bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Guntong Field: Development & Management of a Multi-Reservoir Offshore Waterflood
Authors: Chik Amran Nong , Elias Mohd Rohani , Selamat Samsuddin , Wakatake M.T. , White J.P.
Published: June 2014

The Guntong field, the largest waterflood field in offshore Peninsular Malaysia, with an oil-in-place of about 200 mstkl, has been producing since 1985. The field contains 13 stacked reservoirs having small gas caps and limited aquifer support. This paper describes some of the significant reservoir, as well as geologic and facility, challenges faced during development and management of this complex reservoir system. A combination of five-spot and peripheral waterflood patterns was selected to provide the required areal coverage with commingling of reservoirs into two operational groups. Several key reservoir management strategies to maximize performance are: determination and application of optimum target reservoir pressures, development and use of a PC based program and other analytical tools to guide production and injection targets, meeting pattern balancing objectives by implementation of comprehensive reservoir surveillance activities and capacity enhancement programs. To date, the response to the reservoir management efforts has been favorable with an all-time high production rate of 14 kstkl/d having been recorded in 1994.

Introduction

The Guntong field is located in the South China Sea, 210 km off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia (Figure 1).
Estimating and Reducing Company Wide Property Abandonment Costs
Authors: Johnstone J. E. , Neuser J. M. , Fritts J. M.
Published: June 2014

Many domestic oil and gas properties and production facilities are at the end, or rapidly approaching the end, of their useful economic lives. Corporate management is becoming increasingly concerned with the costs associated with the abandonment of these properties and their potential impact in long range planning scenarios and property evaluations. Abandonment and environmental remediation costs are generally expected to rise in the future due to increased regulation and more rigorous clean-up standards. Identifying these costs and raising management's awareness of these costs in today's operations will help management plan for this approaching problem and generate ways to reduce those costs. The paper describes the steps necessary to organize and manage a successful abandonment and remediation cost study of company wide magnitude. Areas discussed include organization of the review teams, field data gathering, determination and application of historical cost data, and actual cost estimation. The paper presents typical results of the study for various types of production fields facilities as well as ideas for actions today to reduce future abandonment and remediation costs.
Case Study: Natural Attenuation of Dissolved Hydrocarbons at a Former Gas Plant
Authors: Admire J. D. , de Albuquerque J. S. , Cruze J. A. , Piontek K. R. , Sale T. C.
Published: June 2014

In recent years, interest has grown in biological processes that limit the migration of dissolved petroleum hydrocarbons in groundwater. While the process of biodegradation of dissolved petroleum hydrocarbons in groundwater is generally acknowledged, only a few carefully documented examples exist. Work to date at a former natural gas processing plant provides documentation of natural biodegradation of dissolved hydrocarbon in groundwater as well as insights into the microbiological processes that are most significant at this site.
The Study and Application of the Technique of Single Fluid Water Plugging Using AP4 Polymer in Daqing Oil Field
Authors: Zhi Li , Shuxian Gao , Baohe Tian , Quan Zhou
Published: June 2014

This paper summarizes the composition, principle, properties and field application effects of blocking agent in the technique of singlefluid water plugging using AP4 polymer. Both the laboratory investigations and field application show that the blocking agent has some distinct advantages, such as shallow and firm plugging effect, low cost, simple process and easiness of being removed when necessary.
Theory and Application for Helical Flow of Drilling Fluid in the Annuli of Directional Wells
Authors: Zhang Jingfu , Li Bangda , Liu Yongjian
Published: June 2014

Using the principle of fluid mechanics and the geometnc properties of the annuli in directional wells, the law of laminar helical flow of drilling fluid in eccentric annuli was studied. Analytical solutions of apparent viscosity, velocities, flow rate, pressure drop and the stability parameter are presented. Results of numeral simulations are given. Laboratory smdies and field application in eleven wells of Daqing oil field were used to validate the theory. A method for calculating pressure drop in annuli, which can be used in designing hydraulic parameters of directional wells is given.
Experimental Investigation for Measuring Three-Phase Relative Permeability of Oil, Gas and Water for Daqing Oilfield
Authors: Xianmin Zhou , Qingfeng Yuan , Guifang Liu , Yubao Lin
Published: June 2014

An experimental method for measuring three-phase relative permeability of water, oil, and gas in reservoir core samples has been developed. Water, oil,and gas saturation measurement by microwave-weight technique, relative permeability measurement apparatus and experimental procedures are involved in the method. Three-phase relative permeability of water, oil, and gas for a number of waterwet sandstone core samples has been measured by this method in steady state condition. Experimental results indicate that this method is valid to measure three-phase relative permeability of water, oil and gas.
An Approach to Maintaining & Raising Fracturing Effect at High Water-cut Stage of Lamadian Oilfield
Authors: Jiaqi Wang , Lizhu Yin , Xinde Wan , Yuqin Zhang
Published: June 2014

Since 1980, the oil production of Daqing oilfield has been at high water - cut stage. The rate of oil production has naturally decreased. Research was undertaken to maintain and enhance fracturing effects on oil production, including strengthening the preparation for fracturing and management after fracturing. Properly selecting the wells and zones for fracturing is important. Pre-treatment of injection wells and restoration of reservoir pressure can improve the results of fracture treatments in producing wells. Fracturing techniques were also developed for multiple thin intervals. This paper uses examples from the Lamadian Oilfield of Daqing.
Capturing the Potential for Breakout Performance
Authors: Steinhubl Andrew M.J.
Published: June 2014

In the future, strategy will play a bigger role in determining how the shareholder value of petroleum companies will increase compared with the overall share market. Outperforming companies will identify market discontinuities and rapidly and aggressively apply existing and new capabilities to generate advantage business positions.

Introduction

The petroleum industry is facing many downside forces. Oil prices are forecast to be flat in real terms with potential for short-term volatility. Operating costs are experiencing upward pressure from stricter environmental standards and other sources. Traditional basins are mature, so elephant hunters have encountered slim pickings. Access to new markets is constrained and competition is intense. The logical response to these prevailing trends has been restructuring and re-engineering. This has led to reduction in activity, outsourcing, and focusing on core assets and skills.

Beyond restructuring, what opportunities exist in the energy business? Agile and aggressive companies may be able to take advantage of second-order trends and changes. These companies will then be able to break from the pack and outperform the rest of the industry (Fig. 1).

Role of Strategy

A McKinsey study of 30 major industry groupings (Fig. 2) showed that in all but two industries some large companies significantly outperformed their peers over the long term. We deemed a company large if annual revenues exceeded $500 million and considered long term 5 to 10 years. The two industries with no sizable outperformers were electric utilities and petroleum. In these two industries, performance was driven by the structure of the industry.

Despite being structure driven, the petroleum industry as a group at various times has drastically outperformed the Standard & Poor (S&P) 500 in terms of increase in shareholder value (Fig. 3). During the boom years of 1976-80, the industry performed extraordinarily well. Then again from 1987 to 1994, the industry excelled as the companies tapped the value of existing assets by restructuring and re-engineering. However, the role of structure vs. strategy may be changing for the petroleum industry. In the future, we think that the petroleum industry will be more like other industries. Company strategy, not industry structure, will be more critical to performance.

The petroleum industry is mature, but other mature industries have significant outperformers (Table 1). Winning growth approaches from other industries are increasingly applicable to petroleum. Although no traditional large players have met the breakout standard (Figs. 4 and 5), examples of the importance of strategy over structure are already emerging in the energy industry.
Modeling the U.S. Oil Industry: How Much Oil Is Left? (includes associated papers 52599 and 52600 )
Authors: Taylor Paul J.
Published: June 2014

A great deal of the literature on U.S. crude-oil supply claims that supplies are rapidly depleting. Newer prediction models have become fairly sophisticated but still lack adequate treatment of the physics of oil production and effects of technology. This paper addresses these issues and develops a model that is much less pessimistic and broader in range.

Introduction

Hubbert,1 who first began publishing his ideas in the 1950's, probably initiated the trend of claiming that supplies are rapidly depleting with the notion that U.S. crude-oil production would behave like a bell-shaped curve (Fig. 1). In spite of his lack of defensible theory, Hubbert used this reasoning to conclude the conterminous U.S. (e.g., not including Alaska) would produce no more than 170 billion bbl. Other, more contemporary, analysts perpetuate this notion with forecasts founded on similar principles.2,3

Four basic factors affect oil production:physics,economics,technology, andthe oil still in the ground.

The model developed here incorporates these factors by use of basic production theory and multivariate regression analysis.

The laws of physics require oil production to decline over time. Eq. 1, which can be derived from these laws, is commonly used to model this decline.4Equation (1)

Proved reserves, Q, are calculated by determining the area beneath this curve over the anticipated life of the production, T. This relationship is shown byEquation (2a)

for large T, andEquation (2b)

for the general case. Note that proved reserves can be approximated by dividing the initial production, qi, by the decline rate, di, if a sufficiently long time interval, T, is assumed. Eq. 2b, for the general case, has been rearranged by solving for the decline rate. This relationship between production, decline rates, and proved reserves is powerful for several reasons.
Second-Generation Synthetic Drilling Fluids
Authors: Friedheim J.E.
Published: June 2014

Distinguished Author Series articles are general, descriptive representations that summarize the state of the art in an area of technology by describing recent developments for readers who are not specialists in the topics discussed. Written by individuals recognized as experts in the area, these articles provide key references to more definitive work and present specific details only to illustrate the technology. Purpose: to inform the general readership of recent advances in various areas of petroleum engineering.

At the start of the 1990's, three synthetic materials were introduced:esters, ethers, and polyalphaolefins (PAO's). Now heading toward the last half of this decade, a new generation of synthetics is gaining popularity - linearalpha oletins (LAO's), internal or isomerized olefins (IO's), and linearparaffins (LP's). While similar, they also have differences, both as base fluids and as formulated drilling muds. These second-generation synthetic-based fluids (SBF's) have benefits over their predecessors in that they have lowerkinematic viscosity and are less expensive. As drilling fluids, these technical advantages give rise to a more flexible fluid to meet greater drilling demands for high-temperature/high-pressure (HTHP) applications, extended-reach-drilling projects, and deepwater drilling. As with the first-generation materials, environmental issues are the drivers for the development and use of these second-generation synthetics.

Introduction

Drilling with synthetic-based muds (SBM's) or pseudo-oil-based muds (OBM's)has become commonplace in both the Gulf of Mexico and North Sea areas. Synthetics also are in use or their implementation is planned in numerous other regions, such as the Far East, Australia, Mexico, Continental Europe, South America, and Russia. Because of the evolving marketplace, the view is that the industry has moved to at least the second generation of synthetics or pseudos. The boundary that separates first- from second-generation SBM's is arguably arbitrary but generally is delineated by both the cost and kinematic viscosity of the base fluid. Typically, second-generation synthetics are cheaper and thinner. Even considering these factors, second-generation SBM's have not totally replaced first-generation ones, although the use of the former flourishes while the latter wanes in areas where they coexist. Therefore, the first-generation SBM's can be considered to be based on the ester, ether, and PAO, while in the subsequent generation, the LAO's, IO's, and LP's are the base materials. Table 1 gives a more complete listing of first- and second-generation synthetics.
The Importance of In-Situ-Stress Profiles in Hydraulic-Fracturing Applications
Authors: Hopkins C.W.
Published: June 2014

Technology Today Series articles provide useful summary information on both classic and emerging concepts in petroleum engineering. Purpose: To provide the general reader with a basic understanding of a significant concept, technique, or development within a specific area of technology.

In-situ stresses define the local forces acting on lithologic layers in the subsurface. Knowledge of these stresses is important in drilling, wellbore-stability, and, especially, hydraulic-fracturing applications. The measurement of in-situ stress is not straightforward and, therefore, often goesunmeasured. As such, we often assume values of in-situ stress or estimate in-situ stresses from logging parameters. This article illustrates the importance of in-situ-stress estimates as they relate to hydraulic fracturing and outlines several techniques for estimating in-situ-stress magnitudes.

In-Situ Stress

The in-situ stresses acting on a formation can be decomposed into three principal compressive stresses, one vertical and two horizontal. The two horizontal compressive stresses are usually not equal. The vertical stress is caused by the overburden weight acting on the top of a formation. The horizontal stresses are the result of the poroelastic deformation of the rocks plus externally applied tectonic forces. The parameters that affect the magnitude of the in-situ stresses include overburden weight, fluid porepressure, porosity, anomalies in the rock fabric (i.e., natural fractures), rock mechanical properties (such as Poisson's ratio), and tectonic activity.

Knowledge of the in-situ-stress magnitude and direction can impact decisions and designs throughout the drilling and completion of a well. During drilling, in-situ stress may affect the mud and cement densities required to prevent unwanted fracturing of openhole strata in the wellbore. For wells that will be stimulated at high pressures, casing design must account for the maximum anticipated stresses. Wellbore-stability calculations, particularly for horizontal wells, require knowledge of in-situ-stress magnitude and direction.

For hydraulic-fracture treatment applications, the in-situ stresses control fracture azimuth and orientation (vertical and horizontal), fracture-height growth, fracture width, treatment pressures, and fracture conductivity. As Fig.1 illustrates, fractures grow perpendicular to the minimum in-situ-stress direction; thus, stress direction can affect well-placement and -spacing decisions.
Acoustic-Velocity Signatures Associated With Rock-Deformation Processes
Authors: Scott T.E. , Zaman M.M. , Roegiers J-C.
Published: June 2014

Distinguished Author Series articles are general, descriptive representations that summarize the state of the art in an area of technology by describing recent developments for readers who are not specialists in the topics discussed. Written by individuals recognized as experts in the area, these articles provide key references to more definitive work and present specific details only to illustrate the technology. Purpose: to inform the general readership of recent advances in various areas of petroleum engineering.

Introduction

The petroleum industry is increasingly involved in producing oil and gas from problem reservoirs, which typically are those reservoirs susceptible to large deformations and compaction during recovery operations. These problem formations have high porosities, high pore pressures, are poorly consolidated, or are highly fractured. In many cases, production operations can lead to drastic, irreversible damage to these reservoirs.

Rock formations can undergo deformation by a wide variety of mechanisms, including dilatancy (precursory to tensile or shear failure), pore collapse, and normal consolidation. In particular, pore collapse and normal consolidation can lead to significant production problems, such as loss of permeability, surface subsidence, and collapse of boreholes. For example, the Ekofisk Field in the North Sea has undergone significant subsidence (more than14 ft) as a result of the extraction of oil and gas. The Groningen gas reservoir in The Netherlands is another example of subsidence induced by hydrocarbon extraction, and the Lagunillas field along Lake Maricaibo in Venezuela has experienced both compaction and subsidence.

Dramatic changes in mechanical rock damage are accompanied by significant changes in acoustic velocities. This suggests that such techniques as four-dimensional (4D) -seismic surveys [i.e., repeated three-dimensional (3D)surveys] or crosswell tomography can be used for detection and time-lapsemonitoring of rock-deformation processes in oil and gas reservoirs. In this paper, we review the various processes that cause rock damage and investigate the acoustic detection of the deformational processes.

Two distinctly different types of laboratory experiments have been conducted to examine changes in acoustic velocities in porous carbonate rocks. The first involves recording acoustic-wave velocities in both the axial and lateral directions of samples of both Cordoba Cream limestone and Ekofisk chalk deformed during standard triaxial-compression, uniaxial-strain, and hydrostatic compression tests. The second type of experiment presents a new technique (and technology) for acoustic imaging of rock deformation in a high-pressure triaxial cell. The technique uses compressional-wave velocities to image tomographically the localized pore collapse damage created in a confined-indentation experiment.
Impact of Production-Sharing Terms on Investment-Community Performance Statistics
Authors: Young E.D. , McMichael C.L.
Published: June 2014

This paper (SPE 52017) was revised for publication from paper SPE 49178, prepared for the 1998 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, 27 30 September. Original manuscript received 17 June 1998. This paper has not been peer reviewed.

Hydrocarbon reserves and the ability to produce them profitably are the lifeblood of the upstream petroleum industry. Aggressive competition, ever-sharpening scrutiny by the investment community, and volatile product prices drive companies to search for attractive new E&P venture opportunities that will add the greatest value for a given investment. Production-sharing and other related nontraditional agreement types have become popular because they provide host countries with the flexibility to tailor fiscal terms to fit their sovereign needs. However, actual agreement terms, including those that relate to royalty payments, cost recovery, profit sharing, and taxes, can have a significant impact on the statistics that the investment community uses to access and rank the performance of a petroleum company. This paper examines the impact of these terms and of product-price volatility on investment-community performance statistics, such as reserves replacement; unit exploration, development, and operating costs; and earnings. Representative examples demonstrate the variation in these performance statistics with variations in product price. Limitations in the various indicators are highlighted.

P. 50
Liberalization of European Gas Market
Authors: Kavoussi Fariborz
Published: June 2014

This paper deals with a stepwise approach on the liberalization of the European gas market.

It commences by giving an overview in the current situation in the European gas market countries as well as the gas supply countries. The EU gas directive is being discussed with close look at gas unbundling, stepwise market opening for customers and take or pay contracts.

The UK gas market is described after ten years of liberalization and a comparison made between US and EU gas market. Also gas pricing in a liberalized EU market is being assessed.

Consecutively a few cases will be assessed, taking into account the EU gas directives and its implementation on the EU gas industry.
Prediction and Evaluation of Sanding and Casing Deformation in a GOM-Shelf Well
Authors: Ispas I. , Bray A.R. , Palmer I.D. , Higgs N.G.
Published: June 2014

Technology Today Series articles are general, descriptive representations that summarize the state of the art in an area of technology by describing recent developments for readers who are not specialists in the topics discussed. Written by individuals recognized as experts in the area, these articles provide key references to more definitive work and present specific details only to illustrate the technology. Purpose: to inform the general readership of recent advances in various areas of petroleum engineering.

Sand production is an important well-completion issue affecting well economics and, possibly, casing stability. This study compares predictions of sanding and casing deformation for a well in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico (GOM) shelf prepared before completion of the well with the results of a post-sanding event for this well. The sanding event was predicted adequately considering the uncertainty of the data entered into the model. The casing deformation monitored by the post-sanding survey also was consistent with the prediction of helical buckling caused by depletion of fluids only when cavities of vertical extent greater than 7 ft exist (e.g., because of sand production) around the wellbore. This study supports the use of these predictive methods in well-completion design.

Introduction

The driver for this study is a concern that sand production from GOM wells in weak sands may lead to casing failure. In Ekofisk, for example, casing failures caused by compaction have been studied, but these failures were not caused by solids production. There have been surprisingly few papers written about casing failures correlated with sand production. One is the Canadian heavy-oil-sands work, although it addresses massive amounts of sand produced (thousands of barrels). For this paper, we found an opportunity to assemble different aspects that had been studied separately into a more complete technical analysis. The subject has gained importance recently because of a renewed interest in managing sand production from wells rather than installing costly gravel packs.

Oil and/or gas production in weakly consolidated sandstone formations can lead to sand production when the reservoir pressure is depleted to the point at which the effective stress on the near-wellbore region exceeds the formation disaggregation strength. Sand production can lead to costly wellbore-cleanup operations, erosion damage to tubing and surface equipment, and significant sand-handling expenses. Thus, the prediction of sanding is an important design consideration when deciding whether a well should be completed with sand-control measures.

This Technology Today Series paper is based on paper 78236 prepared for the 2002 SPE/ISRM Rock Mechanics Conference.
Effects of cycocel priming on growth and early development of rapeseed under drought stress
Authors: Pourmohammad Alireza , Shekari Fariborz , Soltaniband Veeda
Published: June 2014

An experiment was concluded to evaluate the effects of priming on germination characteristics and establishment of rapeseed seedlings during three stages. In the first and second stages of experiment, the effects at three factors vis: cultivars (RVS, Hayola), waterdeficit stress (Control,-6 and -12 bar) and cycocel treatment (dry seeds, 300, 600, 900, 1200 and 1500 μM) on germination and seedling growth of plant were assayed. The results showed that priming had positive effects on germination percentage, germination rate index, germination index, and radicle length under water-deficit conditions. RVS had greater efficiency than other cultivars. The third section of experiment revealed that the priming of RVS seeds improved the stem, root and dry weight, total dry weight as well as leaf number and area of seedlings.
Mothers, Stepmoms and the Brave New Family. Intercultural Remake and Melodrama: an Analysis of the American Stepmom and its Bollywood Remake
Authors: Fábics Natália
Published: June 2014

The Bollywood remake of the American weepie Stepmom (Chris Columbus, 1998) is a fine and rather recent example of the intercultural remake phenomenon, a study topic that is gaining more and more attention. With the aim of suggesting conclusions generally applicable to intercultural remakes, starting from the genre, through characterization, film style and narrative, the present paper examines the remake process in the case of We Are Family (Siddharth Malhotra, 2010) and Stepmom
Thinking Like a Carpet: Embodied Perception and Individuation in Algorithmic Media
Authors: Marks Laura U.
Published: June 2014

Keynote talk given at the “Cinema of Sensations” International Conference organized by the Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, between the 25th and 27th of May, 2012. (The photos of Laura Marks illustrating the article were taken by Dorel Găină, and are reproduced here with the permission of the artist.)
Geography of the Body: Jean Epstein’s Poetics and Conceptualization of the Body in his Unpublished Writings
Authors: Fernández Daniel Pitarch
Published: June 2014

Jean Epstein wrote many books during his life, but some of them were left unpublished. This unpublished corpus is of significant importance to understand his work and thinking. In this essay I address three of these books: Ganymède (a book on male homosexual ethics), Contre-pensées (Counter-Thoughts), a compilation of short essays on a wide variety of topics), and L’autre ciel (The Other Heaven), a literary work. My main purpose is to better understand a major motif in Epstein’s thought: the human body. These writings show how his interest in physiology was profound and very important during his whole life, and how he always emphasized the material side of any psychology, identity, or thought. Secondly, they address the topic of artificiality and humanity. Epstein claims that what is specifically human is to evolve through specialization and reification, even if it were against nature. And thirdly, they fully disclose the inherent sensuality of some Epstein texts (for instance his descriptions of close ups); one of the major subjects of L’autre ciel is male homoeroticism. These unpublished writings shed new light on Epstein’s film writings and must be considered in order to do a complete account of his work and thought.
Finding suitable paths for the elliptic curve primality proving algorithm
Authors: Járai Antal , Kiss Gyöngyvér
Published: June 2014

An important part of the Elliptic Curve Primality Proving algorithm consists of finding a sequence of elliptic curves with appropriate properties. In this paper we consider a strategy to search for an improved sequence, as part of an implementation (implemented in Magma 2.19) to obtain improved heuristics and compare it to an implementation which does not use such heuristics, namely to a built-in Magma function.
Test software quality issues and connections to international standards
Authors: Kovács Attila , Szabados Kristóf
Published: June 2014

This paper examines how ISO/IEC 9126-1 and ISO/IEC 25010 quality models can be applied to software testing products in industrial environment. We present a set of code smells for test systems written in TTCN-3 and their categorization according to quality model standards. We demonstrate our measurements on industrial and ETSI projects, and provide a method for estimating their effects on product risks in current projects.
Damage in Concrete and its Detection by Use of Stress-Volumetric Strain Diagram
Authors: Jerga Ján , Krajči Ľudovít
Published: June 2014

The reliable determination of the damage degree of concrete in the structure is difficult and not seldom short-term compressive strengths are considered as real strengths of concrete. Because the load history of the construction is generally unknown, we do not know, whether there have been reached values in the vicinity of the peak of the stress-strain diagram. The strength at the sustained or repeated loading would be then significantly lower, as obtained from tests performed on intact samples. The diagnostic of concrete damage is impeded by environmental effects, resulting in the anisotropy of the development of micro cracks. The possibility is pointed out to use the characteristics of the stress volumetric strain diagram for the assessment of the condition of the material, with the perspective of the application for the determination of the residual long-term strength of concrete
Particulate Matter Assessment in the Air Based on the Heavy Metals Presence
Authors: Jandačka Dušan , Ďurčanská Daniela
Published: June 2014

Particulate matters are the result of various processes in the atmosphere that are part of everyday life. The chemical composition of these particles is mainly influenced by their origin. Their behavior is also dependent on meteorological conditions and other factors as well. The aim of this paper was to identify sources of particulate matters by means of statistical methods due to the presence of 17 heavy metals. The problem solving assumes the knowledge of multivariate statistical data analysis methods as principal components analysis (PCA), factor analysis (FA) and multivariate regression and vector algebra. For the application of methodology suitable software may prove appropriate.
Measurement and Evaluation of Wear Frogs Switches ŽSR
Authors: Urda Ján , Mandula Ján , Urdová Anastázia
Published: June 2014

This paper deals with the measurement and evaluation of wear frogs switches ZSR. One of the main problems is the oversize wear. The possibilities analysis of this problem is offered through a set of switches and monitoring of selected parameters. One of these parameters is also monitoring the vertical wear
Analysis of the Stringer-to-Cross-Beam Riveted Joints Behaviour
Authors: Vičan Josef , Jošt Jozef , Gocál Jozef
Published: June 2014

The main aim of the paper is to present results of the numerical and experimental studies related to the analysis of the real stiffness of the stringer-to-cross-beam connection in order to avoid approximation of this joint by means of complicated 2D modelling and to use simplified 1D model for global analyses of bridges with open bridge decks.
Historical Development and Applications of Unconventional Structure of Railway Superstructure of the Railway Infrastructure of the Slovak Republic
Authors: Ižvolt Libor , Šmalo Michal
Published: June 2014

In the first part, the paper deals with the origin and reasons to construct an unconventional type of the structure of railway superstructure, which is referred to as a slab track, it is shortly characterized by its development and the possible application of the railway tracks. The second part of the paper deals with the historical development of unconventional structure of railway superstructure in the Slovak Republic, characteristics of the developed and tested structures, and then in the third part of this paper, there are characterized specific structures of slab track applied in the ongoing modernization of the railway infrastructure in the Slovak Republic
The Influence of Tobacco Moisture Content on the Composition of Mainstream Smoke Yield as well as on the Temperature in the Combustion Zone / Einfluss des Feuchtigkeitsgehaltes von Cigaretten auf die Zusammensetzung des Rauches und die Glutzonentemperatur
Authors: Neurath G. , Horstmann H.
Published: June 2014

The authors studied the influence of tobacco moisture content on yield and composition of total particulate matter as well as on the temperature in the combustion zone of plain cigarettes. Total particulate matter and single components of the smoke can best be correlated with the dry weight of tobacco burnt in the mainstream. These figures are estimated by semi quantitative measures. The yield of dry total particulate matter is independent of tobacco moisture content if calculated on the basis mentioned above. The nicotine content of the smoke decreases with increasing moisture content of tobacco. Calculations on the where about of total nicotine suggest that nicotine is increasingly decomposed in the presence of moisture. The yield of 1,2- and 3,4-benzopyrene rises with increasing moisture content but with different slopes. The temperature of the combustion zone is independent of tobacco moisture content. The chemical and catalytic importance of moisture in smoking processes is mentioned.
Contemporary accounting outsourcing in Polish economic reality – survey results
Authors: Żuraw Paweł , Hruszowiec Katarzyna
Published: June 2014

The economic changes in recent years have had a significant impact on the development of modern management concepts that are being used increasingly in modern enterprises. Their aim is to improve the operations of these companies, in order to maintain a competitive edge on the market. One of these methods is outsourcing. It is of great importance in the development of today's businesses and is among the most widely used concepts. It promotes effective management of the enterprise and can be used in almost every area of the unit, which helps it to function. The area of applying outsourcing that has been raised in this article is accounting outsourcing. The study provides information on the scope of accounting services usually performed outside the enterprise, demonstrates the specificity of these services in Polish conditions, and shows the impact of outsourcing on costs generated by the company. The article concludes with a summary, which is the general analysis SWOT of Polish accounting outsourcing.
Bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Apiformes) in the Agricultural Landscape of Bulgaria: Species Diversity
Authors: Banaszak Józef , Dochkova Bojana
Published: June 2014

Wild bees (Apiformes) were studied in 4 crop fields and 8 refuge habitats for 2 - 5 years in agricultural landscapes in the Pleven and Plovdiv regions of Bulgaria. In total, 233 bee species were recorded. Bee forage plants visited by the honey bee and wild Apiformes are listed for each refuge habitat. Species composition is given for individual habitats, including fields of alfalfa (Medicago sativa), oilseed rape (Brassica napus), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), and radish (Raphanus sativus). Species richness and dominance structure of bee communities in the 2 regions are compared, and species responsible for significant differences are identified.
The Antioxidant Activity of Maltese Honey
Authors: Meinen Natacha , Camilleri Liberato , Attard Everaldo
Published: June 2014

Maltese honey has been valued for its medicinal properties since ancient times, so much so that the word Malta is derived from the ancient Greek word, Melite, which means honey. In this study, Maltese honey samples (n = 30) from three harvest seasons and different floral sources were analysed to determine their antioxidant/antiradical properties. Colorimetric assays were used to determine the polyphenol content, flavonoid content, and colour intensity, and these values were analysed to determine whether they correlated with radical scavenging activity as determined by bioassays. The honey samples varied in their DPPH activity (range, 3.326 - 11.865 mg AEAC/100 g honey), reducing power (EC 50 range: 5.632 - 14.453 mg/ml), total phenolic content (range, 8.114 - 109.765 mg TAE/100 g honey), total flavonoids (range, 0.655 - 212.865 mg RE/100 g honey), and colour intensity (range, 0.000 - 99.581 mm Pfund). The data were subjected to factor analysis using principal components. The antioxidant properties correlated significantly with total polyphenol content and colour (p<0.0001). Principal components analysis revealed three clusters of honey corresponding to the three harvest seasons.
Wintering Reserve Queens in Mini-Plus and 3-Comb Nuclei
Authors: Siuda Maciej , Wilde Jerzy , Woyke Jerzy , Jasiński Zygmunt , Madras-Majewska Beata
Published: June 2014

The aim of this study was to develop an effective method of overwintering reserve honey bee queens in two-storey mini-plus mating nuclei and in 3-comb nuclei (frames 36 x 26 cm, Wielkopolski hive). The assay was performed during three wintering seasons (2005 - 2008) parallel at two centers in Poland: the Division of Apiculture at the University of Life Sciences (SGGW) in Warsaw, and the Apiculture Division at the University of Warmia and Mazury (UWM) in Olsztyn. The results showed that 59% of queens overwintered in mini-plus nuclei and 77% in 3-comb nuclei. Among queens in mini-plus nuclei 63% overwintered in bee yard and only 55% in cellar. Within queens in 3-comb nuclei, 62% overwintered in Olsztyn and 91% in Warsaw. The highest survival rate of 93% was observed in Warsaw during the first season. Due to low survival rate, it is not recommended to overwinter the queens in miniplus nuclei.
The Effect of Open Brood and Colony Strength on the Onset of Oviposition by Queen Bees
Authors: Gąbka Jakub , Woyke Jerzy
Published: June 2014

In bee colonies without open brood, e.g., after swarming, there is no need for royal jelly, and nurse bees thus do not produce it. According to many beekeepers, adding combs with open brood restarts the production of royal jelly by nurse bees, and the virgin queens then are better fed and start earlier oviposition. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the presence of open brood and the strength of the colonies affect the onset of oviposition by queen bees. Open brood in colonies with virgins before and during mating flights did not accelerate the initiation of oviposition by the queens. In addition, no differences were identified in starting oviposition by queens in strong colonies of more than 30,000 worker bees, or in weak colonies with up to 1,000 workers. Overall, the results showed that neither open brood in the nests, nor the strength of the colonies affects the onset of oviposition by queen bees.
Morphological Discrimination of Greek Honey Bee Populations Based on Geometric Morphometrics Analysis of Wing Shape
Authors: Charistos Leonidas , Hatjina Fani , Bouga Maria , Mladenovic Mica , Maistros Anastasios D.
Published: June 2014

Honey bees collected from 32 different localities in Greece were studied based on the geometric morphometrics approach using the coordinates of 19 landmarks located at wing vein intersections. Procrustes analysis, principal component analysis, and Canonical variate analysis (CVA) detected population variability among the studied samples. According to the Principal component analysis (PCA ) of pooled data from each locality, the most differentiated populations were the populations from the Aegean island localities Astypalaia, Chios, and Kythira. However, the populations with the most distant according to the canonical variate analysis performed on all measurements were the populations from Heraklion and Chania (both from Crete island). These results can be used as a starting point for the use of geometric morphometrics in the discrimination of honey bee populations in Greece and the establishment of conservation areas for local honey bee populations.
Early Spring Nectar and Pollen and Insect Visitor Behavior in Two Corydalis Species (Papaveraceae)
Authors: Denisow Bożena , Strzałkowska-Abramek Monika , Bożek Małgorzata , Jeżak Anna
Published: June 2014

This study, conducted in 2008 and 2012 - 2013, evaluated the flowering pattern (seasonal and diurnal), the abundance of flowering, nectar, and pollen yield, and insect visitor activity for Corydalis solida (L.) Clairv. and C. cava Schweig. et Koerte. The populations occur in the ground layer of a deciduous forest (Fagetalia ordo, Querco-Fagetea class) in a natural gorge within the current area of the UMCS Botanical Garden in Lublin, Poland (51° 16’ N, 22° 30’ E). The phenology of Corydalis species showed distinct year-to-year plasticity (e.g., blooming period in March - April or in April - May; duration 18 - 42 days). The most intensive flower opening was noted in the early morning hours (85 - 90% of daily openings occurred between 6.00 and 10.00 h, GMT +2 h). The average sugar yield was similar at 4.6 kg/ha (C. cava) and 5.2 kg/ha (C. solida), but the average pollen production differed and reached 2.1 kg/ha (C. cava) and 4.1 kg/ha (C. solida). The flower-visitor interaction in Corydalis species involved both biological (early pattern of diurnal flowering, protandry, pollen presentation at the moment of anthesis) and morphological (nectar hidden in deep spur) features. Apis mellifera foragers predominated on both Corydalis species (mean of total visitors, 68.0% to C. solida; 62.5% to C. cava) and foraged mainly for pollen (82% of foragers), while bumblebee queens (mean of total visitors, 32.0% to C. solida; 37.5% to C. cava) collected mainly nectar (68.0% of foragers).
The Effects of Age of Grafted Larvae and of Supplemental Feeding on Performance of Iranian Honey Bee Colonies (Apis Mellifera Meda)
Authors: Mahbobi Ali , Woyke Jerzy , Abbasi Saeed , Farshineh-Adl Mohammadbagher , Malakzadegan Ahmad
Published: June 2014

The performance of bee colonies greatly depends on the quality of the queens. The current research was conducted at the apiary of the Faculty of Agriculture, Zanjan University, in Zanjan, Iran. Together, 24 rearing colonies were assigned to 4 grafting larvae age groups: 1-day-old, 2-day-old, 3-day-old, and emergency queens. Two feeding groups, fed and not fed, were created. The effects of reared queens on biological characteristics and performance of honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera meda) headed by those queens were measured. Age of grafted larvae significantly influenced the results. The performance ratios of the most efficient colonies headed by queens reared from 1-day-old larvae compared with the least-efficient queens reared from 3-day-old larvae were 118% in brood production, 140% in bee population, and 154% in honey production. However, the age of grafted larvae did not affect colony defense behavior. Supplemental feeding of rearing colonies increased brood production to 111%, bee population to 116%, and honey production to 115%. A combination of the effect of age of larvae and supplemental feeding resulted in twice as much honey (12 kg) produced by colonies with queens reared from 1-day-old larvae in fed rearing colonies compared to those with queens raised from 3-day-old larvae in unfed rearing colonies.
Susceptibility of Bee Larvae to Chalkbrood in Relation to Hygienic Behaviour of Worker Bees in Colonies of Chosen Races of Honeybee (Apis Mellifera )
Authors: Panasiuk Beata , Bieńkowska Małgorzata , Gerula Dariusz , Węgrzynowicz Paweł
Published: June 2014

The susceptibility of bee larvae to Ascosphaera apis infestation and the hygienic behaviour of worker bees in relation to A. apis infected and freeze-killed brood were evaluated in three races of bees: Apis mellifera carnica, Apis mellifera caucasica, and Apis mellifera mellifera. Experimental bee colonies were evaluated in field conditions during the three beekeeping seasons. The lowest percentage of infected larvae was observed in car GR1 and mel A colonies (8.5% and 15%, respectively) and the highest in car Mr and cau P colonies (21% and 24.3%, respectively). Bees in the car GR1 and mel A colonies removed mummified brood in a shorter period of time (6.5 and 7.1 days on average, respectively) than car Mr and cau P colonies (above 8 days). Bees in the mel A and car GR1 colonies cleaned significantly more cells with freeze-killed brood within 24 and 48 hours (above 70% and 80% on average, respectively) than car Mr and cau P colonies (on average 10 - 20% lower cleaning rate). A low correlation coefficient was found for the susceptibility of larvae to A. apis infection and hygienic behaviour.
Morphometric Studies on Dwarf Honey Bee Apis Florea F. Workers in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Kahtani Saad N. , A. Taha El-Kazafy
Published: June 2014

Here we performed a morphometric analysis of dwarf honey bee (Apis florea F.) workers from Saudi Arabia, and we detected morphometric variations within the species in the Jubail and Al-Ahsa provinces of this region. Between the two provinces, Jubail is further north and is closer to sea level, and data showed that during the collection period, Jubail experienced significantly higher humidity. Compared to workers from the Jubail province, workers from Al-Ahsa province showed significantly higher body weight, measured head appendage characteristics, wing characteristics (apart from hindwing width), leg characteristics, and length and width of the 3rd abdominal sternite and 1st wax mirror. Body weight as found to be significantly positively correlated with all determined characteristics, except for flagellum length, hindwing width, 3rd tergite length, and lengths of the 4th tergite and sternite. It can be concluded that body weight and morphometric characteristics of dwarf honey bee workers were significantly affected by geographic origin. The morphometric measurements were within the range reported from most previously examined countries.