Abstract: The invention is a method for improving conformance during a carbon dioxide foam flood, which comprises injecting into the formation an aqueous solution of about 0.05% to about 5% by weight of a carbon dioxide foaming surfactant, and about 0.05% to about 5% by weight of a lignosulfonate-acrylic acid graft copolymer having about 2% to about 70% by weight of acrylic acid, and injecting into the formation carbon dioxide to sweep the hydrocarbons towards a production well for recovery.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of treating subterranean formations. An impermeable plug is formed in a section of a cased and perforated borehole by transmitting from the surface a fluid resin comprising a polymerizable polymer and subsequently transmitting from the surface an acid catalyst which causes flash setting of the polymerizable polymer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for adjusting, measuring and controlling the vapor/liquid ratio of wet steam in the output line of a pipe junction in a two phase fluid flow line. The vapor phase and liquid phase of the two phase fluid are separated in the main flow line of the junction and the volume flow rate of each phase measured. The two phases are recombined at the plane of symmetry of the output line of the junction and the liquid flow rate is controlled and varied through an adjustable valve in a liquid phase bypass flow line.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for the more efficient production of heavy or viscous crudes in oil wells. A cased wellbore into a production zone is provided with a single production tubing string from the production zone to the surface. A dual pumping system or dual action pumping system is used to separately flow produced heavy crude and produced geometrical manner to induce core annular flow of the heavy crude and a portion of produced water to the earth's surface.

Abstract: Equal distribution of two phase fluid between tow outlets is assured by an assembly which switches full fluid flow alternately between the two outlets on a timed basis. Distribution can be made for either impact T or branch T junctions without a quality variance as full flow is always directed into one or the other of the two outlets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhanced and improved viscous oil recovery are disclosed. A horizontal well is drilled through the viscous oil formation. A specially designed steam stinger is used to inject steam substantially uniformly into the entire horizontal extent of the well borehole without direct steam impingement on the production liner in the viscous oil formation. Heat from the steam mobilizes and lowers the viscosity of the heavy crude wherein the crude is then produced to the surface via conventional lift arrangements.

Abstract: Monofrequency continuous wave signals of long duration are used as inputs form sources of known characteristics and location. These signals are reflected off subterranean features and serve to paint the features for display and evaluation. A primary feature is the use of continuous wave, long duration signals as opposed to the standard short pulse technique.

Abstract: A method of enhancing recovery of viscous petroleum is provided. A hydrocarbons mixture comprising hydrocarbons having a selected range of boiling points, all higher than that of water, is injected at relatively low concentrations along with steam. The range and distribution of hydrocarbon boiling points in the mixture to be injected may be selected by experiment or calculations.

Abstract: A tertiary butyl hydroperoxide reaction product is distilled to provide a tertiary butyl alcohol distillation fraction containing tertiary butyl alcohol and a heavier fraction containing unreacted tertiary butyl hydroperoxide, and reaction by-products boiling below tertiary butyl alcohol, the tertiary butyl alcohol fraction is charged to a vacuum distillation column for separation into a vaporized overhead tertiary butyl alcohol fraction that is cooled to obtain a liquefaction product containing a minor amount of vaporized tertiary butyl alcohol and a major amount of a liquified tertiary butyl alcohol, andthe tertiary butyl alcohol vapors are dissolved in water to form an aqueous solution of tertiary butyl alcohol from which the tertiary butyl alcohol is recovered.

Abstract: A process of synthesizing synthetic manganese oxide hydrates having various structures including hollandite and todorokite structure by hydrothermal synthesis. The products have a high degree of crystallinity, and thermal stability.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the rate of injection of flooding fluids into injection wells. A slug of polar solvent or a mixture of polar solvent and non-aqueous flooding fluid is injected into the injection well to displace aqueous and hydrocarbon liquids in the rock surrounding the injection well. Thereafter, the solvent is removed from the vicinity of the injection well by flooding fluid. The process may be repeated following each time water is injected into the injection well.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for pretreatment of hydrocarbon feed containing sulfur and nitrogen compounds and aromatics prior to hydrocracking or fluid catalytic cracking which comprises:contacting said feedstock with a sulfided catalyst comprising a metal of non-noble Group VIII and Group VIB, and, optionally one or more elements selected from Group IIIA and Group VA of the Periodic Table on a carbon support consisting essentially of activated carbon, optionally on a carbon support treated with phosphorus, having a B.E.T. (Braunauer-Emmett Teller) surface area of at least 100 m.sup.2 /g and an average Pore Diameter greater than 12.ANG. and a Total Pore Volume greater than 0.3 cc/g.

Abstract: The watercut of fluid in a mulitphase flow is measured. Microwave energy in the 10 Ghz range is transmitted through a test call having flow passing therein through a known geometry. Attenuation and phase shift of the microwave energy is measured and used to derive the wave number of the microwaves in the unknown fluid. The water fraction of the unknown fluid is then determined from the wave number and the known geometry of the test all using Hannai's equation.

Abstract: A straight run naphtha is fractionated to yield on intermediate naphtha and the heaviest 10-25 vol % as heavy naphtha. The heavy naphtha is subjected to hydrocracking to yield liquid fuel and lighter, including C.sub.4 isoparaffins and a cracked naphtha having a 90 vol % temperature (T90) of 310.degree. F. (155.degree. C.).

Abstract: Hydroconversion of heavy hydrocarbon oils using solid heterogeneous catalyst and small amounts of oil-miscible compound, like molybdenum naphthenate, improves total pore volume properties of the catalyst.

Abstract: An extractive distillation agent of 1-propanol is fed to an extractive distillation column used for the distillation of propylene oxide contaminated with water, acetone and methanol to obtain an overhead distillate fraction of essentially anhydrous propylene oxide contaminated with reduced quantities of acetone and methanol, and a heavier bottoms distillation fraction containing substantially all of the 1-propanol, water and acetone, some of the methanol and heavier by-products of propylene oxide formed in the distillation column.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst comprising a porous alumina support bearing 2.5-6 wt % of a non-cobalt Group VIII metal oxide, 14.5-25 wt % of a Group VI-B metal oxide, and 0-4 wt % of a phosphorus oxide, said catalyst having a Total Surface Area of 240-320 M.sup.2 /g, Pore Volume of 0.65-0.90 cc/g, and a Pore Diameter Distribution whereby 50-62.8% of the Total Pore Volume is present as micropores of diameter 55-115 .ANG., 27.5-37% of the Total Pore Volume is present in large pores of a diameter greater than 160 .ANG. and 20-30.5% of the Total Pore Volume is present as macropores of diameter greater than 250 .ANG..

Abstract: An improved method of recovering methyl tertiary butyl ether from an etherification reaction product containing acidic by-products wherein the reaction product is charged to an MTBE distillation zone and fractionated therein to provide a lower boiling distillation fraction comprising isobutylene, methyl tertiary butyl ether, methanol and acidic by-products, wherein the lower boiling distillation fraction is counter-currently washed with alkaline water in a methanol extraction tower, and wherein an aqueous solution of an alkali is injected into the tower below the charge point for the wash water to substantially completely neutralize the acidic by-products and to provide an overhead extract substantially free from acidic by-products comprising isobutylene, methyl tertiary butyl ether and a minor amount of water, and a bottoms raffinate comprising methanol, water, alkaline by-products and a minor amount of methyl tertiary butyl ether.

Abstract: In the manufacture of MTBE from TBA and methanol, acidic by-products formed during the etherification reaction are removed by fractionating the etherification reaction product in a first MTBE distillation column to provide a first lower boiling distillation fraction comprising isobutylene, MTBE, methanol and acidic by-products and a first higher boiling distillation fraction comprising methanol, TBA and water, fractionating the first higher boiling distillation fraction in a recycle distillation column to provide a lower boiling TBA recycle fraction and a higher boiling water fraction, recycling the higher boiling water fraction to the MTBE distillation column at a charge point above the charge point for the etherification reaction product, and adding aqueous sodium hydroxide to the recycled higher boiling water fraction in an amount sufficient to neutralize the acidic by-products charged to the MTBE distillation column.

Abstract: A surfactant-fertilizer compound for enhancing the biodegradation of hydrocarbons in soil or water comprising the reaction product of guanidine and at least one carboxylic acid is provided.