bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reviews
Authors: Forsyth Alison , Piper Helen , Raw Laurence , Voigts-Virchow Eckart
Published: December 2009

Screen Adaptations Shakespeare's The Tempest: The Relationship Between Text and Film, Lisa Hopkins, (2008) London: Methuen Drama, 200 pp., ISBN 978-0-7136-7910-6, Paperback, 12.99

Jack Rosenthal: The Television Series, Sue Vice, (2009) Manchester and New
York: Manchester University Press, 202 pp., ISBN 978 0 7190 7704 3, Hardback, 50

Homemade Hollywood: Fans Behind the Camera, Clive Young, (2008) New York and London: Continuum, 297 pp., ISBN 978-0-8264-2923-0, Paperback, 12.99

Experts of the Everyday. The Theatre
of Rimini Protokoll, Miriam Dreysse and Florian Malzacher (eds.), (2008) Berlin: Alexander Verlag, 240 pp., ISBN 978-3-89581-187-6. 296, Colour images, 19,90
Overlapping and Distinct Neural Systems Code for Subjective Value during Intertemporal and Risky Decision Making
Authors: Peters Jan , Büchel Christian
Published: December 2009

During decision making, valuation of different types of rewards may involve partially distinct neural systems, but efficient choice behavior requires a common neural coding of stimulus value. We addressed this issue by measuring neural activity with functional magnetic resonance imaging while volunteers processed delayed and probabilistic decision options. Behaviorally, participants discounted both types of rewards in a hyperbolic manner, and discount rates, reflecting individual preferences, varied considerably between participants. Ventral striatum and orbitofrontal cortex showed a domain-general coding of subjective value regardless of whether rewards were delayed or probabilistic, strongly implicating these regions in the implementation of a common neural currency of value. In contrast, fronto-polar and lateral parietal cortex, as well as a region in the posterior cingulate cortex only correlated with the value of delayed rewards, whereas superior parietal cortex and middle occipital areas only represented the value of probabilistic rewards. These results suggest a mechanism for the neural coding of subjective value in the human brain that is based on the combination of domain-general and domain-specific valuation networks.
Chloride Ion Detection by InN Gated AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistors
Authors: Chu Byung Hwan , Lin Hon-way , Gwo Shangjr , Wang Yu-Lin , Pearton S. J. , Johnson J. W. , Rajagopal P , Roberts J. C. , Piner E. L. , Linthicum K. J. , Ren Fan
Published: December 2009

Chloride ion concentration can be used as a biomarker for the level of pollen exposure in allergic asthma, chronic cough and airway acidification related to respiratory disease. AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) with an InN thin film in the gate region was used for real time detection of chloride ion detection. The InN thin film provided surface sites for reversible anion coordination. The sensor exhibited significant changes in channel conductance upon exposure to various concentrations of NaCl solutions. The sensor was tested over the range of 100 nM to 100 μM NaCl solutions. The effect of cations on the chloride ion detection was also studied.
Detection of DNA Hybridization using Functionalized InN ISFETs
Authors: Lin Cheng-Yi , Lu Yen-Sheng , Peng Shih-Kang , Gwo Shangjr , Yeh J.
Published: December 2009

Ultrathin (∼10 nm) InN ion sensitive field effect transistors (ISFETs) are functionalized by immobilized label-free oligonucleotide probes with 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) through molecular vapor deposition (MVD) technique. This layer on the InN surface serves the function of selectively detecting the hybridization of complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Using MVD technique to perform the gas-phase silanization of MPTMS provided a time-saving and simple method to reach 68° water contact angle after 1.5 h treatment. High resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HRXPS) was employed to analyze the surface characteristics after functionalization. Modified probes DNA were covalently bonded to MPTMS-covered gate surface of InN ISFETs. And further hybridized with complementary DNA For a 12-mer oligonucleotide probe, a significant drain-source current decrease (∼ 6 μA) was observed for the hybridization with complementary DNA solution of 100 nM. In contrast, the noncomplementary DNA with single-base mismatch did not show obvious current changes. Functionalized ultrathin InN ISFETs for DNA sequence detection demonstrate the promise of biological sensing and genetic diagnosis applications.
Fast Detection of Perkinsus Marinus, a Prevalent Pathogen of Oysters and Clams from Sea Waters
Authors: Wang Yu-Lin , Chu B.H. , Chen K.H. , Chang Chih-Yang , Lele Tanmay P. , Papadi George , Coleman James K. , Sheppard Barbara J. , Dungan Chris F. , Pearton S. J. , Johnson J.W. , Ren F.
Published: December 2009

Antibody-functionalized, Au-gated AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) were used to detect Perkinsus marinus. The antibody was anchored to the gate area through immobilized thioglycolic acid. The AlGaN/GaN HEMT were grown by a molecular beam epitaxy system (MBE) on sapphire substrates. Infected sea waters were taken from the tanks in which Tridacna crocea infected with P. marinus were living and dead. The AlGaN/GaN HEMT showed a rapid response of drain-source current in less than 5 seconds when the infected sea waters were added to the antibody-immobilized surface. The recyclability of the sensors with wash buffers between measurements was also explored. These results clearly demonstrate the promise of field-deployable electronic biological sensors based on AlGaN/GaN HEMTs for Perkinsus marinus detection.
Experimental Observation of Sequential Tunneling Transport in GaN/AlGaN Coupled Quantum Wells Grown on a Free-Standing GaN Substrate
Authors: Sudradjat Faisal , Driscoll Kristina , Liao Yitao , Bhattacharyya Anirban , Thomidis Christos , Zhou Lin , Smith David J. , Moustakas Theodore D. , Paiella Roberto
Published: December 2009

A GaN/AlGaN multiple-quantum-well structure based on an asymmetric triple-quantum-well repeat unit was grown by molecular beam epitaxy, and its vertical electrical transport characteristics were investigated as a function of temperature. To minimize the density of dislocations and other structural defects providing leakage current paths, homoepitaxial growth on a free-standing GaN substrate was employed. The measured vertical-transport current-voltage characteristics were found to be highly nonlinear, especially at low temperatures, consistent with sequential tunneling through the ground-state subbands of weakly coupled adjacent quantum wells. Furthermore, different turn-on voltages were measured depending on the polarity of the applied bias, in accordance with the asymmetric subband structure of the sample repeat units.
Does a Diflufenzopyr Plus Dicamba Premix Synergize Russian Knapweed (Acroptilon repens) Control with Auxinic Herbicides?
Authors: Enloe Stephen F. , Kniss Andrew R.
Published: December 2009

Diflufenzopyr is a synergist that improves broadleaf weed control when mixed with certain auxinic herbicides. In nonagricultural settings, it is only available in a premix with dicamba, which is labeled for noncrop sites, pasture, hay, and rangeland. Our objectives were to determine the influence of diflufenzopyr + dicamba when applied with auxinic herbicides for Russian knapweed control. Studies were conducted near Ethete, WY, from 2005 to 2008 in a pasture heavily infested with Russian knapweed. Treatments were applied in the fall (September) and included aminopyralid, clopyralid, clopyralid + 2,4-D, clopyralid + triclopyr, and picloram at standard and reduced rates, with and without diflufenzopyr + dicamba. At 12 and at 24 mo after treatment (MAT), diflufenzopyr + dicamba did not influence Russian knapweed control when applied with standard rates of aminopyralid, clopyralid, clopyralid + 2,4-D, clopyralid + triclopyr, or picloram. All of these treatments except clopyralid + 2,4-D consistently provided ≥ 80% control 24 MAT. Reduced-rate herbicide interactions with diflufenzopyr + dicamba were also not significant at 12 MAT. However, at 24 MAT, aminopyralid applied with diflufenzopyr + dicamba controlled Russian knapweed 83% compared with 59% when aminopyralid was applied alone. Russian knapweed control with all other reduced-rate treatments, except picloram, fell below 80%. These results indicate that diflufenzopyr + dicamba does not generally improve Russian knapweed control at 12 or 24 MAT with either standard or reduced rates of typical fall, auxinic herbicide treatments.
Mechanisms behind the non-thyroidal illness syndrome: an update
Authors: Warner Maria H , Beckett Geoffrey J
Published: December 2009

The mechanisms behind the changes in serum triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and TSH that occur in the non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) are becoming clearer. Induction of a central hypothyroidism occurs due to a diminution in hypothalamic thyrotropin-releasing hormone. This can be signalled by a decrease in leptin caused by malnutrition and possibly a localised increase in hypothalamic T3 catalyzed by altered expression of hypothalamic iodothyronine deiodinases D2 and D3. Data from D1 and D2 knockout mice suggest that these enzymes may have little contribution to the low serum T3 found in acute illness. The decline in serum T3 and T4 in models of acute illness precedes the fall in hepatic D1, suggesting that much of the initial fall in these hormones may be attributable to an acute phase response giving rise to a reduction in the thyroid hormone binding capacity of plasma. When measured by reliable methods, changes in serum free T4 and free T3 are modest in comparison to the fall seen in total thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone transporter expression is up-regulated in many models of the NTIS, thus if diminished tissue uptake of hormone occurs in vivo, it is likely to be the result of impaired transporter function caused by diminished intracellular ATP or plasma inhibitors of transporter action. In man, chronic illness leads to an upregulation of thyroid hormone receptor (THR) expression at least in liver and renal failure. In contrast, human and animal models of sepsis and trauma indicate that expression of THRs and their coactivators are decreased in acute illness.
Selective Water Shutoff in Gas Well Turns a Liability into an Asset: A Successful Case History from East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: Junesompitsiri Chat , Berel Antoine , Curtice Richard , Riyanto Latief , Thouvenin Etienne , Cheneviere Pascal
Published: December 2009

This case history describes a procedure in which a polymer sealant and a bridge plug were used to shut off water production from upper zones to enable gas production from productive lower zones. Offshore gas fields operated in East Kalimantan were producing gas and water. When water production increased, gas production was greatly reduced. This paper presents a case history of water-shutoff work performed in the Peciko field, offshore East Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Typically, the production of these wells is commingled with multiple perforations inside the production casing and the water breakthrough could happen at any layer; therefore, a selective shutoff is required. A production-logging tool (PLT) was run to identify the source of the water influx, and the uppermost set of perforations was identified to be the main contributor to the water production.

The objective was to completely shut off the uppermost zones with sealant, without a cement tail-in. The chosen sealant was an organically crosslinked polymer system and tail-in with a particle-gel system (PGS) to increase near-wellbore shutoff integrity. Because the target shutoff zone was the uppermost set of perforations, a retrievable bridge plug was used to provide isolation from all the lower zones while pumping the sealant.

The operation sequence consists of (1) setting the retrievable bridge plug, (2) performing an injectivity test, (3) pumping the sealants, (4) shutting-in to allow the polymer to develop strength, (5) cleaning out excess particle gel inside the wellbore (without milling), (6) retrieving the bridge plug in an underbalanced condition, and then (7) flowing the well.

The job was initially evaluated by flowing the well and observing the well performance. Later, a PLT was run to confirm the amount of influx from the shutoff zone. Results from both were very satisfactory, as is detailed in the paper.
Investigation on Crude Oil Migration in Surface and Subsurface Environment: Impact and Solution
Authors: Amro Mohammed M. , Benzagouta Mohammed S. , Karnanda Wimpy
Published: December 2009

Natural degradation of crude oil is very slow and might take several years to be degraded. However, its impact on the environment will last as long as neither treatment nor solutions are undertaken. When further migration of crude oil is occurring, it will harm the soil and might contact the subsurface water or groundwater. The most relevant in that respect would be the type of fluids (Contaminants), mode of fluid transport, type of soil, environmental importance of the concerned sites, and weathering effect. Therefore, the main objectives of this study are investigation and observation of crude oil migration as toxic fluid, its penetration, and weathering effect.

Achievement of the abovementioned objectives necessitates the design of an experimental model. This model consists of two separated columns, which were filled with soil and other types of rocks. One setup column contains soil in dry condition (dry system); while the other was filled with soil material in wet conditions (wet system).

During its progress, crude oil penetration was recorded versus time by taking soil samples, whereas water samples were collected from the wet system. This was aimed to report a possible migration of hydrocarbons dissolved in water.

Results show that the penetration depth was more performed in wet system during early stages rather than in dry system. However, with time this progress becomes more developed in both systems. Based on observation, it is important to notify that the duration of this progress will last for long time in dry system. However, the overall penetration at final stage has been found significantly higher in the dry system. In addition, it was observed that during crude oil migration in dry system, chromatographic separation of crude oil components has occurred obviously.

The obtained results reveal that immediate treatment action has to be performed in both systems with particular attention to the wet system, owing to its high initial penetration rate.
Net Pay: What is it? What does it do? How do we quantify it? How do we use it?
Authors: Worthington Paul F.
Published: December 2009

A knowledge of Net Pay is important in the volumetric estimation of hydrocarbon Resources, a practice that underpins the value of the petroleum industry. Yet, there is no universal definition of Net Pay, there is no general acceptance of its role in integrated reservoir studies, there is no recognized method for evaluating it, and there are disparate views on how to make use of it. Partly for these reasons, Net-to-Gross Pay constitutes a major source of uncertainty in volumetric Resources estimates, second only to gross rock volume. With the aim of improving this unsatisfactory state of affairs, this presentation charts a critical path of Net-Pay understanding and application by exploding some of the unhelpful myths that abound within the industry and replacing them with a defensible rationale to guide the quantification of Net Pay (thickness). Central to this process is the identification of Net-Pay cut-offs, themselves the subject of much controversy over the years. The approach is data-driven, in that it uses what we know, and also fit-for-purpose, in that it takes account of reservoir conditions. The outcome is a sounder basis for incorporating Net Pay into volumetric estimates of ultimate recovery and thence petroleum Resources.
Pazflor, A World Technology First in Deep Offshore Development
Authors: Bon Louis
Published: December 2009

PAZFLOR is TOTAL's ongoing largest oil development, and was launched in December 2007. After the success of Girassol, Dalia and Rosa, PAZFLOR represents a major new step in the development of Block 17, offshore Angola as it will raise the installed production capacity of the Block to over 700,000 barrels per day.

PAZFLOR main technical challenge consists in producing two very different types of oils from four reservoirs, on a single FPSO. The heavy and viscous oil from the three Miocene reservoirs with low energy potential will be produced using the innovative technology of gas/liquid subsea separation.

The three subsea gas/liquid separation and pumping units on the sea bed will constitute a World Technology First for a development of this scale. After separation, the liquids will be pumped to the surface using hybrid pumps, specially designed and qualified for PAZFLOR. Such development scheme also allows a different strategy with respect to hydrates preservation based on depressurisation rather than live oil replacement.

The selection of a subsea gas/liquid separation concept raised new challenges, due to the relatively poor quality of the oil: a) the efficiency of the gas/liquid separation with viscous fluids, and b) the design of the subsea pumps which must be gas tolerant. Dedicated test programs were conducted in cooperation with oil industry partners and concluded in the qualification of a full scale hybrid pump as well as on separator internals.
Successful Second Stage Cementation of a Multilateral Junction, After Floating in the Casing
Authors: McWilliam Ian , Tandy Polly , McCaffrey Martin , Brooks Robert T.
Published: December 2009

This paper presents a practical solution for successfully floating in the casing and performing second stage cementing of a multilateral junction. The drilling and completion objectives required a successful cement job on the 9-5/8"x 10-3/4" casing that would: Isolate the reservoir at the 9-5/8" shoe.Isolate both production legs and provide a secondary barrier against future potential B annulus communication.Provide support for the 9-5/8" casing during exit window milling operations.

Due to the distance between the 9-5/8" shoe and the multilateral junction point it was identified early in the planning stages that the chances of success for a good single stage cement job over the whole interval, whilst maintaining ECDs below formation fracture gradient, was minimal.

With this in mind it was decided to perform the 9-5/8" cementing in 2 stages. The first stage was a conventional cement job with a total column length of 1500 ft. The next stage was conducted through a locking Port Collar with metal to metal (MTM) seals, situated at 4442ft MD. A successful cement job was achieved with a cement column of 1342ft, which was above the depth required to meet all of the objectives.

After displacement of the cement the operating tool was picked up to close and lock the Port Collar. A successful casing pressure test confirmed the Port Collar was closed. All objectives were met; a world first was achieved for this combined operation.
Is the Focus too Low on Issues That Have a Potential to Lead to a Major Incident?
Authors: Leistad Gunnar H. , Bradley Adam R.
Published: December 2009

The paper is based on the proposition that offshore workers are not sufficiently focused on issues that have the potential to lead to a major incident. On the contrary, for many years offshore workers have been motivated to focus on issues that could lead to personal injuries and lost time incidents. The most severe consequence of these personal injuries would be one fatality, as compared with the tens or hundreds of potential fatalities potentially associated with a major incident.

Significant manpower has been used both on and offshore to train personnel to protect themselves and others to avoid personal injuries. This often involves simple actions, that are easy to understand and with little cost to the company. By contrast, the resources used on prediction and avoidance of issues that could lead to major accidents are not sufficient at many levels in offshore organisations.

In order to reduce the risk of major accidents the required actions are often complex, sometimes expensive, and not easy for everybody to understand. The risk of major failure is limited, but the consequences are large if a failure should occur. As an example of this principle, records show that since 1967 fatalities due to major accidents have been 53% of the total number of fatalities on the Norwegian continental shelf. If helicopter accidents are included the percentage is 73 %.

These issues have been illustrated by a survey of several hundred personnel on offshore facilities. The results from the survey are clear and show that there is a need for change in the daily focus of the safety work on offshore installations.
Application of Reelwell Drilling Method in Offshore Drilling to Address Many Related Challenges
Authors: Rajabi M. Mir , Nergaard A. I. , Hole O. , Vestavik O. M.
Published: December 2009

In recent years, operators have been drilling wells in ever increasing water depths. Drilling wells in deepwaters is a daunting task due to both downhole drilling hazards and excessive floating rig packages. Traditionally, these challenging wells are drilled with a low-pressure 21" drilling riser stretching from mudline to surface. A high day-rate gigantic floating rigs with high weight, space, and tensioning requirement is essential to handle this huge and long LP marine riser in deepwaters.

Today, the industry is contemplating drilling in water depths of 10,000 ft and beyond, while current equipment can hardly (or even not) take the industry into such depths without changes. The 21" marine drilling riser cannot be pushed much further by existing rigs, and even if the rig could support the riser length and weigh, the riser itself cannot withstand the stresses. Furthermore, if all of these problems are tackled, many downhole drilling challenges are yet to be answered.

So, needs for change in current deepwater drilling technology seems to be necessary if the industry is to reach deep targets successfully in deepwaters. Our approach to this problem is changing drilling method; we intend to introduce a newly born drilling technology called Reelwell Drilling Method which is a riserless drilling method by nature and facilitates drilling at any water depth by smaller and less expansive floating rigs, with fewer difficulties.

RDM is also promising in delivering closed circulation system which turns it into a competent tool for Managed Pressure Drilling. This feature of RDM can make a big difference in drilling operations in environments with narrow pressure margin which is the case in deepwaters, HPHT, and depleted reservoirs.
Control and Safety System (ESD, F&G and PCS) Obsolescence, a Practical Solution for System Migration Taking Account of Aging Facilities while Maintaining Safety Standards
Authors: Koh A. , Macleod A. , Gallacher M. , Lewis J.
Published: December 2009

This paper will describe, through an actual project experience, adopted methodology, which has been developed through close cooperation between Operator and system designer, to enable migration of obsolete Emergency Shutdown System, Fire &Gas Protection System and Process Control Systems to latest generation equipment, while avoiding production downtime, by live transfer and minimal uninterrupted production during migration process.

This type of system migration is taking place on Northern North Sea offshore facilities, and has proven to be cost effective in what normally would be an expensive transfer operation, during extended shutdown periods.

This system has been developed with the original equipment manufacturer to enable live transfers and have manageable downgraded safety during the transfer period. The benefits included no planned loss of production during the transfer of old to new systems, re-use of existing system footprints, wiring, marshalling and operating Philosophy.

System migration can be phased to suit other parallel planned works, and even re-phased if operational constraints dictate.

The paper will describe an actual live project which has utilised this technology and methodology, and has enabled the operator to manage major fabric maintenance and modifications in parallel with control system migration.

The paper will go further in describing and concluding the tangible benefits, success stories, lessons learnt, and safety records, on an actual live project.
Well Design Differentiators for CO2 Sequestration in Depleted Reservoirs
Authors: Haigh M. J.
Published: December 2009

Reducing carbon emissions is a global problem which has become firmly established as a common objective. Sequestration of CO2 into underground oil and gas reservoirs on a large scale has the potential to make significant contribution to solving this problem. The process of carbon dioxide injection has been implemented in many different underground geological formations since the early 1970's as a means of enhancing oil recovery. CO2 injection purely for emissions reduction is however relatively new. This paper aims to identify key differentiators between conventional well design techniques and CO2 injection wells in depleted gas reservoirs. Technical focus is placed upon project management, completion well design and integrity assurance. The information is based on industry practices developed from published and unpublished CO2 sequestration projects and other data sources including input from contracting service companies.

The key objective is to support the concept and to demonstrate that CO2 sequestration into depleted reservoirs can be achieved effectively and safely from a well design perspective. The information provided in this paper will technically support feasibility studies, demonstrator schemes and contribute to the successful implementation of future CO2 sequestration projects globally. In summary this paper will review the unique operating environment of a CO2 injection well, identify critical differentiators and evaluate the impact on the well design.
Reservoir Architecture Characterization From Integration of Fluid Property Distributions With Other Logs
Authors: Dong Chengli , Chun Wei-Chun , Majkut Frederik , Mullins Oliver C. , Zuo Julian
Published: December 2009

Characterizing reservoir architecture and fluid property distributions at the early exploration and appraisal stage are critical for reservoir assessment, planning and management. Particularly for thinly laminated reservoirs, identification of hydrocarbon-bearing zones and determination of the flow unit sizes have profound impact on long term production predictions. In this paper, a case study is presented that integration of reservoir fluid property distribution with other logs leads to accurate reservoir understanding. In this method, downhole fluid analysis (DFA) is used to identify key production parameters of reservoir fluids in real time and at downhole conditions. DFA results are combined with other logs to develop a view of reservoir architecture especially pinpointing thin pay zones with low resistivity, which could be treated as wet by open-hole logs. Indeed, 19 DFA stations were performed in this particular well and represents a typical number of DFA stations per well in this field (another well in this field had significantly more DFA stations that established a world record). The results of the improved interpretation are confirmed by subsequent well test data. The case study indicates that the methodology of integrating DFA with other logs provides a powerful and cost effective approach for reservoir understanding and assessment at the exploration stage, which is invaluable for optimal reservoir management and development planning.
Forties: Creating a Long Range Development Plan for a Large, Mature, Complex North Sea Oil Field
Authors: Chesterman Alan , Vaughan Owen , Plahn Sheldon
Published: December 2009

Forties is the largest oil field in the United Kingdom Continental Shelf, with approximately 5 billion barrels of oil originally in place and 2.6 billion barrels of oil produced since start-up in 1975. After acquiring Forties and taking over as Operator in 2003, Apache rejuvenated the field with an active programme of infill drilling, workovers and facilities upgrades. Since 2003, 50 new targets have been drilled and projects to upgrade power generation, export pumps, and water injection systems have been completed. By 2008 the combined impact of these activities had increased production from 40,000 to a peak of 81,000 barrels per day and an annual average production in 2008 of 61,700 barrels per day

While these activities had been successful and profitable, Forties faced the ever increasing challenges common to mature field development – increasing well numbers and shortage of wells slots, increasing water production, variable drilling results, and ageing infrastructure beyond its original design life. Because of this, in 2008 Apache prepared a development plan for the long term future of the field. At this point it was important to take stock of the opportunities and challenges to confirm the forward direction and priorities.

Creating the plan required a multi-disciplinary effort spanning geology through to production operations. The target inventory and conditions of the facilities were reviewed and options to enhance the facilities and remove bottlenecks were identified. The interdependencies among disciplines and the implementation of the activities on the platforms were also key considerations, as were using the reservoir model and economic analysis to inform development decisions.

Preparing the development plan for a mature field, especially one as large and complex as Forties, brings its own unique set of challenges. These challenges and the approach used to address them are described here.
Hydrajetting Applications in Horizontal Completions to Improve Hydraulic Fracturing Stimulations and Improve ROI
Authors: McDaniel B. W. , Surjaatmadja Jim B.
Published: December 2009

This paper reviews applications of hydrajet perforating during the past 6+ years specifically as they apply to horizontal and highly deviated completions for both oil and gas reservoirs. Many benefits to hydraulic fracturing through hydrajetted perfs instead of shape charge perforations will often exist. Also, a key feature to more economic applications has been coupling this process with a method that includes multi-stage fracturing operations. This feature can shorten the completion time needed to achieve multistage frac treatments. During this decade, horizontal wells that need fracture stimulation are being drilled deeper and, especially, with longer lateral sections requiring larger numbers of fracturing stages. This has increasingly challenged the limits of conventional jetting systems and methods, while requiring higher pressure limits for the wellhead, treatment tubing, and pumping equipment.

Three primary methods for using hydrajet perforating have been part of the surge of horizontal well applications. Listed in the order of their emergence of significant application during the present decade, they are: hydrajet fracturing (HJF), hydrajet perforating, annulus path fracturing (HPAP), and standalone use of hydrajetted perforating (SHJP) followed by conventional wellbore stimulation and isolation applications.
Horizontal Marcellus Well Cementing in Appalachia
Authors: Gottschling John C.
Published: December 2009

It has become a high priority task of the drilling engineer to be closely involved in all aspects of the cement job design for a horizontal Marcellus well. Close cooperation with the cementing service company is required. It should be common place to use a simulator to facilitate job design and predict situations which could result in job failure. Comparing simulator runs to real time monitoring of job parameters can give indications of down-hole problems. Making on the spot decisions to change the job design can sometimes lessen or prevent the negative impact on the job performance which would have resulted if no changes were implemented.

This paper will review the accepted industry standards for hole conditioning, pipe centralization, pipe movement and slurry designs for HZ wellbores. A chart will be presented that includes all the tasks required for job design. Illustrations are provided to give operators realistic expectations of the engineering support they should be getting from their cementing service companies. Several slurry designs being used in Appalachia are presented and the required properties needed for successful horizontal well cementing in Appalachia. Results of these slurry designs will be presented as a relationship to the breakdown and treating pressures during the subsequent hydraulic fracturing treatments. The issue of the prevention of backside gas pressure will be discussed.
The Error Function and its Complement: A Comparison of Some Approximate Models
Authors: Lawal Kazeem A.
Published: December 2009

Applying the conservation laws to the transient transport problems of most processes, including diffusion, heat and momentum transfer, normally yield parabolic partial differential equations which solutions, for semi-infinite systems, usually include either the error function or the complementary error function. While tabulated values are available for real arguments of these functions, the need for look-up tables and interpolations makes them computationally intensive for implementation in computer programs and other applications. Although ‘simple’ models have been fitted to these values, it is imperative that such models preserve the key properties of these functions.

Combining the criteria of accuracy, differentiability, and integrability with mathematical consistency, this paper examines the approximate models of Kalkaja (2009), Winitzki (2008), van Halen (1989) and Greene (1989), premised on different assumptions and of varied forms and mathematical elegance.

In terms of accuracy, the van Halen (1989) model is the most reliable, successively trailed by Winitzki (2008), Kalkaja (2009), and Greene (1989) models. Despite being the most accurate, the van Halen (1989) model is the most complex and computationally expensive. Although they are all continuous and differentiable, obtaining their derivatives analytically, involves varying complexities, with van Halen (1989) most demanding and Greene (1989), the least intensive. With current knowledge, none of the models is amenable to analytic (direct) integration. Considering all performance indices, while the Winitzki model is the most consistent, van Halen approximation is the least consistent.

In conclusion, whereas the accuracies of these approximate models are satisfactory for most engineering applications, their robustness to mathematical (analytic) operations is not convincing. Although there is scope for improvement, it is recommended that greater efforts be directed at the development of theoretically rigorous models, which ironically, may not necessarily be more complex. Typical applications of this work include analysis of reservoirs under thermal or miscible floods.
An application of adaptive cluster sampling for estimating total suspended sediment load
Authors: Arabkhedri M. , Lai F. S. , Noor-Akma I. , Mohamad-Roslan M. K.
Published: December 2009

Suspended sediment transport in river for a particular period is a timescale finite population. This population shows natural aggregation tendencies in sediment concentration particularly during floods. Adaptive cluster sampling (ACS) can be potentially conducted for sampling from this rare clustered population and estimating total load. To illustrate the performance of ACS in sediment estimation, a comparative study was carried out in the Gorgan-Rood River, Iran, with around a 5 year daily concentration record. The total sediment loads estimated by ACS were statistically compared to the observed load, estimations of selection at list time (SALT) and conventional sediment rating curve with and without correction factors. The results suggest that none of the sediment rating curves produced accurate estimates, while both ACS and SALT showed satisfactory results at a semi-weekly sampling frequency. The best estimation obtained by the rating curves did not show a percent error better than −40%; however, ACS and SALT underestimated the load at less than 5%. The results of this study suggest ACS could improve river monitoring programs.
The resuspension potential method: Yarra Valley water's novel approach to routine mains cleaning
Authors: Kjellberg S. , Jayaratne A. , Cadan E. , Sukumaran N. , Vreeburg J. , Verberk J.
Published: December 2009

Routine cleaning of water mains is frequently employed by water utilities around the world as a means of managing common water quality issues. When employed correctly, water mains cleaning can be effective in removing loosely deposited sediments and bio-films that cause water discolouration, coliform regrowth and unpalatable tastes and odours. Despite its long history in the water industry, water supply practitioners continue to use highly subjective mechanisms to identify when, where and how much to spend on their mains cleaning programs. This paper discusses the benefits of using the Resuspension Potential Method, an objective means of planning and implementing mains cleaning, to achieve an optimum outcome for both the water company and its customers. Since 2005, Yarra Valley Water has undertaken Resuspension Potential Method measurements in 13 of its water quality zones to gain a better understanding of sediment accumulation rate in the zones over time. Ultimately the information will be used for more effective planning and proactive implementation of the mains cleaning programme.
Biodegradation of haloacetic acids in water treatment processes
Authors: Wang G. S. , Lai S. P. , Huang Y. T.
Published: December 2009

Formation and degradation of haloacetic acids (HAAs) in Tai Lake Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Kin-Men County, Taiwan, were evaluated in this study. The results showed that formation of HAAs after chlorination is a fast process. Owing to the presence of fairly high organic precursors in the raw water, a large amount of HAAs (up to 80 μg/L in summer) was formed after addition of the pre-chlorine, and only a small portion of the HAAs was removed during the coagulation, flotation, and rapid filtration units. However, more than 80% of HAAs were removed in slow sand filtration (SSF) unit. Laboratory batch filtration tests showed that the HAAs can not be effectively removed by conventional coagulation and filtration treatments. However, the HAAs in water was effectively removed by biodegradation in batch biodegradation tests using filter sands taken from the top of the SSF unit in Tai Lake WTP. For comparison with the results obtained in batch experiments, simulated SSF systems were also installed in laboratory to evaluate the effects of biodegradation for HAAs removal in filter columns. Results of parallel laboratory SSF column tests showed that HAAs was quickly degraded when the simulated SSFs have been operated for a suitable time to allow the microbial growth on the sand surface. In both batch and simulated SSF biodegradation treatments, the biodegradation rates for HAAs decreased as the number of halogen atoms increased. The results in this study demonstrated that biological degradation is the major mechanism responsible for HAAs removal in the SSF units.
Disinfection optimization by a better control of ozonation process
Authors: Jaeger Y. , Lénès D. , Le Bihan M. , Ponthieux A. , Génin A.
Published: December 2009

Currently, ozonation installations in French drinking water treatment plants are operated in order to ensure an ozone residual of 0.4 mg/L at the outlet of the contactor with a contact time of 4 minutes which guarantee, with regards to the USEPA tables, a 4 log virus inactivation. Veolia Water has launched a thorough study concerning hydraulics in ozonation contactors which goals are (1) to reach the disinfection level desired through a better supervision of operating conditions, (2) to guarantee good hydraulic performances to reduce ozone production and ozonation-by products (bromates). The validation of these objectives is related to a relevant control of every ozonation tank with a Ct criteria considering from now their geometry, which condition their hydraulic efficiency. In comparison with CSTR method, the Ct10 method has been judged as the most relevant. Veolia is working with such a tank control, which definitely requires the determination of its hydraulic efficiency. Considering that numerical modelling of the ozonation contactors will be very long and expensive, the project team is working on the determination of an analytical model expression for hydraulic efficiency. The objective is to create an innovative tool which enables plant operators themselves to easily determine the hydraulic efficiency of inter or post ozonation tank.
Advanced oxidation and artificial recharge: a synergistic hybrid system for removal of organic micropollutants
Authors: Lekkerkerker K. , Scheideler J. , Maeng S. K. , Ried A. , Verberk J. Q. J. C. , Knol A. H. , Amy G. , van Dijk J. C.
Published: December 2009

Dunea, the drinking water company for The Hague and surroundings, has as objective the production of drinking water of impeccable quality, particularly with respect to organic micropollutants. As organic micropollutants are only a minor part of the total natural organic matter, a challenge is posed in targeting the removal of a very small, specific part of the DOC, without removing all of the natural organic matter. In addition, organic micropollutants encompass a broad range of physicochemical properties, which make their removal by a single treatment step impossible. Combining AOP with artificial recharge and recovery, two complementary processes are expected to provide a hybrid system for organic micropollutant removal, according to the Dutch multiple barrier approach. Pilot-scale experiments with O3 and different advanced oxidation processes (UV/H2O2, UV/O3 and O3/H2O2) were carried out in cooperation between Dunea and ITT Wedeco. The pilot installation had a capacity of about 0.5–2.0 m3/h, with a varying LP-UV-dose, ozone dose and peroxide dose. Atrazine, isoproturone, carbamazepine, diclofenac and ibuprofen are well removed by UV/H2O2 as well as by O3/H2O2. In general, O3/H2O2 is a more energy efficient process compared to UV/H2O2. MTBE is best removed by O3/H2O2, Amidotrizoic acid and iohexol are best removed by UV/H2O2.
Measuring Spirituality, Religiosity, and Denial in Individuals Working in Funeral Service to Predict Death Anxiety
Authors: Harrawood Laura K.
Published: December 2009

The aim of the present study was to examine predictors of death anxiety in U.S. funeral directors/embalmers who were part of a larger study ( n = 234). Backward stepwise multiple regression was conducted to determine whether or not spirituality, intrinsic religiosity, extrinsic religiosity, and denial predicted levels of death anxiety. Results indicated that spirituality along with age of the participants accounted for 19% of the variance of death anxiety, R2 = .190, R2adj = .180, F(2, 168) = 19.64, p < .001. Intrinsic religiosity, extrinsic religiosity, and denial were not significant in the regression model. Several items, however, in the model had a significant positive correlation with each other at the .01 alpha level including spirituality with intrinsic religiosity ( r = .63) and age ( r = .21), and intrinsic religiosity with denial ( r = .22) and age ( r = .24). Other variables correlated negatively with one another at the .01 alpha level. Namely, death anxiety with spirituality (–.38), intrinsic religiosity ( r = –.36), and age (–.28); spirituality with extrinsic religiosity (–.22); intrinsic religiosity with extrinsic religiosity (–.45); and extrinsic religiosity with age ( r = –.19). Limitations of the study and implications for practice were discussed.
Conflicts in Property
Authors: Dagan Hanoch , Heller Michael
Published: December 2009

Property concerns conflicts — both conflicts between individuals and conflicts of interest. Conflicts between individuals have long been the paradigmatic property focus. According to this view, property debates circle around issues of autonomy and productive competition. But this is an impoverished view. In this Article, we shift attention to conflicts of interest. By helping people manage conflicts of interest, a well-governed property system balances interdependence with autonomy and productive cooperation with productive competition. We identify three mechanisms woven throughout property law that help manage conflicts of interest: (1) internalization of externalities; (2) democratization of management; and (3) de-escalation of transactions. We show that property law predictably selects among these mechanisms depending on the ratio of economic to social benefits that people seek from a group resource. When economic concerns predominate, property law typically uses contribution-based allocations of rights and responsibilities mediated by formal, foreground procedures, while at the social end of the spectrum we tend to see more egalitarian substantive rules operating as an informal, background safety net.
The adaptive fuzzy designed PID controller using wavelet network
Authors: El Emary , Emar Walid , Aqel Musbah
Published: December 2009

During the past several years, fuzzy control has emerged as one of the most active and fruitful areas for research in the applications of the fuzzy set theory, especially in the realm of the industrial processes, which do not lend themselves to control by conventional methods because of a lack of quantitative data regarding the inputoutput relations i.e., accurate mathematical models. The fuzzy logic controller based on wavelet network provides a means of converting a linguistic control strategy based on expert knowledge into an automatic strategy. In the available literature, one can find scores of papers on fuzzy logic based controllers or fuzzy adaptation of PID controllers. However, relatively less number of papers is found on fuzzy adaptive control, which is not surprising since fuzzy adaptive control is relatively new tool in control engineering. In this paper, fuzzy adaptive PID controller with wavelet network is discussed in subsequent sections with simulations. An adaptive neural network structure was proposed. This structure was used to replace the linearization feedback of a second order system (plant, process). Also, in this paper, it is proposed that the controller be tuned using Adaptive fuzzy controller where Adaptive fuzzy controller is a stochastic global search method that emulates the process of natural evolution. It is shown that Adaptive fuzzy controller be capable of locating high performance areas in complex domains without experiencing the difficulties associated with high dimensionality or false optima as may occur with gradient decent techniques. From the output results, it was shown that Adaptive fuzzy controller gave fast convergence for the nonparametric function under consideration in comparison with conventional Neural Wavelet Network (NWN).
On DRC-covering of K(n) t λ by cycles
Authors: Liang Zhihe
Published: December 2009

This paper considers the cycle covering of complete multipartite graphs motivated by the design of survivable WDM networks, where the requests are routed on sub-networks which are protected independently from each other. The problem can be stated as follows: for a given graph G, find a cycle covering of the edge set of K (n) t ? , where V( Kt (n))=V(G), such that each cycle in the covering satisfies the disjoint routing constraint (DRC). Here we consider the case where G=Ctn, a ring of size tn and we want to minimize the number of cycles ? (nt, ?) in the covering. For the problem, we give the lower bound of ? (nt, ?), and obtain the optimal solutions when n is even or n is odd and both ? and t are even.