Abstract: This relates to testing the impedance and common mode rejection characteristics of multi-channel seismic data gathering apparatuses. The apparatus embodying the invention includes a signal recording and computing system with a plurality of input channels; a plurality of geophone channels, each with a high wire and a low wire; a high bus and a low bus; a plurality of reference impedances; and a signal generator with two output terminals. Each geophone channel comprises one or more geophones which are connected by the wires to the input channels of the recording and computing system. Additionally, the high wire of each channel is connected through a reference impedance to the high bus and the low wire of each channel is connected through a reference impedance to the low bus. The apparatus also includes switching means for selectively controlling the connections between the buses, the generator and ground.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the gel strength of drilling mud by the repetitive steps of: flowing mud through a conduit positioned in a nonhorizontal attitude at a flow rate where the shear rate of the mud is in the range of greater than zero to about 20 sec..sup.-1, interrupting the flow of mud to provide a static column of mud in the conduit, and measuring the differential pressure of the mud between vertically spaced points during both the flow and static intervals.

Abstract: The operation of a continuous thickener, clarifier, or similar device having a feed well into which a feed slurry of suspended solids and a flocculant are continually introduced to effect separation of the slurry into a clarified solution which is withdrawn through an overflow launder and a thickened sludge which is transported into a discharge port at the bottom of the unit is controlled by establishing the slime level at a point near the bottom of the feed well, continuously monitoring the density of the downflowing slurry within the well, and regulating the rate of flocculant addition in response to small changes in the slurry density.

Abstract: A tensioner system is disclosed for applying tension to a riser pipe extending between a floating vessel and the sea bottom. The tensioner comprises a guide means fixed onto the floating vessel for restraining guide members from substantial lateral movement relative to the vessel while permitting relative vertical motion of the guide members, means on the vessel for applying vertical tension to the guide members and suitable means for connecting the guide members to the riser such that the vertical tension applied to the guide members is substantially the same as the vertical tension applied to the riser.

Abstract: An improved apparatus to store an insulated electrical conductor cable in a overlapped configuration within a drill pipe includes a track attached to the drill pipe to guide a lower cable guide so that the overlapped portions of conductor cable will not snarl or twist during rotary drilling operations. To insure against entanglement, further restriction of rotation may be gained by additionally tracking the lower cable guide on a tensioned portion of the conductor cable which extends from a subsurface instrument package upwardly to an upper cable guide. A method for installing this improved apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: To improve the sweep efficiency of a microemulsion flooding process to recover crude oil from a subterranean formation, a mobility control polymer is added to the microemulsion to increase its viscosity. To enable the compatible incorporation of the polymer and surfactant into the microemulsion, while still utilizing an aqueous component having a salinity near that of the formation, a microemulsion oil component is used for which the surfactant's optimal salinity is substantially higher than for reservoir crude oil.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sampling fluids is disclosed where the apparatus includes a body having a chamber therein, a control valve disposed in a control passageway in the body and a sample valve disposed in the sampling passageway in the body. The sample valve includes a freely movable valve member having a specific gravity less than the steps of pressurizing the chamber to force the valve member into sealing engagement with the sampling passageway and lowering the device into the fluid to be sampled to a predetermined depth were in the hydrostatic pressure on the valve enables the valve to move into the chamber permitting sampling fluid to fill the chamber. The sample valve floats on the fluid and seals the chamber when it is filled.

Abstract: Heat pipes are installed in the soil directly beneath a buried refrigerated gas pipeline and operate continuously in conjunction with operation of the pipeline to beneficially alter the heat and water flow patterns thereby substantially preventing frost heaving without regard to the season.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing and releasing an underwater flexible line (30) within a channel (20) is disclosed. The channel (20) is formed on the support member (22) of an offshore structure such as the leg of a fixed offshore platform of the tension member of an offshore riser buoy system. The apparatus comprises a sled (22) which advances relative to the channel (20) on a track system. The sled (32) includes an aligning system for orienting and seating the line within the channel (20) as it advances along the length of the structure. Initially, the line is attached to the upper end of the offshore structure, preferably at or above the water surface and allowed to hang freely to the sea bed. Thus, the line is adjacent the channel and readily available for proper aligning and seating within the base of the channel. After the sled aligns and seats the line within the channel, it closes the channel securing the line by means of latches (34) pivotally mounted to one side of the channel.

Abstract: A method for steam stimulating a heavy oil reservoir which realizes significant energy savings is disclosed. Steam is injected into the reservoir via one well, permitted to soak and then produced back directly into the reservoir via a second well. This flowback steam production is terminated when wellhead pressures equalize, or when more than trace amounts of hydrocarbons are produced. Additional steam is injected into the reservoir via the second well, permitted to soak, and heated heavy oil is produced via both wells.

Abstract: Abnormal drilling conditions are detected by monitoring mud volume of the mud system or rate of change of the mud volume. In one embodiment, makeup mud is automatically added to the system as solids are removed from the mud. Abnormal conditions are indicated by when the rate of makeup mud addition differs from the rate of solids removal. The mud system is maintained at a substantially constant volume by means of tanks specially constructed to provide a small mud/air interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the power output of a seismic vibrator are provided. Compliant elements with variable stiffnesses are interposed between and connected to the holddown mass and the baseplate. When the compliant elements have a first stiffness, the vibrator-earth system has a first resonant frequency. When the compliant elements have a second stiffness, the vibrator-earth system has a second resonant frequency. During sweep, the compliant elements are set on the first stiffness until the vibrator has passed through the first resonant frequency; then the compliant elements are changed to their second stiffness and the sweep continues through the second resonant frequency.

Abstract: A ball sealer for use as a diverting agent when treating a well having a perforated casing. The ball sealer is sized to plug a perforation and has a density less than the treating fluid. The ball sealer comprises a material, such as syntactic foam or polymethylpentene. The ball sealer is also preferably provided with a protective covering material. After some of the treating fluid has been injected into the well, the ball sealers are injected and carried by the fluid flow down to the perforations where they seat and divert the further injection of treating fluid through the remaining open perforations.

Abstract: A method of enhanced oil recovery is disclosed wherein an upper-phase or a middle-phase microemulsion and an immiscible aqueous phase are simultaneously injected into a subterranean formation. The viscosities of the injected phases are adjusted so that the aqueous phase/microemulsion viscosity ratio approximates the reservoir brine/oil viscosity ratio. The injection rates of the injected phases are such that similar oil, microemulsion and aqueous phase velocities are achieved in the reservoir. Oil is displaced to a production well and recovered.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation wherein a well treatment composition comprising a dispersion of a water-in-oil emulsion in an aqueous medium is injected into the formation. The water-in-oil emulsion has an internal aqueous phase and an external phase containing a liquid hydrocarbon and a surfactant soluble in the hydrocarbon. The compositions can be designed to perform various well treatment applications including hydraulic fracturing and acidizing and can also be used to encapsulate or transport well treatment materials and chemicals into the wellbore or formation.

Abstract: A divertor tool is disclosed for diverting a pump-down tool (PDT) along various branches of a pipeline. The diverter includes a flapper to redirect the PDT along an alternate conduit of a wye-section of the pipeline. The flapper is hydraulically operated by an actuation chamber at the lower end of the diverter. The entire diverter tool is capable of being installed in a side-pocket mandrel of the pipeline adjacent the wye-section using such standard oil field equipment as a kickover tool. The entire diverter is also easily removable for servicing using a standard kickover tool.

Abstract: A clamp type connector for securing the ends of conduits having mating end flanges providing a fluid pressure tight connection, the connector comprising a plurality of clamp segments pivotally secured to each other in end-to-end relationship and having arcuate grooves of wedge-shaped cross-section. The conduit flanges are wedge-shaped in cross-section and adapted to be compressed tightly by the grooves of said clamp segments. The clamp segments are actuated by a double acting screw which is operable to clamp or unclamp the connection. The arcuate grooves in the clamp segments are provided with antifriction bearings, e.g. ball bearings, roller bearings or bushings, and the segments are provided with external stops limiting the movement of the individual segments in clamps having four or more segments. This clamp type connector is secured on one of the conduits and is removed or installed with such conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for seismic prospecting which utilizes two transducer plates that are spaced apart, with two sets of bellows placed in between and sealingly attached thereto, to transmit electrically controlled hydraulic pressure signals onto the two plates. When pressure is applied within one set of bellows, the two plates are pushed apart. When pressure is applied within the second set of bellows, the two plates are pulled together. To accomplish this pulling action of the second set of bellows, two closure plates placed between the two transducer plates are used, one attached to one transducer plate and one attached to the other transducer plate. The first closure plate is attached to the first transducer plate in such a manner that it lies between the second transducer plate and the second closure plate. By applying pressure to the second set of bellows that push apart these two closure plates, the two transducer plates are pulled towards each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water navigable vessel having an ice-breaking bow and a rotatable screw mounted on the front on the bow for the purpose of advancing the vessel up onto an ice layer and failing the ice layer in flexural bending. The rotatable screw includes ice-cutting blades which form grooves within the top of said ice layer thus translating the rotational energy of said screw into a generally horizontal, (longitudinal) tractional force which pulls or drags the bow of said vessel forward and over said ice layer and, thereby, utilizes the mass of said bow to impart a downward gravitational force upon said layer of ice to cause it to fail flexurally.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for externally testing flanged or hubbed connections used on fluid conducting conduits. A ring gasket fits between the faces of the connecting flanges or hubs to effect a fluid tight seal. A test ring also fits between the faces of the hub or flange connection in a manner so as to form a space between the test ring and the ring gasket. Seal means closes the space between the test ring and the faces of the flanges or hubs. The outside diameter of the test ring is confined within fastening means which secures the hubs or flanges together. Fluid under pressure, used to test the effectiveness of the ring gasket seal, is applied to the space between the ring gasket and the test ring seal means. The pressure in that space falls when the ring gasket is defective but remains constant if the ring gasket is sound. Following the test, fluid pressure is bled off the space between the ring gasket and the test ring seal means.