bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Measurement of Matrix and Fracture Properties in Naturally Fractured Cores
Authors: Ning Xiuxu , Fan Jin , Holditch S. A. , Lee W. J. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
This paper describes a new laboratory technique to evaluate the properties of a naturally fractured, low permeability core sample. We specifically determine (1) the porosity of the matrix, (2) the permeability of the matrix, (3) the effective width of the fractures, and (4) the permeability of the fractures.
New laboratory equipment has been designed and constructed to conduct pressure pulse tests in either a homogeneous or a fractured core sample. Analytical solutions have been developed to model gas flow in a fractured core sample during a pressure pulse test. An automatic history matching program has been developed to analyze the laboratory measured pressure transient data using the analytical solutions. The new technique has been used to measure the matrix and fracture properties in twelve naturally fractured, Devonian Shale cores.
The technique we developed in this research is new to the petroleum industry. Our laboratory equipment is unique, and the analytical solutions have not been published in the literature. With this technique, we can measure matrix properties as low as 10−9 md. This is a significant step forward in permeability measurement because the lowest permeability that most existing laboratories can measure is about 10−6 millidarcies.
Tracer Flow in Naturally Fractured Reservoirs
Authors: Jetzabeth Ramírez S. , Fernando Samaniego V. , Jesús Rivera R. , Fernando Rodríguez de la G. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
This paper presents solutions for the continuous, finite step and spike injection of radioactive tracers in naturally fractured reservoirs. Solutions are presented for linear flow-vertical fractures, and for the radial flow cases of horizontal fractures and cubic block matrix-fracture geometry. The three derived solutions consider as particular cases the flow of a chemical tracer. The reservoir is treated as being composed of two regions: a mobile (fractures) where dispersion and convection take place and a. stagnant (matrix) where only diffusion and adsorption are allowed. Radioactive decay is considered in both regions. The solution that considers vertical fractures is analytical, thus avoiding the double Laplace space numerical inversion used in previous studies. Another main advantage is that the important numerical dispersion reported by previous investigators when using the Stehfest Laplace transform inversion algorithm is avoided. The radial coupled matrix to fracture solutions are presented in Laplace space, and are accurately inverted by means of the Crump algorithm. The influence of the main dimensionless parameters that enter into the solutions was carefully investigated. A comparison of results for the three different naturally fractured systems investigated, indicates that a uniqueness problem may arise in the interpretation of a test, especially to distinguish between the radial cases. As expected, this problem alleviates for the finite step injection cases. The results of this study can be applied to interpret tracer tests in naturally fractured reservoirs, allowing the estimation of fracture and matrix practical parameters of interest.
Field Tests of Downhole Extensometer Used To Obtain Formation In-Situ Stress Data
Authors: Kuhlman R. D. , Heemstra T. R. , Ray T. G. , Lin Peng , Charlez P. A. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Knowledge of formation rock properties, in-situ stress direction, and stress magnitudes are valuable aids to the successful drilling, completion and stimulation of oil and gas wells. These factors are of even greater importance for horizontal or highly deviated wells. Problems such as wellbore collapse, breakout, and breakdown during drilling and completion can be minimized by using knowledge of in-situ stress direction and magnitude to optimize wellbore direction and/or mud weight. Knowing the azimuth of hydraulic fractures will be of great benefit on any producing or injection well. For horizontal or highly deviated boreholes, this information may be required to avoid premature screenout and unexpectedly high treating pressures if the well is fracture stimulated. These problems can be addressed with improved mud weight control during drilling and stimulation treatment designs based on knowledge of the stress magnitudes, the direction of the principal stresses, and the formation's mechanical properties.
A downhole extensometer tool has been developed (jointly by TOTAL and Halliburton) and field tested that will monitor borehole deformation responses to pressuring before, during, and after a microfracture stress test.
The borehole strain measurements before and after fracture initiation are used to determine the following parameters: Minimum in-situ stress magnitude (closure pressure)Fracture directionWidth of induced fractureIn-situ shear modulus
Field Application of Real-Time Hydraulic Fracturing Analysis
Authors: Martinez A. D. , Wright C. A. , Wright T. B. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
It has long been the goal of the petroleum industry to use a hydraulic fracture simulator to provide on-site real-time hydraulic fracturing analysis. Now with the development of real-time fracture simulators and the power of portable computers this is a reality. This paper describes the use of a computer modeling system to accomplish this goal. A brief background of the theory behind real-data real-time fracture modeling as well as a description of the computer interfaces, data acquisition, and overall hardware requirements are presented. Case examples are included which show the benefits as well as the limitations of real-time fracture monitoring and analysis. Some suggestions on valuable data collection procedures are also discussed.
Zero Generator Status
Authors: Anderson N. K. , Hall P. M. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Fundamentally the goal of becoming a "zero generator" of waste – hazardous, industrial, or household – is a term coined to focus the efforts of all work endeavors toward a common goal. The goal was made attainable through a series of endeavors that could succeed only through the cooperation of everyone involved in the process of offshore drilling – operator, contractor, individual crew members and subcontractors.
Vapor Jet System: An Alternative Vapor Recovery Method
Authors: Webb W. G. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
The patented Vapor Jet System is an alternative to conventional vapor recovery technology for the recovery of low volumes of hydrocarbon vapors from oil production facilities' crude oil and produced water storage tanks. The Vapor Jet System utilizes a pressurized stream of produced water to serve as the operating medium for a jet pump (also known as a venturi, eductor or ejector). The potential energy (pressure) of the produced water stream is converted to kinetic energy (velocity) in the jet pump. The high velocity water stream entrains the near atmospheric pressured vapors and returns them to the facility's low pressure system for separation and sale. The water is returned to the water tankage for further degassing and reuse, disposal or waterflood injection purposes.
The Vapor Jet System is simple, cost effective and virtually maintenance free when compared to the small conventional vapor recovery units (VRU's) in use in the industry today. The Vapor Jet System is ideally suited for facilities with hydrocarbon vapor volumes too small to economically justify conventional vapor recovery systems. The Vapor Jet System will operate at whatever minimum volume level emission control is desired. The Vapor Jet System can be installed for 50% of the cost of the small conventional VRU and realize significant savings in operating expenses over the conventional VRU.
Proposed Changes to EPA Class II Well Construction Standards and Area of Review Procedures
Authors: Smith J. B. , Browning L. A. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing amendments to its Underground Injection Control (UIC) program regulations (40 CFR parts 144 and 146) as they pertain to Class II (oil and gas-related) wells. The proposed amendments revise current provisions relating to construction standards and apply the "area of review" and corrective action requirements to previously exempt wells "authorized by rule."
The proposed modifications build upon recommendations made by a Federally-chartered Advisory Committee pursuant to the findings of an internal Mid-Course Evaluation effort and a General Accounting Office Report.
Under the provisions of Section 1425 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), these amended regulations would not need to be adopted verbatim by the States; however, EPA will require that "primacy" States demonstrate that their programs are still effective in light of these new Federal requirements.
A Survey of Regulatory Approaches to Cleanup Standards for Soil Contaminated by Spills of Crude Oil or Salt Water
Authors: Hoffman Jane 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
How do regulatory agencies determine how clean is clean? In the absence of federal directives, states have developed a variety of approaches to cleanup standards for soil contaminated by spills from exploration and production facilities. A few states have established cleanup standards through general guidelines or by rule, while other states set cleanup standards on a case-by-case basis. The survey covers: the status of regulatory cleanup standards and trends; the economic concept of beneficial use as a cleanup standard; pit closure standards used as a cleanup standard for crude oil spills; and cleanup standards designed for crude oil spills.
Bioremediation of Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils at Crude Oil Production Sites in West Texas and New Mexico
Authors: Scott T. W. , Barker G. W. , Cook R. C. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
A pilot scale field study was initiated to evaluate the feasibility of bioremediating hydrocarbon-contaminated soils at production sites in the southern Permian Basin in West Texas and New Mexico. Soils were contaminated with crude oil which had leaked into the soils from tank batteries and wellheads during production operations. Soils were characterized as fine to medium sands and loamy fine sands, well drained, low water holding capacity, and alkaline. Native soils at the sites contained an indigenous microbial population capable of degrading hydrocarbon contaminants. It was not necessary to add commercial bacteria to achieve acceptable biodegradation rates. Bioremediation is a viable technology to remediate hydrocarbon contaminated soils at production sites in the Permian Basin.
Conversion of Oilfield Produced Water Into an Irrigation/Drinking Quality Water
Authors: Tao F. T. , Curtice Stanley , Hobbs R. D. , Sides J. L. , Wieser J. D. , Dyke C. A. , Tuohey David , Pilger P. F. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
A process has been developed for converting oilfield produced water into irrigation/drinking quality water. The process consists of air flotation, clarification, softening, filtration, reverse osmosis and water reconditioning. A pilot plant was successfully operated for a extended period of time for handling water with approximately 7,000 mg/L of total dissolved solids, 250 mg/L silica and 170 mg/L soluble oil at a wide range of pH (7-11). The quality of treated water met the stringent California Title 22 Drinking Water Maximum Contaminant Levels.
Salinity/Toxicity Relationships to Predict the Acute Toxicity of Produced Waters to Freshwater Organisms
Authors: Mount D. R. , Gulley D. D. , Evans J. M. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACTAs part of previous research, the Gas Research Institute, ENSR, and the University of Wyoming developed a series of multi-variate logistic regression equations (called Salinity/Toxicity Relationships or STRs) that predict acute toxicity to three freshwater organisms based on major ion composition. While these equations did an excellent job of representing responses in the laboratory data set on which they were based, their validity and usefulness lay in their-ability to make accurate predictions for independent data sets and real-world samples. Accordingly, the STR equations were applied to a series of data sets from different sources. This exercise shows that the equations generally provide accurate predictions of toxicity, even across waters with very different ionic compositions. STR equations were also able to detect the presence of toxicants other than major ions in the samples. These results indicate that the STR approach will provide a valuable tool for assessing and managing produced waters and other waters with elevated concentrations of dissolved ions.
A Successful Public Consultation Program for Drilling Near-Urban Sour Gas Wells
Authors: O’Byrne Dan , Tamasi Rick , Kruk G. E. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
This paper describes a proactive public consultation process conducted for a sour gas development project on the outskirts of Calgary, Alberta. After substantial delays in obtaining regulatory approval to drill development wells containing up to 35% hydrogen sulphide, Canadian Occidental Petroleum Ltd. participated in a formal, mediated consultation process involving affected stakeholders and regulatory agencies. The public perceptions of safety, land use conflicts and communication were significant issues dealt with by the consultation process. In June of 1992 the Northeast Calgary Application Consultation Committee, which included community representatives and government agencies, forwarded reports to the Energy Resources Conservation Board approving the proposed wells and suggesting some modifications to the project design. The consultation process provided the opportunity to identify and address stakeholder issues before the final project design was submitted to regulatory agencies for consideration. Communication with the stakeholders was improved and an opportunity for ongoing dialogue with interested parties was identified.
Effect of Water Spray on the Combustion of Crude Oil on a Water Surface
Authors: Nelson W. G. , McKenzie Bruce 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Mesoscale test burns were conducted to determine the effect of water spray on the combustion characteristics of crude oil on a water surface. Data obtained during these burns suggest that the water spray increased the surface regression rate, decreased the smoke production, and did not reduce the fraction of oil consumed. Such information could be applied to in-situ burning of oil on water as an oil spill response technique.
Evaluation of Acid Stimulation Treatment of Horizontal Wells
Authors: Malekzadeh D. , Azari M. , Day J. J. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
The potential for severe formation damage around horizontal wells exists due to the increased time of formation exposure to the drilling fluids as compared to the time that a vertical well is exposed to these fluids. This paper explains that the combined effect of the formation damage and the presence of impermeable barriers and low permeability regions in the vicinity of some sections of the horizontal wellbore will manifest itself as skin factor in well test analysis if the total drilled length of the horizontal section is used in the calculations. The purpose of this paper is to present practical new equations, based on a recently introduced concept in well performance analysis, for evaluating the actual length of the horizontal well contributing to production. It is determined that the performance of a horizontal well with mechanical skin and of length Xf1 can be substituted by the performance of a horizontal well of length Xf2 with no skin. Xf2 is smaller than Xf1 for a damaged well and is greater than for a stimulated well. By combining the concepts of equivalent horizontal well length and equivalent wellbore radius, one will be able to evaluate the performance of a horizontal well in comparison to its expected performance and to subsequently relate it to an equivalent stimulated vertical well. The new equations and guidelines can be used to determine the magnitude of formation damage around horizontal wells and to evaluate the success of a stimulation treatment.
The Quantification and Management of Uncertainty in Reserves
Authors: Smith P. J. , Hendry D. J. , Crowther A. R. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
This paper gives a method for estimating reserves uncertainty for oil and gas fields. The parametric method is a long-established statistical technique, yet has seldom been applied in the oil and gas industry. The power of the method lies in its simplicity, for this gives access to a ranking of uncertain variables in terms of importance in affecting reserves. Once the key uncertainties have been identified, attention can be focussed on appropriate contingency plans to reduce their impact. By planning for potential downsides and upsides in advance, project econonics become more robust. The technique is extended to production profile predictions.
The paper describes the statistics of the method, and then illustrates its application through a case example, the Forth Field, which lies in the northern North Sea and is due for development approval in the first half of 1993.
Development of Team Approach for Identifying and Drilling Horizontal Wells Will Improve Success Rate and Quality Control
Authors: Crouse P. C. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Horizontal well technology has advanced over a rapid pace in the last seven years. With its development, the need for improved communication and a team approach insuring the best drilled and completed well has become increasingly important to a quality producing well. This paper identifies a process to help component groups to manage and monitor more effectively the project implementation of a horizontal well. The project management technique, CPM/PERT or Critical Path Method, Program Evaluation and Review Technique is a natural management technique which could be used to save both time and money, and could be used as a quality control tool.
Gas Channeling and Micro-Fractures in Cemented Annulus
Authors: Talabani Soran , Chukwu G. A. , Hatzignatiou D. G. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Gas leakage through a cemented wellbore annuli is a major problem in many oil wells in the world, and specifically in the United States. Enormous amounts of money are spent on squeeze cementing these affected wells often without effecting a permanent solution. This problem is not only expensive to control, but also a menace to the environment. Gas leakage occurs as a result of bad cement-formation bonding caused by incompatible contraction-expansion mechanism during cement setting.
This work proposes the use of new cementing additives which can reduce the effect of the expansion-contraction mechanism during the cement slurry setting. These additives fill contraction induced voids within the cement structure and between the pipe and cement, which leads to an impermeable cement, thus eliminating the existence of micro-fractures and micro-annulus. These materials are economic to use and are readily available. It is proposed that the cement bond index should be estimated in the laboratory using Ultra-Sonic test prior to the cement job.
Static and Dynamic Fluid-Loss Characteristics of Drilling Fluids in a Full-Scale Wellbore
Authors: Warren B. K. , Smith T. R. , Ravi K. M. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
This paper describes the dynamic and static filtration characteristics of four different drilling fluids under downhole conditions. Filtration rates were measured over two-, four- or five-day periods in a simulated sandstone formation. The drilling fluids studied had a wide range of API fluid loss and rheological characteristics.
The API fluid-loss for all drilling fluids tested were generally higher than the filtrate loss observed in the sandstone formation. The largest static and dynamic filtration rates were seen in drilling fluids having uncontrolled fluid-loss properties.
A large spurt loss volume, varying in duration from 30 seconds to five minutes occurred upon initial contact of the drilling fluid with the formation. A steady state filtration rate was quickly reached following the initial spurt loss. Dynamic filtration rates and the percentage of circulatable hole varied as a function of the drilling fluid flow rate in the annulus. Increased annular flow rates produced higher dynamic filtration rates. The dynamic filtration rates decreased prior to day four of the tests, afterwhich no significant changes were observed. Removal of the external wellbore filter cake using mechanical scrapers did not significantly change the dynamic filtration rate.
The results presented can be used to estimate the effect of flow rates, fluid loss, and rheology of the drilling fluid on the amount of drilling fluid filtrate lost to the formation and on the percentage of the annulus that is circulating.
Comparison of Stochastic and Deterministic Geologic Models Used in Reservoir Simulations for the Endicott Field, Alaska
Authors: Shaw A. L. , Cunningham A. B. , Johnson S. R. , Pearce A. J. , Adamson G. R. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Simulation models of the low net to gross zones of the Kekiktuk Formation have, historically, been difficult to history match. Traditional mapping of the zones, e.g., isopach, netto gross ratio, and porosity, tended to oversimplify the internal heterogeneities within the reservoir sandstones and the spatial distribution of sand bodies. Current reservoir simulations address this problem through the use of deterministic and stochastic fine-scale geological models. Fluid movement is appropriately modeled and history matched in both simulations without significant pore volume modifications. Contrary to previous simulations, current simulation data shows that up dip gas injection combined with down dip water injection increases ultimate recovery of Zone 3 oil. Results from both types of simulations can be used in synergy or separately to address global reservoir and well specific issues to optimize ultimate recovery.