bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conical Structures in Ice: Ride-Up, Radius and Results
Authors: Barker Anne , Sudom Denise , Sayed Mohamed
Published: March 2015

As an ice sheet impinges on the surface of a cone, flexural failure takes place. That ice failure mode causes substantially lower forces than the case of compressive failure, which would take place if ice is to encounter a vertical structure. Previous work by the authors employed a numerical model of ice dynamics in order to predict ice failure patterns and forces on a conical structure. In an initial paper, simulations examined the role of the slope of the cone and the case of ice failure against inverted cones. That study indicated that the slope plays a role on ice loading. Later results, published at ATC 2014, then examined in more detail the roles of structure slope, friction on ice pile-ups and loading on a conical structure and compared the results with the analytical methodology presented in the ISO 19906 Arctic Offshore Structures standard. The present analysis continues to expand the work to examine the role of structure diameter on ice loading and pile-up height. Results are further compared to ISO 19906, with the objective of presenting concrete guidance for the current revision of that standard. Ice forces on upward-breaking cones as a function of structure slope, waterline diameter, ice thickness and ice-structure friction are presented. The results of the study are relevant for structures in ice, such as offshore drilling platforms, bridge piers and offshore wind turbine foundations.
Analysis of a Large Ice Shear Wall: Implications for Pack Ice Driving Forces
Authors: Timco G.W. , Barker A.
Published: March 2015

A simple analysis is presented to examine the forces necessary to create a large shear wall of ice which was observed in the Beaufort Sea. This shear wall was approximately 130 m long and 23 m high (from the seabed). Two types of analysis are presented. First, a distinct feature of a 0.8 m thick ice floe which had been pushed up the 8 m high (above the ice level) rubble pile was analyzed by considering a number of analytical models for ice ride-up. The analysis showed that the line loads were estimated to be on the order of 65 to 150 kN/m, and 90 to 208 kN/m for friction values of 0.3 and 0.5 respectively. A second analysis of the creation of the shear wall by a large-scale shearing event suggested the global force would have been on the order of 42 to 90 MN. These values are in agreement with measurements of global ice loads on offshore caisson structures. The analysis was extended to estimate the pack ice driving force for this event. Although a number of gross assumptions were made, the calculated values are in good agreement with other previous estimates of the pack ice driving force in the Beaufort Sea. Overall this study has indicated that observations of these large ice features and subsequent analysis can be a very useful method for gaining additional insight on pack ice driving forces.
The Potential Benefits Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Bring to Subsea Inspection in Arctic Regions
Authors: Jamieson Jim , Hopkins Dwayne
Published: March 2015

The introduction of autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) technology in the Oil and Gas arena has and continues to demonstrate significant advantages in offshore underwater operations.

In the arctic regions, it is difficult to conduct "Life of Field" inspection operations from a support vessel. This is mainly due to restricted freedom of operation caused by polar lows or winter storms and/or the formation and movement of sea ice. AUV systems by their nature have the potential to significantly reduce this operational difficulty, seabed hosted vehicles have the potential to eliminate it completely.

The hovering Autonomous Inspection Vehicle (AIV), developed by Subsea 7, enables complete autonomous inspection of the subsea assets. The system is deployed using a launch and recovery basket, which can be configured to remain on the seabed for significant periods of time. In the latter configuration, the AIV is operated and serviced from the seabed hosted basket, to carry out missions that meet the ‘Life of Field’ operational requirements.

This paper will describe the advanced features of the AIV technology and discuss how it can be effective in the Arctic regions, under ice operations.
Review and Outlook on Arctic Offshore Facilities & Technologies
Authors: Huaiyin Li , Xuebo Dang , Kai Zhu
Published: March 2015

There are 32 arctic offshore oil/gas projects already in operation or having confirmed development plan. Seven offshore engineering patterns have been applied, including "gravity based structure (GBS) + shipping pipeline", "subsea production system + onshore terminal", "artificial island + shipping pipeline", "jacket platform +shipping pipeline + onshore terminal", "floating platform + subsea system", "FPSO + subsea system" and "offshore oil produced from land". Gravity based structure is the most widely used production platform, followed by FPSO/FSO, subsea production system, floating platforms and artificial islands. Arctic offshore wells have been mainly drilled from anti-ice floating drilling platform, ice-resistant fixed drilling platform and artificial island. In future, arctic petroleum exploration & production will move to deeper water area; natural gas development will play more important role. In arctic offshore E&P area Tremendous facilities and technologies will be developed and applied, including anti-ice floating concrete Spar, fully enclosed production platform, "subsea factory", round semi-submersible drilling platform, seafloor drilling rig, GBS LNG facility, free hanging solid ballast semi (FHSB Semi) platform and so on. Advantages & disadvantages, application conditions of main arctic offshore engineering patterns, facilities & technologies are described, which shall be helpful for arctic project investment opportunity study, screening and evaluation.
A Deep Water, Under-Ice AUV: Extended Continental Shelf Mapping in the Arctic
Authors: Mosher D.C. , Verhoef J. , Travaglini P. , Pederson R.
Published: March 2015

Arctic circulation drives multi-year sea ice against the Canadian Arctic Archepelago, making this margin one of the toughest regions in the Arctic Ocean to survey. Yet Canada had a need to map the seafloor in this region as part of its Extended Continental Shelf Program. One of the solutions to this challenge that Canada adopted was to develop an Autonomous Underwater vehicle that is mobile, could operate under the ice to 5000 m water depth, acquire bathymetric data and return to a location that is unknown prior to mission programming. A partnership program between Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Hydrographic Services, Defense Research Development Canada and International Submarine Engineering Inc.was launched to develop a vehicle that could be operated from an ice camp, work under ice, return to the drifting ice camp, and dump data and recharge while still in the water. The AUV was outfitted with a Knudsen 118 kHz single beam echosounder and a Kongsberg-Simrad EM2000 (200 kHz) multibeam sonar system. In 2010, the first trial of the under-ice AUV was undertaken. The system was launched near Borden Island of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago 400 km under the ice to be recovered at a drifting ice camp. It maintained a height of approximately 100 m above the seafloor and acquired single beam bathymetric data during its voyage. It was recharged at a remote camp and sent back to its base camp acquiring data on its return voyage. In 2011, the system was launched and recovered from an ice-breaker. It traveled 110 km under ice and acquired multibeam data along its track, travelling over difficult terrain during it's transect of a feature known as Sever Spur. The surface ship had drifted about 10 km from its deployment position during the mission, but the AUV was able to return within metres of the vessel.
Charting a Collaborative Course for Arctic Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration
Authors: Fenton Jocelyn A.
Published: March 2015

The International Energy Agency predicts world energy needs in coming decades will still include significant contributions from oil and gas. The Arctic represents a highly prospective region where technology enables future exploration and production. This paper examines select challenges the oil and gas industry (Industry) faces in the Arctic and considers collaboration and cooperative efforts that will continue to mitigate these issues.

Aspects of Arctic oil and gas exploration that present the greatest opportunities for cooperation include baseline studies, engineering, and oil spill prevention, detection, and response. Sharing physical and technical resources can augment limited Arctic infrastructure, ship availability, and potentially widen restrictive operating windows. Collaborations from baseline science monitoring, ice modeling, and oil spill response consortiums improve efficiency while decreasing costs for industry, consumers, and governmental agencies.

The United States of America (U.S.) assumes Arctic Council Chairmanship from 2015 to 2017 and is expected to continue fostering regulatory collaboration. The U.S. issued its approach to Arctic policy in the 2013 National Strategy for the Arctic Region, in which it cited international cooperation as crucial to advancing collective interests, protecting Arctic environments, promoting prosperity, and enhancing regional security.

Many Arctic-interest groups aim to outline research and technology pursuits that support exploration and development in the Arctic. Navigating numerous stakeholder interests and incentives presents challenges. However, it is essential and the responsible action in order to advance resource access and development.

Oil producing companies have partnered in offshore oil exploration since the 1930s - collaborating on vessels and other support materials. Early overall collaboration and competence-sharing are some of the techniques that can optimize efficiency for all.

Offshore exploration and production in the Arctic is moving forward in a stepwise approach. Years of research and experience are preparing the world for continued prudent development of resources in the Arctic region. Operational limitations make collaboration and knowledge-sharing vital to the economics of offshore exploration.
Emergency Towing Operations in Arctic Waters
Authors: Berg Tor Einar , Selvik Ørjan
Published: March 2015

Towing operations present a number of challenges related to acceptable weather window, number of and power rating of tugs, towing gear design and capabilities, positioning of tugs and experience of towing master and tug crews.

The past five years have seen several major accidents related to towing operations in Arctic waters. This paper will review three cases. The first concerns the total loss of the "Kolskaya" rig during transit in the Sea of Okhotsk in 2011. It resulted in the loss of life of a significant number of sailors/rig workers. During the towing of the drilling rig "Kulluk" from Alaska in late 2012, the towline broke and the rig drifted and went aground. US Coast Guard resources saved all the crew members; the hull was penetrated and partly filled with water. In the subsequent salvage operation, the hull was temporarily sealed before the rig was refloated. After the rig was inspected and found seaworthy, she was towed to shelter. Here a further assessment of the damage took place. Later she was towed to Captain's Bay (Unalaska) and loaded on a heavy lift ship for repair at an Asian shipyard. It was later decided to scrap the rig. A third example was the tow of the Norwegian fishing vessel "Kamaro" in October 2012. The vessel lost engine power south of Bear Island. During the second day of the tow the weather deteriorated and the master of the assisting Coast Guard vessel feared that the towline would break. It was decided to evacuate the crew of the fishing vessel and an emergency response helicopter was mobilised. During the first attempt to lift off crew members from the aft deck of the fishing vessel, the lifting wire got entangled and broke sending the crew members into the sea. With one of the rescue winches out of order it was decided that crew members in survival suits should to jump overboard and swim away from the vessel until they were picked up by the SAR helicopter.

The paper provides a brief review of these cases and focuses on lessons to be learned for future emergency towing operations in Arctic waters.
Integration of Seismic and 3D CSEM Data De-risks Play Models in the Hoop Area, Barents Sea
Authors: Gabrielsen Pål T. , Pedersen Camilla B. , Fanavoll Stein , Kjølhamar Bent E.
Published: March 2015

The Hoop area in the Barents Sea (Norway) is a frontier province with limited well control. It was initially regarded as a gas-dominant hydrocarbon province, but explorationists are viewing the area with new interest after the successful Wisting oil discovery. Despite this success, the area is considered high-risk due to inefficient sealing, and the apparent absence of high-quality reservoir sands. This paper demonstrates how the integration of 3D seismic and 3D controlled source electromagnetic (CSEM) data can help de-risk these uncertainties and generate new play models. The study suggests that such an integration can be avaluable workflow component for the 23rd application round in the area, and for drill-drop licence decisions.
Investigation of the Burial and Exhumation History of East Greenland Based On Apatite-fission Track Analysis, Stratigraphic Landform Analysis and the Geological Record
Authors: Japsen Peter , Green Paul F. , Bonow Johan M.
Published: March 2015

Cenozoic uplift and erosion have an important impact on petroleum systems along East Greenland. We have undertaken a regional study of the thermo-tectonic development of the East Greenland margin (68-75°N) based on apatite fission-track analysis (AFTA) data and analysis of the large-scale landscapes. Our results reveal a long history of post-Palaeozoic burial and exhumation across the region. Following breakup at the Paleocene-Eocene transition, the margin underwent kilometerscale burial beneath a cover of Eocene basalts and sediments. Subsequently, three regional phases of uplift and exhumation subsequently shaped the present-day margin. A late Eocene phase of uplift led to formation of a regional erosion surface near sea level (the Upper Planation Surface, UPS). Uplift of the UPS in the late Miocene led to formation of the Lower Planation Surface (LPS) by incision below the uplifted UPS, and a Pliocene phase led to incision of valleys and fjords below the uplifted LPS, leaving mountain peaks reaching 3.7 km above sea level.

Preliminary AFTA results from northern East Greenland indicate that the Eurekan Orogeny played a significant role in the thermotectonic development there, but it is difficult to distinguish between heating related to burial followed by erosion and heating caused by high heat flow or hydrothermal activity. A future study of northern East Greenland margin should thus investigate the development during the right-lateral, strike-slip tectonics that moved the Barents Sea relative to Greenland.

The results are of importance in assessing the hydrocarbon prospectivity in the offshore basins because uplift and denudation of continental margins can have profound effects on the hydrocarbon system, not only through negative impact of processes but also by providing reservoir clastics to the offshore basin and by changing migration routes. Our results indicate that remnants of oil accumulations on Traill 0 are associated, not only with the deeper burial at the time of hydrocarbon formation, but also with locally increased heat flow from late Eocene intrusions. Further afield, in areas where heat flow was not enhanced, any source rocks present would have remained at lower maturity levels at the end of the Eocene.
Winterization of Bow Loading Systems on Shuttle Tankers
Authors: Nikolaisen Øyvind , Sunde Jarle , Gudmestad Ove Tobias
Published: March 2015

In recent years, oil and gas exploration has moved further north into new areas. The oil and gas industry faces new challenges in the Arctic environment, which is very different from what the oil industry has been dealing with before. ‘Low temperatures’ and ‘ice actions’ are only a few of the keywords when it comes to challenges in the harsh Arctic environment.

The concept of offshore loading is widely used today; e.g. in the North Sea; however, there is a lack of experience when it comes to offshore loading operations in Cold climate areas like the Barents Sea, which requires additional safety barriers related to the bow loading system. In order to ensure the availability of all components related to the bow loading system during the loading operation, the system has to be winterized according to the physical environmental conditions in the operational area. However, there are always limitations when it comes to financial resources, which makes prioritizing necessary. This calls for a study of critical winterization aspects related to the bow loading system, in order to perform operations in a safe manner. It also calls for the development of a risk-based decision-making tool in the winterization design process, based on approved standards and guidelines.
Monitoring Hazardous Sea Ice Features using Satellite Imagery
Authors: Zakharov I. , Bobby P. , Power D. , Saunders K. , Warren S.
Published: March 2015

The Canadian Arctic is a highly dynamic environment that has the oldest and thickest sea ice in the world. The ice includes various features hazardous for shipping and offshore operations. The paper describes a technology addressing the problem of satellite based monitoring of hazardous features, which include ice ridges, hummocks and rubble fields. Additional attention was paid to identifying glacier ice (ice islands and icebergs). The technology was demonstrated using images collected over the Canadian Arctic in 2013-2014 and ice features were verified by analyzing high resolution satellite optical images that overlap spatially and temporally with the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. Various satellite images and data fusion techniques have been explored for identifying ice features and retrieving their characteristics. Ice parameters being studied include height, size and frequency of ice features.
The Seasonal Cycle of Sea Ice Thickness on the North East Greenland Shelf
Authors: Hansen E. , Gerland S. , Spreen G. , Høyland K.
Published: March 2015

The seasonal cycle of sea ice thickness on the North East Greenland shelf as derived from 22 years of direct observations with upward looking sonars is quantified. The seasonal cycle of the mean and modal thickness is presented, both as absolute numbers and as anomalies from the annual mean. The average seasonal amplitude for the whole observational period (19902011) is 0.5 m for the modal thickness, and 1.12 m for the mean ice thickness. The mean cycle was also calculated for two distinct periods with respect to the age and thickness of the ice in the region; 1990-2000 and 2001-2011. Between these two periods, the average seasonal amplitude in modal thickness was reduced by 0.2 m. For the mean ice thickness, the corresponding reduction was 0.3 m. In addition the seasonal cycles were shifted down. The results presented here are directly applicable for industry planning activities on the North East Greenland shelf, and are particularly useful for oil companies holding licenses in the Kanumas area. The seasonal and interannual variability of sea ice thickness is large in this region. Any plan for field development or operations in the region must take this variability into account. This includes ice thickness observation campaigns (e.g. by airborne electromagnetic devices) set up to provide details about the design basis prior to field development, where it is imperative that the observations are interpreted on a background of variability. Along with previously published results on long term variability, the present results on the seasonal cycle provide such a background.
Field Data for Sea Ice and Iceberg Drift Offshore Newfoundland and Labrador
Authors: Taylor Rocky , Turnbull Ian , Slaney Aaron
Published: March 2015

This paper is focused on new field data collected for drift behaviour of first-year sea ice, a multi-year ice floe and two icebergs offshore Newfoundland and Labrador. Offshore operations in ice environments require detailed knowledge of ice conditions. Moreover, reliable forecasts of ice drift behaviour for first-year sea ice and extreme ice features such as thick multi-year (MY) ice and icebergs are essential in supporting ice management activities and in supporting effective operational decision-making. Central to the development of improved drift forecasting models is the collection of new field data that can be used to improve understanding of the physical environment and to validate and improve predictive tools. Three ice drift beacons have recently been deployed offshore Newfoundland and Labrador. In the present paper, a description of the beacons used, deployment activities, as well as results from these beacons are reported, along with initial analysis of these data. These new data provide interesting and sometimes unexpected drift behaviour. Results from these beacons are analyzed in light of ocean current and wind data and conclusions regarding the correlations between these environmental conditions and observed drift behaviour are discussed for each case.
Canadian Arctic Oil Shale Resources: A Re-assessment of Potential Ordovician to Carboniferous Oil Shale Deposits
Authors: Goodarzi Fariborz , Ardakani Omid Haeri , Pedersen Per-Kent , Sanei Hamed
Published: March 2015

Canada has vast oil shale resources (estimated at 180 billion barrels proved recoverable oil shale reserve) similar to the estimated Canadian oil reserve of 179 billion barrels. These deposits consist of various oil shale types deposited in terrestrial, lake, and marine environments.

These Canadian oil shale deposits are assessed under auspices of Canada/Israel Industrial Research and Development Program and Geological Survey of Canada for their possible use for extraction of hydrocarbon. The organic rich oil shale deposit with thickness of >60m are suitable for this purpose. This paper reviews the oil shale deposits of Arctic Canada from Ordovician to Carboniferous age. Ordovician shale of Baffin Island, Southampton Island, and Akpatok Islands consist of organic lean, calcareous deposits with variable thickness. The Devonian cannel and canneloid deposit of Melville Island, Arctic Canada are liptinitic rich, but are thin and therefore have low mining potential. The Lower Carboniferous Emma Fjord oil shale deposit is the only promising deposit for in-situ extraction of hydrocarbon from Arctic Canada at present.
Gas Bearing Prospect Identification by Integrated Seismic and Petrophysical Interpretation Using Effective Pore Space Approach
Authors: Nooraiepour Mohammad , Aali Masoud , Kovalenko Kazimir V.
Published: March 2015

Traditional absolute pore space concept considers the whole pore volume within the reservoir rock. Total porosity accounts for the entire pore space, so the maximum fluid saturation in rock related to this value. The structural complexity of pores in rocks especially in carbonates frequently results in isolated pores creation. These stagnant pores contribute to the absolute porosity of the rock, but are not involved in the flow of fluids through the rock. The intercommunicating pore spaces that maintain the flow of fluids make up the effective porosity. As fluid transport in porous media is controlled by the available amount of pores for flow, so this is the effective pore space not absolute one, in which real reservoir flow process occurs. In this study, play based hydrocarbon exploration procedure for an area followed. This region is surrounded by the gas discoveries in different reservoir horizons on the adjacent blocks. Complexity of geological structures and sequence of terrigenous-carbonates facies' change had led to drilling of seventeen dry wildcats. Aiming to reinvestigate the hydrocarbon potential, integrated petrophysical and seismic interpretation designed to identify hydrocarbon accumulation on the basis of regional studies. By analysis of core and well log data, static petrophysical properties calculated, reservoir horizons characterized and afterward the effective porosity was estimated using adaptive well log interpretation. The effective porosity estimations imported as an input for genetic inversion procedure to determine its distribution over the targeted formation. The effective porosity cube presented anomalies in areas where seismic attenuation attribute confirms possibility of gas accumulation. Successful implementation of shared-earth model using close interpretation of seismic and well data led to identifying a stratigraphic prospect with an acceptable probability of success.
Design Concept for Steel GBS with Crude Storage in Arctic and Cold Regions
Authors: Bandi Deepti , Paulin Mike , Georghiou Andreas , Dontula Nagavaishnavi
Published: March 2015

As the demand for energy resources continues to grow, the oil and gas industry is looking north to the Arctic for discovery and extraction of offshore hydrocarbon resources. In seasonal ice covered waters and regions frequented by icebergs where ice loads are significant; the Gravity Based Structure (GBS) has been shown, in cases, to be the preferred technically feasible solution (e.g. Hibernia, Hebron, Sakhalin 1, and Sakhalin 2). In remote locations, where there may be no pipeline infrastructure or the cost of such infrastructure may be too high, the GBS can be designed to offer storage at a reasonable cost. In some circumstances, a ballasted steel structure might have advantages over traditional steel reinforced concrete structures, as outlined in this paper.

In these areas where ice loads are significant, the majority of installed Gravity Based Structures are comprised of steel reinforced concrete. This paper presents the concept of a steel GBS with a storage option for remote Arctic regions. The proposed structural design of the steel GBS is based on the study of ice loads and associated stability. The sizing, advantages and limitations of the unique hull structure are discussed in this paper. The paper discusses about the design and construction of a steel hull GBS capable of withstanding both first year ice and multi-year ice loads in an Arctic setting, where there is future proposed route for ice-class shuttle tankers. For the purpose of this paper, water depths between 30m and 50m are considered for the design of the structure. Optimized sizing of the GBS for various water depths, in order to achieve an approximate storage of six to eight days of crude oil production, is discussed.
Iceberg Ice Constitutive Modeling and FEA Validation
Authors: Derradji-Aouat Ahmed , Sarzynski Melanie , Cordes Roger
Published: March 2015

A constitutive model for iceberg ice is implemented into an explicit finite element analysis. The focus of this effort was to establish a validated model for high-speed impact events in which the ice strength undergoes a transition from a ductile to brittle mode of failure at strain rates around 10-3 s-1. The proposed iceberg ice response is linear elastic prior to the stress state reaching the ice failure envelope. The ice failure envelope is represented by a set of concentric ellipses in the octahedral shear stress (t) and hydrostatic pressure (P) plane, where the size of each envelope reflects a specific strain rate and temperature; increasing strain rate and decreasing temperature contribute to increased strength in the proposed failure envelope. Upon reaching the specified envelope, a brittle failure mode is simulated using exponential degradation of material stiffness.

To demonstrate the predictive capabilities of the proposed iceberg ice model, small-scale finite element models of a variety of experimental ice tests were used for validation. Published experimental parameters were used to develop constants for the material model. The work examined finite element predictions for the following laboratory tests: Triaxial compressionUniaxial compressionUniaxial tensionFlexureIndentation

The natural variability inherent in iceberg ice influences several ice properties, including strength and associated failure modes, with a particular sensitivity to temperature and strain rate. Overall, the proposed constitutive model for iceberg ice response predicts failure with reasonable agreement based on triaxial compression tests but tends to over-predict the strength of the ice in uniaxial tension and compression. When implemented with material damage and exponential degradation of material stiffness after the stress state exceeds the ice failure envelope, the proposed model is believed to conservatively capture linear elastic response followed by a brittle failure mode and can be used to simulate an iceberg impacting a structure at strain rates > 10-3 s-1.
Co-variability of North Atlantic Oscillation and Maximum Sea Ice Extent in the Baltic Sea in CMIP5 Climate Models
Authors: Seitola Teija , Ukkonen Peter , Karpechko Alexey , Ruosteenoja Kimmo , Gregow Hilppa
Published: March 2015

The impact of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) on the variability of the maximum ice extent over the Baltic Sea (MIB) is investigated in a set of CMIP5 climate models following the RCP4.5 scenario. The study shows that the annual correlations of the winter NAO and the MIB are moderate or fairly strong (0.3-0.6) and a majority of the models also indicate significant correlations on inter-annual to multi-decadal time scales. Our results based on 12 state-of-the-art climate models indicate that the winter NAO has no significant trend or considerable changes in its future variability. However, this remains a subject to debate, as the results of earlier studies are somewhat conflicting. The variability of MIB is projected to become much smaller in the future as a consequence of the warming climate and the related decrease in the MIB.
Icebreaking Trimaran Development Project
Authors: Heikkilä T. , Mård A. , Valtonen V.
Published: March 2015

Icebreaking trimaran is a new, promising vessel concept, which is under development at Aker Arctic. Goal of the development project is to create a product family of icebreaking trimarans suitable for icebreaking in light ice conditions in ports, escorting large merchant vessels in Baltic Sea traffic during winter and a heavy duty version for arctic seas. During the development project various aspects affecting the icebreaking capability of the trimaran have been studied, such as the optimal distance of the side hulls considering the icebreaking performance, proper cross-deck dimensioning for ice loads and various oil spill recovery functions. Also the open water characteristics of the trimaran hull have been studied in model tests.

The trimaran concepts for light icebreaking in harbours and Baltic escort icecbreaker duties have been developed as separate conceptual cases. These cases are presented considering the operational benefits the trimaran concept can offer for these vessel types.
Real-time Arctic Pipeline Integrity and Leak Monitoring
Authors: Thodi P. , Paulin M. , DeGeer D. , Squires M.
Published: March 2015

Real-time integrity monitoring is a sensor-based monitoring system aimed at enhancing the productivity of Arctic pipelines. The intent of pipeline integrity monitoring is to assess operating conditions and performance, improve performance and pipeline throughput, extend life and inform the operator if pipeline integrity is compromised. The other purpose of the monitoring is to provide the necessary information to perform optimal Inspection and Maintenance (IM) activities. Real-time integrity monitoring provides warning when something is starting to go wrong, and provides instantaneous information when things have gone wrong. Without monitoring, the condition would continue to degrade the pipeline integrity until failure.

Due to Arctic pipeline design and operational challenges, like ice gouging, strudel scour, upheaval buckling, frost heave and permafrost thaw settlement, along with seasonal ice cover and remote location, real-time integrity monitoring is a challenge. With real-time monitoring systems that predict failures and maintenance requirements, the operator can schedule IM activities in an optimal manner. Real-time integrity monitoring balances the cost of monitoring with the benefits of early detection and subsequent warning of abnormal conditions to ensure reliability is maintained throughout the entire life of the pipeline. Arctic pipeline integrity monitoring solutions consist of different technologies, ranging from flow, pressure and temperature gauges, sand and H2S monitors, usage of in-line inspection tools and ROV, external continuous Fiber Optic Cable (FOC) temperature and strain sensors, satellite surveillance and overflight by helicopters.

The first part of this paper will focus on Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) and Distributed Strain Sensing (DSS) systems to detect integrity threats arising from the unique Arctic design and operational challenges. The failure to detect pipeline leaks in a timely manner could have severe safety, environmental, and economic consequences in the Arctic. Large leaks can easily be detected, but small chronic leaks may go undetected for a period of time, especially when pipelines are buried in remote locations or under seasonal ice cover. Technology evaluation based on regulatory requirements and functional criteria suggests that Fiber Optic Cable (FOC) distributed sensing systems have a high potential to be used for Arctic pipelines to detect and locate leakages. Pipeline leakage would generate a local change in temperature. These thermal anomalies can be captured by FOC DTS systems with good spatial and temporal resolution. Similarly, the acoustic signature generated by leaking fluid could be detected using FOC Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) systems. The second part of this paper covers the operating principles and technology status of FOC leak monitoring system for Arctic pipelines.
Projected Regulatory Governance for Offshore Hydrocarbon Development in the the Kara Sea
Authors: Skinner Jon A.
Published: March 2015

Increasing seasonal ice free Arctic waters and market demand to expand hydrocarbon extraction to previously undeveloped Arctic offshore regions has accelerated an Arctic priority in national strategies and international forums. In this context, hydrocarbon development in the Kara Sea region lends itself to interdisciplinary study. The proposed paper will be based on current specific research on state and corporate compliance to international environmental standards in Arctic offshore hydrocarbon development, to contribute and support a larger project, an Interdisciplinary PhD dissertation currently in progress with the University of Alaska Fairbanks titled Russian Capacity to Develop Offshore Oil Reserves in the Kara Sea: Geopolitical and Regional Implications. The proposed paper will be based on a focused analysis for the Kara Sea region through 2030. It is hoped such a study will have contributing value for industry, policy makers as well as the broader international community with an interest in transparent international environmental standards for oil and gas development in the Arctic littoral. It is further proposed that the sheer size of the Kara Sea hydrocarbon reserves, particularly of oil, and the effort and resources required to bring them into production, warrants this assessment as to the nature of the governance regime which is, or may evolve, and contribute to secure, stable and environmentally sound Arctic development.
Helicobacter pylori Gastritis, a Presequeale to Coronary Plaque
Authors: Raut Shrikant C. , Patil Vinayak W. , Dalvi Shubhangi M. , Bakhshi Girish D.
Published: March 2015

Helicobacter pylori are considered the most common human pathogen colonizing gastric mucosa. Gastritis with or without H. pylori infection is associated with increase in levels of homocysteine and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) but a more pronounced increase is noted in gastritis with H. pylori infection. Increasing level of homocysteine, due to decreased absorption of vitamin B12 and folic acid, together with increased CRP levels in gastritis with H. pylori infection may be the earliest event in the process of atherosclerosis and plaque formation. Retrospective study conducted at tertiary care hospital in Mumbai by Department of Biochemistry in association with Department of Surgery. Eighty patients who underwent gastroscopy in view of gastritis were subjected to rapid urease test for diagnosis of H. pylori infection. Vitamin B12, folic acid, homocysteine and hs-CRP were analyzed using chemiluminescence immuno assay. Student’s t-test, Pearson’s correlation and linear regression used for statistical analysis. Patients with H. pylori gastritis had significantly lower levels of vitamin B12 (271.6 ± 101.3 vs. 390.6 ± 176.7 pg/mL; P = 0.0005), as well as higher levels of homocysteine (17.4 ± 7.4 vs. 13.8 ± 7.8 mmol/L; P = 0.037) and hs-CRP (2.5 ± 2.9 vs. 1.2 ± 1.1 mg/L; P = 0.017), than in patients without H. pylori gastritis. However, folic acid showed (8.9 ± 3.2 vs. 10.0 ± 3.6 ng/mL; P = 0.171) no significant difference. Elevated homocysteine and hs-CRP in H. pylori gastritis may independently induce endothelial dysfunction, leading to cardiovascular pathology.
Article Commentary: Tryptophan-Ethylester, the False (Unveiled) Melatonin Isomer in Red Wine
Authors: Iriti Marcello , Vigentini Ileana
Published: March 2015

Among the food plants, the presence of melatonin in grapes ( Vitis vinifera L.) deserves particular attention because of the production of wine, an alcoholic beverage of economic relevance and with putative healthy effects. Furthermore, melatonin isomers have been detected in wine too. Recently, one of these isomers has been identified as tryptophan-ethylester, a compound with the same molecular weight of melatonin. In this Commentary, we briefly comment the source(s) of tryptophan-ethylester in wine and the putative nutritional role(s).
The impact of temperature vertical structure on trajectory modeling of stratospheric water vapor
Authors: Wang T. , Dessler A. E. , Schoeberl M. R. , Randel W. J. , Kim J.-E.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Lagrangian trajectories driven by reanalysis meteorological fields are frequently used to study water vapor (H2O) in the stratosphere, in which the tropical cold-point temperatures regulate the amount of H2O entering the stratosphere. Therefore, the accuracy of temperatures in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) is of great importance for understanding stratospheric H2O abundances. Currently, most reanalyses, such as the NASA MERRA (Modern Era Retrospective – analysis for Research and Applications), only provide temperatures with ~ 1.2 km vertical resolution in the TTL, which has been argued to miss finer vertical structure in the tropopause and therefore introduce uncertainties in our understanding of stratospheric H2O. In this paper, we quantify this uncertainty by comparing the Lagrangian trajectory prediction of H2O using MERRA temperatures on standard model levels (traj.MER-T) to those using GPS temperatures at finer vertical resolution (traj.GPS-T), and those using adjusted MERRA temperatures with finer vertical structures induced by waves (traj.MER-Twave). It turns out that by using temperatures with finer vertical structure in the tropopause, the trajectory model more realistically simulates the dehydration of air entering the stratosphere. But the effect on H2O abundances is relatively minor: compared with traj.MER-T, traj.GPS-T tends to dry air by ~ 0.1 ppmv, while traj.MER-Twave tends to dry air by 0.2–0.3 ppmv. Despite these differences in absolute values of predicted H2O and vertical dehydration patterns, there is virtually no difference in the interannual variability in different runs. Overall, we find that a tropopause temperature with finer vertical structure has limited impact on predicted stratospheric H2O.
Influence of oil and gas field operations on spatial and temporal distributions of atmospheric non-methane hydrocarbons and their effect on ozone formation in winter
Authors: Field R. A. , Soltis J. , McCarthy M. C. , Murphy S. , Montague D. C.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Emissions from oil and natural gas development during winter in the Upper Green River basin of Wyoming are known to drive episodic ozone (O3) production. Contrasting O3 distributions were observed in the winters of 2011 and 2012, with numerous episodes (hourly O3 ≥ 85 ppbv) in 2011 compared to none in 2012. The lack of O3 episodes in 2012 coincided with a reduction in measured ambient levels of total non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC). Measurements of speciated NMHC, and other air quality parameters, were performed to better understand emission sources and to determine which compounds are most active in promoting O3 formation. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) analyses of the data were carried out to help achieve these goals. PMF analyses revealed three contributing factors that were identified with different emission source types: factor 1, combustion/traffic; factor 2, fugitive natural gas; and factor 3, fugitive condensate. Compositional signatures of the three contributing factors were identified through comparison with independently derived emission source profiles. Fugitive emissions of natural gas and of condensate were the two principal emission source types for NMHC. A water treatment and recycling facility was found to be a significant source of NMHC that are abundant in condensate, in particular toluene and m+p-xylene. Emissions from water treatment have an influence upon peak O3 mixing ratios at downwind measurement sites.
Meteor radar quasi two-day wave observations over 10 years at Collm (51.3° N, 13.0° E)
Authors: Lilienthal F. , Jacobi C.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. The quasi two-day wave (QTDW) at 82–97 km altitude over Collm (51° N, 13° E) has been observed using a~VHF meteor radar. The long-term mean amplitudes calculated using data between September 2004 and August 2014 show a strong summer maximum and a much weaker winter maximum. In summer, the meridional amplitude is slightly larger than the zonal one with about 15 m s−1 at 91 km height. Phase differences are slightly greater than 90° on an average. The periods of the summer QTDW vary between 43 and 52 H during strong bursts, while in winter the periods tend to be more diffuse. On an average, the summer QTDW is amplified after a maximum of zonal wind shear which is connected with the summer mesospheric jet and there is a possible correlation of the summer mean amplitudes with the backgound wind shear. QTDW amplitudes exhibit considerable inter-annual variability, however, a clear relation between the 11 year solar cycle and the QTDW is not found.
Spatial distribution of oxygen-18 and deuterium in stream waters across the Japanese archipelago
Authors: Katsuyama M. , Yoshioka T. , Konohira E.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. The spatial distribution of oxygen and hydrogen isotopic composition (δ18O and δ2H) of stream waters across Japan was clarified with a data set by compiling sample data obtained from 1278 forest catchments during the summer of 2003. Both δ18O and δ2H values showed positive correlations with the mean annual air temperature and annual evapotranspiration, and negative correlations with latitude and elevation. Deuterium excess (d-excess) values in stream waters were higher on the Sea of Japan side, and lower on the Pacific Ocean side, of the Japanese archipelago. The d-excess in precipitation was generally higher in winter and lower in summer in Japan. The Sea of Japan side experiences a great deal of snowfall, and seasonal changes in monthly precipitation are rather small. In contrast, the Pacific Ocean side experiences a large amount of rainfall during summer with low levels of precipitation during the winter. Therefore, the lower d-excess in stream waters on the Pacific Ocean side reflects summer precipitation, and the higher values on the Sea of Japan side are affected by delayed recharge from snowmelt. The isoscapes of stream water connote not only spatially integrated but also temporally integrated isotope signals of precipitation and provide a framework for addressing applied hydrological, ecological, or meteorological research questions at regional scales, such as the effects of climate change.
Entrepreneurial Learning in Education Preschool as a Take-Off for the Entrepreneurial Self
Authors: Axelsson Karin , Hägglund Sara , Sandberg Anette
Published: March 2015

Recently the phenomenon of entrepreneurship by political aspirations has entered the school setting. This is a world-wide development affecting education in practice and theory. In 2009 the Swedish Government launched a strategy stating that entrepreneurship should run like a common thread through the educational system. Since childhood is considered the ideal stage to influence attitudes towards entrepreneurship, and preschool constitutes the beginning of this publicly imposed “red thread”, this setting is of particular interest. In school practice the concept of entrepreneurship is translated into entrepreneurial learning. In this study we seek to investigate what characterises entrepreneurial learning in a preschool context according to preschool teachers by conducting both critical incident questionnaires and an in-depth interview using stimulated recall method. The empirical results suggest that entrepreneurial learning has developed the preschool teachers’ educational discussions and has affected the children’s entrepreneurial skills. Further, when analysing the material as to what supports and hinders a positive entrepreneurial learning situation, four main themes emerged: ongoing reflection, active participation, a meaningful learning situation and a tolerant atmosphere.
Teaching Arts Using the Project Method. Students’ Views Towards the Subject of Arts
Authors: Kampouropoulou Maria
Published: March 2015

The paper refers to the use of project method by students who were attending the first, second and third grade of High School in Greece. We designed and realized a research in order to examine the improvement of students’ attitudes and views towards the subject of Arts using the project method. The subject of the project in the first grade of High School was “the traditional village of Lindos”, the subject of the project in the second grade was “the medieval city of Rhodes” and the subject of the project in the third grade was "the acropolis of Filerimos". All the areas under study were in Rhodes, Greece. Questionnaires were given to the students before and after the teaching interventions which was realized during the first quarter of the school year 2014-2015. The results showed that the use of project method vindicated the goals of the research and improved significantly the students' views and attitudes towards the subject of Arts.