bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Executing Brownfield Projects
Authors: Visser Folkert , Brouwer Rob
Published: February 2015

Brownfield projects are significantly different from greenfield projects due to the fact these have to be executed in an environment with existing facilities and ongoing operations. This imposes a number of challenges and constraints on the projects that often results in significant cost overruns and schedule delays if not adequately addressed. The challenge already starts in the early assess and select phase of a project, in agreeing and defining the scope. Although the project team's focus is on execution the "main" scope (e.g. capacity expansion), the drive in the operations and maintenance team is on addressing integrity and obsolescence issues and/or addressing changes that are driven by new facilities standards. The resulting scope creep may affect the economics of the "main" scope and give rise to a recycle of the concept select. In the define phase significant scope and thus cost increases can be expected due to inappropriate scoping and costing practices in the earlier phases that are based on greenfield concepts. In the execution phase brownfield projects are often affected by a lack of definition resulting in scope growth, low efficiencies of the brownfield work due to permit, bedding limitations or simply poor access to the facilities. All these issues have been identified and are being addressed in RDS projects in a pro-active manner through the Center of Excellence for Brownfield Projects so as to make step change in project performance.
Designing a High Resolution Chemical Surveillance Network in a Deepwater Field Off NW Borneo, East Malaysia
Authors: Armstrong Aleks , Hayon Serge , Crowder Scott , Buma Nathanael , Bohari Nur Hidayah , Hayes Tony , Faevelen Erlend , Ataei Abdolrahim
Published: February 2015

Due to the relative infancy of chemical tracer surveillance, field applications to date have focused on either pilot wells within a sector of the field or at a well or interval level, providing limited qualitative resolution of production performance. The Siakap North - Petai field is intended to be the first field developed employing full chemical tracer coverage across each producing well. This has been made possible through the co-ordinated efforts between service providers and the operator. A total of 40 oil marking and 40 water marking tracers, will be installed in 8 production wells, with resolution varying from 3 Screen joints per (Oil + Water) tracer up to 1 screen joint per (Oil + Water) tracer, depending upon the lithology and therefore level of feedback deemed necessary to help profile production performance within the well.

Siakap North - Petai field will be a deepwater subsea tieback to the existing Kikeh FPSO approximately 15km away. Phase 1 development will comprise 8 production and 5 injection wells. As a result, conventional intervention and surveillance techniques will be cost prohibitive. Each production well will commingle oil from two reservoir intervals with differing lithologies (a mixture of laminated thin-beds and amalgamated thick bedded sections). A means of determining flow contribution along the completed interval will help characterise the complex architecture of the field, aid in reservoir management and identify future infill or workover opportunities.

This paper will focus on the system design, quality control and application of the chemical tracer network from conception through to field installation. A follow-up paper focusing on sampling and production based observations will be published at a later date, once sufficient production data has been gathered.
The Importance of Elemental Sulphur, Mercury and Condensate Identification in Sour Gas Field Development Project: Case Study
Authors: Nengkoda Ardian , Awwami Mofeed , Cai Xiaolong , Mufleh Jamal , Harbi Bader , Haas Michael , Jarri Abdulrahman , Marriott Robert , Bernard Francis , Clark Peter , Qureshi Ahmed
Published: February 2015

The elemental sulfur deposition is a potential risk in gas field production especially during offshore gas early development stage since it is related to economical issues. Later on, when elemental sulphur finally deposited, it is a serious concern during production as it can result in various significant flow assurance, safety, operational, corrosion and integrity problems. Sulphur solubility in gas wells can be affected by a number of conditions including, but not necessary limited to their origins, gas composition, pressure, temperature and the amount of condensate present. These include elemental mercury, ammonia, carbon sulphides and mercaptans. It is noticed that sulphur is not only physically soluble in gas or condensate but also can be chemically bonded to H2S. The paper objective is to explain a novel work flow of elemental sulphur, mercury and condensate identification, bottom hole sampling process, solubility curves prediction and treatment mitigation during initial gas field development project as a case study especially during facilities concept development. The sets of correlation process are applied as screening to predict elemental sulfur deposition risk. The physical solubility of sulphur in a natural gas increases with the pressure and the density of the gas phase but is limited by spatial interactions between molecules. However, it decreases with the temperature because low energy interactions are broken by thermal agitation. In offshore environment particularly, the physically dissolved sulphur in a natural gas is sensitive in responds to changes in pressure and temperature; its precipitation will occur as soon as saturation conditions are reached along the production pathway from wells to onshore receiving facilities. As summary, the elemental sulphur deposition for lean (< 1% C2+), sour gas containing H2S is viable and has higher risks compared to similar sour gas with condensate field, while the elemental sulphur and mercury cannot co-exist in the reservoir and in the same time, anhydrites must be present in the formation for elemental sulphur to be present.
Integrated Formation Evaluation in Laminated Reservoirs
Authors: Trebolle Ramiro , Okamoto Maruro , Chong Emeline , Haddad Sammy , Dashti Rouhollah , Chouya Smail , Wa Wee Wei
Published: February 2015

Laminated formations especially in muddyenvironment during deposition time are known to be very challenging in terms ofreservoir characterization and evaluation. Alternation of thin sand and mudlayers in these types of rocks imposes natural anisotropy in the distribution ofreservoir properties like porosity and permeability. This anisotropy has beenproved to be a major control on fluid flow within the reservoir which is ofparamount importance to understand and consider in reservoir developmentplanning. The aim of this work is to integrate geological information derivedfrom borehole images into interval pressure transient test (IPTT)interpretation to analyze and explain the complex flow behavior due to thecombination of formation dipping and thin laminations.A wireline formation tester dual packer module wasutilized in two offshore exploration wells to conduct an IPTT/miniDST indifferent formations including laminated muddy and sandy heterolithic formations. Several build up tests were performed to obtain valid reservoir pressure andpermeability values. A good consistency was observed in the log-log diagnosticplot from these build up tests and the pressure derivative behavior suggestsmultiple possible reservoir scenarios in this complicated geological setting. Adetailed study on borehole images and 3D near-wellbore geological modelrevealed the effects of slanted wellbore, laminated formation, highly orientedand dipping beds on the travel of pressure transient away from wellbore. Withthis geological information, a most representative reservoir model was able tobe constructed to match the IPTT data to acquire the required reservoirparameters. This paper highlights the main challenges offormation characterization in laminated muddy and sandy heterolithicformations. Special emphasis was given to resolve significant problems encounteredin pressure transient test interpretation in highly deviated wells. Slantedwellbore sections are typical in Malaysia's offshore fields as the wells aredrilled from offshore platform to intercept the formation at different angles, hence the pay zone and other petrophysical parameters are usuallyunderestimated. Attempts are made to identify and classify these challenges, and recommendations are provided toward better resolution duringinterpretation.
Cleaned Out a Mile of Formation Sands in a Highly Deviated Wellbore with a New Coiled Tubing Real Time Downhole Measurement System
Authors: Rahimov Khalid , Smith Simon
Published: February 2015

Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli basin is a large complex of oil fields in the Azerbaijan sector of Caspian Sea. Hydrocarbon deposits in ACG are mostly located in Sandstone reservoir thus formation sand invasion into the well encountered throughout the world at this type of the formation, is common issues experienced in the field. A-09Z oil producer well finished with open hole screen completion had screen failure issue which resulted large amount of sand filling up the wellbore. The operator requested to clean the sand out of the well along horizontal section and isolate the existing production zone by setting the bridge plug to further perforate an interval above.

This paper describes the use of an integrated sand cleanout system to remove the formation sands out of this challenge well. The well was drilled to near horizontal with a large completion size and long tangential section around 60°. A hydraulically actuated, switchable circulation sub was used with a real time downhole measurement system. While running into the well, forward jets of the sub help break down debris. While pulling out of the well, the tool is switched to a low resistance, backward jetting mode, which sweeps debris more efficiently using higher flow rates. The real time downhole measurement with a robust conductor inside CT is used to verify the switchable circulation sub to be operated correctly. A sand monitor was used in the surface return line to continuously monitor the returned sand flux. The integrated cleanout system helps reduce the overall operation costs by making the job more efficient in terms of equipment usage and operation time.
Flexible Sandwich Cryogenic Pipeline
Authors: Albarody Thar M. Badri , Bt Mustaffa Zahiraniza
Published: February 2015

A Flexible Lightweight Composite Pipe Design for High-Tension Installation by S-Laying

1. Significance of Subject Matter

The present research proposes generally a noncorrosive, high-tension and flexible composite pipe and the design formulations of such a pipe. The pipe is comprising an internal thermoplastic liner play as a fluid-tight internal cover, one or more helical wounding layers applied to the internal liner for absorbing pressure loads, and one or more additional helical wounding layers applied for absorbing axial and bending loads. All the layers are manufactured from a lightweight composite material consisting of epoxied matrix reinforced by long continuous fibers.

2. Application

The pipe is design to fit the S-laying installation to be used in particular, although not exclusive, as utility in offshore (e.g., continental shelf) or onshore for the transportation of petroleum oil and gas or other fluids.

3. Description of Material/Methodology

Although composite pipes have a high axial and bending stiffness and are constructed with a solid pipe wall which withstand all design loads, pipes of composite materials are not yet used for offshore applications, but are under development. However, these pipes are based on bonded composite technology, which results in a pipe which has high strength, but also high stiffness. Therefore, a theoretical model based on laminated composite shell theories involving a mathematical treatment for laminations scheme will draw. As well as, an optimizations study on these schemes will introduce.

4. Results, Observations and Conclusions

In this paper, the proposed model shall use to examine the reliability of offshore flexible pipeline. Several types of composite materials and scheme will examine to fit the operational aspects of the proposed pipe. Results would optimize toward having best design parameter such as wall and lamina thickness, laminations scheme, and fiber orientation.
Requalification of Offshore Jacket Structures in Malaysian Waters
Authors: Ayob M.S. , Mukherjee K. , Kajuputra A.E. , Wong B.S. , Salleh F.M.
Published: February 2015

Currently there are more than 200 existing offshore structures in Malaysian waters. These structures were designed for life of 25 years however majority of these structures had exceeded this design life. Throughout the operating life these structures had been subjected to modification/extension of structural serviceability to accommodate additional weight and damage associated with South China Sea tropical storms & seasonal monsoons and deteriorations of the structure materials due to aging. This had pointed that some of these structures may not meet today requirements for integrity & reliability.

In order to ensure the safety of these structures are continuously intact there is a need for reassessment on the ability of these older structures to perform original function and accommodate new requirement as per corporate expectation. A sophisticated and rational requalification procedure has been established to ensure the safety is maintained for life extension.

The present paper will focus on the established reassessment procedures incorporating the Structural Integrity Management (SIM) processes. The issues with regards to acceptance criteria will be elaborated and methods in performing the assessment activities are addressed in stepwise manner. The paper will also highlight several issues inherited in the adopted processes and provide some new developments to support the process in addressing the constraint faced.

The adoption of the established approach has enabled the requalification of these existing structures satisfies structural integrity compliance and has resulted in: No costly strengthening, No costly underwater inspection, No de-rating of facility, No prevention of further/future upgrading, Extension of Platform life for continuous production/operation.
Minimising the Uncertainty in Laminated Shaly Sand Evaluation Using MCI-NMR-OMRI Technologies: A Case Study in Offshore Terengganu, Malay Basin
Authors: Kyi Ko Ko , Jin Wang Arthur Goh , Quirein John , Najm Ehab , Roy Dipanka , Lee Chung Yee
Published: February 2015

Micro and macroscopic-anisotropic reservoir characterization has, recently, been performed using two main approaches:applying the Thomas-Stieber technique on uniaxial resistivity orapplying the tensor model technique using multicomponent induction measurements.

The output from either technique is the sand resistivity, RSand, and sand volume, VSand, with accurate water saturation, Sw, as a result of overcoming the effect of laminated shale on the resistivity measurement, which eventually will translate into enhanced hydrocarbon recovery and optimized reservoir development. Some of the key challenges in both techniques are the proper understanding of the total porosity and volume and the distribution of shale in the reservoir in terms of laminated and dispersed forms, which, if in error, will drastically increase the uncertainty of processing results. Additionally, the dependence of fluid density on the saturation and the dependence of the saturation and cementation exponents, m and n, on the total porosity, as well as the silty nature of the sand, all contribute to the complexity. Oil mud resistivity imager and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logs, as well as elemental analysis (if available), were used to confirm the lamination nature of the shale in the reservoir, minimizing uncertainty on total porosity estimation and clay bound water (CBW) calculation. They were also used to help account for the presence of silt-sized sand. This paper provides a complete rock model and a comprehensive workflow that takes into account all of the necessary stages required to estimate water saturation in a thinly bedded sand-shale sequence, where both laminated and dispersed shale types can exist. Also, the paper presents a simple sensitivity analysis performed to understand the uncertainty on the processing parameters and estimated volumetrics on the results when using different techniques compared to the proposed technique in this study. Data used in this paper are from a well drilled in the Malay basin, offshore Malaysia.
Innovative Repair Solutions for Pipeline and Riser
Authors: BinMohd Ali Napiah Mohd Nazmi , Ling Koi Swee
Published: February 2015

PETRONAS is currently operating more than 10,000 km of offshore and onshore pipeline system. More than 60% of the pipelines are ageing as they have been operated for more than 25 years and require integrity assessment and life extension to sustain the future design life as well to accommodate increase in oil and gas production.

The life extension will require repair and rehabilitation as one of the important activities in order to sustain the extended service life and to meet the regulatory requirements.

PETRONAS has developed an innovative composite repair solution for repairing and rehabilitating offshore and onshore pipeline, riser and piping. It is a permanent repair solution for external / internal corrosion damages, strengthening of the pipe, and can be applied in both wet and dry condition. The composite is designed, tested and qualified in accordance with ISO 24817 standard recommended practice.

This paper will describe the application of the composite repair solution that successfully prevented opportunity loss and sustaining the technical integrity of the facility.

In specific, it will discuss on a number of case studies of repairing riser, pipeline and piping designed to ASME B31.4, B31.8 and B31.3 codes respectively.
Hollow Glass Microspheres: An Option for Dual Gradient Drilling and Deep Ocean Mining Lift
Authors: Halkyard John , Anderson Michael Rai , Maurer William C.
Published: February 2015

The use of Hollow Glass Spheres (HGS) to create a low density fluid has been studied previously for application to under pressure drilling and dual gradient drilling (DGD). Recent interest in DGD has focused on using submersible pumps to return drilling fluid and cuttings to the surface. The use of a lighter fluid in the riser has not been pursued because of a perceived complexity in the system and inability to maintain stability. The author's company is currently studying the use of an HGS slurry as an alternative to airlift or submerged pumps for ocean mining. Analysis of the ocean mining application shows that the power requirements and costs of the HGS lift system are comparable to submerged pumps. The big advantage is the lack of any subsea mechanical or electrical equipment. The technical challenge is the separation and recovery of all of the HGS for reinjection. If there is any appreciable attrition the replacement costs could render this concept to be uneconomic. Current work is focused on the separation and recovery of the spheres. This paper will review briefly the previous work performed on the DGD application and current work on ocean mining and how it might bear on the DGD application as well. The paper will discuss recent developments in extra low density high strength glass spheres, specific gravities approaching 0.2, and how they might be applied in either the drilling or mining applications.
Offshore Installation of Technology of Puteri Heated Pipe-in-Pipe System in Malaysia
Authors: Dhillon Ir. Ragbir S.
Published: February 2015

The Puteri Field located in Block PM318, Offshore Terengganu Peninsular Malaysia in 60 meter water depth, is jointly owned between Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) and Newfield Peninsular Malaysia Inc (NEWFIELD) through Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd (PCSB). Puteri has been developed with a small unmanned platform with minimum production facility. Two (2) existing pipeline (s) of which 13.5km × 8" Full Well Stream (FWS) pipeline to the existing Bunga Kertas FPSO & 8" Gas Lift (GL) pipeline from FPSO to Puteri were installed by others in 2009. Managing wax deposition in sub-sea crude oil flow lines comprises a significant operating risk and capital expense for national oil companies. The Puteri Crude has high cloud point & part point temperature with significant flow assurance issues. A pro long shut down of the Existing Puteri FWS Flowline System during 2009, resulted in a large wax plug in the pipeline. The pipeline had to be abandoned. A pipeline replacement program was developed by Newfield Design Consultant Houstan USA and a Pipe-In-Pipe Flowline System was installed. This technical paper will address the state of art installation technique developed to installed the two (2) 8" pipeline inside a 12.75" ø outer pipeline, with a 4" pipe, a hot medium return line is installed via piggyback method with spacer blocks into the PIP System during S-lay by using derrick pipe lay barge Enterprise 3. The paper will address installation methods developed with welding techniques to successfully lay these 3 pipelines in one (1) S-lay configuration in a helical configuration offshore Malaysia, in May 2011; being the first PIP System installation in Asia.
Novel Approach to Measuring Irreducible Water Salinity in Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Bourdet Julien , Kempton Richard
Published: February 2015

A volume fraction of pores in gas reservoir is occupied by water at irreducible saturation. This volume fraction can be challenging to calculate and it impacts on the reserve calculation and the flow rate of production. Water at irreducible saturation does not flow during fluid sampling and therefore cannot be investigated. Interpretation of wireline logs such as electrical resistivity or spontaneous potential measurements are classicly used to derive water saturation but requires knowledge of the salinity of the irreducible water. Salinity of the aquifer below the gas-water contact may be used however, samples are frequently contaminated and errors may be introduced if the salinity evolved since gas emplacement. Drainage capillary pressure measurements on core plugs provide can provide water saturation data, however core samples may be inappropriate or the measurements unreliable.

To provide additional constraints on salinity, we propose an alternative new laboratory technique using laser Raman that directly measures the salinity of irreducible water trapped in mineral microcavities known as fluid inclusions. The liquid water spectrum is strongly influenced by dissolved anions (Cl− being the most dominant) and quantification of this overcomes limitations of metastability when using conventional microthermometric techniques. To be robust, the water measured must contain dissolved methane at a concentration in equilibrium with free gas.

Through a simple example using a sample from a gas reservoir in Australia, we demonstrate the viability of the technique by presenting a methodology that leads to derivation of a salinity value, methane concentration and a pressure-temperature constraint of entrapment.
Spinal injury resulting from car accident: Focus to prevention
Authors: Fakharian Esmaeil , Mohammadzadeh Mahdi , Saberi Hamid , Fazel Mohammad , Rejali Mohsen , Akbari Hossein , Mirzadeh Azadeh , Mohammadzadeh Javad
Published: February 2015

Aim: To determine and compare the patterns of spinal injury in car occupants. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study enrolling all patients with spinal fracture after car accidents, who were admitted to hospital more than 24 h during 2004–2009. Results: The lumbosacral spine was the most commonly involved region (64.8). Six patients had spinal cord injury (6.6%). The majority of the victims were drivers of the vehicle (86.8%) and remaining were passengers. There was a significant difference in lumbar anatomic region (P = 0.05) and place of accident (P = 0.05) in car occupants' position (P = 0.05). Car rollover was the most common mechanism of spinal fractures. There was a significant difference in lumbar anatomic region (P = 0.05), and two or more associated organ injuries (P ≤ 0.05) in car accident mechanism (P = 0.05). Conclusion: The chance of sustaining serious spine and associated multiple injuries in car accidents is quite high in our today's society. This may be due to the low level of standards for car manufacturing, absence or inadequacy of appropriate safety measures in cars, and poorly designed roads and problems in quality of driving to mention some reasons. Therefore, these victims are prone to significant morbidity and even mortality and need more specific prehospital supportive interventions.
Development of Interpretable Predictive Models for BPH and Prostate Cancer
Authors: Bermejo Pablo , Vivo Alicia , Tárraga Pedro J. , Rodríguez-Montes J. A.
Published: February 2015

Background

Traditional methods for deciding whether to recommend a patient for a prostate biopsy are based on cut-off levels of stand-alone markers such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or any of its derivatives. However, in the last decade we have seen the increasing use of predictive models that combine, in a non-linear manner, several predictives that are better able to predict prostate cancer (PC), but these fail to help the clinician to distinguish between PC and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) patients. We construct two new models that are capable of predicting both PC and BPH.

Methods

An observational study was performed on 150 patients with PSA ≥3 ng/mL and age >50 years. We built a decision tree and a logistic regression model, validated with the leave-one-out methodology, in order to predict PC or BPH, or reject both.

Results

Statistical dependence with PC and BPH was found for prostate volume ( P-value < 0.001), PSA ( P-value < 0.001), international prostate symptom score (IPSS; P-value < 0.001), digital rectal examination (DRE; P-value < 0.001), age ( P-value < 0.002), antecedents ( P-value < 0.006), and meat consumption ( P-value < 0.08). The two predictive models that were constructed selected a subset of these, namely, volume, PSA, DRE, and IPSS, obtaining an area under the ROC curve (AUC) between 72% and 80% for both PC and BPH prediction.

Conclusion

PSA and volume together help to build predictive models that accurately distinguish among PC, BPH, and patients without any of these pathologies. Our decision tree and logistic regression models outperform the AUC obtained in the compared studies. Using these models as decision support, the number of unnecessary biopsies might be significantly reduced.
Pedagogy Rules: Open Mindset in Adopting Fit-for-Purpose Educational Tools in Teaching Dispersed Medical Students
Authors: Maley Moira A.L. , Wright Helen M. , Moore Sarah J. , Auret Kirsten A.
Published: February 2015

Students in the Rural Clinical School of Western Australia (RCSWA) spend one year of clinical study learning in small groups while embedded in rural or remote communities. This aims to increase the locally trained rural medical workforce. Their learning environment, the clinical context of their learning, and their rural doctor-teachers all contrast with the more traditional learning setting in city hospitals. The RCSWA has succeeded in its outcomes for students and in rural medical workforce impact; it has grown from 4 pilot sites to 14 in 12 years. This reflective piece assimilates observations of the formation of the RCSWA pedagogy and of the strategic alignment of education technologies with learning environment and pedagogy over a seven-year period. Internal and external influences, driving change in the RCSWA, were considered from three observer perspectives in a naturalistic setting. Flexibility in both education technologies and organizational governance enabled education management to actively follow pedagogy. Peter Senge's learning organization (LO) theory was overlaid on the strategies for change response in the RCSWA; these aligned with those of known LOs as well with LO disciplines and the archetypal systems thinking. We contend that the successful RCSWA paradigm is that of an LO.
Promotion of Wellness and Mental Health Awareness Among Physicians in Training: Perspective of a National, Multispecialty Panel of Residents and Fellows
Authors: Daskivich Timothy J. , Jardine Dinchen A. , Tseng Jennifer , Correa Ricardo , Stagg Brian C. , Jacob Kristin M. , Harwood Jared L.
Published: February 2015

Background

Physicians in training are at high risk for depression, and physicians in practice have a substantially elevated risk of suicide compared to the general population. The graduate medical education community is currently mobilizing efforts to improve resident wellness.

Objective

We sought to provide a trainee perspective on current resources to support resident wellness and resources that need to be developed to ensure an optimal learning environment.

Methods

The ACGME Council of Review Committee Residents, a 29-member multispecialty group of residents and fellows, conducted an appreciative inquiry exercise to (1) identify existing resources to address resident wellness; (2) envision the ideal learning environment to promote wellness; and (3) determine how the existing infrastructure could be modified to approach the ideal. The information was aggregated to identify consensus themes from group discussion.

Results

National policy on resident wellness should (1) increase awareness of the stress of residency and destigmatize depression in trainees; (2) develop systems to identify and treat depression in trainees in a confidential way to reduce barriers to accessing help; (3) enhance mentoring by senior peers and faculty; (4) promote a supportive culture; and (5) encourage additional study of the problem to deepen our understanding of the issue.

Conclusions

A multispecialty, national panel of trainees identified actionable goals to broaden efforts in programs and sponsoring institutions to promote resident wellness and mental health awareness. Engagement of all stakeholders within the graduate medical education community will be critical to developing a comprehensive solution to this important issue.
The post-2015 Global Agenda – a role for local government
Authors: Slack Lucy
Published: February 2015

As the period of implementation for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) draws to a close, the global community is actively debating what should replace them. Local government is working hard to ensure that the post-2015 global development agenda reflects the important role of local government in implementing the new targets. It is a unique opportunity for local government to make its voice heard, to promote the importance of localisation of the new targets, and to position local government as a key partner in the implementation of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Social Accountability for Local Government in Ghana
Authors: King Rudith , Owusu Amponsah , Braimah Imoro
Published: February 2015

Social accountability is considered as one strategy of deepening Ghana’s decentralised development administration. Some attempts have been made to empower local people to demand transparency and accountability from the local government system as required by law. The purpose of this paper was to assess the effectiveness of these attempts in 14 Metropolitan and Municipal Assembles. The data for the analyses were sought through key informant interviews with core Assembly staff, and focus group discussions with selected Assembly Members. The analyses revealed that the legal provisions made room for social accountability but the weak capacity of Assembly Members in terms of resources, the understanding of legislative provisions, and the acceptability of the concept challenged its implementation. It is thus recommended that service provision in local communities should have capacity-building components that promote social accountability.
Constraints on property rating in the Offinso South Municipality of Ghana
Authors: Boamah Nicholas Addai
Published: February 2015

The potential of property rate has been least tapped by decentralized governments in Ghana. This paper investigates the property rating system in Ghana through a case study of Offinso South Municipality (OSM). Questionnaires were used to gather empirical data from property owners in the municipality. The paper finds that there is inadequate property tax administration system and high public disdain for the property tax in OSM, with a significant association between compliance with the property tax and land use regulations in OSM. The paper suggests that the Offinso South Municipal Assembly (OSMA) should improve its land use planning system to facilitate voluntary compliance with the property tax. OSMA should also address accountability and transparency problems in the property tax system in order to increase public confidence in the tax regime. The OSMA should also improve on the property tax collection modes by computerising the billing and collection processes.
Panchayati Raj and Dalits in India: a post 73rd amendment scenario
Authors: Balaboina Sudarshan
Published: February 2015

This paper is a scholastic enquiry on the politics of the marginalised, with special reference to Panchayati Raj institutions in the milieu of the Post 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act in India. It is a product of my theoretical reading and field based observations in the process of pursuing PhD in Political science the area of Dalit participation in Panchayati Raj institutions.
Representative Democracy in Australian Local Government
Authors: Hearfield Colin , Dollery Brian
Published: February 2015

In an assessment of representative democracy in Australian local government, this paper considers long-run changes in forms of political representation, methods of vote counting, franchise arrangements, numbers of local government bodies and elected representatives, as well as the thorny question of constitutional recognition. This discussion is set against the background of ongoing tensions between the drive for economic efficiency and the maintenance of political legitimacy, along with more deep-seated divisions emerging from the legal relationship between local and state governments and the resultant problems inherent in local government autonomy versus state intervention.
Indicators of Community Cohesion in an Australian Country Town
Authors: Holdsworth Louise , Hartman Yvonne
Published: February 2015

While the notion that communities require resources in the form of financial capital for their development and wellbeing has long been recognised, it has become increasingly apparent that economic resources alone do not lead to community sustainability and wellbeing. The building and supporting of strong, safe, socially cohesive communities that embrace social connections and commitment, has become an important goal of policy and initiatives at all levels of government. The aims of this study were to identify a common understanding of the concept of ‘community cohesion’, and to develop a set of indicators based on both the experiences of residents in a rural community and the relevant contemporary academic literature. Because community cohesion is an intangible concept subject to multiple meanings, qualitative research methods were used. We identified four main themes which could be translated into the key indicators. The most significant finding is that neighbourliness was identified by participants as the key aspect of community cohesion. Yet, whilst it is central, this does not mean excessive familiarity or the taking of liberties. Indeed, part of neighbourliness involves respecting each other’s boundaries and respect for diversity.
Sustainable Cities: Canadian Reality or Urban Myth?
Authors: Stoney Christopher , Hilton Robert
Published: February 2015

Although it is now over two decades since the Brundtland Commission report (1987) put sustainable development on the political map, concern continues in Canada that the federal government is failing to adequately implement its own commitments to tackling the ecological challenges posed by rapid urban expansion. Our analysis identifies a number of road blocks, missed opportunities and mistakes that have limited progress and many of these are traced back to the failure of national government to empower local municipal governments, as advocated by Brundtland and subsequent international initiatives, in particular ‘Agenda 21’ which we revisit in some detail as a basis for analysis. As well as reviewing the federal government’s role in Canada, the paper explores the potential for more sustainable urban growth in the context of broader reforms.
Modernising Local Government by Fragmentation: Lessons From The Portmore Municipal Experiment - Jamaica
Authors: Schoburgh Eris D.
Published: February 2015

Modernization of local government leads inevitably to the vexed question of how to structure local government to meet the changed circumstances in which it operates. This acknowledgement is no less so for the Caribbean in general and Jamaica in particular, where forces such as increased suburbanization and higher level of citizen demands on local government have prompted policy to respond to the changing world of local government. The recalibration of local government structure serves key objectives – to achieve economies of scale; to assure organisational viability and to reinvigorate local democracy. The Portmore Municipal Council (PMC) in Jamaica, enacted by the Municipalities Act of 2003 is representative of fragmentation of local government and innovates local policy and administration in two ways: (a) popular election of Mayor; and (b) construction of local/community self-management institutional arrangements. This paper reviews the experience of the PMC during its formative years of operation to determine the extent to which the philosophy and practice of local/community self-management norms are being institutionalised into the operations of the municipality and identify lessons for the broader adoption of a process of municipalisation.
The Political-administrative interface in South African municipalities: Assessing the quality of local democracies
Authors: De Visser Jaap
Published: February 2015

South African municipalities experience serious challenges in dealing wit the interface between politicians and officials. Inappropriate political interference in administrative matters as well as strained relations between key political and administrative officials in the municipalities appear to be the order of the day. Oftentimes, the lack of a separation of powers between legislative and executive authority at local government level is blamed for this. This contribution has attempted to draw the attention away from the conflation of legislative and executive authority in the municipal council while still recognising it as an important background. It is suggested that, instead of spending energy on examining a possible separation of powers in local government, the relevant stakeholders (i.e. national lawmakers, municipalities and supervising provinces) should consider smaller institutional changes to the governance makeup of municipalities. Even more importantly, the political and administrative leadership of municipalities and political structures that surround them should be acutely aware of the consequences that inappropriate political leadership has on the functioning of municipalities and therefore on service delivery.
An assessment of rate-pegging in New South Wales local government
Authors: Dollery Brian , Wijeweera Albert
Published: February 2015

Rate-pegging has been in place in NSW for more than thirty years with broad support from all sides of politics. However, in late 2008 the NSW Government commissioned IPART to report on the adequacy of rate-pegging. IPART produced a Draft Report and then a Final Report, which has not yet been released by the NSW Government. Nevertheless, the NSW Government has made some changes to local government finance by way of capping developer charges, allowing IPART to make annual rate-pegging determinations, and enabling IPART to consider special variations in rate-pegging. Against this background, this paper considers the principles and practice of rate-pegging in NSW, the rationale for rate-pegging and counter-arguments on its desirability, as well as its economic effects on NSW local government finance relative to other Australian local government jurisdictions.
Decentralisation, Participation and Boundaries of Transformation: Forest Rights Act, Wayanad, India
Authors: Chemmencheri Sudheesh R.
Published: February 2015

Participation and decentralisation have been shown to yield democratic outcomes in terms of efficiency, accountability and transparency through citizen engagement and devolution of powers. It has been a matter of debate whether they also benefit marginalised communities like the indigenous peoples. This paper analyzes the implications of decentralised governance in a tribal zone in India using the case of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 − the Forest Rights Act. The effects of the Act are studied in the district of Wayanad, Kerala, through the theoretical framework of transformative decentralisation and spatial politics of participation. The key objectives of the Act − securing tenure and access to Minor Forest Produce − have achieved limited success in Wayanad as a result of a narrowly construed ideas of people’s participation. While the process prescribed by the Forest Rights Act has the potential to create new spaces for participation, most of these spaces remain closed in Wayanad. The absence of a larger vision and a radical motive to engage with the underlying patterns of domination and subordination in society has confined the process of decentralisation to its technocratic essentials, raising questions on the extent to which the Act can pave the way for transformation.
Role of the Land Valuation Division in Property Rating by District Assemblies in Ghana's Upper East Region
Authors: Petio Maxwell Kwotua
Published: February 2015

District Assemblies in Ghana are charged with the responsibility of developing their areas of jurisdiction mainly through internally mobilised revenue. As a consequence, the assemblies are empowered by various pieces of legislation to impose local taxes within their jurisdiction. The local taxes include property rates which are a form of tax that only the District Assemblies may levy. The study therefore looked at the levying of property rates in the Upper East Region and assessed the role and institutional capacity of the Land Valuation Division of the Lands Commission in the tax administration. Findings included limited coverage of the tax, use of flat rates due to absence of up-to-date property values, inadequate technical personnel and logistics for the Land Valuation Division (LVD) and lack of political will to levy the rates fully. Relevant suggestions are made, such as the need to introduce mass valuation, widen the tax coverage, establish a fund for revaluation and revive the Valuation Training School, as well as provide requisite logistics for efficient performance of the LVD.
Constitutional Democracy and Caretaker Committee in Nigeria Local Government System: An Assessment
Authors: Okafor Jude C , Orjinta Ikechukwu H
Published: February 2015

The 1976 Local Government Reform among other landmark changes unified the local government system in Nigeria, and the 1979 constitution made local governments the third tier of government and provided for a system of local government by democratically elected councils. More recently, elected local government councils have been dissolved and replaced with Transition Committees or Caretaker Committees appointed by the Governors’ of their respective states. This paper therefore, examines the impact of the caretaker committees in Nigerian Local Government on the practice of constitutional democracy. The discussion is framed by the theoretical perspectives and Nigerian literature on local government and constitutional democracy, and by the recent phenomenal wave of dissolving elected local government councils and subsequent replacement with caretaker committees. Contrary to popular belief, that local government as the third tier of government has failed to achieve the objective for which it was created, this paper observes that party politics has been the bane of Nigerian local government since its inception, and that democratically elected local councils with political and financial autonomy are the major conditions for an effective and efficient multi-purpose local government system in Nigeria.
Time-dependent freezing rate parcel model
Authors: Vali G. , Snider J. R.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. The time-dependent freezing rate (TDFR) model here described represents the formation of ice particles by immersion freezing within an air parcel. The air parcel trajectory follows an adiabatic ascent and includes a period in time when the parcel remains stationary at the top of its ascent. The description of the ice nucleating particles (INPs) in the air parcel is taken from laboratory experiments with cloud and precipitation samples and is assumed to represent the INP content of the cloud droplets in the parcel. Time dependence is included to account for variations in updraft velocity and for the continued formation of ice particles under isothermal conditions. The magnitudes of these factors are assessed on the basis of laboratory measurements. Results show that both factors give rise to three-fold variations in ice concentration for a realistic range of the input parameters. Refinements of the parameters specifying time dependence and INP concentrations are needed to make the results more specific to different atmospheric aerosol types. The simple model framework described in this paper can be adapted to more elaborate cloud models. The results here presented can help guide decisions on whether to include a time-dependent ice nucleation scheme or a simpler singular description in models.
Partitioning and budget of inorganic and organic chlorine species observed by MIPAS-B and TELIS in the Arctic in March 2011
Authors: Wetzel G. , Oelhaf H. , Birk M. , de Lange A. , Engel A. , Friedl-Vallon F. , Kirner O. , Kleinert A. , Maucher G. , Nordmeyer H. , Orphal J. , Ruhnke R. , Sinnhuber B.-M. , Vogt P.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. The Arctic winter 2010/11 was characterized by a persisting vortex with extremely cold temperatures in the lower stratosphere above northern Scandinavia leading to a strong activation of chlorine compounds (ClOx) like Cl, Cl2, ClO, ClOOCl, OClO, and HOCl which rapidly destroyed ozone when sunlight returned after winter solstice. MIPAS (Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding) and TELIS (Terahertz and submillimeter Limb Sounder) balloon measurements obtained in northern Sweden on 31 March 2011 inside the polar vortex have provided vertical profiles of inorganic and organic chlorine species as well as diurnal variations of ClO around sunrise over the whole altitude range in which chlorine is undergoing activation and deactivation. This flight was performed at the end of the winter during the last phase of ClOx deactivation. The complete inorganic and organic chlorine partitioning and budget in the stratosphere has been derived by combining MIPAS-B and TELIS simultaneously observed molecules. A total chlorine amount of 3.41 ± 0.30 ppbv is inferred from the measurements. This value is in line with previously carried out stratospheric observations confirming the slightly decreasing chlorine trend in the stratosphere. Observations are compared and discussed with the output of a multi-year simulation performed with the Chemistry Climate Model EMAC (ECHAM5/MESSy Atmospheric Chemistry). The simulated stratospheric total chlorine amount is in accordance with the MIPAS-B/TELIS observation taking into account the fact that some chlorine source gases and very short lived species are not included in the model.