Abstract: Coated proppant particulates for use in subterranean formation operations comprising: proppant particulates at least partially coated with a dual tackifying-hardening agent selected from the group consisting of a dimer acid/trimer acid blend, with a crosslinking agent at least partially coated thereon, wherein the dual tackifying-hardening agent both exhibits tackifying qualities and is capable of hardening a curable resin.

Abstract: Methods including the step of producing a bulk fluid from a subterranean formation, the bulk fluid comprising at least water and a hydrocarbon. The bulk fluid is then sampled to form at least one sampled fluid. Next, constituent parameters of the sampled fluid are determined using the hydrophilic-lipophilic deviation (HLD) model. The constituent parameters include the salinity (S) of the sampled fluid, the salinity constant (b); the equivalent alkane carbon number for the hydrocarbon in the sampled fluid (EACN); T is temperature of the sampled fluid; the characteristic curvature for an ionic surfactant composition (cc) or for a nonionic surfactant composition (ccn); the surfactant temperature constant for the ionic surfactant composition (?T) or for a nonionic surfactant composition (cT). Also determining an optimal surfactant or optimal surfactant blend to achieve an oil-water separation morphological phase distribution of the sampled fluid.

Abstract: A mold transfer assembly includes a transfer housing providing an interior defined by one or more sidewalls and a top. The transfer housing is sized to receive and encapsulate a mold as the mold is moved between a furnace and a thermal heat sink. An arm is coupled to the transfer housing to move the transfer housing and the mold encapsulated within the transfer housing between the furnace and a thermal heat sink. The transfer housing exhibits one or more thermal properties to control a thermal profile of the mold.

Abstract: Rheological quantities, such as shear stress, can sometimes be difficult to determine under extreme temperature and pressure conditions. In contrast, the relative rheology of a fluid can often be readily determined over a range of temperature and pressure conditions. The relative rheology can then be used to scale a rheological quantity of the fluid to a given temperature and pressure condition. Methods for scaling a rheological quantity can comprise: measuring an apparent viscosity of a drilling fluid at first, second and third reference temperature and pressure conditions; determining a rate of change in apparent viscosity with respect to temperature at a substantially equal pressure; determining a rate of change in apparent viscosity with respect to pressure at a substantially equal temperature; and scaling a rheological quantity from an initial set of temperature and pressure conditions to a final set of temperature and pressure conditions using the rates of change.

Abstract: A method for tracking a change in tissue status includes receiving at least some demographic information regarding an individual being monitored, receiving information regarding a first tissue status for the individual, comparing the received information with a threshold tissue status selected at least in part based on the at least some demographic information regarding the individual, and providing an alert indicative of a change in tissue status in response to determining that the received information exceeds the threshold tissue status. A system for implementing the methods of various embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: A downhole turbine assembly includes a stator housing having one or more stator blades positioned within the stator housing and extending radially inward therefrom. A rotor shaft having a first end and a second end is rotatably positioned within the stator housing and has a first portion exhibiting a first diameter and a second portion exhibiting a second diameter greater than the first diameter. One or more rotor blades are secured to the second portion for rotation with the rotor shaft, and a first bearing assembly is positioned at the first end and a second bearing assembly is positioned at the second end. At least one of the bearing housings provides a primary flow path and a secondary flow path, and one or more radial bearings and one or more thrust bearings are arranged in the secondary flow path.

Abstract: An intelligent video/audio observation and identification database system may define a security zone or group of zones. The system may identify vehicles and individuals entering or exiting the zone through image recognition of the vehicle or individual as compared to prerecorded information stored in a database. The system may alert security personnel as to warrants or other information discovered pertaining to the recognized vehicle or individual resulting from a database search. The system may compare images of a suspect vehicle, such as an undercarriage image, to standard vehicle images stored in the database and alert security personnel as to potential vehicle overloading or foreign objects detected, such as potential bombs. The system may further learn the standard times and locations of vehicles or individuals tracked by the system and alert security personnel upon deviation from standard activity.

Abstract: A downhole tool for creation of an annular seal in a well and a method of cementing a casing in a well are provided. The tool and method make use of an expansion cone, which is driven through a portion of the tool having a sealing element on the wellbore side so that the portion is expanded and the sealing element brought into contact with the wellbore. A force multiplier is used to increase the force exerted on the expansion cone by fluid pressure.

Abstract: A thin garment closure includes a male member with a bar having a ball on at least one end and a female member having a trough shaped complementary to the bar. The bar is positionable in the trough when the male and female members in a substantially transverse orientation, and when one member is rotated so that both members are substantially coplanar the closure is closed. The male and female members each have a flat surface which contacts the flat surface of the mating member when the closure is closed, enabling a thin and narrow closure. In an embodiment, the trough has sidewalls which guide the bar into position in the trough for improved manipulation of the closure. In another embodiment, a detent resists decoupling of the closure while allowing coupling over a range of insertion angles.

Abstract: A Universal Serial Bus (USB) dongle may include an optical transceiver having a USB interface for engagement to an electronic device such as a laptop computer or other USB-configured device. The USB dongle may include a converter or buffering, isolation, modulation or amplification circuitry. The USB dongle sends and receives data signals which may be carried upon an optical transmission as generated by an LED light source which in turn is in communication with a host device such as a network processor. The USB dongle may also include operational amplifiers (op-amps) and transistor amplifiers.

Abstract: Methods including obtaining a sampled fluid from a subterranean formation, the sampled fluid comprising at least water and a hydrocarbon, and having certain constituent parameters; determining constituent parameters of the sampled fluid using the hydrophilic-lipophilic deviation (HLD) model; determining an optimal surfactant or surfactant blend to achieve an oil-water separation morphological phase of the sampled fluid; and introducing the optimal surfactant or surfactant blend into the subterranean formation as part of a surfactant flooding enhanced oil recovery operation.

Abstract: Inadvertent or unavoidable contact of an acid with an acid-reactive substance may preclude the acid's use in another location where its reactivity is more desired. Excessive reactivity of acids toward acid-reactive substances may lead to undesired effects such as surface erosion, matrix deconsolidation, scaling, and the like. Methods for protecting an acid-reactive surface from excessive reaction may comprise: depositing a protective coating comprising an N-(phosphonoalkyl)iminodiacetic acid or any salt thereof onto an acid-reactive surface; and contacting a mineral acid or an organic acid with the protective coating without substantially reacting the acid-reactive surface.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for determining imbibition of hydraulic fracturing fluids into hydrocarbon-bearing formations. More specifically, the disclosure relates to laboratory methods for determining certain unconventional flow parameters to measure the imbibition over time of hydraulic fracturing fluids into a low-permeability hydrocarbon-bearing rock formation.

Abstract: An LED light and communication system is in communication with a broadband over power line communications system. The LED light and communication system includes at least one optical transceiver light fixture. The optical transceiver light fixture includes a plurality of light emitting diodes, at least one photodetector, and a processor. A facility control unit is in communication with the light emitting diode light fixtures and a control server. The facility control unit is constructed and arranged to control the operation of the optical transceiver light fixtures.

Abstract: Methods of locating a loss zone in a wellbore in a subterranean formation including determining a calculated wellhead pressure, calculating a wellhead pressure differential, calculating a flow rate loss, estimating a loss zone depth, determining a modified calculated wellhead pressure, and calculating a modified wellhead pressure differential until the modified wellhead pressure differential corresponds to a loss zone location in the wellbore.

Abstract: A performance optimization system includes a superior performance engine identifying high performance entities and determining benchmarks from data captured for the high performance entities. The benchmarks correspond with factors in the indices. The indices include a growth index, an operational excellence index, and an enterprise management index. A data capture module captures data related to the factors for an entity. An optimization engine determines values for the factors from the data captured for the entity, and compares the values with the benchmarks to identify underachieving factors. Estimated performance for the entity is calculated based on modifications to the underachieving factors.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating electrical power and data between downhole devices. The apparatus includes a wellbore tubular having a wall. An electrical device is positioned in a wellbore region to an exterior of the wellbore tubular. A first acoustic coupling element is positioned to the exterior of the wellbore tubular and is electrically connected to the electrical device. A second acoustic coupling element is positioned to an interior of the wellbore tubular. The second acoustic coupling element is operable to transmit electrical power to and receive data from the first acoustic coupling element through communication of acoustic signals through the wall of the wellbore tubular.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for testing a cement by applying force in a first direction until the first portion of the cement sample fails in compression or tension; and applying force a second direction opposite the first direction until the second portion of the cement sample fails in tension or compression.

Abstract: A method of providing user interaction includes providing a processor and transmitting a communication from a first party to a second party. The method also includes posting, using the processor, an entry associated with the communication on a website, receiving a second communication from the second party to the first party, and posting, using the processor, a second entry associated with the second communication.

Abstract: A method of correlating physical locations with respective positions along an optical waveguide can include transmitting to the waveguide a signal including an indication of the transmitting location, and the waveguide receiving the signal. A system for correlating a physical location with a position along an optical waveguide can include a transmitter which transmits to the optical waveguide a signal including an indication of the transmitter location, and a computer which correlates the location to the position, based on the signal as received by the waveguide. A method of determining a position along an optical waveguide at which a signal is transmitted can include modulating on the signal an indication of a transmission location, and transmitting the signal to the waveguide, thereby causing vibration of the waveguide.