bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Wet Cold-Flow Technology for Tackling Offshore Flow-Assurance Problems
Authors: Azarinezhad R.. , Chapoy A.. , Anderson R.. , Tohidi B.. 
Published: July 2010

Summary
Flow assurance is a major challenge in offshore and deepwater operations. Conventional approaches for preventing gas-hydrate formation involve using thermodynamic inhibitors (e.g., methanol, glycol) or kinetic hydrate inhibitors or operating outside the hydrate- stability zone by insulating the pipeline and/or active heating.
These techniques are not always economical and in some cases are not practical for deepwater operations, long tiebacks, or aging reservoirs with high water cuts. The industry needs new and novel flow-assurance techniques to address these challenging conditions. The approach presented in this paper is a wet cold-flow-based method in which gas-hydrate management rather than prevention is the goal.
The HYDRAFLOW concept is to allow/encourage gas-hydrate formation, but prevent agglomeration in the pipeline and thus avoid blockage. The idea is to convert most of the gas phase into hydrates and transfer it in the form of hydrate-slurry in the pipeline. Where produced water is insufficient for maximum hydrate formation, excess water can be added from other sources such as seawater (hence wet cold flow, because the presence of a free aqueous phase is desired). It is also possible to adjust the hydrate-slurry viscosity by adjusting the amount of water. Antiagglomerants (AAs) and other additives may be necessary to control the hydrate-crystal size and prevent solid blockage in these systems.
Where possible, it is proposed to use a closed-loop concept that allows partial recirculation of the liquid phase and its associated additives. The recycled fluid acts as carrier fluid, transferring produced hydrocarbons to their destination (e.g., platform). In this case, part of the additives, including AAs, can be recycled, reducing the operational costs and potential environmental impact.
This paper presents the latest developments of the HYDRA- FLOW technology, including studies on hydrate-growth rates, viscosity/transportability of slurries for different low- and high- gas/oil-ratio (GOR) systems, and the effect of salts from reservoir brines and/or seawater.
High-Integrity Wellbore Surveying
Authors: Ekseth Roger , Torkildsen Torgeir , Brooks Andrew , Weston John , Nyrnes Erik , Wilson Harry , Kovalenko Kazimir 
Published: July 2010

Summary
Position-uncertainty estimates are used to determine if there is adequate probability of hitting a geological target, of avoiding collision with offset wells, and of drilling a successful relief well in the event of a blowout. These high-value decisions are based on tool-error-model predictions, the validity of which is highly dependent on the application of rigorous quality-control (QC) procedures to the survey data. Directional surveys that do not conform to their model's error predictions represent a risk in terms of lost production, damage to infrastructure, and loss of life.
This paper documents weaknesses in conventional directional-survey QC procedures. Theoretical considerations, statistical analyses of real survey data, and real examples of failed surveys that have made it through conventional QC procedures without detection are presented. The paper defines principles for survey-program design and implementation to eliminate these weaknesses. It proposes a new set of minimum requirements for survey validation.
Where the cumulative QC data do not support the model, it is necessary to adjust the model to fit the data. In the longer term, it might be possible to rework the tools and procedures in the hope of meeting the original model's specification, but the uncertainty estimate assigned to a survey must be valid at all times.
The methods described in this paper are capable of ensuring valid positional data and should be incorporated into standard practice. However, to implement these techniques correctly and consistently, it is probably necessary to establish a specialized supervisory function, responsible for the integrity of wellbore positioning across a company's entire operation.
This paper is the product of a collaborative work within the SPE Wellbore Positioning Technical Section (SPE-WPTS), and combines two previous papers on the subject by Ekseth et al. (2006, 2007).
Simulation Analysis of the Effects of Fractures? Geometrical Properties on the Performance of Vapour Extraction Process
Authors: Fatemi Seyyed M. , Bahonar Mehdi 
Published: July 2010

Summary
Vapour extraction (VAPEX), a newly developed heavy oil recovery (HOR) method, has been extensively studied, both theoretically and experimentally, in conventional sandstone models. However, the applicability of this process to naturally fractured reservoirs has not yet been addressed. The objective of this work is to evaluate the effects of fractures' geometrical properties, such as orientation, length of extension, discontinuity in both the upper well region (UWR) and the far well region (FWR) and vertical fracture location on VAPEX performance. Additionally, the effects of horizontal and vertical fracture dispersion in various density, dispersion scheme and networking on the performance of the VAPEX process are assessed. A fracture's discontinuity effect has also been scrutinized in the presence of parallel-piped networked fractures, which confirmed the results in the case of either horizontal or vertical fracture systems. It was found that the VAPEX process enhances performance in the case of longer vertical fractures, lower horizontal fracture dispersion, shorter horizontal fracture extension and lower vertical fracture discontinuity. Vertical fracture dispersion scheme also affects performance. The ultimate oil recovery, in the case of networked fractures, will be higher than the conventional model if the horizontal fractures have poor connectivity to each other.
Numerical Simulation and Economic Evaluation of Hybrid Solvent Processes
Authors: Frauenfeld Ted W.J. , Jossy Chris , Ivory John 
Published: July 2010

Summary
Solvent-based processes for recovery of heavy oil and bitumen have potential application to a variety of reservoir situations. Potential processes range from steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) to VAPEX, with a range of hybrid processes in between. Over 50 laboratory-scale and 80 field-scale simulations were run to determine optimum operating points for various hybrid processes. The results showed that steam-butane simulations yielded two "sweet spots" where the cost objective function was lower than that for SAGD. Economic analysis was done based on a set of field-scale simulations. This analysis showed that a hybrid solvent process for an Athabasca reservoir was an alternative to SAGD. The analysis may be extended to other reservoir types as needed.
Environmental Considerations in Waste Disposal from Drilling In the Shallow Beaufort Sea
Authors: Swanston H.W. , Heffler H.R. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Imperial Oil Limited's exploration program in the Canadian Arctic hasreceived close examination of the environmental consequences of marine disposalof drilling wastes. An extensive literature search provided data to assess theaquatic ecology and to identify potentially deleterious effects on theenvironment. Beak Consultants' laboratories analyzed samples of drilling wastefor a broad spectrum of physical and chemical characteristics. They alsoevaluated acute toxicity, using standard laboratory bioassay methods. Study ofseveral alternative methods of waste disposal identified two methods ofpretreatment which merited on-site testing. Both aeration, to reduce oxygendemand and acute toxicity, and filtration to reduce the volume of dischargedsolids were evaluated.
To date, drilling wastes have been discharged to both the open andice-covered waters of the Beaufort Sea. A local blanketing effect and a changein the pH in the immediate vicinity of the discharge point were the onlyenvironmental concerns expressed. This study concluded that, except for pHadjustment and removal of extraneous contaminants, no other treatment isrequired for the systems examined. Monitoring is continuing in order to assessthe long-term environmental impact at these Arctic drilling sites.

Introduction
The work reported here covers two studies done by Imperial Oil Limited and Beak Consultants Limited. The objective of the first project was to examine theinfluence of the disposal of drilling wastes from off-shore exploration wellsin the Mackenzie Delta on the immediate marine environment. In the secondproject, two methods of treatment of drilling wastes were evaluated by fieldtesting. This work also included monitoring of the discharged volume andsampling for chemical and bioassay analyses.
Lake Erie - offshore natural gas exploration and development opportunities in Ontario
Authors: Fox John N. , Rybansky Rudy M. , Trevail Robert A. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Lake Erie is the fourth largest of the Great Lakes covering an area of 25665 km2. The international boundary runs through the lake and 12 768km2 of the lake are under the control of the province of Ontario.The oil and natural gas rights under Lake Erie are owned by the province of Ontario. This paper describes the province's Lake Erie land tenure system ofexploratory licences and production leases. The paper also presents an overviewof offshore drilling, completion and production operations in Lake Erieincluding typical costs associated with such operations. When examining anyexploration and development opportunities it is essential that consideration begiven to the various factors that influence the attractiveness of suchopportunities. To this end, this paper presents a brief description of thegeology and reservoir characteristics of producing horizons underlying thelake, a summary of the lake's remaining proven and potential natural gasreserves and the advantages enjoyed by Ontario natural gas producers withrespect to gas pricing and marketing.

Introduction
The mineral rights under the waters of Lake Erie (Fig. 1) are held by the Crown in the right of Ontario. The lands are disposed of by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in accordance with regulations under the Mining Act. The regulations provide for the granting of exploratory licences ofoccupation and production leases. The objectives of the Lake Erie land tenuresystem are to ensure the orderly and efficient development, in the publicinterest, of the natural gas resources of the province while providing anattractive investment climate for the oil and gas industry.
A general gas reservoir and gathering system simulator
Authors: Puchyr Peter J. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
This paper describes the development of a combined gas gathering system andreservoir simulator. The simulator solves the reservoir and gathering systemequations in sequence on each iteration, with the well equations acting as theboundary condition for each stage.
The surface equations are a fully implicit set, collectively called thesurface model, capable of handling multiple terminals and looped lines.Boundary conditions for the surface model can be either rate or pressure, andcan be specified either at the terminal level or at the battery level. Aninnovative feature of the surface model is the ability to model operatingconditions in addition to the deliverability condition. This is made possibleby modelling controllers, which cause the problem to degenerate into a numberof smaller problems, each of which must be solved separately.
The three dimensional single phase reservoir model is also fully implicit, as is the well model. A significant feature of the well model is the cross-flowcapability in multilayer completions.
The simulator was originally developed for modelling the Suffield gas fieldin full detail. Suffield is the largest gas field in Canada operated by onecompany. The simulator needed to be capable of handling over 4000 wellsproducing from three horizons. Although the simulator was developed for aspecific application, it is completely general, and is applicable to any gasfield.

Introduction
For design and analysis purposes, the importance of simultaneouslysimulating the reservoir and gathering system performance has been recognizedfor some time. This type of model was pioneered by Dempsey et al., andsubsequent developments emphasized the surface system simulation (e.g. Berardand Eliason, Agbi). The surface system in Dempsey et al., is restrictedto a tree type of structure (i.e. only one terminal point; loops are notallowed) and the explicit solution technique employed on the gathering systemsuffered poor stability. Subsequent developments introduced implicit techniquesfor the gathering system, but reduced the reservoir model to material balanceor tank type models, eliminating the ability to see transient and interferenceeffects in the reservoir. Because of the areal extent and the number of wellsin Suffield, it is important to be able to resolve such effects. This modelcontains a fully implicit three dimensional single phase reservoir model, plusa fully implicit efficient gathering system model.
Decreased IRS Signaling Impairs β-Cell Cycle Progression and Survival in Transgenic Mice Overexpressing S6K in β-Cells
Authors: Elghazi Lynda , Balcazar Norman , Blandino-Rosano Manuel , Cras-Méneur Corentin , Fatrai Szabolcs , Gould Aaron P. , Chi Maggie M. , Moley Kelle H. , Bernal-Mizrachi Ernesto 
Published: July 2010

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of the S6K arm of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling in regulation of β-cell mass and function. Additionally, we aimed to delineate the importance of in vivo S6K activation in the regulation of insulin signaling and the extent to which alteration of insulin receptor substrate (IRS) signaling modulates β-cell mass and function.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSThe current experiments describe the phenotype of transgenic mice overexpressing a constitutively active form of S6K under the control of the rat insulin promoter.RESULTSActivation of S6K signaling in these mice improved insulin secretion in the absence of changes in β-cell mass. The lack of β-cell mass expansion resulted from decreased G1-S progression and increased apoptosis. This phenotype was associated with increased p16 and p27 and decreased Cdk2 levels. The changes in cell cycle were accompanied by diminished survival signals because of impaired IRS/Akt signaling.CONCLUSIONSThis work defines the importance of S6K in regulation of β-cell cycle, cell size, function, and survival. These experiments also demonstrate that in vivo downregulation of IRS signaling by TORC1/S6K induces β-cell insulin resistance, and that this mechanism could explain some of the abnormalities that ultimately result in β-cell failure and diabetes in conditions of nutrient overload.
Gαo Represses Insulin Secretion by Reducing Vesicular Docking in Pancreatic β-Cells
Authors: Zhao Aizhen , Ohara-Imaizumi Mica , Brissova Marcella , Benninger Richard K.P. , Xu Yanwen , Hao Yuhan , Abramowitz Joel , Boulay Guylain , Powers Alvin C. , Piston David , Jiang Meisheng , Nagamatsu Shinya , Birnbaumer Lutz , Gu Guoqiang 
Published: July 2010

OBJECTIVE
Pertussis toxin uncoupling–based studies have shown that Gαi and Gαo can inhibit insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells. Yet it is unclear whether Gαi and Gαo operate through identical mechanisms and how these G-protein–mediated signals inhibit insulin secretion in vivo. Our objective is to examine whether/how Gαo regulates islet development and insulin secretion in β-cells.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Immunoassays were used to analyze the Gαo expression in mouse pancreatic cells. Gαo was specifically inactivated in pancreatic progenitor cells by pancreatic cell–specific gene deletion. Hormone expression and insulin secretion in response to different stimuli were assayed in vivo and in vitro. Electron microscope and total internal reflection fluorescence–based assays were used to evaluate how Gαo regulates insulin vesicle docking and secretion in response to glucose stimulation.

RESULTS
Islet cells differentiate properly in Gαo−/− mutant mice. Gαo inactivation significantly enhances insulin secretion both in vivo and in isolation. Gαo nullizygous β-cells contain an increased number of insulin granules docked on the cell plasma membrane, although the total number of vesicles per β-cell remains unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS
Gαo is not required for endocrine islet cell differentiation, but it regulates the number of insulin vesicles docked on the β-cell membrane.
Kinetics of Contraction-Induced GLUT4 Translocation in Skeletal Muscle Fibers From Living Mice
Authors: Lauritzen Hans P.M.M. , Galbo Henrik , Toyoda Taro , Goodyear Laurie J. 
Published: July 2010

OBJECTIVE
Exercise is an important strategy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. This is due in part to an increase in glucose transport that occurs in the working skeletal muscles. Glucose transport is regulated by GLUT4 translocation in muscle, but the molecular machinery mediating this process is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to 1) use a novel imaging system to elucidate the kinetics of contraction-induced GLUT4 translocation in skeletal muscle and 2) determine the function of AMP-activated protein kinase α2 (AMPKα2) in this process.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Confocal imaging was used to visualize GLUT4-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in transfected quadriceps muscle fibers in living mice subjected to contractions or the AMPK-activator AICAR.

RESULTS
Contraction increased GLUT4-EGFP translocation from intracellular vesicle depots to both the sarcolemma and t-tubules with similar kinetics, although translocation was greater with contractions elicited by higher voltage. Re-internalization of GLUT4 did not begin until 10 min after contractions ceased and was not complete until 130 min after contractions. AICAR increased GLUT4-EGFP translocation to both sarcolemma and t-tubules with similar kinetics. Ablation of AMPKα2 activity in AMPKα2 inactive transgenic mice did not change GLUT4-EGFP′s basal localization, contraction-stimulated intracellular GLUT4-EGFP vesicle depletion, translocation, or re-internalization, but diminished AICAR-induced translocation.

CONCLUSIONS
We have developed a novel imaging system to study contraction-stimulated GLUT4 translocation in living mice. Contractions increase GLUT4 translocation to the sarcolemma and t-tubules with similar kinetics and do not require AMPKα2 activity.
Apicomplexan parasites of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in northeastern Poland
Authors: Karbowiak Grzegorz , Majláthová Viktória , Hapunik Joanna , Pet’ko Branislav , Wita Irena 
Published: July 2010

AbstractMolecular detection of apicomplexan parasites in splenic samples of red foxes collected from northeastern Poland was conducted by PCR amplification of a fragment of the 18S rRNA spanning the V4 gene region of Apicomplexa. Positive PCR products were further analysed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequencing to identify species. One hundred and eleven red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were acquired from 15 localities in the Mazovian Province and 27 foxes were acquired from the Mazurian Lakeland. Apicomplexan 18S rDNA was detected in 15.9% of 138 fox spleens examined. Three apicomplexan species were identified: Hepatozoon canis was detected in 11.6% of the spleen samples, Toxoplasma gondii was detected in 3.6% of the spleen samples and a Babesia sp. was sequenced from 1 sample (0.7%). This data represent the first record of H. canis, T. gondii and a B. sp. from naturally infected red foxes in Poland. Infected foxes may act as sylvatic reservoirs of these apicomplexan parasites as well as serving as a source of infection for arthropod definitive hosts and vectors.
A new locality and host for Pseudione crenulata G.O. Sars, 1898 (Crustacea, Isopoda, Bopyridae) in the Mediterranean
Authors: Castriota Luca , Falautano Manuela , Vivona Pietro , Andaloro Franco 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe first record of Pseudione crenulata in the branchial chamber of Munida intermedia is reported from the southern Tyrrhenian Sea, with notes on accessory males and female morphology. The effects of this parasite on host pleopod morphology are reported. Pseudione crenulata has previously been recorded from M. tenuimana and M. rugosa, both in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
Cell Adhesion Molecules Regulate Fibrotic Process via Th1/Th2/Th17 Cell Balance in a Bleomycin-Induced Scleroderma Model
Authors: Yoshizaki Ayumi , Yanaba Koichi , Iwata Yohei , Komura Kazuhiro , Ogawa Asako , Akiyama Yuichiro , Muroi Eiji , Hara Toshihide , Ogawa Fumihide , Takenaka Motoi , Shimizu Kazuhiro , Hasegawa Minoru , Fujimoto Manabu , Tedder Thomas F. , Sato Shinichi 
Published: July 2010

AbstractMice s.c. injected with bleomycin, an experimental model for human systemic sclerosis, develop skin and lung fibrosis, which is mediated by inflammatory cell infiltration. This process is highly regulated by multiple adhesion molecules and does not require Ag sensitization. To assess the role of adhesion molecules in this pathogenetic process, bleomycin-induced fibrosis was examined in mice lacking adhesion molecules. L-selectin and/or ICAM-1 deficiency inhibited skin and lung fibrosis with decreased Th2 and Th17 cytokines and increased Th1 cytokines. In contrast, P-selectin deficiency, E-selectin deficiency with or without P-selectin blockade, or P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1) deficiency augmented the fibrosis in parallel with increased Th2 and Th17 cytokines and decreased Th1 cytokines. Furthermore, loss of L-selectin and/or ICAM-1 reduced Th2 and Th17 cell numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, whereas loss of P-selectin, E-selectin, or PSGL-1 reduced Th1 cell numbers. Moreover, Th1 cells exhibited higher PSGL-1 expression and lower expression of LFA-1, a ligand for ICAM-1, whereas Th2 and Th17 cells showed higher LFA-1 and lower PSGL-1 expression. This study suggests that L-selectin and ICAM-1 regulate Th2 and Th17 cell accumulation into the skin and lung, leading to the development of fibrosis, and that P-selectin, E-selectin, and PSGL-1 regulate Th1 cell infiltration, resulting in the inhibition of fibrosis.