Abstract: A ring seal packer is used for sealing the inside of a specified diameter of API tube. The cylindrical body of the ring seal packer has a pair of circumferential grooves and a pair of rigid seal rings are provided in each such groove. The two rings collectively occupy substantially the entire length of the groove, with no more than a small clearance at the ends for forming a small area orifice through which fluid may flow. Each of the rings has an outside diameter larger than the inside diameter of a specified size of API tube. A longitudinal slot in the ring permits it to collapse to a diameter that fits into the tube as it is pushed into the well. A tang and notch arrangement keeps the rings from rotating relative to each other so that the slots are kept out of alignment. The ring seal packer does not use any elastomeric sealing materials.

Abstract: An improved sand pan and flushing jet apparatus is provided along with a process to separate solids from a fluid stream. The sand pan has openings along the side which increase in flow area with increasing distance from a slurry blowdown. Flushing jets are provided within the sand pan to remove slurry drawn into the sand pan by blowdown flow.

Abstract: A packing assembly which is connectable to reeled tubing and which can be inserted in and pushed through a wellbore tube by the reeled tubing. The packing assembly is hydraulically set in a locking and sealing position in the wellbore by fluid introduced from the reeled tubing and, after use, is hydraulically released and removed from the wellbore. An actuating apparatus is provided for hydraulically actuating the packing assembly and can be converted in a manner to pull the packing assembly from the wellbore. Prior to the removal of the packing assembly from the wellbore, the wellbore fluid pressure is equalized across the packing assembly.

Abstract: A subsurface well pump is provided which is resistant to vapor locking. The pump is a reciprocating sucker rod pump which has a top inlet valve, and a means to vent vapors from the barrel of the pump on each stroke.

Abstract: A subsurface well pump is provided which is resitant to vapor locking. The pump is a reciprocating sucker rod pump which has a top inlet valve which comprises one or more hinged flapper valves.

Abstract: A method and system for flue gas recirculation is disclosed which will minimize NOx production from hydrocarbon combustion. In the present invention a furnace having an oxygen-bearing primary source of combustion air, a mixing chamber, a combustion chamber in downstream communication with the mixing chamber and an exhaust section downstream of the combustion chamber is provided with a flue gas recirculation line. The recirculation line establishes communication between the exhaust section and the mixing chamber for the return of combustion products as a secondary source of combustion air which is relatively lean in oxygen and is combined with the primary source of combustion air in the mixing chamber. The ratio of flow rates for the primary and secondary sources of combustion air is controlled by a signal generated by a sensor which senses the oxygen concentration in the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A method and system for flue gas recirculation is disclosed which will minimize NOx production from hydrocarbon combustion. In the present invention a furnace having an oxygen-bearing primary source of combustion air, a mixing chamber, a combustion chamber in downstream communication with the mixing chamber and an exhaust section downstream of the combustion chamber is provided with a flue gas recirculation line. The recirculation line establishes communication between the exhaust section and the mixing chamber for the return of combustion products as a secondary source of combustion air which is relatively lean in oxygen and is combined with the primary source of combustion air in the mixing chamber. The ratio of flow rates for the primary and secondary sources of combustion air is controlled by a signal generated by a sensor which senses the oxygen concentration in the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A submersible pump system and method for producing oil from gassy wells is disclosed in which at least first- and second-stage gas separators protect a submersible pump from vapor lock. The pump communicates with the production tubing and is driven by a shaft extending from a motor, through the first- and second-stage gas separators. The first-stage gas separator has a first-stage inlet through the housing in communication with the production fluid from the producing formation. A primary means for separating gas components from the production fluid is in communication with the first-stage inlet and expels separated gas into the annulus through a first-stage gas outlet and advances the liquid component of the production fluid through the first-stage liquid outlet. The second-stage gas separator has a second-stage inlet communicating with the first-stage liquid outlet and leading to a secondary means for separating the gas from the production fluid.

Abstract: A method for constructing a multiple-stage gas separator assembly for downhole use upstream of a hydrocarbon producing submersible pump system is disclosed which has steps for forming a first-stage gas separator from a first conventional single-stage gas separator, connecting a coupling assembly to the first-stage gas separator at its downstream end, forming a second-stage gas separator from a second conventional single-stage gas separator by removing all lower flanges upstream of its fluid inlet, connecting the upstream end of the second-stage gas separator to the coupling assembly, and establishing a flow path from the first-stage liquid outlet to the second-stage inlet through the coupling assembly.

Abstract: A method of fracture acidizing whereby fluid is initially injected at a high rate and pressure, sufficient to create a fracture of desired dimensions in a formation, subsequently injected at a lower rate and pressure, sufficient to approximately maintain equilibrium with any fluid that leaks off from the fracture created and such that the fracture remains open without further extension, and finally contacting the fracture with acid to etch flow channels in the formation.

Abstract: To assist electric submersible pumps in producing highly viscous crudes from oil wells, injection water is conveyed to the pump assembly, injected into the crude, and mixed with it to form an oil-in-water emulsion. This effectively decreases the viscosity of the produced fluid and helps to control pump operating temperatures. The water injection is done in a shroud at the base of the submersible pump.

Abstract: Used drilling fluids, drilled cuttings and salt contaminated soil, etc., are processed for disposal or reuse by staged water-washing and solids separating procedures which are monitored for the salinity of the water contacting the particles and are repeated to the extent necessary to obtain selected low values, in order to produce saline wash water suitable for injecting into a disposal well and size-graded substantially salt-free materials suitable for construction operations or non-hazardous waste disposal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for towing an offshore structure which is protected from damage caused by ice impinging on the walls of the structure when the apparatus is not in use by positioning a retractable towing shackle within a recess in an outer wall of the structure.

Abstract: A deep trench is excavated into a sea bottom. The trench is filled with a slurry, e.g. clay and water, to maintain trench integrity for a period of time. A pipeline is subsequently lowered to the trench bottom by either gravity settlement, jet down using water jets, or vibration.

Abstract: A stream of gas and waxy oil is cooled by an expansion turbine to form a wax/oil slurry, and the slurry is pipeline transported without wax deposition in the pipeline and/or to prevent melting of permafrost along the pipeline right of way.

Abstract: A stream of gas and waxy oil is cooled by a choke to form a wax/oil slurry, and the slurry is pipeline transported without wax deposition in the pipeline and/or to prevent melting of permafrost along the pipeline right of way.

Abstract: A process is provided in which carbon dioxide is injected into an oil-containing reservoir as an aid in recovering oil from the reservoir. Oil can be produced from at least one production well in the reservoir and carbon dioxide-containing hydrocarbon gas will be produced with the oil. Heavy ends are stripped from the carbon dioxide-containing hydrocarbon gas and substantially all of the carbon dioxide in reinjected into the oil-containing reservoir.

Abstract: A fireproof boom for containing flammable pollutants on water includes a flotation member, a heat-resistant water-sorbent material surrounding the flotation member and a protective fence surrounding the water-sorbent material. The flotation member is a series of cylindrical metal cans held end-to-end. The heat-resistant water-sorbent material draws water around the heat-sensitive flotation member, forming steam in the presence of flaming pollutant and allowing only the outer layer of heat-resistant material to become slightly singed. The protective fence surrounding the water-sorbent material is heavy steel wire woven in continuous spirals so that when the spirals are integrated with each other a diamond-shaped mesh is formed.

Abstract: Chemical treating liquids (e.g. scale inhibitors) are dispersed in the producing interval by (a) extending a slim tube along the production tube into connection with a more rigid tube extending below a dual packer and the production tube, and (b) inflowing a mixture of gas-saturated treating liquid and gas through the slim tube.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing supercritical carbon dioxide from a well along with minor amounts of kill water having formation salts dissolved therein. The salt water is the result of killing the well with fresh water during pump installation and/or removal operations at which time the water enters the CO.sub.2 producing formation and dissolves soluble salts which come into the well when the kill water returns to the well when it is put on production. Precipitation of salts carried by the kill water in the pump is prevented by continuously injecting water into the vicinity of the pump intake so as to dilute the returning kill water before it, or at least a portion of it, is vaporized into the water phase of the supercritical carbon dioxide. The volume of injected, substantially fresh water must be sufficient to handle the vaporization of water into the carbon dioxide in the pump as well as dilute the returning kill water so that the salts carried thereby remain in solution.