Abstract: The invention provides a wellbore fluid which comprises an aqueous continuous phase and, dissolved in said aqueous continuous phase, at least one salt containing an imidazolium cation having at least 6 carbon atoms, and a method of carrying out a wellbore operation, which comprises introducing into a wellbore in a clay-containing formation, a wellbore fluid according to the invention. The described salts are effective shale inhibitors.

Abstract: The invention provides a wellbore fluid which comprises an aqueous continuous phase and, dissolved in said aqueous continuous phase, at least one salt which exists in a liquid state at a temperature below 150° C. and which has an ammonium, phosphonium or sulfonium cation containing at least 5 carbon atoms, or a quaternised nitrogen-containing heterocyclic cation containing at least 6 carbon atoms; provided that said salt is not 2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl ethanaminium acetate; and a method of carrying out a wellbore operation, which comprises introducing into a wellbore in a clay-containing formation, a wellbore fluid according to the invention. The described salts are effective shale inhibitors.

Abstract: A device for conditioning a fluid flow in a duct around an irradiating element such as an UV element, comprising means for generating multiple vortices in a fluid flow wherein the generating means comprises a flow conditioning body with an orifice, whereby the orifice shape is defined by an inner edge of the body arranged such that the distance from the centre of the orifice to the inner edge of the body varies substantially sinusoidally around at least part of the inner edge of the body.

Abstract: A method of increasing the fracture resistance of a low permeability formation that includes emplacing a wellbore fluid in a wellbore through the low permeability formation, the wellbore fluid comprising: a settable carrier fluid; and a solid particulate bridging material; increasing the pressure in the wellbore such that fractures are formed in the formation; allowing the settable carrier fluid to enter the fractures; bridging and sealing the mouths of the fractures to form a substantially impermeable bridge proximate the mouth of the fractures thereby strengthening the formation; and holding the increased pressure for an amount of time sufficient for setting of the carrier fluid in the fractures is disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, techniques for predicting, classifying, preventing, and remedying drilling fluid circulation loss events are disclosed. Tools for gathering relevant data are disclosed, and techniques for interpreting the resultant data as giving rise to an actual or potential drilling fluid lost circulation event are also disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, techniques for predicting, classifying, preventing, and remedying drilling fluid circulation loss events are disclosed. Tools for gathering relevant data are disclosed, and techniques for interpreting the resultant data as giving rise to an actual or potential drilling fluid lost circulation event are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of increasing the fracture resistance of a low permeability formation that includes emplacing a wellbore fluid in a wellbore through the low permeability formation, the wellbore fluid comprising: a settable carrier fluid; and a solid particulate bridging material; increasing the pressure in the wellbore such that fractures are formed in the formation; allowing the settable carrier fluid to enter the fractures; bridging and sealing the mouths of the fractures to form a substantially impermeable bridge proximate the mouth of the fractures thereby strengthening the formation; and holding the increased pressure for an amount of time sufficient for setting of the carrier fluid in the fractures is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a wellbore fluid which comprises an aqueous continuous phase and, dissolved in said aqueous continuous phase, at least one salt containing an imidazolium cation having at least 6 carbon atoms, and a method of carrying out a wellbore operation, which comprises introducing into a wellbore in a clay-containing formation, a wellbore fluid according to the invention. The described salts are effective shale inhibitors.

Abstract: The invention provides a wellbore fluid which comprises an aqueous continuous phase and, dissolved in said aqueous continuous phase, at least one salt which exists in a liquid state at a temperature below 150° C. and which has an ammonium, phosphonium or sulfonium cation containing at least 5 carbon atoms, or a quaternised nitrogen-containing heterocyclic cation containing at least 6 carbon atoms; provided that said salt is not 2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl ethanaminium acetate; and a method of carrying out a wellbore operation, which comprises introducing into a wellbore in a clay-containing formation, a wellbore fluid according to the invention. The described salts are effective shale inhibitors.

Abstract: An interferometer comprises a source of a light beam, and a beam splitter for splitting the light beam from the source into at least first and second beams. A first (reference) reflector is positioned in the path of the first light beam. A second reflector, comprising a convergent lens and a mirror, is positioned in the path of the second light beam following reflection from a target. At least one detector is provided for detecting fringes formed by interference of the first and second light beams following reflection from the first and second reflectors respectively.

Abstract: Display 100 has three adjacent display tiles 10, each having a mould plastics support 11, a glass panel 12 incorporating the OLED element and an interface pcb 17. These tiles 10 form part of a full-color advertising screen of dimensions 1.2 meter by 1.8 meter, used in indoor public places.

Abstract: A method of reducing the swelling of shale or clay encountered in a wellbore, the method comprising introducing into the wellbore a composition comprising: (a) a continuous aqueous phase; (b) a source of borate ions; (c) a source of ions selected from the group consisting of alkali metal ions, alkaline earth metal ions and ammonium ions; and (d) optionally a source of at least one sugar selected from the group consisting of monosaccharides and oligosaccharides having from 2 to 4 saccharide groups.

Abstract: Display 100 has three adjacent display tiles 10, each having a mould plastics support 11, a glass panel 12 incorporating the OLED element and an interface pcb 17. These tiles 10 form part of a full-color advertising screen of dimensions 1.2 meter by 1.8 meter, used in indoor public places.

Abstract: The technique of the present invention improves the viewability of a large display screen by using an antiglare screen arranged over a plurality of pixels. The anti-glare consists of a plurality of anti-glare elements (17) which have a surface facing the position from which the display is viewable (18). Each anti-glare element surface (18) is of substantially parabolic shape in order to effectively disperse light that is incident on the display screen.

Abstract: Three adjacent display tiles 10, each having a mould plastics support 11, a glass panel 12 incorporating the OLED element and an interface pcb 17.