Asia-Pacific Conference Research Articles

Special Issue for Plenary, Invited and Selected Papers from the 2018 Asia-Pacific Conference on Plasma and Terahertz Science

Special Issue for Plenary, Invited and Selected Papers from the 2018 Asia-Pacific Conference on Plasma and Terahertz Science

Organophilic-Clay-Free Invert-Emulsion Fluid Helps Drill Record-Length Well in the UAE

This article, written by Special Publications Editor Adam Wilson, contains highlights of paper SPE 186917, “Breaking Records Using an Innovative Organophilic-Clay-Free Invert-Emulsion Fluid To Drill the Longest Well to Date in the United Arab Emirates,” by Mena Nasrallah and Matteo Vinci, SPE, Halliburton, prepared for the 2017 SPE/IATMI Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Bali, Indonesia, 17–19 October. The paper has not been peer reviewed. This paper discusses the successful design, laboratory testing, and performance of an innovative, low-solids, organophilic-clay-free invert-emulsion fluid (OCF-IEF) used to drill the reservoir section of an extended-reach-drilling (ERD) well. This specially designed drill-in fluid helped maintain the key ERD factors within the specifications necessary and set new limits for drilling performance, thus maximizing the horizontal-section displacement and reservoir drainage and production output. Introduction ERD is an operative practice for drilling high-angle wellbores with long horizontal displacement. Typically, a well design is classified as ERD when the horizontal displacement is at least two times the vertical-displacement true vertical depth (TVD). The longest well drilled in the UAE had a measured depth of 35,800 ft, with 18,800 ft of horizontal displacement and a 7,894-ft TVD (Fig. 1). This technique is considered one of the more technically challenging in the industry. However, because of in-creased reservoir contact, it is generally preferred to conventional well designs. Proper fluid selection is fundamental during the ERD-well-planning phase. Software support is necessary to predict the well conditions and simulate the fluid behavior to maintain the equivalent circulating density (ECD) lower than the fracture gradient, maximize hole cleaning, provide wellbore stability throughout the well execution, and prevent losses. The different drilling parameters used to drill the horizontal section should also be considered during the planning phase to help enable correct simulations and optimize the execution accordingly. Fluid Properties During drill-in-fluid design, formation damage and production rates should be considered while maintaining the optimal mud properties for drilling and rate-of-penetration (ROP) enhancement. A comprehensive testing and validation process was compiled using a systematic approach to customize this specific well design. Clay-free invert-emulsion fluids (CF-IEFs) are designed to provide a much stronger gel structure than traditional IEFs. However, with the application of force, these gels break easily, thus reducing the wellbore stresses and pressure spikes. Progressive yet fragile gel strengths are important elements of a CF-IEF system that allow the cuttings to be suspended while maintaining low ECD and minimal circulation pressures compared with a clay-laden system. The organophilic clays and organophilic lignites are replaced with various organic polymers to achieve different fluid behaviors. Acid solubility to minimize formation damage was another important system-design criterion. This helped minimize formation damage and maintain proper bridging by use of ground marble with the correct particle-size distribution (PSD), determined by specialized software.

Vertical structures of physical and chemical properties of urban boundary layer and formation mechanisms of atmospheric pollution

Air quality in China has been continuously improved since the implementation of “Atmospheric Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan” in 2013. However, the mass concentrations of fine particles particularly in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei are still much higher than the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (35 μg m−3 as an annual average), and severely polluted events also occur occasionally in autumn and winter seasons. In recent years, Chinese research scientists have made significant progresses in vertical measurements of air pollution, formation mechanisms and source apportionment of atmospheric aerosol, and also the interactions between aerosol and atmospheric boundary layer, which greatly support the scientific prevention and control of atmospheric pollution. Despite this, many questions on atmospheric pollution have not been well addressed yet. This paper first summarizes the recent research progresses in vertical measurements of air pollution in China, in particular, the measurements from the research platform of the Beijing 325 m meteorological tower. In addition to the routine long-term measurements of boundary layer (turbulence, CO2 and H2O flux) and meteorological parameters (temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and wind direction) at 7 and 15 heights, respectively, this platform can have simultaneous real-time measurements of aerosol particle composition (organics, sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, chloride, and black carbon), gaseous species (CO, SO2, and O3), particle number size distributions, and optical properties (extinction and absorption coefficients) at ground level and 260 m, and also the continuously vertical measurements from ground to 260 m using the tower container equipped with specific instruments. Then, the vertical differences of aerosol composition in different seasons in Beijing, and their interactions with boundary layer are discussed. Also, the response of aerosol chemistry to regional source emission control are elucidated based on vertical measurements during the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) summit in 2014 and the 70th anniversary parade in 2015. This paper also reviews the latest research progress on formation mechanisms of secondary inorganic aerosol (nitrate and sulfate) and secondary organic aerosol, and the life cycles of severe haze events in China. In particular, the heterogeneous formation of sulfate during severe haze episodes strongly depends on pH values of aerosol liquid water content. While techniques for direct measurements of aerosol particle pH are essential yet challenging, laboratory experiments are more needed now to prove the hypothesis of sulfate formation mechanisms. Compared with inorganic species, the formation and evolutionary mechanisms of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) are far more complex in polluted environments, and their roles in haze formation need to be better characterized. Finally, this paper lists some future recommendations for air pollution measurements (e.g., from long-term to vertical measurements in terms of significant emission changes in the near future), formation mechanism of secondary aerosol, and molecular composition and physical and chemical properties (phase, volatility, oxidation state, etc.) of organic aerosol.

Game changers

How are the different generations changing the industry in APAC where market research is maturing after a period of fast growth? We asked members of the Programme Committee for ESOMAR's upcoming Asia Pacific Conference which takes place in Bangkok about the most recent entrants to the research profession.

Special Issue for Plenary, Invited and Selected Papers from the 2018 Asia-Pacific Conference on Plasma and Terahertz Science

Special Issue for Plenary, Invited and Selected Papers from the 2018 Asia-Pacific Conference on Plasma and Terahertz Science

Technology Focus: Natural Gas Processing and Handling

Technology Focus Despite a dip earlier in the year, natural-gas prices remained steady over 2017, averaging $2.99/million Btu. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the decrease in natural-gas price in 2017 was because of the warmer winter and lower gas usage for power generation, which led to lower demand. According to the latest figures from the International Energy Agency, the year-over-year aggregate gross consumption (production plus imports minus exports and stock changes) for US natural gas was up 5.7% in October 2017. Rising demand from Mexico coupled with lower gas prices and greater pipeline capacity resulted in US exports increasing by 0.4 Bcf/D in 2017, and they are expected to increase by a further 0.6 Bcf/D in 2018. In 2017, the US also became a net exporter for the first time since 1957 when taking annual figures into account. Early 2018 has been a different story, however, with natural-gas prices already hitting a couple of peaks (of greater than $5/million Btu according to the Henry Hub Spot Price history). In the US, colder-than-expected temperatures contributed to peaks in demand, but, at the time of writing, the prices have settled down to the pre-“bomb cyclone” levels, with current natural-gas prices almost mirroring those in 2017 (at $2.868/million Btu). The Henry Hub Natural Gas Spot Prices are projected to average $2.88/million Btu in 2018. The EIA predicts that natural-gas usage for residential and commercial purposes will likely increase by 1.3 Bcf in 2018. Industrial consumption is also expected to rise by 1.2% this year, with an average of 21.7 Bcf/D. Dry-natural-gas production is expected to rise to 6.9 Bcf/D (9.3%). Most of the growth in natural gas is expected to be in the Marcellus, Utica, and Permian basins. Similarly, for liquefied natural gas (LNG), the forecasts are rosy, with an expected average rate of 3.0 Bcf/D in 2018. This is because of an expected increase in production from the Cove Point terminal in Maryland and additional facilities coming online this year—namely, the Elba Island facility in Georgia and the Free-port LNG plant in Texas. A novel hybrid solvent for acid-gas removal improves the handling of sour natural gas by effectively dealing with mercaptans present without the need for modifying facilities and with no adverse effects on the sulfur-recovery units down the line. This enables the whole process to be more economical and efficient while meeting the necessary health, safety, and environment requirements. To learn more, visit the 2018 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhi-bition in Dallas on 24–26 September and the 2018 SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference in Brisbane, Australia, on 23–25 October. Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org. SPE 186394 Investigation of Failed LNG Boil-Off Gas-Transfer-Line-Expansion Bellows Using Finite-Element-Analysis Approach by E.Y. Pratama, PT Badak LNG SPE 186932 From Sandface to Processing Plant, an Integrated View of an Operating Envelope in a Gas/Condensate System by M. Sueiro, Repsol, et al. SPE 188347 Overcoming Challenges To Reduce H2S Content in Sales-Gas-Transmission Pipelines by JagannathRao PrakashRao Allamaraju, Abu Dhabi Gas Industries, et al.

Ultradeep-Field Study: Extreme-Underbalanced HP/HT Coiled-Tubing-Conveyed Perforating

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 186948, “Extreme-Underbalanced High-Pressure/High-Temperature Coiled-Tubing-Conveyed Perforating: KN Ultradeep-Field Study,” by Miguel Rosato, Mohd Farris Bakar, and Fadzliana Azmi, Petronas, prepared for the 2017 SPE/IATMI Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Bali, Indonesia, 17–19 October. The paper has not been peer reviewed. At an initial stage in a project to carry out the first high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) field development offshore Malaysia, a locally conventional initial design considered the use of coiled-tubing-conveyed perforating (CTCP) to perforate a 7-in. liner and then to complete the well in open hole with overbalanced completion fluid. This solution posed several challenges that would have affected the safety of the completion process and the future integrity of the well architecture. A different approach, in which a fully cased hole well was completed in underbalance and then perforated once the completion was installed and tested, was used by the operator for the first time. Introduction The KN field is located west/northwest of Labuan offshore Sabah. The operator has been tasked to develop the KN ultradeep HP/HT reservoir (pressures exceeding 12,000 psi, temperature exceeding 300°F). The well production-casing envelope consisted of a single 10¾-×10⅛-×9⅞-in. production casing, while the reservoir section was drilled and then covered with a 7-in. production liner. This liner was cemented, secured at the top with a liner hanger, and secured at the bottom with a bridge plug. Once these barriers were installed, the next operation in the well was to run a wellbore-cleanup assembly with a scraper, brushes, magnets, and an inflow-test packer. After wellbore cleanup, the drillpipe volume was displaced with inhibited fresh water, an initial inflow test was conducted, and, then, after good indication of well integrity, the well was displaced completely to inhibited fresh water. Immediately, an extended inflow test was conducted. At the time of the inflow test, the well was in an underbalanced condition of 6,000 psi at total depth. Fig. 1 shows the results. Completion Design The completion philosophy for the ultradeep well was a single completion string to be run in the closed well immediately after the wellbore-cleanup tools were out of the hole. After running the completion, the following operations were performed: Setting the tubing hanger Setting the production packer Pressure testing the production packer from above and below Nippling down the blowout preventer (BOP) Nippling up the tree Function and pressure testing the wellhead system In the case of this well, these operations were conducted safely and within the allocated time and cost as per the approval for expenditure.

Special Issue for Plenary, Invited and Selected Papers from the 2018 Asia-Pacific Conference on Plasma and Terahertz Science

Special Issue for Plenary, Invited and Selected Papers from the 2018 Asia-Pacific Conference on Plasma and Terahertz Science

Summary of magnetic fusion plasma physics in 1st AAPPS-DPP meeting

This article consists of summary of the presentations in magnetic fusion plasma section of the 1st Asia–Pacific conference on plasma physics. Recent significant progresses achieved in steady state capable of superconducting toroidal devices as well as conventional fusion devices in Asia are highlighted in this article. Contributions from no Asian fusion devices are also included. Selected significant progresses from the presentations are then summarized and future major challenges in fusion plasmas are discussed.

The study for direct SCC fabrication in STS 304 pipe

ABSTRACTStress corrosion cracking is one of the aging phenomena for the major structure components in nuclear power plant. During the operation of a power plant, stress corrosion cracks are initiated and grown especially in dissimilar weldment of primary loop components. Among the three factors (susceptible material, residual stress, and corrosive environment) which make the SCC, the residual stress becomes a critical factor for stress corrosion crack when it is difficult to improve the material of the components and their environment under operating conditions. In this study, stress corrosion cracks were artificially produced on STS (stainless steel) 304 pipe itself by control of welding residual stress. The instrumented indentation technique and 3D finite element method (FEM) analysis (using ANSYS 12) were used to evaluate the residual stress values in the GTAW area. As the result of both FEM analysis and experiment, the stress corrosion crack was quickly generated and could be reproduced, and controlled by welding residual stress. Also non-destructive evaluation signals by Acoustic Emission will be discussed for the initiation and growth of SCC.This paper is part of a supplementary issue from the 17th Asia-Pacific Corrosion Control Conference (APCCC-17).

Influence of activated carbon on crevice corrosion in adsorption tower of advanced liquid processing system

ABSTRACTThe adsorption tower made of type 316L stainless steel (SS) in Multi-nuclide Removal Equipment (Advanced Liquid Processing System) which uses Ag-impregnated activated carbon (Ag AC) as an adsorbent experienced crevice corrosion. The influence of Ag AC on the crevice corrosion susceptibility and Esp of 316L SS was investigated by performing electrochemical experiments. Crevice corrosion was observed in the specimen in contact with the Ag AC. On the other hand, there was no crevice corrosion without the Ag AC in both pH 7.4 and pH 12 solutions. Clear ennoblement of spontaneous potential (Esp) by in contact with activated carbon was observed and that was clearly higher than the repassivation potential for crevice corrosion (ER,CREV). Thus, the presence of the AC notably increased Esp of 316L SS and this resulted in increased crevice corrosion susceptibility by the galvanic effect.This paper is part of a supplementary issue from the 17th Asia-Pacific Corrosion Control Conference (APCCC-17).

Electrochemical measurement to examine influence of ions, DO, and pH on corrosion of early-generation conduits

ABSTRACTIn order to effectively implement measures against the adverse effects of large earthquakes on telecommunication conduits, it is important to elucidate which conduit is vulnerable. Telecommunication conduits consist of pipe bodies and joints, and as is well known the joints are weaker than the bodies against seismic loading. Hence, the seismic performance of the conduits depends on the performance of the joints. To maintain conduits properly, the corrosion rate of conduits' joint in the field must be determined. Several sites were selected and investigated for the amount of stagnant water in manholes. Next, the stagnant water test specimens were collected and observed for the extent of corrosion inside via a pipe camera, and subsequently analysed collected water test specimens. Moreover, the solution resistances and polarisation resistances using the AC impedance method and carbon steel coupons were measured. The experiments revealed differences between the measured values recorded at the different sites. It was also found that some data were related to corrosion on the inside of the conduits.This paper is part of a supplementary issue from the 17th Asia-Pacific Corrosion Control Conference (APCCC-17).

Double-loop electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation behaviour of continuously cooled SUS329J4L duplex stainless steel

ABSTRACTSigma phase generally precipitates in duplex stainless steel during slow cooling, which usually causes loss in both corrosion resistance and fracture toughness. To develop a non-destructive method to detect the sigma phase in duplex stainless steel for in situ use in the quality management of large structures, the double-loop electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation behaviour of continuously cooled duplex stainless steel SUS329J4L at different cooling rates was investigated under different conditions. The polarisation condition with the solution of 0.5 M H2SO4 + 0.01 M KSCN + 0.5 M NaCl and the potential scanning rate of 0.83 mV s−1 were determined as suitable and sensitive.This paper is part of a supplementary issue from the 17th Asia-Pacific Corrosion Control Conference (APCCC-17).

Corrosion protection of molybdate doped polypyrrole film prepared in succinic acid solution

ABSTRACTPolypyrrole (PPy) was prepared on the mild steel substrate by electrochemical polymerisation in the solution containing pyrrole monomer and succinic acid. The mild steel surface could be passivated before and during electropolymerisation by molybdate. The morphology and structure of the PPy film were studied with SEM. The typical cauliflower structure of PPy was observed. Raman and IR spectroscopy showed that the obtained PPy was in an oxidised state. The thermal stability of PPy was investigated by the thermal gravimetric analysis, showing that PPy was stable at higher than 480°C. The electrochemical property of the PPy film was performed by open circuit potential, polarisation curves (I/E), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The corrosion behaviour of mild steel (CT3) with PPy film in solution NaCl 3% was studied.This paper is part of a supplementary issue from the 17th Asia-Pacific Corrosion Control Conference (APCCC-17).

Pitting corrosion behaviour of 2101 duplex stainless steel in chloride solutions

ABSTRACTThe corrosion behaviour of 2101 duplex stainless steel (DSS) in NaCl solution was studied and compared with that of 2205 DSS. The effects of chloride concentration and solution temperature on pitting corrosion behaviour were focused. The relative sensitivity to pitting corrosion of the constituent phases in both 2101 and 2205 DSSs was also explored. Pitting corrosion susceptibility was evaluated by conducting cyclic polarisation curve measurement. The corrosion morphology was examined by a scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive spectrometer. The experimental results showed that the pitting corrosion resistance of 2101 DSS was inferior to that of 2205 DSS by exhibiting a lower threshold chloride concentration and a lower critical pitting temperature. For both 2101 and 2205 DSSs, the ferrite phase was more susceptible than austenite phase to pitting corrosion.This paper is part of a supplementary issue from the 17th Asia-Pacific Corrosion Control Conference (APCCC-17).

Mass transport control of localised corrosion processes: in situ local probing and modelling

ABSTRACTIn this paper, the importance of mass transport in localised corrosion process is demonstrated using two examples describing the corrosion behaviour of two types of cut-edge electrodes regarding, (i) the sacrificial dissolution of a sacrificial Zn coating on steel (galvanised steel) and (ii) the release of inhibitors from a primer on an aluminium alloy (AA2024). In the two cases, in situ pH imaging with an ion-selective microprobe is used to confirm, (i) the role of corrosion products on the galvanic current profiles and (ii) the competition between the inhibition and the triggering of the local corrosion activity around intermetallic particles. It is illustrated how the experimental results can be supported by a 2D mass transport modelling.This paper is part of a supplementary issue from the 17th Asia-Pacific Corrosion Control Conference (APCCC-17).

High temperature oxidation of 9–12% Cr ferritic/martensitic steels under dual-environment conditions

ABSTRACTIn normal operations, the opposite surfaces of the power plant components are exposed to two different environments, i.e. air/flue gas on the one side and steam on the other side. Exposure under such dual-environment can lead to accelerated corrosion of the components on the air side. The oxidation behaviour of ferritic/martensitic steel T92 was investigated under dual-environment in a specially designed test equipment. The samples were exposed to dry oxyfuel flue gas (CO2–27%N2–2%O2–1%SO2) on one side and to steam on the other side up to 1000 h at 650°C. The formation of oxide scales was characterised by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with attached energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Oxidation rate of specimens under dual-environment condition was almost three times higher than that in single-environment condition. This is explained based on hydrogen transport through the bulk alloy from the steam side to the flue gas side.This paper is part of a supplementary issue from the 17th Asia-Pacific Corrosion Control Conference (APCCC-17).

Study of plasma nitriding and nitrocarburising of AISI 430F stainless steel for high hardness and corrosion resistance

ABSTRACTIn order to improve both the hardness and corrosion resistance properties of AISI 430F stainless steel, plasma nitriding (PN) and nitrocarburising processes were carried out at different temperatures ranging from 350 to 500°C for 4 h. After PN, the nitrided layer was found to be thicker compared to that obtained by plasma nitrocarburising process. There was an increase in microhardness values by a factor of six to seven compared to the plasma nitrided and nitrocarburised specimens respectively, treated at 500°C. The electrochemical corrosion behaviour of the plasma nitrided and nitrocarburised AISI 430F specimens show that the plasma nitrided and nitrocarburised specimens treated at 400°C for 4 h showed better corrosion resistance and higher surface hardness than the untreated AISI 430F stainless steel specimens. This is mainly attributed to the presence of nitrogen in the modified layer existing as a solid solution in the ferrite phase.This paper is part of a supplementary issue from the 17th Asia-Pacific Corrosion Control Conference (APCCC-17).

Corrosion behaviour of mild steel in chloride solutions with Na2HPO4 additive and the development of antifreeze

ABSTRACTChloride salts can prevent roads from freezing in cold regions, together with severe corrosion on steel constructions. To develop an ecological and low-corrosive antifreeze, di-sodium hydrogenphosphate (Na2HPO4) was chosen as the additive into chloride salts. The addition of Na2HPO4 into either of the antifreezes of natural salt (N/S), NaCl, CaCl2 or MgCl2 can suppress the corrosion reaction of mild steel in the 3.0% antifreeze solution. Moreover, the addition of CaCl2 or MgCl2 into the antifreeze containing NaCl and 2.0% Na2HPO4 significantly decreased the corrosion rate. According to polarisation and XPS analyses, it is evident that the obtained low corrosion rates on mild steel are related to the suppressed cathodic and anodic reactions and the formation of a protective film containing Fe, P, O, Ca or Mg.This paper is part of a supplementary issue from the 17th Asia-Pacific Corrosion Control Conference (APCCC-17).

Whole pH range anti-corrosion property of aluminium alloy coated with MFI zeolite film

ABSTRACTStrong protection capability of zeolite coating for AA6061 substrate from corrosion in NaCl, H2SO4 and NaOH solution has been demonstrated with reduction of corrosion current by five orders of magnitude. Film resistance was identified as the governing parameter in the formation of a barrier shielding the penetration of aggressive species. For the MFI zeolite film growth on the surface of the AA6061 substrate, while the in situ crystallisation (InC) protocol generated loosely packed film made of large zeolite crystal, the dry-gel conversion (DGC) protocol prepared dense film comprising of nanoparticles. Superior protection ability of DGC-grown film is attributed to the increased film resistance associated with a dense and impermeable zeolite layer. As such, the DGC-grown film requiring thinner film thickness around 5 μm showed better anti-corrosion function than the InC-grown film.This paper is part of a supplementary issue from the 17th Asia-Pacific Corrosion Control Conference (APCCC-17).