bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Malaria a Disease we are Conversant with, but Choose to Ignore at Our Peril!
Authors: Sharples P. E. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Malaria is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in the world with 90% of cases occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Occurrences of malaria cases in travellers to these regions should be avoidable by healthcare professionals providing well-informed malaria prevention advice and medication prior to departure and such travellers complying with the advice given. Companies sending staff to work in malaria risk areas have a duty of care to ensure that their staff has access to such advice, including chemoprophylaxis, prior to departure. Delivering consistent and informative malaria advice to staff and their dependants can be challenging for multinational companies. This study surveyed the expatriate staff and accompanying spouses working for the Chevron Oil company in Nigeria. Questionnaires were sent to the 51 resident families on the company compound situated near Lagos, the 89 rotational staff that work in company operations at Escravos or Port Harcourt and all business travellers to Nigeria during the study period. The study response rate was 49.3%. Pre-travel advice was received by 95% of Chevron personnel, of which 93% was given from company resources with the home country Chevron medical clinic involved in 92% of cases. Knowledge about chemoprophylaxis was found wanting; the limits of its protection was unknown by 17%, and of those prescribed chemoprophylaxis, 72% were not aware of the correct dose regimen. Only 26% of personnel currently complying with drug prophylaxis were aware of the correct regimen. 70% of expatriates had stopped chemoprophylaxis, the average duration of compliance was 9.25 months and 87% of those who had discontinued stopped without seeking medical advice. The main barrier to long-term compliance was concern about the long-term side effects or safety of the medication in 69% of respondents. Company assignment procedures should be reviewed to ensure all personnel travelling to Nigeria receive pre-travel advice and to include improvements in information on chemoprophylaxis, particularly the standardisation of drug prophylaxis guidelines and information on the protective efficacy. Finally, this study indicated that the majority of expatriates do not comply with drug prophylaxis because of fears over long-term safety and side effects. It is recommended that further studies be conducted to obtain more information about the safety and effects of long-term chemoprophylaxis.
Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Evaluation and Treatment: Community Outreach Programs for E&P Projects
Authors: Moreau Jean-Marie , Krieger Gary R. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
The aggressive identification and treatment of individuals with potentially curable Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) is one of the most effective strategies to combat the spread of HIV. Published data indicates that overall HIV transmission in a population can be lowered by 40% by treating curable STDs in sexually active populations. The United Stated Ceneters for Disease Control and Prevention lists treatment of curable STDs as one of its main anti-HIV strategies. Since E&P projects are increasingly located in global areas that have high HIV/AIDS prevalence rates, the strategy of identifying and treating cases of curable STDs in both the workforce and as a potential community outreach program has a strong rationale.
In order to rapidly, accurately and cost-effectively diagnosis and treat curable STDs, there are several diagnostic strategies that can be considered: 1) syndromic evaluation and treatment algorithms that do not require laboratory support, 2) selective use of cheap, rapid lab tests such as urine leukocyte esterase dipsticks, gram stains and 3) use of immunochromatographic strip tests of clinical swab material (cervical, urethral). Each of these approaches has advantages and disadvantages, particularly regarding sensitivity, specificity and predictive value. Substantial screening efforts using theses diagnostic algorithms have been made in the workforce for the Chad Development Project. In addition, a large community outreach program in Cameroon for diagnosis and treatment of curable STDs was initiated as part of the same Project. The preliminary results of these efforts will be presented and discussed.
Rebuilding Environmental Impact Assessment to Deliver True Partnership
Authors: Onyeme Jonathan , Jones Murray 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a key project planning tool within the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Nigeria. Upwards of 30 EIAs can be underway at any one time as Nigerian legislation requires an EIA for approval of projects as small as a single well site. In 1999 SPDC identified that the EIA process was not performing as efficiently as desired. There was a sense that government approval processes were too long, that EIA appeared to many as a data gathering exercise, that EIAs could not be delivered on time and the EIA process was not adding value to the business. Experts from Shell International Exploration and Production (SIEP) were asked to carry out a review of the overall application of EIA and to make recommendations for change.
The result of this review was the establishment of a broad-based improvement process designed to deliver impact assessments meeting world class standards. This process was to improve on the legal requirement for impact statements ensuring inclusion of the social and health dimensions, enhancing consultation and community involvement, integrating alternatives evaluation with project design and building overall competency both within and outside SPDC. This ‘EIA Improvement Process' (EIAIP) was linked to the business with deliverables that would add direct value. This included more efficient and effective management, better project design, gathering and assessment of the right information, on time activities and importantly involved stakeholders who would actively contribute to the choice of best options. Further, and of key importance, the results would be tied directly to community and NGO involvement and set the basis for long-term sustainable community relations and partnerships. As the EIAIP was initiated the opportunity arose to become directly linked with an ongoing international initiative on partnerships called the Business Partners for Development (BPD) process. The BPD was initiated with a range of participants to develop and apply the practices of trilateral partnerships – industry, government and community.
This paper defines the review process that was undertaken and the various steps involved in implementing critical change in the way SPDC addresses the impacts of new projects. It addresses the steps taken to secure a long-term commitment to change, governed by a multi stakeholder steering committee. It addresses various outreach actions that were undertaken to ensure understanding of the issues within and outside the company. And it particularly provides an insight into some of the partnership activities that have taken hold to contribute to long term sustainable development through application of the new approach.
Environmental Impact of Offshore Oil and Gas Company Operations in the Southern Arabian Gulf: A Marine Environmental Survey
Authors: Geutebruck E. , Herler J. , Kikinger R. , Stachowitsch M. , Lorkin M. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
A comprehensive overview of the status of the marine environment near the offshore facilities in the Southern Arabian Gulf, which was carried out for the Zakum Development Company (ZADCO) in 1999, was obtained by a marine environmental survey. This involved a team of marine biologists, chemists, surveyors and computer technicians in a multi-pronged effort including analyses of seawater and sediment, benthic sampling of hard and soft bottom habitats, a study of the fouling organisms on oil platform structures, and fish surveys.
Special emphasis was placed on in-situ multisample collection by scuba divers and detailed underwater observation and documentation with still and video cameras. Basic laboratory work was performed onboard the vessel during the survey of approximately 4 weeks. The field survey was followed by an extensive 9-month biological laboratory work.
The chemical, biological and photographic approaches yielded a very consistent picture. At virtually every site and for almost all investigated parameters, direct impacts were quantifiable only at the sampling stations directly adjoining the facilities. Parameter levels at these sites were directly correlated with the composition of the benthic communities: they differed significantly from the surrounding stations.
The fouling survey on platform structures showed well-developed communities of encrusting and mobile organisms. These structures attracted a dense fish community that differed considerably from the surrounding seafloor underlining the potential positive effect of such artificial reefs.
The diver observations showed that, as opposed to fringing reefs that had suffered a past mortality, the corals in the deeper water surrounding the facilities were largely intact and may represent a vital source of recolonisation.
Biologically, a major challenge was the poor state of knowledge about the fauna of the Gulf. Thus, many species have never been described before. Among the nemertine worms, for example, 23 of the 29 forms were new to science.
Improvements in the Analysis of Thermally Recovered Drilling Fluid Base Oils from Drilled Cuttings
Authors: Jones T. G. J. , Sanders M. W. , Chambers B. D. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractDrilled cuttings generated using invert emulsion drilling fluids represent the primary waste disposal challenge facing offshore drilling operators. If this waste cannot be appropriately disposed of on-site, it is typically shipped to shore for treatment and subsequent disposal or reuse. Although several types of cleaning processes are utilised, low-temperature thermal desorption systems (TDS) are the most predominant. The recovery of base fluids from these processes has assumed increasing importance in recent years, primarily in terms of fluid economics and waste reduction. Both synthetic and mineral oil base fluids have been reclaimed for further use. However, recovery has typically emphasised the separation of solids, water and emulsifiers from the base oil, with little published information on any changes to the overall composition of the fluid through the recovery processes.The primary objective of this paper is to describe the application of improved methods to identify and quantify potential contaminants and by-products that may be introduced into the base fluids by thermal recovery and handling processes. Contaminant and by-product identity and concentration have been determined primarily by headspace and liquid injection gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques. To the authors' knowledge, this approach has not been documented previously, but offers significant improvements over existing analytical techniques. Particular benefits include the identification of most volatile and non-volatile contaminants that may be present in the reclaimed fluids.A variety of contaminants and possible by-products in a small number of reclaimed base fluid samples have been identified over a wide range of concentrations. Low levels of contaminants can have important implications for the reuse of base fluids, such as flash point, marine toxicity and occupational hygiene. This, in turn, will determine the fate of the reclaimed fluid. A recommendation is made for further work to assess those factors that may affect the quality of the recovered fluid.
"Oil and Gas Development in Sensitive Environments: Go or No Go?"
Authors: Kapila Sachin 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
There is an increasing amount of pressure being placed on the oil/gas and mining industries to commit to not operating in protected areas and other sensitive environments. In particular, oil and gas companies such as Shell have been targeted to commit to not going into protected areas designated under the IUCN Categories system, areas I–IV, otherwise they face the challenge of a public campaign. Such an undertaking however, is no easy task, as there are many issues that remain unresolved relating to the current system. For example, protected areas are designated according to their management objectives which does not include how well those areas are managed, nor is there a system yet in place, to independently review whether the designation given to a particular area is warranted.
This paper explores some of the reasons why committing to a blanket ban may not be very effective in protecting or conserving biodiversity. It goes onto present, what is perhaps a more effective approach for oil/gas companies. A framework that looks beyond just protected areas by leading one through a series of questions aimed at gauging a company's level of overall risk in relation to biodiversity. This will allow oil/gas companies to integrate more fully biodiversity considerations into their site selection processes at all relevant stages of the project cycle.
A New Approach of Reservoir Description of Carbonate Reservoirs
Authors: Shedid Shedid A. , Almehaideb Reyadh A. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
This study is conducted to test and evaluate the use of current methods of reservoir characterization, namely the permeability-porosity correlation, the J-function, and the Reservoir Quality Index (RQI) concepts, for reservoir description of heterogeneous carbonate formations. These approaches were compared with a new technique developed in this paper for improved reservoir description of carbonate reservoirs. This technique is called the Characterization Number (CN) technique and it is based upon considering fluid, rock, rock-fluid properties and flow mechanics of oil reservoirs.
To compare these reservoir characterization techniques, measurements of porosity, absolute permeability, oil and water relative permeability and irreducible water saturation for 83 actual core samples extracted from eight different wells for a new oil reservoir in the U.A.E. are obtained. These experimental data are used first to develop a permeability-porosity correlation. Then, the J-function and the RQI concepts along with the newly developed CN approach are applied and evaluated for reservoir description of the UAE carbonate reservoir under investigation. The results show that the Reservoir Quality Index concept is capable of identifying the flow units while the J-function concept is quiet poor. Also, a more refined identification of flow units is obtained by using the newly-developed Characterization Number. This improved description for the Characterization Number approach may be attributed to the consideration of rock/fluid properties of flowing fluid(s) and flow dynamic conditions of its containing formation.
Innovative Completion Design and Well Performance Evaluation for Effective Frac-Packing of Long Intervals: A Case Study from the West Natuna Sea, Indonesia
Authors: Burton R. C. , Davis E. R. , Hodge R. M. , Stomp R. J. , Palthe P. W. , Saldungaray P. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
This paper describes a case history of an innovative completion design and performance evaluation of a high-productivity subsea gas well in Conoco's Tembang field in the West Natuna Sea. Several completion challenges were overcome to ensure a high-deliverability completion in a thick, highly-laminated, loosely consolidated sandstone interval. The need for reliable high flowrates, high inflow area and effective sand control were the driving factors in the completion design and hardware selection. In addition, expected high fluid loss rates and gas migration were other factors affecting the design of this completion from a semi-submersible rig. A single-trip perforating and packing system was utilized to minimize fluid loss and formation damage during the completion operations. A fracpack was designed to optimize the connectivity between the multiple sand layers in conjunction with alternate path technology which provided the best option for sand placement and reducing the risk of a pre-mature screen-out in the long and highly deviated interval (322 ft MD at 50° inclination).
Evaluation of both pre-fracpack and post-fracpack reservoir and well performance results were performed. The use of a pre-fracpack surge, limited influx, and an injectivity test were chosen due to well control concerns related to completing and flow testing the well with a single-trip perforating and packing system from a semi-submersible rig. Post-fracpack flow testing to the rig immediately after the completion and subsequent production tests were evaluated to determine the well performance with time and effectiveness of the completion technique. These results, along with observations and challenges from the completion operations of the Tembang 4 well, are provided in this paper.
Compact Seawater Deoxygenation System Improvements for Floating Production Facilities
Authors: Deuel Charles L. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Seawater injection is a common practice for maintenance of reservoir pressure. A compact seawater deoxygenation system using regenerated nitrogen gas was introduced for offshore facilities in 1992. The original systems were based on a serpentine tube co-current mixing system. Due to the requirements of floating facilities to meet smaller footprint and weight, and to meet motion criteria in floating facilities, the third-generation system employs static mixers and a simplified control strategy. Based on experience from recent installations in offshore Thailand and Norway, troubleshooting guidelines are presented for operating turndown and debottlenecking scenarios.
Simulating Slug Flow in Hilly-Terrain Pipelines
Authors: Sharma Y. , Ihara M. , Manabe R. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
A simulator has been developed to track two-phase slugs in pipelines transporting liquid and gas mixtures. The algorithm consists of close coupling of a one dimensional hydrodynamic slug flow model with an interface tracking methodology, and solving both simultaneously with an iterative procedure. The tracking scheme is based on propagating the fronts and backs of the liquid slugs to new locations during an incremental time step. New positions of the interfaces determine if a slug will enter the pipeline, exit the pipeline, collapse, merge with a slug ahead of it, or none of the above. The solution procedure determines the locations and the characteristics of all the slug units which exist in the pipeline at a given time.
Data collected in hilly-terrain and horizontal pipes in a large-scale multiphase flow loop were used to validate the slug tracking simulator. The average absolute percent errors in predicting the maximum slug length and inlet pressure were 12.6 and 0.47 respectively. A case study with field data collected on a 14,762 feet, 16 in. pipeline showed that the simulator predicted the maximum slug length and inlet pressure with absolute percent errors of 11.6 and 4.3 respectively. The comparisons are good and provide confidence in using the algorithm and the simulator to model and track two-phase slugs in hilly-terrain pipelines.
The simulator can be used to determine the characteristics of the slug unit used to design separators and slug catchers. It can also be used to analyze the impact of the flow and pressure transients on reservoirs, equipment, and structures, and study the effects of slugging on corrosion rates. The history of each slug in the pipe can be traced by determining if it will grow, shrink, collapse, or remain the same size as it traverses the pipe. During slug tracking, slug lengths are determined by the locations of interfaces instead of a correlation.
Reducing Completion Costs and Enhancing Productivity Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Logs and Formation Tester Data
Authors: Mengual Jean-François , Saldungaray Pablo , Artola Pedro , Riaño Juan Manuel 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Using recent advances in logging technology, it is now possible to make an in-situ characterization of gas bearing sandstone reservoirs for use in optimization of the entire completion process. Dynamic reservoir information, obtained with a wireline formation tester, and continuous high-resolution porosity and permeability data, recorded using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging tool, provide a step-change improvement in identification of productive zones. Use of this technique can result in greatly reduced operating costs because the effective completion of these low-permeability shaly formations typically requires time-consuming rigless operations.
In this paper we show how an exhaustive openhole evaluation of reservoir quality and the gas producibility index are combined as input to a completion strategy that reduces the time between spud-in and first commercial production. This integrated approach, entailing several stages, was used to optimize the hydraulic fracturing jobs for each producing interval, thereby enhancing overall gas production. The simulated performance for each interval and prediction of flow rates were used for recommendations on completion strategies. In that sense, we will first describe how this methodology, that combines wireline "in-situ" reservoir measurements, was applied on the completion design of several key wells and finally, we will present and discuss the case-history results obtained to-date.