Abstract: An acoustic sand monitor system includes an exciter assembly and a receiver that are configured to be coupled to an accumulator vessel. Separating equipment separates sand from a fluid stream produced by a well. The accumulator vessel collects the sand separated from the fluid stream. The exciter assembly causes vibrations of the accumulator vessel and the receiver measures audio signals generated by the vibrations of the accumulator vessel. A control system analyzes the audio signal to determine the amount of sand collected in the accumulator vessel.

Abstract: An optical strain gauge system measures strain on the exterior surface of a pipe to identify areas of wear on the interior surface of the pipe. The optical strain gauge system comprises an optical sensing interrogator and at least one optical fiber. The optical sensing interrogator comprises a light source and a light sensor. The at least one optical fiber includes fiber Bragg gratings along the length of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is arranged on the exterior surface of the pipe with the fiber Bragg gratings forming a two-dimensional array of points at which strain measurements are obtained. The two-dimensional array of strain measurement points provides an accurate assessment of the strains on the exterior of the pipe which can be used to identify areas of wear on the interior surface of the pipe.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for detecting the erosion and corrosion effects of solids during oil and/or gas production. An erosion corrosion detector (BCD) is positioned in fluid communication with a pipe in a production facility such that a sensor element of the BCD contacts at least a partial stream of produced fluid in the pipe. Changes in one or more physical measurement of the BCD and/or changes in pressure drop across the sensor element are monitored over time. The changes are interpreted to identify whether there is loss of materials (e.g., metal) in the production facility, quantify of this loss, and determine the mechanisms through which this loss is occurring. A control system can receive the change in the physical measurement and/or the pressure drop over time as input into a control strategy for controlling a well control valve to control a rate of production of well fluids.

Abstract: An optical strain gauge system measures strain on the exterior surface of a pipe to identify areas of wear on the interior surface of the pipe. The optical strain gauge system comprises an optical sensing interrogator and at least one optical fiber. The optical sensing interrogator comprises a light source and a light sensor. The at least one optical fiber includes fiber Bragg gratings along the length of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is arranged on the exterior surface of the pipe with the fiber Bragg gratings forming a two-dimensional array of points at which strain measurements are obtained. The two-dimensional array of strain measurement points provides an accurate assessment of the strains on the exterior of the pipe which can be used to identify areas of wear on the interior surface of the pipe.

Abstract: A wedge floatation device includes a bottom section and a sidewall positioned around a perimeter of the bottom section to contain a liquid within the wedge floatation device. The bottom section includes an outer portion and a plateau portion centrally positioned in the bottom section. The plateau portion is raised to a height above the outer portion and below a top edge of the sidewall. The plateau portion includes a groove that is substantially concentric with an outer perimeter of the plateau portion. The groove is designed to dampen the velocity of a liquid directed from the outer perimeter of the plateau portion to a center of the plateau portion. The bottom section further includes a transition portion extending between the outer portion and the plateau portion. The transition portion surrounds the outer perimeter of the plateau portion. The outer portion surrounds a perimeter of the transition portion.

Abstract: A wedge floatation device includes a bottom section and a sidewall positioned around a perimeter of the bottom section to contain a liquid within the wedge floatation device. The bottom section includes an outer portion and a plateau portion centrally positioned in the bottom section. The plateau portion is raised to a height above the outer portion and below a top edge of the sidewall. The plateau portion includes a groove that is substantially concentric with an outer perimeter of the plateau portion. The groove is designed to dampen the velocity of a liquid directed from the outer perimeter of the plateau portion to a center of the plateau portion. The bottom section further includes a transition portion extending between the outer portion and the plateau portion. The transition portion surrounds the outer perimeter of the plateau portion. The outer portion surrounds a perimeter of the transition portion.

Abstract: A method of determining solid particle surface energy includes placing solid particles in a container made of a very high surface energy material and pouring a liquid into the container. The method further includes tilting the container to drain out from the container a first subset of the solid particles floating at a top surface of the liquid and tilting the container to move the liquid away from a second subset of the solid particles that are below the top surface. The method also includes tilting the container to move the liquid back toward the second subset of the solid particles such that at least a portion of the second subset of particles floats at the top surface of the liquid and tilting the container to drain out from the container the portion of the second subset of the solid particles now floating at the top surface of the liquid.

Abstract: A method and system for handling viscous liquid crude hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method involves (a) solvent deasphalting at least a portion of an asphaltene-containing liquid crude hydrocarbon feedstock to form an asphaltene fraction and a deasphalted oil (DAO) fraction essentially free of asphaltenes; (b) adjusting the density of the asphaltene fraction to substantially the same density of a carrier for the asphaltene fraction; (c) forming coated asphaltene particles from the asphaltene fraction of step (b); (d) slurrying the coated asphaltene particles with the carrier; and (e) transporting the slurry to a treatment facility or a transportation carrier.

Abstract: A method of determining solid particle surface energy includes placing solid particles in a container made of a very high surface energy material and pouring a liquid into the container. The method further includes tilting the container to drain out from the container a first subset of the solid particles floating at a top surface of the liquid and tilting the container to move the liquid away from a second subset of the solid particles that are below the top surface. The method also includes tilting the container to move the liquid back toward the second subset of the solid particles such that at least a portion of the second subset of particles floats at the top surface of the liquid and tilting the container to drain out from the container the portion of the second subset of the solid particles now floating at the top surface of the liquid.

Abstract: A method and system for handling viscous liquid crude hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method involves (a) solvent deasphalting at least a portion of an asphaltene-containing liquid crude hydrocarbon feedstock to form an asphaltene fraction and a deasphalted oil (DAO) fraction essentially free of asphaltenes; (b) adjusting the density of the asphaltene fraction to substantially the same density of a carrier for the asphaltene fraction; (c) forming coated asphaltene particles from the asphaltene fraction of step (b); (d) slurrying the coated asphaltene particles with the carrier; and (e) transporting the slurry to a treatment facility or a transportation carrier.