bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La 12e conférence internationale sur les effets sanitaires de l’incorporation des radionucléides
Authors: Bertho J.-M. , Ménétrier F. , Dinocourt C. , Le Hir S. , Salhab C. , Ecrabet F.
Published: November 2018

La 12e conférence internationale sur les effets sanitaires de l’incorporation des radionucléides, HEIR 2018, a été organisée par une équipe mixte Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN)-Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA) et s’est tenue du 8 au 11 octobre 2018, à Fontenay-aux-Roses. Cette conférence a réuni plus de 140 scientifiques de tous horizons et a abordé tous les aspects de la contamination interne par des radionucléides : biocinétique et dosimétrie, épidémiologie, effets biologiques et sanitaires, traitements et décorporation. Pour la première fois dans ce cycle de conférences, une session a été entièrement consacrée aux utilisations médicales des radioisotopes et aux questionnements spécifiques à ces utilisations. Cet article fait un tour d’horizon des résultats marquants présentés au cours de ce congrès.
A latent profile analysis revealed different categories of patients in anorexia nervosa: proposal of guidelines in adapted physical activity
Authors: Kern Laurence , Godart Nathalie , Tailhardat Laura , Peguet Amandine , Grall-Bronnec Marie , Fautrelle Lilian
Published: November 2018

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is frequently associated with anxiety, depression, and problematic exercise (PE). These uncontrolled physical activities inducing resistance to the therapeutic protocols. Some recent studies demonstrated that adding controlled and adapted physical activities (APA) in the therapeutic protocol was more positive for AN patients than the usual physical activity suppression. The aim of the present study was to highlight different profiles of AN patients in order to better individually adapt the physical activity programs, and thus the therapeutic impact of the future APA programs. Problematic exercises, cardio-respiratory fitness, perceived fitness and mood were measured in fifty-two AN patients [all females, 17.15 (± 2.22) years old, BMI = 16.49(± 1.54)] from three different French therapeutic centers. Then, a latent profile analysis allowed to exhibit 3 classes corresponding to 3 different profiles of AN patients. A first patient profile was characterized by proven PE with lower anxiety and depression. A second profile exhibited a moderate PE coupled with a high level of anxiety and depression. The last profile revealed patients without any PE, and medium scores in the other variables. These results lead to propose different angles and objectives to design and improve future APA programs according to these patient profiles.
A statistical approach to estimate Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receiver signal tracking performance in the presence of ionospheric scintillation
Authors: Vadakke Veettil Sreeja , Aquino Marcio , Spogli Luca , Cesaroni Claudio
Published: November 2018

Ionospheric scintillation can seriously impair the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receiver signal tracking performance, thus affecting the required levels of availability, accuracy and integrity of positioning that supports modern day GNSS based applications. We present results from the research work carried out under the Horizon 2020 European Commission (EC) funded Ionospheric Prediction Service (IPS) project. The statistical models developed to estimate the standard deviation of the receiver Phase Locked Loop (PLL) tracking jitter on the Global Positioning System (GPS) L1 frequency as a function of scintillation levels are presented. The models were developed following the statistical approach of generalized linear modelling on data recorded by networks in operation at high and low latitudes during the years of 2012–2015. The developed models were validated using data from different stations over varying latitudes, which yielded promising results. In the case of mid-latitudes, as the occurrence of strong scintillation is absent, an attempt to develop a dedicated model proved fruitless and, therefore, the models developed for the high and low latitudes were tested for two mid-latitude stations. The developed statistical models can be used to generate receiver tracking jitter maps over a region, providing users with the expected tracking conditions. The approach followed for the development of these models for the GPS L1 frequency can be used as a blueprint for the development of similar models for other GNSS frequencies, which will be the subject of follow on research.
Für Sie analysiert – S2k-Leitlinie Spezifischer Kreuzschmerz
Authors: Moers Stephanie
Published: November 2018

Kurz nach Veröffentlichung der überarbeiteten Nationalen VersorgungsLeitlinie (NVL) Nicht-spezifischer Kreuzschmerz erschien im Januar 2018 die Leitlinie Spezifischer Kreuzschmerz. Stephanie Moers, die die Leitlinie für physiopraxis analysiert hat, ist überrascht, welche Syndrome die Leitlinie zum spezifischen Kreuzschmerz zählt und dass Physiotherapie in dieser Version nur eine marginale Rolle spielt.
Standpunkte – Gehfähigkeit richtig trainieren
Authors: Huber Martin , Pott Claudia
Published: November 2018

Wie schaffe ich es, dass mein Patient gut und schnell gehfähig wird? Trainiere ich dafür nur das Gehen oder auch das Stehen? Die Zusammenhänge zwischen Steh- und Gehfähigkeit sind verdammt komplex, und die Antwort ist nicht mit zwei Sätzen gegeben. Und da die Antworten durchaus unterschiedlich ausfallen, haben wir zwei Experten der Neurorehabilitation gebeten, ihren Standpunkt zu diskutieren.
Inter-Individual Variability in The Joint Negative Work During Running
Authors: Hashizume Satoru , Hobara Hiroaki , Kobayashi Yoshiyuki , Tada Mitsunori , Mochimaru Masaaki
Published: November 2018

The inter-individual variability of running technique is an important factor affecting the negative work of lower extremity joints that leads to muscle damage. Our study examines the relationships between the negative work of the lower extremity joints and the associated mechanical parameters that account for inter-individual variability in the negative work. Twenty-four young male adults were asked to run on a runway at a speed of 3.0 m·s−1. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between the negative work and the associated mechanical parameters for each lower extremity joint. With regards to the results, 76.3% of inter-individual variability in the negative work of the hip joint was accounted for by inter-individual variabilities in the corresponding moment (25.4%) and duration (50.9%). For the knee joint, the inter-individual variabilities in the moment (40.6%), angular velocity (24.5%), and duration (23.8%) accounted for 88.9% of inter-individual variability in the negative work. The inter-individual variability in the moment of the ankle joint alone accounted for 89.3% of the inter-individual variability in the corresponding negative work. These results suggest that runners can change the negative work by adapting their running techniques to influence the relevant mechanical parameter values; however, major parameters corresponding to the change in the negative work are not the same among the lower extremity joints.
Advanced Adrenocortical Carcinoma – What to do when First-Line Therapy Fails?
Authors: Megerle Felix , Kroiss Matthias , Hahner Stefanie , Fassnacht Martin
Published: November 2018

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare endocrine malignant disease with a generally unfavorable but heterogeneous prognosis. Although even in advanced stages a subset of patients experiences long-term disease stabilisation, effective systemic treatment options are limited. Mitotane is the only approved drug and the combination of etoposide, doxorubicin and cisplatin (plus mitotane) is currently considered as treatment standard for advanced adrenocortical carcinoma based on the results of a large randomized phase III trial. However, progression-free survival is often limited and further treatment options are frequently needed. Here we summarize the current knowledge about second and third-line therapeutic modalities (local and systemic) in advanced disease. Following the recent ESE-ENSAT guidelines local therapies play an important role for these patients. Regarding systemic therapies the best data are available for gemcitabine+capecitabine or streptozotocin (both with or without mitotane). Furthermore, we introduce our own approach to patients with advanced adrenocortical carcinoma based on our experience as a large multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to the care of patients with this orphan disease.
Osteogenesis imperfecta – Handstand mit Glasknochen
Authors: Schwencke Silja
Published: November 2018

Er ringt und rauft mit seinen Mitschülern, wie alle Jungs in seinem Alter – allerdings vom Rollstuhl aus. Mo hat Osteogenesis imperfecta. Wie er und seine Familie das Leben mit der Krankheit meistern, beschreibt Silja Schwencke.
The Role of US Contrast Agents in US-Guided Biopsy of Focal Liver Lesions: A Pictorial Review
Authors: Lorentzen Torben , Nolsoe Christian
Published: November 2018

US-guided percutaneous biopsy of focal liver lesions (FLL) is a classic interventional procedure performed by almost all radiology units. Typically, an incidental focal finding on US or a focal indeterminate lesion diagnosed on CT, MRI or PET/CT is referred for US-guided biopsy for final diagnosis. The introduction of microbubble US contrast agents has overcome some of the limitations of standard US in diagnosing FLLs by displaying the microvasculature together with the US morphology, which has increased both the sensitivity and the specificity. The combination of CEUS and intervention is facilitated by newer US equipment providing split-screen mode, which displays the CEUS mode alongside the standard US mode simultaneously on a single monitor. The puncture line is displayed in both modes as well as on the monitor. The interventional device (i. e., biopsy needle) is typically best visualized in the standard US mode, while the characteristic tissue pattern in an FLL is typically best visualized in CEUS mode. There are 3 main categories in which CEUS has an impact on US-guided biopsy of FLLs: • CEUS improves the visualization of FLLs • CEUS improves the quality of the biopsy specimen from an FLL • CEUS reduces the need for US-guided biopsy of an FLL In the two first categories, CEUS is utilized simultaneously with US-guided biopsy to ensure correct needle targeting. In the last category, US-guided biopsy of the FLL becomes superfluous as a result of the CEUS examination.
Pneumonia after Repair of Esophageal Atresia–Incidence and Main Risk Factors
Authors: Nurminen Paula , Koivusalo Antti , Hukkinen Maria , Pakarinen Mikko
Published: November 2018

Introduction Esophageal atresia (EA) is associated with significant respiratory mortality. We aimed to assess incidence and predictive factors of EA associated pneumonia during the first 5 years of life.

Materials and Methods Institutional ethical consent was obtained. Hospital records of patients with EA from 2002 to 2017 were reviewed. Episodes of pneumonia that were diagnosed in university or regional hospitals were included. For instance, respiratory infections other than pneumonia, anastomotic complications, aortopexy, fundoplication, major EA associated diseases, types of EA, and EA anastomosis dilatations were tested as potential risk factors for pneumonia.

Results A total of 104 patients (56 males; type A 7, B 3, C 83, D 3, E 6, F 2) was included. Thirty-five (34%) patients had 94 episodes of pneumonia corresponding to median 2 (IQR [interquartile range]: 1–4) and 609 episodes per thousand patient years. Majority of pneumonias occurred before the age of 3 years. The cause of pneumonias could be identified as RS (respiratory syncytial) virus in 15(16%) and aspiration in seven (7.4%) episodes. In univariate analysis, pneumonia was predicted by occurrence and number of nonpneumonia respiratory infections, anastomotic reoperations, fundoplication, and number of EA anastomosis dilatations. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, significant risk factors for pneumonia were occurrence of nonpneumonia respiratory infections and number of anastomotic dilatations.

Conclusion Episodes of pneumonia occurred in one-third of patients with EA. After the final repair, the incidence of pneumonia was highest during the first 3 years of life. Patients with other acute respiratory infections and high number of dilatations were at the greatest risk.
A study of morbidity pattern among elderly population in urban India
Authors: Yadav Akhilesh , Prasad Jang , Shekher Chander , Vishvakarma Minakshi
Published: November 2018

Background: The people in urban area were suffering from different type of morbidities like chronic lung disease, depression, angina, diabetes, etc. Therefore, this study was designed to explore the age pattern of morbidities, level of substance use among elderly, and relationship between substances used and selected morbidities among elderly in urban India.

Material and Methods: The information on morbidity was obtained from Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) - 2007. The methods bivariate and multivariate were used for analyzing the data.

Results and Discussion: The hypertension, depression, diabetes and disease-related to oral health were highly prevalent in the age group of 50-59 years, while cataracts, asthma, and stroke were more frequent in 60-69 years. In urban India, around every second people in the age group of 50-59 years were smokers whereas people were more alcoholic in 60-69 years. In urban India, Assam was the state where the prevalence of smoking was highest while alcohol consumption was highest in the state of Rajasthan and lowest was in Assam. Moreover, among the elderly people; the third most powerful killer disease (diabetes) was highest in the age the group of 50-59 years. Age, tobacco consumption and improvements in wealth quintile were significant risk factors associated with the presence of morbidities like diabetes, hypertension, and stroke. Asthma and oral health were significant increases along with age.

Conclusion: Study confirm that, for reducing these non communicable diseases, there is need to improve old age policy to make proper intension towards the health facility especially among the elderly of middle and higher economic households.
Reservoir mapping: the latest development in well placement
Authors: Skinner Grant , Viandante Mauro , Jansen Kamal , Thornton David , Rapaic Mike , Jantarangsi Kanchit
Published: November 2018

The PTTEP Australasia Montara development wells were recently drilled using a new deep-directional electromagnetic-resistivity tool, which enabled the simultaneous real-time mapping of multiple and varied geological and fluid boundaries in a thick reservoir, through the entire length of the horizontal section.
Conventionally, geosteering is undertaken using borehole-scale measurements; data at this scale requires the wellbore to come in close proximity or cross a feature before it is detected. This scale of measurement is good for finer detail features but does not allow for visualisation of the geology beyond what it is measured at or just beyond the borehole wall. Nor does it enable a refinement of the geophysical subsurface unless at points of contact between the well and the feature that needs to be avoided.
To bridge the gap between surface seismic resolution and measurements obtained at the borehole scale, a new deep-directional electromagnetic tool sensitive to variable resistivities but able to identify boundaries tens of metres away was required. The past decade has shown a significant development in resistivity measurement technology providing directional resistivity at a significantly larger scale than conventional logging tools. The first generation allowed wells to be placed proactively, removing the need to cross the boundary or be very close to it before it was identified. This latest generation of proactive geosteering tools has been developed to remove this gap, allowing for a refinement in geophysical/geological models and a new methodology in geosteering, moving the game from boundary to reservoir geosteering.
Decommissioning liability for offshore oil and gas installations: planning for a happy ending
Authors: Murray Stephen
Published: November 2018

This extended abstract outlines the draconian statutory decommissioning liability regime for offshore installations in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), drawing comparisons with the other jurisdictions.
The impact of the regime on regulatory and contractual requirements for decommissioning security that creates barriers for new entrants into the UKCS is highlighted. One such barrier is the calculation of decommissioning security by reference to the pre-tax cost of decommissioning (i.e. without considering tax relief on decommissioning expenditure at the time it is incurred).
This extended abstract comments on recent novel proposals from the government to limit the amount of capital tied up in decommissioning security by adopting measures that will facilitate calculation of decommissioning security on a post-tax basis.
The UKCS is a mature province and the government is seeking to balance its desire to maximise economic recovery from the UKCS with its policy objective of ensuring that taxpayers are not responsible for decommissioning costs.
The proposals envisage that the government will enter decommissioning relief deeds with owners of offshore installations. This will provide certainty about the rate of relief they will achieve in relation to their own share of decommissioning expenditure; it also ensures relief is available where they incur such costs due to the default of other parties. In essence, the government is contemplating entering a form of stabilisation agreement that will provide redress in the event that future changes in law reduce the tax relief available for decommissioning expenditure. The proposals show a bold attempt to promote investment by addressing political risk in a highly developed jurisdiction.
Recent geological advances in the understanding of the Torres Basin
Authors: Swift Michael
Published: November 2018

The Torres Basin is a recently discovered Mesozoic basin in the Papuan Plateau, southeast Papua New Guinea. Newly acquired deepwater offshore seismic data and older regional data have been (re)interpreted with the view of defining structural regimes in line with the onshore geological maps and conceptual cross sections. A regional time-space plot has been developed to elucidate the breakup of the northeastern Australian Plate with a focus on the geological history of the Papuan Plateau, which holds the Torres Basin geological section. This in turn has led to a re-evaluation of the structural style and history of the southern coastal region incorporating the East Australian Early Cretaceous Island Arc; it highlights that a significant horizontal structural grain needs to be considered when evaluating the petroleum potential of the region.
The southern margin is characterised as a frontal thrust system, similar to the nearby Papuan Basin. A series of regional strike lines in conjunction with the dip lines is used to divide the region into prospective and non-prospective exploration play fairways. The role of transfer faults, basement-detachments faults, regional-scale thrust faults, and recent normal faulting is discussed in the compartmentalisation of the geological section. There is basement-involved anticlinal development on a large scale and a complementary smaller-scale thin-skinned anticlinal trend. These trends are characterised as having significant strike length and breadth. Anticlinal trap fairways have been defined and have similar size and distribution as that of the Papuan Basin.
The Latrobe Group and the 90-million-year beach
Authors: Hoffman Nick , Arian Natt
Published: November 2018

Carbon dioxide geosequestration requires a detailed understanding of the whole sedimentary section, with particular emphasis on topseals and intraformational seals. Hydrocarbon exploration is more focused on reservoirs but requires a similar basin understanding. This extended abstract reviews the knowledge gained from petroleum exploration in the Gippsland Basin to The CarbonNet Project’s exploration program for CO2 storage.
The Ninety Mile Beach on the Gippsland coast is a prominent modern-day sand fairway where longshore drift transports sediments north-eastwards along a barrier-bar system, trapping lake systems behind the coastal strip. This beach is only 10,000 years old (dating to the last glacial rise of sea level) but is built on a platform of earlier beaches that can be traced back almost 90 million years to the initiation of Latrobe Group deposition in the Gippsland Basin.
Using a recently compiled and open-file volume of merged 3D seismic surveys, the authors show the evolution of the Latrobe shoreline can be mapped continuously from the Upper Cretaceous to the present day. Sand fairways accumulate as a barrier-bar system at the edge of a steadily subsiding marine embayment, with distinct retrogradational geometries.
Behind the barrier system, a series of trapped lakes and lagoons are mapped. In these, coal swamps, extensive shales, and tidal sediments were deposited at different stages of the sea-level curve, while fluvial systems prograded through these lowlands. Detailed 3D seismic extractions show the geometry, orientation and extent of coals, sealing shales, fluvial channels, and bayhead deltas.
Detailed understanding of these reservoir and seal systems outlines multi-storey play fairways for hydrocarbon exploration and geosequestration. Use of modern basin resource needs careful coordination of activity and benefits greatly from established data-sharing practices.
Building leadership capability in a rapidly growing organisation
Authors: Gray Andrew , Peloso Tony
Published: November 2018

A major challenge for Arrow Energy has been balancing rapid growth while continuing to operate as an effective business. To meet this challenge, this extended abstract looks at one of the strategies: a leadership program designed in co-operation with Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
The leadership program aims to establish a leadership culture that drives company performance and facilitates change, develops leadership networks to support Arrow's business objectives, and strengthens the talent pool to help in succession planning through commitment to individual development.
Two programs were custom designed by QUT and launched in 2012: one for senior leadership and the other for emerging leaders at Arrow. Careful participant selection was vital to the program's success. Both programs were designed to provide participants with a highly experiential learning approach, far removed from traditional training programs they had previously attended. Participants were immersed in exploring real issues and challenges facing the company, as well as looking at how well their leadership approach fitted the needs of a rapidly growing organisation.
The course design and use of innovative learning experiences have made the program successful. An important measure of this success has been the leadership development of each individual and the establishment of strong informal networks that are part of a mature organisation. Transfer of learning to the workplace was achieved by immersion in team-based leadership project initiatives, which reinforced the major theme of the program: leadership is a journey that requires sustained focus and development.
Long-distance commuter workforce
Authors: Verwoert Liesl
Published: November 2018

Australia’s resources industry has experienced record growth and a strong demand for labour during the past decade. Much of this demand is occurring in remote parts of Australia and is met by population growth of resident and non-resident long-distance-commuter (LDC) workers.
LDC workers are defined as those who travel significant distances between where they usually live and work, and include fly-in/fly-out and drive-in/drive-out workers.
While the LDC workforce is not new, the scale of this phenomenon and the shift in commuting patterns among this workforce to meet Australia’s evolving labour demands is unprecedented.
KPMG have quantified the size and distribution of the LDC workforce by industry and region across Australia. This was part of a ground-breaking workforce mobility study commissioned by the Minerals Council of Australia (in conjunction with APPEA and Skills DMC).
Findings from this study answer the following questions:

To what extent has the size of the LDC workforce increased in the past five years up to 2011?
How does the prevalence of long-distance commuting in the oil and gas industry compare with other industries?
What are the top three resource regions that attract LDC workers and what do the commuter routes look like?

This extended abstract contributes to our knowledge base about the geographic mobility of the Australian workforce. It reveals the LDC workforce facts and thereby helps guide industry and government policy to ensure the economic and social prosperity of Australia’s resource regions and their residents and workers.
Integrated modelling of entire production network and topsides facilities for production optimisation of major oil and gas fields
Authors: Shaharun Azwan
Published: November 2018

An oil company sought to identify bottlenecks in three of their main oil and gas production networks. It was desired to, therefore, develop the entire production network from wells, flowlines, intra-field and inter-field pipelines, and export pipelines up to the onshore terminal first stage separator/slug catcher, all in the transient multi-phase-flow oil and gas (OLGA) simulator. Furthermore, the detailed topsides facilities were separately modelled in a process simulator.
The OLGA and process simulator models were subsequently integrated, where the flow simulator model received boundary pressures from the topsides model and pushed through the mass flows of the individual phases into the process simulator. After field-matching and tuning the integrated models to the given field data, optimising the overall fields’ production and performance was carried out, powered by a market-leading optimisation engine. The main optimisation parameters were: wellhead choke openings; gas lift rates and allocations; and topsides operating conditions, facility constraints and control tuning parameters.
The network models were used to investigate the dynamic behaviour of wells and pipelines as well as surface process facilities equipment and control systems, with the aim to improve productivity of the entire field networks. The development of the integrated and dynamic well, pipeline and process models is part of company initiatives to facilitate the design and operational support tools for the company’s engineers.
Oil spills: changing landscape, changing response
Authors: O'Driscoll Declan
Published: November 2018

The Montara and Macondo oil spills-being unexpected and close in time-have significantly changed the understanding about how oil spills occur and impact society and environment. While spills from maritime transport have a fixed volume, upstream spills can continue unabated until relief efforts are successful. Transport oil spills have been subject to major scrutiny and initiatives during the past 25 years, yet little attention has been given to the specific preparedness and response issues of an upstream incident.
The global industry faces increasing regulatory oversight due to environmental concerns as the search for new reserves moves into deeper water in more sensitive and often remote environments. The onus is on the industry to show a preparedness and response capability that is sufficiently robust and adequate to deal with a well-control incident-this capability must exceed government and community expectations.
Exploration and production operators are now preparing and responding to upstream well-control incidents in a different way. For preparedness, this includes greater engagement with regulators through the planning life cycle and exercises that better integrate national and international resources, as well as ongoing strengthening of internal capability of incident command structure (ICS). For response, the activation of resources is occurring more quickly, is more extensive, and the resources are being maintained on location for a longer period. Technology is being used to better monitor the status and fate of a spill, as well as providing frequent updates to regulators and media.
This extended abstract provides an overview of the oil industry's response to Macondo and Montara; additionally, case studies are used to show how changes are occurring in practice.
Experimental investigation for colloid migration in porous media under particle-rock repulsion
Authors: Aji Kaiser , You Zhenjiang , Bedrikovetsky Pavel , Badalyan Alexander , Carageorgos Themis
Published: November 2018

Electrophoretic mobilities of carboxylate-modified latex microspheres and zeta potential of soda-lime glass beads were measured at zero ionic strength and high pH. Surface potential for latex microspheres was calculated using Ohshima’s theory for soft particles. Total potential of interaction between colloidal particles and engineered porous medium evaluated according to DLVO theory showed negligibly small secondary minimum, a high potential barrier, and a primary minimum. Such conditions favour particle-bead repulsion resulting in size exclusion being a major particle retaining mechanism. Normalised outlet concentration is inverse function of particle concentration. Concentration of captured particles reduced along the length of the column in downstream direction. An analytical model for deep bed filtration of suspension in porous media and straining under size exclusion capture mechanism is developed and validated by laboratory tests on suspension flow in engineered media. The model is successfully matched with the results from column experiments, predicting the suspended particle concentrations at the outlet.
Float-on/float-off wharves: one prepared earlier
Authors: Wong Geoff , Howard Phillip , Holmes Shaun
Published: November 2018

The recently considered concepts for a wharf development identified a number of options, including conventional wharf topside modules on steel tubular piled foundations, steel-jacket-type modules anchored to the seabed, concrete caissons, and a hybrid wharf substructure with a Gravity Base Structure (GBS) connected into a steel jacket sub-frame. Due to the unprecedented demand for site-based skilled labour and a marine construction plant on the Australian coast from numerous major resource projects, further consideration was given to the pre-assembled hybrid wharf alternative and the associated cost, fabrication yard availability, and transport issues. To overcome the potential limits and risks of constructing and sea-towing a concrete base structure, the preferred option is to use a multi-cell steel base instead of concrete.
The GBS method of construction is to use mature technology in the offshore oil and gas industry and can take advantage of modularisation of the substructure and topsides by fully fitting out larger units in overseas fabrication yards. For alternate wharf applications, the GBS has the potential of allowing pre-assembly and pre-commissioning of equipment and systems, or the ability to enhance the substructure installation in readiness for topsides installation (either floatover integral topsides or modular lift). It also opens up a wide choice of existing fabrication yards and shops in China or Korea that either fabricate wharf or jacket substructure components now, or are in close proximity to existing loading-dock facilities. This can result in considerable schedule and cost savings by reducing site (offshore) labour and plant costs.
Enhancing the capital efficiency of LNG/CSG projects
Authors: Prass Paul , Hansen Kevin
Published: November 2018

More than half of worldwide LNG industry construction activity now takes place in Australia. Based on the $US175 billion presently committed to LNG projects, by 2020 Australia will be one of the largest, if not the largest, LNG producer in the world. LNG project costs in Australia have quadrupled during the past decade. Analysts now believe the combined project costs of the three approved Queensland CSG projects will be 37% higher than the original $US51 billion budget. WA projects may be at the same or even higher risk of cost inflation. To complete Australian projects on time and on budget is proving to be problematic.
The changing nature and uniqueness of the projects (e.g. low performance of CSG wells, intricacy of Barrow Island logistics, etc.) adds complexity to the efficient management of capital. Capital budgets come under pressure, impacting economics and cash flow. The challenge is for the timely identification of opportunities for proactive cost management, optimising near-term cash spend while delivering project objectives and robust economics.
A proven new proactive approach using rapid and lead indicators affords the ability to deliver the project while optimising use of capital and meeting contractual requirements. This approach:

takes an external view of the complex interrelationship between subsurface, field development, and project execution to create a holistic independent view of the major issues.
creates, quantifies, and validates hypotheses that will improve capital efficiency and economics;
employs a short and sharp timescale;
uses robust processes plus operational data analysis, baselines, and comparator insights;
guides and empowers leadership to deliver radical change; and,
is multidisciplinary in nature with subject matter experts (e.g. business, commercial, surface, subsurface, and plant).
Advances in mobile technology for the oil and gas industry
Authors: Shannon Jeremy , Steeman Joris
Published: November 2018

Australia's ageing production facilities (refining, LNG WA, oil and gas, and infrastructure) require turnarounds of an unprecedented scale. For oil and gas producers to focus on reducing costs while maintaining safe-production practices is a significant challenge. This is represented by the high cost of labour, materials and increasing regulatory compliance, including NOPSEMA and AS/NZS 60079.17 for EX Electrical Integrity in Hazardous Areas.
Labour-intensive preparation work is led by Static (Pipe and Pressure vessel inspections) and ongoing EX maintenance inspections campaigns covering tens of thousands of EX FLOCs per year for each LNG train. Remediation work is supported by integrated Safe System of Work (iSSoW) for risk assessment and permit to work.
Mobile applications in hazardous areas can reduce the effort required for many field-based processes, including EX inspections and iSSoW; however, they must also overcome the challenges of limited wireless communications in production facilities and the aged design of EX Zone 1 rated Mobile Devices.
The application of Lean Six Sigma and process analysis to identify waste in the supporting processes (electrical equipment in hazardous areas [EEHA] and iSSoW) and the introduction of improved mobile system architecture provide new thinking for mobile technology in oil and gas production.
This study identifies key areas of waste and analyses the results of extended mobility trials in onshore and offshore production environments in both new and aged facilities.
This extended abstract reviews the results of a 2012 study that shows how appropriate mobile technology can reduce process time by more than 50%. This study's results also identify further areas for refinement and improvement.
DEEP- WATER RESERVOIR APPRAISAL IN THE PHILIPPINES: AN INNOVATIVE EXTENDED TEST
Authors: McGuinness D. , Branson J.
Published: November 2018

The extended test arrangement for the Galoc Field, offshore Philippines, consisted of a semi- submersible drilling rig having a conventional spread mooring to which was connected a storage tanker. The tanker was moored stern to the rig by a disconnectable hawser. At its bow, two anchor lines, also disconnectable, were laid in N/S quadrature symmetrically disposed about the NE/SW tanker orientation. The tanker was thus free to depart from the location, either to discharge its stored oil or to stand by/take cover in the event of heavy weather conditions exceeding the capacity to stay on location.At each lifting, a bottom- hole flowing pressure survey was conducted immediately prior to shut- in. When the well was shut in to disconnect the tanker, the pressure survey incorporated the pressure build- up and subsequently, after reconnection, the pressure drawdown transients. The data batches were collected on digital tapes for analysis.With only three wells in the structure proper, the geological complexity of the reservoir setting did not permit a definitive interpretation of reservoir behaviour during the extended test. However, the use of generic descriptions of submarine fan turbidite deposits, in com- bination with the results obtained from the three wells and history- matching attempts in reproducing the extended test behaviour, did result in a good level of confidence that we had derived an acceptable model of the Galoc Field. The forecast production profiles derived for the various development schemes were thus considered to be reliable enough for comparative economic analyses of the development options.
NATURAL GAS SUPPLY TO A SMALL MARKET: A DISTRIBUTOR'S PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Dun R. , Morgans C.
Published: November 2018

A decision to introduce natural gas supply to a small market requires a thorough examination of the economic and technical factors that a gas distributor will encounter in such a project. This paper identifies the important factors to be considered in the feasibility stage and in the construction and implementation phases of the project. The experience of the Gas and Fuel Corporation of Victoria supplying natural gas to the city of Warrnambool is described through all these stages.A feasibility study for natural gas to a small market requires the preparation of a reliable forecast of end- user demand and an assessment of demand/price elasticities for major market sectors, such as household uses and large industrial uses. Where gas is to be supplied from new gas fields any assessment of proven gas reserves must be made. The assessed level of reserves can be measured against forecast demand to identify an expected project life over which the producer and distributor will need to earn a fair return.A producer and a distributor have a common interest in the level of recoverable reserves, the price between producer and distributor, the market demand and the price payable by end- users. A price agreed between a producer and a distributor will be at a level where both parties are satisfied with the expected returns. A higher price would increase returns to the producer, but would deter the distributor from the project.Natural gas supply to Warrnambool involved the planning and construction of a pipeline and an up­grading and expansion of the local reticulation system. In addition, conversion of nearly 13 000 household appliances was undertaken. This work was successfully completed at a cost of about $10 million. The planning and design of these facilities is a balance between short- term cost minimisation, and cost levels that will achieve long- term economies of scale.To achieve a fast development of the end- use consumption, a strong marketing effort was undertaken to ensure connection of large- use industrial customers was achieved without delay. This quick development of load was essential to provide good cash inflows to the distributor and the producer at an early stage of project development.
RESERVES DETERMINATION — IMPLICATIONS IN THE BUSINESS WORLD
Authors: Hillestad J.G. , Goode D.L.
Published: November 2018

The success of many business ventures can depend on an accurate assessment of commercial hydrocarbon reserves. The quantification of a reserve base will influence many phases of the venture, including the extent of an exploration program, negotiations with potential customers, evaluation of development alternatives, financial results involving reserves- related depreciation, design of production and processing facilities, and the valuation of the venture. If the reserve estimates are too conservative, exploration and delineation expenses can be excessive, financial results understated and market potential underestimated. On the other hand, overly optimistic estimates can lead to commitments which cannot be met, and inadequate returns on investments.Although reserves estimates will change with time and development, it is important to have the most realistic estimate in hand at all times. In all activities, consistency in reserves definitions will be an important factor in maintaining the most accurate assessment of the resource. Unfortunately, common reserves definitions do not have industry- wide acceptance. Progress has been made by organisations such as the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) to implement common definitions; however, their efforts have been only partially successful. This paper will discuss reserves definitions and methodology, and the influence these factors have on all phases of a hydrocarbon development project. It will stress the economic value of realistic, consistent reserves definitions.
QUEENSLAND PETROLEUM ACT REVIEW AND REFORM
Authors: Gately D.J.
Published: November 2018

On 12 May 1988 amendments to the Queensland Petroleum Act of 1923 came into force. These empower the Governor- in- Council to appoint a Pipelines Tribunal to inquire into the operations of any existing or proposed pipeline. The Act now affirms the existence of the Secretary of Mines as a Corporation which can undertake all the aspects of an oil company from exploration to distribution of refined products. In particular, this corporation now has the sole right to construct and operate any pipeline in Queensland which extends beyond the boundaries of a lease. There was little or no dialogue with industry prior to the proclamation of these amendments.In comparison with the Petroleum Acts of South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, the Queensland Petroleum Act contains many areas subject to ministerial discretion or which are no longer relevant to present- day administrative practices. The Queensland Government's proposal to issue a green paper discussing amendments to the Act, based on submissions from interested parties, is welcomed since it is in the interests of management of the exploratory oil industry to strive for uniformity of administration in each state.
VITRINITE PALAEOTHERMOMETRY OF OFFSHORE EXPLORATION WELLS, TASMANIA
Authors: Baillie P.W. , Russell N.J.
Published: November 2018

Over the last three decades organic metamorphism (coalification), as indicated by changes in vitrinite reflectivity, has been regarded as a function of both temperature and heating duration. This temperature- time concept of coalification has been developed into sophisticated computer programs to model the palaeo- geothermal history of sedimentary basins. However, several papers, published over the last six years, have presented evidence to support the view that, for heating times in excess of 0.001- 1 Ma, vitrinite reflectivity constitutes an absolute palaeogeothermometer. This proposition is broadly supported by a comparison between corrected bottom- hole temperature (BHT) and vitrinite reflectivity data from offshore petroleum exploration wells drilled in Tasmanian waters. Most of the corrected BHT/vitrinite reflectivity data pairs plot on, adjacent to or between two of the published vitrinite temperature/reflectance trends. Although these data indicate that some formations are at, or near, maximum palaeotemperature, there is clear evidence to suggest that many samples, in particular those from formations in the deeper well sections, have cooled significantly below maximum palaeotemperature. It appears that present- day geothermal gradients for some of the wells, based on corrected BHT data, are much less than maximum palaeogeothermal gradients inferred from the vitrinite depth/reflectance relationship.
NEW EXPLORATION TECHNIQUES IN THE ANALYSIS OF DIAGENETICALLY COMPLEX RESERVOIR SANDSTONES, SYDNEY BASIN, NSW
Authors: Galloway D.S. Hamilton W.E.
Published: November 2018

The Sydney Basin, despite numerous encouraging shows of both free oil and gas from coal and petroleum exploration drilling, remains unproductive of commercial hydrocarbons. Reservoir potential has historically been the primary concern, owing to widespread distribution throughout the sequence of lithic, diagenetically- altered, clay- rich sandstones. This study aimed at defining areas of acceptable reservoir quality by careful examination of stratigraphic, depositional and diagenetic controls.Interpretation and extrapolation of reservoir distribution, attributes and quality were carried out within a genetic stratigraphic framework. Stratigraphic packages of widespread correlatability that were deposited during discrete episodes of basin filling provide the basis for delineation of component depositional systems and for further mapping of framework sandstone facies and associated mud rocks.The availability of numerous, continuous drill cores from existing coal bores and limited petroleum exploration wells provided an opportunity to directly quantify porosity and permeability. A visual method of estimating permeability was applied by comparison of the drill cores with a standard set of cores of known permeability. The comparison was made on fresh, dry rock surfaces with the aid of a binocular microscope at 20 × magnification. Reliability of the visual estimates was then assessed by laboratory measurement of a large representative sample set.Lithofacies maps of genetic stratigraphic packages define sand- body trends and allow interpretative extrapolation of reservoir facies tracts which, when integrated with the visually- estimated and laboratory- derived reservoir quality data, enabled mapping of regional permeability distribution and thickness.The principal conclusions of the study are that reservoirs with sufficient porosity, permeability and volume for conventional oil and gas production exist within the Sydney Basin. Best reservoir quality occurs in quartzose sandstones of the Narrabeen Group in the southwestern part of the basin. Potential reservoir sandstones are up to 20 m thick, have permeabilities in the 10- 1000 md range and porosity between 10 and 18 per cent. Calibration and testing of the visual estimation technique allowed accurate and efficient continuous recording and mapping of porosity and permeability, and this technique may have much wider application for the petroleum industry.
THE OTWAY BASIN
Authors: Laing S. , Dee C.N. , Best P.W.
Published: November 2018

The Otway Basin covers an area of some 150 000 km2 both onshore and offshore southwestern Victoria and southeastern South Australia. Exploration within the basin is at a moderately mature stage by Australian standards (though immature by world standards), with a well density of one per 1500 km2, including offshore areas.Formation of the Otway Basin commenced in the late Jurassic with the initiation of rifting between Australia and Antarctica. As rifting continued, a number of depositional cycles occurred. Initial deposition comprised fluvio- lacustrine sediments, followed by marine transgressions and associated regressive deltaic cycles. As subsidence continued into the Late Tertiary, a series of marine carbonates and marls were deposited. The Otway Basin is structurally complex as a result of the superposition of a number of tectonic events which occurredboth during and after the development of the basin.The Otway Basin is a proven gas province, with commercial production at Caroline 1 (carbon dioxide) and North Paaratte Field (methane). Although no commercial oil production has yet been established in the basin, oil has been recovered at Port Campbell 4, Lindon 1 and Windermere 1. The presence of excellent reservoir units within the basin, mature source rocks and adequate seals, together with a number of untested play types and favourable economics, augurs well for the prospectivity of the Otway Basin.