bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenges in Riser Fatigue Estimations from Simultaneous Processes
Authors: Skrede S. O. , Sødahl N. , Sletten J. S. , Drabløs S. O. , Grytøyr G. , Hogg B. , Gregersen K. , Farnes K.
Published: October 2023

Deep-water steel lazy wave risers and steel catenary risers are subject to simultaneous loading from different sources. Environmental loading comes from waves and vortex induced vibrations (VIV), and in addition internal slug flow may also excite dynamic stresses. Design codes account for this either by applying conservative damage summation formulas, such as the method from DNV-RP-C203, or by recommending adding stresses in time domain. Actual design practice is more inconsistent, with different levels of scientific foundations, like, e.g., linear summation of damage contributions. A study has been performed to assess methods for combining fatigue damage from two independent simultaneous processes. This has been studied for time series simulated directly from spectra, and on simulated response time series of a deep-water steel lazy wave riser. The case study considers two loading combinations: Two years of measured environment (waves, current profile), divided into a series of short-term conditions of waves and VIV. This gives a consistent description of the long-term fatigue loading from waves and current, taking the correlation into account.Representative slugging conditions for the lifetime of a field, combined with wave scatter.

Global riser analyses have been run in time domain for waves and slugging, and in frequency domain for VIV. For best-estimate results, combined analyses have been run for waves and slugging, and time series of stresses have been combined for waves and VIV. Linear combination of damages has been applied on the separate results to compare with the best-estimate approach.

The results show, as expected, that the industry approach of linear summation of fatigue damage from two processes is unconservative. The amplification of fatigue damage due to an additional process is considerable, even for comparably low stress ranges.

Although the study is focused on steel lazy-wave risers, the problem itself is generic and applies to other structures exposed to combined fatigue loading, such as flexible risers, dynamic umbilicals and cables, subsea spools, etc.
Key Takeaways from Implementing a Successful Downhole Scale Mitigation & Prevention Job in an Indian Western Offshore ESP Well
Authors: Uniyal Rishabh , Jaruhar Suman Kumar , Sarkar Manoj Kumar , Devshali Sagun , Parida Dibyajyoti , Bhoye Sushil , Biswas Sudipta , Dodda Dhiraj
Published: October 2023

Multiple ESP wells in an Indian Offshore Carbonate reservoir were afflicted with inorganic scale deposition chronically. Analysis of recovered deposit samples was carried out and the root cause of deposition established. This was followed by successfully carrying out remedial operations for scale removal and prevention. The experience gained from the same has been elaborated in the paper.

Inorganic scale deposition in Electrical Submersible Pumps has been a big cause of concern in many wells of a carbonate reservoir in Indian Offshore. Scale deposition in ESPs causes decrease in pump efficiency and sometimes, complete choking and ultimate failure. As part of this study, a detailed Compositional Analysis of recovered samples retrieved from inside the ESP was carried out. Based on the analysis, custom job plans were formulated to clear the scale from within the ESPs and its vicinity. This was followed by a continuous inhibitor injection program from a downhole chemical injection mandrel after the selection of the appropriate chemical.

The results of the compositional analysis of the recovered debris showed that despite the well operating in a carbonate reservoir, the majority of the sample was acid-insoluble sulphate scale. Further probing elucidated the fact that multiple acid washes had been performed in the well, which while dissolving the carbonates, left behind insoluble sulphates as residual scale. The operating conditions inside the pump were also especially conducive for sulphate deposition. As such, tailored job plans consisting of a formulation of a chelating agent in an alkaline solution were designed and executed. Implementation of the job plans resulted in significant oil gain from the affected wells and the continuous inhibitor injection has further improved the efficiency of the ESPs and reduced the frequency of cleaning jobs required.

The paper aims at providing an insight into inorganic scale deposition in ESPs. After analysing the scaling problem and establishing the root cause, mitigating measures have been devised and implemented. The paper provides a holistic approach towards tackling the problem of existing inorganic scale and preventing future deposition from taking place. The experiences gained during the entire exercise have been deliberated in the paper.
Evaluation of Carbon Footprint Reduction for a CO2 EOR Injection Scheme Field Pilot
Authors: Diaz O. Castellanos , Katiyar A. , Figueiredo P. , Groothuis E. , Watty J. P. , Crosley M.
Published: October 2023

Enhance oil recovery using CO2 as a solvent is posed to be a major technology in producing energy with a lower carbon footprint. It is therefore important to operate such technologies in an efficient manner. Foam-assisted technologies in which a surfactant aids conformance of the CO2 in-situ, allowing it to produce oil more effectively. This CO2 foam assisted EOR may be a critical technology if the CO2 utilized is of anthropogenic origin and is eventually sequestered underground. As such, having a framework where the potential benefits of foam-assisted technology are calculated is relevant. A calculation framework is introduced in this work with a life cycle thinking approach. To showcase the calculation methodology, a field trial is taken as an example of a successful EOR intervention technology. A field pilot from a trial between The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) and ConocoPhillips (Now Maverick, SPE 201199) is used. Injection and production data, together with industry averages on electricity generation, gas compression, and water treatment, were utilized to calculate energy input into the process prior, during, and post-trial. With this, a reduction of carbon footprint of 17% was realized together with a 30% reduction of freshwater use.
Well Planning Solutions Tailored to Meet Atlanta Field Directional Drilling Challenges
Authors: Macedo R. R. , Aguiar R. , Freesz C. A. , Costa W. , Alcantara A. , Souza M. G. , Sanchez L. , Salies J.
Published: October 2023

Atlanta is an oilfield located offshore Brazil known for its challenging directional drilling control. Its relatively shallow sandstone reservoir requires horizontal wells to maximize pay zone drainage. The objective of this paper is to describe the planning and execution phases of a successful project in the third drilling campaign in the field. To meet the geological requirements, the proposed well plan aimed to kick off from vertical just below the conductor casing shoe.

The tailored well design met the specific directional drilling needs of the operator. The phase two OD was initially drilled in 12 ¼" using a mud motor with AKO = 1.7° and then a new BHA was run in hole to under ream to 16" and then to 20". This work shared the BHAs designs and the operational strategies implemented in the project. To ensure a flawless execution, a 24/7 support team service was deployed to assist offshore operations, providing real time optimization services, such as vibration control, performance drilling and KPIs to measure operational effectiveness. A drilling automation service monitored torque and drag, and for potential borehole cleaning issues: comparing the theoretical broomstick against the actual torque and drag values automatically identified any unexpected change in the trend patterns.

The drilling automation service reduced back-reaming requirements by allowing data-driven decisions. Analysis of the BHA performance in the 12 ¼" section, and the subsequent under reaming 20" BHA, yielded relevant information for similar applications.

This unique well project provides the industry a different approach for offshore directional drilling in unconsolidated formations. This case study illustrates well planning solutions that decrease the operational risk of missing geological targets.
Remote Satellite Controlled Underwater Visual Inspection and Measurement System
Authors: Medagoda Lashika , Galea Mitchell , Bruggen Thomas Van , Martins Paulo , Castillo Marco
Published: October 2023

This paper outlines the remote visual underwater inspection technology using the Lantern Eye Stereo Remote system, a non-contact stereo imaging system that can be deployed without an imaging engineer offshore, allowing scaled 3D models and measurements. This system allows an imaging engineer to operate remotely, linking the mounted camera system used off-shore on an ROV, to an on-shore office. The connection was facilitated by a satellite connection to the ROV Support Vessel (RSV).

The approach was achieved through a novel communication architecture using a deployed computing system, VPN and multiple subnets. The communications are enabled through a robotics middleware that handles the publishing and subscribing of information including compressed images, and commands that change the exposure and gain of the camera system. Additionally, real-time photogrammetric reconstruction allows the on-shore user to understand in real-time the coverage that has been achieved on the mapped object. This makes sure that the required data has been captured, as the data collection process can be complex and tracking the collected data is error prone.

The system allowed multiple successful deployments, without the requirement for the imagine engineer to be offshore with the camera system during data collection. Results show that the system can be applied to any offshore deployment. In situations where the bandwidth is reduced, there is scope for increased compression on the images, but there exists hard requirements on bandwidth and latency where performance degrades beyond feasible usage, which has been determined to be 0.6MB/second (5Mb/s), 1500 ms latency. In the case of stable water conditions, a higher latency can be tolerated due to the simpler data capture process. For future work, greater reliance on the computing platform that is deployed with the camera system is possible, which includes automation of the role of the onshore imaging engineer, including automatic adaptation of image parameters without human intervention, and ensuring coverage is attained without a human monitoring this live. This opens the scope of future work where greater automation is undertaken with significantly less human intervention, for situations with low bandwidth and high latency.

This paper adds to the state of knowledge which benefits the oil and gas industry through showing an operating example of the remotely enabled subsea integrity assessment. This reduces the personnel required offshore and opens the path to further automation of the data collection process, especially in cases of reduced bandwidth or high latency. This opens up further benefits such as less vessel time.
Mero Field: Integrated Development, Challenges and Innovations
Authors: Neder Ana Luiza , Calôba Guilherme Marques , da Silva Letícia Soares , Hayashi Mauro Yuji
Published: October 2023

Mero field is among the biggest hydrocarbon discoveries in Brazilian pre-salt province and turned out to be a giant and high productivity reservoir. However, it has characteristics such as thick and heterogeneous carbonate reservoir, high reservoir pressures, high Gas-Oil Ratio (GOR), high CO2 content and presence of H2S that makes exploration and production challenging, as it requires specialized equipment and advanced technologies.

An important pillar for the field, integrated development, is the Project Based Technology Development. Mero leverages existing or innovative technologies and aims to identify and close technology gaps in an integrated approach to maximize project value and increase its attractiveness.

One of the primary challenges in highly complex reservoir, such as Mero, is deep reservoir understanding, and a robust drainage plan strategy. To mitigate all the main risks that could affect the Project results, Data Acquisition in the Production Phase must be planned and executed to minimize impacts on the Project deployment, obtain the information in time for optimizing the Project, and maximize the production and results at every moment. To maximize oil recovery and obtain a sustainable development, Mero Project considers the reinjection of gas and CO2 through alternating water and gas injection method (WAG) in all injector wells. A variety of offshore technologies were pushed beyond its previous limits, establishing industry "firsts", which have enabled an accelerated approval process and the development of the next production systems.

To overcome all the technical and economic challenges, the Consortium created an integrated cooperative environment. As a result of the big integration between Consortium members and the supply chain companies involved, Mero Project is conceived through the application of several cutting-edge technologies, enabling the recovery of this large reserve with competitive break-even and robust carbon storage in the reservoir. Those practices were key to deploy two early production systems (FPSO Pioneiro de Libra) and one definitive system (FPSO Guanabara) – currently the higher FPSO in production in Brazil. The total field production is around 230.000 bpd and there are three others FPSOs to be deployed in the coming years.

A compiled of practices applied to overcome the Mero field challenges and maximize the project's results. Those practices came from all the technical disciplines, such as Reservoir, Wells, Subsea, FPSO and Operations, as well as Compliance, HSE and management of the Production Sharing Contract. Some Technologies developed include but are not limited to Permanent Reservoir Monitoring (PRM), Cargo Transfer Vessel (CTV) and HISEP®, a Petrobras patented technology specifically designed to deal with high CO2 and gas content in Mero Reservoir.
Standardizing Drilling Fluids Practices has Reduced Stuck Pipe Non-Productive Time During Drilling Through Fractured Dolomite Formation Under Complete Loss Circulation, Case Study in Kuwait
Authors: Soliman A. , Elsayed R. I. , Sayed H. E. , Alarouj B. , Al-Khaldy M. , Khan Y. , Al Bannay M. , Das A. K. , Hamed A. A.
Published: October 2023

In the event of mud complete loss circulation while drilling through fractured Dolomite formation, the economical drilling fluids technique was to continue drilling with lime treated water and pump mud cap in the annuals, although this technique overcomes the need and cost of mixing drilling fluids on fly, but it caused several problems that led to stuck pipe and lose the directional tool / BHA in the hole. The manuscript describes a study performed to analyse the root cause of stuck pipe incident and presents a detailed success case of utilizing customized non-damaging drilling fluids.

While drilling in well BG-1832 located in southeast Kuwait field through fractured Dolomite formation (Shuaiba) a complete lost circulation has been encountered and the decision made to continue drilling with water in inclination of 90 degree. Once total losses occurred the variations between ECD and ESD was very low indicating that annular friction losses below the loss circulation zone was minimal. This support the theory that all the drilled cuttings are properly lifted from bottom and carried to loss circulation zone and not fluctuating above the loss zone. Due to cuttings accumulation and differential pressure it led to stuck pipe and lost the directional tool / BHA in the hole. The well has been side-tracked and non-damaging WBM has been utilized to drill 8 ½″ hole side-track, which improved the holing cleaning and successfully drilled the hole and a achieved the well target successfully as per plan.

The customized non-damaging drilling fluids was designed taking the following objectives in consideration: Enhanced hole-cleaning efficiency at critical anglesMinimized risk of stuck pipe across depleted formations with high porosity and permeabilityMinimal damage to reservoir section during drilling phaseReduced the drilling hours by improving ROP and minimizing the required time for wash up and ream down prior connections.Reduced the required mixing time by 70% comparing to conventional non-damaging Calcium Carbonate water base mud.

This paper presents a real case study of applying a customized drilling fluid to reduce the non-productive time by mitigated the risk of stuck pipe and losing expensive tools in the hole. It confirms the theory of the hole cleaning in total lost circulation, and includes a full drilling fluids analysis, hydraulic engineering study, lab test and performance / economical comparison.
Challenges and Solutions for Asset Integrity Activities on Normally Unattended Offshore Facilities
Authors: Igbadumhe J. F. , Feijo L
Published: October 2023

The future of the oil and gas industry includes zero manning onboard complex facilities such as Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units. Driven by safety concerns, the use of Normally Unattended Facilities (NUF) aims primarily at reducing human exposure to hazards related to offshore operations. The application of NUFs implies that Asset Integrity Management activities including inspection and maintenance would be carried out remotely and/or with limited human intervention. This paper identifies the challenges faced in managing remote integrity management activities of complex NUFs. Aiming at maintaining safe and continuous operations of complex NUF facilities, operators need to mitigate the likely challenges that would affect the remote integrity activities. This paper approaches these activities in a NUF in parts, depending on the characteristics of the asset and the criticality of each element. Quantitative risk assessment method that incorporates the role of age is used to evaluate potential disruption and define mitigation techniques. The role of age is described in four stages: early life, operational life, late life, and end life. Risk Priority Number (RPN) are obtained to judge the effectiveness of the defined mitigation techniques at the four stages of the life cycle. Class Society standards are also an important tool for this evaluation. As a consequence, recommended methodologies are identified to address the NUF integrity management processes. Despite NUFs being designed and operated considering limited occurrence of manned activities based on a pre-determined duration, unforeseen events can distort the daily operations of complex facilities such as FPSOs. In addition, as the NUFs age, the required human intervention is expected to increase due to the natural degradation of the asset. The result of this investigation shows that at the different stages of the life of a NUF, the survey, inspection, and maintenance challenges will present different demands, therefore requiring an adjustment on the methodology and technology applied on the integrity management activities. Several factors contribute to this, including changes in operation profile, failure modes and degradation mechanism. As a result, the intervention program may need to be altered to accommodate such changes, enabling effective remote surveys, inspection, and maintenance.
Development of a New Digital Monitoring and Surveillance Platform in a Regulatory Agency in Latin America
Authors: Zarate G. , Tello Bahamon C. C. , Vivas P.
Published: October 2023

Hydrocarbons regulators and inspectors face technical and operational challenges in monitoring fields and assets. The remoteness of field locations, data governance and contractual rules make this task difficult to track. This paper presents the implementation of a monitoring platform designed by a regulatory agency in Latin America, the underlying technology, the process followed, and the results and benefits of this initiative. This monitoring platform was developed using various systems to support the data streams used in the overall process. During the first phase, the system architecture was defined to outline the main components of the monitoring platform, data flows and hierarchy. A data quality and standardization process were outlined to ensure consistency and validation of the data coming from the oil and gas assets. A production data management system was then integrated to collect, store, and display all production operations information and measurements. In addition, a Geographic Information System was embedded into the monitoring platform after a careful review of geo-referenced details of fields and wells for each of the operating companies. Finally, the user interface design included the definition of monitoring dashboards and various visualization screens.
Female Mentorship in O&G Industry the Pathway to Diversity
Authors: Cipriano K. , Cabral C. R.
Published: October 2023

Energy transition is crucial for the future of the planet, and the Oil & Gas industry is at the center of climate change. Rethinking this industry will require innovative and disruptive solutions. For this to occur, it is necessary to have diversity at all levels. Gender diversity is the starting point of this work, which focuses on female mentoring as a potential solution to achieve more diversity in the O&G industry and, thereby, bring about the changes that the industry and the planet need. In the present study, female mentoring was discussed, and its results were analyzed, as well as the importance of the topic for Petrobras, a leading company in the O&G sector in Brazil. These results can be used to inspire other companies to promote a similar program and to achieve better results in terms of diversity.
Well Control for Formation Test Tool – A Case Study of Kick Circulation After a Formation Test Operation
Authors: Motta M. , Machado P. , Reigoto D. , Lustosa R. , Almeida D.
Published: October 2023

Well control operations in high-pressure/high-temperature (HPHT) environments can be challenging and costly, besides well control incidents can cause, in addition to economic damage to companies, an incalculable impact on the environment. Once a formation test operation is performed, it is possible that after getting the samples from the formation an extra quantity of fluid could invade the bottomhole and cause a well control incident. The main purpose of this paper is to present a successful simulation case of how a small amount of hydrocarbon, when collected after a formation test operation, is managed under a specific scenario. The outcome is achieved by understanding wellbore conditions using an advanced well control simulator, thus abnormalities normally failing in conventional practices can be detected and explained. This improves not only safety and performance, but also allows for an effective application of resources (Davis, Selent, & Duplessis, 2019).
Normally Unattended FPSO Design
Authors: Costa Filho Fernando Homem , Freitas Junior Rivadávia Vieira , Assayag Salomão
Published: October 2023

Considering the last 50 years of offshore activity experience and the evolution of the technology, unattended installation designs started to be proposed for application. The focus is to reduce the O&M cost keeping operational reliability and safety. Although some of the low-complex process platforms have been unattended and operated on for many years, especially for small or marginal fields with OPEX/CAPEX restraints, nowadays, unattended platforms for new oil discoveries requiring more complex installations are being considered. A new approach to design, O&M, and logistics is being adopted to enable more complex processing platforms to operate as unattended installations. The unattended platform will be operated remotely by the operational team onshore, and the maintenance team will be aboard only when required for corrective maintenance or during planned preventive maintenance. Unattended platform design philosophy should prioritize the simplicity and the reduction of systems and equipment on board, focusing on maintainability and keeping high operational efficiency. This paper presents a functional analysis of the usual systems that compound a manned FPSO design aiming at its suitability for an unattended FPSO (Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading) design with remote operation. This system functional analysis defines each system as not required, required with optimization, required with a new concept, and required with no significant changes. As a result, new system concepts are proposed focusing on moving away maintenance and operational personnel.
Methodology for Forecasting Models of Operational Performance Based on Time Series and Efficiency Benchmarks
Authors: Medeiros B. B. , Ferreira L. L.
Published: October 2023

Production efficiency (PE) is a key performance indicator for the oil and gas industry, as it reflects the ability to optimize resource utilization, reduce operational costs, improve safety, and enhance decision making and planning for operation and project phases. However, PE forecasts often have an optimistic bias and assume constant or flat PE over time, ignoring the effects of aging, maintenance, and operational issues on the production system. This paper proposes a probabilistic PE forecast approach captures the patterns of PE and its components (well, gathering and installation) based on historical data and peer group benchmarking across life cycle. The model follows the ISO/TS 3250:2021 standard for concepts, calculation and reporting of PE. The methodology also shows that PE have a correlation with the operating age of the production system, with shape similar to a bathtub curve (ISO 14224:2016). The implementation of the model improved the quality and reliability of the PE forecast for the company's planning and projects evaluation areas and enabled more effective and sustainable actions to improve PE in the long term. The model also provided more data and insights for decision makers and helped to maintain a more economically robust and resilient portfolio of projects.
A Quantitative Methodology to Introduce a Risk-Based Approach for Integrity Management for Jackets in Brazil
Authors: Sarabi A. , Barbosa V. , Rodrigues R.
Published: October 2023

Objectives/Scope

This paper presents a methodology for the development of the bespoke risk-based inspection plan as part of the structural integrity management process of fixed offshore structures for the coast of Brazil. In this context, it is demonstrated how the local components of a jacket structure, e.g., tubular joints, have to be inspected in a way that the risk of global failure is kept under a tolerable level for extreme environmental scenarios as the platform is aging.

Methods, procedures, process

The global risk assessment follows a quantitative approach based on the jacket's associated Metocean criteria and actual platform's inspection data to calculate the likelihood of failure mechanisms under Metocean hazard.

In addition, a nonlinear finite element structural model is developed to determine the structural redundancy of the jacket structure under extreme storm events. The outcome of the assessment is required to prioritize the tubular joints which are critical to the redundancy of the structure to keep the structure with reasonably low risk of global failure.

In sequence, probabilistic fatigue calculation is utilized to prioritize inspection resources for the tubular joints which are likely to have fatigue failure during extended service life and, at the same time, represent a significant importance to the probability of failure (pf) of the platform.

Results, Observations, Conclusions

The inspection strategy and program, developed in the present study, are focused on the routine underwater inspections, and are based on the recommended practice of the ISO 19901-9 structural integrity management standard.

The methodology is applied for an aged jacket platform in Brazilian waters using the quantitative methodology for RBI plan development. The results of the proposed quantitative risk-based approach are presented to show the advantages of applying a risk-based approach for aged structures.

Novel, Additive Information

In this paper, a comprehensive method utilizing software tools available in the market demonstrates how an operator can approach the issue of defining a more effective inspection program towards risk. This method has been applied to aged assets in Brazil making possible for new operators to continue operating safely in brownfields considering an optimized inspection plan based on the most up-to-date industry standards.
Pore Size Structure Characterization and Poro-Fluid Facies Identification Using NMR Factor Analysis Improve Oil Producibility from Complex Carbonate Reservoir: Case Study from Gulf of Suez, Egypt
Authors: Hakim Emad Abdel , Salim Sadek , Hegazy Amr , Sayed Mayada , Gomes Renata , Saleh Khaled , Ghanim Mohamed , Ghadiry Sherif , Galal Mahmoud
Published: October 2023

The primary challenge posed by carbonates in petrophysics lies in the complexity of their pore systems, which exhibit a wide range of pore sizes within a small section of a single carbonate. In some cases, even the grains possess microporosity, distinct from the porosity between them, resulting in two different pore systems. Understanding the contribution of these pore systems to reservoir productivity is crucial for accurately assessing current and future water saturation levels. Conventional saturation equations like Archie's are not recommended for complex carbonate formations due to uncertainties related to wettability and cementation factors (m and n), which can vary significantly due to diagenesis and fractures. Additionally, the presence of vugs (whether connected or isolated) can substantially impact production and permeability over the reservoir's lifespan.

To address these challenges, this paper introduces an integrated solution that employs nuclear magnetic resonance factor analysis (NMR-FA) in a carbonate reservoir in the Gulf of Suez, Egypt. This approach provides a precise understanding of reservoir quality, enables quantification of hydrocarbon in place, and optimizes oil production. The demonstrated methodology combines NMR-FA with NMR and spectroscopy data, focusing on the characterization of carbonates. By computing poro-fluid facies and integrating them with core data, it becomes possible to accurately determine the volumes of bound and free fluids, thus providing insights into the porosity and quantifying producible hydrocarbons—an influential factor in production. The new bound/free fluid volumes are utilized to calculate continuous NMR permeability, which is then calibrated using core data.

The classification of fluid facies based on pore-fluid porosities enables the evaluation of reservoir quality and identification of the sweet spot—the zones characterized by high producible hydrocarbon porosity and permeability, indicating the best reservoir quality for production.

Considering the complexity of carbonate reservoirs and the presence of secondary porosity is crucial when performing direct volumetric calculations for each constituent poro-facies within the T2 distribution. The results of this workflow successfully characterize the reservoir quality and producibility of the complex carbonate reservoir in the Gulf of Suez, Egypt, pinpointing its sweet spot. Furthermore, this workflow can be applied as a cost-effective solution in various scenarios and formation types.
A Multidisciplinary Approach Including Reservoir Engineering, Petrophysics and Well Performance for a Better Scaling Risk Management in HPHT Wells
Authors: Baraka-Lokmane S. , Mainguy M. , Bouzida S.
Published: October 2023

The interventions on wells such as cleaning and reperforations improve production but not for a long period of time. CaCO3 scale could be the reason for the decline of production; it is therefore crucial to understand the production issues with the objective to design better future wells. The aims of this study are the evaluation of the scaling risk and determination of any link between decline of production, before well intervention, with the scale deposit.

A multidisciplinary approach where analyses from several disciplines such as reservoir engineering, petrophysics and well performance are used for a better scaling risk management in the wells.

This study concerns an Ultra HPHT deep gas condensate Southeast Asian field. No formation water is available; therefore, an analog water has been used for the evaluation of the scaling risk; this water is characterized by a low level of barium; therefore, barium sulphate scaling risk is not expected. The scaling risk has been modelled for the bottomhole and wellhead for individual wells. The results have been analyzed together with the evolution of the production data associated with well interventions. The scaling risk assessment has shown a moderate to a high risk of CaCO3 at bottomhole. The decline of production could be explained by the deposition of CaCO3 at bottomhole, blocking the perforations, this is due to a high drawdown. To reduce the CaCO3 scaling risk at bottomhole, it is recommended to reduce the current drawdown and maintain the bottomhole flowing pressure above the recommended value, depending to individual wells. Some evaporation of the formation water is also possible due to the very high temperature of this Ultra HPHT reservoir. In addition to the reduction of the current drawdown, it is recommended to perform a curative treatment with a help of bull-heading acid wash treatment as soon as a reduction of production is observed. This treatment will help to dissolve the CaCO3 scale at bottomhole, at the perforations and tubing. The scaling risk evaluation shows that as soon as water is produced there is a risk of formation of CaCO3 scale. This risk occurs even with very low production water flowrate. A complementary study including the analysis of the mineralogy and petrophysics of the reservoir, production data, water composition and prediction of the scaling risk has helped to identify the causes of the production decline and propose an adapted scaling risk mitigation for individual wells.
Reconstruction of retroauricolar surgical defect using the "Jigsaw puzzle" advancement flap
Authors: Curzio Michela , Macchini Vittorio , Di Lella Giovanni , Massaro Antonio , Sonego Giulio
Published: October 2023

We present the case of a 55 years old male patient who came to our attention because of a basal cell carcinoma of the right retroauricolar area, near the mastoid-auricle border. The tumour had a size of about 1,5 cm. Repairing retroauricolar surgical defects may be actually very challenging, firstly because an incorrect reconstruction may result in severe deformities which are extremely hard to conceal; so we decided to employ the "jigsaw puzzle" advancement flap, a versatile flap, firstly successfully used in the reconstruction of a nasal ala defect.
Hydroxychloroquine-induced generalized myopathy in a patient with lupus tumidus: a case report
Authors: Verdelli Alice , Massi Daniela , Maio Vincenza , Cavazza Gabriele , Corrà Alberto , Mariotti Elena Biancamaria , Quintarelli Lavinia , Ruffo Di Calabria Valentina , Aimo Cristina , Antiga Emiliano , Caproni Marzia
Published: October 2023

Lupus erythematosus tumidus (LET) is a subset of cutaneous lupus erythematosus that generally presents with urticaria-like papules and plaques located on sun-exposed areas. Systemic treatment with antimalarials, especially hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), is the first-line systemic therapy for LET. Even if these drugs have a safe profile, side effects such as retinal toxicity, maculopapular rash, gastrointestinal upset, hemolytic anemia and blue-gray discoloration of the skin or the mucous membranes, have been rarely reported in the literature. Herein, we describe a rare case of a 46-year-old smoking woman with LET who developed a generalized myopathy after HCQ treatment.
Le competenze infermieristiche avanzate in area critica: formazione e strumenti di valutazione. Una revisione narrativa
Authors: Stellabotte Michele , Pinto Floriana
Published: October 2023

Introduzione: le competenze infermieristiche avanzate si riferiscono a servizi ed interventi sanitari ampliati e migliorati forniti da infermieri che, con capacità avanzate, influenzano gli outcome clinici e forniscono servizi sanitari diretti a persone, famiglie e comunità. L’area critica si contraddistingue dagli altri contesti dove gli infermieri possono sviluppare competenze avanzate per la sua complessità e dinamicità. l'obiettivo di questo studio è la descrizione dei percorsi formativi necessari e gli strumenti utilizzati per la valutazione delle competenze avanzate in area critica nel contesto internazionale.
Materiali e Metodi: è stata condotta una revisione narrativa attraverso le principali banche dati (Medline/PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE),  selezionando articoli in lingua inglese e italiana pubblicati negli ultimi dieci anni, ovvero dall’anno di costituzione del gruppo di lavoro per le competenze avanzate dell’European federation of Critical Care Nurses Association (EfCCNa). Sono stati inclusi tutti gli studi che trattassero delle competenze avanzate in area critica, i requisiti necessari, la formazione richiesta e i relativi strumenti valutativi.
Risultati: sono stati ritrovati 183 articoli e selezionati un totale di 13 articoli, di cui 2 revisioni della letteratura. In 17 su 24 Paesi Europei, sono presenti dei programmi formali di formazione per gli infermieri di area critica. L’infermieristica in area critica è stata riconosciuta come specialità in 13 di essi. Esistono almeno dieci strumenti per la valutazione delle competenze avanzate in area critica.
Discussione: lo status formativo degli infermieri di area critica è estremamente variegato e disomogeneo. Attualmente la letteratura propone diversi strumenti di valutazione per le competenze validi ed affidabili, ma eterogenei e non utilizzabili in ogni contesto.
Conclusioni: risulta necessario un intervento istituzionale a livello nazionale e comunitario, mirato a standardizzare e definire la formazione ed il riconoscimento delle competenze avanzate in area critica.
Caseinolytic mitochondrial matrix peptidase X is essential for homologous chromosome synapsis and recombination during meiosis of male mouse germ cells
Authors: Feng Hai-Wei , Zhao Yu , Gao Yan-Ling , Liu Dong-Teng , Huo Li-Jun
Published: October 2023

Meiosis is the process of producing haploid gametes through a series of complex chromosomal events and the coordinated action of various proteins. The mitochondrial protease complex (ClpXP), which consists of caseinolytic mitochondrial matrix peptidase X (ClpX) and caseinolytic protease P (ClpP) and mediates the degradation of misfolded, damaged, and oxidized proteins, is essential for maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis. ClpXP has been implicated in meiosis regulation, but its precise role is currently unknown. In this study, we engineered an inducible male germ cell-specific knockout caseinolytic mitochondrial matrix peptidase X (Clpx
cKO) mouse model to investigate the function of ClpX in meiosis. We found that disrupting Clpx in male mice induced germ cell apoptosis and led to an absence of sperm in the epididymis. Specifically, it caused asynapsis of homologous chromosomes and impaired meiotic recombination, resulting in meiotic arrest in the zygotene-to-pachytene transition phase. The loss of ClpX compromised the double-strand break (DSB) repair machinery by markedly reducing the recruitment of DNA repair protein RAD51 homolog 1 (RAD51) to DSB sites. This dysfunction may be due to an insufficient supply of energy from the aberrant mitochondria in Clpx
cKO spermatocytes, as discerned by electron microscopy. Furthermore, ubiquitination signals on chromosomes and the expression of oxidative phosphorylation subunits were both significantly attenuated in Clpx
cKO spermatocytes. Taken together, we propose that ClpX is essential for maintaining mitochondrial protein homeostasis and ensuring homologous chromosome pairing, synapsis, and recombination in spermatocytes during meiotic prophase I.
Modified Mallampati Score – Does it Predict More Than a Difficult Airway? A Community-based Study Assessing the Association between Modified Mallampati Score and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Abraham Jithin Mathew , Varghese Sangeetha Merrin , Lukachan Gincy Ann , Mathai Ashu Sara
Published: October 2023

Background and Aim:

The suspicion of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has serious implications for an anesthesiologist perioperatively. This study examines the association between the modified Mallampati scoring (MMS) and the STOP-BANG score in a community setting.

Materials and Methods:

This was a community-based cross-sectional survey among 702 adults in a rural area in South India. Airway assessment using MMS and assessment for OSA using STOP-BANG scoring were made by junior doctors trained in the anesthesia department. The association between the Mallampati score and the STOP-BANG score was tested by the Chi-square test using the SPSS version 21.

Results:

Among the community-dwelling adults, 19.2% had a score of 1, 27.9% had a score of 2, 31.3% had a score of 3, and 21.5% had a score of 4 on the Mallampati scoring system. Using the STOP-BANG score for risk stratification of OSA, 29.2% had an intermediate risk and 5.8% had a high risk for OSA. Higher Mallampati Grades (3 and 4) were a significant risk factor for OSA (61.8% vs. 38.2%, P = 0.001).

Conclusion:

A higher Mallampati class (3 or 4) is significantly associated with an intermediate-to high risk for OSA as assessed using STOP-BANG score criteria. Therefore, we suggest using the MMS not only as an airway screening tool but also as a predictor of OSA, in view of the rising obesity rates in India.
Consequences of the Epidemiologic Transition in Kerala, India – A Public–Private-Partnership Model of Health Care: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Menon Jaideep C. , Sreedevi Aswathy , Janakiram Chandrashekar
Published: October 2023

The state of Kerala stands out as having the highest prevalence of diabetes and coronary artery disease in comparison to other states within India. This observation positions India as the global epicenter for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), specifically diabetes, and cardiovascular ailments. Kerala is in a highly advanced stage of epidemiological transition, surpassing other states in India. This transition is characterized by factors such as an aging population, a high incidence of NCDs, and elevated levels of morbidity. Kerala boasts a robust health-care system encompassing a strong public sector, further reinforced by a network of private hospitals spread across the state. Moreover, the population of Kerala possesses a high literacy rate. It is well-informed about their rights, while local self-governance and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) actively collaborate to promote community health. These factors have collectively contributed to the state’s proactive approach toward addressing NCDs. In the domains of surveillance, monitoring, and prevention of NCDs, as well as the prevention of complications arising from these diseases, Kerala has implemented various schemes across the public, private, and NGO sectors. These initiatives encompass activities to raise awareness about NCDs, provide treatment options, and focus on preventive measures. By documenting and highlighting these schemes, Kerala’s health-care system and its achievements can serve as a roadmap for the rest of the country, outlining strategies for prevention, monitoring, and therapeutic interventions. It is imperative that other states within India, as well as low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) at large, adopt and adapt the processes and practices established by Kerala to effectively combat the NCDs pandemic. By following this path, the nation and other LMICs can effectively confront the challenges posed by NCDs and work toward improving their populations’ overall health and well-being.
Hemimegalencephaly with Adult-Onset Seizures and Normal Intellectual Function: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Kumar Amit , Chetiwal Rajesh , Tanwar Shweta
Published: October 2023

Hemimegalencephaly (HME) is one of the rarest congenital malformations of the brain characterized by abnormal enlargement of a cerebral hemisphere. It can present as an isolated sporadic form or associated with other neurodevelopmental syndromes. The classical clinical manifestation develops in infancy or early childhood and includes intellectual impairment, developmental delay, intractable epilepsy, and motor abnormalities. We report here an atypical case of HME with normal intellectual functions and adult-onset nonrefractory epilepsy demonstrating the wide variation in clinical expressivity of the disease.
Clinical Profile, Outcome, and Cost of Care in Snakebite Patients Requiring Admissions in a Single Medical Unit: A Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Care Center in South India
Authors: Mandal Amit , Chakraborty Madhumita , Iyyadurai Ramya , Gunasekaran Karthik
Published: October 2023

Background and Aim:

Snakebite is an important occupational and rural hazard. It is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in tropical countries. Even though snakebite is an imminently treatable condition, it is a common life-threatening emergency. We aim to study the clinical profile, complications, as length of stay in the hospital, outcome and cost of care in snakebite patients requiring admission under a medicine unit.

Materials and Methods:

This retrospective study was conducted carried out from May 01, 2014, to May 01, 2019. The data were extracted from the inpatient medical records, and it was analyzed. All adult patients requiring admission in medicine unit V with a diagnosis of snake envenomation were included in the study. Descriptive statistics were obtained for all variables in the study, and appropriate statistical tests were employed to ascertain the significance.

Results:

The cohort consists of 80 patients with 45 (56.3%) males and aged 40.06 ± 15.24 years (mean, standard deviation [SD]). The majority of the snake species identification was not available 38 (47.5%). Viper bite was the most common bite 32 (40%). The most common clinical presentation was hemotoxic 33 (31.3%) followed by neurotoxic 16 (20%). Sixty-eight (85%) patients were treated outside before presentation. The median antisnake venom (ASV) given was 10 vials, and 12 (15%) patients had allergic reaction to ASV. Sixty-nine (86%) patients had cellulitis and 16 (20%) had acute kidney injury (AKI). Twenty-four (30%) patients required intensive care monitoring, 22 (27.5%) required mechanical ventilation, and 7 (8.8%) required hemodialysis. The mean ± SD duration of hospital stay was 5.56 ± 3.76 days. The median direct cost was Rs. 19,714.5 and cost of medicine was Rs. 10,798. The mortality in this cohort was 4 (5%).

Conclusion:

Snakebite causes significant morbidity. Viper bite was the most common bite in our study. ASV reaction was seen in 15%, and cellulitis and AKI were the common complications. The median direct cost was Rs. 19,714.5 and cost of medicine was Rs. 10,798. The mortality in this cohort was 4 (5%).