Abstract: A method is provided for applying a thermal process to a lower zone underlying an overlying hydrocarbon zone with thermal energy from the thermal process mobilizing oil in the overlying zone. The lower zone itself could be a hydrocarbon zone undergoing thermal EOR. Further, one can economically apply a thermal EOR process to an oil formation of low mobility and having an underlying zone such as a basal water zone. Introduction gas and steam, the gas having a higher density than the steam, into the underlying zone displaces the basal water and creates an insulating layer of gas between the steam and the basal water maximizing heat transfer upwardly and mobilizing viscous oil greatly reducing the heat loss to the basal water, economically enhancing production from thin oil bearing zones with underlying basal water which are not otherwise economic by other known EOR processes.

Abstract: A method for initiating steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) mobilization and recovery of hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation includes initially forming a circulation path by connecting SAGD injection well and a circulation well. The circulation well can be a SAGD production well or a separate well completed adjacent a toe of the injection well. Initially, a thermal carrier such as steam or flue gases, is circulated, forming a thermal chamber about the injection well. One initial start-up is complete, the circulation path is decoupled for further propagating the thermal chamber and establishing steady-state SAGD operations.

Abstract: A burner is arranged for access to a cavity in a target zone of a hydrocarbon reservoir. The burner is operated into the cavity to create and sustain hot combustion gases at a steady state for flowing into and permeating through the target zone. Water is injected into the target zone and permeates laterally therein. The hot combustion gases and the water in the target zone interact to form a steam drive front in the hydrocarbon reservoir.

Abstract: A burner is arranged for access to a cavity in a target zone of a hydrocarbon reservoir. The burner is operated into the cavity to create and sustain hot combustion gases at a steady state for flowing into and permeating through the target zone. Water is injected into the target zone and permeates laterally therein. The hot combustion gases and the water in the target zone interact to form a steam drive front in the hydrocarbon reservoir.

Abstract: High permeability channels or wormholes found in hydrocarbon reservoirs having hydrocarbon-bearing formations can be remediated by heating the formation with dry, hot flue gases, injecting produced water into the formation through an injection well, and forming steam within the formation and spaced away from the injection well. The steam can be created at a steam generation interface occurring between a dry, hot gaseous drive front and an injected water front. Managing a quality of the steam formed along the steam generation interface, by increasing the combustion gas flow rate or decreasing the rate of water injection, allows for the initiation of precipitation and controlled deposition of solids dissolved in the produced water.

Abstract: In a method for improving the efficiency of a search engine in accessing, searching and retrieving information in the form of documents stored in document or content repositories, the search engine comprises an array of search nodes hosted on one or more servers. An index of the stored document is created. The search engine processes a user search query and returns a result set of query-matching documents. The index of the search engine is configured on the basis of one or more document properties and partitioned, replicated and distributed over the array of the search nodes. The search queries are processed on the basis of the distributed index. The method realizes a framework for distributing the index of a search engine across several hosts in a computer cluster, relying on three orthogonal mechanisms for index distribution, namely index partitioning, index replication, and assignment of replicas to hosts.

Abstract: A method is provided for applying a thermal process to a lower zone underlying an overlying hydrocarbon zone with thermal energy from the thermal process mobilizing oil in the overlying zone. The lower zone itself could be a hydrocarbon zone undergoing thermal EOR. Further, one can economically apply a thermal EOR process to an oil formation of low mobility and having an underlying zone such as a basal water zone. Introduction gas and steam, the gas having a higher density than the steam, into the underlying zone displaces the basal water and creates an insulating layer of gas between the steam and the basal water maximizing heat transfer upwardly and mobilizing viscous oil greatly reducing the heat loss to the basal water, economically enhancing production from thin oil bearing zones with underlying basal water which are not otherwise economic by other known EOR processes.

Abstract: A burner with a casing seal is used to create a combustion cavity at a temperature sufficient to reservoir sand. The burner creates and sustains hot combustion gases at a steady state for flowing into and permeating through a target zone. The casing seal isolates the combustion cavity from the cased wellbore and forms a sealed casing annulus between the cased wellbore and the burner. Water is injected into the target zone, above the combustion cavity, through the sealed casing annulus. The injected water permeates laterally and cools the reservoir adjacent the wellbore, and the wellbore from the heat of the hot combustion gases. The hot combustion gases and the water in the reservoir interact to form a drive front in a hydrocarbon reservoir.

Abstract: High permeability channels or wormholes found in hydrocarbon reservoirs having hydrocarbon-bearing formations can be remediated by heating the formation with dry, hot flue gases, injecting produced water into the formation through an injection well, and forming steam within the formation and spaced away from the injection well. The steam can be created at a steam generation interface occurring between a dry, hot gaseous drive front and an injected water front. Managing a quality of the steam formed along the steam generation interface, by increasing the combustion gas flow rate or decreasing the rate of water injection, allows for the initiation of precipitation and controlled deposition of solids dissolved in the produced water.

Abstract: A method is provided for applying a thermal process to a lower zone underlying an overlying hydrocarbon zone with thermal energy from the thermal process mobilizing oil in the overlying zone. The lower zone itself could be a hydrocarbon zone undergoing thermal EOR. Further, one can economically apply a thermal EOR process to an oil formation of low mobility and having an underlying zone such as a basal water zone. Introduction gas and steam, the gas having a higher density than the steam, into the underlying zone displaces the basal water and creates an insulating layer of gas between the steam and the basal water maximizing heat transfer upwardly and mobilizing viscous oil greatly reducing the heat loss to the basal water, economically enhancing production from thin oil bearing zones with underlying basal water which are not otherwise economic by other known EOR processes.

Abstract: A quick-release clamping holder for a sewing needle, embroidery needle or the like has a needle receptacle (2) on which a needle clamping part (8) is preferably pivotally supported. A fixing element (14) is provided in order to clamp and fix the needle clamping part (8) in place, whereby said fixing element is pivotally or rotatably supported relative to a longitudinal central axis (13) of the needle and thus can be slid onto and off the needle clamping part (8). Actuation is simple and safe.

Abstract: A burner with a casing seal is used to create a combustion cavity at a temperature sufficient to reservoir sand. The burner creates and sustains hot combustion gases at a steady state for flowing into and permeating through a target zone. The casing seal isolates the combustion cavity from the cased wellbore and forms a sealed casing annulus between the cased wellbore and the burner. Water is injected into the target zone, above the combustion cavity, through the sealed casing annulus. The injected water permeates laterally and cools the reservoir adjacent the wellbore, and the wellbore from the heat of the hot combustion gases. The hot combustion gases and the water in the reservoir interact to form a drive front in a hydrocarbon reservoir.

Abstract: In a method for improving the efficiency of a search engine in accessing, searching and retrieving information in the form of documents stored in document or content repositories, the search engine comprises an array of search nodes hosted on one or more servers. An index of the stored document is created. The search engine processes a user search query and returns a result set of query-matching documents. The index of the search engine is configured on the basis of one or more document properties and partitioned, replicated and distributed over the array of the search nodes. The search queries are processed on the basis of the distributed index. The method realizes a framework for distributing the index of a search engine across several hosts in a computer cluster, relying on three orthogonal mechanisms for index distribution, namely index partitioning, index replication, and assignment of replicas to hosts.

Abstract: A quick-release clamping holder for a sewing needle, embroidery needle or the like has a needle receptacle (2) on which a needle clamping part (8) is preferably pivotally supported. A fixing element (14) is provided in order to clamp and fix the needle clamping part (8) in place, whereby said fixing element is pivotally or rotatably supported relative to a longitudinal central axis (13) of the needle and thus can be slid onto and off the needle clamping part (8). Actuation is simple and safe.

Abstract: Vanadium impurities in chlorinated titaniferous materials are rendered easily removable by reacting said titaniferous materials with a high surface area carbon during the chlorination process. A process for preparing said high surface area carbon is also described.

Abstract: A mechanically operated trap includes a tubular housing with a movable trap door at either end for trapping an insect therein. One end of the housing is shaped for use in corners, and the other end is flat for use against walls, floors, ceilings, etc. The trap doors are actuated, or actuation is initiated, by various user operated means and are maintained in the closed or open positions by various friction, spring, etc., arrangements. Extension handle means may be included to allow reaching normally-inaccessible insects. The trapped insect may be removed to the outdoors, or otherwise disposed of.

Abstract: Fatty animal starting material is subjected to extraction using a gas at supercritical conditions. The extraction operation takes place in a static column without circulation. The gas used as a solvent in the extraction operation may be subsequently regenerated and re-used. Any innocuous gas may be used provided its critical constants fall within the pressure and temperature ranges dictated by the extraction material. The fats are completely extracted without chemical modification of either the extract or the residue, both of which retain their natural composition. The water content of the extracted fats is less than 0.2% by weight. Scrap fat from meat and offal, such as visceral fat, may be used as starting material.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held apparatus or implement employing various interchangeable soil working assemblies, wherein the latter rotate about an axis oriented substantially normal to the soil surface, i.e., the assembly rotates in a horizontal plane parallel to the soil surface. The soil working assemblies selectively include soil engaging tine, auger, drill, etc., members which depend via integral support bases from a central guide rod. The guide rod extends along the axis of rotation of the soil working assembly, wherein the tip thereof engages the soil prior to contact therewith by the rest of the assembly. The apparatus contemplates various power source configurations, mutually interchangeable with the various soil working assemblies, dependent upon the operation to be performed, the existing soil conditions, etc. Thus the apparatus may include manual, electrical, gas, etc., power sources and may employ cultivating, mulching, weeding, boring, etc., assemblies.