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 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: Cyclopentadiene is separated from dicyclopentadiene by means of a sorbent material which contains (i) alkali metal oxide(s) and/or hydroxide(s) and (ii) an inorganic support material. The more preferred sorbent material is Na.sub.2 O and/or NaOH on alumina.

Abstract: A process which can be used for producing an organic disulfide is provided. The process comprises the steps of: (1) contacting a base and a mercaptan under an effective condition for forming a brine phase comprising the base and a basic salt of a mercaptan; (2) contacting the brine phase with a mercaptan and hydrogen peroxide under a condition sufficient to effect the formation of an aqueous phase and an organic phase; (3) separating the aqueous phase from the organic phase; (4) recovering the organic phase; and optionally, (5) removing a portion of water from the aqueous phase and thereafter repeating the steps of (2) to (5).

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 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.

Abstract: A composition, which can be used as catalyst for producing an olefin polymer having a multimodal molecular weight distribution, is provided that comprises a transition metal-containing catalyst, a metallocene, and a boron-containing organoaluminoxane, wherein each component of the composition is present in an effective amount so that an olefin polymer having a multimodal molecular weight distribution can be produced using the composition as catalyst, preferably in the presence of a cocatalyst. Also provided is a process for preparing the composition which comprises: (1) contacting a transition metal-containing catalyst with an organoaluminoxane dispersed in a solvent to form a slurry; (2) combining the slurry with a boroxine to prepare a combination of a transition metal-containing catalyst and boron-containing organoaluminoxane; and (3) contacting the combination with a metallocene. Further provided is a process for polymerizing an olefin to prepare an olefin polymer using the composition.

Abstract: A process which can be used to produce an aromatic sulfide compound having the formula of (R.sub.4-n)(X.sub.n)(W)Ar--S--R' is provided. The process comprises contacting, in the presence of a surfactant, a halo-substituted aromatic compound in an aqueous solution with a salt of a mercaptan under conditions sufficient to produce the aromatic sulfide in which the halo-substituted aromatic compound and salt of mercaptan are each present in an amount effective to synthesize the aromatic sulfide wherein R is hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl radical, X is a hlogen, n is a number from 0 to 3, W is a substituent, Ar is an aromatic ring, and R' is a hydrocarbyl radical.

Abstract: A process which can be used to dissolve sulfur deposits or sulfur plugs in gas wells, oil wells, vessels, or conduits for transporting a fluid containing sulfur is provided. The process comprises contacting the sulfur deposits or sulfur plugs under conditions sufficient to dissolve sulfur wherein the composition comprises an organic sulfide, a base, a surfactant, and optionally, a mercaptan and is present in an amount effective to dissolve sulfur.

Abstract: A composition useful for viscosifying a water-based fluid is provided which comprises a polymer such as guar gum, a metal compound such as an aluminum compound. The composition can also contain a polymer such as guar gum, a magnesium compound such as magnesium oxide, a metal aluminate such as sodium aluminate or a metal compound such as an aluminum compound, and optionally a fatty acid or salts thereof. The water-based fluid can also contain a clay such as bentonite. A process for viscosifying a water-based fluid and for substantially retaining the viscosity of the water-based fluid is also provided which comprises contacting the fluid with the composition described herein. Also disclosed is a process for controlling water loss of a water-based drilling fluid wherein the process comprises contacting the fluid with the composition described herein.

Abstract: A process for preparing an organic polysulfide polymer, such as polyethylene trisulfide, is provided which comprises contacting a dimercaptan such as 1,2-ethanedithiol with elemental sulfur using a basic catalyst wherein the dimercaptan, elemental sulfur, and basic catalyst are each present in an effective amount to effect the preparation of the organic polysulfide polymer. A process for controlling the molecular weight of an organic polysulfide polymer is also provided which comprises contacting a mercaptan with a dimercaptan and sulfur, in the presence of a basic catalyst, under conditions sufficient to prepare an organic polysulfide polymer.

Abstract: A process which can be used for producing thiolcarbamates is provided wherein the process comprises contacting a reaction mixture with a hydrocarbyl chloride such as, for example, benzyl chloride under a condition which is sufficient to produce a product mixture wherein the reaction mixture comprises carbonyl sulfide, an amine such as, for example, a secondary amine, a solvent; the solvent comprises a tertiary amine; and the reaction mixture, hydrocarbyl halide, and solvent are each present in an amount sufficient to effect the production of a thiolcarbamate. Optionally, the reaction mixture can also comprise a metal hydroxide. Further optionally, the product mixture can be contacted with a metal hydroxide if the reaction mixture does not comprise a metal hydroxide.

Abstract: A composition which comprises a major amount of an organic polysulfide and an odor-masking amount of an odor-masking compound selected from the group consisting of wintergreen, cinnamons, vanillins, terpenes, sesquiterpenes, and combinations of any two or more thereof is provided wherein the composition has a more pleasant odor than the organic polysulfide.

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 1,000,000, contain about 0.01 to about 5 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: An apparatus for fluid flow communication is disclosed which comprises a substantially tubular member having first and second opposite end portions; a first end wall secured to and closing the first end portion of said substantially tubular member wherein the first end wall has at least one first aperture extending therethrough; a second end wall secured to and closing the second end portion of the substantially tubular member wherein the second end wall has at least one second aperture extending therethrough; an intermediate wall disposed within the substantially tubular member intermediate the first and second end walls and having a circumferential outer edge; and support means disposed within the substantially tubular member for fixedly securing the intermediate wall relative to the inner surface of the substantially tubular member whereby the circumferential outer edge of the intermediate wall and the inner surface of the substantially tubular member define a substantially annular passage.

Abstract: A process for preparing an organic disulfide polymer such as polyethylene disulfide which is used in batteries comprises contacting a dimercaptan such as 1,2-ethanedithiol with elemental sulfur using a mixture of a basic compound such as NaOH and an ethoxylated alcohol such as Union Carbide's TERGITOL.RTM. 15-S-7 having the formula of R.sup.2 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.7 H as catalyst wherein the dimercaptan is present in excess amount to effect the preparation of the disulfide polymer.

Abstract: A process for inhibiting the deposition or precipitation of wax in a hydrocarbon fluid such as, for example, a crude oil, and for operating a pipeline is disclosed. The process comprises combining an effective amount of a polymer with the hydrocarbon fluid wherein the polymer comprises random repeat unit of butadiene. Also provided is a composition which comprises a hydrocarbon fluid and a random copolymer which comprises repeat units of styrene and butadiene.

Abstract: A composition useful for viscosifying a water-based fluid is provided which comprises a metal aluminate such as sodium aluminate, or a blend of a viscosity promoter such as sodium aluminate and a magnesium compound such as magnesium oxide, or a clay such as bentonite and the blend. The water-based fluid can also contain a clay such as bentonite. A process for viscosifying a water-based fluid is also provided which comprises contacting the fluid with the composition described herein. Also disclosed is a process for controlling water loss of a water-based drilling fluid wherein the process comprises contacting the fluid with the composition described herein.

Abstract: A process which can be used to produce organic polysulfide compounds is provided. The process comprises contacting, in the presence of a catalyst, a mercaptan with sulfur under conditions sufficient to produce an organic polysulfide and thereafter, the resulting reaction medium is contacted with an acid to produce an acid-treated organic polysulfide wherein the mercaptan, sulfur, and catalyst are each present in an amount effective to produce an organic polysulfide. The acid-treated organic polysulfide can be purified and recovered.

Abstract: A composition which comprises a water-polymer and a process for using the polymer to absorb a fluid are disclosed. The water-insoluble polymer comprises repeate units derived from: (a) an ampholytic monomer which is a polymerizable vinylic amine-containing monomer and an acid having an ethylenic moiety; (b) at least one olefinic comonomer; and optionally, (c) one crosslinking agent which has at least two polymerizable olefinic functionalities wherein the olefinic functionalities are suitable for crosslinking.