Abstract: Gels stable in a subterranean formation at a temperature greater than about 175.degree. F. are formed using, inter alia, a stabilizing agent (e.g., a buffer having a buffering capacity at a pH of at least about 8 and/or a chelating agent).

Abstract: Hydrocarbon production from a low permeability formation is increased by fracturing a production interval in the formation and restricting the release of pressure from the fracture to lengthen the time that the reservoir pressure remains above the fracture collapse pressure.

Abstract: A method for fracturing formations near a shallow horizontal well notches a wellbore at orientations such that later applied hydraulic pressure generates fractures only in preferred directions.

Abstract: A tube turning tool allows laterals to be drilled and completed without the need for articulated bending tools, underreaming, high fluid pressure, or a separate running of completion tools. The turning tool uses a rigid bent pipe section capable of being run downhole within many standard diameter well tubulars, supported in a desired position, and bending coil tubing at an ultra short radius of curvature as it is being run into the wellbore so that it can jet drill a lateral. After jet drilling a lateral, the lateral can also be completed using the coil tubing, e.g., gravel packed by pumping a slurry through the coil tubing while withdrawing the tubing from the lateral.

Abstract: Additives are usually diluted before they are added to a geothermal brine processing stream. It has been found that one preferred diluent is the conditioned steam condensate produced after power generation in the geothermal plants. One class of additives beneficially diluted by the conditioned steam condensate are crystal structure modifiers. When it is diluted with the steam condensate, the heat-sensitive crystal structure modifier is prevented from being degraded by the heat of the brine so that when blended with the geothermal brine the crystal structure modifier can perform its function of inhibiting the precipitation of alkaline earth salts.

Abstract: The perforations of a pre-perforated tubular are plugged with interior protruding, mostly hollow plugs which temporarily seal the perforations. The plugs are capable of withstanding a significant pressure differential and, when combined with an insert, forming a flotation cavity containing a buoyant fluid. The temporarily sealed tubular is then run into a wellbore, the tubular is set, and the plugs are unsealed. The unsealing is preferably accomplished by drilling out the interior protruding portions. Solid baffles may also be placed in the string to limit buoyant fluid loss in the event of premature unsealing in another embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: A process for cyclically operating injection and withdrawal wells penetrating contaminated zones. A high flowrate portion of the cycle time preferably does not exceed a transient response period for in-situ formation fluids to achieve a quasi-steady state conditions. A low flowrate portion of the cycle time limits fluid flowrate which allows in-situ formation fluids to at least partially return to the zone affected by the high flowrate portion of the cycle. The cyclic operation produces improved remediation when compared to continuous operation of wells at similar operating conditions.

Abstract: A power production process integrates geothermal steam and fossil fuel energy sources to give a higher energy efficiency than is normally obtained when using these energy sources individually. Geothermal steam is partially diverted from a steam turbine and injected into a combustion turbine. Although the steam turbine output is reduced by the diversion of steam, the plant efficiency and total plant output are improved.

Abstract: Recovery of cerium values from fluoride-containing ores such as bastnasite is enhanced. The ore is ground, roasted, and leached with dilute hydrochloric acid to produce an ore concentrate. The concentrate is treated with a solution of hydrochloric acid and boric acid to solubilize cerium values and convert fluoride to tetrafluoroborate ion. Tetrafluoroborate is removed from the solution, e.g., by precipitation, and the solution is further processed for recovery of cerium values. Removal of tetrafluoroborate avoids loss of cerium as insoluble cerium tetrafluorborate during said further processing.

Abstract: A continuous vapor sensor is assembled within a partially open protective enclosure which restricts (but does not exclude) the entry of liquid and means for excluding liquid from a portion of the enclosure, such as a non-wetting attachment material. The assembly allows the use of a continuous sensor which is adversely impacted by liquid contact in locations where the assembly may be immersed. The enclosure traps a sufficient amount of vapor to maintain a minimum vapor volume when the enclosure is submerged to a significant depth below a water level. The means for excluding controls the location of the minimum vapor volume to protect the sensor.

Abstract: Visible gels are formed by mixing an inorganic crosslinking agent with a low viscosity aqueous solution having a low polyacrylamide concentration and devoid of polymers containing a vicinal diol pendant group. The visible gels are employed to reduce the water/hydrocarbon permeability ratio of subterranean formations.

Abstract: Urea increases the solute content of a fertilizer comprising water and at least two different nitrate-containing compounds selected from the group consisting of ammonium nitrate, alkali metal nitrates, and alkaline earth metal nitrates. In addition, urea enhances plant uptake of alkaline earth metals. Particularly favored are quaternary aqueous solutions containing urea, calcium nitrate, and ammonium nitrate.

Abstract: A high strength graphite material is fabricated into a sheet, the sheet is bent into a tube, and the tube is retained in that shape for use in a high temperature furnace. The retained tube is rigid and can replace prior art machined blocks of lower strength graphite in a furnace. The tube can also be further machined and/or further deformed to achieve more complex shapes.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising zeolite Beta and a layered magnesium silicate such as sepiolite is especially suited for use in combination with one or more hydrogenation components as a catalyst for hydrocracking various types of feedstocks.

Abstract: Geothermal brines are extracted from the earth, flashed and the remaining liquids are injected back into the earth. Although it would be advantageous for resource maintenance to inject the same amount of liquid as extracted, addition of liquid causes massive system upsets that prevent such addition. River or other similar surface waters can now be added to the brine stream created when extracting power from a geothermal source, after adding a crystal structure modifier to the brine stream. In operations where the brine stream is returned to the earth, the weight rate of the brine injected into the earth is brought to at least 90% what it was when extracted from the ground.

Abstract: Herbicidal compositions are provided which contain combinations of glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] and sulfuric acid, and/or combinations of glyphosate, sulfuric acid and a chalcogen-containing compound of the formula R.sub.1 --CX--R.sub.2 wherein X is a chalcogen compound of the formula R.sub.1 --CX--R.sub.2 wherein X is selected from oxygen and sulfur, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from hydrogen, monovalent organic radicals, NR.sub.3 R.sub.4 and NR.sub.5, at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 being NR.sub.3 R.sub.4 or NR.sub.5, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently selected from hydrogen and monovalent organic radicals, and R.sub.5 is a divalent organic radical. Such compositions contain reaction products of glyphosate and sulfuric acid, and/or of glyphosate, sulfuric acid and the chalcogen compound, and they may also contain excess glyphosate or sulfuric acid.

Abstract: NORMs are inhibited or prevented from precipitating with scale produced by a hot aqueous solution by adding multiple portions of a crystal structure modifier to the aqueous solution as it cools before and during removal of silicon containing components by precipitation. Preferred crystal structure modifiers include polyacrylate crystal structure modifiers and phosphonomethylated amines.

Abstract: A multi-piece, pipe joint seal has a slidable interface between seal pieces. The slidable interface allows for slippage between pieces during pipe joint assembly and disassembly, minimizing rotational and other stresses on the seal pieces and pipe sealing surfaces which may damage or endanger the deformable seal. The slidable interface seal is especially useful for joining brittle-lined pipe sections handling harsh fluids.

Abstract: Hydrotreated and hydrocracked liquid/vapor effluents are separated in a common separating vessel under elevated pressure. High quality middle distillates and low-sulfur/low-hydrogen-containing FCC feedstocks are produced.

Abstract: A takeout jaw .Iadd.assembly .Iaddend.for use in a bottle-forming machine .[.is formed in a semicircular shape and.]. contains a spring clip for holding immovably .[.a piece of.]. .Iadd.an arcuate, .Iaddend.non-metallic .[.contact material.]. .Iadd.takeout jaw insert .Iaddend.within .[.a.]. .Iadd.an arcuate .Iaddend.pocket in the body of the takeout jaw.