bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Innovative Approach to Malaria Prevention Based on a QHSE Management System: Experience and Case Study from West and Southern Africa
Authors: Fosso S. Wamba , Barbey A. , Fox C. , Grande J. , Alary F.
Published: December 2007

Among all known infectious and tropical diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, malaria is certainly one of the highest in the list of health concerns of African governmental institutions (Table 1) and of oilfield-related companies. Although preventive methods and curative treatment exist, malaria still kills about 2 1/2 million people per year in sub-Saharan African countries. Moreover, in the oilfield industry, a considerable number of nonimmune people travel back and forth between malaria-infested and noninfested areas. Most of the malaria-related fatalities in the oilfield industry come from this type of population.

A systematic and methodical approach to malaria prevention was developed and successfully implemented in seven countries in west and southern Africa. In this paper, we explore underlying causes and common patterns seen in malaria fatalities in the oilfield industry using in-depth root cause analysis. Complexity factors are analyzed and their relationship to malaria prevention established, to provide a better understanding of the acuity of the problem. The prevention program is derived from a systematic application of a quality, health, safety, and environment (QHSE) management model.

The proposed approach is validated in the short and long term using comprehensive analysis of inputs from a data capturing software. A population of more than 400 nonimmune oilfield personnel traveling in and out of sub-Saharan Africa is used as a sample for the study.

It appears that malaria prevention is ineffective if not tackled in a rational manner. Distributing curative and preventive treatment to personnel is not sufficient to solve the problem. Instead, a program based on a logical and structured model, whereby tools and processes are available for each element of the model, provides a more effective approach to malaria risk management to achieve malaria fatality-free operations in west and southern Africa.
Public Health Tool Kits - An Update
Authors: Balge Marci Z. , Zampello Frank C.
Published: December 2007

Exploration and Production projects can potentially create adverse health impacts for workers and surrounding communities unless appropriate public health control programs are designed, implemented and monitored on an ongoing basis. These control programs for infectious diseases can be grouped based on potential source etiologies: respiratory (person-to-person), vector related, animal (rodents, snakes, food sanitation, water borne, blood borne and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or by preventive and protective measures: tsetse fly traps, chemoprophylaxis, impregnated bednets, universal precautions, immunizations, etc. This paper presents an update of a Public Health Control program that has been implemented within several remote operating locations.
How to Design a Robust Emergency Preparedness Organization for Offshore Drilling
Authors: Nielsen Liv , Holmefjord Agathe
Published: December 2007

In this paper we will discuss if and how experiences from designing a robust emergency preparedness organisation (a requirement in Norwegian regulations) can be of use in a wider context. We will further describe the background for the requirement in the regulation and the relevance for normal operations. We will also describe some of the characteristics of a robust organization using insights from relevant R&D projects and lessons learned from accidents. We will use a practical case study from a second line emergency preparedness organization in Norsk Agip.

The experience gained in Norsk Agip is that to a certain degree it is possible to design robustness into an emergency preparedness organization. Since this is a small organization, long lasting emergency situations represent a challenge.
Waste Management In Major Marine Oil Spills: The Importance Of Its Strategy
Authors: Richardson Cassandra
Published: December 2007

A fundamental problem exists with waste disposal in marine-based oil spill clean up, as up to ten times more waste can be generated than the actual spill. Unfortunately, lessons learnt are rarely recognised until the clean up operation has finished and oiled waste has accumulated.

This report will highlight the importance of developing a proactive waste management strategy, using existing data and the author's own practical experiences.

A number of documented reports support the authors argument that waste disposal and its subsequent management is a major reason that oil spills have been quoted as ‘economical disasters’ and this paper suggests waste management be a major consideration in oil spill clean up strategy.

This report challenges the effectiveness of the UK and European initiatives that highlight areas of consideration influencing waste disposal options and the surrounding management structure, and questions whether these concepts alone are powerful enough tools.

This paper is supported by existing reports, the author's practical experience and a pending paper, co-authored, on current waste disposal options for IPIECA's technical document series.
Effects of Oil and Gas Exploration and Development at Selected Continental Slope Sites in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Gettleson David A. , Hart Alan D. , Viada Stephen T. , Phillips Neal W.
Published: December 2007

A field study was conducted between November 2000 and August 2002 to assess benthic impacts of drilling at four sites on the Gulf of Mexico continental slope. The study applied a combination of conventional and innovative techniques that have not been used previously to monitor deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. Particularly useful methodologies included geophysical mapping of mud and cuttings deposits using an autonomous underwater vehicle; digital analysis of sediment color; analyses of sediments for concentrations of barium (a drilling fluid tracer) and hydrocarbons found in synthetic-based drilling fluids; and sediment profile imaging of sedimentary conditions and benthic infaunal communities.
Baseline and Environmental Monitoring in Deep Water – A New Approach
Authors: Myhrvold Arne , Hovland Martin , Nøland Sam-Arne
Published: December 2007

The offshore oil and gas industry in Norway is obliged to establish a firm and publicly accepted baseline regarding environmental parameters in new areas of activity. These baseline studies include an examination of the sediments to identify the background level of physical, chemical and biological parameters. The monitoring stations in a survey are typically located at fixed distances along a "cross", where the longest axis is downstream along the main current, and where several replicate samples are collected at each station (OSPAR recommendations and Norwegian HSE regulations). The design of the monitoring programme is quite rigid, and does not take into account knowledge regarding the sediment characteristics of an area, like whether it is soft or hard, erosion, accumulation etc. It is well established that the characteristics of the sediment is one of the most important parameters regarding both the possibility to accumulate chemical contaminants, and the structuring of the benthic community. The sediment characteristic is therefore a parameter, which should be taken into consideration during the planning of the environmental monitoring programme. By doing this it is possible to get a more cost effective survey and more comprehensive results. This is relevant both for shallow as well as for deep water.

The present paper will outline how a first attempt was made to incorporate knowledge of the sediment characteristics, and integrate the knowledge from the various relevant disciplines involved in the planning of a well i.e. geologists working on Holocene sediments, oceanographers and biologists. The well was situated in block 6405/7 on the Norwegian continental shelf, with a water depth of approx. 1200 m. Input data to the environmental survey came from geological interpretation and samples collected with gravity corer, data from seismic and multi-beam echo-sounder, video footage from ROV, and box corer samples for biology.
Is It Possible To Have Environmentally Sustainable Petroleum Production in Lofoten and The Norwegian Barents Sea? Experiences from the Governmental Impact Assessment Process
Authors: Geijerstam Christer af , Nesse Steinar
Published: December 2007

The Barents Sea contains significant amounts of natural resources as fish, seabirds and sea mammals, and is generally considered an environmentally sensitive area. Facing decline in exploration activity in present areas, the oil industry in Norway needs new areas for exploration and possible production. The Lofoten and Barents Sea areas are among the most interesting areas in this respect.

The Norwegian Government stated when it came into power in 2001, that no further petroleum activities should take place in the Norwegian Barents Sea before the potentials for environmental impacts and co-existence with the fishing industry were fully assessed. A thorough process was thus initiated early 2002 to study all potential impacts on natural resources, the environment, other industries and the society. A total of 27 thematic studies have been undertaken and a summary report has been written as to form a basis for a political decision.

The paper introduces the process that has been run, including experiences from stakeholder dialogue at the various stages. Further, the paper presents the main results of the work, focusing on environmental issues and other issues of importance to the decision making process.
Offshore Plants Visual Pollution Mitigation
Authors: Rescia P. , Corbetta E. , Puletti M. , Rizzi W. , Tornquist J.
Published: December 2007

This paper describes the mitigation measures undertaken to reduce the visual impact caused by offshore plants and also includes an overview of the solutions which have been investigated. In addition, the document illustrates the actions necessary to the implementation of the selected solutions in terms of communication and relations with the stakeholders.
Spouses Association: A Unique Global Community
Authors: McTague T. , Luckett S. , Fenwick E. , Myers R. , Padron H. , Mitchell S.
Published: December 2007

Spouses of corporate expatriate employees form distributed communities that are more similar to one another than the cultures to which they are expatriated. Expatriate employees move frequently and many may not be repatriated for an entire generation. Expatriate children are often born out of their home country and are educated in the international arena.

Fifteen years ago a leading service company recognized the challenges facing expatriate spouses and, as a result, formed the Schlumberger Spouses Association (SSA). The SSA serves as a social and community outreach organization that now has 7,500 members. The organization operates in 54 countries and has 114 chapters. In this paper we present the initial SSA pilot program and show how it has grown into a worldwide outreach and support network that also reaches out to local communities.

We will also discuss partnerships that the SSA has built: partnerships among organizations of interest to expatriate spouses, spousal organizations from other corporations, and partnerships within local communities. These partnerships have sought to improve the well being of expatriate communities and in particular, address communication issues.

In 1996, Schlumberger developed a pilot program to provide 20 spouses in four cities e-mail accounts and dial-up access to the company intranet. By 2003 the popular program, dubbed "SpouseConnect," has grown to more than 3,600 users. Additional growth has been achieved by giving the SSA a secure Web portal and dedicated directory services. This communication tool is also used to disseminate health, safety, and environmental information quickly and effectively. Through SpouseConnect, the SSA is effectively a "small town," whose inhabitants happen to live all over the world.
Undoing The Past: Reclaiming A Contaminated Site Within an Urban Residential Neighbourhood
Authors: Shaw James G.
Published: December 2007

Undoing the past and reclaiming a contaminated site within an established and densely populated urban centre was the challenge Nexen Inc. faced when it learned that a sour gas well, drilled by a predecessor some 40 years earlier, had not been properly cleaned up.

Late in 2000 during a routine review of petroleum wellsite abandonment certificates, Alberta Environment identified that a reclamation certificate for the former wellsite was not on file. Nexen immediately began an exhaustive search of historical information and photographs involving past and present employees, both provincial & municipal regulators, the regional health authority, area developers, and the community association. The only information on file was the original technical specifications of the well. What was suspected was that the drilling mud used for this well had been diesel-fuel based. Indeed, records confirmed that nearly 45,000 litres of diesel fuel had been used in the drilling mud for this well.
Produced Water Impact Monitoring in the Norwegian Sector of the North Sea: Overview of Water Column Surveys in the Three Major Regions
Authors: Durell Gregory , Johnsen Ståle , Røe-Utvik Toril , Frost Tone , Neff Jerry
Published: December 2007

The Norwegian Pollution Control Authorities (SFT) have since 1999 required environmental monitoring of the water column by the oil companies operating in the Norwegian Sector of the North Sea, in addition to discharge monitoring. Field-based monitoring projects have been conducted in three major production areas to assess the potential impact of produced water discharge; the Tampen, Ekofisk, and Sleipner Regions. The work focuses on contaminants that may bioaccumulate and/or cause toxic effects, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and metals. The fate and effects of the contaminants are determined using field-based techniques and through modeling. The results from the two approaches are used for model validation, and to refine the model and field assessment techniques. The model is also used to develop the Environmental Impact Factor (EIF) for each discharge; the EIF is a risk-based tool used to manage produced water discharges in Norway.

Specialized sampling and analytical techniques have been employed to measure contaminants in the sea near and distant to discharges, and to determine potential ecological risk. This has involved deploying caged mussels and semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) at 10-15 sites in each region; mussels and SPMDs concentrate and integrate contaminants in the water, and are used to determine bioaccumulation, critical body burden, and to calculate water-column concentrations. Contaminant concentrations and potential effects have also been determined with dispersion and risk modeling, using discharge data and site-specific environmental information. Results from both approaches to determining contaminant loadings, fate, and potential risk are presented and compared.
Confronting the HIV and AIDS challenge to Business: The Case of Southern Africa
Authors: Shuaib Ismail Manjra
Published: December 2007

David Grayson, writes in his book "Everybody's Business", "issues which until now have been regarded as ‘soft’ for business - such as health, well-being, human rights - are now seen as ‘hard’ - hard to ignore, hard to manage and very hard to control if they go wrong. This statement could not be truer than in the case of HIV and Aids - which arguably is the greatest epidemic to confront the world in modern times.

Without a significant intervention the impact of this disease on communities and indeed entire countries could be catastrophic. Statistics tell us part of the story, oftentimes blinding us to the hidden human catastrophe that underlies such cold numbers. Figure 1 illustrates the geographic distribution of the disease, with the two most affected areas being Southern Africa and South and South-East Asia.
Safety Performance of the Global E&P Industry: From Data to Initiatives
Authors: Smith Don
Published: December 2007

Since 1985 the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers1 (OGP) has been collecting, analysing and reporting safety performance data on behalf of the global E&P industry. For 2002, OGP received over 2,000 million workhours of E&P safety performance data, submitted by 35 companies, from their operations in 71 countries.

The paper presents the results from the analysis of the 2002 dataset. The 2002 statistics are compared to those of the proceeding 11 year period.

Analysis of the data shows that over the period 1991-2002 the industry has achieved a considerable improvement in its Lost Time Injury Frequency (LTIF), however little improvement is seen in Fatal Accident Rate (FAR) or Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR). For 2002, all these high level indicators were reported at their lowest values on record.

In common with previous years, the most common types of incident leading to fatalities were vehicle related incidents, and persons being struck by moving or falling objects.
Controlling Hazards through Risk Management—A Structured Approach
Authors: Theriau R. , Rispler K. , Redpath S.
Published: December 2007

Proposal

An effective health, safety, and environment (HSE) program has many requirements. One of the key components to a comprehensive HSE program is an effective system for hazard identification, assessment, and control. It is critical to not only have a systematic approach to hazard assessment and control, but to ensure that the system is accessible, understood, and accepted by front-line employees.

This paper presents a description of a hazard and risk assessment system, starting with documentation in a quality system through to implementation at the front line. The paper includes a description of tools employed, such as (1) hazard and risk identification imbedded in an operational quality system, (2) job safety analysis (JSA), (3) decision-making tools, (4) hazard observation, and (5) communication tools. Additionally, methods to make these tools available and used by the front line are discussed. Improved safety performance is in part a result of the reduction of hazards and risks through a systematic approach to hazard and risk identification.

To realize the greatest reduction in risk, correct application of all of the tools and the knowledge of when to use each of the tools are critical. Specific examples are used to help ensure that the readers gain a basic understanding of which tools they will likely require.
Influencing Driver Attitudes And Behaviour
Authors: Parker Dianne , Malone Charles
Published: December 2007

Proposal

As part of the Shell Exploration and Production Hearts and Minds research programme, four operating companies across the globe took part in a study investigating the attitudes that lead to risk-taking behaviour among drivers. Initially, depth interviews were carried out in Holland, Nigeria, Thailand and the Sultanate of Oman with a range of professional drivers, both company employed and contracted. The interviews focused on four problem behaviours: use of seatbelts; driving while fatigued; overloading/unsafe loading; and driving with excess speed for the conditions. Several perceived barriers to safe driving were identified, as well as factors that encouraged correct behaviour. These factors were further investigated in a follow up survey, which also assessed several types of biased thinking that can lead to risky driving. 400 professional drivers in the same four locations in summer 2003 completed the questionnaire. The output analysis of this work is intended to provide the areas to focus on with drivers, supervisors and management in the planned Hearts and Minds tool with the working title "Driving Safely" that is to be published in 2004.
How to Win Hearts and Minds: The Theory behind the Program
Authors: Hudson Patrick , Parker Dianne , Lawrie Matthew , van der Graaf Gerard , Bryden Robin
Published: December 2007

The Hearts and Mind program was originally intended to develop intrinsic motivation in the workplace. Unlike many change and behaviour-based HSE programs, often based upon the use of common sense and experience, the Hearts and Minds program relies upon scientifically validated models to ensure robustness and effectiveness, but the supporting material does not describe the scientific bases used to develop processes and supporting materials. This paper describes those theories and provides a reference for those who wish a deeper level of understanding.
Medical Cost Control in an Oilfield Service Company, Nigeria
Authors: Okorocha Uche
Published: December 2007

In an oilfield service company in Nigeria that provides free health care for its employees and their dependents, the cost of health care was found to be extremely high, largely because of abuse by the employees, and also because of exploitation by the hospitals. A health management consultant was hired who introduced measures aimed at reducing the cost without compromising the quality of health care. The cost dropped by 30% in the first year, and by an additional 32% in the second year.
Hearing Conservation
Authors: Karzhauova Kamiliya , Bisenkulov Askar , Carvalho Alipio M.B.
Published: December 2007

This poster will show the methods used to detect and follow up hearing problems in the national workforce of Tengizchevroil, in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The data results from of our Occupational Health program and covers over two years of follow up of 2,700 workers.

This study allows comparing the conditions found in the different groups of workers and whether they were exposed or not to noise.

We will also compare to the status of the general population in the country, versus our workforce, in terms of ENT pathology.
Hydraulic Limits for Drilling and Completing Long Horizontal Deepwater Wells
Authors: Martins A. L. , Aragão A. F. L. , Calderon A. , Leal R. A. F. , Magalhães J. V. M. , Silva R. A.
Published: December 2007

Long horizontal section wells are economical requirements for heavy oil fields in deepwater environments. This article discusses the operational limits for drilling and completing such kind of wells, considering the well extension and low fracture gradients encountered in deepwater reservoirs. Among the operational issues related to hydraulics, the following are critical: ECD restrictions, drilled cuttings transport, fluid substitution while running the screen and gravel pack placement (if this is the adopted sand control technique). A parametric study on the variables governing each of the three operations indicates that careful hydraulic design and detailed operational procedures can guarantee proper well construction.
Optimization of Hole Cleaning in Vertical Wells Using Foam
Authors: Li Yibing , Kuru Ergun
Published: December 2007

A mathematical model of the cuttings transport with foam in vertical wells has been developed and numerically solved recently.

In this study, based on the earlier solution, a numerical wellbore simulator has been developed and used for optimization of drilling hydraulic parameters (i.e. determine optimum values of foam flow rate, back pressure, foam quality, etc.) for effective cuttings transport with foam in vertical wells.

Effects of key drilling parameters (i.e. drilling rate, annular geometry, formation fluid influx, etc.) on the efficiency of cuttings transport have also been investigated.

A series of simplified hole cleaning charts have been developed which enable the optimum hole cleaning parameters to be determined at the rig site.
Continuous Improvement Philosophy Results in 50% Time Reduction to Sidetrack in the Shallow Oil Zone, Elk Hills Field
Authors: Starcher Mark , Shelander Jim , Presley Greg , Radford Steve
Published: December 2007

Continuous improvement measured in time savings required to sidetrack and redrill 133 shallow wells is documented. Time savings and a learning curve are related to decision making through a catalogue of sequential, applied techniques. Paralleling the evolution of applied techniques at the wellsite, bit and reamer technology evolves. Steer and ream while drilling tools (SRWD) evolve and make the sidetrack program viable. The confluence of geology, reservoir character as well as existing/new technology and management philosophy results in forecastable, positive changes. The incremental improvements produce a multi-year sidetrack program to successfully exploit the mature Elk Hills oil field.
Production Optimization of Gas Wells: Problem of Water Influx
Authors: Boussa Mohamed
Published: December 2007

Production - Pressure - PLT - RST – GHOST – CBL-Permeability - Porosity

The field of Hassi R' mel is a gas condensate reservoir with a superposition of three layers A - B - C having very good petrophysic characteristics and a rather significant oil rim in the Eastern and Southern peripheries.

Producing wells were drilled in the Northern part - Central - Southern with two lines of dry gas injection.

Production of water with high salinities disturbed the good production of the wells, which generated negative effects to the gas processing units.

It was necessary to decrease rate of flow of these wells to be able to decrease the volume of water, which generates a loss in the production of gas. In certain case it is necessary to close the well completely.

RST - PLT - GHOST were recorded on these wells to determine the origin of this water influx and a CBL was recorded to see the state of the cement of Liners.

Following the results of the operations carried out, a study was undertaken in order to see the method to be used for the optimization of these wells:

– Avoid placing a bridge plug for the layer C, because one will lose a good part of production of gas, since this level is more prolific than the other levels. – Isolate the places and perfos which produces water by a cement squeeze.

The purpose of this presentation is to show:

– Problems of water influx which penalizes the good performance of a well. – Solutions to adopt to improve the Index of productivity, by cement squeezing of the productive water zones.

A summary of the results on this operation will be analysed and shown in the form of tables and figures, which will enable us to draw a conclusion on the advantages and disadvantages from this operation.
Options and Special Considerations for Successful Deep-Water Well Testing of Heavy- and Low-Pour-Point Oils ? Case Histories
Authors: Wendler Curtis , Mansilla Cidar
Published: December 2007

Proposal

Testing to evaluate the potential of a new well or field is a common practice in the oil and gas industry. When performing this task in a deep-water environment, the operator and service company must address the special needs of the testing environment, and when testing a heavy oil reservoir, the challenges are even further exacerbated. Special consideration must be given to the following issues:

High rig rates associated with deep-water operations will make job problems more costly. Producing heavy crude oil to surface, moving it through the surface production train, and finally, disposing of it in an environmentally acceptable manner Exposing the crude to an extended period of heat loss and low temperatures while it is in the landing string.

In order for the well test to be effective, all the above conditions must be fully understood and methodology employed that will reduce the chance that operational risks will occur.

This paper will discuss the successful testing of a heavy oil reservoir in deep water. A number of different ways to assist the production of heavy crude in the deep-water environment will be presented, and the relative merits and limitations of each will be considered. The discussion will provide an outline of the necessary additions to the surface production train and the use of chemicals and heat to ensure flow. Finally, the paper will consider what equipment is necessary to properly dispose of the produced fluid.

The testing methods discussed in this paper can be applied to heavy- and low-pour-point crudes in deep water. The equipment and methods can also be used in shallow water applications or on land. The case history data will illustrate:

Why particular methods and equipment were used and why others were rejected. The success of the methods selected to address the testing needs. What conditions are inherent when testing deepwater reservoirs in heavy oil, and what is required to nullify or reduce the impact from these conditions on testing operations. The lessons learned from the jobs. Improvements that could be made to further facilitate testing of heavy oil in a deep-water environment. How careful planning can overcome the testing problems in deep water for both low- and heavy-pour-point oils.

The information will show that employing proven methods and the proper equipment enables successful testing with reduced risk in difficult heavy- and low-pour-point reservoirs.
Innovative Reservoir Fluid Sampling Systems – Hamaca Project, Venezuela
Authors: Reddie David R. , Robertson Carlon R.
Published: December 2007

The Hamaca Project is a large resource base of Extra Heavy Crude Oil (7 to 9 API), located in the Faja oil belt, to the north of the Orinoco River, in Venezuela. Petrolera Ameriven (PA), an operating agent owned by Petroleos de Venezuela S.A., ConocoPhillips and ChevronTexaco, is developing the Hamaca extra-heavy crude oil project. Field start-up occurred in September 2001, with production from a few horizontal wells. Development drilling and field appraisal is ongoing, prior to start-up of the Upgrader and commercial production at about 190 Mbopd.

Prior to start up of the field, a requirement existed for high quality samples of reservoir fluid to be obtained, for use in PVT and special core analyses, to aid in the prediction of reservoir performance. The general belief that recombination of oil and gas could not achieve a truly representative reservoir fluid sample led to the requirement to obtain reservoir fluid samples that had not experienced significant pressure depletion.

In the development of the system employed, a rigorous review was made of available downhole sampling equipment. Instead of taking pressurized samples downhole, a rod driven progressive cavity pump (PCP) was used to pressurize the reservoir fluid and deliver it to surface, where samples were collected. The fluid pressure, at all levels above the pump, was greater than reservoir pressure, insuring high quality samples. This also required surface equipment to operate at higher than normal pressures, as compared to normal PCP operations.

Every aspect of the system, and operating procedure, were examined and refined to minimize the possible pressure drop between the zone being sampled and the PCP intake. Using this system, single-phase fluid was captured at surface. This fluid, which had never experienced a significant pressure drop, was delivered to the lab, where PVT analysis confirmed that the formation fluid was at near saturated conditions, at reservoir pressure and temperature.

In addition to about 4 liters, per zone, of single-phase sample for PVT analysis, approximately 45 liters were obtained from one zone for use in special core analysis studies, which would have been too expensive to obtain by conventional methods. The costs incurred in obtaining the large volumes of sample, by the single-phase pump to surface technique, were less than prior expenditures on more conventional downhole sampling operations, where small volumes of varying quality sample were obtained.
High Frequency Vibration Recovery Enhancement Technology in the Heavy Oil Fields of China
Authors: Guo Xiao , Du Zhimin , Li Guangquan , Shu Zhuangzhi
Published: December 2007

Interest in high frequency vibration recovery enhancement technology in the heavy oil fields of China is increasing. This paper describes its effect principle, the oil producing mechanisms, experiments and the pilot area applications. The technology is also compared with other types of well stimulation such as steam flooding, in-situ combustion, cyclic steam stimulation, chemical flooding and thin oil blending recovery used widely in the heavy oil reservoirs of China. We also made an attempt to simulate flow behavior of heavy oil reservoirs with vibration recovery by modifying an existed heavy oil simulator.
Mathematical Modeling of Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage
Authors: Akin Serhat
Published: December 2007

A mathematical model for gravity drainage in heavy-oil reservoirs and tar sands during steam injection in linear geometry is proposed. The mathematical model is based on the experimental observations that the steam zone shape is an inverted triangle with the vertex fixed at the bottom production well. Both temperature and asphaltene content dependence of viscosity of the drained heavy oil is considered. The developed model has been validated using experimental data presented in the literature. The heavy oil production rate conforms well to previously published data covering a wide range of heavy oils and sands for gravity drainage.
Modeling of Scale-Dependent Permeability Using Single-Well Micro-Models: Application to Hamaca Field, Venezuela
Authors: Waite M. , Johansen S. , Betancourt D. , Acharya U.
Published: December 2007

In many reservoir-modeling projects, porosity-permeability relationships derived at the core plug measurement scale are applied to the reservoir model without properly taking into account the differences in scale between measurement and model grid block. Each grid bock in the reservoir model is assigned a permeability based on well log effective porosity and porosity-permeability correlations observed from core data, and then treated as a homogeneous volume with isotropic flow properties. This practice fails to account for the well-known phenomenon that in a stratified medium, effective permeability becomes more strongly anisotropic as volume-support increases from "quasi-point" core plug scale to scales which are larger than the heterogeneities which effect fluid flow.

This paper proposes a relatively simple and cost effective solution to the "scale mismatch" problem The quasi-point porosity-permeability relationship derived at the core-plug scale is more appropriately applied to single-well micro-models built from the integration of core and wire-line log data. The micro-models are then upscaled to produce porosity, vertical and horizontal permeability distributions and multivariate relationships that are consistent with the macro-scale reservoir model, while preserving the micro-scale flow characteristics. Upscaled porosity-permeability relationships are extracted and used to populate "effective" permeability into the macro-scale reservoir model, prior to flow simulation. The proposed method's application is demonstrated in the reservoir description and flow simulation of a giant extra-heavy oil field in Venezuela.
GeoMechanics Aspects of Multiple Fracturing of Horizontal and Vertical Wells
Authors: Soliman M. Y. , East Loyd , Adams David
Published: December 2007

Although unstimulated horizontal wells have been very successful in naturally fractured reservoirs and in reservoirs with gas or water coning problems, there are certain situations where fracturing a horizontal well may be a viable option. Because of the dependence of fracture orientation on well direction with respect to the stress field, the possibility of fracturing a horizontal well must be considered before the well is drilled. The appropriate contingency plans should be made to anticipate the possible low production from an unstimulated well. It should be remembered that fracturing a horizontal well may also dictate how the wellbore may be completed and/or oriented. Fracturing a horizontal well may take place in one of the following situations. Restricted vertical flow caused by low vertical permeability or the presence of shale streaksLow formation productivity due to low formation permeabilityThe presence of natural fractures in a direction different from that of induced fractures. Thus Induced fractures have a high chance of intercepting the natural fractures, orLow stress contrast between the pay zone and the surrounding layers. In this case, a large fracturing treatment of a vertical well would not be an acceptable option since the fracture would grow in height as well as length. Drilling a horizontal well and creating either several transverse or longitudinal fractures would allow rapid depletion of the reservoir through the fracture(s).

Although fundamentally similar to fracturing vertical wells, fracturing horizontal has its unique aspects that require very special attention to secure successful treatment. Differences between horizontal and vertical wells exist in areas of rock mechanics, reservoir engineering, and operational aspects. To start with, the basic rock mechanics aspects are examined.
Unlocking the Monterey Shale Potential at Elk Hills: A Case Study
Authors: Rowe Greg , Hurkmans Robert , Jones Norman
Published: December 2007

Proposal

In an effort to improve oil production at Elk Hills, located in Kern County, California, successful new methods for acidizing both horizontal and vertical Monterey Shale wells were developed. During 1999 and 2000, 21 horizontal Shale wells were drilled with unacceptable production results, even though the petrophysical evaluation indicated the wells should have great flow potential.

The uncemented, slotted liners prevented the use of conventional stimulation techniques. Instead, the acid blend, placement, recovery, and flowback techniques using coiled tubing evolved and improved. Workover equipment optimization and utilization increased and time to market and operating expenses decreased. The results from acidizing horizontal wells increased oil production up to nine-fold.

Due to the successful large-volume hydrofluoric (HF) acid jobs on the horizontal Shale wells, many old vertical Shale wells were acidized using the same technique, increasing average well production by 110 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) and more than 500 MSCF/D. As a result of the diligent, combined team efforts of the operations personnel and the pumping service contractor, the total acidizing costs were reduced by U.S. $2,300,000. These costs were reduced through blending acid in the field, field-testing the oil for additives, lowering spent acid disposal costs, and mixing acid on the fly.
From Real Time Data to Production Optimization
Authors: Oberwinkler Christian , Stundner Michael
Published: December 2007

A new way of reservoir management is dawning at the horizon – intelligent reservoir management utilizing continuous data from intelligent wells and/or smart fields. Even though there are many different buzz words for this new technology, they all lead to the same – managing a reservoir in REAL TIME or close to REAL TIME. Real time usually means to react to an event as it happens or within a short time lag. In the petroleum industry real time is for sure different. This "short time lag" can be hours, days or even weeks, which of course depends highly on the objective itself.

Integrating real-time data into a reservoir management work flow and turn the data into value is a complex task. The bottle neck for the data flow right now is the transfer of the real time data - measured with a secondly and minutely time increment and stored on real time server – to the engineers’ desktops in a clean and timely useful fashion.

This paper will show ways how to provide a continuous (24/7) flow of clean data to the engineers’ desktop as a first step for the intelligent reservoir management. It will be shown that the implementation of a smart field rises or falls with the ability to provide the data to the knowledge worker – the petroleum engineer. Since the data is coming into the database, let’s say every hour or every other day, the engineer is not able to check this data for discrepancies. Therefore, intelligent reservoir management needs an alarm system to inform the engineers about any under performing or critical condition of a well or the reservoir itself.

Another important aspect is the integration of the standard petroleum engineering tools, like Decline Curve Analysis, Material Balance, IPR curves, Reservoir Simulation, etc., into this work process. Now an Inflow Performance Relationship Curve does not only get data every other month, but every other day. This gives the engineer completely new opportunities, e.g. monitoring the permeability impairment over time. Well tests are usually a snapshot in time, but with a continuous surveillance of the reservoir parameters, the development of, e.g., the skin can be followed over time and actions can be taken in time – predictive maintenance.

Neural Networks and Genetic Algorithms are other powerful tools in the real time environment, handling such a large amount of data. A Neural Network learns on the gathered data and detects their underlying relationships – the more data, the better. Afterwards, the Neural Networks can be used for predictions (predictive data mining) – for instance predicting sand production. This approach gives the engineer time to react, and prevents the equipment from harm.

This work and the methodology it implies, provides a straight forward way of integrating real time data into a reservoir management process and how to gain value from the information provided by a continuous data stream.
An LWD Formation Pressure Test Tool (DFT) Refined the Otter Field Development Strategy
Authors: Longis C. , Holm G. , Hill J. , Mitchell E.
Published: December 2007

Total, operating on behalf of Shell, ExxonMobil and Dana, is developing the Otter field in the North Sea. The development plan calls for three horizontal producers and two water injectors. Their location is critical to optimize production and reserves in this complexly faulted reservoir. The first well started producing in October 2002. The reservoir model assumed fault transmissibility and predicted that there would be a small but measurable depletion by the time the third well was drilled. When this well was entering the reservoir in January 2003, it was important to determine whether the reservoir drawdown matched the reservoir model. Formation pressure information was required as soon as possible, as this would have implications on the onward drilling program of well three and possibly on the relocation of one of the injectors. Since this well was penetrating the reservoir section sub-horizontally, any wireline formation tester would have to be run on drill pipe. An innovative technology, the Drilling Formation Tester (DFT), was utilized to gather the formation pressure data.

The DFT is a Logging While Drilling Tool (LWD) that performs formation pressure test using a dual packer configuration, a downhole pump, and a quartz gauge. It uses mud-pulse telemetry to transmit the downhole formation pressure data to the surface in real-time. Multiple tests can be performed to measure formation pressure and establish the formation fluid gradient. A Formation Evaluation LWD suite was run with the DFT. This allowed geosteering of the well into the optimal part of the reservoir and to investigate the reservoir pressure regime while drilling. This combination of LWD tools facilitated while drilling a comprehensive understanding of the reservoir, its fault compartments and pressure regime.

The real-time pressure data indicated that the well was located in a high permeability layer, confirmed the reservoir pressure model and facilitated the real-time decision-making process. The use of an LWD formation pressure tester was economic by saving an extra trip in the hole that would be required to acquire drill pipe conveyed wireline pressure data. It both added value through reduced operational risks as well as saving direct and indirect formation evaluation costs.
New Method of Representing Rock Properties Over Entire Bit Run Improves Computer Generated Bit Recommendations
Authors: Curry D. A. , Perry P. B. , Evans J. M.
Published: December 2007

In this paper, we demonstrate how the calculation of properties for an interval of the wellbore as a whole can support reasoned selection of drill bit features for that application by a rule-based expert system. We show how the use of measures that represent the rock's drilling properties over the entire bit run leads to significantly better bit design recommendations than can be made using just instantaneous foot-by-foot representations of drilling properties.
Risk Management Process for Ultra-deepwater Surface BOP Operations from a DP Drilling Rig
Authors: Taklo Tor , Magne Eric , Brander Graham
Published: December 2007

This paper describes the risk management process that was undertaken for the first surface BOP operation to be executed from a Dynamically Positioned drilling vessel in ultra deepwater (9474 ft WD). The paper briefly describes the case for change that presented itself to the operations drilling group and outlines the steps that were taken in order to ensure that the overall safety of the operation was equal to, or superior to, that of conventional subsea operations. A number of the key conclusions established from the risk management process are also presented.
Drilling in Brazil in 2887m Water Depth using a Surface BOP system and a DP Vessel
Authors: Brander G. , Magne E. , Newman T. , Taklo T. , Mitchell C.
Published: December 2007

The deepwater well 1-SHEL-14-RJS (block BM-C-10 in the Campos Basin offshore Brazil) was successfully drilled by Shell Brazil in May/June 2003. The well was drilled to beyond 5200m total depth in 2887m water by the Stena Tay, a dynamically positioned (DP) semi-submersible, using a Surface BOP system. Subsequent to this well in Brasil, a further drilling campaign with the same SBOP system on the Stena Tay, has commenced in Egypt in late November 2003. At the time of writing the first well has been drilled to TD.

The SBOP system included a Surface mounted BOP (SBOP), a high pressure casing riser, a Seabed Disconnect System (SDS), and control systems for these components. In order to utilize this equipment on the Stena Tay, a number of relatively minor rig modifications were completed prior to the start of operations.

Throughout the project planning phases, an intense and comprehensive risk management process was followed. The results of this work concluded that SBOP operations are as safe, if not safer than conventional operations in terms of Health, Safety and Environment. The operation was successfully completed without any significant HSE incidents.

During the operations with the SBOP system a large number of learning's and ideas for improvements to the system were gathered. These improvements will be prioritized and implemented for future SBOP drilling campaigns.

Overall, the SBOP operation on BM-C-10 was extremely successful, particularly when considering that this was the first application of a new technology in an extreme environment, conducted from a dynamically positioned vessel in record breaking water depths for Brazil. This heralds a new era for such operations and provides a strong basis for planning for future operations with SBOP in many areas of the world. It also gives Shell the capability of drilling beyond the 10,000ft water depth barrier making use of the existing worldwide rig fleet.