bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collaborative Mapping to Enhance Local Engagement and Interdisciplinary Dialogue in a Short-term Study Abroad Program
Authors: Free Rebecca , Ingram Mark
Published: March 2018

A central challenge in short-term study abroad programs is making sure that students have meaningful interactions with people abroad, something that scholarship has shown to be tremendously beneficial, both for linguistic gains and for cross-cultural exchange. This article examines the potential benefits of collaborative mapping for encouraging student interaction with local residents, while also considering the value of spatial analysis to the interdisciplinary aims of a course centered on theatre and French Studies. One author is a cultural anthropologist and professor of French, and the other is a professor of theatre. The course explores theatre as a window into French society and culture in three distinct geographic settings (Avignon and the rural Vaucluse, Marseille, and Paris). Space is important to its study of theatrical literature, of theatrical form and site-specific performance, and of the varied meanings of theatre to people living in diverse social environments, including rural settings and neighborhoods in urban centers and peripheries. Written prior to implementing the project for the 2017 version of the course, this article examines a mapping project intended to fully exploit the opportunities of study abroad for student engagement with other perspectives abroad, and for inter-disciplinary dialogue and exchange.
Story Maps and Disability Studies: A Digital Blueprint for Teaching Community Engagement
Authors: Aldinger Joseph M. M.
Published: March 2018

Story Maps and Disability Studies: A Digital Blueprint for Teaching Community Engagement argues that the spatial humanities and disability studies can highlight for students how classroom discussions are connected to public discourse concerning issues of access. This article examines an interdisciplinary project that uses digital cartography to introduce students to concepts in disability studies in order to get them engaged with issues of social justice within their community. The assignment asks students to map the nexus of power relations that they find in their community using digital tools such as ARC GIS and story maps software. This article provides a history of the assignment along with the assignment's framework including the reading list and classroom activities. Story Maps and Disability Studies concludes with a critical reflection on the assignment's educational goals, student projects, and future revisions to the project.
Erratum: Martens, M.; Boblan, I. Modeling the Static Force of a Festo Pneumatic Muscle Actuator: A New Approach and a Comparison to Existing Models. Actuators 2017, 6, 33
Authors: Martens Mirco , Boblan Ivo
Published: March 2018

The authors would like to correct the content of Table 2 and the text above Table 2 in their article[...]
Study of the Ultimate Error of the Axis Tolerance Feature and Its Pose Decoupling Based on an Area Coordinate System
Authors: Du Qungui , Zhai Xiaochen , Wen Qi
Published: March 2018

Manufacturing error and assembly error should be taken into consideration during evaluation and analysis of accurate product performance in the design phase. Traditional tolerance analysis methods establish error propagation model based on dimension chains with tolerance values being regarded as error boundaries, and obtain the limit of target feature error through optimization methods or conducting statistical analysis with the tolerance domain being the boundary. As deviations of the tolerance feature (TF) on degrees of freedom (DOF) have coupling relations, accurate deviations on all DOF may not be obtained, even though these deviations constitute the basis for product performance analysis. Therefore, taking the widely used shaft-hole fit as an example, a pose decoupling model of the axis TF was proposed based on an area coordinate system. This model realized decoupling analysis of any pose of the axis TF within the tolerance domain. As proposed by the authors, by combining a tolerance analysis model based on tracking local coordinate systems, ultimate pose analysis of the closed-loop system, namely the target feature, as well as statistical analysis could be further implemented. This method contributed to analysis of true product performance with arbitrary error in the product design phase from the angle of tolerance, therefore, shortening the product research and development cycle. This method is demonstrated through applying it to a real-life example.
Perceived Benefits and Barriers of a Community-Based Diabetes Prevention and Management Program
Authors: Shawley-Brzoska Samantha , Misra Ranjita
Published: March 2018

This study examined the perceptions of benefits of and barriers to participating in a community-based diabetes program to improve program effectiveness. The Diabetes Prevention and Management (DPM) program was a twenty-two session, 1-year program, modeled after the evidence-based National Diabetes Prevention Program and AADE7 Self-Care Behaviors framework. Community-based participatory research approach was used to culturally tailor the curriculum. Participants included overweight or obese adults with dysglycemia. A benefits and barriers survey was developed to gather information on participants’ perception of the program, as well as information on demographics and health literacy levels. Eighty-nine adults participated in the DPM program (73% females; 62% diabetic; 77% had adequate health literacy); 79% of participants completed the benefits and barriers survey. Principal component analysis indicated two components representing benefits (Cronbach’s α = 0.83) and barriers (α = 0.65). The majority perceived high benefits and low barriers to program participation; benefits included helpful interaction with health coach or program leader (73%), improved lifestyle modification (65%) due to the program, and satisfaction with the program (75%). Open-ended questions confirmed themes related to benefits of program participation, suggestion for programmatic improvements as well as barriers to participation. Participant feedback could be used to guide interventions and tailor future program implementation.
Microstructure and Properties of Semi-Solid Aluminum Alloys: A Literature Review
Authors: Pola Annalisa , Tocci Marialaura , Kapranos Plato
Published: March 2018

Semi-solid processing of aluminum alloys is a well-known manufacturing technique able to combine high production rates with parts quality, resulting in high performance and reasonable component costs. The advantages offered by semi-solid processing are due to the shear thinning behavior of the thixotropic slurries during the mold filling. This is related to the microstructure of these slurries consisting of solid, nondendritic, near-globular primary particles surrounded by a liquid matrix. This paper presents a review on the formation of this nondendritic microstructure, reports on the different proposed mechanisms that might be responsible, and illustrates the relationship between microstructure and properties, in particular, tensility, fatigue, wear, and corrosion resistance.
Seeds of Life in Space (SOLIS). III. Zooming Into the Methanol Peak of the Prestellar Core L1544*
Authors: Punanova Anna , Caselli Paola , Feng Siyi , Chacón-Tanarro Ana , Ceccarelli Cecilia , Neri Roberto , Fontani Francesco , Jiménez-Serra Izaskun , Vastel Charlotte , Bizzocchi Luca , Pon Andy , Vasyunin Anton I. , Spezzano Silvia , Hily-Blant Pierre , Testi Leonardo , Viti Serena , Yamamoto Satoshi , Alves Felipe , Bachiller Rafael , Balucani Nadia , Bianchi Eleonora , Bottinelli Sandrine , Caux Emmanuel , Choudhury Rumpa , Codella Claudio , Dulieu François , Favre Cécile , Holdship Jonathan , Al-Edhari Ali Jaber , Kahane Claudine , Laas Jake , LeFloch Bertrand , López-Sepulcre Ana , Ospina-Zamudio Juan , Oya Yoko , Pineda Jaime E. , Podio Linda , Quenard Davide , Rimola Albert , Sakai Nami , Sims Ian R. , Taquet Vianney , Theulé Patrice , Ugliengo Piero
Published: March 2018

Toward the prestellar core L1544, the methanol (CH3OH) emission forms an asymmetric ring around the core center, where CH3OH is mostly in solid form, with a clear peak at 4000 au to the northeast of the dust continuum peak. As part of the NOEMA Large Project SOLIS (Seeds of Life in Space), the CH3OH peak has been spatially resolved to study its kinematics and physical structure and to investigate the cause behind the local enhancement. We find that methanol emission is distributed in a ridge parallel to the main axis of the dense core. The centroid velocity increases by about 0.2 km s−1 and the velocity dispersion increases from subsonic to transonic toward the central zone of the core, where the velocity field also shows complex structure. This could be an indication of gentle accretion of material onto the core or the interaction of two filaments, producing a slow shock. We measure the rotational temperature and show that methanol is in local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) only close to the dust peak, where it is significantly depleted. The CH3OH column density, N
tot(CH3OH), profile has been derived with non-LTE radiative transfer modeling and compared with chemical models of a static core. The measured N
tot(CH3OH) profile is consistent with model predictions, but the total column densities are one order of magnitude lower than those predicted by models, suggesting that the efficiency of reactive desorption or atomic hydrogen tunneling adopted in the model may be overestimated; or that an evolutionary model is needed to better reproduce methanol abundance.
A New Method to Measure the Post-reionization Ionizing Background from the Joint Distribution of Lyα and Lyβ Forest Transmission∗
Authors: Davies Frederick B. , Hennawi Joseph F. , Eilers Anna-Christina , Lukić Zarija
Published: March 2018

The amplitude of the ionizing background that pervades the intergalactic medium (IGM) at the end of the epoch of reionization provides a valuable constraint on the emissivity of the sources that reionized the universe. While measurements of the ionizing background at lower redshifts rely on a simulation-calibrated mapping between the photoionization rate and the mean transmission of the Lyα forest, at z ≳ 6 the IGM becomes increasingly opaque and transmission arises solely in narrow spikes separated by saturated Gunn–Peterson troughs. In this regime, the traditional approach of measuring the average transmission over large ∼50 Mpc/h regions is less sensitive and suboptimal. In addition, the five times smaller oscillator strength of the Lyβ transition implies that the Lyβ forest is considerably more transparent at z ≳ 6, even in the presence of contamination by foreground z ∼ 5 Lyα forest absorption. In this work we present a novel statistical approach to analyze the joint distribution of transmission spikes in the cospatial z ∼ 6 Lyα and Lyβ forests. Our method relies on approximate Bayesian computation (ABC), which circumvents the necessity of computing the intractable likelihood function describing the highly correlated Lyα and Lyβ transmission. We apply ABC to mock data generated from a large-volume hydrodynamical simulation combined with a state-of-the-art model of ionizing background fluctuations in the post-reionization IGM and show that it is sensitive to higher IGM neutral hydrogen fractions than previous techniques. As a proof of concept, we apply this methodology to a real spectrum of a z = 6.54 quasar and measure the ionizing background from 5.4 ≤ z ≤ 6.4 along this sightline with ∼0.2 dex statistical uncertainties.
STEREO Observations of Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections in 2007–2016
Authors: Jian L. K. , Russell C. T. , Luhmann J. G. , Galvin A. B.
Published: March 2018

We have conducted a survey of 341 interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) using STEREO A/B data, analyzing their properties while extending a Level 3 product through 2016. Among the 192 ICMEs with distinguishable sheath region and magnetic obstacle, the magnetic field maxima in the two regions are comparable, and the dynamic pressure peaks mostly in the sheath. The north/south direction of the magnetic field does not present any clear relationship between the sheath region and the magnetic obstacle. About 71% of ICMEs are expanding at 1 au, and their expansion speed varies roughly linearly with their maximum speed except for ICMEs faster than 700 km s−1. The total pressure generally peaks near the middle of the well-defined magnetic cloud (MC) passage, while it often declines along with the non-MC ICME passage, consistent with our previous interpretation concerning the effects of sampling geometry on what is observed. The hourly average iron charge state reaches above 12+ ∼31% of the time for MCs, ∼16% of the time for non-MC ICMEs, and ∼1% of the time for non-ICME solar wind. In four ICMEs abrupt deviations of the magnetic field from the nominal field rotations occur in the magnetic obstacles, coincident with a brief drop or increase in field strength—features could be related to the interaction with dust. In comparison with the similar phases of solar cycle 23, the STEREO ICMEs in this cycle occur less often and are generally weaker and slower, although their field and pressure compressions weaken less than the background solar wind.
BioNNA: the Biodiversity National Network of Albania
Authors: Pacifici Michela , Attorre Fabio , Martellos Stefano , Bego Ferdinand , De Sanctis Michele , Hoda Petrit , Meço Marjol , Rondinini Carlo , Saçdanaku Enerit , Salihaj Elson , Scepi Edoardo , Shuka Lulëzim , Ghiurghi Andrea
Published: March 2018

Recently, the Albanian Government started the process to join the European Union. This process also involves matching the EU parameters in protecting its biodiversity. In order to support the Albanian authorities, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Directorate for Development Cooperation (DGCS) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) joined efforts in the project “Institutional Support to the Albanian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Water Administration for Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation and Use in Protected Areas”. This project aims at identifying priority needs in safeguarding ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation. Another project funded by the EU – “Strengthening capacity in National Nature Protection – preparation for Natura 2000 network” – started in 2015 with the aim to raise awareness for assisting local and national Albanian institutions to better exploit the potential of protected areas. One of the main issues encountered during these projects was the need for a national biodiversity data repository. The Biodiversity National Network of Albania (BioNNA) has been created to aggregate occurrence records of plants and animals and aims at becoming the most relevant source of information for biodiversity data as far as Albania is concerned. In this paper, the authors detail structure and data of BioNNA, including the process of data gathering and aggregation, taxonomic coverage, software details and WebGIS development. BioNNA is a milestone on the path towards Albania’s inclusion in the EU and has also a relevant potential social relevance for improving people’s awareness on the importance of biodiversity in the country.
Trematocranus pachychilus, a new endemic cichlid from Lake Malawi (Teleostei, Cichlidae)
Authors: Dierickx Katrien , Hanssens Mark , Rusuwa Bosco , Snoeks Jos
Published: March 2018

A new species of Trematocranus, T.pachychilus sp. n., is described from Lake Malawi. So far, it has only been found at Jafua Bay, Mozambique. It can easily be distinguished from T.labifer by its molariform pharyngeal dentition. A morphometric study, including 24 measurements and 15 counts, was done to compare the new species with T.microstoma and T.placodon. Trematocranuspachychilus is characterised by its thick lips. This species further differs from T.microstoma by its bicuspid (vs. unicuspid) outer oral teeth, wide (vs. small) pharyngeal bone, and its head shape. It resembles T.placodon, from which it can be distinguished by its straight to concave head profile (vs. rounded), less-developed pharyngeal bones (vs. hypertrophied), and the presence of small to minute teeth on the lateral parts of the dentigerous area on the lower pharyngeal bone. A key to the species of Trematocranus is provided.
Non-Psychiatric Nurses' Perceived Self-Efficacy After an Educational Intervention on Suicide Prevention and Care
Authors: Blair Ellen W. , Chhabra Jyoti , Belonick Cynthia , Tackett Maria
Published: March 2018

Potential for suicide risk can be a safety concern for patients in all health care settings. Inadequate training of nurses in suicide assessment and prevention is a serious patient safety concern. A non-randomized pre-/postintervention research design was used to measure the effects of education on non-psychiatric nurses' perceived self-efficacy in assessment and inquiry about suicide risk and in implementing suicide prevention strategies. The intervention was an educational module about suicide prevention and care delivered to non-psychiatric nurses employed on a neuro-trauma unit in an acute care urban hospital setting. Statistically significant increases occurred in the non-psychiatric nurse's self-efficacy in caring for the patient at risk for suicide. The outcomes of this project offer an important contribution to future research in the area of education about suicide prevention and care for non-psychiatric nurses, promoting safer outcomes for patients. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 56
(6), 43–51.]
Sortie nature, protocole et hybridité cognitive. Note sur les sciences participatives
Authors: Charvolin Florian
Published: March 2018

L’expérience de plein air, hors du confinement des disciplines académiques, engage une hybridité cognitive particulièrement nette dans le cas de dispositifs associant scientifiques et amateurs. La multiplication actuelle des sciences participatives réclame de se pencher sur ces lieux du « grand air », qui renversent la préséance du laboratoire, pour faire de la sortie nature et du protocole observé en plein air leur centre de gravité. L’article prend la mesure du phénomène des sciences participatives et propose une lecture de ses performances pour l’acquisition de connaissance et le type de sociabilité et d’accomplissement qui s’y joue.
The Human Student
Authors: Torrisi-Steele Geraldine
Published: March 2018

Higher education institutions are investing significant effort into the improvement of student success, retention and satisfaction. Some effort is being expended in research seeking to understand influencing factors, but the majority of effort is directed towards improving teaching quality. Effort to improve teaching quality is characterised by professional development initiatives, the general aim being to facilitate the shift away from traditional teacher-centred approaches, towards student-centred approaches. Though these initiatives are useful there exists an omission (or at the very least an area of severe-under-emphasis) within the discourse surrounding teaching quality in higher education – explicit attention to the teacher-student connection. The premise of the present article is that to make greater inroads into bettering student experiences and outcomes, the teacher-student connection, along with the humanist perspective in which it is embedded, is integral to the quality teaching practice in higher education.
Intertwining Culture With Education Through Gamified Storytelling
Authors: Kiourt Chairi , Markantonatou Stella
Published: March 2018

Coupling culture and education has attracted significant attention and pushed towards the replacement of the typical STEM model into STEAM. An effective integration of culture in the everyday educational practice, empowered by game-based storytelling has already shown great potential in transforming the way people are exposed to and grasp knowledge. This paper presents an attempt to put culture, education, gaming and storytelling together. Myth Trek was a game developed using state-of-the-art gaming technology, and integrated elements going back in time all the way to the ancient Greek mythology, embedding a time-distorted history onto the present day's landscape in the center of the city of Athens, with an aim to save Athens from complete annihilation. In a playful action/adventure gaming setting, the game mixes mythology, history, architecture and the environment to expose players to the long history of Athens.
A Proposal for Information Systems Security Monitoring Based on Large Datasets
Authors: Van Pham Hai , Moore Philip
Published: March 2018

This article describes how the objective of recent advances in soft computing and machine learning models is the resolution of issues related to security monitoring for information systems. Most current techniques and models face significant limitations, in the monitoring of information systems. To address these limitations, the authors propose a new model designed to detect potential security breaches at an early stage using logging data. The proposed model uses unsupervised training techniques with a rule-based system to analyse data file logs. The proposed approach has been evaluated using a case study based on the learning of data file logs to determine the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Experimental results show that the proposed approach performs well, the results demonstrate that the proposed approach performs better than other conventional security methods in the identification of the correct decisions related to potential security in information systems.
Analyzing the Impacts of Credit Development on Exporting Probability of Companies Listed in Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE)
Authors: Salehi Hadi , Fahmideh Maryam
Published: March 2018

This article attempts to analyze the impacts of financial development on the probability of exports by companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) during 2008-2014-time period. The statistical population covered 102 companies listed in the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE). Considering the analyses, findings and the research results, it is held that the impacts of the independent indicator of financial development, which in turn is computed from base capital ratio to risky assets, on virtual dependent indicator of 0 and 1 of export probability would be 1 in case of export probability and 0 if proven otherwise, are positive and significant. It could be concluded that financial development enhances investments in production and consequently the volume of export in the sample companies. The findings could greatly contribute to description and analyses of financial reporting settings that may provide shareholders and investors with correct and accurate information for the selection of outperforming firms.
Qualification of Low Cost Buoyancy LCB for Deepwater Towed Bundle Applications
Authors: Loentgen Vincent , Pezet Peter , Goodlad Martin , Eyssautier Stephan , Brayshaw Simon , Brouard Yann
Published: March 2018

Since Deepwater field developments started around year 2000, Deepwater Buoyancy has been dominated by syntactic foam and has not evolved significantly since then. Some Deepwater applications like towed Bundle, Steel Lazy Wave riser and Hybrid Riser towers require large amounts of it, both for temporary (installation aids) use and permanent use, becoming a significant part of the cost associated to those systems. In parallel, the present market conditions is pushing Oil companies to develop new technologies and to promote cost reduction initiatives.

In this context, Subsea7 and Matrix, Composites & Engineering have developed a new concept of buoyancy, so called low cost buoyancy. This paper will present the Buoyancy concept, will provide insight on the qualification tests successfully passed, and present typical application where the low cost buoyancy is intended to be used.
Verification of Barriers in a Suspension or Abandonment Phase
Authors: Stein Arild
Published: March 2018

Installing and testing a new deep wellbore barrier in older assets has proven to be challenging, especially when previously installed devices are difficult to remove from the well. When a new barrier is installed in close proximity to the old device it makes it extremely hard to assure integrity of the upper barrier due to the small volume that exists between the two. Only by measuring the pressure between the devices can the integrity of the newer barrier be correctly verified. Isolating a reservoir by installing a deep barrier, complete with Barrier Verification System (BVS) logging the pressure across the barrier, will give much quicker assurance that the barrier has in fact isolated the reservoir.

The BVS consists of a pressure sensor with a wireless transmitter attached below the barrier. The receiver is included in the setting tool above the barrier to be tested and wirelessly records the pressure from below the installed barrier. An additional pressure sensor in the receiver forms part of the tool to provide an accurate pressure over the established barrier. The receiver can transfer real time data on e-line to surface, or be deployed in memory mode for slickline or other intervention methods.

As part of the barrier verification the setting log from the Electronic Setting Tool (EST) is recorded. This data is part of the integrity verification package to the customer. Data can be verified against our extensive database of previous logs taken from products across our range. In wells where tubing condition is not mapped, the EST log can confirm if the load profile of the barrier is correct and has been set within its setting range.

The paper will look at the operational use and verification obtained with the technology, the savings and enhanced reliability with documented installation profiles in execution of a multi-well suspension operations in the North Sea, and the behavior and stability of the well before and after the intervention operations.
Capex and Opex Benefits of Wireless Instrumentation in Not-Normally Manned Wellheads
Authors: Mahadevan Raja Karthikeyan
Published: March 2018

It is well known that the oil and gas industry is going through a difficult phase and in the current down trend, cost optimization is the prime focus for all oil and gas operators. At the start of a new project, the conceptualization and cost benefits in Instrumentation are considered as key parameters and also the implementation pf these should be utilizing the latest technologies. "Wireless Instrumentation" is considered as one of the prime focus area for new projects that are under conceptualization and when at the planning stage.

This technical paper explores the benefits of implementing the state of the art technology "Wireless Instrumentation" by comparing the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and Operational Expenditure (OPEX) in "Not Normally Manned Well Head Platforms". Although this paper concentrates on the benefits with respect to the not normally manned well heads platforms only, however the topics taken for discussion can be extended to cover Processing Facilities, FPSO's and also other onshore facilities.
Decoding Interwell Tracer Data Using Novel Analytical Approach to Optimise Waterflood Management in a Complex Oil Rim Field, in Offshore East Malaysia
Authors: Tiong-Hui Wong , Cheng Sean Toh Zit
Published: March 2018

As waterflooding has become one of the most favorable approach for secondary recovery globally, understanding flood front behavior and reservoir sweep becomes even more pertinent to maximize recovery. To monitor the effectiveness of a waterflood program, chemical tracers are often deployed for enhancing surveillance techniques. This paper presents a classic example of value creation from the existing tracer database with the demonstrated workflow of the Residence Time Distribution (RTD) method in tracer interpretation applied in a mature waterflood field. The analytical study conducted was in a complex oil rim field located in East Malaysia.

As a five-year sampling programme was initiated for this field, a substantial amount of sample and corresponding tracer response data allowed the field to be a strong candidate for tracer RTD data analysis. Injection was carried out via smart wells into 28 zones and samples were taken on routine basis from monitored producers. Breakthrough of unique tracers coupled with low detection levels from the vendor laboratory were utilized as a foundation for constant waterflood optimization. Flow geometries and reservoir continuity between each injector-producer pairing were measured in detail through analysis of chemical tracer response curves.

Apart from immediate injector-producer communication upon first tracer breakthrough, a detailed study on water flood performance based on the RTD method allowed the pore volume swept, mass recovered from each section and quantification of heterogeneity to be determined. Flow geometry and reservoir continuity between each injector-producer pairing were also measured allowing identification of thief zones, out of zone injections, vertical communication between layers, and behind casing flow. As a result, the information gathered allowed the optimization of each injection zone based on the outcome of the tracer response at the respective producers. This information has proven beneficial to the reservoir surveillance team allowing insightful decisions to be made upon subsequent opportunities for production and water flood optimization.
Cost Effective Riser Solutions for Deepwater Gas Developments: Steel Lazy Wave Riser and Tethered Catenary Riser
Authors: Eyssautier Stéphan , Ryan John , Brouard Yann , Erwin Roniawan Kemas , Germanetto Florian
Published: March 2018

Deepwater gas fields require large diameter risers to provide high flowrate. Flexible Risers are limited to about 18", whereas Steel Catenary Risers (SCRs) can go beyond that, for example 20" or 24"OD. Because those SCRs are sensitive to fatigue, they are equipped with Buoyancy Modules (BM) to decouple them from surface dynamics: they form a Lazy Wave configuration and they are therefore called Steel Lazy Wave Risers (SLWR). To solve more stringent fatigue issue, decoupled riser system like SHRs are very efficient.

The objective of this article is to present innovative alternatives to conventional development.

This paper will present a novel decoupled riser system: the Tethered Catenary Riser (TCR) previously presented at the Offshore Technology Conference (Legras 2013; Legras & Neel 2014). The installation aspects have been further developed and are now only based on field proven and reliable installation procedures. The TCR can be considered as a robust solution for gas development projects, being the most cost efficient decoupled riser system.

This paper will also present an alternative solution to install traditional Steel Lazy Wave Riser (SLWR) using a towing solution. By removing the need for a large installation vessel, a towing method can help debottleneck project planning and simplify offshore logistics.
Fatigue Risk Management Plan for Existing Wells
Authors: Munipalli Jayanth , Lang Donogh
Published: March 2018

Due to increased demands, large BOP/LMRP systems are being deployed the world over, which has been raising concerns on the fatigue performance of wellhead systems, especially for existing systems for workover or P&A activities. While there have been low instances of such failures recorded globally, it is nonetheless accepted in the industry as a key concern and needs to be addressed. This paper discusses the various methods that can be adopted to help reduce fatigue damage on the existing wellhead and conductor systems involving both pre-operations engineering assessments and on-going active fatigue risk management processes.

Background

The authors through their significant experience in assessing fatigue damage in subsea wellhead and conductor systems in various regions globally, are presenting this paper to share some of the learnings and also describe the various mitigation methods available to reduce the conservatism in fatigue damage computation, enabling safer decision making upon re-entry on existing wellhead systems.

This paper uses background experience gained over the last three years in streamlining the process and developing a fatigue risk management plan which can be readily used by operators to address a key safety concern.
Flexible Pipeline: The Enabler for Brownfield's EOR Project
Authors: Jaafar Azam Syah , Ramli Nina Adrianna , Karim Khairul Anuar , Razak Siti Aishah Ali Noor , Ali M Nazmi M , Yunus M Jeffri M , Savy Pierre
Published: March 2018

Flexible pipeline is a technically and economically viable solution for brownfield's EOR project, and with reference to one of PETRONAS Carigali's recent EOR projects, is the enabler for this EOR development. This paper provides a review of available pipeline solutions to fulfill EOR project's gas and water injection requirements which are vital to the success of the EOR technology implementation.

A comprehensive technical assessment addressing the risk, advantages, limitations and also a brief overview on cost benefits have been performed on selected unconventional pipeline technologies, in comparison to rigid pipeline, using one of PETRONAS Carigali's recent EOR projects as the field case study.

The EOR project case study key design drivers and constraints, mainly the ultra-shallow water depths ranging between 8m to 50m LAT, congested seabed with existing infrastructures, large areas of coral outcrops at multiple locations and the relatively high design pressures and design temperatures present great challenges in choosing the optimum pipeline solution.

Feasibility of available unconventional pipeline technologies are evaluated against the project design drivers and the most viable solution is compared to the conventional rigid pipeline solution. Considerations are also given to design complexity, installation requirements, operation and integrity management. Complete selection criteria and matrixes are provided and supported with market information.
Dynamic Integrity Management of Flexible Pipe through Condition Performance Monitoring
Authors: Escuer Clara , Mahieu Camille , Sicsic Paul
Published: March 2018

Flexible pipe systems offer operators a robust method of producing oil and gas fields in harsh environments. The design of the flexible pipe is made according to international standards and internal rules to enable them to withstand the required loadings with a sufficient margin of safety. As these flexible pipes are key components of the field architectures, continuously assessing their integrity allows improved management of system risk and operability. The objective of this paper is to detail how Condition and Performance Monitoring (CPM) of the flexible risers enables a dynamic integrity management strategy.

Leveraging existing sensors, specific to the flexible pipe or for the overall production system, the integrity through specific failure modes is monitored. This implementation of CPM for flexibles is based on a set of complementary modules such as respect of design envelope, ageing of polymeric layers, annulus monitoring and fatigue of metallic wires. Actual and measured data - e.g. dynamic, thermal and pressure loading – reduce the uncertainty on these assessments with respect to design. Proper technical knowledge of the flexible pipe behavior allows monitoring of the underlying degradation mechanisms.

The information gathered from sensors is analyzed through specific algorithms for the flexibles linked to the CPM platform, allowing the user to visually see the results of the assessment. These data may also reflect possible human errors. This allows an early assessment of gaps (if any) between calculations performed at design stage & actual condition on the field, once these gaps are analyzed, flexible risers potentially at risk could be identified. To address the identified risk, on a case by case basis, specific inspections can be triggered or mitigating measures taken. By monitoring known failure mechanism, the probability of downtime is consequently reduced. Furthermore, the remaining life calculation on the equipment is more accurate with reduced uncertainties triggering more robust life extension decisions.

This paper demonstrates how an automatized use of the data from sensors allows for dynamic and optimized integrity management. This paper also demonstrates the added values in monitoring integrity of flexible pipes for OPEX (OPerational EXpenditure) optimization and to minimize offshore interventions.
Integrating an RBI Approach for Vibration-Induced Fatigue into a Mechanical Integrity Programme
Authors: Crowther Paul , Loneragan Bruce
Published: March 2018

Vibration-induced fatigue accounts for more than 20% of process piping failures. This integrity threat is often not addressed as part of traditional mechanical integrity programs.

Most vibration-induced fatigue failures can be prevented using a proactive, risk-based inspection (RBI) and assessment approach. The goal of this paper is to show how such an approach can be synergistic and integrated within existing mechanical integrity programs.

Facilities typically rely on plant operators to identify and report vibration problems. However, vibration issues can be hard to identify with visual inspection alone.

Vibration risks can be assessed using the Energy Institute's "Guideline for the Avoidance of Vibration Induced Fatigue Failure in Process Piping". The guideline can be adapted to streamline inspection programs and utilize the results during commissioning and operations.

This paper will illustrate how this guideline can be practically applied and integrated within conventional mechanical integrity programs, such as RBI programs used by corrosion engineers.

There is a gap between vibration studies carried out at the design stage and mechanical integrity programs of an operational plant. Due to perceived difficulties in the early detection of vibration problems, issues are often managed with a reactive approach. For example, in most cases, NDT does not discover vibration issues before they become critical.

To close this gap, a proactive, risk-based approach can be used to reduce vibration risks to acceptable levels before damage occurs. This is achieved through targeted screening and risk-ranking of critical locations, based on process and design considerations.

This approach allows for a cost-effective utilization of existing data from the design stage in order to support mechanical integrity programs during operations. The resulting vibration management database helps operators ensure vibration integrity throughout the asset lifecycle, eg, when changing process conditions or extending the lifetime of facilities.

Case studies will be used to illustrate how operators can effectively manage piping vibration risks for offshore assets, and how a risk-based approach can significantly reduce the time and costs spent on traditional vibration management.

The paper will illustrate how an effective screening process combined with innovative vibration data management can support operators throughout the facility lifecycle while reducing costs for integrity teams. The proposed process can lead to significant risk mitigations by providing actionable recommendations such as retro-fitting of supports, vibration-specific operating windows, design changes, and inspection plans targeted at high-risk areas.

Integrity inspectors, engineers and facility managers will benefit from this paper and learn how to manage vibration- induced fatigue failure risks more effectively.
Full Scale and Small Scale Qualification Tests of Mechanical Lined Pipe MLP for High Temperature Application Under HPHT and High H2S Services
Authors: Razak M Hasbi A , Malik Noor Syamiza Abdul
Published: March 2018

A new gas field development with a challenging environment i.e. high pressure, high temperature and high H2S. The corrosion rate prediction performed, the expected metal loss is more than 8 mm thickness reduction within the 25 years design life. PETRONAS has embarked its tailor made qualification tests for qualifying CRA (Alloy 825) Mechanical Lined pipe to its project development. This is the pioneer project for PETRONAS to accommodate high pressure and high temperature service applications with high H2S environment. The tests were carried out to assess the susceptibility of liner material Alloy 825 to wrinkle under carbon steel pipeline coating condition, installation strain and operation strain, as well as to study the fatigue cracking behavioral at the seal weld locations due to operational cycles.
Challenges in Avoiding Sigma Phase Embrittlement of Duplex Stainless Steel in Assets
Authors: Ong H. G. , Yeap A.
Published: March 2018

The use of duplex stainless steel has been increasingly common in the oil and gas industry since the material offers a unique combination of high strength and superior corrosion resistance. However, the material is not immune to failure. A process safety incident at Sarawak Shell Bhd. highlighted this fact, whereby a duplex stainless steel gas flowline flange had fractured and parted after around 11 hours upon being installed and put in service. Independent failure investigations revealed that the failure was due to the formation of harmful sigma intermetallic phase in the base material of the flowline flange, a phenomenon known as sigma phase embrittlement. This can occur due to incorrect heat treatment processes during the manufacturing stage of duplex stainless steel components or due to incorrect welding processes. For the specific example reported in this paper, it was concluded that the flange was subject to incorrect heat treatment during manufacturing which exposed it to slow cooling through the sigma phase formation temperature range. This resulted in a significant loss of toughness and ductility of the flange material, which caused it to fracture and part shortly after being placed in service. Actions were subsequently taken to identify the risks of other duplex stainless steel piping components in Sarawak Shell Bhd. having the similar in correct heat treatment and thus could likely be subject to the same failure mechanism. This paper presents how a systematic risk-based approach was implemented to verify existing installed piping components in terms of their risks to intermetallic phase embrittlement. Actions taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future are also detailed. Ferrite count verifications using portable ferrite scope instruments were found to provide a useful screening method for verifying the likelihood of the presence of sigma phase in duplex stainless steel material. During procurement of duplex stainless steel components in new projects, inspection Hold Points for ferrite scope inspections were specified and implemented in the Inspection and Test Plans. Additionally, 100% ferrite scope inspections were imposed on all duplex stainless steel piping components received at Sarawak Shell Bhd.'s supply base warehouse. The procurement process for small quantities of duplex stainless steel components was revised to ensure that proper review of the technical specifications is carried out prior to placing purchase orders especially with stockists.
Use of Premium Connection to Justify Avoiding Pressure Testing Completion Tubing Prior to Setting Packer. Is this Always Correct?
Authors: Damasena Edwin , Arifin Muhamad , Ghaffar Fahmi
Published: March 2018

Pressure testing completion tubing prior to setting the production packer has been an accepted procedure in the past. However, over the years, complications and time (cost) to run a plug (on slick line) in high angle wells plus the advent of premium tubing connection and use of torque-turn monitor has made that practice almost redundant. Reliance on a metal to metal seal provided by premium connection, mill end quality control and tubing thread inspection are the main reasons for avoiding completion tubing pressure test prior to setting production packer.

This paper described the painful recovery, costing over US$ 4.8 million from a tubing connection leak despite the use of premium connection and torque-turn monitoring system. Troubleshooting the location of the leak is time consuming. Is the packer leaking or any of the completion components or the tubing leaking?

In this case one of the 13 Cr completion tubing connection was leaky. The completion string had an Integral Tubing Conveyed Perforation gun below the retrievable packer so it was time consuming and risky to retrieve tubing completion with a life gun. Over 40% of tubing had to be rejected due to galled thread when the completion was pulled.

A description of field trouble shooting the leak location is described. Analysis of the torque -turn graph and reasons for imperfect tubing make up causing the leak are discussed. Simulating field make-up process at the Yard and pressure testing the made-up premium connection are described. Lessons learned are presented.
Commingle Zubair Shale Sand Sequences by Using Deformable Sealing Polymer in Customized Drilling Fluid, Case Histories from Kuwait
Authors: Al-Ajmi Abdullah , Al-Rushoud Abdulaziz , Gohain Ashis , Khatib Faiz I , Al-Naqa Faisal , Al-Mutawa Faisal , Al-Gharib Majed , Birthariya Sudhir , Mago Ankit , Al-Mekhlef Alanoud , Al-Tarkeet Bader , AlAli Yaqoub , Rossi Arnaldo , D'Angelo Dario , Spagnoli Nazareno , Samaan Fady , Rane Praful , Scolari Alberto
Published: March 2018

Shale stability and differential sticking are the main challenges while drilling through shale and sand sequences. Conventional mud systems cannot always provide the required wellbore stability and sustained high overbalance, which has led to an increase in use of ‘customized fluids’.

Offset wells were reviewed to identify the issues while drilling this challenging trajectory through troublesome stressed Zubair shale and sand sequences. This review revealed serious well-bore instability, pack offs, differential stuck pipe leading to the loss of downhole tools and sidetrack operations.

Traditionally, oil-based mud (OBM) have been used while drilling these formations with high NPT hours. Due to necessity of comingling two sections in a single section, it was necessary to identify a fluid's solution, which can provide good borehole stability.

A customized drilling fluid system was designed by using deformable sealing polymer (DSP, deformable size) in conjunction with Synthetic Resilient Graphite and Sized Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) in conventional OBM. These Nano particles effectively plug the pore throats and minimized the fluid invasion, which was confirmed by particle / permeability plugging tests under down hole conditions to overcome below challenges. Improve hole stability through stressed shale formationsMinimize risk of differential stuck pipe across low pore pressure formationsMitigate induced losses by utilizing unique wellbore-strengthening techniqueEnhance hole-cleaning efficiency at critical angle

Drilling, logging, running and cementing liner was successfully completed in the commingle section without any incident. There was no NPT related to well-bore instability or differential sticking tendency reported. Very low torque and drag was observed in addition to enhanced well-bore cleaning in the high angle section.

This paper will present the success of the deformable sealing polymer in OBM utilized to comingle Upper Zubair shale and Ratawi shale with case histories for reference.