bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trade-Based Money Laundering: Responding to an Emerging Threat
Authors: McSkimming Samuel
Published: April 2016

Concerted global effort has made the financial system an increasingly hostile and risky environment in which to launder illicit funds. As a result, offenders are increasingly turning to money laundering typologies that operate outside the financial system – primarily, trade-based money laundering. Despite this, enforcement agencies are ill-equipped to systematically detect and prevent trade-based financial crime. This paper makes several observations. The first is that, while little has been done to prevent trade-based financial crime, there is also little evidence of its ill effect. Further, there has been little consideration as to whether systematic monitoring of the trade system would be cost-effective, relative to the number of offenders detected and the harm prevented. Without such analysis, it is almost impossible to reach a measured and balanced view on appropriate policy settings. The second is that, even if monitoring were to be implemented, the analytical methodologies that are currently used have major flaws. They not only rely on data that is often of poor quality, but may also be worryingly easy to circumvent. This too raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the proposed policy responses to trade-based money laundering. The difficulties associated with data monitoring also raise the spectre of a significant increase in the number of physical, and therefore costly, inspections of trade goods.
Strategies for Meeting Rural Legal Needs: Lessons from Local, Regional and International Experience
Authors: Economides Kim
Published: April 2016

This paper considers policy options for future planning of legal services in rural and remote areas and assesses the relative merits of the public and private sectors in identifying and meeting legal needs in such areas. Drawing on previous research and a range of national and international experience I focus on the future development of proactive services in legal service delivery: first, through examining the idea of ‘rural law (community) centres’ employing salaried lawyers and 'paralegals' working in the public sector; second, through speculating on the implications of emerging alternative business structures and new technology currently evolving in the private sector. The paper evaluates various delivery models (and their likely impact) and considers whether strategic approaches are possible when rural communities are so often dispersed, isolated and politically marginal. It examines the concept and practice of ‘rural proofing’, as developed by policymakers in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, in order to see whether legal services policy can be better attuned to the needs and expectations of rural communities.
Postcode Justice: Rural and Regional Disadvantage in the Administration of the Law
Authors: Coverdale Richard
Published: April 2016

The paper signposts a number of issues identified within the research project: Postcode Justice — Rural and Regional Disadvantage in the Administration of the Law. It highlights key areas in which regional Victorians experience disadvantage in access to justice system services in comparison to their metropolitan counterparts. Issues raised by interviewees and survey participants demonstrate inherent problems with the current delivery of justice system services, programs and processes in regional Victoria. Briefly explored within the paper is the relationship of ‘distance’ to the delivery of justice. The paper suggests that little consideration is given to the spatial disadvantage experienced by regional communities in the development of legislation or the implementation of justice system programs, practices and procedures. The paper also examines the Magistrates’ Court criminal court programs which embrace the principles of ‘problem solving courts’ and ‘therapeutic jurisprudence’. While they are important innovations, these programs have had limited roll-out to regional communities. In its conclusion the paper suggests that an independent and unified ‘voice’ is needed to ensure a genuine and informed response to the diverse areas in which inequity exists in the delivery of justice system services to regional communities.
The Committee on Enforced Disappearances and Its Monitoring Procedures
Authors: Sunga Richardo
Published: April 2016

The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances establishes the Committee on Enforced Disappearances to oversee its implementation. Its reporting, individual communications and inter-state communications procedures have enhanced features that build on the experiences of other monitoring bodies with similar procedures. Its urgent visit and referral procedures contain novel elements that can promote compliance with the right not to be subjected to enforced disappearance. While issues of duplication, lack of enforcement powers, competence ratione temporis and time and resource constraints set the parameters of what it can and cannot do, the Committee, as part of a system of international and regional bodies, has the potential to induce respect for human rights and to help move states toward the goal of compliance with the right not to be subjected to enforced disappearance.
Non-Infringing Uses in Digital Sampling: The Role of Fair Use and the de Minimis Threshold in Sample Clearance Reform
Authors: McLeod Kembrew , DiCola Peter
Published: April 2016

In this book excerpt, the authors address the role of two major legal exceptions to copyright protection in the music industry’s practices surrounding digital sampling. Although the United States law on the books requires a balance between the interests of copyright owners and sampling musicians, the business practice has been to mandate licensing in almost every instance. Despite this hurdle to a more balanced approach to sampling, the authors discuss several benefits that might come through doctrinal or statutory reforms, or even through developing best practices for claiming fair use.
The Work Readiness Scale (WRS): Developing a measure to assess work readiness in college graduates
Authors: Caballero Catherine Lissette , Walker Arlene , Fuller-Tyszkiewicz Matthew
Published: April 2016

Work readiness is a relatively new concept which has emerged in the literature as a selection criterion for predicting graduate potential. Its definition and validity however, is contentious. To address this issue, the current study aimed to identify the attributes and characteristics that comprise work readiness and develop a scale to assess graduate work readiness. A qualitative study was conducted to assist in generating a representative pool of items for quantitative measurement. The resultant 167 item Work Readiness Scale (WRS) which we developed was validated in a sample of 251 graduates across a range of disciplines. Item analysis assisted in refining the scale. Exploratory factor analyses supported a 4-factor solution, with the final WRS consisting of 64 items. The four factors explained 44.7% of the variance, demonstrated excellent reliability and were labelled personal characteristics, organisational acumen, work competence, and social intelligence. The findings indicate that work readiness is a multidimensional construct and initial evidence is provided for the construct validity of the WRS.
Practical steps and collegiality in the building of podiatry curricula to meet accreditation and health sector employability demands.
Authors: Raspovic Anita , Pannan Linda
Published: April 2016

Historically, mixed arrangements have been in place between educational institutions and podiatrist registration bodies to evaluate the capacity of programs to adequately prepare new graduates for clinical practice. The national scheme for the registration of health practitioners introduced in 2010, followed by a national system for accreditation of respective programs, has however seen significant legislative and policy change to requirements for evidencing effectiveness of podiatry programs. In addition, there has been a local and international change in emphasis by stakeholders in higher education, government, professional regulation, quality assurance and employment, towards measureable, explicit student learning outcomes. Curricula initiatives at La Trobe University, including large scale systematic review and redesign of all courses within the Faculty of Health Sciences commencing in 2005, and a subsequent university wide ‘Design for Learning’ project (La Trobe University, 2009), provided a timely platform for podiatry staff to respond to critical emerging imperatives for increased program transparency and accountability.

The case study presented in this paper provides a practical, in-context explanation of an approach adopted to develop and embed Podiatry Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs). It draws on the podiatry profession’s competency standards and produces aligned curricula (Biggs & Tang, 2007) where fine grain subject Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs), underpinned by related learning and assessment activities, cumulatively address student development of the CLOs. Systematic and comprehensive documented evidence demonstrates when and how key podiatry competencies are developed, attained and assessed in these podiatry curricula.
Jornadas Flexíveis: conceito, aplicabilidade e contraditoriedade
Authors: Zupiroli Daniela Bonamigo
Published: April 2016

O atual movimento de racionalização produtiva tem se voltado para a obtenção da maior flexibilidade na utilização do capital e do trabalho, visando máxima redução de custos,da ociosidade dos fatores produtivos e dos riscos impostos pela instabilidade e mutação dos mercados. Passa-se assim a exigir novas relações de trabalho. A reivindicação dasempresas por maior autonomia de gestão do trabalho passa a ser então consubstanciada na proposta adoção de jornadas de trabalho flexíveis, anteriormente proibidas. Asjornadas de trabalho flexíveis são um dos carros-chefes das transformações nas relações de trabalho e o objeto do seguinte estudo. O sistema de trabalho contemporâneo já nãopode mais ser associado aos velhos regimes concentrados ou de especificações rígidas. Desde a década de 90, vê-se constantemente o surgimento de novas modalidades quetransformam o modo como o operário, o profissional de nível médio ou superior e até mesmo os estudantes se encontram, se encaixam e se preparam para enfrentar as “novidades” do mercado de trabalho. A flexibilização das jornadas de trabalho é um dos principais exemplos dessa modificação estrutural nas relações capitalistas. Essa flexibilidade cresce a cada ano, as empresas tornam-se mais e mais adeptas do sistema de compensação de horas de trabalho e os trabalhadores acompanham atônitos esse movimento sem ainda poder colocar-se claramente contra ou a favor das mudanças que vêem a cada dia.
ENSAIO: IMPACTO DO HEDGE COM CONTRATO FUTURO DE DI
Authors: Saito André Taue , Savoia José Roberto Ferreira , Securato José Roberto
Published: April 2016

A relevância das estratégias de hedge é conseqüência da crescente volatilidade dos mercados financeiros que afeta a rentabilidade dos negócios. O trabalho adaptou a metodologia aplicada no estudo de Chance (2005) e analisou do impacto das variações do DI over, para o período compreendido entre o primeiro dia útil de janeiro de 1998 e o último, de julho de 2006, sobre o risco dos fluxos de caixa de um dia útil, tanto das posições desprovidas de hedge, como das que são respaldadas pelo hedge por meio do contrato futuro de DI over. Com os resultados obtidos, realizou-se uma discussão acerca da finalidade do hedge e de seu timing ideal, contribuindo para uma compreensão didática do assunto.
PIRATARIA E DOWNLOAD COMO COMPORTAMENTO DESVIANTE E AS TÉCNICAS DE NEUTRALIZAÇÃO USADAS PELO CONSUMIDORES
Authors: Sauerbronn João Felipe R. , Barros Denise Franca , Strehlau Suzane , Mello da Costa Alessandra de Sá
Published: April 2016

Apesar do crescimento na venda de música digital, pesquisas apontam que 95% dos downloads musicais não pagam direitos autorais. As tecnologias de download e compartilhamento são geralmente apontados como responsáveis pelo fenômeno chamado de pirataria pela indústria fonográfica, colocando na mesma categoria pessoas físicas e jurídicas, vendedores e usuários. A indústria classifica download como crime, um comportamento desviante do ideal social e econômico. Este trabalho busca dar voz ao consumidor, ao tentar compreender suas percepções e estratégias de neutralização de tal comportamento desviante. Para tanto, foram realizados quatro grupos de foco com jovens “downloaders” com o objetivo de verificar a relação desses consumidores com a música, a identificação de comportamentos desviantes e a descrição das Técnicas de Neutralização utilizadas. Os dados foram analisados segundo a Análise de Discurso e os resultados mostraram oito maneiras dos consumidores justificarem ‘maus comportamentos’, representando a ampliação de duas das categorias apresentadas pela literatura.
É POSSÍVEL ESCAPAR DO COLONIALISMO EM RESPONSABILIDADE SOCIAL EMPRESARIAL NO BRASIL? UMA PROPOSTA PLURALISTA, PRAXEOLÓGICA E ESTRUTURACIONISTA
Authors: Sauerbronn Fernanda Filgueiras
Published: April 2016

O presente ensaio teórico tem o objetivo de propor uma perspectiva pluralista, praxeológica e estruturacionista para o estudo das estratégias de RSE no Brasil. O argumento apresentado está fundamentado na possibilidade de produzir conhecimento a partir de uma posição que esteja à margem do modelo dominante desenvolvido no âmbito da literatura norte-americana de RSE, fortemente influenciada nas últimas décadas pelas escolas prescritivas da área de estratégia. Visando o desenvolvimento dessa argumentação, o artigo está estruturado em cinco seções. A primeira seção introduz a argumentação central e propõe convoca os leitores à reflexão quanto à produção de conhecimento no Brasil que fuja do viés norte-americano. A segunda seção apresenta uma revisão da perspectiva dominante em RSE, suas origens e desdobramentos. A terceira seção discute a influência da área de estratégia, e da teoria dos stakeholders, na consolidação da determinação estrutural da ação como perspectiva dominante em RSE, em detrimento de abordagens que reconheçam a agência dos praticantes. A quarta seção propõe uma perspectiva pluralista, praxeológica e estruturacionista visando apontar caminhos para o estudo da agência dos praticantes das estratégias de RSE. A quinta seção traz algumas considerações e proposições finais no sentido de possibilitar a geração de conhecimento que escape do colonialismo ontológico e epistemológico, ao envolver praticantes e pesquisadores que historicamente consomem e reproduzem os modelos norte-americanos dominantes.
PLANO DIRETOR COMO INSTRUMENTO DE PLANEJAMENTO PARTICIPATIVO: UM ESTUDO NA CIDADE DE CARUARU/PE
Authors: Vieira Maria das Graças , Silva Cédrick Cunha Gomes da
Published: April 2016

A cidade contemporânea é resultado de um processo histórico e de constantes mudanças, onde seu desenvolvimento está diretamente relacionado às intensas, dinâmicas e complexas relações entre os agentes nela inseridos. Por conta da complexidade existente nesta realidade faz-se necessário, para sua eficiente e eficaz gestão, a utilização de um planejamento que objetive agregar suas decisões aos interesses individuais e coletivos desses agentes, sejam eles econômicos, sociais, culturais ou religiosos, instigando a um modelo de gestão participativa. Com base neste contexto, este artigo teve como objetivo principal analisar o modelo de gestão pública existente em Caruaru/PE. O município analisado apresenta a utilização de um Plano Diretor como instrumento de planejamento, assim como diversas cidades brasileiras o fazem desde a publicação do Estatuto da Cidade, porém, apresentando algumas carências em sua elaboração e implantação, tanto com relação ao envolvimento da sociedade como no monitoramento de sua execução. Como resultado foi possível desenvolver diretrizes para estimular uma maior participação da sociedade nas tomadas de decisão quanto à elaboração e implantação de um Plano Diretor baseado nas prioridades identificadas, como também, na elaboração de mecanismos de monitoramento dos projetos e ações de curto e longo prazo.
UMA DISCUSSÃO SOBRE MÉTODOS ALTERNATIVOS EM PESQUISA ACADÊMICA EM MARKETING
Authors: Sauerbronn João Felipe Rammelt , Cerchiaro Isabel Balloussier , Ayrosa Eduardo André Teixeira
Published: April 2016

A pesquisa acadêmica em marketing é dominada por várias versões do positivismo. Esta abordagem, contudo, não consegue responder a todas as perguntas que os pesquisadores brasileiros de marketing ou comportamento do consumidor fazem. Mesmo que represente um grande risco acadêmico, se faz necessária a opção por procedimentos de pesquisa descolados da tradição positivista. Não é objetivo dos autores realizar um levantamento sobre a produção acadêmica em marketing no Brasil, visto que este assunto já foi amplamente tratado por outros autores (VIEIRA, 1998, 1999, 2000 e CERCHIARO, 2003). Contudo, temos que escolher o processo através do qual nós adquirimos conhecimento, o que normalmente, nos é indicado pela natureza do objeto a ser pesquisado. O presente artigo, portanto, se dedica a mostrar uma forma alternativa de se ver os problemas de marketing, em busca de uma solução que consiga compreender as razões dos comportamentos dos consumidores brasileiros. O artigo apresenta o contraste entre as abordagens positivista e interpretativista, a partir da análise de premissas ontológicas, axiológicas e epistemológicas e do processo de pesquisa. Ao fim, aponta algumas direções alternativas para pesquisa do consumidor e modos de observar relações que não são captadas de outra forma.
O GERENTE E A COMUNICAÇÃO NO PROCESSO DE MUDANÇA EM UMA EMPRESA PÚBLICA BRASILEIRA
Authors: Rocha-Pinto Sandra Regina , Muniz Juliana Carvalho
Published: April 2016

A fim de contribuir com a literatura a respeito da reação dos indivíduos às mudanças organizacionais, elaborou-se um estudo de caso com o objetivo principal responder à seguinte pergunta de pesquisa: na percepção do indivíduo, qual o papel do gerente e da comunicação na construção do significado da mudança organizacional em uma empresa pública brasileira? Descobriu-se que os principais papéis dos gerentes são: comunicar e informar sobre o plano de mudança; convencer os empregados a adotarem a mudança; motivá-los a participar; envolver-se com a mudança. Além disso, para os funcionários, a comunicação tem como principais papéis: mostrar os benefícios e o valor da mudança; alinhar as idéias das pessoas em relação à mudança; evitar fofocas e conversa de corredor; e motivar os funcionários a aderirem à mudança. Ao final do estudo foi possível apontar os fatores críticos de sucesso para a mudança na empresa em análise.
Avaliação da Produção Acadêmica da Revista Gestão & Regionalidade de 2005 a 2012 através de Bibliometria e Sociometria
Authors: Ribeiro Henrique César Melo
Published: April 2016

Os artigos publicados na revista Gestão & Regionalidade, de 2005 a 2012, foram avaliados através de bibliometria, sociometria e estatística descritiva. Nos 162 artigos analisados, destacam-se dois autores nacionais – Maria Aparecida Gouvêa, a mais prolífera, e Mauro Neves Garcia, o articulista com maior centralidade de grau e de intermediação. Porter foi o autor mais citado e a Universidade de São Paulo foi a instituição de ensino superior com maior produção de artigos, bem como a de maior centralidade e grau de intermediação. A abordagem qualitativa foi bastante utilizada nos artigos e estratégias corporativas, marketing e gestão de pessoa foram os temais mais publicados na revista.
INFLUÊNCIA DAS MARCAS NA TOMADA DE DECISÃO DO CONSUMIDOR: UM REVISÃO TEÓRICA
Authors: Bizarrias Flávio Santino , Lopes Evandro Luiz , Farias Sibele G.S. , Brandão Marcelo Moll , Silva Dirceu Da
Published: April 2016

As marcas são um meio de diferenciação de produtos e são usadas para influenciar as decisões de consumo. Em um mundo sobrecarregado de informações, fazer avaliações e tomar decisões de consumo pode ser difícil. Marcas destacam-se como um dos principais aspectos de influência sobre os consumidores. Este trabalho tem por objetivo analisar e debater a influência da marca no processo decisório do consumidor, através de ensaio teórico, baseado em pesquisa bibliográfica. O estudo destaca que a marca exerce influência sobre as dimensões cognitivas e afetivas no processo de decisão do consumidor, desde o reconhecimento de necessidades até a decisão final.
LEGITIMIDADE INSTITUCIONAL DA PETROBRAS EM SEU DISCURSO SOCIOAMBIENTAL
Authors: Lang Jeter , Marinho Sidnei Vieira , Boff Marines Lucia
Published: April 2016

A construção da imagem organizacional envolve a autoapresentação dos elementos que a organização deseja projetar para a sociedade. Analisou-se o processo de legitimação da imagem organizacional por meio do discurso socioambiental da PETROBRAS presente no espaço midiático. Para tanto, buscaram-se matérias publicadas nas principais revistas e jornais on-line e comentários postados pelos leitores nas mesmas mídias sociais utilizadas pela empresa. Verificou-se que a empresa apresentou vultosa quantidade de informações pertinentes ao contexto socioambiental em suas mídias institucionais, com destaque ao blog “Fatos e Dados”. Talvez porque essa mídia teve maior destaque e capacidade de integração com os vários atores digitais, ela apresentou grande intensidade de comunicação e mereceu maior atenção dos pesquisadores. Quanto às táticas de legitimação ambiental (O’DONOVAN, 2002), observou-se o uso das três primeiras táticas e a ausência da quarta. Assim, percebeu-se esmero no discurso institucional, mas essa atitude não foi observada nas práticas organizacionais da PETROBRAS.
COMPORTAMENTO DO CONSUMIDOR ENDIVIDADO: UM ESTUDO EXPLORATÓRIO COM INDIVÍDUOS DE BAIXA RENDA
Authors: Matos Celso Augusto de , Bonfanti Kátia , Mette Frederike Monika Budiner
Published: April 2016

O presente estudo teve como objetivo geral analisar os fatores associados ao superendividamento de consumidores de baixa renda. Foi realizado um estudo exploratório, de cunho qualitativo, por meio de entrevistas individuais com consumidores das classes D e E. Dentre os principais fatores associados ao acúmulo de dívidas pelos entrevistados, destacam-se as compras por impulso, o pagamento do valor mínimo das faturas do cartão de crédito, o uso de financiamentos e empréstimos para aquisição de bens ou até mesmo para pagar outra dívida e fatores imprevistos. O estudo termina com uma discussão teórica destes resultados e sugestões de pesquisa para estudos futuros.
Reforma tributária no Brasil e seus impactos na redução da desigualdade: uma análise das Propostas de Emenda à Constituição sob a perspectiva da justiça fiscal
Authors: Andrade Jucilaine
Published: April 2016

O Sistema Tributário Brasileiro padece de problemas cuja solução vem sendo postergada ao longo do tempo, dentre os quais se destaca a complexidade da estrutura tributária e a regressividade. Todos são problemas que dificultam a implantação de uma estrutura fiscal justa. A regressividade propicia uma dilapidação que contribui para o acirramento da concentração de renda e, consequentemente, para o distanciamento do alcance dos objetivos expressos constitucionalmente. Algumas propostas de reforma tributária foram apresentadas ao Congresso Nacional nos últimos vinte e cinco anos, mas não obtiveram sucesso. Contudo, verifica-se que ainda que as propostas fossem ultimadas, a possibilidade de não se alcançar a justiça fiscal era real, pois que o foco não estava voltado para tal. Entende-se necessário a realização de reforma que modifique a estrutura do sistema tributário, inclusive com relação à alta carga vigente sobre os tributos indiretos e à baixa progressividade sobre os tributos diretos.
Diagnóstico das condições, organização e relações sócio profissionais de trabalho no condomínio vila: um estudo de caso
Authors: Silva Leila Vaz , De Oliveira Priscilla Seles
Published: April 2016

Este estudo teve como objetivo realizar uma pesquisa com os colaboradores do Condomínio Vila a fim de diagnosticar o contexto de trabalho no que diz respeito às condições, a organização e as relações sócio profissionais de trabalho. Foram realizados estudos bibliográficos e teóricos sugestivos ao tema analisado. Para viabilização da pesquisa utilizou-se metodologia descritiva por meio de estudo de caso. As variáveis que buscaram analisar a organização do trabalho apontaram que os fatores mais relevantes na percepção dos colaboradores associam-se ao controle pelo desempenho, excessiva cobrança por resultados e normas para execução das tarefas. Já as variáveis que avaliaram às condições de trabalho observaram-se níveis sugestivos à situação considerada grave para grande dos quesitos pesquisados Para as variáveis que abordaram as relações sócio profissionais de trabalho os resultados sugerem que os colaboradores expressam dificuldades em executar tarefas e consideram que as mesmas são mal distribuídas. Para avaliação dos subsistemas de ARH percebeu-se que os colaboradores entendem que os processos atendem às necessidades do grupo.
Características da literatura internacional sobre auditoria governamental
Authors: Mafra Marcelo Da Silva , Suave Ricardo , Guilherme Jerónimo Taundi , Alberton Luiz
Published: April 2016

Tem-se como objetivo neste trabalho a construção nos pesquisadores, segundo seu entendimento, do conhecimento de quais são os artigos, autores, periódicos e palavras-chave que mais se destacam no tema de Auditoria Governamental na literatura internacional. Para a consecução da pesquisa, utilizou-se o ProKnow-C, de maneira adaptada, como instrumento de intervenção. Os resultados apontam que os periódicos mais relevantes para a pesquisa são o Critical Perspectives on Accounting e o Accounting, Organizations and Society. O periódico Jornal of Political Economy possui maior fator de impacto. A palavra-chave mais encontrada é ‘auditing’. Os trabalhos com maior reconhecimento no portfólio e dentre as referências são Olken (2005) e Radcliffe (2008), os quais, respectivamente, estudaram que a realização de auditorias diminui a corrupção, e que os auditores públicos evitam abordar certos assuntos para se adequarem ao discurso dominante. Os autores de destaque entre o portfólio e referências são Radcliffe, Santiso e Schelker.
A Workflow Process Relating Fracture Density Inferred from Conventional Logs to Performance Data in the Complex Monterey Formation
Authors: Daniels Jeffrey K. , Ershaghi Iraj
Published: April 2016

In the 1970 to 1987 time period when wells were drilled into the offshore fractured reservoirs producing from the Monterey Formations, there were uncertainties about the usefulness of conventional logs such as the gamma ray, caliper, resistivity and porosity logs. Fractured cherts exhibit tight rock conditions that complicate interpretation of such logs. Availability of decades of production performance data has offered an opportunity to revisit these old logs to develop and test algorithms that can relate a set of subsurface petrophysical data reflected on such logs to actual observed performance data.

A workflow process has been developed that allows estimation of effective fracture density and spacing from the combined responses of conventional logs. These parameters were successfully correlated with actual performance data. The proposed fracture identification indices include, effective fracture density and fracture spacing. Fracture density is defined as the total number of fractures identified in the interval of interest normalized over the depth range while fracture spacing is defined as the average distance between fractures identified in the completion interval. The results of these two parameters were correlated with the production profiles of the wells analyzed in this study. The purpose for doing this was to provide an explaination for poor performing wells and identify re-drill opportunities in untapped intervals.

This workflow process was applied to the perforated intervals of eight wells producing from an offshore field in the federal waters off the California coast in the Santa Maria basin. It was observed that both the fracture density and fracture spacing results could be correlated with well production performance. The best performing wells generally had effective fracture densities greater than 0.22 fractures/ft. and spacings less than 4.30 ft. The proposed method offers opportunities for exploiting untapped intervals in the fields producing from the Monterey Formation.
Petrophysical Evaluation of Natural Gas Hydrates - North Slope, Alaska
Authors: Hupp Douglas , Burt Jason , Blades Amanda Joyce
Published: April 2016

Natural gas hydrates (NGH) are an unconventional resource that are thought to contain more gas reserves than any other reservoir type. This crystal structure, formed through the combination of gas and water under suitable temperature and pressure conditions, has been evaluated in several research test boreholes around the world, including the North Slope, Alaska. In 2007 the Mt Elbert-1 borehole was drilled to evaluate NGH potential. An extensive well logging program was performed on this well allowing robust interpretation including comparison of evaluation techniques.

This paper discusses the petrophysical properties of NGH and their impact on selected well logging (formation evaluation) measurements. These responses are demonstrated on the Mt Elbert-1 test well data. Their detailed petrophysical interpretation delivers lithology evaluation through capture gamma ray spectroscopy; total, free and bound fluid porosity from formation density, neutron porosity and nuclear magnetic resonance in conjunction with resistivity anisotropy and acoustic properties. A comparison of various hydrate saturation evaluation techniques is provided, and the applications of borehole images are also discussed. This paper demonstrates how these formation evaluation techniques provide an effective method of evaluating NGH resources.
Evaluation and Prediction of Hydraulic Fractured Well Performance in Montney Formations Using a Data-Driven Approach
Authors: Wang Shuhua , Chen Shengnan
Published: April 2016

The Montney tight formation, located in Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB), is becoming an important component of hydrocarbon sources in Canada. Horizontal drilling and multistage stimulation techniques have been successfully applied to exploit Montney formations. Selecting appropriate completion and stimulation designs are crucial to maximize the well productivity and/or oil recovery in Montney. However, it is still challenging to predict after stimulation productivity of a target well based on different stimulation parameters. Data-driven approaches, such as neural network, can be applied to evaluate hidden correlations between stimulation designs and well productions.

In this study, a comprehensive data mining technique, which integrates the cluster analysis, kernel PCA and DE-based ANN technique, is successfully developed to evaluate and predict the hydraulic fractured well performance in Montney formation. Fracturing operational data and well after stimulation productions of 1521 horizontal wells in Montney tight formations are first collected and classified into different groups using three clustering algorithms. Data-driven neural network models optimized by differential evolution (DE) algorithm are then trained using the stimulation parameters and cumulative productions. More specifically, fracturing operational parameters collected include operational time per stage, well completion strategy, types of fracturing base fluid and energizer, average proppant placed per stage, average fluid pumped per stage, number of stages, and average factures spacing. First 6-months cumulative productions are utilized to characterize the after-stimulation performance of fractured horizontal wells.

Results show that optimal clustering should be chosen by making a tradeoff between the Silhouette coefficient and the size of the clustered data sets. The optimal 2D and 3D clustering are 6 and 4 clusters obtained by AP and k-means algorithm, respectively. The dimensionality of input variable space can be greatly reduced by using the kernel PCA. The optimal number of principal components for ANN modeling is 7. The prediction ability of single layer neural network can be significantly improved by integrating DE algorithm into the ANN model. The determination coefficients (R-square) of validation and testing sets are increased by 31.0% and 23.8% for the optimal neural network. The developed data-driven technique provides a potential method to predict well after-stimulation performance. It is not only useful for evaluating the effects of stimulation parameters on well performance, but can also provide a reliable approach to predict well response towards different stimulation strategies in Montney tight formations.
New Viscoelastic Surfactant with Improved Diversion Characteristics for Carbonate Matrix Acidizing Treatments
Authors: Hanafy Ahmed , Nasr-El-Din Hisham A. , Rabie Ahmed , Ndong Rose , Zhou Jian , Qu Qi
Published: April 2016

Viscoelastic surfactants (VES) have been used to replace polymer-based fluids as effective, cleaner, and non-damaging viscofying carriers in frac-packing, acid fracturing, and matrix acidizing. However, several limitations challenge the use of VES-based fluids including: thermal instability, incompatibility with alcohol-based corrosion inhibitor, and intolerance to the presence of contaminating iron. This work introduces a new VES-based acid system for diversion in matrix acidizing that exhibits excellent thermal stability and diversion performance in both low-and high-temperature conditions.

Rheology measurements were conducted on spent VES-acid system as a function of temperature (77- 300°F) at a pH of 4-5. The effect of acidizing additives on the VES viscosity was investigated. The additives included a corrosion inhibitor, non-emulsifier, iron-chelating agent, and iron-reducing agent. Single and dual coreflood experiments were performed using limestone core samples with an initial permeability range of 4-200 md and a permeability contrast of 1.5-55. Post CT-scan imaging was conducted to investigate the wormhole topography. The diversion characteristic of the new VES in the dual coreflood experiments was evaluated by the structure and the extent of wormhole propagation in the low-permeability core.

Rheological data for 15 wt% HCl spent VES-solutions showed a maximum viscosity of 200-800 over a temperature range of 150-170°F, depending on the VES concentration in the sample. Without acidizing additives, a minimum of 50 cP was obtained at 195, 230, 250, and 275°F at 4, 5, 6, and 8 vol% of the VES in solution, respectively. None of the tested acidizing additives had a negative impact on the VES viscosity. At 8% VES loading, the acidizing package was optimized such that a minimum of 75 cP was obtained at 300°F.

Dual coreflood experiments were conducted at 150 and 250°F, and the results proved the ability of the proposed VES to divert efficiently in limestone formations. Single coreflood experiments also confirmed these results. Coreflood data indicated that a range of permeability contrast of 4-10 is the optimum for diversion ability in terms of the final permeability enhancement of the low-permeability cores. The results revealed 18.6, 45.6, 82%, and infinity when the permeability contrast was 28.3, 14.4, 6. 3, 1.63, respectively. A dual coreflood experiment was conducted for two cores with a permeability contrast of 1.6 at 150°F. The VES-acid system in the presence of all acidizing additives exhibited divergent performance that exceeded the performance of the VES in the absence of additivies. These results prove the stable performance of the VES and the enhancement in viscosity response after addition of both the iron-control agent and the non-emulsfier, which resulted in less acid leakoff and better wormhole structure.
Saving Heavy Oil Reserve Value in a Carbon Constrained Market
Authors: Nelson Donald G. , Sheehy Philip , O'Donnell John , Heisler Mark A.
Published: April 2016

The value of many heavy oil projects in California will erode as the regulatory environment places increasing constraints on the total carbon footprint of products and fuels. Until now, California heavy crude oil posted prices differentiated between supplies based primarily on oil gravity. In the near future, differentiation in posted prices for California crude oil may become increasingly influenced by carbon intensity (CI). Normalized heavy oil reserve values for a range of typical steam enhanced oil recovery projects are determined for a baseline of 100% fuel-fired steam and then compared to various scenarios of blended solar-generated steam. Decision analysis principles are used to frame the analysis to determine the best scenario. An influence diagram is created to identify the important variables and relationships. Deterministic methods are used to identify key uncertainties. Probabilistic methods are then followed to structure a decision tree and determine expected value (EV) probability distributions. Finally, appraisal of the scenarios yields the best decision regarding solar steam strategy. The study considers CI product price influence along with typical uncertainties affecting reserve values. Carbon intensity (CI) is an uncertainty that is new to California heavy oil operators. In relation to its Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), California has adopted rules creating CI performance standards requiring 10% reduction by 2020 and subsequent years. Solar-generated steam has been identified as an "innovative crude production method" that has the largest-scale opportunity to reduce the CI of petroleum fuels produced and used in California. Other pathways for California to reach the LCFS include blending of low-carbon fuels (ethanol, biodiesel) with gasoline and diesel; expansion of alternative fuels such as electricity, natural gas, hydrogen; and buying other types of LCFS credits. The study includes uncertainties around future scattering of heavy oil product pricing as a result of the CI market constraints mandated by California's LCFS. Developers and operators of heavy oil resources in California can use the methods and findings in this study to improve decision quality regarding solar steam strategy thereby optimizing the value of developed and undeveloped heavy oil resources.
Application of Alkali-Surfactant-Polymer ASP Flooding for Improving Viscous Oil Recovery From Alaskan North Slope Reservoir
Authors: Ghorpade T. S. , Patil S. L. , Dandekar A. Y. , Khataniar S.
Published: April 2016

Alkali-surfactant-polymer (ASP) flooding is a chemical EOR method that can be used to improve recovery of heavy oil containing organic acids by increasing sweep efficiency, and reducing interfacial tension. Typically, ASP flooding is followed by extended waterflooding. The concentration of alkali, surfactant, and polymer used in the process depends on oil type, connate water salinity, pressure and temperature of the reservoir, and injection water quality.

In this study, an ASP flood was designed to optimize the concentration of alkali, surfactant, and polymer for an Alaskan reservoir using a reservoir simulation model. Also, the effects of waterflooding and improvement with ASP flooding were evaluated and compared. Based on literature review and previously published screening criteria, the Western North Slope (WNS) 1 reservoir was selected for application of the ASP process and a simulation model for this reservoir was generated with 5-spot flood pattern. Reservoir fluid properties were modeled through regression analysis of actual field data. Simulation runs conducted for primary and waterflooding processes showed that the recovery factor increased from 3% due to primary recovery to 45% due to waterflooding at 500 psi drawdown for 60 years with a constant producing gas oil ratio (GOR). ASP flooding was conducted to increase recovery further, and optimum ASP parameters were calculated for maximum recovery. Also, effect of alkali, surfactant and polymer on recovery was observed and compared with ASP flood. If proved effective, the use of ASP chemicals for Alaskan North Slope (ANS) reservoirs to increase the recovery factor could supplement current miscible gas injection with chemical EOR. It will help to develop chemical flooding processes for heavier crude oil produced in harsh environments and create new horizons for chemical industries in Alaska.
Data Mining with Shapelets for Predicting Valve Failures in Gas Compressors
Authors: Patri Om P. , Tehrani Arash S. , Prasanna Viktor K. , Kannan Rajgopal , Panangadan Anand , Reyna Nabor
Published: April 2016

Gas compressor failures are frequently caused by breakdown of valves. Since production is dependent on rotating equipment, it is useful to minimize downtime caused by such valve failures, and try to predict them in advance. This is a challenging problem, which we address using Big Data analysis of the data gathered by a large number of sensors deployed on various parts of the compressor. These sensors take periodic readings (at every few minutes) of various physical properties of the compressors including motor winding temperatures, compressor vibrations, and pressure and temperature for both suction and discharge at various compression stages. We frame this problem as a multivariate time series classification task, and propose a novel machine learning approach to solve it.

Our proposed approach is based on the concept of shapelets, which are discriminative subsequences extracted from time series. This approach does not make assumptions about the nature of the dataset (crucial for real industrial datasets) and has very fast classification times. These shapelets act as a ‘signature’ capturing the characteristics and differences between sensor data related to normal valve function versus failed valve function. Shapelets are increasingly being used for univariate (single dimension data read by one sensor) time series data mining. But there have been few efforts to solve the problem of multivariate time series classification using shapelets due to the additional challenges emanating from multiple sensors in terms of the size and variety of data. Specifically, the existing approaches make the assumption that the reading of sensors are independent, which is not the case for sensor data in gas compressors as variation or anomaly in a valve affect the reading of adjacent sensors. Since all the sensors record data synchronized in time, the temporal dependencies across them need to be captured.

In this work, we propose a method, which attempts to incorporate these dependencies into the final shapelet-based classification framework. We achieve this using a heuristic of inter-leaving time series data across the sensors. This helps us reduce the multivariate time series data to a univariate format such that existing univariate shapelet extraction methods can be applied directly on the data. We evaluate our approach on real sensor data taken from gas compressors in an oil field in North America. Our results illustrate that time series approaches based on shapelet mining are valuable for fast prediction of failures from sensor data in oil and gas fields. These approaches provide key insights into the functioning of the individual sensors as well as deliver a visual aid to domain experts for further root cause analysis.
Alaskan Viscous Oil: EOR Opportunity, or Waterflood Sand Control First?
Authors: Paskvan Frank , Turak Joe , Jerauld Gary , Gould Tom , Skinner Robert , Garg Amitabh
Published: April 2016

A regional depletion planning and comprehensive EOR screening was completed for Alaskan viscous oil (VO) resources, which have in-place volumes exceeding 10 billion barrels (Figure 1). Developed areas are shown in dark blue. With initial production dating from 1985 and a moderate development pace, viscous oil has experienced technology waves in drilling, completion, and EOR capability. Lower viscosity portions of the reservoir have typically been developed first. To date, ~ 150 million barrels of viscous oil have been produced. Ugnu heavy oil (HO) resource footprint is shown by the red outline; areas of overlap may yield development cost savings opportunities.

This multi-year screening effort was undertaken and funded by BP to deepen understanding of extraction techniques, development options, and operability issues that need clarity prior to moving discrete development projects forward. Key viscous oil challenges are high well and facility costs, low well deliverability, and low waterflood oil recovery (less than 20%). This screening included technical evaluations and laboratory studies that led to separately funded geomechanics studies and field trials. This work addressed these main questions:

Can we improve the oil recovery factor? How far up the viscosity continuum can we progress? Can development cost be reduced to acceptable levels?

Alaska viscous oil resides in soft, friable, pressure/stress sensitive sands. A key performance issue in early- to mid-life for many waterflood patterns is catastrophic rock failure with water short-circuiting between producer and injector or producer and aquifer, called a matrix bypass event (MBE). Potential MBE mechanisms were evaluated using a coupled reservoir flow, rock mechanics, and sand transport model to predict sand failure processes and evaluate remediation and prevention options. Installing producer sand control, maintaining reservoir pressure, and moderating the interwell pressure gradient reduces sanding and MBE risks, extends waterflood pattern life, and increases oil recovery.
Heavy Oil Mobilization by Cold Solvent, Hot Solvent, and Heat - A Comparative Pore Level Evaluation
Authors: Bayestehparvin B. , Abedi J. , Ali S.M. Farouq
Published: April 2016

The first commercial test of solvents took place in California in 1960 where solvent stimulation was used to increase production of heavy oil. Currently, successful performance of steam injection in horizontal wells suggests the idea of using hot solvent alone or in conjunction with steam to reduce bitumen viscosity. The present study compares the performance of heat, cold solvent, and hot solvent for reducing bitumen viscosity at the pore scale using typical field data.

The governing equations were derived for heat transport by conduction and convection and solvent diffusion and dispersion. The equations were solved in spherical geometry for a droplet of bitumen at different flow rates. In addition to solvent and steam together, equations were derived for a hot solvent. The mass and heat balance equations were solved simultaneously and the viscosity profile was obtained. The performance of different solvents at different temperatures was compared with heat under the same conditions.

The results indicated that hot solvent is much more effective than solvent alone due to the effect of temperature on oil viscosity. It was found that the effect of solvent is much less than that of heat and that the high recovery by heated solvent is directly related to the heat. The time required for cold solvent to reduce bitumen viscosity was much longer compared to conduction-convective heating even at high solvent rates. Hot solvent shows promise compared with conduction-convective heating as a result of the heat contribution.

In spite of the benefits of using solvent, the economics must be considered. This study improves our understanding of the mechanistic behavior of solvent assisted recovery processes and modelling approaches at the pore scale.