bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ebulin from Dwarf Elder (Sambucus ebulus L.): A Mini-Review
Authors: Jiménez Pilar , Tejero Jesús , Cordoba-Diaz Damián , Quinto Emiliano , Garrosa Manuel , Gayoso Manuel , Girbés Tomás
Published: February 2015

Sambucus ebulus L. (dwarf elder) is a medicinal plant, the usefulness of which also as food is restricted due to its toxicity. In the last few years, both the chemistry and pharmacology of Sambucus ebulus L. have been investigated. Among the structural and functional proteins present in the plant, sugar-binding proteins (lectins) with or without anti-ribosomal activity and single chain ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) have been isolated. RIPs are enzymes (E.C. 3.2.2.22) that display N-glycosidase activity on the 28S rRNA subunit, leading to the inhibition of protein synthesis by arresting the step of polypeptide chain elongation. The biological role of all these proteins is as yet unknown. The evidence suggests that they could be involved in the defense of the plant against predators and viruses or/and a nitrogen store, with an impact on the nutritional characteristics and food safety. In this mini-review we describe all the isoforms of ebulin that have to date been isolated from dwarf elder, as well as their functional characteristics and potential uses, whilst highlighting concern regarding ebulin toxicity.
Genomic and Phylogenetic Characterization of Novel, Recombinant H5N2 Avian Influenza Virus Strains Isolated from Vaccinated Chickens with Clinical Symptoms in China
Authors: Xu Huaiying , Meng Fang , Huang Dihai , Sheng Xiaodan , Wang Youling , Zhang Wei , Chang Weishan , Wang Leyi , Qin Zhuoming
Published: February 2015

Infection of poultry with diverse lineages of H5N2 avian influenza viruses has been documented for over three decades in different parts of the world, with limited outbreaks caused by this highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. In the present study, three avian H5N2 influenza viruses, A/chicken/Shijiazhuang/1209/2013, A/chicken/Chiping/0321/2014, and A/chicken/Laiwu/0313/2014, were isolated from chickens with clinical symptoms of avian influenza. Complete genomic and phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that all three isolates are novel recombinant viruses with hemagglutinin (HA) and matrix (M) genes derived from H5N1, and remaining genes derived from H9N2-like viruses. The HA cleavage motif in all three strains (PQIEGRRRKR/GL) is characteristic of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus strain. These results indicate the occurrence of H5N2 recombination and highlight the importance of continued surveillance of the H5N2 subtype virus and reformulation of vaccine strains.
Quelle reconnaissance des droits sexuels et reproductifs au Chili et en Colombie ?
Authors: Miranda-Pérez Fabiola , Gómez-Medina Angélica
Published: February 2015

Nous nous proposons de réfléchir sur le lien établi entre les droits sexuels et reproductifs et la santé dans les contextes chilien et colombien. Il s’agit de se demander si, dans ces deux systèmes de santé qui se caractérisent par l’existence de fortes inégalités sociales, la notion de droits reproductifs et sexuels permet l’exercice d’une citoyenneté autonome, ou bien si elle opère comme un instrument du gouvernement des corps et de la reproduction venant accroître les rapports de pouvoir, de classe, de genre, de race, ainsi que les rapports Nord-Sud. Nous présentons des données autour du pouvoir médical exercé par des fonctionnaires professionnels de la santé, et des acteurs institutionnels qui, au sein de ces deux pays, véhiculent des discours sur les droits sexuels et reproductifs définis par leurs propres croyances et représentations du monde.
Common Pediatric Epilepsy Syndromes
Authors: Park Jun T. , Shahid Asim M. , Jammoul Adham
Published: February 2015

Benign rolandic epilepsy (BRE), childhood idiopathic occipital epilepsy (CIOE), childhood absence epilepsy (CAE), and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) are some of the common epilepsy syndromes in the pediatric age group. Among the four, BRE is the most commonly encountered. BRE remits by age 16 years with many children requiring no treatment. Seizures in CAE also remit at the rate of approximately 80%; whereas, JME is considered a lifelong condition even with the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Neonates and infants may also present with seizures that are self-limited with no associated psychomotor disturbances. Benign familial neonatal convulsions caused by a channelopathy, and inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, have a favorable outcome with spontaneous resolution. Benign idiopathic neonatal seizures, also referred to as “fifth-day fits,” are an example of another epilepsy syndrome in infants that carries a good prognosis. BRE, CIOE, benign familial neonatal convulsions, benign idiopathic neonatal seizures, and benign myoclonic epilepsy in infancy are characterized as “benign” idiopathic age-related epilepsies as they have favorable implications, no structural brain abnormality, are sensitive to AEDs, have a high remission rate, and have no associated psychomotor disturbances. However, sometimes selected patients may have associated comorbidities such as cognitive and language delay for which the term “benign” may not be appropriate.

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Pediatr Ann

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2015;44(2):e30–e35.]
Options for Pharmacoresistant Epilepsy in Children: When Medications Don’t Work
Authors: Sharp Gregory B. , Samanta Debopam , Willis Erin
Published: February 2015

Medications are often first-line treatment for epilepsy in children. A detailed review of antiepileptic drugs and their application in various epilepsy syndromes is provided in the article “Antiepileptic Drugs—A Review” by Sankaraneni and Lachhwani (this issue). Here, we will focus on nonmedicinal approaches—some fairly longstanding and described since Biblical times such as the ketogenic diet while others are relatively new such as neurostimulation. Yet, others such as cannabinoids have been utilized for centuries for their medicinal properties, but we are just learning the scientific basis behind their efficacy. Families are often interested in nonmedicinal avenues of treatment, and knowledge of these options can empower a pediatrician to help families make choices that have scientific validity.

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Pediatr Ann

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2015;44(2):e43–e48.]
Ensayo de termofluencia de indentación en un acero inoxidable austenítico 316
Authors: Saucedo-Muñoz Maribel L. , Komazaki Shi-Ichi , Hashida Toshiyuki , López-Hirata Víctor M.
Published: February 2015

El ensayo de termofluencia por indentación se utilizó para evaluar el comportamiento a la termofluencia en un acero inoxidable austenítico 316. Este ensayo se realizó en una máquina de indentación con muestras de 10×10×0,3 mm a temperaturas de 650, 675 y 700 °C con cargas de 199 a 512 N. Las curvas de termofluencia del ensayo mostraron las tres etapas características observadas en el ensayo convencional de tensión. Asimismo, las principales relaciones de termofluencia entre parámetros como velocidad de termofluencia, esfuerzo, tiempo de ruptura y temperatura se observaron en los parámetros correspondientes al ensayo de indentación, lo que permitió caracterizar el comportamiento de termofluencia en este acero. El mecanismo y la energía de activación del proceso de deformación en la termofluencia corresponden al deslizamiento de los límites de grano y la difusión a través de los mismos, respectivamente, lo cual causó la fractura intergranular en las muestras ensayadas.
Flipping First-Year English
Authors: Prodoehl Dana Edwards
Published: February 2015

This chapter discusses the development, implementation, and assessment of an online module that addresses argument writing for First-Year English classes at University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. The author offers a blueprint for the development of online modules—from planning and funding to implementation and assessment—in order to offer new approaches to the flipped or inverted classroom that may be of particular interest to courses in the Humanities, specifically English. The chapter also offers advice and best practices for instructors interested in developing such modules in order to supplement student learning and create more effective conferencing strategies.
The Peer Instruction Flipped Learning Model
Authors: Faulkner Troy , Green Jennifer
Published: February 2015

Peer instruction flipped learning blends the concepts of flipped classroom and peer instruction in order to maximize the strengths of both techniques. Peer Instruction, a student-centered learning approach developed by Eric Mazur of Harvard University, engages students in the learning process through small group discussions. Flipped classroom, credited largely to Jon Bergmann and Aaron Sams, reverses the roles of traditional lecture and “homework” in order to maximize student learning. This chapter discusses the research on peer instruction and flipped learning, the details of implementing the peer instruction flipped learning model, and the benefits of using a peer instruction flipped learning model. This chapter also details one high school's experiences with these strategies.
Virtually Sound
Authors: Di Lauro Frances
Published: February 2015

Teaching in flipped or “reversed” classroom mode builds on established student-centric teaching practices that have been in use for decades. Next Generation Learning Spaces (NGLS) further transform the way collaborative learning can enrich students' learning experiences. This chapter discusses expectations, perceptions, and experiences of teaching in flipped classroom mode. In addition, it explores the experiences of students in a senior undergraduate rhetoric and composition course in Australia. This chapter reports on studies that assessed students' perceptions of how the space they learned in, and the flipped classroom mode, impacted on the way they approached interaction with their teacher and peers, and how participation in collaborative activities enhanced their learning. It frames the teacher's experiences of adaptation to the new teaching method and environment, and to the creation and evolution of collaborative assignments, both formative and summative, which are suitable for use in flipped classroom teaching.
Model Minority
Authors: Sy de Jesus Karen
Published: February 2015

Since the 1960s, Asian Americans have been hailed as the model minority of American society. Seen as the exceptional group of immigrants and the example of successful assimilation, they are presumed to have achieved the American Dream and to be free from racialization. This chapter disrupts the idealization of the myth by analyzing the ways it contributes to maintaining social injustice. Grounded in Michel Foucault's (1977) notion of the norm, this analysis demonstrates how an affirmative stereotype that reflects exceptionality and exemplariness fosters and reproduces relations of discrimination and alienation. Butler's (2004) work on vulnerability is used to illuminate how this paradoxical effect of the norm takes place through the structuring of relations between Asian Americans and White mainstream Americans, between Asian Americans and other minorities, as well as among Asian Americans. This chapter challenges the reader to re-examine the myth and to explore ways to transform societal relations.
Narratives of Asian/American Educators
Authors: Morita-Mullaney Trish , Greene Michelle C. S.
Published: February 2015

Asian/American educators are often reified as the model minority and are regarded as smart, quiet, and reserved, and willing to conform to the dominant discourse and culture (Fairclough, 2001; Ramanathan, 2006). When they do not mold to this ascribed role, they can be avoided, found peculiar, and isolated (Delgado & Stefancic, 2001). This chapter examines the narratives of three Asian/American teachers in the Midwestern United States. These narratives are instructive in individual and collective racial identity development, as well as the cultural formation of emerging definitions of what it means to be an Asian/American professional in U.S. public schools.
The Influence of Sports Fan Ethnocentrism on Major League Baseball Game Viewing Behavior
Authors: Chiu Weisheng , Bae Jung-Sup , Won Doyeon
Published: February 2015

The aim of this chapter is to investigate the influence of Sports Fan Ethnocentrism (SFE) on the viewing behavior toward Major League Baseball (MLB) games in Korea and Taiwan. The survey was conducted by interviewing respondents from Korea and Taiwan who watched MLB in the 2013 season. It was discovered that Korean viewers have stronger SFE than Taiwanese viewers, and male viewers have a higher level of SFE than females in both countries. Moreover, the results of testing the proposed model revealed that SFE has a positive influence on the attitude toward MLB, which in turn has a positive influence on MLB viewing intention. Although a direct relationship between SFE and viewing intention was not found, a full mediation effect of the attitude toward MLB on the relationship between SFE and viewing intention was confirmed. Differences of the model for Korean and Taiwanese fans are observed and discussed.
Strategies for the Development of Life Skills and Values through Sport Programmes
Authors: Koh Koon Teck , Camiré Martin
Published: February 2015

Sport is a very popular activity that provides a context suitable for positive youth development (Danish, Forneris, & Wallace, 2005). Although the acquisition of motor skills and sport-specific abilities are indispensable constituents of sport involvement, other elements contributing to athletes' positive development such as life skills and values must be considered (Carron, Hausenblas, & Estabrooks, 2003; Forneris, Camiré, & Trudel, 2012; Landers & Petruzzelo, 1994). Several studies have examined the effectiveness of sport-based programmes designed for developing life skills and values, but a limited amount of research has specifically addressed how to promote this type of material among youth. There is a need for a review that explores the potential approaches for infusing the learning of life skills and values in sport participation, and improving the effectiveness of structured life skills and values-driven training programmes in order to achieve the desired developmental benefits of sport participation.
Relative Superiority of Key Centrality Measures for Identifying Influencers on Social Media
Authors: Zhang Yifeng , Li Xiaoqing
Published: February 2015

Marketers have been increasingly turning to social media for marketing campaigns, including viral marketing. A key step in viral marketing is to identify influencers in order to maximize the reach of a marketing message. Existing research shows that centrality measures, such as degree and betweenness, are effective methods for influencer identification. However, viral marketing models used in different studies vary greatly, making it difficult to compare findings across the studies. In this paper, the authors built an agent-based framework of viral marketing that supports different experiment settings, such as different network structures and information diffusion modes, and used it to study relative superiority of various centrality measures. The results show that relative superiority of the measures are affected by some factors, but not as much by others. Practical implications of the results are discussed.
Key Technologies for Developing Marginal Oil Fields in Offshore China
Authors: Xuwei Bie , Qinghong Yang , Xinwu Liao , Tran Thanh , Xunqi Liang , Chunrong Mu , Yong Hu , Tingli Li , Jinchang Su
Published: February 2015

The majority were marginal oil fields among recent oil fields development projects in China's coastal waters. Because CNOOC's technical breakthroughs in reservoir, drilling and completion, production, and marine engineering, the efficiency of marginal oil field development in offshore China was clearly improved; resulting in a commercial value with huge comprehensive benefits for many marginal oil fields. This paper would use Oilfield ‘A’ in Bohai Bay Basin as an example to describe how a reservoir engineering team improved economics of a marginal oilfield with reserves less than 27 million barrels of oil.

First, reservoir engineering research sets the base for efficient development. The reservoir of oil field ‘A’ has the flow channel deposition with only two exploration wells to control nearly 27 million barrels reserves. In order to determine distribution and characteristics of the reservoir, the reservoir engineering team integrated seismic, geological, logging data, well shock calibration of fluvial sand body, detail interpretation of three-dimensional seismic and fine boundary portray, to describe fluvial reservoir sand bodies external morphology and its internal heterogeneity. Based on high-resolution three-dimensional seismic data, the team applied width-extrapolation method from well points and variogram analysis to establish the fluvial reservoir geological knowledge base. By integrating reserve distribution characteristics from analogous oilfield with dense well pattern, the team concluded with three types of well correlation models for fluvial reservoirs: vertical facies changes correlation, stacking sandbodies correlation, and incised channels correlation. The team used above three reservoir characterization techniques to determine the most likely reservoir distribution model of oilfield ‘A’.

Base on understanding of the reservoir internal structure, the reservoir engineering team actively explored the application of horizontal well development technology. By using numerical simulation to optimize the length of the horizontal section, the team analyzed vertical distance of well trajectory from the oil-water interface, studied impact of interlayer, evaluated benefit of horizontal injection well, developed practices in horizontal well suitable for channel deposition reservoir. The team utilized this model for designing oilfield development program and achieving maximum oilfield deliverability.
Advances in Compact Flotation Units (CFUs) for Produced Water Treatment.
Authors: Bhatnagar Mike , Sverdrup Carl Johan
Published: February 2015

The Cameron TST-CFU is the next generation compact flotation technology that uses induced gas, dissolved gas and centrifugal forces to separate and remove hydrocarbons, aromatic compounds, hydrophobic substances and small solid particles from produced water. The technology uses special internals for mixing of gas and oil through several stages within one vessel.

Following extensive lab and field testing several full scale units have now been deployed. This next generation compact flotation unit is capable of handling higher inlet oil concentrations (over 1,000 ppm) and providing lower outlet OIW concentrations (less than 10ppm). The TST-CFU system requires less equipment, is less dependent on chemicals and can potentially replace multiple produced water treatment stages.

This presentation will outline the technology and present field operating data where the TST CFU has been used to replace conventional produced water treatment technologies. It will address the oil removal performance of the TST-CFU from fields with high OIW concentrations and small oil droplet size distributions.

The TST-CFU compact flotation unit, is specially designed to incorporate many new features which enhance equipment performance, reduce foot print, weight of equipment, reduce capital costs, operating costs, maintenance costs, and allows other applications including higher operating pressure and off gas containment.
A Simulation Approach for Optimisation of Gas Lift Performance and Multi-Well Networking in an Egyptian Oil Field
Authors: Yakoot Mostafa S. , Shedid Shedid A. , Arafa Mahmoud I.
Published: February 2015

Gas lift has been applied successfully worldwide to increase well production. Artificial lift methods include pump assisted lift and gas lift. Gas lift is an artificial lift technique used to increase flow rate of oil wells. In this method, high pressure gas is injected into the well oil column to reduce its average density and make it flow to the surface.

The main objectives of this study are to (1) investigate the effects of injection gas gravity, and reservoir temperature on the performance of gas lift, (2) develop a total-system production-optimization model using PROSPER and GAP simulation programs, and (3) increase oil production through optimization of gas injected/fluid-produced oil ratio in an Egyptian oil field utilizing the existing compression capacity. The developed production model has been used for production optimization and allocation of lift gas in a multi-well network, as well as for prediction of future system requirements and identification of any bottlenecking opportunities. The attained results indicated that (1) artificial lift using gas lift is a complex process including several variables, which have been considered for optimization, (2) the optimization of gas injection rate increased the attained oil production, (3) gas gravity of injected gas has an important effect on attained oil production while reservoir temperature has shown minimal effect on oil production, and (4) gas lift optimization in Egyptian field can help in overcoming the high pressure gas (HPG) constraints, saving gas for the nearby oil field and increasing the total production for both fields. The developed production model is completely implemented, field wide optimization is pursued and multi-well networked model is established.

The application of the attained results is expected to have real impact in improving the gas lift performance in similar fields in the Middle-East and worldwide.
CFD Based Erosion Analysis for Design of Subsea Hardware in a High Flow Rate Gas Field
Authors: Singh Aditya , Sarkar Suranjan , Spritzer Jared M , Okeremi Akinyemi O
Published: February 2015

Shell is developing an offshore gas-condensate field in Asia-pacific. Sand is expected to be co-produced during the life of this project due to minimal downhole sand control, which combined with high gas flow rate pose a significant threat to the integrity of the subsea hardware due to erosion. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) based erosion study has been carried out to identify the location of erosion hotspots and erosion rates in the piping of the subsea X-mas tree, well Jumper and Manifold. The study has been used to either determine Inconel 625 clad thickness to be provided on the inner wall of the piping or modify the design of the piping to bring the erosion within acceptable limits. The CFD models have been validated using experiments in controlled environment. Through this study, the risk of potential erosive failure of the piping in the subsea hardware, leading to loss of containment has been greatly reduced.

In literature, CFD based erosion modeling has been used and validated on simple geometries (elbow, target tee, ID reduction etc). In this work, erosion in the entire piping which is a combination of such simple entities has been calculated in an integrated manner.

The results show that the required cladding varies between 3mm and 10 mm. The knowledge about erosion acquired in the past through experimental and modeling exercises, has been utilized to create a technique to do assessment and management of sand erosion in the subsea hardware.

This integrated modeling approach provides insights about the behavior of sand particles in complex piping geometries, which can help design the piping, especially at locations of change in flow direction. The CFD model has also been used to determine the best location to place the IED (Intrusive Erosion Device) in the piping to monitor erosion during operation.
The Use of Direct Tension Monitoring of Mooring Lines in Reducing Conservatisms in Design and Analysis Models
Authors: Gauthier Steven , Elletson Edward
Published: February 2015

The offshore oil and gas industry is continuing to push intodeeper water and onerous environments, using increasingly complicated vessels and equipment. This, combined with changing global weather patterns has increased uncertainty in offshore production operations. Monitoring mooring lines can help reduce this uncertainty by calculating fatigue damage estimates during major storm events. This greater understanding helps to optimise inspection and maintenance schedules and assess the likelihood of future mooring line failures. Added to this, if the deterioration or failure of a single mooring line is not detected, increasing loads on the remaining lines may result in additional failures. This is regarded as a system failure and could lead to significant consequences for both well control and riser integrity, resulting in huge costs for operators. Unless the operator inspects on a regular basis or monitors the mooring system in real time it is impossible to know for certain whether all mooring lines are in place.

A popular technique for monitoring mooring systems is tomeasure mooring line angle (using accelerometer based inclinometers), to infer theoretical mooring line tension. Whilst these systems are effective at alerting operators to a line failure, the fact that tension must be inferred requires a certain amount of conservatism in the estimate. This conservatism can be difficult to quantify. This paper documents the sea trial of a well proven mooring connector combined with new mooring line technology capable of measuring both mooring line angle and direct line tension. This allows for a unique comparison between the two measurements. This paper will detail the results of this comparison, showing the accuracy of inclination based monitoring systems and the level of conservatism factored in when tension is inferred. The data published in this comparison can be used to reduce levels of uncertainty in offshore operations and thus reduce future levels of conservatism in design and analysis models. This can help save costs and increase efficiency for future operations, whilst also helping support safetystrategies.
Wormlike Micelles as a Substitute of Polymeric Mobility Control Agent: Rheological Comparison
Authors: Kumar S , Awang Mariyamni Bt , Abbas Ghulam , Ahmed Shuaib
Published: February 2015

Mobility control is one of the most important parameter in chemical EOR. The partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamides (HPAM) polymers are extensively used for it, but HPAM polymers are degradable at critical parameters of reservoir. High temperature, high salinity and high shear rates brought negative effects on their viscosity causing high mobility ratio between displacing fluid and in situ oil. Therefore, capable mobility control agent is required to overcome this problem. In this paper, Wormlike Micellar (WLM) solutions were aimed to be studied as an alternative to polymer. Two different compositional systems of WLM solutions were chosen and prepared in laboratory. Then rheological measurements were carried out to investigate the effect of shear rates and concentrations. Then performance of WLM solutions was compared with polymer, which is commonly used as mobility control agent in Chemical EOR. In results, WLM solutions showed excellent similarity with polymer, despite of their different chemical phenomena. The WLM solutions were found as flexible and unrestricted to the particular concentrations, though multi-components are involved in their compositions. The salt or co-surfactant was enabled in their compositions to adjust the viscosity of solutions. Besides, WLM solutions were easier than polymer to be prepared in laboratory. Based on these results, this study strongly supported WLM solution to be used as a substitute of polymer in Chemical EOR. Such as to combat
Design and Analysis of Cellular Tendon for TLPs in Ultra-Deep Water Fields Offshore Southeast Asia
Authors: Yu Jim
Published: February 2015

TLPs (Tension Leg Platforms) are ideal platforms for drilling and dry trees in deep water oil and gas production worldwide. Currently there are over sixteen TLPs installed in regions including GOM, Southeast Asia, and West Africa. Several TLPs are planned for installation in West Africa and Brazil in the near future. The application of TLPs has reached a water depth limit that is around 1500 meters. The bottle-neck is the feasibility of the design of the tendon main body segments. Currently, the conventional tendon main body consists of a single string of steel pipes that in the ultra-deep waters cannot meet the combined requirements on stiffness and collapse resistance using the industry conventional installation methods. Other material such as carbon fibers were conceived as the tendon pipe material but are deemed as economically unviable.

The concept of the cellular tendon is developed to meet the industry's demands to go deeper for oil and gas production. It consists of multiple strings of carbon steel pipes bundled together to enable the TLP application in water depths up to 3000 meters. The general concept and merit of the cellular tendon design will be presented in reference [1]. This paper further demonstrates the applicability of the cellular tendon by providing in-depth design details and dynamic analysis results tailored for the fabrication and installation in South and Southeast Asia. The findings and the results presented in the paper can be utilized in the planning and design of a TLP in the ultra-deepwater of these regions. Reference [1]: Conference paper "Cellular Tendon - Enabling Technology for Ultra-Deep Water TLPs, 13OTCB-P-457-OTC".
Transforming Raw Subsea Sensor Data for Advanced Dynamic Positioning and Autonomous Functions in Real-Time for Asset Management and Remotely Operated Vehicle Operations
Authors: Menon Mahesh
Published: February 2015

Oil and gas exploration is moving towards deeper waters, challenging geographical areas and dynamic working environments. This paper outlines the technology developments in an advanced control system embedding intelligent algorithms with sensor data in a closed loop, to perform various IRM tasks autonomously on a workclass remotely operated vehicle (WROV). Original analysis and field trial results are presented.

The data from the navigation sensors can be used to position and geo-reference the payload data, however, survey has relied upon expert piloting skills to maintain the WROV on a set course at a predetermined speed, heading and height from the seabed. In response to emergency situations, the equipment is hard to mobilise and the investment can be compromised if the WROV cannot be made to steer the course. This paper presents novel work in developing an autonomous control function suite integrated on a WROV to maintain a pre-laid course and offer a stable platform to gather data, and perform a task. Combined navigation functionality fuses data from GPS string, imaging sonars and a state-of-the-art phased array Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) with a Dynamic Positioning computer. Operators are equipped with the tools to survey and inspect their environment in a compact, easily deployable form factor.

This development highlights vehicle and umbilical positioning, movement logging, advanced vehicle controls (sophisticated cruise, mission planning and object/target recognition modules) and increased reliability. The Dynamic Positioning computer translates high-level mission requirements from a surveyor into automatic thruster commands providing automatic inspection and survey. Results from a selection of trials conducted with a major subsea operator using the system will be shown. The results demonstrate improvements in WROV control during transit, station keeping and conducting simulated riser inspection - via easy-to-use human-machine interface. The advance controls offer significant reduction in time and costs, and increased reliability, compared to pilots performing operations manually.

The technical industrial contributions of this technology are reduced training costs, mitigating lump sum risks by saving time in construction support operations, maintaining the quality and reliability of drill support operations, improving the quality of data for survey and IRM activities and providing better umbilical management.
New Elements in Geomechanics Submarine Rocks
Authors: Ciobanu P. , Avram L.
Published: February 2015

Description of the Proposed Paper:

Professor Ciobanu has developed a new concept for defining and evaluating the effective stresses from discontinuous rocks. Starting from this concept, he succeeded in building up mathematic models that calculate effective values of the stresses from rocks with a more accurate precision than the previous models. A part of these results have been recently presented in conferences where they have been appreciated by the audience.

In this paper the authors present their own results obtained by applying and customizing the models mentioned above for particular cases of undersea rocks, involved in different offshore activities.

Application:

The information and results presented in this paper are useful and sometimes vital in evaluating of those deformations of undersea rocks that are important in case of some phenomena or technological operations, such as:–compaction and subsidence of rocks that constitute the basement for different equipment that are supported on the seabed or ocean bed;–hydraulic cracking, collapse or tightening in case of rocks that build up the offshore boreholes.

Results, Observations and Conclusions:

Practically, in this abstract there are presented the following:–a more developed model for the calculation of effective values of primary stresses of cohesive, porous rocks that build up reservoirs and undersea massive;–the way that the geometric parameters of pores, pore pressure, pressure on the seabed or certain physic-mechanic constants of rocks influence effective stresses.

The observations and the conclusions in the abstract have been stated based on the results obtained by numeric analysis. The basic models of the above stated concept have been previously verified in laboratory test.

Significance of Subject Matter:

The results from this paper are different from the others published in previous papers by the following elements:–the new model of calculation of effective stresses - herein proposed, is based on a concept more precise and accurate than the other known models;–the new introduced parameter for quantifying the form and pores distribution leads to unprecedented results and conclusions;–reduces risk of using such calculation models in situations where they are not compatible.
FLNG Cold Sea Water Intake Risers
Authors: Luppi Ange , Mayau David
Published: February 2015

Natural Gas is today recognized as the energy of the future and therefore a cost-effective means to transport the produced gas from the producers (e.g. Australia, Indonesia) to the users (e.g. Japan, China) is a prerequisite for the world economic development and environmental protection.

One such initiative is the recent development of Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) units which requires a lot of cold sea water to increase gas liquefaction process efficiency.

At 160m below sea surface, the water temperature is 10°C lower than at surface and up to 16°C lower at some 320m water depth. These would be the required lengths for the water intake risers to enable the LNG process.

The paper starts with a detailed description of the Trelleborg bonded flexible hoses with large internal diameter (i.e. up to 1m ID) and its main particulars (e.g. embedded flange connectors, variable integrated bending stiffener) to suit with the conditions of use and in particular the "cyclonic" environmental conditions.

Different riser configurations will be presented, e.g. distributed risers along the ship side(s) or bundled together at a dedicated topside deck location, with its pros & cons, as well as the outline installation procedures with typical marine spread vessels.

The paper will include the riser design methodology with references to industry codes & standards, recommended practices, etc. Typical functional loads and "Asia" environmental load case matrix will be presented.
Lateral Buckling Design for Intermittently Buried and Spaning Pipelines
Authors: Roberts C. , Taavale J.
Published: February 2015

High pressure/high temperature (HP/HT) pipelines are potentially susceptible to global buckling which can result in failure unless properly managed. Traditionally global buckling has been prevented from occurring by restraining the pipeline; however an alternative solution is to control the high effective force that occurs in the system by providing a planned buckle initiation scheme.

Design guidelines and standards such as SAFEBUCK offer comprehensive guidance to design for global buckling. However, the current industry approach does not account for areas of high seabed mobility where effective frictional restraint can vary significantly along a pipeline route, over a short distance. The effect of this phenomenon on global buckling design is discussed in this paper and a refined design approach presented.

The conventional method is to perform global buckling design considering lower bound friction to assess the propensity for buckling and upper bound friction to assess the post buckle response. This approach is sufficient when considering a conventional range of possible frictional restraint – i.e. in the North Sea / Arabian Gulf. However, in areas of high sediment mobility e.g. NWS Aus. a much wider range of soil restraint may occur as a result of spanning and burial of pipelines created by the mobile seabed. Utilising the standard approach may result in very conservative design, for instance with the requirement to restrain the pipeline rather than control global buckling.

This paper presents a more refined approach by taking the existing soil restraint and assessing if global buckling can still occur, in this manner the upper bound friction is refined to a lower value at which a global buckle can feasibly initiate. Reducing the frictional restraint range allows a controlled buckling scheme to become feasible and a more cost effective design to be adopted.
Coiled Tubing Deployed Electrical Submersible Pump (CT-ESP) Application at Offshore Operation
Authors: Bakar Hasmizah Binti , Chee Xianlung Ivan , M Rozali M Irsyaduddin , M Nadzri M Zulhairi , Ayad Kamal Mohamad , Jaafar Juhaidi
Published: February 2015

T offshore field is located in north-west of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia and has been in operation for almost 40 years. The major challenges faced by this field are depleted reservoir pressure, gas lift compressor frequent interruptions and shortage of gas lift supply hence various new artificial lift technologies have been evaluated. ESP is identified to be the most operationally decent technology to increase production, prolong field life and increase the ultimate recovery. Historically, T field had attempted downhole hydraulic jet pumps to lift quarter of the platform's oil wells but failed. ESP deployment via coiled tubing was deemed the most effective and economical due to performing rigless intervention and significantly shorter trip times into the well as compared to the time taken to make-up conventional jointed tubing. Within 2 years, this technology successfully contributed over RM50million cost saving from 3 rigless workover and zero Lost Time Injury (LTI).

This paper will share the journey and lesson learnt of this project starting from technology assessment, planning to execution phase. The experience gained during this project will be a valuable input in replicating this ESP deployment method for other wells in this platform and for other offshore prospects in term of safety, performance, reliability and cost saving.
3D Structural restoration and Geomechanical Forward Modeling in a visco-plastic medium to natural fracture prediction in a Malay producing field, offshore Malaysia
Authors: Lefranc M. , Hussein A. Mohamad , Tan C.P. , Legrand X. , Lee B.C. , Maerten L. , Press D. , Anis L.
Published: February 2015

In order to ensure a successful drilling campaign, it was required to obtain knowledge of the possible location of natural fractures generated by different tectonic events affecting the Malay Basin through geological time to a high level of certainty. Acquiring this information would assist in the optimization of well trajectories to avoid these naturally fractured regions which would likely result in severe wellbore instability problems.

As described by Petronas (1999&2007) the Malay Basin underwent an extensional phase during the Oligocene period with deposition of lacustrine source rocks. The Miocene was a time of fluvio-deltaic source and reservoir deposition and a compressional phase starting Early Miocene resulted in structural inversion. A major unconformity underlined the peak of the tectonic inversion in relation with the closure of Proto-South China Sea and the opening of South China Sea further to the North. In the Malay Basin, the geological history led to a complex structure trapping which requires further works and then an innovative approach based on the geomechanics was proposed to predict the locations containing natural fractures. The objective of the study was to model the heterogeneous paleo stress and strain states by the construction of a geomechanical model in this field and to relate the predicted strain and stresses to fracture characteristics.

The first part of the study was to quality control the interpretation of the 3D structure of the area, which had been constructed from 3D seismic interpreted surfaces and faults. 1D Mechanical Earth Models computed from well data provided the required elastic parameters for the 3D structural restoration. The technique used to perform the restoration was based on the Finite Element Method, particularly suited for modeling complex geological structures.

The second part of the study consisted in the computation of the paleo stress state via geomechanical forward modeling and relating the resulting plastic strain attributes with fracture density. In this step, the strains calculated from the displacements derived from the structural restoration were applied at the boundaries at each geological time-step in order to calculate the internal stress condition and plastic strain distribution accumulated through geological time.
Feasibility of the Steam-Assisted-Gravity-Drainage Process in Offshore Heavy Oil Reservoirs with Bottom Water
Authors: Dong Xiaohu , Liu Huiqing , Zhang Zhaoxiang , Lu Chuan , Fang Xin , Zhang Gaige
Published: February 2015

Due to the water-coning problem, cycle steam stimulation (CSS) in the heavy oil reservoirs with bottom water is often less effective, and the oil recovery is even below 10%. Steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) is the oil-producing process with a constant pressure-drop (about 0.30 MPa), and it is a potential technique for this reservoirs. Through the implementation of SAGD, bottom water could be effectively controlled.

Aiming at the heavy oil block of LD5-2N in Bohai offshore oilfield, the SAGD performance in heterogeneous heavy oil reservoir with bottom water was numerically studied in this paper. In these simulation models, the water was broken into three components (connate water, injected water and bottom water) to study the water producing in SAGD process. Thus, the influences of startup approach, oillayer thickness, water thickness and the distance between well-pair and bottom-water on the water rising were all simulated. Thereafter, a set of numerical simulations were performed to assess the shale issues in SAGD process, e.g. the vertical and horizontal position of shale-barriers, the shale distribution range, the barrier permeable condition and the macroscopic vertical permeability.

Results indicated that bottom water reduced the ultimate recovery of SAGD process by about 10%~20% of the OOIP. The startup by steam-circulation was much suitable for the bottom water heavy oil reservoir instead of CSS approach. The bottom water tremendously reduced the startup pressure-decline rate, and thus the startup-time was prolonged. The distance between well pair and water zone had a great influence on the SAGD performance, and a small distance would delay the beginning time of the steam-chamber rising. For reservoir heterogeneity, the vertical and horizontal heterogeneity have great influence on the drainage process, especially the shale cases. It tremendously decreased the recovery rate by about one time.

This investigation could be used as a tool for the successful design of SAGD process in heavy oil reservoirs with bottom water.
Study on Erosive and Magnetic Effects of Weighting Agent in a High Density Water-Based Drilling Fluid
Authors: Yan L.L. , Wang J.H. , Xu X.G. , Feng J. , Liang H.J. , Xing X.N.
Published: February 2015

Erosive and abrasive wear effect of water-based drilling fluid (WBM) on down-hole tools may reduce the service life of down-hole tools, and its magnetic contamination on Measurement-While-Drilling (MWD) directional tools may cause azimuth errors and reduce the wellbore position accuracy. The erosive and magnetic effects would be worse when a high density WBM densified with a high content weighting agent was employed. One of the main reasons of the erosive and magnetic effect is related to the weighting agent used. To reduce the erosive effect and magnetic interference of weighting agent, a micronized barite as a new weighting material was prepared in this paper, and then characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and laser particle size analyzer.

The prepared micronized barite, as a new weighting agent of high density WBM, has great promise to reduce the drag, erosion and magnetic interference along the horizontal section of large extended-reach wells and horizontal wells. It can also be used in HTHP wells and coiled tubing drilling technology.

In our experiments, two conventionally weighting agents, barite and hematite were chosen to as the comparing samples. The erosive effects, magnetic contaminate tests, lubricity and rheological properties of high density WBM weighting with micronized barite, barite and hematite were evaluated on erosion instrument, a fluxgate magnetometer, an EP lubricity tester and a rotational viscosimeter, respectively. It was found that the high density WBM weighted with micronized barite showed less erosion, lower magnetic susceptibility, similar or better rheological properties, and smaller lubricating coefficient than that weighted with hematite or barite.

Comparing with hematite or barite, the micronized barite could effectively reduce erosive wear on down-hole tools, reduce magnetic contamination on MWD directional tools, and control the rheological property of high density WBM, which would significantly contribute to the service life of down-hole tools, the wellbore position accuracy and the safety of drilling operations.