Abstract:
A fairing device for the reduction of vortex-induced vibrations or motions and the minimization of drag about a substantially cylindrical element immersed in a fluid medium, comprising; a cylindrical element, a fairing rotatably mounted about the cylindrical element, the fairing comprising a shell with a cylindrical cross-sectional shape with an outer diameter (D) following the outer diameter of the cylindrical element from an upward stagnation point of 0 degrees to at least +/−90 degrees, and which at +/−90 degrees continues as two fin-like portions in an aft direction and defining a chord length (C), further comprising that the fin-like portions are convexly curved aft of +/−90 degrees thus tapering towards each other and defining a tail end opening or gap less than the fairing standoff height.
Abstract:
A pipe section for coupling to one or more pipe sections in order to form an elongate tubular. The pipe section has an optical fiber extending along a longitudinal axis of the pipe section and a waveguide disposed near one end of the pipe section and is in optical communication with the optical fiber to guide light in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
Abstract:
A system and method for producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface hydrocarbon-bearing formation. The system includes a production well, at least part of the production well located in a portion of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. A heating well is also provided, at least part of the heating well located in a portion of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation; wherein the heating well includes a main well and a plurality of smaller bore lateral wells extending into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. The smaller bore lateral wells improve heat distribution within the formation, and so fewer heating wells are required to achieve the same effect as using heating wells without smaller bore lateral wells.
Abstract:
The present invention provides, a method of controlling scale formation in a hydrocarbon producing system, comprising; (i) injecting nanoparticles into said system to function as nuclei for scale growth; (if) allowing scale growth to occur on said nanoparticles to produce nanoparticles comprising scale; and. (in) optionally recovering said nanoparticles comprising scale.
Abstract:
Reducing the diameter of a well bore has many advantages. To achieve this a subsurface well bore is provided comprising one or more expandable sleeve components, preferably expandable liners, each expandable sleeve component being fully overlapped by one or more non expandable sleeve component, preferably conventional liners, such that the interior of the well bore is cased entirely by non expandable sleeve components. In addition the through holes for downhole lines can be provided within the well head rather than the tubing hanger. As the tubing hanger does not need to provide space for through holes and associated mounting couplings, its diameter can be reduced, thus reducing the internal diameter of the well bore by several inches.
Abstract:
A method of assessing a hydrocarbon source rock candidate uses seismic data for a region of the Earth. The data are analysed to determine the presence, thickness and lateral extent of candidate source rock based on the knowledge of the seismic behaviour of hydrocarbon source rocks. An estimate is provided of the organic content of the candidate source rock from acoustic impedance. An estimate of the hydrocarbon generation potential of the candidate source rock is then provided from the thickness and lateral extent of the candidate source rock and from the estimate of the organic content.
Abstract:
There is described a technique for determining a temperature at a region below the surface of the Earth. In an embodiment, a time of travel of a seismic wave following the emission from a source into the earth is provided, and the travel time is used to estimate the temperature. In one example, a model based on the travel time and a further component, which may for example be based on heat flow and a constant of proportionality between seismic velocity and thermal conductivity, may be used to estimate the temperature.
Abstract:
A motion controller for a floating wind turbine with a plurality of rotor blades, is arranged to control a motion of the floating wind turbine in a yaw direction. The controller adjusts the blade pitch of each rotor blade so as to create a net force to control the motions. The controller includes a control action which is proportional to a yaw offset angle and/or a control action which is proportional to an integral of the yaw offset angle.
Abstract:
A gas compression system and a method of flow conditioning by a gas compression system are provided. A gas compression system includes a compact flow conditioner in a form of a flow conditioner tank and a combined multi-phase pump and compressor unit comprising an impeller configured to compress a mixture of gas and liquid, wherein the gas compression system is configured such that the gas and the liquid are separated in the flow conditioner tank, the separated gas and liquid are sucked up through the separate gas and liquid pipes and re-mixed again upstream of the impeller, and the liquid is distributed in a gas flow by Venturi effect, and wherein the Venturi effect is obtained by a constriction in the outlet pipe to the impeller, just upstream of the impeller.
Abstract:
A combined multi-phase pump and compressor unit and a gas compression system are provided. The combined multi-phase pump and compressor unit functions on a centrifugal principle for transporting liquid and gas from a flow conditioner to a remote multi-phase receiving plant, wherein a rotating separator separates liquid and gas upstream of a compressor part of the combined multi-phase pump and compressor unit, wherein the separated liquid is collected in a rotating annulus in such a way that the liquid is given kinetic energy which is converted to pressure energy in a static system, and wherein the pressurized liquid bypasses the compressor part of the combined multi-phase pump and compressor unit, and then is re-mixed with the gas downstream of the combined multi-phase pump and compressor unit.