Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention a locking device is provided, the device comprising a first movable object; a second movable object; and a housing, wherein the housing defines at least (i) a cavity, (ii) a first bore for receiving the first movable object, and (iii) a second bore which opens into the cavity and intersects with the first bore, and in which the second movable object is at least partially disposed; whereby upon movement of the first movable object into a locking position within the first bore, the second movable object is moved to a position in proximity or in contact with an abutting surface within the cavity. Related combinations of such devices, as well as releasable hinges and closures employing such configurations and related methods are also described.

Abstract: A dispenser which comprises (a) a first housing portion which is formed from at least one wall, the first housing portion wall defining a first housing portion interior and a first housing portion opening which exposes the interior of the first housing portion interior to the exterior of the first housing portion; and (b) a second housing portion formed from at least one wall; wherein one side of the second housing portion wall is configured to receive at least one end of a shaft upon which dispensable material may be placed, the shaft when present being disposed relative to the second housing portion wall so that the longitudinal axis of the shaft is offset from a plane occupied by at least a portion of the second housing portion, and wherein the second housing portion is rotatably attached to the first housing portion so that the second housing portion may be rotated about a second housing portion rotational axis, whereby upon rotation of the second housing portion the shaft when present may be revealed and

Abstract: The invention is a method of recovering hydrocarbons from an underground vertical hydrocarbon reservoir having a substantial vertical thickness, an oil saturation relatively near residual oil saturation to gas, and at least one injection well and one production well penetrating the reservoir. The method comprises injecting a surfactant slug into the bottom of the reservoir above any water zone or aquifer, and driving the surfactant slug upwards through the reservoir by the use of some driving force. The driving force may be supplied by one or more of a combination of methods comprising producing the gas cap of the reservoir, producing hydrocarbons banked above the surfactant slug, or injecting fluid below the surfactant slug. Hydrocarbons are recovered at one or more production wells.

Abstract: The invention is a method for recovering residual hydrocarbons from a reservoir which has been previously swept by gas. The invention steps comprise drilling and completing at least one horizontal injection well relatively near the top of the reservoir, injecting a miscible solvent through the horizontal injection well to create a curtain of solvent falling through the previously gas swept reservoir, and producing hydrocarbons and other fluids that have been banked below the falling solvent curtain through a vertical or horizontal production well.

Abstract: The invention is a method for recovering residual hydrocarbons from a reservoir which has been previously swept by gas. The invention steps comprise drilling and completing at least one horizontal injection well relatively near the top of the reservoir and relatively near a substantially vertically oriented boundary of the reservoir, drilling and completing at least one second injection well between the horizontal injection well and the vertical boundary of the reservoir, injecting a miscible solvent through the horizontal injection well to create a curtain of solvent falling through the previously gas swept reservoir, and injecting a drive fluid into the reservoir through the second injection well to drive the curtain of falling solvent horizontally through the reservoir. A production well is employed to produce hydrocarbons and other fluids that have been banked in front of the horizontally driven falling solvent curtain.