Mobil

About: Mobil is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Zeolite. The organization has 7085 authors who have published 10642 publications receiving 237497 citations. The organization is also known as: Socony-Vacuum Oil Company & Standard Oil Company of New York.

Smectite Dehydration--Its Relation to Structural Development and Hydrocarbon Accumulation in Northern Gulf of Mexico Basin

Abstract: A comparison of clay diagenesis data obtained from a study of Tertiary shales from the Brazos-Colorado River system of Texas, the Mississippi River system of Louisiana, and the Niger River system of Nigeria illustrates significant differences in temperature intervals over which smectite diagenesis occurs. The threshold temperature required to initiate diagenesis ranges from about 160°F (71°C) in Mississippi River sediments to more than 300°F (150°C) in the Niger delta. Water expelled from smectite into the pore system of the host shale during the process of diagenesis may migrate out of the shale early or may be totally or partially trapped and released slowly through time. In either situation, the water can act as a vehicle for hydrocarbon migration p ovided hydrocarbons are present in a form and in sufficient quantities to be transported. Observations from the northern Gulf of Mexico basin indicate a close relation between buildup of high fluid pressure and the smectite-illite transformation process. Abnormal pressures exert partial control on the type and quantity of hydrocarbons accumulated because pressure potential determines the direction of fluid flow, and overpressuring partly controls the geometry of growth faults and related folds in basins where shale structures are the dominant type formed. The depths to which growth faults can penetrate and the angle of dip that these faults assume at depth are largely dependent on fluid pressure in the sedimentary section at the time of faulting. Dips of some faults in Texas have been observed to change abruptly within the interval of smectite diagenesis, and some faults formed in the overpressured Miocene and younger sections become beddingplane types at depths where the temperature is near that required for thermal generation of petroleum. Although these faults may be important for fluid redistribution in shallow sandstone-shale sections, they are a minor factor in moving hydrocarbons out of shale below the faults in much of the Texas offshore area. Fluid movement upward through microfracture systems in the deeply buried overpressured section overlying and extending upward from fault trends in the sub-Tertiary section is proposed as a mechanism for flushing hydrocarbons from the deeper portion of the northern Gulf of Mexico basin. This flushing process would be enhanced by smectite diagenesis because water derived from smectite that was trapped during basin subsidence would cause the flushing process to continue for longer periods of time and to extend to greater depths than could be attained if only remnants of original pore water were present. Shale tectonism is also the primary mechanism for structural development in the Tertiary section of the Niger delta; however, seismic data indicate that the rate of dip change of seaward-dipping listric growth faults is commonly less than that observed in Texas where dips as low as 10°-15° can occur at depths as shallow as 10,000-15,000 ft (3,048-4,572 m). Syndepositional faults in Nigeria are formed in sandstone-shale sections where the clay composition of shale is primarily kaolinite and where little water of smectite diagenesis has been added to the pore system of the host sedimentary section. Subtle differences in structural styles in the Tertiary sections of Texas and Nigeria are probably the result of differences in clay composition of the shaly sections being deformed

Approximations to the reflection and transmission coefficients of plane longitudinal and transverse waves

Abstract: The reflection and transmission coefficients for vertical incidence can be very closely approximated by computing the direct-reflected and the direct-transmitted portion for transition layers, and letting the thickness approach zero. The same procedure can then be applied to the general case of oblique incidence, which yields approximate values of the respective coefficients, including those of the converted waves. The approximate values compare well with the exact values calculated by Muskat and Meres (1940). These approximations might be adequate for all cases occurring in reflection seismic prospecting. They can also be used, possibly even more profitably, for the derivation of some rules governing the reflection process. The influence of Poisson's ratio can be read more or less directly from the approximate formulas. All converted waves depend primarily on the ratio of the shear velocities.

Method for directionally drilling a first well to intersect a second well

Abstract: A first well is directionally drilled to intersect a second well. The second well is magnetized along its well casing to produce a magnetic anomaly which is sensed by a magnetometer located in the first. The drilling of the first well is redirected in accordance with the magnitude of the sensed anomaly so as to cause intersection of the first well with the second well.

Recent Developments in High-Energy Density Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels

Abstract: The evolution of high-energy density fuels over the past three decades is briefly described This period can be characterized by exceedingly slow progress and notable lack of success toward the development of practical, economically viable fuel systems Recently, two novel ultrahigh-energy density fuels, one naturally occurring and one synthetic, have emerged; these fuels, which are both composed of compact hydrocarbon molecules, have energy contents or heating values significantly greater than that of currently used standard missile fuel JP-10 (up to 160K Btu/gal (447K MJ/m3) vs 1417K Btu/gal (396K MJ/m3)) In addition, these fuels also exhibit superior low-temperature, viscometric, flash-point, and other properties that are desired and, indeed, required for practical fuels Initial research and development of these fuels are described, and their chemistries, properties, and, in the case of the naturally occurring fuel, engine test results are provided