Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving marine seismic cable uses an endless traction member which defines a helical path of at least two turns for pulling the cable in a uniform fashion without forming overlapping layers.

Abstract: An improved method of controlling catalyst inventory in the reactor of an ebullated bed process has been discovered. Pressure differentials are measured to calculate a catalyst inventory characterization factor. This factor is calculated by means of a new algorithm. Aged catalyst is withdrawn and fresh catalyst added in an amount to reestablish the value of the factor. The catalyst to oil ratio is maintained despite changes in bed ebullation, gas and liquid holdups, oil residence time and conversion.

Abstract: A textile machine is lubricated with oil characterized as non-staining to nylon textile. The lubricating oil comprises a paraffinic base lubricating oil and 1 to 3 wt % of a surfactant of the formula:R--O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.x Hwherein: R is a normal paraffin radical of 11 to 15 carbon atoms and x ranges from 3 to 5.

Abstract: A process for texturing a coating via exposing a photocurable composition comprising a multifunctional urea compound, an ethylenically unsaturated compound, and an aromatic ketone photosensitizer that functions through a hydrogen abstraction mechanism when exposed to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: In an ebullated bed process, a nominal 1000.degree. F.+ boiling point vacuum residuum is hydrotreated at a first temperature of 750.degree. F. to 875.degree. F. and total pressure of 1900 psig to 3000 psig. Hydrogen partial pressure is controlled by changing total reactor pressure in the range of 1700 psig to 2300 psig to achieve a selected yield of 650.degree. F.- boiling material.

Abstract: An apparatus to support washpipes has a pair of substantially mirror image components which, when clamped together about an inner string, define an annual chamber for receiving and supporting the ends of one or more washpipes.

Abstract: Spent hydrotreating catalyst having carbonaceous and metallic deposits and of regular geometric shape after being stripped of process oil is fluidized by flowing air upwardly through the catalyst at a velocity sufficient to expand the bed thereby segregating the catalyst particles into a high activity, upper, less-contaminated fraction and a lower, more-contaminated fraction and recycling the high activity fraction to a hydrotreating process. Optionally, the high activity fraction can be regenerated with carbon burnoff or rejuvenated by acid leaching followed by regeneration with carbon burnoff to further improve catalyst activity.

Abstract: A method of recovering polychlorinated biphenyls by mixing and reacting a soluble polymer with polychlorinated biphenyls in non-aqueous solvent to form a precipitate reaction complex of the polymer and biphenyl, and separating the precipitate from the solvent, said polymer having the formula: ##STR1##

Abstract: A method for preparing tertiary butyl alcohol wherein a solution of a tertiary butyl hydroperoxide in tertiary butyl alcohol is charged to a hydroperoxide decomposition reaction zone containing a catalytically effective amount of a soluble iron hydroperoxide decomposition catalyst consisting essentially of a soluble cycloalkenyl iron compound and is brought into contact with the soluble cycloalkenyl iron compound in liquid phase with agitation under hydroperoxide decomposition reaction conditions to convert the tertiary butyl hydroperoxide to decomposition products, principally tertiary butyl alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention is a formation compensated fluid density meter which includes a well logging sonde that is inserted into a borehole traversing an earthen formation. The sonde includes within it a source which emits gamma rays into the borehole fluid and formation partially collimated and detector assemblies which detect returning gamma rays and provide count signals corresponding to a count of the detected gamma rays. A cable connected to the detector assembly conveys the count signals to the surface where surface electronics includes apparatus which processes the count signals to provide a signal corresponding to the density of the fluid in the borehole.

Abstract: Synthetic lubricant base stocks having an increased viscosity are disclosed. These synthetic lubricant base stocks comprises a mixture of (1) oligomers prepared from a linear olefin having from 10 to 24 carbon atoms; and (2) alkylated anisole having an alkyl group containing from 10 to 24 carbon atoms. These synthetic lubricant base stocks may be prepared by co-reacting a linear olefin having from 10 to 24 carbon atoms and anisole. Optionally, the mixture of oligomers and alkylated anisoles may be hydrogenated, to prepare a mixture of reduced oligomers and alkylated methoxycyclohexanes.

Abstract: Methods are provided for consolidating unconsolidated mineral grains such as sand within a subterranean oil formation to form a fluid permeable barrier which restrains the movement of sand particles when oil passes through the barrier. A quantity of an organic solvent, preferably an ester such as butyl acetate is injected into the formation as a preflush. Next, a liquid comprising a polymerizable oligomer such as furfuryl alcohol oligomer, an ester such as butyl acetate, and an acid catalyst such as toluene sulfonic acid is provided, then mixed with a noncondensable gas to form a multiphase or aerosol treating fluid, and the treating fluid is injected into the formation to be consolidated. The well is shut in for sufficient period of time for polymerization to convert the injected fluids into a permeable barrier around the wellbore.

Abstract: An improved gas trap for mud logging is vertically mounted such that its lower end is constantly beneath the surface of mud flowing in a tank. The mud is drawn into the housing where it is agitated to release the entrained gases which are drawn off for measurement. The spent mud is returned to the tank through a mud exit port and related pipe to a point below the level of the mud and remote from the mud intake to the gas trap. This gas trap is insensitive to mud level changes and is relatively free of maintenance requirements.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for subsea transportation of a hydrocarbon production stream utilizing a wellhead aspirator to reduce wellhead flowing pressure. By using the Bernoulli effect, a head is delivered to the flowing stream that enables the crude oil/water/gas fluid within the system to be moved farther distances than wellhead pressure alone would allow.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for treating a subterranean formation to improve the permeability distribution by reducing the permeability in high permeability zones, so fluids injected for oil recovery purposes will sweep more uniformly through the formation. The processes involve injecting a polymerizable compound, preferably a monomer or oligomer of furfuryl alcohol, together with a diluent, preferably an ester such as butyl acetate, and a suitable acid catalyst for the formation conditions, generally toluenesulfonic acid. The fluid may be injected in a liquid phase or mixed with steam or non-condensable gas to form an aerosol, which is injected then into the formation prior to the injection of the oil recovery fluid, which may be water, surfactant fluid, polymer fluid, or steam.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for preparing synthetic lubricant base stocks. Synthetic lubricant base stocks are prepared in good yield by oligomerizing linear olefins using a sulfate-activated Group IV oxide particularly zirconium dioxide, as the catalyst.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of isobutylene substantially free from tertiary butyl formate and peroxides from a tertiary butyl alcohol feedstock contaminated with tertiary butyl formate and peroxides wherein the feedstock is continuously brought into contact with a bed of a catalyst consisting essentially of sulfuric acid impregnated alumina under reaction conditions including a temperature of about 150.degree. to about 400.degree. C. and a pressure of about 0 to about 3000 psig. at the rate of about 0.5 to about 10 g of feedstock per hour per cc of catalyst, to form a reaction product substantially completely free from tertiary butyl formate and peroxides.

Abstract: An external packer assembly for isolating well bores has an inflatable member initially containing a catalyst or activator solution. An insertion assembly introduces a resin to the inflatable member which then inflates, under the influence of the expanding resin, into sealing engagement with the bore hole walls.

Abstract: A device and method for determining the flow of steam in a production well has a sonde with a pair of gamma ray detectors and a source of gaseous radioactive material therein. The sonde is lowered into the well and measured amounts of the gas are released and detected by the gamma detectors to thereby determine the volume and velocity of steam flowing in the production well as well as its depth of entry.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for preparing synthetic lubricant base stocks. Synthetic lubricant base stocks are prepared in good yield by oligomerizing linear olefins using montmorillonite clays which have a halogenated phosphorous- containing acid deposited thereon.