bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental Study of In-Situ Upgrading for Heavy Oil Using Hydrogen Donors and Catalyst under Steam Injection Condition
Authors: Zhang Zhiyong , Barrufet Maria , Lane Robert , Mamora Daulat 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
This research is a study of the in-situ upgrading of Jobo crude oil using steam, tetralin or decalin, and catalyst (Fe(acac)3) at temperatures of 250 °C, 275 °C and 300 °C for 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours using an autoclave. Viscosity and API gravity changes were investigated. We found that tetralin and decalin alone were good solvents for heavy oil recovery. Tetralin or decalin at concentrations of 9% (weight basis) could reduce the Jobo crude oil viscosity measured at 50 °C by 44% and 39%. Steam alone had some upgrading effects. It could reduce the oil viscosity by 10% after 48 hours of contact at 300°C. Tetralin, decalin or catalyst showed some upgrading effects when used together with steam and caused 5.4%, 4% and 19% viscosity reduction compared with corresponding pre-upgrading mixture after 48 hours of reaction at 300°C. The combination of hydrogen donor tetralin or decalin and catalyst reduced the viscosity of the mixture the most, by 56% and 72% compared with pre-upgrading mixture. It meant that hydrogen donors and catalyst had strong synergetic effects on heavy oil upgrading. We also found that 300 °C was an effective temperature for heavy oil upgrading with obvious viscosity reduction in the presence of steam, hydrogen donors and catalyst. Reaction can be considered to have reached almost equilibrium condition after 48 hours. The study has demonstrated that in-situ heavy oil upgrading has great potential applications in heavy and extra heavy oil recovery.
Modelling of Gas Exsolution and Transport in a Live Heavy Oil Reservoir
Authors: Uddin M. 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Depressurization causes the exsolution of dissolved gases as bubbles within the live heavy oil reservoirs. The exsolution of bubbles increases the fluid volume within the reservoir, forcing both oil and bubbles to the well. Subsequently, growth and coalescence lead different sizes of gas bubbles accumulation in the producing zone which mainly controlled by viscous and capillary forces. Laboratory data show a significant amount of gas bubbles become trapped in the flow system. This entrapment of the gas phase results in higher critical gas saturation. Modelling of gas bubble exsolution and transport is vitally important in designing production technology for improving oil recovery. This project was devoted to develop a mechanistic foamy oil model for quantifying gas exsolution and transport which can operate within the commercial reservoir simulator.
The foamy oil model has been completed in two parts: In Part 1, a kinetic model with five components and four reactions was developed to simulate gas exsolution in a live heavy oil reservoir. The kinetic model coupled with the commercial simulator (CMG STARS) was applied to history matching of several laboratory gas exsolution experimental data. Performance of the model in special form under different flow regimes has been presented at the 2005 SPE/PS-CDVI/CHOA Symposium. In Part 2, we developed a set of analytical functions to quantify gas bubbles partition and gas-oil relative mobility in reservoir porous media as function of capillary number.
In this paper, the foamy oil model in generalized form is systematically presented: (1) history matches of mercury withdrawal experiments – studying the gas exsolution parameters with capillary number, (2) analysis of micro-model tests – developing a gas bubbles partition function depending on capillary number, and (3) history matches of radial drainage pressure depletion experiments – developing a set of relative permeability alteration functions depending on grid block capillary number for field scale modeling.
Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Hexane on SAGD Performance at Different Operating Pressures
Authors: Mohebati Moslem Hosseininejad , Maini Brij B. , Harding Thomas G. 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Solvent SAGD hybrid processes have attracted considerable attention in recent years. The perceived benefits of solvent addition to steam in SAGD are higher oil rate, lower energy and water consumption, higher recovery by lowering residual oil saturation (Sor) and higher return on investment. Despite numerous investigations that have been published regarding different aspects of solvent SAGD processes, this hybrid process is poorly understood and the solvent effects are difficult to predict. In fact, there is no available theory to model to the transport phenomena and the role of solvent within the steam chamber. Numerical simulation studies typically model the viscosity reduction of bitumen by solvent dissolution but do not capture other plausible mechanisms that yield higher oil rate and recovery, for example, lowering of Sor or partial in-situ upgrading. Laboratory experiments at realistic reservoir conditions are needed to gain more insight into these hybrid processes.
This paper presents the results of a series of laboratory experiments for evaluation of solvent addition to SAGD. These experiments were conducted at different representative reservoir pressure in a 3-D scaled physical model. Hexane, which has shown the best performance in many studies, was co-injected as solvent with steam in these experiments. Oil rate, recovery, and steam oil ratio were compared and the hybrid solvent/SAGD process performance was evaluated at different operating conditions. Additionally post-test sand samples were extracted from the model to examine residual oil saturation in different parts of the model after each experiment.
Experimental results showed improved performance of SAGD with addition of hexane, both at high and low operating pressure. However, the impact of hexane on the shape of the steam chamber and distribution of residual oil was significantly affected by operating pressure. This behavior of hexane, which appears to be related to its phase behavior, shows that solvent SAGD processes are considerably more complex than first thought.
The Evaluation of Open-hole Completions for Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage Wells In a Heavily Karsted and Fractured Carbonate Formation
Authors: Arseniuk Stephen E. , Peterson Jeff , Barrett Kent , Chou Queena 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
The Upper Devonian Grosmont Formation, located in the West Athabasca Oil Sands Deposit, contains an estimated 406 billion barrels of bitumen. The reservoir is a heavily karsted and fractured, bitumen-saturated carbonate. Initial thermal horizontal well development is currently underway in this resource. These horizontal wells have similar logistics, well construction and materials challenges to those in the McMurray Formation.
Laricina has been actively developing the Grosmont Formation. Production from the pilot began in 2011 and many lessons have been learned. The next phase of development is a 10,700 bbl/day commercial project scheduled for first steam in 2014. The Grosmont, despite many drilling challenges such as severe lost circulation, also provides many opportunities not typically achievable in clastic oil sands developments. Carbonate rock is typically a good candidate for open-hole completions due to its geomechanical properties. This paper will discuss the geomechanical investigation evaluating borehole stability during drilling and completion, steam injection and production operations.
Use of Pressure Transient Analysis for the Detection of Gas/Water Contact Movement in a Gas Reservoir
Authors: Yaich E. , Robertson N. , Whittle T. , Jamankulov A. 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
A significant challenge in the development of gas reservoirs connected to strong aquifers is the prediction of aquifer movement and the timing of water breakthrough. Generally reservoir simulation techniques are used to solve this problem but we cannot calibrate the prediction until water production at the well is seen – this may be too late.
The use of permanent downhole pressure gauges to record pressure transients throughout the life of a well allows us to identify the influence of nearby water contacts and to track their movement. The pressure derivative provides a dynamic signature of the well and reservoir response and, in the case of a mobile aquifer, indicates a boundary effect appearing to move closer to the well over time. By monitoring the change in distance, the time for it to reach the well can be predicted and thus gives us an estimate of the time to water breakthrough.
The method leads to a recovery estimate that is independent of traditional reservoir simulation and material balance techniques. One of the benefits of this methodology is to assist in the calibration of reservoir simulation forecasts and therefore business planning. Another is to evaluate whether the gas water contacts are moving under the current production strategy and hence to optimize reservoir management and maximize recovery. It can also be used to estimate the location of a potential down-dip gas-water contact not penetrated by any of the wells and therefore help in the quantification of reservoir volumes. It is also a potential alternative/additional methodology for prediction and forecasting of reservoir behaviour.
This novel method was applied to a gas field in the offshore Trinidad where it was estimated that the current reservoir simulation model was under-predicting the recovery of gas prior to water breakthrough. While the reservoir model predicted that water breakthrough should have happened more than six months ago, no sign of formation water production has been detected at the time of writting which is in line with the findings from our method.
A Combined Mixer Design with Helical Blades to Probe Rheology of Complex Oilfield Slurries and Pastes
Authors: Sairam P. K. , Morgan R. , Pangu Ganesh 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Fluid systems used for servicing wellbores are usually a combination of particulate materials of varying specific gravity, particle size, aspect ratio, and reactivity, such as lightweight materials/weighting agents, clays, fibers, elastomers, polymers, resins, salts, and cementitious materials in water or oil media. These fluids are more commonly referred to as ‘complex fluids’ and often exhibit a high degree of non-Newtonian and time-dependent behavior. To more efficiently and expeditiously perform well operations, it is beneficial to accurately probe the rheology of fluids (and their admixtures) under downhole conditions.
A novel, helical-shaped stator-rotor assembly was designed and developed to work around measurement errors arising from sample inhomogeneity, particle separation, wall slip, and coring-related issues with commonly used geometries, such as those of a bob/sleeve and vane. The rotor blade arrangement is a double helix with cut flights, whereas the stator unit has blades that are manufactured by parting a coaxial double helix offset to the envelope of the rotor. Constant relative separation between the stator blades and rotor vanes is maintained in all planes to create shear geometries that enhance in-situ mixing. This was leveraged to conducting compatibility testing.
Torque and rev/min data was collected for eight different Newtonian fluids with viscosities ranging from 10 to 1000 cp. The power number and impeller Reynolds number were plotted to derive functional relationships between these quantities in the laminar and turbulent regimes. Various complex fluids, including fracturing gels, viscoelastic fluids, oil, water-based muds, spacers, and cement slurries were tested on the helical mixer, a triangular impeller, and Couette geometries for comparative mathematical modeling.
A unified algorithm and data analysis protocol featuring the four-parameter generalized Herschel Bulkley model is presented to derive rheograms and yield stress. A comparison of experimental results with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations is also presented.
Reservoir Simulation Modeling of the Mature Cold Lake Steaming Operations
Authors: Liu Zhihong , Stark Shane D 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
While Imperial Oil continues to expand its heavy oil in situ thermal operations at Cold Lake (Fawcett et al., 2011), some cyclic steam stimulation (CSS) wells are evolving to a mature (late life) stage after decades of successful operation. One strategy that has been used in Cold Lake to improve recovery beyond CSS is to implement injector-only-infill (IOI) wells, targeting the cold reservoir region isolated from the CSS depleted zones. The cyclic IOI process can transition to a continuous, low pressure operation; i.e. infill steamflooding. A three year field trial at Cold Lake pads H01/H02 has demonstrated that an oil recovery level of 65% can be achieved by converting mature CSS areas to an infill steamflood (Stark, 2011). During the course of the trial operation and the subsequent commercial deployment of infill steamflooding, significant reservoir simulation studies have been conducted. Simulation has played an important role in providing a physics-based understanding of the infill steamflood process at Cold Lake by enhancing the understanding of how gravity drainage, inter-well communication, and out-of-pattern steam migration play key roles in the steamflooding recovery process. This paper focuses on validation of the reservoir simulation models through comparison to a variety of field performance data types (e.g. well production data, production well temperature logs). Optimization of the infill steamflood process remains a key focus area for maximizing oil recovery at Cold Lake with reservoir simulation providing guidance on various improvement opportunities including steam injection strategy, infill well and production well completion strategy and mitigation of out-of-pattern steam migration.
Genetic Composition and Spatial Distribution of Farmer‐managed Phaseolus Bean Plantings: An Example from a Village in Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: Worthington Margaret , Soleri Daniela , Aragón‐Cuevas Flavio , Gepts Paul 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTIn situ conservation of crop genetic resources is an important complement to ex situ conservation, yet little is known about how small‐scale farmers perceive diversity in their own fields. In this study, we investigated the role of farmers from a community in the Sierra Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico, in managing Phaseolus bean diversity in their fields. We collected seeds from 287 plants in 10 fields in the village of Santa María Jaltianguis and evaluated the diversity present in the collection at 10 nuclear and three chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) microsatellite markers. Following a Structure analysis, three core population clusters were identified in the collection, a finding corroborated by morphological observations, principal coordinate analysis, and neighbor‐joining tree construction using molecular data. The first two populations were identified as Phaseolus vulgaris L. ecogeographic races Mesoamerica and Jalisco and the third population as related species Phaseolus coccineus L. and Phaseolus dumosus Macfad. Each of the fields sampled consisted predominantly of a single Phaseolus species or ecogeographic race, but there was also evidence of low levels of gene flow between races Jalisco and Mesoamerica. Our data suggest farmers in Santa María Jaltianguis recognize existing inter‐ and intraspecies diversity in Phaseolus, its differential adaptation, its capacity to exploit a broad range of growing environments, and its potential to buffer the community against socioeconomic and climatic changes.
Association Mapping of Russian Wheat Aphid Resistance in Barley as a Method to Identify Diversity in the National Small Grains Collection
Authors: Dahleen Lynn S. , Bregitzer Phil , Mornhinweg Dolores , Jackson Eric W. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTRussian wheat aphid (RWA) (Diuraphis noxiaKurdjumov) infestations of barley (Hordeum vulgareL.) cause chlorotic leaf spotting and streaking and prevent unrolling of leaves, which traps spikes and reduces grain yield. Resistant accessions identified in the USDA‐ARS National Small Grains Collection (NSGC) were used to develop adapted, resistant germplasm and cultivars. This study identified loci affecting RWA resistance and diversity in the NSGC using association mapping. Resistant and susceptible accessions, breeding lines, and cultivars were genotyped with Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) markers and phenotyped for RWA responses. A core set of nine markers explained 83% of the variation for chlorosis. Most resistant and susceptible accessions had opposite genotypes at each of these markers. The six susceptible adapted cultivars were exceptions and shared the haplotype of the resistant accessions. Variability at four additional loci associated with resistance did not sufficiently explain phenotypic variability between resistant accessions and susceptible cultivars. Examining subsets of the data identified six additional markers associated with RWA response, which discriminated between resistant accessions and susceptible cultivars. Additional investigation is necessary to better understand the genetics of RWA resistance. However, this study provided useful information on diversity in the NSGC and suggested that RWA resistance is a complex trait that may share physiological components with other characteristics that were selected during domestication.
Response of Potato Gas Exchange and Productivity to Phosphorus Deficiency and Carbon Dioxide Enrichment
Authors: Fleisher David H. , Wang Qinguo , Timlin Dennis J. , Chun Jong‐Ahn , Reddy V. R. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTThe degree to which crops respond to atmospheric CO2 enrichment may be influenced by nutrition. To determine the extent to which dry matter production, canopy and leaf photosynthesis, and transpiration are influenced by P and CO2, potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L. cultivar Kennebec) were grown in outdoor soil–plant–atmosphere research (SPAR) chambers at two levels of CO2 (400 or 800 μmol mol−1) and three levels of P fertilization. Total dry matter declined an average 42% between high and low P fertilizer and increased 13% in response to elevated CO2 when averaged across the P treatments. This enhancement effect did not vary with level of P treatment. Leaf level photosynthetic rate was reduced 58% and stomatal conductance 43% between high and low P treatments. Biochemical model parameters for carboxylation rate, ribulose bisphosphate regeneration, and triose phosphate use were reduced by P deficiency but scarcely influenced by growth CO2. After tuber initiation, canopy assimilation rate increased under elevated CO2 particularly at the middle levels of P fertilization, and diurnal canopy evapotranspiration showed a significant reduction in response to elevated CO2 and declining P fertilizer. Lack of interactive effects between CO2 and P on most measured responses suggests the effect of CO2 enrichment on potato growth and assimilation is similar at each P‐treatment level; however, such effects may also be correlated with plant N status.
Growing Location has a Pronounced Effect on the Accumulation of Cancer Chemopreventive Agent Bowman‐Birk Inhibitor in Soybean Seeds
Authors: Krishnan Hari B. , Jang Sungchan , Baxter Ivan , Wiebold William J. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTSoybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] contains several health promoting compounds including phytosterols, isoflavones, phytic acid, and protease inhibitors. The two abundant protease inhibitors of soybean seeds are the Kunitz trypsin inhibitor and the Bowman‐Birk inhibitor (BBI). Bowman‐Birk inhibitor has been touted as a potential cancer chemopreventive agent for humans. Little information is available on the effect of growing location on the accumulation of this cancer chemopreventive agent. In this study we have examined the protein profile of eight soybean varieties that were grown in three Missouri locations in 2009 and 2010. Sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) analysis demonstrated that soybean varieties that were grown in Grand Pass contained elevated levels of the β subunit of β‐conglycinin and reduced amounts of BBI. This observation was further confirmed by Western blot analysis. This difference in the levels of BBI was also reflected in the chymotrypsin inhibitor activity. Growing location also influenced the overall S content of soybean seeds as evidenced by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis. Seeds grown in Grand Pass had lower amounts of total S content in both 2009 and 2010. Our results demonstrate that growing location has a profound effect on the accumulation of BBI and it is possible to modulate the concentration of this cancer chemopreventive agent by simple changes in agronomic practices.
Validation of QTL for Grain Yield‐Related Traits on Wheat Chromosome 3A Using Recombinant Inbred Chromosome Lines
Authors: Mengistu Neway , Baenziger P. S. , Eskridge K. M. , Dweikat I. , Wegulo S. N. , Gill K. S. , Mujeeb‐Kazi A. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTPreviously, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for grain yield (GYLD) and yield‐related traits were identified by using a population of recombinant inbred chromosome lines (RICLs) developed from the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Cheyenne (CNN) and its substitution line CNN(WI3A), in which the 3A chromosome of cultivar Wichita (WI) was substituted for CNN chromosome 3A. Our objectives were to identify and validate the QTL previously identified in CNN(RICLs3A), using the mirror population WI(RICLs3A). A population of 90 WI(RICLs3A) was used to evaluate GYLD, 1000‐kernel weight (TKW), kernels per spike (KPS), kernels per square meter (KPSM), spikes per square meter (SPSM), grain volume weight (GVW), plant height (PHT), and anthesis date (AD). Data were collected from replicated trials grown in six Nebraska environments from 2008 to 2009. Twelve QTL for GYLD, TKW, KPS, SPSM, GVW, AD, and PHT were detected. The phenotypic variance explained by these QTL ranged from 12% for SPSM to 53% for GVWT. Most of the QTLs were co‐localized in one or two regions of chromosome 3A. The major grain yield QTL (QGyld.neb.3A.1) detected in the combined analysis explained 19% of the phenotypic variance and the substitution of CNN alleles for WI alleles decreased grain yield. Using a different genetic background, this study confirmed most of the GYLD and yield‐related QTL reported in previous RICLs3A mapping studies on chromosome 3A of winter wheat evaluated in Nebraska.
Agronomic Performance of Spring Wheat as Related to Planting Date and Photoperiod Response
Authors: Lanning S. P. , Hucl P. , Pumphrey M. , Carter A. H. , Lamb P. F. , Carlson G. R. , Wichman D. M. , Kephart K. D. , Spaner D. , Martin J. M. , Talbert L. E. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTPhotoperiod response impacts the adaptation of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to specific areas of the world. Both photoperiod sensitive (PS) and photoperiod insensitive (PI) cultivars are grown successfully in the northern regions of the western United States and the Canadian plains. The goal of the present experiment was to determine the relative performance of PI and PS genotypes as related to planting date and to interpret results in view of climate trends for the region. Three sets of near‐isogenic lines that differed for alleles at the Ppd‐D1 locus for photoperiod sensitivity were tested at three planting dates in 15 environments in Montana, Washington, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Results showed that PS lines headed later than PI lines at all planting dates. Grain yield was significantly greater for PS lines at the first two planting dates although no difference between PS and PI lines occurred for the latest planting date. Our results suggest that PS lines are superior to PI lines for this region. This difference is likely to be significant for regional adaptation as planting date becomes earlier due to increasing spring temperatures.