bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An efficient green-emitting Ba5Si2O6Cl6:Eu2+ phosphor for white-light LED application
Authors: Dutta Somrita , Chen Teng-Ming
Published: August 2017

The present paper reports a new phosphor material for WLED application with high CRI, low CCT and high colour stability.
Composites of epoxy/graphene-modified-diamond filler show enhanced thermal conductivity and high electrical insulation
Authors: Jiang Jin , Liu Feixiang , Zhuang Kunyi , Chen Danqing , Chen Guohua
Published: August 2017

In this work, we developed a single-step process to cast epoxy composites having a high thermal conductivity but a low electric conductivity.
Design and fabrication of a flexible woven smart fabric based highly sensitive sensor for conductive liquid leakage detection
Authors: Xu Shuai , Ma Qian , Yang Xiao-Fang , Wang Shu-Dong
Published: August 2017

A woven fabric based sensor is fabricated for detection of conductive liquid leakage at trace levels.
The anti-cancer potency of photodynamic therapy of a novel chlorin derivative Amidochlorin p6 (ACP)
Authors: Zhang Hongyue , Li Wenting , Tan Guanghui , Ding Guohua , Wang Zhiqiang , Jin Yingxue
Published: August 2017

Amidochlorin p6 (ACP) was uptaken by HeLa cells, showing excellent phototoxicity (the cell viability was 21% at a concentration of 8 μmol L−1), resulting in cell death.
Systematic comparison between toehold exchange and toehold displacement: exploration for highly specific and sensitive DNA detection
Authors: Yu Wen , Tang Lan , Qiu Ju-Hui , Zhang Zhang , Zhou Li-Li , Li Jun-Long , Xie Guo-Ming
Published: August 2017

The detection of nucleic acid variations with high specificity and sensitivity is essential for the good practice of precision medicine.
Facile shape-controlled synthesis of lanthanum oxide with different hierarchical micro/nanostructures for antibacterial activity based on phosphate removal
Authors: Liu Jing , Wang Ge , Lu Li , Guo Yuming , Yang Lin
Published: August 2017

In this study, three La2O3 hierarchical micro/nanostructures, nanospindles, nanopolyhedra and nanospheres, were synthesized to remove phosphate from microbial growth media for bacterial inactivation as an antimicrobial strategy.
Fluorescent carbon dots: rational synthesis, tunable optical properties and analytical applications
Authors: Wang Yifan , Zhu Yanwu , Yu Shaoming , Jiang Changlong
Published: August 2017

This review summarizes current advances on the design and the employment of fluorescent carbon dots in sensing applications, especially from the point of analytical view.
First-principles study on the electric structure and ferroelectricity in epitaxial CsSnI3 films
Authors: Song Guang , Gao Benling , Li Guannan , Zhang Jun
Published: August 2017

Epitaxial strain can induce ferroelectricity and enhance the polarization in the inorganic hybrid perovskite material CsSnI3 for energy applications.
Redefining Chinese calligraphy rice paper: an economical and cytocompatible substrate for cell biological assays
Authors: Zhou Ying , Fu Jing Jing , Liu Ying Shuai , Kang Yue Jun , Li Chang Ming , Yu Ling
Published: August 2017

Chinese calligraphy paper, also known as rice paper, demonstrates its potential in building paper-based analytical platforms for cell-based assays.
Surface-active ionic liquids for palladium-catalysed cross coupling in water: effect of ionic liquid concentration on the catalytically active species
Authors: Taskin Meltem , Cognigni Alice , Zirbs Ronald , Reimhult Erik , Bica Katharina
Published: August 2017

We report the design and synthesis of surface-active ionic liquids for application in palladium-catalyzed cross coupling reactions.
Quantitative and multiplex dot-immunoassay using gap-enhanced Raman tags
Authors: Khlebtsov Boris , Pylaev Timophey , Khanadeev Vitaly , Bratashov Daniil , Khlebtsov Nikolai
Published: August 2017

A highly specific, quantitative, and multiplex dot immunoassay has been developed. The immunoassay utilizes functionalized plasmonic gap-enhanced Raman tags (GERTs) as labels and nitrocellulose membrane as a substrate.
Preparation of exciplex-based fluorescent organic nanoparticles and their application in cell imaging
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Liu Lu , Zhu Shuxian , Peng Jinghong , Li Lidong
Published: August 2017

Novel organic fluorescent nanoparticles based on exciplex were prepared and have been successfully applied in live cell imaging.
Crystallinity of regenerated cellulose from [Bmim]Cl dependent on the hydrogen bond acidity/basicity of anti-solvents
Authors: Fan Zhaosheng , Chen Jianbo , Guo Wenji , Ma Fang , Sun Suqin , Zhou Qun
Published: August 2017

Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy was used to monitor the molecular diffusion processes of four anti-solvents in situ.
Interfacial crowding of nanoplatelets in co-continuous polymer blends: assembly, elasticity and structure of the interfacial nanoparticle network
Authors: Altobelli R. , Salzano de Luna M. , Filippone G.
Published: August 2017

The interfacial crowding of nanoplatelets stabilizes co-continuity in polymer blends and results in peculiar three-dimensional networks with enhanced elastic features.
Effects of precursor topology and synthesis under crowding conditions on the structure of single-chain polymer nanoparticles
Authors: Formanek Maud , Moreno Angel J.
Published: August 2017

By means of molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate the formation of single-chain nanoparticles through intramolecular cross-linking of linear and ring polymers, in the presence of their precursors acting as purely steric crowders in concentrated solution.
Synthesis, properties, and photovoltaic characteristics of p-type donor copolymers having fluorine-substituted benzodioxocyclohexene-annelated thiophene
Authors: Ie Yutaka , Morikawa Koki , Karakawa Makoto , Kotadiya Naresh B. , Wetzelaer Gert-Jan A. H. , Blom Paul W. M. , Aso Yoshio
Published: August 2017

To develop donor copolymers, the influence of fluorine substitution in naphtho[2,3-c]thiophene-4,9-dione on the properties and photovoltaic characteristics is investigated.
Efficient non-fullerene polymer solar cells based on a wide bandgap polymer of meta-alkoxy-phenyl-substituted benzodithiophene and difluorobenzotriazole
Authors: Li Wanbin , Li Guangda , Guo Xia , Guo Bing , Bi Zhaozhao , Guo Huan , Ma Wei , Ou Xuemei , Zhang Maojie , Li Yongfang
Published: August 2017

A new conjugated polymer PBFZ-OP was synthesized and PSCs based on PBFZ-OP:ITIC showed a PCE of 10.5%.
Functional nanoparticles of tea polyphenols for doxorubicin delivery in cancer treatment
Authors: Zhang Huaiying , Yi Zeng , Sun Zhe , Ma Xiaomin , Li Xudong
Published: August 2017

Simply-prepared nanoparticles of tea polyphenols are biocompatible, stimuli-responsive carriers for therapeutic agents, resulting in enhanced anticancer efficacy.
Two-level delivery systems for oral administration of peptides and proteins based on spore capsules of Lycopodium clavatum
Authors: Sudareva Natalia , Suvorova Olga , Saprykina Natalia , Vilesov Alexander , Bel'tiukov Petr , Petunov Sergey , Radilov Andrey
Published: August 2017

Two-level delivery systems for oral administration of therapeutic proteins and peptides were developed.
Formation of toroids by self-assembly of an α–α corner mimetic: supramolecular cyclization
Authors: Podder Debasish , Bera Santu , Debnath Mintu , Das Tanmay , Haldar Debasish
Published: August 2017

An α–α corner mimetic self-assembles into a rod shape supramolecular structure which bends and closes end-to-end like a cyclization reaction to form toroids.
Biomolecular corona formation: nature and bactericidal impact on surface-modified silica nanoparticles
Authors: Emer Maiara , Cardoso Mateus Borba
Published: August 2017

The biomolecular corona impacts the overall surface charge, the colloidal stability and the biological response of functionalized nanoparticles.
Antibody-modified hydroxyapatite surfaces for the efficient capture of bladder cancer cells in a patient's urine without recourse to any sample pre-treatment
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhao Kai , Banks Craig E. , Zhang Ying
Published: August 2017

In this study, we describe a sensitive protocol for the detection of bladder cancer cells in a patient's urine without pre-treatment of the urine sample using antibody-modified hydroxyapatite (HAp) micro/nanostructured surfaces converted from natural seashells under mild biomineralization conditions.
Fabrication of ZnO homojunction-based color-switchable bidirectional LEDs by using a hydrothermal growth method
Authors: Baek Sung-Doo , Porte Yoann , Kim Yun Cheol , Myoung Jae-Min
Published: August 2017

ZnO homojunction-based LEDs, with variable emission wavelengths depending on bias polarity, have been fabricated using a simple hydrothermal growth method.
Probing lattice vibration and strain states in highly phosphorus-doped epitaxial Si films
Authors: Lee Minhyeong , Ko Eunjung , Ko Dae-Hong
Published: August 2017

We investigated the lattice vibration and strain states in highly P-doped epitaxial Si films using Raman scattering and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements.
Anomalous temperature dependence of magnetic coercivity and structure property correlations in Bi0.75A0.25FeO3(A = Sr, Pb, and Ba) system
Authors: Hussain Shahzad , Hasanain S. K. , Jaffari G. Hassnain , Ali Naveed Zafar , Siddique M. , Ismat Shah S.
Published: August 2017

We have systematically investigated the effects of divalent dopants (Sr2+, Pb2+, Ba2+) of varying ionic sizes on the structural and electronic properties of BiFeO3.
Lasing mode evolution and regulation of the perovskite CH3NH3PbBr3
Authors: Chen Feng , Xu Chunxiang , Xu Qingyu , Zhu Zhu , Qin Feifei , Gowri Manohari A. , Zhu Yizhi
Published: August 2017

Controllable and stable multiple-mode and single-mode lasing actions were achieved by regulating the width of CH3NH3PbBr3 microsheets.
The ABCs of pesticide toxicology: amounts, biology, and chemistry
Authors: Casida John E. , Bryant Robert J.
Published: August 2017

Everyone is affected directly or indirectly by pesticide use and safety. The magnitude and perception of this effect depend on one's individual involvement or vantage point. The researcher seeks discovery and the entrepreneur goes after financial rewards. The general public wants food, health and safety. Pesticide toxicology is a core issue in these relationships. The three goals of toxicology research on pesticides are first to create new knowledge and chemicals, second to evaluate their effectiveness and safety and third to regulate their use. What amounts of pesticides are applied and do we really understand their biology and chemistry? This review addresses the ABCs of pesticide toxicology, i.e. their amounts, biology and chemistry.
Munc18a clusters SNARE-bearing liposomes prior to trans-SNARE zippering
Authors: Arnold Matthew Grant , Adhikari Pratikshya , Kang Baobin , Xu (徐昊) Hao
Published: August 2017

Sec1–Munc18 (SM) proteins co-operate with SNAREs {SNAP [soluble NSF (N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor) attachment protein] receptors} to mediate membrane fusion in eukaryotic cells. Studies of Munc18a/Munc18-1/Stxbp1 in neurotransmission suggest that SM proteins accelerate fusion kinetics primarily by activating the partially zippered trans-SNARE complex. However, accumulating evidence has argued for additional roles for SM proteins in earlier steps in the fusion cascade. Here, we investigate the function of Munc18a in reconstituted exocytic reactions mediated by neuronal and non-neuronal SNAREs. We show that Munc18a plays a direct role in promoting proteoliposome clustering, underlying vesicle docking during exocytosis. In the three different fusion reactions examined, Munc18a-dependent clustering requires an intact N-terminal peptide (N-peptide) motif in syntaxin that mediates the binary interaction between syntaxin and Munc18a. Importantly, clustering is preserved under inhibitory conditions that abolish both trans-SNARE complex formation and lipid mixing, indicating that Munc18a promotes membrane clustering in a step that is independent of trans-SNARE zippering and activation.
Genetic diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease, Alport syndrome, and thalassemia minor in a large Chinese family
Authors: Miao Yun , Xiong Jun , Zhang Xuelian , Huang Huajie , Yu Lixin , Chen Jianfan , Deng Wenfeng , Xu Huiling , Liu Rumin , Xiang Chenglin , Xu Xiangmin , Xiong Fu
Published: August 2017

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and Alport syndrome (AS) are serious inherited disorders associated with renal disease, and thalassemia is a hereditary blood disease with a high prevalence in south China. Here, we report an exceptional PKD coincidence of thalassemia minor and AS (diagnosed genetically) in a large Chinese family. Whole genome next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed on the proband, and all family members underwent clinical evaluation. Sanger sequencing was used to validate the mutations distinguished by NGS. The pathogenic potential of the variants were evaluated by Polymorphism Phenotyping v2 (PolyPhen-2), Sorting Intolerant From Tolerant (SIFT) algorithm, and MutationTaster. Immunohistochemical, Western blot, immunofluorescent, and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) analyses were performed to investigate polycystin 1 (PC1) expression, and cell proliferation and apoptosis in kidney tissues from the proband and normal control. A novel frameshift polycystic kidney disease 1 (PKD1) mutation (c.3903delC, p.A1302Pfs) was identified to be responsible for renal disease in this family. PC1 expression, and cell proliferation and apoptosis were significantly increased in the kidney tissues of the proband. Moreover, a deletion of approximately 19.3 kb of DNA with α-globin genes (_ _SEA) was associated with thalassemia minor in the family. In addition, a collagen type IV α 5 chain (COL4A5) variant (c.2858G>T, rs78972735), annotated as a pathogenic mutation in dbSNP and human gene mutation database (HGMD), was found in four family members with no clinical traits of AS. A novel pathogenic PKD1 mutation (c.3903delC) and (_ _SEA) thalassemia deletion were found to be responsible for the clinical symptoms in this family. The reported pathogenic COL4a5 variant (c.2858G>T, rs78972735) was not pathogenic alone.
Theoretical and experimental analyses on location/channel parameters estimation for implantable medical devices
Authors: Anzai D. , Kato T. , Wang J.
Published: August 2017

A maximum a posteriori (MAP) method to simultaneously estimate location and channel parameters for implantable medical devices is proposed. Achievable localisation accuracy is investigated and discussed based on theoretical and experimental evaluation. As for the theoretical analysis, the Cramer–Rao lower bound for the proposed MAP estimation is derived. Consequently, it is demonstrated that the proposed method achieves precious location estimation accuracy from both theoretical and experimental aspects.
Modified planar sensor for measuring dielectric constant of liquid materials
Authors: Karami M. , Rezaei P. , Kiani S. , Sadeghzadeh R.A.
Published: August 2017

A planar U‐shaped resonator for measuring relative permittivity of the liquid mediums is developed. To improve the sensitivity of the proposed sensor, gap sections, coupled lines and central ring resonators (RRs) are used to enhance electric fields interact with liquid under test (LUT). Further to increase the resonance sharpness, a tapered double‐sided spiral split RR is presented. As the permittivity of the LUT is increased from 26 to 79, the measured resonance frequency of the described sensor is varied in the 166.4–287.5 MHz range. The developed sensor exhibits an improvement in sensitivity of about 45% compared with the other work.
Fractal series stacked inductor for radio frequency integrated circuit applications
Authors: Akhendra Kumar P. , Bheema Rao N.
Published: August 2017

High‐quality factor miniaturised inductors are prerequisites of radio frequency integrated circuit applications. This Letter presents a novel fractal stacked inductor using modified Hilbert space filling curve. The proposed inductor achieves higher inductance value and good quality factor because of mutual inductance between plural metal layers and the reduced parasitic resistance. The results show that more than double improvement in L over conventional fractal inductors and more than double improvement in quality factor value over conventional series stack construction.
Probing the interaction of (001) carbonated hydroxylapatite surfaces with water: a density functional investigation
Authors: Ulian Gianfranco , Moro Daniele , Valdrè Giovanni
Published: August 2017

Carbonated hydroxylapatite represents one of the most important phases in bone tissues. This discovery led to many successful efforts to characterise its structure and properties at physico‐chemical level, with the aim to employ this material in biomedical applications. It is possible to tailor the biomimetic character of hydroxylapatite by modifications of its crystal chemistry (vacancies and ionic substitutions), trying to match that of natural bone tissues. For this purpose, the authors investigated by ab initio quantum mechanics within density functional theory the structural, electrostatic potential features and water adsorption process on the (001) surfaces of mixed type A‐B carbonate‐substituted hydroxylapatite. The provided data are comparable to previous experimental and preliminary theoretical one on hydroxylapatite, and further extend the knowledge of the modulation of the water molecule adsorption onto carbonated hydroxylapatite caused by the CO3 2− substitutions.
Copper-Catalyzed C–S Cross-Coupling Reaction: S-Arylation of Arylthioureas
Authors: Zhu Hui , Liu Xing , Chang Cai-Zhu , Dong Zhi-Bing
Published: August 2017

A simple and efficient copper-catalyzed S-arylation of aryl­thioureas was developed. Arylthioureas were smoothly converted into aryl-isothioureas with good yield by copper-catalyzed S-arylation. The features of this method include the use of a ligand-free catalyst, good yield, short reaction time, and broad substrate scope. The method provides a facile and convenient preparation of some potentially biologically active compounds.
Dutch tolerance of torture? CIA extraordinary rendition flights in the Netherlands
Authors: Eski Sharise , Eski Yarin
Published: August 2017

This article explores the (passive) role of the Dutch government in the CIA extraordinary rendition flights (ERFs), also known as “torture flights”. It shows why researching ERFs, as a crime of the powerful, is inherently problematic. Afterward, a concise overview follows of European involvement in ERFs and reluctance to investigate them. The article then considers the (known) facts and legal responsibility of the Netherlands regarding the ERFs, concluding with a discussion of the Dutch political discourse of denial of ERF involvement. The main argument is that the discourse of ERF denial fits and reflects the colonial present in which the Dutch government resides, concealing its darkest pages in history while hiding behind its contemporary (political) culture of tolerance and progressiveness.
Heavy metal incorporated helium ion active hybrid non-chemically amplified resists: Nano-patterning with low line edge roughness
Authors: Reddy Pulikanti Guruprasad , Thakur Neha , Lee Chien-Lin , Chien Sheng-Wei , Pradeep Chullikkattil P. , Ghosh Subrata , Tsai Kuen-Yu , Gonsalves Kenneth E.
Published: August 2017

Helium (He) ion lithography is being considered as one of the most promising and emerging technology for the manufacturing of next generation integrated circuits (ICs) at nanolevel. However, He-ion active resists are rarely reported. In this context, we are introducing a new non-chemically amplified hybrid resist (n-CAR), MAPDSA-MAPDST, for high resolution He-ion beam lithography (HBL) applications. In the resist architecture, 2.15 % antimony is incorporated as heavy metal in the form of antimonate. This newly developed resists has successfully used for patterning 20 nm negative tone features at a dose of 60 μC/cm2. The resist offered very low line edge roughness (1.27±0.31 nm) for 20 nm line features. To our knowledge, this is the first He-ion active hybrid resist for nanopatterning. The contrast (γ) and sensitivity (E0) of this resist were calculated from the contrast curve as 0.73 and 7.2 μC/cm2, respectively.
Conductivity and power factor enhancement of n-type semiconducting polymers using sodium silica gel dopant
Authors: Madan Deepa , Zhao Xingang , Ireland Robert M. , Xiao Derek , Katz Howard E.
Published: August 2017

This work demonstrates the use of sodium silica gel (Na-SG) particles as a reducing agent for n-type conjugated polymers to improve the conductivity and thermoelectric properties. Substantial increase in the electrical conductivity (σ, from 10−7 to 10−3 S/cm in air) was observed in two naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide solution-processable n-type polymers, one of which was designed and synthesized in our lab. Systematic investigations of electrical conductivity were done by varying the weight percentage of Na-SG in the polymers. Additional evidence for the reduction process was obtained from electron spin resonance spectroscopy and control experiments involving nonreducing silica particles and non-electron-accepting polystyrene. The Seebeck coefficient S of the highest conductivity sample was measured and found to be in agreement with an empirical model. All the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficients measurements were performed in ambient atmosphere.
Al2O3 on WSe2 by ozone based atomic layer deposition: Nucleation and interface study
Authors: Azcatl Angelica , Wang Qingxiao , Kim Moon J. , Wallace Robert M.
Published: August 2017

In this work, the atomic layer deposition process using ozone and trimethylaluminum (TMA) for the deposition of Al2O3 films on WSe2 was investigated. It was found that the ozone-based atomic layer deposition enhanced the nucleation of Al2O3 in comparison to the water/TMA process. In addition, the chemistry at the Al2O3/WSe2 interface and the surface morphology of the Al2O3 films exhibited a dependence on the deposition temperature. A non-covalent functionalizing effect of ozone on WSe2 at low deposition temperatures 30 °C was identified which prevented the formation of pinholes in the Al2O3 films. These findings aim to provide an approach to obtain high-quality gate dielectrics on WSe2 for two-dimensional transistor applications.
Effect of various nitrogen flow ratios on the optical properties of (Hf:N)-DLC films prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering
Authors: Qi Meng , Xiao Jianrong , Cheng Yong , Wang Zhiyong , Jiang Aihua , Guo Yafang , Tao Zengren
Published: August 2017

Hf and N co-doped diamond-like carbon [(Hf:N)-DLC] films were deposited on 316L stainless steel and glass substrates through reactive magnetron sputtering of hafnium and carbon targets at various nitrogen flow ratios (R=N2/[N2+CH4+Ar]). The effects of chemical composition and crystal structure on the optical properties of the (Hf:N)-DLC films were studied. The obtained films consist of uniform HfN nanocrystallines embedded into the DLC matrix. The size of the graphite clusters with sp2 bonds (La) and the ID/IG ratio increase to 2.47 nm and 3.37, respectively, with increasing R. The optical band gap of the films decreases from 2.01 eV to 1.84 eV with increasing R. This finding is consistent with the trends of structural transformations and could be related to the increase in the density of π-bonds due to nitrogen incorporation. This paper reports the influence of nitrogen flow ratio on the correlation among the chemical composition, crystal structure, and optical properties of (Hf:N)-DLC films.
Thermal annealing studies of GeTe-Sb2Te3 alloys with multiple interfaces
Authors: Bragaglia Valeria , Mio Antonio M. , Calarco Raffaella
Published: August 2017

A high degree of vacancy ordering is obtained by annealing amorphous GeTe-Sb2Te3 (GST) alloys deposited on a crystalline substrate, which acts as a template for the crystallization. Under annealing the material evolves from amorphous to disordered rocksalt, to ordered rocksalt with vacancies arranged into (111) oriented layers, and finally converts into the stable trigonal phase. The role of the interface in respect to the formation of an ordered crystalline phase is studied by comparing the transformation stages of crystalline GST with and without a capping layer. The capping layer offers another crystallization interface, which harms the overall crystalline quality.
A True Triaxial Stress Cell to simulate deep downhole drilling conditions
Authors: Rasouli Vamegh , Evans Brian
Published: August 2017

Conventional rock mechanics experiments using triaxial cells trying to simulate the true downhole stress field by applying equal horizontal stresses, fundamentally fail to treat real field borehole conditions as three independent stresses. In the real world, the horizontal stress field at shallow depth can have a different direction from that at greater depths, resulting in well failure if the driller is not careful. Core samples used in small cells applying uniaxial stress simply cannot be used to properly simulate these anomalous downhole stress fields.
A True Triaxial Stress Cell (TTSC) has been built to overcome this problem by properly simulating the true earth stresses. This technology will mimic stresses in deep oil and gas fields existing in highly anisotropically stressed environments. The TTSC allows vertical and two independent horizontal stresses to be applied up to 50 MPa in each direction on a 30 cm cube of rock and, at the same time, allows pore pressure to be applied up to 21 MPa. Through a hole drilled through the centre of the rock, a fluid can be injected to simulate hydraulic fracturing, or CO2 injection into saline aquifers or coal. Sanding analysis can be performed by increasing pore pressure and producing pore fluid from the borehole. Formations having different geological properties may be simulated, while deviated drilling through the rock simulates the deviated stresses when drilling horizontal wells. Fracture propagation, sanding initiation, and in-flow production performance is monitored in real-time using ultrasonic seismic transducers mounted around the sample.
PESA production and development review 2009
Authors: Humphreys Geoff
Published: August 2017

Australian hydrocarbon production reached record levels in 2009 due to strong growth in production of LNG from the North West Shelf Venture. Domestic gas production also reached record levels. Coal seam gas production continued to grow, with the continuing development of existing fields and the development of the Kenya and Talinga projects in Queensland. Two new conventional gas projects also came into production: Blacktip in the Timor Sea and Longtom in the Gippsland Basin. However oil production was below that in the previous year, reflecting natural field decline and the absence of large scale projects reaching production. The project sanction highlight of the year was the final investment decision on the $43 billion Gorgon LNG project. This project will comprise three LNG trains with total capacity of 15 million tonnes per annum plus a domestic gas plant. The first gas from this project is planned for 2014. Eight other potential LNG projects are in various stages of front end engineering and design, most targeting final investment decisions in 2010 or 2011. The pipeline of committed and potential LNG projects has a combined value estimated to be well over $100 billion. These projects have the potential to significantly increase Australian LNG production over the next five to ten years. In the near term the start-up of the Van Gogh, Pyrenees and Turrum oil projects are expected to provide some respite from the decline in Australian oil production. Cost estimates for new projects are again escalating and skills shortages in all parts of the project delivery chain threaten the ability to deliver all of the projects under consideration.
Application of chemostratigraphy to the Mungaroo Formation, the Gorgon field, offshore northwest Australia
Authors: Ratcliffe Ken , Wright Milly , Montgomery Paul , Palfrey Andy , Vonk Adam , Vermeulen Jösta , Barrett Michael
Published: August 2017

The Mungaroo Formation in the Gorgon Field is a stratigraphically complex fluvial system of Triassic age. It is also a major hydrocarbon reservoir, therefore understanding its internal stratigraphic architecture is of paramount importance to exploitation of its reserves. Here, the technique of chemostratigraphy is used to construct a correlation framework for the Mungaroo Formation of the Gorgon Field.
Chemostratigraphy is a tool that employs variations in inorganic whole rock geochemistry to enable the characterisation and subsequent correlation of sediments. For this study, a total of 1,514 cuttings and core samples from eight wells in the Gorgon Field have been analysed. Using data derived from both claystone and sandstone lithologies, the Mungaroo Formation is divided into nine chemostratigraphic packages, 22 geochemical units and 19 sand units. Additionally, three surfaces identified as time lines (T1–T3) are geochemically defined.
Changes in values of Ga/Rb and Al2O3/(CaO+ MgO+K2O+Na2O) indicate that during deposition of the Mungaroo Formation, the paleoclimate became warmer and wetter, resulting in increasingly intense hydrolytic weathering. Steps in the values of these ratios allow three surfaces to be identified (T1–T3), at which there is a marked and sustained change in the paleoclimate. These three surfaces represent time lines that provide a quasi-chronostratigraphic framework for the formation. Values of Cr/Al2O3, Cr/Na2O and Nb/Al2O3 are related to changes in sediment provenance and indicate that during deposition of the Mungaroo Formation the provenance became more mafic and less intermediate. It is variations in paleoclimate and provenance modelled from the geochemical data that allows the packages, units and sand units to be characterised and correlated.
The chemostratigraphic correlation is more detailed than is available from other stratigraphic techniques. Although in most instances the lithostratigraphic correlation of sand units based on wireline log correlation matches the one defined using chemostratigraphy, there are some significant differences between the two that influence reservoir models and gas production.
The planning fallacy in oil and gas decision-making
Authors: Welsh Matthew B. , Rees Nigel , Ringwood Hugh , Begg Stephen (Steve) H.
Published: August 2017

The ‘planning fallacy’ describes the tendency of people to underestimate costs and times required for the completion of complex projects. Psychological research has demonstrated that a key component of this results from the packing/unpacking bias—where options or problems that are not specifically stated tend to be ignored by people when making estimates or assigning probabilities to events.
We have investigated this effect as it relates to oil and gas decision making, highlighted by experimental results comparing estimates of drilling times made by both student and industry participants. Specifically, participants were provided with a drilling scenario and asked to estimate the time required to drill the well—including drilling, tripping, rigging and all potential problems. In the packed condition the options were given as just stated while, in the unpacked condition the ‘all potential problems’ category was divided into a list of specific problems.
The packing effect was shown to markedly alter the time estimates made by all groups of participants—altering estimates of problem times by more than 100 hours on average. Additional analyses assessed the interactions between the packing/unpacking effect and personal traits such as optimism, tendency to procrastinate and industry experience. These findings are discussed in terms of their import for oil and gas decision makers desiring to improve prediction accuracy and, thus, economic outcomes by avoiding, or limiting, the impact of the planning fallacy.
The Carribuddy Group and Worral Formation, Canning Basin, Western Australia: reassessment of stratigraphy and petroleum potential
Authors: Haines Peter
Published: August 2017

Reassessment of stratigraphic relationships and biostratigraphic data pertaining to the Carribuddy Group and Worral Formation in all relevant petroleum wells and many mineral drill holes across the southern Canning Basin has led to the following important results. The Carribuddy Group is restricted to the Late Ordovician to earliest Silurian. The overlying Worral Formation is mostly of Silurian age and does not intertongue with the Middle Devonian Tandalgoo Formation, as previously thought. A thin basin-wide chronostratigraphic marker—the Pegasus Dolomite Member (previously referred to as dolomite spike or dolomite marker) of the Sahara Formation—allows improved correlation between salt-bearing sub-basins and adjacent condensed Carribuddy Group successions. The Mallowa Salt is not as extensive as previously thought; rather the Minjoo Salt thickens to become the only salt seal in the eastern and southern Kidson Sub-basin.
The Carribuddy Group forms the regional seal to the prospective Larapintine 2 petroleum system, but also contains local source and reservoir facies. The Bongabinni Formation contains extremely rich oil-prone source rocks in local lagoonal facies along the Admiral Bay Fault Zone; these rocks have been linked by other studies to migrated oil in that area. The distribution of the source facies is poorly known, but it may extend down-dip into more mature parts of the Willara Sub-basin, and west into offshore areas. Other local source units may be present in the Mallowa Salt, and possibly the Nibil Formation, but are not well documented. Aeolian sandstone with excellent reservoir potential is locally present in the Nibil Formation, but is more extensive in the lower Worral Formation, particularly the Elsa Sandstone Member.
The application of hydrodynamic analysis in the assessment of regional aquifers for carbon geostorage: preliminary results for the Surat Basin, Queensland
Authors: Hodgkinson Jonathan , Hortle Allison , McKillop Michael
Published: August 2017

It is widely acknowledged that the very large carbon geostorage capacity required by commercial-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) operations can only be satisfied by sequestration into aquifers. The depths required for storage of CO2 in the supercritical phase are generally much greater than groundwater bores used for municipal supply and irrigation. Large regions of groundwater systems are data-poor, but formation pressure tests conducted in petroleum wells provide insight into the flow regimes in the deeper regions of some aquifers. Conceptual groundwater flow models for the Surat Basin in Queensland have been constructed by combining formation pressure data with potentiometric head measurements in sub-artesian and artesian groundwater bores. The formation pressure test results were evaluated using the CSIRO PressureQC™ methodology. The model considers the groundwater system as a series of stacked reservoir/seal or aquifer/aquitard pairs with limited vertical hydraulic communication. Pressure-depth plot analysis is used to assess the vertical relationships, and basic flow net interpolations are employed to predict flow vectors.
The conceptual models provide the basis for CO2 injection simulations that endeavour to establish the impact of carbon geostorage on the existing groundwater flow regime. The model also serves to identify key areas that require new data that is to be collected during a drilling program to provide precompetitive geoscience data to prospective carbon geostorage exploration companies.
Evaluation of the regional top seal in the Gippsland Basin: implications for geological carbon storage and hydrocarbon prospectivity
Authors: Goldie Divko Louise , O'Brien Geoffrey , Harrison Michael , Hamilton Joseph
Published: August 2017

GeoScience Victoria and partners have undertaken the first detailed basin-wide study of the regional top seal in the Gippsland Basin. The Gippsland Basin is an attractive site for geological carbon storage (GCS) because of the close proximity to emission sources and the potential for large-scale storage projects. This top seal assessment involved the analysis of seal attributes (geometry, capacity and mineralogy) and empirical evidence for seal failure (soil gas geochemical anomalies, gas chimneys, hydrocarbon seepage and oil slicks). These datasets have been integrated to produce a qualitative evaluation of the containment potential for GCS, and also hydrocarbons, across the basin. Mineralogical analysis of the top seal has revealed that the Lakes Entrance Formation is principally a smectite-rich claystone. The geometry of the top seal is consistent with deposition in an early post-rift setting where marine sediments filled palaeo-topographic lows. The seal thickness and depth to seal base are greatest in the Central Deep and decrease toward the margins. There is a strong positive relationship between seal capacity column heights, seal thickness, depth to seal base and smectite content. At greater burial depths (below 700 m) and where smectite content is greater than 70%, seal capacity is increased (supportable column heights above 150 m). Natural hydrocarbon leakage and seepage onshore and offshore is correlated with fault distribution and areas of poor seal capacity. This study provides a framework for qualitatively evaluating seal potential at a basin scale. It has shown that the potential of the regional top seal over the Central Deep, Southern Terrace, central eastern Lake Wellington Depression and the southern to central near shore areas in the Seaspray Depression are most suitable for the containment of supercritical CO2. Further toward the margin of the regional seal in both onshore and offshore areas, containment of supercritical CO2 is less likely.
Optimum well trajectory design in a planned well in Blacktip field, Australia: a case study
Authors: Rasouli Vamegh , Pallikathekathil Zachariah , Mawuli Elike
Published: August 2017

A geomechanics study carried out in the Blacktip field, offshore Australia led to optimum wellbore deviation and azimuth to minimise drilling-associated instability problems near a major fault in the field.
Elastic and strength properties of the formations and magnitude of principal stresses in the field were estimated from a mechanical earth model (MEM) based on offset well data. The direction of the minimum horizontal stresses was predicted from formation microresistivity image (FMI) logs available in offset wells. The MEM results were calibrated using results from laboratory experiments, well tests and drilling incidents from drilling reports. The MEM showed that formations at the lower section of the well are very competent and have high uniaxial strength; however, most of the failures in the form of breakouts observed from calliper and image logs were in this interval. Therefore, obtaining a good match between the model and observed failures required a large stress anisotropy to be considered for the lower section of the wellbore. Further investigations demonstrated that this is because the wellbore trajectory at deeper depth gets closer to the major fault plane, and this large stress anisotropy is due to the stress redistribution near the fault.
The data from offset well was mapped into the planned trajectory, and the selection of the optimum trajectory and a stable mud weight window for the appropriate section led to successful drilling of the deviated well.
Development of an enhanced oil recovery screening system
Authors: Widjanarko Pamela , Kabir Akim
Published: August 2017

Selecting a suitable enhanced oil recovery (EOR) process for a given reservoir is a challenge for reservoir engineers because he or she has to compare pros and cons of all the available EOR methods in the context of each selected reservoir. The task becomes even more complex if they have to go through the details of hundreds of mature and depleted reservoirs to come up with a shortlist of EOR candidates for more detailed investigation. Conducting such a screening study could be daunting unless it is approached in a systematic manner.
In this paper we describe development of an EOR screening system, which will enable engineers and scientists to sieve through some commonly available reservoir parameters for dozens or hundreds of reservoirs at a time, in a relatively efficient manner without compromising the quality of the outcome. Prior to the development of the screening system, an extensive literature review was conducted to develop the main EOR database and to narrow down the few essential criteria that would be sufficient for judging a reservoir’s candidacy for one or more known EOR techniques. Multilayer feed forward neural network and classification tree methods have been selected for the proposed screening system using the data mining software called XLMiner. The developed EOR screening system was tested by conducting some sensitivity analysis and screening tests. The results generated by the proposed EOR screening system were found satisfactory.
What is best practice greenhouse and energy reporting in the oil and gas industry?
Authors: Maimone Liza , Smith Susie , Campbell-Watt Rob
Published: August 2017

The upstream oil and gas industry is diverse and many of the assets are geographically dispersed in offshore and onshore locations. The first year of National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) in the 2009 financial year (FY09) challenged the industry to come to terms with complex issues such as the reporting structure, defining facilities, determining appropriate reporting methodologies, determining incidental emissions, obtaining contractor emissions and considering uncertainty estimates.
This paper will explore the range of industry responses during FY09 and will be accompanied by a case study from Santos Limited to illustrate the journey.
In responding to NGER requirements in FY09, the oil and gas industry was
required to absorb many new legislative compliance obligations. At a company level, difficult decisions had to be made about the allocation of resourcing for NGER preparation and response. Companies were also faced with financial implications of the reported data, because that data would underpin permit liability under the proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS).
Going forward, a key optimisation challenge for FY10 and beyond is the management and use of the NGER data. This paper will cover the processes and systems used to collect and report data and how the use of that data for organisational decision making will all be an important optimisation consideration in a CPRS environment.
The paper will also explore other NGER reporting issues for the oil and gas industry, such as:

arrangements with stakeholders, such as joint venture parties, partners and contractors;
selection of measurement methods, including complexities with venting, flaring and other fugitive emissions;
availability of appropriate measurement equipment;
issues with reporting of own-use emissions and intermediate energy use and production; and,
measurement of exploration activities.

These issues are likely to present an optimisation challenge to many in the industry during FY10 and beyond. The paper will then conclude with a case study by Santos Limited.
Oil and gas development and social responsibility—aligning project and community goals for mutually beneficial outcomes
Authors: Martin Danielle
Published: August 2017

Even on the most high-risk projects in the some of the most challenging locations, it is possible and advantageous to progress the social and environmental aspirations of host communities and contribute to improving the lives of those communities. This paper case studies a number of complex projects that have prompted and contributed to long-term, sustainable development.
In particular, the paper presents the case study of an Indigenous Australian community’s efforts to pro-actively prepare for, and promote, oil and gas development on Indigenous-owned land, progressed with joint development goals and aspirations. This experience essentially establishes a new approach to company-community interactions for land access and petroleum development and provides a new model that many communities and developers will undoubtedly be keen to emulate.
The case study considers:

the importance of establishing the broader social aspirations of communities in relation to the petroleum development at the outset;
the criticality of establishing a mutual understanding the commercial, non-negotiable parameters of the developer;
the cumulative impacts and opportunities for both developer and community of multiple, large scale projects;
the role of government and donors; and,
the limitations of developers in contributing to broader social development.

Through the analysis of case studies, the paper examines environmental and social impact assessment and performance techniques used to understand and manage the risks and opportunities of oil and gas development.The paper expands the boundaries of leading practice in respect to environmental and social impact assessment, community engagement and social responsibility in the oil and gas industry.
Making the most of mature field opportunities—2009 Cobia infill drilling campaign
Authors: Zannetos Andy , Leonard Will , Clements Grant , Grant Dean , Miatello Andrew , Galloway Anna , Rahim Abdul Aziz , Celerier Julien
Published: August 2017

The Halibut and Fortescue oil fields are located in the Gippsland Basin, offshore Australia, and have produced 1.3 billion barrels of oil since the 1970s. The fields have been developed from three platforms—Cobia, Halibut and Fortescue—using multiple infill drilling campaigns post initial development.
A strong emphasis has been placed on leveraging the latest technology to optimise development of these fields. The advent of high resolution 3D seismic surveys and improved processing techniques have proved invaluable in recent programs. This is illustrated by the 2009 Cobia infill program where the nine wells drilled over six months have increased field production from an average of 4,000 to 20,000 barrels of oil per day.
Key success elements for this program included the use of new 3D re-processing technology, the application of past learnings, and the in-house enhancement of 3D data, in addition to seismic modelling and the integration of production data. The maturing of individual leads to economically viable targets used fit-for-purpose analysis of the data in which 3D seismic, well and
production data were integrated and later built into 3D geologic models. Location choice was also important to the success of the program, where several potential targets were rejected after failing to meet technical or economic criteria. Drilling performance was exceptional, with all nine wells drilled within budget.
The new 2009 Cobia infill wells have already produced over 2.2 million barrels of oil and show how mature fields can be re-invigorated through the use of re-processed 3D seismic and integrated data analysis.