Abstract: A method is provided for inhibiting the formation of hydrates in streams containing low-boiling hydrocarbons and water. The method includes adding to the stream a component of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are independently chosen from the group consisting of normal and branched alkyls having at least 4 carbon atoms,and X is N--R.sub.4, wherein R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and organic substituents andY.sup.- is an anion. The amount added is an amount that is effective to inhibit formation of hydrates in the mixture at conduit temperatures and pressures. The preferred R.sub.4 is an alkyl or alkenyl having from eight to twenty carbons, and the preferred R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are alkyls having four to six carbon atoms.

Abstract: A subsea pipeline leak is located by: (1) introducing sonic energy into the line; (2) deploying an array of hydrophones in the vicinity of the line; (3) knowing the orientation of the array; processing the signals from the array so as to identify the location of the sonic anomaly at the pipe rupture created by the sonic energy introduced into the pipe.

Abstract: Geophones are placed around pipelines to detect third parties, e.g., heavy construction vehicles. Associated computer equipment acquires data from the geophones and discriminates for the frequencies associated with heavy construction vehicles.

Abstract: A hydrophone mount for use in a marine seismic cable having a central core, such mount comprising: a first housing portion having first and second apertures, first and second edges, and a cavity adapted for holding a hydrophone; a second housing portion having first and second apertures and first and second edges, the first and second housing portions being sized and shaped so that the first and second housing portions can be positioned adjacent to the core to form a housing around the core with the first edge of the first housing portion interlocking with the first edge of the second housing portion, the second edge of the first housing portion interlocking with the second edge of the second housing portion, and the first and second apertures of the first housing portion axially aligning respectively with the first and second apertures of the second housing portion; and a first member positioned in the aligned first apertures and a second member positioned in the aligned second apertures.

Abstract: A hydrophone assembly for use in a marine streamer cable comprising a housing adapted to be mounted in the cable, such housing having a cavity containing a moldable material, an acoustic energy transducer positioned in the moldable material and a rigid body positioned adjacent to the housing such that the rigid body covers a portion of the cavity.

Abstract: Solid wax-containing material deposited on pipeline walls, well tubing, etc., are removed by contacting the deposited wax with a mixture of a dispersant-type surfactant and light hydrocarbon at ambient temperatures.

Abstract: A marine seismic cable comprising a cable core, a housing adapted for holding an acoustic energy transducer, and a body of elastic material positioned between the cable core and the housing.

Abstract: A pipeline pig is provided having a restricted fluid bypass channel which serves to bring fluid from the back of the pig to its front, the fluid agitating and suspending discrete solids such as sand or rust, or commingling with scraped paraffinic and asphaltic deposits accumulated by the pig as it moves through the line, thereby preventing the buildup of a solid bed or plug of sufficient thickness or viscosity in front of the pig so as to cause the pig to partially collapse and ride over it or to become stuck.

Abstract: A gel plug of vegetable oil, fatty acid, a particulate filler such as calcium carbonate, and an optional base and/or polymer is employed during construction of an offshore pipeline to separate a gas-filled portion of the pipeline from a water-flooded portion, and to facilitate control and movement of a gas/gel plug/water interface as desired to assist in construction operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for maintaining polymer particles in readily recoverable, discrete form, and for injecting the particles into a pipeline hydrocarbon by disposing particulate polymer within a storage hopper having a cone bottom and an auger extending upwardly from the bottom, rotating the auger to cause the polymer particles to revolve in the hopper, reversing the rotation of the auger to pass polymer particles downwardly into a mixing chamber below the hopper, the particles passing through a rotary metering valve, or optionally, a bin activator, intermediate storage and rotary metering valve at the upper end of the chamber, simultaneously spraying a liquid such as oil or water tangentially in the chamber optionally agitating the chamber and removing a slurry of particulate polymer and the liquid from the chamber and injecting the slurry into a pipeline hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A hydrophone mounting in a cavity of the hydrophone cable and a method of mounting the hydrophone. The cavity which is provided in the hydrophone cable may be constructed so that it is free-flooding, that is, the construction allows the liquid in which the hydrophone cable is submerged to completely surround the hydrophone. The cavity serves to insulate the hydrophone from movements and perturbations to the cable so that the hydrophone response is not distorted by these sources of noise.

Abstract: A decoupling apparatus for isolating a towed marine streamer from noise transmitted from the tow vessel. The decoupling device comprises a fluid spring positioned in the tow cable with changes in the spring constant being minimized by controlling the fluid pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for maintaining polymer particles in readily recoverable, discrete form, and for injecting the particles into a pipeline hydrocarbon by disposing particulate polymer within a storage hopper having a cone bottom and an auger extending upwardly from the bottom, rotating the auger to cause the polymer particles to revolve in the hopper, reversing the rotation of the auger to pass polymer particles downwardly into a mixing chamber below the hopper, the particles passing through a rotary metering valve, or optionally, a bin activator, intermediate storage and rotary metering valve at the upper end of the chamber, simultaneously spraying a liquid such as oil or water tangentially in the chamber optionally agitating the chamber and removing a slurry of particulate polymer and the liquid from the chamber and injecting the slurry into a pipeline hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A gel plug is employed during construction of an offshore pipeline to separate a gas-filled portion of the pipeline from a water-flooded portion, and to facilitate control and movement of the gas/gel plug/water interface as desired to assist in construction operations.

Abstract: A viscous liquid core in less viscous liquid annulus pipe flow with less viscous liquid in viscous liquid emulsions is created without the injection of additional less viscous liquid by establishing a sufficiently high shear rate, but not to exceed a certain value, for a sufficiently long time in pipe flow to break the emulsion and create a less viscous liquid rich zone near the pipe wall, thus reducing the flow pressure drop.

Abstract: Water employed for the pipeline transmission of an oil core inside a water annulus is conserved by continuously recycling the water either for further use as a core flow fluid or for use in oil production.

Abstract: A marine seismic cable comprising a core; a housing coupled to the core and having a cavity adapted for holding a hydrophone, the cavity being located on a first side of the housing; elastic material positioned in the cavity and extending beyond the boundary of the cavity, a hydrophone positioned in the elastic material in the cavity; and a rigid plate positioned adjacent to the elastic material.