bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting Hydrate Blockage Formation in Gas-Dominant Systems
Authors: Charlton Thomas B. , Zerpa Luis E. , Koh Carolyn A. , May Eric F. , Aman Zach M.
Published: March 2018

We present the development of a new model to predict hydrate growth and transport in gas-dominant systems, based on experimental observations of hydrate film growth and particle deposition. Incorporated as a user-defined plugin in a transient flow simulator, we present predictions of hydrate blockage formation using this tool for three of eight Tommeliten field trials: (i) depressurized restart; (ii) thermodynamic inhibitor injection failure and; (iii) pressurized restart. Deposition plays a key role in these predictions, and the new model predicts significant hydrate stenosis occurring in the same timescale as blockage formation in the field trials. The mechanism of sloughing, a key precursor to the formation of hydrate plugs, is not incorporated in a transient simulation environment. However, shear stress predictions as a deposit develops may exceed the threshold previously reported in literature to generate a sloughing event. This represents a key way forward in the development of a comprehensive hydrate prediction tool for oil and gas flowlines.
Optimisation of a Wet Insulation Coating for Shallow-Water Pipelines
Authors: Rattenbury P. D. , Grodziski L.
Published: March 2018

Conventional technologies used for insulation of flowlines in shallow-water fields, based on thermoplastic foams, are over-specified for the conditions. This has driven development of a low-cost alternative based on a low-density polyurethane thermoset foam.

This paper will trace the methodology of an active collaboration between Logstor and TechnipFMC to develop and optimize this alternative coating. It will show the evolution of the developments and progress made over the last two years.

The coating resembles a pipe-in-pipe system, however the outer steel pipe is replaced with a polyolefin casing. The coating is designed with a tapered end chamfer so that the casing meets the anti-corrosion coating at the pipe ends. Seals here compartmentalize the coating, making the coating on each pipe individually watertight and make the coating compatible with conventional field joint coatings.

The development process has been based on critical examination of the pre-existing insulation coating, using FMEA and study of previous project experience, combined with trial manufacture and full-scale testing to simulate all stages of the life-cycle of the coating. Using this approach, it was possible to closely characterize both the manufacturing process and the coating system itself, which in turn enabled the investigators to identify and reduce inefficiencies in the coating design and also identify other areas where improvements would increase reliability.

The insulation coating system described in this paper is an alternative to conventional multilayer polypropylene wet insulation technologies for pipelines situated in shallow water with several key advantages that may be of use to the specifying engineer or designer when designing a flowline that requires insulation.
Awakening A Sleeping Dragon - Semi Submersible Tender Assist Rig Start Up
Authors: Wong J. , Wong K. , Yeap F.
Published: March 2018

The rig start-up process that was used for the semi submersible tender assist rig was successful in mitigating schedule and cost risks associated with readiness of the rig and the complex interface with other contractors located around the world. The Malaysian team successfully delivered the rig start up from 1 year cold stack mode change of ownership, turned around the rig into a fully functional one, on cost, schedule and incident free.

It was an extremely challenging timeline from contract award to securing rig modification, interface upgrades and equipment delivery to meet the operators’ "First Oil" date. Multiple stakeholders were engaged to identify & build up a credible rig start action plan to deliver the required upgrades, reactivation and repairs in a timely manner. A technical queries process was used to manage the information exchange, captured decision and way forward. The successful rig start-up required Integrating new team members from various parties onshore & offshore integration, and familiarised the team with operators’ ways of working on safety including managing parties with limited rig start-up experience. The process needed an intensive interface management with multiple organizations within country and outside.

The rig start-up was successfully completion on schedule, below planned budget and most importantly safely. The modification was aimed at allowing a coupled body action between the semi sub tender assisted rig and tension leg platform, allowing for drilling, completion, hook up and commissioning and production to be carried out simultaneously. Ultimately it allowed for a safe and efficient well delivery campaign and meeting the production targets from a new facility.

With the action plan in place, the operator and contractor successfully closed out on audit findings & action items (> 1700 audit actions) from various aspects of HSE Technical safety, Rig Startup Audits, Marine, Aviation, Lifting & Hoisting, Health, Dropped Objects Prevention Scheme (DROPS), 3rd party commissioning & project interfaces to sail away from shipyard on time. A structured systems integration test was carried out in shipyard to qualify and commissioning new and existing drilling rig systems. Well control systems were also confirmed functional and a blowout preventer shear test was carried out using the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and operator guidelines.

Once the rig was sailed to location and set up alongside the tension leg platform, the remainder of the systems integration test was completed on site. The result of this was a flawless startup and transition into drilling and completion operations with minimal downtime to the operator and rig contractor.
Pragmatic and Consistent Approach to Life Extension of Floating Structures
Authors: Morandini Cedric , Floury Jerome
Published: March 2018

Life extension of offshore assets is a popular and hot topic as Operators are willing to maximize the operation of their platforms in order to increase their economical returns while maintaining satisfactory level of safety and integrity of their asset.

The paper will propose a pragmatic, fit for purpose and consistent approach in establishing the baselines for life extension of any type of floating structures: FSO, FPSO, FSRU, FSU, FLNG and FPU.

What will be covered by the proposed approach are as follow:Hull structure as a whole,Critical hull structure detailsMain marine systems including cargo, boiler, steam, seawater and freshwater systemsMooring system as a whole including anchoring system, mooring hardware, turret mechanical and structural components.

The proposed methodology will cover the overall Life Extension process in several steps with toll gate at the end of each step in order to facilitate and streamline the decision process.

The first steps are rather easy to be implemented and are mainly based on desktop studies with the review of the various reports supporting and detailing the design of the specific floating structure. They will be complemented by review of existing inspection reports covering the main systems as detailed above, and may trigger additional inspection campaigns and systems testing to enable proper understanding of their conditions.

In addition the benefits in using proper and efficient Asset Integrity Management Systems from day one to support the overall integrity of the floating structure while enabling Life extension plan will be highlighted and discussed.

Such approach will be based on experiences gained throughout several life extension projects conducted by Bureau Veritas for various floating structures operating in different modes and located in various environmental sites.
Transient Fully Coupled Hydrodynamic-Hydrate Model for Deepwater Kick Simulation
Authors: Sun Xiaohui , Sun Baojiang , Gao Yonghai , Wang Zhiyuan , Liao Youqiang , Yu Xiaodong
Published: March 2018

A new kick simulator that incorporates a fully coupled hydrodynamic-hydrate model to describe the interaction of hydrate growth characteristics and wellbore multiphase flow behaviors, has been developed considering the unsteady multiphase mass transfer process. In this study, a series of numerical experiments are conducted to analyze the kick development process with various reservoir properties and construction parameters. Furthermore, a close discussion shows that gas dissolution and hydrate formation can significantly suppress the kick development process, especially at a low influx rate. Because the hydrate growth characteristics lead to the kick gas converting from vapor state to solid hydrate phase and then back to vapor state. Compared to vertical drilling, the kick development rate in horizontal drilling is considerably slower. Last, a special kick process that can be "hidden" and "abrupt" successively, is demonstrated in deepwater extended reach drilling.
The Research of Big Data Analysis Platform of Oil & Gas Production
Authors: Ruidong Zhao , Chunming Xiong , Junfeng Shi , Yufeng Zhang , Yi Peng , Shiwen Chen , Feng Deng , Xishun Zhang , Xin Zhang , Chengyan Sun , Guojing Miao , Lihong Xu , Xianfeng Wei
Published: March 2018

With the construction of intelligent oil field, profound change is being brought by internet of things and big data, resulting in innovative development and management by information collection, distributed computing and data mining and other technologies. However, it is a great challenge for us that how to combine big data analysis technique with conventional oil & gas production to serve petroleum industry better. Because of complexity and unknown of oil & gas production, present production problems can not be real-time solved by conventional plans. Big data method is introduced for these problems. Big data analysis platform of oil & gas production is established initially, realizing the functions of data handling, diagnosis, prediction, early warning, and multivariate visualization analysis. Well condition can be predicted by model identification of time series of well load, current, pressure, liquid level, rate and other parameters. Visual problems of multi-parameter sensitivity analysis can be solved by dimensionality reduction method. Based on big data clustering analysis, oil wells in a block can be bulk evaluated. Big data analysis platform of oil & gas production platform is still improving. Based on multi dimension and source data, through statistical analysis, model identification, clustering analysis and visualization, intelligent diagnose, prediction, optimization decision and evaluation of oil & gas production will be finished, realizing the transform from operation model to data model. Finally, a new method will be provided for increasing production, declining energy consumption and saving cost.
Reduced Downtime in Subsea Operations through Use of Predictions of Underwater Visibility for ROVs - Science and Application
Authors: Larcombe P. , Garvey M.
Published: March 2018

Many aspects of subsea installation and inspection operations involve Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and a human pilot viewing live video feeds. Work may be inhibited when the visibility is reduced through increased turbidity. This work aimed to understand and quantify the drivers of ROV visibility at a site (depth 240-280 m), in the Browse Basin, offshore Western Australia and develop techniques to allow prediction of underwater visibility ranges more generally. Using a range of measurements and evidence-based analysis, the work has developed a reliable and useable method of predicting underwater visibility ranges at various heights above the seabed. This technique requires appropriate measurements and understanding of sedimentary processes.
The First Successful Deployment of Downhole Oil-Water Separation Technology in South China Sea: Lessons Learned and Way Ahead
Authors: Li Feng , Li Xiaoping , Zou Xinbo , Duan Zheng , Liao Tian , Lu Xiaonan , Ren Yang
Published: March 2018

The operator of an offshore oilfield located in South China Sea, has been researching for efficient methods to tackle the production constraints from the increasing produced water amount and maximize oil recovery. An ESP assisted downhole oil and water separation system, known as SubSep system, was designed and successfully installed in year 2014. During the operations, the system achieved designed separation performance but went offline due to heavy sand problem. This paper concentrates on sharing the experience of complete cycle of system design, deployment, operation and post-job investigations, and discussing the lessons learned and future improvements for downhole oil and water separation technology.

The downhole oil and water separation system features in two independent ESP to operate simultaneously: the lower ESP feeds well fluid into multistage hydrocyclone where oil is separated from water, and enters upper ESP to lift to ground, while water is injected to injection layer. Installed in year 2014, the system is the first successful deployment of downhole oil and water separation technology in South China Sea area. The system has totally operated 480 days, during which various operation methodologies were experimented and outcomes analyzed. In normal operation the separated water collected from sample line in water injection zone showed 99ppm oil, and 75% of water was reduced to ground, which signaled the significant success in water and oil separation. The system went offline when surface water rate increased abnormally and injected water with high oil concentration. Further investigation of pulled system showed clear evidence of abrasions from sand and quarts. Future improvement pathways were identified as applying multiple sand control methods, simplifying completion strings, enhancing chemical injection programs and implementing surface experiments.

This paper shares the experience of a complete cycle of design, deployment, operation, and post-job investigations of a downhole oil and water separation system, and provide reference for future improvements and optimizations
Reliability of Formation Cuttings as an Aid in Defining Minerology to Reduce Subsurface Uncertainties
Authors: Shah Sahriza Salwani Md , Ali M. Taufiq M. , Rashid Syamsina
Published: March 2018

In the current climate, of oil price slump, native sampling and data acquisition are deemed uneconomical as oil and gas companies adopt cost rationalization to sustain business models. Exploration and development data which were previously overlooked are now being sought to gain critical. Cuttings, collected during drilling, can provide overburden and reservoir mineralogical data for better understanding of formations as well as a detailed evaluation of seal integrity for a consideration as a potential CO2 storage sites.

Through reservoir zonation and well correlation, drill cuttings were selected from respective target zones. Depending on the sample condition, necessary preparations were carried out prior to mineralogical analysis on this cutting samples. Sample age and improper preservation significantly impacted sample condition and some had to be discarded during the screening process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was carried out on selected samples which yielded semi-qualitative mineralogical data (+/- 5%). The drill cuttings mineralogy data were then cross checked with rock chips from available conventional core and well logs to observe variances and consistency.

Samples from four wells in the S field were analyzed to establish the mineralogical data. Variance of mineralogical content was observed between cuttings and rock chip samples, however mineral proportion are comparable, particularly in clay minerals, plagioclase, siderite and pyrite. Similar type of clay minerals were observed in both ditch cutting samples and core chip samples, where the total clay amount in Seal A is higher than in Seal B. Both types of samples have high contents of illite, and mixed layer (illite dominated) and minimal content of the swelling clay, smectite. Overall, results indicated similar mineralogical composition across S field cap rock in seal A and seal B intervals.

The study demonstrates the reliability of the ditch cutting samples, with proper selection and preparation, providing more extensive coverage and availability of mineralogical description over extended zones. The mineralogical information is useful for the analysts to discern the facies types and distribution, hence reducing the uncertainties.
Preliminary Design Analysis of Deepwater Production Risers
Authors: Dev Arun
Published: March 2018

Steel Catenary Risers (SCRs) and Hybrid Risers (HRs) are the most common production riser systems used in deepwater. These concepts are field proven. SCRs and Steel Lazy Wave Risers (SLWRs), a specific configuration of SCR, have been widely used in Gulf of Mexico (GoM). HRs have also recently gained popularity in West of Africa, as the concept proves to be advantageous in harsh environments. This paper addresses the global structural response of various production risers attached to a Semi-submersible in GoM. The stress analysis was conducted based on the fundamental thoughts of SCR and HR. Thus, 26 different models of risers (HRs, SCRs, and SLWRs) were analyzed to investigate the impacts of the various critical considerations on the riser structure. Details of riser modeling, environmental data, and vessel particulars are described. A primary vortex induced vibration analysis was also conducted to assess the systems further. The studies stated above were evaluated using a dynamic analysis software, Orcaflex. An initial cost calculation was also done for a holistic approach for selection of riser. Finally, the results obtained from the analyses were assessed. The key findings and conclusions were described. As such, a suitable riser was determined.
DeepStar A Global Offshore Technology Development Programme: Programme Summary
Authors: Gomes J. V. , Shamshy S.
Published: March 2018

DeepStar is an operator funded Research & Development collaboration between oil companies, vendors, regulators and academic/research institutes which started in 1991. This paper outlines DeepStar's new strategies and summarizes its organization, operation, and direction. Included in this paper are additional detail on the major historical accomplishments as well as current CORE research projects and additional Satellite projects activities. With DeepStar membership including over eight international oil and gas companies and a number of service companies that supply technologies and services to those operators. Our operators’ development focus on all of the world's deepwater and ultra-deepwater basins, it is well positioned to ensure members are focused on the right technical challenges and leveraged to produce meaningful and value-creation results.
Optimizing Automatic History Matching for Field Application Using Genetic Algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Sanghyun L. , Stephen K. D.
Published: March 2018

History matching is a commonly used process that integrates a static model with dynamic data to obtain an accurate tool for predicting reservoir performance. Automatic History Matching (AHM) assisted by computers helps engineers control a large number of parameters efficiently to minimize a misfit compared to the traditional trial and error approach. However, effort is necessary to optimize the process of AHM to reduce simulation running time.

Stochastic algorithms such as the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) can be combined with the least squares single objective function to explore the parameter space. Parameterization and realization methods are employed to enhance the effectiveness of history matching. In this field study history matching was conducted while identifying the feasibility of each method. A number of realisations of various properties such as porosity, net to gross, relative permeability, horizontal and vertical permeability, and aquifer size were selected for controlling throughout the AHM. The optimized process is discussed to provide guidelines.

We found that stochastic algorithms are efficient at handling a large number of control parameters in heterogeneous reservoirs to improve the match. It was observed that GA was able to update a large number of control parameters. However, GA is a costly algorithm that requires more computing time. The realization and parameterization methods improved the accuracy of a full-field application although errors remained in predictions of the bottomhole pressure.

While simple relatively homogenous fields may be manually history matched, more complex fields require a good parameterization scheme. In addition we observed that selecting too many parameters makes the problem difficult to solve while selecting too few leads to false convergence.

In this study, we observed that the PSO had a shorter convergence time compared to the GA, Using the GA as a follow up method helped find better results. Overall this study can be used as a guideline in selecting an appropriate history matching method.
Oilfield Microbiology: Molecular Microbiology Techniques Used During a Biocide Evaluation
Authors: Bennet Douglas , Hoffmann Heike
Published: March 2018

Biocide chemicals are an essential control in the oil and gas industry. From drinking water to hydrocarbon production streams, it is necessary to use the correct chemical, at the correct dose to prevent uncontrolled microbiological activity. The objective of this review is to discuss an example of a biocide evaluation that tested seven (7) different biocide chemicals (from the same chemical vendor) against planktonic and sessile microbial populations by both traditional and molecular microbiological monitoring techniques.

The methods used in the biocide evaluation were in accordance to internationally recognised standards; NACE TM0194-2014 ‘Field Monitoring of Bacterial Growth in Oil and Gas Systems’ and NACE TM0212-2012 ‘Detection, Testing, and Evaluation of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion on Internal Surfaces of Pipelines’. The procedure stated that 7 biocides at 2 concentrations (500ppm and 1000ppm of product) were to be tested against bacterial populations (planktonic and sessile), in relation to appropriate water chemistry and microbial consortia. The microbiological techniques used to determine the biocide efficacy were; traditional Most Probable Number (MPN) bacterial enumeration of; Sulphate Reducing Bacteria (SRB), General Heterotrophic Bacteria (GHB) and Acid-Producing General Heterotrophic Bacteria (APGHB), Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) with pre-selected primers for SRB, Sulphate Reducing Archaea (SRA), and lastly, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).

The results from the microbiological techniques allowed for an evaluation by ranking each biocide chemical in comparison to the total test group of chemicals, against untreated controls. Performance was based on the reduction of microbiological populations from the untreated control populations and greater microbiological community detail was achieved through interpretation of the molecular techniques data.

The inclusion of molecular microbiological monitoring techniques to biocide evaluations is a novel approach to understanding the direct impact of biocide chemicals in greater detail. In turn, this approach will provide knowledge and valuable information for chemical addition optimisation and cost saving.
Application of Innovative High Density High-Performance Water-Based Drilling Fluid Technology in the Efficient Development and Production of Ultra-Deep Complicated Formations in the Tian Mountain Front Block in China
Authors: Long Li , Da Yin , Lei Li , Zihang Yan , Chao Huang , Cha Ma , Yuping Yang , Xiao Liu
Published: March 2018

Tarim Basin is the biggest oil and gas bearing basin in China. The ultra-deep formations in the Tian Mountain Front Block in North Border of Tarim Basin is characterized by ultra-high temperature, high pressure, ultra-thick composite salt-gypsum formations, and high collapse stress formations are widely distributed, so it will bring great challenge to drilling operation.

To solve significant non-productive time (NPT) and low rate of penetration (ROP) encountered in dealing with borehole instability, stuck pipe, and high pressured brine influx in the process of drilling operation in salt-gypsum formations, high-density oil-based drilling fluids have been successfully run to drill more than 70 wells in the past three years. Oil-based drilling fluid system has excellent comprehensive properties, and it could solve the contradiction between safety drilling of ultra-deep wells and formation complexity.

But a great number of oily cuttings are generated in the process of drilling operation. These oily cuttings contain a large number of harmful substances, such as petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, surfactants, and so on, which are toxic and difficult to be biodegradable, so the discharge of oily cuttings into the environment without any treatment will lead to serious contamination of soil and ground water.

An innovative high density water-based mud (WBM) is formulated. The results show that the high performance mud can provide good rheology and fluid stability under HTHP conditions, withstand high solids loading and deliver a high tolerance to brine or salt contamination, so the high-performance drilling fluid is recommended to drill the gypsum-salt formations and the reservoirs with natural fractures and inter-bedded shale.

Above all, this high-performance WBM (HPWBM) is a type of nontoxic drilling fluids. The discharge of new fluid system or obtained cuttings into the environment without any treatment could meet the discharge standard.

As a result, HPWBM technology can provide a powerful technical support for achieving safety and high quality drilling in this Block. This paper presents field data to illustrate the application of this technology and evaluate the potential technical and economic benefits that it might provide to petroleum development and production in Tarim Basin.
Optimal Fire and Gas Detectors Testing for Thailand E&P Business
Authors: Panomrit Agkarat
Published: March 2018

Generally, the inspection, testing and maintenance of fire and gas detectors uses the statement specified in NFPA (American Code) as a starting point. That codes and standard may cite to various sets of relevant standard with the ultimate, open clause to be rely on "Local Law and Regulation" or "Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

Thailand has no exception – The relevant Thai Law and Regulation based mainly on that NFPA which prescribed the inspection, testing and maintenance mostlty on "Time-Based Principle" (e.g. this initiating device type shall be visual inspected every 6 months) and with exceptional clause to provide more flexibility, if adjustment needed with approval from Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) (e.g. unless otherwise permitted by, or …. By Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), table 14.3.1 shall be applied).

Those mentioned requirement looks easy to understand, to do and to manage in the light of law-like statement, but the key question popped up that, doing so is only the one way out to deal with during this oil price downturn?

In our perspective, it's not. Then, we have to find other way out to cope with, especially when number of fire and gas detectors keep on increasing according to the increment in number of remote wellhead platforms and facilities.
Numerical Modeling of Biopolymer Flooding in High-Temperature High-Salinity Carbonate Cores
Authors: Al-Shalabi Emad W.
Published: March 2018

Polymer flooding is a well-established commercially available chemical technique for enhancing oil recovery. This technique is mainly used in sandstones with a limited application in carbonates due to the harsh reservoir conditions of high temperature and high salinity. This paper numerically investigates the effect of Schizophyllan biopolymer on oil recovery from carbonate cores. The effect of biopolymer on oil recovery was predicted by running several synthetic 1D simulations using measured reservoir rock and fluid data. Biopolymer flow behavior was modeled through considering adsorption, viscosity, density, salinity, non-Newtonian, inaccessible pore volume, permeability reduction, and degradation effects. The simulation runs were performed in both secondary and tertiary modes of injection. The study also includes a description of polymer screening, rheological properties measurement, and design to tailor high temperature and high salinity carbonate reservoirs.

The results show that the investigated biopolymer improves oil recovery in both secondary and tertiary modes of injection compared to conventional formation waterflooding. Moreover, the overall oil recovery of both secondary and tertiary polymer floodings are almost comparable after 6 pore volumes of injection. Nevertheless, the application of polymer flooding in the secondary mode is more preferable due to boosting the oil production rate at an earlier time. Also, an optimum polymer concentration of 800 ppm is recommended for achieving a minimum total relative mobility of oil and water phases. The findings of this work are supported by fractional flow and mobility ratio analyses to highlight the improvement in volumetric sweep efficiency as a result of using the investigated biopolymer. This study highlights the advantages of using Schizophyllan biopolymer on oil recovery from carbonate reservoirs with high temperature and high salinity conditions. The biopolymer improves mobility ratio by mainly decreasing water effective permeability and increasing water viscosity. The study at the laboratory-scale is considered as a basis for field-scale predictions.
Deriving Directional Wave Spectra from Ship Motions
Authors: Milne I. A. , Zed M.
Published: March 2018

The ability to derive the directional wave spectra directly from the motions of a floating facility can be of significant value to offshore industry, particularly for sites where reliable observations are not available. This study employs new full-scale measurements of the dynamic motions of an operating drillship to evaluate the performance a parametric model to estimate the directional wave spectra at a swell dominated region. The drillship was dynamically positioned and operated at a constant draft which reduces the inherent uncertainties in the model. The model was applied to a range of interesting wave states, including multi-modal swells and the results were compared with estimates obtained independently from a numerical hindcast. It was found that generally favourable estimates of the wave spectral properties could be obtained at the site, particularly the mean wave direction and peak spectral period. The study, therefore, provides encouraging support for the use of drillships to acquire valuable metocean data for the offshore industry.
Chemical Treatment of Toxic Produced Water from Offshore Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery Applications for Overboard Discharge
Authors: Zakwan M. , Sahak M. , Aris M. Shiraz , Ariff Idzham F. M. , Saadon Shazleen , Muhammad M. Fadhli , Radi N. M. , Daud N. M.
Published: March 2018

The injection of chemicals in a chemical enhanced oil recovery (CEOR) program is expected to impose technical and economic challenges in produced water management especially for offshore installations. The breakthrough of injection chemicals into the surface facilities process lineup, through the water phase, have been tested to be toxic and the typical overboard discharge option will have to be substituted with a much more complex and expensive reinjection scheme if a solution to treat the discharge water is not found. A study to find a chemical treatment solution capable of degrading the toxic components in CEOR produced water was carried out and upscaled towards a pilot implementation for an offshore Malaysian field. The advanced oxidation process (AOP) technique was evaluated as it showed promising capabilities for the intended application. The governing degradation mechanism in the AOP stems from the release of hydroxyl radicals from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), with the aid of UV radiation, which oxidizes organic components in the injected chemicals to detoxify the outlet stream of the surface facilities process. The results from the experiments showed promising degradation potential where complete degradation of the toxic chemicals was achieved. Specific degradation rates of the chemicals at fixed rates of UV radiation were obtained in this study and used with the electrical energy per order (EE/O) upscaling correlation to size a treatment system for the intended pilot implementation. Compared to other established chemical degradation applications, the upscaling EEO value of 17.9 kWh/1000 USgal/order can be considered to be within reasonable range.
The Road to Low Cost Well - A Case Study of Successful Cost Optimization Strategies to Remain Relevant in Low Oil Price Environment, Offshore Malaysia
Authors: Lee Jin Ming , Bt Mohd Zain Siti Nur Mahirah , AB Malek Anas B. , B. Nordin M. Haikal , Rahaman Ammar Thaqif B. A. , Hermawan Heru , B. Nasrudin Khairul Anwar
Published: March 2018

X-1 well is one of the wells from project X, a field development project located offshore Peninsular Malaysia. The well has become the signature well for project X as it managed to achieve single digit (in million dollar) well cost, a rare occasion for offshore Malaysia development wells. Project X wells team has taken several initiatives and strategies to reduce well cost and ultimately achieving low cost well (LCW) status as defined by the company's wells department.

Since year 2014, crude oil price has fallen from its heyday to as low as USD27 per barrel in 2015. Oil and gas (O&G) operators around the world have been struggling to make profit and fulfill their capital commitment. The company's wells department has since came out with criteria for LCW to be benchmarked by the company's projects. To be recognized as LCW, a well needs to be below USD 15 million with minimum depth of 1500 m and key performance indexes (KPIs) better than or equal to Malaysia Petroleum Management's (MPM) Drilling Minimum Standard without compromising operational safety, reserve development, well integrity and environmental aspects.

In the quest to achieve LCW, project X wells team has engaged several strategies to ultimately reduce X-1 well cost by 40% from initial estimated. These strategies involved the optimization of critical areas such as well design & engineering, well planning and operations.

After painstakingly planned and implemented above cost saving strategies within restricted time frame, project X wells team has successfully reduced 40% of initially estimated X-1 well cost. The reduction has proven that with focused planning and execution, coupled with full support from management especially with new contracting strategy, LCW is possible and able to help O&G operators to improve their bottom line. Low oil price environment has appeared to be the silver lining in O&G operators’ efforts to drive down cost as it appears to provide the opportunity for operators to re-evaluate their current contracts, planning and operation practices.
E-RTTM: A Multidimensional Approach to Pipeline Leak Detection
Authors: Hochgesang Ruediger
Published: March 2018

Worldwide a net of several hundred thousands of kilometers of pipelines is in use to transfer all kind of products in the most economical way from A to B. This is the most effective and save way, but, as with all kind of technical systems, even the safest one is facing problems from time to time. These problems can be related to aging processes, such as corrosion for instance, by the product in the line (waxing), by the process (cavitation, exceeding or undercutting pressure limits), as well as by external effects (earthquake, avalanches, third-party interaction).

As with increasing pipeline networks and distances between inlet and outlet also the environmental risks are increasing, meanwhile several regulations are in use (for instance API, TRFL (technical rules for pipeline – the most restrictive law (Germany)). These regulations shall ensure that loss of product due to an affected integrity of the pipeline can be minimized to avoid environmental effects. But also from a commercial point of view this is an important information as it can minimize the effects of accidents, minimize the downtime and minimize the loss of product.

To ensure the integrity of the pipeline leak detection systems have been designed to limit the risk, based on different technological approaches. One of the key targets here is to detect leaks reliably (no false alarms without missing leaks), within guaranteed limits (minimum leak rate, defined accuracy in leak size and localization) and within a minimum period of time.

Analyzing the leak detection systems available in the market a big variety of different approaches can be found, following different technical approaches. To select the optimum solution is not an easy process, as a lot of different parameters have to be considered from the definition phase of a project up to regular operations including the role of the operator.

This article is highlighting some of the most important facts about this complex topic.
Optimizing Well Test Design Using Integrated Rate and Pressure Transient Analysis in Fracture Basement Reservoirs
Authors: Yazdi Mohammad Ebrahim , Motaei Eghbal , Ghadami Nader
Published: March 2018

Production data analysis is the key to provide pertinent reservoir information in-terms of reservoir container volume, depletion mechanism, reservoir connectivity and well performances. This study focused on the analytical methods such as Rate Transient Analysis (RTA), Flowing Material Balance (FMB), Pressure Transient Analysis (PTA) and analytical simulation as an integrated approach toward enhanced production data analysis in the oil fields. The idea of FMB has been introduced by Mattar (1997) and it is generally applied to determine the oil or gas in-place volumes using flowing pressure data (Mattar and Anderson, 2005). The main objective of this study was to establish a standardized methodology for production data analysis, illustrate its added value to reservoir performance monitoring as well as its advantages for well test design and how it would help for cost optimization during an expensive Extended Well Test (EWT) for an exploration well.

In this paper, the above mentioned methods and workflow is elaborated and a case study using this integrated approach is discussed for better understanding of the methodology.
Challenges in Implementing Safety and Process Automation in Floating LNG 1 Project
Authors: Dahlan Shah Rizal
Published: March 2018

The Floating LNG 1 (FLNG 1) project is one of the most audacious and risky projects ever undertaken in recent years. Being the first of its kind in the world, it poses a lot of engineering as well as process safety challenges never before encountered in the industry. Issues like integration between top side systems, hull and marine systems, subsea systems and life support system adds complexity to the project. Limited mechanical handling volume, available escape route and having product inventory stored underneath the process units make it exceptionally difficult to manage escalation of potential hazards and to prepare for contingency measures. To mitigate such a high operating risk, pervasive use of sensors and automation is necessary. As a result, the amount of safety sensors and automation systems required are significantly more than the typical numbers required for a facility of similar size built onshore hence the safety and automation systems have to be thoughtfully designed and thoroughly appraised to ensure high safety integrity without jeopardizing the availability of the facility while keeping space and weight requirement of the facilities within tolerance. This paper highlights the specific strategies and approaches taken by the FLNG 1 project team to overcome the challenges associated with the design and engineering of the safety and automation systems since being the first of its kind in the world there was no reference to learn from.
The Role of Model Testing in the Execution of Deepwater Projects
Authors: Magee Allan R.
Published: March 2018

For deepwater developments involving floating platforms in harsh environmental conditions which lie beyond well-established industry practices, model tests are usually required. The paper describes the different types of model tests and their respective objectives, scopes, and requirements. Different types of testing facilities are also described. The objective is to give an overview of various aspects of model testing, so the reader will come away with a better understanding of how and why model tests are performed and how they can best be used in projects.

The timing of tests and their interaction with the project schedule is also described. For example, model tests may be carried out early in the design for concept selection studies, or sometimes at the end of FEED for a specific concept application. Project tests are often performed at the beginning of detailed engineering to resolve any outstanding design issues or sometimes near the end of the project to confirm the effects of certain changes. These different test types have different methods, requirements, procedures and results.

Model tests may address installations, operations or performance of deepwater systems such as mooring and dynamic riser interactions or may generate benchmarking data for CFD. Depending on the type of tests, certain key aspects must be carefully controlled. Required test data and the cost-benefit trade-offs of different test objectives are discussed. Results and observations are given for several model testing applications of deepwater developments in Asia Pacific region and elsewhere. Examples of different types of tests are used to draw conclusions about the role of tests.

Looking ahead to the future, several deepwater testing basins are under development in different parts of the world. Limitations such as scale effects and basin boundary truncations are discussed. Ongoing research into novel model testing methods currently being carried out and their potential to improve the accuracy and reliability of full-scale predictions are pointed out. CFD or so-called numerical wave tank is a relatively mature tool which is gaining use in offshore projects and promises to overcome some of these limitations. Fortunately, improvements in available computing power and software are continually reducing the required computation time and cost. Both physical tests and complementary CFD simulations are required to obtain a complete picture of the full-scale performance of deepwater platforms. The need for full-scale measurements and design feedback is often over-looked but benefits future projects by closing the design loop to reduce future conservatism.
Learnings From The High Temperature Water Based Mud Application in Offshore Sarawak
Authors: Abshar M. , Nor M. , Solehuddin M. , Razak A. , Devadass Lingges
Published: March 2018

A total of 5 production wells were planned in a gas field development project located in offshore Sarawak, Malaysia. The reservoir section of the field is comprised of two massive pinnacle carbonate structures, characterized by heterogeneous porosity and permeability, with high occurrence of vugs and faults. Severe to total loss circulation was expected while drilling this reservoir coupled with high temperature environment with prognosed bottomhole temperature (BHT) of 370°F.

Considering the high risk of loss circulation, the drilling fluids strategy involved designing and testing of a high temperature tolerant Water Based Mud (WBM) system as a base case plan to drill the reservoir in the scenario of sustainable losses. The HT WBM system was designed using HT polymers for filtration control and viscosity. The fluid was stressed at 370°F and prepared at a density of 14.5 lb/gal (1.74 SG). The high density mud system prompted the requirement to control the rheology for improved ECD management while drilling the reservoir section. Other criterias for the fluids design were the ability to demonstrate low barite sagging tendencies at extended static aging time as well as improved HTHP filtration control. The final formulation was also subjected to a formation damage testing to evaluate the fluids impact towards reservoir impairment. The HT WBM system was a milestone for the operator as being the hottest HT WBM ever deployed in Malaysia operation.

High geological uncertainties in the area led towards unexpected long shale exposure while drilling the reservoir section in both mainbore and sidetrack wells. While the mainhole was drilled successfully with the HT WBM system, the sidetracked well experienced significant reduction in the rate of penetration (ROP), suspected from bit balling despite having additional inhibition material in the system. The field observations, prompted additional learnings towards improvement of the HT WBM formulation as well as recommended lab testing considerations to further evaluate the performance of the mud system.
Economics of Supramolecular Assemblies as Displacement Fluids in EOR
Authors: Temizel Cenk , Alklih Mohamad Y. , Najy Anas K. , Putra Dike , Al-Fatlawi Omar
Published: March 2018

It is estimated that over the next few decades, EOR will be used for the more than 50% of oil production in the US and worldwide. From these, in reservoir with viscositites ranging between 10 – 150 mPa.s, polymer flooding is suggsted as the EOR method. Therefore, there is an upper limit to the recommended range of reservoir oil viscosities for polymer flooding. To address the issue of this limitation of polymer injectivity and pumping efficiency, we propose a novel method. The method involves the use of Supramolecular Systems, which are composed of long-chain aminoacids and maleic acids post complexation. Their unique feature of resersible viscosities allows the operator to overcome injectivity limitations posed by conventional polymer flooding.

Viscosity of supramolecular systems, prior to contact with oil, can be lowered to ease the injection process and improve pumping efficiency. On contact with oil, an external pH stimulus can be introduced that will reverse its viscosity to higher values. Lab-scale studies conducted on supramolecular systems have validated this property of reversibly adjusting viscosity through pH stimulus. These systems also have high salinity and temperature tolerance.

Conventional polymers, on introduction to extreme shear stress and temperature, have a tendency to breakdown. Supramolecular systems, on the other hand, act as "healable polymers" or undergo dis-assembling and re-assembling when subjected to similar conditions. Therefore, due to these molecular scission processes, these systems are considered to be durable in confining environment. In reservoirs where thermal EOR methods are not suitable candidates, supramolecular system can have significant use due to its high temperature tolerance.

The objective of this work is to futher develop these novel supramolecular systems by studying its cost-effectiveness and feasibility through a reservoir simulation model (stratified reservoir). In this study, we will be focusing on the economics of polymer injection.