Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for detection of hydrogen sulfide in downhole operations. A downhole tool is provided with a coupon adapted to react at varying degrees to exposure to concentrations of hydrogen sulfide. The downhole tool is positioned in the wellbore with the coupon(s) exposed to downhole fluids. A reaction to a change in the coupon, such as coloration, is used to determine the presence and concentration of hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: A downhole optical apparatus includes an LED source, reflectance and fluorescence detectors, a plurality of fibers, a dichroic mirror (DM), a beam splitter/coupler, a probe, a short-pass filter (SP), a dichroic long-pass filter (LP), and a lens. Source light filtered by the SP is fed to the DM which deflects light of desired wavelengths only. The deflected light is focused by the lens onto a fiber and is ultimately injected into an oil flow by the probe. Light reflected by oil or fluorescing therefrom is received by the probe, and split by the splitter. A small portion is received by the reflectance detector. A large portion is received by the lens and directed to the DM which deflects reflected light and passes light at longer fluorescing wavelengths. Passed light is further filtered by the DM and LP to eliminate remnants of the reflected light, and provided to the fluorescence detector.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of derivatives of halo-but-2-enoic acids and esters high in 2-ene content, several of which are novel. The esters and their derivatives are useful as promoters for the polymerization of ethylene or the copolymerization of ethylene with &agr;-olefins and, optionally, nonconjugated polyenes. The promoters can also be combined with transition metal compounds, e.g., vanadium, to form combination promoter-catalyst compounds.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for investigating formations surrounding a borehole involve acquiring a fluorescent signal over a portion of the borehole and analyzing the signal to detect the presence of crude oil. Analyzing the signal to detect the presence of crude oil may involve distinguishing mineral fluorescence from oil fluorescence. The signal may be analyzed further to distinguish characteristics of the crude oil, such as its grade (light, medium or heavy), and to indicate a physical property correlated with the fluorescence, such as the presence of laminations or formation permeability. In some embodiments, fluorescence signals from illuminating the portion of the borehole with at least two different wavelengths of light are analyzed.

Abstract: A polyolefin elastomer possessing a unique combination of properties, i.e., high molecular weight (Mw), high Mooney viscosity (ML1+4 at 125° C.), low polydispersity index (Mw/Mn) and low glass transition temperature (Tg), is obtained by a polymerization process employing a particular type of a metallocene catalyst. The polyolefin elastomer is useful for manufacturing a variety of products including rubber articles such as hoses, belts and moldings, polymer blends containing one or more other hydrocarbon polymers and lubricating oils in which the elastomer functions as a viscosity modifier. Also disclosed is a cocatalyst for activating the metallocene procatalyst employing a specific molar ratio of the components of the cocatalyst to the transition metal of the procatalyst.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of derivatives of halo-but-2-enoic acids and esters high in 2-ene content, several of which are novel. The esters and their derivatives are useful as promoters for the polymerization of ethylene or the copolymerization of ethylene with .alpha.-olefins and, optionally, nonconjugated polyenes. The promoters can also be combined with transition metal compounds, e.g., vanadium, to form combination promoter-catalyst compounds.

Abstract: A method of locating in situ hydrocarbons in underground formations comprises illuminating the borehole wall with light such as visible, infrared or ultraviolet light or combinations of these, from a source in a tool such as a wireline logging tool or an LWD tool, detecting any fluorescent radiation with a detector in the tool and analyzing the florescent radiation to determine the presence of hydrocarbon in the formation. The tool is moved through the borehole while irradiating the formation and detecting fluorescence. The borehole wall is illuminated and fluorescence detected through a window in the tool which is pressed against the borehole wall with sufficient force to displace any mudcake. The window is made of a wear resistant material such sapphire or diamond and is conveniently secured in a wear resistant housing which might be made of tungsten carbide or the like.

Abstract: Single point optical probes for measuring three-phase characteristics of fluid flow in a hydrocarbon well and methods of processing signals generated by the probe are disclosed. A single fiber optic probe is coupled to a light source and apparatus for detecting reflectance and fluorescence. Light is delivered to the tip of the probe where it exits the probe and illuminates the liquid ambient the probe tip or is internally reflected in the probe when gas is located at the probe tip. If the fluid at the probe tip is oil, the light exits the probe, illuminates the oil, and causes the oil to fluoresce. According to one signal processing method of the invention, the reflectance signal is binarized at a threshold to provide a gas/liquid quasi-binary signal which changes over time. A time fraction of the signal values is used to calculate the gas holdup.

Abstract: Single point optical probes for measuring three-phase characteristics of fluid flow in a hydrocarbon well and methods of processing signals generated by the probe are disclosed. A probe having a single fiber optic is coupled to a light source and apparatus for detecting reflectance and fluorescence. Light is delivered to the tip of the probe where it either is internally reflected in the probe or exits the probe and illuminates the fluid (liquid) ambient the probe tip. If the fluid at the probe tip is oil, the light exits the probe, illuminates the oil, and causes the oil to fluoresce. If the fluid is water, no fluorescence occurs. If the fluid is gas, at least some light is internally reflected in the probe. A detection system including at least one beam splitter and fluorescence and reflectance detectors is provided in conjunction with the probe. Preferably, the fluorescence detector is coupled to the fiber optic by a wavelength division multiplexer.

Abstract: A method of locating in situ hydrocarbons in underground formations comprises illuminating the borehole wall with light such as visible, infrared or ultraviolet light or combinations of these, from a source in a tool such as a wireline logging tool or an LWD tool, detecting any fluorescent radiation with a detector in the tool and analyzing the florescent radiation to determine the presence of hydrocarbon in the formation. The tool is moved through the borehole while irradiating the formation and detecting fluorescence. The borehole wall is illuminated and fluorescence detected through a window in the tool which is pressed against the borehole wall with sufficient force to displace any mudcake. The window is made of a wear resistant material such sapphire or diamond and is conveniently secured in a wear resistant housing which might be made of tungsten carbide or the like.

Abstract: A borehole tool analyzes the composition of gases flowing from a formation. The tool includes an optical fluid analyzer (OFA) and a gas analysis module (GAM). The OFA determines when fluid flowing into the tool has become substantially only gas. The gas is then diverted to the GAM, thereby avoiding the possibility of oil depositing itself on a optical window and interfering with a proper analysis. The GAM includes a near infrared ray light source, at least one photo-detector, a gas sample cell (or cells) having portions with different path lengths, each portion having an optical window, and fiber optics which direct light in first paths from the source to the sample cell, and from the sample cell to the photo-detectors. By providing cells with different path lengths, issues of dynamic range are obviated.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein n is 1, 2, 3, or 4;X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are each, independently, chlorine or bromine;A is O or S;R.sup.1 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.16 alkyl;R.sup.2 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.16 alkyl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.16 aryl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylidene, or CH.sub.2 OR.sup.5 ;R.sup.3 is hydrogen, chlorine, bromine, or OR.sup.6 ;R.sup.4 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.16 alkyl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.16 aralkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.16 alkenyl, or C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryl;R.sup.5 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.16 alkyl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.16 aralkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.16 alkenyl, or C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryl; andR.sup.6 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.16 alkyl.These compounds by themselves and in combination with certain halo-but-2-enoic acids and esters are useful as catalyst promoters in ethylene polymerization processes.

Abstract: A logging-while-drilling apparatus includes a source of exciting radiation, means for illuminating the borehole wall with the radiation and means for detecting radiation returning from the borehole resulting from illumination with the exciting radiation. A bottom hole assembly (BHA) incorporating such apparatus can comprise a drill bit, one or more stabilizers and one or more drill collars and the source and illuminating and detecting means can be located in one of these or distributed therebetween according to requirements. A window can be provided to allow illumination of the borehole and detection of returning radiation.