bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Design and Optimisation of Gravel Packing Operations in Deviated Wells
Authors: Peden J. M. , Russell J. , Oyeneyin M. B. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Gravel packing is a widely applied technique for the control of sand. The increasing application of directional drilling both on and offshore has led to a number of completion difficulties. Gravel packing in deviated wells has for a long time caused considerable difficulties especially at hole angles above 40°.
This paper discusses the development and application of a computer based prediction package utilising both theoretical principles and experimental data. The package named GRAVPACK has options available for the prediction of both annular and perforation packing efficiency for any specified set of conditions. The design of gravel packs is discussed with reference to the impact of specific wellbore parameters such as casing size, hole angle and required carrier fluid density upon packing efficiency. The sensitivity of annular packing efficiency to variable design parameters such as screen/tailpipe size, slurry flowrate, gravel concentration etc. is investigated. The packing of perforations in deviated wells is investigated with reference to perforation characteristics of length, diameter and phase angle. For the cases of annular and perforation packing comparison is made between the use of a high viScosity/concentration slurry technique and a low viscosity/concentration gravel packing system.
It is concluded that the annular packing efficiency is substantially decreased by increasing the deviation angle and increased by the use of a high density carrier fluid, and large screen and tailpipe sizes. Increases in packing efficiency sure obtained by using a higher carrier fluid viscosity although the incremental benefits decrease beyond a viscosity of 40-50 cp. In the packing of perforations in all angular phases other than the 0° (low side) volumetric packing efficiences greater than 40% are rarely obtained. The low side perforations can be effectively packed at high deviation angles although at low angles the packing efficiency is very low.
The design model has provided a useful insight into its application for gravel pack design and the clarification it provides of packing mechanisms and their dependence on individual parameters.
Point Arguello to Use Wet-Oil Gathering System and Measurement
Authors: Poynter W. G. , Hillburn T. L. , Dubois J. D. , Williams J. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Oil production from several platforms in the Point Argeullo area offshore California will be comingled in a submarine gathering system and transported ashore through a single common carrier pipeline. Partial oil/water separation will take place on the platforms. Wet oil from production platforms, containing up to twenty percent water, will be dehydrated in one common onshore treating plant. Dry oil exiting the treating plant will be measured with custody transfer precision and allocated for both ownership and operating costs in proportion to wet oil measurements on the platforms.
The Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Horizontal Drilling
Authors: Giger F. M. , Reiss L. H. , Jourdan A. P. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Elf Aquitaine has drilled four horizontal wells in the past five years: three on land in France are part of a research and development program with the Institut Français du Pétrole; one offshore Italy where Elf is operator for an association which includes Agip.
This paper presents criteria for chosing horizontal rather than conventional wells, and gives simple analytic formulas for the productivity and water coning. Production data collected on the four wells over a period of two to four years confirms these formulas. These criteria have led us to select several new projects for horizontal drilling.
(D,T) Neutron Activation Logging
Authors: Youmans Arthur , Hopkinson Eric C. , Stewart Richard M. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
The theory of activation logging with an accelerator-type neutron source as a generator of neutrons by the deuteriumtritium (D,T) reaction is briefly reviewed and the instrumentation is described which has been employed recently in tests in field wells. Factors affecting the ability of the oxygen log to identify oil in situ are discussed both from the standpoint of instrumentation requirements and. with regard to borehole conditions and operating procedures. Examples of field logging results are given and compared with the expected results based on theory and on laboratory experiments. The role of borehole fluid in the logging process is explained, and the method of determining the optimum logging speed is discussed. Recent experience with the accelerator neutron source and instrumentation for activation logging is summarized and problems relating to the future applications for this equipment are presented. New nuclear logs which can be run in conjunction with the oxygen log are described and the advantages of a 14 Mev neutron source for conventional neutron logging are explained.

Introduction
Although activation logging was first proposed nearly 20 years ago the method has been of little more than academic interest until recent years due to the instrumentation difficulties involved. Apparatus has now been developed which is capable of making logs of this type and a field test of the equipment has been underway for several months. In view of the success attained to date it is confidently expected that activation logs of commercial quality will soon become available. The present paper is intended as an introduction to the operating principles of the logging equipment and a preliminary report on the results of logging tests.
"Activation Analysis" is the term which has been used, since the development of the chain reacting pile, to denote the very sensitive analytical technique for detecting trace elements in samples by means of neutron irradiation. To analyze a sample of material by this technique it is placed in an atomic pile where it is irradiated by an intense flux of neutrons, after which it is removed and examined by various techniques to determine what "activation" was induced by the irradiation. Most of the earth's elements can be made radioactive by pile bombardment, and even very tiny quantities of certain elements may become sufficiently radioactive that their characteristic radiation, which may be beta rays, positrons, or gamma rays can often be identified with ease, particularly if the sample is dissolved and chemically separated into fractions.
Partially Penetrating Vertical Fractures: Pressure Transient Behavior of a Finite-Conductivity Fracture
Authors: Rodriguez F. , Home R. N. , Cinco-Ley H. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
A semianalytical solution was developed for the transient flow behavior of a reservoir with a well intersecting a partially-penetrating vertical fracture of finite conductivity. The transient pressure behavior of a well in this kind of system consists mainly of three flow periods: 1) the early time, 2) the infinite acting and 3) the pseudoradial flow periods.
The results of this study show that the flow behavior of the partially-penetrating fracture during the early time period is equivalent to that of a totally-penetrating fracture. This period consists of a bilinear flow period for low conductivity fractures, and of a linear reservoir flow period for moderate to highly-conductive fractures.
The onset of the infinite-acting flow period is directly proportional to the square of the dimensionless fracture height, which is defined as the ratio between the fracture height and the fracture half length. The results show that as the value of this ratio becomes small, the infinite-acting flow period starts at very early times,such that the bilinear and the linear reservoir flow periods might not appear in the well response for practical values of time.
The approximate start of the pseudo-radial flow period does not depend significantly on the fracture conductivity, on the fracture penetration ratio, or on the dimensionless fracture height, for moderate to highly conductive fractures, and for fracture penetration ratios larger than about 0.2. The effect of the dimensionless fracture height on the pressure response of a partially-penetrating fractured well becomes negligible for penetration ratios larger than about 0.8.
The vertical location of the fracture affects the behavior of the well only after the upper and/or lower boundaries of the reservoir become noticeable in the pressure response of the well. The same solutions are found for the early time and for the infinite-acting flow periods, until the boundary effects become evident.
Microcomputer Finite-Element Analysis of Tubular Connections
Authors: Johnson F. W. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
A user transparent computer program is described which provides finite element analysis of tubular connections. Methods of storage economizing, increasing execution speed, and improving accuracy of results are outlined. The program features convenient model creation, designation of boundary conditions, wedding the pin properly to the box, solution of linear equations, and graphical presentation of stress contours. One application is discussed comparing results to theoretical values.
A Numerical Approach to the Design of a Gravel Pack for Effective Sand Control in Deviated Wells
Authors: Peden J. M. , Russell J. , Oyeneyin M. B. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
The process of gravel packing involves a substantial number of variables Which must be specified by the operator. The relationship between the variables, especially for gravel packing in highly deviated wells, is not well understood. Further, the effective packing of perforations in deviated wellbores is critical to ensuring both a productive and stable gravel packed well. This paper reports on the development of a microcomputer based package which incorporates several numerical design models as options for the design of effective gravel packing in the screen/casing annulua and inside the perforations.
Comprehensive testing of the model has indicated that the annular gravel packing process is controlled by not one but a number of parameters and thus a computer based prediction model is necessary. The packing of perforations is very difficult to accomplish with any great degree of success and is largely controlled by hole angle, perforation phasing and physical size characteristics rather than the transport controlling parameters such as viscosity, gravel size and leak off rate.
A Field Evaluation of the Mohr's Circle Technique for Predicting Sand Strength
Authors: Barrow D. C. , Lasseigne C. A. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
The performance of eighteen offshore Gulf of Mexico wells was analyzed to determine whether the drawdown at which the Mohr's Circle Technique predicted formation failure corresponded to the actual drawdown at which sand production occurred. The data indicates that for this sample the technique would be helpful in deciding whether to use sand control methods in the initial completion.
Calculation of Liquid Dropout for Systems Containing Water
Authors: Lim D. , Ahmed T. H. , Striefel M. A. , Cady G. V. , Michelotti R. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Liquid drop-out calculations are presently performed without considering the presence of the water phase. The main objective of this study was to document the effect of the presence of the water phase on the liquid drop-out as predicted by the Peng-Robinson equation of state.
In addition, part of this study dealt with the study of the influence of adjusting the binary interaction coefficients between water and the hydrocarbon components on the equation of state predictions. Another part of the paper deals with the effect of changing the acentric factor and initial saturation of the water phase on the liquid drop-out predictions.
Basic Concepts in Evaluating Oil and Gas Partnerships
Authors: Boone D. M. , Cable J. O. , Archer R. L. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
"Rules of thumb" have been used to make oil and gas acquisition investment decisions for many years. This paper will illustrate those factors which significantly impact certain "rules of thumb" in property evaluations, and identify potentially erroneous conclusions drawn from them. It will also discuss partnership arrangements and the affect of their structure on the promoted partner's return. In summary, a simple method is suggested to estimate property value for initial screening purposes and indicate an estimated range of return to a promoted partner.
A New Lumping Scheme of Analytical Data for Compositional Studies
Authors: Montel F. , Gouel P. L. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
This paper presents a new algorithm to lump fluid compounds into hypothetical components. It has been designed to bridge the gap between the increasing amount of analytical data provided by modern lab equipments and the simplified fluid description required in compositional model studies.
The main feature of the method is a lumping scheme based on the similarities of a few proper- ties of all the compounds identified by chromato- graphic analysis. An iterative clustering algo- rithm around mobile centers yields a classifica- tion into pseudo-components optimum with respect to the considered equation of state. It can be adapted to any equation of state, any number of compounds or properties.
An other noticeable feature of this proce- dure is the definition of a mixed calculation of critical properties. A criterion to choose between an accurate calculation of true critical proper- ties and the classical mixing rules is suggested.
Numerical simulations of PVT behavior were completed for an oil and a gas condensate defined by 150 compounds. The clustering algorithm deter- mined simplified fluids lumped into 7 and 5 components. True critical properties calculation for the hypothetical components and classical mixing rules were tested and the mixed calculation proved to be the best.
Hitts Lake Unit Polymer Project
Authors: Greaves B. L. , Marshall R. N. , Thompson J. H. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Polymer injection for mobility control and sweep efficiency improvement has been ongoing in Sun's Hitts Lake Field Unit since October, 1980. The polymer augmented waterflood was implemented in stages in the four fault blocks. This paper summarizes the history of the planning, operation and results of the project to date.
Analysis of the Injection Test for a Waterflooding Experiment and Interpretation of the Accompanying Processes
Authors: Morales R. H. , Abou-Sayed A. S. , Jones A. H. , Saffar A. Al , Schmidt R. A. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
A 30 day waterflooding test in which seawater was injected into two production zones (A and B) of an oil producing limestone reservoir is analyzed. During testing the flow rates were varied to maintain constant tubing head pressure. Injection rates were recorded for three levels of constant tubing head pressures (THP): initial (THP = 990 psig), intermediate (THP = 1240 psig), and final (THP = 1490 psig).
The purpose of the analysis was to detect the possible occurrence of a fracture. A radial fluid flow technique was utilized to analyze the pressure-injection behavior. The analyses disclosed a change in the formation's ability to transmit fluids. Rock mechanics analyses were utilized to quantify the changes in in situ stress due to water flooding effects (i.e. pore pressure buildup and temperature decrease). The later analysis disclosed that the bottomhole fluid pressures exceeded the modified minimum in situ stresses at the intermediate and final pressure levels.
Both, the increase in fluid transmissibility and the bottomhole fluid pressure rise above the modified minimum in situ stress indicated the occurrence of fracture. A possible fracture geometry was obtained by means of 2-D and 3-D hydraulic fracturing simulators.
A Combination of Acoustic Measurements to Evaluate Cementations
Authors: Catala G. N. , Stowe I. D. , Henry D. J. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
To complement the now traditional Cement Bond Log (CBL/VDL)1, a device called CET* (Cement Evaluation Tool)2 was commercially introduced in 1982. It features an array of eight ultrasonic transducers allowing a radial inspection of the casing and its annulus. Its response can be interpreted in terms of cementation quality. In particular, distinction between acceptable cement, unset slurry or liquid, gaseous cement and free gas can be made. Analysis of the radial and vertical distribution of the materials located by the device provides the basis for the identification of possible causes of poor cementation. With these indications primary cementing procedures can be controlled and improved. Also, remedial cementing methods can be more rigorously adapted to individual situations.
Biotechnology and Enhanced Petroleum Production
Authors: Saxman D. B. , Crull A. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
MEOR refers to any enhanced petroleum recovery technique utilizing single celled microorganisms or their by-products. Recent advances in microorganism screening, selective breeding, rDNA, and more productive fermentation reactors, along with a better understanding downhole environments and transport have made MEOR a more attractive alternative to more conventional EOR techniques. Recent advances and commercial; potential of six MEOR classifications are considered: 1) Bio-Production of Injected Materials; 2) Emulsification and Demulsification of Produced Hydrocarbons; 3) Desulfurization and Denitrogenation of Produced Hydrocarbons; 4) In situ Bio-Production of Polymers and Surfactants; 5) In situ Bio-Production of Miscible and Immiscible Gases; and 6) Selective Formation Plugging.
Determination of Molecular Weights and Molecular Weight Distribution of Polyacrylamides
Authors: Gregory S. D. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
A high-performance, size-exclusion chromatography procedure has been developed for determining molecular weights and molecular weight distributions of polyacrylamides. The procedure can be applied to dry or emulsion polyacrylamides. Virgin polymers and polymers passed through Berea sandstone cores can be analyzed. The analytical technique utilizes a chromatographic column packed with a hydrophilic polymer resin to fractionate the polymer sample. Detection is accomplished with a refractive index or ultraviolet detector. In addition, the chromatographic system can be coupled to a low-angle, laser, light-scattering (LALLS) photometer for absolute molecular weight characterization.
The Economic Evaluation of Hull Forms for Floating Production
Authors: Hart V. A. , Montgomery J. I. , Worley M. S. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
High costs and extended construction periods associated with fixed platform installations are forcing operators to look for more economic solutions to develop marginal offshore fields. A Floating Production System (FPS) provides a viable development alternative for smaller fields, especially in deeper waters. However, the available floating production system alternatives differ considerably in cost, construction time and capability. An identification of these differences and a method for preliminary economic assessment will provide operators with reference points when evaluating new field development schemes.
The Role of Potassium in Lime Muds
Authors: Walker Thad O. , Dearing Harry L. , Simpson Jay P. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Laboratory data are presented showing that lime muds utilizing a polysaccharide deflocculant are very effective in combating dispersion of shale particles when compared to several commonly used types of water based muds. Similar studies using Wyoming bentonite particles are reported snowing that potassium hydroxide results in less clay dispersion than sodium hydroxide when used for alkalinity control of a lime mud deflocculated with polysaccharide. While the potassium is shown to be reactive with clay particles, the presence of lime in the mud leaves more potassium ion available to react with shale exposed in the wellbore and protect against borehole instability.
Field results are reported showing that potassium ion concentrations of 1,000 to 4,000 mg/L have been adequate in potassium/lime muds containing polysaccharide deflocculant to provide good borehole stability and low mud maintenance costs.
A Stability Theory for Miscible Displacement
Authors: Peters E. J. , Broman W. H. , Broman J. A. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
This paper presents a dimensionless stability number and its critical value for predicting the onset of instability in miscible displacements. Also presented is a novel technique for determining the dispersion parameter required for calculating the stability number. The technique combines spectral analysis with computer image processing of the solvent fingering pattern.
Cement Shrinkage and Elasticity: A New Approach for a Good Zonal Isolation
Authors: Parcevaux P. A. , SauIt P. H. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Characterization of cement bonding performance required the set up of new pieces of laboratory equipment. The evaluation of cement bonding property has been performed under controlled temperature and pressure curing conditions, and was proved to be reproducible with a very small dispersion of results. Shear bond has been tested through mechanical and hydraulic means, and related to other parameters such as volumetric shrinkage development, stress-strain relationships, permeability, and compressive strength. A laboratory and field experimental program has been conducted to compare the bonding capability of standard cement compositions with that of cement modified with a bonding agent. Laboratory and field results are in perfect accordance.
How To Think About Energy Prices
Authors: Tussing A. R. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Oil-price surges in the 1970s were not harbingers of ultimate resource depletion, but only a severe manifestation of a commodity-price cycle. Another round of excess supply and falling prices was thus inevitable. Thus far, history does not show any unambiguous long-term trend in global petroleum-production costs, but there is an inexorable tendency for energy cost to fall, whatever the limits may be to supplies of specific fuels.
Some New Ideas for Well Log Pore-Pressure Prediction
Authors: Hamouz M. A. , Mueller S. L. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Predicting pore pressure from wireline logs is a common practice when designing wells. The accuracy of each prediction depends on the type of plot used and its associated assumptions. If these assumptions aren't adequately tested, then the results are often confusing and, possibly, dangerous.
Accuracy is improved in all situations by plotting the correct wireline variables, checking the validity of the normal pressure trends with other pressure plots and regional data, and choosing the best techniques to estimate pressure.