bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Electric Submersible Pump Producer Run Life with Cost-Effective GRE Lined Tubing Completion
Authors: Shah Alaa , Wagh Sachin , Patra Milan , Mubarak Jamayel , Radhakrishnan Gokulnath , Rajendran Kailas
Published: May 2024

Electric Submersible Pump (ESP) is extensively used by Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) for the producer wells. In the Minagish field (West Kuwait) of KOC, Corrosion related issues in ESP producer wells have been observed due to increasing water cut (WC), H2S, and CO2. KOC embarked on a trial in the Minagish field to install Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) lined tubing for ESP completion in a candidate well having increasing WC, CO2, and H2S. The installation was done in 1 well, and the well has been producing without any issues for more than 2 years, thereby increasing the Mean-Time-before-Failure (MTBF) and contributing to sustained production as compared to when the well was completed with Carbon steel tubing.

Corrosion in the tubing can lead to loss of tubing metal wall or corrosive scale formation. In several cases, holes in tubing were formed, causing the produced fluid to recirculate within the wellbore, altering the ESP performance and loads.

The GRE liner acts as a protective isolating layer between the carbon steel tubing and the produced fluid. Because of their inert nature, GRE liners are unaffected by the produced fluids. Moreover, the smooth surface provides flow assurance benefits by eliminating corrosion and mitigating deposit formation.

Experience based on other fields within KOC has shown that GRE lined tubing can be re-used without any issue for the ESP producer wells as the system provides protection to the thread connection area by using Corrosion Barrier Rings (CBR). These help KOC reduce the operating expenditure (OPEX) during workover jobs to replace the ESP pump and reuse the same GRE lined tubing. The company plans to expand GRE-lined tubing application for ESP producers with feed-thru packer PAD completion and wells with retrievable ESP.
Impact of Injection Velocity on Wormhole Generation Due to CO2 Sequestration
Authors: Mirzayev Elvin , Ramadan Mustafa Al , Aljawad Murtada Saleh , Ibrahim Ahmed Farid , Al-Yousif Zuhair , Almajid Muhammad , Yaseri Ahmed Al
Published: May 2024

Carbon dioxide (CO2) could be potentially stored in deep saline carbonate aquifers, taking advantage of its solubility in brine. Nevertheless, wormholes will be created due to the reactivity of carbonic acid with limestone. This research targets revealing the impact of live brine (i.e., sc-CO2 soluble in brine) injection velocity on the efficiency and shape of generated wormholes.

Core samples of limestone, measuring 1.5 × 3 inches and exhibiting permeability values ranging from 2 to 3 mD, along with porosity values ranging from 15 to 17%, were chosen for the study. Following the coreflooding experiments, the samples underwent scanning to observe both the generation of wormholes and alterations in the pore structure. CO2 was mixed with 120,000 ppm salinity brine at 60 °C and 2,000 psi at a 30:70 ratio and injected into the core samples. The effect of injection velocity was analyzed by injecting live brine at 0.25, 1, and 5 cc/min. 700 mL of CO2-saturated brine were injected for all the experiments.

The analysis showed a porosity increase due to the creation of wormhole from the injection of live brine. A significant increase has been seen in permeability due to created half or continuous wormholes. Furthermore, as the injection increased from 0.25 cc/min to 1 cc/min, less live brine was needed to create the wormhole. On the other hand, the increase in flow rate from 1 to 5 cc/min siginificantly increased the required volume. These results indicated an optimum injection velocity to be at 1 cc/min with the PVBT of 18. In summary, the study revealed that the injection of live brine induces the formation of a wormhole, resulting in changes to the porosity and permeability of the rock.

The novelty of this study lies in its application to CO2 storage, specifically in exploring the influence of injection rate on the sequestration process. This study marks the pioneering effort to comprehend the impact of CO2 injection velocity on wormhole generation and to identify the optimal conditions for such processes.
Experimental Study on the Mechanical Properties of Matrix and Laminae Planes in Shale
Authors: Zhuo Renyan , Ma Xinfang , Zou Yushi , Zhang Shicheng
Published: May 2024

The mechanical properties of laminae planes have an essential effect on the nucleation and propagation of hydraulic fractures. Previous studies mainly focused on the strong anisotropic mechanical characteristics of laminae shale. However, the effective experimental data on the mechanical properties of matrix and laminae planes is generally limited. Therefore, a series of rock mechanics tests were conducted on laminae shale to study the difference in mechanical properties between matrix and laminae planes. The tested shale samples were subsurface full-diameter cores from the Fengcheng Formation in Mahu Sag. Specimens with different laminae orientations were drilled in directions perpendicular and parallel to laminae planes. The triaxial compression strength tests, direct shear tests, and Brazilian tests were carried out on the specimens. The results showed that the tensile strength, shear strength, cohesion, and friction angle of the specimens loaded parallel to laminae planes were lower than those of the shale matrix. It demonstrated that the laminae planes are weak planes of shale in terms of mechanical strength. However, the normal stiffness and shear stiffness of the laminae planes were higher than those of the shale matrix, indicating that laminae planes are not prone to elastic deformation. Two types of failure modes were observed in the Brazilian test. For the specimens loaded parallel to laminae planes, the fractures propagated along the loading diameter without branching fractures. For the specimens loaded perpendicular to laminae planes, the fractures deviated from the loading diameter and suppressed the propagation of main fractures, which resulted in secondary fractures along the laminae planes. It was concluded that the laminae planes, as the weak planes of shale, lead to the mechanical properties changing with the loading direction relative to the direction of laminae planes and also change the propagation path of the fractures. For fractures propagating along the normal or oblique direction of the laminae plane, the propagation pathways usually offset to the direction of laminae planes or direction parallel to laminae planes, which produces curved propagation pathways and branch fractures. The mechanical properties of laminae planes in shale provide necessary data support for numerical simulation of hydraulic fracture propagation, fracture geometry prediction, and fracture initiation pressure prediction.
Research on Flow Field Characteristics Measurement in Variable Cross-Section Annulus Using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV)
Authors: S. Zhou Y. , F. Qu C. , W. Zhang H. , Zhang H. , Jiang L. , Liu Z. S. , Shen J. Y. , Zhang Z. Z. , Zheng R.
Published: May 2024

The actual downhole annulus is irregular, a variable cross-section geometry, due to the difference between the diameter of tool joints, tubing collars or downhole tools and the inner pipes. With the increasing of well depth, it is difficult to predict the annulus pressure loss accurately due to the effect of variable cross-section geometry. Research on flow field characteristics in variable cross-section annulus is the theoretical foundation of accurate prediction on annulus pressure loss. However, there is still few research on flow field characteristics in variable cross-section annulus by experiment, especially by using PIV technology. PIV has become an efficient method for complex flow field visualization and analyzation.

The results show that there is separated reattachment flow in the irregular annulus which mainly occurred in the downstream of the expansion. The separated reattachment flow has low velocity, but vortex mainly occurred in this area. The disturbance range of streamlines caused by expansion structure is shorter in the upstream than in the downstream. The first and second modes contain 82% energy contribution in the irregular annular flow field. And the first mode can effectively restore the large-scale structure. With the mode increases, it is found that the small-scale structure is mainly distributed in the shear layer of the separated and reattached flow downstream of the variable cross- section geometry.
Keys Unlock Drilling Performance by Using New Automated Technologies in Directional Drilling
Authors: Nesaif Jawad , Al-Meer Ali , Albalawe Moalla , Fakhrylgayanov Ayrat , Osman Ahmed , Alabdullah Mansour , Gassas Reema , Ovwigho Efe , Franco Nata , Almakhamel A , Almomen M , Alkhalifah Meshal , Alotaibi Saleh
Published: May 2024

The vision of the oil and gas industry is to be fully automated. However, directional drilling is still using conventional methods that mainly depend on the directional drillers with their experience, decisions, competencies, skills, and motivations. Moreover, measuring-while-drilling (MWD) has also seen minimal automation, as directional surveys are still taken conventionally, which requires the involvement of MWD engineers. Such operations are dependent on the personnel therefore exposed to human error and inefficiency.

The automated directional drilling and surveying system is a solution designed to automatically drill directional wells with rotary steerable systems (RSS). The system is pre-fed the planned well trajectory, and once engaged while drilling, uses its control algorithms and directional surveys to control the RSS tool, while correcting the trajectory as drilling progressed by constantly updating the target inclinations and azimuths in a closed loop system. Meanwhile, the automated surveying system takes directional surveys "on-the-fly" and without the MWD engineer’s intervention, automatically feeding the surveys to the directional drilling system in real time, resulting in full directional drilling automation.

The system was first deployed worldwide in the Middle East, and it improved the directional drilling performance in directional drilling operations, especially drilling with complex directional well profiles. Furthermore, the system reduced the downlink frequency by 63% in each hole section and reduced wellbore tortuosity by 10%, while improving rate of penetration (ROP) by 35% when compared to the field average ROP. In addition, the automated directional surveying reduced drill-string stationary time, ultimately reducing rig flat time and differential sticking risks, while providing a higher survey frequency and density when compared to conventional surveying systems. The high survey data frequency and density feature also reduced well position uncertainty, thereby improving well placement within target reservoirs while reducing wellbore tortuosity and improving anti-collision management. On the environmental aspect, the automated system improved drilling performance and ROP in the directional sections and, overall, reduced the drilling rig operating time, thereby reducing the associated average rig CO2 emission.

The automated directional drilling and directional survey systems can be integrated with both new and existing drilling technologies. This will achieve full automation with the ability of supervision in directional drilling for optimizing oil and gas well delivery operation.
Application of Cold CO2 Injection in High Skin Factor Depleted Reservoirs: A Review
Authors: Khan Fahad , Mahmoud Mohamed , Raza Arshad , Patil Shirish , AlTammar Murtadha J. , Al Shafloot Talal
Published: May 2024

Subsurface storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) in geological media is now an effective strategy to address the climate change issue. Upon CO2 injection, thermal, hydrological, mechanical, and chemical processes take place in a storage media which may affect the storage performance. Specifically, the subsurface thermal changes during CO2 injection impact bottom hole pressure, stresses, fracture initiation, and thus, well-bore characteristics. Depleted reservoirs with a high skin factor can pose significant operational complications in achieving favorable CO2 injectivity. Keeping in view the thermal stress, and the usage of CO2 in a very cold CO2 state in the early stage of storage, the concerns of stimulation can be mitigated, offering the benefit of improved injectivity.

This work aims to provide a comprehensive overview of CO2 utilization and storage in high-skin factor-depleted reservoirs. Firstly, we will introduce the physical properties of CO2. Next, we will present storage operational aspects and challenges related to injectivity. Moreover, we will shed light on an overview of depleted reservoirs and the factors that contribute to a high skin factor, along with its quantification. Finally, we will discuss the role of very cold CO2 injection in high skin factor-depleted reservoirs to overcome injectivity challenges. In short, this review aims to summarize the striking developments in subsurface CO2 utilization and storage in challenging reservoirs, thereby helping to de-risk the injection operation.
Designing an Early Production Facility for a Marginal Oil Field to Boost the Economic Profitability of the Project
Authors: Magomadov I. A. , Prasad P. , Balhasan S. A. , Fathalla O. , Ismail A. , Musbah I.
Published: May 2024

Marginal fields’ reserves development is attached to the significant financial risks, which are catalyzed by time from discovery to an effect from investment. An option to decrease such risks is using the early production facilities (EPF), which allows producing the hydrocarbons in a quicker basis and monetizing the asset in a shortest timeline, compared to temporary facilities. EPF leads to accelerated operational decision-making that contributes to early payback with minimal financial outlay. Three modifications of early production facilities were used in this paper: three stage separators with relevant storage tanks and compressors. Among the three design configurations, the two-stage separation model is considered the best scenario from the economic and the technical perspective. One-stage separation was not suitable for our fluids condition due to the high pressure drop from the wellhead to the separator and remaining gas dissolved in oil after separation, which indicated that in order to increase the recovery factor and efficiency of the separation, we need to use more stages to get a purer product. The three-stage separation demonstrated almost the same performance (extra two barrels of oil) as the two-stage option: desired quality, state of the fluids and efficiency was obtained; an extra investment would not be profitable. When the number of separators increased the efficiency and RF of the separation increased. EPF and permanent facilities were compared utilizing economic evaluation and risk analysis. It was found that EPF showed more attractive profitability indicators: NPV (SP) 132.81 $MM, IRR (SP) 42.93%, and NPV (FP) 513.24 $MM. The Permanent facilities had a significant negative effect on the economic criteria. Selection of the EPF will lead to early profit with less risk, reducing the time to start production due to parallel design, fabrication and site preparation.
Impact of Channel Incision on Kareem Sand Compartmentalization and Water Flooding Variability in the Badri Field: A Case Study in the East-Central Gulf of Suez, Egypt
Authors: Hassan A. H. , Hussien W. S. , Ismail A. I. , Nasr M. S. , Ibrahim M. M. , Magdy K. M. , Hasanein A. G.
Published: May 2024

Badri field is located in the east central part of the Gulf of Suez made up of two productive reservoirs: Belayim and Kareem of Miocene age. This study focuses on the Kareem reservoir, whose production began in 1983. Kareem is largely supported by peripheral and gas cap water injection. However, we observed that some of the water injectors are not in full communication with the offset producers and gas cap water injection had limited success in maintaining reservoir pressure and was ineffective in reducing gas-oil ratios (GOR) or preventing gas migration, as evidenced by the pressure and production data analysis. Following a thorough investigation, the problem identified to be an incised channel, which separated the injectors from the producers. The geological analysis has had a significant impact on reservoir development, influencing water flood strategy, pattern orientation and expected performance, where the geomorphological model of incised channel provides guidance in the selection of alternative water injection locations to improve recovery and overall ineffective water injection program. Due to incision, Baba sand is opposite to Kareem sand. Therefore, Baba sand inside this incision is likely to be Gas bearing with same pressure as Kareem. This has confirmed from few producers when we perforated Baba. Still there are some potential of Baba to perforate as long as it is within incision. Constructed a distinctive AI-ML based reservoir facies 3D model for the Badri field allows understanding internal complexity of reservoir and develop a full field 3D static model that used as a general reservoir management tool to improve expected recovery.
Evaluation of Vinyl Imidazolium Based Ionic Liquids as Flow Improvers for Indian Waxy Crude Oil
Authors: Patel Zarana , Nagar Ashish
Published: May 2024

The blockages due to wax/paraffin deposition in operational facilities consensus as a billion-dollar problem in Petroleum industry. Moreover, the production shift towards heavy and paraffinic crude oil from extreme climate regions further aggravates the situation. What’s more, the utilization of environmentally hazardous chemicals for mitigation of this severe issue also causes additional threats. Thus, motivated by such a problem, current research endeavor synthesis and application of green chemicals viz. Ionic liquids for mitigation of paraffin deposition. Vinyl imidazolium based Ionic liquids were synthesized by nucleophilic addition of 1-Bromo alkane and Vinyl imidazole. The obtained products further undergo metathesis with Bis (trifluoromethane) sulfonimide lithium salt (LiNTf2) to obtain the final product (IL). The structure of IL was assessed by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), 1H NMR, and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The effect of IL on pour point was assessed. Further, the IL was evaluated for Microscopic and rheological Studies of petroleum by Polarized Optical Microscopy (POM) and Rheometer respectively. Cold finger test was performed to check Wax deposition potential of Crude oil and Paraffin Inhibition Efficiency of Chemical additive. The results showed that IL demonstrated superior performance in enhancing the flowability of waxy crude oil compared to conventional pour point depressant (PPD) available in the market. The pour point of crude oil could be lowered by as much as 15°C at 500 ppm by using IL compared to commercial PPD which depresses the pour point up to 6°C only at higher concentration (1000 ppm). At 30°C, the viscosity of the waxy crude oil reduced up to 85% after doping crude oil with 500 ppm IL. Cold finger test results revealed that IL can reduce the paraffin deposition up to 54.72%. The results of polarized microscopy showed that with the introduction of IL in the crude oil, the formation of the wax crystals can be greatly reduced. Ionic liquids are emerging as more sustainable and environmentally benign chemical additives for remediation of paraffin deposition which can be implemented successfully in the field for transportation of crude oil and provides direction for building the next generation of Chemical additives for flow assurance of waxy crude oil.
Iron Magnesium Coating Chicken Bones for Removal of Copper from Water
Authors: Abdalla Mayar Tarek
Published: May 2024

Because heavy metals have detrimental effects on aquatic life and public health, their presence in freshwater sources is extremely concerning. Even in low quantities, copper (Cu), one of the most hazardous heavy metals, can result in major health problems. The current study seeks to create a novel adsorption medium using iron (Fe)-coated chicken bones Using magnesium hydroxides, copper can be eliminated from water. In which the chicken bones were treated with stacked double hydroxides (LDH) Physical adsorption is the process by which heavy metals from the waste liquid are adsorbed onto the chicken bone-based adsorbent. The cause of physical adsorption is an imbalance in the porous nature of the adsorbent surface, which draws the adsorbate (heavy metal) to the surface. The residue of inorganic materials left over after burning at temperatures higher than 575°C is known as ash. A substance is heated as part of the ash-making process, and the method involves drying, burning charcoal, and desolating volatile chemicals. Heat will be produced by burning the charcoal, volatile chemicals will evaporate, and moisture will be lost throughout the drying process. There will be an interaction between carbon and oxygen during the burning of charcoal to form co-gas, which then develops into CO2 gas so that in the end there will be only material known as ash. With a rough and porous surface shape, apatite carbonate compound minerals are a distinguishing feature of the adsorbent made from chicken bone ash. The adsorption performance can be improved by raising the ashing temperature, contact time, particle size, and weight of the adsorbent. The physical adsorption process is accelerated at near-neutral pH values. Adsorbents made of chicken bone ash can lower Cu metal levels while also improving waste quality.

In this paper, Carbon-based adsorption is described as a traditional treatment with a high unit cost, particularly in underdeveloped nations.
Analysis of Downhole Through-Tubing Cement Evaluation Techniques
Authors: Zeghlache Mohamed Larbi , Marroquín Iván , Wu Hao , Rourke Marvin , Yang Qinshan , Sookram Neil
Published: May 2024

In the oil and gas industry, downhole well integrity risk management is an important aspect for safe operations, and for optimizing production and overall costs. Diagnosis and evaluation services used by operators for these well integrity management programs include leak detection, corrosion inspection and cement evaluation. However, effective measurements for this critical task are more challenging when there is tubing or completion in the well, in front of casings that need to be evaluated. This paper presents the recent developments of through-tubing cement evaluation (TTCE) techniques with focus on applications, benefits, and limitations. Novel solutions to enhance data quality, while optimizing costs and improving safety, are also discussed.

There are several techniques currently used to evaluate cement quality behind casing with pressure testing being the most common hydraulic method to confirm a seal. In terms of logging techniques to determine the cement bond across the interval of interest, temperature logs were very common in the past but have since made way for sonic logs, ultrasonic logs, intelligent completion systems and others. Generally, these logging techniques require direct access to the casing or liner being evaluated and do not provide reliable answers when a tubing is in front of it. More recently however, sensing technologies, data processing and interpretation from these techniques has evolved thereby helping to overcome the signal attenuation and noise from the interface between the sensor and the actual cement sheath. This paper summarizes key findings and insights which form part of ongoing research and provides an overview of the methods and procedures involved in each technique. The elaborated processes in conducting TTCE and the challenges and limitations associated with each technique are also discussed. Results from this study show the importance of TTCE for evaluating the quality and integrity of cementing operations in oil and gas wells. Advances in downhole sensor design and signal processing is complemented by the fourth industrial revolution allowing use of machine learning algorithms for big data analysis and interpretation, which assists in improving the TTCE reliability considering certain constraints. However, each TTCE technique has unique benefits and limitations which allows it to be applied to specific well scenarios, and these are explored further here. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of TTCE techniques and their applications for improving well integrity management. Key areas where TTCE can provide significant benefits are identified, such as in wells with complex geometries or with limited access for conventional cement evaluation methods. The paper also highlights the limitations and challenges associated with each technique and identifies opportunities for future research and development.
Real Time Seismic Reimaging during Drilling for Risk Mitigation
Authors: Williams G. , Zaky A. , Yang S. , Glushchenko A.
Published: May 2024

An accurate 3D Earth model showing spatial position of geological structure, faults, and reservoir rock properties is the key for success in petroleum exploration drilling. While Logging While Drilling/Seismic While Drilling (LWD/SWD) and WireLine Logging (WL) provide useful information along the borehole, they offer little understanding about the rock property ahead of bit. Seismic guided drilling, an update technique applied while drilling, is a workflow using and integrating available seismic and borehole information to calibrate and constrain the Earth velocity model ahead and around the drill bit while-drilling to create a new updated image. It not only corrects the model error behind the bit but also improves predictions ahead of the bit with the improved image. The technique generates a 3D image ahead of the drill-bit using data from the well in progress, in near real-time, and honoring the surface seismic. This study successfully demonstrates that the while-drilling update technique added value to improved planning and drilling of target well.
Rejuvenation of N2 Layer Reservoir with Shift Paradigm from Gas Reservoir into Oil Reservoir: A Case Study from Benuang Structure, South Sumatera
Authors: Abdillah R. , Ardianto R. N. , Dwiokta R. A. , Barus I. , Suryadi H. , Wicaksono R. , Cahyarini N. V. , Lalusu N. H.
Published: May 2024

This paper focuses on developing a substantial oil reservoir in South Sumatra, Indonesia, characterized by a large gas cap and a bottom water aquifer. The reservoir comprises thick, clean sandstone from the Miocene Talang Akar Formation, deposited in a transitional estuarine complex with good porosity and lateral continuity due to an accreted channel complex. Initial production was gas-dominated, leading to its classification as a non-potential reservoir with a recovery factor (RF) of up to 79%.

The recent success in infill drilling has resulted in nearly 4000 BOPD from the N2 layer, revealing the ongoing potential for oil reserves. The shift from gas to oil production in the reservoir is an intriguing phenomenon. To understand this shift, static and dynamic data from the latest infill drilling, along with current saturation logs from existing wells, are evaluated. This comprehensive analysis forms the basis for constructing a reservoir model. The model is expected to describe the reservoir's conditions from its initial state to the current condition and assess the potential for incremental production.

The comprehensive reservoir model estimates gas in place at 41 BSCF with an RF of 79%, based on cumulative production of 33 BSCF. The estimated oil in place is 11 MMSTB with the current RF at only 10%, from 1.1 MMSTB. The results of the recent study present opportunities for further development in the N2 layer using clustering infill drilling, workovers, and pressure maintenance to optimize oil production. This is estimated to have a potential additional oil production of 3.9 MMSTB, representing a ‘New Life’ for the N2 layer by shifting the paradigm from developing the gas reservoir to developing the oil reservoir.

The evaluation of the N2 layer can change the paradigm for gas reservoirs with oil rims. While the common rule in the oil and gas industry is to produce oil first to optimize oil recovery, the case of the N2 layer challenges this norm. Despite the reservoir producing a large volume of gas, the oil potential remains high and can be developed by considering various reservoir parameters, as explained in this paper.
Strategic Deployment of CCUS in China: Aiming for Carbon Neutrality in Key Industries
Authors: Cheng Kai , Peng Bo , Arif Muhammad , Zhang Yupeng , Shang Leiwang , Zhang Zhenghao
Published: May 2024

This study assesses China's CCUS deployment, pivotal for the nation's carbon neutrality by 2060 and transition to sustainable energy. It explores the social, economic, and industrial impacts, including job creation, product exports, and global CCUS market influence. The paper outlines critical goals for successful CCUS implementation, impacting China's future industrial competitiveness. We employed machine learning to analyze CO2 emissions data from China's power, iron and steel, cement, and oil and gas industries, supplemented by expert consultations. Our findings reveal significant emission characteristics: thermal power dominates the power industry's emissions, contributing over 50% to China's industrial total. The iron and steel sector accounts for over 60% of global emissions in its field, comprising 15-18% of China's emissions. Cement production, with a CO2 emission factor of 0.86, results in approximately 620 kg of CO2 per ton. The oil and gas sector, particularly petrochemicals, represents 9% of national emissions. These insights shape our analysis of the CCUS development pathway in these key sectors. Our analysis of carbon emissions and CCUS development in key Chinese industries, informed by expert consultation, leads to these conclusions: China's CCUS evolution follows three stages. The research, development, and demonstration phase (2020-2025) anticipates CCUS projects scaling to 15 Mt CO2/year. The industrial rollout phase (2025-2035) projects expansion to 50 Mt CO2/year. Full deployment (2035-2050) will see project sizes reaching 1500 Mt CO2/year, with significant milestones of 500 Mt in 2040 and 1500 Mt by 2050. Under an aggressive model, CCUS plays a crucial role in direct emission reductions, targeting 2.5 billion tonnes CO2 by 2050. Regional CCUS strategies align with each province's carbon peak goals, sequestration resources, and industrial structures. Aligned with China's 14th Five-Year Plan, our study underscores the strategic importance of CCUS technology, analyzing its potential and affordability in major sectors like electricity, iron and steel, cement, and oil and gas. We propose a CCUS deployment roadmap for China, detailing strategies for large-scale emission source retrofitting and industry-level source-sink matching. This forms the foundation for the Ministry of Science and Technology's planning of regional CCUS clusters.
RANSAC-MP: A Robust Plane Fitting Algorithm for Noisy Microseismic Data During Hydraulic Fracturing
Authors: Lin Enter: Ziyu , Liu Yuetian , Pei Xuehao , Xue Liang
Published: May 2024

Hydraulic fracture morphology is an important parameter for fracturing effect evaluation, reservoir simulation and production prediction. It mainly relies on microseismic interpretation to obtain hydraulic fracture morphology, but the presence of ambient noise and irrelevant rupture events can cause the microseismic monitoring data to be affected by multiple noises, and the accuracy of existing fracture plane fitting algorithms is difficult to be guaranteed under complex noise environments. In order to solve the problem of fracture plane fitting under complex noise, this paper proposes a robust hydraulic fracture plane fitting algorithm - Random Sampling Consensus-Maximum Projection (RANSAC-MP) algorithm, which weakens the outlier noise caused by irrelevant rupture events through the random sampling method and embeds the projection transformation to reduce the environmental noise. The results show that the RANSAC-MP algorithm has stronger robustness and higher accuracy in complex noise environments, and the fitting accuracy is improved by 14% compared with the RANSAC algorithm, 38% compared with the PCA algorithm, and 56% compared with the LS algorithm. The fracture plane fitting is carried out with actual straight well microseismic data as an example, and the results show that the RANSAC-MP algorithm shows stronger robustness and higher computational accuracy under the influence of multiple noises, and the algorithm can directly process the raw data when only a single fracture is formed by fracturing.
Acoustic Resonance Applications in Carbon Capture: Maximizing DAC Performance
Authors: Oprisescu-Dulgheru A.
Published: May 2024

This paper introduces a pioneering methodology aimed at significantly enhancing the efficiency of CO2 capture within Direct Air Capture (DAC) stations, leveraging insights derived from extensive research conducted by the esteemed Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. At its core, this study revolves around the strategic deployment of sophisticated sound transducers in close proximity to DAC facilities, with the objective of emitting precisely calibrated ultrasound waves falling within the discerning frequency spectrum of 30 kHz to 60 kHz. This frequency range meticulously corresponds to the resonant frequency of CO2 molecules, thereby engendering a remarkable phenomenon wherein CO2 molecules evince heightened directional responsiveness, gravitating with discernible intent towards the focal point of the capture station. Consequently, this orchestrated migration fosters the emergence of localized CO2-enriched zones, engendering a palpable surge in capture efficiency of profound significance.

The experimental inquiries embarked upon within this study have been meticulously crafted, drawing upon a rich tapestry of established methodologies culled from the annals of specialized literature. These inquiries meticulously scrutinize an array of gas mixtures, deliberately engineered to encapsulate the diverse compositional permutations emblematic of authentic operational conditions encountered within DAC frameworks. The resultant findings yield a resounding testament to the efficacy of the proposed methodology, with observed enhancements in the separation ratio eclipsing baseline measurements by a formidable order of magnitude in discernible instances. Particularly noteworthy are the scenarios characterized by a compositional makeup of 90% N2 and 10% CO2, wherein the separation ratio ascends to staggering heights surpassing the vaunted threshold of 1000, thus unequivocally affirming the monumental strides achieved in advancing the capture process to unprecedented echelons of proficiency.

Moreover, this comprehensive study serves as a veritable crucible for the elucidation of intricate phenomena, chief among them being the nuanced orchestration of collective motion discernible amongst CO2 molecules under the sway of high-frequency sound waves. These revelations serve to underscore the vast expanse of potential ramifications extending across a diverse spectrum of interdisciplinary domains, encompassing but not confined to the realms of geophysics and the avant-garde milieu of environmental technologies. Through the judicious harnessing of the propitious attributes intrinsic to high-frequency sound waves, this pioneering framework beckons forth the promise of catalyzing a seismic paradigm shift within the realm of atmospheric carbon capture, thereby heralding a transformative epoch in the ceaseless global crusade against the specter of climate change and the insidious scourge of atmospheric contamination.
Salinity Effects on H2S Generation in Subsurface Hydrogen Storage
Authors: Hamdi Z. , Rosman A. , Partoon B. , Bataee M. , Hassan A. M.
Published: May 2024

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the contribution of renewable energy to the overall supply of electrical energy. Nevertheless, the renewable energy sector encounters challenges in effectively storing surplus energy, particularly given fluctuations in energy demand driven by seasonal variations. As hydrocarbon reservoirs continue to deplete, storing hydrogen in subsurface formations has emerged as a promising solution to this dilemma. This study investigates the implications of sulfate-reduction reactions on hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production within underground hydrogen storage reservoirs. Simulation results demonstrate significant H2S generation during withdrawal cycles, posing challenges for hydrogen recovery and utilization. Factors influencing H2S production include reaction kinetics, sulfate concentration, reservoir pressure, temperature, and formation water pH. H2S exhibits preferential flow within higher-permeability layers and tends to accumulate in lower reservoir regions. Mitigation strategies, such as perforation techniques targeting upper sand portions, are recommended to reduce H2S production. Our findings suggest that reservoirs with substantial sulfate content may not be optimal for underground hydrogen storage initiatives. Sensitivity analyses indicate a correlation between sulfate concentration and prolonged H2S production until sulfate depletion. However, uncertainties persist regarding continuous aqueous sulfate diffusion from formation rocks. Despite potential hydrogen losses due to methanogenation and sulfate reduction, further validation through field applications is needed. This study underscores the importance of considering H2S production in underground hydrogen storage planning and highlights the need for mitigation measures to ensure safe and efficient operations.
Calculation of Production Back Allocation Using Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Hassani H. , Shahbazi A. , Yusifov A. , Hamdi Z. , Hassan A. M. , Masoudi R. , Bataee M.
Published: May 2024

The petroleum industry is reliant on precise and efficient back allocation, a process that calculates individual well production rates from shared facilities or multi-well platforms. Especially in matured facilities and legacy assets, traditional measurement techniques often fail to provide the necessary accuracy due to a lack of pre-installed flow meters and individual measurement mechanisms. Furthermore, these methods frequently require additional interventions, a factor that could potentially defer production, incur significant costs, and require extensive supply chain management. Despite these challenges, back allocation remains an essential process for effective reservoir, well, and field production performance management, as well as for ensuring accurate revenue allocation throughout a field's economic life cycle. This study explores the application of machine learning (ML) as an advanced, data-driven approach to overcome the complexities of back allocation and streamline the process with increased accuracy and reduced interventions. Three ML models were implemented for this purpose, namely XGBoost, Random Forest, and LightGBM. These models were designed to predict individual well oil rates based on various parameters easily obtainable from wellhead locations, including wellhead pressure, temperature, and choke size. A meticulous preprocessing stage was performed to make sure the data was ideally suited for the ML models. Further, hyperparameter tuning was applied to enhance model accuracy and performance. Of the three models, XGBoost showed remarkable performance, producing high R2 scores of 0.97, 0.98, 0.96, and 0.96 for each well. These scores underscore the model's strong capability to predict individual well oil rates with high precision, highlighting the potential of ML in addressing complex problems in the oil and gas sector. The study's findings present a promising advancement in the application of ML, particularly XGBoost, for accurate back allocation in combined production systems. The model's superior performance and prediction accuracy pave the way for improved decision-making related to reservoir management, well diagnostics, and cost optimization. The utilization of ML for back allocation holds considerable promise for boosting operational efficiency and profitability in oil and gas production systems. Looking ahead, further research will seek to apply the model on a larger scale and test its efficiency across varied field conditions and scenarios. This investigation will help to further validate the substantial advantages of employing ML methodologies in the petroleum industry.
Analysis of Projection Welding in Relation to the Non-Parallelism of Electrodes
Authors: Mikno Zygmunt
Published: May 2024

The article contains the analysis of projection welding in relation to the non-parallel location (non-parallelism) of electrodes. For a thin-walled flat element (sheet metal) with two embossed projections, the FEM calculations were conducted in relation to different angles between the electrodes. The calculation involved the use of the software SORPAS-3D. The analysis included the temperature distribution, power density, electrode displacement, volume of molten metal, nugget diameter and welding energy. The FEM results were verified experimentally by technological welding tests, destructive examination (peeling/metallographic). The experimental tests involved the application of a typical element e.g. nut with two embossed projections. The research results allow the obtainment of knowledge concerning phenomena occurring in the above-named process and unacceptable bevelling angle between electrodes.
A Distance-mean-smoothed Iterative Algorithm for Detection of Monopoly Furrows in Maize Seedling
Authors: Liu Zhixin , He Xiaoning , Ma Shikuan , Shang Shuqi
Published: May 2024

Backgroud:
A distance-mean-smoothed iterative corn seedling monopoly detection algorithm based on distance-mean-smoothed iteration is proposed to address the problems such as the complexity of traditional crop row line detection for outlier removal algorithms.
Methods
First, based on the green component enhancement method, improved OTSU algorithm and morphological feature analysis noise reduction processing, the image pre-processing such as graying, binarization and morphological noise reduction is performed on the maize seedling graph; then, the binary image with morphological noise reduction is traversed along the horizontal direction row by row to find the starting and ending points of the monopoly, and the DBSCAN algorithm is used for monopoly clustering; finally, the distance-mean-based Finally, the outlier removal algorithm based on the distance-mean iterative algorithm was applied to remove the outliers and linear fitting based on the least squares method was used to obtain the outline of the monopoly.
Results
The experimental results show that the algorithm has a high accuracy in extracting the monopoly furrows in maize seedling stage, and the mean value of the fitted linear determination coefficient is 0.98s.
Conclusions
This paper provides a new method for detecting monopoly furrows in maize seedlings in the field; The image results processed by this algorithm have a good fit and can reflect the general orientation of the rows in the field.
Characterization of a new target to human dental pulp regeneration through the identification of PP1 interactome
Authors: Kobrock Anna , Patricio Daniela , Matos Bárbara , Zarzuela Eduardo , Muñoz Javier , Howl John , Gomes Pedro , Fardilha Margarida
Published: May 2024

Background: Dental caries are one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide affecting all age groups. Current therapeutic strategies are technically demanding and invasive procedures that only address the restoration of dental pulp. Upon damage, mineralized tissues and dental pulp are affected, activating signalling cascades that promote their repair and regeneration through stem cells differentiation into odontoblasts-like cells. Protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) participates in a panoply of cellular events, including those related with regenerative outcomes, such as odontogenic differentiation, highlighting the potential of its modulation.
Methods: Here we evaluated the expression of PP1 isoforms in dental pulp cells lines. We also characterized the PP1 interactome in dental pulp and identified potential interactors involved in repair and regenerative processes.
Results: The expression of all PP1 isoforms (α, β and γ) was detected in human dental cell lines. Moreover, a total of 258 proteins were identified as PP1γ regulatory interactors of protein phosphatase 1 (RIPPOs) in dental pulp, through a combination of a bioinformatic and co-immunoprecipitation/mass spectrometry analyses. Among these proteins, RRBP1 and THBS1 are promising targets, due to their roles in modulation of the regenerative response and in odontoblasts differentiation and mineralization.
Conclusion: This is the first reported PP1 interactome in dental pulp that identifies potential targets to modulate PP1 activity and potentially promote dental pulp regeneration.
Clinical, genotypic, and neuropsychological profile in a series of cases of patients with Niemann-Pick type C disease
Authors: Mendes Rita , Valle Daniel , Bara Tiago , Furlin Vanessa , Zeny Michelle , Santos Mara , Cordeiro Mara L.
Published: May 2024

Background
Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) disease is a rare neurodegenerative disorder with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations and genetic variability. This cross-sectional study aimed to comprehensively describe the neuropsychological impact of NPC and investigate its correlation with specific genotypes.
Results
Eight patients from six unrelated families were included in this study. The age at symptom onset ranged from 2–16 years, with all patients presenting with ataxia, dysarthria, and cognitive impairment. Following the initiation of miglustat treatment, five patients showed a decrease in the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) score, whereas two demonstrated subsequent increases. Brain magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed in five patients, revealing white matter abnormalities and/or brain volumetric reduction in three cases. Despite the small sample size, the overall cognitive performance of the cohort was significantly below average. The Family Environmental Scale highlighted positive structural patterns, particularly regarding Personal Growth and System Maintenance. Genetic analysis identified five mutations in the NPC1 gene, correlating with the severity of impairments and clinical outcomes.
Conclusions
This study highlighted a consistent association between cognitive and behavioral impairments, with severity correlating with age and specific genetic variants. Notably, a subgroup showed a higher prevalence of psychotic and behavioral symptoms, suggesting a potential link with specific genetic variants.
Rapid 21st century warming in the Southern Indian Ocean driven by altered inter-basin connections
Authors: Chatterjee Abhisek , K Sajidh C , Murtugudde Raghu , McPhaden Michael , Shenoi Sathish S C , Vinayachandran P N
Published: May 2024

The Indian Ocean has been warming rapidly over the last few decades. However, this warming has not been uniform; with the subtropical and tropical Southern Indian Ocean (SIO, 5°S3-5°S) cooling until the late 20th Century and then warming abruptly after 2000. Increased Indonesian throughflow (ITF) into the Indian Ocean during the recent climate hiatus was considered to be the primary reason for this recent warming. Our analysis shows that though the ITF inflow decreased rapidly by ~10% after 2010, the upper ocean SIO continued to gain heat at the rate of 0.56 (±0.02) ×1022 J/decade. We argue that the increased ITF during the hiatus in global surface warming (1998-2010) initiated the SIO warming, resulting in a weaker Mascarene High and its decoupling from Southern Ocean atmospheric variability. This caused disparity in the poleward shift of the subtropical gyres between the Pacific and the Indian Oceans, resulted in a three-fold increase in the Tasman inflow to the Indian Ocean, offsetting the weakened influence of the ITF. This accumulation of heat further weakened Masacarene High and reduced the Agulhas outflow by ~20% from its peak, causing a positive feedback that continued to warm the upper ocean of SIO.