Abstract: The invention relates to installation of underwater equipment, more specifically for use in oil-fields.This new device for connecting and disconnecting a guide line between an installation on the seabed and a floating platform comprises a cylindrical adapter, free to rotate on its own axis, and provided with means of guiding, directing, positioning lengthwise and locking into a cylindrical sleeve, forming the upper portion of a guide post fixed to the underwater installation. The locking mechanism comprises at least one locking head, which extends out from and can be detached from a locking bar. The lower edge of this locking head forms a retracting cam, while the horizontal upper surface forms a locking edge.Such a device can be used to connect and disconnect the guide line by remote control, from a floating platform.

Abstract: A process and device for dispersing waste gas in the form of mixtures of controlled composition. This process comprises ejecting the gas through at least one nozzle at a pressure above blast pressure and below the stable ignition pressure in the presence of a flame, these blast and ignition pressures being specified in relation to the area of the nozzle opening. The device employing this process may comprise a number of diverging nozzles, the area S of the opening of which corresponds to a diameter d=.sqroot.4S/.pi., with a minimum angle .alpha. between the axes of adjoining nozzles, and a distance D between each nozzle opening, the device being characterized by the fact that D/d.gtoreq.80 and .alpha..gtoreq.20.degree..

Abstract: An erodible sonde for detecting sand in the gas conveyed through a pipe. Such a sonde is constituted by a thin aluminium tube, one end of which communicates with a device for measuring the pressure outside the pipe and the other end of which is closed, the inner wall of this tube being in contact with a discontinuous prop or support means such as a steel spring with contiguous coils. Such a device allows early detection of the intrusion of sand in the gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for acoustically controlling the setting and hardening characteristics of a material such as cement. This device comprises a cell body defining a cylindrical body, or measuring chamber, which contains a receptacle adapted to receive the material to be tested. The measuring chamber is extended by its two ends by two cylindrical passages coaxial to said chamber, which comprise each a threaded portion and are associated to sealing means; said cell body further includes two electro-acoustic transducers which are arranged at mutually opposed locations and are facing each other. The novel device is adapted to be used for determining and controlling the setting, hardening and mechanical strength characteristics of cement or similar material under conditions of high pressure and elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A device for connecting two underwater pipes, one prolonged by a terminal and the other by a receptacle for the terminal. The device comprises separate, reversible means for securing and sealing the terminal in the receptacle, and also comprises a tension tool comprising a tension chuck secured to the end of a tension cable, the cable extending through the receptacle and the second pipe, and a plug connected to the chuck by an articulated connecting means having a length variable between a minimum and a maximum greater than the distance between the plug and the opening of the terminal, the chuck and the plug having releasable locking means and sealing means in the terminal. The device is adapted for connecting an underwater pipe to a tubular column, inter alia a production column at the foot of an oil rig.

Abstract: A method of seismic exploration comprises transmitting waves from transmission sources into the medium to be explored and picking up signals in a receiver and recording these as traces, the signals being produced by reflection in the medium, the sequential transmission of the sources taking place at intervals less than the reflection time of the longest transmitted waves, the repeated transmission of any one source taking place at intervals at least equal to the said reflection time and therein being an intercorrelation function of a series of transmission instants of all the sources and a series of transmission instants of any one of the sources to give a relationship between the maximum peak amplitude and the secondary residue amplitude greater than a predetermined value and grouping the recorded traces corresponding to the same reflection point, adjusting the traces in relation to the associated source providing the information relating to the reflection point and adding together the adjusted traces relati

Abstract: A method of welding the ends of submerged pipes in a gaseous atmosphere at any depth comprises isolating the ends of the pipes by introducing obturators therein and then introducing the pipe ends into an open topped receptacle which is capped with an underwater personal carrying intervention unit. The closed receptacle is filled with gas and then a sleeve is positioned between the ends of the pipes and welded to the pipes.

Abstract: Seismic exploration on land and on ocean beds is performed by emitting vibrational acoustic signals of long time-duration within a desired frequency spectrum at one or a number of points, the signals corresponding to the waves received from the reflectors being then processed. The method further consists in forming the complex spectrum of the received signal corresponding to the emitted signal in respect of each frequency band, in forming the complex spectrum of a reference of the emitted signal in respect of each frequency band and in dividing the complex spectrum of the received signal by the complex spectrum of the reference of the emitted signal, at least an external portion of each complex spectrum being eliminated in the case of each complex spectrum.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the purification of residual industrial gases containing a small quantity of H.sub.2 S, SO.sub.2, CS.sub.2 COS, or possibly sulfur vapor, as well as large amounts of H.sub.2 O, CO.sub.2 and N.sub.2 in which the residual gases are first subjected to a catalytic reduction in which all the sulfur compounds are transformed into H.sub.2 S, and thereafter washed by an aqueous amine solution before being burnt and discarded into the atmosphere, while the aqueous amine solution is regenerated by heating and the gases given off, comprising H.sub.2 S and CO.sub.2, are returned to the sulfur manufacturing plant.The process is characterized in that the temperature of the gas to be treated is permanently maintained at a level higher than the dew-point of the water contained in the gases at all points of the process, thereby insuring that substantially all H.sub.2 O contained in the residual gases is discarded into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A pumping rod connecting and disconnecting device comprises: a lower production tubing column and an upper production tubing column having a larger diameter than that of the lower column; a connecting piece provided with a circular seat and a circular groove; a lower assembly mounted onto the upper end of a lower pumping rod column and provided with mounting and locking means, as well as with passage means arranged between the spaces located below and above the device; an upper assembly fixed to the lower end of an upper pumping rod column having a continuous axial conduit; and removable blocking means for blocking the locking means of the upper and lower assemblies, connected to a surface source of hydraulic pressure. The device can be used for pumping by means of floating pumping apparatus.

Abstract: The amplitude variation of an acoustic wave propagated within drilling mud mixed with a mineral-deposit fluid is measured and compared with the amplitude of a reference wave obtained from the drilling mud alone. The method and the device are primarily applied to the detection of an inflow of oil or gas during a well-drilling operation.

Abstract: In a process for desulphurizing gases containing SO.sub.2 and SO.sub.3 by absorption of the sulphur containing compounds by means of absorbents based on alumina free of alkaline substances, activated alumina or alumina carrying salts or oxides of at least one element selected from the groups IB, IIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, VIII of the Periodic Classification, the absorption takes place at temperatures comprised between 100.degree. and 400.degree. C., and the absorbent loaded with said compounds in the form of sulphates is heated with a gas containing a reducing gas, especially H.sub.2 S, to a temperature of 250.degree. C. to 450.degree. C., while the elementary sulphur thus formed is separated from said absorbent, whereafter the latter is re-used in a subsequent absorption operation.

Abstract: A rotating connection device for a plurality of conduits in which a fixed part is constituted by a disc limited by a lower face and an upper face, each of the faces having a common axis of revolution, and at least one part able to move rotatingly around the common axis of revolution. The rotating connection is characterized in that each movable part is located in an annular groove cut out of the fixed part and open only on the upper face of the fixed part, each annular groove, in radial section presenting curves whose concavity is directed towards the upper face of the fixed part, each movable part defining with the fixed part an annular space, the annular space being connected only with the lower face of the fixed part and the upper part of the movable part by conduits bored respectively in the fixed and movable parts.

Abstract: Process using collectors for the flotation of minerals which allow the separation or enrichment of certain minerals, even at pH values around 7. These collectors are organic sulphides of the type R--S--R', in which the two groups R and R' are different and at least one of them preferably carries a substituent including oxygen or sulphur. The collectors are desirably used in a proportion of 10-100 ppm in relation to the weight of the mineral subject to flotation.

Abstract: This invention concerns a seabed device to support tubing connected to a wellhead.The device comprises a flange at the bottom end of the tubing, fitting into a rigid frame attached to and detachable from a framework located on the seabed, the said flange being connected to the wellhead by the same number of flexible pipes as there are passages in the tubing, with a connection-disconnection device to attach these flexible pipes to the wellhead.This device relieves the wellhead of stresses transmitted by the tubing.

Abstract: In a method of welding together two submerged pipe ends, the pipe ends are spaced apart and introduced through orifices into a receptacle by which they can be isolated from the surrounding medium. The spaced pipe ends are connected by a connection sleeve and after isolation are welded to the connection sleeve.

Abstract: Beta-hydroxyl polysulphoniums are prepared from polymers having epoxy groups in the polymeric chain or on the side chains. The polymer is treated with one or more mercaptans or thiols in the presence of a catalyst which opens the oxirane bridges, in particular a basic catalyst, after which the remaining epoxy groups are eliminated by the action of an acid; the resultant polysulphide is then reacted with an alkyl halide or ester in the absence of acid in order to form the polysulphonium. Purification of the product is then carried out. The products can be obtained in this manner in a form which is soluble or dispersible in water in a suitable state of purity, with good yields and with the desired hydrophilic-lipophilic ratio.

Abstract: Synthesis of mercaptans by the photochemical reaction of an olefin with hydrogen sulphide in the presence of an initiator constituted by benzophenone, thiobenzophenone or a mixture of the two, preferably accompanied by an organic compound of an element of Group VA of the Periodic Classification. These initiators can carry substituents on either or both of the two benzene rings. The light utilized can have a wavelength of 300 to 600 nm. The process allows various mercaptans to be obtained with good yields.

Abstract: A system for cathodic protection of anchor chain-cables.The chain-cable in this system comprises at least one stud-link, and at least the outer layer of the stud of at least one such link consists of soluble anodic material.The purpose of this device is to ensure unbroken cathodic protection of an anchor-chain for a given number of years.

Abstract: Butt-welding apparatus for welding two pipes, e.g. for the shipboard welding of a laid pipe and a towed pipe, comprises a frame for receiving the pipe ends, means for securing the pipe ends relative to the frame and compensation means for causing movement of one pipe relative to the other to compensate for any shrinkage caused by the welding operation and by preheating the pipe ends to be welded.