Abstract: A transducer monitoring system includes a transducer assembly positioned at a remote location which operates to measure one or more separate physical phenomena. The transducer assembly is coupled to a central location, such as at the top of an oil drilling platform, by means of a single conductor cable. The transducer assembly comprises only passive components, including a stepper switch for separately selecting each of said transducer elements and for enabling current applied to said cable and transducer assembly to generate an output voltage representative of the present state of the resistance of each such transducer element. The improved invention requires only a single constant current pulse periodically applied to the cable to both generate said output voltage and to switch the stepper switch to the next contact. A calibration circuit that measures temperature effects on the transducer assembly and cable is also included.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for initiating or causing fracture of an underground formation. An isolated interval, with an adjacent guard region at either or both ends is formed by a suitable packer assembly. Pressure and/or flow within the test interval is then increased to initiate fracture while conditions such as pressure and/or flow are monitored within the test interval and guard region or regions to detect fracture propagation relative to the borehole axis.

Abstract: Waste materials are deposited in a subsurface cavity, either underground or underwater. The wastes are supplied with liquid oxygen in an amount in excess of the estimated theoretical amount of oxygen needed to oxidize all components of the waste. An ignition source is provided. During incineration, the organic components are completely destroyed, water and carbon dioxide being the major combustion products. At the temperatures that develop, substantially all of the metal is converted to metallic oxides, which either remain in an underground cavity or sink harmlessly to the bottom of a body of water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for monitoring flow conditions in boreholes or the like wherein a test interval is defined by a packer system and contains a substantially incompressible fluid or liquid making it difficult to conduct measurements from the surface. According to the method and apparatus of the present invention, a variable volume device is arranged within the test interval along with a suitable flow monitor which may comprise the variable volume device itself, the variable volume device being operable to limit pressure variation within the test interval and thereby minimize compliance effects over a predetermined test period. Preferably, the variable volume device is coupled with a pressure monitor for maintaining substantially constant pressure in the test interval. In different embodiments, an initial pressure differential is established between the test interval and the surrounding formation by operation of the same variable volume device or by means of a second variable volume device.