Abstract: Method and apparatus for remotely connecting an offshore structure to an underwater pipeline using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The structure has a bell-mouthed bending guide at its base through which a winch line from the surface passes and is temporarily looped back and attached to an accessible place on the structure. Using the ROV and a surface tended messenger line the pull-in line is attached to a terminal assembly at the end of flexible pipe attached to the pipeline. The terminal assembly is pulled in horizontally to the guide, arcuately through the guide and then from the guide in general vertical alignment with a pipe end receiver assembly on the structure above the bending guide. At a location near the receiver assembly a towing head is removed from the terminal assembly and a second pull-in line is attached to the terminal assembly. The two pull-in lines are attached to opposite sides of the terminal for balanced pulling of the terminal assembly to connection with the receiver assembly.

Abstract: A method of making a glass micromodel of a pore system found in petroleum reservoir rock wherein a computer-generated two-dimensional binary image of the actual rock pore system taken in thin section is used to produce a template for etched reproduction of the pore system in the glass model plate of the micromodel. The template is produced by digitizing a video image of a view of the rock in thin section, which thin section includes injected dyed material to make the pore system visible, processing the digitized video image through a digital filter so as to effect projection of the three-dimensional aspects of the pore connectedness and geometry viewed through overlaying meineral onto the plane of the imaged view to obtain a two-dimensional template image of the three-dimensional pore system with pores accurately coordinated and pore geometry relationships reliably preserved.

Abstract: A method for completing a well to provide an uncemented lower casing and an upper cemented casing. The lower casing and upper casing are connected at a swivel joint so that only the upper casing is rotated while cementing. Inflatable packers and a plug are positioned at the lower casing to prevent entry of cement, while a port collar allows cement to flow into the annulus surrounding the upper casing.The invention is particularly useful when setting long lengths of casing and when completing highly deviated or horizontal wellbores. The method also allows an existing conventionally-completed well to be re-drilled and completed as a highly-deviated or horizontal well.

Abstract: A vibrator and method for transmitting seismic signals into the earth to obtain data on various subsurface characteristics. The vibrator is driven with piezoelectric transducers which can operate below 500 Hz, and can produce better signal resolution at higher frequencies than is possible with hydraulic vibrators. The piezoelectric vibrators can be used in various embodiments at the earth's surface, within a borehole, or while permanently buried in the earth.

Abstract: High-temperature, attrition resistant, oxidation catalysts are disclosed. These catalysts are represented by the formula AMO.sub.w [(DO.sub.x)(EO.sub.y)a]z wherein A is an alkali or alkaline earth metal; M is V, Cr, Mo, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu or a mixture of two or more thereof; D is Zr, Ti, Hf, Ce, Th, Pr, Nb, Ta, W, Re or a mixture of two or more thereof; E is Ca, Mg, Sr, Ba, Y, La, Yb, Sm, Gd, Nd, Sc, V, Bi, Ce, Pr, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Lu or a mixture of two or more thereof; a is a number in the range of zero up to about 0.2; w is the number of oxygens needed to fulfill the valence requirement of AM; x is the number of oxygens needed to fulfill the valence requirements of D; y is the number of oxygens needed to fulfill the valence requirements of E; and z is a number in the range of about 10 to about 100. The invention further provides for the use of such catalysts in processes involving the combustion of organic materials (e.g., carbonaceous fuels, organic waste materials, etc.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for recovering oil from a subterranean formation comprising injecting an aqueous composition into said formation and displacing said oil toward one or more production wells, said aqueous composition comprising:(A) from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of at least one anionic or amphoteric surfactant;(B) from about 0.02% to about 0.3% by weight of at least one polymeric thickener; and(C) from about 0.005% to about 0.1% by weight of at least one polymeric material having a flexible backbone and a higher polarizability than component (B).

Abstract: The present invention provides for a process for converting a feedstock comprising ethylene and/or acetylene to a product comprising liquid hydrocarbons. The process comprises maintaining said feedstock at a temperature in the range of about 700.degree. C. to about 1000.degree. C. for about 100 to about 1000 milliseconds to provide for said conversion. In one embodiment, the feedstock further comprises hydrogen. In another embodiment the feedstock comprises the product made by the process comprising heating a gaseous mixture comprising (i) hydrogen and (ii) natural gas and/or at least one light hydrocarbon at a temperature of at least about 1250.degree. C. for an effective period of time to provide said feedstock. In still another embodiment, the feedstock further comprises natural gas and/or at least one light hydrocarbon in addition to said ethylene and/or acetylene.

Abstract: A process for converting a gaseous reactant comprising methane or natural gas to higher molecular weight hydrocarbon products is disclosed which comprises: (1) contacting said gaseous reactant with an oxidative coupling catalyst at a reaction temperature of at least about 900.degree. C. for an effective period of time to form an intermediate product comprising ethane, ethylene or a mixture thereof, said catalyst being characterized by a melting point above said reaction temperature; and (2) pyrolyzing said intermediate product at a temperature of at least about 900.degree. C. for an effective period of time to form said higher molecular weight hydrocarbon products using exothermic heat generated by the formation of said intermediate product. Novel oxidative-coupling catalysts having melting points above about 900.degree. C. are also disclosed.

Abstract: Vibrator seismic sources are operated concurrently to reduce the time required for acquiring the data for a seismic survey. Separate seismic records are produced for each of the concurrently operated vibrator seismic sources. Frequency sweeping pilot signals are generated for each of the separate vibrator seismic sources concurrently in a sequence of at least four sweeps. The pilot signals for each vibrator source have a plurality of separate phase angles during the sweeps. The seismic signals produced by the concurrently operated vibrator seismic sources are detected for each of the sweeps. The detected seismic signals are correlated separately with each of the corresponding pilot signals which were used to drive the vibrator seismic sources that produced the detected seismic signal. The correlating process produces first and second separate correlated records for each of the sweeps.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed which comprises:(A) a compound represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently hydrocarbyl groups of from about 2 to about 24 carbon atoms; R.sup.3 is a trivalent hydrocarbyl group of from 1 to about 16 carbon atoms; R.sup.4 is CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O or a mixture thereof; X is SO.sub.3.sup.-, SO.sub.4.sup.- or COO.sup.- ; and Y is an alkali metal or ##STR2## wherein R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 are independently hydrogen or methyl; and n is a number ranging from zero to about 15; and(B) a compound represented by the formula R.sup.9 -(R.sup.10).sub.m A.sup.-D.sup.+wherein: R.sup.9 is a hydrocarbyl group of from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms; R.sup.10 is CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O or a mixture thereof; A is SO.sub.3.sup.-, SO.sub.4.sup.- or COO.sup.- ; D is an alkali metal or ##STR3## wherein R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.

Abstract: A catalyst is disclosed which comprises a molybdenum-tungsten-containing complex represented by the formulaMo.sub.a W.sub.b M.sub.c A.sub.d O.sub.

Abstract: An electrocatalytic process is described for producing higher molecular weight hydrocarbons from lower molecular weight hydrocarbons. The process is conducted in an electrogenerative cell and generally comprises the steps of(A) providing a fuel cell comprising a solid electrolyte having a first surface coated with conductive metal, metal oxide or mixtures thereof capable of catalyzing the reduction of oxygen to oxygen ions, and a second surface coated with metal, metal oxide or mixtures thereof, provided that when both coatings are silver coatings, or the first coating is silver and the second coating is a silver/bismuth coating, the second coating also contains at least one other metal, the two conductive coatings being connected by an external circuit,(B) passing an oxygen-containing gas in contact with the first conductive coating while,(C) passing a low molecular weight hydrocarbon-containing feed gas in contact with the second conductive coating, and(D) recovering higher molecular weight hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising lead doped zirconium compounds are particularly effective in an oxidative process for upgrading low molecular weight alkanes to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, and especially for upgrading methane to form ethane and ethylene. The catalysts can be employed in a process performed at elevated temperatures and in the presence or absence of gaseous oxygen. The catalysts are substantially free of PbO and uncombined Pb and remain stable for long periods of time.

Abstract: An electrocatalytic process is described for producing synthesis gas from light hydrocarbons such as methane or natural gas. The process generally comprises the steps of(A) providing an electrochemical cell comprising a solid electrolyte having a first surface coated with conductive metal, metal oxide or mixtures thereof capable of facilitating the reduction of oxygen to oxygen ions, and a second surface coated with conductive metal, metal oxide or mixtures thereof, provided that both coatings are stable at the operating temperatures,(B) heating the cell to a temperature of at least 1000.degree. C.,(C) passing an oxygen-containing gas in contact with the first conductive coating,(D) passing methane, natural gas or other light hydrocarbons in contact with the second conductive coating, and(E) recovering synthesis gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for converting light hydrocarbon feedstocks such as methane and/or natural gas, to higher molecular weight hydrocarbon products that are more readily handleable and transportable. The process comprises heating a gaseous mixture comprising said light hydrocarbon feedstocks and a minor, effective amount of at least one ether or thioether compound at a temperature of at least about 800.degree. C. for a period of time effective to provide said higher molecular weight liquid hydrocarbon product. The invention also relates to the higher molecular weight liquid products obtained by the process of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for converting light hydrocarbon feedstocks such as methane and/or natural gas, to higher molecular weight hydrocarbon products that are more readily handleable and transportable. The process comprises heating a gaseous mixture comprising said light hydrocarbon feedstocks and carbon dioxide at a temperature of at least about 600.degree. C. for a period of time effective to provide said higher molecular weight liquid hydrocarbon product. The invention also relates to the higher molecular weight liquid products obtained by the process of the invention.

Abstract: An alcohol composition suitable for mixing with gasoline comprises at least 30 percent by weight of methanol, the remainder of said composition comprising higher alcohols the distribution of which on a methanol-free basis isC.sub.2 --about 10 to 90 weight percent,C.sub.3 --about 15 to 60 weight percent,C.sub.4 --about 0.5 to 35 weight percent,C.sub.5 --about 0 to 15 weight percent,C.sub.6 --about 0 to 15 weight percent,and wherein the percent of C.sub.3 is equal to or greater than 1.25 times the percent of C.sub.4.The alcohol composition can be prepared from hydrogen and carbon monoxide under alcohol forming conditions in the presence of a catalyst containing copper and uranium and alkali or alkaline earth metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for converting light hydrocarbon feedstocks such as methane, ethane and/or natural gas, to higher molecular weight hydrocarbon products that are more readily handleable and transportable. The process comprises heating a gaseous mixture comprising said light hydrocarbon feedstocks and at least one oxide initiator selected from the group consisting of nitrogen oxides, sulfur trioxide and mixtures thereof at a temperature of at least about 600.degree. C. for a period of time effective to provide said higher molecular weight hydrocarbon product. In one embodiment, the invention provides for a process for converting the feedstocks, to unsaturated compounds such as ethylene. The invention also relates to the higher molecular weight products obtained by the process of the invention.

Abstract: A catalyst is disclosed which comprises a molybdenum-tungsten-containing complex represented by the formulaMo.sub.a W.sub.b M.sub.c A.sub.d O.sub.

Abstract: In a process for the production of hydrogen by the reaction of steam with carbon, a catalyst system is employed comprising a supported Group VIIIA metal and, as modifier for the suppression of methane, an effective amount of an oxide of molybdenum or tungsten.