Abstract: The Removable Bottom Founded Structure (RBFS) is an offshore platform for petroleum drilling and producing operations intended for deployment in waters with severe weather and iceberg conditions. It is a two-part structure comprising (1) a platform which is made up of a deck structure, multiple columns and braces; and (2) a reinforced concrete subbase that rests on the sea floor and upon which the platform is founded. The structure is normally held down by gravity for standard platform operations, but during the deballasting procedure due to an iceberg emergency a hold-down system is employed to keep the platform on the subbase until full deballasting is achieved. The system that is used to hold the platform down onto the subbase is located where the platform meets the subbase. It operates on the principle of hydrostatics. On the underside of the columns there are multiple chambers which may be evacuated by pumping and which are vented to the outside atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of dehydrocyclizing alkanes is disclosed wherein the alkanes are contacted with a catalyst containing a large-pore zeolite, a Group VIII metal, and an alkaline earth metal wherein the Selectivity Index is greater than 60%.

Abstract: A process is disclosed wherein a naphtha feed is contacted in a reaction vessel with a dehydrocyclization catalyst comprising a large-pore zeolite containing at least one Group VIII metal to produce an aromatics product and a gaseous stream, the aromatics product is separated from the gaseous stream and is passed through a molecular sieve which adsorbs paraffins present in the aromatics product, then the gaseous stream is used to strip the paraffins from the molecular sieve, and the gaseous stream and the paraffins are recycled to the reaction vessel. Preferably, the dehydrocyclization catalyst comprises a type L zeolite containing from 8% to 15% by weight barium and from 0.6% to 1.0% by weight platinum, wherein at least 80% of the crystals of the type L zeolite are larger than 1000 Angstroms, and an inorganic binder selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, and aluminosilicates.

Abstract: A naphtha feed is contacted in a reaction vessel with a dehydrocyclization catalyst comprising a large-pore zeolite containing at least one Group VIII metal to produce an aromatics product and a gaseous stream, the aromatics product is separated from the gaseous stream and is passed through a molecular sieve which adsorbs paraffins present in the aromatics product, then the gaseous stream is used to strip the paraffins from the molecular sieve, and the gaseous stream and the paraffins are recycled to the reaction vessel.

Abstract: Process and composition for removing H.sub.2 S and like sulfides from gas streams by contact with a substituted aromatic nitrile having an electron-attracting substituent on the aromatic ring at least as strong as halogen (e.g., isophthalonitrile) and an organic tertiary amine in an inert organic solvent such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone.

Abstract: A reforming process is disclosed wherein a hydrocarbon feed is contacted with two reforming catalysts at conditions which favor reforming. The first reforming catalyst comprises a metallic oxide support having disposed therein a Group VIII metal. This first reforming catalyst may contain Group VIII metal promoters, such as rhenium, tin, germanium, cobalt, nickel, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium and combinations thereof. The second reforming catalyst is a non-acidic catalyst comprising a large-pore zeolite containing at least one Group VIII metal. A preferred first reforming catalyst comprises alumina having disposed therein in intimate admixture platinum and rhenium. A preferred second reforming catalyst is a non-acidic catalyst comprising a type L zeolite containing platinum.

Abstract: A new catalyst is disclosed which is useful for dehydrocyclizing alkanes. This catalyst contains a zeolite of the L family, a Group VIII metal, and an alkaline earth metal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a barbed anchor pile is described in which a pile, having horizontally placed barbs, is driven into the seafloor. Once it is buried to a predetermined depth, the barbs are spread outward into the surrounding soil to ensure that the pile will not be pulled out by uplift loads.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion process is disclosed wherein the alkanes are contacted with a catalyst containing a metallic oxide support and a Group VIII metal, and with a catalyst containing a large-pore zeolite, a Group VIII metal, and an alkaline earth metal.

Abstract: Method and means are provided for determining the position of a submerged marine streamer towed behind an exploration vessel. An array of sets of at least three transponders secured to the ocean floor generate distinguishable acoustic pulses upon a command signal. These signals are received by receivers housed in the streamer. The position to each receiver may be triangulated from the data generated.

Abstract: A new catalyst is disclosed which is useful for dehydrocyclizing alkanes. This catalyst contains a type L zeolite, a Group VIII metal, and an alkaline earth metal. Preferably, this catalyst contains a type L zeolite, from 0.1% to 5% by weight platinum and from 1% to 20% by weight barium.

Abstract: A method of dehydrocyclizing alkanes is disclosed wherein the alkanes are contacted with a catalyst containing a large-pore zeolite, a Group VIII metal, and an alkaline earth metal wherein the Selectivity Index is greater than 60%.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion process is disclosed wherein a hydrocarbon feed is contacted with a reforming catalyst in the presence of a halogen at conditions which favor dehydrocyclization, isomerization, and dehydroisomerization of the hydrocarbon feed. The degree of the isomerization and dehydroisomerization is controlled by adjusting the amount of halogen present. The amount of halogen present can be adjusted on stream by the addition of halogen-containing gas or water. The reforming catalyst comprises a large-pore zeolite, containing at least one Group VIII metal. In one embodiment, the reforming catalyst comprises: (a) a large-pore zeolite containing barium and platinum; and (b) an acidic or acidifiable inorganic binder selected from the group consisting of silica-alumina, zirconia-silica and alumina.

Abstract: A subsea drilling and production system where the production unit is removably connected onto a drilling template and operatively connected to one or more Christmas trees so that the production unit may be disconnected from the trees and removed from the template without first removing any of the trees and so that any of the trees may be disconnected from the production unit and removed from the underwater site without removing the production unit.

Abstract: A method and means for storing a marine riser is disclosed for relocating an offshore mobile unit from a drilling or production site. The riser is disconnected from a subsea port and lowered into an auxiliary borehole. Means are provided for the lowering and raising of the marine riser and positioning of same.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for separating multiphasic mixtures of such things as gas and oil, from liquids, such as petroleum production fluids. It includes a centrifugal gas/liquid separator having a generally conical inner surface, a gas/liquid inlet located on this inner surface, an area for retaining the liquid and for allowing further gravity separation of the gas/liquid phase, an enclosure for the above mentioned elements, a gas outlet, and a liquid outlet.The device functions by initially separating the gas from the oil by centrifugation in the conical separator, then by allowing the remaining liquid to further separate by gravity in the retention area.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon feed is contacted with a reforming catalyst in a reaction vessel to produce a reformate, hydrogen, methane, and ethane are stripped from the reformate in a first separator, C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 hydrocarbons are stripped from the stripped reformate in a second separator, and then a portion of the hydrogen, methane, and ethane; and substantially all of the C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 hydrocarbons are recycled to the reaction vessel as heat carrier.

Abstract: A multiple bed downflow hydrocarbon hydroprocessing reactor is modified by the addition of a phase separator above at least one of the catalyst beds. This enables the lighter fraction of the hydrocarbon, which has passed through the upper bed(s) in the vapor phase and thus not been heavily hydroprocessed, to be hydroprocessed in the absence of the liquid heavier fraction in the same reactor.

Abstract: The present invention is a pressure sensing and measurement device that eliminates errors due to compliance and lack of sensitivity. The cell uses a pressure receiving means (such as a flexible diaphragm) to detect an impinging object, a means to counteract the pressure caused by the impinging object (such as internal hydraulic pressure), and a detector to measure the amount of internal pressure used to counteract the impinging force. Since the cell is internally pressurized to a point equal to a value equal to the external pressure, the diaphragm is undeflected and may avoid the problems inherent in simple diaphragm systems (such as bridging and insensitivity).

Abstract: The present invention is a method and an apparatus for reducing marine growth on an offshore oil platform member. The device uses a buoyant member coupled with a sleeve to scrape the exterior surface of the platform members. The buoyant component floats on the surface of the water and takes advantage of the ocean energy (i.e., the variation of the water's surface height due to the tidal and surge responses) to move the device up and down on the member. The liner and the buoyant member are adjusted for size and buoyancy to ensure that scraping occurs in the areas of the members that are most vulnerable to attachment of marine organisms.