bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Analysis Of Mid-Level Women Managers Perception Of The Existence Of Glass Ceiling In Singaporean And Malaysian Organizations
Authors: Dimovski Vlado , Skerlavaj Miha , Man Mandy Mok Kim
Published: March 2016

This study presents an overview of glass-ceiling type barriers in organizations based on the perceptions of a sample of Singaporean and Malaysian mid-level women managers. Previous studies indicated the existence of a glass ceiling in organizations and presented strategic recommendations with regard to what corporations could do to remove or reduce the glass ceiling. This study investigates how women in middle management perceive their career advancement opportunities and what they consider their organizations to be doing to support their advancement. Glass ceiling and informal structures in the organizations will be analyzed from the aspects of corporate climate, corporate practices, and corporate culture. The relevant questions are derived from the model developed by Bergman and Hallberg (2002). This study aims to answer whether there is a glass ceiling present in Singaporean and Malaysian companies and further make the comparative analysis of the results. The study begins with an introduction of the concept of a glass ceiling that prevents women from advancing, and then continues with previous studies on corporate climate, corporate practices and corporate culture, and data analysis of samples from Singaporean and Malaysian organizations. The findings show that women middle managers in both Singaporean and Malaysian organizations face a glass ceiling in their working environment which, for example, inhibits the promotion of female managers, and entails a barrier to the career development opportunities of women and entails that women do not have enough organizational support, including networking, mentoring, and family friendly initiatives.
Consolidating Rural Pennsylvania Local Government: A Taxpayers Choice
Authors: Tickell Geoffrey
Published: March 2016

This paper presents a case for the amalgamation of local government municipalities in parts of the US and, in particular, rural Pennsylvania (PA). It presents a case by first examining recent international trends in local government management including council consolidations (or mergers) and second, by showing that municipalities in rural PA are, for the most part, too small to: 1) be democratically effective, 2) attract and retain quality management, and 3) deliver the services their constituents expect. This paper concludes by suggesting that the present structure of local municipalities in rural PA is out of date and reform is needed.
Filosofia e Imagens e Educação
Authors: Furtado Rita Márcia Magalhães , Aspis Renata Pereira Lima , Ferrari Sônia Campaner Miguel
Published: March 2016

Num mundo onde tudo se tornou imagem, parece da maior importância investigar filosoficamente as conexões entre imagens e educação. As imagens-marketing, compondo desejos capturados por um capitalismo que já traz prontos os mundos e seus sentidos, assumiram o status de arte e impregnam tudo - os sentidos, os raciocínios, a imaginação… elas educam. Ora, se é mesmo assim, interessa investigar as relações possíveis entre filosofia e imagem e educação. É o que propõe este dossiê.
Concept of Conflict within New Economy Environment and Its Impact on the Market Mechanism
Authors: Hacioglu Umit , Dincer Hasan
Published: March 2016

The success of economic transition for countries mainly requires economic and politic stability. However the conflict paradigm affects the nature of economic transition. In this process, innovations have changed product technologies which have been required by economic growth. Presently, automation in standardized production industry is used as if it will take over the wage labor. Crises brought uniformities into agenda. Computer integrated manufacturing appeared in the midst of 1990s. However, production still tended to move to other countries with cheaper labor. The study focuses on interaction between the conflict and market mechanism in the light of the knowledge-based economic development.
Factors affecting adoption of mobile banking in Pakistan
Authors: Kazi Abdul Kabeer , Mannan Mohammad Adeel
Published: March 2016

In this research paper we investigated the determinants likely to influence the adoption of mobile banking services, with a special focus on under banked/unbanked low-income population of Pakistan. The adoption of mobile banking services has been a strategic goal, both for banks and telcos. For this purpose, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was used, with additional determinants of perceived risk and social influence. Data was collected by surveying 372 respondents from the two largest cities (Karachi and Hyderabad) of the province Sindh, in Pakistan using judgement sampling method. This study empirically concluded that consumers’ intention to adopt mobile banking services was significantly influenced by social influence, perceived risk, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use. The most significant positive impact was of social influence on consumers’ intention to adopt mobile banking services. The paper concluded with discussion on results, and several business implications for the banking industry of Pakistan.
Financial Statement Analysis in Municipalities and an Application
Authors: Kablan Ali
Published: March 2016

In order to meet increased demand for services, municipalities are compelled to use their resources in a most efficient manner. The regular collection of revenues in municipalities, while making expenditures in  most efficient ways depend on the healthy functioning of the budget and accounting and the financial control system correspondingly. In is necessary for municipalities to continuously control the balance of incomes and expenses, determining and eliminating the negativities in this balance. For this purpose, financial analyses and management ratios are needed. With the financial analyses made, a financial control system may be established in a municipality and used for management purposes. Municipalities which continuously produce information by means of financial control, will be able to take corrective measures in line with these information, take expenditure decreasing measures by determining which items cause the increases and decreases in incomes and expenditures and undertake income increasing procedures. For this purpose, financial analysis varieties were mentioned in the study and a practice made by the Beylikdüzü Municipality  for the analysis of financial statements, obtained as a result of the accrual based accounting system, in public institutions included herein.
A Strategic Approach to Reputation Management and its Reflections on Sustainable Competitiveness.
Authors: Altinok Pinar
Published: March 2016

Due to the issues brought about by the current Information Age, such as rapid development of technology, easy and fast access to information, increases in international relations and global market perception, companies were compelled to seek for sustainable competitive advantage, and in this sense, the concept of "corporate reputation", which is powered by unique and original values of a corporation and which cannot be "imitated", has started to draw attention. In our day when markets are gradually reaching the point of saturation and consumers are getting the chance to evaluate more and more options, the efforts to create a convincing difference in minds have become prominent, and subsequently, reputation management has become an important field which a company needs to effectively manage. Corporate reputation management and the communication types the company will adopt in this sense have gained importance in all areas related to strategic management elements, from market positioning of products to shaping of intellectual perception maps. Corporate reputation management, wherein integrated marketing communication and public relation activities extremely important roles, needs to be strategically managed. Management of the concept of corporate reputation, which is a product of tangible and intangible corporate components, have transformed into a strategic requirement and become an field of its own as "corporate reputation management" within modern business administration.  The fact that corporate reputation management, which has a relation with almost all activity fields of a company, is in contact with elements such as corporate social responsibility, management based on ethical principles, performance assessment studies in human resources management and the of phenomenon of governance, the recent agenda, which all affect the field of sustainable competition, indicates that this concept should be evaluated in terms of business management strategy.
A Mediator Role of Perceived Organizational Support in Workplace Deviance Behaviors, Organizational Citizenship and Job Satisfaction Relations
Authors: Zorlu Kusad , Bastemur Canan
Published: March 2016

The aim of the research is to estimate the effect of workplace deviance behavior on organizational citizenship and job satisfaction and to put forward the mediator role of the organizational support perception in possible relations. The information based on hypothetical and literature are provided in the research principally and then the research part including the questionnaire applied to the employees of Kirsehir Municipality is presented. The validity and reliability tests have been performed successfully and the artificial neural network method has been used as the analysis method. In parallel with the averages and correlation values of the variables in the analysis the Artificial Neural Networks have been modelled by determining the inputs and outputs. In accordance with the findings obtained the workplace deviance behavior has a negative impact on the organizational citizenship and job satisfaction and the organizational support perception can take the mediator role as a relative for eliminating the abovementioned effect. When the artificial neural networks’ being used as the analysis method and the difficulties in measuring the workplace deviance behavior are taken into consideration it can be stated that the findings obtained have at a certain level of originality in terms of management discipline.
The Effect of Positive Psychological Capital on Emotional Labor
Authors: Tamer Idil
Published: March 2016

In modern age, positive psychological capital is as important as financial capital for organizational development and sustainability. Efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience are the dimensions of positive psychological capital. Emotional labor is defined by Hochschild as control of self emotions at work by workers who have a high degree of contact with coworkers within the organization or with external clients, so as to create an expression, voice or body gesture which is acceptible to the clients. Emotional labor is analysized under three components: surface acting, deep acting and naturally felt emotions. This study is aimed to investigate the impact of positive psychological capital on emotional labor. So a research is conducted with the aim of exploring the relationship between the sub-dimensions of psychological capital and emotional labour.
Causal Relationship between Construction Production and GDP in Turkey
Authors: Bolkol Hakkı Kutay
Published: March 2016

This study empirically investigates the causal relationship between construction production and GDP for Turkey during 2005Q1-2013Q4 period. Because it is found that, there is no cointegration which means there is no long run relationship between variables, VAR Granger Causality Method is used to test the causality in short run. The findings reveal that, the causality runs from GDP to Building Production and Building Production to Non-Building Production (i.e. bidirectional relationship). Findings of this paper suggest that, because there is no long run relationship between Construction Production (Building and Non-Building) and GDP and also in short run the causality runs from GDP to Construction Production, the growth strategy based on mainly Construction Sector growth is not a good idea for Turkey.
Gossip Management at Universities using Big Data Warehouse Model Integrated with a Decision Support System
Authors: Vardarlier Pelin , Silahtaroglu Gokhan
Published: March 2016

Big Data has recently been used for many purposes like medicine, marketing and sports. It has helped improve management decisions. However, for almost each case a unique data warehouse should be built to benefit from the merits of data mining and Big Data. Hence, each time we start from scratch to form and build a Big Data Warehouse. In this study, we propose a Big Data Warehouse and a model for universities to be used for information management, to be more specific gossip management. The overall model is a decision support system that may help university administraitons when they are making decisions and also provide them with information or gossips being circulated among students and staff. In the model, unsupervised machine learning algorithms have been employed. A prototype of the proposed system has also been presented in the study. User generated data has been collected from students in order to learn gossips and students’ problems related to school, classes, staff and instructors. The findings and results of the pilot study suggest that social media messages among students may give important clues for the happenings at school and this information may be used for management purposes.The model may be developed and implemented by not only universities but also some other organisations.
Qualitative Research in Communication. Introductory Remarks
Authors: Yeomans Liz , Daba-Buzoianu Corina , Ivan Loredana
Published: March 2016

The 20th century’s epistemological turn in social sciences (Denzin & Lincoln, 1994; Punch, 2013) acknowledged the importance of qualitative research methods. The need for this turn was also pointed out by Habermas (1979), who noticed that the way data was collected in social sciences affected the analysis and data interpretation. Research gained a comprehensive character and proposed a phenomenological approach of reality (Guba & Lincoln, 1994; Willig, 2008; Lindlof & Taylor, 2011). Nowadays, we notice a “more confident community of scholars” whose earlier endeavors had “opened up the study of cultures, meanings, symbolic performances, and social practices” (Lindlof & Taylor, 2002, p. xi).
Rib Stress Fracture in a Collegiate Softball Pitcher
Authors: Pfefferle Kiel J. , Boyd Jason A. , Acus Raymond W.
Published: March 2016

Case:

We present the case of a twenty-one-year-old right-hand-throwing, right-hand-batting female softball pitcher who presented with a three-month history of right rib pain. A bone scan showed increased uptake in the lateral aspect of the right seventh rib, consistent with a stress fracture. The patient was managed nonoperatively and made a full recovery.

Conclusion:

The forces created by the attachment of the serratus anterior during underhand throwing are the likely etiology of the injury in our patient. Physicians should maintain a high clinical index of suspicion for stress fracture in underhand athletes with lateral rib pain.
Intraoperative Catastrophic Failure of a Mizuho OSI Orthopedic Trauma Table Top
Authors: Andrews Colin R. , Stapinski Brian , Fox Edward
Published: March 2016

Case:

During orthopaedic open reduction and internal fixation, early fatigue failure of a Mizuho OSI Orthopedic Trauma Table Top occurred. The patient fell toward the ground but was uninjured. A material failure characterized by a crack in the spar tube leading to complete table component separation was identified. To our knowledge, this report is the first of its kind to specifically highlight surgical table device failure intraoperatively.

Conclusion:

Although rare, early fatigue failure of operating tables is possible, leading to hazardous intraoperative situations and the potential for serious patient injury or death. Operating tables and equipment should be inspected rigorously and with proper documentation to prevent such events.
Development in Subsea Controls
Authors: Young H. L.
Published: March 2016

Autonomous control of subsea installations is an ideal which has received a lot of attention but which so far remains an elusive goal, while the ubiquitous umbilical stoically continues to be the lifeline to subsea control.

This paper is set out in debate format and traces the advances in subsea control, using the multiplex system as the base case, so that the state of the art may be accurately represented.

Set against this, the paper will appraise recently proposed innovations in subsea power sources and telemetry which could eliminate the umbilical, seen by some as a costly and vulnerable encumbrance.
Subsea Separation: An Economic Production Method for Sub Marginal Fields
Authors: Songhurst B. W. , Edwards W. G.
Published: March 2016

BOET have recently developed an economic method for the production of sub-marginal oil fields based on separating oil, gas and water subsea. Produced oil and water can either be exported via a tanker or alternatively pumped as a single phase pump to a production platform.

This paper presents the concept, summarises the economics and details the experience gained todate from the design, fabrication, installation and commissioning of pilot unit installed on Hamilton's Argyll field in the North Sea.
Recent Safety Work on the Ekofisk Field
Authors: Saxvik Bjørn
Published: March 2016

The Piper Alpha disaster in July 1988 was a painful reminder to all personnel involved in the offshore industry, and emphasized the importance of giving safety the first priority. This paper will concentrate on work initiated within Phillips Petroleum Company Norway (PPCoN) because of the Piper Alpha accident.

PPCoN is the operator of more than 20 platforms in the Greater Ekofisk Area on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Many of these platforms were designed 15 years ago, and have been less modified to meet revised operational requirements. We are therefore operating platforms which are in a similar period of life as Piper Alpha, even though there are differences. PPCoN is therefore very interested in learning as much as possible from the accident.
Environmental Protection Offshore the Netherlands
Authors: Scholten P. A. , Van Der Ham P. J. M. , Hdijnen W. G. J.
Published: March 2016

The principal environmental impact of the exploitation of oil and gas on the Netherlands Continental Shelf (NCS) is associated with the discharge of cuttings containing residues of oil containing drilling mud and of oil containing production water. In 1986, these discharges amounted to a total of about 4,700 tons of oil being discharged into the sea, that is about one quarter of the oil discharged by all the platforms in the North Sea. The results of monitoring round locations on the NCS where drilling operations took place before 1987 lead to conclusions which correspond with British investigations in the southern part of the North Sea.

Elevated oil concentrations in the sediments are found at distances of up to 750–1000 metres from the drilling locations. Within a distance of 50–250 metres, concentrations occur of 100 to 10,000 times the background level. In these areas, distinct effects on the seabed fauna are also noticeable: a substantial reduction if not a total disappearance of the sea-bed fauna can be observed.

The oil pollution is not distributed homogeneously: as a result of water currents and of spread caused by sea bottom fishing, a patchy pattern has been created.
Specifics of Horizontal Drilling in the Zuidwal Gas Field
Authors: Legris B. , Nazzal G.
Published: March 2016

In the gas field of Zuidwal, situated in one of the most environmentally sensitive areas of the Netherlands, a total of nine wells were drilled, three of which were horizontal. Due to the nature of the location, and its gas-bearing formation with layers of different reservoir characteristics, the operator adopted special programs and procedures, which provide the focus of this paper.
A Subsea Reeled Tubing Service Unit
Authors: Cobb C. C. , Headworth C. S.
Published: March 2016

Recent trends in offshore field development have been toward subsea completions, especially in the North Sea. It is estimated that the number of subsea wells in the North Sea will double by 1994. Since subsea wells are often completed in the same formations as conventional offshore wells and completion designs are the same, downhole service requirements for subsea wells are generally the same. Semi-submersible rigs using tensioned risers have offered the only practical means of performing vertical intervention services such as wireline and reeled (coil) tubing.

A subsea reeled tubing system (SRTS) has been designed and manufactured that offers a more economical means of performing a range of reeled tubing services on subsea wells. The SRTS is operated from a diver support vessel (DSV) or other relatively small vessels in lieu of a rig which effects a considerable savings in cost and time. A tensioned riser is not required with the SRTS.

This paper describes the SRTS in detail and discusses the reeled tubing services offered by the unit. Safety features and operational procedures are also discussed.
Subsurface Safety Valve Developements for Gaswells
Authors: Heijnen W. H. P. M. , Kolthof W. J. , ter Horst B. H.
Published: March 2016

The various types of subsurface Safety valve systems are described together with NAM's resoning for selecting present and future safety valve systems. A design review technique was applied to assist in identifying the possible weak points and also providing a basis for selection of the most optimal safety valve system taking Petroleum engineering, operational and mechanical engineering into consideration. The design review on the hydraulicaly operated flapper wireline retrievable flapper valve did not reveal any major weak points apart from the limited test pressure on the landing nipple. The design review process is explained and suggestion for a future developments with respect to type testing, freezing of designs and possible subsequent certification is adressed.
Design and Application of a Computer-Aided Data Collection System for Displacement Studies
Authors: Kohler T. E. , Ertekin T. , Kohler J. L.
Published: March 2016

Collection of data during an experiment is sometimes tedious and can even be close to impossible. When performing a displacement study, several variables are often monitored with time. Some of these monitored variables might include injection pressure, core pressure or temperature, or water-oil ratio. These data points may need to be collected at specific times, at high rates, or at odd intervals. To simplify the data collection process, an economical data acquisition system was designed. The proposed system monitors any or all of the above variables as per the experimenter's specifications of time and frequency.

The data acquisition system described in this paper was designed to operate on any IBM-PC* or close compatible computer environment. The programs comprising the data collection part of the system are general enough such that only the transducer type and constants need to be known. Therefore, any pressure transducer or any thermistor can be used. This approach allows the system to be used for more than just displacement studies. Once an experiment is started, the experimenter has access to all data collected as either graphs or lists. This availability facilitates the detection of trends and/or problems.

The proposed data acquisition system has been tested and used successfully in various experimental environments. Discussion and data are provided for three specific experiments to highlight the unique aspects of the system designed. First, the effect of steep temperature gradients on two-phase relative permeability characteristics was investigated using this system. Both pressure and temperature variations along the core were measured and recorded as functions of time.

Next, the system was used to measure the rate of propa-gation of a pressure pulse through a slim tube. This pressure pulse rate was then used to calculate the permeability in a tight sand column. Finally, the rate of mud filtrate invasion has also been monitored with this same system. All of these examples demonstrate the capabilities and versatility of the proposed data acquisition system.
Bass Strait: Production Decline Mitigation
Authors: Stewart D. J. , Goodacre J. , Cruickshank C.
Published: March 2016

Since 1985 Bass Strait oil production has declined by over 100 kSTB/D (16 ML/d) to an average of 364 kSTB/D (58 ML/d) in 1988. To mitigate this decline Esso Australia has undertaken a coordinated program aimed at realising the full production potential of existing reserves and facilities. This program centres on three fronts; major projects such as gas lift and waterhandling, a workover program and the removal of facility constraints. Over the next 4 years this rate enhancement activity is currently forecast to offset declining production rates by an average of 60 kSTB/D (10 ML/d).

Currently over 60% of available oil wells are capable of being gas lifted, including two wells with average angles in excess of 70°, and it is planned to increase this number to over 75% in the near term. The strong water drive characteristics of Bass Strait reservoirs has resulted in increased formation water production. Waterhandling facilities have been installed to maximise production levels. Current waterhandling capacity is around 300 kSTB/D (48 ML/d) with half being achieved through use of hydrocyclones which provide improved portability and operating flexibility compared with conventional waterhandling equipment.

Since mid 1987 an average of over 4 workovers per month have been completed in an intensive program to achieve the full potential from all wells. This has been achieved through the use of alternative options to the conventional tubing pull workovers of the past. Extensive use has been made of coil tubing units (CTU), concentric rigs and a jack-up rig instead of conventional platform rigs, thus reducing costs and returning wells to production faster.

Platform facilities have been optimised through close liaison between operations and engineering personnel to locate and remove production constraints where possible. Integration of facilities for new developments has allowed production from existing reservoirs to be increased.
Investigation of the Shape Factor Used in the Dual-Porosity Reservoir Simulator
Authors: Ueda Y. , Murata S. , Watanabe Y. , Funatsu K.
Published: March 2016

Simulation of naturally fractured reservoirs has been one of the topical research subjects and several methods have been proposed as results of these research efforts. Since a fine grid model of an actual reservoir would be impossible to run even with today's advanced computers, all these methods employ dual porosity or dual porosity-dual permeability representations of fractured reservoirs. They differ in the treatment of fracture/matrix fluid transfer. None of them, needless to say, is omnipotent and new approaches continue to appear in the literature.

The new gravity model that the authors and co-workers have developed is one of such approaches. The vertical equilibrium is assumed to define the transition zone in the matrix block in order to better express the transient saturation profile, which is the manifestation of the combined effects of viscous, capillary, and gravity forces. The fracture/matrix fluid exchanges in the lateral and vertical directions are calculated separately using, with some modifications, the Kazemi type shape factor, σ.

This paper reports the results calculated by this new gravity model for the two imbibition cases of advancing water levels in fractures. These calculation results are compared with those obtained from the experiments or fine grid simulations. Physical meanings of the shape factor, σ, are discussed on the basis of this comparison.
Developing Complete Resistance to Stress Corrosion Cracking in Nonmagnetic Drilling Tools
Authors: Kopecki D. S.
Published: March 2016

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in nonmagnetic drill string components made of austenitic stainless steel alloys has been a long-standing industry-wide problem. Three currently available technologies, each capable of producing a zero frequency of SCC, are presented in this paper.

The application of compressive residual stress to surfaces exposed to drilling mud is evaluated as the principle technology for developing SCC resistance at present. In addition, two classes of SCC-resistant alloys are examined: The first, a small group of stainless steel alloys with significant nickel, is shown to have functional as well as economic disadvantages despite providing adequate resistance to SCC. A second class of alloys, only now emerging from the laboratory, probably exhibits electrochemical characteristics which fundamentally prevent stress corrosion cracking.

The examination of various aspects of the application of these three technologies will show that complete, practical solutions to SCC of nonmagnetic tools are imminent. Also included are some details on the application of compressive residual stress to used tools with sensitized microstructure.
A New Method for Predicting Fracture Propagation Pressure From MWD or Wireline Log Data
Authors: Holbrook P. W.
Published: March 2016

A new approach has been developed for predicting fracture initiation and propagation pressure from MWD or wireline log data. The technique combines well established principles of rock mechanics and petrophysics to calibrate earth stresses and pressure to rock properties. Real-time pressure predictions are based upon MWD data derived while drilling the well rather than depth from a regional average or planning well.

Fracture propagation pressure (Fp) is the sum of pore pressure (P) and the effective horizontal stress (σh) during fracturing (Fp = p + σh). Pore pressure is first determined as the difference between overburden(S) and effective vertical stresses (σy) from the relationship (P=S-σY). This rock mechanics approach is fundamentally different from the "normal" (Pn) and "excess" (Pe) additive fluid pressure approaches (P=Pn+Pe) for predicting pore pressure (P). The overburden calculation accounts for the water column, average rock densities above the measured interval, and calculated rock densities within the measured interval Effective vertical stress (σV) is calculated for all lithologies in the sand-shale continuum using empirically derived Power Law expressions of lithology (v-shale) and porosity (Φ).

The new fracture pressure prediction approach is an extension of the effective stress concept using Drucker Prager failure criteria. Leakoff test data has been used to define effective stress-rock properties limits for fracture initiation and propagation pressures. The new approach is shown to be about four times more accurate than traditional approaches that determine effective horizontal stress as a function of depth.

The calibration data and three log examples are shown to demonstrate the accuracy of the technique. The use of Fracture Pressure logs before or during drilling could have prevented lost circulation in two cases and the setting of unnecessary casino in the third.
Salinity and Saturation Effects on Shaly Sandstone Conductivity
Authors: Argaud M. , Giouse H. , Straley C. , Tomanic J. , Winkler K.
Published: March 2016

Although a considerable amount of effort has been expended on the subject, the interpretation of shaly sandstone resistivities often proves problematic. Since the amount of high quality experimental data is somewhat limited, a joint research project was conducted to acquire more laboratory data and to evaluate the data in terms of new and existing theoretical models.

This project consisted of two sets of experiments:

conductivity measurements on fully brine saturated rock samples investigating the effect of changes in salinity and/or type of cations; resistivity index measurements at decreasing water saturation and various salinities achieved by capillary drainage.

The second set of experiments will be presented in this paper. Supporting data consist of mercury porosimetry, SEM analysis, and Qv as measured by chemical titration, membrane potential and Co vs Cw intercepts.

Our data on resistivity index show that commonly used shaly-sand models such as Waxman-Smits or Dual-Water have difficulty predicting saturation when clay conductivity is dominant. This can occur when clay content is high or when brine conductivity is low. Models that incorporate additional geometrical information about the conducting paths, such as the Schwartz-Sen model or the DC model of Giouse and Argaud, do a better job of predicting the experimental results.
The Effects of Depositional Environment on Petrophysical Properties of Mesaverde Reservoirs, Northwestern Colorado
Authors: Lorenz J. C. , Sattler A. R. , Stein C. L.
Published: March 2016

Petrophysical (rock and reservoir) properties of Mesaverde strata in northwestern Colorado change significantly with variations in both lithology and depositional environment. The Mesaverde Group at the U.S. Department of Energy's Multiwell Experiment site contains strata that were deposited in shallow marine, lower and upper delta plain, and fluvial environments. The detrital compositions of the original sands in these environments were similar, but differing depositional and diagenetic modifications produced zones of differing sandstone mineralogy and texture. Different mineralogies in turn cause significant differences in reservoir porosities and permeabilities, and in rock properties such as Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, fracture toughness, capillary pressure, and compressive and tensile strength.
Correcting the Induction Log for Dip Effect
Authors: Barber T. D. , Howard A. Q.
Published: March 2016

Determining the true formation resistivity Rt from induction logs in the presence of either dip or well deviation is complicated by the distortions in the log introduced as the apparent dip angle increases. This effect is well documented. The effect on traditional ID logs is to make shoulder effect somewhat worse, causing resistive beds to read even lower. The effect of dip on Phasor* induction logs is more readily apparent, since the shoulder effect has been removed. As the dip angle increases, the Phasor ID logs read more nearly like the traditional ID log.

A correction algorithm has been developed which produces the correct curve shape and resistivity reading in resistive beds, but which does not attempt to reduce the apparent thickening of resistive beds. The charge-buildup effects which lead to this apparent thickening are quite nonlinear, depending strongly on the conductivity contrast across the boundary. The increase in shoulder effect with dip angle, however, is approximately linear in both contrast and conductivity magnitude. This near-linearity allows a correction algorithm to be developed using the inverse-filter method.

The algorithm as currently developed gives greatly improved resistivity accuracy in resistive beds at angles up to 70°. Tests on a large number of computed logs confirm the apparent linearity of the main part of the dip effect.
Optimizing Design and Performance of an MWD Resistivity Sensor
Authors: Turvill J. A. , Evans H. B. , Hebel J. B.
Published: March 2016

Design specifications of any MWD resistivity sensor are constrained by the sensor being part of the drill string and by the resistivity environment in which the system must operate. Several alternative designs were modeled using Boundary Element Method software, running on a PC. Sensitivity of the device measurement parameters to variations in the system configuration was obtained by modeling and physical testing.

The design of the sensor, based on model results, incorporates several unique features including a software control system that may offer significant operational benefits.

The resulting guarded current resistivity device (GCR) has a diameter of investigation in the formation slightly less than a LLS under the same conditions of formation to mud resistivity ratios, Rf/Rm, ranging from 0.1 to 1000. For values of Rf/Rm between 0.7 and about 11,000, the borehole correction factor for the 6.75" tool is within 10 percent in boreholes of 8.5" to 9.875" (0.22 to 0.25 m) diameter. Calculation and field tests indicate that formation resistivity can be resolved in beds as thin as three inches (0.08m).

Test well data were used to validate the model results and to confirm the operating parameters of the sensor. Actual sensor performance was evaluated downhole using a special test configuration which provided a continuous bi-directional link to the surface permitting pipe movement, circulation and drilling.

Formations having a wide range of resistivities and lithologies were logged with the MWD system. Relogging with muds of different resistivity, yielded comparisons with the modeled sensor response over a variety of borehole, formation and operating conditions. Wireline logs and other data from the same well intervals were the basis for a more detailed evaluation of the resistivity sensor response.
A New Approach to Modeling Miscible Displacement Tests
Authors: Wu R. S. , Batycky J. P. , Harker B. C.
Published: March 2016

To develop a design basis for water-alternate-gas miscible flooding with hydrocarbon solvents in two of Esso Resources Canada Limited's carbonate reservoirs, a series of waterflood and tertiary solvent miscible flood core tests were conducted using restored-state composite cores. Because of the major differences in fluid compositions and properties, the tests provided insights into the physics as well as quantified the impacts of water/solvent ratio (WSR), displacement rates and water blockage on ultimate recovery, oil recovery rates and asphaltene precipitation.

In both reservoirs, it was observed that water blocking was not significant even at water/solvent ratios as high as 5. Ultimate residual oil saturations that resulted in the tertiary miscible floods were dependent on the amount of asphaltene precipitation. In addition, when it occurred, permeability reduction due to asphaltene precipitation showed the largest effects under pure solvent injection conditions.

Simulations of each waterflood and the subsequent tertiary floods using the Tqdd-Longstaff mixing parameter model were conducted, and led to a methodology that enabled both oil recovery and pressure drop data to be matched. It was possible to apply the waterflood relative permeabilities to match the tertiary flood performances. For one of the reservoir fluids that was characterized by the larger amount of asphaltene precipitation, a new asphaltene precipitation model was developed that provided additional quantification of the permeability reduction process.
Capillary-Gravity Equilibria for Hydrocarbon Fluids in Porous Media
Authors: Lee S-T.
Published: March 2016

A theory and a general formulation have been developed to describe the influences of gravitational and capillary forces on reservoir fluid PVT properties and phase behavior. The theory assumes thermodynamic equilibrium for the fluid system and makes use of the Leverett J-function concept to approximate the in-situ pore curvature as a function of wetting saturation at a given height in the reservoir. The general formulation then permits interpretation and prediction of fluid phase and compositional variations in the capillary transition zone and beyond.

The effects of capillarity (interfacial curvature) and gravity on reservoir fluid PVT and VLE were investigated, for a gas-condensate system and assuming different curvature functions. It is shown that the interfacial curvature has no practical effect on fluid PVT and VLE for typical sand packings used in the laboratory. However, for in-situ reservoir conditions, it is possible to have quite high interfacial curvature with pore radius in the order of about 1 micron. Under such condition, the capillarity effect was found to become appreciable. A lower reservoir temperature would also make the capillarity effect more pronounced.

A second example was presented to show the variations of composition and saturation of the gas-condensate system above the gas-oil contact. It is shown that the capillary behavior of the reservoir rock controls the oil saturation variation above the gas-oil contact.
Foam Application in an Oil Sands Steamflood Process
Authors: Kular G. S. , Lowe K. , Coombe D.
Published: March 2016

This paper outlines a foam field test presently being conducted in the McMurray formation of the Athabasca Oil Sands in Alberta. The test objective is to determine the viability of using foam as a mobility control and diverting agent for steam; which has a tendency to override the pay zone.

Prior to initiating the test various surfactants were tested in the laboratory by injecting with steam into a sand pack. The steam-surfactant mixture that resulted in the greatest pressure increase (ie. the greatest reduction in the gas mobility) was selected for the field test. Laboratory results also indicated that the simultaneous injection of surfactant, steam and a non-condensible gas provided a higher pressure increase compared to batching the surfactant ahead of the steam and gas.

The early results from the field qualitatively substantiate the laboratory pressure results.

Numerical modelling using Computer Modelling Group's "Steam and Additive Reservoir Simulator" (STARS) was used as a pre-test directional tool, as well to analyze and predict long term steam-foam application performance. Reservoir geology which has been of major consequence in the subject reservoir recovery process was accounted for in the numerical model.
Laboratory Validation of Critical Flow Choke Rate Equations for Wet Steam at Field Operating Conditions
Authors: Rubel M. T.
Published: March 2016

In recent years, the effort put forth toward the advancement of steamflood technology for improved heavy oil - recovery has seen considerable growth. A significant portion of the costs associated with a steamflood operation may be attributed to the generation of the steam required for injection. It is extremely important, therefore, that a high degree of accuracy is maintained in the measurement and control of the resulting steam-water mixture at each individual well. In fields where the required injection pressures are relatively low, the most common method of controlling the flow rate utilizes critical flow static chokes.

New data are presented for the flow of steam-water through critical flow static chokes at conditions representative of a typical steam flood operation. The experimental data are a result of testing in Texaco’s new Steam Flow Research Facility. The experimental data covers a wide range of inlet qualities (20 to 100%) and inlet pressures (400 to 800 psig) for static choke bean diameters of 24/64 and 28/64 inch.

The Thornhill-Craver empirical correlation predicts all of the experimentally measured values of critical mass flow rate within ± 10%. For inlet qualities ≥ 40%, all data is predicted within ±5%; below 40%, the equation over-predicts the critical flow data. The Napier equation modified for wet steam by King and Crocker over-predicts the critical mass flow rate at the present range of operating conditions.
Versatile Implicit Four-Point Method for Transient Two-Phase Pipeline Flow
Authors: Mfonfu G. B. S. , Grader A. S.
Published: March 2016

A versatile implicit four-point centered method for two-phase flow is presented. The formulation is based on the conservation laws of continuity and momentum. The system of quasi-linear first partial differential equations are show to be hyperbolic and are solved numerically.

The equations of state for the pipe wall, oil and gas are included in order to accurately predict temporal and spatial variation in sound speed. The modified Peng-Robinson equation of state provides accurate means of predicting volumetric properties of the liquid phase and variable wave related velocity.

Numerical examples are presented for many transient flow problems. Flow sequence in a buildup test with a variable upstream reservoir pressure is considered. The effect of change in diameter (casing/tubing junction) is considered. Transients generated by choking—instantaneous valve shut-in vs. a slow shut-in are investigated. Other boundary conditions are constant pressure downstream and flow from a constant pressure reservoir. How above the bubble-point, as a special case shows excellent agreement with analytical solution.
Exergoeconomic analysis of a fluidized bed coal combustion steam power plant
Authors: Tumen Ozdil , Tantekin Atakan
Published: March 2016

In this study, extensive exergoeconomic analysis is performed for a 6.5 MW steam power plant using the data obtained from running system. The role and impact of the each system component on the first and second law efficiencies are analyzed to understand the individual performance of sub-components. Moreover, the quantitative exergy cost balance for each component is considered to point out the exergoeconomic performance. The analysis shows that the largest irreversibility occurs in the fluidized bed coal combustion (FBCC), about 93% of the overall system irreversibility. Furthermore, it is followed by heat recovery steam generator and economizer with 3% and 1%, respectively. In this study, the capital investment cost, operating and maintenance costs and total cost of FBCC steam plant are calculated as 6.30, 5.35, and 11.65 US$ per hour, respectively. The unit exergy cost and fuel exergy cost, which enter the FBCC steam plant, are found as 3.33 US$/GJ and 112.44 US$/h, respectively. The unit exergy cost and exergy cost of the steam which is produced in heat recovery steam generator are calculated as 16.59 US$/GJ and 91.87 US$ per hour, respectively. This study emphasizes the importance of the exergoeconomic analysis based on the results obtained from the exergy analysis.
Long-term motor and sensory outcomes after surgery for infantile esotropia
Authors: Altınsoy Halil , Gokce Gokcen , Ceylan Osman , Mutlu Fatih
Published: March 2016

Background/Aim. Infantile esotropia (ET), entitled as congenital ET, is
defined as an alternating, cross-fixational ET that occurs within the first 6
months of life. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term motor
and sensory outcomes after surgical correction of patients with infantile ET.
Methods. Medical records of 108 consecutive children who had bimedial rectus
recession (BMR) initially for ET were reviewed retrospectively. The patients
were divided into 3 groups: the group I, surgery before one-year old; the
group II, surgery between one and two-year old; the group III, surgery after
two-year old. Results. No significant differences were determined among the
groups for preoperative mean angle of deviation and refractive error (p >
0.05, for both). Development rate of dissociated vertical deviation (DVD) was
greater (40%) in the group I, and the relationship between the rate of DVD
and the timing of the initial surgery was statistically significant (p =
0.03). Risk for additional surgery was significantly greater in patients with
a younger mean age at initial surgery (p = 0.01). Although measurable
stereopsis rate was higher in the group I (35%, 32.4%, 27.8%, respectively)
the difference among the groups was insignificant (p = 0.80). Conclusion.
Patients with ET have limited potential of high grade stereoacuity despite
the early alignment of eyes. Early surgery also has potential effects for the
development of both inferior oblique overaction and DVD earlier.
Multichannel learning for training medical staff in Serbian army forces
Authors: Simic Goran , Ristanovic Elizabeta , Jeftic Zoran , Presnall Biljana , Vuruna Mladen
Published: March 2016

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