Oil Transportation Research Articles

Satellite Observations Reveal Declining Diatom Concentrations in the Three Gorges Reservoir: The Impacts of Dam Construction and Local Climate

An effective satellite observation system is developed to retrieve the diatom concentration in freshwater ecosystems that could be utilized for understanding aquatic biogeochemical cycles. Although the singular value decomposition-based retrieval model can reflect the complicated diatom dynamics, the spatial distribution and temporal trend in diatom concentration on a large scale, as well as its driving mechanism, remain prevalently elusive. Based on the Google Earth Engine platform, this study uses Sentinel-2 MultiSpectral Instrument imagery to track the comprehensive diatom dynamics in a large reservoir, i.e., the Three Gorges Reservoir, in China during the years 2019–2023. The results indicate that a synchronous diatom distribution is found between the upstream and downstream artificial lakes along the primary tributary in the Three Gorges Reservoir, and the causal relationships between the declining diatom trend and hydrological/meteorological drivers on the monthly and yearly scales are highlighted. Moreover, the Sentinel-derived diatom concentration can be used to ascertain whether the dominant algae are harmful during bloom periods and aid in distinguishing algal blooms from ship oil spills. This study is a significant step forward in tracking the diatom dynamics in a large-scale freshwater ecosystem involving complex coupling drivers.

Examining the influence of port ship activities on pollutant emissions in port environments.

There is a direct and close relationship between ship emissions in port waters and the operational status of the ships. Precisely identifying the operational status of ships in port waters and thoroughly exploring the specific relationship between these activities and ship emissions is crucial for achieving accurate control and scientific reduction of emissions from ships in port areas. With advancements in technology, AIS data can accurately capture the operational status of ships, facilitating a macro-level analysis of ship behavior and emission characteristics. This study proposes a method for extracting ship activity states using AIS data and conducts a detailed examination of ship activities at various container terminals and berths within Shanghai Port. Additionally, it analyzes the correlation between ship activities and their emissions. The research findings indicate that container ships are the most prevalent ships at Shanghai Port, followed by bulk carriers, general cargo ships, and tankers. Notably, bulk carriers and tankers exhibit the longest berthing times, with tankers showing the most significant fluctuations. Mingdong Terminal is identified as the most active, featuring the longest anchorage and berthing time, whereas Jungonglu and Zhanghuabang Terminals have the shortest. The calculation of pollutant emissions reveals that container ships and oil tankers are the primary contributors, particularly for CO2 and NOx emissions. Mingdong Terminal recorded the highest total CO2 emissions, followed by Guandong and Shengdong Terminals. These findings emphasize the importance of berth service efficiency, suggesting that increased emissions are associated with heightened ship activity. CO2 emissions from container ships increase linearly with the number of berthed ships and show a cubic nonlinear relationship with berthing time. The analysis highlights terminals such as Guandong, Zhendong, Shengdong, and Yangshan Phase IV as critical areas for emission reduction strategies. This study not only enhances our understanding of the dynamics of ship emissions in port waters but also provides a theoretical foundation for implementing effective emission control and reduction strategies. Through this detailed research approach, it is possible to more accurately identify emission sources and optimize port operations, thereby offering strong data support and scientific guidance for environmental management and policy-making in port waters.

Comparative Study of Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors in Various Electrochemical Setups

Volatile corrosion inhibitors (VCIs) are increasingly used in closed systems affected by atmospheric corrosion. In order to achieve a satisfactory level of protection, an inhibitor must be present in a sufficient concentration that should be determined experimentally. Electrochemical measurements are indispensable in corrosion studies examining the protection efficiency of corrosion inhibitors. Volatile corrosion inhibitors are often examined by electrochemical measurements conducted in a bulk of electrolyte, although they protect metal surfaces from atmospheric corrosion where a thin film of electrolyte is present. The aim of this work is to study the protection of carbon steel by two VCIs on different types of electrodes that allow electrochemical tests in a thin electrolyte film and to compare the obtained results with those obtained in a larger volume in a classical electrochemical cell. For this purpose, disc and comb-like electrodes are used. The investigations are carried out in two corrosion media simulating either a marine or urban polluted atmosphere. Studies are performed on low-carbon S235JR steel, which is typically used for crude oil tank bottoms that often suffer from atmospheric corrosion and are increasingly protected by VCIs. Two benzoate-based VCIs recommended for such application are selected for this study.

Transportation and production collaborative scheduling optimization with multi-layer coding genetic algorithm for non-pipelined wells.

The marginal wells in low-permeability oil fields are characterized by small storage size, scattered distribution, intermittent production, etc. The construction of large-scale gathering pipelines has large investment. So the current production mode is featured by single well tank oil storage, oil tank truck transportation and manual tank truck scheduling. At present, oil well production and crude oil transportation scheduling mainly rely on manual formulation, which has poor coordination and seriously restricts the release of oil well production capacity and the reduction of transportation cost. A mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model representation was proposed in our previous work. The scale of the built model variables is huge, and the model solution time is long. In this paper, a genetic algorithm based on multi-layer coding is proposed. The first layer of the design code is the driving path of the oil tanker, and the second layer is the crude oil loading and unloading amount and the cumulative time. The algorithm expands the search domain by flipping, exchanging and shifting the code. In the case analysis part, the exact algorithm and the genetic algorithm designed in this paper are used to solve cases of different scales (5, 10, 30 and 200 oil wells) respectively, and the correctness and effectiveness of the algorithm are verified. The results show that, compared with the exact algorithm, the genetic algorithm designed in this paper can quickly solve a feasible scheduling scheme under different oil well scales, especially in the case of large-scale (200 wells) oil well groups. The optimal one-time result in the calculation example (200 wells) takes 1062.3s to run, and the total driving distance of all tank trucks in the obtained feasible scheme is 11280km. This study can guide oilfields to quickly formulate dispatching plans and minimize travel distances in non-pipeline well tanker dispatching.

Design of tuned mass damper for the electric reactor based on finite element method

AbstractThe reliable operation of the electric reactor is critical for ensuring energy transmission in the power system. Vibration is an important influencing factor. This study focused on the vibration response characteristics of the electric reactor during the operation process. The vibration at the measuring points on four side surfaces and the top of the oil tank is measured and analysed by applying the rated voltage at the rated frequency on the reactor. The frequency corresponding to the maximum vibration amplitude at the measuring point between the reinforced iron on the side surface of the reactor is determined. The tuned mass damper (TMD) is designed and the material is prepared. The specific frequency tuning mechanism is designed to suppress the reactor's vibration. The damper's optimal structural size is determined based on finite element method according to modal analysis results. According to the simulation results, the designed TMD can provide an inertia force at the target frequency for the controlled structure along the opposite direction, significantly reducing the electric reactor's vibration amplitude and effectively suppressing the vibration at a single frequency. In addition, static analysis and model strength checks are also conducted to ensure the damper's stability and safety in actual applications.

Time–frequency characteristics and influencing factors of the pressure wave caused by power–frequency arc inside a closed oil tank

AbstractThe arc faults inside oil‐immersed power equipment can produce high‐amplitude pressure waves inside tanks, which might cause ignition and explosion accidents. This kind of failure is one of the most severe faults for power equipment and has attracted considerable attention in recent years. However, due to the high risk of the experiments and the complex development of arc in oil, the characteristics of the pressure wave formed by the arc are still confusing. In this paper, the time–frequency characteristics of pressure waves are analysed using several experiments of 1–8 kA power–frequency arc inside a closed oil tank. The experimental results show that the pressure wave produced by the arc in oil contains three frequency bands, 0–500 Hz, 500 Hz–40 kHz, and above 40 kHz, which are related to the arc energy, the average current around arc ignition and the metal wire explosion respectively. This helps further understand the formation mechanism of the pressure wave caused by the arc in oil. This paper discusses the influences of ignition wire on arc‐formed pressure waves. A wire diameter selection method for arc experiments is established to reduce the pressure differences between wire‐ignited arcs and actual arc faults.

Paraffin treatment of crude oil produced from the Central of Rong and Nam Rong - Doi Moi fields during transportation through uninsulated subsea pipelines

Due to being developed in the early stages, several major oil subsea pipelines in Vietsovpetro Joint Venture are not equipped with insulation systems, causing significant difficulties in transporting high-paraffin crude oil. Specifically, the lack of insulation leads to intensive heat loss through pipeline walls, resulting in paraffin deposition on the pipe surface. Additionally, the temperature drop significantly increases oil viscosity, leading to high pressure losses during transportation.This article analyses the difficulties in crude oil transportation through the uninsulated RP-1 → FSO-3 pipeline, the major route from Central of Rong, Nam Rong - Doi Moi fields to FSO-3 and presents the technical solutions that Vietsovpetro has researched and implemented to successfully resolve these problems.

Heat treatment impact on structural-rheological properties of high-parafin oil

Relevance. The pipeline transportation of heavy oils from the extraction site to the processing point is associated with serious problems due to their high viscosity and pour point. Oil deposits form quickly during pumping and causing flow reduction in pipe. Moreover, the increased content of hydrogen sulfide and chloride salts leads to increased rate of corrosion. Structural and mechanical properties and the yield point of highly pourable paraffinic oils depend on a variety of factors, like oil thermostatting temperature. Studying the impact of the heat treatment temperature of highly paraffinic resinous oil on its mobility will allow reducing energy consumption and optimizing the technology of oil pumping and transporting in winter conditions. Aim. To identify the critical temperature ranges for heat treatment of highly paraffinic resinous oil from the Yuzhno-Mayskoe field based on the analysis of data on structural and rheological behaviors, composition of oil sediments and changes in the radii of oil aggregates formed in the studied oil under various heat treatment conditions. Methods. Oil rheological properties were determined using a HAAKE Viscotester iQ rotational viscometer with HAAKE RheoWin measuring device and control system; oil pour point was analyzed using “Kristall” low-temperature indicator of petroleum products meter; asphaltenes were isolated using the “cold” Golde method; oil composition was determined by column liquid adsorption chromatography; oil particle size was recorded by a Photocor Complex spectrometer for dynamic and static light scattering with DynaLS data processing program. Results. The authors have studied heat treatment temperature impact on the viscosity-temperature and energy characteristics of highly paraffinic tarry oil, formation and composition of asphalt, resin and paraffin deposits. They established that the critical temperature of heat treatment is 40°C. At this temperature the densest crystallization structure is formed in the studied oil, characterized by high values of both viscosity, intensive formation of sediment, activation energy of viscous flow and internal energy of destruction of the dispersed structure. It was shown that with photon correlation spectroscopy, during oil heat treatment at 40°C, a spontaneous size increase of oil aggregates occurs in the temperature range of 35–25°C.

Quinoline impact on composition, structure and aggregative stability of asphaltenes from heavy oil of different chemical types

Relevance. The need to establish the true mechanisms of the formation of supramolecular structures in petroleum dispersed systems. It is important to identify the role of individual functional groups in asphaltene aggregation. This will help develop effective ways to prevent sediment formation in process equipment during production, transportation and processing of heavy oils. Aim. To study the effect of quinoline on the composition, structure and aggregative stability of asphaltenes from heavy oils of various chemical types. Objects. Heavy oils from the Zyuzeevskoe field and the Usinskoe field; model petroleum systems with a basic nitrogen content of 1,0 to 3,0 wt %; asphaltenes of the original and model petroleum systems. Methods. Liquid adsorption chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, potentiometric titration, elemental analysis, cryoscopy in naphthalene, 1H NMR spectroscopy, structural group analysis, spectrophotometry. Results. With an increase in Nbas concentration in an petroleum system to 3 wt %, the content of asphaltenes decreases regardless of the type of petroleum system. It has been established that quinoline is actively involved in the formation of supramolecular structures of naphthenic type oil. With an increase in the Nbas content in the naphthenic petroleum system to 3 wt % the molecular weight of asphaltenes increases 1,5 times with a 2-fold increase in the proportion of basic nitrogen in their composition. This is accompanied by an increase in the proportion of naphthenoaromatic structure in the average asphaltene molecule. The structure of asphaltenes isolated from model methane-type petroleum systems, on the contrary, is enriched in alkyl fragments. It wasn established that the presence of quinoline in asphaltenes of heavy oils as a coprecipitated component significantly reduces their aggregative stability. With an increase in the molecular weight of asphaltenes in naphthenic petroleum systems to 2000 amu. and the proportion of basic nitrogen up to 2,69 wt % the rate of their aggregation before precipitation is reduced by 5–6 times. The aggregative stability of methane oil asphaltenes decreases when Nbas content in their composition is higher than 1,9 wt % and does not depend directly on their molecular weight.

Concentration of total petroleum and total aromatic hydrocarbons in tar balls collected from the Red Sea coast of Yemen

The Red Sea is one of the main traffic routes of oil tankers, resulting in environmental damage and marine resource pollution due to the spillage. Quantitative analysis of tar ball was used to detect the concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) and total aromatic hydrocarbons (TAHs). In this study, six stations across the Red Sea coast of Yemen were selected according to their suitability and accessibility. An ultraviolet fluorescence technique was used to analyze the TPHs and TAHs after being extracted by an ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction procedure. The concentrations of TPHs ranged from 175.67 ± 11.20 mg/g to 708.55 ± 6.57 mg/g, and for TAHs were from 16.06 ± 1.89 mg/g to 48.25 ± 1.76 mg/g. The highest values of TPHs and TAHs were noticed in Ras Isa-II station, which reflected a continued oil spill from the Safir oil loading terminal. The study revealed significant environmental and health risks to marine organisms and humans.

Identification of the Cause of the Fire of Four Tank Units at PT. Tox with the Fishbone and Domino's Factory Method

The oil and gas industry is prone to workplace accidents such as explosions and fires. PT TOX experienced a fire in an oil tank that had an impact on the environment and surrounding living things. This research uses a qualitative approach with fishbone analysis and domino's factory method to evaluate the cause of the fire. Data was collected through scientific journals and related news based on online databases. The results of the analysis using the fishbone diagram analysis method showed that the causes of the fire included leaks that spread gas vapors, inadequate operator response, absence of early detection (such as gas detectors and automatic alarms), damage to the tank structure, and volatile and flammable chemicals. To support further identification, researchers used the domino's factory analysis method which revealed factors such as poorly prepared management, tank corrosion, and unsafe actions such as moving products without safe procedures. The fire caused huge losses, including the destruction of four tanks by fire. Prevention of workplace accidents, especially fires, in the future can be done with regular training for operators, the use of fire protection equipment, periodic inspections, and revision of emergency response SOPs

An Improved Method for Measuring the Distribution of Water Droplets in Crude Oil Based on the Optical Microscopy Technique

The distribution of water droplets in crude oil is one of the key issues involved in the processes of oil extraction and transportation, and these water droplets might also be habitats for microorganisms in oil reservoirs. However, it is still a challenge to observe and measure the distribution of water droplets in crude oil quickly and directly. In this work, an improved method based on the optical microscopy technique is introduced, which is named the Plate Pressing (PP) method and can observe and determine the distribution of water droplets in crude oil directly. The reliability of this method was verified by comparing the results with those of a computed tomography (CT) scan, indicating that the PP method can measure the distribution of water droplets accurately. Meanwhile, the total number and size distribution of water droplets in three crude oil samples from different oilfields were obtained by the PP method, which consolidated the idea that the PP method is capable of determining the distribution of the water droplets in crude oil directly and is suitable for the statistical analysis of water droplets in multiple samples of crude oil.

Dynamic characteristics analysis and optimization of oil tank

The response of oil tanks under dynamic loads is the key to ensuring safety, and the analysis of stiffness and strength is very necessary. Modal analysis was carried out on the oil tank to obtain the natural frequencies and vibration modes. Under specific excitation frequencies, the stress responses of the dangerous points of the front head, the rear head, the cylinder, and the transverse wave plate were calculated respectively. Three filling rates of 30 %, 50 % and 70 % were respectively selected for the structural response study, and the structural deformation and stress responses of the storage tank structure under the impact of different volumes of liquid were obtained. According to the dynamic response analysis, the structure of the front head and transverse wave plate were strengthened. It can be known from the comparison of mechanical properties that the optimized structure can significantly improve the stiffness and strength, and effectively ensure the safety of the oil tank.

Investigating Oil Entrance from Hendijan Oil Field in the Northwest of the Persian Gulf Using Chemical Fingerprinting.

Concerning the entrance of oil into the Persian Gulf due to the presence of oil fields in this ecosystem, a wide investigation was carried out in 2017 to evaluate the hydrocarbons source identification and chemical fingerprinting. To this end, surface sediments were collected from the Persian Gulf. In the laboratory, compounds (n-alkanes, PAHs, hopane and sterane) were then extracted with a Soxhlet system and two steps of chromatographic columns and analyzed using a GC-MS instrument. The results showed that the concentrations of the n-alkanes and Σ30 PAHs increased with a reduction in distance from hot spots. This suggests that high concentrations of hydrocarbons in the locations near the hot spots might be due to oil leakage, transportation of and exploration for oil, pipeline fractures and industrial activities. A positive relation between total organic matter (TOM) and hydrocarbons was observed. A common petrogenic hydrocarbon source was strongly implied in most places by the presence of unresolved compounds resolved (UCM), lower molecular weight/higher molecular weight (LMW/HMW) and carbon preference index (CPI) ratios < 1. Typical profiles of petrogenic PAHs with predominant alkyl substituted naphthalene and phenanthrene, various PAH ratios and multivariate analysis showed that PAHs were mainly derived from petrogenic sources. Simultaneous use of n-alkanes and PAHs in source identification can be effective to precisely specify the hydrocarbon sources in complicated mixture ecosystems. Furthermore, using multivariate analysis and chemical fingerprinting of n-alkanes, PAHs, hopanes and sterane confirmed that Hendijan crude oil may be the source of the sediment pollution in the study area.

Effects of Hygrothermal Condition on Water Diffusion and Flexural Properties of Carbon-Glass Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Polymer Winding Pipes.

Carbon-glass hybrid fiber-reinforced epoxy polymer (C-GFRP) winding pipes integrated with the advantages of light weight, high strength, corrosion resistance, and cost-effectiveness offer immense potential to mitigate corrosion issues in oil, gas, and water transportation pipelines. In this study, C-GFRP winding pipes underwent accelerated aging tests through immersion in distilled water at temperatures of 25 °C, 40 °C, and 60 °C for 146 days. Water absorption tests were conducted to investigate the water absorption behavior of only CFRP- or GFRP-side absorbed water. Bending tests were performed to assess the evolution of the pipes' flexural properties in two directions (GFRP or CFRP in tension). The results showed that the single-sided water absorption behavior adhered to the two-stage diffusion model. The diffusion coefficient, activation energy, and 146-day water absorption were all higher for the CFRP-side absorbed water compared to the GFRP-side absorbed water. The flexural strength and modulus of C-GFRP pipes were influenced by post-curing and resin hydrolysis/debonding. Initially, the flexural strength of CFRP in tension was higher than that of CFRP in tension. After 146 days of aging, the flexural strength of CFRP in tension was lower than that of CFRP in tension. Utilizing Arrhenius theory, the long-term lives were predicted for the flexural strength at temperatures of 5.4 °C, 12.8 °C, and 17.8 °C. The predicted lives of GFRP in tension were higher than those of CFRP in tension.

Long-Term or Short-Term? Prediction of Ship Detention Duration Based on Machine Learning

The prevalence of ship deficiencies continues to be a significant issue. Data from the Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding reveals that ship detentions in 2023 surged by more than 80% compared with the previous year. The significant number of detained ships not only disrupts ships’ daily operations but also strains port resources, leading to increased additional costs. In light of this issue, predicting the duration of ship detention becomes crucial, as accurate predictions can assist port managers in resource allocation and provide shipping companies with critical information for operational planning. This study is the first to predict ship detention duration, specifically distinguishing between long-term and short-term detained ships. Initially, key deficiency types influencing the ship detention duration were identified using an improved entropy weight–grey relational analysis. Subsequently, in consideration of the imbalance in data distribution between long-term and short-term detentions, a random forest model capable of handling imbalanced data was applied to classify these two types. The study found that fire safety, propulsion and auxiliary machinery, and pollution prevention are the three most critical deficiency types impacting detention duration; and the random forest model sampled and processed from the data level possessed the best model performance, achieving prediction accuracies of 0.71, 0.72, and 0.85 for bulk carriers, containers, and oil tankers, respectively. This research offers a comprehensive analysis of ship detention duration, making a significant contribution to both the theoretical understanding and practical applications in the maritime industry. Accurately predicting ship detention duration provides valuable insights for stakeholders, enabling them to anticipate potential detention scenarios and thus supporting shipping companies in effective fleet management while assisting port authorities in the optimal allocation of berth resources.

The dynamics of volatility spillovers among Russian economy sectors

Volatility is an indicator of the risk existing in the economy, and its volume characterizes the magnitude of risks transmitted from one sector to another. The objective of the study is to determine the dynamics of volatility spillovers among sectors of the Russian economy during crisis periods and classify sectors into shock transmitters and shock receivers. The daily returns of the Moscow Exchange sector indices for 2018-2023 acted as data. The Diebold-Yilmaz methodology based on the VAR model is used to determine the dynamics of volatility spillovers. The study has revealed that the nature of volatility spillovers differs in the pre-crisis period, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and during the special military operation (SMO). The financial sector is a source of volatility spillovers in the first and the last periods. During the pandemic, the oil and gas and transport sectors become volatility receivers. During the period of the SMO, the metallurgy and petrochemical sectors act as receivers of volatility spillovers, while the consumer goods and financial sectors act as their sources.

On the structural analysis by a midship cargo-holds model of an oil tanker 105930 dwt

On the structural analysis by a midship cargo-holds model of an oil tanker 105930 dwt

Improving Crude Oil Tank Inventory Stock Availability Through Compact Solution Method to Ensure National Fuel Supply Security at PT Kilang Pertamina International Unit VI Balongan

PT Pertamina International Refinery Unit VI Balongan plays a crucial role in maintaining national fuel oil (BBM) and special fuel (BBK) supply resilience. However, challenges such as declining crude oil storage capacity due to tank damage and limited space threaten the continuity of refinery operations and the stability of national energy supply. This study aims to address this issue by implementing the compact solution method to enhance crude oil stock availability and secure the national fuel supply. Using a quantitative approach with descriptive methods, the research collected data through observation, document review, and literature study. The data were analyzed qualitatively to assess the impact of the compact solution method. The results indicate a significant improvement in crude oil stock availability, which increased from 60.14% (using the off-stream repair method) to 72.9%. Additionally, the tank level was successfully increased to a maximum of 13,990 mm, adhering to API 650 or API 579 FFS Level 3 standards. This improvement extends the operational lifespan of the tank to 62 years, reducing maintenance costs and ensuring uninterrupted refinery operations. The findings highlight the effectiveness of the compact solution method in addressing crude oil tank capacity issues and securing national energy resilience. These results provide valuable insights for energy sector stakeholders in optimizing crude oil storage and refinery operations while minimizing repair costs and downtime.

An investigation on the collapse pressure prediction of subsea pipelines with realistic corrosion defects

Subsea pipelines are widely used for oil and gas transportation, but they are susceptible to failure due to corrosion. Corrosion in pipelines typically results in defects of varying depths and complex shapes. The computational simulation through the finite element (FE) method is one of the most efficient and accurate tools for assessing the integrity of corroded subsea pipes by allowing the simulation of the nonlinear behavior and assessing the hydrostatic collapse. This paper evaluates the collapse response of subsea pipelines with realistic corrosion defects. The study uses the PIPEFLAW system - developed by the PADMEC (High-Performance Processing on Computational Mechanics) research group from UFPE - which integrates reliable tools for automatic FE model generation and performs nonlinear analyses. After validation based on the experimental tests available in the literature, the effect of realistic corrosion defects on the collapse pressure of subsea pipelines is analyzed in detail. The results are compared to results obtained using a semi-empirical method and numerical results obtained considering idealized FE models, i.e., constant-depth and elliptical-shaped corrosion defects. It is observed that the non-uniformity of defects is an important factor affecting the collapse response of pipes. In addition, the idealized geometry of the corrosion defects, especially when considering constant depth, leads to an excessively conservative prediction of the hydrostatic collapse.