Abstract: A method is provided for evaluation of shallow electrical anomalies to determine which are likely to be caused by seepage from a hydrocarbon reservoir at depth. The method involves geochemical lithological, and petrographic analyses of anomalous sediments to determine whether these sediments contain certain features characteristic of seepage-induced anomalies. These features include the following:(1) accumulations of seeped (non-indigenous) hydrocarbons;(2) accumulations of carbonate cements that have .delta..sup.13 C values between -10 and -58.degree./oo;(3) pyrite accumulations in a shallow, porous host rock where the pyrite is distributed within fractures or between original grains with a disseminated or cement-like texture, and where it is not associated with kerogen or coal and is not framboidal in morphology;(4) close proximity of said pyrite and carbonate accumulations; and(50 anomalous (high) induced polarization (I.P.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming stable dispersions of boehmite alumina in water containing a peptizing acid by mixing said alumina with dilute aqueous acid solutions and treating the alumina prior to dispersion by heating at temperatures of from about 250.degree. F. to 700.degree. F. and pressures of from about 10 psig to about 2000 psig in the presence of up to 80 weight percent of water based upon the total alumina for a period of time sufficient to stabilize the alumina to the extent necessary. Dispersions can be prepared which will remain fluid up to days longer than will those prepared from the untreated alumina.

Abstract: A method for filling an elongated sump which has a plurality of diverter gates emptying into the sump is accomplished by dividing the sump into a plurality of adjacent zones along each side of the sump and adding slurry in each of the zones in sequential order in a direction related to the direction of movement of a dredge removing material from the sump. The sequencing automatically skips the zone where the dredge is removing material and empties it during that period of time in the sequence just previously emptied.

Abstract: An improved method of removing and reinstalling a seal unit from a process vessel bottom entering agitator assembly wherein a jack is connected in the assembly and used to lower and raise the seal unit, agitator shaft and agitator connected thereto, whereby the agitator shaft and agitator are temporarily connected to the vessel and the seal unit is removed and reinstalled.

Abstract: A well support system is provided including a tubular riser connecting a subsea well to a surface platform. A flexible elastomeric mounting column is providing for supporting the tubular riser from the surface platform. A first support structure supports the lower end of the flexible mounting column from the surface platform. A second support structure supports the tubular riser from an upper end of the flexible mounting column, so that a weight of the tubular riser is supported in compression by the flexible mounting column. The flexible mounting column provides a substantially constant supporting force over a range of compressed displacement corresponding to a range of expected relative movement between the riser and the platform. The flexible mounting column is preloaded in compression to within its constant force output range.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising magnesium oxide, sulfate ions and amorphous metal ions including titanium are improved in activity by undergoing a wet grinding step. The level of water in the wet grinding step is critical to achieve full activity. The water may subsequently be removed by calcining and is necessarily present only during the wet grinding step.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a drag reducing substance which comprises:(a) a transition metal catalyst slurry containing:1. crystalline titanium halide having the general formula TiXn where n=2.5 to 3.0 and X is halogen,2. a hydrocarbon diluent, and3. an ether;(b) a co-catalyst;(c) alpha-monoolefinic hydrocarbons containing from 2 to 30 carbon atoms under suitable polymerization conditions providing for an ultrahigh molecular weight polymer that is soluble in hydrocarbons; and(d) ceasing the polymerization at a polymer content of 20 percent by weight or less.

Abstract: A fluidized bed boiler system and a manner of operating the same is provided wherein a fluidized particulate bed in which solids are not recycled is utilized. High temperature flue gas is directed to a boiler means. A portion of both the high temperature and a low temperature gas stream are recycled to a fluidizing gas stream for fluidizing the particulate bed.

Abstract: A method is provided by which thermally stable polyoxymethylene containing polymers are produced. These polymers are prepared by polymerizing trioxane or formaldehyde which has been first treated with micro-wave radiation. Trioxane or formaldehyde treated in this manner is then suitable for homopolymerization or copolymerization with any of the variety of comonomers known to copolymerize with these materials. The resultant polyoxymethylene containing polymers are of exceptional thermal stability without the necessity of added stabilizers.

Abstract: An improvement in the method of transporting viscous hydrocarbons through pipes is disclosed. Briefly, the improvement comprises adding water containing an effective amount of a phosphate ester of a specific block copolymer. The resulting emulsion has a lower viscosity and is more easily transported.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for temporarily mooring a tension leg platform while the permanent vertical tethering elements thereof are connected between the platform and an anchor located upon the ocean floor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for permanently mooring a tension leg platform.

Abstract: A heavy high-sulfur hydrocarbonaceous feedstock is partially delayed coked and partially formcoked. The coke products are screened, with larger particles being calcined at desulfurizing temperatures and smaller particles being recycled to the formcoker. Overhead products from both coking operations are combined, fractionated, and desulfurized. The heaviest cut from the fractionator is combined with the feedstock as recycle.

Abstract: An additive composition and a method for using same are disclosed. The additive is useful in preparation of foamed bitumens such as asphalt used in manufacture of bituminous pavements. The additive is comprised of a metal stearate and a carrier oil, and is added to asphalt used to manufacture asphalt foam compositions to improve the foaming characteristics of the asphalt.

Abstract: Heavy hydrocarbonaceous materials are converted to distillate products and pitch in a hydrogen donor diluent cracking process, and the pitch is utilized as feed to a delayed coker. Green coke is calcined in a vertical shaft kiln, and steam is injected into the bottom of the kiln to produce hydrogen by reaction of steam with coke. The hydrogen is drawn from the kiln and used to hydrogenate recycle donor solvent for the cracking step. High sulfur coke can be desulfurized in the kiln, and distillate products in addition to donor solvent can be hydrotreated using hydrogen from the kiln.

Abstract: A vertically disposed gas distributor for injection of combustion air into a shaft kiln. The air distributor extends from the upper portion of the shaft kiln to an intermediate combustion zone, and includes at least one cooling water inlet line and at least one cooling water return line. The cooling water inlet and return lines extend along and adjacent to the outer surface of a central gas conduit. The distributor includes an insulation layer covering the central gas conduit and the cooling water inlet and return lines, and includes a baffle member which directs cooling water from the cooling water inlet line around the outlet end of the gas conduit and to the cooling water return line.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for installing an underwater anchor system including a plurality of separate anchors for a tension leg platform. A cluster of tethering elements is connected between the tension leg platform and each of the separate anchors. Each anchor assembly includes a primary anchor which is first located approximately in a desired position upon the ocean floor. This position includes a lateral location and/or an angular orientation about a vertical axis. Then the position of the primary anchor is ascertained and compared to a desired position of the main anchor. The main anchor is designed to be lowered into engagement with the primary anchor. A relative position determining structure is interconnected between the primary and main anchors for varying the relative position of the main anchor relative to the primary anchor to correct for any difference between the ascertained final position of the primary anchor and the desired position of the main anchor.

Abstract: An improved prestressed conduit string for conducting heated fluids through a well bore comprised of a plurality of concentric double wall tube conduit sections each including an inner heated fluid conductor tube in tension prestress and a larger diameter outer tube in compression prestress to reduce heat transfer from the conducted fluids and prevent deformation of the conduit string when heated. By the present invention, the outer tubes of the conduit sections are shorter than the conductor tubes thereof whereby the ends of the conductor tubes extend short equal distances beyond the ends of the outer tubes.

Abstract: In a process for producing synthesis gas by reacting a solid carbonaceous fuel with water in the presence of a carbon dioxide acceptor to produce a synthesis gas rich in hydrogen with at least a portion of the carbon dioxide so produced being reacted with the carbon dioxide acceptor to produce calcium carbonate and to provide sufficient heat to maintain a desired reaction temperature, an improvement comprising; the use of finely-divided wood as the solid carbonaceous fuel.

Abstract: An anti-friction sucker rod coupling and guide apparatus comprises:(a) a rod member having an anti-friction surface along its cylindrical length;(b) fasteners affixed at each end of the rod member for attaching the rod member within a sucker rod string;(c) a rod guide having an inner anti-friction surface contacting the anti-friction surface of the rod member and slideably positioned about the rod member, the rod guide having an outer diameter sufficient to functionally contact the inner diameter of a tubing string in which the sucker rod string is positioned, the rod guide further including passageway sufficient to permit passage of produced fluid the fasteners adapted to maintain the rod guide on the rod member within deformation.