Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the effectiveness of fluid transport in a fines-containing earthen formation and inhibiting permeability damage of that formation. Wet steam is generated from a feedwater that contains potassium chloride, enough anhydrous ammonia is added into the steam to produce sufficient ammonium ions in the vapor phase condensate to inhibit permeability damage of the formation in the vicinity of the vapor phase, enough carbon dioxide is added into the steam effective to the pH of the vapor phase condensate between 7.5 and 10.5, the wet steam is injected into the formation, and then the steam is blown down to vaporize liquid water of the formation and cause the vaporized water to leave the portion.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the effectiveness of fluid transport in a petroleum reservoir. That method comprises increasing the permeability of a portion of the reservoir by removing liquid water from that portion by evaporating off the liquid water. Preferably, substantially all of the liquid water is removed. In one embodiment, the liquid water is evaporated off by heating the portion to a temperature above the boiling point of water for the ambient pressure of the portion. In another embodiment, the liquid water is evaporated off by injecting into the reservoir a gas (such as heated nitrogen) that is undersaturated with respect to water. In a third embodiment, steam is injected into a well within the portion, and the steam is blown down to vaporize substantially all of the liquid water and to cause the vaporized water to leave the portion. In still another embodiment, superheated steam is injected into the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for controlling pH in the liquid and vapor phases of wet steam having such phases formed in a steam generation system from feedwater having therein at least one carbonate species which in the presence of steam forms a vapor phase component tending to lower the pH of the vapor phase of the steam upon condensation and a liquid phase component tending to raise the pH of the liquid phase of the steam. It comprises: (a) converting the feedwater in a steam generation system to steam having a vapor phase and a liquid phase; and (b) adding to the steam generation system, a heterocyclic, multifunctional, nitrogen-containing compound capable of forming a nonvolatile anionic component and a cationic component that, in the presence of said system, yields hydrogen ions for reducing the pH of the liquid phase of said steam and an alkaline component for increasing the pH of the vapor phase of said steam upon condensation.

Abstract: In its broadest aspect, the present invention provides a method for inhibiting silica dissolution in the vicinity of a well penetrating a hydrocarbon-containing formation. It includes: (a) adding an amount of a chmeical compound to a wet steam which forms an alkaline component in the vapor phase of the wet steam effective to inhibit corrosion in the vicinity of the vapor phase condensate; (b) separating the wet steam into the liquid phase and the vapor phase; (c) removing an amount of the liquid phase from the wet steam effective to reduce silica dissolution in the vicinity of the liquid phase; and (d) injecting the wet steam into the formation.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting permeability damage of a hydrocarbon formation containing clay minerals in the vicinity of a well penetrating the formation. It comprises: injecting a wet steam that includes (a) an amount of ammonia in the vapor phase of the wet steam to produce a concentration of ammonium ions in the vapor phase condensate of the wet steam effective to inhibit permeability damage of the formation in the vicinity of the vapor phase, and (b) an amount of a bicarbonate salt of the alkali metals, or mixtures thereof, effective to raise the liquid phase pH of the wet steam to within the range of about 7.5 to about 10.5.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting permeablility damage of a hydrocarbon formation containing clay minerals in the vicinity of a well penetrating the formation while inhibiting pipe corrosion. It comprises: (1) injecting a wet steam comprising (a) an amount of ammonium ions to produce an ammonium ion concentration in the vapor phase condensate of the wet steam effective to inhibit the permeability damage of the formation in the vicinity of the vapor phase, and (b) an amount of a bicarbonate salt of the alkali metals, or mixtures thereof, effective to raise the pH of the liquid phase of the wet steam within the range of from about 7.5 to about 10.5; and (2) monitoring the pH of the residual liquid phase and continually adjusting the addition of the bicarbonate salt to maintain the pH within the range of from about 7.5 to about 10.5.

Abstract: A method and device for properly mixing stabilizing chemicals into earthen formations. A helical blade of one or more convolutions is attached to a hollow torque tube and rotated down into the soil. As the device is rotated through the soil to be stabilized, chemicals are pumped down the torque tube, out the device, and then mixed into a soil column by the rotating action of the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stabilizing clay soil by mixing an effective amount of dry hydroxy-aluminum and dry base with the clay.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing clay soil comprising admixing the clay soil with an effective amount of a solution of hydroxy-aluminum having a concentration of at least 4 molar.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing clay soil comprising admixing the clay soil with an effective amount of a solution of chemicals comprising hydroxy-aluminum and a chemical selected from the group consisting of potassium chloride, potassium nitrate, potassium sulfate, ammonium chloride, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium sulfate.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a novel catalyst support, a method of making said support by treatment of prior art crystalline catalyst supports with hydroxy-aluminum solution and hydrocarbon conversion processes wherein the catalyst used therein includes said support.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an aqueous hydroxy-aluminum drilling fluid having a ratio of hydroxy groups to aluminum atoms in the range of from 1.0 to 2.7 and a concentration of at least 0.5 molar and including an effective amount of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyvinyl alcohol and a corrosion inhibitor.

Abstract: The caking tendency of ammonium salt compositions during storage is reduced by coating the compositions with a minor amount of a hydroxy-aluminum polymer.