Abstract: A process for removing oil base mud adhering to cuttings obtained in well drilling operations, comprising contacting the cuttings with a solvent consisting essentially of a mixture of ethyleneglycol monoisobutyl ether, diethyleneglycol monobutyl ether acetate, ethyl butyl ketone, ethyleneglycol monobutyl ether, ethyleneglycol monomethyl ether acetate, diethyleneglycol diethyl ether, and diethyleneglycol mono-n-hexyl ether, together with paraffin oil, in relative proportions of from 10:90 to 80:20. This forms a mixture of oil and solvent on the cuttings which is readily removable; as by washing or centrifuging or a combination of the two.

Abstract: Proteins, amino acids, gums, and other valuable fermentation products are efficiently biosynthesized from hydrocarbon derived feedstocks containing aldehydes which have been admixed with a nitrogen-containing compound before being passed to a fermentor.

Abstract: Drilling mud having a high density capable of countering high pressures in formations penetrated by the borehole of a well is prepared by delivering a drilling mud having barite suspended in it into a cyclone separator at a rate which causes the pressure drop in the liquid as it passes through the cyclone separator to exceed 500 psi. A suspension of barite in drilling mud liquids is discharged as underflow from the cyclone separators. That suspension, which has a density in the range of 16 to 20 pounds per gallon, is either blended with a controlled amount of drilling mud liquids to produce a drilling mud of the desired density or pumped directly into the well to place a slug of very high density drilling mud in the well.

Abstract: An improved water base drilling mud composition wherein calcium ions are controlled and converted to water-insoluble plant nutrient compounds by the use of monocalcium phosphate compounds, said composition comprising an aqueous suspension containing from about 5 to 35 pounds per barrel of a clay material, from about 1 to 5 pounds per barrel of an alkaline earth metal hydroxide selected from the group consisting of calcium hydroxide and mixtures of calcium hydroxide and barium hydroxide, and at least a stoichiometric amount, based on the weight of said alkaline earth metal hydroxide of said monocalcium phosphate containing compound.

Abstract: Brine coming to the earth's surface can contain substances other than salt in water; occasionally of particular interest is gas contained in the brine, especially natural gas or methane or ethane. As the brine reaches the surface of the earth, the presence of this gas is visibly apparent and gives the brine a cloudy appearance. This gas is typically well dispersed through the brine initially as very minute incipient gas bubbles that will accumulate and separate from the brine, given sufficient time. A method is herein provided for quickly and efficiently clarifying the brine by passing the cloudy brine through a filter zone providing a pressure drop across the zone of greater than about 20 p.s.i.g.