Abstract: A detector structure is used to sense and log the joints in a downhole jointed tubular structure, such as a well bore casing or production tubing, in a subterranean well. The detector is moved through the jointed tubular structure on an elongated positioning member, representatively a slick line, through a series of joints to be logged. As the detector passes through each joint it electromagnetically senses the joint and responsively generates an electric output signal. The output signal is used to momentarily cause a drag structure portion of the detector, in cooperation with the interior side surface of the tubular structure, to momentarily create a detectable tension change in the elongated positioning member. Alternatively, a pyrotechnic or compressed gas device may be used to create the detectable changes in response to the generation of the electrical output signals.

Abstract: Hydraulic fractures which extend between a hydrocarbon fluid producing zone of an earth formation and a water-producing zone are sealed with respect to the water-producing zone by simultaneously injecting a non-sealing fluid such as crude oil, diesel fuel or brine into the portion of the fracture extending within the hydrocarbon producing zone and injecting a settable gel composition such as a polyacrylamide polymer cross-linked with inorganic transition metals into the portion of the fracture extending within the water-producing zone. The flow rates of the simultaneously pumped fluids are controlled in accordance with the ratio of the respective fracture heights and the viscosity and density of the respective sealing and non-sealing fluids. One fluid is typically pumped through the well annulus while the other fluid is pumped through a tubing string which is sealed from the annulus by a conventional packer disposed at the interface between the hydrocarbon and water-bearing zones.

Abstract: This invention provides an indicator means for a grass mower to detect blockages of a duct used to transport clippings from a mower head to a storage container. The indicator is mounted on the duct and is responsive to air flow rate in the duct thereby indicating any reduction of air flow rate from a predetermined normal flow rate and therefore when a blockage is occurring so that the operator can take actions to prevent it.

Abstract: A telescopic extensible rod, suited to be used as extension in agricultural pneumatic tools for picking fruit from trees or of cutting off branches of trees, is formed by two coaxial tubular elements, i.e. a first tubular element and a second tubular element that slides inside the first tubular element. A pneumatic actuator can be connected to the free end of the second tubular element. A coupling is mounted between the tubular elements to removably lock their reciprocal sliding. Two coaxial pipes, a first pipe and a second pipe, are located inside the tubular elements, the second pipe being designed to slide inside the first one while keeping the seal because of the presence of a sleeve mounted between the pipes and inside the first pipe. The free ends of the pipes are in fluid-dynamic connection respectively with a compressed fluid delivery and with the pneumatic actuator.

Abstract: An indicator device has been invented for indicating correct orientation of an orienting receptacle and an associated wellbore tool secured to the orienting receptacle with respect to an anchor fixed in an interior of a longitudinal channel, the anchor having a top end, the indicator device having a rod having a top end and a bottom end and movably disposed in and extending through a tool central channel of the wellbore tool and with a bottom portion extending into the orienting receptacle; the bottom end of the rod disposed for contact by the top end of the anchor and the rod movable upwardly in the tool central channel by the top end of the anchor as the orienting receptacle moves down on the anchor to correctly orient the wellbore tool.

Abstract: A single head grape and raisin harvester is disclosed having a single driven oscillating shaker head mounted on a sub-frame enabling the shaker head to center itself on the row of grape vines being harvested. The single row harvester is also provided with a stretchable conveyor belt mounted on interconnected plastic chain links for reliably transporting grapes or raisins to an elongated discharge conveyor which is positioned transversely when collecting and discharging grapes from the harvester into trucks or boxes and is pivoted parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle,when moving along roadways.

Abstract: Prior to pumping completion brine fluid into a wellbore, an additive comprising two percent (2%) of a 0.25% solution of polyacrylamide is blended into the completion brine fluid thereby producing a treated brine fluid. This blending would be performed in tanks at the wellsite. The treated brine fluid is then pumed into the wellbore. In addition, or in the alternative, a new perforating gun stores the polyacrylamide additive composition. When the perforating gun detonates, the additive is disbursed into the completion brine fluid disposed in the annulus of the wellbore. For example, the new perforating gun may include a plurality of shaped charges coated with a lacquer of the polyacrylamide additive, or it may include one or more containers which contain the polyacrylamide additive. When the brine completion fluid is pumped into the wellbore annulus, a detonation wave conducts in a detonating cord of the perforating gun. The detonation wave passes through each of the containers.

Abstract: A process for plugging an underground strata to prevent coning, i.e. the intrusion into an oil production stream of gas located above an oil producing formation and/or water located below the formation from which the oil is being produced, by introducing a polymer or a surfactant together with a cosolvent into into a gaseous stream, e.g. carbon dioxide, in such ratio as to make the mixture just homogeneous when injected through the appropriate perforations into the zones above and below the oil bearing strata and yet subject to destabilization thereafter, either through some exiting feature of the reservoir such as temperature or the presence of water, or through some externally implemented event, such as a sudden lowering of the pressure in the vicinity of the well bore, to cause the polymer or surfactant to come out of solution and aid in plugging the zones through which vertical movement of gas and water, i.e. coning, had been taking place.

Abstract: A method to reduce vortex-induced vibrations in subsea risers is provided wherein a flexible fairing is provided surrounding the riser. The flexible fairing will reduce displacements caused by vortex induced vibrations regardless of the direction of the current and will be tolerant of marine life growth.

Abstract: By the addition of wollastonite to slag based cements, such as those formed when converting drilling fluids to cementitious materials in oil and gas well applications, the flexural strength of the cementitious material is improved. The method involves forming a pumpable slurry of drilling fluid, blast furnace slag and the fibrous mineral, wollastonite. The slurry is then activated by the addition of such activators as sodium hydroxide and soda ash and is pumped into the well bore to a desired location and is allowed to solidify.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning oil, gas, and water well wall casing is disclosed. The cleaning tool includes a cylindrical member and a helical swath of scratching elements affixed to the side walls of the cylindrical member positioned for scouring the interior wall of the casing. Also included in the side walls of the cylindrical member is a helical channel adjacent to the swath of scratching elements. Typically, a workstring maneuvers the tool through the casing under mechanical force. Fluid is circulated through the channel of the tool to carry to the surface the loosened debris scoured from the interior wall of the casing. A method of cleaning a well casing is also disclosed. The method includes the use of a tool with scratching elements and flow channels, which tool can be used either with or without cleaning solvents.

Abstract: Crop stripping apparatus is provided comprising a toothed crop-stripping drum and an auger for collecting crop stripped by the drum. Between the drum and the auger is a roller rotatable in the same direction as the drum. The spacing between the drum and the auger is greater than the expected length of deteched plant stalks but is otherwise kept as small as possible for compactness. The roller serves to draw the plant stalks from the drum and urge them into the zone of action of the auger.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fodder-processing roller. The roller according to the invention is noteworthy by virtue of the fact that each projection 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d; 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d; 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d; 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d belonging to a group of projections is joined by one of its edges to a corresponding edge of an adjacent projection belonging to the same group of projections by means of a branching element 17'a, 17'b, 17'c, 17'd; 18'a, 18'b, 18'c, 18'd; 19'a, 19'b, 19'c, 19'd; 20'a, 20'b, 20'c, 20'd having a reduced cross-section, so that all of the projections 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d; 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d; 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d; 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d and branching elements 17'a, 17'b, 17'c, 17'd; 18'a, 18'b, 18'c, 18'd; 19'a, 19'b, 19'c, 19'd; 20'a, 20'b, 20'c, 20'd belonging to the same group of projections form a rib 17, 18, 19, 20 which is arranged continuously along the roller. The invention also concerns a fodder-processing device and a mowing-processing machine using these fodder-processing rollers.

Abstract: A thermal oil recovery process is disclosed for use in an oil reservoir containing a plurality of laterally separated generally vertical wells that have been used for cyclic steam stimulation and that have left in the reservoir at least one of a heated depletion zone and a channel. The process includes the steps of: drilling a well having a horizontal section and an opening therein that is located laterally between at least two of the vertical wells and at a depth within the lower part of the reservoir; injecting a heated fluid through the two vertical wells to establish thermal communication with said horizontal well; and using steam drive and gravity drainage to recover oil from the reservoir through the horizontal well.

Abstract: A method and combination of materials for freeing stuck pipe involves first the spotting of a clear brine, preferably calcium chloride, calcium bromide or zinc bromide, or mixtures thereof, for a given period of time, preferably at least about 8 hours, in the stuck region of the pipe, followed by the spotting of a spotting agent selected from wetting agents, surfactants, lubricants, or mixtures thereof, in the stuck region of the pipe.

Abstract: A method for recovering hydrocarbons (e.g. oil) from a low permeability subterranean reservoir of the type comprised primarily of diatomite. A first slug or volume of a heated fluid (e.g. 60% quality steam) is injected into the reservoir at a pressure greater than the fracturing pressure of the reservoir. The well is then shut in and the reservoir is allowed to soak for a prescribed period (e.g. 10 days or more) to allow the oil to displaced by the steam into the fractures by imbibition. The well is then produced until the production rate drops below an economical level. A second slug of steam is then injected and the cycles are repeated with the volume of each subsequent slug of steam being progressively smaller that the one before it (i.e. about 80%) and the respective soak period being increased by about 20% over that of the previous cycle.

Abstract: Improved fluid loss control in gravel pack placement fluids is achieved when a fluid loss control additive is provided comprising a selectively soluble particulate having a size of less than 1000 microns and having a linear size distribution when cumulative weight percent is plotted against the logarithm of the particle size. The preferred selectively soluble particulate comprises calcium carbonate.

Abstract: An acid concentration is injected into a formation in a manner which slowly changes the salinity and pH of the rock matrix of the formation to significantly reduce the effects on clay particles or fines in the formation. The acid concentration comprises a plurality of fluids which are injected into the formation in a ramped or stepped sequence. More specifically, one or more of the fluids are ramped or changed while the total flow rate is maintained by varying the flow rate of a dilution fluid or fluids. The volumes of the fluids forming the acid concentration and the rate or rates at which the volume percents are ramped will vary depending on the matrix of the formation being treated.

Abstract: A method is provided for the stabilization and control of the two-phase flow of hot fluid containing water issuing from the top of an upwardly rising conduit or riser of a horizontal oil-production well. The fluid enters the bottom of the riser at a temperature higher than the saturation temperature of water at the conditions prevailing at the top of the riser. A first mass rate flow controller is coupled to a mass rate flow detector at the top of the well for controlling mass flow at a substantially constant rate over a short time interval. Signals indicative of the optimal flow rate for the process are input to a second controller. The second controller adjusts the mass flow rate setpoint of the first controller. The second controller has a time constant significantly longer than that of the first controller.

Abstract: A convertible mulching mowing deck is disclosed having an angled top profile with maximum height at a discharge hole plugged with a spring loaded plug, with the sidewall of the deck recessed outwards at the back edge of the discharge hole.