Abstract: Apparatus and method for mooring a tension leg platform at an offshore location wherein the tensioned cables of the platform legs are laterally supported by a plurality of rigid, fixed-dimensioned support members which interconnect the legs and are vertically spaced at predetermined positions along the cables to reduce the unsupported length thereof and to thereby increase the fundamental frequency of the cables to a value higher than the flutter frequencies likely to be encountered. Resonant fluttering of the cables due to vortex shedding is thereby prohibited and the useful life of the cables is extended. The support members can be variably buoyant and/or can be adapted to provide storage for fluids produced at the offshore location.

Abstract: A cement system including a carbon-containing, low volatile material additive admixed with cement in proportions sufficient to provide a fixed carbon content of at least 0.02 weight percent is used to cement high temperature wells. Additives include anthracite, calcined coke, uncalcined coke, burned oil shale and raw oil shale.

Abstract: Carbonates and/or hydroxides of one or more of the Group VIII metals, cobalt and nickel, are reacted with molybdic acid in aqueous suspension to form a slurry of crystalline cobalt and/or nickel molybdate, which slurry is then reacted with gelatinous boehmite alumina, then extruded, dried and calcined. The method eliminates the use of ammoniacal solutions, washing and/or heating steps to remove undesired anions or cations, and requires but a single drying and calcination. The resulting catalysts are found to be very active for the desulfurization and denitrogenation of mineral oils.

Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery process employing an aqueous alkyl polyethylene oxide sulfate solution and a carbon dioxide displacement fluid at injection pressures above about 1,500 p.s.i. The aqueous solution of an alkyl polyethylene oxide sulfate having 8 or 9 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and between 1 and 5 ethoxy groups significantly improves the areal sweep and overall efficiencies of dense fluid carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery processes, especially under high salinity and low pH conditions. The efficiency of the process is increased as the injection pressure is increased.

Abstract: Highly active cobalt-molybdenum-alumina desulfurization catalysts containing 18-30 weight-percent of MoO.sub.3 are prepared by first comulling boehmite alumina with aqueous ammonium molybdate solution, drying the resulting mixture, then comulling with a soluble cobalt salt and water, thereafter forming the resulting mixture into extrudates, and finally calcining the extrudates under controlled temperature conditions correlated with the molybdenum content of the catalyst so as to preserve adequate surface area and prevent the formation of large crystallites of cobalt molybdate. This method of preparation permits effective utilization of molybdenum in amounts up to about 30 weight-percent MoO.sub.3, a result not obtainable by conventional impregnation techniques.

Abstract: Deactivated Group VIII noble metal-Y zeolite hydrocracking catalysts are reactivated by oxidative combustion to remove coke deposits, followed by treatment with aqueous ammonia to redistribute agglomerated noble metal, followed by calcination in a critical temperature range between about 600.degree. and 850.degree. F. The low-temperature calcination results in reactivated catalysts of improved activity, particularly for hydrocracking feedstocks substantially free of nitrogen compounds.

Abstract: Wellhead flow control apparatus for controlling the flow of fluids from a well producing fluids and debris including a novel device for separating and accumulating the debris. The device comprises an outer shell defining an enclosed accumulation chamber, a perforated outlet conduit communicating with the chamber to allow the passage of fluids but prevent passage of debris, and access means to facilitate periodic removal of the accumulated debris. The wellhead apparatus is especially useful for flow control of fluids from geothermal steam wells.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide is admixed with water to form a carbonic acid solution for use as a leaching solution for extraction of uranium by solution mining. An oxidizing agent is also present in the solution.

Abstract: A process for reducing the force required to restart the flow of wax-containing oil which has statically cooled to its pour point or below by inserting a plurality of yieldable fluid spacers in an oil column to divide the column into shorter hydraulically isolated segments and thus reduce the forces required to yield the gelled oil.

Abstract: A method for determining the fluid saturation, for example the hydrocarbon saturation, the residual oil saturation or water saturation, of a reservoir following a secondary recovery operation wherein there is injected into the reservoir via a well first hydrocarbons and then a secondary recovery medium to return the portion of the reservoir in the immediate vicinity of the well to the same fluid saturation as exists in the bulk of the reservoir. The reservoir is then logged with a logging instrument to determine the hydrocarbon saturation, gas saturation, residual oil and/or water saturation.

Abstract: An acid composition comprising a substantially anhydrous liquid mixture of (1) about 50 to 99 weight percent of polyphosphoric acid having about 5 to 90 weight percent of the total P.sub.2 O.sub.5 present as polymeric P.sub.2 O.sub.5, and (2) about 1 to 25 weight percent of hydrofluoric acid, and in which the H.sub.2 O/P.sub.2 O.sub.5 mole ratio of the overall acid mixture is less than 3.4; and a method for increasing the permeability of siliceous subterranean formations in which the formation is treated with this composition. Also, the composition can optionally contain a catalyst such as a strong mineral acid, a carboxylic acid, an oxidizing agent, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A stable, non-aqueous acid emulsion composition comprising an admixture of a substantially anhydrous polyphosphoric acid-based mixture, an organic solvent, and a surfactant; and a method for increasing the permeability of siliceous subterranean geological formations.

Abstract: A gasoline dispensing nozzle for discharging gasoline into receiving vessels and for removing vapors therefrom through a vapor removal line is provided with an automatic shut-off device that terminates the delivery of gasoline in the event liquid gasoline flows into said vapor removal line. The shut-off device comprises a sensing orifice disposed at the end of a flexibly mounted tube within said vapor removal line, which tube leads to a passageway extending into the housing of said gasoline nozzle and terminating in a chamber that contains a conventional, diaphragm-operated, trigger mechanism for closing the main nozzle valve. In operation, no matter which way the nozzle is inserted into a gasoline tank fill pipe, the sensing orifice, by gravity, will fall to a position such that, if gasoline flows into said vapor removal line, it must also flood the sensing orifice.

Abstract: Highly active cobalt-molybdenum-alumina desulfurization catalysts containing 18-30 weight-percent of MoO.sub.3 are prepared by first comulling boehmite alumina with aqueous ammonium molybdate solution, drying the resulting mixture, then comulling with a soluble cobalt salt and water, thereafter forming the resulting mixture into extrudates, and finally calcining the extrudates under controlled temperature conditions correlated with the molybdenum content of the catalyst so as to preserve adequate surface area and prevent the formation of large crystallites of cobalt molybdate. This method of preparation permits effective utilization of molybdenum in amounts up to about 30 weight-percent MoO.sub.3, a result not obtainable by conventional impregnation techniques.

Abstract: Heavy mineral oil fractions are selectively hydrocracked to produce mainly middle distillate oils boiling in the 300.degree.-700.degree. F range. Certain novel, highly active and selective catalysts are utilized comprising molybdenum and/or tungsten plus nickel and/or cobalt supported upon certain heterogeneous composites of a silica-alumina cogel or copolymer dispersed in a matrix consisting essentially of alumina gel.

Abstract: Carbonates and/or hydroxides of one or more of the Group VIII metals, cobalt and nickel, are reacted with molybdic acid in aqueous suspension to form a slurry of crystalline cobalt and/or nickel molybdate, which slurry is then reacted with gelatinous boehmite alumina, then extruded, dried and calcined. The method eliminates the use of ammoniacal solutions, washing and/or heating steps to remove undesired anions or cations, and requires but a single drying and calcination.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of H.sub.2 S to SO.sub.2 is a feed gas containing H.sub.2 S is effected by oxidation with air or oxygen at temperatures between 300.degree. and 900.degree. F. The oxidation is conducted in the presence of an extremely stable oxidation catalyst comprising an oxide and/or sulfide of vanadium supported on a non-alkaline porous refractory oxide. The preferred catalyst comprises between 5 and 15 wt.% V.sub.2 O.sub.5 on hydrogen mordenite or alumina. Hydrogen, carbon monoxide and light hydrocarbons present in the feed gas are not oxidized. The invention is especially contemplated for use in treating waste gases from geothermal steam power plants.

Abstract: A composition and method for drilling wells through subterranean strata containing high temperature aqueous fluids using a gas-containing aqueous drilling fluid containing an alkaline material to raise the pH of the drilling fluid to provide corrosion protection in the liquid phase and a volatile water-soluble nitrogen-containing compound to provide corrosion protection in the gaseous phase.

Abstract: A method and solvent composition for removing viscous crude oil, waxes, asphaltenes and resin precipitates of petroleum origin from oil wells, flow lines and pore spaces of oil-bearing formations. The solvent composition is a mixture of about 45 to about 85 volume percent of a nornally liquid aliphatic hydrocarbon boiling in the range of about 120.degree. F. to about 550.degree. F., between about 5 to 45 volume percent of a normally liquid aromatic hydrocarbon, between about 0.5 to about 6 volume percent of an ether of an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol, and between about 1 to about 15 volume percent of a lower alkyl monohydric alcohol.

Abstract: A multi-catalyst system is provided which is effective for the conversion of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in near stoichiometric engine exhaust gases in a single conversion zone to which no additional air is admitted. The system comprises at least two separate but contiguous components. The first component comprises a porous inert support having dispersed thereon rhodium plus nickel and/or cobalt, and is essentially free of platinum and palladium. The second component comprises a porous inert support having dispersed thereon platinum and/or palladium, with or without nickel and/or cobalt, and is essentially free of rhodium.