Abstract: An open water capture device comprising: a subsea collector and a subsea containment separator connected to the subsea collector, wherein the subsea containment separator comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer surface, a riser comprising a diffuser section, wherein the riser penetrates the bottom surface of the subsea containment separator, and a baffle, wherein the baffle defines a first concentric annular region and a second concentric annular region.

Abstract: A fluid level control system comprising a structure containing oil and water; a fluid off-take located on said structure; a flow controller fluidly connected to said fluid off-take; a sensor located on said structure and adapted to measure a property of said oil and said water; and a computer for interpreting a signal from said sensor.

Abstract: A fluid level control system comprising a structure containing oil and water; a fluid off-take located on said structure; flow controller fluidly connected to said fluid off-take; a sensor located on said structure and adapted to measure a property of said oil and said water; and a computer for interpreting a signal from said sensor.

Abstract: A method for separating a multi-phase fluid, the fluid comprising a relatively high density component and a relatively low density component, the method comprising: introducing the fluid into a separation region; imparting a rotational movement into the multi-phase fluid; forming an outer annular region of rotating fluid within the separation region; and forming and maintaining a core of fluid in an inner region; wherein fluid entering the separation vessel is directed into the outer annular region; and the thickness of the outer annular region is such that the high density component is concentrated and substantially contained within this region, the low density component being concentrated in the rotating core.

Abstract: A system for assuring subsea hydrocarbon production flow in pipelines by chilling the hydrocarbon production flow in a heat exchanger and causing solids to form, periodically removing deposits and placing them in a slurry utilizing a closed loop pig launching and receiving systems.

Abstract: A system for assuring subsea hydrocarbon production flow in pipelines by chilling the hydrocarbon production flow in a heat exchanger and causing solids to form, periodically removing deposits and placing them in a slurry utilizing a closed loop pig launching and receiving systems.

Abstract: A system for assuring subsea hydrocarbon production flow in pipelines by chilling the hydrocarbon production flow in a heat exchanger and causing solids to form, periodically removing deposits and placing them in a slurry utilizing a closed loop pig launching and receiving systems.

Abstract: A method for monitoring fluid properties with a distributed sensor in a wellbore having an inner surface, a top and a bottom comprising causing the distributed sensor to assume a helical shape, pulling the distributed sensor towards the bottom of the wellbore, while retaining the helical shape of the distributed sensor, feeding the distributed sensor into the wellbore so that the distributed sensor is in substantially continuous contact with the inner surface, and allowing the distributed sensor to become at least partially supported by friction at the inner surface.

Abstract: A method for monitoring fluid properties with a distributed sensor in a wellbore having an inner surface, a top and a bottom comprising causing the distributed sensor to assume a helical shape, pulling the distributed sensor towards the bottom of the wellbore, while retaining the helical shape of the distributed sensor, feeding the distributed sensor into the wellbore so that the distributed sensor is in substantially continuous contact with the inner surface, and allowing the distributed sensor to become at least partially supported by friction at the inner surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of transporting a produced fluid through a pipe while limiting deposits at a desired pipe inner-wall location comprising providing a pipe having an inner surface roughness Ra less than 2.5 micrometers at said desired pipe inner-wall location, forcing the produced fluid through the pipe, wherein the produced fluid has a wall shear stress of at least 1 dyne per centimeter squared at said desired pipe inner-wall location.

Abstract: A system for assuring subsea hydrocarbon production flow in pipelines by chilling the hydrocarbon production flow in a heat exchanger and causing solids to form, periodically removing deposits and placing them in a slurry utilizing a closed loop pig launching and receiving systems.

Abstract: Vibrations are created in a flow conduit by constraining a bluff object having a plurality of positions between which flow of fluid forces the bluff object. In a preferred embodiment, the vibration technique is utilized in a gravel packing tool. Gravel pack sand is placed while the gravel pack tool is vibrated by balls constrained within a wash pipe. A considerably improved gravel pack density is achieved.

Abstract: Vibrations are created in a flow conduit by constraining a bluff object having a plurality of positions between which flow of fluid forces the bluff object. In a preferred embodiment, the vibration technique is utilized in a gravel packing tool. Gravel pack sand is placed while the gravel pack tool is vibrated by balls constrained within a wash pipe. A considerably improved gravel pack density is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a subsea pipeline and method utilizing the pipeline wherein the loss of pipeline contents resulting from a break in the pipeline is reduced. The loss of pipeline contents is reduced by providing a plurality of traps in the pipeline. The traps each comprise at least two elevation changes in alternating directions. Any water entering the pipeline through a breach will only displace pipeline contents from the breach to the adjacent lower trap.

Abstract: A wash down placement of a screen into sand within a well borehole is improved by vibration of a wash pipe as the wash pipe is removed from the screen. A compacted sand gravel pack around the screen is achieved. The vibrations are created by constraining a bluff object having a plurality of positions between which flow of fluid forces the bluff object.

Abstract: A device having a large fluid drag tendency is lowered into a well at a rate which gives no net drag against the fluid. The condition of no net drag is indicated by the tension in a line used to lower the tool into the well. When the spool-off rate is such that this tension force is equal to or slightly exceeds the weight of the tool plus the weight of the line in the borehole the tool is moving at a speed equal to the average flow velocity in the well. This velocity may be determined by measurement of the spool-off rate.

Abstract: A permanent magnet motor for operation at elevated temperatures wherein the magnets are clamped to the motor shaft by means of high temperature plastic bushings. The bushings have a coefficient of thermal expansion that exceeds the coefficient of thermal expansion of the motor shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the vapor flow only, or the vapor and liquid flows into various formations surrounding a thermal injection well. The apparatus utilizes a downhole tool having bristles on its outer surface for impeding the flow of fluid past the tool and an instrument at the surface for measuring the drag force produced on the tool as it is moved downward and upward through the well. The fluid flows at various depths in the well are calculated from the measured drag forces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a continuous metal tube having a plurality of electrical conductors disposed therein, by using a spring member to depress the electrical conductors while a flat metal strip is formed into a tubular member and welded to enclose the electrical conductors. The spring member functions to protect the electrical conductors from heat damage. The welding occurs completely downstream of the spring member in order to avoid excessive heat buildup in the spring member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a continuous metal tube having a plurality of electrical conductors disposed therein, by using a spring member to depress the electrical conductors while a flat metal strip is formed into a tubular member and welded to enclose the electrical conductors. The spring member functions to protect the electrical conductors from heat damage. The welding occurs completely downstream of the spring member in order to avoid excessive heat buildup in the spring member.