Patent Reports Abstracts are provided of recently published patents that have been taken out by individuals and organizations throughout the world. Each abstract is accompanied by selected keywords that describe the subject matter of the patent. Readers wishing to obtain copies of any patent abstracted here

should contact the National Reference Library of Science and Invention, Holborn Division, 25 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London WC2, UK, or their own country's Patents Office. Butterworth Scientific Ltd do not undertake to supply copies of any patents they may abstract.

Placid shale weighting agent for water base drilling mud R. P. Haun, Eastland, Texas, USA US Patent 4 405 468 (20 Sep 1983)

A drilling mud comprising a slurry mixture of water, a gel viscosifier, and a dispersed clay as a weighting agent consisting essentially of chlorite, illite and kaolinite mineral components. The drilling mud has a solids concentration in the range of 1.5% to 7.27%, and the mineral components being present in the amount of chlorite 7%, illite 62%, and Kaolinite 31%. The clay is characterized by a specified analysis. Drilling mud, Weight, Clay

Pipeline spheres Assigned to General Descaling Co. Ltd, Nottinghamshire, UK US Patent 4 406 030 (27 Sep 1983)

A spherical pig the surface of which comprises discrete areas of abrasive material. The discrete areas are interconnected by channels formed in the surface, the channels permitting passage of liquid between the pig and a pipe in which the pig is moving. Pipeline, Removal of contaminants, Fouling

Oceanographic sensor system C. G. Weeks, Houston, Texas, USA US Patent 4 406 242 (27 Sep 1983)

The hydrographic swath surveying system uses an A-frame attached and projecting over the bow of a vessel and two or more catamarans for rotatably mounting a boom for rotation about an axis vertical to the boom. Two or more Kevlar lines extend from the apex of the A-frame to tow points on the boom above the point where the catamarans are attached. Two or more nylon lines are attached at one end to the tow points of the boom and on the other end to the side of the vessel such that the Kevlar and nylon lines act in conjunction to pull the boom along the vessels path. One or more transducers are mounted on the boom so as to rotate about an axis parallel to the water surface. Oceanography, Hydrography, Sensor

Method and apparatus for hydraulically controlling subsea equip- ment Assigned to FMC Corp, Chicago, III. USA US Patent 4 407 183 (4 Oct 1983)

The apparatus is for the remote individual control of a relatively large number of hydraulically-actuated operators using a smaller number of hydraulic lines between a surface control centre and a subsurface device containing the operators. The apparatus is connected to a source of hydraulic fluid pressure. A plurality of hydraulic AND-gates each have an output and a pair of inputs are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns. Control devices couple predetermined values of fluid pressure from the fluid source to first and second signals lines. The output of each of the gates is coupled to a corresponding one of the operators so that only one of the operators is pressurized at a time. Controls, Hydraulics, Underwater

Method for heat absorption from a sea bottom or the like Assigned to Forenade Fabriksverken, Eskilstuna, Sweden US Patent 4 407 351 (4 Oct 1983)

A method of heat absorption by means of a pipe conduit laid down on a sea bottom or the like, wherein heat from the bottom and the ambient water is emitted to a working fluid in the conduit. In order to prevent the conduit from floating up from the bottom due to ice-formation, one or more upper and lateral portions of the flow cross-section of the conduit are heat-insulated against the ambient water, so that ice-formation, if present, is restricted to the bottom side of the conduit to freeze it fast to the bottom. Heating, Sea bottom, Heat flow, Ice

Underwater excavator Assigned to The Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D.C. USA US Patent 4 408 405 (11 Oct 1983)

The underwater excavator for excavating a sensitive ordnance device comprises plural contiguous barrier wall members, wherein

each of the members consists of a covered rectangular framework of hollow conduit with upper and lower horizontal members. Each horizontal member comprises a part of the exterior barrier wall, with means to pump pressurized fluid through selected portions of the horizontal members and where selected horizontal members are fitted with multiple nozzles located along the underside through which is pumped pressurized fluid. A fluid driven jet pump eductor produces differential pressure within the confines of the excavator. Arrangements are included to remove suspended solids from the confines of the excavator so that the suspended solids are removed from the confines of the four barrier walls of the excavator by the differential pressure produced by pressurized fluid being pumped through the hollow conduit and into the jet pump eductor. Excavations, Underwater, Explosives

Generalized drifting oceanographic sensor S. E. Marshall, Slidell, La. USA US Patent 4 408 488 (11 Oct 1983)

The drifting sensor system has a variable buoyancy housing with an oceanographic sensor connected externally. Equipment contained internal to the housing processes and multiplexes the electrical signal from the sensor. The data output from the processing and multiplexing equipment is acoustically transmitted. The buoyancy of the housing is adjusted such that the sensor system drifts along a pre-programmed depth schedule. Sensor, Buoyancy, Control, Oceanography

Method and system for the testing and calibration of radioactive well logging tools Assigned to Mobil Oil Corp. New York, N.Y. USA US Patent 4 409 480 (11 Oct 1983)

The apparatus is for the calibration of a radioactive logging tool having an epithermal neutron detector and a thermal neutron detector. A steady-state neutron source is housed so as to permit the source to be placed surrounding the radioactive logging tool. A structure surrounds the housing to shield the neutron source from radioactive ground scattering effects. Neutron moderating elements surround the neutron source and the radioactive logging tool, whereby the epithermal neutron detector of the radioactive logging tool is exposed to epithermal neutrons directly from the neutron source and the thermal neutron detector of the radioactive logging tool is exposed to thermal neutrons from the moderating material. Welling logging, Radioactivity, Calibration

Fatigue gauge for drill pipe string Assigned to Conoco Inc, Ponca City, Okla. USA US Patent 4 409 824 (18 Oct 1983)

The apparatus for recording stress in a drill pipe which is to be lowered into and extracted from a well has a detector to detect stress in the drill pipe at a plurality of times and to generate electrical signals corresponding to the detected stress, each of the electrical signals representing an individual stress measurement. A recording apparatus is disposed in the drill pipe prior to the pipe being lowered into the well, to electronically retain digital signals to representative of the corresponding electrical signals until the pipe is extracted from the well. Drilling pipe or string, Fatigue, Measurement

Radially compliant acoustic line array hose Assigned to The Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D.C. USA US Patent 4 410 012 (18 Oct 1983)

The line array hose has a long cylindrical tube of soft, flexible thermoplastic material having high damping characteristics to provide low self-noise and radial compliance as the hose is towed through the water. A plurality of raised longitudinal ribs of a stiffer, harder thermoplastic material, bonded to the long cylindrical tube and spaced uniformly around the circumference thereof at a predetermined distance from each other, provide wear and cut-through resistance for the cylindrical tube in such a way as to maintain the high damping characteristics and radial compliance. Acoustic, Towed systems, Pipe

294 M a r i n e a n d P e t r o l e u m G e o l o g y , 1984, Vo l 1, A u g u s t

Patent reports

Method of drilling a productive bed U. D. Mamadzhanov, et al., Tashkent, U.S.S.R. US Patent 4 410 052 (18 Oct 1983)

Enhanced oil recovery Assigned to UOP Inc, Des Plaines, Ill. USA US Patent 4 411 802 (25 Oct 1983)

The method of drilling a productive bed in a well comprises the tapping of a bed roof and the use of a starting flushing fluid and the determining of the redox potential value of the productive bed rock. The improvement comprises altering the physical-chemical prop- erties of the starting flushing fluid leaving the well until they correspond to the physical-chemical properties of the productive bed rock, and altering the sign and value of the redox potential of the starting flushing fluid leaving the well until they correspond to the sign and value of the redox potential of the productive bed rock, and then introducing the changed starting flushing fluid back into the well. Drilling, Method

Method and apparatus for detection of insoluble sinking pollutants Assigned to The Administrator of Environment Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. USA US Patent 4 410 966 (18 Oct 1983)

A method for locating and mapping a pool of a pollutant in a body of water. The bottom of the body of water is scanned with ultrasonic energy using a transducer periodically pulsed to project pulse envelopes of acoustic energy downwardly to the bottom. Echo signals reflected upwardly from the bottom are received and precursor echo signals reflected upwardly from a reflective interface between the water and a pool of pollutant is detected as a precursor to a bottom echo signal and determines the presence of the pool of pollutant at the navigational position of the transducer as the process of scanning continues, and that position is marked. Pollution, Location, Apparatus, Method

Tool for inspecting the upper end of a string of casing set in the bottom of a body of water Assigned to Standard Oil Co. Chicago, III. USA US Patent 4 411 014 (18 Oct 1983)

A method of inspecting the connector on the upper end of a string of casing set in the floor of a body of water. An inspection tool is attached to the lower end of a string of drill pipe, the tool having a cylindrical housing, a radiographic film carried by the housing, and a radiographic source. The inspection tool is lowered so that the cylindrical housing surrounds the connector and the radiographic source is activated. Finally the inspection tool is retrieved and the results examined. Drilling pipe or string, Inspection, Connectors, X-ray

Fluid sealing assembly for a marine riser telescopic slip joint Assigned to Hydril Co, Los Angeles, Calif. USA US Patent 4 411 434 (25 Oct 1983)

A fluid sealing apparatus adapted for use in a slip joint of a marine riser. The slip joint has relative reciprocating inner and outer tubular members, which form a portion of the contained fluid flow path provided by the marine riser and which telescopically move relative to the other member to compensate for variations in effective riser length. The fluid sealing apparatus includes a seal housing adapted to be secured to one of the tubular members for operably positioning that housing relative to the other of the tubular members, the housing having an annular recess disposed adjacent the other of the tubular members. Offshore engineering, Petroleum exploration, Slip joints

Underwater wellhead connector Assigned to NL Industries Inc, New York, N.Y. USA US Patent 4 411 454 (25 Oct 1983)

The apparatus for connecting to a wellhead structure has a first female body defining a first receptacle opening generally upwardly and a first guide is connected to the first female body and is engageable with the wellhead structure for at least gross positioning of the first female body with respect to the wellhead structure. A second female body has a bore defining a second receptacle opening generallY/upwardly and downwardly, and is engageable with the t~rst body w~th the receptacles in substantial coaxial alignment. A second guide is connected to the second body and is engageable with the first body with the receptacles in substantial coaxial alignment. A second guide is connected to the second body and is engageable with the wellhead structure for at least gross positioning of the second body with respect to the wellhead structure. Compensators interconnect one of the female bodies with the respective one of the guides for substantial but limited lateral movement of the one female body with respect to the one guide. Fine positioning components are cooperative between the female bodies for positioning those bodies with the receptacles in substantial coaxial alignment. Wellhead, Connectors, Underwater

A process for enhanced oil recovery from a reservoir of oil by injecting into the reservoir an aqueous surfactant slug to enhance displacement of the oil from the reservoir. The slug comprises from about 1 to about 10 weight percent of a neutralized sulfonate of powdered coal prepared by: grinding a coal source to a particle size in the range of from about 5 to about 200 Tyler standard mesh, and treating the ground coal with a sulfonating agent selected from the group consisting of sulphur trioxide and sulfuricacid at a temperature in the range of from about ambient to about 5O°C to produce a sulfonated powdered coal. The sulfonated powdered coal is neutralized by adding an alkaline component at 50°C to about 75°C for a period of time to raise the pH of the sulfonated powdered coal to in excess of 7 to produce a neutralized sulfonated powdered coal. Extraction, Oil, Productivity

Method and device with adjustable focusing for measuring the electric resistivity of geological formations Assigned to Institut Francais du Petrole, RueiI-Malmaison, France US Patent 4 412 180 (25 Oct 1983)

In this method of measuring the electrical resistivity of geological formations traversed by a borehole, a main electric current is transmitted into these formations from a central electrode, and focusing currents are transmitted from at least two guard electrodes symmetrically located on opposite sides of the central electrode. The central and guard electrodes are positioned in the borehole. The values of the guard electrode currents and potentials, and the central electrode current and potential are processed in a predetermined functional manner to obtain the electrical resistivity of the defined geological formation. Geology, Petroleum exploration, Formation evaluation techni- ques Digital induction logging tool including a floating point A/D convertor Assigned to Schlumberger Technical Corp, Houston, Texas, USA US Patent 4 412 207 (25 Oct 1983)

A floating point analog-to-digital convertor for converting an input analogue signal into floating point digital signals, each digital signal having a digital code representative of the exponent of a floating point number and a digital code representative of its magnitude. The convertor includes a voltage-to-frequency convertor for generating a digital clocking signal having a frequency proportional to the magnitude of the input analogue signal, and a comparator for generating a count direction control signal according to the instantaneous polarity of the analogue input signal. An up-down counter responsive to the count direction control signal counts up or down in response to clock pulses generating elements of the digital clocking signal during a predetermined time period. A shift pulse counter counts the number of shift pulses applied to a shift register, the count in the shift pulse counter forming the exponent of the floating point digital signal. Well logging, Petroleum, exploration, Tools

Reach rod grouting system Assigned to Oil States Industries Inc, Arlington, Texas, USA US Patent 4 412 759 (1 Nov 1983)

The system is for use in an offshore marine pile and pile guide structure, generally in an upright orientation when installed in place, with piling driven into a bed at the bottom and an above water platform at the top. A pile guide sleeve is adapted to receive a pile driven therethrough with an annulus formed between the sleeve and its pile. A seal is set in place low in the annulus; and a flood valve is connected through a fluid passage to the interior of the annulus above the seal. A reach rod structure includes hollow piping, with the piping lower end connected to the flood valve for controlled actuation of the flood valve between open and closed valve positions. A grout supply system includes a grout feed line connected to the annulus, wherein hollow piping of the reach rod structure is part of the grout feed line. Piling, Structure, Offshore

Assisted oil recovery with use of fermentation fluids Assigned to Institut Francais du Petrole, RueiI-Malmaison and Rhone-Poulenc Industries, Paris, France US Patent 4 412 925 (1 Nov 1983)

The process utilises an aqueous composition suitable for direct use in waterflood oil recovery processes, which comprises a clarified and stabilized fermentation fluid containing at least one bactericidal agent. The clarified and stabilized fermentation fluid is obtained by culturing a polysaccharide-producing microorganism in an aqueous culture medium to produce an aqueous culture containing dissolved polysaccharide therein. The resultant aqueous culture is then clarified and stabilized, the clarification being effected by centrifuga-

M a r i n e a n d P e t r o l e u m G e o l o g y , 1984, Vo l 1, A u g u s t 295

Patent reports tion/filtration, and the stabilization by introducing therein at least one bactericidal agent. The resultant clarified and stabilized fermentation fluid containing at. least one bactericidal agent is then recovered. The aqueous composition is obtained without precipitation and recovery of a solid polysaccharide and dissolution thereof in an aqueous medium. Oil, Extraction, Bacteria

Method of locating potential low water cut hydrocarbon reservoirs Assigned to Mobil Oil Corp, New York, N.Y. USA US Patent 4 413 512 (8 Nov 1983)

In this method for identifying potential low water cut hydrocarbon reservoirs in a geological formation having significant water saturation, a length of a borehole through the formation is traversed with a logging tool, to generate a first set of signals representing the formation water saturation. From the first set of signals, the water saturation of the formation along the length is determined. The formation rock at a level at which water saturation is significant is sampled and the surface area of the sampled formation rock is measured by nuclear magnetic resonance. The irreducible water saturation is determined and plotted with the log determined water saturation of the formation at the level to produce a log which can be compared to identify a level at which the irreducible water saturation approximates or exceeds the corresponding log determined water saturation as a potential region where hydrocarbons may be produced without significant attendant water production. Well logging, Hydrocarbon, Reservoir

Method of cementing a well bore using a fluid loss additive Assigned to Hughes Tool Co, Houston, Texas, USA US Patent 4 413 681 (8 Nov 1983)

A method of cementing a well bore using a mixture of a hydraulic cement, water in an amount to produce a pumpable slurry, and a fluid loss additive comprising the reaction product of a polyamine compound selected from the group consisting of polyalkylenepoly- amines, polyalkylenimines, and mixtures thereof, and a high molecular weight sulfonated polymer. The sulfonated polymer has a molecular weight in the range of 500,000 to 8,000,000. The cement slurry is pumped to the desired location in the well bore, and allowed to harden to a solid mass. Cement, Polymers, Hydraulics

Compositions for depolluting fresh water and salt water bodies Assigned to Snamprogetti, S.p.A., Milan, Italy US Patent 4 414 333(8 Nov 1983)

The composition is adapted to depollute out crude oil, petroleum products and their derivatives. The composition contains phosphor- us and slow-release nitrogen in a form which can be assimilated by aquatic micro-organisms capable of metabolizing hydrocarbons. The composition consists essentially of soybean lecithin as said phosphorus source, and as said nitrogen source a nitrogen source selected from the group consisting of spermidin, butyl hydantoinate and butyl allantoinate. Freshwater, Sea water, Pollution/oil

Downhole well tool and anchoring assembly Assigned to Gearhart industries Inc, Forth Worth, Texas, USA US Patent 4 415 029 (15 Nov 1983)

The downhole chemical cutting tool has a chemical section adapted to contain a chemical cutting agent and a cutting section in fluid communication with the chemical section and also has cutting ports for the discharge of chemical cutting agent. The tool is adapted to be inserted into a wellbore and anchored at a downhole location therof. A slip array comprising a plurality of slip segments having serrated outside gripping surfaces is slidably disposed on the peripheral surface of an elongated slip shaft and pivotally mounted at one end to slip actuation members. Down-hole tools, Cutting, Chemical

Offshore drilling of large diameter holes in rock formations Assigned to Raymond International Builders Inc, Houston, Texas, USA US Patent 4 415 045 (15 Nov 1983)

A method of drilling large diameter holes in a rock outcropping of uneven surface configuration on a sea bed, in which a form is positioned on the rock outcropping and a hardenable fluid substance is poured into the form so that the substance forms itself to the contours of the outcropping and attains a flat upper surface. After

hardening the flat upper surface of the hardened substance is drilled to form a guide to hold the drill against lateral deflections which might otherwise occur when it encounters the underlying rock outcropping. Offshore engineering, Drilling, Method

Method for determining source, and receiver statics in marine seismic exploration Assigned to Mobil Oil Corp, New York, N.Y. USA US Patent 4 415 997 (15 Nov 1983)

A method for seismic exploration at a marine exploration site having an anomalous near surface low velocity layer below the water bottom. A marine seismic detector cable is deployed along a seismic exploration line for which seismic reflection signals travelling to said seismic detector cable pass through a near surface low velocity layer. A marine seismic monitor is deployed at a distance remote from the detector cable such that the first energy received at the monitor consists of seismic refraction signals which have passed through the velocity layer. A first seismic energy is generated at an offset distance from the detector cable so as to produce a first seismic signal which travels downward into the earth, is refracted through the earth, and travels upward through the low velocity layer to intersect the seismic detector cable in a generally orthogonal direction, whereby the first seismic signal, as received by the detector cable, includes a receiver statics component attributable to the low velocity layer. A second seismic energy is generated so as to produce a second seismic signal which travels downward through the low velocity layer into the earth, is (1) refracted through the earth and detected by the remote seismic monitor, the refracted second seismic signal including a source statics component attributable to the low velocity layer and (2) reflected from the earth and detected by the seismic detector cable at the same time the refracted second seismic signal is detected by the remote seismic monitor. Exploration, Seismic

Method and column for collection and separation of oil, gas and water from blowing wells at the sea bed O. C. Ostlund, Ovre Stokkavei 21, Stavanger, Norway US Patent 4 416 565 (22 Nov 1983)

A balancing column for collecting and separating gas, water and oil flowing from an underwater well head. The column has a vertically arranged column, with ballasting units for lowering the column over the well head in a vertical position. The column has a closed upper end and an open lower end, supporting the column on the sea bed. An oil accumulator in the lower and middle portion of the column dissipates the kinetic energy of an upflowing oil-gas mixture. A gas accumulator in the upper end of the column accumulates gas as it separates from the oil-gas mixture. Two valves equalize the hydrostaticpressure inside and outside the lower edge of the column resting on the sea bed to provide a positive engagement between the column and the sea bed. The first valve discharges oil from the oil accumulator and the second valve discharges gas from the gas accumulator at predetermined rates for the equalization. The positive engagement between the column and the sea bed is maintained by these arrangements to prevent a breakout of the sea bed below the column. Wellhead, Damage, Seabed

Method and apparatus for recovering raw material, especially uranium, from natural waters, especially from the sea Assigned to Kernforschungsanlage Julich GmbH, Jutich, Fed. Rep. of Germany US Patent 4 416 860 (22 Nov 1983)

A method of concentrating a trace material such as uranium dissolved in a body of water having a bottom and having a layer with a natural current by accumulation of the trace material on the surface areas of carrier bodies are discharged into the body of water at a discharge station positioned in spaced relation to the bottom of the layer; and allowed to sink through a layer while being transported horizontally by the current. The trace material is accumulated on the exposed surface areas of the carrier bodies by adsorption as the carrier bodies sink and are transported by the current. The carrier bodies are intercepted before they reach the bottom by collecting the carrier bodies downstream of the discharge station after the carrier bodies have sunk through at least a portion of the layer. The trace material is removed from the carrier bodies after the carrier bodies have been collected, and the carrier bodies are returned upstream to the discharge station for subsequent discharge to again absorb trace material. Uranium, Extraction, Sea water

296 M a r i n e a n d P e t r o l e u m G e o l o g y , 1984, Vo l 1, A u g u s t