shaped surface means with an angled surface of the wedge-shaped surface transverse to the movement of the mass, such that as the mass oscillates the underwater vibrator against the consolidated bottom, the vibrator will settle into the bottom. The vibrator will, however, maintain contact with the bottom even when the consolidated bottom is yieldable under vibrated weight.

Abstract: A heater treater apparatus includes a vessel, a burner for heating a material contained in the vessel, an air intake passage for directing air to the burner, a flame arrester operatively associated with the air intake passage for preventing flames from the burner from extending past the flame arrester, and an air damper for controlling a flow rate of intake air drawn through the flame arrester. The air damper includes a fixed circular first plate having a first plurality of circumferentially spaced plate openings therethrough, and a similarly constructed rotatable circular second plate. The second plate may be rotated relative to the first plate from an open first position to a second position wherein the plate openings of the first plate are at least partially blocked by the second plate.

Abstract: Heavy hydrocarbon oil is subjected to hydrogen donor diluent cracking under conditions of high temperature, moderate pressure and short residence time.

Abstract: Polymeric flow improvers, whether alone or partially dissolved in a solvent, are encapsulated to provide a free flowing particulate powder which can be easily transported and subsequently placed into hydrocarbons wherein the outer shelf of the encapsules are subjected to melting, shear, dissolution, or the contents may be leached out to place the flow improver into intimate contact with the flowing hydrocarbons in a dispersed form such that drag reduction is immediate and effective. Optionally, the size of the particulate matter and the thickness of the encapsulating material are varied such that constant or delayed release of flow improver occurs as the hydrocarbon fluid is transported through conduits.

Abstract: This invention describes an overflow system for a slurry storage chamber which chamber has a slurry input pipe tangentially mounted through a side wall of the tank to create a vortex. The overflow portion is designed to have a pressure confining top to the tank with the overflow pipe connected near the center of the top. A conically shaped baffle is inserted in the tank with its axis aligned with the axis of the overflow pipe and positioned immediately below the overflow pipe. The overflow configuration provides a means for separating the particles from the fluids passing out through the overflow pipe.

Abstract: A corrosion coupon anchoring system for positively positioning a corrosion monitoring coupon in the production flowpath downhole in a producing well. Preferably cylindrical coupons are held firmly within a cylindrical housing suspended out of contact with any other metallic surface. An adaptor threadingly engages the cylindrical housing to a conventional locking mandrel that is locked in place to a nipple positioned in the tubing string. The minimum internal dimension of the coupon holding section is not less than the minimum internal dimension of the locking mandrel so as to minimize flow restriction introduced by the anchoring system.

Abstract: The addition of vaporized solvent to injected steam in a fracture-assisted steamflood process provides surprisingly significant enhancement of the process as compared to both the basic fracture-assisted steamflood process of the Britton et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,310 patent and to a conventional matrix drive type steamflood process utilizing solvent. Much lower solvent losses to the formation are observed than are generally provided by conventinal matrix drive type steamflood processes utilizing solvent. Dramatically different effects of the addition of heat-scavenging water follow-up after the steam injection phase are observed as compared to a conventional process utilizing solvent. Directly opposite effects are observed from changes in solvent composition as compared to conventional matrix drive type steamflood processes utilizing steam; for the present invention SOR is decreased by going to lighter solvents, whereas with a conventional process, lighter solvents increase the SOR.

Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery method utilizes a monitored salinity concentration decline in produced water at the various producing wells of a steam flood project to determine actual steam distribution. This actual steam distribution is utilized to determine appropriate production capability modifications for certain ones of the producing wells so as to cause the actual steam distribution to more closely approximate a predetermined preferred steam distribution so as to maximize oil production from the steam flood project.

Abstract: Flame sprayed aluminum coatings have been shown to be of excellent value in providing cathodic protection to steel structures in a marine environment. The common method of applying flame sprayed aluminum to a steel substrate comprises providing an anchor pattern to the substrate. Such anchor pattern can result in fatigue cracking of the substrate developing within the surface discontinuities of the anchor pattern. The present invention provides a method for providing a layered electroplated aluminum base coating on the substrate to which a flame sprayed aluminum coating may adhere without the need for a roughened surface on the substrate with its consequent potential for reduction of fatigue strength.

Abstract: A line (such as a pipeline) of smaller diameter is mounted on a line of larger diameter with a clamp comprising a saddle for positioning on the larger line, a channel formed in the outer face of the saddle for receiving the smaller line, a closure member mountable on the saddle to close the channel around the smaller line, a strap for passing around the larger line, and at least two tensioning devices for tensioning the respective ends of the strap to the sides of the closure member. The clamp is particularly useful for connecting subsea pipelines.

Abstract: Slurries containing solid liquids and gases are continuously separated into individual components utilizing a revolving vanes on an eccentric axis. The vanes are of a flexible material which revolve sufficiently slowly that in sequence gas escapes through an overhead mesh, water is separated through a lower mesh and solids exit through a lower opening. The slurry input is from the axis plane overhead of the axis and input rate is balanced with gas, water and solids output.

Abstract: In a Tension Leg Platform, the common practice is to locate the well and anchor templates on the sea floor. This practice results in unequal lengths for the mooring elements which extend to the base of the floating structure and the well risers which extend to a well deck level which is elevated above the base of the floating structure. As a consequence, complicated tensioning systems having an extremely long stroke may be required for the well risers. The present invention provides for a well template which is elevated above the anchor templates at a level which equalizes the lengths of the mooring elements and the well risers. The well and anchor templates are constructed in a unitary structure to facilitate installation and assure proper spacing of the templates with respect to each other.

Abstract: A pump for circulating fluids downhole. The rotor of a positive displacement pump transmits torque from the upper drill string section to a tool attached to the lower end of the pump. Bow springs prevent the stator portion of the pump from rotating in the wellbore. Fluid is counterflowed up the interior of the drill string by the positive displacement pump through a check valve into a settling chamber. Cuttings or other solids settle out of the fluid and the fluid is then pumped out through one or more discharge ports to the lowermost end of the drill string.

Abstract: An improved process for reducing the sulfur content of a flue gas derived from combination of a sulfur-containing fuel by inserting a dry sulfur sorbent material into the flue gas, then humidifying the sorbent-containing flue gas to enhance sulfur removal. The humidified flue gas is then subjected to electrostatic precipitation separation of solids, the first separated portion containing the highest unreacted sorbent values, which values are reinjected into the flue gas.

Abstract: Composition and method for treating wellbores and well formations to remove and inhibit accumulations of paraffin. The composition comprises a liquid mixture of a water soluble ethoxylated alkyl phenol and an alcohol containing one to four carbon atoms. Preferred are a water soluble nonoxynol having an average number of ethylene oxide units per molecule in the range of approximately 20 to 50 and methyl alcohol. The composition is circulated in the wellbore either continuously or in batch treatments.

Abstract: A leg mating system for aligning a pre-constructed deck portion with a previously situated base portion of an offshore platform. The deck portion is supported upon a barge and brought into position above the base. A plurality of stabbing pins are hydraulically extended from the legs of the deck portion and are received in capture members in the legs of the base portion. A first spring having a first spring rate and a second spring having a second spring rate higher than the first, are operative in that order to resiliently oppose reduction of the separation between the deck and base portions with a spring rate which increases as the separation decreases. The capture members are capable of accommodating axial misalignment between the legs of the deck and base portions of up to five degrees.