bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Examination into the Link between Financial Inclusion, Financial Literacy and Investment Patterns
Authors: Narula Swati
Published: October 2017

A sound financial system is considered as the backbone of an economy. This holds true especially in a country like India where still a majority of the population is unbanked or “financially excluded”. Research worldwide has pointed out that financial illiteracy is one of the major contributors of financial exclusion. The financially illiterate investor is unable to navigate the contemporary complex financial markets with ease. The financial environment in the world has undergone a tremendous change shifting much of the responsibility on the individuals to manage their finances and plan future well-being. Hence, the importance of acquiring financial literacy skills has grown manifolds. Due to this, financial literacy and financial inclusion has elicited much interest in the recent past in both developed and developing countries of the world. In this paper, an attempt has been made to identify level of financial literacy of the investors in Delhi. An investigation of the investment pattern of investors has also been done. Further, a nexus between financial literacy, financial inclusion and economic growth has also been investigated. In addition, the various efforts undertaken by the government of India and various other parties has also been discussed in detail.
Short-term versus Long-term Investments: A Study of Women Stock Investors of Punjab
Authors: Vohra Tina
Published: October 2017

Short term capital gains and long term capital appreciation are important factors influencing the investment decisions of every investor. The purchase of long-term and short term investments by an investor varies across gender. The present study is an attempt to identify the term for which investments are made by women investors of Punjab and to explore if there is a significant difference in the term for which investments are made by women investors based on their demographics. For the purpose of the study, data were collected from primary sources using a pre tested, well-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics as well as cross-tabulation analysis have been used in order to analyse the collected data. The results of the study brought out that the majority of women invest for a short term. The term for which the investments are made also varies with the personal monthly income of the respondents. In the light of results, the study suggests that government and the policy makers should undertake various initiatives for the economic empowerment of women as their economic empowerment is a pre requisite for their long term financial well-being.
A Study on Utilisation of Maternal Health Care Services in Haryana
Authors: Katyal Sonal
Published: October 2017

Despite being a relatively smaller state, Haryana’s per capita Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is quite high. However, the statistical data on the status of women has a different story to share. This study analyses the maternal healthcare situation in Haryana to examine the differences in utilisation of maternal health care service, i.e. delivery care on the basis of socio-economic and socio-demographic indicators such as women’s age at birth, birth order, education, residence, religion, wealth index and caste. The study uses the third round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data which is similar to the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). The findings reveal that women who have taken antenatal care utilise these services much more than women who have not taken antenatal care services. The utilisation pattern is in conjugation with the hypotheses. The results demonstrate that several socio-economic and demographic factors affect the utilisation of delivery care services in Haryana. Efforts need to be taken at community and household level to improve utilisation the utilisation of these services.
More Than a Soundtrack: Music Between Text and Image in Environmental Art
Authors: Hart Heidi
Published: October 2017

Music has rarely been the subject of analysis in environmental art forms, from film to post-apocalyptic fiction. This article seeks to fill that gap and shows how music functions between word and image, using three case studies: The Crossroads Project, a lecture-performance series on climate crisis; Trinity, a short documentary video on the history of nuclear testing; and Lidia Yuknavitch’s The Book of Joan, a dystopian novel with music at its core. In all three examples, music does not work as atmospheric background but rather as an active mediator in its own right. Entering the spaces between text or spoken word and image with unexpected material presence, it can help to open the audience toward greater urgency or inquiry about climate disruption; it can accumulate intensity as viewers watch and hear data on nuclear testing; it can even incite violence within a narrative, both thematically and in the text itself, as Sybille Krämer has noted in her work on performativity. Though activist art can easily become baldly manipulative, music can “expose” its hearers (to use Stacy Alaimo’s and Jean-Luc Nancy’s term) to planetary threats in a way that fosters critical, not just sentimental or fearful, response.
Écfrase arquitetônica: um modelo interpretativo
Authors: Vieira Miriam de Paiva
Published: October 2017

A écfrase é um dos possíveis procedimentos midiáticos que trata do cruzar de fronteiras entre a literatura e a arquitetura. O objetivo deste ensaio é apresentar um modelo interpretativo para a tipologia écfrase arquitetônica. Tal modelo será ilustrado pelas biografias romanceadas inspiradas na vida e obra da poeta Elizabeth Bishop e da arquiteta autodidata Lota Macedo Soares, intituladas Flores raras e banalíssimas: a história de Lota de Macedo Soares e Elizabeth Bishop (1995), de Carmen Oliveira, e A arte de perder (2011), de Michael Sledge.
Expandindo os limites: a transmídia no campo da intermidialidade
Authors: Figueiredo Camila
Published: October 2017

A fim de examinar e compreender certos produtos culturais contemporâneos em toda sua complexidade, é fundamental adotarmos não apenas uma abordagem intermidiática que permita estabelecer uma comparação avaliativa entre duas ou mais mídias distintas, mas também uma abordagem transmidiática que possibilite incluir como objeto de estudo as extensões em outras mídias que suplementam uma narrativa principal ou que se suplementam mutuamente. Este texto propõe a discussão a respeito das fronteiras da transmidialidade e das franquias transmidiáticas no âmbito do campo mais amplo da intermidialidade.
Blurring the boundaries – ekphrasis as a fold
Authors: Bugno-Narecka Dominika
Published: October 2017

The article provides a new theoretical perspective on ekphrasis, a very old rhetorical and literary device. The new approach applies the morphology of the fold, a notion examined by Gottfried Willhelm Leibniz in the 17th century and recently discussed by Gilles Deleuze and Anna Munster, to present ekphrasis as a continuum of word and image rather than the opposition of the verbal and the visual. The hybrid nature of ekphrasis and the dynamic tensions between its verbal and visual components allow for the blurring of the boundaries between word and image.
Motives and expectations of students from Ukraine with respect to higher education in Poland in the field of tourism
Authors: Kapera Izabela
Published: October 2017

The purpose of the research is to analyze the motivation and expectations of students from Ukraine with respect to higher education (HE) in the field of tourism. A survey questionnaire was created to be used by a target group in order to obtain their views. Research has shown that the main motive (60%) for studying in Poland was the desire to study and work at the same time. In reality HE students combined degree study and work in even more cases, and 58% of the work involved the tourism industry. Almost half of the students surveyed intend to remain in Poland following graduation. Those who expressed a desire to leave for other countries most often identified Spain and Germany. At the same time, most stated that they would like to work in professions associated with tourism including work in travel agencies and hotels.
Academic research achievements in the geography of tourism at the Department of Regional Geography and Tourism, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin: Didactic and practical applications
Authors: Skowronek Ewa , Brzezińska-Wójcik Teresa , Świeca Andrzej , Jóźwik Marta J.
Published: October 2017

The present paper is an attempt to assess academic research achievements in the field of the geography of tourism and their didactic and practical applications. The study method was a review of academic articles and archival compilations as well as materials collected in the department.
THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF GNIDIA CAPITATA L. F.: INVESTIGATIONS ON ITS ANTITYROSINASE, ANTIBACTERIAL, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTICANCER ACTIVITIES
Authors: Kambizi Learnmore , Mahachi Josiah , Okem Ambrose , Lall Namrita , Canha Marco Nuno De , Twilley Danielle
Published: October 2017

Background: Gnidia capitata L. F. belongs to the family Thymelaeaceae, and has been widely reported for its

ethnobotanical uses, especially for the treatment of several human ailments which include skin conditions. However,

there is limited information about the pharmacological properties of this plant as a potential cosmetic agent or

pharmaceutical. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of G. capitata for its anti-tyrosinase,

antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer and anti-mycobacterial properties.

Materials and methods: G. capitata was extracted with methanol (MeOH), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), dichloromethane

(DCM) and hexane (n-Hex). All extracts were tested in vitro for activities against Propionibacterium acnes (ATCC

11827) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (ATCC 27294). Tyrosinase inhibitory activity was screened using

tyrosinase from Agaricus bispor. Antioxidant activity was investigated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl

(DPPH) radical scavenging assay.

Results: EtOAc, DCM and n-Hex extracts of the plant showed antibacterial activity against P. acnes with MICs of 125

μg/ml. The DCM and n-Hex extracts showed anti-mycobacterial activity with MICs of 500μg/ml. The methanolic

extract showed the highest antioxidant activity with an IC50 of 41.83μg/ml.

Conclusion: The findings presented in this study may explain the potential use of G. capitata for the treatment of

certain skin conditions. The potent antioxidant activity could help control the negative effects associated with

inflammatory mediators that are produced during the immune response in people that are affected by skin conditions.
POSSIBLE CARDIOPROTECTIVE ACTION OF POMEGRANATE JUICE PUNICA GRANATUM AND PROPOLIS AGAINST MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION INDUCED IN RATS.
Authors: Aloutaibi Ghadeer Turki , Gashlan Hanaa , Moselhy Said Salama , Al- Malki Abdulrahman L. , Khan Jehan A.
Published: October 2017

Background: The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective role of pomegranate juice alone or in

combination with propolis extract against isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial infarction in rats.

Material and Methods: Male Wister albino rats (n=60) weighing 220-280 g were divided into six groups each group

contain ten rats; group I: negative control fed standard diet. Group (II-VI): Rats were injected subcutaneously with

isoproterenol (150 mg/kg) for 3 days. Group III: Rats were given pomegranate juice 1ml /rat / day. Group IV: Rats

were given propolis extract (50 mg/kg BW). Group V: Rats were given pomegranate juice + propolis extract. Group

VI: Rats were given glyceronitrate (2.6mg/kg.bw/day).

Results: The ISO-induced myocardial infarction in untreated rats has indicated by significant (p < 0.001) elevation of

cardiac marker enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase

(CK), and cardiac troponin I (CnI ) when compared with control group. Rats treated with pomegranate juice and

propolis extracts showed highly significant (p
NOVEL APPLICATION OF CULTURED ROOTS OF MOUNTAIN GINSENG (PANAX GINSENG MEYER) AND GINSENOSIDE RE AS SAFE ANTIMELANOGENIC COSMECEUTICAL COMPONENTS
Authors: Jiménez-Pérez Zuly Elizabeth , Kim Yeon-Ju , Castro-Aceituno Veronica , Mathiyalagan Ramya , Markus Josua , Ahn Sungeun , Simu Shakina Yesmin , Yang Deok-Chun
Published: October 2017

Background: Mountain ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer), which belongs to Araliaceae family, grows naturally in the

mountains of Korea. It is highly valued owing to its enhanced pharmacology effects such as immunostimulating,

antioxidant, anti-cancer and antiaging activity. An alternative to accessing the sparse mountain ginseng therapy benefits is

by tissue-cultured roots of mountain ginseng. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of water extract of cultured

roots of mountain ginseng (CRMG) and specifically its major compound ginsenoside Re (Re) on melanin synthesis in α-

MSH-stimulated mouse melanoma B16BL6 cells (B16).

Materials and Methods: Cell cytotoxicity was evaluated trough a comparative study using normal human dermal

fibroblast (HDF) and B16. Then, α-MSH-stimulated B16 cells were analyzed, using melanin and tyrosinase activity assay.

Tyrosinase gene expression was evaluated trough reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis and quantitative

PCR analysis. Finally, an in silico docking study was performed.

Results: The study demonstrated that CRMG and Re were non-toxic compounds and significantly reduced tyrosinase

activity and melanin content in B16 cells. Re decreased the mRNA expression of tyrosinase and other melanin synthesisrelated

genes in B16 cells. In addition, in silico docking studies showed that Re had stronger interaction with tyrosinase

compared to control drug arbutin due to its higher binding affinity.

Conclusion: Taken together, our results suggest that CRMG and Re possess potential anti-melanogenic activities and may

be used as antimelanogenic cosmeceutical agents.
NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECT CORILAGIN IN SPINAL CORD INJURY RAT MODEL BY INHIBITING NUCLEAR FACTOR-KB, INFLAMMATION AND APOPTOSIS
Authors: Zhang Hong-xing , Liu Feng-wei , Ren Fei , Zhang Yan-li , Nie Zhong
Published: October 2017

Background: Neurological functions get altered in a patient suffering from spinal cord injury (SCI). Present study

evaluates the neuroprotective effect of corilagin in spinal cord injury rats by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB),

inflammatory mediators and apoptosis.

Materials and method: Spinal cord injury was produced by mechanical injury to spinal cord. All the rats were treated with

corilagin (10 & 15 mg/kg, ip) for the duration of 4 week. Neurological functions were evaluated in all the rats by

Basso,Beattie and Brenahan scale (BBB scale). Moreover, at the end of treatment rats were sacrificed and expression of

NF-κB, concentration of cytokines like Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) & interlukin-6 (IL6) and oxidative stress

parameters like Malondialdehyde (MDA) and toal antioxidant capacity (TAC) in spinal tissue of spinal cord injured rats.

Immunohistological study was also performed to assess the apoptosis of neuronal cell.

Result: There were significant (p
Fatores Mediadores da Aprendizagem na Educação a Distância em Administração Pública
Authors: Brandão Jammilly Mikaela Fagundes , Silva Anielson Barbosa da
Published: October 2017

Este estudo tem como objetivo identificar os fatores mediadores da aprendizagem na educação a distância em administração pública vinculados ao Programa Nacional de Administração Pública – PNAP. Na fundamentação teórica é apresentada a aprendizagem de adultos com base na abordagem andragógica, incluindo o modelo andragógico desenvolvido por Knowles, Holton e Seanson (2011). A pesquisa é quantitativa e de caráter descritivo, tendo utilizado o método survey aplicado a 273 estudantes de 10 instituições de ensino superior de diferentes estados brasileiros. Os resultados possibilitaram a identificação de seis princípios andragógicos que caracterizam o processo de aprendizagem, bem como a existência de fatores mediadores do processo de aprendizagem associados às diferenças individuais dos aprendizes e envolvem um processo de desenvolvimento pessoal que está intimamente ligado à experiência, que pode tornar os alunos mais abertos à mudança e interessados em aprender ou pode torná-los mais resistentes ou desinteressados no processo de aprendizagem.
Que Modelo é Esse? As Alterações nos Processos de Capacitação de Recursos Humanos nos 20 Anos do Plano MARE
Authors: Gonçalves Andrea De Oliveira , Santos Rogério Luiz Alves dos , Bilhim João De Abreu Faria , Costa Thiago Dias da
Published: October 2017

The Master Plan for the Reform of the State Apparatus was implemented by the Brazilian Government in 1995. Among its actions, it instituted the Policy for Staff Development in Public Administration. This action resulted in the guidelines of the public service Training Policyin Brazil. Thus, this article analyzes the main changes in the training processes at the University of Brasilia (UnB), between 1995 and 2015, in the face of the literature on strategic people management. The study is qualitative and as a data collection technique interview and documents were used, being evaluated through content and document analysis respectively. The results were classified into four models of public administration addressed in the literature. The results about the working conditions, planning, execution and control of the training policy as well as the incentives to qualification tend to have one or more public administration models adopted. Keywords: training policy; public administration models; Master Plan for the Reform of the State Apparatus; Brazil.
Prediction of Fines Migration through Core Testing
Authors: Karazincir Oya , Williams Wade , Rijken Peggy
Published: October 2017

Fines migration is a commonly observed phenomenon in oil and gas wells, but often difficult to duplicate in the laboratory. A suite of labs tests was conducted to gauge the effect that different test conditions have on fines migration and to improve fines migration prediction through updated test strategies. Core tests were conducted on core samples collected from a field in West Africa. Field B shows evidence of fines migration through increased PI and reduced skin after a diesel pump-in, and significant increase in production rates after hydrofluoric (HF) acid treatments. Some of the earlier conventional core tests conducted with cores from the same field failed to predict a potential for fines migration. Hence, a study to optimize current fines migration test methods was initiated. With the new tests, the effect of injected fluid volumes, injected fluid type, test temperature, surge conditions and depletion on fines was investigated. Results from these new tests showed evidence of fines migration as observed in the field, in contrast to the earlier tests conducted using conventional test methods. While the tests confirmed the presence of non-Darcy flow at high injection rates, strategies to exclude the contribution of non-Darcy flow from fines-related formation damage were developed and will be discussed.
Evaluation of Pipeline Sand Sampling Practices in Petroleum Industry
Authors: Arabnejad H. , Leng Y. , McLaury B. S. , Shirazi S. A.
Published: October 2017

The goal of this work was to examine the effect of sand sampling location and method on the measurement of particle concentration. Sand concentration is a major factor in finding the optimal operating condition, and pipeline sampling is believed to be an accurate approach to detect and determine the particle concentration. The current work shows that to obtain a representative sand sample flowing in pipe in multiphase flow, additional parameters should also be considered when sampling such as orientation of the pipe, type of fitting, sand size, flow velocity and the flow regime in the vicinity of the sampling location.

Experiments have been conducted in single-phase and multiphase flow conditions, and the effect of pipe size, particle size, sampling location and flow velocity and viscosity on the sampled concentration is studied. The liquid-sand samples are collected using sampling ports placed in the pipe wall in horizontal and vertical sections of the pipe. The particle concentration in the liquid-sand sample is compared with the flowing bulk concentration to find the best representative sampling practice. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are conducted for various cases to determine the particle tracks in the pipe and obtain insight to the fluid-particle interaction.

It was found that the particle concentration in the samples collected from different locations are consistent with the bulk flowing concentration for small particles sizes (25 and 75 μm), but significant deviation is observed for large particles (150 and 300 μm) especially for samples collected from the bottom of the horizontal line in multiphase flow. While sampling in the vertical section of the pipe away from the bend provided the best results for most of the cases, the sampled concentrations along the inner radius of the pipe were observed to be higher than corresponding values along the outer radius. Based on the CFD simulation results, this may be attributed to the effect of secondary vortices that develop in the bend. For liquid dominated multiphase flows, the sampled concentration was relatively uniform as particles experience significant drag in the liquid phase and become dispersed inside the pipe, but in annular flow in the vertical section, notable differences were observed between the samples collected from the inner side versus the outer side.
Innovations on Reducing Environmental Footprint of an EOR Project
Authors: Xiao Jie
Published: October 2017

This paper presents the innovative practices and methods to reduce the environmental impact of an EOR project in the Daqing oilfield. Field results were presented to validate those effective management practices in terms of reducing environmental impact.

Environmental protection is becoming more and more important in terms of EOR processes. In this study, an environment friendly surfactant and polymer system were developed and applied in current EOR Project. A new injection system for this EOR system was also designed to minimize carbon footprint by the deployment of much smaller in size and weight equipment without compromising performance and safety. In addition, on-site collection and recycling technique is applied to reuse chemicals instantly onsite to minimize environmental storage problems and environmental exposure of these materials.

Field application of this novel surfactant and polymer system for EOR satisfies government's environmental health and safety requirements. The new designed injection system uses less than 60% electric power than previous traditional injection systems on average. The system is skid-mounted and very flexible, further reducing additional manpower without compromise performance and safety. Oil spills were substantially reduced to the lowest levels by 48%. Chemical spills were reduced almost by 80% at in-house locations. Chemical recycling also reduced total chemical costs by 10%, along with the reduction in associated HSE impact.

The practices in this paper achieved both the production goals and reduction of environmental impact when deploying this new surfactant and polymer system for EOR. Reduction of environmental impact can be achieved without compromising performance and safety in EOR operations.
Comparative Study of Oil Dilution Capability of Dimethyl Ether DME and Hexane as Steam Additives for SAGD
Authors: Baek Kwang Hoon , Sheng Kai , Argüelles-Vivas Francisco J. , Okuno Ryosuke
Published: October 2017

Dimethyl ether (DME) was investigated as a potential additive to steam to improve SAGD in a previous simulation study. The main objective of this research is to compare DME with n-hexane in terms of the capability of viscosity reduction for Athabasca bitumen. In addition, new experimental data are presented for bubble point pressures, densities, and viscosities of Athabasca bitumen and its mixtures with DME and n-hexane.

Results show that DME results in slightly higher viscosity than n-hexane when they are mixed with the same Athabasca bitumen at a given pressure, temperature, and molar concentration. For example, the equimolar mixture of DME with Athabasca bitumen is 79 cp, and that of n-hexane with the same bitumen is 49 cp at 328 K and 60 bars. However, the two solvents are equivalent as diluent at temperatures above 380 K.

The new experimental data and previous data in the literature indicate that the viscosity of n-alkanes/bitumen mixtures does not follow the trend given by the classical Arrhenius mixing rule. That is, heavier solvent can give lower viscosity than lighter solvent when they are mixed with the same bitumen at a given pressure, temperature, and molar concentration. Viscosities for DME/bitumen mixtures deviate from the Arrhenius equation more than those for n-hexane/bitumen mixtures. The Arrhenius equation can be modified to correlate the measured data more accurately.

Liquid-liquid separation for solvent/bitumen mixtures, which occurred for n-butane/Athabasca-bitumen in Gao et al. (2017a), was not observed for any of the DME/bitumen and n-hexane/bitumen mixtures in this research. The highest solvent concentration in this study was 80 mol% DME for the DME/bitumen system and 92 mol% n-hexane for the n-hexane/bitumen system.
Choke Management Under Wellbore, Completion and Reservoir Constraints
Authors: Karantinos Emmanouil , Sharma Mukul M.
Published: October 2017

Choke management strategies vary significantly among operators and no rigorous methodology exists for properly selecting choke sizes when constraints are placed on completions, wellbores and fluid pressures and velocities. Bringing a well on production too fast may significantly compromise productivity or even result in completion failure with particularly severe implications in offshore developments. Examples of constraints placed on bean-up strategies include, limiting the maximum drawdown to minimize the risk of sanding or proppant crushing. This paper presents a methodology for translating such constraints to the required choke sizes and durations i.e. a specific bean-up strategy that will respect the constraints placed on the system.

In this study, we propose a coupled wellbore-reservoir model that performs dynamic nodal analysis using integrated models for surface facilities, wellbore and reservoir simulators and allows an operator to select choke sizes as a function of time. Illustrative examples of the method are shown for a conventional and an unconventional well. Results indicate that the choke schedule strongly depends on both the reservoir and wellbore properties. As a result, empirical and general guidelines should not be used across the board. Instead a quantitative analysis is recommended for a given set of surface, wellbore and reservoir properties to ensure a successful ramp-up. This study provides an integrated and systematic approach for selecting choke sizes for oil and gas wells.
Pressure Effects on Pressure Gradient and Liquid Holdup in Two-Phase Oil-Gas Low-Liquid-Loading Flow in Horizontal Pipes
Authors: Vuong Duc H. , Sarica Cem , Pereyra Eduardo , Al-Sarkhi Abdelsalam
Published: October 2017

An experimental study is conducted in a 6-in. inner diameter (ID) high-pressure facility to investigate the pressure effects on two-phase oil-gas low-liquid-loading flow in horizontal pipes. The investigated flow characteristics include pressure gradient and liquid holdup.

Total of 247 tests are conducted at five different operating pressures: 200, 250, 300, 350 and 400 psig. The test fluids are nitrogen and mineral oil (Isopar-L). Superficial oil velocity ranges from 0.01 to 0.05 m/s, while superficial gas velocity ranges from 1.6 to 16.7 m/s depending on the operating pressures. Differential pressure transmitters, quick closing valves, visualization system, and dual Wire-Mesh Sensors (WMS) are used to acquire the data. The experimental data are analyzed and compared with the model predictions. Suggestions are made to improve the existing model.

It is found that the operating pressure clearly affects pressure gradient. The effects of operating pressure on liquid holdup are insignificant for the investigated range. The performances of the transient multiphase-simulation software OLGA High Definition (Biberg et al. (2015)), standard OLGA version 2015 (Bendiksen et al. (1991)), the Tulsa University Fluid Flow Project (TUFFP) Unified Model version 2015 (Zhang and Sarica (2003)), and Xiao et al. (1990) models are tested against the acquired pressure gradient and liquid holdup data. The results from all models are in good agreement with experimental liquid holdup and pressure gradient data for stratified wavy flow. OLGA v2015 and TUFFP Unified Model v2015 have performed the best for annular flow. Modification of the interfacial velocity in the interfacial shear stress term in TUFFP Unified Model v2015 is suggested to partially account for the effects of the operating pressure. The new model predictions are compared with the experimental data from this study and studies from other sources. Significant improvements in the model predictions are observed in comparison with the TUFFP Unified Model v2015.

Experiments at high pressures are very limited because of the high cost of these experiments. This paper provides a unique experimental data set for two-phase flow in a 6-in ID horizontal pipe at high operating pressure. In addition, the model comparison and development are given in this paper.
Improved Hydrocarbon Recovery using Mixtures of Energizing Chemicals in Unconventional Reservoirs
Authors: Mohanty Kishore K. , Tong Songyang , Miller Chammi , Honarpour Matt M. , Turek Edward , Peck Doug D.
Published: October 2017

The goal of this work is to design and evaluate an effective blend of energizing chemicals that can be injected into shale (black oil or critical fluid) reservoirs to enhance hydrocarbon recovery. The blend can be implemented as the pre-pad fluid ahead of hydraulic fracturing fluid or as a treatment fluid later in the life of a well. As a means to increase recovery, an energized chemical blend (CB) consisting of an organic solvent, a surfactant, an oxidizing agent (and acid) was designed, developed and tested on crushed rock, core plugs and fractured cores in the laboratory to evaluate the interactions of the chemicals with the shale samples. Micro-CT scanning and scanning electron microscopy were used to visualize morphological changes in the shale. A pilot was designed in an existing pad with stable production so that the benefits could be quantified on production rate and recovery.

The results of laboratory experiments demonstrate that the chemical blend extracts up to 30% of mobile oil in crushed rocks and improves permeability by 25-100% in thin core plugs. Some of the factors that support the success of the chemical blend application are: I- Pressurization of the formation and reopening of the closed fractures, thus improving the well productivity, II- Extraction and mobilization of low mobility oil, remnants of the original kerogen, removal of deposited salt and trapped water in matrix and fracture network that impedes fluid flow, III- Creation of pathways to high-pressure liquids-rich small organic pores, where undersaturated hydrocarbon liquids are trapped, adsorbed and dissolved in the kerogen, IV- Creation of flow pathways for intrusion of aqueous based fluids in oil-wet organic rich rocks with wettability alteration to accelerate the injection, counter-current imbibition and osmosis processes, V- Enhancement of porosity and permeability of fracture surfaces by introduction of a delayed reaction mechanism to deliver acids deeper into the microfracture network without compromising rock mechanical properties. The presence of sulfate ions in the oxidizing agent did not contribute to any noticeable scale deposit while delaying the reactivity of acid with inorganic components of shale surfaces. Laboratory and field pilot results are employed to calibrate a discrete fracture network (DFN) model of the pilot well and the surrounding Eagle Ford formation. The model is used to design and optimize CB injection in future applications.
Simulation of Hydraulic Fracturing-Induced Permeability Stimulation Using Coupled Flow and Continuum Damage Mechanics
Authors: Samnejad M. , Aminzadeh F. , Jha B.
Published: October 2017

In hydraulic fracturing operations, permeability is enhanced when fractures are created and/or stimulated by injecting a highly pressurized fluid. In addition, mechanical response of the rock changes because of permanent modifications in the structure and properties of the rock after failure. In order for engineers to accurately predict results of hydraulic stimulation projects, mathematically rigorous and numerically efficient models of fluid flow and geomechanical deformation in fractured porous media must be used in computer simulations. Some of the earlier approaches address the problem of fluid flow through fractured media with mathematical models that are either too simplistic or too expensive computationally and are not compatible with the available petroleum reservoir simulation platforms. In this work, a reservoir simulation framework is developed using a sequentially coupled numerical scheme of flow, deformation and poromechanical damage to study variations occurring in the fractured rock properties and state variables as a result of hydraulic stimulation. We numerically simulate injection-induced permeability enhancement and plastic deformation as well as post-stimulation softening behavior of the rock by considering the stimulated rock as a mechanically damaged configuration, the properties of which are modeled using an effective continuum model. We study how the flow and mechanical properties of fractured rock, namely permeability and stiffness, change by virtue of hydraulic fracturing, and we investigate the dynamics of pressure distribution and stress state with time. The sequential nature of the proposed coupling framework lends itself to easy integration with reservoir simulation and prediction tools.
Case History - Continued Diagnostic Technology Integration with Completions in Horizontal Wolfcamp Shale Wells in the Delaware Basin
Authors: Parker Justin E. , Tran Van P. , Bazan Lucas W. , Thomas Jonathan , Renze Arden
Published: October 2017

Parker et. al., (2015), SPE 175535, presented an engineered completion methodology utilizing diagnostic technology integration relating to horizontal shale wells in the Delaware basin. That paper focused on technologies pertaining to hydraulic fracture design for the Wolfcamp A reservoir using a discrete fracture network (DFN) model for predicting fracture geometry, formation evaluation, oil tracers, microseismic monitoring and production history matching. The final results of the paper showed that the application of an integrated technology approach provided the operator with a systematic method for designing, analyzing, and optimizing multi-stage/multi-cluster transverse hydraulic fractures in horizontal wellbores. Since publishing the paper, the completion and fracture stimulation design methodology has been further extended with improved well performance.

This new work presents longer term well results from the original paper and additional wells that have since been completed with design improvements based on this process. Further technologies have since been added to the completion processes which have enhanced well performance, including the application of rate transient analysis (RTA) analysis, applied post job engineering analytics (APJA), additional pressure history matching (PHM) and post-fracture pressure matches to help refine the DFN model. The purpose of this work will be to further outline the benefits of utilizing multiple diagnostic technology integration to design, analyze and optimize completion and fracture stimulation design in the Wolfcamp shale. Detailed discussion related to created and propped fracture half-lengths, estimates of minimum conductivity, perforation design and cluster efficiency are presented. The value of diagnostic technology, EUR considerations and well economics will also be addressed.

Readers of this paper will gain insight on how sound engineering, fracture modeling and data integration can increase recovery and optimize completions in the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring formations. Those working in the Delaware and Midland basins can readily apply specific learnings from this work to new completions. Additionally, the methods and engineering principles presented in this paper will provide a basis-of-design to enhance productivity and well economics for horizontal wells in unconventional resources.
3-D Visual Experiments on Fluid Flow Behavior of Water Flooding and Gas Flooding in Fractured-Vuggy Carbonate Reservoir
Authors: Qu Ming , Hou Jirui , Zhao Fenglan , Song Zhaojie , Ma Shixi , Wang Qian , Li Meng , Yang Meng
Published: October 2017

Tahe oilfield is one of the most important fractured-vuggy carbonate oilfields in China. The characteristics of this kind of reservoir are greatly complex due to its multiple flow units: matrix, fractures and vugs. The main problems during development include the complicated oil-water relationship and the lack of fluid flow mechanism etc. However, one- and two-dimensional physical models due to its limitations cannot overall reflect fluid flow status.

Based on Tahe oil field geological conditions, a 3-D visual fractured-vuggy physical model was designed and fabricated according to similarity criterion. Bottom water drive, water flooding and gas flooding were conducted in this model. Multiphase flow behavior was recorded by high resolution camera system and the pressure response was monitored at different oil displacement stages. Finally, the effect of different energy complement methods was discussed.

Experimental results show that the 3-D visual physical model can be used to systematically and comprehensively investigate the fluid flow status and the oil displacement process. The pressure response presented different characteristics at different flooding stages. The fractured-vuggy structure and the ratio of displacement force and gravity determine the water/gas flooding behavior. The fluid flow mechanisms were discussed combining the pressure response and dynamic displacement phenomenon. Regarding displacement effect, water breakthrough and even serious water channeling occur more easily in fracture well than vuggy well. And water cut increases dramatically in fracture well.

Compared to one- and two-dimensional physical models in previous studies, the 3-D visual physical model proposed here is more representative of the real reservoir conditions. This study could provide a constructive guide for the fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoir to improve production performance.
Inflow Control Device Injection and Production Dynamic Integrity Testing – Best Practices
Authors: Jackson M. S. , Mayer C. S. , Shuchart C. E. , Dornic S. D. , Tayloe G. L
Published: October 2017

In recent years, the application envelope for inflow control devices (ICDs) has significantly shifted toward harsher environments, for example, to high temperature changes for SAGD, high production pressure differentials in wells with high reservoir permeability contrast, and extreme pressure differentials during short-duration acid stimulation. To confirm whether ICDs are able to withstand these extreme conditions, representative and reproducible equipment testing must be performed. The objective of this paper is to describe testing methods and results for a new type of design validation test related to mechanical integrity of production ICDs when operated at high pressure differentials with both injection and production flow as might be observed during either short-duration acid treatments or initial clean-up operations.

A method is presented for validating multiple ICD designs via full-scale testing at high pressure differentials. The first part of this test consists of a flow-to-failure test where the flow rate is incrementally increased until the ICD design flow characteristics are altered (permanently or temporarily). ICD performance may change due to shifting, deformation, and/or loss of sealing surface contact of critical internal components under the loading condition, causing an increase in flow area. A notable change in the ICD flow characteristics is considered to represent the critical upper differential pressure limit. A separate endurance test is also performed with a new ICD at a safety factor adjusted burst rating to determine the integrity of the ICD design over an extended flow period.

This new test method has been applied to several ICD designs over the past few years. Testing outcomes range from unexpected changes in performance characteristics of some ICD designs (cracking of internals, ballooning of the ICD housing, and failure of critical seals) to no apparent failure up to the pressure limit of the flow loop. Lessons learned from testing via this protocol have encouraged service companies to improve their ICD designs, thereby providing more reliable and robust products to the industry.

When these testing programs were initiated, there wasn't an industry-wide accepted best practice for testing ICDs. To build a base of accepted test procedures and methods for ICDs, this paper describes the fundamentals of a new method involving flow-to-failure and endurance validation testing. The methods represent a specific procedure that can be used by oil-field operators as guidelines for specifying validation techniques for untested ICD designs. These methods have now been incorporated into the AWES RP 3362-78 Annex F (2017).
Proximity Sensing: A Novel Approach to Reservoir Saturation Monitoring Using High Frequency Electromagnetic Pulses
Authors: Felix S. Jesus M. , Ellis Erika S. , Schmidt Howard K.
Published: October 2017

Proximity Sensing is a recently introduced approach to reservoir characterization, which uses high frequency, pulsed electromagnetic (EM) signals that are propagated through naturally occurring transmission lines adjacent to oil reservoirs, such as continuous anhydrite layers that serve as the seal for major carbonate reservoirs in and around the GCC. While propagating through the anhydrite channel the pulse is modulated by the saturation properties of the adjacent reservoirs. Previous 2-D simulations demonstrated the feasibility of using the anhydrite as a low loss transmission line and showed the potential to detect changes in reservoir saturation adjacent to the propagation channel. This work presents further verification of the Proximity Sensing method with 3-D simulations including antenna modelling and polarization effects, dependence of EM modulation with reservoir saturation changes and injection water flood front mapping capabilities. A series of models were created to study the effect of the conductivity and permittivity of the reservoir and the polarization of the EM pulse. The effect of varying each of the EM properties of the reservoir on the speed of propagation of the pulse and the polarization of the antenna is presented. The data shows that in general, large contrasts in conductivity and/or permittivity between the anhydrite channel and the adjacent reservoirs will confine the signal within the anhydrite and will result in shorter travel times than in the absence of strong contrasts. For the purpose of detecting oil and saline water this means that if the reservoir adjacent to the anhydrite is saturated with water the EM pulse will travel faster and the signal will have greater amplitude. In contrast, if the adjacent reservoir is oil saturated and EM signal will slow down and will display lower amplitude. This work aims to identify the most important variables needed to take this approach to small scale field testing. The success of Proximity Sensing would provide an accurate and inexpensive method to characterize reservoir saturation and flood front progression either as part of a logging operation or as a standalone sensing platform.
A Novel Bayesian Optimization Framework for Computationally Expensive Optimization Problem in Tight Oil Reservoirs
Authors: Wang Shuhua , Chen Shengnan
Published: October 2017

Multi-well pad has been considered as the most efficient horizontal-well drilling technique in unconventional reservoir development since it not only greatly maximizes the oil production, but also significantly reduces environmental impact and operation costs by drilling group of wells on a single pad. To optimize both hydraulic fracture parameters of each well and well placement simultaneously is still largely unexplored and remains to be a challenging task. Conventional optimization techniques, such as genetic algorithm, particle swarm optimization, and differential evolution algorithm are inadequate to optimize production performance in the multi-well pad, because it may take hours to days to run a single reservoir simulation, leading to an unaffordable computational cost for the optimization processes.

To speed up the search process of global optimization in reservoir simulations, a novel optimization framework for computationally expensive simulations is developed based on Bayesian optimization algorithm. The newly developed optimization algorithm constructs a probabilistic model for the objective function and then exploits this model to make decisions about where in search space to next evaluate the function. In this study, Gaussian Process (GP) is utilized to construct the prior distribution over the objective function. Then, the posterior over functions is obtained based on the prior distribution and evaluations of objective functions. Finally, acquisition function is developed through maximizing the expected improvement over the current best from the posterior, allowing us to determine the next point to evaluate in search space.

It is shown that GP Bayesian optimization framework can successfully optimize the hydraulic fracture parameters and horizontal well placement simultaneously in tight oil reservoirs. 19 parameters involve well spacing, well length, fracture spacing, fracture half-length, and fracture conductivity in a four-well pad were optimized and a high net present value (NPV) was achieved. The oil recovery and NPV of the optimum scenario derived through the Bayesian optimization technique are increased by 36.0% and 55.7% respectively in comparison with a field reference case. The proposed Bayesian optimization framework is found to be a promising and efficient optimization strategy, which takes full advantage of the information available from previous evaluations of objective function, in handling the computationally expensive optimization problems.