Abstract: A method of enhanced oil recovery comprising injecting a surfactant system comprised of an oxidized alkali lignin and an anionic and/or nonionic surfactant into a formation containing oil and producing the oil thus mobilized.

Abstract: Metals such as nickel and vanadium can be recovered from scrubber waste by first lowering the pH of the waste to a level at which its major metal constituents will be substantially solubilized, and then raising the pH in increments to successively precipitate the metals it contains.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons may be recovered from hydrocarbon-bearing ore by reducing the ore to small particles, forming the reduced ore into pellets, setting the pellets, and then contacting the pellets with an extracting solvent. The extracted hydrocarbons usually have an ash content of less than about three weight percent, and the spent pellets usually retain less than 0.75 pounds of solvent per pound of spent pellets.

Abstract: A process for recovering precious metals from a refractory ore by forming a slurry which is heated to a temperature in excess of about 150.degree. C. at an oxygen partial pressure in excess of about 10 psia for an effective amount of time to form a partially oxidized slurry which is then subjected to carbon-in-leach treatment to separate the precious metals.

Abstract: A method for the enhanced recovery of oil comprised of injecting into an oil containing formation a surfactant system comprised of an oil soluble amine modified lignin and an anionic or nonionic surfactant; driving the surfactant system through the formation and producing the oil mobilized by the surfactant system. A surfactant composition useful for enhanced oil recovery methods comprised of an oil soluble amine modified lignin and an anionic or nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: There is provided a hydrocarbon extraction process and apparatus for removing hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon containing ore such as a diatomite ore. The ore is preprocessed to the extent required to produce an extractable ore and subsequently mixed with a carrier to form an ore stream. The carrier may be a nonaqueous solvent and may further comprise a non-porous granular material such as sand. The ore stream is passed in substantially vertical countercurrent flow through a nonaqueous solvent to produce a product-solvent stream and a spent ore stream. The solvent is subsequently separated from the hydrocarbon stream, which may be further upgraded by removal of a heavy portion. This may be accomplished in the presence of a substantial amount of fines.

Abstract: Methods are provided for selectively consolidating sand grains within a subterranean formation. First an acidic zirconium salt catalyst, such as ZrOCl.sub.2, Zr(SO.sub.4).sub.2, or ZrCl.sub.4, is injected into the subterranean formation, wherein the acidic salt catalyst is adsorbed to the surface of the sand grains. Next a polymerizable resin composition such as furfuryl alcohol oligomer is introduced into the well formation. Polymerization of the resin occurs upon exposure to the elevated well temperatures and contact with the acid salt catalyst adsorbed to the sand grains. The polymerized resin serves to consolidate the surfaces of the sand grains while retaining permeability through the pore spaces. An ester of a weak organic acid is included with the resin compositions to control the extent of a polymerization by consuming the water by-product formed during the polymerization reaction.

Abstract: In a flow rate control apparatus, pressure of a primary, or controlled, liquid is reduced without application of shear forces thereto. Each of first and second piston and cylinder assemblies has a first port on one side of the piston and a second port on the other side. A secondary fluid path between the two second ports contains a controlling fluid directed through a pressure reducing valve. The rate of flow of the primary fluid from the discharge cylinder is controlled by the rate of flow of the secondary fluid through the pressure reducing valve. A four way valve couples the controlled liquid at relatively high pressure through the first port in a first cylinder, and the controlled liquid is discharged at relatively low pressure from the first port in the second cylinder. The first and second pistons are rigidly connected to assure synchronized motion and accurate metering of the controlled liquid and to provide for driving of both pistons in response to input pressure of the controlled liquid.

Abstract: Flow control of a shear-sensitive, i.e. pressure gradient degradable, liquid from a high pressure source to a lower pressure discharge is achieved by controlling the liquid's exposure to a degradation pressure gradient. Two displacement chambers are provided and connected by a control conduit. First and second movable barriers in the first and second chambers respectively contain a separate controlling liquid. A pressure and flow control valve is included in the control conduit. Incoming pressurized controlled shear-sensitive liquid flows into the first displacement chamber to displace the first barrier which displaces controlling liquid through the flow control valve. Shear-sensitive liquid is dispensed at relatively lower pressure from the second chamber in response to movement of the second barrier driven by the controlling fluid coming from the control conduit into the second chamber.

Abstract: Methods are provided for selectively placing a barrier to fluid flow within water rich strata or played out strata of a subterranean formation, the barrier being established at some distance remote from a wellbore. The methods involve first washing a desired volume of formation with an acid solution such as HCl. The acid solution is effective to extract and remove polyvalent metal ions from the formation material. Next an acidified resin emulsion composition comprising an oil soluble, acid stable resin is injected into the formation. The resin emulsion traverses the washed region without plugging. When the resin reaches the outer edge of the washed region the acidified emulsion extracts metal ions adsorbed to the unwashed formation material. The extracted polyvalent metal ions are effective to demulsify and coalesce the resin, thereby establishing a relatively impermeable barrier to subsequent fluid flow.

Abstract: There is provided a method of extracting hydrocarbons from a diatomite ore. The particle size of the ore is first reduced to form a processed ore. The processed ore is then mixed with a substantially irregular granular material to form an unstratified ore mixture having increased permeability to an extracting solvent. The unstratified ore mixture is then permeated with an extracting solvent to obtain a hydrocarbon-solvent stream from which hydrocarbons are subsequently separated. The irregular granular material may be sand.

Abstract: Sand or similar material coated with a polymerizable resin and catalyst is suspended in a viscous fluid carrier. Such a composition is useful for introduction into a wellbore to effect gravel packing of washed-out cavities surrounding the wellbore. The viscous fluid carrier serves to maintain a heterogeneous suspension of sand as the composition is flowed down through the wellbore, so as to prevent premature settling of sand into gradient layers and voids. The fluid carrier includes a polymeric thickener and a small concentration of viscosity-enhancing agent, such as a dye. The viscosity-enhacing agent is effective to alter the configuration of polymeric thickener so as to enhance the viscosity imparted thereby.The sand or gravel included in the gravel packing composition is coated with a polymerizable resin and latent catalyst.

Abstract: Methods are provided for selectively consolidating sand grains within a subterranean formation. First an acidic salt catalyst such as ZnCl.sub.2 is injected into the subterranean formation, wherein the acidic salt catalyst is adsorbed to the surface of the sand grains. Next a polymerizable resin composition such as furfuryl alcohol oligomer is introduced into the well formation. Polymerization of the resin occurs upon exposure to the elevated well temperatures and contact with the acid salt catalyst adsorbed to the sand grains. The polymerized resin serves to consolidate the surfaces of the sand grains while retaining permeability through the pore spaces. An ester of a weak organic acid is included with the resin compositions to control the extent of a polymerization by consuming the water by-product formed during the polymerization reaction.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for selectively plugging the water-rich strata of subterranean formations, including injection into the formation of a water-insoluble, oil-soluble resin emulsion. A series of chemical reactions is initiated in-situ such that the emulsion demulsifies, resulting in the coalescence of resin droplets. The coalesced water-insoluble, oil-soluble resin droplets are effective to selectively plug the water-rich strata over a relatively long distance and over a relatively long period of time.

Abstract: Methods for the recovery of oil are provided, which include selectively plugging the water-rich portions of an oil-producing formation by injecting into the formation a swelling polymer.

Abstract: A method of thermally insulating the borehole of a well in a thermal process for oil recovery by providing in the annular space between the casing and the well tubing a flowable, solid material having thermal insulating properties, such as vermiculite or perlite. Removal of the material is by fluidization thereof.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions comprising polyethylenimine as the active ingredient thereof are injected into an underground formation having an acidic crude oil therein. The polyethylenimine reacts with the nonhydrocarbon constituents in the crude oil to form a surface-active material. The surfactant emulsifies in the oil to form a grease-like barrier layer, and the crude may then be pushed by a suitable pushing agent such as water or viscous water from behind the grease barrier, to a producing well from where the crude oil is produced.

Abstract: Methods are provided for acidization of wells which are particularly useful in deep high-temperature oil and gas wells. The methods include injection of an acid halide which upon reaction with water in situ in the subterranean formation surrounding the well forms two acids, one of which is a halogen acid.