bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A to Z of Gas Tracers - A Decade of Learning and Experience
Authors: Khan M. N. , Iwama H. , AL-Neaimi A. , AL-Shehhi O. , Chatterjee M. 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
In interwell tracer studies, reservoir complexities often make tracer breakthrough time difficult to assess. Although reservoir simulation studies serve as an effective tool in predicting a breakthrough, the tracer behavior in the real porous media sometimes present fascinating surprises. The proposed paper discusses a crestal gas injection project that was carried out in a super-giant heterogeneous carbonate oil field operated by ADMA-OPCO.
The field has been on production since 1960s with peripheral water and crestal gas injection as the current means of maintaining the reservoir energy. In 2006 a crestal gas injection project was initiated to support the production from the wells lying away from periphery. Alongside, a tracer study was initiated to track the injected gas movement and hence to find out the effective distribution pattern of the injected gas.
The tracer deployment was intentionally delayed by two years to equalize the crestal pressure distribution and to observe the natural injection gas diffusion pattern. The simulation results predicted a prolonged breakthrough period for the injected tracers, and therefore, the sampling scheme was designed accordingly. Extensive faulting across the field and the changes in the reservoir conditions between tracer injection and analysis period made the project even more challenging. After 10 years of tracers' injection, an extensive study was carried out to review the initial design assumptions and to fine tune the prediction models. As a result an optimized/focused tracer surveillance strategy was developed and implemented.
The proposed paper tracks an interesting and thought provoking journey of the tracers inside the reservoir that has not only helped reservoir management team to better understand the reservoir characteristics, but it has also identified the gaps in the tracer project design and execution strategies. The indispensable experience gained during the past 10 years, starting from the tracers design, the project execution and the integration of the results, has tremendously improved the learning curve of the ADMA-OPCO and all future tracer surveillance project strategies are designed based on the actual learning from this project.
For a giant heterogeneous field like the one discussed in this paper, the investment return time for a tracer surveillance project can be nerve wracking, which requires patience, careful continuous assessment and adherence to the project plan. Besides sharing the lesson learnt, this paper also explores the added benefits of the tracer studies.
Analysis of Soot Emissions from the Combustion of Diesel Blended with Biodiesel Toward Mitigating Environmental Pollution
Authors: Kareem M. O. , Raj A. , Peña G. D. , Alrefaai M. M. 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
In the attempt to reduce environmental pollution caused by emissions from diesel engines, alternative fuels for diesel have been suggested in this work to be used in suitable combinations with it as blended fuel. These alternative fuels are oxygen-containing compounds, which emit less emissions when used in the engines either alone or in combination with diesel due to the presence of fuel-bound oxygen. This work studies the effect of the use of blends of diesel and biodiesel (derived from neem-oil), on engine emissions. The smoke point test for the blends of diesel with biodiesel in increasing blending proportions from 0 – 30 % was conducted experimentally, according to ASTM D1322 standard. Soot was also collected at heights above the smoke point for the fuel blends, and the changes in the nanostructure and the reactivity of the resulting soot particles, as compared to soot from petroleum diesel, was identified using suitable characterization techniques such as high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Expectedly, these blends provide a notable reduction in the type and nature of the emissions in comparison to those emitted from petroleum diesel. These emissions typically contain soot and an understanding of the changes in the morphology and physical characteristics of the soot formed from the blends in juxtaposition to that formed from the diesel fuel is of interest in observing the effectiveness of the use of these oxygenated compounds in combination with the fuel on the engine emissions. It was observed that the smoke point values increased with increasing percentage of biodiesel in the blend, which indicated a reduction in the sooting tendency of diesel due to the addition of biodiesel. In addition, the results of the characterizations, in addition to the observed reduction in the sooting tendency of the diesel fuel due to the addition of the biodiesel, indicated physical and chemical changes in the nanostructure of the soot particles. Furthermore, these observed changes in the nanostructure of the soot particles were related to the changes in its morphology and reactivity. The results from this work contribute to the understanding of the nature, physical nanostructure, chemical reactivity and morphology of soot particles resulting from diesel fuel used in engines, as well as changes in these properties when it is used in combination with its oxygenated alternatives. Therefore, it indicates a potential avenue for the reduction of the environmental pollution effects of the fuel.
A Novel Integrated Approach for Multistage Transverse Fracturing in Up-Dip Heterogeneous Reservoir of Western Onshore Basin, India
Authors: Sharma Vinit , Pandey Yash , Negi Anil Singh , Bhatt Pankaj , Das Santanu 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
The main objective of this paper is to present a case history of 26 successful Multi-Stage Fracturing jobs performed in 4 horizontal (up-dip) wells drilled in the western onshore field of India. A detailed analysis of Frac job design, Stress profile analysis, well placement, exploitation approaches and successful implementation of new completion technology is also addressed.
Detailed stress profile studies were conducted to finalize the azimuth of the well. Placing the lateral section of the well with reference to the stress directions plays a major role in the success and effectiveness of fracturing in enhancing and sustaining productivity. Rock mechanical data was taken from nearby offset wells. The data was extrapolated over a lateral length of ~1000m and an up-dip angle up to 9 degrees. Considering the heterogeneity of formation, Mini-frac and DFIT test analysis were conducted in alternate stages to get the variance in leak-off and permeability throughout the horizontal section of the reservoir.
An exhaustive study involving numerous tests on core and oil samples were conducted including elemental analysis, XRD, SEM, Capillary Suction Time (CST), Non-emulsification tests etc. Observations from the tests confirmed that Pour point of the crude was considerably high and crude was waxy in nature. Mineralogical analysis showed more than 40% of MLIS clays. The inputs from these test results were incorporated in formulating the frac fluid as well as job design. Geoscience studies results were utilized in finalizing the well trajectory and placement. Sensitivity analysis helped in deciding the optimum proppant volume for the stages. Post frac job analysis confirmed achievement of target transverse frac geometry and good conductivity. The same results were also supported by the encouraging production performance from the wells.
A New Tera-Hertz THz Imaging Device for Multiphase Flow Metering
Authors: Saied Imran , Meribout Dr. Mahmoud , Hosani Esra Al , Kalra Mohit 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
In this paper, a new FPGA-based THz imaging device for real-time multiphase flow metering is proposed. The overall system consists of a THz source and a THz camera within which a stainless steel-flanged Teflon-made cylindrical probe is provided to carry the multiphase flow. Hence, the system acts like an X-ray-based device but has the advantage of having non-ionizing waves which makes it a safer alternative. In addition, the system provides a much informative indication about the flow by capturing its two-dimensional image in real-time and without the requirement of performing the time-consuming and errorless-free image tomography techniques. The THz camera consists of 64 × 64 pixels which represent the actual accumulated dielectric of objects value within a projected line in the space. The camera provides the pixel values via a digital video bus (USB port) to an FPGA board for real-time video processing and display. The video processing consists of a cascade of consecutive tasks which include image filtering and histogram, feature extraction and counting (for phase fraction measurement), in addition to block-based motion estimation (for flow rate measurement). This constitutes a breakthrough in the field of multiphase flow metering since this task can take full advantage of the mature and advanced techniques achieved in video processing to achieve the most accurate and informative multiphase flow measurement. Extensive experimental tests were successfully carried out on the developed device using various samples with different concentrations of water and air. Hence, an accuracy of 90.2% for the multiphase flow measurement, with a total processing time of 110 ms/frame were achieved. This can be improved even further if a more advanced FPGA featuring high speed clock, in addition to more advanced video processing algorithms are simultaneously used.
The Performance of Water Injection Wells Equipped with ICD Completions in One of the Giant Offshore Field, Abu Dhabi
Authors: Channa Zohaib , Khan Muhammad Navaid , Iwama Hiroki , Husain Ali , Al-blooshi Jamal R. , El-Sayed H. S. , Nofal Salman F. , Al-feky Mohamed H. , Ahmed Fazeel 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
As a part of the effective reservoir management in commingled water injection wells crossing different formation layers with varying characteristics (Thickness, permeability, reservoir pressure etc), ICD completions in combination with open hole have successfully been deployed in ADMA-OPCO in more than 10 wells since 2009 to control water injection in high permeable formation and ensure uniform fluid sweep. ICDs were placed against high permeable formation for controlling injection rates while keeping open hole in lower permeable formation. Production logs (PLT) were run in most of the ICD deployed wells to quantify the injection rates across ICDs and open hole section. Based on production logging results, down-hole completion design changes were considered and incorporated in newer wells as a part of continuous improvement. Case histories of ICD installations across high permeable zones showed the technique helped in better injection distribution and reservoir performance improvement. The aim of this paper is to discuss the performance in water injectors with different ICD completion configurations, improvement in injection distribution in different permeability reservoirs, lesson learned during completion running operation.
Successful Integrated Reservoir Management Leads to Doubling of Production: A Case Study of Upper Burgan Reservoir, Raudhatain Field, Kuwait
Authors: Chellappan Suresh Kumar , Al-Hajeri Nasser Saif , De Santanu , Safar Ahmed 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
In the current and future scenario of increasing demand for hydrocarbons, Multi-Disciplinary Integrated Reservoir Management team is the key to achieve maximum production rates and ultimate recovery. In Raudhatain Upper Burgan reservoir production started in 1959 with initial reservoir pressure of 3850 psi. Decline in reservoir pressure with sustained rate of production indicated weak aquifer support and initiated water injection during the year 2001 with three flank injectors. Production rate was sustained at 30 to 35 MBOPD for long time and it was decided that to go the next level of production and to meet KOC's strategic production target.
Various alternative pressures – production plans were scrutinized by the multi-disciplinary team consists of Geologists, Reservoir Engineers, Petrophysicists and Petroleum Engineers and identified bottlenecks, constraints and action plan to address the problems and to accelerate the production. Some of the bottlenecks to accelerate the production were decreasing pressure, unavailability of required volume of water for injection, delay in commissioning of effluent water injection facility and low productivity of flank wells with viscous oil. The integrated Reservoir management team initiated number of projects to increase the productivity like Paradigm shift in drilling practice by way of drilling Horizontal, Multilateral wells and completing with ICD's for better production and injection sweep efficiency. Liquidated the sick wells with no potential in any other Reservoirs (Multiple Reservoirs) are identified for Horizontal Sidetracking to sweet spot areas. Decreasing Reservoir pressure and Voidage Replacement Ratio has been addressed by changing the water injection strategy and aligning the injectors in right areas.
The results were rewarding as the production rate doubled from a sustained level of 35 MBOPD to more than 70 MBOPD in a span of 3 to 4 years. The initiatives taken to convert the producers to injectors resulted in increased water injection volume and doubled the Voidage Replacement Ratio.
This paper presents the details of Integrated Reservoir Management team efforts and what are the initiatives and strategic actions taken by overcoming the current constraints to double its production. It discusses the effective Reservoir Management of a mature oil field to enhance and accelerate production.
Learnings From Incidents in Steam Systems
Authors: Nuthanapati Sreekanth , Shenoy Manur Ajith , Miranda Robert , Adel Khalid , Awadhi Ibrahim Al 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
In Oil & Gas plants, steam is supplied to different process units such as turbines & reboilers through piping and is routed on pipe racks. The steam system is encountered with typical problems such as condensate accumulation, hammering, vibrations, condensate discharge, etc. These can cause serious damages to the piping and supporting systems. Such operational and design issues related to steam service can affect the integrity of Plant structures. This paper presents the improvements that are considered in steam lines and their supporting structures which assures high safety and integrity of the system.
Steam traps are provided to filter out condensate and non-condensable gases without letting steam escape from steam pipes. Faulty working of steam traps causes accumulation of condensate resulting in hammering which induces heavy vibration and impulsive loads. The impact loads are not accounted in structure design as their magnitude can't be precisely computed due to its complexity and dynamic nature. These accidental loads can have destabilizing effects on the system such as failure of pipe supports, supporting structure, consequential damage of neighboring pipes etc. Conventional practice of open discharge of steam trap condensate on concrete substructure is another cause of concern.
Comprehensive study of failure of piping & structural systems at different plants was undertaken to identify possible root causes and realize mitigation measures. To address the deficiencies identified and to further enhance safety, various improvement options were studied and optimal solutions to steam system design were finalized. Some of the improvements proposed included positive isolation / blinding of steam lines to avoid condensate build up, removal of abandoned steam lines, periodic condition monitoring of steam traps, installation of automatic Wireless Acoustic Monitoring system for steam traps, design prerequisites for cantilever supports, sampling and testing of supplied structural bolts as a part of QA/QC, routing of condensate drain discharge to plant drainage system. Suggested improvements and recommendations were implemented and no further issues were reported until this time.
The History Matching of Commingled Injectors Through the Evaluation of Horizontal Well Performance in an Offshore Carbonate Oil Field in Abu Dhabi
Authors: Iwama Hiroki , AL-Silwadi Basil Mohamed , AL-Feky Mohamed Helmy , Nakashima Toshinori , AL-Shehhi Omar Yousef , AL-Neaimi Ahmed Khalifa 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
This paper introduces the history matching process of commingled wells and demonstrates how to reduce the uncertainty of the vertical permeability ratio (kV/kH) by analyzing the production logging results of horizontal wells which have been used only for allocation through the evaluation of horizontal well performance.
The field discussed in this paper is an offshore carbonate oil field located to the Northwest of Abu Dhabi. In this field, a lot of horizontal water injectors have been drilled and completed for the purpose of reservoir pressure maintenance. Historically, most of horizontal water injectors were completed as comingled injector covering two layers isolated by thick dense layers. Due to the complexity of the well and the difficulty of well monitoring, the well performance of these horizontal water injectors was not fully integrated into the model history matching process.
The kV/kH ratio is one of the important parameters for analyzing fluid movements in carbonate oil reservoirs. Generally, the value obtained from core analysis results is utilized for reservoir simulation models. In this paper, the effectiveness of analyzing production logging results for commingle wells is introduced as a method for evaluating kV/kH on the simulation model. The end result can reduce uncertainties of kV/kH resulting from heterogeneity of carbonate reservoirs.
It is confirmed that production logging results of commingle horizontal wells are valuable for evaluating kV/kH to be defined the simulation model. They can help to reduce the uncertainty in kV/kH, although there is not enough data for the history matching process.
Improving Efficiency in Rig Perforating Operations by Managing Larger Diameter Gun Strings on Wireline Cable for the First Time in the UAE
Authors: Toki Takahiro , Al Wahedi Khalid , Benygzer Mhammed , Kasem Youssef , Singh Rudra Narayan , Sookram Neil , Cocagne Michael , Banda Maria Eugenia , Klein Daniel Hunter , Wagner Joris 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
After Cuttings Re-Injection (CRI) wells are drilled and cased over the targeted zone, the next step in the process towards finalizing the well is usually perforating the casing. Perforating guns can be deployed with the rig on location or rigless after the production string has been run in the well. Operations with the rig usually offer the benefit of being able to use larger guns with improved formation penetration and larger perforation tunnel size. The extra penetration helps bypass the damaged zone around the wellbore to get into the better permeability of the undamaged formation rock for improved injectivity. The larger perforation tunnel allows more contact with the formation and increased flow area, factors which also help improve injectivity. Rigless perforating generally requires smaller guns which can pass through the tubing, and therefore offer less formation penetration and smaller perforation tunnels. However, one of the major benefits of the rigless operation is the rig time savings, which can often be substantial.
Very good injectivity is a must for CRI wells to manage the large amount of cuttings that will be injected. Large diameter holes in the casing are necessary along with a high shot density for more holes, and 7″ perforation guns were required for the 9-5/8″ casing to achieve these characteristics for injection purposes. When large perforating guns are used, the tubing-conveyed perforating (TCP) technique is usually prefered over cable-conveyed guns because of possible cable damage from shock when the guns are detonated.
The TCP technique often requires more rig time however and usually results in more overall cost than for a wireline operation with a small number of gun runs. Another consideration for the CRI wells is that they are drilled by a new rig with a relatively inexperienced rig crew. Considering rig performance, using wireline for the perforating operation could therefore be more effective in reducing operating time. However, a number of factors have to be taken into account when preparing for perforating using longer, large diameter gun strings on cable, including gun string weight, shock on cable head when the guns are detonated and cable weak points. The shock forces for this case were modeled with special software and the necessary high-strength cable, shock absorbers and weak points were procured for the operation. Rig up limitations also had to be considered to manage the length and weight of the heavy string and a special sequence was prepared and implemented using an on-site crane.
The job was managed safely and efficiently in the single planned run, marking the first time this type of operation has been done in the country and this paper summarizes the process and the efficiency results.
Unique Approach for Subsea Pipeline Design Challenges in Abu Dhabi Shallow Waters
Authors: Selvam Rajendran , Binthabet Hussain A. , Bufalah Salah Jebara , Qambar Najem A. , Azouz Amr M. 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
Several thousands of kilometers of subsea pipelines and cables were installed in UAE shallow waters from 1960's till date; continued expansion can be seen through ongoing and several new projects. During this period many challenges have emerged in subsea pipeline design, installation and commissioning aspects and have presented a major constraint for offshore oil & gas operating companies in the region, affecting both the infrastructure development and the day to day operation in the field. Systematic efforts have been made to identify, assess and consciously resolve these identified challenges attributed to the overall "pipeline system design" vis-à-vis ensuring harmony with prevailing industry practices. Through due diligence and commitment, improved engineering design and installation practices have been developed with utmost synergy and collaboration between the operating companies to successfully overcome these challenges and present a safe and risk-free pipeline system for the production and export of processed crude in this region.