bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Combined Effect of Near-Critical Relative Permeability and Non-Darcy Flow on Well Impairment by Condensate Drop-Out
Authors: Blom S.M.P. , Hagoort J. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
We present a comprehensive numerical method to calculate well impairment based on steady-state radial flow. It incorporates near-critical relative permeability and saturation dependent inertial resistance.
Example calculations show that near-critical relative permeability and non-Darcy flow are strongly coupled: Inertial resistance gives rise to a higher capillary number, which makes the use of proper near-critical relative permeability curves all the more important. In its turn, the improved mobility of the gas phase due to a higher capillary number enhances the importance of the inertial resistance.
The combined effect of condensate drop-out and non-Darcy flow may cause large skins in gas condensate reservoirs. Well impairment may be grossly overestimated if the dependence of relative permeability on the capillary number is ignored.
P. 181
Fracpack Completion of Gas-Storage Wells for Enhanced Deliverability
Authors: Peebles Bill , Kelley Robert , Ritter Wes , Fitzpatrick Harvey 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
This case-history paper presents results of installing fracpack (one-step tip screenout1 fracture stimulation and gravel-pack operations)2–5 completions in gas-storage wells in the West Clear Lake Field of Harris County, Texas. Using the fracpack technique, operators have fracture-stimulated six wells (new drills and workovers) in the past 3 years as part of an overall facility upgrade. Gas is injected daily into the Frio formation (5,500 ft) of the field and withdrawn at high rates during peak demand periods. A strong waterdrive can "water-out" production at the end of peak-season gas withdrawal, and water recedes when withdrawal is ended and gas volume and pressure in the reservoir are restored by injection. The paper presents (1) fracpack installation techniques, (2) performance comparison of conventional methods and ffracpacks, and (3) completion technique selection to achieve high production efficiency.
New wells completed with fracpacks in 1994 have yielded rates up to 100 MMcff/D each with about 500 psi drawdown pressure. In 1995, a well capable of producing at 25 MMcf/D with a gravel pack was recompleted with a fracpack, which increased its rate capacity to 49 MMcff/D. Because of the performance of the first three wells, three more wells were completed with ffracpacks in 1997. The fracpack completion has proven superior to other sand-control methods in providing high-rate deliverability in the West Clear Lake Field. Fracpack completions have, in general, provided a two-fold increase in daily production rate.
Fracpack completions and recompletions can be applied in gas-storage wells where high production rates are needed and sand-control measures are necessary for the life of the well.
This paper provides guidelines and results associated with fracpacking by demonstrating the importance of selecting completion techniques that will provide high-efficiency production from gas-storage wellspresenting case histories of fracpack-stimulated gas-storage well performance over a relatively long time periodcomparing well performance of conventionally completed and fracpack-completed gas-storage wells producing at high ratesproviding insight into operational aspects of fracpack completions
Interferences with Produced Water Treatment for Dispersed Oil Removal
Authors: Bansal K. M. , Caudle D. D. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
This paper discusses the chemistry of interferences with produced water treatment processes for dispersed oil removal, and recommends potential solutions for enhancement of the efficiency of the treating process. A better understanding of the chemistry of the interferences is essential in optimizing the performance of the water treatment equipment to meet increasingly more stringent disposal and injection requirements. Both regulations and technological considerations are demanding increasingly cleaner water.
The best available technology (BAT) prescribed by the US Environmental Protection Agency National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for oil and grease in produced water discharges to US waters and the North Sea limitations are based on the performance of flotation equipment. But, hydrocyclone technology currently is the equipment of choice for many offshore operations. The chemistry of produced water and its constituents can detrimentally affect these two processes. These effects will be discussed with special emphasis on impacts to the basic principles of process equipment operation and limitation of the technologies.
Some factors that can cause significant interferences with produced water treatment processes are: (a) non-produced fluids, (b) iron and its interaction with oxygen, (c) loss of carbon dioxide and its effect on scaling tendencies, (d) the effect of the presence of soluble oil and (e) the effect of process flow variability. These factors can cause enhanced oil droplet stability, result in the inhibition of the droplet coalescence rate, and consequently reduce the dispersed oil removal efficiency.
The combined effects of oxygen, dissolved iron compounds (e.g. corrosion products) and pH of the receiving waters could cause sheen in the disposal of treated produced water. Experience from field studies and operations will be used for illustrating interferences and their effects.
The limitations of the water treating processes and common interferences will be used to suggest guidelines for optimum operation of the equipment. A "total system approach" is recommended in developing the solution to water treating problems.
Waste Management and Disposal of Cuttings and Drilling Fluid Waste Resulting from the Drilling and Completion of Wells to Produce Orinoco Very Heavy Oil in Eastern Venezuela
Authors: Getliff J. M. , Silverstone M. P. , Sharman A. K. , Lenn M. , Hayes T. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
During the next decade and beyond, a large number of wells will be drilled in Eastern Venezuela in order to produce very heavy oil. Because of both the nature of the reservoir and the length of the horizontal section, water based drilling fluids will become contaminated with anywhere from 3–20% crude oil during the drilling process. The result will be the need for disposal of large quantities of oil contaminated water base mud and oil soaked cuttings.
This paper discusses the options that are available for the disposal of the cuttings and focuses in particular on biological methods of cleaning the cuttings, including land farming and the use of composting biopiles. We also discuss the potential use and development of a mobile bioreactor that can be located on the drilling site. This reactor will contain the waste during the degradation process and maintain conditions that will result in virtually total degradation of the organic compounds with carbon dioxide and water being the main by-products.
A Model for Promotion of a Constructive Alcohol and Drug Culture
Authors: Leitao Joao 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
In 1991 Shell International developed the first version of its guidelines for an updated Alcohol & Drugs (A&D) policy. During our work with A&D, several difficulties with this policy have emerged; problems with the boundaries between work and leisure time, poor transformation to local culture, problems with the definitions of "safety positions" and poor results of testing programmes. In this paper we presents a new model for the development of a A&D policy that handle these difficulties and define an A&D culture that promote the constructive ways of using A&D and prevent destructive use.
Aids Education in the Workplace: The Escravos Tank Farm Experience
Authors: Faleyimu B. L. , Fagade O. A. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Safety is a major subject in the Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Sector as it is in Reproductive health. With the emergence of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, safety and health of the work force are being jeopardized. The implication of this for the Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Sector is quite enormous since labor is one of her main productive resource.
The Escravos Tank farm is the operational headquarters for the Escravos operations of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), a part of Chevron Corporation – an international Oil company based in San Francisco. On the Tank farm, the resident population is approximately 650 with about 1000 Contract Staffs that are scattered in settlements and villages around the Tank Farm. There is a regular interaction between the Tank Farm workers and the settlements. This interaction is believed to oil the rig of sexual network amongst the various subsets.
A pre-program key-informant interviews and focus group discussions amongst the different cadres of Staff revealed a poor awareness and an alarming number of misconceptions about HIV/AIDS amongst 84 percent of the employees.
A well-articulated multi-pronged AIDS EDUCATION program at the Workplace was initiated at the Escravos Tank Farm bearing in mind that AIDS education may yet be the only safe vaccine available for now. This forms the main thrust of this paper. This consisted of series of AIDS awareness lectures, use of posters; video shows on AIDS (The Silent Epidemic); question and answer sessions. In addition, counseling sessions were arranged and comprehensive handouts on STDs/HIV/AIDS and Safer Sex practices were given to participants. In the nearest future plans are on to extend this program to the surrounding settlements and network subsets using all available means of mass communication, and to start Peer education program. By and large CNL is also responding largely to the economic, medical, psychological, safety, and legal issues surrounding AIDS in the Workplace.
Malaria and Malaria Chemoprophylaxis Among Expatriates In Swamp And Offshore Operations – Our Experience
Authors: Ajayi P. A. , Babalola R. O. , Fadeyi O. T. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
A lot of information on malaria, some conflicting, is available to the international traveler from many sources. Between December 1994 and August 1997, 23 expatriates were treated for malaria in our clinic at the Escravos Terminal. 17 of these were on malaria chemoprophylaxis and 4 started after the attack. We recently noted a decline in the rate at which expatriates collected antimalarials from our clinic and this survey was carried out to find out the experience of our swamp/offshore expatriate staff with malaria preventive measures especially chemoprophylaxis. 200 questionnaires were sent out to determine among other things, pre-travel counseling, antimalarials taken, side effects, compliance and their perception of the malaria issue. 136 questionnaires were returned. 53% of responders were Americans and 37.5% were Britons. 75% of responders had pre-travel counseling, 66% started on malaria chemoprophylaxis before traveling. 98 (72%) took antimalarials at one time or the other, and of these, 32% took chloroquine/paludrine combination, 55% took mefloquine, 8% took proguanil only. 1% each took doxycycline and pyrimethamine. Of the 98 who took antimalarials, 52 had stopped their medication for various reasons. Mefloquine was stopped in 60% of cases and chloroquine/proguanil in 27%. Of the 46 presently taking antimalarials 60% have taken drugs for 1 to 3 years. The most commonly experienced side effects for the various drugs are outlined, as well as respondents’ perception of malaria and the various preventive measures advocated.
Of the 136 respondents 27 (19.9%) had had one or more attacks of malaria before. 61% will advise first time visitors to Nigeria to take prophylactic antimalarials.
The second part of the study will compare these findings with the experience of our expatriate staff resident in Nigeria. The need to streamline malaria preventive measures and the information available to expatriates traveling to the tropics is stressed.
Heat Stress In Oman: People, Exposures and Data Acquisition
Authors: Boelens P. R. M. , Senior P. L. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Acquiring seismic data and its subsequent computer analysis is a key stage in the assessment of new oil or gas prospects. In Oman, seismic operations are often conducted in an extreme thermal environment. Seismic workers in the desert consistently identify heat stress as a major health hazard. Providing information on heat stress and control measures is in the hands of supervisors. In particular during the summer, cases of heat related disorders are reported and recorded in the desert field clinics. It is recognized that heat exposures in Oman can exceed the ACGIH guidelines and that the empirical formulae for determining maximum heat exposures may not be fully applicable for the Oman environment. A six month study on seismic crews was carried out with the objective of reviewing the current work practices and to identify possible adverse health effects in relation to environmental conditions and workload.
Systematic Working Environment Review and Verification Experience on New and Existing Offshore Installations
Authors: Smith Chr. Cappelen 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
When designing new offshore installations, built at a number of different shipyards throughout the world, with the objective of creating healthy and sound working environment in order to mitigate possibilities for occupational injuries and occupational diseases, it has proven necessary to have regular follow-up reviews and verification activities throughout the concept, design, construction, commissioning and operating phases of each ongoing project.
The necessity of close follow-up is enhanced by the fact that the installations will be working in different locations around the world, and thus a large variety of local government regulations as well as rules of the industry and the operating companies and the entrepreneur will have to be satisfied. In addition the rules of the chosen classification society must be satiesfied. It may seem easy to chose the stricter of these possibilities, but since economy always play an important role, the picture becomes more complex. For existing offshore installations the type of reviews, verifications and follow-up of the working environment factors in operations and during major reconstruction must be done, but a different approach is chosen to ensure reaching the goal.
Working in many different parts of the world when planning, constructing and operating offshore installations gives a whole range of different experiences. This experience transfer is of great value when systematically applied in the industry.
The well-being and safety of the employees plays a very important role with regards to efficiency and operations regularity for offshore installations- and the safeguarding of the working environment in the broadest sense for each individual as well as for the installations as such is good economy. An important signal about company attitude towards the indidual employee is also a strong enhancer of good working environment appreciation.
Produced Water in the North Sea: a Threat for the Environment or a Threat for the Industry?
Authors: Garland E. M. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
An increase in the amount of oil released to the North Sea in produced water has led some littoral countries and Non-Governmental Organisations to call for tightening the control measures on discharges. The E&P Industry has reviewed the recent information on the fate and effects of produced water discharge on the marine environment (more than 100 papers) as well as progress in handling produced water, including reinjection and shut off techniques.
There clearly has been a concerted research effort to provide greater understanding of the management of produced water. Nevertheless, there is much less new information than might have been expected. But even so, there is now a clearer understanding on the fate and effects of produced water. The composition and properties of produced waters discharged to the North Sea are now well established. Major improvements have been made in the determination of groups of organic substances such as volatile organic compounds (VOC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and phenols, and robust methods for their determination are now available.
Discharge volumes and loads have stabilised and are expected to remain at the present level for around 5 years. Alternative management solutions are being researched and major advances in re-injection and shut-off techniques are expected in the next few years although they will take time to implement on a wide scale. The quality of discharged water has also remained stable with an oily content of around 30 mg.l−1 despite the rapid increase in the quantity of water treated offshore. Moreover, the other contaminants from discharges of produced water are not a major component of the total input of contaminants to the North Sea.
In terms of fate and effects of the discharges, greatest emphasis has been put on impacts arising from chronic exposures, including bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Recent focus on the effects of endocrine mimicking substances is being incorporated into research programmes.
In the second part of the paper, the assessment of the new measures that the Contracting Parties to the Oslo and Paris Convention envisage confirms the need for an integrated approach to produced water management, and shows that additional severe constraints on produced water discharges would have a negative impact on the E&P Industry without any net benefit for the marine environment
The Impact of Shallow-water Seismic in Sensitive Areas
Authors: Webb C.L.F. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
This paper aims to up-date some of the misconceptions concerning the impact of shallow-water seismic operations. It will also provide an insight into the planning, organization and special technical features implemented for operations in an environmentally sensitive area and a number of key lessons learnt.
The North European Wadden Sea coast, bordering Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands is a region of extremely high environmental and political sensitivity. The successful development of the Mittelplate oil field in a National Park off the west coast of Germany, provides an excellent example that oil exploration and production can be tailored to the demands of such sensitive and protected areas.
During 1996 and 1997, exploration Seismic was carried out in the tidal flats and saltmarshes of the Wadden Sea National Park. This was the first survey of its kind in Germany and attracted a high degree of interest from both public and industry alike. The physical and environmental constraints of the location called for specially designed equipment and a number of unique planning and organizational features to be implemented in the surveys. Extensive monitoring was carried out above and below water to determine the effect of the Seismic activities on the marine life. The Survey has provided the opening company and the authorities with new information for use in future Seismic programmes, not only in Germany but also in other protected coastal areas around the world.
Considerations for Oil Field Construction: Erosion Potential Adjacent to Morichales in Central Venezuela
Authors: Meyer G. D. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
The northern and central portion of the Venezuelan state of Anzoátegui has been the site of substantial oil field development activities for many years. Now the Orinoco Heavy Oil Belt, in the southern part of this state, is receiving attention. This attention is being been accompanied by a heightened concern for the environment.
The southern portion of Anzoátegui is in the central plain of Venezuela and consists primarily of mesas dissected by river valleys. The upland areas are tropical savanna with the typical grassland and sparse trees. Adjacent to the streams are local dense jungles known as "Morichales" that exhibit a different assemblage of fauna and flora from the upland areas.
Due to certain soil, hydrogeologic, and topographic conditions, specific areas along the escarpments and the valley slopes appear to have high erosion potential. The proximity of the environmentally sensitive Morichales to these erosion prone upland areas poses a plausible oil spill scenario that should be considered in the design and placement of new facilities. Early identification and evaluation of erosion problems in project areas can help avoid potential costly situations.
Process Control Interface Issues in the Upstream
Authors: Danz-Reece M. E. , Noerager J. A. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
With advancing technology, the operator interfaces to computerized distributed control systems (DCS) include features such as multiple windows on a single screen, higher resolution for text and graphics, numerous available colors, and many levels of alarms and notifications. Although these features allow more information to be presented to the operator than ever before, there is potential for overloading the operator with too much, or confusing, process information. Examples of typical interface issues described in industry and government reports include cluttered data screens, overuse of color, inconsistent alarm priority assignments, alarm flooding and inconsistent or unclear labeling, color coding and equipment symbols. This paper summarizes an approach for implementing an optimal operator interface for new or upgraded computerized DCS. The approach includes training the applications team, developing project interface standards, testing prototypes, training operators and continuous interface improvement.
Training for Safe and Efficient Lifting Operations
Authors: McMorran Paul 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Accidents involving cranes and lifting gear are among the most potentially catastrophic to drilling and production operations. Their scope for serious injury, damage to the environment and downtime is often underestimated. The role of the Crane Operator, it seems, has been particularly undervalued. This paper describes a new approach to training those involved in lifting operations on rigs world-wide. Developed by a major international drilling contractor, this addition to a well established on-the-job training program sets a new standard for in-house certification of Crane Operators. This is achieved using all-new training source material, combining self-study with practical instruction at the rig site. Demonstrated competence is the target, and well-defined assessment criteria supported by comprehensive guidelines for supervisors provide the means to assure it.
The Faroes GEM - An Ideal Case of an Oil Industry Co-Operation Prior to a First Licensing Round
Authors: Walls Anne , Leggett Ian , Evans Trevor , Jakuppstovu Hjalti I. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
The Faroe Islands are planning to open their territorial waters to oil exploration and production in 1998, when they have their first licensing round. The Faroese economy is presently dependent upon fisheries, with fishing, fish farming and processing accounting for almost 95% of all exports. The seas surrounding the Faroes are renowned for their cleanliness, and are of importance for cetaceans and seabirds as well as fish.
In a unique collaboration, 23 oil companies have already started to work together in conjunction with the Faroese Petroleum Administration and Institutes in order to gather data on the environment around the islands. The main objective of the joint industry/institute group is to gather sufficient data to enable operators to carry out environmental risk assessments for future exploration drilling offshore the Faroe Islands.
This paper describes the work and philosophy of the Faroes GEM, whose workgroups are studying the Geotechnical, Environmental and Metocean aspects of prospective areas of interest on the Faroese Continental Shelf.