Abstract: A polystyrene resin in foam form having a basis weight of less than about 20 g/100 in.sup.2 and a density of about 6 lbs./ft.sup.3 or less, the foam precursor of which is either a polystyrene having a melt index of about 8 or more or a polystyrene in combination with a minor proportion of any other material which will result in a melt index of about 8 or more. A method of forming such a polystyrene resin foam structure includes combining the resin in molten form under pressure with the blowing agent of at least approximately 100% carbon dioxide and extruding the mixture through a die into an atmosphere of reduced pressure to form the foam structure.

Abstract: An opaque, biaxially oriented polymeric label stock structue, of:(a) a thermoplastic polymer matrix core layer having a first surface and a second surface, within said core is located a strata of voids, positioned at least substantially within a substantial number of said voids is at least one spherical void-initiating particle which is phase distinct and incompatible with the matrix material, the void space occupied by the particle being substantially less than the volume of the void, with one generally cross-sectional dimension of the particle at least approximating a corresponding cross-sectional dimension of the void; the population of the voids in the core being such as to cause a significant degree of opacity;(b) a first high gloss medium density polyethylene skin layer adhering to the first surface of the core layer;(c) a second thermoplastic polymer skin layer adhering to the second surface of the core layer; and(d) an adhesive on the second surface of the thermoplastic skin layer.

Abstract: A metallized oriented film combination having a propylene polymer substrate with a high density polyethylene skin layer on at least one side thereof and a thin metal layer deposited on the surface of the high density polyethylene.

Abstract: A metallized film combination of an oriented polymeric substrate layer having on one surface thereof a coating of a blend of (a) a vinyl alcohol homopolymer or copolymer and (b) an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, the coating blend having a metal layer thereon. The method involves coating the substrate after the substrate has been machine direction oriented and before the combination is transverse direction oriented followed by TD orientation and finally by depositing a metal layer on the blend surface.

Abstract: A liquid membrane method for removing scale deposits wherein a novel chelating composition is utilized. The composition used in the external and internal aqueous phases of said membrane comprises an aqueous solution having a pH of about 8 to about 14, and an aminocarboxylic acid or polyamine chelant. Additionally, a catalyst or synergist is used in the external phase only. Preferred chelants comprise diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or alkali salts thereof. Anions of organic and inorganic acids comprise the catalyst used in the external phase. Catalysts which can be used include fluoride, oxalate, persulfate, dithionate, hypochlorite, formate, thio, amino and hydroxy acetate anions. When the solution containing the composition is contacted with a surface containing a scale deposit, the deposit dissolves substantially more scale quicker than heretofore possible.

Abstract: A sand consolidation method is provided for use in a borehole having an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated oil or gas reservoir which is likely to introduce substantial amounts of sand into the borehole and cause caving. After perforating the borehole's casing at an interval of the formation where sand will be produced, an aqueous silicate solution is injected into said interval. Next, a spacer volume of a water-immiscible hydrocarbonaceous liquid is introduced into the interval. Thereafter, a water-miscible organic solvent containing an alkylpolysilicate is injected into the interval. A permeability retaining silica cement is formed in the interval. Injection of the aqueous silicate and organic solvent containing an alkylpolysilicate is continued until the interval has been consolidated by the silica cement to an extent sufficient to prevent sand migration and thereby prevent caving.

Abstract: A pack of grocery sacks has releasable adhesive regions between contacting walls of adjacent sacks in order to insure the substantial opening of a following sack when a lead sack is removed from a rack supporting the pack.

Abstract: A non-symmetrically layered, highly opaque, biaxially oriented polymer film with a core containing numerous microscopic voids and at least about 1% by weight of opacifying compounds; a first skin layer on one surface of the core containing up to about 12% by weight of inorganic particulate material; and a second skin layer on the other surface of the core.

Abstract: A metallized film combination of an oriented polymeric substrate layer having on at least one surface thereof a coating of a blend of (a) a vinyl alcohol homopolymer or copolymer and (b) an ionic copolymer of ethylene and an ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid wherein at least 10% of the carboxylic acid groups are neutralized with an alkali metal ion; and the surface of said layer blend having a metal layer thereon and the method of coating the blend of (a) and (b) on the substrate after it is machine direction oriented, followed by transverse direction orientation and depositing a metal layer on the coating surface.

Abstract: A solvent stimulation process whereby a viscosity reducing agent is circulated through a horizontal well via a production string. Said agent exits the production string and enters an annulus formed by said string and a liner. Said agent diffuses into the reservoir at a pressure below the reservoir pressure. As said agent diffuses through the reservoir under the influence of a concentration gradient, it reduces the oil's viscosity and makes it mobile. Simultaneously, oil of reduced viscosity migrates into the well under a pressure drawdown influence. A pseudo steady state production rate is achieved when convective movement of the oil of reduced viscosity is exactly counterbalanced by the diffusional rate of the viscosity reducing agent in a stimulated radial zone along said well. This stimulates a large volume of oil through the extensive surface area of the wellbore thus producing increased volumes of hydrocarbonaceous fluids from the reservoir.

Abstract: A method for gravel packing a wellbore where a resin-coated sand or "gravel" is utilized. First, the wellbore is perforated at the productive interval in a manner sufficient to hydraulically fracture the formation. Afterwards, the formation is hydraulically fractured via a frac fluid containing a resin-coated sand. During this fracturing operation, a resultant fracture is propped with the resin-coated sand. The frac fluid is pumped down the wellbore until "screen out" occurs at perforations in the wellbore. The resin-coated sand is allowed to remain in the fracture, perforations, and wellbore until a permeable, porous consolidated mass is formed. After the mass has formed, excess consolidated sand is removed from the wellbore. When the formation is produced, formation solids are contained by the consolidated mass in the fracture and perforations.

Abstract: A method for limiting a downward growth of one or more vertically oriented fractures in a subterranean formation during a fracturing treatment. Initially, a first fracturing fluid with a known density is introduced into a formation having at least one fracture. The first fracturing fluid comprises a cross-linked gel composition sufficient to form a viscous gel in the fracture and also contains gel breakers. Thereafter, a second fracturing fluid is introduced into the fracture. This second fracturing fluid has a density lower than said first fracturing fluid. Additionally, the second fracturing fluid contains a proppant. The second fracturing fluid is continually introduced into the fracture thereby displacing the first fracturing fluid into a lower portion of the fracture where a substantially viscous gel forms.

Abstract: A metallized film combination of a polymer substrate at least one surface of which includes a maleic acid anhydride modified propylene homopolymer or copolymer, that at least one surface having a skin layer thereon of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer and said skin layer having an aluminum layer directly thereon.

Abstract: A method to prevent damage to a water-sensitive hydrocarbonaceous fluid-producing zone of a formation which is penetrated by a well which has a water-influx problem. A gellable petroleum mixture is injected into the well where it forms a solid hydrophobic gel in situ sufficient to temporarily close pores in the water-sensitive zone. The mixture is allowed to remain in the water-sensitive zone for a time sufficient to form a solid gel so as to preclude fluid entry into the water-sensitive zone. Afterwards, an aqueous based gel mixture is injected into the water-influx zone where it forms a solid hydrophilic gel which is substantially stable thereby precluding fluid entry into the well. Subsequently, the solid petroleum gel degrades at formation conditions and opens the water-sensitive zone to production of hydrocarbonaceous fluids. Thereafter, substantially water-free hydrocarbonaceous fluids are produced from the water-sensitive zone.

Abstract: A conduction heating, gravity assisted, single well, process for removing viscous hydrocarbonaceous fluids from a reservoir penetrated by a horizontal wellbore. Steam and a gas soluble in hydrocarbonaceous fluids are circulated into the wellbore at or below the reservoir pressure through an upper perforated conduit of the horizontal wellbore. Circulation is continued so as to allow steam to heat the reservoir by conductance while gas enters the hydrocarbonaceous fluids. Thus, heated hydrocarbonaceous fluids having a reduced viscosity flow from the reservoir around the horizontal wellbore where the fluids are produced to the surface by a lower conduit within the horizontal wellbore. The lower conduit is open along its length so as to be in fluid communication with the reservoir for the length of the horizontal wellbore.

Abstract: A well completion method is claimed for steam stimulation of a wellbore, either horizontal or vertical, where limited entry perforations are utilized. Limited-entry perforations of specified spacing and size are placed into a closed-end injection tubing. Steam is directed down the tubing and distributed through the perforations which act as steam chokes, under critical flow conditions, thereby causing uniform steam injection and uniform heating along a desired length of a horizontal wellbore.

Abstract: A method to improve the displacement efficiency of hydrocarbonaceous fluids from a formation where at least two horizontal perforated wellbores are utilized. One horizontal wellbore is placed at a lower level and another is placed at a higher level in said formation. Thereafter, a first displacement liquid immiscible with and having a density greater than hydrocarbonaceous fluids in said formation is injected into said lower horizontal wellbore. Afterwards, a second hydrocarbon immiscible displacement liquid having a density greater than said first liquid is injected into said lower wellbore. The second liquid displaces said first displacement liquid and hydrocarbonaceous fluids to said higher level in the formation. Subsequently, the displacing liquids and hydrocarbonaceous fluids are produced to the surface.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a conventional dessicant bed with means for removing residual mercury, H.sub.2 S and CO.sub.2 from a gas, such as a natural gas stream, by replacing an inert protective layer of pellets with an active compound comprising at least one of copper hydroxide, copper oxide and copper sulfide. The active compound provides the dessicant bed with the additional advantage of removing H.sub.2 S and CO.sub.2 as well as mercury from the gaseous fraction without incurring the pressure loss inherent in utilizing a separate downstream adsorbent bed for removing Hg.

Abstract: An oriented, multi-layer polymer film laminate having a core of isotactic polypropylene, an outside skin layer of isotactic polypropylene containing an anti-blocking agent and an inside heat sealable skin layer containing an anti-blocking agent and a coefficient of friction-reducing amount of a silicone oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermoplastic bag structures which are characterized by having a pair of carrying handles which are formed integrally with the bag walls, and extend upwardly from the open mouth portion of the bag. The configuration of the individual bag handles is such that there is reduced tendency for that portion of the handle which is in the user's palm, when such bags are loaded are carried, to curl into a small cross sectional area, commonly known as roping. Additionally, the individual bags are constructed so that when the bags are loaded and being carried by the user, the stress points around the bag mouth are distributed to areas which are less likely to rupture and tear as a result of stress concentration.