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By A. Beeby Thompson

FOR more than 2500 years, natural gas issues in the Surakhany district of the Apsheron peninsula were the object of pilgrimages by fire worshippers and Hindoos from Burma and India. Even as late as 1890, Hindoo priests conducted ceremonies in a temple at Surakhany, which probably replaced a more ancient one; but later, the visits of the pilgrims were prohibited in order to check the spread of Asiatic diseases in that region. For centuries, limited supplies of oil have been abstracted from shallow excavations in the Caspian oil belt and dispatched into the interior of Asia and elsewhere for medicinal and industrial purposes. Statistics show a yield of 37,400 bbl. in 1863, but only since 1869 has there been serious development; in that year the yield was 203,000 bbl. At that time, hand digging was supplanted by drilling, and the enormous wells that resulted from tapping sources hitherto beyond the reach of operators completely demoralized the industry for a time, owing to inadequate outlets for the products. The early activities in this area were greatly hindered by annoying taxation, monopolies, imperial land grants, etc., but when these were revoked or adjusted, in 1877, the industry sprang into prominence and, between 1898 and 1901, the Baku fields produced practically one-half of the world's supply of oil. Within a few miles of Baku lie the two richest oil fields in the world; viz., the Balakhany-Saboontchy-Romany and the Bibi-Eibat, the latter constituting almost a suburb of the city. For many years the gasoline obtained in the refineries of the Baku area was burned in pits, being considered an undesirable product, and until 1870 the residue also was destroyed, its value as a fuel not being recognized. Kerosene was the main product sought by the refiners. It was shipped across the Caspian Sea and up the Volga to the industrial centers of Russia. Only on the completion of the Baku-Batoum railway did the Baku oil fields secure

Jan 8, 1920

[NORTH AMERICA ALASKA Anchorage.-Strandberg, H. Chlchagoff.-Russell, J. C. College.-Barber. R. J. Dorsh, J. B. Fox, E. F. Joesting, H. R. McAnerney, J., M. Douglas.-Cahill, W. E. Fairbanks.-Beistline, E. H. Crawford, J. D. Earling, R. B. Greves, J. H. Harris, Q. P., Jr. Henton, H. M. Herbert, C. F. Hester. W. B. Hopkins, J. E. Kreitlow, E. J. MacDonald, D., III March, J. P. Mathews, T. C.]

Jan 1, 1940

By Paul E. Dorr, Kenneth P. Pavlich

This paper covers the practical aspects of economic analysis of mineral ventures and the application of a publicly available computer program. The paper touches briefly on the time value of money concepts and the phases of project evaluation. The most comprehensive port ion of the paper deal s with the requirements for economic evaluation, including capital expenditure categories, operating expenses, required geological and engineering data, and tax considerations. Highlights of the 1981 and 1982 tax laws are covered. A case study using the MINECO computer program will be used to illustrate the economic evaluation concepts developed. Guidelines and goals of sensitivity analysis and Monte Carlo simulation will be discussed and demonstrated on the MINECO example. The MINECO software system will be displayed as an example of a "user-friendly", interactive, and flexible computer tool available to the mining professional today.

Jan 1, 1983

By G. E. Warner

This paper presents a review and analysis of a highly stratified Burbank sand waterflooding project in Osage County, Okla. Permeability values in this reservoir range from less than 0.1 md to nearly 3 darcys, and 90 percent of the permeability capacity is contained in approximately 26 percent of the reservoir volume. To date, the project has recovered 103 bbl/flood-acre-ft since waterflood initiation, which represents 50 percent of the total preflood cumulative and 12 percent of the original stock-tank oil in place (OSTOIP). The outstanding feature of this project has been the economical recovery of a sizable quantity of oil at water-oil ratios higher than those normally considered prohibitive. Nearly 70 percent of the recovery to date has been achieved at water-cut values greater than 95 percent. An ultimate waterflood recovery of 138 bbl/flood-acre-ft, or 67 percent of the preflood recovery and 16 percent of the OSTOIP, is predicted. The ultimate primary and secondary recovery will be 302 bbl/acre-ft and approximutely 40 percent of the OSTOIP. The actual performance is compared with the predicted performance by both the Stiles and the Dykstra-Parsons methods, and applicabiliry of these methods to this particular reservoir is evaluated. The performance of this project indicafes highly stratified reservoirs can be successfully and economically waterflooded when either reservoir or economic conditions preclude the use of mechanical and chemical means of mdbility control. Introduction The concept of the stratified reservoir has been used by reservoir engineers for many years to describe the vertical variations in permeability within a reservoir. Numerous techniques have been advanced to predict the expected waterflood performance of the stratified reservoir, and in most cases they prove reasonably accurate. The advisability of undertaking a prospective waterflooding project is determined, based on these predictions. This paper presents a review of a waterflood project in a highly stratified reservoir that normally would be considered a marginal prospect, at best, when evaluated with any prediction technique properly adjusted for reservoir conditions. This kind of project can be successful if the predictions are used to design a waterflooding system capable of economically recovering an oil cut of 1 to 2 percent. Experience gained in the early stages of the project's development was profitably applied in the later development of the entire reservoir and could prove beneficial to other projects with similar reservoir stratification or fracture characteristics. The East Burbank pool waterflooding operations have been developed in three separate stages, each of which has been a separate project: Mid-Burbank Unit, Flood A, and Stanley Waterflood. When referred to collectively, these projects will be called the Composite Project. The Skelly Oil Co.'s Barber lease — the only portion of the pool not included in the three projects — is operated as a separate facility with a cooperative injection-well agreement. It contains less than 80 productive acres and would not significantly affect the over-all performance picture.

Jan 1, 1969

By Charles H. Morgan

Jan 1, 1905

By J. A. Morgan, R. E. Lund, D. E. Warnes

The design, operation, and performance of an integrated pilot plant for recovering zinc and copper from a complex sulfide ore are described. Metallurqical processing comprised selective sulfate roasting in a fluid bed, leaching in a weak sulfuric acid solution, recovering copper by cementation with scrap iron, air oxidation to remove soluble iron, more-or-less conventional Purification for removal of impurities deleterious to zinc electrolysis, recovering zinc by electrolyzing solutions, and recycling spent electrolyte to the sulfating roaster. The effects of several feed preparation and roasting variables on the sulfation response of zinc, copper, and iron are set forth, together with the electrolyzing characteristics of the zinc solutions. SEVERAL years ago, St. Joseph Lead Co. undertook a research program to develop procedures for winning values from a complex ore. The deposit was a massive sulfide ore body containing upwards of 65 pct pyrite. Gangue, composed principally of quartz, calcite, dolomite, and alumina, comprised only 10 to 20 pct of the mineralized zones. Zinc, lead, and copper values were variable, but averaged about 6.7 pct Zn, 2.6 pct Pb, and 0.4 pct Cu. Early in the exploratory test work, it was established that the intimate physical association of the minerals in the ore made beneficiation by conventional flotation procedures difficult. Accordingly, in addition to a comprehensive program to investigate physical methods of ore beneficiation, a research program was established to develop a direct metallurgical method for processing the ore. After surveying a number of potential methods for recovery of both metal and sulfur values, effort was concentrated on the development of a sulfate roasting process. It is the pilot-plant development of the sulfate roasting-solution purification—electrolyzing procedures which forms the subject of the present paper. PREPILOT PLANT INVESTIGATIONS From a thermodynamic viewpoint, it is feasible to sulfate selectively a host of metals, including Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Co, in an iron sulfide ore without sulfating iron. Of course, a number of conditions such as roasting temperature and gas composition must be controlled. In addition, as first disclosed by Hybinette,' an alkali metal salt is frequently beneficial in promoting the sulfation reactions. The application of fluid bed roasting to the sulfate roasting of nonferrous metals was pioneered by Stephens of Battelle Memorial Institute.' Subsequently, Falconbridge Nickel Mines, Ltd. developed an unique process for selectively sulfating and recovering nickel, copper, and cobalt from their nickeliferous pyrrhotite, which recently has been described in an excellent paper by Thornhill.3 One of the unique features of the Falconbridge process is that the feed is introduced into the fluidized roasting furnace in a manner such that the feed slurry is broken up into droplets and the droplets lose their moisture before contacting the surface of the fluidized bed. The dried droplets do not tend to cake or fuse, but rather remain as discrete agglomerates of concentrate particles and roast without significant degradation. St. Joseph, aware that Battelle Memorial Institute had participated in the development of the Falconbridge process, obtained permission from Falcon-

Jan 1, 1962

Jan 1, 1898

Jan 1, 1909

By R. A. Swalin, A. H. Geisler

THIS study represents an investigation of the effect of annealing temperature on the texture of drawn molybdenum, iron, and an iron alloy containing 14 pct Al. The effect of temperature on annealing textures has not been widely investigated in the past. One of the obstacles in making such a study using usual X-ray diffraction techniques results from the

Jan 1, 1957

By George M. Fowler

MINING geology is a progressive study, so we must look to the future for the solution of many of its most significant problems. These problems, world-wide in scope, offer ample opportunity for the exercise of the utmost skill and intelligence by all that attempt to solve theta, as it is generally recognized that many ore deposits of the future will he found only by months or years of combined intelligent effort by the several engineering groups. Renewed appraisals are continually being made to better understand the relationship of physical-chemical processes to ore deposition and other mineralization and to interpret the findings of the geophysicists and others in terms of economic results. A study of current geologic activi¬ties clearly reflects the growing tendency for cooperation between the different branches of geology in order to appraise their united efforts. In line with these activities arrangements have been made to transfer the geophysical section of the U. S. Bureau of Mines to the Geological Survey.

Jan 1, 1936

Jan 1, 1924

By W. H. Adams

Among the engineering plants with new features and deserving details which are constantly being brought to the working stage in the Southern States by the generous expenditure of capital, none can exceed in interest, whether to the public or the profession, the incline-railway built from base to summit of Lookout Mountain, near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Much geological and historical interest centers in this section of the middle mountain-country. Of its geology, the Transactions of the Institute contain many particulars. Of its history, the most

Jan 1, 1888

Jan 1, 1953

COLUMBIA SECTION J. C. HAAS, Chairman W. J. HALL,. Vice-chairman LYNDON K. ARMSTRONG, Secretary-Treasurer, 720 Peyton Bldg., Spokane, Wash. W. H. LINNEY J. F. MCCARTHY At a meeting of the members of Columbia Section, which was held in the Davenport hotel, Spokane, Wash., Jan. 31, 1919, at noon, there were present' about twenty members and guests. The chairman being absent, Mr. Frederick Keffer presided. The Secretary announced the personnel of the executive committee of the section, which is: J. C. Hass, Spokane, Chairman; W. J. Hall, Wallace, Ida., Vice-chairman; S. S. Fowler, Riondel, B. C., Past Chairman; L. K. Armstrong, Spokane, Secretary-Treasurer; R. M. Betts, Cornucopia, Oregon. It was stated that the geological survey and report on Stevens Co., Wash., has been completed and will be printed soon. The geologic survey of Colville Indian reservation, by J. T. Pardee, U. S. G. S., has been published as Bulletin No. 677 and is available for distribution, The Miner's Almanac, Miners Circular No. 24, U. S. Bureau of Mines. is also available upon request. There was considerable discussion on the program for meetings during the year. It was informally agreed that, if agreeable to Coeur d' Alene members, that one meeting should be held in that district, preferably at the time of the annual visit of Institute officials. It was also proposed to hold at least one open-air meeting in Spokane with suitable program. The activities of other sections were noted with favorable comment. In this connection there was much general discussion on the subject of closer relations between the national engineering societies. It was agreed that cooperation was desirable and imperative if the greatest measure of value be realized from the profession. It was not the sense of the members, however, that complete amalgamation is desirable. This expression of local sentiment is to be presented to the Institute

Jan 3, 1919

By AIME AIME

THOUGH born in England-on Nov. 23, 1372 William Wraith was brought to this country at the age of ten. Eight years later he entered the University of Illinois, transferring to the Michigan College of Mines where he got his E.M. in 1894. For the next three years he was a mine surveyor for the fuel department of the Santa Fe Railroad. Then he got into the copper-mining industry, which has occupied his attention for the last forty years. First he was engineer, at Butte, for the Boston & Montana company, and then helped to build the Washoe smelter at Anaconda, of which he was assistant superintendent from 1906 to 1913. The Anaconda company then sent him to Salt Lake City as manager of its subsidiary.

Jan 1, 1938

By H. C. George

As the basis for a round table discussion of Petroleum Engineering Education for the February, 1930, meeting of the Petroleum Division, A. I. M. E., the following questions were sent to about 60 of the leading engineers and educators in the petroleum industry: 1. Should there be any changes in the curricula of our courses in petroleum engineering to meet the changing demands of the Industry? If so, what changes?] 2. Should courses in petroleum engineering be offered through university extension? 3. Should the universities offer correspondence courses in petroleum engineering? 4. What should be the character of the graduate work offered in petroleum production engineering? 5. Should summer work in the oil fields, on pipe lines, or in oil refineries be required of undergraduates? If so, how much and of what character? The following men replied to the questions: G. B. Corless, Humble Oil & Refining Co., Houston, Texas. J. R. McWilliams, Skelly Oil Co., Tulsa, Okla. W. W. Scott, Humble Oil & Refining Co., Houston, Texas. H. H. Power, Gypsy Oil Co., Tulsa, Okla. L. G. E. Bignell, Oil K. Gas Journal, Tulsa, Okla. E. L. Estabrook, Pan American Petroleum & Transport Co., New York, N. Y. F. P. Donohue, Pan American Petroleum & Transport Co., New York, N. Y. C. 0. Rison, lndian Territory Illuminating Oil Co., Bartlesville, Okla. L. B. Holland, Phillips Petroleum Co., Bartlesville, Okla. H. J. Kemler, Shell Petroleum Corpn., St. Louis, Mo. C. A. Bonine, Pennsylvania State College, State College, Pa. J. 0. Lewis, Dunn & Lewis, Tulsa, Okla. A. G. Heggem, Tulsa, Okla. J. M. Lovejoy, Petroleum Bond & Share Corpn., New York, N. Y. B. B. Boatright, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colo. A. C. Ruble, Union Oil Co. of California, Los Angeles, Calif. J. B. Umpleby, Goldelline Oil Corpn., Oklahoma City, Okla. R. S. Knappen, Gypsy Oil Co., Tulsa, Okla. K. C. Heald, Gulf Companies, Pittsburgh, Pa. K. C. Sclater, Exchange National Bank Bldg., Tulsa, Okla. F. G. Tickell, Stanford University, Stanford University, Calif.

Jan 1, 1930

By Joseph C. Buchen

IN principle, production of salt from sea water is a simple operation. Sea water is trapped in ponds, the sun and wind cause evaporation of the water, and what is left is principally salt. Commercial production of solar salt, however, requires a careful consideration of many factors. Obviously, sufficient evaporation must take place throughout the making season to produce an economically adequate crop. Other factors are density of soil, contour of ground, height of ground above sea level, minimum dilution from fresh-water streams, and distance from market. Unfortunately, in the United States the localities of greatest evaporation, allowing for the other factors, are not the most suitable for the manufacture of sea salt by solar evaporation. The south end of San Francisco Bay most

Jan 1, 1937

By R. B. Muter, W. C. Grady, T. D. Wheelock, D. G. Chedgy

INTRODUCTION Topics of special interest, such as preparation plant flowsheets and noise pollution, are described in this chapter along with a discussion of non- state-of-the-art processes such as chemical cleaning, high intensity magnetic separation, and bacterial oxidation. PREPARATION PLANT FLOWSHEETS by RICHARD B. Muter In determining the layout or combination of unit operations to be utilized in a modern preparation plant several factors must be taken into account.

Jan 1, 1979

By Robert F. Mehl

Jan 1, 1944

By Robert F. Mehl

Jan 1, 1944