Abstract: A soluble oil comprising an admixture of a liquid hydrocarbon, surface active alkyl aryl sulfonates, an organic stabilizing agent, and an alkali metal or ammonium salt of a sulfated alkyl primary alcohol ethoxylate having 12 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl group. The preferred ethoxylate is a sulfated surfactant containing an admixture of an alkali metal or ammonium lauryl polyethoxy sulfate having 2 to 6 ethoxy groups and an amide builder. The soluble oil can be substantially anhydrous, or it can contain water present in the form of a water-in-oil microemulsion.

Abstract: A process for treating a hydrogen sulfide-containing feed gas, deficient in thiocyanate ion precursors, to convert the hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur in which said gas is contacted with an aqueous alkaline washing solution containing a water-soluble metal vanadate, and a water-soluble anthraquinone disulfonate to yield an effluent gas of reduced sulfur content. Thiocyanate ion precursors are added to the solution to reduce the chemical consumption of the anthraquinone disulfonate. The solution is thereafter regenerated by contact with an oxygen-containing gas; elemental sulfur is recovered from the solution; and the regenerated solution is recycled to the gas-contacting step.

Abstract: A process for recovering oil from subterranean petroleum reservoirs in which there are successively injected into the reservoir (1) an aqueous alkaline alkali metal silicate solution, (2) a micellar solution, and (3) an aqueous drive fluid; and wherein oil is recovered from one or more production wells spaced apart in the reservoir from the injection well. The micellar solution can be a substantially anhydrous soluble oil, a soluble oil containing water present in the form of a water-in-oil microemulsion, a water-external microemulsion, or an aqueous micellar surfactant solution. Additionally, the micellar solution can be a substantially anhydrous soluble oil or a soluble oil containing water present in the form of a water-in-oil microemulsion followed by a water-external microemulsion.

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.

Abstract: A method of conducting foam drilling and workover operations in a bore hole penetrating a subterranean formation, particularly a high-temperature formation such as a geothermal formation, employing an aqueous solution of a N-acyl-N-methyltaurate foaming agent having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a straight chain alkyl group having from 9 to 15 carbon atoms; and M is an alkali metal or ammonium cation, with sodium being preferred. A particularly preferred foaming agent is sodium N-palmitoyl-N-methyltaurate.

Abstract: A method for reducing the loss of fluid through the walls of a well penetrating a permeable subterranean formation during completion, workover and other operations. The method provides for the use of a fluid comprising an aqueous dispersion of finely divided, slowly oil-soluble, water-insoluble solid particles in an aqueous salt solution containing chrome lignite, hydroxyethyl cellulose and xanthan gum. The density of the fluid is controlled by varying the concentration of salt dissolved in the solution. The finely divided solid particles consist of a homogeneous solid solution of (1) wax; (2) an oil-soluble surface active glyceryl or sorbitan partial ester of a saturated higher fatty acid; and (3) a water-dispersible surface active polyethylene glycol monoester of a saturated higher fatty acid. The particles may optionally include an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, and/or a fatty alcohol.

Abstract: The consumption of anthraquinone disulfonate by oxidation, employed in the Stretford process which treats hydrogen sulfide-containing gases to yield a sulfur-free effluent gas and elemental sulfur, is reduced by the addition of a chemical precursor to the solution which increases the thiosulfate ion concentration of the solution.