bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Markup Languages and Electronic Commerce
Authors: Fisher Ingrid
Published: October 2011

In this chapter, we provide a brief description of the development of markup languages, describe their role in the context of web application development and deployment, and finally provide an example of an XML application for a simple Web page displaying a typical sales invoice. Our objective in this example is to illustrate the relationship between the relational and XML representation of data that is required for the use of XML in the development of web-based applications in electronic commerce.
Building a Competitive Advantage in the Knowledge Economy
Authors: Meadows C. J. , Marshall Chris , Jain Vishrut
Published: October 2011

eCommerce and the Information Age are characterized by a shift in critical resources towards knowledge and organizational skills and away from Industrial Age land and capital. The extended enterprise is also becoming the norm, and managers are increasingly having to not only identify the “core competence” of their firm, but also measure and manage it both inside and outside the formal boundaries of the firm. Unfortunately, they are faced with a void of useful management tools to help them do so. This chapter describes a tool that may become indispensable to Information Age management: the Knowledge Matrix. Basically, it is a device for mapping the knowledge resources of the organization, their strategic importance and who sends, receives and shares them. As such, it can be used to leverage organizational capabilities that already exist (which few organizations achieve) as well as build new capabilities. It is a structural tool for: • Defining and building the firm’s Core Competence; • Identifying new products, markets and strategic partners; • Planning information and communications infrastructures; • Managing inter- and intra-organizational relationships; and • Managing organizational change.
Looking into Virtual Organisations - Interaction and Coordination Issues
Authors: Dejgaard Soren
Published: October 2011

This chapter attempts to build up a framework of virtual organisation on the basis oF concepts taken from complexity theory. On THE basis of the dimensions of interaction and coordination, four ideal types of virtual organisation are identified, all illustrating a shift from bureaucratic structure towards network structure—a shift made possible by the introduction of new information and communications technologies. Furthermore, this shift may also be seen as a transformation from a transactional perspective represented by neoclassical economics based on external coordination towards a more integrative perspective, where networks become institutionalised and where coordination takes place internally within the virtual organisation.
An Examination of the Work Outcomes of Professionals in a Virtual Organization
Authors: McCloskey Donna Weaver
Published: October 2011

Although there has been plenty of speculation, little empirical research has addressed the impact of telecommuting on the work outcomes of professionals. This research proposes that telecommuting will have an impact on a number of work characteristics and experiences, including autonomy, work-family conflict, role ambiguity and role conflict, which will in turn impact three critical work outcomes: job satisfaction, career advancement prospects and turnover intentions. Data was collected from 89 professionals who telecommute and 71 professionals from similar job types who chose not to telecommute. Contrary to popular opinion, telecommuting was not found to have a significant impact on the studied variables. These findings are discussed and the chapter concludes with study limitations and directions for future research.
The Valuation of Knowledge in Public-Private Partnerships
Authors: Vasbinder J. W. , Groen Th. P.
Published: October 2011

This chapter is about a special form of virtual organization: the Public-Private Partnership (PPP), created for the purpose of generating new knowledge. PPPs typically consist of three types of partners: academia (universities and affiliated institutions), industry (individual companies) and government (departments or agencies). The PPP delivers knowledge to its participants. At the same time, the participants provide input to the PPP (e.g., knowledge, user demands or policy goals), each in their own way. PPPs show considerable variation in the number of participants, budgets, life span and the areas of research they cover. Furthermore, they can differ in scale (multinational, national or regional) or in the type of partner that takes the initiative or lead. In some cases, a separate, intermediate organization will initiate, facilitate and stimulate the cooperation. A major issue in any PPP is the value of the knowledge that is (or will be) generated. To be more precise, the real issue is the valuation of knowledge: What beliefs and assumptions do the partners have about this value? What models or calculations do they use to find out what the knowledge is really worth to them? What makes them decide to invest money and time? This chapter will provide insight into the valuation process and the typical differences between the three types of partners in this respect. The insight will help to explain why some PPPs fail or malfunction, and it offers a set of basic conditions that must be met to run a PPP successfully. Finally, and perhaps most important, it may help to identify and overcome the cultural barriers between the partners and the misunderstandings that result from them. This is useful for anyone who finds himself involved in a PPP, and especially for those who set up and manage it, or plan to do so.
A Framework for Stakeholder-Based Knowledge Valuation in Organizations
Authors: Wijnhoven Fons
Published: October 2011

Knowledge, an essential production factor in the post-industrial society, is not as rigorously measured as organizational tangibles. Several authors in the tradition of intellectual capital measurement and human resource accounting have tried to solve this by the development of one or more metrics. This chapter assumes that valuation is intrinsically subjective and that knowledge to a large extent is subjective. Consequently, it should be approached by subjective valuation methods. The chapter reviews existing knowledge valuation methods for their validity for a specific stakeholder group, and considers Nominal Group Techniques as a way to converge the resulting opinions. This convergence is important for shared decision-making. Following this approach, knowledge valuation is not accounting but much more the creation and facilitation of productive cooperative systems in the economy.
Cybercentrism
Authors: Gordon Lansing Alexander
Published: October 2011

With the advent of ecommerce and the growth of ‘open’ systems communications networks, managers in industry have been confronted by the assaults of technology, an evolving employee profile and changing sets of leadership and motivational challenges. Corporate management architectures, so firmly built for the age of globalization, are today’s ruins of the global village. The virtually extended enterprise can no longer be managed with the tools of a lost era. A new management model is evolving that supports existing and future knowledge platforms and re-engineers rather than retards knowledge creation and systems. This chapter examines a Cybercentristic management model based upon a series of dynamics taken from past research, including collaborative workplace technologies, knowledge leadership methodologies and knowledge sharer and knowledge sharing networks. These are contrasted against Geocentric values. The results of this discussion are keyed into a Cybercentric teleology, constructed to form the basis for future research into the knowledge management model heir-apparent for the cyber century.
Chief Knowledge Officers
Authors: Herschel Richard T. , Nemati Hamid
Published: October 2011

The Chief Knowledge Officer (CKO) is often portrayed as a catalyst for knowledge management programs. However, this organizational entity is new, often not well understood and frequently not without controversy. In this chapter, the CKO function, the rationale for its existence and the challenge people in this role face are examined. The theoretical underpinnings for such a position and the importance of the implicit-to-explicit knowledge conversion process to a CKO’s knowledge management program are explored, as is the potential for knowledge exchange protocols to facilitate this process. Finally, arguments for potentially not implementing a CKO function are discussed.
An Attributional Analysis of the Rejection of Information Technology
Authors: Henry John W. , Martinko Mark J.
Published: October 2011

The major relationships depicted by attributional models of the process by which individuals accept or reject new information technologies were tested with path analyses in a field setting. The results confirmed that attributions regarding ability were directly related to efficacy expectations, whereas attributions regarding task difficulty and effort were related to outcome expectations. The results further confirmed that both efficacy and outcome expectations were directly related to outcomes including both job performance and end-user satisfaction. In addition, the research showed how attributions affected outcome measures indirectly through expectations.
Systems Analysts' Attitudes Toward Information Systems Development
Authors: Jiang James J. , Klein Gary , Balloun Joseph L.
Published: October 2011

Certain researchers argue that systems analysts are too technical, a situation that may contribute to system failures. The results of this study, however, contradict this argument. By applying a framework of Dos Santos and Hawk (1988), analysts were found to have three primary orientations: technical, socio-political and user. No one orientation dominated. Using the framework applied in this study, managers can consider the analysts’ orientations in assigning development activities. Researchers can identify diverse orientations in future studies where attitudes may be significant predictors of system performance or development success.
Achieving Organizational IT Goals through Integrating the Balanced Scorecard and Software Measurement Frameworks
Authors: Eickelmann Nancy
Published: October 2011

Provided in this chapter is an integrated measurement system that links the organization’s strategic goals with the operational and tactical directives for information technology (IT) projects. The measurement system consists of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC); Software Engineering Institute, Capability Maturity Model (SEI/CMM); and the International Standard Organization (ISO/IEC-9126) for information technology measurement of software quality. The integration of these measurement frameworks provides the necessary multitier granularity of measures to successfully predict and assess organizational performance relative to IT investments.
Evaluating Stakeholders' Views of Delivered IS Effectiveness
Authors: Wilkin Carla , Carr Rodney , Hewett Bill
Published: October 2011

This chapter contributes to the understanding of evaluation of IS effectiveness. With quality as the focus for such evaluation, this study investigates the use of perceptions versus perceptions and expectations in a measure of effectiveness of delivered information systems. The results suggest there really is not any neat solution to the debate, but that when overt measurement of expectations was concurrent with the measurement of perceptions, a more revealing appraisal of delivered IS quality was provided than when perceptions alone were measured. Moreover, there is real merit in further studies to explore this issue. Given business investment in IT, the need for such work is reflected in the proliferation of research, particularly in relation to the use of the marketing instrument, SERVQUAL, in the field of IT.
A Public Sector Case Study on Evaluating and Managing the Benefits of IS/IT
Authors: Lin Chad , Pervan Graham
Published: October 2011

The issue of expected and actual benefits realized from IS/IT investments has generated a significant amount of debate in the IS/IT literature among researchers, academics, and practitioners. This is as true in Australia as it is in the rest of the developed world. Thus, a detailed program of research into the current Australian practice and processes of IS/IT investment evaluation and benefits realization was initiated. As part of this research program, an in-depth case study of these practices and processes in a large government agency, with a mix of insourced and outsourced IS/IT activities, was conducted. A number of issues emerged from the analysis of the text data. Key issues are presented below in some detail.
Workflow Technology Supporting Information Filtering from the Internet
Authors: Abramowicz Witold , Szymanski Jacek
Published: October 2011

Discussed in this chapter are the problems of obtaining relevant information and automation and simplification of those processes in the business perspective. It is argued that information filtering tasks in companies can be automated and simplified with the help of workflow technology. Furthermore, the authors hope that specifying potential combinations of the two technologies will lead to improving companies’ efficiency in using information in more competitive markets with an excess of information. The authors also hope that combining the two technologies can lead to improvement of business processes within companies.
Protecting Intellectual Property in IT Layoffs
Authors: Pendegraft Norman , Wegman Jerry
Published: October 2011

Until recently, layoffs were not common among IT workers. The recent “dot com meltdown” has changed this. Because IT workers are knowledge workers, these circumstances combine to create an unusual set of problems for IT managers. Discussed in this chapter is how protection of intellectual property may be affected by layoffs and suggestions are offered for how these problems may be addressed.
Graduate Programs in Project Management
Authors: Brandon Daniel
Published: October 2011

Presented in this chapter is research regarding graduate programs in the relatively new academic area of Project Management. A number of professional organizations have developed around the world to address and foster this specific discipline. Several universities also recognized the fact that Project Management involves distinct skills, and that the traditional degree programs and courses in business schools and other schools do not adequately cover and integrate these skills. The particulars of the research information concern degree and certificate offerings, program and course organization, delivery mechanisms, and the organizational location of the program within the university. The author’s university is interested in developing a graduate Project Management program, and research conclusions toward this interest are presented.
Computer Aided Method Engineering
Authors: Dahanayake Ajantha
Published: October 2011

The relationship between information systems development methods, organizational information systems engineering requirements, and the advantage of flexible automated support environments is presented. CASE technology is presented as a possible solution to provide flexible automated support. In this chapter the major topic is a conceptual model to specify the functionality of a support environment. First a review of a number of basic concepts and approaches for deriving models for CASE environments are given. An informal description of service component concepts used to derive a generic framework is presented. Further, a configuration of service components, to support Computer Aided Method Engineering (CAME), is outlined.
Architecture and Implementation Issues
Authors: Dahanayake Ajantha
Published: October 2011

Historically the focus is on the theory of how problem-specific systems design tools can be supported by a Computer Aided Method Engineering (CAME) environment based on service object representation. To arrive at an implementation model, the conceptual model of the service object representation must be formalized. This theory is feasible when there is adequate computer support. Many researchers have emphasized strongly that requirement specification languages should have a rigorous formal basis; however, this need for formality has not been generally acknowledged in the field of information systems development. Most organizations and research groups tend to define their own methods using techniques advocated within such methods that often have no formal foundation. Discussions of modeling techniques are based on numerous examples, mostly using diagrams and notational conventions, to provide a popular style for the definition of new concepts and their behavior. In a CAME environment however, which gives the freedom to specify a modeling technique from scratch, it is difficult to avoid deficiencies such as inconsistency, lack of structure, over specification, incompleteness, ambiguity, and redundancy without using a formal approach. In automated support a formal model is used to provide stable specifications for implementation. In fact, an implementation can be seen as another, enormously detailed formal description, usually in an imperative programming language. To implement this sophisticated automated support, formal specifications of the CAME service description with adequate formal reasoning were derived earlier. In this chapter the concentration is on using representation formalism to construct a problem-specific CAME environment. Such an automated support environment must be provided for the information systems design stage in particular for the required UpperCASE tools according to the methods chosen for the problem situations. The vision is that CAME environments must function as a service-based, object-oriented MetaCASE environment that offers the services required for modeling tools, and using a mechanism to interpret the required modeling knowledge and changing the visual representation to the required form using a graphic object binding mechanism. Further, this environment must offer a mechanism for the populations of models specified according to such UpperCASE tools.
Achieving Effective Software Reuse for Business Systems
Authors: Brandon Jr. Daniel
Published: October 2011

“Reuse (software) engineering is a process where a technology asset is designed and developed following architectural principles, and with the intent of being reused in the future” (Bean, 1999). “If programming has a Holy Grail, wide-spread code reuse is it with a bullet. While IT has made and continues to make laudable progress in our reuse, we never seem to make great strides in this area” (Grinzo, 1998). The quest for that Holy Grail has taken many developers over many years down unproductive paths” (Bowen, 1997). This chapter reports on software reuse research (both literature research and design/coding research) and presents an approach for effective software reuse in the development of business systems. This approach is based on Object Oriented technology and provides for both the specification and enforcement of software reuse and corporate standards.
The Future of Software Development
Authors: Church Karen , te Braake Geoff
Published: October 2011

Software development has changed dramatically in the last fifty years and will continue to change. Its future course is of particular interest to developers, in order to gain the correct skills, and to any person faced with a strategic information technology (IT) decision. It is commonly accepted that computers will play an ever-larger role in modern civilisation. There are many unknowns, but the IT decisions made today will affect the competitiveness and preparedness for tomorrow. Awareness of the central issues that will affect the future of software development is the best form of preparation. This chapter presents a view of the future of software development based on the history of software development and the results of two surveys.
A Recursive Approach to Software Development
Authors: Becker Shirley A. , Jorgensen Alan A.
Published: October 2011

Researchers and practitioners alike agree that the waterfall approach to software development results in poor quality software systems. Unfortunately, the waterfall approach is inherently used in almost all of today’s development efforts resulting in system failures. The problem lies in the forward, linear development effort that produces inconsistent and incorrect specifications, designs, and code artifacts. It is proposed in this paper that a recursive software development process be used as a means of managing the complexity of today’s software systems. The recursive approach has the flexibility needed to perform development activities in any order to ensure that system requirements are met.
Relational Data Modeling for Geographic Information Systems
Authors: West Jr. Lawrence A. , Mennecke Brian E.
Published: October 2011

This chapter addresses data modeling problems inherent in the use of geographic information systems (GIS) that are not adequately covered by traditional modeling techniques. GIS technology has only recently begun to be used for traditional system development by large numbers of organizations and there are few procedures for modeling GIS data and applications in a business context. This circumstance is partially a result of the fact that GIS developers have traditionally been knowledgeable end users or facilitators and they have generally been called on to build standalone systems, often for their own use. This paper discusses geographic systems and proposes relational modeling techniques that document organizational data integrity rules when systems that include spatial data are developed for more widespread use.
Development of In-Line PLETs for Tupi Pilot Project:Challenges and Lessons Learned
Authors: Mota Helena
Published: October 2011

NOTE: The TUPI field name has changed to LULA field; therefore hereafter we will refer to it by the current name LULA.

This paper will describe the challenges, experience and lessons learned on the development of the In-Line PLETs, for the Lula Pilot Project. The project used the first of its kind In-Line PLET and installation methodologies for Brazil's record ultra-deepwater field Lula. The Lula Pilot Gas Export Pipeline is an 18?? diameter×218 Km Pipeline connecting FPSO Cidade de Angra dos Reis to Mexilhão Platform (PMXL-1). The subsea equipment used on the project were the following: Deepwater PLEM, In-Line PLET, In-Line Wye, Shallow Water PLEM and Jumper Connectors.

There were many new challenges on the project. The first was to design an In-Line PLET and In-Line Wye that were small enough to fit inside the tensioner of an S-lay vessel and strong enough to withstand the installation loads of Lula's 2145 meters water depth. The In-Line PLET and In-Line Wye both have identical configurations that consist of Stress Joints, Pipe-in-Pipe Joints, Swivels, Wye, Ball Valve and Tie-in Hub. But the In-Line PLET's Wye straight brach leg was designed into a Dead Leg to be used as an anchor point to tie-in the additional 320 feet of pipe and laying head needed to set down the In-Line PLET. Addition items included Pipe-in-Pipe Joints, Stress Joints and Swivel. These were used to reduce the stress on the pipeline and equipment during installation.

Another challenge was coordinating the project with the customer and the installation contractor. In addition to the multiple customers, there were multiple manufacturing sites for the equipment, including Houston, Aberdeen, Milan, Paris, Victoria, and Rio.

Design Qualification Testing was completed on the 18?? Intergal Collet Connector and a 10?? Annular MCV Connector. The 18?? Collet Connector was used to tie-in the rigid jumper and the 10?? Annular MCV Connector was used for the Flexible Jumper tie-in. Finally, this paper will describe the successful deployment and installation of the In-Line PLETs, which helped to launch Brazil's record setting Pre-Salt Discovery Lula.

Introduction

A well know subsea layout for Pipeline termination is the use of PLETs connected by Rigid Jumpers to PLEMs. PLEMs can be placed anywhere along the pipeline to allow a future connection to the main Pipeline. An alternative to avoid PLEMs in the middle of the Pipeline and therefore reduce the installation time is the use of a system that can be welded to the Pipeline and deployed in line with the Pipeline, or, In-line systems.
Environmentally-Improved Method of Drilling Top-Hole Sections Offshore Brasil Using Dual-Gradient Drilling Techniques for the First Time in Brasil
Authors: Scanlon Terry
Published: October 2011

This paper describes the design and use of a subsea pumping system that allows improved construction of top-hole sections on offshore, jack up-drilled wells. This system has now been used for the first time offshore Brazil with positive results.

This subsea pumping system - the RMR® (Riserless Mud Recovery) system - has been used extensively in other areas of the world, primarily on floater-drilled wells (Stave et al., 2005; Smith et al., 2010; Cohen et al., 2010). This previous RMR experience coupled with detailed discussions with a Major Operator in Brasil resulted in this modified design for use on jack up-drilled wells, offshore Brasil.

The Major Operator has a number of wells to drill in shallow waters offshore Brasil and needs a system that provides for minimal discharge of cuttings and drilling fluids to the ocean environment during drilling and installation of the conductor string, and that also enables better management of well bore pressures when drilling the next hole section, inside the conductor string.

This new version of the RMR system has now been deployed offshore Brasil. The system collected drilling fluids from the top hole section and pumped them back to the rig successfully, thus reducing the amount of cuttings and drilling fluids released into the natural ocean environment. The system was then used, after installation of the conductor string, to provide dual gradient drilling of the next hole section (for surface casing), resulting in improved penetration rates and well bore stability below the conductor shoe.

The RMR system used is described in this paper as well as the operational experiences realized on the first two wells and the improvements being made to prepare the RMR system and techniques for additional wells.

Introduction

Use of the RMR subsea pumping system is now well-established, particularly for floater-drilled wells, in several parts of the world, namely; Norway, UK, Caspian and Australia. Although well parameters, rig configurations and water depths differ, the typical RMR system used across these operating regions is shown in Figure 1.
Along-String Pressure Evaluation Enabled by Broadband Networked Drillstring Provide Safety, Efficiency Gains
Authors: Veeningen Daan M.
Published: October 2011

The combination of high rig rates, complex reservoirs, and extended reach wellbores drilled in deeper water is placing greater burden on drillers as they attempt to meet the world's growing energy demands in a safe and sustainable manner. Answering the need for faster and more accurate decision-making while drilling, wired-pipe or networked drillstring telemetry has given drillers real-time access to high-definition downhole data such as wellbore images, formation pressure tests and high-frequency pressure and vibration measurements. What's more, the technology transmits this data and sends commands to downhole tools at high resolution and speeds that are more than three orders of magnitude higher than the dozens of bits per second afforded by mud-pulse telemetry methods.

This paper describes the components of the networked drillstring telemetry technology, its theory of operation and the safety and cost efficiency gains it can provide to a drilling operation. The broadband speed aids with mitigation of vibration in real time, to increase the rate of penetration and reduce the number of bit trips. The network nodes offer the unique opportunity to make additional pressure measurements distributed along the entire length of the drillstring. The system's additional dynamic insights also help to manage constant bottomhole pressure as well as drilling at or under balance. Finally, the paper provides examples showing how the system's along-string pressure evaluation capabilities help to identify and locate a pipe wash-out, detect a pack-off, detect the early kicks associated with a wellbore influx and verify that the reamer arms are opened.

Introduction

Today's oil and gas exploration efforts are characterized by high rig rates, complex reservoirs, and extended reach wellbores drilled in deeper water. These complex challenges are complicating driller's efforts to meet the world's growing energy demands in a safe and sustainable manner. To mitigate these challenges, tools to facilitate faster and more accurate decision-making while drilling are required.
The Mass Balance Technique of Managed Pressure Drilling, Reaching the Drilling Objectives Safely and Successfully Beyond the Conventional Limits of HPHT Deepwater Wells.
Authors: Arnone Maurizio Antonio , Hannegan Don M. , Pena Cesar , Piedade Sandro
Published: October 2011

Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) is an advanced form of primary well control usually employing a closed and pressurizable circulating drilling fluids (mud) system which facilitates drilling with precise management of the wellbore pressure profile. The primary objective of MPD is to optimize drilling processes by decreasing nonproductive time (NPT), mitigating drilling hazards and to enable the drilling of otherwise technically or economically un-drillable high-complexity prospects.

Because MPD addresses NPT, the technology is of greatest potential benefit to offshore drilling programs where cost of dealing with drilling trouble zones is much higher than onshore. Although MPD was been safely and efficiently practiced from all types of offshore rigs and producing the desired results in the process, it is still considered a relatively "new" technology to the majority of offshore drillers.

This impressive uptake in offshore MPD applications is due in part to a requirement to drill in greater water depths, through depleted zones or reservoirs and into narrow or relatively unknown equivalent mud weight (EMW) drilling windows.

As evidenced by the greatly increased cost of drilling today's prospects, pre-salt drilling in deep water and HT/HP wells being good examples, it is easy to understand why many are concluding that most of the "easy" prospects have already been drilled. Those remaining are more likely to be "hydraulically challenged," requiring more precisely controlled management of the wellbore pressure profile to be drilled safely and efficiently.

The following paper will explain interesting and important MPD topics related with the experience on:–Challenges associated with heaving from a micro-flux perspective, substantiated by high precision pressure sensors.–Kick/loss detection under heaving conditions detecting gains/losses within a micro-influx perspective.–Tactics to improve MPD operations in deepwater environments by the automation choke actuation systems and associated control algorithms.–Tactics for Safeguarding the Riser during MPD Operations.–Tactics for ascertaining the effectiveness of drilling with statically underbalanced mud to reduce/eliminate losses and maintain wellbore stability.
Mooring Chain Handling & Tensioning System for FPSO
Authors: Wudtke Donald J.
Published: October 2011

A mooring chain handling and tensioning system has been developed as an alternatative to the other on-vessel mooring equipment for the FPSO (Floating Production Storage Offloading) type vessels. The mooring chain handler is intended for use on any vessel that is anchored with a pre-laid spread mooring system. A comparable vertical windlass type mooring system and a chain jack type mooring system are also reviewed.

The mooring chain handler can accommodate any deck location, requires only one chain locker and can accommodate all turndown sheaves. A vertical windlass compromises the location of the single windlass to accommodate the additional chain lockers and locations of the turndown sheaves Chain jacks are limited by the intermittent pull and also require additional vertical shaft guide sheaves. The mooring chain handler does not require additional guide sheaves and has uninterrupted power-in power-out unlimited variable speed.

The mooring chain handling & tensioning system requires only two (2) chain handlers and four (4) moveable turndown sheaves to handle up to twenty (20) mooring lines per vessel. As a result, the initial investment, maintenance, and installation costs are substantially reduced and the operation, safety, and reliability significantly improved.

Introduction

The mooring chain handler, located on the centerline of the vessel, can rotate in a horizontal plane about the center of a single chain locker allowing it to line up with the individual turndown sheave locations. This makes it practical to safely handle multiple mooring chains with a single piece of equipment.

The integral messenger wire winch, located directly behind the chain, guides the chain to the front of the mooring chain handler reducing the need for handling equipment such as cranes, davits, winches, etc.

The platform chain and messenger line is connected and disconnected at the front of the mooring chain handler eliminating the need for a special windlass wildcat normally used to pass the wire rope messenger line, connector, and platform chain.

Mooring Chain Handler

The mooring chain handler (Fig. A1) is a horizontal shaft type wildcat mounted in a frame that rotates on a circular foundation. The wildcat is centered directly above the chain pipe. The mooring chain handler can be rotated about the center of the chain pipe to lead the chain in any direction. The wildcat maintains the same degree of chain wrap for any horizontal orientation.

The messenger line winch (Fig. A2) is located above and behind the modified wildcat. The wire rope lead is always in line with the mooring chain lead. The chain handler is designed for 20% of the chain breaking strength. The winch drum is sized to handle the required length of wire rope messenger line.
Developing a Retrieval System for Subsea Sensors and Transmitters
Authors: Packman Clive , Braaten Nils
Published: October 2011

Operators are facing increased complexity in their subsea operations with up to 1,500 subsea sensors and transmitters installed each year [1].

Whereas the retrieval of topside sensors has proved to be very successful delivering significant cost savings, operators face maintenance difficulties and costly subsea interventions in upgrading and replacing subsea sensors.

This paper will look at how subsea technology has evolved to enable operators to retrieve subsea sensors, allowing them to better maintain existing instruments, replace failed ones and install improved versions. Such developments can save customers millions of dollars by reducing the cost and time required to maintain subsea assets.

The paper will look at the challenges Roxar faced in developing the first industry-wide subsea sensor retrieval system utilizing an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) and which was evaluated by a consortium that includes BP, Chevron, Shell, Total and Statoil.

The paper will also examine the key elements of the system including the ROV tool and the Hydraulic & Control System, which enables the ROV to control the retrieval tool. Testing results and applications will also be referenced. The paper will interest all operators looking to optimize their subsea equipment and address a challenge commonly faced by everyone in the deepwater offshore production industry.

Introduction - The Market Need

As oil and gas companies in Brazil and elsewhere continue to pursue complicated and costly exploration in deep and remote waters while, at the same time, looking to optimize production, there is an increased demand for better data and intelligence on operating conditions subsea and downhole.

Whereas a single production field may have 20 to 30 operating wells, with more than 40 production trees and manifolds, each of these assets can have anywhere from five to 15 monitoring sensors mounted with up to 1,500 subsea sensors and transmitters installed each year. Such instrumentation measures pressure, temperature, and sand erosion or corrosion, and is retrieved from trees, manifolds and other process systems. Furthermore with a predicted annual deepwater spending to reach US$35 billion by 2014 [2], the deployment of these sensors is only likely to increase.

It is these sensors that provide operators with increased visibility to production variables, early indications of degrading asset health, and early warnings of impending abnormal situations. As intelligent sensor usage increases and production environments become more complex and remote, the demand for easier ways to maintain these assets becomes paramount to improved reliability and lower operating costs.

A December 2009 Emerson survey [3] of subsea specialists, for example, found reliability to be the most important criteria in subsea installations today (see figure 1) with a further 89% welcoming a system that could retrieve instrumentation during production.
Limits of Acid Fracture Conductivity Correlation Improvement Through Acid Fracture Surface Characterization
Authors: Rodrigues Valdo Ferreira , Medeiros Ana Catarina
Published: October 2011

The classical theoretical framework of fracture conductivity for rough acid-etched surfaces is the Nierode and Kruk correlation, given by an exponential equation of two parts: the conductivity under zero closure stress and the rate of conductivity change with closure stress. The first part has been related to fracture width and the second one, to rock embedment strength. This study, based on experiments that used samples from whole cores of an oil producer limestone, analyzed the fitness of laboratory-measured conductivities to the exponential conductivity correlation model. By means of a comprehensive 3D acid-etched surface characterization, this study showed that the use of surface parameters, measured at zero closure stress, can improve only the first part of the exponential correlation. The rate of conductivity change with closure stress is determined by the fracture width reduction under closure stress, while the effects of asperities in contact and related tortuosity are small. This conclusion is based on a physical hypothesis, on correlations of the surface parameters with the mentioned parts or coefficients, and on the relation between contact area ratio and fracture width reduction. The best acid fracture conductivity correlation developed has its first part based on a surface characterization parameter and the second one based on the rock embedment strength. This correlation showed superior accuracy compared with the Nierode and Kruk correlation and represents the maximum possible improvement through the use of surface parameters for the studied limestone. There is still significant room for improvement in the rate of conductivity change with closure stress. This requires a new model of fracture width deformation under closure stress or at least the replacement of the rock embedment strength for a more representative rock strength parameter.
Costing the Earth - Oil Spill Response and Ecosystem Services
Authors: Wright Nigel Howard
Published: October 2011

The scale of loss resulting from the Gulf oil spill and the formidable costs of liabilities has stimulated demands for rethinking our values and how they are integrated in key decision making.

Recent experience in oil spill risk assessments will be presented to highlight the criticality of smart stewardship of environmental capital and services by responsible governments dealing with energy development in biodiverse and sensitive coastal zones.

All too often the $ value of ecosystem services are only recognized when their functions are lost and have to be replaced e.g. excavation of coral reefs which protect islands for construction material- which has to be later replaced by concrete coastal barriers or removal of mangroves for coastal development with consequential increases in erosion and decline in fish populations and diversity.

Initial steps in paying for ecosystem services have been made through paying landowners to manage land to reduce flood risk or maintain downstream water quality and in carbon sequestration(under the clean development mechanism)provide a conceptual template for the future. At a global level, attempts have been made to place a $ value on the worlds natural capital and ecosystem life support services. These values need to be incorporated in today's oil spill contingency planning and protection priorities.

A critique of cutting edge formulae for placing ecosystems services on the balance sheet of the public and private sectors, and also the benefits of biodiversity offsets, will be presented. A pioneering approach to how these can be applied in due diligence of investments and oil spill risk assessments over the life cycle of oil and gas developments will be presented. In the future capturing ecosystem services in strategic tradeoffs and decision making in new concessions, oil spill contingency planning, and cumulative effects of long term production water discharges will be on the agenda of governments developing energy resources. Impairment or damage to ecosystem services will have to be paid for in line with the polluter pays principle.

This approach will establish a fundamental benchmark in visible corporate social responsibility in addressing stakeholder values future oil spill emergencies.
Challenges and Solutions in the Development of a Flexible Cryogenic Pipe for Offshore LNG Transfer
Authors: Eide Jorgen , Bernson Magnus , Haakonsen Rune , Frohne Christian
Published: October 2011

Offshore production of LNG will soon be a reality as several oil companies are working on projects aimed at building large floating LNG production units in the near future. Tandem loading has been used to transfer crude oil between two floating vessels for several decades worldwide and the time has now come to transfer of LNG in a similar manner. In areas with harsh weather, the vessel motions will require the loading to be performed in a Tandem configuration and flexible pipes / hoses are required as transfer arrangement between the two vessels to accommodate the relative vessel movements. Framo Engineering has together with Aker Pusnes, Kongsberg Oil&Gas Technologies (KOGT), Nexans and MIB developed a tandem loading system for LNG named the " Offshore Cryogenic Transfer System (OCT)??. This paper describes the successful development, manufacture, testing and approval of the double walled corrugated, stainless steel vacuum insulated flexible pipe designed for offshore transfer of Liquefied Natural Gas in the OCT system.

The Goals and the Challenges

Offshore transfer of LNG has been discussed for decades. The obvious solution is to " copy?? the methods and procedures that have been developed and refined by the crude oil loading industry in more than 20.000 offloading operations in areas such as the North Sea. One main challenge with a offshore offloading system for LNG is the need for a flexible hose that can maintain its functions and integrity at a temperature of −164 degrees C. Bonded reinforced rubber hoses are used to transfer crude oil and are also used for LPG transfer, however, the exposure temperature is limited to approximately - 50 degrees C. None of the conventional hose materials will offer the required mechanical properties at -164 degrees C. However, some metals maintain or even improve their properties at cryogenic temperature and 316 Stainless Steel is one such material. Nexans in Hanover has manufactured and supplied corrugated stainless steel vacuum insulated pipes to the cryogenic industry for many decades and have developed extensive know-how on the manufacturing process.

A Joint Industry Project was carried out in 2000–2004 to develop, manufacture and test a 10.5?? ID flexible pipe. The pipe design was based on Nexans manufacturing technology and KOGT riser technology. The project was successful, but in the years to come it became clear that a larger pipe with higher flow capacity would be required. A second JIP was carried out in 2007–20010 with the purpose to design, build and test a 16?? ID flexible pipe, based on the experiences gained in the first JIP.
Hydrate Risk Assessment and Restart Procedure Optimization of an Offshore Well Using a Transient Hydrate Prediction Model
Authors: Zerpa Luis Eduardo , Sloan E. Dendy , Koh Carolyn , Sum Amadeu
Published: October 2011

A produced hydrocarbon stream from a wellhead encounters formation of solid gas hydrate deposits, which plug flowlines, and are one of the most challenging problems in deep subsea facilities. This paper describes a gas hydrate model for oil-dominated systems, which can be used for the design and optimization of facilities focusing in the prevention, management and remediation of hydrates in flowlines. Using a typical geometry and fluid properties of an offshore well from the Caratinga Field located in the Campos Basin in Brazil, the gas hydrate model is applied to study the hydrate plugging risk at three different periods of the well life. Additionally, the gas hydrate model is applied to study the performance of the injection of ethanol as thermodynamic hydrate inhibitor in steady-state flow and transient shut-in/restart operations. The application of the transient gas hydrate model proved to be useful in determining the optimal ethanol concentration that minimized the hydrate plugging risk.

Introduction

Offshore explorations in deeper and colder waters impose more challenging scenarios to the flow assurance of the produced streams. High pressures and low temperatures of operation of production facilities with longer subsea tiebacks will promote the formation of natural gas hydrates; crystalline compounds formed by hydrogen-bonded water molecules in a lattice structure that is stabilized by encapsulating a small guest molecule (e.g., methane, ethane) (Sloan and Koh, 2008). Gas hydrates form in the presence of appropriate quantities of gas and water, and are considered one of the most challenging problems in deep subsea facilities, due to its rapid formation compared to other solid deposits (Sloan, 2005).

A transient gas hydrates model, that predicts when and where hydrate plugs will form in flowlines, will have significant utility for the flow assurance engineer in the oil and gas industry. By predicting gas hydrates formation and transportability, the gas hydrate model can be applied to design and optimize oil/gas transport facilities, focusing on prevention, management or remediation of gas hydrates in flowlines. This paper briefly presents a gas hydrate model specially designed for oil-dominated systems, which has been incorporated as a plug-in module in a transient multiphase flow simulator (Turner et al., 2005). The gas hydrate model developed for oil-dominated systems follows the conceptual model presented in Figure 1, where hydrates form at the interface of water droplets entrained in the continuous oil phase. In the oil phase, these hydrate-encrusted water droplets can agglomerate increasing into larger hydrate masses, leading to an increase in the slurry viscosity, which can eventually form a plug (Turner, 2005).