Abstract: A centrifuge system and method according to which a conveyor is disposed in the bowl, and electrical motors are provided for rotating the bowl and the conveyor at different speeds. A DC bus is provided to store electrical energy which is supplied to the conveyor motor to rotate the conveyor if a brownout condition occurs. The bowl is braked in response to the brownout condition to generate electrical energy which is transferred to, and stored by, the DC bus for supplying to the conveyor motor.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program for controlling a centrifuge which receives a mixture of liquid and solid particles and separates the liquid from the solid particles. A bowl, along with a conveyor extending inside the bowl, are rotated at different speeds and the speed of, and the torque applied to, the bowl and the conveyor are detected and corresponding output signals are generated. A meter is provided for metering the flow of the mixture to the centrifuge and generating corresponding output signals. A computer responds to instructions from computer programs and controls the speed of the bowl and the conveyor as well as the flow of the mixture and a diluting agent to the centrifuge in response to the output signals in a manner to attain predetermined predetermined optimum operating conditions of the centrifuge.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved water based drilling fluid containing a controlled cross-linked polymeric fluid loss control agent. The novel polymeric fluid loss control agent of this invention exhibits improved thermal stability and other enhanced drilling fluid additive properties. The controlled cross-linking of the polymer of this invention results from the addition of specific amounts and types of cross-linking agents.

Abstract: An essentially non-polluting, substantially non-toxic drilling fluid composition has been discovered that is particularly useful as a lubricant or spotting fluid in drilling oil and gas wells. The fluid comprises silicone which may be is mixed with an emulsifier for application in the water base mud system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water-based drilling fluid that reduces water adsorption and hydration of argillaceous rocks. The drilling fluid comprises a glycol with a molecular weight of less than about 200, an organic cationic material such as salts of choline or an organic salt of potassium, a filtration control agent, a viscosifier and water.

Abstract: An intrinsically safe data acquisition system is disclosed for use in hazardous locations. The system includes a driller's console that itself is intrinsically safe and includes a large LCD monitor, keypad and local CPU. The system further includes satellite data acquisition and processing boxes that are also intrinsically safe and that are located within the hazardous area. Each satellite box includes its own CPU and acquires and locally processes signals received from a number of field sensors. The satellite box converts the signals into digital form, and transmits the data via a fiber optic communication channel to a master CPU box located in an unclassified area. A high current intrinsically safe barrier distributes power from the master CPU box to the satellite box for powering all the sensors supported by that satellite box. Another such barrier distributes all the power required by the driller's console.

Abstract: The invention relates to clay stabilizing agents for use in an alkaline water-base fluid such as a drilling mud and the use of such clay stabilizing agents in the drilling of wells. The clay stabilizing agent comprises a polyfunctional polyamine reaction product prepared by the reaction of a polyamine base reactant with urea or a dialkylcarbonate or by reaction with urea and a dialkylcarbonate. The stabilizing agent is subject to subsequent acidification to reduce the pH thereof to a value of about 7 or less. The polyamine base reactant is selected from the group consisting of an aliphatic polyamine, a polyaliphatic polyamine, a heterocyclic polyamine, an alkylalkanol polyamine and mixtures thereof. Specifically, the base reactant comprises an aliphatic polyamine selected from the group consisting of ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, tetraethylenetetramine, and tetraethylenepentamine and mixtures thereof.