Abstract: A method and system for selecting fluids for compatibility with specified metals exposed to oil field environments. Metal specimens are tested for corrosion and/or cracking behavior by exposing them to fluids under stressful test conditions. The testing is conducted under variable temperature, pressure, pH, fluid density, metallurgical stress, additives, cover gases and combinations thereof. The results from the stress testing are stored in a database. The test results are evaluated using encoded logic embedded in software media. Fluid compatibility evaluation software, developed from the stress test results, is executed to determine the cracking susceptibility of metals exposed to fluids under stressful conditions. A cracking susceptibility index can be developed to provide a quantitative indicator of cracking susceptibility. Fluid recommendation reports utilize the cracking susceptibility index values to rank compatible fluids. The reports also list optional additives to be used with the fluids.

Abstract: A method of monitoring corrosion in a metal sample comprising applying a physical stress to one or more metal samples, placing the metal sample under stress in a sealed vessel, adding one or more fluids to the vessel, measuring the strain on the metal sample over a specified time interval, controlling the environment inside the vessel, calculating the rate of change of the strain measurement over the specified time interval, recording the rate of change of the strain measurement, calculating a moving average of two or more previously recorded rates of change of the strain measurement, and monitoring the moving average to detect damage to the metal sample.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting fluids for compatibility with specified metals exposed to oil field environments. Metal specimens are tested for corrosion and/or cracking behavior by exposing them to fluids under stressful test conditions. The testing is conducted under variable temperature, pressure, pH, fluid density, metallurgical stress, additives, cover gases and combinations thereof. The results from the stress testing are stored in a database. The test results are evaluated using encoded logic embedded in software media. Fluid compatibility evaluation software, developed from the stress test results, is executed to determine the cracking susceptibility of metals exposed to fluids under stressful conditions. A cracking susceptibility index can be developed to provide a quantitative indicator of cracking susceptibility. Fluid recommendation reports utilize the cracking susceptibility index values to rank compatible fluids. The reports also list optional additives to be used with the fluids.

Abstract: Additive compositions and aqueous drilling fluids which impart improved wellbore stability in drilling shale formations consisting essentially of one or more water-soluble high molecular weight polymers capable of forming relatively strong nucleophilic sites when treated with base and one or more potassium salts which have sufficient alkalinity to raise the pH of the resultant drilling fluid to above 9.0, but whose anions are relatively weak nucleophiles compared to the polymeric nucleophilic sites.

Abstract: An improved anchor structure for use with concrete railroad ties. A modular base plate is cast into the concrete tie with integral upwardly projecting shoulders extending from the base plate which complement it to present a seat to support a steel railroad rail. An anchoring portion is also integral with each shoulder and extends downwardly to anchor the device in the tie. The shoulder also presents an opening for receiving a retaining spring clip. A resilient rubber or fiber pad is disposed on the seat between the rail and the base plate. The pad is characterized by laterally projecting tabs which abut the bridging portion on either side to preclude lateral movement of the pad. The retaining spring clip engages the rail base and also has a leg projecting through the opening. A curvilinear portion of the clip complementally engages an arcuate segment of the briding portion while a second leg is disposed in a groove presented by the bridging portion.