Abstract: A method of producing viscous materials from subterranean formation comprises a plurality of steps. At least two wells are drilled and completed into the subterranean formation that contains the viscous material. At least one of the wells is completed as an injection well and one of the wells is completed as a production well. A plurality of electrode wells are drilled into the subterranean formation with the plurality of electrode wells being generally arranged in a pattern to define at least one path between the production well and the injection well with the length of the path being substantially greater than the distance between the production well and the injection well. The electrode wells are spaced apart along the path at distances that are substantially less than the distance between the production well and the injection well.

Abstract: An improved electrode for electrically heating a subterranean formation includes a plurality of electrically conductive rod-like members that extend outwardly from a central well bore to provide increased area for conducting electrical current from a source into said subterranean formation. The improved electrode apparatus is adapted to be lowered into a well bore which has been drilled into the subterranean formation and, thereafter, the plurality of rod-like members are driven outwardly from the central well bore. Guide means are provided to direct the rod-like members outwardly into the subterranean formation as a central member is forced downwardly.

Abstract: Coked solids, produced by coking of tar sands, are contacted in a first zone with air and the minimum amount of supplemental fuel needed to burn all the coke. Part of the hot clean mineral solids produced is then discarded; the balance is moved into a second zone. Here supplemental fuel is burned to increase the temperature of the solids. The hot solids from the second zone are recycled to the coking stage.Only part of the solids is heated with supplemental fuel, thereby reducing consumption of the latter. In addition, the flue gas from the second zone is relatively clean and can be vented directly to the atmosphere in the flue gas from the first zone.

Abstract: A single capacitance vessel is provided to receive the excess heavy phase discharges (normally water) from a bank of disc-nozzle centrifugal separators. The vessel has a reservoir chamber with a weir at one end. The heavy phase streams are delivered into the reservoir of fluid retained in this chamber. In the event there are any hydrocarbons in the heavy phase fluid, the former rise to the surface of the reservoir fluid and pass over the weir, together with some water. An inert gas blanket within the vessel pressurizes the reservoir so that a fluid backpressure is maintained at the discharge outlets of the separators. By use of this system, any fluid returned from the reservoir to the separators (which occurs when the feed to the separators is low in water) is substantially free of hydrocarbons which, if present, would deleteriously affect the operation of the separators.

Abstract: Method for reducing the loss of power accompanying the transmission of electrical energy down a wellbore to heat a subterranean formation via electrical conduction between a plurality of wells completed therein, characterized by providing a low frequency alternating current to the conductors in the wellbore. Also disclosed are specific embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: According to the invention, winding apparatus comprises means for rotatably mounting a parent roll of web material, a mandril adapted to receive a hollow core sleeved thereon, means for driving the mandril in rotation, clutch means for providing limited torque transfer between the driving means and the core on the mandril, a core co-operating roll mounted for rotation, the core co-operating roll and mandril being relatively movable between an adjacent co-operating web feeding position to feed web led from the parent roll between the core co-operating roll and the core on the mandril to be nipped thereby and a separated position (constituting a loading and unloading station) to allow for sleeving of the core on and removal of the core from the mandril, and means for guiding the leading edge of the web nipped by the core co-operating roll and the core on said mandril around the core.

Abstract: According to the invention a tab pick up and applying mechanism comprises a picker head moveable between a pick up and an applying position and having a tab carrying face, to be presented at said positions, means for applying vacuum to said tab carrying face at said pick up position to effect pick up of a tab; for maintaining said vacuum at said face during picker head movement between said pick up and applying positions to hold a picked up tab on said face during such movement; for releasing said vacuum at said face at said applying station and for applying a positive air jet through said face at said applying station to deliver a tab held on said face away from said face under positive air pressure, and means for moving said picker head between said pick up and applying positions.