bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ice stratigraphy at the Pâkitsoq ice margin, West Greenland, derived from gas records
Authors: Schaefer Hinrich , Petrenko Vasilii V. , Brook Edward J. , Severinghaus Jeffrey P. , Reeh Niels , Melton Joe R. , Mitchell Logan
Published: July 2009

Horizontal ice-core sites, where ancient ice is exposed at the glacier surface, offer unique opportunities for paleo-studies of trace components requiring large sample volumes. Following previous work at the Pâkitsoq ice margin in West Greenland, we use a combination of geochemical parameters measured in the ice matrix (δ18Oice) and air occlusions (δ18Oatm, δ15N of N2 and methane concentration) to date ice layers from specific climatic intervals. The data presented here expand our understanding of the stratigraphy and three-dimensional structure of ice layers outcropping at Pâkitsoq. Sections containing ice from every distinct climatic interval during Termination I, including Last Glacial Maximum, Bølling/Allerød, Younger Dryas and the early Holocene, are identified. In the early Holocene, we find evidence for climatic fluctuations similar to signals found in deep ice cores from Greenland. A second glacial–interglacial transition exposed at the extreme margin of the ice is identified as another outcrop of Termination I (rather than the onset of the Eemian interglacial as postulated in earlier work). Consequently, the main structural feature at Pâkitsoq is a large-scale anticline with accordion-type folding in both exposed sequences of the glacial–Holocene transition, leading to multiple layer duplications and age reversals.
A high-precision method for measurement of paleoatmospheric CO2 in small polar ice samples
Authors: Ahn Jinho , Brook Edward J. , Howell Kate
Published: July 2009

We describe a high-precision method, now in use in our laboratory, for measuring the CO2 mixing ratio of ancient air trapped in polar ice cores. Occluded air in ice samples weighing ∼8–15 g is liberated by crushing with steel pins at −35°C and trapped at −263°C in a cryogenic cold trap. CO2 in the extracted air is analyzed using gas chromatography. Replicate measurements for several samples of high-quality ice from the Siple Dome and Taylor Dome Antarctic ice cores have pooled standard deviations of <0.9 ppm. This high-precision technique is directly applicable to high-temporal-resolution studies for detection of small CO2 variations, for example CO2 variations of a few parts per million on millennial to decadal scales.
Environmental Politics and Place Authenticity Protection1
Authors: Certomà Chiara
Published: July 2009

A large part of environmental politics is interested in protecting place authenticity against the ‘disenchanting’ effect produced by the advent of modernity. It adopts a rhetoric of nostalgia by regretting the loss of primeval relations between humans and nature, and endorses an essentialist, foundationalist and exclusivist definition of locality and the locals.

In order to overcome the problematic political consequences of this (widely accepted) classic approach, the paper proposes to differently outline modernity, by adopting a heterogeneous geography standpoint and postmodern hybrid networks theory. As a consequence, place is regarded in terms of heterogeneity, porosity and non-exclusivism; authenticity is reshaped in terms of throwntogetherness; and environmental politics is reconsidered in the structuration of a thing-oriented democracy.
Addiction: Law and Practice in Bangladesh
Authors: Uddin Md Jalal
Published: July 2009

In Bangladesh addiction has come as a dreadful curse on social life. Being addicted to intoxicant, men are extremely demoted. As a result frustration, indiscipline & mournful ripeness/end fall in personal life as well as its horrendous impact fall in social life and national life. Consequently the youths, the future of the nation, are running to the depth of darkness. This article explores the origin and causes of addiction and its bad impact on social life. This paper also highlights the national laws and Islamic laws about addiction and tries to show the present practice in Bangladesh. This article ends suggesting the Government how to overcome this problem.   doi: 10.3329/iiucs.v4i0.2855 IIUC STUDIES Vol. - 4, December 2007 (p 59-70)
Display Unit for Bangla Characters
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Osiur , Khan Mohammad Aktaruzzaman
Published: July 2009

Segmented representation is used in lieu of the dot matrices representation for alphanumeric characters of different languages. Due to concerns of cost, power loss and design complexity, the segmented representation becomes more popular over the dot matrices. There are very limited display units for English, Arabic, and Bangla alphanumeric characters. 18-segments display is normally used to display the entire alphabetic character of English. But there is no standard display unit for Bangla Alphabetic Characters. Although recently different segmented display models for Bangla characters have been proposed, the quality of the characters stay below the mark. In this paper, 26-segments display for Bangla alphabetic character has been proposed. From the review it appears that it is the first proposed display in the world for Bangla Alphabetic Character. Here a grid structure consisting of 26 segments has been discovered. All Bangla characters vowel and consonants can be characterized by using this grid structure. As there can be at least vowels (12), consonants (39), punctuation, and some other symbols to be displayed, 6-bit inputs are used to represent each character. After analyzing which segments will be activated for which character, appropriate logic function and circuits have been derived in order to display each Bangla character. Finally, a comparative analysis is made among the different proposed segmented display models to find out the cost and effectiveness in terms of display quality, power loss, and design complexity. Keywords: 7-segment, 12-segment, 17-segment, 18- segment, non-overlapping segments, K-map.   doi: 10.3329/iiucs.v4i0.2855 IIUC STUDIES Vol. - 4, December 2007 (p 71-86)
Challenges of Islamic Da'wah in Bangladesh: The Christian Missions and Their Evangelization
Authors: Ali Md Yousuf , Nurullah Abu Sadat
Published: July 2009

Although Bangladesh is the second largest Muslim populated country in the world, there are several challenges of Islamic da‘wah here. The Christian mission, taking the opportunity of people's poverty and distress, is evangelizing them through financial assistance and other means. The rapidly increasing number of conversion to Christianity among the tribal population is alarming. The missionary activities are spreading around the country, chiefly in the intellectual arena, in educational institutions, and in other aspects of life. The influence of it on the culture, education, religion and lifestyle of people results into converting people to the Christian ideology. Particularly the young generations are inclining towards this lucrative dogma of the new age. Media, both print and electronic, are propagating and claiming the banning of the da‘wah movement. In these situation, the Islamic da‘wah movements require to explore and implement new methodology to face the enormous challenges to prevent Bangladesh from becoming a Christian country in future. Keywords: Islamic da'wah, Christian mission, and evangelization.   doi: 10.3329/iiucs.v4i0.2856 IIUC STUDIES Vol. - 4, December 2007 (p 87-108)
Use of Arabic Masder and Munakkar as an adverb
Authors: Majid Abu Said Mohamed
Published: July 2009

The full text of this article is in Arabic - see PDF below.doi: 10.3329/iiucs.v4i0.2859 IIUC STUDIES Vol. - 4, December 2007 (p 17-32)
Drama of Spanish Queen Ahmad Shawqy - An analytical study
Authors: Sirajuddin Md
Published: July 2009

The full text of this article is in Arabic - see PDF below.doi: 10.3329/iiucs.v4i0.2861 IIUC STUDIES Vol. - 4, December 2007 (p 45-56)
Social Degradation in the Society
Authors: Samad Md Abdus
Published: July 2009

The full text of this article is in Arabic - see PDF below.doi: 10.3329/iiucs.v4i0.2866 IIUC STUDIES Vol. - 4, December 2007 (p 145-168)
Honey and Modern Medicare
Authors: Ahmed Fauzi
Published: July 2009

The full text of this article is in Arabic - see PDF below.doi: 10.3329/iiucs.v4i0.2869 IIUC STUDIES Vol. - 4, December 2007 (p 209-226)
Fundamentals of in Situ Digital Camera Methodology for Water Quality Monitoring of Coast and Ocean
Authors: Goddijn-Murphy Lonneke , Dailloux Damien , White Martin , Bowers Dave
Published: July 2009

Conventional digital cameras, the Nikon Coolpix885® and the SeaLife ECOshot®, were used as in situ optical instruments for water quality monitoring. Measured response spectra showed that these digital cameras are basically three-band radiometers. The response values in the red, green and blue bands, quantified by RGB values of digital images of the water surface, were comparable to measurements of irradiance levels at red, green and cyan/blue wavelengths of water leaving light. Different systems were deployed to capture upwelling light from below the surface, while eliminating direct surface reflection. Relationships between RGB ratios of water surface images, and water quality parameters were found to be consistent with previous measurements using more traditional narrow-band radiometers. This current paper focuses on the method that was used to acquire digital images, derive RGB values and relate measurements to water quality parameters. Field measurements were obtained in Galway Bay, Ireland, and in the Southern Rockall Trough in the North Atlantic, where both yellow substance and chlorophyll concentrations were successfully assessed using the digital camera method.
Sustainability and Urban Dynamics: Assessing Future Impacts on Ecosystem Services
Authors: Deal Brian , Pallathucheril Varkki
Published: July 2009

Sustainable management of a region’s critical and valued ecosystem resources requires an understanding about how these resource systems might function into the future. In urbanized areas, this requires the ability to frame the role of resources within the context of urban dynamics and the implications of policy and investment choices. In this paper we describe a three-step approach to assessing the impact of future urban development on ecosystem services: 1) characterize key ecosystem resources and services, 2) forecast future land-use changes, and 3) assess how future land-use changes will affect ecosystem services. Each of these steps can be carried out with different levels of sophistication and detail. All steps involve a combination of science and process: the science provides information that is deliberated upon by stakeholders in public forums before conclusions are drawn. We then illustrate the approach by describing how it was used in two regions in the state of Illinois in the United States. In the first instance, an early application of this approach, a simple overlay was used to identify development pressure on an environmentally sensitive river bluff; this finding altered thinking about public policy choices. In the second instance, the more fine-grained analysis was conducted for several ecosystem services.
Reversible Regulation of Cell Cycle-Related Genes by Epigallocatechin Gallate for Hibernation of Neonatal Human Tarsal Fibroblasts
Authors: Bae Jung Yoon , Kanamune Jun , Han Dong-Wook , Matsumura Kazuaki , Hyon Suong-Hyu
Published: July 2009

We investigated the hibernation effect of epigallocatechin-3- O-gallate (EGCG) on neonatal human tarsal fibroblasts (nHTFs) by analyzing the expression of cell cycle-related genes. EGCG application to culture media moderately inhibited the growth of nHTFs, and the removal of EGCG from culture media led to complete recovery of cell growth. EGCG resulted in a slight decrease in the cell population of the S and G2/M phases of cell cycle with concomitant increase in that of the G0/G1 phase, but this cell cycle profile was restored to the initial level after EGCG removal. The expression of cyclin D1 (CCND1), CCNE2, CCN-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6), and CDK2 was restored, whereas that of CCNA, CCNB1, and CDK1 was irreversibly attenuated. The expression of a substantial number of genes analyzed by cDNA microarray was affected by EGCG application, and these affected expression levels were restored to the normal levels after EGCG removal. We also found the incorporation of FITC-EGCG into the cytosol of nHTFs and its further nuclear translocation, which might lead to the regulation of the exogenous signals directed to genes for cellular responses including proliferation and cell cycle progression. These results suggest that EGCG temporarily affects not only genes related to the cell cycle but also various other cellular functions.
Bone Regeneration and Neovascularization Processes in a Pellet Culture System for Periosteal Cells
Authors: Akiyama Mari , Nakamura Masaaki
Published: July 2009

Reliable bone regeneration can be achieved with a pellet culture system using bovine periosteal cells. However, bone regeneration and neovascularization processes in this system have remained unclear. The present study aimed to clarify the extracellular environment and neovascularization process. To detect components of the extracellular matrix secreted by cells and to identify the conditions necessary for bone regeneration in the body, Western blotting and in vivo tests in nude mice were performed. Cells were cultured with or without ascorbic acid and culture supernatant was precipitated. Western blotting showed that culture supernatant contained collagen type I, procollagen type I, and procollagen type I C-terminus when cells were cultured with ascorbic acid. Cells cultured with ascorbic acid formed partial bony tissues at 2 weeks after grafting to nude mice, while bone formation was missing without ascorbic acid. Immunostaining was performed using species-specific vascular endothelial cell markers to ascertain whether vascular endothelial cells were bovine or murine (nude mouse). Immunohistological methods showed vascular endothelial cells in osseous tissue formed in the subcutaneous tissue of nude mice were murine. Extracellular matrix synthesis in vitro and host blood flow in vivo are essential for bone regeneration.
A Novel Strategy Incorporated the Power of Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Allografts for Segmental Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Zou Xiao Hui , Cai Hong Xin , Yin Zi , Chen Xiao , Jiang Yang Zi , Hu Hu , Ouyang Hong Wei
Published: July 2009

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold great promise for bone regeneration. However, the power of mesenchymal stem cells has not been applied to structural bone allografts in clinical practice. This study designed a new strategy to enhance the efficiency of allografts for segmental bone regeneration. Isolated MSCs were cultured to form a cell sheet. The MSC sheet was then wrapped onto structural allografts. The assembled structures were cultured in vitro to evaluate the differentiation potential of MSC sheet. The assembled structures were implanted subcutaneously into nude mice as well as into the segmental radius defect of rabbits to investigate the efficiency of MSC sheets to repopulate allografts for bone repair. MSC sheets, upon assembling on bone grafts, showed similar differentiation properties to the in situ periosteum in vitro. After implantation the MSC sheets accelerated the repopulation of bone grafts in nude mice. Moreover, MSC sheets induced thicker cortical bone formation and more efficient graft-to-bone end fusion at the segmental bone defects in rabbits. This study thus presented a novel, more efficient, and practical strategy for large weight-bearing bone reconstruction by using MSC sheets to deliver large number of MSCs to repopulate the bone allografts.
Clinical Use of Fructosamine in Islet Transplantation
Authors: Tharavanij Thipaporn , Froud Tatiana , Leitao Cristiane B. , Baidal David A. , Paz-Pabon Charlotte N. , Shari Messinger , Cure Pablo , Bernetti Karina , Ricordi Camillo , Alejandro Rodolfo
Published: July 2009

Many islet transplant recipients have medical conditions that could interfere with the accuracy of HbA1c measurements (e.g., anemia/dapsone use). Fructosamine is less prone to have clinical interferences and reflects glucose control in a shorter period of time than HbA1c. This study aimed to validate fructosamine use in islet transplant subjects and to evaluate its effectiveness as a predictor for islet graft dysfunction. Thirty-three islet transplant recipients who had concomitant fructosamine and HbA1c data available were retrospectively analyzed. HbA1c, fructosamine, mean capillary blood glucose, and islet graft function (fasting C-peptide/glucose ratio) were assessed. There was a significant and positive association between fructosamine and HbA1c ( p < 0.0001). Both variables were also positively associated with mean overall and fasting capillary glucose. Neither fructosamine nor HbA1c was shown by ROC analysis to significantly discriminate between periods with and without subsequent graft dysfunction. HbA1c >6% was predictive of this outcome 1 month in advance (OR 2.95, p = 0.003). However, although significantly associated with graft dysfunction, use of this cutoff as a predictor of dysfunction has poor sensitivity (50%) and specificity (77.6%). Fructosamine above the normal range (>270 μmol/L Quest Diagnostics) was also predictive of ensuing dysfunction (OR 2.47, p = 0.03); however, it had similarly poor sensitivity (62%) and specificity (64%). Fructosamine can be used as an alternative to HbA1c for glycemic assessment in islet transplant recipients in situations with HbA1c assay interference. Neither HbA1c nor fructosamine are good predictors of islet graft dysfunction.
Development of a Large Bore Umbilical for Deep Water Dynamic Service
Authors: Dobson Alan , Fellows Peter
Published: July 2009

The following paper discusses, in detail, the technical development of an umbilical system intended for dynamic service in deep water typical for installations in the Gulf of Mexico and Offshore West Africa. The document includes a review of design of a complex umbilical system containing a three inch central super duplex tube, electrical cables and fiber optics and focuses upon the challenges of the design and manufacture of the structure and in particular the challenges of design for fatigue strength.

Application of the API/ISO 13628-5:2008 standard to the development of the umbilical structure, from design through to manufacture and full scale qualification testing, is discussed together with the significant implications of applying the standard to a typical deep water project. Both the advantages and disadvantages with respect to the scope of engineering, testing and qualification are discussed to provide an insight into the effect of the standard as it is being introduced.

Qualification testing presented includes collapse and buckle propagation testing, component fatigue testing, full scale tensile, and fatigue testing together with component strain measurements and an analysis of the subsequent failure mechanisms. The qualification testing is assessed against the various design criteria outlined within the API/ISO 13628-5 standard from which conclusions are made on the applicability of the various utilization factors specified within the standard.

The paper concludes with design challenges imposed by deep water and dynamic operation and show how the updated API/ISO 13628-5 standard can be applied to maintain a justifiably high degree of quality of design and safety.

INTRODUCTION

An umbilical is defined as an assembly of fluid conduits, electrical and fiber optic cables, either on their own or with combinations of each other, cabled together for flexibility. In any offshore field development, the umbilical is a critical link in the recovery of hydrocarbons using subsea production systems (SPS). It provides electrical and hydraulic power, control and signals to and from the subsea components in the system along with a means of supplying injection chemicals for flow assurance purposes or as a conduit for gas transportation.
SS: Floating Offshore LNG: Offshore LNG Value Chain Optimization
Authors: Scott Edward B. , Lane Mark Kevin
Published: July 2009

The paper addresses the major points in the offshore value chain and describes a market maturing as it gains more global acceptance, allowing segments of the industry to transition from typical land-based upstream and downstream services with conventional LNG carriers providing point to point transportation solutions to nontypical offshore based systems providing added value to operational and commercial considerations through increased flexibility, reduced costs and a major shift from the traditional concept of fixed land-based assets. As the number of offshore and dockside regasification facilities continue to grow, the ability to cost effectively open new seasonal and year-round markets utilizing regasification capable LNG vessels as floating terminals in conjunction with ship to ship transfer capabilities to maximize the utilization of these assets, continues to demonstrate a global appeal. Applying the valuable lessons learned in taking LNG transfer and regasification operations offshore will allow offshore LNG participants to " complete' the value chain by developing floating liquefaction solutions to allow the cost effective development of associated and " stranded?? gas reserves that, to date, have not been considered to be worthy conventional for development.

The offshore value chain as discussed herein, consists of a floating natural gas processing, liquefaction, and storage system, a suitably reliable offloading system, and transportation to offshore, dockside, or conventional regasification facilities as market and other considerations dictate, as is based on nearly 5 years of operational expertise in the construction and operation of LNG regasification vessels, ship to ship transfer systems, and the development of numerous offshore and onshore facilities to accommodate these vessels and to open new and under-serviced markets.
Oil Recovery and Surfactant Adsorption during CO2-Foam Flooding
Authors: Yin Guoqiang , Grigg Reid Barlow , Svec Yi
Published: July 2009

Three carbon dioxide (CO2) foam flooding parameters are addressed in this paper: optimum gas fractional flow, surfactant adsorption behavior, and oil recovery versus CO2/aqueous phase injection methodologies. Experimental test conditions were selected to simulate some of the reservoirs in west Texas (1540 psig and 110°F). All tests in this study were conducted in fired Berea sandstone cores to minimize core property changes during a series of CO2 foam flooding tests. CO2 and aqueous phase were co-injected during the test. The CO2 foam flow behavior in the absence and presence of oil and the optimum oil recovery methodologies associated with different stages are described in this paper.

This study demonstrates that, with similar residual oil in the core, CO2 foam had higher oil recovery than CO2-brine coinjection. Additional oil was recovered with CO2 foam injection following CO2-brine co-injection. However, no additional oil was recovered if CO2 foam injection was applied first. The surfactant adsorption equilibrium was characterized by the occurrence of foam.

Introduction

The idea of using foam for mobility control was first proposed and patented by Bond and Holbrook in 1958.1 Fried2 conducted foam drive experiments and reported a sharp pressure drop across the foam bank and reduced gas mobility through porous media. Since then, there have been extensive reviews on foam research such as Heller and Taber,3 Marsden,4 Hirasaki, 5-6 and Chang and Grigg.7 CO2 foam will increase the apparent viscosity of displacing fluid and improve the oil recovery by decreasing mobility. Several researchers have reported that CO2 foam can selectively reduce mobility of CO2 by a greater fraction in higher than in lower permeability regions. 8-10

Gas frictional flow ratio, fg, can be used to predict foam flow behavior. At a constant gas flow rate, qg, Khatib et al.11 showed that foam mobility decreases slightly with increasing fg ranging from 50% to 98%. But for fg > 98%, foam mobility increases with increasing fg. Also, Patton et al,13 Hirasaki and Lawson,14 Marsden and Khan,4 and Chang and Grigg15 found that foam mobility decreases with increasing fg. On the other hand, Lee and Heller9 reported that foam mobility increases with increasing fg. Yaghoobi and Heller10 found that foam mobility increases slightly as fg increases up to about 85%; thereafter, foam mobility increases rapidly. Persoff et al.16 found that, at a constant gas flow rate (qg), foam mobility decreases with increasing liquid flow rate (ql); The results by Lee et al.9 demonstrated that, foam mobility increases with increasing qt. At a constant total flow rate, qt, De Vries and Wit12 reported that, foam mobility decreases as fg increases until the break point (where the pressure gradient reaches the maximum); beyond that point it increases. Chang and Grigg15 also showed that foam mobility increases with increasing qt, the total mobility decreases with increasing qg.
Application and Recycling of Sodium and Potassium Formate Brine Drilling Fluids for Ghawar Field HTHP Gas Wells
Authors: Simpson Michael Antoine , Al-Reda Saeed , Foreman Darrell , Guzman Julio , Al-Fawzy Mahmoud , Vice Philip
Published: July 2009

This paper describes the benefits and lessons learned from drilling 44 deep gas reservoir sections with sodium and potassium formate brine drilling fluids in Saudi Arabia's prolific Ghawar field from 2004 through 2008.

Initially in Saudi Aramco, the formate brine drilling fluids were used primarily to prevent formation damage across the pre-Khuff sandstone reservoirs. As formate use burgeoned, their ancillary benefits such as stuck pipe mitigation, better bit performance, better than expected reservoir performance, lower pump pressures, torque and drag, solids content and enhanced temperature stability; use as a completion fluid and recyclability became evident.

The fluids have been used in a variety of reservoir drill-in fluid applications in the pre-Khuff, Jauf and Unayzah sandstones with bottom hole temperatures (BHT) up to 323°F. The formates have also been used by Saudi Aramco in the Khuff carbonates for single and dual lateral horizontal wells where the drilling fluid overbalance to formation pressure sometimes exceeds 1,400 psi.

In addition to the return permeability testing conducted prior to actually drilling the first wells with formates, the fluids nondamaging properties were proved up in the case of the Tinat-A well, a Unayzah-A re-entry/horizontal sidetrack, that had to be shut in for three years, due to a mechanical obstruction in the completion, with a 90 pounds per cubic foot (pcf) sodium/potassium formate completion fluid left in the hole as kill fluid. After removing the obstruction via a snubbing unit workover the well initially tested at 30 mmscfd with 4,320 psig FWHP, which was much higher than estimated.

In a JFYN Unayzah B/C well, JFYN-A, only 1,214 ft of 5-7/8?? hole was cut across the reservoir using a recycled 92 pcf potassium formate and the well flowed back at 45 mmscfd with 358 bopd oil on a 44/64?? choke, which was also much higher than expected.

Laboratory return permeability to gas test with Khuff-C cores showed 91% return permeability after flowing through the cores with potassium formate drilling fluid with 2% commercial lubricant as compared to 40% return permeability for the KCl Polymer drilling fluids of the same density normally used across the Khuff-C.

The formates have also been used in combination with fine, medium and coarse calcium carbonate functioning as a bridging agent to drill in extreme overbalance situations across the Khuff-C reservoirs. The best example of this practice is UTMN-J, a Khuff-B re-entry sidetrack, where an 81 pcf sodium formate brine served as the base drilling fluid to drill and complete the 3675 ft horizontal section. The well was flowed back at a rate of 35 mmscfd without enzyme treatment or acid stimulation.
SS: Ocean Mining: Developing the World's First Deepwater Metaliferous Hard Rock Mine
Authors: Rogers Stephen , Smith Glen
Published: July 2009

Nautilus Minerals', the world's leader in exploration and development of deep ocean seafloor resources, is today focused on the recovery of high-grade copper and gold in seafloor massive-sulphide mineralization. These mineralized belts, analogous to land based volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits, are located near plate boundaries in the back arc basins of the Western Pacific.

The first deposit to be developed by the company is located at a depth of 1,600 meters at Solwara 1, in the benign waters of the Bismarck Sea. This location lies within the territorial waters of Papua New Guinea. During 2006 and 2007 the company completed detailed environmental and geological studies, culminating in a number of world firsts, including the world's first NI 43-101 compliant resource statement for a seafloor massive sulphide deposit.

By Q3 2008 Nautilus submitted its application for a mining licence and prepared its environmental impact statement for submission to the relevant authorities. Extensive government and stakeholder liaison and engagement has been undertaken, and is a core feature of Nautilus' desire to " do it right?? in all aspects of this new industry.

Nautilus has relied heavily on proven deepwater technologies from the oil and gas industry in the design of its mining system. Pipeline trenching units, workclass ROVs, deepwater production risers and drill cuttings removal systems will be adapted to initiate this new and exciting industry. Key contractors used by Nautilus on this innovative project have all been selected for their deepwater experience (gained in the oil and gas industry), creativity and determination to launch this new industry successfully.

Innovation is at the forefront of Nautilus' success to date and in 2007 it deployed the world's first ROV mounted drilling tool to measure the extent of the resource at Solwara 1. Secondly it prototyped a ROV mounted electro magnetic device to allow surficial mapping of resources.

This paper summarises the progress to date of this development which will provide a new source of minerals for the world and which will contribute to sustainable growth for the future.

Introduction

In recent years, the boundaries of the existing offshore industries have continued to grow at a rapid pace through offshore technological advancements that have allowed access to new and / or rich resources that 10 - 15 years ago were considered either technically not feasible or commercially unviable. The offshore oil and gas industry provides no better example of this where all facets of the industry have advanced to enable exploration, construction and production in harsh and deepwater environments.
Performance Analysis Of Mooring Hawser Prototypes Manufactured With Different Kinds Of Constituent Materials
Authors: Haach Leandro Francisco
Published: July 2009

This work aims to investigate the performance of double-braided hawsers manufactured with different kinds of raw material in order to achieve experimental results to confirm that hybrid ropes - a polyester jacket and a polyamide (nylon) core - may potentially present a service life time longer than 100% polyamide ropes and improved performance compared to 100% polyester ropes in mooring applications as well. This goal may be achieved by means of a construction which counterbalances the elongation between core and cover, combining the physical and mechanical properties of these two raw materials. Polyamide is a raw material with high mechanical shock absorption due to its quick elastic recovery. On the other hand, polyester has excellent resistance to ultra-violet radiation as well as abrasion and presents no water absorption. Polyester has excellent resistance to fatigue and to traction while exposed to high loads. Therefore, a balanced construction between these two materials may result in a product with distinct quality and performance.

1. Introduction

Based on our experience and preliminary studies, we have always supported the thesis that one of the factors which could extend the service life of mooring hawsers was the use of composite hawsers: a polyester jacket and a polyamide core. Our technical argument advocated the idea of a considerably balanced structure as regards elongation, for while the rope core has long pit length, the jacket has short pit length. This blend was assumed to ensure that the hawser has a better performance towards ultraviolet rays and greater traction resistance when wet, as well as higher abrasion resistance. However, we recommended that this suggestion be tested.

By means of laboratory tests carried out in compliance with the manufacturing, inspection and testing standards from the OCIMF guidelines, our study aims to compare the performance of mooring hawsers of the same double-braided structure (2- in-1) but with different constituent materials and some parameters. For that purpose, polyamide and polyester yarns were purchased especially to be used in this study by means of which the four hawser prototypes were tested, and are specified as follows in Figure 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Risk Mitigation of Chemical Munitions in a Deepwater GeoHazard Assessment
Authors: Herbert John E.
Published: July 2009

The Department of Defense is currently conducting a review of archival information in attempt to verify the types, quantities, and locations of chemical warfare material and conventional munitions disposed of by DoD in waters of the United States, in accordance with Section 314 of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and report the results of that review annually in the Defense Environmental Programs Annual Report to Congress. Previous to this effort, disposal of military munitions including chemical warfare materials (CWM) and conventional munitions, in the ocean from World War I through 1970 was not well documented In accordance with Section 314, the Department of Defense published updated information on disposals in the 2006 and 2007 " Defense Environmental Programs Annual Report to Congress.?? Two directives implemented in 2006 and 2007, respectively, by the Minerals Management Service (MMS) referenced an increased concern with UXO in deep water (NTLs 2006-G12 and 2007-G01) The Department of Interior regulates off-shore drilling. Navy, as executive agent for the Department of Defense, has a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Department of Interior's Mineral Management Service, to provide consultation on decisions to permit Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) develops 5-year leasing programs for oil and gas lease sales to meet national energy needs consistent with the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act [43 USC 1341]. MMS follows a formal, rigorous, lengthy, multi-step process of public consultation and analysis before the Secretary of the Interior may approve a new 5-year program. This process includes: initial solicitation of comments; development of a draft proposed program, a proposed program, a proposed final program, and ultimately Secretarial approval.

Pursuant to the OCS Lands Act, MMS also prepares an Environmental Impacts Statement (EIS) that analyzes the alternatives considered for any new 5-year program. Each of the above-referenced program steps, in addition to requisite draft EIS Federal Register Notices of Availability, provides for public review and comment opportunity. This entire 5-yr program development process takes roughly three years to complete and affords amply opportunity for our department, and the public, to provide comments on the process and draft and final program.

During these many comment periods, and as the new 5-year program develops from draft to proposed final plan, pertinent information such as the location of active offshore military range areas and past military munitions disposal and former range activity will be provided by the Navy to MSS as appropriate to the new 5-year program development process to avoid incompatible uses of the OCS.
SS: IMR: Development of flexible risers monitoring methodology using acoustic emission technology
Authors: Soares Sergio Damasceno , Camerini Claudio Soligo , Santos João Marcio Castilho
Published: July 2009

Deep water oil and gas exploitation in Brazil has considerably increased the utilization of flexible pipes in conjunction with floating production systems. Acoustic emission is a nondestructive testing technique that could be used for detection of tensile armour wire rupture, which is a critical failure mode of flexible risers. This paper describes the experimental program implemented including: laboratory results, field experience and the model to define if there is or no armour wire rupture. It was concluded that acoustic emission can be used as a tool to help the integrity assessment of flexible risers using the setup and model developed during this experimental program.

Introduction

Deep water oil and gas exploitation in Brazil has considerably increased the utilization of flexible pipes in conjunction with floating production systems. Periodic inspections have detected considerable occurrence of damage on the top section of flexible risers which may affect their structural integrity. In order to mitigate the progression of these damages monitoring techniques have been studied and implemented for a continuous flexible riser integrity assessment, apart from the inspection program. Acoustic emission is one of these techniques for detection of tensile armour wire rupture. This paper describes experimental program implemented including: laboratory results, field experience, equation to define if there is an armour wire rupture or not. It was concluded that acoustic emission could be used as a tool to help the integrity assessment of flexible risers.

Acoustic emission is a physical phenomenon occurring within materials. The term acoustic emission is used to define the elastic energy released within a material in the form of transient elastic waves. The application of load and/or the presence of a harsh environment produce internal modifications such as crack growth, local plastic deformation and corrosion, and in some cases phase changes. Thus it provides some information about the internal behavior of the materials under consideration. The waves are detected by means of suitable sensors which make it possible to convert the surface movements of the material into an electric signal. These signals are processed by appropriate instrumentation with a view to indicating and locating the acoustic emission sources. Figure 1 shows the schematic principle of the acoustic emission testing. [AFIAP, 2004]
LNG Transfer in Harsh Environments - Introduction of a New Concept
Authors: Hoog Sven , Koch Hartmut , Huhn Roland , Frohne Christian , Homann Joern , Clauss Gunther F. , Sprenger Florian , Testa Daniel
Published: July 2009

One of the most challenging questions with regard to the technical part of the LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) supply chain has not been answered satisfactorily yet: How can LNG be safely and reliably transferred between a floating terminal platform (Floating Production, Storage and Offloading - FPSO or Floating Storage and Re-gasification Units - FSRU or comparable) and a shuttle tanker in harsh environmental conditions?

The problem consists of two main technical issues: The first is the vessel mooring configuration (e.g. side-by-side (SbS), tandem); the second is the type and appropriate handling of the transfer lines for the cryogenic liquid. As both problems are interacting, no convincing solution has been developed until now..

The innovative offshore LNG loading system "Maritime Pipe Loading System 20" (MPLS20) is proposed by the project partners Nexans and Brugg, leading manufacturers of vacuum insulated, flexible cryogenic transfer pipes, IMPaC, an innovative engineering company that has been involved in many projects for the international oil and gas industry for 25 years and the Technical University Berlin, Department of Land- and Sea Transportation Systems, with great expertise in numerical analyses and model tests.

The new concept is based on a unique tandem mooring configuration (see Fig. 1). In comparison to standard operations used in the oil business for about 40 years, the concept introduces a mooring bay for the shuttle tanker. Extensive numerical simulations are conducted to determine the envelope of motions and mooring forces.

As the Nexans/Brugg corrugated metal pipes provide a double containment system all relevant safety issues are well addressed, as required by EN1474-2/-3. Thus, LNG transfer can take place even under severe environmental conditions which makes this new concept superior to other approaches such as side-by-side configurations using composite hoses.
Predictive Condition Monitoring for subsea pumping systems
Authors: Eriksson Klas Goran , Homstvedt Gunder , Melboe Hallgeir , Gillespie Alisdair
Published: July 2009

For subsea pumps, regular maintenance is required (in the order of every 5 years or so). Being able to plan this intervention to be "just in time" will reduce downtime, and optimize production enhancement. Being able to state with certainty whether a pump e.g. can be allowed to run one extra year (i.e. 6 years instead of 5) gives reduced downtime. Such techniques have been applied to topside systems for a long time, and are now being extended to subsea systems.

A data monitoring system with algorithms for monitoring certain Key Performance Indicators for a pumping system has been developed and applied, and is used to determine "time to service". Three subsea pumping systems are used as real examples, with results from system testing and operation. Subsea data networks with ??self-healing?? capabilities are briefly described.
Polymer Liner & Connector Qualification For Use In Subsea Pipelines
Authors: Campbell Tom
Published: July 2009

Since 2007 Q2, the work described herein has been carried out to qualify and install polymer liners and suitable connectors in two different carbon steel subsea pipelines for water injection service in the Norwegian and UK sectors of the North Sea using the swagelining technique.

The Norwegian line is 16" diameter × 9.1km long and is the largest size of swagelined pipe to have been reel installed. The pipeline was fabricated at the company's newly commissioned spoolbase for the North Sea located at Vigra near Ålesund in mid-Norway. It was transported and successfully installed by Seven Navica, one of the company's reeled pipeline lay vessels.

The UK line is 6" diameter × 1.3km long. It is the smallest size of swagelined pipe to be installed subsea and forms the first application of swagelining to a pipe contained inside a pipeline bundle. The pipeline bundle was fabricated and launched at the company's purpose built Wester site near Wick in the north of Scotland. The bundle was successfully transported and installed offshore by the company using its controlled depth tow method.

Full scale lining and bending trials plus pressure testing have been conducted to verify the integrity of candidate liners and connectors when subjected to extreme installation and operational design conditions. The trials have been backed up by analysis, metrology, visual examination, non-destructive and destructive testing. The combined results of the trials programme justified the selected materials, component details, lining and jointing methods. Consequently both ends of the size range for swagelining in subsea pipelines has been extended. The work has also served to qualify swagelining for pipeline bundle applications and has provided a firm technical basis on which to proceed with the fabrication, installation and operation of these particular subsea pipelines.

The Paper describes activities at each stage of the qualification process involving definition of requirements, material selection, component detailing, development of test procedures, sample preparations, conduct of trials, data gathering and assessment of results.

In the case of the 16" line for reeled installation, three main features were the focus of investigations :Relative ovalisation of linepipe, weldlink connector and internal compression ring when subjected to reeling strainsIntegrity of liner end seal at weldlink following ovalisationResistance of liner to collapse under reduced internal pressure

For the 6" diameter bundled line, bending stress greater than the steel yield value is not a design consideration as it has to be for reeling. Instead there was focus on the following three features :Resistance to axial stress range on the weldlinkEffect of longitudinal expansion / contraction on the liner end sealPressure containment of the weldlink body which is inlaid at the liner sealing area
Evaluation of Reservoir Connectivity of Gimboa Field, Deep Water West Africa
Authors: De Carvalho Nilton Augusto Barreto , Lazary Joaquina Correia , Pinheiro Nilton Claudio , Mengel Frank , Weinheber Peter John
Published: July 2009

The detection and evaluation of reservoir connectivity and compartmentalization continues to be a significant issue in reservoir characterization, especially in offshore fields that must commit significant upfront costs before production can begin.

It is generally accepted that with most of the petrophysical and formation testing measurements made in the borehole we are able to detect reservoir separation but we are not able to prove connectivity. That is, we can prove the negative but not the positive. However, compartmentalization (proving the negative) can economically doom a project. Therefore it is incumbent upon the practitioner to incorporate and integrate all measurements, including logs, pressure measurements and PVT data, before passing judgment.

In the example discussed in this paper, multiple wells are being drilled as injectors. Connectivity to the producer wells is critical. We evaluate acquired pressures and gradients from formation tester tools in several of these wells. Additionally PVT quality samples were obtained and PVT data from these samples is incorporated intothe analaysis. Compartmentalization within a reservoir can be either vertical, lateral, or both. Evaluation of vertical connectivity can be done by either evaluating pressure or fluid discontinuities. The use of pressure discontinuities is well established. To use fluid discontinuities we assume that fluids in flow communication over geologic time will equilibrate to a predictable fluid gradient. Fluid distributions that are not predictable can be suspected to be not in flow communication and further investigation is warranted.

For lateral connectivity, we evaluate well-to-well data. Formation pressures and samples were obtained from the producer and the injector well. We show how to calibrate the response between different tools in different wells and then describe how the differences can be resolved. Again a statistical analysis of the pressure gradient data is applied to ensure that any inferences made are sustainable given the accuracy, resolution, and repeatability of the acquired data.

Introduction

Block 4 is located at the southern margin of the lower Congo Basin. The area is characterized by detached Cretaceous rafts gliding on a continuous bed of salt, divided by thick Tertiary sedimentary grabens which indicate salt movements until the present day. The Gimboa field is located in the middle part of the continental slope in an area with numerous turbiditic events which occurred during the Miocene period. A general geological crosssection showing the stratigraphy in the area is presented in Fig. 1.