Patents Assigned to The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
  • Equipment and method for filtration using a fabric of polyacrylonitrile fibers
    Patent number: 4902433
    Abstract: A backwashable filter element consists essentially of a fabric of polyacrylonitrile fibres wherein the diameter of the fibres is in the range 10 to 50 microns and the density of the element is in the range 0.05 to 0.50 g/cc. The element is suitable for use in filtering sea water, particularly for sea water injected into petroleum reservoirs to assist in the recovery of crude oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: David E. Graham, Malcolm T. McKechnie, David G. Thompson
  • Vertical oil separator
    Patent number: 4900433
    Abstract: A vertical separator for separating crude oil into liquid and gas phases composed of an outer casing and two further sets of concentric tubing to enclose two annuli and a central passage, one annulus having an inlet to receive crude oil, the other annulus having an outlet for separated gas, each at the top of the separator. The central passage collects produced oil with a pump near its base and a pump drive pipe extending up it. The crude oil may flow down its annulus with a swirling motion which can be induced and assisted by a tangential inlet, and/or a cyclone at the top, and one or more helices in the annulus. The separator may be used for underwater wells and may extend partially or wholly into the sea bed with a protective cemented external casing around it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: Alan J. Dean, Hans P. Hopper
  • Diamond mapping
    Patent number: 4900147
    Abstract: A method for mapping the crystal structure of a diamond comprises placing the diamond in a beam of monochromatic laser radiation, filtering the resultant scattered Raman radiation, and measuring the intensity of the filtered radiation at one or more different orientations of the diamond which may be compared with records of known diamonds to identify the diamond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company, p.l.c.
    Inventors: Heather J. Bowley, Donald L. Gerrard
  • Well bore fluid
    Patent number: 4900456
    Abstract: A method for the completion or work-over of a well comprises the step of using a solids-free, non-aqueous well-bore fluid comprising a halogenated organic compound as a completion or work-over fluid. The fluid has a specific gravity in the range 0.9 to 2.3.Preferred halogenated organic compounds are brominated aromatic ethers, diphenyls, aliphatic hydrocarbons, benzene and alkyl benzenes.The halogenated organic compound may be dissolved in an organic solvent. The relative proportions may be chosen to provide a well-bore fluid having a desired specific gravity.The fluids are non-corrosive, thermally stable and non-damaging to formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventor: Norman Ogilvy
  • Process for the production of spherical particles
    Patent number: 4894189
    Abstract: A method for making spherical particles, which includes:(a) kneading powdered raw material, preferably a refractory inorganic material, liquid and wax to form a dough/agglomerated granules,(b) separating, preferably by sieving, the dough/agglomerated granules to a predetermined size fraction without extruding, and(c) spheridizing the granules in a heated rotating bowl.The method is particularly useful for the production of catalysts from refractory inorganic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: Dilip Dave, Andrew Holt, Timothy K. McNiff
  • Volatile lanthanum complexes and their uses
    Patent number: 4894446
    Abstract: Homoleptic bis (.pi.-arene) yttrium or lanthanide complexes of formula ML.sub.2, wherein M is yttrium or a lanthanide metal and the L ligands are di or trisubstituted benzene derivatives, are provided. Certain of the complexes are volatile and are therefore of interest in the chemical vapour deposition. A process for their manufacture is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventor: Frederick G. N. Cloke
  • Method for coalescence
    Patent number: 4888117
    Abstract: A method of coalescence involves the use of a coalescer element consisting essentially of or comprising a sintered polymeric media having a fine porous structure. Suitable polymers include thermoplastics or thermosetting resins.The element is suitable for de-oiling oily water and dewatering crude oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: Giselle M. Brown, Anthony S. MacFarlane
  • Method of forming binderless carbon materials
    Patent number: 4883617
    Abstract: Solid carbon materials with improved strength are made from mesophase pitch. The pitch is ground to give particles of diameter less than 10 micrometers and oxidised. Oxidised particles not more than 10 micrometers in diameter are shaped, carbonized, and optionally graphitized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: Malcolm Benn, Alan Grint, Graeme P. Proud, Brian Rand
  • Separation of water from organic fluids
    Patent number: 4877533
    Abstract: Water is separated from a less hydrophilic fluid by contacting the mixture with one face of a membrane having an active layer which consists essentially only of polymers of an unsaturated organic acid with a ratio of carbon atoms to acid groups (not counting any carbon atoms in the acid groups) of not more than six. Water is removed as a vapor from the other side of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: Ian G. Meldrum, Timothy d. Naylor
  • Method for assessing diamond quality
    Patent number: 4875771
    Abstract: A method for assessing diamonds of differing quality characteristics in which a laser Raman spectrometer is initially calibrated by use of diamonds of known quality characteristics, the characteristics having been assessed for example by a conventional subjective procedure. Diamonds of unknown quality characteristic are successively placed in the spectrometer and irradiated with laser radiation of known frequency. The intensity of the scattered Raman signal from the diamond of unknown quality is monitored for one or more orientations of the diamond, the resultant signal being capable of relation to the quality of the diamond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: Heather J. Bowley, Donald L. Gerrard
  • Metal separation process
    Patent number: 4869790
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of molten salt having rotatable anode and cathode electrodes in a container for the molten electrolyte. The electrodes are conical in shape and have vent holes facilitating removal of evolved gases from the electrode surfaces. The liberated metal is thrown from the electrode and collected. The electrodes may be arranged in a symmetrical stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: James A. Charles, Piers M. Copham, Derek J. Fray
  • Lithiated clays and uses thereof
    Patent number: 4866020
    Abstract: A novel family of layered clays, called lithiated clays is disclosed. The novel layered clays are characterized by the replaceable hydrogens of the hydroxyl groups within the structure of a layered clay being replaced by lithium. A method of manufacturing the lithiated clays is disclosed together with their use as catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: Martin P. Atkins, James A. Ballantine, John H. Purnell, John Williams
  • Graded structure composites
    Patent number: 4859542
    Abstract: This case relates to tough, wear resistant graded structure composites, to a process for preparing the same and to tools and products fabricated therefrom. The composites have a surface layer e.g. of WC and a binder, an interface layer, e.g. which is a stepwise transition from the surface layer whereby the binder content thereof gradually increases, a substrate layer which is a combination of e.g. an initial high carbon steel layer and finally a base layer of bainitic steel. The composites are substantially non-porous and can be used to fabricate components such as drill bits, wear plates, pump components machine tools, seals, washers, bearings and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: Alan R. Begg, Colin W. Brown, Neil E. S. Charman
  • Determination of the stability of floating structures
    Patent number: 4858137
    Abstract: The stability of floating structures is determined using a plurality of changes in weight distribution and by processing the resulting signals from two inclinometers arranged so as to measure the inclination about two orthongonal non-vertical axes. The inclinometer axes need not coincide with the structre axes as any divergence is compensated by the specified signal processing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventor: Michael S. Bradley
  • Photo polymers and uses thereof
    Patent number: 4857426
    Abstract: This invention relates to dry processible photo polymers, a method for their production and uses thereof. The photo polymers are produced by selectively irradiating discrete zones of a precursor polymer by UV or visible light followed by thermal oxidation to create polymer films which have modified optical and surface relief properties. Such photo polymers can be used in a number of applications eg wave guiding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: David C. Bott, Lucy M. Connors
  • Production of aromatic hydrocarbons
    Patent number: 4855522
    Abstract: A process for producing aromatic hydrocarbons comprising bringing into contact a hydrocarbon feedstock containing a C.sub.2, C.sub.3 and/or C.sub.4 paraffinic hydrocarbon with a catalyst composition comprising an aluminosilicate in which the molar ratio of silica to alumina is at least 5:1 and loaded with a compound of (a) gallium and (b) at least one rare earth metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventor: Henri Diaz
  • Coal dewatering
    Patent number: 4853133
    Abstract: The water content of wet small coal is reduced by adding a defined amount of an ionic surfactant, centrifuging, and adding a foam suppressing amount of a cationic organic compound to the aqueous effluent from the centrifugation step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: Steven A. Flynn, Paul R. Rutter
  • Template levelling device
    Patent number: 4850743
    Abstract: An operator for levelling a drilling or production template on the sea bed is formed from a rotatable hydraulic cylinder, a piston within the cylinder to which hydraulic pressure can be applied, and a drive shaft from the piston to a screw jack. Hydraulic pressure applied to the piston counteracts the weight of the template so that the operator can rotate the screw jack with relatively little torque. The operator may fit into a housing of the template through an intermediate housing. The operator and the intermediate housing may be releasably locked to each other and the template so that they can be recovered for re-use. A cementing/retrieving tool and a suspension tool may be used in combination with the operator.the screw jack may bear onto a mud mat or pile of the template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventor: Hans P. Hopper
  • Sea bed process complex
    Patent number: 4848475
    Abstract: A sea bed oil producing and processing complex has a template with three bays housing pairs of modules, viz, well, gas and oil production modules. The complex includes a separator for separating oil and gas and a pump for the produced oil, and bars having pipework to carry fluids between the pairs of modules and to despatch separated gas and oil. Saddles may carry fluids across between individual modules of a pair and the complex may have facilities for artificial lift, water injection, chemical fluid injection and for test fluids. Multiples of the three bays and pairs of modules may be within a single template and a number of modules may surround a central piping template. The complex can be services and maintained in a diverless mode using a monohull vessel and an ROV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: Alan J. Dean, Hans P. Hopper
  • Precipitation of asphaltene
    Patent number: 4846957
    Abstract: Asphaltenes are separated from hydrocarbon oil by bringing the oil into contact with formic acid or a water-soluble organic acid consisting of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and having at least two functional groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: Graham R. Johnson, Paul R. Rutter