bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Striving Toward Zero Harm: How the Roll-Out of a Digital Application Helped a Global Company Increase Employee Engagement and Improve EHS Performance
Authors: Yaqoob Shamrose , Khan Salman
Published: October 2022

This paper describes a simple and intuitive digital Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) application designed to raise awareness of occupational health and safety and sustainably promote responsible worker behavior. The application (formally named "Zero Harm Engagement") was initially developed for use within the author's company's Middle East business hub. However, after seeing positive results in terms of both engagement and EHS performance locally, it was rolled out globally across the entire organization. In the six months after the application was launched, over 3,000 "zero harm" engagements were registered/recorded. Accidents and injury rates across the company were reduced by ~30%.

The application was developed at virtually zero cost using Power Apps under the Microsoft 365 suite and did not require high-end software engineering resources/expertise. The paper will provide an in-depth look at the contents and functionality of the app and discuss the impact it has had on company EHS performance since being deployed.
Novel Adaptive Approach for Applying and Combining Traditional Waterfall and Agile Project Management Methodologies
Authors: Farahat Abdallah Magdy , Defina Domenico
Published: October 2022

In modern oil and gas projects, especially in brown field contexts, there are always challenges of working with uncertainties and un-definitions in particular at the late stage of project development. On the other hand, engineering firms need to adapt and implement these changes, in every phase of the development cycle, with high accuracy to reduce delay time and meet client expectations. Hybrid Agile methods ensure that change can be adopted during the development process since they are based on an empirical control model that works through frequent increments, inspections and adaptations.

During a brownfield NGL project, EniProgetti Egypt was responsible for detailed design engineering activities to replace traditional cold box heat exchanger with Printed Circuit Heat Exchanger (PCHE). The early phase of the project was characterized by collaborations with involved stakeholders from operations and projects departments in order to define the requirements. Due to the fact that the project was executed in detail engineering following feasibility study neglecting the intermediate front-end engineering design (FEED) phase, there were several criticalities, project un-definitions, risks and uncertainties. This continuous change and uncertainties were a trigger to enable the hybrid agile project management approach, which combines waterfall model and agile. This approach was followed to allow the execution of the engineering design respecting quality standards, meeting deadlines and optimizing the project budget.

The paper presents efficient ways to implement and tailor the agile approach in oil and gas projects and how it can be combined with the structured waterfall methodology. The Scrum framework was activated in the early stage of the project development to create the product backlog and categorize requirements and feature stories. Planning was done via Gantt-Agile to outline the devoted deliverable through multiple sprints and monitor performance with S-curve dashboards and burn down charts. The Scrumban with sprint cycles has been applied to each sprint, ending with a review and retrospective meeting to identify lessons learned and improve the remaining sprints.

The findings presented in this paper are a novel adaptation of the Agile framework and the predictive methodology for oil and gas projects that determine the important tailor-made process that directly impacts the project success, which in turn helps formulate policies to ensure reliable planning and execution.
Ruwad National Training Framework
Authors: Al Lamki Hanan , Al Omairi Zahir
Published: October 2022

A country grows depending on its people talent, dedication, and creativity. Giving emphasize to people development and enhancing their competencies is a result of understanding of the country's need to have fresh minds and importance of onboarding talents at their early stages to experience work environment and obtain the required exposure. The business has always kept an eye on developing fresh graduates and secure the best opportunities for their capability to grow as well as supporting them to get positions that support their career paths. Gaining experience can be through actual practical processes on how work is implemented or as easy as being a part of a team or shadowing team members or leaders for soft skills learning.

The idea of initiating a program such as "Ruwad" came from the lack of opportunities provided in the market for graduates, and the fact of having a market that is demanding experienced candidate to be hired. It's also linked to the need of having skilled nationals in the country to work in different areas and support building a succession plan to replace expats working in core roles. As part of in country value (ICV) commitment required by operators to be achieved through the business, this program focuses on providing exposure to national workforce or candidates as part of their development and contribution to the country which is one of the main elements of Oman vision 2040. It worth to highlight that the program is also formed to meet the market need on experienced graduates from multiple disciplines (technical & on-technical). Initiating this program within bp Oman will benefit the graduates to have the right skills and understanding when required which will give them the opportunity to play an important role as a member contributing to the country's economy.

bp Oman has always strive to promote ICV. It is engaged in various forums and initiatives to create an advanced marketplace, adequate utilization of national's abilities and knowledge. Through Ruwad program we are setting the fundamentals for effective training program and enable main stakeholder to be part of our strategic plan as well as giving them the required tools to adopt our path where the cycle of learning and expertise will be rolling continuously.
Strategies for Attaining CO2 Sequestration with Environmental Integrity
Authors: Peltz Adam , Anderson Scott , Saunders Nichole , Koka Jona , Graham Jenna , Portela Bea
Published: October 2022

This paper presents the technical and regulatory considerations essential for the environmental integrity of geological carbon sequestration. In this context, environmental integrity is defined as a site experiencing no CO2 leakage into the atmosphere, no groundwater contamination, and no significant earthquakes. At a time when geological sequestration is increasingly recognized as a necessary building block to the carbon-neutral economy, this paper presents a path towards its achievement with environmental integrity.

The central pillar of the paper delineates sixteen technical recommendations for ensuring environmental integrity, tracking the lifecycle of a CO2 geologic sequestration project. Within the technical realm, special attention is given to topics beyond a site's lifecycle, such as geology types, and CO2 sequestration via enhanced oil recovery. Lastly the paper discusses the governance factors essential to ensuring a legal and regulatory regime that can support these technical considerations. Though the paper draws extensively from US examples, it is designed for global applicability.

These recommendations are rooted in the authors’ combined decades of experience as non-governmental actors in the CO2 sequestration space. Together with a consortium of leading subject matter experts across the United States and Europe, the authors developed the sixteen core recommendations, and used study of regulatory frameworks for geologic sequestration to inform the principles provided.

As the funding, scale, and need for carbon capture projects accelerates dramatically, it is essential that industry and regulators are aligned toward ensuring environmental integrity – the industry's social license to operate, and the climate, will depend on it.
An Innovative and Well-Demonstrated Approach Toward Achieving Zero-Flaring
Authors: Al Hatmi Khalid Hamdan , Al Mashrafi Asa’d Nasser , Shaikh Mohammed Salim
Published: October 2022

A zero Routine Flaring by 2030 Initiative is one of the major challenges to the conventional oil and gas industry. It is prudent that untraditional solutions should be applied to run the business with a good profitable margin. In this paper, a well-demonstrated gas flaring reduction and recovery approach was developed and proven in one of the major ageing assets operated by Petroleum Development Oman LLC (PDO).

A wide range of concepts were evaluated to substitute, reduce, or recover flare gas for the selected facility which tends to report significant amount of continuous gas flaring and subsequently higher CO2 equivalent emissions and energy intensity. In the substitute option, alternative sources for hydrocarbon fuel gas were analyzed such as the use of Nitrogen for blanketing, purging and compressor seals, and the use of zero gas seals for compressors. In the reduce approach, solutions such as the use of smart process control system in compressor and high-energy intensive units and modified process flow that maximize the recovery of heat are discussed. While the recovery approach explores the AP flare gas recovery and recycling, re-injection, micro turbine, power production and installation gas-to liquid facilities with different products such as NGL, LNG, DME, MeOH. Various parameters were evaluated with respect to the design do-ability, HSE, plant capacity constraints, pollutants control, economic feasibility, and ease of operation.

The selected concept has been further detailed in Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) stage. Combination of flare gas recovery and smart process control techniques approach was used. The total continuous AP gas flaring has been reduced by 98%. In addition, the CO2 equivalent emitted per tonne of HC produced have been reduced from 1.93 to 0.12 tonnes CO2 equivalent per tonnes of Hydrocarbon (120 tonnes per 1000 tonnes HC produced) and greenhouse gas emissions dropped by more than 150%.

The originality of this paper comes from its integrated techno-economic flare reduction screening approach and the demonstration using live plant data through the entire project cycle starting from concept study all the way till detailed engineering design phase. The articulated solutions on this paper could be projected for all similar systems in the oil and gas industry.
Holistic Approach to Reduce Methane Emission by Monetizing Gas Flaring in Oil & Gas Sector
Authors: Saldano Roberto , Zeynalzadeh Natavan , Michelangeli Arnoldo Perez , Khassanin Kamalahasan
Published: October 2022

The oil and gas industry is under pressure to reduce GHG emissions from flared gas because large amounts of methane are emitted directly into the atmosphere, having a harmful impact on climate change and is a serious environmental barrier to investors' net-zero goals.

The purpose of this document is to deliver a holistic methodology that covers understanding of flaring size, site by country and within the MENA region, evaluation of proven technologies such as compressing to pipeline (CTP), compressed natural gas (CNG), liquified natural gas (LNG) and gas-to-wire (GTW), processing scheme associated with flaring reduction, Capex and Opex required, the minimum economic flow for each technology, standardized designs of solutions enabling efficient execution, mitigating risks, and measuring the impact of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
High-Throughput Experiments and Kinetic Modeling of Oxidative Coupling of Methane, OCM Over La2O3/CeO2 Catalyst.
Authors: Alturkistani Sultan , Wang Haoyi , Yalamanchi Kiran , Gautam Ribhu , Sarathy Mani
Published: October 2022

A reliable dataset covering a parametric space of process conditions is essential for realizing catalyst informatics. A high-throughput screening (HTS) instrument was employed to obtain a parametric dataset to develop a detailed reaction microkinetic model for the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) over La2O3/CeO2 catalyst. The model was combined with well-validated gas-phase kinetics to describe the interactions between homogeneous and heterogeneous reaction chemistry. Methane and oxygen conversions and selectivities of ethylene, ethane, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide were measured experimentally in the temperature range of 500-800 °C, CH4/O2 ratio between 3-13, and pressure between 1 to 10 bar. The proposed reaction network consists of 52 irreversible elementary steps describing catalytic reactions between 11 surface species and 123 reversible steps describing the contribution of gas-phase between 25 species. A packed-bed reactor model was developed based on dimensions of experimental setup and catalyst characterization results to account for homogeneous-heterogeneous interactions. The proposed mechanism was tested and validated over a wide range of operating conditions and showed a reasonable fit with an average difference of less than 5% compared to experimentally measured methane conversion and selectivities of ethylene and ethane. Rate-of-production (ROP) and sensitivity analysis were performed to identify main reaction pathways and highlight the important reactions in the OCM.
Advanced Leak Detection Applications for Pipeline Integrity Management Using Vibroacoustic Technology
Authors: Marino Marco , Del Giudice Silvio , Chiappa Fabio , Giunta Giuseppe
Published: October 2022

The paper addresses the integrity monitoring of critical infrastructures as fluid filled transportation pipelines by developing a pilot full scale application of Advanced Leak Detection (ALD) monitoring system.

The objective of the ALD system is to improve performances with respect to single separate LD system, in different scenarios in terms of sensitivity, localization accuracy, and robustness. Three Leak Detection methods have been evaluated which rely on different physical principles, though independent, and could interact with one another through cross-links data at core level.

The Advanced Leak Detection system has been developed over an already existing technological platform based on vibroacoustic sensing, which includes flowmeters, pressure sensors, and accelerometers using acquisition units distributed along the pipeline routing, and processing computers with software suite.

Leak Detection sub-systems are based on i) Advanced Negative Pressure Wave for detection and localization of fluid transients; ii) RTTM-Compensated Mass Balance for detection of imbalance in the fluid mass transportation; iii) Acoustic Noise for detection and localization of existing or slow-opening leaks.

The integration of different Leak Detection sub-systems can take place at various levels: cross-check of measurements, cross-link of computed fluid-dynamic quantities, merge of alarms associated to the same physical event.

The Advanced Leak Detection pilot system has been deployed and validated on liquid fuel transportation pipeline 40 km long, managed by Eni SpA in North Italy.

Several controlled spill-tests (i.e., with distinct size, area, shape), including spillages simulating both short-duration and slow-opening cracks, have been performed in both pumping and shut-in operational conditions to calibrate the ALD system and to assess the performances. The amount of spilled product has been measured for each test by means of a calibrated weight scale.

The ALD system proved to be able to detect and localize both quick and slow-opening leaks with a good sensitivity, specificity, and precision.

In addition, Leak Detection alarms contain estimates of outflow rate and hole size: accuracy and alarm response time are assessed in the paper.

In conclusion, the ALD system has been validated on fuel transportation pipeline by Eni as compliant with the technical requirements and is currently deployed in operations.

The novelty of the pilot ALD system lies in the integration of Leak Detection methods at the core level, that allow to exchange information, calibration and synergically contribute to provide robust, sensitive, accurate and informative Leak Detection alarms.
FDP Business Case to Support Company De-Carbonization Strategy by CO2 Conversion
Authors: Alklih Mohamad Yousef , Peng Hui , Khan Karem Alejandra , Aljneibi Nidhal Mohamed , Deng Xili , Tong Min
Published: October 2022

Finding an environmentally innovative yet a commercially viable solution to meet the growing energy demands is becoming more challenging with time. CO2-EOR forms an integral part of ADNOC's de-carbonization strategy and in view of its reported advantages, a series of CO2 pilot and projects were implemented. Based on the gained experiences, a business case was generated to convert a field from HC-WAG to CO2-WAG; looking for win-win situation for the environment and HC extraction.

The currently implemented development plan relies heavily on HC-WAG injection and has been facing several challenges including, maintaining miscibility conditions and UTC optimization efforts by gas curtailment. In this study, subsurface and surface assessment of alternative field development scenarios was conducted; aiming to convert the field to CO2-WAG. The study was initiated by evaluation of reservoir performance to identify areas for improvement and accelerate the decision making process. This was later incorporated into a dynamic model via diverse set of field management logics to screen wide range of scenarios.

The simulation results were analyzed using standardized approaches where a number of key indicators was cross-referenced to produce optimal field development scenarios with regards to CO2-EOR effect on the reservoir, understanding CO2 efficiency post HC flooding, miscibility conditions, balanced pressure depletion, harmonized sweep as well as robust reservoir engineering ground. The optimal scenarios were assessed with in-house engineering, in line of having strong economic indicators, honoring operational constraints, corporate business plan and strategic objectives.

The study is unique and one of very few cases available in literature to highlight shifting field development with an established history of HC-WAG injection to CO2-WAG. The methodology applied in this study uses an integrated subsurface-surface structured approach to tackle reservoirs challenges related to CO2 Conversion, generate alternative option to showcase the benefits of CO2-EOR as an environmentally friendly solution.
Design and Implementation of an Integrated Ecosystem that Maximizes Engagement and Collaboration Inside and Outside of a Technical Cop in the Most Cost-Effective Way: Lessons Learnt from Multiples Success Stories
Authors: De Sousa Drumond Jose David , Kotsiopoulou Georgia
Published: October 2022

Implementing effective Knowledge Management strategy can be key elements to enable the continuous creation of value in a transitioning energy market where sustainability, diversity and equity are in the spotlight. This paper presents the blueprint, and approach for deploying KMS solutions embedded in widely spread platform, resulting in an effective community-wide engagement. This manuscript complements SPE-210844-MS which focus on the highly successful and extremely cost-effective, fit-for-purpose Knowledge Hub for training and development.

The current global challenges, and the need for transformation driving our industry, requires the development of new and cost-effective ways for the exchange and support of colleagues located both at office locations and remote field teams. A detailed blueprint identifying the components and interfaces required to link Exchange, Support, and a comprehensive Knowledge Hub was developed. Ice-breaking. A systematic follow-up of pain-points, ideas, and operational issues allowed the materialization of Impacting Knowledge Elements that generated multiple tangible benefits in different operative areas under different contexts.

Navigability, Mesh Interconnection between objects, the selection and deployment of diverse dedicated areas where employees could network and interact across functions and geographical locations, and feel free to exchange and bring forward important technical matters, tackle issues and engage experts and knowledge bases in a diverse, but closely linked, forum areas proved to be highly successful in creating the conditions for substantial exchange and a continuously growing interest for coming back to the platform with a willingness to close the loop on what was being achieved in multiple fronts. The use of Analytical tools, detailed KPIs, and of dashboards to analyze the flow of traffic and the issues of interest allowed to keep the platform relevant and up to date for each of the members in a highly diverse community. The approach utilized by this particular CoP has translated in an average usage and engagement that is in many cases 40x of others technical CoPs deployed in the same period. Multiple success stories have been achieved in the form of operational issues resolved and impacting knowledge put into practice by remote field teams.

The paper explores specific examples of novel and exceptionally successful strategies and elements that were used in the design and implementation of the integrated ecosystem for exchange (while manuscript SPE-210844-MS explores Learning & Development elements). Analytical tools, SME crowdsourcing, lead and moderation, allowed sustained grow indicators include +112% of Active Users, +745% on Traffic/Posts, +52% in Knowledge Contributions.
Graduate Development Programme and Future Skills
Authors: Saleh Al Rashdi Hamood
Published: October 2022

People development and continuous improvement has been an instrumental pillar for Petroleum Development Oman. This was strongly evident from PDO's vision "To be renowned and respected for the excellence of our people and the value we create for Oman, and shareholders". Hence ensuring talent pipelines and feedstock has been a continuous journey and improvement since years.

Having said that, with focus on building capabilities for future to sustain and hold the flagship of PDO, in 2013 marks a great millstone forming up solid "PDO Graduate Development Programme" to continue the people development journey of building capabilities and the objective mainly was to ensure feedstock of talents in the pipeline, building future leaders and professionals, equip them with important core technical and commercial skills and competencies in order to reduce time to autonomy.

Given the challenging VUCA world market that is ever changing through different challenging conditions, coupled with challenges on shortage of talents and retention, it becomes critical to reimagine how to develop, retain, sustain, and equip younger professionals with skills that would benefit them now and in the future. Hence, the objective of this paper is present the future ready skills that have been identified and planned as part of the graduate development programme, and the methodology was followed to ensure value adding, sustainability and continuously improving our young professionals in order to contribute to PDO's business and energy shift.
Rapid Detection of Methane Super-Emitters Through Advanced Interpretation
Authors: Chakrabarti Aditi , Dauphin Mathieu , Andrews A. Ballard , Zielinski Lukasz , Rashid Kashif , Yuan Junyi , Speck Andrew
Published: October 2022

Large methane emissions occur from a wide variety of oil and gas industry sites with no discernable patterns thus requiring methodologies to frequently monitor for these releases throughout the entire production chain. To cost-effectively monitor widely dispersed well pads, we describe a continuous monitoring system based on the Internet of Things (IoT) to leverage cost-optimized methane concentration sensors permanently deployed at facilities and connected to a cloud-based interpretation platform. A key component of this system is the interpretation methodology linking measurements to the desired answers regarding existence of a methane emission and, if one exists, its location and rate. This paper describes the methodology we have developed and its key improvements. Testing at controlled methane release facilities enabled the validation of the fidelity of the atmospheric dispersion modeling underlying our interpretation along with the interpretation performance in detecting, localizing, and quantifying methane releases.
How Can Digital Technologies Help Companies Overcome the Decarbonization Challenges?
Authors: Cacciari Michele , Singhal Rishabh
Published: October 2022

The momentum of the energy transition continues to accelerate.

Following the milestone COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, governments worldwide are mandating increasingly aggressive net-zero targets for industry, stating that the world must reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 to avert a climate emergency. Even beyond the regulatory environment, lenders are prioritizing ESG spending and public opinion continues to call for the push towards clean energy. In response to the urgency of decarbonization, the world has undertaken significant efforts to accelerate the energy transition including increasing electrification and exponential investment in renewables and green fuels. Bloomberg research shows that, in 2021 alone, clean energy spending amounted to $755 billion.1

While this may seem to call the long-term future of oil and gas into question, this year's continuing energy crisis has shown that the oil and gas industry will continue to play a central role in the world's energy mix and in the economies of many countries around the world in the years to come. Recent McKinsey research2 estimates that the oil and gas industry's operations directly amount to around 9% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and as a result, the industry must play a central role in leading the march towards decarbonization and in accelerating the energy transition. This is becoming increasingly recognized; the upcoming COP27 and COP28 climate conferences are being held in Cairo and Dubai respectively, the first-time talks are being held in OPEC countries in consecutive years3. The industry has mainly approached this decarbonization challenge with a two-pronged approach: first, decarbonizing current operations, not just on the asset level, but across the value chain; and secondly, efficiently delivering and operating the new facilities that are needed for the energy transition, particularly hydrogen facilities.
Evaluation of Miscanthus Gasification and Oxy-Combustion Carbon Dioxide Removal Potential with Carbon Capture Towards Implementation of Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage in England
Authors: Kaiser David , Sakleshpur Shashank , Sarathy Mani , Gautam Ribhu , Khandavilli Murali , Arias Gallego Carolina
Published: October 2022

Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) pathways and supply chain designs are researched broadly and implemented for scenarios as of the IEA's (2021) Net Zero by 2050 report. The Committee on Climate Change (2018a, 2018b) has identified Miscanthus as one biomass type to achieve its negative emission goals and aligned one third of 1.2 million hectares under high level and one third of 0.7 million hectares under medium level of ambition (multi-functional land use) for the cultivation of Miscanthus for BECCS in the UK.

In this study the input of 39 t/hr of Miscanthus x giganteus biomass as well as Energy technologies institutes (2015) information on projected distributed BECCS installations in the UK for BECCS were considered to bring up different gasifying agent options for H2 generation through Miscanthus Gasification with pre combustion carbon capture and one configuration for oxy-combustion with post combustion carbon capture for highly efficient power generation. Process simulations with Aspen software were conducted to determine power yields and carbon capture rates of optimized bioenergy with carbon capture value chains, sensitivity analysis were executed in order to optimize the configurations.

The aim of the study was to observe how highest achievable power generation efficiencies of H2 generation through gasification of Miscanthus x giganetus compare with oxy-combustion power generation efficiency and how the different pathways influence the carbon capture efficiency. The aim was to inform BECCS implementation decisions with optimum possible H2 and power generation yields as well as their respective carbon capture potential.

It was found that under oxygen, air and steam as gasifying agents steam is most effective for H2 generation with 3.1 t/hr of H2 produced under a input of 39 t/hr of Miscanthus input, which generates 35,6 MW of power in a simulated H2 turbine. Under simulation assumptions it captures thereby 55,2 t/hr of CO2 with a carbon capture rate of 99%. Oxy-combustion is more efficient than the gasification pathways in regard of power generation, which is 100,4 MW with CO2 capture of 36,6 t/hr with an carbon capture efficiency of 73,8 %.

Concluding oxy-combustion is preferred, if highly efficient power generation is wanted and lower carbon capture rate is accepted thereby. When H2 generation is preferred, steam gasification should be chosen as highest efficient gasification pathway.

The exact numbers of power generation as well as carbon capture can be used now to estimate UKs overall power generation as well as carbon capture potential of Miscanthus x giganteus cultivation under different land use scenarios considering land use change effects and biodiversity.
GHG Reduction in Gas Dehydration Using IR 4.0
Authors: Al-Aiderous Abdullah Younis
Published: October 2022

The objective of this paper is to showcase the successful and innovative deployment of IR 4.0 Technology in hydrocarbon gas dehydration with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the Tri Ethylene Glycol (TEG) regeneration systems reboiler fired heaters.

Conventionally, Direct and indirect fired heaters are utilized in gas dehydration systems Glycol regeneration to increase the temperature of the water and glycol mixture in order to vaporize water and increase glycol purity, the subject fired heaters utilize a combustion process that incorporates the usage of a mixture of air and natural gas which is in turn generates the required heat and enthalpy. In the majority of these applications high green house gasses (GHG) are dispersed to the atmosphere due to inefficiencies in the combustion process. In addition, high energy losses, equipment life time premature depletion along with significant financial losses associated with unnecessary capital and operating expenditure have plagued the conventional Tri Ethylene Glycol Dehydration and regeneration systems.

In this paper, the successful deployment of the patented IR 4.0 methodology in gas dehydration system fired heaters to reduce greenhouse gases will be discussed along with a comprehensive data analysis of the deployment trial test and success story that led to a significant reduction in greenhouse gases, minimization of energy losses and prolonging of equipment lifetime.
A Dynamically Reconciled Digital Twin for Operations Optimization and Decision Support
Authors: Thorpe Patrick
Published: October 2022

Operational digital twins bring together digitalization technologies, including machine learning, IIoT, data analytics, process simulation and optimization. A digital twin model reconciled with real-time process data provides the foundation for a range of layered applications that are key to transforming the way that process plants and value chains are operated and managed. After outlining the basic numerical methods, this paper will describe three industrial applications of dynamically reconciled digital twin models in gas processing, refining and olefins production. The focus is on application robustness and high availability, delivering increased operating margins and plant flexibility.

An operational digital twin model can provide a versatile tool for real-time process optimization, and what-if analysis, as well as operations planning and scheduling. To be effective, the digital twin model needs to be reconciled with real-time process data frequently. In a dynamic operating environment where feed composition, process conditions and product demand may change continuously, this challenging data reconciliation task is solved using a combination of numerical methods: Equation-oriented model structures and solvers provide the flexibility required to solve simulation, parameter estimation and optimization cases. Extended Kalman filter and moving horizon estimation enable reconciliation using real-time dynamic data without the need for steady-state operation. Process models are developed using both first principles and data-driven surrogate modelling methods.

A dynamically reconciled digital twin model provides the basis for an equation-oriented multi-period optimizer that can be solved for facility-wide steady state optimization, short-range dynamic optimization and long-range planning and scheduling problems within a single unified modelling and optimization framework. The use of hybrid models that include both data-driven and first principles components can significantly reduce the deployment and maintenance effort, the resulting low-order models facilitate model reuse across the different optimization horizons and objectives and enable large-scale optimization problems to be solved across an entire process plant or value chain.

Three industrial applications of these methods will be outlined. The first is a gas plant optimizer that provides real-time process optimization and what-if analysis. The reconciled gas plant model tracks the process under significant feed and ambient variations. The second application is a refinery-wide optimizer that encompasses multiple crude distillation, vacuum and reaction units. The third application is an olefins process scheduling application that optimizes feed distribution, cracking furnace operating conditions and decoke cycle over an extended future time horizon.
Evaluating Automated Orientation Perforation Tools for Application to Breakdown Pressures, Sand Production and Orientation Error
Authors: Crawford Elspeth Melissa , Alzahrani Bader Azib , Aljindan Salman Saad , Areujo Oscar
Published: October 2022

The evaluation and testing of the impact of an Automated Orientation Tool, called the Accelerometer Orientation Tool, for perforation guns and oriented perforations is reviewed in this paper to establish the effect of the tool on breakdown pressures and initiation of stimulation. This AOT could be used to select optimum fracture stresses from petrophysical properties logs, and evaluate if this was a factor for success in fracture initiation, fracture propagation and proppant placement. The breakdown pressures, average fracture pressures, and flowback of proppant were all evaluated for two wells this tool was used on, and compared to the nearest offset wells. Further benefits from sand production mitigation was also reviewed and evaluated.
Sustaining Forward Momentum Towards Intervention-Less, Reliable and Safe Transportation of Hydrocarbon Through Petronas Digital Pipeline Integrity Management System
Authors: Ahmad Aisyah , Bakar M. Hisham A. , Nadzeri M. Shahrustami M. , Ali M. Nazmi M. , Tuselim Ahmad Sirwan M
Published: October 2022

Keeping pace with the industry digital transformation accelerated by the 2020 pandemic, PETRONAS sees the opportunities of sustaining the forward momentum of its Pipeline Integrity Management System (PIMS) digitalization deployment as it becomes more deeply integrated in day-to-day operation. After two years of utilizing digital PIMS, the platform services have matured, and PETRONAS is able to reap the benefits of having a centralized digital platform for pipeline related information. The aspiration for the pipeline digital PIMS is to give near real-time insight of overall pipeline condition and risk, and for operators to perform proactive actions to eliminate downtime by identifying early warnings of failure.

The immediate value of digital PIMS implementation was having the legacy data being contextualized and transformed into structured data, which is the backbones for descriptive, predictive and prescriptive big data analytics. The platform was devised as such that integration with Enterprise application for data ingestion was made easier. As of to-date, digital PIMS is able to pull and push data to PETRONAS Enterprise Resource Planning tool, geographic information system (GIS) supported software, as well as operational monitoring real-time data through Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.

In addition to conventional deterministic fitness for service analytics modules, the platform is also currently integrated with analytics modules, primarily for onshore and offshore pipeline threats such as internal corrosion, free span, geohazard and damage from third party. By implementing predictive analytics approach to assess pipeline threats, it will assist stakeholders and operators in optimizing inspection campaign and rectification, thus ultimately reduce OPEX throughout pipeline remaining lifecycle.
Saudi Aramco's Process Digital Twin: Advances & Implementation Strategy
Authors: Al Ghazal Abdullah H , Winter Gabriel A , Al Nutaifi Abdulaziz M , Al Shaikh Ahmed A , Altook Talal A , He Yufeng
Published: October 2022

In the process industry, a digital twin is a broad concept of a virtualized representation of the manufacturing plant's assets. It aims to seamlessly connect Information Technology, Engineering Technology and Operational Technology under one over-arching framework. The goal is to integrate the contextual and operational data of projects, assets, process and buildings. Within this framework, it encompasses digital solutions for visualization, virtualization, simulation, optimization and predictive analysis. More specifically, a process digital twin (PDT) encompasses solutions that aim to simulate, predict or optimize the behavior relating to a set of integrated equipment, which define a process.

PDTs vary significantly in their type and implementation methodology. They can be physics-based, data driven or a hybrid combination of both. They can also be time-invariant or fully dynamic. Nevertheless, they generally work by mirroring the actual process in simulated mode but with full knowledge of its historical performance and an understanding of its potential. They also provide a deeper insight into the working of complex and integrated assets; often enabling users to perceive things that are not immediately apparent or are not directly measured. They further democratize access to knowledge and avail insights that everyone can understand and agree on. In their most advanced forms, they assess the process’ real-time performance and issue intelligent instructions, advising users on how to best operate complex chemical processes in order to meet operational objectives.

Numerous PDT solutions have been developed to optimize and integrate the company's hydrocarbon value chain. These continue to yield millions of dollars in annual benefits and play a major role in meeting the company's safety and sustainability targets. This paper draws on Saudi Aramco's substantial experience in conceptualizing, scoping and deploying PDTs. It further illustrates some of the advances in this domain and details the implementation strategies for solutions in this vital and emerging domain.
Engineering Letter of Assurance (ELOA)
Authors: Al Naumani Yahya Hamood , Sabahi Yasser Nasser
Published: October 2022

This paper presents the work completed to develop the Engineering Letter of Assurance (ELoA). An enhanced mechanism to assure and confirm that the process safety risks in projects are identified, documented, and managed to ‘As-Low-As Reasonably Practical’ (ALARP). ELoA provides focus and consistency in ‘Asset Integrity Process Safety Management’ (AIPSM); performance reports at various phases and portfolios; and enforces transparent discussions and escalation of issues to higher level. In summary, the innovative approach presented by this paper offers best practice to incorporate and embed learning from incidents (LFI); and to assure and confirm that the process safety risks in projects are identified, documented, and managed to ALAPR. This includes Engineering gaps identified related to existing facilities and wells due to legacy or new critical learnings. Which in turn, assures that facilities are operated safely while achieving highest standards of operational excellence.
Inter-Well Stress Shadow as a Tool to Improve Productivity and Longevity in Multi-Fractured Unconventional Wells
Authors: Buijs Hernán , Ibrahim Mahmoud
Published: October 2022

Multi-horizontal well pads are the norm in unconventional reservoirs development with wells having multi-stage fracture treatments pumped across predefined perforation cluster configurations, horizontal landing positions and well lateral spacings. Inter-intra stage and inter-well stress shadow patterns for a predefined chronological fracturing sequence can be utilized to enhance proppant distribution across the host rock, contacting additional net pay and improving the production performance of wells in ultra-tight reservoirs. 3D geomechanical models of a middle cretaceous carbonaceous shale are calibrated to UAE Shilaif Shale conditions and incorporated into a grid-oriented planar 3D fracture simulator. A large number of simulations are utilized to develop knowledge and understanding regarding the stress shadow effects on fracture geometry related to the geological heterogeneity, completion parameters, hydraulic fracture design and different chronological hydraulic fracturing sequences. The main purpose of this paper is to develop a hydraulic fracturing completion methodology focused on finding a chronological fracturing sequence across several wells that will maximize their production performance and longevity by enhancing the proppant coverage in the host rock.
Automation Via Robotic Process Automation in Pipeline Integrity Management Towards ALARP Risk Level
Authors: Shaikh Othman Shaikh Abdullah , Mohd Ali Napiah Mohd Nazmi , Zakaria Nor Salwanie , A Karim Khairol Hazman , Koi Swee Ling , Abul Kalam Azad Mohd Fithri Azad , Supian Aishah Mastura
Published: October 2022

PETRONAS is operating total of more than 1,200 km in total length of pipeline onshore/offshore transporting processed and semi-process hydrocarbon with total no of >500 nos of pipelines within Peninsular of Malaysia as well as Sabah and Sarawak in Borneo. PETRONAS Group Technical Solutions (GTS) as a Centre of Excellence (COE) is providing services in design engineering as well as integrity solutions to pipeline operators operating assets wholly owned by and partly owned by PETRONAS operating within Malaysia as well as overseas.

Records shows that aging facilities in the upwards trending approaching or beyond design life. Thus, for the past 10 years, PETRONAS has adopted ISO/TS 12747 – Recommended practice for pipeline life extension in ascertain current and future integrity of aging pipeline and determine risk-based inspection plan.

Other than managing aging facilities, GTS also providing solutions in managing pipeline integrity for all major pipeline threat which requires proactive approach to reduce the risk at ALARP Level.

One of the pipeline threats is geohazard due to soil movement along the pipeline right of way. EML Survey was conducted but requires further assessment by pipeline engineers to determine the severity to the pipeline due this soil movement.

Each integrity assessment maybe painstaking and repetitive with duration of 1 months to 6 months based on the severity and complexity of inspection records. Taking advantage of PETRONAS inhouse digital platform data icloudbased and to align with Industrial Revolution 4.0, PETRONAS has embarked Robotic Process Automation to leverage on the digital data and to improve on the productivity. PETRONAS Group Digital, were consulted to assist on the development of RPA using commercialised software available in the market.

This paper describes the process of RPA PipeRBot - Pipeline Integrity Assessments Virtual Robots to assist our Engineers to perform Integrity Assessments and increase process cycle efficiency. This PiperBothas completed proof of concept and ready to for deployment.

With this Automation, we have achieved more than 50% of process efficiency and increase in productivity and more cost saving to end users which is pipeline operators, operating assets wholly owned by and partly owned by PETRONAS operating within Malaysia as well as overseas in PETRONAS Canada.
Expanding Downlink Capabilities Using Autonomous Directional Drilling with Rotary Steerable Systems
Authors: BA Samba , Kim Jinsoo , Goel Prateek , Sahli Hussein , Chacko Arun , Olanubi Olakunle , Lojek Steve , Hoarau Loic
Published: October 2022

Directional drilling is a major activity in today's oil and gas industry, as most wells currently being drilled are directional wells. The complexity of the wells being drilled today creates the greatest risk and most promising scenarios for proper planning and implementation.

The Autonomous Directional Drilling system includes an automated directional drilling advisor application that provides real-time working trajectories updates, steering recommendations, and downlink commands for rotary steerable system (RSS) tools. This DD Advisor system can be used in any type of well from start to finish by automatically providing the next sequence of actions at each survey point and carefully monitoring the steering responses to advise important actions to be taken. DD Advisor leverages the downhole closed-loop control capabilities to reduce the amount of intervention needed from surface.

DD Advisor enables directional drilling with minimal human intervention either from the rig or from the office, taking advantage of the outstanding digitalization platform. DD Advisor with RSS capabilities is now deployed in the field and has been used in more than fifty different wells. These operations included successfully using the steering recommendations and sending the automated downlinks via software and hardware automated downlinking solutions. This operation was quite challenging and required automatically finding the optimum trajectory path with steering capability constraints, rate of penetration constraints, target deviation constraints, number of downlinks constraints, and minimizing risks to avoid costly failures.

This paper presents a novel technical approach for automatically making directional drilling decisions. Autonomous Directional Drilling recently (March 2022) won a Houston Offshore Technology Conference technology award.