bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Driving IT Architecture Innovation
Authors: Mabry Sibylle
Published: December 2011

The spotlight on business innovation in growth-oriented organizations has never been hotter. Information systems (IS) innovation, in particular, has become the main focus for many businesses and their CIOs because of its potential for business agility and competitiveness. However, creating a culture that can effectively exploit the innovative forces of an organization is challenging, and no shared guidelines exist. The purpose here is to examine empirically how the competing forces of organizational cultures in tandem with senior executives constructively influence the innovative efforts of organizations. Central to this investigation is the adoption of an IS architecture (SOA) whose implementation may entail radical transformation of traditional business patterns. Data were collected from U.S. top IS executives, and the results suggest that the adopters of SOA (45%) are organizations whose executives embrace certain collaborative behavior, which, in people-oriented and progress-oriented cultures, seems to be a catalyst for change and adoption of transformational IS architecture..
An Evaluation of WebCT Course Content Management System at the University of Botswana
Authors: Tella Adeyinka , Mutula S. M. , Mutshewa Athulang , Totolo Angelina
Published: December 2011

This study evaluated a WebCT course content management (CCMS) system at the University of Botswana. Survey methodology was used and questionnaires were distributed to 503 students selected from six faculties, and an in-depth interview were conducted involving (20) twenty lecturers who teach via the WebCT platform. Findings reveal that, generally, WebCT CCMS is doing well at the University of Botswana and that the system has been a success. The results also confirm the quality of course materials uploaded on the system, that is, service quality and the quality of the teaching and learning via the system. Furthermore, by learning through WebCT, students are able to self regulate their learning and, given the opportunity, they are ready to use and continue learning using the WebCT platform. Results also indicate that generally students are satisfied with the performance of WebCT and that there are many benefits associated with the system in context to teaching and learning at the university. Problems associated with WebCT CCMS that are experienced by staff and students of the University include access, network /server failure, lack of link between ITS and WebCT, lack of teaching expertise using WebCT, and failure to remove completed courses from the system.
Impact of E-Adoption on Teaching and Learning in the Context of Teaching French
Authors: Joly Christèle , Iseli-Chan Nathalie
Published: December 2011

Growing use of information technology and communication (ICT) tools in language courses with communication at their core has brought opportunities as well as challenges in the predominantly conventional face-to-face context of the classroom. When the French programme in the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages at The Chinese University of Hong Kong started to integrate an e-learning platform into all language courses, students as well as teachers showed reservations and even disbelief. However, it was unexpected to observe such an interdependent relationship between new technologies and the conventional teaching approach. In this paper, the broad implications of the e-adoption applied to learning French as a foreign language are investigated to highlight students’ learning habits and learning process. The strategies used to make technology act as a facilitator across cultures, and various ways to savoir-faire diffusion are also discussed. The study shows how new technologies modify in-class teaching, while the traditional face-to-face teaching and learning approach can influence choices in the use of different web tools that lead to blended models of education.
Harnessing the Cloud for Mobile Social Networking Applications
Authors: Rana Juwel , Hallberg Josef , Synnes Kåre , Kristiansson Johan
Published: December 2011

The cloud computing model inherently enables information from social networking services (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and so forth), context-based systems (location, activity, interests, etc.) and personal applications (call logs, contacts, email, calendar, and so forth) to be harnessed for multiple purposes. This article presents an agent-based system architecture for semantic and semi-automated applications that utilize the cloud to enrich and simplify communication services, for instance by displaying presence information, prioritizing information, and dynamically managing groups of users. The proposed architecture is based on the concept of aggregated social graphs, which are created from harnessed information about how people communicate. This article also presents challenges in achieving the envisioned architecture and introduces early prototyping results.
Personal Storage Grid Architecture
Authors: Lim Mian-Guan , Wu Sining , Simon Tomasz , Rashid Md , Helian Na
Published: December 2011

On-demand cloud applications like online email accounts and online virtual disk space are becoming widely available in various forms. In cloud applications, one can see the importance of underlying resources, such as disk space, that is available to the end-user but not easily accessible. In the authors’ study, a modern file system developed in linux is proposed, which enables consuming of cloud applications and making the underlying disk space resource available to the end-user. This system is developed as a web service to support cross operation system support. A free online mail account was used to demonstrate this solution, and an IMAP protocol to communicate with remote data spaces was used so that this method can mount onto any email system that supports IMAP. The authors’ definition of infinite storage as the user is able to mount file systems as a single logical drive.
Deep Analysis of Enhanced Authentication for Next Generation Networks
Authors: Gouda Mamdouh
Published: December 2011

Next Generation Networks (NGN) is the evolution of the telecommunication core. The user has to execute multi-pass Authentication and Key Agreement (AKA) procedures in order to get access to the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). This causes overhead on the AAA server and increases the delay of authenticating the user and that is because of unnecessary and repeated procedures and protocols. This paper presents an enhanced one-pass AKA procedure that eliminates the repeated steps without affecting the security level, in addition it reduces the Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. The presented mechanism has minimal impact on the network infrastructure and functionality and does not require any changes to the existing authentication protocols.
Social Media and Voter Participation
Authors: Kraner Mariah
Published: December 2011

This chapter looks at the political trends associated with using social media sources as a way to enhance participation in national elections. It is hypothesized that participation has declined across groups and through time, regardless of the new uses of social media in political campaigning. The historical significance of voter participation is examined using Alexis De Tocqueville’s and Robert Putnam’s frameworks. The path is paved to examine both the importance of new media in the election process and its drawbacks. A national empirical test is presented that examines the correlation between race categories, genders, and age ranges, with the percentage of voter turnout in each presidential election year from 1964 to 2008. Regression analysis is also conducted to examine the predictive nature of increased time on national voter participation. The correlation and regression results are presented, indicating that, in general, participation has continued to decline among most groups, regardless of the perceived access and connection provided by social media outlets. However, a slight change after 1996 may indicate an effect from social media presence. The data presents a starting point for future evaluation of e-government effects on national voter participation in the election process, providing a benchmark for later empirical tests.
Using Web 2.0 as a Community Policing Strategy
Authors: Jones Matthew A. , de Guzman Melchor C. , Kumar Korni Swaroop
Published: December 2011

Community policing is intended to empower citizens who are plagued by crime and disorder. Scholars have considered community policing as a proactive measure that addresses issues of disorder to prevent the occurrence of more serious crimes (Goldstein, 1986; Wilson & Kelling, 1982). In a digital age, people are increasingly interacting socially via web platforms. This digital interaction includes governments, which can interact with the citizens in their society to co-produce effective responses to criminal activity. Social media applications such as Facebook, Twitter, blogs, iPhone applications, and Nixle provide new media for citizens and police interactions. Using a sample of 163 municipal police departments, this chapter examines the level and type of participation among municipal police departments using these resources. It is argued that Web 2.0 social media applications allow for a more fluent and dialogic relationship between citizens and police to work together to reduce crime and increase community livability. Policy and practice recommendations related to participating in and enhancing social media presence for police are also provided.
Web 2.0 and Government Transformation
Authors: Glasco Jon E.
Published: December 2011

The existing body of knowledge on public sector transformation explores the concept that e-government contributes to improving public sector services and increasing the participation of citizens in government planning and change initiatives. This chapter provides information on the potential for a digital ecosystem of government, citizens and businesses to use Web 2.0 and social media innovation to shape government transformation and contribute to government’s quality-of-life mission. The chapter includes examples of how web-centric technologies affect e-government innovation and proposes a new planning framework for web-centric services.
Interactivity Design in E-Learning
Authors: Wang Haomin
Published: December 2011

Learning is becoming increasingly interactive as e-learning continues its growth. Technology advancement not only opens up more affordances for interactivity but also changes the ways people interact with the media and with one another through the media. This chapter attempts to identify key factors that contribute to effective interactivity in the e-learning environment and put the key factors in related perspectives for a holistic view of the interrelations. The key factors include media attributes, instructional values of visuals, audio, and video, digital text and e-reading, accessibility, distributed cognition, system adaptation, virtual space, and collaborative learning. From the interrelated perspective, an integrated approach is proposed for exploring and advancing research and practice in designing and promoting interactivity in the e-learning environment.
Interactivity of Information Representations in e-Learning Environments
Authors: Sedig Kamran , Parsons Paul
Published: December 2011

This chapter is concerned with interactivity of information representations in e-learning environments (ELEs)—where interactivity refers to the quality or condition of interaction with representations in an ELE. An ELE is any interactive computer-based software that mediates and supports learners’ engagement with information. This chapter draws upon literature from the areas of human-information interaction, distributed cognition, and learning sciences with the goal of developing and exploring the features of a preliminary framework for thinking about interactivity in the context of ELEs. In this chapter we provide some background and motivation for such a framework, and identify and elaborate upon 10 structural elements of interaction that affect the interactivity of information representations: actual affordances and constraints, articulation mode, control, event granularity, focus, action flow, reaction flow, propagation, transition, and perceived affordances and constraints. Each of these has an effect on the learning and cognitive processes of learners, and the overall interactivity of an ELE is an emergent property of a combination of these elements. Collectively, these elements can serve as a framework to help thinking about design and analysis of interactivity in ELEs.
Simulation to Enhance Interactivity in E-Learning
Authors: Claesson Ann Leslie , Pearson Felicity , Rosel Jesse
Published: December 2011

This chapter explores how rich media can be used in these three types of applications using the Riverbend City Simulation project for Capella’s School of Public Service Leadership as a case study example. Riverbend City is a scenario-based simulation that provides a multidisciplinary, rich media experience to learners in an online, asynchronous university setting. The simulation provides real-world scenarios where student skills and knowledge can be applied and tested on specific subjects. The ultimate goal of the project is to empower learners to envision their ability to combine collaboration and leadership when working with multiple disciplines in a real-world situation.
Games in E-learning
Authors: Aubrecht Michelle
Published: December 2011

Game-based learning is a dynamic and powerful way to engage students to develop evidence-based reasoning, analytical and critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, systems thinking, and connect with peers, all of which are 21st century skills. Games can lead students to become participatory learners and producers instead of passive recipients. This chapter considers the following three approaches to using games with students: (1) an instructor makes a game for a specific learner outcome, (2) students make a game, and (3) an instructor uses a commercial or online game. The chapter emphasizes the second and third methods. Specific examples of how games are being used with students illustrate ways to teach with games.
School Districts Stumbled on Data Privacy
Authors: Chen Irene
Published: December 2011

The story describes how three school institutes are grappling with the loss of private information, each through a unique set of circumstances. Pasadena City Public Schools discovered that it had sold several computers containing the names and Social Security numbers of employees as surplus. Stephens Public Schools learned that personal information about students at one of its middle schools was lost when a bag containing a thumb drive was stolen. Also, Woodlands Public Schools accidentally exposed employee personal data on a public Web site for a short period of time. How should each of the institutes react?
Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Students Using Computer-Assisted Devices
Authors: Ramos-Rey Martina
Published: December 2011

Paul was a 12 year old 6th grader diagnosed as Bipolar, ADHD, and having difficulty controlling impulses. He attended a public school and remained all day in the general education classroom. After trying multiple research-based interventions over a period of weeks, Paul’s teacher and the behavior specialist decided to try computer software designed to help him reflect on his behaviors and how his behaviors made others feel.
Principal’s Letter to Parents
Authors: Chen Irene
Published: December 2011

In recent years Facebook, MySpace, and other social-networking sites have been blamed for the suicides of teenagers in Missouri, Massachusetts, and New York. Parents complained their children were traumatized by nasty comments posted by cyberbullies on social-networking sites. Schools and districts are taking action in response. According to a T H E Journal survey conducted in 2009, 68 percent of respondents replied that their districts banned social networking sites for students and teachers, 19 respondents replied that they banned social networking sites only for students, and another 12 percent said there was no ban in their districts. In the following case study, which is a true story based on a news report in the Sprint of 2010, a middle school principal calls for parents to yank their children from all social-networking sites after a so-called “Naughty List” was posted on Facebook. Is his extreme measure justifiable?
Using Online Collaborative Tools to Foster Middle School Students’ “Public Voices”
Authors: Lawrence Nick , O’Brien Joe
Published: December 2011

Digital participatory media offer urban social studies teachers a unique opportunity to foster students’ civic skills and public voice while enhancing their understanding of social justice within a democratic society. This case study addresses how an 8th grade U.S. history teacher in a New York urban school, when using wikis and online discussion with his students, came to realize that “what [technology] users need in order to take charge of their own online decision making is at best an art and, more often than not, a series of trial-and-error solutions” (Lankes, 2008, p. 103), while operating within two constraints identified by Bull et al (2008): “Teachers have limited models for effective integration of media in their teaching; and, only limited research is available to guide best practice” (p. 2). While using digital collaborative tools enabled students to develop collaborative and communication skills and begin to learn social justice oriented content, the teacher faced challenges related to technology integration, curricular alignment, selection of appropriate digital tools, and fostering online academic norms among students. This chapter focuses on a teacher’s three-year journey from his first day of teaching to his connecting the use of technology to relevant curricular content to promote his students’ use of online public voices for social justice.
The Pathway to Nevada’s Future
Authors: Schrader P.G. , Strudler Neal , Asay Loretta , Graves Terra , Pennell Shawn L. , Stewart Sara
Published: December 2011

This case reports the preliminary findings associated with the planning, development, and implementation of Module 1 of the Pathway to Nevada’s Future project. Baseline data, participant characteristics, findings, and results from participation are reported. Data sources include online surveys, online discussions, and informal interviews of project personnel.
Using Technology to Support Algebra Teaching and Assessment
Authors: Richardson Sandra L. , Barnes Shirley L. , Torain David S.
Published: December 2011

The current reform agenda in mathematics education promotes the view that mathematics should be taught and assessed in a variety of meaningful and authentic ways, including incorporating technology in the mathematics classroom. However, the incorporation and sustained use of technology into mathematics classrooms presents technological, content, and pedagogical challenges to teachers and students. As the necessity and availability of technology in mathematics classrooms increases, so must supporting technology usage in teachers’ content delivery and assessment practices and their professional development (Roblyer & Edwards, 2000; Newby, Stepich, Lehman, & Russell, 2000). This empirical case study reports on the advancement of 8th grade Algebra I teachers’ mathematical assessment practices of technology-based activities and classroom artifacts during a two year professional development program. As a part of the professional development program, participating teachers documented their use of examining and assessing algebraic work on a handheld Computer Algebra System (CAS).
Coordination in Supply Chain Management
Authors: Sajadieh Mohsen Sheikh , Bolooriarabani Alireza
Published: December 2011

The aim of this chapter is to review various perspectives on supply chain (SC) coordination issues and appreciate a range of coordination categories and mechanisms. The application of information technology in supply chain coordination (SCC) and the related cases are also studied in this chapter.
Collaborative Planning
Authors: Ghadimi Saeed
Published: December 2011

This chapter is organized as follows. After a brief introduction, the authors describe the collaboration process and types of collaboration. Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment is then explained. The chapter also explains quantitative models and software application, and ends with a case study.
Assessment of International Standards for Safe Exploration, Production and Transportation of Oil and Gas in the Barents Sea
Authors: Saebo Erling , Cammaert Gus
Published: December 2011

In 2007, Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store initiated the " Barents 2020" project - a joint Norwegian-Russian project dedicated to establishing acceptable health, environmental protection and safety standards in the Barents Sea. Russia's experience of operations in harsh climate regions and Norwegian expertise in the field of offshore operations has resulted in the successful implementation of the project on the harmonization of standards for environmental protection and safety in a vulnerable Barents Sea. Cooperation continues and is now entering a new phase with the aim of preparing industry guidelines for selected topics not only for the Barents Sea, but also with a pan-arctic perspective. The main sponsors of the project are now Gazprom, Statoil, ENI, Total, Shtokman Development AG (SDAG), the Oil and Gas Producers Association (OGP) and Det Norske Veritas (DNV). The project is to be completed by December 2011. The main objective of this paper is to summarize the current findings and recommendations from the various expert groups involved in the project.

Abbreviations

In this report the following abbreviations are frequently referred to:API - American Petroleum InstituteCSA - Canadian Standards AssociationDIS - Draft International StandardDNV - Det Norske VeritasEER - Escape, Evacuation, and RescueHSE - Health Safety and EnvironmentIMO - International Maritime OrganisationISO - International Organisation for StandardizationMARPOL - International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ShipsNORSOK - Norwegian offshore Petroleum Industry StandardOGP - International Association of Oil and Gas ProducersRP - Recommended PracticeWG - Working Group

Conclusive Summary

The purpose of the Barents2020 project is to recommend HSE standards for common Norwegian - Russian application in the Barents Sea, for safeguarding people, environment and asset values in connection with oil and gas activities, including marine transportation. The underlying assumption is that petroleum operations in the Barents Sea should be at least as safe as those in the North Sea. Phase 1 of the project lasted from October 2007 to October 2008. The results of Phase 1 were documented in 5 " position papers??. These papers provided the basis for further work in Phase 2, lasting from November 2008 to March 2009, resulting in the special topics prioritized for further study in expert working groups in Phase 3. The selection of topics for further work was carried out in close cooperation between the Norwegian and Russian participating organizations. The process was constructive and quick, based on both Russian and Norwegian proposals. There was full agreement between the parties that these topics are important issues which need to be addressed in relation to safeguarding oil and gas operations in the Barents Sea.
Limit State Design Methodology for Offshore Pipelines against Ice Gouging - Industry Guidelines from the ICEPIPE JIP
Authors: Davies Graeme , Marley Mark , Mork Kim
Published: December 2011

Ice loads on buried pipelines through ice-soil-pipeline interaction is a field with limited industry experience. As exploration in Arctic and cold climate regions increases it is of great importance to understand and to design for the challenges offshore pipelines must be able to withstand in these harsh areas with a suitable level of confidence. Together with thirteen industry partners, DNV has carried out a joint industry project in order to better define and therefore understand the Arctic specific challenges to pipelines. This project has developed initial industry guidelines for offshore pipelines in cold climate regions, in general and for ice scour in particular.

A major design issue for Arctic offshore pipelines in shallow water is ice keels gouging the seabed and imposing loads on the pipeline through ice-soil-pipeline interaction. The industry has somewhat limited experience with deep ice gouges and ice keels interacting with buried pipelines. A common practice has been to bury the pipeline well below the deepest registered gouge mark in the relevant geographical area with the objective to limit the pipeline response. In order to render future projects in regions with severe ice gouges economically feasible whilst still being sufficiently safe there is a need to utilise modern design principles based upon statistical methods, advanced FE models calibrated to ice gouging tests, limit state design principles and strain based design.

The ICE PIPE JIP provided the introduction of a more systematic approach for the identification, quantification and ranking of design uncertainties, and how this could be adopted to existing pipeline design methodologies and criteria. This paper presents some pertinent results and recommendations from the ICEPIPE JIP. The paper presents a sample case study for how the assessment of some elements of statistical uncertainty can be used in the definition of the 100 year return period ice gouge depth. This paper highlights one methodology for approaching this and it is emphasised that not all the steps that would be required in design are included in this brief paper. A discussion on the use of advanced FE tools in the ICE PIPE JIP is also presented.
The Arctic Regulatory and Stakeholder Experience
Authors: Pavia Gene , Blue Shannon , Renkert Lindsay
Published: December 2011

Description of the Proposed Paper:

UMIAQ, LLC (UMIAQ) is a member of the Ukpea??vik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC) Family of Companies. UIC was incorporated in 1973 pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act as the Village Corporation of Barrow, Alaska. UIC provides social and economic benefits to more than 2,200 Iñupiat shareholders and incorporates the traditions of our ancestors into our business practices.

UMIAQ was formed to meet the growing service demands of the oil and gas industry operating on the North Slope of Alaska. UMIAQ has technical professionals experienced in strategic planning, permitting, and regulatory compliance. Our understanding of arctic operations and federal, state, and local permitting processes integrated with active local, regional, and regulatory stakeholder engagement has played a key role in advancing energy projects.

Application:

This abstract is based on our staff's decades of experience working in the stringent regulatory environment of the oil and gas industry in Alaska; particularly the North Slope. Understanding the unique Social, Political, Operational, Regulatory, and Technical (SPORT) drivers that shape onshore and offshore exploration and development projects is imperative to working in the Arctic. It is anticipated that increased regulatory and stakeholder scrutiny in the wake of the Macondo Blowout will introduce additional delays and regulatory burdens here in Alaska as well as in other domestic offshore settings.

Results, Observations, and Conclusions:

Energy project approvals are negotiated with regulatory decision makers. Laws, regulations, policies, and people dictate successful project approval acquisitions. A regulatory road map that includes frontloading pre-application processes and active approval facilitation surfaces project constraints early, and allows active management of issues including baseline data requirements, project approval criteria, mitigation, and compliance stipulations. Refined approaches and methods have proved successful in securing usable regulatory approvals while minimizing the risk of delays introduced by successful appeals and litigation challenges.

Significance of Subject Matter:

Executing a robust regulatory plan that integrates and balances SPORT drivers with proactive stakeholder outreach plays a key role in advancing energy projects in Alaska.
Application of the Buoy Network in the Barents Sea
Authors: Mathisen Jan-Petter , Bidlot Jean-Raymond
Published: December 2011

In order to collect data in support of weather forecasts, in particular for Polar Lows, two Wavescan metocean buoys were deployed in the western and central Barents Sea. In addition, another buoy was deployed off the northern coast of Norway, the latter buoy also provides data to a ship traffic emergency management system. As these data are freely available, they have also been used to validate weather forecasts from several meteorological agencies such as the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Generally model and observations agree well. As expected, some discrepancies exist. Some of these differences points to modeling issues and some to observations.

Background

The production of gas at Snøhvit, the development of the Stockman and Goliat fields and the recent border conflict settlement concerning the maritime border between Russia and Norway have resulted in increasing operational activities within the oil & gas sector in the Barents Sea. Moreover, there are several other key activities in the Barents Sea, such as fishing and the long-distance transportation of hazardous materials along the coast of northern Norway.

In order to support these activities in such a harsh environment, reliable weather forecasts are essential, in particular for safe operations. This is especially important due to the occurrence of Polar Lows in this area, as they are usually associated with rapid changes in weather and wave conditions. Various operators and contractors have highlighted the difficulties encountered with unpredictable downtime due to these peculiar local environmental conditions.

Even though the area of the Barents Sea is 13 million mFigure 1. These three buoys are now the backbone of the Barents Sea observing network. 2 or almost twice the size of the North Sea, there are few systematic in-situ meteorological observations between Bear Island in the West and Novalja Zemlja to the East. In order to collect data to support weather forecasting activities, Statoil deployed two Wavescan metocean buoys in the western and central Barents Sea during the winter of 2007. In addition, the Norwegian Coastal Administration and the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority deployed another buoy off the northern Norwegian coast at the end of 2007. An additional purpose of the latter buoy was to obtain real time data in the case of shipping accidents along the coast.
Production of Light Oil from a Shallow Frozen Reservoir: A Redevelopment Case Study of the Umiat Oil Field, Northern Alaska
Authors: Hanks Catherine , Shimer Grant , Davis Jeremy , Wentz Raelene , Godabrelidze Vasil , Shukla Chinmay , Levi-Johnson Obioma , Huckaby Allen , McCarthy Paul , Mongrain Joanna , Dandekar Abhijit , Bangia Vijay
Published: December 2011

Shallow light oil accumulations in reservoirs within the permafrost are rarely recognized and, when identified, are often considered uneconomic because of their shallow depths and low reservoir energy. Horizontal drilling technology will improve the economics of these shallow accumulations, but a better understanding of the reservoir and fluid behavior under these low temperature and pressure conditions will improve recovery and lower development risk. However, little data is available on how a rock/ice/light oil system behaves at low pressures. This information and a robust reservoir model are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of different production methods in this type of accumulation.

The Umiat field of northern Alaska was discovered in the 1940's and is a remote, shallow, light oil accumulation consisting of multiple deltaic and marginal marine Cretaceous sandstones deformed by a thrust-related anticline. While the accumulation may be significant (1.2 billion barrels OOIP), it is shallow and partly in the permafrost zone.

New sedimentologic and structural studies indicate the reservoir has a complex permeability structure that will both impact both the placement of horizontal wells and subsequent reservoir performance. Reservoir sands generally consist of prograding wave-dominated shoreface deposits with good vertical permeability overlain by river-dominated deltaic deposits with poorer vertical permeability. Two different sets of natural fractures may also impart a strong permeability anisotropy to the reservoir.

The temperature profile of the reservoir will also impact reservoir performance and will have to be incorporated into the reservoir simulation. Fluid flow experiments on samples of the Umiat reservoir at sub-freezing temperatures show a reduction in gas and oil relative permeability in the presence of interstitial ice, with the greatest reductions at lower temperatures. A representative Umiat oil sample has been recreated and used to calibrate an Equation of State (EOS) model that can then be used to predict the properties of a representative Umiat fluid in the simulation.
Design Considerations for an Arctic Intervention Vessel
Authors: Berg Tor Einar , Berge Bjorn Ola , Hanninen Saara , Suojanen Reko-Antti , Borgen Henning
Published: December 2011

This paper describes ongoing work to tailor make an offshore intervention vessel for operations off the coast of Norway and in Svalbard waters. Operational requirements have been specified using subject matter experts from oil and shipping industries, equipment manufacturers and research organizations. A business case has been prepared for a vessel operating from a base in Northern Norway and serving two potential fields, one close to the coast of Finnmark (Goliat field) and the other one in the Olga Basin east of Svalbard. Available metocean and ice data have been collected and used for a parameter variation study of vessel characteristics. These data has also been used when selecting sea-state conditions to be used in the initial model test studies performed in MARINTEK's towing tank and ocean basin. The measured vessel response characteristics have been discussed with equipment manufacturers in an attempt to specify operational limits for key intervention tasks.

Background

Several studies point to a future need to increased production of offshore oil and gas in the Arctic region. The newly agreed Russian - Norway delimitation line in the Barents Sea will open up for increased activities in the Norwegian part of the Barents Sea. Most of the Norwegian part of the Barents Sea has a year-around open sea condition, but in the north-eastern part there is seasonal ice up to 3–4 months of the year. Designing an intervention vessel for operating under these conditions is a challenge as it needs high operability in both open water and first year ice.

The CIVARCTIC project

MARINTEK started work to describe a research and development project for an Arctic construction and intervention vessel in early 2008. A project proposal was approved by Research Council of Norway in June 2008 and the project started September that year. Project partners were:StatoilSTX Europe (now STX OSV Design)Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyMARINTEKAker Arctic TechnologyVTT

As shown in Figure 1 there is a number of design considerations for an arctic construction and intervention vessel. It has to be a stable working platform during intervention work in open seas, have low operational emissions during transit and operation, have sheltered working spaces to allow operations in the winter season and must be able to perform specific intervention operations in first year ice with a thickness up to 0.7.
10 Years of Sub Arctic Subsea Projects - Stepping Stones for Arctic Development
Authors: Allen S.
Published: December 2011

The Technip Group has conducted several subsea harsh environment projects over the last fourteen years, from Terra Nova and White Rose on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland in Eastern Canada to SnØhvit in Northern Norway and is preparing for future projects such as Goliat, also Northern Norway. These projects can be considered as true stepping stones towards oil and gas development in the Arctic region.

This paper, based primarily on operational experience, will provide an overview of the challenges faced working off the coast of Eastern Canada in the Jeanne D'Arc Basin, offshore Sakhalin Island and in Northern Norway, with specific reference to experience gained on the following projects: Terra Nova; White Rose; White Rose North Amethyst Extension; Sakhalin II and SnØhvit. The lessons learned from operations in harsh environments in relatively remote locations can be used to better prepare for any future operations undertaken in the Arctic.

The Terra Nova Project, conducted during the period 1997 through 2001 was the first sub-arctic subsea mega project. It was the first to use large scale open glory hole construction for iceberg protection and the first to deploy a disconnectable riser system in a harsh environment. Following on from Terra Nova, the White Rose project was built with strong reference to lessons learned from Terra Nova. Most recently, the White Rose North Amethyst extension project has expanded the knowledge base further. Offshore Sakhalin construction operations were successfully conducted with significant sea ice coverage. Construction offshore northern Norway brings its own challenges and lessons learned, particularly with respect to project planning and logistics.

It is not necessarily the individual challenges offered by the various environmental elements that make working in such areas so demanding, but the combination of wave, current, wind, fog, ice, soils and short season make the subarctic and arctic a very unique area of the world to undertake offshore operations. In addition to the environmental challenges, Northern Norway, Eastern Canada and Sakhalin offer excellent examples of working in remote areas with a lack of significant infrastructure and a reduced supply chain to call on.

This paper provides a point of reference for both operators and contractors looking to understand possible challenges associated with producing oil and gas in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions including: logistics, equipment specifications, installation planning, wellhead protection and the associated construction challenges and operations management within an environmental sensitive area.
Circular FPSO for Arctic Deepwater
Authors: Srinivasan Nagan , Sreedhar Meena S.
Published: December 2011

The areas north of the Arctic Circle 66.56 degree North Latitude have significant potential for oil and gas accumulations. This paper presents a state of the art production, drilling and storage facility support circular FPSO structure for the round the year operation for arctic offshore areas in the presence of permanent sea ice and oceanic deeper water depth. The paper addresses the cutting-edge technologies and innovative method to resist the ice sheets and ridges load. Extensive analytical and experimental studies had been conducted to evaluate the applicability of the concept structure for the typical extreme ice and wave loads of the arctic condition and the results are presented. The engineering analyses studied show that the new circular FPSO is meets the arctic class requirement for the round the year operation with self ice braking and station keeping feasibility and is also viable for applications.

Introduction

Circular FPSO for Arctic Deepwater is a high specification to operate, stand by and survive round the year in the arctic during summer and winter storm in water depths of 150 m and above. A self and inherent ice breaking capability is in built in the design of this circular FPSO. It is assumed that influence of an iceberg impacts on the circular FPSO is prevented, or managed or with least impact consequences by disconnecting the risers and mooring system with the help of the turret. The vessel is primarily designed to break ice sheets and ice floes continuously and thus reduces the ice forces on the vessel. The vessel could resist the kinetic energy of the drifting smaller ice bergs by means of the potential energy in mooring line tensioning and by rotating the circular vessel. Arctic developments are by far real challenges with their environment and the state of conditions.

Typical Arctic Requirements

Russia's Gazprom and Rosneft oil companies want to develop the Shtokman gas field in the Barents Sea and the Sakhalin V oil field, respectively. They both are severe arctic conditions during peak winter. Ice as thick as 1-2m may have a speed over 1 m/s with ridges as deep as 25m. In Barents Sea, severe ice bergs may pass through during in-between seasons. The present vessel is designed and shaped for these worst ice conditions in the deep arctic-ocean. Moreover, the Barents Sea with ice environment everywhere around does not have natural light in most days of the year and is generally dark. A round the year drilling and production needs a reliable and risk free vessel to operate in these fields. The non-ship-shaped FPSO is designed with the aim of being self-sufficient in ice breaking capability without the need of significant ice management. The initial design requirement set for this vessel is a severe arctic environment with water depth ranging from 120m to 500m. The lower limit of water depth is determined by the turret mooring system and its ability to disconnect and connect to the vessel.
The Use of PC Ice Rules in Azimuth Thruster Engineering
Authors: Rauti Timo , Lindborg Kurt
Published: December 2011

The number of azimuth thrusters configured for ice conditions is constantly increasing. This is due to the common tendency of widening the range of operation of a particular ship in terms of weather conditions, operating modes and geographical areas to achieve more business opportunities throughout the operating life of the ship. The other major factor is the large potential for oil and gas in the arctic waters. It is also estimated that the number of icebreakers using azimuth propulsion will increase in the near future as the existing fleet will be modernized and new vessels are built.

In general it will be increasingly important to be able to efficiently configure an azimuth thruster for ice operation. This work has to be done before the actual bidding process since in most cases the specification of ice requirements defines the size of the thruster.

Without clear and user friendly classification rules the definition and bidding of the thruster is difficult or even not possible at all. The main ice loads should be definable using simple formulas that contain only few parameters that are related to the thruster itself. These kind rules are very good for the bidding process and the design of a new thruster since very little iteration is needed.

The new PC rules have recently been introduced and that has changed the processes significantly. Although being clearly more accurate, the new rules require much more calculation work and have several parameters related to the thruster itself. This makes the processes considerably more iterative and thereby more time consuming.

The purpose of this presentation is to highlight the practical issues that the new PC rules have brought on. The intention is not to question the scientific content or correctness of the new rules.
Geomechanical Performance Analysis of Potential Long-Term Tests of Gas Production from Hydrate Deposits in North Slope, Alaska
Authors: Rutqvist J. , Moridis G.S. , Kim J. , Reagan M.T.
Published: December 2011

In this study, we analyzed geomechanical responses during potential future long-term tests of gas production from permafrost associated hydrate deposits at Mount Elbert and Prudhoe Bay L-Pad vicinity in North Slope, Alaska. At Mount Elbert we investigated a potential production test from a single 37 ft thick hydrate layer (the Unit D formation) that extends from a depth of 2023 to 2060 ft. At PBU-L106 we analyzed a potential production test within the C-layer, which extends 148 ft from a depth of 2226 to 2374 ft, and is characterized by two hydrate-bearing strata separated by a 30 ft shale interlayer. We use a coupled hydraulic, thermodynamic and geomechanical model simulating 3 years of production from single vertical or horizontal wells (constant pressure Pw = 3 MPa). The analysis shows that most stress changes occurs rapidly (within tens of days) near the wellbore and then progressively away from the wellbore along with the reservoir pressure depletion. Consequently, a few years long test would be sufficient for the stress changes to fully develop and would not change much further around the well bore region, even if the production would be continued for tens of years. The reservoir deformations and surface subsidence on the other hand progresses more gradually with time and is restricted by an arching effect of the overburden. The simulation results show larger subsidence for a production test at Prudhoe Bay L-Pad vicinity, because of a larger hydrate thickness. However, the results indicated about 5 cm compaction of reservoir intervals, which corresponds to a vertical strain of only about 0.2%, and a negligible ground surface subsidence suggesting little danger for the production well and no significant interference with nearby wells and facilities. The results also indicate limited shear failure in the formation around the well perforation which may require appropriate sand screens to prevent solid production.
Development of Performance-Based Testing Specifications for the Arkutun-Dagi Friction Pendulum Bearings
Authors: Fenz D.M. , Reed R. , Slatnick S. , Stewart H.R. , Constantinou M.C.
Published: December 2011

Friction Pendulum bearings (FPBs) are seismic isolation devices that reduce the lateral accelerations of the supported structure in an earthquake. This paper describes the application of probabilistic methods to establish criteria for qualification testing of reduced-size prototype bearings. The methodology is used to determine demands to impose during testing (displacements, velocities, etc.) that are representative of desired performance standards (probabilities of exceedence).

Previous test programs used in the offshore and onshore industry have used deterministic analysis based on lower bound and upper bound properties to establish demands for the test program. These follow from the deterministic analysis approach used in the global structural design. These methods establish maximum demands to target in the test, but do not give information on their actual probabilities of exceedence. Use of the methodology described in this paper allows engineers to test the FPBs at levels having probabilities of exceedence aligned with other major platform components, ensuring that the test conditions are not excessively conservative or unconservative. Rather, the test conditions comply with a specified probability of non performance of 2% in 50 years achieved with a particular level of confidence (90% generally and 99% for more critical parameters).

The performance-based (response-based) approach described in this paper can be applied to a broad range of seismically isolated platforms. These methods were originally developed for onshore seismic design of buildings. Hence, the underlying probabilistic framework is general and can be applied to structural design and qualification testing of other components.

Introduction

Friction Pendulum Bearings (FPBs) are specialized devices that will be used to isolate the topsides of the Arkutun-Dagi platform from earthquakes. The Arkutun-Dagi platform is part of the Sakhalin-I development which is located in an area of high seismicity. Offshore platforms located in the region require highly specialized design to balance the competing requirements of the harsh demands from earthquake, wave and ice loading. Structural design strategies that have been used in the region to protect structures from earthquakes include a tuned mass damper to protect the drilling derrick on the Orlan platform and Friction Pendulum seismic isolation on the Lunskoye-A and Piltun-Astokhskoye-B platforms.