Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically dispensing chemical sticks into a well bore is provided. In the preferred form, the apparatus is for dispensing soap sticks to unload an oil/gas producing well of fluid, e.g., salt water, built-up therein. The apparatus is a tubular receptacle with an upper storage section and a lower receiving chamber with sticks stacked end-to-end in the storage section and fed, as by gravity feed, to the receiving chamber after a stick is dispensed therefrom. An operating mechanism controls dispensing so that a stick is dispensed based on a predetermined timing sequence or when a predetermined well condition is reached. A preferred soap stick for use in the apparatus includes a water-soluble, flexible, resilient sheath encasing the stick body tightly therein.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation comprising the steps of: forming a well having a horizontal section located between the midpoint and the bottom of the formation and having a raised end; and continuously injecting a fluid through said raised end to induce hydrocarbons to flow towards the horizontal section in response to gravity drainage while continuously producing hydrocarbons through the horizontal section of the well-bore, so that the injection of fluids occurs simultaneously with the production of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method and nickel-containing catalyst are disclosed for preparing synthesis gas by the reforming of a hydrocarbyl compound using an oxygen-containing compound.

Abstract: A process of contacting a feedstream containing dioxygen, carbon monoxide, ether, and alkanol, which can be vaporized under conditions of reaction, with a blend of catalysts which are heterogeneous to the feedstream, under conditions of reaction sufficient to form a mixture containing at least one higher molecular weight oxygenated organic compound is described. In another aspect, this invention relates to a blend of catalysts consisting of at least one molecular sieve, natural or synthetic, which has been found useful for hydrocarbon conversion reactions and a catalyst comprising a metal halide or a mixed metal halide supported on active carbon, which is effective in catalyzing direct formation of organic carbonates.

Abstract: A collapsed composition is described which is substantially composed of microcrystallites collectively of the formula:M.sub.2m.sup.2+ Al.sub.2-p M.sub.p.sup.3+ T.sub.r O.sub.7+r.multidot.swhere M.sup.2+ is a divalent metal, M.sup.3+ is a trivalent metal, and T is vanadium, tungsten, or molybdenum.The microcrystallites are so small as to be undetectable through conventional x-ray diffraction techniques, yet high resolution electron microscopy reveals that a substantial portion of the microcrystallites are composed of a solid solution having aluminum oxide molecularly dispersed in a divalent metal monoxide crystal structure. Another portion of the microcrystallites are constituted by a spinel phase. The collapsed composition is suitable as a sulfur oxide absorbent, having comparatively high capacity and comparatively fast absorption and desorption rates, and is also suitable as a nitrogen oxide reduction catalyst.

Abstract: Emissions of nitrogen oxides in exhaust from gas turbine systems are reduced, in accordance with the invention, by introducing, into the combustor, a supplementary gaseous stream comprising dihydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, and a stream of gaseous fuel and/or mixtures thereof, with a source of dioxygen to form a combustible gaseous mixture; combusting the mixture to produce heat and a combustion product stream; and driving a turbine with the combustion product stream to produce an exhaust stream and to generate mechanical power. Supplementary gaseous streams are, advantageously, formed by a process for hydroshifting dimethyl ether, i.e. formed by a process which comprises passing a feed stream which includes dimethyl ether and steam to a hydroshifting, reaction zone including an essentially alkali metal-free catalytic composition substantially composed of copper or nickel in elemental form.

Abstract: Preparation, structure, and properties of mixed metal oxide compositions and their uses are described. Mixed metal oxide compositions of the invention have stratified crystalline structure identifiable by means of powder X-ray diffraction patterns. In the form of dense ceramic membranes, the present compositions demonstrate an ability to separate oxygen selectively from a gaseous mixture containing oxygen and one or more other volatile components by means of ionic conductivities.

Abstract: A method for reducing the water influx into a wellbore which penetrates a natural gas hydrocarbon-containing formation having a communication channel that extends from the wellbore into the formation and that is filled with proppant particles. In one embodiment, an aqueous particulate dispersion is introduced into the formation until a volume of the dispersion particles introduced is equal to or greater than one-half a water zone volume of the communication channel.

Abstract: A method for processing multi-source multi-component shear wave seismic data. The method comprises the steps of: acquiring four component shear wave seismic data; converting the data into a matrix that is a function of an angles of rotation relative to a reference axis; computing a time independent norm of the elements of the matrix; and finding the angles of rotation where the difference between the sum of the norms of the in-line elements and the sum of the norms of the cross-line elements is maximized.

Abstract: A method and nickel-containing catalyst are disclosed for preparing synthesis gas by the reforming of a hydrocarbyl compound using an oxygen-containing compound.

Abstract: Preparation, structure, and properties of mixed metal oxide compositions containing at least strontium, cobalt, iron and oxygen are described. The crystalline mixed metal oxide compositions of this invention have, for example, structure represented bySr.sub..alpha. (Fe.sub.1-x Co.sub.x).sub..alpha.+.beta. O.sub..delta.where x is a number in a range from 0.01 to about 1, .alpha. is a number in a range from about 1 to about 4, .beta. is a number in a range upward from 0 to about 20, and .delta. is a number which renders the compound charge neutral, and wherein the composition has a non-perovskite structure. Use of the mixed metal oxides in dense ceramic membranes which exhibit oxygen ionic conductivity and selective oxygen separation, are described as well as their use in separation of oxygen from an oxygen-containing gaseous mixture.

Abstract: A process for hydroshifting dimethyl ether is described which comprises passing a feed stream which includes dimethyl ether and steam to a hydroshifting reaction zone including an essentially alkali metal-free catalytic composition substantially composed of copper or nickel in elemental form. The process produces a hydroshifted product stream which is relatively rich in hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.The feed stream can be transported relatively easily in liquid form at comparatively low pressures. The hydroshifting reaction zone can include a hydrolysis reaction zone and a water-gas shift reaction zone. The hydrolyzed product and the water-gas shift product can be recovered to obtain hydrogen and carbon dioxide, respectively. Additionally, the hydroshifted product stream can be blended with an oxidizing stream and combusted to drive a turbine in order to generate mechanical energy.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide by partial oxidation of hydrocarbyl compounds using a source of oxygen comprising molecular oxygen, carbon dioxide, or mixtures thereof in the presence of a catalyst comprising thermally stable mixtures formed by heat treating a hydrotalcite-like compound.

Abstract: An offshore structure is disclosed for placement on a sea floor foundation located in a body of water containing moving ice masses and water waves. The offshore structure has a foundation base which contacts the sea floor foundation and at least three stepped stages which are stacked above the foundation base. Each stage has an outer hull to engage moving ice masses and water waves. Additionally, each stage has an outer horizontal diameter which is smaller than the outer horizontal diameter of the stage immediately below it.

Abstract: A hole opener comprising: a cylindrical section of pipe; a nose; a plurality of cutting elements that extend radially from the pipe and that produce a lateral force on the hole opener in response to the rotation of the hole opener in the borehole; lower reaction pad means, extending radially from the pipe section to trail behind the cutting elements and located generally below the cutting elements, for continuously contacting the borehole wall during rotation of the hole opener and for receiving reactive forces that are in response to the lateral force; and upper reaction pad means, extending radially from the pipe section to trail behind the cutting elements and located generally above the cutting elements, for continuously contacting the borehole wall during rotation of the hole opener and for receiving reactive forces that are in response to the lateral force.

Abstract: A method and nickel-containing catalyst are disclosed for preparing synthesis gas by the reforming of a hydrocarbyl compound using an oxygen-containing compound.

Abstract: Preparation, structure, and properties of mixed metal oxide compositions containing at least strontium, cobalt, iron and oxygen are described. The crystalline mixed metal oxide compositions of this invention have, for example, structure represented bySr.sub..alpha. (Fe.sub.1-x Co.sub.x).sub..alpha.+.beta. O.sub..delta.where x is a number in a range from 0.01 to about 1, .alpha. is a number in a range from about 1 to about 4, .beta. is a number in a range upward from 0 to about 20, and .delta. is a number which renders the compound charge neutral, and wherein the composition has a non-perovskite structure. Use of the mixed metal oxides in dense ceramic membranes which exhibit oxygen ionic conductivity and selective oxygen separation, are described as well as their use in separation of oxygen from an oxygen-containing gaseous mixture.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for recovering methane from a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation having a production well in fluid communication with the formation and an injection well in fluid communication with the formation. In the method an oxygen-depleted effluent, produced by a cryogenic separator is injected into the formation through the injection well. A first methane-containing gaseous mixture is recovered from the formation through the production well during at least a portion of the time the oxygen-depleted effluent is being injected into the formation. The first methane-containing gaseous mixture has a first methane-desorbing gas volume percent. The injection of oxygen-depleted effluent is ceased and thereafter a second methane-containing gaseous mixture is recovered from the formation which has a second methane-desorbing gas volume percent which is less than the first methane-desorbing gas volume percent.

Abstract: A method for treating a mixture of gaseous fluids within a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the invention provides for the disposal of a strongly adsorbing gaseous fluid within the formation. In other embodiments, the invention provides a means for fractionating a mixture of gaseous fluids within the formation. In still other embodiments, the invention provides for the recovery of a raffinate from the formation which is enriched in relatively weaker adsorbing gaseous fluids. In still other embodiments, the invention provides for the recovery of methane from the formation.