Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing a deposited layer on the inner surface of a fluid container wall having inner and outer surfaces are disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises (a) transmitting an acoustic signal from a transmitter at a first distance from the outer surface of the wall; (b) receiving a first received signal A, comprising a reflection from the wall outer surface; (c) receiving a second received signal B, comprising a reflection from the wall inner surface; (d) receiving a third received signal C from the wall inner surface; (e) calculating a coefficient Rwp from A, B and C, and (f) calculating a coefficient Rpd from A, B and Rwp, and calculating the acoustic impedance of the deposited layer Zd from Rwp, Rpd, and Zw, where Zw is the acoustic impedance of the material between the transmitter and the wall outer surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for preventing or reducing buildup of certain solids in a system or a conduit containing or conveying a fluid. The fluid can be a single phase liquid, such as a liquid hydrocarbon, or a multiphase fluid such as a mixture of several immiscible liquids, for example liquid hydrocarbon and water, plus a gaseous phase that may include hydrocarbon vapors as well as other gases, for example carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, etc. Preferably, the fluid is crude oil. The solids include all solids precipitating from fluids due to thermodynamically or chemical composition driven forces, as well as materials that can change phases. Preferably, the solids are solids typically dissolved in crude oil, such as higher paraffins, asphaltenes, hydrates, organic salts, and inorganic salts.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the presence of deposits or buildup on the inside wall of a fluid-containing pipe comprises a pair of acoustic transmitters outside of the pipe and spaced apart along the length of the pipe and capable of transmitting an acoustic signal into the pipe wall, a pair of acoustic receivers outside of the pipe and spaced apart along the length of the pipe and capable of receiving an acoustic signal from the pipe wall, and a power source for causing the transmitters to transmit a signal.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the presence of deposits or buildup on the inside wall of a fluid-containing pipe comprises a pair of acoustic transmitters outside of the pipe and spaced apart along the length of the pipe and capable of transmitting an acoustic signal into the pipe wall, a pair of acoustic receivers outside of the pipe and spaced apart along the length of the pipe and capable of receiving an acoustic signal from the pipe wall, and a power source for causing the transmitters to transmit a signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing a deposited layer on the inner surface of a fluid container wall having inner and outer surfaces are disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises (a) transmitting an acoustic signal from a transmitter at a first distance from the outer surface of the wall; (b) receiving a first received signal A, comprising a reflection from the wall outer surface; (c) receiving a second received signal B, comprising a reflection from the wall inner surface; (d) receiving a third received signal C from the wall inner surface; (e) calculating a coefficient Rwp from A, B and C, and (f) calculating a coefficient Rpd from A, B and Rwp, and calculating the acoustic impedance of the deposited layer Zd from Rwp, Rpd, and Zw, where Zw is the acoustic impedance of the material between the transmitter and the wall outer surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing a deposited layer on the inner surface of a fluid container wall having inner and outer surfaces are disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises (a) transmitting an acoustic signal from a transmitter at a first distance from the outer surface of the wall; (b) receiving a first received signal A, comprising a reflection from the wall outer surface; (c) receiving a second received signal B, comprising a reflection from the wall inner surface; (d) receiving a third received signal C from the wall inner surface; (e) calculating a coefficient Rwp from A, B and C, and (f) calculating a coefficient Rpd from A, B and Rwp, and calculating the acoustic impedance of the deposited layer Zd from Rwp, Rpd, and Zw, where Zw is the acoustic impedance of the material between the transmitter and the wall outer surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing a deposited layer on the inner surface of a fluid container wall having inner and outer surfaces are disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises (a) transmitting an acoustic signal from a transmitter at a first distance from the outer surface of the wall; (b) receiving a first received signal A, comprising a reflection from the wall outer surface; (c) receiving a second received signal B, comprising a reflection from the wall inner surface; (d) receiving a third received signal C from the wall inner surface; (e) calculating a coefficient Rwp from A, B and C, and (f) calculating a coefficient Rpd from A, B and Rwp and calculating the acoustic impedance of the deposited layer Zd from Rwp, Rpd, and Zw, where Zw is the acoustic impedance of the material between the transmitter and the wall outer surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a composition comprising: (A) at least one compound represented by the formulaRO--(R').sub.n R"X.sup.- Y.sup.+wherein: R is a hydrocarbyl group of from about 6 to about 24 carbon atoms; R' is ethoxy, propoxy or a mixture thereof; R" is a divalent hydrocarbyl group of 1 to about 20 carbon atoms; X is a sulfate, sulfonate or carboxylate group; Y is a cation; and n is a number in the range of 1 to about 20; (B) at least one polymeric thickener; and (C) at least one aldehyde. The invention also relates to the foregoing compositions provided in the form of aqueous concentrates or the form of dry or substantially dry compositions, and to a method of making such concentrates or dry or substantially dry compositions. The invention also relates to an enhanced oil recovery process using the foregoing composition to provide a low-tension, viscous waterflood.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for recovering oil from a subterranean formation comprising injecting an aqueous composition into said formation and displacing said oil toward one or more production wells, said aqueous composition comprising:(A) from about 0.05% to about 1.2% by weight of at least one compound represented by the formulaRO--(R').sub.n R"X.sup.- Y.sup.+wherein: R is a hydrocarbonyl group of from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms; R' is ethoxy, propoxy or a mixture thereof; R" is a divalent hydrocarbyl group of 1 to about 20 carbon atoms; X is a sulfate, sulfonate or carboxylate group; Y is a cation; and n is a number in the range of 1 to about 20; and(B) from about 0.02% to about 0.3% by weight of at least one polymeric thickener.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for recovering oil from a subterranean formation comprising injecting an aqueous composition into said formation and displacing said oil toward one or more production wells, said aqueous composition comprising:(A) from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of at least one anionic or amphoteric surfactant;(B) from about 0.02% to about 0.3% by weight of at least one polymeric thickener; and(C) from about 0.005% to about 0.1% by weight of at least one polymeric material having a flexible backbone and a higher polarizability than component (B).

Abstract: A composition is disclosed which comprises:(A) a compound represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently hydrocarbyl groups of from about 2 to about 24 carbon atoms; R.sup.3 is a trivalent hydrocarbyl group of from 1 to about 16 carbon atoms; R.sup.4 is CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O or a mixture thereof; X is SO.sub.3.sup.-, SO.sub.4.sup.- or COO.sup.- ; and Y is an alkali metal or ##STR2## wherein R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 are independently hydrogen or methyl; and n is a number ranging from zero to about 15; and(B) a compound represented by the formula R.sup.9 -(R.sup.10).sub.m A.sup.-D.sup.+wherein: R.sup.9 is a hydrocarbyl group of from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms; R.sup.10 is CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O or a mixture thereof; A is SO.sub.3.sup.-, SO.sub.4.sup.- or COO.sup.- ; D is an alkali metal or ##STR3## wherein R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for recovering petroleum from a subterranean reservoir penetrated by at least one injection well and at least one production well comprising: injecting into the reservoir through the injection well a surfactant slug comprising an aqueous solution containing about 0.001 to about 5% by weight of an amphoteric surfactant and an effective amount of a high molecular weight homopolysaccharide gum thickener derived from fungus strains of the genus Schlerotium to provide the surfactant slug with a viscosity exceeding the viscosity of the petroleum in the reservoir; and recovering fluid from the production well.