Abstract: In a process for preparing overbased oil soluble naphthenates of molybdenum, copper, manganese and iron, wherein a metal sulfate is one of the reagents and an alkali metal sulfate is one of the products, cake formation which blocks reactor discharge lines is eliminated by maintaining the alkali metal sulfate as an aqueous solution and removing this solution from the reactor.

Abstract: Spray oil compositions capable of defoliating and/or desiccating the foliage of leguminous plants so as to facilitate the harvesting thereof are disclosed. The parameter of properties constituent oils must have to provide these effects is given.

Abstract: Disclosed are hydrolytically stable spray oil containing plant assimilating boron compounds for improving plant growth. Suitable boron compounds include the esters of boric, boronic and borinic acids including the cyclic esters, the alkanolamine esters, the non-alpha hydrogen and branched alkyl esters and amine-borate adducts. The spray oils are formulated to contain from 0.01 to 2.0 weight/volume percent of boron.

Abstract: A tool and accessories for use in a method of removing a shooting valve, or blow-out preventer from a well having pressure therein, without killing the well. The tool has a mandrel with a well head plug on one end that matches a casing head fixture. The mandrel is long enough to extend through the shooting valve, or blow-out preventer when the plug is in place in the casing head fixture. And, there is a pressure tight housing which can receive the mandrel and plug inside the housing. When the housing has been attached to the shooting valve, or blow-out preventer, the pressure in the housing may be equalized with the well pressure, and then the plug can fall into place and be secured there. Thereafter, the housing pressure will be released and the shooting valve, or blow-out preventer can be removed while the well pressure is contained by the plug.

Abstract: The phytotoxicity of petroleum spray oils can be eliminated or reduced by the addition thereto of from 0.01 to 8% weight percent of an antioxidant of the inhibitor or peroxide decomposing type, which is non-phytotoxic, non-carcinogenic and substantially unaffected in its antioxidant properties by sunlight. These inhibitors prevent the auto-oxidation of the oils.

Abstract: A micronutrient composition intended for application to the foliage or branches of plants is described as containing oil-soluble overbased copper, molybdenum, zinc, manganese or iron naphthenates in a horticultural non-phytotoxic spray oil. The composition is made metathetically by mixing a solution of naphthenic acids, having an acid value ranging from about 90 to 280 mg.KOH/g., in a light aromatic solvent, with a methanolic sodium hydroxide solution and a methanolic solution of the desired metal salt of an inorganic acid; distilling off the methanol, the water and some of the aromatic solvent, adding the spray oil and removing the rest of the aromatic solvent. The ratio of equivalents of metal to naphthenate in these salts ranges from 1.1 to 20.The naphthenates are in the form of micelles with each micelle having an empirical formula represented by MR.sub.2.xM(OH).sub.2.yMO, wherein R is the naphthenate radical, M is the divalent micronutrient metal and (x + y) is the overbasicity ranging from 0.1 to 19.

Abstract: Disclosed is a foliar feeding spray composition for supplying trace metals to plants comprising a thermally-treated trace metal chelate dissolved in a hydrocarbon mineral oil carrier having a minimum gravity API of 27, a viscosity at 100.degree. F. of between 55 and 100 Saybolt Universal Seconds, a boiling point range of between about 600.degree. F. and 775.degree. F. and a minimum unsulphonated residue content of 85%, the thermally-treated chelates being present in an amount ranging from 0.05 to 12.0 percent basis oil.

Abstract: Described are encapsulated slow release fertilizers prepared by providing a fertilizer substrate, spraying molten sulfur thereon; encapsulating the sulfur-coated fertilizer by solvent deposition of bitumen and then powder coating the bitumen- and sulfur-coated fertilizer with a finely ground, dry, mineral powder which reduces the tackiness of the combined coating.

Abstract: A cleanout procedure for use in a well with low bottom hole pressure that has become filled with sand. It employs a conductor string of pipe and a wash string of pipe inside the conductor string, both inserted in the well. A high pressure gas is applied to the inner annulus formed by the conductor and wash string, and the workover wash fluid is circulated down the wash string up the outer annulus formed by the well casing and the conductor string, to be joined by the gas and so wash out the sand through the outer annulus. Sand is separated at the surface.

Abstract: Saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons are converted to color-stable aliphatic sulfonic acids in a single step without any initiator but in the presence of a low molecular weight acyl oxide and under anhydrous conditions by the rapid removal of the products as they are being formed, followed immediately by cooling and degassing to remove sulphur dioxide, then by immediate neutralization and complete hydrolysis at the boiling point of the unstable acid precursors present in the neutralized sulphonates by boiling at constant volume at a pH of about 8-10. The alkali metal salts of the sulfonic acids prepared by this process are color and pH-stable and useful as biodegradable detergents.

Abstract: A coupling unit for use in filling tank ships with petroleum products. It is a 90.degree. elbow with a flange for attaching a loading hose, and there is an integral skirt to fit over a hatch opening. Also, there are quick release type bolts with the skirt to hold the unit in place over a hatch opening when loading product.

Abstract: Disclosed is a controlled two stage process for converting 1-olefins to 1,2-diacetoxyalkanes. In the first stage, the olefins are oxidized to peroxides by preaerating the olefin with oxygen until the measured peroxide value has reached its maximum, then decreasing this value by 20 to 40%. In the second stage, the peroxides are decomposed by adding acetic acid and heating to a temperature of 120.degree. C. in the absence of catalyst.

Abstract: The invention discloses as new fungicidal compositions of matter dispersed micelles of overbased copper naphthenates in non-phytotoxic spray oils prepared metathetically. Each micelle contains a combined alkaline earth metal to reduce phytotoxicity of the dispersions. The alkaline earth metal may be present partly as naphthenate in the outer protective layer of the dispersed micelles. The inner core of the micelle is mainly copper hydroxide but some alkaline earth metal hydroxide may also be present. The mole percent of alkaline earth metal to copper ranges from about 1 to about 7 and the preferred metal is calcium. The micelles form clear fungicidal dispersions in spray oils.

Abstract: An oil well type of tool for testing a plurality of formations in a single trip into the hole. It has a full bore test tool which has a retrievable packer for making conventional tests. In addition there are a plurality of bridge plugs releasably connected in series below the test tool for plugging the hole above each formation after it is tested, without any additional trips into the hole.

Abstract: Sulfuric acid is substantially completely removed from mixtures in which it occurs together with sulfonic acids by extraction with concentrated hydrochloric acid. The extraction can be carried out counter-current wise with from 50 to 150 volume percent of hydrochloric acid, depending on the number of stages used. This process is particularly useful for removing sulfuric acid from the heavy product phase resulting from the sulfoxidation of paraffins.