Abstract: Compositions and methods for tracking the transport of particulate solids during the production of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for completing wells and gravel packing an interval of a wellbore are provided. The methods include the steps of placing a perforated shroud having an internal sand screen disposed therein in the zone, and injecting particulate material into the annuli between the sand screen and the perforated shroud and the perforated shroud and the wellbore to thereby form packs of particulate material therein to prevent the migration of fines and sand with produced fluids. The perforated shroud has a flow-controlling means for restricting fluid movement between the casing/shroud and shroud/screen annuli during gravel packing. The flow-controlling means may be comprised of a material installed on a selected number of the shroud perforations which blocks or partially blocks fluid flow through the otherwise permeable wall of the perforated shroud during gravel packing.

Abstract: A open end wrench tool with a rotating wrench head having multiple openings of different sizes and a method of locking and releasing with a setting motion the rotating wrench head. A wrench tool that can be quickly changed to different sized wrench openings sized to fit hydraulic, oil, and water and fuel line fittings, generally known as AN (Air Force-Navy) fittings.

Abstract: Improved methods of coating dry proppant particles with a hardenable resin composition, suspending the coated proppant particles in a fracturing fluid and consolidating the proppant particles after being placed in fractures into high strength permeable masses are provided. As the fractures are formed, a liquid hardenable resin component is mixed with a liquid hardening agent component to form a hardenable resin composition. The hardenable resin composition is coated onto dry proppant particles conveyed from a source thereof to form resin composition coated proppant particles, and the resin composition coated proppant particles are suspended in the fracturing fluid.

Abstract: Subterranean formation treating fluid concentrates, treating fluids and methods are provided by the present invention. The treating fluid concentrates are basically comprised of water and a substantially fully hydrated depolymerized polymer. The treating fluids which are formed by adding water to the treating fluid concentrates are basically comprised of water, a substantially fully hydrated depolymerized polymer and a crosslinking agent for crosslinking the hydrated depolymerized polymer.

Abstract: A method of playing an object selection game (20), includes providing a set of objects containing a plurality of different individual objects, wherein each individual object has an order value in accordance with an ordering rule. A subset of the set of objects is dealt to a player in accordance with a dealing rule. A portion of the subset of objects is revealed to the player in accordance with a revealing rule. The player then selects any previously unselected object from the subset of objects in accordance with a selecting rule. After each selection, a terminating rule is used to test whether play shall stop, or whether additional objects are selected. The terminating rule stops play if objects are not selected in proper sequential order in accordance with the ordering rule. After play is stopped, a score is computed in accordance with a scoring rule. In preferred embodiments, the set of objects are playing cards, and a wager is placed on the outcome of the game.

Abstract: A quarter fender (10) is adapted to mount on a tractor (12) comprising an arcuate top panel (20), a bottom panel (22) that is wider than the top panel (20), and an attachment member (24); the top panel (20) being connected to the bottom panel (22) and secured at its convex back side (36) to the attachment member (24) such that the concave front side (34) of the top panel (20) is facing the front wheel (16) of the tractor (12); the attachment member (24) is further mounted to a step portion (68) of the tractor (12). The quarter fender (10) of the present invention prevents mud, debris and hard objects from being thrown upward and backward to soil or damage the cab (18) and tractor body (14).

Abstract: There is provided a method of treatment for disorders responsive to the modulation of KCNQ potassium channels by administering to a mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a 2,4-disubstituted pyrimidine-5-carboxamide derivative of the Formula I 1

Abstract: Subterranean formation treating fluid concentrates, treating fluids and methods are provided by the present invention. The treating fluid concentrates are basically comprised of water and a substantially fully hydrated depolymerized polymer. The treating fluids which are formed by adding water to the treating fluid concentrates are basically comprised of water, a substantially fully hydrated depolymerized polymer and a crosslinking agent for crosslinking the hydrated depolymerized polymer.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing aggregate data types, in accordance with the present invention, includes representing aggregate data types in a control data flow graph, by representing aggregate objects as operand nodes, and operations on the aggregate objects as operation nodes. One-dimensional bit vectors are formed for the operand nodes, by recursively traversing through fields of the aggregate data type associated with the aggregate objects. Read and write operation nodes are formed in the control data flow graph for representing language constructs for accessing the aggregate objects. The control data flow graph is mapped onto hardware.

Abstract: An optical sensor for monitoring a utility meter having a sweep hand indicator that moves over a meter surface of the utility meter. The optical sensor has a single infrared light emitter and two photo diodes detectors. The infrared light emitter is positioned at an angle with respect the meter surface and the sweep hand indicator of the utility meter so that the sweep hand indicator is illuminated from an angle to provide a shadow of the sweep hand indicator. The photo detectors detect changes in the intensity of light reflected on the sweep hand indicator and the background surface as well as the shadow of the sweep hand indicator. The two photo diode detectors are electrically coupled in series but in opposite directions relative to an output node, so as to cancel each other at the output node in normal operation. The passing of the sweep hand indicator changes the signal produced of each of the photo diode detectors at the output node, independently but in opposite directions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of stimulating fluid production from an unconsolidated formation penetrated by a wellbore while preventing the migration of formation sand with fluids produced from the formation. The methods basically comprise the steps of injecting a liquid composition into a portion of the formation surrounding the wellbore which converts into a gel-like substance and plugs the permeability of the injected portion of the formation, but allows the injected portion to remain flexible and resist breakdown due to pressure cycling therein, creating at least one fracture in the formation extending from the wellbore through the plugged portion of the formation into an unplugged portion thereof and depositing hardenable resin composition coated proppant in the fracture and causing the resin composition to harden and consolidate the proppant into a hard permeable mass.

Abstract: Methods of preventing the production of sand with fluids produced from a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore are provided. The methods basically comprise the steps of preparing a resin composition which delayedly forms a hardened open cell foam capable of allowing the passage of well fluids therethrough while screening and preventing the passage of formation sand and then placing the resin composition adjacent to the formation by way of the well bore.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation with a particulate laden fluid whereby particulate flowback is reduced or prevented while also providing a controlled release of a treatment chemical within the formation. The method includes the steps of providing a fluid suspension including a mixture of a particulate, a tackifying compound and a treatment chemical, pumping the suspension into a subterranean formation and depositing the mixture within the formation whereby the tackifying compound retards movement of at least a portion of the particulate within the formation upon flow of fluids from the subterranean formation and said tackifying compound retards release of at least a portion.

Abstract: Time and temperature integrating devices for providing a visually observable indication of cumulative thermal exposure are disclosed comprising (a) a substrate having thereon a thermally sensitive image-forming area comprising a combination of (i) an organic silver salt oxidizing agent and (ii) a reducing agent for the organic silver salt oxidizing agent, and (b) indicating indicia in association with the image forming area for indicating when the device has been exposed to a predetermined cumulative thermal exposure. In accordance with further embodiments of the invention, a process of applying such a device to a perishable product, and a perishable product having such a device applied directly thereto or to packaging thereof, are also disclosed. Time-temperature indicators in accordance with the invention undergo readily detectable changes can be easily optimized to match various rates of time-temperature dependent cumulative changes desired to be monitored for various products.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening perforations in a casing string. The casing string has a special casing section defining a plurality of holes therethrough. Rupturable ceramic discs or inserts are disposed in said holes and retained therein. The ceramic discs or inserts are adapted to withstand the fluid differential pressures normally present in the wellbore but are rupturable in response to impact by a mild explosive charge. The explosive charge is provided by detonating a length of det-cord disposed in the casing string adjacent to the holes in the special casing section. A method of perforating using this apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermographic imaging element comprises:(a) a support;(b) an imaging layer comprising:(i) a silver salt;(ii) a first reducing agent which has high activity with an activation energy of less than 10 Joules/sq.cm.; and(iii) a second reducing agent which has low activity with an activation energy of greater than or equal to 10 Joules/sq.cm.