Abstract: A clay-thickened, water-based drilling fluid composition demonstrating enhanced stability at the elevated temperatures encountered in deep drilling oil and gas recovery operations in described. The drilling fluid composition comprises an aqueous clay dispersion and a dispersing amount of a polymer crosslinked through a polyvalent metal cation.

Abstract: Various water-soluble additives, either alone or in various combinations, for use in water-based clay drilling fluids. The additives are an acrylate polymer, an acrylate propylene glycol copolymer and three structurally different sulfonate amide polymers. One of the sulfonate amide polymers is a terpolymer consisting of a random distribution of units of the formulae ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and each is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl, and X.sup.+ is a cation. A second sulfonate amide polymer is a copolymer consisting only of a random distribution of units (a) and (b). The third sulfonate amide polymer is a copolymer consisting of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid and acrylamide. The acrylate polymer is of the formula ##STR2## while the acrylate propylene glycol copolymer is of the formula ##STR3## Drilling operations using a drilling fluid containing these compositions can be carried out at pH levels from about 8 to 11.5 and at temperatures up to about 220.degree. C.

Abstract: A water-based clay drilling fluid or mud suitable for drilling at temperatures up to 200.degree. C. and pressures up to 100 psig at pH levels from 8 to 11.5, said mud or fluid containing additives which are two separate and distinct water-soluble vinyl sulfonate amide polymers. One polymer consists of a random distribution of units of the formulae ##STR1## The other polymer consists of a random distribution of units of the formula (a) and (b) as described above. In each polymer, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and each is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl, and X.sup.+ is a cation.Drilling while using this improved fluid or mud results in a reduced fluid loss rate.

Abstract: A method for converting hydrocarbonaceous materials such as oil shale, tar sands and other similar materials into hydrocarbonaceous fluids by use of a liquid hydrogen donor wherein the reaction is conducted in a substantially air free environment and the resultant modified organic content on said shale is recovered without the use of a hydrocarbonaceous solvent.

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: The present invention relates to a process for the substantial reduction of hydrogen sulfide formation during retorting of oil shale by previously treating the oil shale under mild oxidative conditions to passivate the pyrite present in the oil shale. The oxidation of the oil shale under mild oxidative conditions results in the reduction of hydrogen sulfide formation during retorting without a decrease in the amount of oil produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a beneficiation process for oil shale ore which contains substantial or detrimental amounts of pyrites wherein the ore is simultaneously treated to substantially reduce hydrogen sulfide formation during subsequent retorting.

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 novel means of inhibiting the corrosion of hydraulic systems is provided wherein hydraulic fluid containing moisture is contacted with a dessicant such as zeolite 13X thereby substantially removing said moisture.

Abstract: Preliminary extraction of coal with mineral acid changes the course of coal liquefaction in a solvent under hydrogen pressure. At short reaction periods, yields of high boiling fuel product is enhanced.

Abstract: A method of recovering oil from a subterranean oil reservoir by waterflooding in which at least a portion of the injected water contains an anionic surfactant comprising a hydrocarbyl hydroxyalkane aminoalkane sulfonate. The hydroxy group is in the 4- or 5-position with respect to the sulfonate group. This surfactant is stable in the presence of high concentrations of divalent metal ions. Thus, this process is applicable in those situations in which the reservoir waters and/or the waters employed in formulating the flooding medium exhibit high divalent metal ion concentrations.

Abstract: Grease compositions are provided comprising a major proportion of an oil of lubricating viscosity and a thickening amount of a metal salt of a C-alkyl or alkenyl succinic acid, having from about 10 to about 30 carbon atoms in the alkyl or alkenyl group, and a metal salt of a C-alkyl or alkenyl succoinoamidoarylsulfonic acid, having from about 14 to about 30 carbon atoms in the alkyl or alkenyl group.