Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting impact of induced micro-fractures in a subsurface formation are disclosed. The method includes determining an unloading effective stress (?ul) in a formation sample taken from a wellbore drilled into the subsurface formation, determining a fracture closure stress (?cl) of the formation sample, determining that the unloading effective stress (?ul) is greater than or equal to the fracture closure stress (?ul), and in response to determining that unloading effective stress (?ul) is greater than or equal to the fracture closure stress (?ul), operating the well system to inhibit impact of micro-fractures in the wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for identifying a fluid and locations of the fluid in a formation of shale having porous kerogen material and an inorganic matrix defining pores and micro-fractures. The apparatus includes: a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating the shale; a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool disposed at the carrier and configured to perform NMR measurements on the shale, the NMR measurements include a spectrum of transverse relaxation times; and a processor configured to receive NMR measurements on the shale performed by the NMR tool and to identify the fluid and locations of the fluid in the shale using the spectrum of transverse relaxation times.

Abstract: Techniques for hydraulically fracturing a geologic formation include circulating a proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid into a wellbore that is formed from a terranean surface into a geologic formation within a subterranean zone that is adjacent the wellbore; fluidly contacting the geologic formation with the proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid for a specified duration of time; and subsequent to the specified duration of time, circulating a hydraulic fracturing liquid that includes proppant into the wellbore to fracture the geologic formation.

Abstract: An electrical relay system is configured to allow for failure detection of a relay by injecting a signal at a common contact of the relay and looking for the signal at a normally closed contact of the relay. If the relay is commanded to be “off,” or closed, and the injected signal is not detected through the normally closed contact of the relay, then the system can determine that a failure condition has occurred. In one aspect, the system can include multiple relays with the signal being injected at a common node of the relays. In another aspect, the system can include multiple controllers for controlling and/or monitoring the electrical relay system. The electrical relay system can be coupled to screw terminals for connecting to a field device as part of an industrial automation system.

Abstract: Herein methods and systems for determining matrix or grain density of a subsurface formation are described. This includes measuring in-air mass of a fluid-saturated sample of the subsurface formation, wherein the in-air mass comprises mass of matrix or grains of the sample, mass of a fluid surrounding the sample, and mass of the fluid inside the sample. The volume of the fluid inside the sample, V?, and volume of the fluid surrounding the sample, Vsur, are determined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The fluid-saturated sample can then be submerged in a predetermined volume of a weighing fluid and mass of the fluid-saturated sample without the surrounding fluid in the weighing fluid, mf is measured. Using the measured and determined values one can determine the volume of the sample without the surrounding fluid, Vc, the bulk density of the fluid-saturated sample without the surrounding fluid, ?b, the volume of the matrix, Vm, and the matrix or grain density of the subsurface formation, ?m.

Abstract: Herein methods and systems for determining matrix or grain density of a subsurface formation are described. This includes measuring in-air mass of a fluid-saturated sample of the subsurface formation, wherein the in-air mass comprises mass of matrix or grains of the sample, mass of a fluid surrounding the sample, and mass of the fluid inside the sample. The volume of the fluid inside the sample, V?, and volume of the fluid surrounding the sample, Vsur, are determined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The fluid-saturated sample can then be submerged in a predetermined volume of a weighing fluid and mass of the fluid-saturated sample without the surrounding fluid in the weighing fluid, mf is measured. Using the measured and determined values one can determine the volume of the sample without the surrounding fluid, Vc, the bulk density of the fluid-saturated sample without the surrounding fluid, ?b, the volume of the matrix, Vm, and the matrix or grain density of the subsurface formation, ?m.

Abstract: Herein methods and systems for determining matrix or grain density of a subsurface formation are described. This includes measuring in-air mass of a fluid-saturated sample of the subsurface formation, wherein the in-air mass comprises mass of matrix or grains of the sample, mass of a fluid surrounding the sample, and mass of the fluid inside the sample. The volume of the fluid inside the sample, V?, and volume of the fluid surrounding the sample, Vsur, are determined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The fluid-saturated sample can then be submerged in a predetermined volume of a weighing fluid and mass of the fluid-saturated sample without the surrounding fluid in the weighing fluid, mf is measured. Using the measured and determined values one can determine the volume of the sample without the surrounding fluid, Vc, the bulk density of the fluid-saturated sample without the surrounding fluid, ?b, the volume of the matrix, Vm, and the matrix or grain density of the subsurface formation, ?m.

Abstract: Techniques for hydraulically fracturing a geologic formation include circulating a proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid into a wellbore that is formed from a terranean surface into a geologic formation within a subterranean zone that is adjacent the wellbore; fluidly contacting the geologic formation with the proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid for a specified duration of time; and subsequent to the specified duration of time, circulating a hydraulic fracturing liquid that includes proppant into the wellbore to fracture the geologic formation.

Abstract: Described are pressure-sensitive adhesive polymers (PSAs) useful, for example, for application to the skin, such as in the field of transdermal drug delivery. The PSAs include polar groups modeled on one or more polar portions of skin lipids, which contribute to good skin adhesion properties. Methods of making the PSAs, compositions comprising them, and methods of making and using them also are provided.

Abstract: Described are pressure-sensitive adhesive polymers (PSAs) useful, for example, for application to the skin, such as in the field of transdermal drug delivery. The PSAs include polar groups modeled on one or more polar portions of skin lipids, which contribute to good skin adhesion properties. Methods of making the PSAs, compositions comprising them, and methods of making and using them also are provided.

Abstract: Herein methods and systems for determining matrix or grain density of a subsurface formation are described. This includes measuring in-air mass of a fluid-saturated sample of the subsurface formation, wherein the in-air mass comprises mass of the sample, mass of a fluid surrounding the sample, and mass of the fluid inside the sample. The volume of the fluid inside the sample, V?, and volume of the fluid surrounding the sample, Vsur, are determined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The sample can then be submerged in a predetermined volume of a weighing fluid and the mass of the fluid-saturated sample in the weighing fluid, mf is measured. Using the measured and determined values one can determine the volume of the sample, Vc, the bulk density of the sample, ?b, the volume of the matrix, Vm, and the matrix or grain density of the subsurface formation, ?m.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for identifying a fluid and locations of the fluid in a formation of shale having porous kerogen material and an inorganic matrix defining pores and micro-fractures. The apparatus includes: a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating the shale; a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool disposed at the carrier and configured to perform NMR measurements on the shale, the NMR measurements include a spectrum of transverse relaxation times; and a processor configured to receive NMR measurements on the shale performed by the NMR tool and to identify the fluid and locations of the fluid in the shale using the spectrum of transverse relaxation times.

Abstract: An electrical relay system is configured to allow for failure detection of a relay by injecting a signal at a common contact of the relay and looking for the signal at a normally closed contact of the relay. If the relay is commanded to be “off,” or closed, and the injected signal is not detected through the normally closed contact of the relay, then the system can determine that a failure condition has occurred. In one aspect, the system can include multiple relays with the signal being injected at a common node of the relays. In another aspect, the system can include multiple controllers for controlling and/or monitoring the electrical relay system. The electrical relay system can be coupled to screw terminals for connecting to a field device as part of an industrial automation system.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying a fluid and locations of the fluid in a formation of shale having porous kerogen material and an inorganic matrix defining pores and micro-fractures includes: a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating the shale; a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool disposed at the carrier and configured to perform NMR measurements on the shale, the NMR measurements include a spectrum of transverse relaxation times; and a processor configured to receive NMR measurements on the shale performed by the NMR tool and to identify the fluid and locations of the fluid in the shale using the spectrum of transverse relaxation times.

Abstract: Techniques for hydraulically fracturing a geologic formation include circulating a proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid into a wellbore that is formed from a terranean surface into a geologic formation within a subterranean zone that is adjacent the wellbore; fluidly contacting the geologic formation with the proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid for a specified duration of time; and subsequent to the specified duration of time, circulating a hydraulic fracturing liquid that includes proppant into the wellbore to fracture the geologic formation.

Abstract: A flow splitter distributes solid particles flowing in a fluid, such as coal particles flowing in air, through a piping system. The flow splitter includes a divider housing having an inlet configured to connect to an upstream pipe and having an outlet configured to connect to a plurality of downstream pipes, e.g., by way of a divider head. A divider body is mounted within the divider housing. A plurality of divider vanes is included, each extending from the divider body to the divider housing. The divider housing, divider body, and divider vanes are configured and adapted to reduce non-uniformity in particle concentration from the inlet and to supply a substantially equal particle flow from the outlet to each of the downstream pipes.

Abstract: A three-dimensional spine correction robot includes: a pillar, a seat, human body fixing belts, a head fixing apparatus, a bracket, pillar casing pipes, a spine lateral push-and-pull apparatus and a seat locking mechanism. The head fixing apparatus is fixed on the top of the bracket. The pillar casing pipes are movably sleeved over the pillar, and each pillar casing pipe is connected to a human body fixing belt. The lower end of the pillar casing pipe is connected to the seat, and the upper end is connected to the pillar. A first elastic connection object is connected between the pillar casing pipes. The spine lateral push-and-pull apparatus may move up and down along the pillar and swing. The seat is connected to the pillar through a bearing, and may move up and down along the pillar. The seat locking mechanism is fixed between the bracket and the seat.

Abstract: Described are pressure-sensitive adhesive polymers (PSAs) useful, for example, for application to the skin, such as in the field of transdermal drug delivery. The PSAs include polar groups modeled on one or more polar portions of skin lipids, which contribute to good skin adhesion properties. Methods of making the PSAs, compositions comprising them, and methods of making and using them also are provided.

Abstract: A system determines a volumetric fraction of oil in a formation penetrated by a borehole, the formation comprising an unconventional reservoir. The system includes a carrier configured to be conveyed through the borehole and a geochemical tool disposed at the carrier and configured to determine a mineral makeup of the formation and excess carbon not apportioned to any mineral of the mineral makeup, the excess carbon being associated with kerogen and oil in the formation. An NMR tool disposed at the carrier determines porosity of fluid in the formation, the fluid excluding the kerogen in the formation. A density tool disposed at the carrier determines bulk density of the formation, and a processor determines the volumetric fraction of oil in the formation based on the excess carbon, the porosity of the fluid in the formation, and the bulk density of formation.

Abstract: Described are pressure-sensitive adhesive polymers (PSAs) useful, for example, for application to the skin, such as in the field of transdermal drug delivery. The PSAs include polar groups modeled on one or more polar portions of skin lipids, which contribute to good skin adhesion properties. Methods of making the PSAs, compositions comprising them, and methods of making and using them also are provided.