Abstract: A non-toxic, inexpensive synthetic fluid for use in wellbore fluids (e.g., drilling fluids) is selected from the group consisting of (A) fluids having (I) a pour point greater than about −30° C. (−22° F.) and (II) a cetane index greater than 50, and comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 11 or more carbon atoms, (ii) greater than 5 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 18 or more carbon atoms, (iii) at least about 50 weight percent isoparaffins, (iv) at least about 90 weight percent total paraffins, (v) about 1 or less weight percent naphthenics, (vi) less than 0.1 volume percent aromatics, and (vii) at least 2 hydrocarbons containing a consecutive number of carbon atoms, and (B) fluids comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 10 or more carbon atoms and (ii) at least about 90 weight percent n-paraffins.

Abstract: An integrated physical and statistical method provides predictions of a reservoir property by operating on seismic data both before and after it is significantly enhanced, e.g., stacked/filtered. One or more matrix functions are derived from pre-stacked, partially-stacked, and/or post-stacked seismic data that are used to obtain a new attribute as well as to correlate/integrate the physical and statistical methods to obtain significantly improved predictions of a reservoir property.

Abstract: As geothermal steam containing contaminants such as boron, arsenic, and mercury is passed through a turbine-condenser system, the contaminants preferentially collect in the initial condensate produced from the steam. Collecting this initially-produced condensate and segregating it from the remainder of the steam being condensed ensures that condensate produced from the remainder of the steam is contaminants-lean, preferably containing the contaminants in concentrations allowing for discharge of the contaminants-lean condensate to the environment.

Abstract: A duct assembly for drilling supplementary boreholes comprises a plurality of duct body sections, whipstocks, and separators forming multiple channel segments within the duct body sections. In one embodiment, the separators are plates that substantially divide each duct body section into two semicircular channel setments and align adjoining duct body sections, allowing the drilling of supplementary boreholes to be reliably directed without whipstock repositioning.

Abstract: After installing an inventive tool attached to production tubing in a well, the well can be gravel packed without the use of a well intervention unit. The tool isolates a productive interval and diverts tubing-conveyed sand slurry towards an annular location by means of a port and an openable passageway restrictor. The entraining fluid component of the diverted sand slurry in the annular location is allowed to re-enter the production tubing through a first screen while the separated sand drops to the annular location to be packed in an axial direction. Rupture of a plug then allows the separated sand to be packed in an axial direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a plurality of semiconductor wafers during heat treatment of the wafers in a furnace comprises a plurality of rails extending essentially vertically between a top and bottom plate. Each rail contains a plurality of teeth arranged such that the space between adjacent teeth can receive a portion of a single semiconductor wafer. Each tooth contains a raised support structure, typically a ledge, located on the top surface of each tooth for supporting the wafer, usually from the edge of the wafer inward to a point located from the center of the wafer a distance equal to between about 25% and about 75% of the wafer's radius. Such an apparatus with its relatively long teeth is especially designed to uniformly support larger wafers, i.e., wafers having a nominal diameter greater than about 200 millimeters, such that their own weight does not cause the wafers to sag and thereby produce crystal dislocations or slip when the wafers are heated to high temperatures.

Abstract: A non-toxic, inexpensive synthetic fluid for use in wellbore fluids (e.g., drilling fluids) is selected from the group consisting of (A) fluids having (I) a pour point greater than about -30.degree. C. (-22.degree. F.) and (II) a cetane index greater than 50, and comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 11 or more carbon atoms, (ii) greater than 5 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 18 or more carbon atoms, (iii) at least about 50 weight percent isoparaffins, (iv) at least about 90 weight percent total paraffins, (v) about 1 or less weight percent naphthenics, (vi) less than 0.1 volume percent aromatics, and (vii) at least 2 hydrocarbons containing a consecutive number of carbon atoms, and (B) fluids comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 10 or more carbon atoms and (ii) at least about 90 weight percent n-paraffins.

Abstract: A semblance attribute to more reliably detect a seismic discontinuity is provided. The semblance attribute of the center point of a seismic volume is calculated from 3D traces within a spatial and time window. The seismic attribute is dependent, at least in part, on the ratio of the square of the sum of the amplitudes of said traces within the window and the sum of the squared amplitudes of said seismic traces over within the window.

Abstract: A process is disclosed which involves removing hydrocarbons, arsenic and mercury from wastewater produced in oil and gas fields. An oxidant, ferric ions, and flocculent are sequentially added to the wastewater to form a removable sludge containing the arsenic, hydrocarbon, and mercury contaminants. The Oxidation-Reduction Potential of the wastewater is controlled by oxidant addition to allow the required arsenic oxidation to occur while maintaining the mercury in elemental form. The process requires relatively short residence times between chemical additions and provides for large wastewater throughputs. The cleaned wastewater is suitable for discharge to the environment.

Abstract: Boron, silicon and/or arsenic in geothermal steam is removed by contacting the steam with an alcohol containing at least four carbon atoms or polyols having at least two carbon atoms.

Abstract: A non-toxic, inexpensive synthetic fluid for use in wellbore fluids (e.g., drilling fluids) is selected from the group consisting of (A) fluids having (I) a pour point greater than about -30.degree. C. (-22.degree. F.) and (II) a cetane index greater than 50, and comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 11 or more carbon atoms, (ii) greater than 5 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 18 or more carbon atoms, (iii) at least about 50 weight percent isoparaffins, (iv) at least about 90 weight percent total paraffins, (v) about 1 or less weight percent naphthenics, (vi) less than 0.1 volume percent aromatics, and (vii) at least 2 hydrocarbons containing a consecutive number of carbon atoms, and (B) fluids comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 10 or more carbon atoms and (ii) at least about 90 weight percent n-paraffins.

Abstract: A non-toxic, inexpensive synthetic fluid for use in wellbore fluids (e.g., drilling fluids) is selected from the group consisting of (A) fluids having (I) a pour point greater than about -30.degree. C. (-22.degree. F.) and (II) a cetane index greater than 50, and comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 11 or more carbon atoms, (ii) greater than 5 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 18 or more carbon atoms, (iii) at least about 50 weight percent isoparaffins, (iv) at least about 90 weight percent total paraffins, (v) about 1 or less weight percent naphthenics, (vi) less than 0.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a plurality of semiconductor wafers during heat treatment of the wafers in a furnace, which apparatus comprises a plurality of support members or rails extending essentially vertically between a top and bottom plate. At least two of the support members are located toward the front of the carrier where the wafers are inserted, and at least one support member is located toward the back of the carrier. A first plurality of slats is attached to one of the front support members and to a back support member such that the space between the top surface of one slat and the bottom surface of the next higher adjacent slat forms a slot for receiving a portion of a semiconductor wafer. A second plurality of slats is attached to another front support member and to a back support member to form corresponding slots on another side of the carrier for receiving another portion of a semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A repositionable apparatus for perforating and gravel packing an underground well uses gravity or other means to reposition the apparatus instead of a conventional wireline or work string attached to a rig. Perforating and packing can be accomplished without a rig after the apparatus is initially placed and set in the well. One embodiment of the inventive apparatus uses a perforating gun assembly, a connected ported sub above the gun assembly, a translating annulus packer above the ported sub, a circumferential screen located above the packer, blank pipe connected above the screen, an openable port above the blank tubular pipe, and a second translating annulus packer attached to the blank tubular.

Abstract: A graphite furnace element, such as a heat shield or heating element, comprises a plurality of bent, rigid, solid and arcuate-shaped graphite sheets that have been joined together, usually by screws or bolts. The bent graphite sheets typically have a wall thickness between 0.05 and 0.5 inch.

Abstract: A non-toxic, inexpensive synthetic fluid for use in wellbore fluids (e.g., drilling fluids) is selected from the group consisting of (A) fluids having (I) a pour point greater than about -30.degree. C. (-22.degree. F.) and (II) a cetane index greater than 50, and comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 11 or more carbon atoms, (ii) greater than 5 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 18 or more carbon atoms, (iii) at least about 50 weight percent isoparaffins, (iv) at least about 90 weight percent total paraffins, (v) about 1 or less weight percent naphthenics, (vi) less than 0.1 volume percent aromatics, and (vii) at least 2 hydrocarbons containing a consecutive number of carbon atoms, and (B) fluids comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 10 or more carbon atoms and (ii) at least about 90 weight percent n-paraffins.

Abstract: By controlling one or more properties of a gasoline fuel suitable for combustion in automobiles, the emissions of NOx, CO and/or hydrocarbons can be reduced. The preferred fuel for reducing all three such emissions has a Reid Vapor Pressure no greater than 7.5 psi (0.51 atm), essentially zero olefins, and a 50% D-86 Distillation Point greater than about 180.degree. F. (82.degree. C.) but less than 205.degree. F. (96.1.degree. C.

Abstract: A corrosive acid sulfate geothermal brine is mixed with a near neutral, bicarbonate geothermal brine containing above about 300 ppm silica to produce a relatively benign mixed brine of pH from about 4.5 to about 6.5 having reduced corrosivity as compared to the acid sulfate brine and a reduced tendency as compared to the near neutral, bicarbonate brine for depositing silica in equipment during brine processing.

Abstract: Simplified drilling fluids (and other well bore fluids) contain a non-aqueous-base fluid and a viscosifying/fluid loss agent that meets certain performance criteria.

Abstract: A method for continuously acidizing a geological rock formation for at least 3 months comprising adding a dilute acid to a geothermal carrier fluid in a concentration less than 0.1 weight percent to produce an acidified fluid and continuously contacting the rock formation with the acidified fluid until the permeability of the formation is increased.