Egyptian Fields Research Articles

Allelopathic Potential of Some Field Wastes on Dodder (Cascuta campestris) and its host Clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L)

The dodder (Cascuta campestris) and its host Clover (Trifolium alexandrinum) were studied under laboratory conditions to elucidate the effect of wastes aqueous extracts of two crops (Helianthus annus and Oryza sativa) and two weeds (pigweed; Amaranthus retrofluxus) and cockblebur; Xanthium stramirium ) common in the Egyptian fields. The allelopathic potential of allelochemicals of these plant wastes played an effective role on the germination and growth criteria of clover that reflected on dodder seeds germination and investment into its host. The results revealed that the used extracts reduced the germination percentage of dodder and its host slightly. Increasing in concentrations of waste extracts induced a great effect for all the utilized plant wastes. Inhibition in germination and growth criteria could be due to the presence of some allelochemicals as phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids and sponins in the used waste extracts. It was noticed clearly that sunflower and pigweed waste extracts were more efficient than rice and cockblebur waste extracts in dodder and clover growth inhibition. The current study suggests availability of addition of waste plant extract for controlling of dodder in clover fields.

Side-Effects of Pesticides on Non-target Organisms: 2- In Egyptian Vegetable Crop Fields and Greenhouses

Side-Effects of Pesticides on Non-target Organisms: 2- In Egyptian Vegetable Crop Fields and Greenhouses

GRADING PROCESS ENGINEERING WITHIN TILAPIA (Oreochromis niloticus) FISH PONDS

Despite the emergence trend of trying to mechanize all agricultural operations in Egyptian fields several decades ago. But that aquaculture still does not have any significant share in this direction through nursing, rearing, harvesting and even postharvest techniques. Tilapias grading is considered to be one of the most important postharvest processes for marketing optimization. The main idea of manufacturing Tilapias grader is depend on the basics of fish behavior (attractive to current water (rheotactic)) by stimulating the Tilapias to trace the withdrawn water within the grader passed or retained through four sieves which have been placed in Tilapias movement course doing self-grading. Sieves sizes were determined according to preliminary study of Tilapias morphology. The relationship between Tilapias individual mass and its dimensions was obtained. Tilapia's depth and thickness were the main dimensions used to determine the Tilapias identity. Three levels of water flow discharging or three profiles of water escaping (superficial) velocity (100, 375 and 500LPM) and two inclinations of grader raceway (5° and 7°) were investigated. The grader performance was demonstrated by studying the selectivity curve, selection range, individual mass mean selection and grading efficiency for each sieve. Maximum sieve grading efficiency achieved was of 97.87% at 375 LPM and 5° grader inclination. Grader operational capacity was of 2000 kg/h. This productivity can be achieved manually by eight workers for three hours. The behavior of each sieve (allow to pass or retain) during grading process towards each length or individual mass was modeled correspondingly with Logistic and Richard models. Richard model was found to be the best fit model for all the investigated sieves.

An Integrated Approach for the Application of the Enhanced Oil Recovery Projects

This work presents an integrated approach for screening and application of the most suitable enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method to the oil fields. The proposed approach can be used to support the decision making during the critical technology selection phase. By providing early stage advice through detailed design, the approach can provide a bridging service to bring the EOR projects from screening and laboratory stages into the field applications. EOR screening for some of the Egyptian oil fields is presented. The screening procedure and criteria are based on field results and previous experiences, and involve the analysis of both surface and subsurface fields’ conditions. The results indicate that the most appropriate EOR methods for the studied oil fields appear to be CO2 and alkali-surfactant-polymer injection methods. The study shows that CO2-EOR could help Egypt simultaneously to reduce the emissions of CO2 and increase the recovery factor by 5 to 15 %. The study then identifies the main technological barriers to the implementation of CO2-EOR, and indicates key areas that require further research and development. In addition, the challenges and the main technical concerns in applying CO2-EOR technologies are discussed in the light of the lessons learnt from large scale worldwide EOR projects. Such study is an original contribution to achieve successful EOR applications and could significantly increase the reserves of the mature oil fields.

Application of Molecular and Polycyclic Aromatic Sulfur Compounds in Evaluation of Some Egyptian Crude Oils

The molecular markers (n-alkanes, dibenzothiophene, phenanthrene, methyldibenzothiophene, and methylphenanthrene) have been determined in eight oil samples from different Egyptian oil fields. These parameters are used together to provide information on source organic matter input, depositional environment, and the maturity of crude oils. The results showed that the crude oil samples are classified into moderately mature oil, which includes Yidma-6, N. Ras Qattara-3, Alamein-1, and Ghana-1 wells, generated from mixed organic sources in reducing environment, characterized by low wax content, and low to moderate sulfur content. Mature oils are generated from source rocks deposited in lacustrine palaeoenvironmental conditions and include oils from IF 37-1, Balayim Land, E. Wadi Araba-3, and NDR wells characterized by high wax and high sulfur contents. Therefore, it is recommended that the molecular and polycyclic aromatic sulfur compounds play an important and powerful role in characterization and evaluation of crude oils.

Studies on the occurrence of true spiders as natural enemies in many Egyptian fields

True spiders represent one of the most important natural predatory species in Egyptian fields. In this work, common true spiders were surveyed in wheat, cotton and maize fields, and were counted weekly by using the direct method. For evaluating the feeding consumption of true spiders, five feeding cases were tested (as preys). These cases were: eggs of Ephestia kuehniella, eggs of Phthorimaea operculella, one day eggs and larvae of E. kuehniella, larvae of E. kuehniella and P. operculella and larvae of E. kuehniella only. Results obtained revealed that, the highest average daily consumption for each spider was recorded in case of feeding on eggs of P. operculella. While, the longest survival period was recorded in case of feeding on larvae of E. kuehniella.

Toxic and Biochemical Effects of Some Bioinsecticides and Igrs on American Bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (h u b.) (noctuidae: lepidoptera) in Cotton Fields

Field experiments were carried out to evaluate efficiency of three bioinsecticides (Dipel DF, Protecto and Bioranza) and two insect growth regulators (IGRs) (chlorfluazuron and pyriproxyfen) against larvae of American bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (ABW) and their side effects on some common predators in Egyptian cotton fields during 2009 and 2010 at Aga region, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. Results indicated that chlorfluazuron showed the highest initial reduction (75.00 and 80.6%); residual mean (83.75 and 79.45%) and annual mean (80.83 and 79.83%) on H. armigera during the two successive seasons, respectively. Moreover, chlorfluazuron was the most toxic and gave the highest reduction in predator numbers recorded (20.70, 23.20 and 22.37%) in the 2009 season and (23.30, 20.90 and 21.70%) in the 2010 season at the initial, residual and annual means, respectively. Chlorfluazuron, pyriproxyfen and Dipel DF gave the lowest significant decrease in the activity of amylase enzyme (61.86 and 59.86% relative to control), invertase enzyme (75.28 and 80.13%) and trehalase enzyme (73.64 and 83.74%), respectively after 3 and 7 days post treatment. Insect growth regulators (chlorfluazuron and pyriproxyfen) caused highly significant increases in the activity of chitinase enzyme (130 and 122.6% 141.89 and 131.64%, respectively) at both interval times, respectively

Bacillus thuringiensis isolates from soil and diseased insects in Egyptian cotton fields and their activity against lepidopterous insects

The distribution of Bacillus thuringiensis in Egyptian soils of cotton cultivations represented by 11 governorates was studied. This study aimed to isolate indigenous strains that may be potent against some lepidopterous insect pests. Out of 45 isolates, only 10 were effective and they showed high levels of toxicity against the target insects at 500 μg/ml (80% larval mortality or higher). Among these 10 isolates, two isolates were potent against Spodoptera littoralis, two isolates were potent against Helicoverpa (= Heliothis) armigera, seven isolates were potent against Pectinophora gossypiella, but none were potent against Agrotis ypsilon. LC50 and LC90 values and the potency of the B. thuringiensis isolates have been determined. Trials were conducted to isolate B. thuringiensis from diseased lepidopterous insects collected from the same locations, but all isolates showed low potential activity against the target insects. These findings showed promise for the possible use of some indigenous B. thuringiensis strains in the control of lepidopterous pests in Egypt.

Using Surfactant System to Wash a Polluted Soil by Petroleum Derivatives in Egyptian Abu Madi Fields in Terms of Emulsification

The exploration and production activities of the natural gas in Abu Madi region (in middle delta) progressed in the last decade. The condensate hydrocarbon and formation water are bi‐products produced during the natural gas industry. The accompanied water contains 10–15% condensate (gasoline). This water with gasoline was drained into the Shehab El‐Din drain. The farmers were used this water to irrigate their fields. Great areas of the fields were out of order of planting as the result of gasoline pollution. This work concentrates on washing the polluted soil using locally prepared surfactant (LABSA‐Na) in the washing process. The soil sample was picked up from the Abu Madi field and was divided into pots (four pots for each treatment). The experiment was designed on the basis of polluting the soil by gasoline (condensate) from 1 to 10%. The washing process was carried out in presence of 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5% surfactant solutions. The control and blank sample were taken in consideration. The washed and the latent oil percentages were determined using the spectrophotometric method. After polluting and washing the soil, the pots were fertilized and planted by Zea Mays. The pots were irrigated twice a week. The length of plants was followed up. The obtained results cleared that, the efficiency of washing process increases with increasing of the pollutant percentage and also with increasing of surfactant concentration. The maximum washed oil (gasoline) was obtained at 10% gasoline and 0.5% surfactant concentration. The length of plants after 21 days of planting were; 0 (no planting), 24, 34, 39, 54, and 57 cm against polluted soil and planted (control) washed soil by water only; washed soil by 0.1%; washed soil by 0.3%; washed soil by 0.5% and no polluted soil (blank) respectively. These data revealed that, removing the hydrocarbon from the soil by washing using surfactants is the most effective method as the result of solubilization and emulsification of the hydrocarbon by surfactant which make it more removable.

Population Fluctuations of Aphid Insects in Relation to Virus Disease Incidence in Egyptian Broad Bean Fields

Population Fluctuations of Aphid Insects in Relation to Virus Disease Incidence in Egyptian Broad Bean Fields

Petroleum Developments in North Africa in 1973

One of the most significant events in petroleum exploration in North Africa during 1973 was the revival of exploration by foreign companies in Algeria by conclusion of 6 joint-venture agreements with the state company, Sonatrach. At the end of 1973, petroleum rights in the 6 countries covered by this review totaled about 1.5 million sq km, about the same level as at the end of the previous year. Seismic activity decreased by a spectacular 33% to about 370 crew-months compared to 550 in 1972. During 1973, 66 wildcats were completed compared to 90 in 1972. Five wells were reported officially completed as oil wells, 3 in Libya and 2 in Egypt, but their respective commercial significance is difficult to ascertain at this time. Extension and development drilling in North Africa was at about the same level as in 1972 with 156 wells completed and 1,200,000 ft drilled. Crude-oil production in 1973 averaged 3,639,000 b/d, a drop of 3.2% compared with 1972. The production decreases reported in the Egyptian fields (Morgan and Alamein) and a 2-month suspension of operations in the Suez Gulf at the outbreak of the October war were partly compensated by 3 new fields going on stream in Egypt during 1973 and the production from 2 fields which started initial output in Libya at the end of 1972. Only fragmentary information is available on the gas production which can be estimated at about the same level as in the previous year with an average of about 1,600 MMCFD.

Petroleum Developments in Africa in 1957

Petroleum production in Africa reached a new all-time high of 18,502,728 bbls. in 1957. This represented an increase of more than 5 million bbls. over 1956, contributed largely by the newly developed Belayim field in Egypt as well as by increased production from other Egyptian fields and the coming into commercial production of the Gabon fields of French Equatorial Africa. Angola showed a slight increase in production and Nigeria for the first time entered the roll of producing countries. Both Algeria and Morocco showed declines as compared with 1956. Eighty-seven exploratory wells were completed in 1957 of which 24% were successful. Three oil discoveries were made in French Equatorial Africa, 1 in Angola, 1 in Egypt, 1 in Libya, and 1 in Morocco. Ten gas discoveries were made in Algeria, 2 in French Equatorial Africa, 1 in Cameroun, and 1 in Morocco. Exploratory wells were completed but without any successes in French West Africa, Ghana, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Somalia, British Somaliland, Tunisia, and Zanzibar. One hundred nineteen development wells were completed with 76% success. A total of 1,410,661 ft. of hole was drilled in Africa in 1957 and at the end of the year 74 rigs were in operation. Geological-geophysical exploratory work was particularly heavy in Algeria, French Equatorial Africa, French West Africa, Libya, Madagascar, Morocco, Nigeria, Somalia, British Somaliland, and Tanganyika. Party-months of various types of exploratory work for the whole of Africa were as follows: surface geology 476, seismograph 540, gravity 267, ground magnetometer 29, airborne magnetometer 39, electrical 7, structure drill 23. This represents all-time highs for seismic and gravity operations.

Oil in Western Sinai

THE opening up of a new petroliferous region in any country is usually a matter of more than ordinary interest, not only to oil technologists, but also to the general business public. In Western Sinai we recognise one of the latest developments of oilfield enterprise, and from our knowledge of the Egyptian fields (to which this new region is geologically similar), as well as from the data published by the Petroleum Research Expedition of Egypt in a Preliminary General Report on Western Sinai (Cairo: Government Press, 1920), the prospects in this part of the peninsula would seem to be exceedingly promising.