Abstract: A process for upgrading a light olefin feed by converting the 1-olefins to higher molecular weight oligomers and the iso-oleins to fuel ethers or alcohols. The process provides substantial improvements in the production of lower alkyl tertiary alkyl ethers or tertiary alkyl alcohol, such as methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), methyl tertiary amyl ether (TAME) or tertiary butyl alcohol. The 1-olefin component of the hydrocarbon feedstream is separated by selective oligomerization in contact with a reduced chromium oxide catalyst to form an olefin oligomer of higher molecular weight, such as gasoline, distillate and lube range hydrocarbons. The iso-olefins are separated by etherification with a lower alcohol such as methanol or by hydration to form an alcohol such as tertiary butanol. The oligomerization process can be integrated either upstream or downstream of the etherification step.

Abstract: The permeability of a subterranean oil-bearing formation is controlled by the injection of an aqueous solution of a cross-linked block copolymer containing polar and non-polar segments, with the polar segments generally making up as least 50 percent, usually 60 to 99 percent, of the copolymer. The polar segments are derived from an alkylene oxide and the non-polar segments from styrene or an alkyl styrene either by itself or with a diene. The copolymers are cross-linked with an amino resin or a combination of a phenolic and a water-dispersible aldehyde component. The resulting copolymer gels are stable at low pH conditions, such as those of CO.sub.2 flood conditions.

Abstract: The opportunity for mercury vapor, a common component of natural gas, to form a corrosive amalgam with the aluminum construction material of a cryogenic heat exchanger used in natural gas liquefaction operations is greatly minimized by cooling the mercury-containing gas to a temperature at or below the freezing point of mercury prior to introducing the gas to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: The permeability of a subterranean oil-bearing formation is controlled by the injection of an aqueous solution of a cross-linked block copolymer containing polar and non-polar segments, with the polar segments generally making up at least 50 percent, usually 60 to 99 percent, of the copolymer. The polar segments are derived from an alkylene oxide and the non-polar segments from styrene or an alkyl styrene either by itself or with a diene. The copolymers are cross-linked with an amino resin or a combination of a phenolic and a water-dispersible aldehyde component. The resulting copolymer gels are stable at low pH conditions, such as those of CO.sub.2 flood conditions.

Abstract: A method for diverting steam injection in injection wells by the use of perforation ball sealers composed of polymer compounds covered with a thin coating of elastomer of low enough density to float in the injected fluids, yet able to stand the adverse temperatures of steam injection.

Abstract: A method for diverting CO.sub.2 injection in injection wells by the use of perforation ball sealers composed of polymer compounds covered with a thin coating of elastomer of low enough density to float in the injected fluids, yet able to stand the adverse temperatures of CO.sub.2 injection.

Abstract: The permeability of a subterranean oil-bearing formation is controlled by the injection of an aqueous solution of a block copolymer containing polar and non-polar segments, with the polar segments generally making up at least 50 percent, usually 60 to 99 percent, of the copolymer. The polar segments are derived from an alkylene oxide and the non-polar segments from styrene or an alkyl styrene either by itself or with a diene. The copolymers may be cross-linked with polyvalent metal ions such as chromium and are normally used in solution concentrations of 1000-10,000 ppm. Diene units in the non-polar segment may be hydrogenated to reduce residual unsaturation and solubilizing functional groups such as sulfonate or hydroxyl may be present to improve water solubility.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for the recovery of bitumen from mined tar sands that comprises admixing mined tar sands with a hydrocarbon liquid such as light crude oil or a mixture of light crude oils from a nearby reservoir thereby obtaining a bitumen-hydrocarbon mixture mixed with sand, separating the bulk of said bitumen-hydrocarbon mixture from the sand as a liquid, and recovering the remainder of the bitumen-hydrocarbon mixture using chemical waterflooding techniques.

Abstract: This invention provides in the production of heavy oil from a shallow subterranean tar sand bed penetrated by spaced injection and recovery systems, the method comprising:(a) forming a plurality of horizontal fractures spanning the distance between said injection system and said recovery system, said fractures being spaced apart in a vertical direction with respect to each other throughout the depth of the tar sand bed;(b) injecting a solvent for heavy oil and/or steam into said fractures,(c) shutting in the injection and recovery systems for a predetermined period of time to form a heavy oil/solvent mixture by gravity-driven convective mixing, and(d) recovering said heavy oil/solvent mixture in said recovery system by conventional recovery techniques.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for the recovery of bitumen from mined tar sands that comprises admixing mined tar sands with a hydrocarbon liquid such as light crude oil or a mixture of light crude oils from a nearby reservoir thereby obtaining a bitumen-hydrocarbon mixture mixed with sand, separating the bulk of said bitumen-hydrocarbon mixture from the sand as a liquid, and recovering the remainder of the bitumen-hydrocarbon mixture using chemical waterflooding techniques.

Abstract: A method of modifying the formation of slimes, particularly phosphate slimes, by treating the ore matrix with an electrolyte solution, resulting in their more rapid flocculation.