Abstract: Process for the in-situ leaching of uranium from a subterranean ore deposit comprising introducing into the deposit an aqueous lixiviant having a pH of at least 6.0 and containing an alkali metal sulfate leaching agent. The alkali metal sulfate may be employed in combination with an alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonate with the sulfate comprising the predominant leaching agent. The lixiviant may be at a pH of at least 7.5 and contain an alkali metal sulfate leaching agent and a hypochlorite oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A system for assaying for neutron-fission-producing ore in the formations traversed by a borehole includes a pulsed neutron source and a neutron detector. The source is operated to irradiate such ore-bearing formations with fast neutrons, and the detector responds to the delayed fission neutrons emitted by the ore as a measure of ore concentration. The source is also operated to irradiate nonneutron-fission-producing ore-bearing formations with fast neutrons, and the detector responds to the delayed neutrons from oxygen-17 as a measure of the neutron output of the source. The measurement of ore concentration is corrected in accordance with the measured changes in the neutron output of the source.

Abstract: A free-standing, marine production riser and a method of installing same for use in deep-water areas to conduct fluids between the marine bottom and the surface. The riser system is comprised of a lower rigid section and an upper flexible section. The lower rigid section has a casing extending from a preset base on the marine bottom to a point just below the zone of turbulence which exists near the surface of the water. A variable-buoyant buoy having a curved upper surface and a central passage therethrough is mounted on the upper end of the casing to support the casing in a substantially vertical position when the casing is in position on the preset base. A remotely actuated connector assembly is provided on the lower end of the casing for connecting the casing to the preset base. A plurality of conduits are run through the passage in the buoy and through guide means in the casing and are remotely connected to mating conduits on the base.

Abstract: Waterflooding process for the recovery of oil for a subterranean formation in which at least a portion of the injected water is thickened by the addition of a sulfonated polyethoxylated aliphatic alcohol surfactant. The thickened water has a salinity within the range of 5-18 percent. The sulfonated polyethoxylated aliphatic alcohol has at least two ethylene oxide units to provide an HLB within the range of 10.0-14.0 and the lipophilic base contains from 16 to 20 carbon atoms. The thickened surfactant slug may be preceded by the injection of a relatively low viscosity surfactant slug and viscosity gradation of the thickened surfactant slug may be accomplished by varying the salinity and/or the concentration of the sulfonated polyethoxylated aliphatic alcohol.

Abstract: A gamma-gamma density logging tool employs a gamma-ray source and a pair of gamma-ray detectors. A first detector receives only natural gamma rays from the formations surrounding the borehole. A second detector receives both natural gamma rays and scattered gamma rays from the formations surrounding the borehole. The count rate from the second detector is modified by the count rate of the first detector to provide for a density measurement that is corrected for the effects of natural gamma radiation from radioactive ore-bearing zones in the formations.

Abstract: A radioactivity borehole logging sonde includes a pulsed neutron source and a gamma-ray detector. A cylinder of a material susceptible to neutron activation is positioned about the neutron source before or after a radioactivity logging operation. The neutron source is turned ON to activate the material of the surrounding cylinder. After activation, the neutron source is turned OFF and the cylinder is moved to a position about the gamma-ray detector. The gamma-ray detector monitors the radiation from the activated cylinder as a measure of the output from the neutron source.

Abstract: A borehole logging tool includes a source of fast neutrons, an epithermal neutron flux detector, and a thermal neutron flux detector. A count rate meter is connected to each detector. A ratio detector provides a signal indicative of the ratio of the count rates of the two detectors obtained during the time that prompt neutrons are emitted from neutron fission of uranium in the formation.

Abstract: A technique is provided for assaying the formations surrounding a borehole for uranium. A borehole logging tool cyclically irradiates the formations with neutrons and responds to neutron fluxes produced during the period of time that prompt neutrons are being produced by the neutron fission of uranium in the formations. A borehole calibration tool employs a steady-state (continuous output) neutron source, firstly, to produce a response to neutron fluxes in models having known concentrations of uranium and, secondly, to produce a response to neutron fluxes in the formations surrounding the borehole. The neutron flux responses of the borehole calibration tool in both the model and the formations surrounding the borehole are utilized to correct the neutron flux response of the borehole logging tool for the effects of epithermal/thermal neutron moderation, scattering, and absorption within the borehole itself.

Abstract: There is provided a stable paste comprising a diethanolamide of a fatty acid having 12-16 carbon atoms, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, and water. In another embodiment, this paste is admixed with a paste of the diethanolamide, sodium chloride, and a saturated solution of sodium chloride. Both formulations can be used full strength for scrubbing stubborn stains, scuff marks and the like and diluted for cleaning surfaces, such as floors and walls.

Abstract: A coating formulation comprises an oil-in-water emulsion of a solution of epoxy resin or capped epoxy resin in an alkoxy alcohol, such as 2-hexoxyethanol, as the dispersed phase, a curing agent, and a water-dispersible epoxy resin emulsifier. The emulsion is stable and has spreading and wetting properties over low energy and lubricated surfaces and aluminum, thus yielding films free from surface imperfections.

Abstract: This specification discloses a method of controlling the loss of drilling fluid into a lost circulation zone of a subterranean earth formation penetrated by a well. A nonaqueous slurry of a hydratable material and an oleophilic clay is introduced into the well and mixed in the vicinity of the lost circulation zone with an aqueous liquid to form a soft plug.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of oil from an oil-containing subterranean formation by waterflooding employing as an injection medium an aqueous solution of a viscosifier comprising the water-soluble reaction product of an organic polyisocyanate and the addition product of an alkylene oxide and linear, non-ionic polysaccharide, said addition product having a molecular weight of at least about 100,000. According to a preferred form of the invention, a polyisocyanate cross-linked hydroxyethyl cellulose is utilized as a viscosifier to decrease the mobility ratio between the injected water and oil, thereby improving the efficiency of the waterflood. The novel viscosifiers which comprise one form of the invention are characterized by an improved resistance to the effect of divalent metal ions present in the formation as well as a thermal stability which is superior to that of the viscosifiers currently used in waterflooding operations.

Abstract: Waterflood process for the recovery of oil from a subterranean oil reservoir involving injecting into the reservoir an aqueous solution of an amphoteric surfactant having an inner sulfonium group linked to a terminal sulfonate group. The amphoteric sulfonium sulfonate may be employed in relatively low concentrations within the range of 0.001-0.1 weight percent and injected in an aqueous slug of at least 0.5 pore volume. The invention may be applied in situations in which the reservoir waters and/or the waters employed in formulating the surfactant solution contain relatively high amounts of divalent metal ions. Specifically disclosed sulfonium sulfonates include dodecylmethylsulfonium propane sulfonate, tetradecylmethylsulfonium propane sulfonate, and hexadecylhydroxyethylsulfonium propane sulfonate.

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 and 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.

Abstract: 2-Nitro-5-(substituted-phenoxy)benzoic acids and esters, salts, amides, and acyl halides thereof comprise a class of compounds that are highly effective herbicides.

Abstract: 2-Nitro-5-(substituted-phenoxy)benzoic acids and esters, salts, amides, and acyl halides thereof comprise a class of compounds that are highly effective herbicides.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation which has undergone an in situ leaching operation which utilzed an ammonium solution as the lixiviant. In such a leach operation, ammonium ions will exchange into the clay in the formation and will present a threat of contamination to any ground waters that may be present in the formation. The present method involves flushing the formation with a halogenated restoration fluid, e.g., chlorinated water having a halogen therein which reacts with ammonia within the formation to decompose the ammonia to nitrogen. The halogenated restoration fluid can be continuously injected or it can be injected as a slug followed by a relatively halogen-free solution to complete the operation. The ammonia concentration of the produced fluids is monitored and when it drops below a desired value, the method is complete.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for catalytic isomerization of monocyclic methyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon compounds of from 8 to 10 carbon atoms contained in a feedstock also containing ethylbenzene in a reaction zone maintained under conditions such that said isomerization is accomplished in the vapor phase. The catalyst for the process contains zeolite characterized by a constraint index, hereinafter defined, within the approximate range of 1 to 12. The improvement in the process comprises contacting the catalyst, in situ, with one or more basic nitrogen compounds or precursors thereof.

Abstract: In a well drilling system, a drill bit is raised or lowered through formations surrounding a borehole in response to the movement of a cable onto and off of a drawworks drum. Magnetic markings are affixed to the drum, and a pair of sensors detect rotational movement of the magnetic markings as the drum rotates to take in or pay out the cable. These sensors provide signals indicating both the direction and magnitude of drum rotation. These signals are digitized and selectively gated to operate a bidirectional counter whose count output is recorded as a function of time to provide a depth recording indicating penetration of the drill bit through the formations surrounding the borehole.

Abstract: An audible alarm system provides for a manually operated switch by which the location of an emergency can be manually coded into a storage medium. An audible alarm is sounded in response to the operation of such switch, indicating an emergency. Following this alarm, a plurality of successive audible tones are sounded to indicate the location of an emergency, one such tone being sounded for each operation of the manually operable switch.