bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O preparo bioético na graduação de Fisioterapia
Authors: Alves Fernanda Degilio , Bigongiari Aline , Mochizuki Luis , Hossne William Saad , Almeida Marcos de
Published: May 2012

O desenvolvimento da Fisioterapia, aliado às mudanças na educação e na saúde, faz com que a autonomia e os dilemas éticos do fisioterapeuta sejam maiores a cada dia, expandindo seu papel no cuidado do paciente. Para além do Código de Ética, as noções de Bioética são centrais no preparo de graduandos para os desafios profissionais. Este estudo verificou a capacidade de tomar decisões éticas de alunos no último ano de Fisioterapia de duas universidades na cidade de São Paulo, das quais uma oferece no currículo a disciplina Bioética e a outra não. Cinqüenta alunos de cada universidade responderam a um questionário sobre dilemas éticos correspondentes a artigos do Código de Ética; cada questão oferecia três alternativas de resposta: uma bioética, outra referente ao Código e uma não-ética. As respostas foram analisadas estatisticamente. Os resultados mostraram um bom preparo ético em pouco mais de metade dos alunos das duas universidades, sugerindo que ambas oferecem preparo ético similar aos graduandos, independente da diferença curricular. No entanto, os alunos da universidade que oferece Bioética tiveram resultados significantemente melhores nos quesitos referentes à relação com outros profissionais da saúde, sugerindo que essa disciplina oferece melhores condições para o relacionamento interprofissional, fator importante tanto na prática clínica quanto para elevar o status da Fisioterapia.
Delivery of Transforming Growth Factor-β3 Plasmid in a Collagen Gel Inhibits Cranial Suture Fusion in Rats
Authors: Premaraj Sundaralingam , Moursi Amr M.
Published: May 2012

Objective

Studies described in this paper were designed to test the hypothesis that an increase in nonviral, plasmid-encoded Tgf-β3 production, localized to the rat posterior frontal suture, prevents programmed suture fusion.

Design

We developed a gene delivery system based on a dense collagen gel to deliver nonviral plasmids that encode for Tgf-β3. Studies were performed to test the ability of this system to rescue rat cranial suture fusion in vitro and in vivo. Immunohistochemical studies were conducted to characterize the possible mechanisms by which increased production and presence of Tgf-β3 protein interferes with suture fusion.

Results

Posterior frontal sutures in the Tgf-β3 plasmid–treated group exhibited 77% to 85% less bony bridging than the collagen control and untreated groups after 15 days in culture. In animals treated with Tgf-β3 plasmid or Tgf-β3 protein, there was a significant reduction in suture fusion in the middle region of the posterior frontal sutures when compared with control groups. In this region the Tgf-β3 plasmid–treated group revealed 70% to 75% less bony bridging than control groups in vivo.

Conclusions

Collagen gel can be formulated to provide release of nonviral plasmid DNA that results in cell transfection and elevated Tgf-β3 protein production. Tgf-β3 is an important regulator of suture fusion, and an increase in plasmid-encoded Tgf-β3 protein is effective in inhibiting programmed suture fusion in rats.
Macrurous Decapoda from the Luoping Biota (Middle Triassic) of China
Authors: Feldmann Rodney M. , Schweitzer Carrie E. , Hu Shixue , Zhang Qiyue , Zhou Changyoing , Xie Tao , Huang Jinyuan , Wen Wen
Published: May 2012

A large collection of macrurous decapod crustaceans is recorded from the middle–late Anisian (Middle Triassic) Guanling Formation in Yunnan Province, China. A remarkable assemblage of over 20,000 vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant fossils collectively referred to as the Luoping Biota has been collected from quarries in the vicinity of the city of Luoping. Among these, arthropods including the decapods are the most common element although articulated fish and reptiles are also common. The decapods represent new taxa, includingKoryncheiros luopingensisn. gen. n. sp. within Clytiopsidae, a newly elevated family within Erymoidea;Tridactylastacus sinensisn. gen. n. sp. within Glypheidae; andYunnanopalinura schramin. gen. n. sp. within Palinuridae. A single specimen has been referred to Palinuridae sp.Koryncheiros luopingensisexhibits a unique cheliped architecture and the second through fourth chelipeds are subchelate, an extremely rare configuration.Tridactylastacus sinensisalso exhibits subchelate closures of pereiopods 2–4, but it bears a distinctive subchelate first pereiopod with an intercalated spine between the fingers on the distal margin of the propodus.Yunnanopalinura schramirepresents the oldest occurrence of Palinuridae and Achelata. Collectively, these expand our knowledge of Chinese decapods significantly in that only six species of fossil decapods have been described previously from the country.
Redescription and neotype designation of the Middle Devonian microconchid (Tentaculita) species ‘Spirorbis’AngulatusHall, 1861
Authors: Zatoń Michał , Wilson Mark A. , Vinn Olev
Published: May 2012

The Middle Devonian (Givetian) microconchid tubeworm species known asSpirorbis angulatusHall, 1861 is redescribed here on the basis of a new collection from the Traverse Group of Michigan and Hamilton Group of Ohio and New York, U.S.A. Its general characteristics and ornamentation indicate it belongs to the genusPalaeoconchusVinn, 2006. Because the original specimens on which the species was erected are lost, a neotype is here designated for a specimen from the same area (Erie County, New York) and stratigraphic interval (Hamilton Group, Givetian) as the original specimens described by Hall (1861). The new specimens ofPalaeoconchus angulatus(Hall) show that the species is characterized by a spectrum of morphological variability, possibly ranging from a nearly smooth tube, though weakly ornamented, to one distinctly tuberculated on which thicker nodes and thin spines may occur together. Assemblages of microconchids from particular stratigraphic divisions are characterized by a dominance of small (up to 1.5 mm in diameter, probably juvenile) individuals, while larger individuals (>2 mm) are rare. This suggests that the populations may have experienced occasional mass mortalities. Although substrate (in this case brachiopod shells and rugosan coral thecae) overturning and an increase in sedimentation rate are possible factors, an episodic anoxia/dysoxia of the bottom waters seems likely as it is known that the host dark shales record such occasional oxygen deficiency.
Middle Pennsylvanian rugose corals from the Baird Formation, Klamath Mountains, northwestern California
Authors: Kawamura Toshio , Stevens Calvin H.
Published: May 2012

Four new species of colonial corals, one previously described coral, and two other unidentified species of coral have been recovered from the Baird Formation in the Klamath Mountains of northwestern California. The newly erected species areHeritschioides armstrongin. sp.,Pararachnastraea klamathensisn. sp.,P. watkinsin. sp., andP. kabyaiensisn. sp. These corals are associated with the fusulinidsMillerella marblensisThompson, 1944,ParamillerellaThompson, 1951, andPseudostaffellaThompson, 1942, emend Groves, 1984, suggesting an early Atokan (Bashkirian) age. Both the coral and foraminiferal faunas bear a resemblance to those of similar age in the Brooks Range, Alaska, which could suggest geographic proximity between the two terranes at that time. These corals also represent the earliest known occurrence of the Family Durhamididae.
Bomburodon, a new name for the Paleocene mammal Bomburia Van Valen, 1978
Authors: Williamson Thomas E. , Carr Thomas D.
Published: May 2012

Van Valen (1978) provided the name Bomburia for an early Paleocene mammal (mioclaenid) from New Mexico. Christian F. Kammerer has kindly informed us that the name Bomburia Van Valen, 1978 (December), is the name of an extant hymenopteran, Bomburia Hedqvist, 1978 (July). We propose the new name Bomburodon (type species Ellipsodon priscus Matthew, 1937) as a replacement name for Bomburia. Bomburodon is named for Bombur, a fat dwarf in J. R. R. Tolkien's “The Hobbit” (1937) and “The Fellowship of the Ring” (1954–1955) and odon, tooth (Greek).
Partnership Nursing: Recovering Lost Threads of the Nursing Story
Authors: Potter Teddie M.
Published: May 2012

Nursing has been challenged to claim full partnership with other health care providers. To reach this goal nurse educators must ensure that curriculum and textbooks provide appropriate content on the nature and use of power, how to collaborate, and how to develop partnerships.
Foundations of Interprofessional Communication and Collaboration
Authors: Manthey Marie
Published: May 2012

Communication and collaboration skills are important now among health professionals and are likely to become absolutely vital in the future. Health care team efficiency will be the hallmark of clinical and financial success as care delivery systems continue to evolve. Teaching these skills to beginning health professions students, with reinforcement throughout their education, is an exciting development in academia.
Nurse #65X89: The Emerging Story from an Emancipatory Study of Nursing Practice
Authors: Clark Carey S.
Published: May 2012

This article provides a creative account of contemporary nursing practice challenges by using a unitary appreciative inquiry process to create a metastory. A brief review of the Nurse Manifest Project is followed by the story “Nurse #65X89.” Nurses are encouraged to explore their own emerging stories and to define avenues for action, emancipation, and change for the profession.
Nursing Care Plans versus Concept Maps in the Enhancement of Critical Thinking Skills in Nursing Students Enrolled in a Baccalaureate Nursing Program
Authors: Sinatra-Wilhelm Tina
Published: May 2012

Appropriate and effective critical thinking and problem solving is necessary for all nurses in order to make complex decisions that improve patient outcomes, safety, and quality of nursing care. With the current emphasis on quality improvement, critical thinking ability is a noteworthy concern within the nursing profession. An in-depth review of literature related to critical thinking was performed. The use of nursing care plans and concept mapping to improve critical thinking skills was among the recommendations identified. This study compares the use of nursing care plans and concept mapping as a teaching strategy for the enhancement of critical thinking skills in baccalaureate level nursing students. The California Critical Thinking Skills Test was used as a method of comparison and evaluation. Results indicate that concept mapping enhances critical thinking skills in baccalaureate nursing students.
A New Approach to Calculate Pressure Drop for Three-Phase Flow in Pipe
Authors: Ling Kegang , Zhang He , Han Guoqing , Shen Zheng
Published: May 2012

Multiphase flow in pipe has been intensively investigated since the oneset of oil and gas transportation by pipelines. As flow assurance problems keep arising in recent years, pipeline design solutions are desired for multi-phase flow system. The algorithms have widely guided the design of stream transportation from offshore well head to onshore terminal or platform. Operators would always seek cutting platform number or shut-in producing marginal field whose reserves cannot justify the construction cost. An accurate design of multiphase flow pipeline system is by all means demanded.

Traditional studies focus on gas-oil two-phase flow by deriving empirical or semi-empirical correlations that fit the experimental data. This study investigates a gas–oil–water three-phase pipe flow system. Starting from the momentum and mass conservation equations, force balance, and interaction relationships between different phases, we developed analytical solutions to estimate the pressure drop for stratified flow regime. This general approach can be applied to any gas-oil-water flowing systems. It provides a solid base for nodal analysis, pressure drop calculation for multiphase flow, artificial lift evaluation, etc. to help design and optimize production system. This work can be particularly useful for steady-state distance transportation.
Treatment of Temperature and Pressure Profiles along the Wellbore to Determine Gas Rate
Authors: Barrett E.. , Abbasy I.. , Wu C.-R.. -R. , You Z.. , Bedrikovetsky P..
Published: May 2012

Gas flow profile along the wellbore is an important piece of information for reservoir management purposes, since it provides flow contribution from each producing interval along the wellbore, which is critical for optimizing well performance and maximizing recovery of reserves. Traditional methods are expensive, particularly in high temperature wells and involve running production logsging tools (PLT's) along with flowmeters. Deployment of production logging tools into a well can be operationally difficult and typically requires flow to be suspended temporarily to allow the tools to be run in hole. This can have a negative impact on the quality of data collected, potentially making it un-representative of normal producing conditions. A simple and effective method of the gas rate prediction from temperature and pressure data is discussed in this paper. Solving the inverse problem allows determination of the flow rate and thermal conductivity of the formation by matching the gas pressure and temperature distributions with measured profiles. The results of field data treatment show good agreement with the model prediction and are consistent with flowmeter (PLT) data. Besides, the approximate estimate from direct averaging using the measured data shows good accuracy of rate and thermal conductivity prediction.
Development of New Gas Viscosity Correlations
Authors: Al-Nasser Kadhem S. , AI-Marhoun Muhammad A.
Published: May 2012

Most of the existing correlations for estimating gas viscosity were developed in mid 60's and 70's of the last century. Limited number of data was used to develop them and their accuracies are questionable. Predicting accurate gas viscosity is extremely important in the oil and gas industry as it has a major impact on reservoir recovery, fluid flow, deliverability, and well storage.

In this study, a new correlation has been introduced. This correlation is simpler, features higher accuracy, and uses fewer coefficients compared with the existing correlations. Its application covers a wider range of gas specific gravity without jeopardizing the accuracy of the correlation. Another model was built using Artificial Neural Networks, ANN in order to compare its results with those obtained from the new correlation.

The existing correlations were studied and analyzed using the same, large set of measured data used for this study. Most of these correlations suffered from high errors and thus were optimized using the linear and non-linear regressions. New set of coefficients for these correlations are recalculated for which the accuracy has significantly improved. In spite of such an improvement, the new correlation and new ANN model outperform the existing correlations.
Gas Dehydration Offshore or Onshore, How, How Much and Design Tips
Authors: Salamat Reza
Published: May 2012

Gas dehydration is a very frequent occurrence and a critical part of gas production offshore as well as onshore and therefore all the pertinent issues such as degree of dehydration, costs, design and operating "dos and don'ts" must be very well understood by the surface engineers as well as operators and managers. In the Middle East gas dehydration is particularly critical because of high reservoir pressures and high H2S/CO2 (sour gas) content and yet billions of cubic feet of gas are dried daily for gas injection or for downstream industry. But is the practice of gas drying in Middle East technically and environmentally adequate and safe?. If the water removed is not sufficient, liquid water is formed as pressure is dropped aiding line corrosion and upon further pressure reduction hydrates will form potentially blocking the flow lines. On the other hand extraction of too much water will cost the operator dearly and with the fluctuations in oil prices, revenues should be wisely used. The governing case which determines the degree of drying is the coldest operating condition for which the process gas may be subjected which means the degree of drying is a variable itself during the reservoir life and may be relaxed (or visa versa) as the reservoir life progresses and these are discussed in detail in this paper. There are various correlations used to arrive at the degree of drying and each give different results. In the proceeding paper, a range of credible dehydration methods are summarized with special emphasis on gas dehydration by TEG method as it is widely used and the salient points especially environmental issues related to the release of BTEXs into the atmosphere and how to minimize them. Various sets of correlations for dew point determination are demonstrated with real offshore case data together with unique and valuable recommendations on the design and costs optimization as well as technical/environmental safe operation.
Performance Modeling of Degraded Compressors and Fault Diagnostics
Authors: Salamat Reza
Published: May 2012

The use and application of compressors cannot be overemphasized in the oil & gas industry and the continuous availability of this rotating equipment is critical for maintaining safety and production profits for both offshore and onshore applications. In parallel, a compressor will degrade in its performance due to fouling and wearing and is not able to deliver the designed performance throughout its life.

As compressors continue to perform, the speed curves shift to lower heads and throughput and performance deteriorate. Based on the fact that the magnitude of the shift is different for each speed, an innovative technique for compressor performance modeling and diagnostics has been developed. It enables the actual performance of a compressor being modeled over a wide range of speeds and related flows so that the compressor performance and its operational limits can be successfully estimated. In this approach, OEM performance data is firstly used to establish an initial compressor performance model. Then field test data for a compressor is obtained and used to adapt compressor performance model to ensure the model represent the actual performance of the compressor over a wide range of speeds. As compressors continue to work, the characteristic map of the compressors shift to new positions due to recoverable and non-recoverable degradation occur to the compressors, causing the deviation of compressor operational parameters and settings. This shift represents the degradation of the compressor and can be identified by using field test data and the compressor diagnostic model described in this paper. Several methods for compressor monitoring and fault diagnostics exist. The diagnostics based on performance analysis is one of the most effective tools where the analysis of gas path (GPA) parameters provides information on the severity of degradation. The concept of GPA Index is introduced to assess the success of the diagnostic results. The performance and diagnostic results provided by the compressor diagnostic approach offer useful information to compressor operators to uphold compressor performance and to improve maintenance schedules and avoid unexpected failures. These factors will ultimately lead to an increase in revenues and safe production.
Carbonate Matrix Acidizing with Gelled Acids: An Experiment-Based Modeling Study
Authors: Ratnakar R. R. , Kalia N.. , Balakotaiah V..
Published: May 2012

In-situ gelling acids are used in carbonate reservoir stimulation to reduce the leakoff rate of the acid and to divert acid to low-permeability zones. Understanding the mechanism of flow diversion and the impact of fluid rheological properties on diversion is critical to developing good matrix stimulation designs. A literature review shows that few studies present models for stimulation with in-situ gelling acids. Specifically, there are no theoretical or empirical rheological models for gelling acids that describe the effects of pH on viscosity and hence flow diversion. The objective of this work is to develop, analyze, and validate a model to represent carbonate acidizing with gelling acids.

In this work, a semi-empirical rheological model based on experimental data for gelling acids that accounts for viscosity as a function of temperature, shear rate, and pH is presented. A two-scale continuum model is developed for non-Newtonian fluids, such as gelling acids. Using the model, the effect of rheological parameters on flow diversion is analyzed and the conditions for maximum diversion are identified. The predicted results are compared with the available experimental data and field observations. A scaling analysis is also presented that leads to a criterion for the optimum injection rate for attaining maximum stimulation for a fixed amount of acid (or a minimum in pore volumes to breakthrough (PVBT)). It is shown that the optimum injection rate for gelling acids depends strongly on rheological parameters of the acid. It is found that the presence of gel leads to more branching of wormholes and more uniform stimulation compared to Newtonian acids.
Vessel Internal Electrostatic Coalescer Technology (VIEC)
Authors: AlQahtani Ali
Published: May 2012

In Dukhan oil production facilities, the well output is a mixture of oil, gas and water. Gas is released naturally as pressure decreases through the stages of the process. Separating oil and water is much more difficult, especially during low temperature due to the tight emulsion caused by fluid viscosity increase in spite of the demulsifier injection experienced mainly in winter time. Water droplets are dispersed forming water-oil emulsions which can be extremely stable due to surface tension and particles attaching themselves to the water-oil interface. Typically, a multi stage separation process is employed. The first stage separation vessel is one of the largest pieces of equipment on the plant. In many cases, it is time consuming to achieve the optimum oil-water separation output and requires an injection of a large amount of chemicals (demulsifier) to improve the separation efficiency.

Applying the electro coalescence technique in the first stage of separation process increases the efficiency of the separation process. This technique has been developed and is now established. This has led to a modular device known as a Vessel Internal Electrostatic Coalescer (VIEC). The VIEC is expected to reduce such phenomena by increasing the residence time and reducing the troublesome emulsion layer in the first stage separator by due to its coalescing effect hence reduced the required injection of demulsifier. The application of electrostatic force to break oil-water emulsions and increase water droplet size is an old and proven technology. A coalescer forces small water droplets to merge and form larger and thus faster sedimenting drops. Therefore, the settling velocity of water droplets in oil not only depends on viscosity and density, but also on the droplet radius squared. If the average droplet size is doubled, separation time decreases by a factor of four. Increasing droplet size is exactly what an electrocoalescer does. This means that in many cases, such as in an existing separator, production can be increased by as much as 50%.

This paper highlights first the theory of the VIEC technology. Then moves to discuss the consequences might be faced, the main features of VIEC technology. Finally shows the results of testing the new technology at different rates of chemical injection.
Aged Assets
Authors: Howell Michael Bernard
Published: May 2012

The concept regarding aged assets is not about how old the assets are, it is the understanding and realization of the historical condition and how the asset has changed from installation, through operational time up to its present condition and its suitability for safe and effective operation.

Ageing assets are those which have had significant deterioration or damage that has taken place since installation / commissioning or where insufficient data is available to know the extent of its operational integrity.

Deterioration can be viewed as the visual appearance caused by environment, Breakdown of protective coating and loss of containment, through to the effects of metallurgical changes within the material and internal corrosion related issues

Assumptions can be reached that assets of a significant age automatically indicate there has been significant deterioration or damage that affects the integrity or operational usage. As such each concerned asset should be individually subjected to aged asset assessment that included understanding the factors that influence the degradation. It should be noted that the photographs included are general to the subject indicated and not referenced to one specific location.
Case Study of Chloride Stress Corrosion Cracking at Gas Recycling Plant, Qatar Petroleum, Dukhan - Theories and Practicality's
Authors: Bharathan Gopalakrishnan , Al Latifi Salem
Published: May 2012

Chloride stress corrosion cracking (CSCC) on austenitic stainless steel sections of the oil and gas plants has been known to cause unpredictable failures, introducing high safety risks, and causing severe damage to equipment and loss of revenue. This paper discusses three cases of CSCC at the Gas Recycling plant, Qatar Petroleum, Dukhan. The incidents have all been successfully rectified and also mitigated for the future, at a nominal cost.

The article describes the 3 cases in detail, explains the analysis conducted to determine the root cause of the failure. How evidence of CSCC was confirmed in each case and what mitigation measures were considered, how the most cost effective solution was identified and implemented. It also highlights the lessons learnt to prevent such failures, in the future.
Advanced Process Control
Authors: Al-Marri Mohd Salem
Published: May 2012

Qatar Petroleum implemented Advanced Process Control (APC) in a plant that designed to process condensate-rich gas to recover liquid products (NGL and condensate) for further processing and export. Process control refers to the techniques to control the variables in a process. As processing plants become more complex in order to increase efficiency, maximize production or reduce costs, advanced process control needs to be applied. This new control system can improve product yield, reduce energy consumption and increase capacity. Moreover, it can improve product quality and consistency, reduce giveaway, and improve the management of transition between plant operating modes.

APC is expected to bring many benefits to plant operation. However, the extent of the benefits will be determined by specifics of the plant and how APC is applied. An analysis of the expected benefits is therefore required before a new control system can be implemented.

This paper presents how APC was installed using four controllers in specific spots in the plant. It explains how it was installed in parallel with a new Distributed Control System (DCS) to improve control stability of the process, and improve thermodynamic efficiency of the plant by optimizing the pressure profile of the process. The study identifies significant benefits from implementing the APC in the plant, including economic advantages. The APC pushed the plant to optimum operation and this has assisted in the greater recovery of condensate and NGL. Therefore, this paper shows that the objectives of the APC have been met by reaching an increase of 0.99% in production. Also, the control stability of key process variables - manipulated variables (MVs), disturbance variables (DVs) and controlled viable (CVs) - has improved by 10-67%. In addition, the operator interactions with the plant have also been decreased significantly due to the automated DCS.
Operator Training Simulator
Authors: Mulky Amarnath Shetty , Mahajan Sachin Ashokrao
Published: May 2012

Qatar Petroleum operates a major oil field in Dukhan wherein produces condensate and NGL from Arab-D Cap Gas Reservoir which is processed in Gas Recycling plant Dukhan. Operator Training Simulator was introduced to drive significant benefits for the plant operation in year 2007.

The OTS objective is to impart skills for DCS operation utilizing state of the art dynamic simulator for the Arab-D process.The feature of the OTS includes that all the upset conditions in the plant can be simulated close to real plant operation.

After the implementation of OTS, the benefits achieved are as below: Competency certification program has been initiated and successfully implemented which has identified clear Qatarization plan of action for new recruitsHands on experience on OTS enabled shorter duration of on the job training period. This has helped us in overcoming the current skills shortage in the Oil & Gas industryCareer progression path has been established based on various training modules with increasing complexityAfter all the operators gone through the OTS training, majority of the issues related to start up and shutdown are eliminated. It has also helped for smooth plant operation and more productivity.The strong OTS program helps eliminate errors by even experienced operators that can lead to accidents, product loss or costly plant shutdowns.The OTS program is also being used for plant troubleshooting, engineering studies and continuous improvement.

This paper will describe in detail about the OTS project design basis, project implementation, training program and its benefits.

The conclusion is that the operator training simulator is a highly effective tool and has become an indispensable part of training program.
A New Integrated Smarter Technology Application to Enhance the Performance of Water Injectors
Authors: El-Kady Alaa A. , AL-Ghafly Abdulhadi A. , Al-Jandal Ahmed A.
Published: May 2012

In South Ghawar field, Saudi Arabia, horizontal water injectors have recently dominated conventional vertical wells to increase injection rates and recovery. Most injectors use treated seawater to provide an injection support for Arab D carbonate reservoir with drastic permeability variations, which prevent achieving uniform injection profile and good sweep efficiency.

This paper will discuss a new smart open hole water injection completion system that marks a new era in implementing technology application for the first time in water injection wells to optimize injection and recovery. An integrated technological system that was installed consists of a distributed temperature sensing (DTS) from total depth (TD) to surface, a Permanent Downhole Monitoring System (PDHMS) and 20 inflow control devices (ICDs) with six open hole feed through swell packers.

A fiber optic DTS was used to simulate injection profiling based on mass and heat transfer that was monitored during DTS injection and warm-back data. Moreover, DTS was utilized to optimize and pumping the acid stimulation evenly during the job. The PDHMS offers unique options for injection regimes, completion integrity, formation properties, and injection assurance effectiveness. The passive ICD system was installed with the purpose to achieve a uniform injection profile for better reservoir management.

In conclusion, applying this new integrated technology application in the world for the first time in a horizontal power water injector (PWI) provides a real-time controlled uniform injection profile, optimizes treatment fluids placement, monitors casing leaks, fluid movement behind casing and the mechanical integrity of the swell packers without a costly well intervention. This in return improved the well's deliverability and efficiency. Actual field data will be presented to validate findings and support conclusions.
Non-Iron-Based Composition for In-situ Crosslinked Gelled Acid System
Authors: Patil Prajakta , Sarda Anjali , George Shoy , Choudhary Yogesh Kumar , Kalgaonkar Rajendra
Published: May 2012

In-situ crosslinked gelled hydrochloric (HCl) acid systems have been extensively used in matrix acidizing and acid fracturing treatments to help achieve acid diversion. These systems also help control fluid leakoff and help retard the acid reaction to allow deeper acid penetration. Presently, in-situ crosslinked gelled acid systems are generally comprised of acrylamide-based polymers, an iron crosslinker, and a breaker chemical, in addition to other additives, with HCl acid. Many iron-based crosslinker systemscan form iron depositions, precipitation/sludge, and/or scale formation during or after the acidizing treatment when the acid spends, which can causeformation damage. In addition, thismight also lead to increased operating costsbecause of the need for sludge- and/or scale-removal treatments.

To overcome these issues, a new non-iron-based composition was developed for in-situ gelled acid systems that can work in 5 to 20% HCl acid at temperatures up to 300°F. The new composition performs identicallyto that of iron-crosslinker systems but can avoid problems associated with scale formation and precipitation. The new non-iron-based composition crosslinks the polymer in the pH range of 1.5 to 3, which helps withdiverting the next acid stage into tight or damaged zones. The gelation or crosslinking can be observed as acid reacts with a carbonate formation and the pH rises above 1.5. Further, as acid continues to spend on the formation and when the pH becomes greater than 3, the gel shows a reduction in crosslinked viscosity. This newly developed system does not require any reducing agent or breaker aid because the crosslinked gel shows a complete break with acid spending. The crosslinked-gel stability of this systemfor temperatures up to 300°F is evaluated and discussed in this paper. The effect of corrosion inhibitors, along with other additives, on this new crosslinked system is also described.
Benefits of Using Advanced Electrostatic Fields in Crude Oil Dehydrators and Desalters
Authors: Sellman Erik , Sams Gary W. , Mandewalkar S. Pavan
Published: May 2012

Heavy crude oils continue to be a challenge to dehydrate for the Oil & Gas Industry.

The traditional remedy to the reduced oil / water density difference, higher crude oil viscosity and often smaller water droplets due to heavy crude oil production techniques, often leads to high operating temperatures, fouling, production upsets, very large treaters and dosage of large volumes of demulsifier chemicals. This leads to both higher OPEX as well as higher CAPEX.

Other challenges include higher crude oil conductivity and increased crude oil emulsion viscosity due to higher water cuts. Typically crude oil dehydration vessels use heat, retention time and AC type electrostatic dehydration technology. The AC technology provides limited voltage gradients and is not efficient for treating conductive crude oils, leading to the use of very large vessels and power units, and the use of lower voltage gradients.
High Rate Sour Gas Wells' Solids Free Clean Out
Authors: Ahmari Abdulrahman S. , Uzcategui Elio A. , Alsyed Samih M. , Ghamdi Abdulrahman A.
Published: May 2012

Saudi Arabia's first offshore high rate dry gas field has an over pressured reservoir. Successful pressure control during drilling required the use of barite in the water based drilling mud. Barite is very abrasive and is insoluble in any acid or solvent. Any barite left in the reservoir due to mud losses has to be produced back to surface after completing the wells. This cleanup is crucial for the safety and longevity of permanent facilities, especially when high rate gas wells are involved; due to the high rate of impact of any solids that may be produced with the gas. It is also critical to design the cleanup job carefully to ensure proper equipment and safety measures are taken to avoid washouts and related safety hazards.

To ensure solids free production from day one, a procedure was implemented and successfully executed during the development of this first offshore high rate high-pressure sour gas field. This was achieved by using the rig as a main support and complementing the safety with the incorporation of the selected Solids Management System. In addition to the proper equipment, a detailed cleanup procedure, which covered systematic production ramp up and defined solids free criteria, was implemented. The added value and safety from having the rig on location during well cleanups is the expertise to kill the well in case of any well control problems. So far, this well cleanup setup and program has been implemented on 14 wells on three platforms with minor erosion and no safety issues. One platform with five wells is already producing and is flowing trouble free. This paper will describe the details of the setup of the rig facilities to clean these barite laden fluids from the wells, and the solids control equipment used and the cleanup procedure.
Work Execution Data is the Key to Managing Day to Day Frontline Operational Risk
Authors: Lehmann Scott , Wilson Peter
Published: May 2012

Despite the efforts to improve frontline work execution procedures and practices as a part of HSEQ and Sustainable Development, the industry's efforts often result in better rulebooks, best practices and more robust procedures yet no noticeable decrease in the number of HiPO's, incidents and fatalities. Many of the existing control systems, like permit to work, only manage each job or task as a single unrelated point of activity and provide us with no line of sight on the potential cumulative risk of frontline work. Furthermore, typically the industry is managing work execution as one of its most important business processes on paper. Paper systems provide no data and without data there is no effective and scalable manner to manage day to day frontline operational risk.

Technology can play an integral role in guiding and structuring decision making by ensuring safety rules, best practices and lessons learned are deeply embedded into operational processes for frontline workers and management. In this way, risk controls and guidance can take shape outside of the ‘rule book’ and become an integral part of routine operations. The work execution process can be captured thus providing a window into how well frontline operational risks are being managed.

Using a customer data set of frontline work execution data and a copy of their incident and accident information, we can demonstrate how an organization, through the use of technology, can use planned and actual real time job and hazard data to effectively manage their operational risk and head off potential incidents before they occur. By showing what issuers and approvers of frontline work would have seen in terms of the actual cumulative risk score for actual frontline planned work, we will be able to demonstrate they would have had the visibility to know where to act and when thus potentially avoiding or minimizing the scope of an incident.

Addressing Work Execution with the right combination of people, process and technology can establish line of sight on the potential cumulative risk of frontline work in order to provide insight and oversight to make better decisions around operational risk in order to improve safe, reliable and compliant operations. Managers can now exercise oversight and use the data to not only demonstrate compliance, but build the foundation for continually improving operational standards and performance.
Utilization of MDEA Selectivity to Manage the Operation of Sulphur Recovery Plant during Mechanical Failure in Tail Gas Line
Authors: Al-Kubaisi E.. , Shafah J.. , Al-Mahmoud G..
Published: May 2012

The Modified Claus Process is widely used to recover sulphur in the natural gas processing industry1. It consists of two defined conversion stages: thermal and catalytic. The non-converted acid gas is sent, along with the tail gas, to the incineration furnace. This is a typical arrangement to prevent the release of toxic gases.

Qatar Petroleum operates an NGL complex with a Sulphur Recovery Unit (SRU) that uses the Modified Claus Process. In July 2011, a leak developed in an expandable pipe segment that allowed toxic gas to be released.

The incineration furnace's flue gas stack is designed to cause negative pressure at the incineration furnace. This is made possible by having it open to atmosphere through its effluent stack. Negative pressure is always met at reduced throughput. Thus, reducing the SRU throughput would prevent toxic gas leakage. The downside of the throughput reduction is that the excess acid gas would be flared.

Gas Operations, in a unique approach, utilized the inherited selectivity characteristics of MDEA solution, to optimize the overall operation. The optimization was done in a way that would affect the quantity and composition of the acid gas. This meant that we could operate the SRU in a safe manner with no environmental impact.

A detailed description of what we did to minimize Acid Gas flaring, without violating the AGRU product specs and without further deterioration of the leaking expansion bellow, are covered below. We also describe the benefits realized.
Where Process Safety Must Move
Authors: Matthews Teg
Published: May 2012

Process safety has long embodied the adage, "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got." Despite the development of sophisticated technical and management systems in recent decades, major catastrophic incidents continue to occur. Study of these events show us that the technical failures that led to these events were in fact enabled by organizational failures. Yet process safety systems too often exist in isolation from the wider organization, and indeed from other safety activities themselves. In order to achieve next-level improvement, catastrophic event prevention must move from its position of sole (or disproportionate) focus on the safety technical and management systems to a comprehensive focus that encompasses the broader elements of organizational safety as well. This talk presents the problem facing process safety practitioners today and outlines seven principles that can guide leaders both in aligning the organization to support process safety functioning and in assuring the integrity of process safety systems themselves.
Well Structure Optimization in Complex Wells for High Permeability Reservoirs
Authors: Al Ramis Hussain , AlOthman Khalid , AlYami Abdullah
Published: May 2012

The objective of drilling long horizontal wells and maximum number of laterals is to achieve maximum production rate. Reservoir contact of more than 5 km was drilled successfully through intelligent laterals (up to 5 laterals) that can be controlled from the surface. Currently there is a growing tendency of drilling higher number of laterals in the industry to maximize the production rate. The objective of this study is to evaluate the possibility of achieving this growing multilateral completion through two milestones.

The first milestone of this study is the effectiveness and well designoptimization for several cases with critical parameters such as reservoir permeability, wellbore diameter, skin factor, reservoir drawdown, and well tubular roughness.

The second milestone is to address the optimal maximum reservoir exposure in high permeability reservoirs (200-800 md) for high lateral-number in multilateral wells.

The methodology conducted in this study consists of two main parts, reservoir/wellbore coupling model for production rate calculation from individual lateral and then pressure drop in building sections. Single-phase flow was used to investigate different parameters affecting lateral flow rate. Two-phase flow was used in pipe flow to investigate the possibility of drilling more than 10 laterals.

The study shows how pressure at the junction can be used to determine the optimum lateral length as a starting point when designing multilateral wells. The parameters analyzed include viscosity of reservoir fluids, well diameters and number of laterals. The pressure drop due to friction lead to different flow rates at the surface regardless how strong the inflow performance is. The effect of roughness on pressure drop is minimal and only becomes significant at lateral length more than 20000 ft. The characteristics of flow in building section and junction are the key for a well having high number of laterals.
Optimized Drilling by Improved Well Control Using MPD in Narrow Pressure Window
Authors: Mathew Sangeeth George , Nasr G. G.
Published: May 2012

Towards the later part of the 20thcentury, the oil industry has been looking for more safer and beneficial drilling methods, especially in deep waters. The high well/field costs pushed the need for attractive technologies which would optimize drilling. Also ever since the catastrophic events of April 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico, the oil industry has been constantly scrutinized for the health and safety standards or rather the lack of it. The consequences of the blowout highlighted the need for improved kick detection and well control. In deepwater wells, there exists a narrow window between the fracture pressure and the pore pressure. This narrow margin poses a safety hazard both for the well and the crew operating on it. Drilling in these sort of fields require distinctive methodologies to achieve both objectives of safe and optimized drilling.

Thus one such method which would optimize drilling and improve well control is Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD). This has been defined as "an adaptive drilling process to accurately control the annular pressure profile throughout the well". This technique would create a pressure profile in the well to be within tolerance and close to the boundaries or limits controlled by the pore and fracture pressure.

For the understanding of kick detection, well control and circulation when MPD is being employed, a hypothetical well data with a narrow pressure window is selected and a kick is simulated to be controlled using MPD. The pump rate & mud density is studied and kick detection, well control and circulation is analyzed and interpreted. Obviously with the usage of the MPD tools and equipments during drilling, there would be a difference from conventional kick detection, which could probably be enhanced well control. MPD would thus, be able to properly manage any influxes from the formations thereby protecting the system and structure above and have a telling effect on the Non Productive Time (NPT).

This paper aim to differentiate the conventional and MPD method of kick circulation based on simulations of lost time and lost circulation. By obtaining the desired result, we can justify the usage of MPD in a narrow pressure window field/reservoir for improved kick detection, control and circulation and thus drilling optimization.