Abstract: A well completion and servicing fluid comprising an aqueous solution of calcium chloride containing a viscosifier and zinc and/or zinc oxide as a weighting agent.

Abstract: An underwater storage structure comprising an internally segmented tetrahedron and/or hexahedron, said self supporting structure having a fluid impermeable covering and an internally segmented skeleton. The structure can be subdivided internally by fluid impermeable coverings allowing ballast, such as water or sand slurry or the like, to be utilized to counter the bouyancy of internal voids formed by the subdivisions of the structure.

Abstract: Tethered or bottom-ballasted offshore platforms preferably have a pyramidal configuration. Struts connect the apexes of a polyhedron configuration to form a triangle defining each face. The pyramidal configuration can be ballasted to the bottom in relatively shallow water. A hexadron configuration can be tethered in deep water with tension members and flotation members.

Abstract: Oil and water mixtures are separated in a gas flotation separator by passing the mixture downward in a vertically elongated portion, and then upward in a vertically elongated portion. A gas such as air is injected near the lower end of the upward flow leg of the separator. The gas is injected at a sufficient hydrostatic pressure to effect dissolving of a substantial portion of the gas in the liquid. The upflow leg has a chamber for oil flotation. Oil removal as well as water removal from respective layers is provided. The separation of oil and water is enhanced by both upwardly bubbling gas and exsolving gas.

Abstract: A coalescer is provided which separates dispersed liquid hydrocarbon phases from continuous liquid aqueous phases by increasing the size of the dispersed phase droplets using a variety of coalescing media, preferably in granular form. The coalescer must contain at least three sides; however any number of sides up to a circle can be used, and a circular cross-section is preferred. Untreated aqueous phase is drawn through the coalescer media, where the dispersed droplets increase in size. The dispersed droplets are coalesced to a sufficiently large degree to rise to the top of the coalescer against the downward flow of the continuous phase, said continuous phase being withdrawn from the bottom portion of the coalescer and the separated, previously dispersed phase withdrawn from the top of the coalescer.

Abstract: A submarine sand filter is employed to filter water for uses requiring lack of solid contaminants, such as oil reservoir injection. The filter is provided with backwash means and allows an efficient use of differential pressure heads.