Abstract: A method for processing multi-component, multi-offset electromagnetic data measured at at least one multi-component receiver, the data representative of electric and magnetic fields due to a source, the at least one multi-component receiver being disposed at a depth greater than that of the source. The method includes decomposing the measured multi-offset electric and magnetic fields into upgoing and downgoing components; and formulating a noise removal operator from the downgoing components and the properties of the medium surrounding the at least one receiver.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of analysing a complex hydrocarbon-containing mixture, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a liquid sample of the complex hydrocarbon-containing mixture; injecting the sample into a liquid carrier flowing to a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is set so as to ionise molecules in the sample without causing fragmentation thereof; recording a mass spectrum for ions obtained from the sample; and using the mass spectrum to obtain fingerprint of the mixture. {dot over (a)}In one embodiment, two or more mass spectra are recorded and are combined to obtain a fingerprint of the mixture.

Abstract: A thruster pig for sending through a pipe from an entrance facility to a receiving location, for servicing or monitoring, by pumping a thrusting fluid into the pipe to force the pig forward is disclosed. The thruster pig includes a body having a front end and a back end, where the back end includes a reaction surface to which said the thrusting fluid applies a motive force. The body is slightly smaller in diameter than the inner diameter of the pipe. The pig also includes a seal circumferentially arranged on the pig to seal between said body and said pipe. A desired differential pressure is maintained over the pig to urge said pig forward through the pipe by pumping a fluid into the annulus between the pipe and the return flow line while returning fluid through said return flow line utilizing connected servicing or monitoring equipment. A connector releasably connects a return flow line to the pig.

Abstract: Apparatus for carbon dioxide liquefaction comprising a flow channel for carbon dioxide passage from an inlet port to an outlet port. The channel comprises a plurality of compressors (2, 5, 8) and coolers (4, 7, 9, 10, 13) arranged in series with an expansion chamber (14, 15) in said flow channel downstream of the final compressor (8) and cooler (9, 10, 13). The apparatus also comprises a recirculation channel (16) arranged to return gaseous carbon dioxide from said expansion chamber (15) into said flow channel (3) upstream of said final compressor (8) and cooler (9, 10, 13).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measurement of total phase volumes in multiphase flow in pipelines. The multiphase fractions comprise hydrocarbon liquid phase and/or water phase and/or transported solid phases. One or more tracers are injected into the pipeline, preferably at the inlet and the tracer concentration(s) are measured as a function of time at the point of injection and at one or more points of measurements downstream from the point of injection. Further, the mean residence time(s) are measured for transport of the injected tracer(s) from the point of injection to said one or more point(s) measurements. The liquid phase volume(s) are calculated based on the amount of injected tracers and the measured tracer concentrations in each phase and the mean residence time.

Abstract: Embodiments include a catalyst for use in a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction which comprises cobalt supported on alumina. In some embodiments, the alumina support may have specific surface area of less than 50 m2/g and/or may be least 10% ?-alumina.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the treatment of a hydrocarbon well which method comprises administering, down the well, inverse suspension polymerized polymer particles having immobilized therein a well treatment chemical or a precursor or generator thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting formation of solid hydrates in a conduit used to contain a flowing, water-containing hydrocarbon, which method comprises introducing into said hydrocarbon in said conduit a gas which raises the pressure threshold for hydrate formation for said water-containing hydrocarbon, said gas being introduced in a manner which causes it to travel along at least part of said conduit in the direction of hydrocarbon flow.

Abstract: A method of liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich gas, wherein the gas flows through a cascade of three refrigeration stages, each stage comprising a refrigerant circuit and a compressor, wherein at least part of the flow of refrigerant from the second circuit is used for the pre-cooling of the hydrocarbon rich gas in the first refrigeration stage. This balances the load on each of the compressors. By standardizing the drive units and compressors of the three coolant circuits, it is possible to maximize the attainable liquefaction capacity of the liquefaction process using tried-and-trusted drive units and compressors respectively. This method can be applied to mixed refrigerant cascades and circuits with a carbon dioxide pre-cooling circuit. This latter option has benefits for offshore use where large amounts of hydrocarbons are undesirable.

Abstract: An instrument for studying an object (12) comprising a movable interferometer having a laser source and a plurality of detectors (24) arranged in an array. The laser source is expanded and arranged to direct a converging object beam (21) towards a point (22) or line beyond the object (12) whereby a speckle pattern of light reflected from the object (12) is detected by the detector or detector array (24). The point (12) or line at which the laser source is arranged to converge the object beam (21) is approximately the same distance beyond the object (12) as the object is spaced from the source. The speed of movement of the instrument, the sampling rate of the detectors (24) and size of the area (23) of the object illuminated by the converging laser object beam (21) are arranged so that sequential areas (23) of the object (12) studied overlap.

Abstract: An elongated object for use in subsea having a heating pipe and an electrical cable fixed to the surface of the heating pipe. The electrical cable has a protective sleeving for surrounding the electrical cable, composed of a series of elongated synthetic plastics components arranged end-to-end. Each component is an extruded frame work type hollow profile suitable for slowing down the impact over a long deformation path. A hollow space is disposed between the electrical cable and the protective sleeving allowing the cable to move into the protective sleeving.

Abstract: A method for removal of deposits such as hydrate plugs from a pipeline is provided including inserting a thruster pig connected to a return flow line into the pipeline The pig is then advanced forward into the pipeline by pumping a thrusting fluid into an annulus between the pipeline and the return flow line while removing deposits continuously or intermittently and returning flow as appropriate from ahead of the pig through the return flow line. The return flow line is then disconnected from the pig after sufficient deposit removal and retrieved from the return flow line. Next, the pig may then be transported through the pipeline by the pipeline fluid to a pig receiving location once the pipeline flow is resumed.

Abstract: The use of turbulent contactors to simultaneously absorb selected acid gas components from a gas stream and flash off hydrocarbons entrained in a liquid stream which include a solvent or reagent for the selected gas component. In particular, the method comprises feeding the gas stream and liquid stream into a first contactor where they are contacted co-currently and subjected to turbulent mixing conditions, and passing the multi-phase flow from the first contactor to a second contactor. The multi-phase flow from the second contactor is subsequently separated into a gas phase and a liquid phase.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the conversion into carbon of gaseous hydrocarbons extracted from a natural hydrocarbon reservoir, which method comprises contacting said gaseous hydrocarbon at an elevated temperature in a reactor with a catalyst capable of converting said hydrocarbon to carbon and hydrogen; burning hydrogen produced by the conversion of the hydrocarbon, optionally after separating hydrogen produced from unconverted hydrocarbon, burning said hydrogen to generate energy; and using the energy generated to heat said reactor or the gaseous hydrocarbon flow thereto, or to heat or power a heat or power consuming apparatus.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of well treatment comprising introducing into the matrix surrounding a hydrocarbon well bore hole an emulsion the discontinuous phase of which comprises a non-polymerizable, water or oil miscible liquid carrier, a polymerizable monomer and a thermally activated polymerization initiator, said monomer constituting from 2 to 40% wt. of said discontinuous phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the treatment of a subterranean formation which contains sand particles, said method comprising contacting said formation with a material capable of increasing the residual matrix strength of said particulate fine whereby to reduce or prevent their migration whilst minimising any decrease in their permeability. Preferred materials include organosilanes and enzyme systems.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a hydrocarbon well comprising administering down the well polymeric particles impregnated with a well treatment chemical or precursor or generator thereof. The particles have a pore volume of at least 20%, and are prepared by a process which comprises preparing an aqueous dispersion of polymer particles containing from 0.05 to 10 times by volume, based on the polymer, of one or more specific first material(s) adding a partly water-soluble second material having a water-solubility of at least ten times that of first material(s) under conditions which prevent or hinder transport of first material(s) through the aqueous phase, whereby second material diffuses into the polymer particles swelled with first material(s) and increases the volume of said particles by from 20 to 1000 times, based on the polymer.

Abstract: A method and a plant for simultaneous production of a gas for injection into an oil field and production of methanol, dimethyl ether and/or other oxygenated hydrocarbons or production of higher hydrocarbons from natural gas is disclosed. An air separation unit (ATR) for production of pure nitrogen for injection and pure oxygen for production of synthesis gas (“syngas”) by authermal reformation of a natural gas is an essential part of the method and plant.

Abstract: A method is provided of combining first and second models of a common region of space, such as a region of the earth below the surface, to form a third model. Common points have different positions in the first and second models. A predetermined correlation exists between the positions of the common points in the first model and the positions of points of interest in the first model. The positions of the common points in the third model are derived from the common point positions in the first and second models. The positions in the third model of the points of interest are derived from the positions of the common points in the third model and from the predetermined correlation.

Abstract: The use of a turbulent contactor to absorb a selected gas component from a gas stream. The invention particularly applies to a method of distributing a liquid into a gas stream which comprises providing a liquid to an annulus at the periphery of a pipe in which a gas stream is flowing, the gas flow drawing the liquid into a film along the inner surface of the pipe to a sharp edge at the end of the pipe at which point the liquid breaks off the surface of the pipe and mixes intimately with the gas.