bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IMAGING OF BRAIN FUNCTION BASED ON THE ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONAL CONNECTIVITY - IMAGING ANALYSIS OF BRAIN FUNCTION BY FMRI AFTER ACUPUNCTURE
Authors: Zheng Yu , Wang Yuying , Lan Yujun , Qu Xiaodong , Lin Kelin , Zhang Jiping , Qu Shanshan , Wang Yanjie , Tang Chunzhi , Huang Yong
Published: March 2017

Objective: This Study observed the relevant brain areas activated by acupuncture at the Taichong acupoint (LR3) and analyzed the

functional connectivity among brain areas using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore the acupoint

specificity of the Taichong acupoint.

Methods: A total of 45 healthy subjects were randomly divided into the Taichong (LR3) group, sham acupuncture group and sham

acupoint group. Subjects received resting state fMRI before acupuncture, after true (sham) acupuncture in each group. Analysis of

changes in connectivity among the brain areas was performed using the brain functional connectivity method.

Results: The right cerebrum temporal lobe was selected as the seed point to analyze the functional connectivity. It had a functional

connectivity with right cerebrum superior frontal gyrus, limbic lobe cingulate gyrus and left cerebrum inferior temporal gyrus (BA

37), inferior parietal lobule compared by before vs. after acupuncture at LR3, and right cerebrum sub-lobar insula and left cerebrum

middle frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus compared by true vs. sham acupuncture at LR3, and right cerebrum occipital lobe cuneus,

occipital lobe sub-gyral, parietal lobe precuneus and left cerebellum anterior lobe culmen by acupuncture at LR3 vs. sham acupoint.

Conclusion: Acupuncture at LR3 mainly specifically activated the brain functional network that participates in visual function,

associative function, and emotion cognition, which are similar to the features on LR3 in tradition Chinese medicine. These brain

areas constituted a neural network structure with specific functions that had specific reference values for the interpretation of the

acupoint specificity of the Taichong acupoint.
TREATMENT OF DIARRHOEA USING TRADITIONAL MEDICINES: CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH IN SOUTH AFRICA AND ZIMBABWE
Authors: Maroyi Alfred
Published: March 2017

Background: Gastrointestinal disorders, diarrhoea in particular remain a major concern in South Africa and Zimbabwe resulting in

high mortality rates when left untreated. This investigation was aimed at documenting herbal medicines used in the treatment of

diarrhoea in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Materials and Methods: A review of literature on plant species used as remedies for diarrhoea in South Africa and Zimbabwe was

undertaken by the use of different electronic databases such as Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus as well as library searches at

the University of Fort Hare, South Africa and the National Herbarium of Zimbabwe (SRGH) in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Results: This study reported ten plant species most widely used to treat diarrhoea in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Of the lot,

Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. was the most popular medicinal plant used as antidiarrhoeal remedy (11 literature citations) in

South Africa and Zimbabwe, followed by Elephantorrhiza elephantina (Burch.) Skeels and Schotia brachypetala Sond. with eight

literature citations each. The roots (47.4%) are the most frequently used plant parts, followed by bark (26.3%), leaves (21.1%) and

rhizomes (5.3%).

Conclusion: The documented antidiarrhoeal activities of this repository of selected plant species against diarrhoea causing agents

such as rotavirus, Escherichia coli, Shigella, Campylobacter, Giardia, Entamoeba histolytica, Salmonella, Yersinia and Vibrio

cholerae calls for further investigation aimed at isolating phytochemical compounds responsible for antidiarrhoeal activities, their

mode of action, and also establish their safety and efficacy. This cross-cultural acceptance of antidiarrhoeal herbal medicines and the

use of the same plant species in different geographical zones serve as an indication of the importance of herbal medicines in primary

healthcare of local communities.
FREE FATTY ACIDS PROFILING IN RESPONSE TO CARNITINE SYNERGIZE WITH LUTEIN IN DIABETIC RATS
Authors: AL-Malki Abdulrahman L , Moselhy Said S
Published: March 2017

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the fatty acids profiling in diabetic rats induced by sterptozocine (STZ)

and their response to administration of lutein and carnitine.

Materials and methods: Ninety male albino rats were divided into 6 groups as follows: Normal control. The remaining rats were

injected i.p a single dose of STZ (65 mg /kg bw) for induction of diabetes. Diabetic rats were grouped as: GP II: (Untreated): GP III:

Rats were given orally with L-lutein (100 mg/kg bw).GP IV: Rats were given carnitine (30 μg/kg) i.p. GP V: Rats were given

carnitine and lutein GP VI were given metformin (100mg/kg bw/d) for 6 weeks.

Results: Treatment of diabetic rats with lutein, L-carnitine, combined decreased the levels of glucose, HA1C compared with

untreated diabetic (p
PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF Ailanthus excelsa ROXB IN MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION POST MESENCHYMAL STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION: STUDY IN CHRONIC ISCHEMIC RAT MODEL
Authors: Gong Xia
Published: March 2017

Background: Thia study evaluates the effects of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb methanolic extract (AER-ME) in rats induced with Myocardial

Infarction (MI) followed by transplantation of MSCs.

Material and Methods: Rats were induced with MI by ligation technique of left coronary artery. The sham-operated the control and

AER-ME treated group of rats received transplantation of PKH-26 and marked MSCs followed by normal saline and AER-ME treatment

(200mg/kg/day of AER-ME extract) respectively for 30 days. Parameters such as cardiac function, inflammation, oxidative stress,

apoptosis and differentiation of MSCs (angiogenesis) were evaluated. Histological studies of infracted myocardium reveled antiinflammatory

activity of AER-ME treatment.

Result and Discussion: Oxidative stress parameters revealed decrease in levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increase in superoxide

dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) activity significantly indicating antioxidant activity of the extract.

There was a reduction in cell death rate of treated rats due to the decrease in apoptotic index with prolongation of MI when compared to

both control and sham-operated groups. The expression of Fas protein was parallel to apoptotic index. The vascular density increased

significantly in extract treated group. The treatment showed improved cardiac activity with decreased left ventricular end diastolic

(LVEDP) and arterial pressure while the left ventricular end systolic pressure (LVEP) and dp/dtmax increased significantly when

compared to both control and sham-operated groups respectively showing the protective effect of the extract as necessitated by the

transplantation of MSCs. The study marked the protective outcomes of AER-ME treatment for MSCs in microenvironment of infracted

myocardium by improving their viability and increasing differentiation into cardiomyocytes.
BIOPESTICIDAL ACTIVITY OF Calotropis procera L. AGAINST Macrophomina phaseolina
Authors: Waheed Nidra , Jabeen Khajista , Iqbal Sumera , Javaid Arshad
Published: March 2017

Background: Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] is an important pulse crop globally. This imperative crop is severely affected

by charcoal rot disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. In the present study, the leaves of Calotropis procera L.

were tested for their antifungal potential against M. phaseolina.

Materials and Methods: Various concentrations i.e. 1%, 2.5%, 4%, 5.5% and 7% of methanolic extract of C. procera leaves were

prepared and their in vitro bioactivity was examined against the test fungus. Methnolic leaf extract was partitioned using n-hexane,

chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol and antifungal activity of each fraction was evaluated. n-Hexane fraction was subjected to

GC-MS analysis.

Results: The higher concentration of methanolic leaf extract (7%) caused maximum inhibition in the diameter of M. phaseolina i.e.

38%. The n-hexane fraction of methanolic leaf extract was found to be the most effective against M. phaseolina. Seven compounds

belonging to classes of chlorocarbon, aromatic hydrocarbon, azocompounds, aromatic carboxylic acids and fatty acids were

identified in GC-MS analysis of n-hexane fraction.

Conclusion: Antifungal activity of the methanolic leaf extract of C. procera might be due to the presence of the identified

compounds in n-hexane fraction of methanolic leaf extract.
CYTOTOXIC, α-CHYMOTRYPSIN AND UREASE INHIBITION ACTIVITIES OF THE PLANT Heliotropium dasycarpum L.
Authors: Ghfaffari Muhammad Abuzar , Chaudhary Bashir Ahmed , Uzair Muhammad , Ashfaq Khuram
Published: March 2017

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate Cytotoxic, α-Chymotrypsin and Urease inhibition activities of the plant

Heliotropium dasycarpum.

Materials & Methods: Dichloromethane and methanol extracts of the plant were evaluated for cytotoxic, α-Chymotrypsin and

Urease inhibition by using in vivo Brine Shrimp lethality bioassay and in vitro enzymatic inhibition assays respectively.

Results: The methanol extract of the plant exhibited significant cytotoxic activity. Out of 30 brine shrimp larvae, 2 (6%), 26 (86%)

and 28 (93%) larvae were survived at concentration of 1000μg/ml, 100μg/ml and 10μg/ml respectively with LD50; 215.837.

Similarly 21 (70%), 25 (83%), 29 (96%) larvae were survived of dichloromethane plant extract with LD50; 6170.64. The methanol

and dichloromethane extract exhibited 10.50±0.18% and 41.51±0.15% α-chymotrypsin enzyme inhibition respectively with IC50

values of greater than 500 μmol. The methanol extract showed 24.39±0.21% Urease enzyme inhibition with IC50 values of greater

than 400 μmol. While dichloromethane extract has 11.46±0.09% enzyme inhibition with IC50 values of greater than 500 μmol.

Conclusion: The results clearly indicated that Heliotropium dasycarpum has cytotoxic potential and enzyme inhibition properties.

Further study is needed to screen out antitumor and anti-ulcerative agents.
IN VITRO AND IN VIVO EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF STEVIA EXTRACT.
Authors: Moselhy Said S. , Ghoneim Magdy A. , Khan Jehan A.
Published: March 2017

Background: The current trend globally is the utilization of natural products as therapeutic agents given its minimum side effects.

The leaves of Stevia contain several active ingredient compounds such as rebaudioside. Stevia extract have been used for many

purposes. Active oxygen radicals can induce base modifications, DNA breakage, and intracellular protein crosslink's. This study was

done to evaluate the potential of stevia extract as antibacterial and antioxidants actions.

Materials and methods: Antibacterial activity of different extracts of stevia was tested in vitro against different species of bacteria

and hepato-protective efficacy was testes in rats injected with CCl4 as hepatotoxic.

Results: Acetone extract exhibited antibacterial activity against selected five bacteria species. The acetone extract suppressed the

elevation of serum ALT (p
Influence of Demographic Factors on Visitor Perceived Value and Visitor Satisfaction in Bangalore Amusement Parks
Authors: BN Avinash , K Vidyavathi
Published: March 2017

The service industry is the most dynamic and ever growing industry in terms of revenue and competition. In order to compete and survive successfully in today’s dynamic environment, all the service providing organisations focus on enhancing their diverse customer base having different demographical patterns that arise after the fulfillment of needs and wants of customers to maximise their profits. The amusement park industry is not an exception to this situation in present market dynamism. With the increase in the number of parks and decrease in footfalls, the amusement parks are in the process to enhance their park image by concentrating on the demographic factors of the visitors. Therefore, researchers are intensely emphasising on the influence of demographic factors on the visitor perceived value and visitor satisfaction. The current research study endeavors to find out the relationship among demographic factors on the perceived value and visitor satisfaction. The sample data is collected from random customers of different amusement parks in Bangalore. The collected data then analyzed using SPSS. The results revealed that there is no significance relation between demographic factors and visitor perceived value and visitor satisfaction.
Black Economic Empowerment, Employment Creation and Resilience: The Economic and Social Contribution of Lennox Mine to the Development of Zimbabwe, 1970-2016
Authors: Mugodzwa Davidson Mabweazara
Published: March 2017

This research sets out to unravel the history of Lennox Mine from its inception in 1970 tracing the contribution of the mine to the economic development of Zimbabwe from its colonial beginnings up to the current period when the new visionary owner, Honourable Gandiwa Moyo, Deputy Minister of Mines who inherited a dysfunctional mining enterprise set it on course again as a pillar for economic production, under the erstwhile management of the Lennox General Mine Manager, Edgar Mashindi. The research seeks to explore how the mine management, operating under harsh economic conditions prevailing in Zimbabwe has empowered African entrepreneurs and employees and resuscitated life to the dying town of Mashava. Mashava is back on its former footing as a lively booming bedroom town of Masvingo City, forty kilometres away: supermarkets, bars, salons, housing projects, new shops are sprouting up once again as Mashava claims its proud place as a gold producing enclave of the Zimbabwean economy. Hundreds of unemployed youths from all over Zimbabwe have descended on Mashava, seeking employment and investment opportunities resulting in an unprecedented economic boom which is being felt country wide. Only recently hordes of flea female market traders opened shop at Mashava to sell clothes, shoes, household furniture and related paraphernalia to local residents and they reported that business was excellent and confirmed business plans to return every month end to sell their wares. A few years back Mashava was an abandoned mining town with all services shut down after the Capitalist oligarchic organization which owned Mashava ceased all operations and expropriated capital to Australia and Europe and started out new commercial ventures in those respective European countries. The Zimbabwean Electricity Supply Association [ZESA] shut down electricity supplies to Lennox Mine after the mine incurred a debt of close to a quarter of a million. Today, Lennox has agreed on a payment plan and electricity has been reopened triggering high gold productivity as the mine returns to its normal production levels.
Numerical and Experimental Investigations of Gas Kick Migration During Casing While Drilling
Authors: Guo Ruixuan , Chen Yuanhang , Coutinho Renato Peixoto , Waltrich Paulo J.
Published: March 2017

Significantly narrower annular spaces are encountered during Casing while Drilling(CwD) due to the larger diameters of the casings that are used as drill strings, comparing to those used in conventional drilling. The understanding of two phase flow in narrow annuli is important to predict gas migration in wellbores during casing/liner drilling operations, which is crucial in early kick detection and gas kick management under such circumstances.

In this study, a two-phase flow experimental apparatus using 3 ½ inch and 2 inch PVC pipes within a 4- inch outer pipe was developed to represent narrow and wide annular conduits. Liquid holdups and annular pressure losses were recorded while flowing air and water through test sections. The experimental results showed that the flow patterns within narrow annuli were more sensitive to changing air and water flow rates. New drift-flux models for narrow and wide annuli, were developed based on experimental results. These models can be further extended to a wide range of flow conditions. In addition, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models were developed using volume of fluid (VOF) method. The simulation results were in a good agreement with experimental data and new model predictions within the range of flow rates that were used in this study.
Recent Technology Advances for Effective OIl Spill Response
Authors: Coolbaugh T. S. , Chopra A.
Published: March 2017

Objectives/Scope

There is a public perception that little has changed with respect to the tools used to clean up an oil spill. Additionally, the media have suggested that there is a lack of research effort to improve upon techniques that are generalized as static and archaic and the question has been raised wondering why industry does not invest in new and better approaches to removing oil from the environment following a spill. In reality, there have been a number of advances in all of the oil spill response tools and the proposed presentation and paper will examine several of the demonstrated approaches as well as looking forward to more developmental techniques that could significantly improve the ability to find and treat the thickest part of a slick.

Methods, Procedures, Process

Aside from not having a spill in the first place, the next most favorable outcome would be to physically collect and remove spilled oil from the environment. While most spills occur as a single release and are usually relatively small, there are challenges associated with this, especially in the case of larger releases far from shore and during inclement weather. With this in mind, it is important to consider all response tools that may be brought to bear in the case of a spill. The purpose of the proposed paper is to consider recent advances in oil spill technology and document recent work.

Results, Observations, Conclusions

Mechanical Containment and Recovery: Enhancements have been implemented recently, e.g., higher efficiency skimmers, booms that function in faster currents, systems that allow for more efficient boom deployment in open water and in rivers, and temporary portable underflow dams for inland responses.

In Situ Burning: New containment systems have been developed and the effective operational use of ISB has been demonstrated.

Dispersants: The ability to use dispersants at depth provides an opportunity to respond to a spill as close to the source as possible, allowing for the use of less product than might be needed for a surface slick. Surveillance, Monitoring and Targeting the Areas of Thickest Oil: A key aspect an effective response is the ability to identify the location of the thickest part of a slick, since it is often the case that the majority of the slick volume resides in a relatively small part of the area. By identifying the areas of thicker oil, it is possible to deploy response tools to those areas specifically in order to significantly increase their encounter rate.

Novel/Additive Information: Each of the items within the oil spill response tool box will be discussed with the goal of improving awareness of the efforts of the oil spill response community to continuously improve response capabilities.
A Novel Approach to Cultural Resource Management, Historical Artifacts and Reciprocal Mitigation
Authors: Febbo E. , Wooley C. , Rogers J. , Reuther J. , Reep B.
Published: March 2017

Through a novel approach for cultural resource management, more than 3,000 artifacts collected 100 years ago near a North Slope village are back in Alaska as a result of a collaborative effort among the local community, archaeological researchers, the University of Alaska Museum of the North, and industry. Rather than assess indirect project effects on widely dispersed sites around a remote project area, a multi-year program addressed local community concerns in a reciprocal approach. This reciprocal mitigation can act as a model to be considered for similar cultural management strategies.

Following regular and consistent communication with community leaders and residents, we learned about a long-standing desire to reconnect with a collection of artifacts that were excavated from the area in 1914 by the pioneering Canadian archaeologist Diamond Jenness and curated at the Canadian Museum of History. The collection includes antler arrowheads, ivory harpoon heads, traditional copper and slate knives and other remarkably preserved artifacts that represent a way of life extending back 1,000 years.

The project's multi-year cultural resources management program culminated in the return of this collection to Alaska for the first time in over 100 years. As part of a museum-to-museum loan, the iconic collection was sent to the University of Alaska Museum of the North in Fairbanks, where local community cultural experts were invited to visit and assist researchers in the documentation and analysis process. The program evolved into a cultural exchange where village residents were able to reconnect with the collection, helping bolster local elementary and secondary education programs which preserve and advance their rich Iñupiat cultural heritage.

The collection played a key role in the growth and basic knowledge of circumpolar archaeology in North America in 1914 and was an early example of scientific collaboration with local experts. The current project's melding of science and traditional knowledge is in keeping with the collaborative nature of the initial excavation and has brought new life and understanding to a 100-year-old collection while satisfying cultural resource management requirements for an oil and gas development project.
Applying the Concept of Accelerative Learning for Design and Delivery of Process and Personnel Safety Leadership Programs in Oil & Gas Assets
Authors: Israni Kumar Chris , Watson Colleen
Published: March 2017

Safety leadership training makes use of the approach of Accelerative Learning (A.L.). Recent research indicates that this approach of A.L., is a state-of-the-art approach. The research is essentially an understanding between brain physiology and the concept of learning. A.L., in design and delivery, addresses the learning environment, learning modalities and multiple intelligences in a manner that is participant centric-centred. Incorporating this into a safety training program seeks to adapt the learning process most conducive to humans and make it a mind and body experience achieving maximum information retention. This enhances a behavioural transition from a safety management approach to safety leadership mind-set.

While incorporating the active and passive methods of engagement into the design and delivery of safety leadership programs helps to achieve up to 95% retention of information. This leads to improved results in competency immediate corelations of the concepts back to daily observed and occuring realities in the field. Results achieved by applying this concept to personnel safety leadership development indicated:

– Development of the ability in understanding motivational and behavioural profiles of personnel; – Development of the ability to validate safety leadership from front-line level-personnel right up to the management teams; – Enhancement of personal leadership capability to strengthen safety into newly established teams.

Also the authors have performed case studies that extend this concept to process safety as well

This paper will summarize the approach for developing such high-impact safety leadership training programs for oil & gas assets. The paper will include references to particular case studies with demonstration of qualitative and quantitative results in HSE performance improvement attributed to safety leadership programs across the globe in various sectors.
Fresh Insight into the H2S Scavenging Mechanism of MEA-Triazine vs. MMA-Triazine
Authors: Taylor G. N. , Wylde J. J. , Müller T. , Murison J , Schneider F.
Published: March 2017

Hexahydro-1,3,5-tris(hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine (I) (more commonly referred to as MEA-triazine) and Hexahydro-1,3,5-trimethyl-s-triazine (II) (more commonly referred to as MMA-triazine) are the most ubiquitous triazine based scavengers in today’s oil and gas processing industry. (I) is very substantially more prevalent than (II) despite having several very well characterized drawbacks. Perhaps the most problematic and well recognized of these is the propensity for the single byproduct, 5-hydroxyethyldithiazine (V), to undergo further reaction with H2S and ultimately ring open the dithiazine molecule to form the polymeric solid known as amorphous dithiazine. Current understanding is that (II) is more favorable as it forms no such solids due to a crucial difference in molecular structure. An understanding of what drives this reaction and what structural features are essential for this to happen are key to mitigating the operational challenges posed by the use of triazine chemistry.

The understanding that MMA triazine is only, in some cases, the next "go to" product; where the draw backs of MEA-triazine prevent its use, is challenged in this paper in light of fresh insight. A comparative model for the reaction of these two molecules is presented and an explanation offered, hitherto not reported, which accounts for many of the anomalies when a comparison of these two very similar scavenger molecules is made. The intermediate on the pathway to the dithiazine, namely thiadiazine, is usually not given much consideration and yet compelling evidence is presented that it holds the key to understanding the important differences shown by these two members of the triazine scavenger class, together with structure activity considerations. The conclusion endorses the validity and efficacy of MMA-triazine and suggests it should occupy an almost equivalent performance role to MEA-triazine in the H2S scavenger product portfolio.
Utilization of Monitoring Inspection and Evaluation Technology in Safeguarding Pipe Integrity for Coiled Tubing Drilling Operations
Authors: Liu Zhanke , Wiranata Kevin , Ridene Arafet , Wortmann Henry , Bucher Robert , Campbell Greg , Bulloch Scott , Chaari Youssef
Published: March 2017

Despite many successful applications of coiled tubing drilling (CTD) technology, CTD still faces challenges in the field. For CTD technology to be reliable and economical, the coiled tubing (CT) pipe must be properly managed so that its useful life can be maximized while string reliability is improved. Through several case studies, this paper provides best practices for the use of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technology to safeguard pipe integrity during CTD operations.

The CT defect detection method relies on a portable measurement technology for CT pipe. The technology is primarily based on magnetic flux leakage (MFL) measurements. The characterization procedure includes extracting defect signals from hundreds of field inspection jobs and building a comprehensive and high-fidelity defect library. The inspector is then able to identify the type of defect, to track its evolution from job to job, and to evaluate its impact on CT fatigue life. A variety of case studies demonstrate the applicability and benefit of being able to identify the defect type, to track its initiation and progression during field operations, and to quantitatively evaluate its impact on CT fatigue life. This type of engineered pipe management technology offers a new way to reduce costly pipe failures during CTD operations as well as to maximize CT useful life.
Optimization of CO2 Sequestration in Aquifers under Geochemistry and Thermal Effects
Authors: Temizel Cenk , Ranjith Rahul , Suhag Anuj , Balaji Karthik , Thanon Diyar , Saracoglu Onder , Jia Bao
Published: March 2017

Disposal and long-term sequestration of anthropogenic "greenhouse gases," such as, CO2 is a proposed approach for reducing global warming. Deep, regional-scale aquifers in sedimentary basins are possible sites for sequestration, given their ubiquitous nature. For Carbon dioxide (CO2) to be stored in aquifers responsibly, it is essential to identify key concepts that need to be considered for potential implementation. Ideally, the injected CO2 will migrate through an aquifer from injection wells to remote storage sites, and remain isolated from the atmosphere for a considerable period of time. Fundamental topics of interest in sequestration research are not just concerned with scientific and technical aspects, but also with practical concerns, such as, economic feasibility of storage, safety, and the maximum possible amount of CO2 storage globally and for specified regions. Thus, it is crucial to have a robust understanding of this important process not only in theory, but in practice as well through illustration with solid examples as in this study.

A robust commercial optimization and uncertainty software is coupled with a full-physics commercial simulator that models the phenomenon to investigate the significance of major parameters on performance of wells in CO2 sequestration, under geochemistry and thermal effects. CO2 injection is first done for 25 years then the injector is shut-in and the molecular diffusion of CO2 in water is modelled for the next 225 years. Thermal effects due to injection of CO2 are also modelled.

Sensitivity and optimization have been done on major reservoir parameters, such as, fluid and rock properties and well operational parameters, and then significance of each has been illustrated through tornado diagrams. It is observed that a robust approach on handling of uncertainties in the reservoir is as important as management of well operational parameters in the scope of reservoir management. Presence of impact of geochemistry and temperature effects have proven to play an important role in the process.

This study provides an in-depth optimization and uncertainty analysis to outline the significance of each major parameter involved in the performance, and CO2 sequestration in aquifers where influence of temperature and geochemistry is present.
A Synopsis on Completion Efficiency for Multi Stage Acid Fracturing Technology in Tight Carbonates Formations
Authors: Guizada Pablo , Harbi Abdulaziz , Khanferi Rakkan
Published: March 2017

Open-hole multi-stage acid fracturing technology (MSF) has been widely implemented in the last few years in order to stimulate and maximize production rates from tight carbonate formations. A variety of factors can affect or contribute to the success of this technique which has to be taken into consideration to ultimately enhance the well performance. Among these factors, accurate well placement to maximize reservoir contact, fracture orientation relative to the stress direction, reservoir characteristics like lithology, stress, porosity development and optimum design of the well completion as well as proper execution of the stimulation treatment have strong influence on the final results and huge impact on the well productivity.

This technical review of MSF jobs has made it possible to achieve a deeper understanding of the key factors controlling the outcome of the jobs and their relative importance. It will help optimize the future MSF candidate selection and their design, thereby achieving a high quality decision making process for completion selection. The objective of this paper is to discuss these factors and come up with conclusions and recommendations to optimize the use of this technology in future wells.
Modeling and Analysis of Temperature Transient Sandface and Wellbore Temperature Data from Variable Rate Well Test Data
Authors: Onur Mustafa , Cinar Murat
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we present new semi-analytical and analytical solutions based on coupled transient wellbore/reservoir thermal models to predict temperature transient measurements made under variable rate production history in a vertical or an inclined wellbore across from the producing horizon or at a gauge depth above it. Slightly compressible, single-phase, and homogeneous infinite-acting single-layer reservoir system is considered. The models account for Joule-Thomson heating/cooling, adiabatic fluid expansion, conduction and convection effects both in the reservoir and wellbore. The reservoir model includes the effect of heat losses to over-burden and under-burden strata. The transient wellbore model accounts for friction and gravity effects. The solutions of the semi-analytical reservoir model are verified by use of a general purpose thermal simulator. Wellbore temperatures at a certain gauge depth are evaluated through a wellbore thermal energy equation coupling the reservoir temperature equation. Our results show that unlike pressure transient data, the variable-rate temperature transient data cannot be transformed to an equivalent constant-rate temperature data by use of linear superposition. It is shown that the temperature-derivative data taken with respect to the elapsed time for a given period, plotted against elapsed time better identifies flow regimes exhibited by the transient temperature data recorded under variable rate history. Furthermore, we show that the temperature measurements made at locations above the producing horizon are dependent upon the flow rate, geothermal gradient, and radial heat losses from the wellbore fluid to the formation on the way to gauge. The temperature responses during early times of drawdown and buildup periods are mainly affected by the thermal and wellbore storage effects and do not exhibit the early-, intermediate- and late-time infinite acting flow regimes (IARFs) that would be exhibited by the sandface temperatures unless the gauge distance is not close to the producing horizon. The sensitivity of temperature recorded above the producing zone to reservoir permeability and skin decreases with gauge placed far away above the producing zone. Synthetic test examples are presented to demonstrate the use of the proposed models and methods.
An Advanced Approach to Study the Seepage Characteristics of Dynamic Remaining Oil in Porous Media at Pore Scale
Authors: Wang Chuan , Jiang Hanqiao , Liu Jingwen , Mi Lidong , Li Junjian
Published: March 2017

The study of remaining oil microscopic percolation characteristics in porous media at pore scale plays an important role in enhanced oil recovery. Especially the dynamic remaining oil, which is different from the static remaining oil, makes a major contribution to production. The study of dynamic remaining oil percolation characteristics in pore scale plays an important role in both explaining the micro flow mechanisms from micro level and providing theoretical guidance to enhance oil recovery.

In this paper, dynamic remaining oil is first defined by comparing to the static remaining oil and an advanced method combining the glass etching microscopic model experiments and computer image processing & recognition techniques that can identify and analyze the flow characteristics in pore scale is introduced. The method can automatically classify the microscopic remaining oil flowing patterns considering the flowing shape and the connect-relationship among the oil, water and rock.

Compared to artificial identification results, the error range of this method is less than 5%. Meanwhile, it increases the processing speed greatly. And furthermore it provides an approach for the studying of dynamic remaining oil seepage characteristics in pore scale. Then the advanced approach is used to analyze the variable relationship of pore scale different flowing patterns micro dynamic remaining oil in high water cut period. Research result shows that all the remaining oil in ultrahigh water cut period can be classified into five categories that respectively are clustered stream, multi-porous stream, columnar stream, membranous stream and droplet stream. Among of the five categories, clustered stream possess the largest proportion and are also the main factor of relative permeability curves recurved. Meanwhile, with water saturation rising, clustered stream gradually transformed into other patterns like multi-porous stream, columnar stream, membranous stream and droplet stream. Also we find that the occurring occasion of clustered stream inflection point is positively correlated to the maximum water saturation. Meantime, the result indicates oil/water flowing regularity and the reason of oil-water relative permeability curves non-linearity during ultrahigh water cut period from the microscopic point of view. And it also provides a guidance to enhance recovery degree of remaining oil and the recovery efficiency.

Overall, an open and flexible research method to study dynamic remaining oil about flowing characteristics in pore scale by combining microscopic etching glass modeling experiment and computer image recognition & processing technology is introduced in this paper. And according to different research purposes, the range of characteristic parameters is easy to be adjusted to meet various studying demands.
Dimensionless Productivity Index and Its Derivative - Insights into Connectivity and Conductivity Variations of Fractures During Flowback in Unconventional Reservoirs
Authors: Kaul Sandeep P. , Vaz Robert F. , Gildin Eduardo
Published: March 2017

Mathematical modeling of unconventional reservoirs is a complex and challenging problem. The traditional approach is to construct a SRV based numerical model to predict long-term performance. The glaring limitation of this approach is that the model quickly becomes mathematically expensive if we attempt to capture complex geometries and incorporate non-planar/non-orthogonal induced/natural fractures. Also, these numerical models are generally constrained to planar geometry only, as an exhaustive suite of fracture orientations is not practical. It is done in order to simplify assigning fracture conductivities in the model. The method outlined in this paper eliminates the first limitation with the help of a dual porosity semi-analytical model. The other limitation of knowing fracture conductivity of non-planar fractures is overcome by incorporating the dimensionless fracture conductivity in this dual porosity model by comparing it with an equivalent single porosity planar model during bilinear flow regime.

This new method, based on dimensionless productivity index and its derivative, uses dual porosity constant volume fractures in linear reservoirs. Dimensionless productivity index essentially conveys information regarding area generated due to transient average reservoir pressure over a given drainage area. The resulting horizontal well performance, which contains part natural fracture and part induced hydraulic fracture, is based on well test parameters evaluated from production data. These parameters help freeze the rate transient solution in the time domain. The early time analysis of flowback (fracturing water and gas/oil) gives us the insight into induced fractures. The connectivity issue is addressed with the help slab (planar 1D), cylinder (non-planar 2D) and sphere (non-planar 3D) matrix orientations which encompass all possible ranges of fracture (natural and induced) orientation that impact long-term performance.

The result of this approach brings to light the pressure support and effect of flowback water on longterm performance of hydraulically fractured horizontal wells. This is demonstrated with the help of published literature data and shows how flowback analysis complements the conventional rate transient analysis for finite conductivity fractures in linear reservoirs.

The method outlined here amounts to analyzing various fractures having different fracture conductivities and having different non-orthogonal orientations, with sphere matrix orientations being the maximum limiting case scenario. As opposed to this, the traditional numerical method requires running a large number of scenarios on a numerical simulator making it a prohibitively large problem. Eliminating this need brings out the significance of the approach.
Analysis and Application of Production Logging Data in Shale Gas Well
Authors: Dejia Di , Jun Mao , Ying He , Shuang Ai , Tongyi Zhang , Wei Pang
Published: March 2017

Production profile logging is an efficient method for production dynamic monitoring and post-fracture effect evaluation in shale gas plays, the method can realize the rule of gas production and water flowback and understand the downhole production situation, it is important to optimize well trajectory, well completion and gas production system. However, the fluids in downhole are mix phases usually, they are composed by gas and hydraulic fraturing fluids in the process of gas production, the flow regimes and status are complicated in horizontal well, in addition, the flow regimes are affected by well diameter and well inclination, thereby, the method of logging data interpretation becomes far more difficult.

This paper researched the interpretation method of production logging data firstly in horizontal well, analyzed the production rate distribution in each fracture in a shale gas well. Subsequently, the paper investigated the fluid phase and flow regimes with the image function of array holdup tools, the water recirculation happened in the stage of dogleg postion. In addition, the paper built the sensivity analysis of openhole logging data and hydraulic fracturing parameters with production logging results, analyzed the main impact fators of gas production contribution in the well. At last, Models with non-uniform fracture properties are built to take into the consideration of production logging results, production rate and estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) are predicted by the models with uniform fractures and non-uniform fractures for the case well.

From the analysis results of production logging data, it illustrated that only about one third to one half of hydraulic fractures had produced gas. Meanwhile, the productive fractures contribute differently to the gas production rate. There was a lot of water in the wellbore acoording to the dynamic leve of the water. The sensitivity analysis indicated the geology properties and hydraulic fracturing parameters are not main impact factors of gas production distribution unevenly in the well. In addition, models with non-uniform fractures and with uniform fracture are built for this case well. Both models can get satisfying log-log plot and history match. Gas rate and pressure transient analysis with non-uniform fractures model gets higher estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) than the one with uniform fractures model.

Through the analysis and application of production profile logging data, understanding the gas flow state in shale gas well, improving the application level of logging data, and the researched results can provide the reasonable suggestions for afterward well trajectory, well completion and produciton optimazition.
Application of Well Test Rate Conversion to Gas Condensate Reservoirs in the Nile Delta Complex
Authors: Hoffmann A. , Taeger J. P. , Whitson C. H.
Published: March 2017

Performance monitoring and production allocation rely on test separator measurements operating at varying pressure and temperature during periodic tests. Converting test separator gas and oil rates to a common set of separator conditions is necessary to ensure consistent rate allocation and valid inflow performance relations. This paper applies a well test conversion methodology to all historical well test measurements performed on gas condensate reservoirs in the Nile Delta Complex and explores the benefits of such an approach. The studied asset includes seven reservoirs with producing condensate-gas ratio (CGR) varying from 3 to 70 stb/MMscf.

The proposed method converts the reported test rates into molar compositional wellstream rates, using (1) an appropriate EOS model, (2) a reasonable seed composition and (3) the test separator conditions. The seed composition is flashed at separator conditions. Equilibrium oil and gas compositions are then recombined in a specific ratio that yields exactly the test CGR. The obtained compositional wellstream is then re-processed (1) using a common set of separator conditions and (2) using the actual field-scale surface process model. The paper also discusses appropriate choices for the seed composition.

The procedure is implemented and fully automated using a commercial IAM platform. Results show that the separator conditions have a great influence (up to 50 %) on the CGR. We reprocessed the compositional wellstreams using a common set of conditions to compare individual well performance and fluid properties (1) over time and (2) against other wells for a given date. Furthermore, the proposed procedure enables the allocation of final-sales products to individual wells (gas, LPG and stabilized condensate).
Non-Intrusive Measurement of Sand Production in Boyhai Bay Using Vibration Sensor Method
Authors: Wang Kai , Liu Gang , Zhang Jialin , Du Jiacheng
Published: March 2017

Sand production is an important issue that occurs in the petroleum industry during the process of crude oil production in offshore field. Many non-intrusive sensor measurement technologies have been applied in sand production monitor, most of them measuring ultrasonic signals of more than 100KHz generated by sand particles impacts on the pipe wall. This paper illustrates a alternative vibration signature analysis method to measure the sand production. A special broadband vibration sensor was installed at the outside of pipeline to receive sand signals. Meanwhile, vibration signals generated by sandy crude were analyzed by time-frequency method. A simple test was used to ensure the approximate scope of characteristic sand frequency band. By applying these characteristic sand frequency bands, there is a distinguish between sand production well and no sand production well below the 20KHz. After that, both of the characteristic frequency band filter method and a peak searching-denoising method were used to maximize extract the sand signals in strong crude oil background noise. By using these methods, the normalized power spectrum was selected to reveal the difference between sand production well and no sand production well, and sand production characteristic can be observed in real-time. The measurement results of two different sand production wells showed that there is a good correlation between the normalized vibration power spectrum amplitude and the sand content. This result is also consistent with the supplied results by field tests. Therefore, this vibration signature analysis was effectively used to detect the sand production phenomena, and it would be helpful to apply low-cost vibration sensor technology to monitor the sand production in offshore field exploitation.