Abstract: Apparatus and method of operation for controlling vehicular traffic entering or leaving a secured facility. The apparatus consists of a tire-puncturing spikes assembly, movable post assemblies, ditch/cover assemblies, fixed posts, a gate arm, and a safety hose & pressure switch assembly. Tire-puncturing spikes are mounted on a rotateable shaft imbedded in the roadway that will raise or lower the spikes in conjunction with the gate arm to control traffic. Movable posts can be raised or lowered to stop or permit traffic movement. Mechanically operated ditch covers can be opened to provide impassable traps for vehicles (or tanks). A gate arm operated in conjunction with the spikes will direct vehicles to stop before reaching raised spikes. A safety pressure switch and hose assembly is located immediately downstream of the spikes assembly and will automatically activate the entire apparatus into a "failsafe" mode if a vehicle passes over the hose while the spikes are in the raised position.

Abstract: A dry pellet dispensing device for installation on a well to chemically treat water drawn from the well. The device includes a pellet reservoir having two reversely inclined floor portions which direct the pellets toward a metering drum. The metering drum is mounted for rotation at an outlet end of the lower of the two floor portions. A plurality of pellet receiving indentations are spaced along the periphery of the metering drum. A drive motor rotates the drum which acts to capture a pellet in each of its pellet receiving indentations. Captured pellets are carried out of the pellet reservoir by the drum and released into a dispensing tube which directs them into the well. The drive motor is controlled by an adjustable interval timer that is responsive to the flow of water from the well.

Abstract: The permeability of higher permeability zones of a subterranean reservoir of heterogeneous permeability is reduced by injecting (1) an aqueous solution of a crosslinkable water-soluble polymer, a material capable under certain conditions of at least partially crosslinking the polymer to form a gelatinous precipitate, a water-soluble alkaline material in an amount sufficient to maintain the pH of the aqueous solution above the pH at which crosslinking occurs until the composition has passed a desired distance through the reservoir, and a water-soluble surface active agent; and (2) a gas mixture comprising an acid gas. A gelatinous foam forms in situ useful for blocking escape of fluids, both gaseous and liquid, into the higher permeability zones of the reservoir during enhanced recovery, typically by carbon dioxide flooding.

Abstract: A steam foam process for diverting steam within a subterranean reservoir and improving oil displacement is carried out by injecting into the reservoir a steam-foam-forming mixture comprising steam and a linear C.sub.25 -C.sub.30 -.alpha.-olefin sulphonate surfactant, and preferably a non-condensable gas.

Abstract: A three roller centralizer is expandable from a position with the rollers retracted to a position with the rollers extended to a larger diameter for remaining concentric in a hole being underreamed. A diagonal camming surface is fixed on the body above each such roller. An axially shiftable diagonal camming surface is mounted on a piston below each such roller. Application of hydraulic pressure on the piston squeezes the rollers outwardly toward their extended position. After the rollers are fully extended, the lower camming surface can travel further so that axially extending surfaces above and below each roller prevent collapse of the rollers toward the retracted position. Links pivotably interconnect the carrier for such a roller and the body and lower camming surface respectively for retaining the rollers. Such a link has an elongated opening so that the carrier can move along the diagonal and axially extending surfaces instead of being limited to a circular path.

Abstract: The derailleur is provided with a base member; a linkage mechanism including a support member, a pair of linkage members, and a movable member; and a chain guide having a guide sprocket and a tension sprocket. The support member is supported swingably relative to the base member through a first horizontal shaft, and the chain guide is supported swingably relative to the movable member through a second horizontal shaft. Also, first and second springs are provided between the base member and the linkage mechanism, and the movable member and the chain guide. The first and second springs balance with each other to set the position of the guide sprocket with respect to a selected particular rear chain gear. The spring force of at least one of the first and second springs is changed with respect to the other by the swinging motion of at least one of the linkage mechanism and the chain guide in excess of a predetermined angle, thereby yielding an optimum distance between the guide sprocket and the rear chain gear.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pipe wiper device and system for stripping fluid from the external surface of tubular articles being pulled from the wellhead of a well. The wiper device includes a container having a carriage movably mounted therein. A pair of wiper pad assemblies are carried by the carriage and movable inwardly and outwardly with respect to each other. A pair of opposed actuators are provided for moving the wiper pad assemblies inward and outward with respect to each other and the connection between the wiper pad assemblies and actuators is such that the wiper pad assemblies and carriage are movable perpendicular to the direction of actuation of the actuators thereby to accommodate sideways movement of the carriage. The actuators are operated by a system that automatically retracts the wiper pad assemblies responsive to rig standpipe pressure so that the wiper pad assemblies retract automatically during drilling.

Abstract: A process employing a polymer gel in oil recovery applications. A gel is prepared by mixing a single aqueous gelation solution at the surface made up of a chromium acetate complex crosslinking agent and a mixture of an acrylamide polymer and guar gum polymer. The solution is injected into a desired treatment region and gelled to completion in situ.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for making small-bore underground tunnels. It contains a working tube which can be advanced in the direction of the developing tunnel, and an excavating unit mounted in the working tube and having an excavating tool. The excavating unit is displaceable in the working tube. The excavating tool has a substantially smaller effective outside cross section than corresponds to the internal cross section of the working tube, and is mounted on the excavating unit so as to be displaceable in directions perpendicular to the working tube axis. Drive means serve for moving the excavating tube within a range of action whose maximum cross section, measured perpendicular to the working tube axis, corresponds at least to the outside cross section of the working tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting a bottom tool comprising a valve body having its lower end portion connected to a bottom tool and an upper end portion connected to a source of fluid under pressure, an elongated bore within the valve body, a valve member slidable within the bore and having a piston exposed to the fluid under pressure movable from a first position whereby the application of the fluid under predetermined pressure imparts longitudinal movement to the valve member to a second position whereby the valve member transmits the force of the fluid under pressure to the bottom tool, seals provided on said piston for preventing the fluid exerting pressure against said piston from flowing through the bore of said valve, and a packing medium provided in the bore intermediate the piston and the lower end portion of the valve body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cutter bit devices and more particularly to cutter bit devices of the type for detachable connection to a rotatable member such as an excavating wheel, chain cutter, cement saw or the like for various excavating operations as in road planing or scarifying, long-wall coal mining, sawing concrete or the like.

Abstract: An automatic fill-up floating apparatus usable in a float collar or a float shoe in a casing string. The apparatus includes a housing having a back check valve positioned therein. A spring biases the valve toward a closed position. A filling body is disposed across an opening at a lower end of the housing and includes a flow passage therethrough. The filling body is shearably pinned to a valve stem extending from the valve and has a holding position in which the valve is held in an open position. A resilient washer is annularly positioned around the valve stem and above the filling body. The washer is free to move upwardly in response to upward movement of flow through the flow passage in the filling body as the casing string is lowered into a well. The floating apparatus may be tripped by pumping fluid downwardly through the casing strings such that the washer is forced against the filling body, sealingly covering the flow passage therethrough.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are set forth for ascertaining and controlling the flammability of produced gas from an in-situ combustion enhanced petroleum production well whereby the produced oil is sampled, the produced gas is periodically sampled, the temperature, pressure and produced gas flow rate are sensed, and a moderant gas is added to the production well to avoid flammability when the sampled and sensed parameters indicate a flammability condition exists.

Abstract: A gelation system for reducing the permeability of a subterranean region is provided by sequentially injecting slugs of a polymer solution and a crosslinking agent solution capable of crosslinking the polymer. The viscosity of the crosslinking agent solution is adjusted to facilitate mixing of the slugs in the desired treatment region to a form gel therein and minimize premature gelation outside of the treatment region.

Abstract: A method of completing a production well for the recovery of gas from a coal seam is disclosed. The well is of the type having a casing cemented in the well and the method comprises the steps of providing perforations in the casing above and/or below the coal seam, and hydraulically fracturing the coal seam through the perforations in the casing.

Abstract: A method for modifying the injectivity profile of hydrocarbonaceous formations penetrated by at least one injection well and one production well which formation contains zones of varying permeabilities. Via this method, ball sealers are used to stop fluids from flowing through a zone of greater permeability while a zone of lesser permeability receives a temporary blocking agent. Thereafter, the ball sealers are removed and the zone of greater permeability is closed with a permanent blocking agent. Subsequently, the temporary blocking agent is removed and water flooding is reinstituted leading to improved oil recovery.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a linear impact ripper pivotally connected to a support frame and including an elongated torque tube or crossbeam having a pair of forwardly extending end plates pivotally mounting the crossbeam to the support frame. A pair of impactor mounting plates extend downwardly from the cross beam and position a linear reciprocating impact hammer therebelow. A pair of ripper shank mounting plates extend forwardly from the crossbeam to provide a pivot mounting for a ripper shank. The mounting frame transfers forces from the individual components into the crossbeam for effectively minimizing the transfer of shock forces from the ripper assembly to the vehicle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for completing a plurality of zones in a wellbore. A packer having a tubular element extending therethrough is suspended in a wellbore between two hydrocarbon-bearing zones of interest. The lower zone is perforated and stimulated if necessary. Thereafter, the tubular element is sealed with a plug which includes an explosive charge and the upper zone is fractured and stimulated. The explosive is then detonated thus severing the tubular element at the plug thereby permitting production of formation fluids from both zones into a common string of tubing.

Abstract: A side entry sub logging system has features for removing the cable should the drill pipe become stuck. A release sub is connected between the drill pipe and the side entry sub. A mandrel is carried in the side entry sub and extends into the release sub. Logging cable which passes through the side entry sub sidewall passage also passes through a passage in the mandrel. The mandrel will move between upper and lower positions. The connection between the side entry sub and the release sub will release when contacted by the mandrel in the lower position. This enables the side entry sub to be pulled straight upward, bringing along with it the cable. A plug dropped into the drill pipe from the surface blocks the passage through the mandrel, enabling fluid pressure to be applied to push the mandrel downwardly to actuate the connection between the release sub and the side entry sub.

Abstract: This invention contemplates a method of enhancing oil and/or gas recovery by properly drilling injection and production wells into a reservoir, incorporating flow control valves and sensors in both sets of wells, and connecting these valves and sensors to a surface computer. The computer compares the fluid flow data from the valves and sensors to a theoretical flow model of the reservoir to determine actual fluid flow paths in the reservoir. The computer then determines the optimum fluid flow rates and paths and adjusts the valve open-close patterns and settings accordingly, to force the reservoir fluid flows into those paths. The computer continually performs these operations so as to constantly provide maximum sweep efficiency and therefore optimum reservoir productivity. In conjunction with the above methodology, the densities and viscosities of the injected fluids can be varied so that they can assist with the vertical movement of fluids within the reservoir.