bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New Technology for the Delivery of Beaded Lightweight Cements
Authors: Kulakofsky D. , Vargo R. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
The use of lightweight cements for oilfield applications has progressed from conventional systems used in the past to some very specialized blends used currently. Conventional water-extended cement slurries and their minimum densities of 11.5 – 12 lb/gal were all that were available until the late 70s when hollow spheres and foam cementing were first introduced. Technology for both foamed and microsphere slurries has evolved considerably over the last 10 years. The conventional water-extended cement slurries were considered adequate for offshore wells until the late 80s when shallow drilling hazards found in deepwater, necessitated higher performance lightweight cements.
The first specialty cements that showed success used blends of microfine cement and microspheres while the next generation of specialty cements used nitrogen and a special blend of base cement to produce high-performance foamed cements that were very successful. Advanced liquid additives then developed allowed the same high-performance results without the requirement of storing specially blended cements offshore.
Recently the introduction of new, high-strength beads has provided the advantages presented with beaded slurries under the higher operating pressures currently encountered in deep water. However, special blending, transportation, and mixing issues are still significant. These newer bead technologies have also enabled effective slurry design at lower and lower densities. In addition to the usual blending and transportation issues these new ultra-light designs present additional slurry mixing issues because maintaining a constant density no longer ensures a correct cement to water ratio.
In this paper a new technology for bead delivery is presented to illustrate how the industry can gain all of the advantages normally presented by these beaded slurries while avoiding the blending, transport, and mixing issues.
Discussion is included to describe the potential of this new technology to help reduce cost associated with offshore cementing operations. By eliminating the need for blended cement, the rig can minimize the logistical concerns, reduce waste of excess specialty blends, avoid the need of separate silos for specialty blends, and provide the capability of changing slurry density at the time of delivery.
This paper presents (1) the history and evolution from the first use of lightweight additives through this newly patent-pending technology, and (2) the methodology and guidelines for use of each technology with other lightweight technologies available.
Use of Quantitative 4D-Seismic Data in Automatic History Match
Authors: Portella R. C. M. , Emerick A. A. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
This paper presents the results of a study of the use of 4D seismic data in automatic history match. The study made use of commercially available tool, SIMOPT and ECLIPSE HUTS from Schlumberger, and it utilized a simulation model based in a real offshore field. The main goal of the study was to test the feasibility of the use of 4D seismic data in the history match workflow, and also, if any gain would come from the use of this kind of data compared with the traditional well production data.
Production and seismic data were generated with a simulation model, then this model was modified and the softwares SIMOPT and ECLIPSE HUTS were used to fit the data generated in the previous step.
The seismic data improved the workflow of the history matching process, especially by helping to choose which region of the model should be modified in order to achieve the match.
An Integration of Real Options and Utility Theory for Evaluation and Strategic Decision-Making in Oil Development and Production Projects
Authors: Lima G. A. C. , Suslick S. B. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
The results from the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) are limited as a tool for decision-making in the petroleum industry because they don't properly take into account four important features of the modern investments: uncertainty, irreversibility, timing, and corporation's risk-aversion. Recent developments in real options and preference theories have allowed decision-makers to employ these two approaches separately in the process of valuation and decision-making of risky projects. This paper presents a model for valuation and decision-making integrating discounted cash flow, real options and preference theory and aims at answering the following questions: i) What is the current value of an oil project? ii) What is the optimal working interest in this project venture? iii) What are the criteria to select projects considering investment irreversibility, uncertainty and timing to implement decisions? This model is applied to valuation and decision-making of a project to produce oil from a deep-water reservoir and its results are compared to those of the traditional approach. Traditional model suggests that, as the project value is above its investment cost, the corporation should invest immediately and incur in 100% working interest. Contrarily, for an specific analysis, the integrated model suggest the corporation should invest as long as project current value is as large as 1.85 times investment cost and should take only 44.38% working interest, whereas partners fund and acquire the remaining 55.62% of the project. In general, results indicate that NPV tends to pay more attention on return and does not account properly for risk. Then, as the uncertainty (volatility) of strategic variables increase, the two models give more divergent results.
An Integrated Approach to Healthcare and Health Promotion in Both the Workplace and the Community
Authors: Luby J. , Al-Jahdaly E. A. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Saudi Aramco is probably unique in the spectrum of its provision of healthcare to both its employees and their dependents. Saudi Aramco Healthcare (SAHC) has recently adopted a strategy to ensure employee health and wellbeing by extending its Occupational Health activities to outside the workplace and into the community as a whole.
The Power of Real-Time Monitoring and Interpretation in Wireline Formation Testing—Case Studies
Authors: Elshahawi H. , Hashem M. , McKinney D. , Ardila M. , Ayan C. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractModern wireline formation testers (WFT's) are able to collect a massive amount of data at multiple depths, thus helping to quantify changes in rock and fluid properties along the wellbore, to define hydraulic flow units, and to understand the reservoir architecture. They are being routinely used in a wide range of applications that spans pressure and mobility profiling vs. depth, fluid sampling, downhole fluid analysis; interval pressure transient testing (IPTT), and micro fracturing. Due to the complex tool strings and the elaborate operational aspects involved in wireline formation testing, success requires detailed upfront planning and procedural design as well as real-time operational and interpretational support.It is becoming increasingly critical for operating and service company experts to remotely monitor and interpret WFT surveys in real-time through web-based systems. The importance of meeting all rock and fluid data acquisition objectives cannot be overstated, given the high cost of offshore operations and the implications of obtaining false or misleading information. The main objective of real-time monitoring remains to assure that the planned data is acquired according to pre-established procedures and contingency plans. However, even in developed reservoirs, unexpected circumstances arise, requiring immediate response and modifications to the pre-planned job procedures. Unexpectedly low or high mobilities, probe plugging, unanticipated fluid types, presence of multiple phases, and excessive fluid contamination are but a few examples of such circumstances that would require real-time decision making and procedural modifications. Real-time decisions may include acquiring more pressure data points, extending sampling depths to several zones, extending or shortening sampling times, repeating micro-hydraulic fracture re-opening/closure cycles, as well as real-time permeability, composition, or anisotropy interpretation to determine optimum transient durations.This paper describes several examples of formation tester surveys that have been remotely monitored in real-time to ensure that all WFT evaluation objectives are met. The power of real-time monitoring and interpretation will be illustrated through these case studies.
An Efficient Reservoir Simulation Approach to Design and Optimize Improved Oil Recovery Processes with Distributed Computing
Authors: Zhang J. , Delshad M. , Sepehrnoori K. , Pope G. A. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
An efficient approach to obtain the optimum design under uncertainty for a wide range of reservoir simulation applications has been developed and successfully implemented.The approach discussed here significantly reduces the time required to evaluate optimum designs for improved oil recovery (IOR) processes.
Determining the optimum combination of design variables for an IOR process is a complex problem that depends on the crude oil price, reservoir and fluid properties, process performance, and well specifications.Due to the large number of design variables, numerical simulation is often the most appropriate tool to evaluate the feasibility of such a process.However, because of the economical and geological uncertainties, the optimum design should be expressed as a distribution to gauge the uncertainties.
Our innovative simulation approach has the capability to determine an economically optimum design that includes the following variables for surfactant/polymer flooding projects.
The duration of water injection prior to the surfactant flooding Surfactant concentration and slug size Polymer concentration injected with the surfactant The concentration and duration of the polymer drive The salt concentration in different stages of the flood
The uncertain parameters considered in this study were Dykstra-Parsons coefficient as a measure formation heterogeneity, average reservoir permeability, horizontal correlation length, ratio of horizontal to vertical correlation lengths, vertical to horizontal permeability ratio, residual oil saturation, surfactant adsorption, price of crude oil and chemicals, and discount rate.
In order to efficiently perform these complex design processes efficiently, a platform that distributes multiple simulations onto a cluster of computer processors has been developed. The platform integrates several oil reservoir simulators, an economic model, an experimental design and response surface methodology, and a Monte Carlo algorithm with a global optimization search engine to identify the optimum design under conditions of uncertainty.
The technique incorporates the following steps:
Factorial design to find the most influential design and uncertain factors. Response surface methodology (RSM) design over those most influential factors to fit a response surface using net present value (NPV) as the objective function. Monte Carlo simulation over the response surface to maximize the mean of the net present value and search for the optimum combination of the design variables at the same time.
This approach is applied to a field-scale surfactant/polymer flood using the UTCHEM simulator to find the optimal values of design variables that will maximize the NPV.
The Living Plan—Trading Endless Data Gathering for Quality Analysis
Authors: Christensen W. G. , Faig C. H. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
The Planning Group at Northrock Resources Ltd. (Northrock) has been able to change the way that information is gathered, analyzed and shared in the Company through the development and implementation of a web-based planning system.
This new system supports their strategic planning, budgeting, and operations analysis processes and replaces a largely spreadsheet-driven system which had required considerable manual effort to update and maintain as well as being prone to data errors. In addition, the new system provides the ability to do frequent lookbacks on capital projects.
Within this new planning system, one set of economic cases become the common data source for all planning, budgeting, and reserves forecasting activities eliminating the need to reconcile data between different sources. Northrock's Planning Group can perform their analysis without making repeated data requests to the teams.
This improved system has eliminated the manual effort required to support these corporate activities for each of these processes while at the same time providing improved data quality. This allows Northrock's Planning Group to provide data analysis that is consistent, repeatable, verifiable, and timely.
The benefits of the new system and process have led to its wide acceptance - field personnel to senior executive alike have made it part of their everyday work process.
The Importance of the Stimulation Vessels in the Brazilian Offshore Basins: History of Technological Evolution
Authors: Torres R. S. , Prata F. G. M. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
The Campos Basin is known as one of the most challengingdeep water basins in the world. Currently there are thirty-seven platforms, more than a thousand oil wells, and about4200 kilometers of submarine pipelines, having producedmore than 1,2 billion barrels of oil per year and 15,7 millioncubic meters of gas per day. The Campos Basin is responsiblefor more than 80% of Brazil's national production. Brazilintends to produce 2,2 million barrels of oil per day by 2007,when it will reach self-sufficiency. Therefore, the continueddevelopment of the offshore basins, such as Campos, Santosand Espírito Santo will be critical to meet this goal. In thiscontext, the technological evolution of the vessels that renderstimulation services is of fundamental importance to improvejob quality, reduce operating time, provide better protection ofthe environment, enable efficient communication, and ensureoperational viability of new techniques. This paper reports onthe history of the stimulation vessels, describing andillustrating new and state-of-the-art technology, historicalcases of pioneering operations, data transmission in real timeand the benefits for offshore operators with a global vision.
Evaluation of Production Potential using Neural Network Modeling Techniques; Comodoro Rivadavia and Mina El Carmen Intervals in the El Tordillo Field, Argentina
Authors: Marin H. , Valencio D. , Muruaga E. , Shelley B. , Sorenson F. , Tiffin J. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
This paper presents a description of the process used to evaluate data from the Comodoro Rivadavia and Mina El Carmen zones in the El Tordillo Field in Argentina. The evaluation presented is holistic in nature and was performed by a team of experts. This evaluation consists of field-data quantification, integration, statistical and visual analysis, and development of a predictive artificial neural network (ANN) model capable of identifying sands with commercial hydrocarbon potential. The ANN model was used to identify patterns and trends related to the geology, reservoir, well-drilling issues, and swab-test production result. The purpose of this analysis was to identify sand attributes that are indicators of the sand's productive fluid type and capability to produce. This process was used to resolve difficult petrophysical interpretation issues associated with a complex sandstone reservoir system.
The derived ANN models were subjected to a blind test. These models were accurate 86% of the time at predicting oil/water ratios. The models were used to rapidly evaluate 149 sands in two new wells and have proven useful in the evaluation of new-well oil-production potential.
Quantitative Sand-Production Prediction: Friction-Dominated Flow Model
Authors: Cerasi P. , Papamichos E. , Stenebråten J. F. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
We present here a simplified, analytical 2D model of sand production. Computing sanding for different failed zone geometries allows us to put lower and higher bounds on expected produced sand mass, for given stress and fluid flow. We assume plastified rock around the borehole and well- developed shear bands. We use the Bagnold particle flow equation, coupled to the increasing permeability and porosity in the failed zone. The calculated produced sand mass compares favorably to laboratory hollow cylinder test measurements.
Drill-Bit Catalog and Bit Index: A New Method for Bit Performance Evaluation
Authors: Macini P. , Magagni M. , Valente Pietro 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
The paper analyzes the application of a new method for the evaluation of bit performances. At present, the most utilized methods for bit performance evaluation are mainly based on the cost-per-foot. This approach is definitely a good reference system, but it represents only a mere economic calculation, and is not well suited for keeping into account drilling difficulties due to formation variability and directional drilling conditions. The objective of the research is both the analysis of a new drilling model for bit performance evaluation, known as Bit Index (BI), and the investigation of the possibility of BI to establish sound guidelines for the development of a mathematical tool able to help during well planning, well drilling and post-well analysis. The model was tested by mining data from the Drill-Bit Catalog (DBC) prepared at the Exploration & Production Division of Eni Group (Italy). The DBC is a database that contains both parameters for the geotechnical/geomechanical characterization of the formations and bit record/performance data. Within the DBC, three wells have been identified, recently drilled in Southern Italy. These wells have been used for the comparison and evaluation of bit performances through the BI methodology. Main results allowed to identify the bits (labeled with IADC code) that drilled with the best performances in the above three wells. The proposed model, although in its early stage of development, proved to be economic and reliable. The quality of bit performance analysis obtained with this model seems also more effective than the traditional "quick look" analysis, performed on the bit records or on the pure evaluation of the cost-per-foot.
Evaluation of Polymeric Phosphoric Ester-Based Additives as Wax Deposition Inhibitors
Authors: Gentili D. O. , Khalil C. N. , Rocha N. O. , Lucas E. F. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
The challenge of producing paraffinic and heavy oils plays an important role in the scenario of technological innovations in the petroleum industry. This work presents the synthesis of a new polymer-based chemical additive, and its evaluation as an inhibitor of paraffin crystallization. This polymer was obtained by reacting a long-chain phosphoric ester with sodium aluminate, generating a molecule with relatively high molecular weight and amphiphilic character. The studies were carried out using a model-system of petroleum paraffin (P140) dissolved in paraffin solvent. Rheological, calorimetric, chromatographic and optical and electron microscopy tests demonstrated that the additive acts as modifier of paraffin crystallization, although the efficiency shown depended on the polymer molecular weight.
Strategic Optimization and Contingency Planning Model for Oil Spill Response
Authors: Costa L. R. T. A. , Ferreira V. J. M. F. , Andrade F. N. P. , Antoun A. R. 
Published: December 2007

Proposal
Response to marine pollution incidents requires careful advance planning to ensure that the impact of the pollution is minimized. A high priority must be given to developing contingency plans that will ensure prompt response to mitigate the adverse effect of any spill. Oil spill response planning will prescribe actions that will be performed under emergency conditions and attempts to minimize damage to the ecology and to the quality of human life.
This paper deals with strategic optimization model that prescribe a minimum total cost plan to build new storage location and/or expand existing ones and to purchase new equipments and pre-position them and a contingency plan which determines what systems must be allocated to enable an effective response for each likely oil spill scenario.
To date few studies have addressed the strategic aspect of oil spill cleanup management. The spill optimization models can contribute with contingency plans that are prepared by responsible parts in case of a spill and could be used as decision aid by all of these parts. They can be applied whenever new equipments are purchased or whenever any responsible party is preparing a contingency plan.
In this paper is described a model that deals with modern oil spill cleanup requirements that include time-phased response. The model proposed considers further where to locate the protection systems that must be deployed to the priority areas associated with spill scenarios immediately after a spill occurs.
The model is applied in a case that involves three companies that wish to update their contingency plan using the services of one spill response company. This response company will use the strategic response model for oil spills, in order to help it to check whether it's necessary to expand its response structure, and if so, the model will help to outline a lower-cost configuration that will be adequate to the new situation, fulfilling the legislation requirements.
This model can be adopted by industry to facilitate contingency planning.
Analytical Modeling of 1-D n-Component Miscible Displacement of Ideal Fluids
Authors: Pires A. P. , Bedrikovetsky P. G. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods include injection of different fluids into reservoirs to improve oil displacement. These processes can be divided into two main categories: thermodynamical and hydrodynamical ones. Analytical models for 1-D displacement of oil by gas have been developed during the last 15 years. It was observed from semi-analytical and numerical experiments that several thermodynamic features of the process (MMP, key tie lines, etc) are not dependent of transport properties. The model for one-dimensional displacement of oil by miscible fluids is analyzed in this paper. The main result is the splitting of thermodynamical and hydrodynamical parts in the EOR mathematical model. The introduction of a potential associated with one of the conservation laws and its use as an independent variable reduces the number of equations. The reduced auxiliary system contains just thermodynamical (equilibrium fractions of each phase, sorption isotherms) variables and the lifting equation contains just hydrodynamical (phases relative permeabilities and viscosities) parameters while the initial EOR model contains both thermodynamical and hydrodynamical functions. So, the problem of EOR displacement was divided into two independent problems: one thermodynamical and one hydrodynamical. Therefore, phase transitions occurring during displacement are determined by the auxiliary system, i.e. they are independent of hydrodynamic properties of fluids and rock. For example, the minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) is independent of relative permeabilities and phases viscosities. The splitting technique may be used for the solution of Riemann problems and for non-self-similar displacement of oil by rich gas solvent slug with lean gas drive considering ideal behavior of the fluids, i.e. constant distribution coefficients. For 3-D displacements, the splitting is valid if and only if the total mobility is constant. It allows the application of the obtained 1-D analytical solutions in streamline simulators. The technique reduces significantly the amount of calculations for sensitivity study of gasflooding processes with respect to transport properties: auxiliary thermodynamic problem may be solved once for given reservoir and injected compositions; variation of relative permeabilities and viscosities should be performed just in the solution of one transport equation.