Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an explosion proof enclosure by providing expandable or extendible enclosure wall, side, top, or bottom sections which allow the explosion to be contained internally without the enclosure erupting or the enclosure bursting.

Abstract: A method for determining drilling fluid losses or gains by providing a drilling fluid, measuring a plurality of supply parameters of the drilling fluid, delivering the drilling fluid to a subsurface drilling operation, the subsurface drilling operation providing a returns drilling fluid, measuring a plurality of returns parameters of the returns drilling fluid, and determining change in composition, or loss of or gain of drilling fluid from a comparison between the supply parameters and the returns parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for visual observation and measurement of aggregated, granular and floating or suspended particles samples, which are gravitationally separated is disclosed. The first part of apparatus is the horizontally focused binocular microscope with vertical positioning. The second part of the apparatus is the revolving test tube holder with vertical positioning and rubber ring for soft tube position fixing. The process is consisting in horizontal focusing on the visual sample analyzing it in liquid. The difference from conventional process of sample analyzing is that in vertical position the gravitationally separated fractions of the sample will be not disturbed during the analysis and study of the sample. This will make possible both to study the micro-granulometry samples under horizontally focused binocular microscope and to use different liquids for gravitational separation of particles and granules without contaminating the environments and degrading working conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for measuring the formation gas pore pressure in drilling cuttings samples in a container. The Apparatus includes vertical holder for container, for placing the cutting sample and pipette for adding measurable quantity of liquid. The container may be vibrated to facilitate separation by grain size. The process includes measuring the gas bubbles size and volume in the test tube and the height of liquid covering the bubble. The volume and the pressure of the gas emitted out of the pores is calculated. By adding/subtracting liquid and/or pressure to the sample and increasing/decreasing the height and the pressure of the liquid on the pore, the test is repeated and the measurements documented in the tables for math processing to obtain the error corrections and standard deviation of the measurements. The results are expressed in Emission=V/P=mm3/Pa, Total Volume=V=mm3, Maximum Pressure=P=Pa.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mini core in drilling samples accumulated in the cups by sample catcher. It allows the explorations to obtain high resolution formation evaluation on drilling cuttings samples. The mini core apparatus includes a narrow tubular with a piston or cap. The thin wall tubular is rotated and/or vibrated and pressed in to the cup with wet sample of drilling cuttings. The piston or cap is placed after the desired depth of sample is reached and the vacuum is re-established. The core is pulled out from the cup and then analyzed within the tubular or squeezed out on a flat tray for horizontal analysis. The micro layering can be visually separated, before they are mixed as in conventional sample and the information is lost.

Abstract: Apparatus and probe for non-polarized contacts for resistivity measurements in drill cuttings. At least two probes having a highly conductive shell from non-corrosive metal in form of pipe and a wood and/or other fine channeled thread (grained) water filled that will be conductive when it is wet.

Abstract: Floating bubble jar gas dryer include a container floating in glycol on top of input gas sample pipe. The gas flow pressure regulates the depth of sinking of the floating container in the drying liquid (glycol for water). Small holes at the bottom of the floating container disperse the gas into the liquid where the diffusion process absorbs the moisture from the gas sample.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for measuring the granulometry separations in discrete media and unconsolidated sediments for relatively small sample quantities (5 cc containers of drilling cuffings) is disclosed. A small diameter glass tube may be filled with a small amount of sample, and water added. After shaking and placing it vertically, the larger, denser particles will settle near the bottom. Particle size will tend to decrease in size towards the top. Placing the tube near an array of sensors may perform a quantitative analysis such as sonic, gamma and optical sensing. One or more sensors are slowly moved past the tube and digitized readings be recorded. The collected readings are interpreted by the quantity and sizes of particles and by their distribution. The results may be presented in various ways and used to calculate the environmental index of energy of accumulation and to quantify the relative permeability of a potential reservoir.

Abstract: We disclose an apparatus and process for measuring the Formation Gas Pore Pressure in drilling cuttings samples in the test tube. The Apparatus consist of vertical holder for test tube, for placing the cutting sample and pipette for adding measurable quantity of liquid. (Note: “vertical holder for test tube and test tube” are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/711,435 Horizontal Binocular Microscope for vertically gravitated and floating samples). The process consist in measuring the gas bubbles size and volume in the test tube and the height of liquid covering the bubble. This we can calculate the volume and the pressure of the gas emitted out of the pores. By adding/subtracting more liquid to the sample and increasing/decreasing the height and the pressure of the liquid on the pore the test is repeated and the measurements documented in the tables for math processing to obtain the error corrections and standard deviation of the measurements.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for pumping drilling fluid (mud) containing drill cuttings, comprising a centrifugal pump with screw pump accelerator. The screw pump creating positive pressure for centrifugal pump inlet to increase performance. The screw pump mud level fluctuations are compensated by the vertical screw pumping unit. Adjusting the elevation of pump will adjust the quantity of mud pumping, which is not possible with ether one pump alone. Air is allowed to mix with the mud in the centrifugal pump to create air bubbles to decrease density of the mixture and decrease the head pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for analyzing the continuous flow of drilling cuttings in real time on a surface while drilling employs a set of sensors placed around an analyzer tube and main auger or within the main auger related to the formation with a defined space-time shift. The method includes measuring the sample to obtain specific properties related to physical and petrophysical parameters of this formation (radiation, resistivity, inductivity, density, elasticity, others). Obtained signals are conditioned and digitized in order to derive the desired discrimination in target properties, such as rock type, porosity, density, and oil saturation. An expanding auger, with a hollow end adapted to receive a sensor tube in which the sensors or sources may be placed, is adapted to rotate or circulate a discrete media about the sensors.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for centrifugal pump with screw pump accelerator and reverse vane impeller adapted for use in sample collection from drilling fluid containing drill cuttings.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mini core in drilling samples accumulated in the cups by sample catcher. It allows the explorations to obtain high resolution formation evaluation on drilling cuttings samples. The Mini Core apparatus consists of narrow tubular with a piston or cap. The thin wall tubular is rotated and/or vibrated and pressed in to the cup with wet sample of drilling cuttings. The piston or cap is placed after the desired depth of sample is reached and the vacuum is reestablished. The core is pulled out from the cup and then analyzed within the tubular or squeezed out on a flat tray for horizontal analysis. The micro layering can be visually separated, before they are mixed as in conventional sample and the information is lost.

Abstract: The apparatus and process for Centrifugal Pump with screw pump accelerator consisting from Centrifugal type pumping unit FIG. 1 (1.1), to which in central part is added a screw pump FIG. 1 (1.2). The centrifugal motion is horizontally oriented on vertical axle, FIG. 1 (1.3) and on the same axle below is placed the screw pump with vertical motion orientation FIG. 1. Screw pumping unit, creating positive pressure for centrifugal pump, pumps up the liquid/drilling mud. This positive pressurizing is increasing the pump performance. The mud level fluctuations are compensated by vertical screw pumping unit. Adjusting the level of pump will adjust the quantity of mud pumping, which is not possible with ether one pump. The airflow from the top opening FIG. 1 (1.8) is mixing with liquid/mud pumped creating air bubbles. This density of the mixture is decreased and the head pressure decreased.

Abstract: We disclose an apparatus and process for washing and drying and treating the drilling samples with different liquids and air or vapours. The apparatus consisting from a container with liquid supply inlet and a processed compound discharge. In this container are placed a drum of 6 dual or more screen assemblies in which the top screen is filled with sample. The liquid is sprayed in the container from the top in the each screen assembly and the air is blown from underneath. The drum is attached to a micro-vibrator which is applied the mechanical or/and ultrasonic vibrations to the drum and the samples. The combination of liquid-air mixture with vibration action saves washing time and liquid spent. After the sample is washed the liquid is drained in recycling cleaner. The drying of the sample is achieved by the hot air blowing from underneath the drum into the sample screen. The desired temperature is controlled automatically.

Abstract: We disclose an apparatus and process for measuring the granulometry separations in discrete media and unconsolidated sediments for relatively small sample quantities (5 cc containers of drilling cuttings). A small diameter glass tube may be filled with a small amount of sample, and water added. After shaking it and placing it vertically, the larger, denser particles will settle near the bottom. Particle size will tend to decrease in size towards the top. Placing the tube near an array of sensors may perform a quantitative analysis. These include but are not limited to sonic, gamma and optical sensing. One or more sensors are slowly moved past the tube and digitized readings be recorded. The collected readings are interpreted by the quantity and sizes of particles and by their distribution. The results may be presented in various ways.

Abstract: We disclose an apparatus and process for measuring the continuous flow of drilling cuttings in real time on surface while drilling. Using combination of methods and measurement apparatuses we obtaining the set of signals. The apparatus consists of the set of sensors that are placed around the analytical tube and main auger (sampling screw conveyor), obtained set of signals combination is related to the same formation with defined space-time shift. Sources of specific emissions or fields are also used. The process consists of measuring the sample to obtain specific properties related to physical and petrophysical parameters of this formation (radiation, resistivity, inductivity, density, elasticity, others). Obtained signals are passed to signal conditioning and digitizer. Using computer data processing on data and applying the parametrical dependencies and functionalities one skilled in arts can derive the desired discrimination in target properties, as rock type, porosity, density, and oil saturation.

Abstract: We disclose an apparatus and process for mini core in drilling samples accumulated in the cups by sample catcher. It allows the explorations to obtain high resolution Formation Evaluation on drilling cuttings samples. The process is assuming implementation of samples collected by Sample Catcher as the one described by author in patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,026 B1 May 14, 2002. The Mini Core apparatus consists of narrow cylinder with a piston. The thin wall cylinder is rotating by hand and pressed in to the cup with wet sample of drilling cuttings. The piston is placed after the desired depth of sample is reached and the vacuum is re-established. The core is pulled out from the cup and then squeezed out on the flat tray for horizontal analysis. The micro layering can be visually separated, before they are mixed as in conventional sample and the information is lost.

Abstract: We disclose an apparatus and process for measuring the Formation Gas Pore Pressure in drilling cuttings samples in the test tube. The Apparatus consist of vertical holder for test tube, for placing the cutting sample and pipette for adding measurable quantity of liquid. (Note: “vertical holder for test tube and test tube” are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/711435 Horizontal Binocular Microscope for vertically gravitated and floating samples). The process consist in measuring the gas bubbles size and volume in the test tube and the height of liquid covering the bubble. This we can calculate the volume and the pressure of the gas emitted out of the pores. By adding/subtracting more liquid to the sample and increasing/decreasing the height and the pressure of the liquid on the pore the test is repeated and the measurements documented in the tables for math processing to obtain the error corrections and standard deviation of the measurements.

Abstract: We disclose an apparatus and process for visual observation and measurement of aggregated, granular and floating or suspended particles samples, which are gravitationally separated. The first part of apparatus is the horizontally focused binocular microscope with vertical positioning. The second part of the apparatus is the revolving test tube holder with vertical positioning and rubber ring for soft tube position fixing. The process is consisting in horizontal focusing on the visual sample analyzing it in liquid. The difference from conventional process of sample analyzing is that in vertical position the gravitationally separated fractions of the sample will be not disturbed during the analysis and study of the sample. This will make possible to study the micro-granulometry samples under horizontally focused binocular microscope. Microgranulometry is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/710,840 Aug. 05, 2004 by the author.