Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and apparatus for detecting and recovering hydrocarbons located in a subterranean reservoir In some embodiments, an electromagnetic field is applied by a transmitter positioned on a seabed and detected by antenna also positioned on the seabed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a quick-acting valve actuator comprising: a driven member (31) driven by a drive device (35) suitable for causing the driven member (31) to travel along a stroke (C1) to a trigger position; and locking-and-trigger means (41) co-operating with the driven member (31) and the actuator member (21) so that: during the stroke (C1), the actuator member (21) is stationary, and the driven member (31) is moving; and when the driven member (31) reaches the trigger position, the driven member (31) is held stationary, and the actuator member (21) is urged by prestress means (51) to open or close the valve.

Abstract: A system for detecting or determining the nature of a subterranean reservoir. An electromagnetic field is applied using a dipole antenna transmitter and this is detected using a dipole antenna receiver. The measurements are taken with the antenna both in-line and parallel and the difference between the two sets of measurements is exploited. A characteristic difference indicates a high resistive layer, which corresponds to a hydrocarbon reservoir.

Abstract: This invention concerns a module for extracting samples in gas phase of compounds present in an underground working liquid, the extractor module including a receptacle for the liquid, associated with a device for stirring the liquid, a liquid inlet duct, a liquid evacuation duct, an auxiliary gas admission duct, and an outlet duct for delivering auxiliary gas and gas extracted from the liquid. The auxiliary gas admission duct and the evacuation duct include a common segment, for preventing the auxiliary gas from passing is provided in the evacuation duct downstream from the common segment in the liquid-passing direction.

Abstract: A method of transmitting information between a salt-cavern and the surface of the ground, the cavern being drilled in geological formation beds and being connected to the surface via an access borehole cased at least in part by metal tubes and presenting at least one safety valve, the method consisting in suspending a string of tools from a hanger system positioned in the access borehole downstream from the safety valve and in electrical contact with the metal tubes, the string of tools including at least one measuring device connected to the hanger system via a first segment of conductor cable and an information transceiver operating by means of waves and connected to the measuring device via a second segment of conductor cable, the transceiver being positioned in such a manner as to be in contact with structural means linked to the cavern; and establishing coupling between the transceiver and the structural means, in order to enable information to be transmitted between the measuring device and the surface

Abstract: A method and a system for the transmission of information from a well (1; 20) drilled through geological formation layers (3) at least partly cased by metal tubes (4; 23; 24; 31). The method includes the placing in said well of an information transceiver (E) operating by electromagnetic waves created by the injection of an electric signal by a dipole (P1-P2) conductively connected to the metal tubes used for guiding the transmitted waves. In the method, identification takes place of the attenuation of the transmission by certain formation layers (3a, 3b; 25; 30) having a low resistivity and then there is an at least partial electrical insulation of the metal tubes located opposite the low resistivity layers.

Abstract: Seismic waves are recorded twice by a reference sensor (8) above ground and by a sensor (18) located in the drill hole (1). Measurements are synchronized by a clock system, the clock associated with sensor (18) being designed specifically for providing such synchronization in spite of operating conditions prevailing at the bottom of a drill hole (vibrations, shocks, temperature).

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for measuring the flow rate of spoil from a drilling brought to the surface by means of a drilling fluid. The device comprises means of collecting the spoil and means of continuously measuring the weight of spoil collected. The means of collecting the spoil comprise a receptacle in the shape of bucket articulated about a spindle and means of tilting the receptacle in such a way that the bucket is emptied. The measurement means comprise a measuring cell connected to the tilting means in order to measure a stress proportional to the weight of the spoil collected. The invention also relates to a method for the application of a measurement of the spoil flow rate from a drilling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for connecting two metal parts. The device comprises a first element (1) having a female conical surface and a second element (5) having a male conical surface, at least one of the two surfaces being coated with a thin layer (12) of an electrically insulating material. The two elements (1, 5) are inserted one inside the other so that they are mechanically joined and electrically insulated.

Abstract: Seismic waves are recorded twice by a reference sensor (8) above ground and by a sensor (18) located in the drill hole (1). Measurements are synchronized by a clock system, the clock associated with sensor (18) being designed specifically for providing such synchronization in spite of operating conditions prevailing at the bottom of a drill hole (vibrations, shocks, temperature).

Abstract: A device and method for transmitting information between a well bottom and the surface by means of electromagnetic waves. The device includes transmitting information on either side of a valve (9) placed in a string of pipes (4) in a well by means of two electromagnetic wave transmitter-receiver unit (1, 2) placed on either side of the valve. In the device, unit (2) placed above valve (9) is lowered by means of logging type cable (3) into inner space of pipes (4).

Abstract: Information can be transmitted between equipment at the bottom of a drilling operation and the surface. A transceiver is provided at the surface, and is connected to both the earth, or the bottom of the ocean in an offshore operation, spaced from the drilling operation, and metal pipework used in the drilling operation. A transmitter/receiver is used for applying and receiving electric signals between two points on the metal pipework. The two points are separated at a substantial distance along the metal pipework such that the resistance of the metal pipework connecting the two points is relatively low but greater than zero. No insulating junction is then needed to be interposed between the two points in the metal pipework connecting the two points. Preferably, the transmitter/receiver has upper and lower conductors with first and second polar ends at the two points, thus forming a dipole of substantial length across the metal pipework.

Abstract: A joint for end-to-end coupling of two tubular elements includes tapered coupling surfaces on the tubular elements which are bonded together by adhesive. The coupling surfaces comprise a plurality of cylindrical sections of gradually increasing and decreasing diameters, respectively. A plurality of axially spaced-apart centering rings are interposed between the tubular elements to provide proper positioning thereof and to facilitate injection of bonding material between the coupling surfaces. A series of axially spaced-apart conducting rings forming part of an antenna surround one of the tubular elements and are insulated therefrom by a layer of bonding material. The conducting rings are separated from each other by toric joints and shims. Openings are provided in one of the tubular elements for injecting the bonding material under pressurized conditions, and an insulating sheath is bonded to inner peripheries of the tubular elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sampling the gaseous content of a liquid laden with solids initially involves sampling the liquid as close as possible to the source of the liquid. A strainer housing having a strainer plate for filtering out debris in the liquid is connected to a suction pump for sucking the liquid into the housing and to the pump. The pump delivers the sampled liquid to a degassing device mounted on a frame with the pump. The degassing device agitates the liquid to liberate gases suspended therein. The gases are then collected from the degassing device so that the gases may be analyzed. A motor mechanism on the frame drives the pump, a rotating agitator in the degassing device and a rotating scraper on the exterior of the strainer plate simultaneously. This method and apparatus are particularly applicable to the sampling of drilling mud from an oil well exploration site for purposes of analyzing the hydrocarbon content of the drilling mud.

Abstract: An apparatus for analysis of samples containing organic matter, especially of rock from oil drilling mud, including a loading arm hinged at its base to be movable from a tilted position when it receives a sample-bearing cartridge, which fits on the top of the arm, to a vertical position in which the arm can be raised to fit the upper end of the cartridge within a selectively electrically heated and air cooled chamber. A channel for carrier gas, e.g. hydrogen, passes up the arm so that gas passes through the cartridge when it is held in the heating and cooling chamber, and through the heating and cooling chamber and then through a conduit to a burner within an ignition an analysis chamber.In use, the container is heated to pyrolyze the sample and the resultant vapors are entrained in the gas, burnt and analyzed by flame ionization. After which the sample-bearing cartridge is cooled in the heating and cooling chamber.

Abstract: An antenna structure for transmitting signals from a transmitter at the bottom of a drill well to the earth's surface which includes a drill collar extending in an axial direction and which is adapted to support a transmitter therein, a cylindrical metal sleeve for forming part of an antenna for electromagnetic wave transmission, the cylindrical metal sleeve being disposed around the drill collar and adapted to be connected electrically to the transmitter, an insulating sheath between the cylindrical metal sleeve and the drill collar and a plurality of metal rings disposed between each opposite axial end of the cylindrical metal sleeve and confronting opposite axial end of the insulating sheath. The cylindrical metal sleeve has a diameter greater than the diameter of the drill collar and the insulating sheath has an axial length longer than the axial length of the cylindrical metal sleeve.

Abstract: A device for transmitting signals from a transmitter at the bottom of a drill well to the earth's surface including a drill collar which extends in an axial direction, a transmitter disposed in the drill collar, a cylindrical metal sleeve from forming part of an antenna for electromagnetic wave transmission, the cylindrical metal sleeve being disposed around the drill collar and connected electrically to the transmitter, the cylindrical metal sleeve having a diameter greater than the diameter of the drill collar and having an axial length shorter than the axial length of the drill collar, and an insulating sheath disposed between the cylindrical metal sleeve and the drill collar, the insulating sheath having an axial length shorter than the axial length of the drill collar.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for measuring the uncoiled length or coiled length of a cable of a winding gear such as a winch marks the cable along a generatrix of winding passing from one point of one turn of a layer of turns of the cable wound on a drum or on a subsequent layer carrying the cable for each would layer and on the total length of the cable corresponding to this layer at least one pair of equi-distant bench marks. A comparison is then made between the overall length, reeled off for each layer, and corresponding to the algebraic sum of the series of equal sections between them for each layer, to that calculated for a standard layer traversed by the cable.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously measuring various parameters such as the flow rate, the density and the temperature of the drilling mud issuing from a well during the drilling operation, and for recording said parameters, comprising a V-shaped measuring conduit the upstream portion of which is connected to the upper portion of a chute through which said mud flows and which opens into the atmosphere, while the downstream end of said measuring conduit is connected to a down spout directing said mud to oscillating screens.