Abstract: A separate heat source, such an a skin effect heater, is added to a subterranean heat exchanger and oxygen combustion device for upgrading viscous crude oil feeds. An insulated wire is integrated with combustion oxygen supply piping to form the skin effect heater operating in conjunction with the heat exchanger. The separately controlled heater output allows a reduction of the heat from the combustion device reduced quantities of combustion products. The improvement down-sizes or eliminates excess combustion product removal facilitates and also preheats the oxygen supply. The skin-effect heater and heat exchanger combination adds heat gradually and increases feed residence time at the desired upgrading temperature and pressure conditions. Alternative embodiments can be used to treat heavy crudes within a producing well.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the recovery of a heavy oil, contained in an outcropping formation, without any significant adverse environmental impact. Broadly, the invention comprises indirectly heating an oil containing formation to reduce the viscosity of the oil therein and concurrently thermally insulating an upper portion of the well, extending into the formation, to eliminate any increased seepage of oil from the formation to the surface.

Abstract: A steam injection pipe system within a cased wellbore is processed to reduce the emissivity of an outwardly facing surface. The pipe system is combined with: (1) a cleaning device or process for maintaining the low emissivity surface; and (2) a mixed fluid non-condensable gas supply to exclude steam from an annular space. This achieves a low cost and low thermal loss steam injection system. The pipe is composed of stainless steel and is polished to reduce the emissivity. The pipe is assembled and run into a cased wellbore. The polished surface of the pipe sections is solvent washed and surrounded by a non-condensable gas within the casing/pipe annulus. The non-condensable gas is introduced at the periphery of the injection pipe, mixed with the steam, and separated down-hole to fill the annulus. The cleaned low emissivity surface and mixed feed fluid gas supply achieves a significant reduction in heat loss without costly pipe insulation when compared to bare pipe injection.

Abstract: A method for tagging an oil so that subsequently it may be identified as to source by incorporating into the oil as a tracer material an oil-soluble or oil-dispersible Group VIB, Group VIIB or lanthanum series rare earth metal salt of a fatty acid. The so-tagged oil may be utilized in any desired manner. Thereafter, an oil suspected to contain at least a portion of the so-tagged oil is analyzed for the presence of the added metal moiety. The method is especially useful in tracing a complex oleaginous and petroliferous material so that it may be recovered and identified following a theft or spill or to trace the flow of such oil injected through a subterranean reservoir.

Abstract: A solution mining process for recovering mineral values from a subterranean mineral-bearing formation, which includes (1) a first injection-and-production phase during which a leaching solution is injected into the formation and a pregnant liquor is simultaneously recovered from the formation, (2) a production-only phase during which injection is suspended and additional pregnant liquor is recovered from the formation, and (3) a second injection-and-production phase.

Abstract: Process for the solution mining of minerals from a subterranean formation in which a dilute carbonic acid leaching solution is injected through a first well into the formation and a pregnant liquor containing the dissolved minerals is recovered from a second well. Subsequently the direction of flow through the formation is reversed by injecting the leaching solution through the second well and recovering the pregnant liquor from the first well. Optionally, an oxidizing agent is injected either simultaneously with the leaching solution, or alternately with slugs of the leaching solution.

Abstract: Process for the solution mining of minerals from a subterranean formation using a dilute aqueous carbonic acid leaching solution and intermittent injection of an oxidizing agent.

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 pressure-responsive valve mechanism for discharging a slurry of reduced fluid content from the bottom of a solids-liquid separator. The valve mechanism includes (1) an inlet duct for receiving the slurry, (2) an outlet duct which extends below the inlet duct and which is free to move in an axial direction in response to an increase or a decrease in the downward force imparted to it by the slurry, (3) a constrictable nozzle attached to the lower terminus of the outlet duct, (4) a seal to provide a fluid-tight seal between the inlet duct and the outlet duct, and adapted to allow the outlet duct to move in an axial direction relative to the inlet duct, and (5) a lever mechanism mechanically actuated by the axial movement of the outlet duct to increase the constriction of the nozzle in response to an upward movement of the outlet duct and decrease the constriction of the nozzle in response to a downward movement of the outlet duct.