Abstract: A process for altering the permeability of a subterranean formation comprises injecting into the subterranean formation a gelling composition which comprises a carboxylate-containing polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a liquid such as a produced brine wherein the polymer forms a gel in the formation, in the presence of the crosslinking agent. The polymer can have a molecular weight of from about 10,000 to about 30,000,000, contain about 0.01 to about 10 mole % of a carboxylate group, and be present in the gelling composition in the range of from about 100 to about 100,000 mg per liter of the composition.

Abstract: A catalyst composition and a process for hydrodealkylating a C.sub.9 + aromatic compound to a C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 aromatic hydrocarbon are disclosed. The composition comprises an alumina, molybdenum oxide, and zinc oxide. The process comprises contacting a fluid which comprises a C.sub.9 + aromatic compound with the catalyst composition under a condition sufficient to effect the conversion of a C.sub.9 + aromatic compound to a C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 aromatic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A gelling composition comprises a multivalent metal compound-crosslinkable polymer such as a carboxylate-containing polymer, a multivalent metal compound such as a zirconium compound, a liquid, and a pH-lowering agent such as carbon dioxide wherein the composition is prepared by combining the polymer and multivalent metal compound to form a mixture and, thereafter, introducing carbon dioxide to the mixture. A process for treating a subterranean formation can comprise the steps of: (1) combining a polymer with a multivalent compound to form a mixture; (2) introducing the another mixture into a subterranean formation; and (3) introducing carbon dioxide into the mixture.

Abstract: A bacterial culture which comprises a Campylobacter-like species is provided. The bacterial culture is capable of oxidizing a sulfide compound in a fluid such as, for example, a produced brine. Also provided is a process for substantially reducing sulfide content in a fluid wherein the process comprises contacting the fluid with a bacterial culture which comprises a Campylobacter-like species.

Abstract: A thermal cracking process is provided which comprises contacting a thermal cracking furnace with a fluid stream which comprises steam and a polysulfide such as di-t-nonylpolysulfide under a condition sufficient to effect the suppression of the formation of carbon monoxide and thereafter introducing a steam fluid containing a saturated hydrocarbon such as ethane and a polysulfide such as di-t-nonylpolysulfide under a condition sufficient to convert the saturated hydrocarbon to an olefinic compound such as ethylene.

Abstract: A catalyst composition, a process for producing the composition and a process for transalkylation of C.sub.9 + aromatic compounds to C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 aromatic hydrocarbons are disclosed. The composition comprises a zeolite and tungsten wherein tungsten is preferably present as tungsten carbide which is impregnated on the zeolite. A preferred process for producing the catalyst composition which comprises: (1) contacting a zeolite with an effective amount of an acid under a condition sufficient to produce an acid-leached zeolite; and (2) impregnating acid-leached zeolite with an effective amount of tungsten-containing compound under a condition sufficient to effect the production of a tungsten carbide-promoted zeolite. The transalkylation process comprises contacting, in the presence of the catalyst composition, a fluid which comprises a C.sub.9 + aromatic compound with a hydrogen-containing fluid under a condition sufficient to effect the conversion of a C.sub.9 + aromatic compound to a C.sub.6 to C.sub.

Abstract: A composition comprising a nitrogen-containing olefinic compound and a process for using the nitrogen-containing olefinic compound to produce a water-soluble polymer which has applications in a subterranean formation are provided. The nitrogen-containing olefinic compound can be made from an amine and an alkylating agent. The polymer produced can be used in drilling fluids, workover fluids, completion fluids, permeability corrections, water or gas coning prevention, fluid loss prevention, matrix acidizing, fracture acidizing, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

Abstract: A catalyst composition and a process for hydrodealkylating a C.sub.9 + aromatic compound such as, for example, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene to a C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 aromatic hydrocarbon such as a xylene are disclosed. The composition comprises an alumina, a metal oxide, a phosphorus oxide and optionally, an acid site modifier selected from the group consisting of silicon oxides, sulfur oxides, boron oxides, magnesium oxides, tin oxides, titanium oxides, zirconium oxides, molybdenum oxides, germanium oxides, indium oxides, lanthanum oxides, cesium oxides, and combinations of any two or more thereof. The process comprises contacting a fluid which comprises a C.sub.9 + aromatic compound with the catalyst composition under a condition sufficient to effect the conversion of a C.sub.9 + aromatic compound to a C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 aromatic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A process for desalting a crude oil comprises (1) injecting steam into the oil to form a steam-injected oil; (2) adding water to the steam-injected oil to form a mixture; (3) introducing the mixture to a desalter; (4) inducing the formation of aqueous phase and oil phase; and (5) separating the oil phase from the aqueous phase. Where there are two desalting stages for desalting crude oil, the process can be carried out in either the first stage or second stage, or both stages. The process can also be similarly employed in a multistage desalting process.

Abstract: A composition which can be used in, for example, slurry polymerization of an olefin such as, for example, ethylene is produced by a process comprising: (1) combining a first transition metal compound and a metal halide to form a solution; (2) contacting the solution with a precipitating agent to form a solid catalyst intermediate; (3) contacting the solid catalyst intermediate with a second transition metal compound to produce a catalyst composition; and optionally (4) depositing a prepolymer onto the catalyst composition. The precipitating agent comprises a sufficient amount of both a Lewis acid and an ether to effect the precipitation of a solid. Also disclosed is the use of the composition in polymerization of an olefin.

Abstract: A composition comprises at least one inorganic oxide and an oxygen-containing metal compound selected from the group consisting of a metal hydroxide, a metal oxide, and combinations of any two or more thereof. The composition can be optionally supported on a support such as an alumina. A process for producing mercaptans comprises contacting an alcohol with hydrogen sulfide in the presence of the composition under a condition sufficient to produce a mercaptan.

Abstract: A catalyst composition and a process for hydrodealkylating a C.sub.9 + aromatic compound such as, for example, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene to a C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 aromatic hydrocarbon such as a xylene are disclosed. The composition comprises an alumina, a metal oxide, and an acid site modifier selected from the group consisting of silicon oxides, phosphorus oxides, boron oxides, magnesium oxides, tin oxides, titanium oxides, zirconium oxides, molybdenum oxides, germanium oxides, indium oxides, lanthanum oxides, cesium oxides, and combinations of any two or more thereof. The process comprises contacting a fluid which comprises a C.sub.9 + aromatic compound with the catalyst composition under a condition sufficient to effect the conversion of a C.sub.9 + aromatic compound to a C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 aromatic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A catalyst composition and a process for hydrodealkylating a C.sub.9 + aromatic compound such as, for example, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene to a C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 aromatic hydrocarbon such as a xylene are disclosed. The composition comprises an alumina, a metal oxide, and a acid site modifier selected from the group consisting of silicon oxides, boron oxides magnesium oxides, tin oxides, titanium oxides, zirconium oxides, molybdenum oxides, germanium oxides, indium oxides, lanthanum oxides, cesium oxides, and combinations of any two or more thereof. The process comprises contacting a fluid which comprises a C.sub.9 + aromatic compound with the catalyst composition under a condition sufficient to effect the conversion of a C.sub.9 + aromatic compound to a C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 aromatic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A water-soluble polymer and a process for using the polymer for applications in a subterranean formation are provided. The polymer comprises repeat units derived from a nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer and optionally an olefinic comonomer. The polymer can be used in drilling fluids, workover fluids, completion fluids, permeability corrections, water or gas coning prevention, fluid loss prevention, matrix acidizing, fracture acidizing, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

Abstract: A composition comprises nickel and a support material which comprises aluminum borate and zirconium borate. In one embodiment, this composition additionally comprises rhenium. Preferably, the catalyst support material is a coprecipitate of aluminum borate and zirconium borate.The above-described composition is employed as a catalyst for hydrogenating aromatic hydrocarbons to saturated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A composition which comprises a platinum-promoted zeolite and a gallium-promoted zeolite is disclosed. The composition can be used for converting a C.sub.9 + aromatic compound to a C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 aromatic hydrocarbon. Also disclosed is a process for converting a C.sub.9 + aromatic compound to a C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 aromatic hydrocarbons employing the composition.

Abstract: A selective hydrogenation of an alkyne in an olefin-containing fluid is provided which comprises contacting the fluid and hydrogen gas with a catalyst in the presence of at least one sulfur compound, under reaction conditions effective to produce at least one alkene wherein the catalyst comprises at least one alkali metal, fluorine and an inorganic support material.

Abstract: A process comprises contacting, in the presence of a catalyst, hydrogen sulfide or a mercaptan such as, for example, n-dodecyl mercaptan with an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carbonyl or .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated cyano compound such as, for example, methyl acrylate wherein the catalyst comprises a pyridine derivative such as, for example, 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine or an ion exchange resin such as, for example, "AMBERLYST A-21" to produce a 3-hydrocarbylthio derivative of the .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carbonyl or .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated cyano compound such as, for example, methyl 3-(dodecylthio)propionate.

Abstract: A composition is provided which comprises an acrylamide-containing polymer comprising repeat units derived from at least two monomers, a polypropylene glycol, and optionally, a polysaccharide. Also provided is a water-based composition which can be used as drilling fluid wherein the composition comprises calcium chloride, an acrylamide-containing polymer which has repeat units derived from at least two monomers, a polypropylene glycol, and optionally, a polysaccharide.

Abstract: A process for hydrodealkylating C.sub.9 -C.sub.12 alkyl-substituted benzenes (preferably trimethylbenzenes) to C.sub.6 -C.sub.8 aromatic hydrocarbons (in particular, toluene and xylenes) and C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkanes employs a catalyst containing zeolite Beta, nickel, molybdenum and sulfur (preferably as sulfides of nickel and of molybdenum).