Abstract: A portable instrument for testing at the wellhead continuously, or a stationary instrument for use at a production battery, the outflow of crude hydrocarbons from the well or wells. The invention utilizes a simple relationship of density and thermal coefficients of expansion of the oil and the water, together with improved instrumentation to measure mass flow rate of the crude mixture, to produce accurate continuous readings of oil and water contents in the crude. The invention depends upon state of the art technology both as to the crude handling and the electronics portions of its apparatus.

Abstract: An automated method of determining relative permeability is described comprising the steps of injecting known flow rates of water and a hydrocarbon into a core; measuring a pressure differential across the core; flowing the water and the hydrocarbon into a water-hydrocarbon interface measuring column; monitoring an interface level in the column with an ultrasonic probe, and calculating relative permeability with an automated device based on the pressure differential and the interface level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric valve device used in remotely operable applications. It comprises a valve body with a centrally placed slidable valve core. The core has an aperture for fluid passage and may be held in position by an electromagnet in the valve body. Windings are placed in one end of the valve body so that they encircle the slidable core and a spring is placed in the other end. To move the core, a DC current source is connected to the windings so that when they are energized a force is generated to move the core in a specific direction. The core is then held in this position by the contact between the electromagnet in the valve body and the valve core until the current in the magnetic windings is switched off, then the spring return to the core to its original, closed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric valve device used in subsea applications. It comprises a valve body with a centrally placed slidable valve core. The core has an aperture for fluid passage and may be held in position by 2 permanent magnets in the valve body. Windings are placed in the valve body so that they encircle the slidable core. To move the core, a DC current source is attached to the windings so that when they are energized a force is generated to move the core in a specific direction. The core is then held in this position by the contact between the magnets in the valve body and the valve core until the polarity of the windings is switched and the valve is moved in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A downhole fixed choke mandrel apparatus for steam injection is described. The apparatus permits the dividing of the injection of a non-compressible fluid into two portions for injection into different producting zones separated by non-producing strata such that the quantity and quality of the injected material can be adequately derived and monitored. The apparatus further provides for the logging through the injection tubing string above and below the first injection into the first producing zone.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing the sulfur deposition in the absorber of a Stretford process. In the Stretford process, hydrogen sulfide is removed from a gas stream by contacting the gas stream in an absorber with a circulating aqueous solution to convert the hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur particles, passing the solution containing the sulfur particles to a reaction vessel where the conversion of hydrogen sulfide to sulfur is completed, passing the solution containing the sulfur particles to an oxidizer, oxidizing the solution containing the sulfur particles in the oxidizer to form a regenerated solution, separating the sulfur particles from the regenerated solution, and recirculating the solution to the absorber.

Abstract: A method of producing random sweeps for seismic vibrator sources is described which produces correlograms with reduced side lobe contamination. Digital random phase digital codes activate non-impulsive sources. Detected signals are processed using periodic sweep correlations. The method is especially useful in urban areas where permitting requirements limit the drive level and frequency range of a vibratory seismic source.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for in situ biodegradation of spilled hydrocarbons. The process involves drawing oxygen into a hydrocarbon contaminated zone. A borehole is drilled into the contaminated zone and gas is evacuated at high rates out of the borehole to thereby draw oxygen into the contaminated zone. Surprisingly, the carbon dioxide concentration in the evacuated gas remains high even at the high flow rates.

Abstract: A multi-stage catalytic reforming process using a catalyst having a high rhenium to platinum ratio in the first stage or stages and a catalyst having a still higher rhenium to platinum ratio for the last stage. The process comprises:(a) contacting a naphtha feed with a first stage catalyst comprising rhenium and platinum, and having a rhenium to platinum weight ratio of at least 1.7, under catalytic reforming conditions in one or more first reforming stages of a reforming unit to obtain intermediate reformate; and(b) contacting the intermediate reformate, under catalytic reforming conditions in a last stage of the reforming unit, with a last stage catalyst comprising rhenium and 0.2 to 2.0 weight percent platinum, and having sufficient rhenium so that the last stage catalyst has at least 0.5 weight percent rhenium beyond that necessary to attain a 1.7 rhenium to platinum weight ratio.

Abstract: An improved tar sands derived bitumen and coal liquification process is disclosed wherein substantial percentages of subdivided coal particles and tar sands derived bitumen liquids are mixed and then corefined with hydrogen under hydrocracking conditions, but in the absence of a separate catalyst, at a temperature range of 800.degree. to 900.degree. F. and a pressure of about 2400 psig. The resutling fluid after removal of residual solids is a suitable liquid feedstock for conventional refinery equipment to produce petroleum fractions useful as transportation and heating fuels. Preferably, a portion of the corefined bitumen-coal liquid product may be recycled for mixture with the bitumen liquid and coal. Raw or native tar sands may also be mixed with the liquid butumen and coal in the process.

Abstract: Oil recovery from a petroleum reservoir using a miscible gas, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen or methane is enhanced by injecting a preformed stable foam into the reservoir. The foam composition is formed by an effective amount of an alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS) capable of forming a foam with water having a salt content similar to that in the reservoir and the miscible gas. Preferably, the alpha olefin sulfonates have from 8 to 24 carbon atoms. In a preferred form the AOS has on average a carbon content of less than about 12 carbon atoms in higher salt content brines and less than about 12 carbon atoms in lower salt content brines. Most preferably, in brines having a salt concentration of at least 10 weight percent, the AOS has on average about 10 carbon atoms; in brines having a salt concentration of from 2 to 10 weight percent the AOS has on average about 12 carbon atoms; and in brines having less than 2 weight percent salt and AOS has on average about 14 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention is comprised of a non-intrusive microwave sensor system for measuring fluid saturation or multiple fluids contained within a flowline or a fluid saturated porous medium. Here, the microwave oil saturation scanner (MOSS) comprises a transmit portion and a measurement portion. The transmit portion generates two signals for different purposes. The first signal is used as a reference signal upon which the sample signal is eventually compared. The second signal is transmitted through the sample which causes a phase angle shift and signal attenuation. The two signals are then compared in the measurement portion where the phase angle shift and the signal attenuation is related to the concentration of oil and water in the sample mixture.

Abstract: A paving composition comprising about 80 to 97% by weight of an open-graded aggregate and about 3 to 20% asphalt, said composition being formed by successively mixing two asphalt-containing emulsions A and B with said aggregate wherein:emulsion A comprises about 40 to 75% by weight of a soft asphalt having a viscosity in the range of 50 to 1000 centistokes at 210.degree. F. and 0.25 to 5% by weight of a emulsifier, and water as a continuous phase of said emulsion to make up 100% by weight; andemulsion B comprises about 40 to 75% by weight of a hard asphalt having a penetration 5 to 25 dmm at 77.degree. F. and 0.25 to 5% by weight of a emulsifier, and water as a continuous phase of said emulsion to make up 100% by weight.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of a spent molybdenum catalyst from a hydroprocess for the upgrading of a nickel and vanadium containing hydrocarbonaceous mineral oil. The nickel and vanadium contaminated molybdenum catalyst is oxidized to convert the metals to oxides. Aqueous ammonia is added to preferentially dissolve molybdenum from nickel and vanadium. An amount of ammonia is used in excess of the amount required to produce an active catalyst for recycle and the excess ammonia is removed prior to recycle of the catalyst. The selectively of the separation of molybdenum from nickel and vanadium is improved by adding a reducing agent before or during the ammonia dissolving step. Hydrazine is a suitable reducing agent. The recovered molybdenum is sulfided and recycled.

Abstract: A process for the production of transportation fuels from heavy hydrocarbonaceous feedstock is provided comprising a two-stage, close-coupled process, wherein the first stage comprises a hydrothermal zone into which is introduced a mixture comprising a feedstock and finely ground hydroprocessing catalyst having coke-suppressing and demetalizing activity, and hydrogen; and the second, close-coupled stage comprises a hydrocatalytic zone into which substantially all the effluent from the first stage is directly passed and processed under hydrocracking conditions. The first-stage ground catalyst may also be spent catalyst from which most metals have been removed.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising an alumina-aluminum phosphate-silica support bearing a halogen, a Group VI metal and a Group VIII metal in which the support has an average pore radius of from about 10 .ANG. to about 300 .ANG., a surface area ranging from about 50 m.sup.2 /g to about 400 m.sup.2 /g and a pore volume of about 0.1 to about 1.5 cc/g. The catalyst composition is used for hydroprocessing oils and possesses significant hydrodenitrification activity.

Abstract: A polymerization catalyst comprising a complex of nickel or palladium and certain fluoro-organo sulfur ligands and an organometal reducing agent. The catalyst is especially useful for the oligomerization of olefins to higher molecular weight olefins having a high degree of linearity.

Abstract: Disclosed are additives which are useful as dispersants in marine crankcase oils and hydraulic oils, lubricating oils. In particular, disclosed are nitrogen-containing lubricating oil dispersants having at least one primary or secondary amino group which have been modified by treatment with a cyclic carbonate.

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: The invention provides a method and apparatus for determining when critical flow conditions are reached in a nozzle. The apparatus comprises a flow nozzle having a throat therein, a means for measuring temperature in the throat, a means for measuring temperature downstream of the throat, and a means for determining differential temperature between the throat and the downstream location. The method comprises measuring a temperature in the throat of the critical flow nozzle, measuring the temperature downstream of the nozzle, and adjusting an upstream pressure to maximize the difference between the throat and the downstream location.