Abstract: A method of removing a partial amount of water in a well, comprises deploying a differential filter downhole; and performing a downhole operation, wherein the differential filter comprises a swellable polymer that swells after contacting water such that permeability of the differential filter is reduced by removing said partial amount of water, the swellable polymer being non-soluble in the water and/or hydrocarbon and wherein the swellable polymer comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylate, polymethacrylic acid, poly maleic anhydride, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl alcohol, latex, polyamide, polyester, and a co-polymer thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition comprising from about 0.1 wt % to about 50 wt % of a plant based product comprising mucilage. Methods of making the composition, a well treatment fluid comprising the composition, and methods of using the composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for treating subterranean formations, in particular, oilfield stimulation compositions and methods using water-in-water polymer emulsions to uniformly dissolve a rheologically active polymer, such as a thickener or friction reducer, in the treatment fluid. The emulsions have a low viscosity and are easily pumped for mixing into a treatment fluid, where upon dilution with an aqueous medium, the polymer is easily hydrated without forming fish-eyes. The partitioning agent in the water-in-water emulsion does not generally affect the rheology of the treatment fluid. The invention also relates to further processing of the emulsion by wet grinding, high shear mixing and/or heating to enhance the hydration rate in the preparation of the well treatment fluid.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, first data to open an escrow account is received. The first data may include data indicative of (a) the name of a prospective parent of an unborn intended beneficiary of the escrow account, and (b) an amount to be deposited in the escrow account. A message may then be transmitted to indicate that the escrow account has been opened, and the message may include an account identification number of the escrow account. An indication that the intended beneficiary of the escrow account has been born may be received, and, in response to the indication, an instruction to convert the escrow account to a 529 college savings plan to benefit the intended beneficiary may be issued. Some embodiments are associated with a financial planning tool that receives first data indicating an age of a prospective college student along with second data indicating first investment holdings of a user, the first investment holdings not including any 529 college savings plan.

Abstract: A process of extracting procyanidins by alkaline hydrolysis. In particular, a procyanidin-containing material, pomace or residue is treated with an alkali, such as sodium or potassium hydroxide, for a predetermined amount of time and at a predetermined temperature to release procyanidins bound to polysaccharides and/or proteins of the cell wall or depolymerize polymeric procyanidins. After the procyanidins are released by alkaline hydrolysis, the extracts are acidified to obtain a pH level where the procyanidins do not degrade. The process of extracting procyanidins may be utilized to estimate the total amount of bound procyanidins in a plant material, enhance the bioavailability of beneficial procyanidins monomers and/or to treat the residue remaining after conventional solvent extraction for increased procyanidin extraction.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for treating subterranean formations, in particular, oilfield stimulation compositions and methods using water-in-water polymer emulsions to uniformly dissolve a rheologically active polymer, such as a thickener or friction reducer, in the treatment fluid. The emulsions have a low viscosity and are easily pumped for mixing into a treatment fluid, where upon dilution with an aqueous medium, the polymer is easily hydrated without forming fish-eyes. The partitioning agent in the water-in-water emulsion does not generally affect the rheology of the treatment fluid. The invention also relates to further processing of the emulsion by wet grinding, high shear mixing and/or heating to enhance the hydration rate in the preparation of the well treatment fluid.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for an automated, client-specific notification service for reporting return preparers. A notification mechanism may be implemented as a part or component of a return preparation program or as a separate application. The notification mechanism may generate customized notifications for clients based at least in part on the clients' previous return information, for example information from previously filed tax returns. The notification mechanism may customize both the content of the notifications and the timing of the notifications based on each client's particular return information. The notifications generated by the notification mechanism may include or indicate any information related to the return preparation and filing process. The information in a particular notification may be tailored to the specific client's reporting situation. The notifications may be provided to the client(s) via one or more other communications channels or mechanisms.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore utilizes a treating fluid formed from an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer. The treating fluid further contains a crosslinking agent and an optional delayed release alkaline additive. The delayed release alkaline additive may be at least one of urea, a urea derivative, a solid alkaline earth metal carbonate, a solid alkaline earth metal oxide and combinations of these. The treating fluid further includes an acidic pH adjusting agent used in an amount to provide the treating fluid with a pH of less than about 5. The treating fluid is then introduced into the formation.

Abstract: A cooking oil container has a filter cup retained at the upper end thereof. The filter cup retains a planar circular filter at the lower end and a seal between the filter holder and the bottom of the filter cup prevents oil from overflowing around the circumference of the filter holder to avoid the filter. The filter cup is spaced from the inner walls of the container to allow air to escape from the bottom of the container. The top of the container has a grip ring and the inverted top is useable as a drip tray for the filter cup while oil is being poured out of the container.

Abstract: The invention discloses treatment and reuse of oilfield produced water. A method of inhibiting enzymes/bacteria in an aqueous medium for viscosification comprises contacting the aqueous medium with a denaturant and/or a bactericide and thereafter mixing a gelling agent in the aqueous medium. The viscosified fluid can be used as a well treating fluid for fracturing and other applications. A well treatment fluid comprises a metal denaturant and/or a bactericide and a gelling agent in an amount effective to viscosify the fluid. Also disclosed is oilfield produced water denatured with from 1 to 2000 ppm by weight of a zirconium compound.

Abstract: Non-food plant biomass is subjected to hot-water extraction in a pressurized vessel at an elevated temperature up to about 250° C. and at a pH below about 7.0, to yield an aqueous extract containing hemicellulosic components, other wood-derived compounds, and a lignocellulosic residue. The separated aqueous extract or liquor is purified and concentrated through a multi-step process producing fermentable sugars. At each stage, inhibitory chemicals such as acetic acid, lignin, and furfural are separated and eventually recovered as commercial chemicals. The lignocellulosic residue may be further processed, as a material with enhanced resistance to sorption of water, for manufacture of improved pulp and paper, construction materials, pellet fuel, and/or other useful products.

Abstract: A computer system for administering applications for life insurance has a processor and a memory storage device in communication with the processor. The processor is configured to receive data indicative of an application and an initial premium payment from a proposed insured for life insurance; based on the received data, determine whether the proposed insured is uninsurable; responsive to a determination that the proposed insured is not uninsurable, generate an output signal having data indicative of a decision to respond to the application by issuing a policy and commencing a comprehensive underwriting process; receive data indicative of a result of the comprehensive underwriting process; based on the result of the comprehensive underwriting process, determine a rating of the proposed insured; and, based on the rating, provide an output signal indicative of a same or changed premium for the policy.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, for each of a plurality of insurance contracts, a processor is operative to identify one or more premium payments and identify a distribution fee rule applicable to each of the premium payments. The processor is operative to compute, using the distribution fee rule, a distribution fee associated with each of the premium payments and calculate a total distribution fee associated with the contract based on a total of the distribution fees associated with each of the premium payments. The processor is further operative to update a value of said contract based on the total distribution fee.

Abstract: The invention provides an environmentally friendly composition including a friction reducer, a biocide, a scale inhibitor, and optionally a clay stabilizer.

Abstract: A well treatment microemulsion for use in a subterranean formation is disclosed, the microemulsion comprises a solvent blend comprising a solvent and a co-solvent; a surfactant blend comprising a surfactant, wherein the surfactant blend is able to give formation intermediate wettability properties; an alcohol; and a carrier fluid; wherein the alcohol, the solvent and surfactant blends are combined with the carrier fluid to produce the well treatment microemulsion. By intermediate wettability it is meant that the water has an advancing contact angle on the surface between 62 and 133 degrees. The associate method of treating a subterranean formation of a well with the microemulsion and the associate method of modifying the wettability of the formation with the microemulsion are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention discloses method of treating a subterranean formation of a well bore, the method comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous base fluid; a viscosity enhancer; and a viscoelastic surfactant, wherein the enhancer is acid in the aqueous base fluid and co-operates with the viscoelastic surfactant to enhance viscosity compared to viscoelastic surfactant alone in the aqueous base fluid; and introducing the treatment fluid into the well bore.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of embodiments of the invention relate to a system for treating a subterranean formation including mixing equipment to form a fluid comprising sodium hypochlorite and sodium diacetate; and pumps and a tubular to introduce the fluid into the subterranean formation, wherein a surface of the subterranean formation contains at least 15 percent less microorganisms than if no sodium hypochlorite were in the fluid. Methods and apparatus of embodiments of the invention relate to a method of producing a petroleum product from a wellbore including using a well treatment system comprising mixing equipment, pumps, and a tubular, forming a fluid comprising sodium hypochlorite and sodium diacetate; and introducing the fluid to the well treatment system to achieve a reduced population of microorganisms in the system.

Abstract: Remote-activation locks designed to permit unlocking and/or locking of the lock without physical manipulation of the lock are articulated to a product/good in a manner so as to deny one or more benefits associated with the product/good.

Abstract: A computer system for administering a retirement income guarantee contract includes a communications module for receiving and transmitting data, and an administration module. The administration module has: an account initiation module for storing contract data including: an initial premium amount paid on which an accumulation balance is initially based; a target payout commencement date and a payout commencement date range including the target payout commencement date; payout rates fixed at the time of payment of the initial premium amount for determining income payments for payouts commencing at dates within the range; and one or more crediting rates fixed at the time of payment of the initial premium amount for determining increases in accumulation balance until the payout date. A payout administration module determines a payout amount based on the accumulation balance at the payout date and the fixed payout rate applicable to the payout date.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for displaying information topics that are available via an online help system. The methods and systems store information for given topics in a respective folder associated with a given topic, detect the selection of one of the folders associated with a topic of interest, search files at a hierarchical level in the selected folder to identify files of a predetermined type, locate HTML metatags that pertain to the display of help information, merge data associated with the HTML metatags into a HTML template file to generate an HTML file containing data associated with each of the located HTML metatags, and provide a table of contents for the topic of interest associated with the selected folder using the generated HTML file.