bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Features of Studing Oil and Gas Fields to the Full-Scale Development in Comlete Autonomy by Analogy Tagulskoe Fields
Authors: Lachugin D.. , Rusanov A.. , Gabisiani G.. , Maltsev A..
Published: October 2013

CJSC "ROSPAN INTERNATIONAL", a subsidiary of OAO "NK" Rosneft ", is currently engaged in the preparation for full-scale development of oil fields in Yamal and the north of the Krasnoyarsk Territory.

One of these fields – Tagulskoye, located in the north of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. Infrastructure and road network in the area of the field is absent. Transportation of goods is carried out on the winter road in the summer – water and helicopter transport. Developed by the near field – Vankorskoye, located 45 km to the north.

Active research field began in 2009 with the implementation of the pilot area number 1 (section pilot development). In 2009–2010, drilled five wells, including four with horizontal shaft. Conducted in 2010–2013 set of studies aimed at reducing the geological, technological risks, optimize system design to improve the reliability of the forecast of technical and economic indicators.

The article summarizes the main results of pilot projects, analyze their performance. A comparison of predicted and actual characteristics of reservoirs, mining potential wells. The approach to preparing the fields to infrastructure constraints.
A Method to Determine Optimum Well Spacing for Oil Rims Gas-Oil Zones
Authors: Khasanov M. M. , Ushmaev O. S. , Samolovov D. A. , Ovcharov V. V. , Dmitruk D. N. , Timofeeva T. N. , Andjukaev C. V.
Published: October 2013

The estimate of the rentable reserves and number of wells required to exploit a reservoir are among the most important variables required to decide on an oil field development.The present paper describes a method to determine both rentable oil thickness and optimum horizontal well spacing in gas oil zones of oil rims with massive gas cap. We propose a techno-economic model of oil rim development that allows expressing Net Present Value as a function of well spacing, filtration and volumetric characteristics of a reservoir, well, infractructure and lifting costs and oil price at wellhead. Basing on the proposed model, we derive dimensionless criteria to determine profitability and optimal horizontal well spacting for oil rims gas-oil zones.
The Potential to Increase Heavy Oil Production from Complicated Carbonates Applying the Intelligent Well Technology
Authors: Pchela Konstantin , Ursegov Stanislav , Mulyak Vladimir , Chertenkov Mikhail
Published: October 2013

This article is dedicated to generalize the actual data obtained during the start up of production and testing processes conducted in the horizontal wells with the intelligent completion in the Permian-carboniferous heavy oil reservoir of the Usinsk field, located in the extreme north-east of European Russia. The applying intelligent equipment meets the aspirations to maximize the effectiveness of horizontal production wells during steam flooding.
Energy-Efficient Oil and Gas Fields Operation on The Basis of "Smart" Wells Equipped with Multiphase Flow Meters
Authors: Shumilin Vladimir , Shumilin Sergey
Published: October 2013

The lack of information about the production rate of each well in the real-time makes it difficult to choose the correct working time of borehole pumps and leads to not optimal operation of the field. Under these conditions, the most important item is development of energy-efficient technologies for oil production by electrical pumps, where periodic pump operation is caused by the minimization of the edge water volume, lifted along with the oil.

This paper describes a method of well and field operation where the volume of crude oil and edge water is determined in real time by a multiphase flowmeter installed on a well, and the pump is switched on/off automatically after the analysis of volume/ percentage of the produced edge water.
Wavelet-Based Transform Analysis for Non-Darcy Gas Flow Noisy Data Interpretation
Authors: Ivaschenko D.. , Davletbaev A.. , Baikov V.. , Bulatov I.. , Seidl G.. , Simon E..
Published: October 2013

Gas well testing (GWT) is one of the principal methods for estimating its flow potential and to determine reservoir properties and bottom-hole area conditions. Further, it allows to make use of non-linear filtration influence. Reliability of GWT results is important for the choice of field development strategy and production stimulation.

The paper focuses on non-linear filtration research, but unlike to well-known purely theoretical results, we developed a set of guidelines designed to conveniently process and interpret field data. We state that modern mathematical methods such as wavelet analysis and accurate planning of field experiments are key in order to acquire more reliable information about reservoir and well properties. This approach can further be applied to lay out the Arctic shelf gas reservoir engineering and planning the well intervention techniques.
Method for C5+ Content Estimation in Produced Gas Condensate
Authors: Rudenko D.. , Rymarenko K..
Published: October 2013

Gas condensate field development requires tight control of the amount of the condensate content (C5+ components fraction) in produced gas condensate. Monitoring of C5+ content and optimization of the amount of condensate produced is required for the maximization of the condensate production and as response on the limitations posed by surface equipment and transportation system.

Contemporary multiphase flow metering (MPFM) technologies although capable to monitor amount of condensate produced are strongly dependent on quality of the models used to estimate fluid phase properties. It is specifically important for gas condensate fields where no single fluid model is applicable for the full range of production history. Therefore development of the reservoir simulation model capable to reproduce dynamics of the condensate production during the MPFM job is necessary to validate quality of the measurements. Nevertheless condensate content in produced fluid depends not only on current production parameters but is also sensitive to the production history and problem of the optimal production strategy selection by the means of traditional reservoir simulations requires significant amount of simulator runs and is computationally expensive.

Possibility to simulate processes in the reservoir with accuracy sufficient to simulate dynamics of gas condensate recovery and would allow simulation of the MPFM process for the gas condensate wells was demonstrated for the dual energy gamma Venturi meters (Vx flow meters). Derived from the analysis of the dynamics of the condensate production obtained using developed reservoir simulator model "Proxi" model for fast C5+Tot estimation was proposed. Capability of the "Proxi" model to get fast estimation C5+ content for given gas production rate and cumulative gas production were demonstrated and possible solution for condensate production optimization for the group of the wells based on the proposed "Proxi" model was suggested.
The Role of RADARSAT-2 to Support Arctic Shipping
Authors: Staples Gordon
Published: October 2013

Since the launch of RADARSAT-1 in 1995 and RADARSAT-2 2007, these SAR sensors have played a pivotal role as a key source of information for the production of ice charts and the provision of near-real time data to support shipping. The RADARSAT-2, wide-swath ScanSAR modes coupled with dual polarized imaging capability are ideally suited for ice mapping applications. The space segment is augmented with a ground segment that has been designed to meet the needs of rapid data processing and delivery of ice information. The wide swath-width combined with high-latitude areas-of-interest provides multiple imaging opportunities per day. Ice-type discrimination, for example first-year versus multi-year ice, can be achieved by using HH polarized data, and HV polarized data can be effectively used for ice-water discrimination. To meet the needs of end-users who require ice products in near-real time, MDA has developed automated ice-water discrimination algorithms and techniques to estimate ice pressure. RADARSAT-2 data are routinely used to support ice-breaking operations, commercial shipping, seismic exploration, and offshore oil drilling. A key requirement to support these activities is to provide the data in an interpretable and interoperable format that best suits end-user needs.
Forecasting of Hazardous Layers at the Exploration Wells Drilling Stage
Authors: Antipova Ksenia , Kulakova Olga
Published: October 2013

In the process of well construction in difficult drilling conditions and in the Arctic, the technologies that let us forecast formation heterogeneity and possible zones of complications and drilling hazards at early stages of field development become especially relevant. It has been found that a considerable number of drilling hazards and complications with drill bit failures and mud losses is associated with abnormal reservoir leyers. Anomaly show as alternation of hard and soft rocks; as a result in productive area we can observe both super-reservoir layers with up to 40–50% porosity and up to 1 m thickness, and abnormal consolidated and abrasive zones. Rock density in super-reservoir layer may decrease by 35–40% and increase to the same extent in the precipitation zone, which inevitably affects the strength and filtration properties of rocks. Based on the results of core and thin section analysis of 6 major fields of Volga-Urals oil and gas province, innovative catagenetic model of oil and gas deposit was built which can be used for any field. There is a clear relationship between catagenetic heterogeneity and zones of ancient oil-water and gas-fluid contacts, which allow us to develop a method for forecasting of drilling hazardous layers based on core data on one drilled well.

Generation of catagenetic reservoir model for a new field will enable us at the exploration and planning stage to identify zones of possible complications and use appropriate technical and technological decisions for trouble-free drilling of new wells.

Testing of the method made it possible to increase the life cycle of the drill bits due to reduction of their abrasive wear, select proper measures to minimize mud losses, save time and money for elimination of accidents related to drill bits.

Regularities emerged in location of abnormal layers, their relationship with catagenetic processes was established, and a method was developed for forecasting possible complication zones based on core data on one well. To eliminate hazards in well drilling, we suggest using a model forecasting real depth of occurrence of hazardous layers. This can help implement deep and ultra-deep well drilling program, incorporating technical solutions aimed at prevention of complications.
Case Studies: E-line ‘Heavy’ Workovers in High Latitude Environments
Authors: Sidle Brian , Crist Rick , Kirsanov Kirill , Albright Jeremy , Ray Jeremy
Published: October 2013

Drilling and producing in high latitude environments is unforgiving. Temperatures often drop below –20°C and can reach as low as –50°C. Isolated locations or vast distances, extreme weather conditions and periods of deep darkness can restrict transportation of personnel and equipment. As a result, job complexity often leads to outright failure or an exponential increase in time to accomplish what would be a routine task in a normal environment. Often the best route to success and efficiency in these conditions is proven technologies and strategies. For over 80 years, e-line conveyance and tools have been refined and improved to become a very reliable means of data gathering and workovers, such as plug setting, debris removal, hardware milling, pipe recovery and so forth.

Modern electric line (e-line) capabilities can now accomplish what conventionally would have been rig- or coiled tubing-based

workovers. In the North Sea, Canada, Alaska and Russia operators use e-line to perform ‘heavy’ workovers; explosion-free cutting of tubulars, scale and debris removal, milling through hardware such as nipples, failed isolation valves and flapper valves, and replacement of hardware, such as gas lift valves and Electric Submersible Pumps (ESP’s) in extended reach horizontals.

This paper discusses the benefits e-line tools can bring to accomplish ‘heavy’ workovers in a reliable manner in high latitude environments. Several case studies are presented to demonstrate these applications in practice.
New Standard ISO 19901-8 (Marine Soil Investigations) and Russian Practice of Offshore Engineering-Geological Survey
Authors: Loktev Andrei
Published: October 2013

The working group WG398 of technical subcommittee ISO/TC67/SC7 has completed development of a new standard for geotechnical soil investigation (ISO 19901–8). The task has being carried out in the frame of complex offshore structure requirements development for petroleum and natural gas industries (series ISO 19901. Petroleum and natural gas industries — Specific requirements for offshore structures — Part 8: Marine soil investigations). The new standard is planned to be commissioned in 2014. It should be of interest to compare international and Russian practices in the area of offshore soil investigations, particularly at Arctic shelf with severe climate.

Traditionally in Russia requirements for engineering survey (scope and kinds of work) are defined by various normatives which have the state status (state and industrial standards, regulations, recommendations, guides etc.). On the other hand this kind of unification is more likely exclusion around the world (in particular national standards of USA, Norway and others); with more typical specifications and rules of some companies, institutes, societies, regional and inter-regional organisations. However shelf development is very global process, deleting boundaries and contributing integration of knowledge, experience and efforts. Therefore motion toward unification seems to be logical and expedient (under umbrella of International and European organizations for Standardization, ISO and CEN).
Laboratory Modeling of Mass Transfer During Internal Waves Interaction with Bottom Profile in the Shelf Zone
Authors: Shishkina Olga D.
Published: October 2013

In the thermostratified tank of the overall dimensions L:B:H = 18:4:2 m full-scale laboratory modeling of interaction of internal waves with a shelf's model at the depths corresponding to 60 - 80 m in natural conditions is performed. Spatial and frequency transformations of horizontal and vertical structure of an internal wave field as a result of propagation of periodic internal waves along a shelf edge with a flat and inclined bottom are investigated. Frequencies of the internal waves produced by a wave-maker in the pycnocline correspond to the natural ones. The coefficient of geometrical similarity of an internal wave field and the vertical seasonal pycnocline KL = 1:100 is provided. The depth of the laboratory installation of 2 m provides modeling of natural conditions at the depths up to 200 meters.

Results of the study can be applied to forecasting of nature of distribution of oil spills in a shelf zone under the influence of an internal wave field in the seasonal pycnocline. Including water areas covered with ice for a long time.

As a result of restoration of a three-dimensional wave field by contact measurements the formation of narrow wave packages while periodic wave system propagation along a shelf is revealed.

The analysis of dispersive dependences over an inclined bottom showed existence of physical preconditions for evolution of vertical structure of a field of internal waves. That leads to an intensive vertical mass exchange between liquid layers within the pycnocline.

Similar model experiments weren't made earlier.

Results of researches open physical features of process of a horizontal and vertical mass transfer in non-uniform liquid on density at interaction of internal waves with a bottom profile in a shelf zone.
Effect of Fault Tectonics on The Surface Subsidence During The Oil and Gas Production
Authors: Garagash I. A.
Published: October 2013

Subsidence of the surface during the oil and gas production is usually associated with consolidation of reservoir as result of decreasing of pore pressure. However, sometimes it is difficult to explain as in the case of the Ekofisk oil deposit when the local subsidence reach more than 10 meters and which is impossible to stop with help of water injection at the layer. It is shown that this phenomenon may be related with the displacements along the faults that cross the reservoir.

The numerical analysis of the action of movements along faults for Ekofisk deposits and oil and gas Russkoe deposit of Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District are realized. For calculations the elastic-plastic model with the Mohr-Coulomb yield condition are used. First it is assumed that the fault remains as elastic. Then gradually transition of various parts of fault to the plastic state is performed. It is assumed that the fault zone are softening after the peak of strength, i.e. the strength decreases with increasing of inelastic deformation until the stress are reached the some residual level. Slipping of fault sides leads to the formation of local subsidence of the surface.

It is established that in the case of deposit located at the great depth (about 4km for Ekofisk deposit), we can expect significant surface subsidence, whereas the shallow deposits as in the case of Russcoe deposit at the depth about 1 km, the contribution of the faults is small. The reason is that when the deposit is the deeper the the initial elastic energy accumulated on the fault is greater. So than more energy is released at the fault then the more displacements we can expect.
Study of the Temperature of Near-Surface Permafrost layers to Providing Their Stability During the Operation of Oilfields
Authors: Gubaidullin M. G. , Makarsky N. A.
Published: October 2013

Oilfield development in the European North of Russian, within the territory of Nenets Autonomous Okrug, provides a negative impact on the components of the environment, including the geological environment. In a permafrost environment, disturbance of the permafrost's thermal regime may cause the subsidence of production facilities, deformations and stresses in structures and buildings. This can lead to accidents involving pollution of top portion of the geological environment (GE) by petroleum products. Accumulation of significant volumes of industrial waste causes additional pollution

This study of the nature of the thermal impact on the top portion of the GE has been conducted at the Ardalin group of oilfields located in the northern part of Timan-Pechora Oil and Gas Province (TPOGP). The study utilizes the results of many years of monitoring and studies of the thermal state of permafrost near the oil production facilities and injection wells, as well as the thermal state of the drilling waste buried at Ardalin Oilfield Facility (AOF) located in the Pechora-Kolva Oil and Gas section of TPOGP. AOF includes Ardalin, Oshkotyn, East Kolva and Dyusushev oilfields (Fig. 1).

Oil deposits at AOF oilfields are associated with the Middle and Upper Devonian and are represented by different types of enclosing rocks, ranging from algal, porous and porous-vugular limestones at Ardalin oilfield to vugular-porous, clayed dolomitic limestones at Oshkotyn oilfield (Fig. 2). The oil deposits of East Kolva and Dyusushev oilfields are associated with the Frasnian Stage, represented by interbedded greenish-gray dense, hard argillites. The thickness of the productive pools ranges from 100 m at Ardalin to 27 m at Oshkotyn to 25 at East Kolva and Dyusushev oilflelds. The ultimate oil reserves are 25 MM tons (16.4 MM tons at rdalin, 4.7 MM tons at Oshkotyn, 1.3 MM tons at East Kolva and 2.6 MM tons at Dyusushev).
Feature Of Gravity Current Which Propagate With Mass Transfer With Bottom Sediments
Authors: Nikolaevich Zavialov Ivan , Dmitrievich Yakimov Ilya
Published: October 2013

Gravity currents are enough widespread and can reach catastrophic proportions.

It is still poorly understood features of the motion of the gravity current motion with the active mass transfer with the bottom sediments. In addition, it is difficult reliable quantitative estimates of the mass involved in the movement and carried down the slope sediments. An important goal is the development of physics catastrophically strong turbidity currents, especially in their head.

In this work, a laboratory simulation of gravity current along the bottom using the active mass transfer from the bottom sediments, as a model for sediment used polystyrene, with a density of 1.08 g/cm3, a lightweight bottom sediment was used because it is easy to make turbid, leading to maximize current mass transfer with the bottom sediments.

The experiment proved that the current’s motion down the slope has a constant speed, and the geometric dimensions of the current does not undergo a change in scale deviation from a mean. The overall strength of the resistance to flow can be divided into the power of resistance associated with the external environment, the strength of bottom friction and the force associated with involvement in the current bottom sediments. It makes sense to make further clarifications. A particle of sediments has velocity equel zero, when it is captured by current. After the capture of the particle it is accelerated to a speed of current. By the law of conservation of momentum current must to "slow down". Therefore, every act of taking a particles by current is accompanied by its inhibition.

During the experiments, it was found that the greatest braking force is the force associated with involvement in the movement of new sediment approximately 80% of gravity force. Accounting for all three forces gives a good agreement between experimental and theoretical results.
Iceberg Monitoring Service For Offshore Oil Rig Safety By Spaceborne Radar Technologies And Drift Modeling
Authors: Longépé N.. , Mercier F.. , Greiner E.. , Sutton M.. , Lefèvre F.. , Salman A..
Published: October 2013

This paper presents a methodology of iceberg monitoring for Arctic Seas. Indeed, oil/gas operations and seismic surveys are challenging in these areas, when icebergs drifting in the operation areas constitute major hazards.

The proposed Icebergs Monitoring Service is based on spaceborne radar technologies for iceberg detection, numerical modeling for icebergs drifting, and GIS/web map server for the visualization of the ice reports. The idea is to provide on a regular basis an Icebergs Situation Map giving the icebergs’ location in real time and in a few days forecast. Different levels of surveillance apply around the location of interest, depending upon the proximity of icebergs location with sensitive areas or infrastructures [from surveillance mode by using altimetry and medium-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery every 2–3 days, to critical mode with late or fast 24h programming service of high resolution SAR images activated].

A dedicated processing chain collects the information on icebergs observations (altimetry, radar, in situ), acquires the necessary metocean data in due time, and runs the drift model in order to forecast the icebergs positions. The iceberg drift model, the so-called MOBIDRIFT, is able to model the advection, thawing, rolling over, and dislocation. All the results (from altimetry and radar analyses, model prediction) are then exported to a GIS to allow further analyses from an expert or visualization for the end-users.

These technologies have proven their efficiency in the Antarctic seas at several occasions (e.g. yacht race Vendée Globe 2012). The adaptation of the methodologies to the Arctic conditions is fully explained (radar capabilities for small iceberg detection, detection in icy waters…). In particular, the iceberg/vessel identification is of high importance: the use of ARGOS/Iridium and satellite AIS systems for vessel monitoring is also outlined.
Ornithological Investigations and Estimation Of Potential Threats In A Process Of Off-Shore Oil and Gas Fields Exploitation in the Barents Sea
Authors: Krasnov Yu.V.. V. , Nikolaeva N.G.. G.
Published: October 2013

Резюме

In recent years developing and exploitation of oil and gas field of the Barents Sea arctic shelf resulted in requirement of detailed information about status of the main ecosystem parameters. Relating to marine birds data on trends of distribution pattern at the sea, number of certain species and seasonal dynamics are of particular attention. Historically regional marine bird investigations were carried out in coastal areas with large breeding colonies (Belopolskiy, 1957; Demme, 1934; Uspenskiy, 1956). Evaluation of rapid increasing information about marine bird breeding biology and ecology in 1970–90s shows that many concrete tasks can’t be solved in absence of data from open sea. In1990s large complex of important information was obtained as a result of intensive ornithological observation in the open sea. The most successful censuses methods were developed, seabird species composition and quantity index was determined, number of seabirds calculating on a base of aerial surveys was formulated.

Colonial seabirds were shown to be dominated in the open sea with the most diversity in its western part. Seabird composition of the eastern part of the open Barents Sea is restricted by only three species. In central Barents Sea 16 colonial seabird species were observed regular. However, when assessing the impact of planned projects on the marine avifauna the obtained information is taken into account to a small extent or not at all taken into account. The avifauna investigation for the Engineering and Environmental Survey (EES)(inzhenerno-ekologicheskie uzyskaniya in the Russian official terminology) are carried out in minimal volume in order to reduce the financial costs of environmental support projects. When planning the environmental monitoring of the area required parameters of the ornithological information shall not be considered. At the same time, the amount of environmental studies for Environmental Impact Assessment and environmental research is not defined in the Russian Federation legislation.
Environmental Aspects of Hydrocarbon Production in West Arctic Basin
Authors: Kuznetsov Yuri
Published: October 2013

Detailed Abstract

The Russian portion of the West Arctic Shelf (including the Barents Sea, Pechora Bay and Kara Sea) contains over 75 % (8.2 billion tons of reference fuel) of the proved hydrocarbon reserves of the whole Russian offshore. The Norwegian continental shelf also bears significant oil and gas reserves distributed among three big water areas: continental shelves of the North, Norwegian and Barents Seas (35 %, 36 % and 29 % respectively).
Marine And Coastal Protected Areas (MPA) As The Basis For The Monitoring Network Of Ecosystem Of Seas Of Russia
Authors: Mokievsky V.. , Shirshov P.P.. P. , Nikolaeva N..
Published: October 2013

The system of protected areas of the Russian Federation includes nature reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and natural monuments, and other categories of objects. The report discusses the reserves and, to a lesser extent, national parks and federal wildlife preserves, as soon as they are include in system of marine and coastal protected areas (MPA) because the waters of the seas are under the jurisdiction of the Federation and any protected areas can be established only at the federal level there. Only nature reserves and national parks are composed of scientific departments, which are responsible to conduct scientific researches and monitor the status of ecosystems. Currently in Russia there are 108 nature reserves, 40 national parks and 70 federal reserves.
Training Expectations for Mariners in the Arctic Offshore
Authors: Maddock Bill , Simpson Richard
Published: October 2013

Oil and Gas industry operations are on the threshold of a significant increase in activity in arctic regions and a significant investment in constructing new Polar Class vessels will be required to safely meet the mission requirements for exploration drilling, ice management and resupply operations. There will be a corresponding requirement for both management and operational personnel with the appropriate level of training and experience in order to operate these new vessels.

The existing experience of arctic mariners is generally based on vessels transiting ice covered waters, typically transiting with icebreaker escort when operating in sea ice. As a consequence the arctic knowledge and experience rests mostly with the icebreaker crews providing the escort duties.

Arctic offshore operations require specialized skill sets different from those required to conduct arctic transit voyages and there are only a small cadre of mariners with this type of experience, many of whom are now nearing retirement age. Offshore operations in ice will require specialized skills in station-keeping, anchor handling and ice management with ancillary skills in ice monitoring and ice forecasting. Performing complex high arctic operations requires years of experience in combination with the foundation training requirements and there is a need for forward planning, in parallel with the commissioning of new arctic vessels, to ensure that this experience base is at the appropriate level of competence.

This paper addresses the training requirements for officers and crew to operate the expected new Polar Class offshore fleet for the offshore industry including DP operations, anchor handling and ice management duties. For future arctic operations, there is a potential need for industry to cooperate in developing crew training and operational proficiency on a sustained basis over a continuous time span rather than a project-by-project basis.
Ecological Monitoring of Coastal and Shelf Zone: Analysis of Russian Regulatory Structure
Authors: Spiridonov V. A. , Shabalin N. V.
Published: October 2013

Active exploration of gas, oil and fish resources of Baltic, Barents, White, Japanese and Okhotsky seas leads to constant increase of anthropogenic pressure on costal and surrounding shelf areas. Development of coastal infrastructure, growth of freight traffics thought northern routes, including oil and liquified natural gas transportations from coast of Artics, fishery development requires careful environmental and resource management in order to avoid pollution, numerous forms of technogenic influence and conflicts in these urbanized areas.

Key concept of Russian Federation Sea policy suggests development of comprehensive scientific research of costal territories. Special attention is paid to ecological monitoring of Sea and ensuring its safety, including prevention of oil spills during investigation and transportation, construction and reconstruction of reception facilities for collecting and processing of waste.

The Federal Ecomonitoring program is understood as comprehensive supervision and forecast of environment state under influence of natural and anthroponous factors. It includes monitoring of atmosphere, lands, woods, water objects and marine habitants of unique system of Baikal Lake, continental shelf of Russian Federation; as well as subsoil conditions of the sea bed beneath the maritime belt, inland seas and exclusive economic zone of Russian Federation. The implementation of these functions has been signed to Federal Nature Management Supervision Service founded at 2004.
Impact of GCSC on IDMT directional overcurrent relay in the presence of phase to earth fault
Authors: Zellagui Mohamed , Benabid Rabah , Chaghi Abdelaziz , Boudour Mohamed
Published: October 2013

This paper presents the impact of GTO Controlled Series Capacitor (GCSC)
parameters on the Inverse Definite Minimum Time (IDMT) Directional
Overcurrent Relay (DOCR) based on the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) standards. The DOCR is used to protect a single 400 kV
transmission line of the Algerian transmission network which belongs to the
Algerian Company of Electrical and Gas (Group Sonelgaz). The effects of GCSC
on transmission line protected parameters as well as fault current and DOCR
operation time in the presence of phase to earth fault with fault resistance
are investigated considering three scenarios.
Bright and dark solitons in optical fibers with parabolic law nonlinearity
Authors: Milovic Daniela , Biswas Anjan
Published: October 2013

This paper utilizes the ansatz method to obtain bright and dark 1-soliton
solution to the nonlinear Schrodinger?s equation with parabolic law
nonlinearity in birefringent fibers. There are a few Hamiltonian type
perturbation terms taken into account. The exact soliton solution comes with
baggages that are referred to as constraint conditions that must hold in
order for these solitons to exist.
Debt Analysts' Views of Debt-Equity Conflicts of Interest
Authors: De Franco Gus , Vasvari Florin P. , Vyas Dushyantkumar , Wittenberg-Moerman Regina
Published: October 2013

We investigate how the tone of sell-side debt analysts' discussions about debt-equity conflict events affects the informativeness of debt analysts' reports in debt markets. Conflict events such as mergers and acquisitions, debt issuance, share repurchases, or dividend payments potentially generate asset substitution or wealth expropriation by equity holders. We document that debt analysts routinely discuss these conflict events in their reports. More importantly, discussions about conflict events that we code as negative are associated with increases in credit spreads and bond trading volume. Consistent with the informational value of debt analysts' discussions in secondary debt markets, we find that negatively coded conflict discussions predict higher bond offering yields in the primary bond market. In additional analyses, we measure the tone of debt analysts' discussions based on their disagreement with the tone of equity analysts' discussions and find that the informativeness of debt analysts' reports is higher when our coding indicates that conflict events are viewed negatively by debt analysts but positively by equity analysts.

JEL Classifications: G12, G14, G32, M49.
Pathways to optical STED microscopy
Authors: Clausen Mathias P. , Galiani Silvia , Serna Jorge Bernardino de la , Fritzsche Marco , Chojnacki Jakub , Gehmlich Katja , Lagerholm B. Christoffer , Eggeling Christian
Published: October 2013

Optical far-field microscopy such as confocal fluorescence microscopy is a very popular technique for investigating the living cell. Unfortunately, its spatial resolution is limited to around 200 nm, impeding the imaging of small molecular assemblies. Recent decades have seen the development of optical nanoscopy, optical far-field microscopy with a spatial resolution down to molecular scales. STED microscopy was the first of such nanoscopy techniques. Despite the fact, that it in principle only requires the addition of a strong STED laser to a conventional microscope, STED nanoscopy was for a long time considered as a very complex technique, impossible to be applicable as a turn-key technique in everyday biological research. However, recent years has seen important improvements of the STED nanoscopy approach which have significantly simplified the setup. These developments mainly followed from optimization of fluorescent labels, laser technology and optical simplifications. As a result, STED microscopy setups have got more compact and have been realized on commercial instruments, allowing access to lessexperienced users in open imaging facilities. Here, we give a brief overview of the recent improvements in STED microscopy that made these important developments possible
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Developmental Mathematics by Embedding a Randomized Experiment Within a Regression Discontinuity Design
Authors: Moss Brian G. , Yeaton William H. , LIoyd Jane E.
Published: October 2013

Using a novel design approach, a randomized experiment (RE) was embedded within a regression discontinuity (RD) design (R-RE-D) to evaluate the impact of developmental mathematics at a large midwestern college ( n = 2,122). Within a region of uncertainty near the cut-score, estimates of benefit from a prospective RE were closely comparable with those found using an RD design, based on retrospective data. Parametric and nonparametric analyses were conducted, yielding increases that generally ranged from one quarter to one third of a grade point. The within-study findings from the RE further established the credibility of RD to produce unbiased estimates. Qualifications of this embedded design strategy were discussed along with its numerous strengths, including elimination of additional validity threats.
Targeted reduction in neurosurgical laboratory utilization: resident-led effort at a single academic institution
Authors: Han Seunggu J. , Saigal Rajiv , Rolston John D. , Cheng Jason S. , Lau Catherine Y. , Mistry Rita I. , McDermott Michael W. , Berger Mitchel S.
Published: October 2013

Object

Given economic limitations and burgeoning health care costs, there is a need to minimize unnecessary diagnostic laboratory tests.

Methods

The authors studied whether a financial incentive program for trainees could lead to fewer unnecessary laboratory tests in neurosurgical patients in a large, 600-bed academic hospital setting. The authors identified 5 laboratory tests that ranked in the top 13 of the most frequently ordered during the 2010–2011 fiscal year, yet were least likely to be abnormal or influence patient management.

Results

In a single year of study, there was a 47% reduction in testing of serum total calcium, ionized calcium, chloride, magnesium, and phosphorus. This reduction led to a savings of $1.7 million in billable charges to health care payers and $75,000 of direct costs to the medical center. In addition, there were no significant negative changes in the quality of care delivered, as recorded in a number of metrics, showing that this cost savings did not negatively impact patient care.

Conclusions

Engaging physician trainees in quality improvement can be successfully achieved by financial incentives. Through the resident-led quality improvement incentive program, neurosurgical trainees successfully reduced unnecessary laboratory tests, resulting in significant cost savings to both the medical center and the health care system. Similar programs that engage trainees could improve the value of care being provided at other academic medical centers.
Cosmopolitan Exception
Authors: McManus Susan
Published: October 2013

There has been a resurgence of interest in cosmopolitanism in contemporary political theory, based upon the hopeful premise that it heralds an ameliorative response to the malignity of sovereignty's lack and the treacherous violence of sovereignty's excess. The promise of cosmopolitanism inheres in the claim that state sovereignty is and should be supplemented by an international system backed by the legitimacy of international law, grounded in the sovereignty of human rights. Drawing upon Foucault and Agamben, my argument in this essay is that the laudable endeavour of liberal cosmopolitans is flawed in two ways: first, cosmopolitanism cannot escape sovereign violence, because it cannot escape sovereignty; and second, cosmopolitans misconstrue the composition of the very sovereignty they aim to escape. This means that cosmopolitan theorists are unable to identify cosmopolitan practices of sovereignty that also entail forms of violence: cosmopolitan exception. Cosmopolitan exception denotes violent sovereign practices that cannot be differentiated from the protection of rights.
Human Suffering and the Quest for Cosmopolitan Solidarity: A Buddhist Perspective
Authors: Ward Eilís
Published: October 2013

This article argues that Buddhist social thought offers valuable insight into debates about cosmopolitan solidarity by raising cosmopolitanism's need to explore more deeply the relationship between the nature of self and the politics of solidarity. It suggests that a radical ‘socio-existential’ account of the individual, which rejects a conception of the self as autonomous and separate from others, mitigates categories of exclusion and offers a robust account of the possibility of solidarity with strangers. Buddhist thought theorises a movement from suffering to solidarity that does not recognise borders or boundaries as containing inherent ethical value.
Consuming the World: Hannah Arendt on Politics and the Environment
Authors: Voice Paul
Published: October 2013

What can Hannah Arendt's writings offer to current thinking on the environment? Although there are some obvious connections between her work and current issues in environmental ethics, not very much has been written on the topic. This article argues that Arendt's philosophy is particularly fruitful for environmental thinking because she explicitly links the material and biological conditions of human existence with the political conditions of human freedom. This is articulated in the article as the requirement of both constrained consumption and unconstrained deliberation. The article elaborates these notions before concluding that Arendt's philosophy uniquely combines the existential task of self-understanding with the practical task of confronting our environmental challenges.
Characterization of Changes in Polyphenols, Antioxidant Capacity and Physico-Chemical Parameters during Lowbush Blueberry Fruit Ripening
Authors: Gibson Lara , Rupasinghe H. , Forney Charles , Eaton Leonard
Published: October 2013

Changes in major polyphenols, antioxidant capacity, and selected physico-chemical parameters were examined in lowbush blueberry during fruit ripening. Polyphenols (phenolic acids, flavonols, flavan-3-ols, and anthocyanins), density, soluble solid content, pH, titratable acidity, sugars, organic acids, and antioxidant capacity were determined in fruits of four maturities: green, pink/red, blue, and over-mature. Highest concentrations of flavonols, flavan-3-ols, and phenolic acids were in green fruits: 168 ± 107, 119 ± 29 and 543 ± 91 mg/100 g dry weight (DW) respectively. Highest anthocyanin levels were found in blue and over-mature fruits (1011–1060 mg/100 DW). Chlorogenic acid was the most abundant phenolic acid and quercetin-3-O-galactoside the most abundant flavonol in all maturities. Epicatechin was the most abundant flavan-3-ol in green fruits (80 ± 20 mg/100 DW), and catechin was the most abundant in other maturity stages. Increase of glucose and fructose and decrease of organic acids were observed during fruit ripening. Among six organic acids found, quinic acid (1.7–9.5 mg/100 mg DW) was the most abundant throughout the fruit ontogeny. Soluble solids, pH, and density increased with maturity while, titratable acidity decreased. These findings can be helpful in optimizing harvest and processing operations in lowbush blueberry fruits.
The Phase Space Elementary Cell in Classical and Generalized Statistics
Authors: Quarati Piero , Lissia Marcello
Published: October 2013

In the past, the phase-space elementary cell of a non-quantized system was set equal to the third power of the Planck constant; in fact, it is not a necessary assumption. We discuss how the phase space volume, the number of states and the elementary-cell volume of a system of non-interacting N particles, changes when an interaction is switched on and the system becomes or evolves to a system of correlated non-Boltzmann particles and derives the appropriate expressions. Even if we assume that nowadays the volume of the elementary cell is equal to the cube of the Planck constant, h3, at least for quantum systems, we show that there is a correspondence between different values of h in the past, with important and, in principle, measurable cosmological and astrophysical consequences, and systems with an effective smaller (or even larger) phase-space volume described by non-extensive generalized statistics.
The Impact of Seating Location and Seating Type on Student Performance
Authors: Meeks Michael , Knotts Tami , James Karen , Williams Felice , Vassar John , Wren Amy
Published: October 2013

While an extensive body of research exists regarding the delivery of course knowledge and material, much less attention has been paid to the performance effect of seating position within a classroom. Research findings are mixed as to whether students in the front row of a classroom outperform students in the back row. Another issue that has not been fully examined in higher education is the effect of environmental factors, specifically seating type, on student performance. This study examines the impact of both factors—seating location and seating type—on overall performance. Data were collected over a 10-year period from 1,138 undergraduate senior business students during their capstone course. The findings suggest that student performance is not significantly altered by seating location or seating type.
Development of an Experimental Testbed for Research in Lithium-Ion Battery Management Systems
Authors: Lotfi Nima , Fajri Poria , Novosad Samuel , Savage Jack , Landers Robert , Ferdowsi Mehdi
Published: October 2013

Advanced electrochemical batteries are becoming an integral part of a wide range of applications from household and commercial to smart grid, transportation, and aerospace applications. Among different battery technologies, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are growing more and more popular due to their high energy density, high galvanic potential, low self-discharge, low weight, and the fact that they have almost no memory effect. However, one of the main obstacles facing the widespread commercialization of Li-ion batteries is the design of reliable battery management systems (BMSs). An efficient BMS ensures electrical safety during operation, while increasing battery lifetime, capacity and thermal stability. Despite the need for extensive research in this field, the majority of research conducted on Li-ion battery packs and BMS are proprietary works conducted by manufacturers. The available literature, however, provides either general descriptions or detailed analysis of individual components of the battery system, and ignores addressing details of the overall system development. This paper addresses the development of an experimental research testbed for studying Li-ion batteries and their BMS design. The testbed can be configured in a variety of cell and pack architectures, allowing for a wide range of BMS monitoring, diagnostics, and control technologies to be tested and analyzed. General considerations that should be taken into account while designing Li-ion battery systems are reviewed and different technologies and challenges commonly encountered in Li-ion battery systems are investigated. This testbed facilitates future development of more practical and improved BMS technologies with the aim of increasing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of existing Li-ion battery systems. Experimental results of initial tests performed on the system are used to demonstrate some of the capabilities of the developed research testbed. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first work that addresses, at the same time, the practical battery system development issues along with the theoretical and technological challenges from cell to pack level.