bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Evidence-Based Approach to Nipple Feeding in a Level III NICU: Nurse Autonomy, Developmental Care, and Teamwork
Authors: Shaker Catherine , Werner Woida Amy Marie
Published: November 2011

Historically, nipple feeding in the NICU has been initiated and advanced by physician order based on nursing observation and suggestions. The growing evidence base regarding nipple feeding readiness and progression, contingent caregiving, and nurse autonomy in decision making prompted our Level III NICU to reconsider our process. A literature review and discussions resulted in new protocols for initiating and advancing nipple feedings for three distinct groups: healthy preterm infants, preterm infants with complicated medical courses, and sick term or postterm infants. Through incorporating contingent caregiving, greater autonomy for the bedside nurse, developmental support, and collaboration, we expect to improve outcomes, communication, and problem solving.
Ebstein’s Anomaly
Authors: Pashia Sarah
Published: November 2011

EBSTEIN’S ANOMALY IS A RARE congenital heart defect characterized by displacement of the tricuspid valve leaflets into the right ventricle.1The defect was first described by Wilhelm Ebstein in 1866.2This anomaly of the tricuspid valve causes the right atrium to thin and become enlarged, resulting in a wide range of clinical presentations.3Clinical presentation depends on the severity of the pathologic findings, which vary considerably from patient to patient. Some infants may present with cyanosis, respiratory distress, heart failure, and even death, whereas others may not present with mild symptoms until adolescence or adulthood.
Infants of Diabetic Mothers: The Effects of Hyperglycemia on the Fetus and Neonate
Authors: Barnes-Powell Laura
Published: November 2011

News that a woman with diabetes is about to deliver brings up images of a macrosomic infant. This infant may experience birth injuries, asphyxia, respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, hyperbilirubinemia, polycythemia/hyperviscosity syndrome, asymmetric septal hypertrophy, and other congenital malformations. Uncontrolled diabetes has profound effects on embryogenesis, organogenesis, and fetal and neonatal growth, and evidence increasingly indicates that some of these effects are lifelong and may contribute to adult obesity. Preconception control of diabetes and monitoring throughout pregnancy are important in reducing the impact of diabetes on the fetus and newborn.
News of The Academy of Neonatal Nursing
Authors: Brott Shirley
Published: November 2011

This year’s $1,000 Academic Scholarship Award goes to Carolyn Terry, RNC, BSN. Carolyn is attending State University of New York at Stony Brook, where she plans to complete her master of science degree and the neonatal nurse practitioner program in June of 2008. Lori A. Escallier, PhD, RN, CPNP, clinical associate professor at Stony Brook, wrote, “Ms. Terry’s academic ability has proven outstanding. She is a leader among her colleagues and is an example of the epitome of nursing. She is industriously conscientious of the ever-changing health care environment and leads through example.”
Spontaneous Intestinal Perforation
Authors: Donahue Laura
Published: November 2011

SPONTANEOUS INTESTINAL perforations (SIPs) have been documented to occur in as many as 8.4 percent of very low birth weight (VLBW) newborns.1Gastrointestinal (GI) perforations first appeared in the literature in 1825 when Siebold described a gastric perforation in an estimated 34-week-gestational-age infant.2Thelander in 1939 described the first cases of spontaneous perforation in three stillborn infants as perforations proximal to the ileocecal valve.3
Probiotics for the Prevention of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Authors: Gaul Janeen
Published: November 2011

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality for low birth weight premature infants. Prematurity, ischemia, formula feeding, and bacterial colonization are risk factors for the self-perpetuating cycle of damaged intestinal epithelia, inflammation, bacterial entry, sepsis, and shock that characterizes NEC. Probiotics are food supplements containing live bacteria that benefit the recipient by improving the microflora balance within the intestine. Several studies suggest that the administration of probiotics may have a prophylactic effect for NEC and may reduce morbidity and mortality rates for low birth weight infants.
Administration of Comfort Medication at End of Life in Neonates: Effects of Weight
Authors: Matthews Angela Lee , O’Conner-Von Susan
Published: November 2011

Purpose:To examine whether a relationship exists between a neonate’s weight and the neonate’s receipt of comfort medication between four hours prior to elective ventilator withdrawal and death. It was hypothesized that the greater the neonate’s weight, the more likely the neonate was to receive comfort medication at end of life.

Design:A retrospective chart review.

Sample:One hundred seventy-one neonates in a midwestern Level III NICU who died after withdrawal of ventilatory support.

Results:Of the 171 neonates in the sample, 27.5 percent (n = 47) did not receive comfort medication within the designated time frame; neonates who weighed <800 g were significantly less likely to receive comfort medication than were their heavier cohorts.

Conclusion:In this sample, smaller neonates were given comfort medication less often while they were dying than were their larger counterparts.
Cerebral Monitoring of the Term Infant
Authors: Lavery Shelly , Randall Kathi
Published: November 2011

Continuously monitoring brain function at the bedside in the NICU for term infants at risk of brain injury has become part of routine clinical practice in many countries. These monitors offer invaluable information about the sick infant’s neurologic status by providing real-time measurements of the brain’s electrical activity and identifying or confirming seizure activity. With the increasing availability of bedside electroencephalogram technology, it is essential for neonatal intensive care nursing staff to understand the rationale for its use, as well as the fundamentals of application and interpretation of this new technology.
Vancomycin Prophylaxis for Late-Onset Sepsis in Very Low and Extremely Low Birth Weight Neonates
Authors: Bell Susan Givens
Published: November 2011

LATE-ONSET SEPSIS AMONG very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) neonates is a troubling occurrence. The most recently published data from the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance system documents 5.4 umbilical- and central line–related bloodstream infections (BSIs) per 1,000 catheter days in infants weighing between 1,001 and 1,500 g.1 For infants weighing 1,000 g or less, the rate is 9.1 infections per 1,000 catheter days. A variety of factors, including prematurity and related relative immunocompromise, altered skin integrity, and multiple invasive procedures, places VLBW and ELBW neonates at risk for infection. Tunneled central catheters or peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) clearly add to the risk of infection in these vulnerable patients. In a point prevalence survey of a network of 29 NICUs, researchers found that coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) was the causative organism in nearly half (48.3 percent) of the documented bloodstream infections.2 Vancomycin prophylaxis is a potential strategy for the prevention of late-onset sepsis associated with CoNS. This column explores the efficacy and safety of this strategy.
Improving the Quality of Life for High-Risk Infants
Authors: Gibbins Sharyn
Published: November 2011

NEONATOLOGY IS A RELATIVELY NEW MEDICAL SPECIALITY that arose from the recognition that neonates were different from adults and other pediatric patients. The recognition of these differences between patients led, in part, to the development of perinatology and neonatology programs across the globe. As scientific knowledge and medical education evolved, so too did the recognition that nurses played an essential role in the care of high-risk infants. No longer restricted to Florence Nightingale’s initial advocacy for a nurturing environment only, the profession of nursing extends into areas of practice, education, mentorship, health advocacy, and research.
Fluid and Electrolyte Management in the Premature Infant
Authors: Chow Jean , Douglas Davina
Published: November 2011

Caring for the premature infant in the NICU requires knowledge and understanding of the physiologic adaptation to extrauterine life and how prematurity affects that transition. Nurses play an integral role in managing fluid and electrolyte balance in these infants. This article addresses postnatal adaptation and all aspects of fluid and electrolyte management of the preterm infant.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Prevention: A Model Program for NICUs
Authors: McMullen Sherri , Lipke Bethann , LeMura Catherine
Published: November 2011

Health care providers’ opinions can influence how parents place their infant to sleep. Neonatal nurses can improve how they teach and model safe infant sleep practices to parents. To increase neonatal nurses’ knowledge, a sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) prevention program was implemented. Program components included a computerized teaching tool, a crib card, sleep sacks, and discharge instructions. Initial program evaluation showed that 98 percent of infants slept supine and 93 percent slept in sleep sacks in open cribs. However, nurses continued to swaddle some infants with blankets to improve thermoregulation. To increase nursing compliance in modeling safe infant sleep practices, Halo SleepSack Swaddles were provided for nurses to use in place of a blanket to regulate infant temperature. Recent data show that 100 percent of infants in open cribs are now sleeping supine wearing a Halo Swaddle or a traditional Halo SleepSack. This model program can easily be replicated to enhance neonatal nurses’ knowledge about SIDS prevention.
Catheter-Associated Bloodstream Infections in the NICU: Getting to Zero
Authors: Curry Sabra , Honeycutt Michele , Goins Gail , Gilliam Craig
Published: November 2011

The neonatal population is at a particularly high risk for catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CABSI). Chlorhexidine for skin antisepsis is well documented to effectively decrease the incidence of bloodstream infections associated with central venous catheters in other populations. The project described in this article demonstrates that chlorhexidine for central venous catheter insertion and line maintenance in the neonatal population safely and effectively reduces CABSI.
Fetal-to-Neonatal Transition—What is Normal and What is Not?
Authors: Askin Debbie Fraser
Published: November 2011

These articles review the physiologic adaptations occurring during the transition from fetal to neonatal life and examine common red flags which may alert care providers to an infant experiencing delayed transition or an underlying disease process, congenital abnormality, or birth injury.
The Golden Hour: Care of the LBW Infant During the First Hour of Life One Unit’s Experience
Authors: Reynolds Regina , Pilcher Jobeth , Ring Ashley , Johnson Rose , McKinley Pamela
Published: November 2011

Care practices during the first hour of life, the Golden Hour, can have a significant impact on outcomes of low birth weight infants. Although the latest edition of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program added guidelines for preterm infants, additional care is often indicated. Complications that could potentially be impacted by care in the first hour of life include thermoregulation, intraventricular hemorrhage, chronic lung disease, and retinopathy of prematurity. Our unit has implemented and revised a Golden Hour evidence-based care process that includes the use of realistic videotaped simulations, followed by team debriefing sessions. Early results of the revised process show reductions in the targeted complications.
Discharge Teaching in the NICU: Are Parents Prepared? An Integrative Review of Parents’ Perceptions
Authors: Sneath Nicole
Published: November 2011

Background:At the end of their infant’s NICU stay, parents are expected to assume full responsibility for their infant’s care. It is important to look at discharge practices from the parents’ points of view to see whether our strategies are effective.

Objectives:Review the literature for studies that give insight into parents’ perceptions of the discharge process in order to assist health care providers in evaluating the available research and to identify any gaps in the literature.

Method:A literature search was performed to identify published studies that discuss parental perceptions related to their preparedness for their infant’s discharge home from the NICU.

Results:Data from the parents’ perspective were lacking. There are limitations in the data that are available. Parents are not prepared for discharge and have unanswered questions. Parental perceptions are different from health care professionals’ perceptions.

Discussion:The studies that have been done need to be repeated in different centers, with greater sample sizes, and with subjects of different cultures, ethnicities, and socioeconomic status. There is a need for more research into parental perceptions of preparedness for their infant’s discharge and ways to increase parental preparedness for discharge home from the NICU.
Treating the Infant of a Minor
Authors: Smalls Harriett Twiggs
Published: November 2011

TREATING A SICK NEWBORN IS challenging under any circumstances, but treating the infant of a minor parent can be doubly so because of the uncertain capacity of an immature parent to understand the condition and necessary care of the child. This situation could lead to potential challenges as to the validity of the minor’s consent and a possible claim in a lawsuit. In addition, the infant’s grandparents and parents may have differing opinions regarding care, leading to conflict between the decision makers. Therefore, having a working knowledge of your state’s laws and your facility’s policies regarding the authority or right of a minor to consent to treatment of the minor’s child is important when obtaining consent and a valuable tool in your arsenal against lawsuits.
Evidence-Based Guideline for Suctioning the Intubated Neonate and Infant
Authors: Gardner Denice , Shirland Lee
Published: November 2011

The endotracheal tube (ETT) is the most common artificial airway used in NICUs. Suctioning of the ETT is imperative to maintain patency and prevent complications. An extensive review of the literature revealed a lack of standardized criteria or guidelines for suctioning the ETT of neonates and infants in the NICU. The purpose of this article is to report the implementation of an evidence-based guideline that can be utilized in NICU care.
Trichophyton tonsurans—Ringworm in an NICU
Authors: Sproul Ann Vivian , Whitehall John , Engler Cathy
Published: November 2011

Ringworm is very rarely found in the neonate, especially infants who have been confined from birth to an intensive care unit. We report an infection with the dermatophyteTrichophyton tonsurans, the most common cause of tinea capitis in children but not yet described in a premature baby who has never left the nursery. Our case illustrates the need to consider this diagnosis among the causes of dermatitis in the newborn, especially in at-risk populations such as indigenous Australians. Though our infant’s presentation was the classic “ring” shape, a literature review revealed varied presentations. In contrast to the usual need for long-term antifungal medication, our case responded rapidly to a topical azole preparation. Although we did not screen visiting family members, screening would have been appropriate, and those found positive might have benefited from at least antifungal shampoo.
Bar Coding from Breast to Baby: A Comprehensive Breast Milk Management System for the NICU
Authors: Dougherty Dorothy , Nash Andrea
Published: November 2011

Breast milk errors have received increasing attention in the literature in terms of the potential infectious risk posed to the recipient baby and also the stress that results for both the donor and recipient families. Beginning in the mid-1990s, one Level III NICU began making changes in how feedings were prepared and distributed in an attempt to reduce breast milk errors. Despite these changes, breast milk errors continued to occur, and, in 2005, this NICU introduced a bar coding system to further reduce the risk of administering breast milk to the wrong infant. Breast milk errors have subsequently been substantially reduced.
January February 2010 News of the Academy of Neonatal Nursing
Authors: Brott Shirley
Published: November 2011

Make your plans now for the 7th National Advanced Practice Neonatal Nurses Conference to secure the best rates and discounts, The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero in San Francisco, March 17–20, 2010. Our conference coordinators have organized an outstanding lineup of speakers and the venue is one of the best in San Francisco! A sample of some of the sessions offered includes “Advanced Nursing Education: What You Need to Know—DNP or Not?”; “Intestinal and Liver Transplantation in Infants and Children: State of the Art”; “Implementation of Cerebral Cooling for Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy”; “Health Care Provider Work Schedules, Sleep Deprivation, and Patient Safety”; and “Life in the Gray Zone: Moral, Ethical, and Clinical Challenges in Caring for Infants on the Edge of Viability.” Gregory M. Enns, MB, ChB, associate professor at Stanford School of Medicine, and certified by the American Board of Medical Genetics in clinical genetics, and biochemical genetics will present the latest findings on neonatal metabolic disorders and newborn screening. Dr. Enns’ research interests include novel means of diagnosing and treating mitochondrial disorders, with emphasis on antioxidant therapy, lysosomal disorders, and newborn screening by tandem mass spectrometry. His current pursuits include the analysis of glutathione and antioxidant status in patients who have mitochondrial disorders.
B-type Natriuretic Peptide Utilization as an Adjunct to Management in a Case of Conjoined Twins with Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Milisavljevic Vladana , Purdy Isabell , Le Cindy
Published: November 2011

This article reports a case of pulmonary hypertension in 37-week–gestational-age, pygopagus conjoined twins where B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) was used as a cost-effective and important tool to aid effective management. Pulmonary hypertension in neonates is associated with high morbidity and mortality and multiplies the challenge of caring for conjoined twins. BNP is a peptide hormone secreted by cardiac ventricles that have undergone stress related to ventricular filling, volume overload, and pressure. BNP is commonly used in adults to assess heart failure, but its utility is less established in infants receiving neonatal intensive care. In this case, BNP testing was used as an adjunct to standard assessments for rapid diagnosis which was critical to expediting appropriate treatment management for these high-risk patients.
Neonatal PICC: One Unit’s Six-Year Experience with Limiting Catheter Complications
Authors: Corzine Marie , Willett Lynne
Published: November 2011

Safe dressing techniques for neonatal peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) remain controversial in the literature. This article describes one unit’s experience with the placement and management of 491 PICCs during a six-year period with more than 5,600 catheter days. The dressing technique described in this article differs from that seen in the literature with the addition of a protective base layer. Catheter complication rates are low, and catheter dressing changes are minimized with this dressing technique.
Surrogacy Births in the NICU: Who Has the Authority to Make Decisions Regarding an Infant’s Care?
Authors: Twiggs Smalls Harriett
Published: November 2011

GENERALLY THE BIRTH OF AN infant is a joyous occasion. But the stress of an infant being born prematurely or suffering some problem at birth that requires admission to the NICU taxes even the best-natured people. Add to this a surrogacy birth in which the relationship has broken down or in which no provisions were made for a problem at birth, and you have a situation that leaves the NICU staff wondering who calls the shots.
Editorial--A World in Progress...
Authors: Rait Suzanne
Published: November 2011

THIS YEAR WAS THE CENTENNIAL OF FLORENCE Nightingale’s death and in commemoration, was designated as the International Year of the Nurse (IYNurse) by The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau in the U.S., The Nightingale Initiative for Global Health in Canada, and the Florence Nightingale Museum in England. 2010 IYNurse is “a collaborative, grassroots global initiative honoring nurses’ voices, values, and wisdom—to act as catalysts for achieving a healthy world.” In this “celebration of commitment,” we honor Florence Nightingale as the founder of modern nursing and for the legacy she left us and we recognize the contributions of nurses today, all over the world. At the 2010 IYNurse website, you can read stories contributed by nurses that illustrate progress made in each of the eight UN Millennium Development Goals. Another section of the website contains tributes to nurses and to the nursing experience. A video of the Commemorative Global Service Celebrating Nursing that took place this past April at the Washington National Cathedral is also available for viewing. I hope you will visit this website and possibly make a contribution to nursing’s story.
The Effect of Three Nursing Interventions on Thermoregulation in Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Lewis Debra A. , Sanders Lynda P. , Brockopp Dorothy Y.
Published: November 2011

Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the use of three nursing interventions—occlusive wrap, chemical mattress, and regulation of delivery room temperature—singly and in combination in consecutive years on thermo-regulation in six groups of low birth weight infants.

Design: A quasi-experimental design was used. Prospective data were collected on 133 infants weighing <1,500 g. Interventions were tested on different groups of infants in each of three years. The control group comprised 295 infants on which retrospective chart data were available over an earlier three-year period.

Sample: Infants weighing <1,500 g participated in the study.

Main Outcome Variable: The main outcome variable was NICU admission temperatures of infants weighing <1,500 g. For data analysis, infants were divided into two groups: those weighing <1,000 g and those weighing between 1,000 and 1,500 g.

Results: For each of the three interventions, the percentage having a normal NICU admission temperature in each intervention group exceeded the control group percentage, but the increase was not significant. Use of each intervention—occlusive wrap alone, occlusive wrap in addition to chemical mattress, and occlusive wrap in addition to chemical mattress and increased delivery room temperature—appeared to influence thermoregulation positively.
Capillary Blood Draws in the NICU
Authors: Phillips Charles , Clifton-Koeppel Robin , Sills Jack , Lomax Jacqueline M. , Rapini Molly , Huffman Matt L. , Modanlou Houchang D.
Published: November 2011

Purpose:(1) To determine the rate of damaged and discarded capillary blood draws in the NICU; (2) to compare the rate of damaged and discarded samples between traditional capillary blood draws and the Innovac Quick-Draw device; (3) to determine whether in-service training for nurses on capillary blood draws decreased the rate of damaged and discarded blood samples.

Design:During Phase I of the study, the rate of capillary blood draws by the traditional method was determined. At the completion of Phase I, the manufacturer provided in-service training to senior nurses in the NICU with the use of the Innovac Quick-Draw device. Additional in-service training was also provided for the traditional capil-lary blood draw technique. Within a month of in-service training, an openly randomized study (Phase II) was carried out comparing traditional versus Innovac device capillary blood draws.

Sample:All infants admitted to the NICU between June 2008 and June 2009 were eligible to be in the study. There were no exclusion criteria based on weight, gestational age, or gender because the sampling method was the only variable being assessed. Phase I lasted two months, whereas Phase II lasted approximately four months.

Main Outcome Variable:Occurrence of damaged capillary samples with the Innovac device versus the traditional method.

Results:In Phase I, the rate of damaged and discarded samples was 10 percent (28/278). In Phase II, the rate of damaged and discarded samples for traditional and Innovac device was 7.2 percent and 10 percent, respectively. Comparisons between traditional and Innovac for different type of samples were as follows: complete blood count, 11.0 percent (12/104) vs. 13.4 percent (14/104); serum electrolytes, 6.4 percent (6/94) vs. 9.5 percent (9/95); C-reactive protein, 5.7 percent (4/70) vs. 8.0 percent (5/62); and liver panel, 5.3 percent (7/131) vs. 8.3 percent (9/108). There were no statistically significant differences of damaged and discarded samples for the overall or individual sample type comparisons.
Chromosome 22q11.2 Microdeletion Syndrome
Authors: Molesky Marion G.
Published: November 2011

Chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome is the most common microdeletion syndrome in humans. It involves the loss of genetic material on the short arm of one of the chromosome 22 alleles. Until advanced testing was available, this syndrome was known by various names including DiGeorge syndrome and velo-cardio-facial syndrome. This syndrome has a varied presentation with significant abnormalities including congenital heart disease, hypocalcemia, immunologic deficiencies, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. A multidisciplinary approach is required to diagnose and manage the varied manifestations.
Raising the Bar in Completion Practices in Jonah Field: Channel Fracturing Increases Gas Production and Improves Operational Efficiency
Authors: Turner M. , Weinstock C. , Laggan M. , Vogel M. , Rondon J. , Bogdan A. , Peña A.
Published: November 2011

The Channel Fracturing technique was introduced for multi-stage well stimulation in the Jonah Field in 2010. 622 stages have been pumped with this novel technique since. Production increases by as much as 27% (Johnson et al., 2011) have been realized over conventional completion methodologies. In this previous study, each stage was flowed back immediately after each treatment.

The successful introduction of the Channel Fracturing technique prompted a new attempt to optimize completion practices by eliminating immediate flowback of each stage as a necessary step to sustain production performance goals (Cramer, 2008). A field study was conducted to evaluate the performance of five new wells stimulated with the Channel Fracturing technique combined with sequential fracturing treatments without flowback in between stages. Gas production, fluid flowback and treating pressure data was gathered and compared against a sample of 18 offset wells stimulated with conventional proppant placement with immediate flowback after each stage.

Results indicate that the Channel Fracturing technique increased production by up to 28% with respect to the control group. Production gains were obtained without the occurrence of screen-outs for the wells stimulated with Channel Fracturing. Improvements in operational efficiency due to continuous fracturing operations and avoidance of screen-outs led to a reduction in overall operational costs of 18%. Results show that the combination of Channel Fracturing with sequential stage stimulation within a single wellbore can mitigate previously documented production performance issues, reduce operational logistics and reduce the overall impact to the hydraulic fracturing footprint. By virtue of these benefits, well stimulation via multi-stage Channel Fracturing without flowback in between stages has been adopted as a completion practice of choice for wells in the Jonah field.
Cuttings and Waste Injection, Shale Fracturing Pressure Decline, and Domain Mapping
Authors: Shokanov T. , Ronderos J.
Published: November 2011

The rapid expansion of cuttings and waste injection operations into major E&P regions throughout the world, and millions of barrels of drilling cuttings and waste injected in complex shale formations dictate understanding of uncertainties regarding its actual downhole placement and footprint in so-called disposal domain. The disposal domain is defined as area of influence created by hydraulically induced fractures that accumulate the bulk volume of cutting solids from repetitive cuttings slurry injections.

In spite of outstanding milestones achieved by cuttings and waste injection in recent years, the subsurface risks involved demand constant assessment to ensure thorough understanding of the injection and complex fracturing process. Limited understanding and characterization of the hydraulically induced fractures and waste domain footprint could potentially have a considerable environmental impact.

Understanding of past assessments of the cuttings and waste injection disposal domain provides alternative means of reevaluating shale gas complex hydraulic fracturing. This involves past assessments of multiple fracturing complex systems along the lines of the uniform disposal domain and a system of interconnected dendrite fractures with bifurcations from the flank of the fracture, and its evaluation in terms of minimum and maximum in-situ stress change in a localized near-wellbore fracture area, in distance perpendicular and along the preferred fracture plane.

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the historical waste disposal domain evolution from early developments -- the Mounds Drill Cuttings Experiment (MDCE) by Moschovidis et al. (2000) -- to current understanding derived from microseismic observations in the Barnett, Haynesville and Marcellus shale gas fracturing. Particular discussion is presented around the presence of fissures in shale formations and its impact on refracture initiation, extension and branching, together with an alternative assessment of the disposal domain from microseismic observations that took place during the MDCE. In addition, non-ideal bottom-hole pressure signatures reported in the past from observations during regular cuttings and waste injection are re-visited and re-aligned within a complex disposal domain model. Explanations and understanding of pressure anomalies are discussed.

The paper demonstrates that a true level of assurance and risk control can be achieved for cuttings and waste injection disposal (and also shale gas fracturing for stimulation) around mapping of the fracture - waste disposal - storage capacity via proactive integration of pressure monitoring and analysis with microseismic. This is the valuable information required by environmentalist and regulatory authorities to ensure that fracturing for disposal can be performed in an environmentally safe and technically sound manner.
Maximizing the Resources by Managing the Risks among Oil, Gas and Coal Production
Authors: C Bakhtiar Nofti , Imantyoko Agung , Adnan Alkifli
Published: November 2011

Indonesia has many fossil fuel resource fields widespread in its territory. Some of them located at Kalimantan, shore and offshore. Commonly, exploration & production (E&P) of oil & gas are different area than coal mining, but in fact in many areas overlap of mining. One is the field Tapian that overlaps between the sectors of E&P oil and gas to coal. Government of Indonesia intends to produce all the fossil fuels in order to encourage the economic stability and development. To produce all the fossil fuels resource is complexs. Oil & gas sector and coal mining sector are different activities. It's related with many issues such as mining zone restrictions, funding, the handover of assets and also health, safety & environment. It's challenging to compromise and mitigate each sector impact so all the E&P fuels can be achieved. Tapian area is the most good success story how to manage and coordinate all the risk so the E&P of oil, gas and coal mining can be realized. It's all started with negotiating the Plan of Development (POD) of each sector, discussion, lobby, risk assessment and ended with Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of all sectors that involved. Pertamina also attempted to mitigate all the risks that exist. Some of them include blasting effect, slope stability, road access safety, increasing settlement & social friction, water scarce, environment quality and lighting "attack". With the good management and precaution, both sector succes to mitigate all the risks. Nowadays, Tapian is producing approximately 197 BOPD, 0.246 MMSCFD of gas and 20 MT coal per year.
How "Fracture Conductivity is King" and "Waterfracs Work" Can Both be Valid Statements in the Same Reservoir
Authors: McDaniel B. W.
Published: November 2011

Having worked in the field of Hydraulic Fracturing for forty years has allowed the author an opportunity for close observation of several cycles of conceptual applications of hydraulic fracturing. In 1970, the oilfield was using quite a plethora of varying frac fluids from Slick Water to heated asphalt, gelled diesel, emulsion frac fluids, linear gels, and a few crosslinked fluids, although there was some separation between applicable fluids for gas reservoirs and oil producers.

By the mid-1970’s we had witnessed the death of heated asphalt as a frac fluid while emulsion fluids and Slick Water fracs were mostly put out to pasture. The age of the crosslinked gels had begun to dominate most of the fracture stimulation technology landscape, mostly because it was judged that this fluid type was able to suspend and place high concentrations of proppant. The emphasis on achieving high Fracture Conductivity with more effectively propped fractures became dominant. The 1980’s saw the industry fracturing technology and laboratory testing migrate toward more realistic test conditions for evaluation of packed proppant bed conductivity, especially with longer testing times, using elevated test temperatures, and by the latter part of the decade to incorporate the presence of frac fluids and their residue.

However, in the late 1980’s, a few operators in tight sandstone applications in East Texas started re-inventing Slick Water fracs. Even though pumping rates and treatment volumes were 2x- to 4x larger than previous crosslinked gel fracturing treatments, they typically were placing only 15–25% of the proppant volume, yet claiming improved well economics. To add further consternation, in the next decade, George Mitchell found a unique application in the Barnett Shale for Slick Water fracs and eventually showed the world that some of these hydrocarbon-source shales can actually be commercial producers themselves.

This paper will discuss much of the "frac fluid history" mentioned above, review historical highlights of laboratory fracture conductivity testing and field applications trying to illustrate the need for high conductivity as investigators began finding much lower predicted conductivity as they began seeking to emulate insitu reservoir conditions. Back then and still today, we continue to ask: Are we abandoning one of our most significant beliefs, Fracture Conductivity is King, every time we use Waterfracs?
Analysis of the First CHOPS Pilot for Heavy Oil Production in Kuwait
Authors: Sanyal Tirtharenu , Al-Sammak Ibrahim
Published: November 2011

Heavy oil contribution is considered a key requirement for delivering the challenging 2030 strategic production targets of Kuwait. Different production technologies have been considered for meeting this challenge. Initially the cold production technology of CHOPS (Cold Heavy Oil Production with Sand) has been tried through a pilot. The present paper summarizes the performance of the first CHOPS pilot performance and analysis of the pilot results. The analysis of the performance data from the pilot provides important clue for understanding the reservoir description issues as well as sand production characteristics. The result of the study has relevance for sand management strategies in the planned future thermal development of the field as well. The wealth of information available from the pilot helps developing an improved dynamic reservoir description.

The paper demonstrates that the CHOPS process has an intimate relationship with rock mechanics, fluid viscosity and the flow potential of the formation. It is also demonstrated how the field surveillance data can be used to investigate the enigmatic subject of "Foamy Oil" (Alshmakhy et al. 2007). The results can also help in developing an improved completion strategy for the wells, especially in the area of sand management. The paper provides important field performance data and analysis of the CHOPS pilot performance from Kuwait that can be used for taking decisions on applicability of the process in other similar reservoir set ups. The analysis also helps firming up an optimized sand management strategy for this reservoir.
Sweep Efficiency Improvement by Alkaline Flooding for Pelican Lake Heavy Oil
Authors: Dong Mingzhe , Ma Shanzhou , Li Aifen
Published: November 2011

In this paper a laboratory study was reported for investigating a method to improve sweep efficiency by applying alkaline flooding for Pelican Lake reservoir. This included interfacial tension measurements, micromodel observatios and channelled sandpack flood tests. In total, 48 flood tests were conducted in channelled sandpacks to evaluate the chemical formulas and injection strategies for Pelican Lake oil. The first 14 sandpack flood tests were carried out to assess the potential of the alkaline flooding for the oil. The results suggested that 0.4 wt% NaOH and 0.2 wt% Na2CO3 was the optimum combination to maximize the oil recovery efficiency in the channelled sandpacks. Based on industry interest in using a NaOH-only slug injection, in the second step 34 flood tests were conducted with the injection of only NaOH solution. For Pelican oil, 0.6 wt% NaOH was the optimum concentration to maximize the oil recovery efficiency (~15% IOIP recovery) in NaOH-only injection. The sandpack flood results obtained in this study showed that formation of water-in-oil dispersion and improvement of sweep efficiency in channeled sandpacks did occur in the tertiary recovery process through the injection of NaOH-only solution.
Potential Sinks for Geological Storage of CO2 in Saskatchewan
Authors: Derakhshanfar M. , Nasehi M. , Ahmadi F. , Baimyrza Z. , Sherk G.
Published: November 2011

Geological storage of CO2 in underground formations has the potential to be a major component of any viable solution to reduce atmospheric emissions of greenhouse gases. There are different options for long-term storage of CO2 in subsurface formations currently being considered by both government and industry. In general, the potential sinks for geological storage of CO2 include storage in depleted oil and gas reservoirs, deep saline aquifers, coal beds and salt caverns as well as injection for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Suitable geological conditions as well as availability of CO2 sources provide a vast potential for geological storage of CO2 in Saskatchewan, Canada.

This paper examines and summarizes the potential sinks for geological storage of CO2 in Saskatchewan. More specifically, the potential for CO2 storage in locations throughout Saskatchewan along with estimated storage capacities are discussed in detail. The possible sinks in each storage category have been identified through creation of a database of the available information, screening the sinks according to the appropriate criteria for each category, and evaluating their potential in terms of CO2 storage capacity. The database includes a significant number of oil pools in different stages of development, saline aquifers, and coal beds throughout Saskatchewan. Southeastern Saskatchewan contains deep saline aquifers in addition to several light and medium oil pools which offer a great potential for CO2 EOR and storage. Extensive unmined coal beds also exist in the southern and western parts of the province which can be possible candidates for coal bed methane production and CO2 sequestration. The identification and analysis of the potential sinks for geological storage of CO2 in Saskatchewan will contribute towards the development of integrated CCS infrastructure. This will also help to meet climate change mitigation objectives by reducing CO2 emissions through developing practical applications for geological storage of CO2.
Modeling In-Situ Upgrading of Extraheavy Oils/Tar Sands by Subsurface Pyrolysis
Authors: Kumar Jitendra , Fusetti Luc , Corre Bernard
Published: November 2011

In order to enhance extra heavy oils and tar sands recovery, steam injection has become popular as it decreases bitumen viscosity via increase of formation temperature. However, such process comes with some drawbacks such as the necessity to dispose of substantial nearby quantity of water, the impossibility to 100% recycle this water, and the co-generation of a significant quantity of acid gases. Moreover the resulting hydrocarbons are still extra heavy oil/bitumen with all the constraints it implies in terms of pipe transport and refining.

For these reasons, the development of the process of In-Situ Upgrading (IUP) by Subsurface Pyrolysis is debated. The idea would be to sufficiently heat the formation in order to pre-upgrade the oil in-situ; instead of just temporarily decreasing its viscosity. The process can be highly energy consuming but would offer multiple potential advantages such as production of a higher quality product with already a high commercial value, reduction of required infrastructure and expenses on production site for dilution or pre-upgrading before pipe transport, and no use of water, etc.

This study presents the feasibility of such IUP process by performing a core experiment under reservoir conditions. First, a compositional kinetic model is developed in order to correctly predict the products composition during pyrolysis; which is then validated using laboratory data. This is a key element in an IUP process as the results of kinetic model gives an idea of better designing the core experiment, who can properly mimic reservoir behavior. The experimental results are promising in terms of upgraded oil production i.e. light cuts, acid gases, pyrobitumen with proper thermal front propagation. It showed that with time and temperature there will be production of large quantity of light components, light cuts, and while generated pyrobitumen will remain be in the core. This means that at constant temperature, sufficiently higher for pyrolysis; longer the duration of the experiment more will be the production of light cuts due to cracking of heavy components. These results provide key elements to extend the approach to a larger scale for field test application.
Effect of Heterogeneity in a Horizontal Well With Multiple Fractures on the Long-Term Forecast in Shale Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Nobakht M. , Ambrose R. , Clarkson C. R.
Published: November 2011

Shale gas reservoirs have become a significant source of gas supply in North America owing to the advancement of drilling and stimulation techniques to enable commercial development. The most popular method for exploiting shale gas reservoirs today is the use of long horizontal wells completed with multiple-fracturing stages (MFHW). The stimulation process may result in bi-wing fractures or a complex hydraulic fracture network. However, there is no way to differentiate between these two scenarios using production data analysis alone, making accurate forecasting difficult.

For simplicity, often hydraulic fractures are considered bi-wing when analyzing production data. A conceptual model that is often used for analyzing MFHWs is that of a homogeneous completion; in which all fractures have the same length. However, fracture lengths that are equal in length are rarely if ever seen (Ambrose et al., 2011).

In this paper, production data from heterogeneous MFHW (i.e., all fracture lengths are not the same) drilled in extremely low permeability reservoirs is studied. First, the simplified forecasting method of Nobakht et al. (2010) developed for homogeneous completions is extended to heterogeneous completions. For one specific case, the Arps decline exponent is correlated to the heterogeneity of the completion. It is found that Arps’ decline exponent to be used after the end of linear flow increases with the heterogeneity of the completion. Finally, it is shown that ignoring the heterogeneity of the completion can have a great effect on the long-term forecast of these wells.
Gas Shale: From Nanometer-scale Observations to Well Modeling
Authors: Silin Dmitriy , Kneafsey Timothy J.
Published: November 2011

Our studies of the underlying fundamental gas recovery mechanisms from shale gas are motivated by expectations of increasing role of shale gas in national energy portfolios worldwide. We use pore-scale analysis of reservoir shale samples to identify critical parameters to be employed in a gas flow model used to evaluate well production data. We exploit a number of 3D imaging technologies to study the complexity of shale pore structure: from low-resolution x-ray computed tomography (CT) to focused ion beam and scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM). We observe that heterogeneity is present at all scales. The CT data show fractures, thin layers, and density heterogeneity. The nanometer-scale resolution FIB/SEM images show that various mineral inclusions, clays, and organic matter are dispersed within a few-hundred micron-cubed volume. Samples from different regions differ sharply in the shape, size and distribution of pores, solid grains, and the presence of organic matter. Although the samples have clearly distinguishable signatures related to the regions of origin, extremely low permeability is a common feature. This and other pore-scale observations suggest a bounded-stimulated-domain model of a horizontal well within fractured shale that accounts for both compression and adsorption gas storage. Using the method of integral relations, we obtain an exact analytical formula approximating the solution to the pseudo-pressure diffusion equation. This formula makes fast and simple evaluation of well production possible without resorting to complex computations. It defines a decline curve, which predicts two phases of production. During the early stage, the production rate declines with reciprocal square root of time, whereas later the rate declines exponentially. The model has been verified by successful matching monthly production data from a number of shale gas wells collected over several years of operation. With appropriate scaling, the data from multiple wells collapse on a single type curve. Pore-scale image analysis and the mesoscale model suggest a dimensionless adsorption storage factor (ASF) to characterize the relative contributions of compression and adsorption gas storage.
Perspectives of Young Indian Children's Parents Regarding U.S. Educational Practices
Authors: Stoner Julia B. , Beck Ann R. , Parette Howard P. , Nagorski Karen , Young Kayla
Published: November 2011

In recent decades, the composition of classrooms in the U.S. has reflected larger numbers of children who use English as their second language (ESL), including children of professional families from Indian backgrounds. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify the perspectives of Indian parents regarding their childrens early childhood education in the U.S. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Indian parents of 6 children from a midwestern early-intervention preschool program. Each interview was coded by multiple researchers using line-by-line coding. Categories were developed, refined, expanded, and cross analyzed. Confirmability was achieved through triangulation, expert validation, respondent validation, and member checking. A discussion of findings is presented with recommendations designed to lay the foundation for a more productive relationship between early childhood education professionals and the parents of Indian children.