Field Case Study Research Articles

Evolution of a seafloor massive sulfide deposit on axial volcanic ridges: a case study of the Duanqiao hydrothermal field, Southwest Indian Ridge

The mineralization process below the surface of the seafloor in a hydrothermal field has an important influence on the distribution and enrichment of elements. The Duanqiao hydrothermal field (DHF) is located on the new axial volcanic ridge of the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge. Owing to the limited surface sulfide samples, the metallogenic processes occurring below the seafloor surface such as the element enrichment mechanism and the temporal evolution of the sulfide deposits remain unclear. In this study, we conducted mineral texture, geochemical, 230Th/U dating, and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer analyses of a drill core containing shallow sulfide deposits to study their evolution process. The results revealed that pyrite is enriched in Mn, Co, As, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Tl, and Pb, chalcopyrite is characterized by high concentrations of Se, Sn, In, As, Ag and Pb, and sphalerite is enriched in Co, Ga, Ge, As, Ag, Cd, Sb, and Pb. The 230Th/U dating data suggested five different mineralization periods during 4,552–2,297 years. Apart from the top and bottom, the core exhibited obvious characteristics of gradual accumulation of mineralization. Results revealed that the variations in the elemental contents of different layers and different types of pyrite were controlled by the interaction of seawater and hydrothermal fluids within the sulfide mound over five different mineralization periods. Compared with other hydrothermal fields on other mid-ocean ridges, DHF pyrite is generally enriched in Zn, Pb, As, Ag, Cd, Mo, and Sb, which might reflect shallow subsurface mixing during different periods of hydrothermal activity.

Evaluating the impact of rock damage and induced fracture evolution on heat extraction using supercritical carbon dioxide as the working fluid: Semi-analytical model, numerical model, workflow, economic analysis, and field case

Geothermal energy, a clean and renewable source, has garnered significant attention. The excellent physical properties of supercritical carbon dioxide make it an ideal fluid for geothermal development. Fractures act as channels for the efficient seepage and heat transfer of supercritical carbon dioxide. Consequently, the macroscopic fracture damage and evolution induced by the flow of supercritical carbon dioxide impact heat extraction efficiency. Here, pseudo-pressure (multi-stage induced fracture and non-Darcy multi-stage fractured) and temperature well-testing (multi-stage induced fracture thermal and non-Darcy multi-stage fractured temperature) models are developed to monitor the fractures evolution during heat transfer. The finite element method, superposition principle, and Duhamel principle are utilized to establish the proposed models. Numerical models that either consider or disregard rock damage and fracture evolution are developed to simulate and compare the efficiency of heat extraction. The COMSOL Multiphysics 6.1 software is used to solve a heat extraction transient evaluation model. A workflow for utilizing the developed models is proposed, followed by an economic sensitivity analysis. Finally, the models are applied to field cases in the Babbage Oilfield to guide the extraction of geothermal energy. Core displacement experiments are conducted to validate its accuracy, and a differential economic analysis method demonstrates its economic benefits. Results show that the well-testing models invert parameters related to reservoir and fracture evolution. Rock damage and fracture evolution during a heat extraction process are primarily influenced by thermal stress, thermal shock, and pressure-driven effects. As production progresses, fracture permeability and porosity increase, rock elastic modulus decreases, and production temperature drops. Comparing the results with versus without considering rock damage and fracture evolution reveals that their maximum pressure difference is 14% and their maximum temperature difference is 5%. The production pseudo-pressure has the greatest impact on fracture evolution. The injection temperature has the most significant effect on heat extraction efficiency, followed by injection pressure, fracture permeability, and a mass flow rate, with elastic modulus having the least impact. The maximum differential economic benefit for a single horizontal well injection-production system reaches $293,000. Field case studies from the Babbage Oilfield demonstrate the practicality of the developed models and workflow. In summary, the models, workflow, and economic analysis methods proposed in this work provide guidance for engineers in formulating more optimized heat extraction schemes.

A Current Perspective of Medical Informatics Developments for a Clinical Translation of (Non-coding)RNAs and Single-Cell Technologies.

The journey from laboratory research to clinical practice is marked by significant advancements in the fields of single-cell technologies and non-coding RNA (ncRNA) research. This convergence may reshape our approach to personalized medicine, offering groundbreaking insights and treatments in various clinical settings. This chapter discusses advancements in (nc)RNAs in the clinics, innovations in single-cell technologies and algorithms, and the impact on actual precision medicine, showing the integration of single-cell and ncRNA research can have a tangible impact on precision medicine. Case studies in Oncology, Immunology, and other fields demonstrate how these technologies can guide treatment decisions, tailor therapies to individual patients, and improve outcomes. This approach is particularly potent in addressing diseases with high inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity. The final sections address standardization, data integration, and analysis challenges because the complexity and volume of data generated by single-cell and ncRNA research poses significant challenges. Medical Informatics is not just a support tool but could be seen as a pivotal component in advancing clinical applications of single-cell and ncRNA research by bridging the gap between bench and bedside. The future of personalized medicine depends on our ability to harness the power of these technologies, and Medical Informatics in combination with ncRNA and single-cell technologies may stand at the forefront of this endeavor.

Evaluating the Impact of Green Roofs on Urban Heat Island Effect and Stormwater Management

Due to rising urbanisation and climate change, urban areas are increasingly confronted with issues linked to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect and stormwater management. These challenges are becoming increasingly apparent. There has been a growing interest in green roofs as a sustainable building strategy due to the fact that they have the potential to alleviate these environmental problems. to what extent green roofs are beneficial in mitigating the urban heat island effect and in managing stormwater in urban environments. The research evaluates the thermal performance of green roofs by using a combination of field measurements, simulation models, and case studies. It also examines the impact that green roofs have on surface and ambient temperatures, as well as their capacity to retain and delay the discharge of rainwater. Green roofs have a substantial impact on lowering temperatures on rooftops, which in turn contributes to a reduction in the overall urban heat island effect. A further benefit of green roofs is that they improve stormwater management by soaking up rainwater, lowering peak flow rates, and delaying the discharge of runoff into urban drainage systems. In addition, the study underlines the fact that performance might vary depending on a variety of parameters, including the species of plant, the depth of the substrate, and the meteorological circumstances.

Service life of buildings subject to carbonation-induced corrosion in Hong Kong: field investigation, case studies and recommendations

This paper investigates the service life modelling of Hong Kong buildings subject to carbonation-induced corrosion. The provisions on the design parameters of carbonation-induced corrosion in Hong Kong standards at different periods are summarised. Data from field investigations concerning carbonation-induced corrosion are presented, including in relation to cover thickness, cement content, chloride content, carbonation coefficient and deterioration state. Two case studies concerning residual service life modelling and performance-based service life design are presented using practical equations proposed by a novel service life model, CECP-SAM. To achieve service lives of 50 years and 75 years, deemed-to-satisfy limitations on design parameters, considering the partial replacement of ordinary Portland cement with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), are provided. The results indicate a decreasing year-on-year trend in the carbonation coefficients of existing buildings. It is unnecessary to consider the chloride effect for the internal components of buildings constructed after 1965. Rather, additional attention should be paid to carbonation-induced corrosion, especially in old buildings with a high water/cementitious ratio and new buildings with PFA and GGBS substitutions.

Numerical Modeling of Instantaneous Spills in One-dimensional River Systems

Modeling the fate and transport of spills in rivers is critical for risk assessment and instantaneous spill response. In this research, a one-dimensional model for instantaneous spills in river systems was built by solving the advection-dispersion equation (ADE) numerically along with the shallow water equations (SWEs) within the MATLAB environment. To run the model, the Ohio River’s well-known accidental spill in 1988 was used as a field case study. The verification process revealed the model’s robustness with very low statistic errors. The mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean squared error (RMSE) relative to the absorbed record were 0.0626 ppm and 0.2255 ppm, respectively. Results showed the spill mass distribution is a function of the longitudinal dispersion coefficient and the mass decay rate. Increasing the longitudinal dispersion coefficient reduces the spill impact widely, for instance after four days from the mass spill the maximum concentration decreased from 0.846789 to 0.486623 ppm, and after five days it decreased from 0.332485 to 0.186094 ppm by increasing the coefficient from 15 to 175 m2/sec. A similar reduction was achieved by increasing the decay rate from 0.8 to 1.2 day-1 (from 0.846789 to 0.254274 ppm and from 0.332485 to 0.0662202 ppm after four and five days, respectively). Thus, field measurements of these two factors must be taken into account to know the spill fate in river systems.

Spreadsheets for Geothermal Resource Classification Based on United Nation Framework Classification (UNFC) and Jailolo Geothermal Field Case Study

Abstract The United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC) is a resource classification method developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in collaboration with the International Geothermal Association (IGA). UNFC assesses and classifies geothermal resources based on three aspects: socio-economic factors, project feasibility, and geological knowledge. This uniformity in resource classification, assessment, and comparison is significant for global communication regarding geothermal resources. Implementing UNFC in Indonesia will impact the development and financing of this renewable energy. This paper presents the development of a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet for characterizing geothermal fields in Indonesia using the UNFC classification standard, applied to a specific geothermal field. The spreadsheet categorizes socio-economic factors into axis-E, project feasibility into axis-F, and geological knowledge into axis-G. Case studies were conducted in the Jailolo Geothermal Field, located in Halmahera Regency, North-Maluku Province. The field is at an early stage of development and is included in the government’s drilling program agenda. However, the feasibility of extraction by a defined development project cannot be evaluated due to limited technical data, although site-specific geological studies and exploration activities have identified the potential for an individual deposit with sufficient confidence to warrant drilling or testing. Based on geological studies, the estimated quantities associated with the potential deposit are a low-confidence estimate of 75 MW. The field is categorized as E3.2 for socio-economic aspects, F3.1 for feasibility of extraction based on maturity studies, and G4 for geological studies.

Exploring Variations in Orientation and Velocity of Hydraulic Fracture Propagation in Denver-Julesburg Basin

Summary This research explores the variations in hydraulic fracture (HF) propagation orientation and velocity within a zipper-fractured area of the Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin. By using a comprehensive analytical approach that integrates crosswell low-frequency distributed acoustic sensing (LF-DAS) strain signals, 3D seismic images, borehole image logs, gamma ray (GR) logs, and zipper-fracturing completion sequences, the study examines the dynamic responses of HF propagation under various geological and stimulation conditions. A detailed field case study was conducted across seven horizontal wells, with the entire hydraulic fracturing process monitored through fiber optics installed in two offset horizontal wells. Results from this study reveal significant variations in HF propagation behavior, likely due to pre-existing natural fractures, stress anisotropy, completion sequence, and fault impacts. These findings contribute to a better understanding of fracture mechanics in unconventional reservoirs, thereby informing more effective hydraulic fracturing strategies. This work ultimately provides crucial insights that can guide future optimization of hydraulic fracturing techniques in complex geological settings within and beyond the DJ Basin.

Sustainable development in the renovation of historical buildings: the example of the Panoffs' Mansion in Wuhan

This study examines the energy-efficient transformation of Panoffs’ Mansion in Wuhan, integrating sustainability into urban renewal while preserving historical integrity. Through a qualitative methodology, the research employs field observations, literature reviews, and case studies. It explores how adaptive reuse of heritage structures can meet contemporary energy standards and urban demands, balancing preservation with modernization. This approach illuminates the potential of sustainable practices in revitalizing historical buildings, promoting a model for low-carbon urban development.

Evaluation of the Sequence Stratigraphy and Sedimentary Environment of the Asmari Formation in the Southwest of Iran: (Case Study of Gurpi and Asmari Anticlines Masjed Soleiman Oil Field)

Evaluation of the Sequence Stratigraphy and Sedimentary Environment of the Asmari Formation in the Southwest of Iran: (Case Study of Gurpi and Asmari Anticlines Masjed Soleiman Oil Field)

Data mining-based machine learning methods for improving hydrological data: a case study of salinity field in the Western Arctic Ocean

The Beaufort Gyre is the largest freshwater reservoir in the Arctic Ocean. Long-term changes in freshwater reservoirs are critical for understanding the Arctic Ocean, and data from various sources, particularly observation or reanalysis data, must be used to the greatest extent possible. Over the past two decades, a large number of intensive field observations and ship surveys have been conducted in the western Arctic Ocean to obtain a large amount of CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth) data. Multi-machine learning methods were assessed and merged to reconstruct the annual salinity product in the Western Arctic Ocean over the period 2003-2022. Data mining-based machine learning methods reconstructed salinity product based on input variables determined by physical processes, such as sea level pressure, bathymetry, sea ice concentration, and sea ice drift. The root-mean-square error of sea surface salinity, in comparison to deep water, was effectively managed during machine learning, which exhibits higher sensitivity to variations in the atmosphere, sea ice, and ocean. The mean absolute errors in freshwater content and halocline depth within the Beaufort Gyre region for the salinity product from 2003 to 2022 are 0.98 m and 1.31 m, respectively, when compared to observational data. The salinity product provides reliable characterizations of freshwater content in the Beaufort Gyre and its variations at halocline depth. In polar regions where lacking observed data, we can build data mining-based machine learning methods to generate reliable data products to compensate for the inconvenience. Furthermore, the application potential of this multi-machine learning results approach for evaluating and integrating extends beyond the salinity field, encompassing hydrometeorology, sea ice thickness, polar biogeochemistry, and other related fields.

High-resolution isochronous stratigraphic framework through well-seismic integration in tight sandstone: a case study of Luodai gas field, Sichuan, China

Tight gas sandstone represents a significant unconventional resource extensively discovered across numerous sedimentary basins around the world. Tight sandstone reservoirs are characterized by low porosity, low permeability, variable source material, rapid spatial and temporal changes, poor reservoir properties, and strong heterogeneity. Traditional geophysical methods struggle to meet the demands of exploration and development of these types of reservoirs. This study applies a high-precision comparative approach using well-seismic integration to establish a relative isochronous stratigraphic framework. Based on this framework, extracting seismic properties can effectively predict tight sandstone reservoirs. This paper, focusing on the Penglaizhen Formation in the Luodai Gas Field of the Western Sichuan Jurassic system. This entire process accomplished in three steps: starting with regional marker layers as the initial framework; followed by the establishment of a relative isochronous framework through precise well-seismic integration; and finally stratigraphic slicing techniques to delineate isochronous stratigraphic framework with shorter time intervals. Thereby enhancing the reliability of subsurface stratigraphic information and data accuracy. The study posits that current technological means cannot create a truly isochronous stratigraphic framework; thus, “isochronous” is considered a relative concept in this context. The framework aims to ensure temporal consistency by minimizing discrepancies through mutual constraints between well and seismic data, serving to exploration and development requirements. Furthermore, analyses such as sensitive attribute extraction, impedance inversion, and assessment of hydrocarbon potential in tight sandstone reservoirs demonstrate strong correlation with drilling results. This validation underscores the framework’s efficacy in interpreting industrial gas production flows, thereby providing robust support for future oil and gas exploration.

Study Explores Fracture-Driven Interaction Mitigation Strategies for Field Development

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper URTeC 4055561, “Numerical Investigation of Fracture-Driven-Interaction Mitigation Strategies and Field Development Optimization,” by Ruiting Wu, SPE, Xiaolong Liu, and Lili Xu, Chevron, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed. _ Numerical modeling of fracture-driven interactions (FDI) using a coupled hydraulic-fracturing-propagation, reservoir-flow, and geomechanics tool has been conducted. The numerical study showed that, for the basins studied, FDI and some mitigation strategies have minimal effect on long-term parent-well productions. Parent depletion (volume and areal extent), well spacing, and child-fracture asymmetry, however, greatly affect child-well production as the result of FDI. Introduction Interwell FDI, also known as frac hits, has garnered recent attention given that more than 60% of new wells drilled in US unconventional reservoirs are infill drilling. Whereas uncontrollable parameters, such as natural fractures and matrix permeability, do contribute to the effect of FDI on well production, the authors’ primary focus lies on controllable factors. Field observations have shown that tighter well spacing and smaller completion sizes tend to result in fewer negative effects on both parent- and child-well production. Additionally, fracture-fluid injection rates, the number of clusters, and cluster spacing all influence FDI effects. Simulation Tool and Workflow A coupled hydraulic-fracture, reservoir, and wellbore simulator was used to simulate the fracturing and production stage of the parent and child wells and related fracture-driven well interaction. The simulator simultaneously solves the equations of fluid flow, proppant transport, water/solute transport, fracture mechanics, and poroelasticity in the well, fracture, and matrix domains. Fracture propagation is calculated using the multilayer-tip-elements algorithm. Fracture elements are represented by uniformly sized rectangles. Fracture-to-fracture stress shadow is calculated with the 3D displacement discontinuity method, and the poroelastic stress responses during fracture propagation and depletion are calculated with a finite-volume method. The tool is designed to simulate the entire life cycle of the FDI interaction. The modeling workflow also includes calibration with field observations of fracture geometry, the pressure response at the parent well during fracturing of the child well, the water cut change at the parent well as the result of FDI, and production performance. Field Case Study: Permian Basin The primary objective of this study is to identify the key parameters that contribute to FDI and mitigate the negative effects of FDI. Two field case studies were conducted in two basins, the Permian Basin and the DJ Basin. In both field studies, a history match of parent and child well performance was first conducted. Then, a sensitivity study was performed on various key parameters to understand their effects on the production performance at both parent and child wells. Both field case studies are focused on the lateral FDI. The first case study is included in this synopsis.

Determination of Optimal Corrosion Logging Frequencies for Gas Storage Fields

Summary Many of the existing wells in underground natural gas storage facilities were originally designed to extract hydrocarbons, using construction techniques and practices that differ from modern storage well drilling and completion practices used today. In addition to the age of these wells, their primary flow strings and tubulars may have been exposed to naturally occurring corrosive environments that could have degraded their wall thickness and remaining burst strength. This presents a serious risk of well failure and loss of containment for both the wells and reservoirs of these fields. To address this issue, the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration in its interim final rule recommended that all operators of gas storage facilities determine the reassessment intervals required to maintain the pressure rating and flow isolation properties of the flow string of all gas storage wells. This work presents a novel methodology for establishing the optimal logging frequencies required to maintain the integrity casing wall thickness of the primary flow string, which serves as the leading indicator of casing integrity. In this study, metal loss data from magnetic flux-leakage logs run on existing gas storage wells are collected, vetted, and used to derive a probabilistic distribution of linear corrosion rates. Statistical values of corrosion rate corresponding to severity levels are used to approximate the corrosion rate distribution, allowing for deterministic prediction of remaining burst strength with suitable failure criterion models. The modified ASME B31G model is used to predict casing remaining life as a function of metal loss class and average corrosion rate (ACR). The reliability criterion for establishing fitness-for-service of a corroded casing string is evaluated separately using Monte-Carlo simulation, while reassessment intervals corresponding to a particular casing condition are calculated deterministically. The modeling results with the new approach present predictions of remaining life for four commonly used casing strings as a function of metal loss class and ACR. The results show that the remaining life of a corroded casing can be reasonably estimated as a function of static corrosion rate and metal loss class. The most significant finding is that a brand-new well with an average annual corrosion rate of 1.0% initiating instantaneously upon installation will have an estimated remaining life of 28–32 years. Reassessment intervals are defined based on casing half-life as a function of metal loss class and ACR. A field case study is also presented to demonstrate the successful application of the new methodology in predicting reassessment frequency to mitigate risks from external corrosion mechanisms. The novelty of the proposed approach is in the ability to reasonably predict casing remaining life and safety target levels using derived statistical distributions of linear corrosion rates calculated from magnetic flux leakage logs. This in turn allows operators to confidently establish reassessment intervals for future casing inspection logging to identify corrosion threats in a timely manner that achieves a balance of risk mitigation and cost savings.

Integrating Digital Tools Optimizes Scale Management

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 218700, “Integrating Digital Tools to Optimize Scale Management: Case Studies,” by Hugh M. Bourne, SPE, Shaun Hosein, and Garry Keilty, BP, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed. _ The complete paper describes the suite of cloud-based digital-twin tools developed by the operator that provides online, real-time calculation of scale risk and barrier health on a well-by-well basis. The paper presents field case studies in which the suite of tools, integrated into a dashboard, have been implemented. Introduction Several case histories are shared in the complete paper, highlighting the challenges of updating evolving scale risk and monitoring the health of deployed barriers, which drove the decision to create the digital tools to further optimize scale management. Case Study 1 A mature asset with subsea wells had been operated for many years without any history of scaling. The wells were operated under pressure depletion with no water-injection support, but lift gas injection was initiated approximately 10 years ago to maintain production. When a decision was made to increase production from one of the wells by further opening the choke, the potential effect of this change on scale risk was not immediately assessed. Further opening the choke reduced the wellhead pressure by approximately 30 bar, and the well flowed faster, increasing wellhead temperature by as much as approximately 10°C. After an initial increase in production, a decline was observed. A light intervention vessel encountered a hard restriction below the wellhead. When solids were recovered to surface, the tool became stuck in the well and the intervention was stopped while a rig was mobilized to recover the stuck tool. In the intervening period, the recovered solids were analyzed, confirming that the restriction was calcium carbonate scale. Scale predictions were updated with the new operating conditions, confirming that the higher wellhead temperature, coupled with the lower wellhead pressure in the presence of lift gas, had pushed the fluids into a calcite scaling regime. The scale restriction was remediated using acid washing and a preventative scale squeeze treatment. The intervention, in total, cost the operation more than $50 million. Since the scaling event, wells have been routinely squeezed to protect production at a typical cost of around $5 million per well per treatment. Case Study 2 A subsea field is being developed as a tieback to a mature facility. Production from the new tieback has the potential to deposit halite in the wells and flowline at various stages of field life. A multistage wash-water-injection strategy has been proposed to allow a standard tree design. Additional wash water will be injected at the wellhead to protect the flowline from halite deposition as the fluids cool and to ensure that the produced-water chloride concentration is sufficiently reduced. This will create produced water with an almost 1:1 mix of formation water and wash water. Further wash-water injection is planned at the slug catcher. However, the host facility has produced water-handling limitations that restrict the amount of water it can process. Optimizing the amount of additional wash water while managing the halite-deposition risk, ensuring effective corrosion inhibition, and meeting export specification will be essential to minimize deferrals, thereby maximizing production.

Long‐term monitoring of water table and saltwater intrusion dynamics through time‐lapse transient electromagnetic

AbstractUnderstanding hydrogeological processes often requires continuous measurements, which in many cases are not cost‐efficient. Time‐lapse geophysical studies are invaluable for investigating dynamic subsurface processes. They offer several advantages over traditional borehole‐based monitoring methods, such as being cost‐efficient and non‐intrusive. However, to be effective as an early warning tool, these studies must provide real‐time information on the processes. This is often not feasible with traditional geophysical methods, which typically do not offer real‐time monitoring. In this study, we present a windowed inversion approach for time‐lapse transient electromagnetic (TEM) monitoring. The advantages of this approach include: (i) immediate and continuous results as each time‐step dataset is acquired; (ii) no limitations on the size of the monitoring period or dataset; and (iii) the use of model information from previous inversion results for robust and continuous outcomes. The results from a synthetic study are followed by two field case studies, demonstrating the advantages of the windowed inversion compared to the inversion of the full dataset. We monitored the water table dynamics of a shallow unconfined aquifer over 8 months and the saltwater intrusion in a confined aquifer over 10 months using a monitoring TEM (mTEM) system while collecting nearly continuous daily measurements. With the windowed approach, the water table dynamics was recovered with an accuracy of 10 cm, and the changes in salinity were tracked with results comparable to those of an EC data logger.

Tafoni and laboratory‐based experiments of historical contingent phenomenon

AbstractControlled experiments on natural forms involve a traditional view of explanation that prioritizes control, manipulation and replication over more nuanced understanding of the phenomena under investigation. This is an issue if the phenomenon, like tafoni, is historically contingent. In particular, the entanglement of the environment is explicitly severed in controlled experiments. The failure to adequately reproduce the ordered forms associated with tafoni in laboratory experiments suggests that simulation and field case studies could provide a more informative route to understanding tafoni. This will, however, require a more systematic recognition of how such research enables researchers to understand the initial conditions of weathering and modes of development to tafoni observed.

Optimizing Business Processes: Harnessing Robotic Process Automation in Chinese Enterprises

Abstract: With the continuous development of science and technology, the study of digital technology in China has become increasingly in-depth. As an effective means for enterprises to achieve automated management and standardized operations, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has attracted widespread attention. RPA process automation technology can improve the efficiency of financial management and ensure the quality of work while meeting enterprise development needs. This study explores the multifaceted applications and impact of RPA in the financial shared services sector. By utilizing RPA, companies can streamline processes, reduce costs and increase overall operational flexibility. The study delves into the theoretical underpinnings of RPA adoption, drawing on concepts such as economies of scale, process reengineering and information processing theory. In addition, the paper illuminates the transformative impact of RPA on business operations through field case studies, including the pioneering efforts of Sinochem International. By providing a comprehensive analysis of the pros and cons of RPA implementation, this paper provides valuable insights for Chinese companies seeking to optimize their business processes and embrace the era of intelligent automation.

Performance and economic analysis of various geothermal power plant systems: Case study for the Chingshui geothermal field in Taiwan

Geothermal power plants are a source of sustainable energy. However, their performance is influenced by various factors, including production temperature and well locations, and few studies have investigated the relationships between these factors. To address this research gap, the present study developed integrated models of a geothermal reservoir and a variety of power plant systems. By using COMSOL and MATLAB, we conducted simulations for the Chingshui geothermal field in Taiwan to investigate the performance and economic feasibility of five common types of geothermal power plant systems over their operational lifetime under different well configurations. The key findings of this investigation are as follows. First, the locations of production wells are a primary factor influencing production temperature. Constructing wells in low-permeability zones results in considerable increases in the pressure differential in the injection pump; thus, wells should not be constructed in such zones. Second, as system flow rate and well depth decrease, production temperature remains relatively stable, net power output decreases, and system efficiency increases. This efficiency increase is caused by decreases in pumping power requirements at lower flow rates and shallower well depths. Finally, among the investigated systems, the organic Rankine cycle system had the lowest electricity production cost and shortest payback period within the enthalpy range of 500–1000 kJ/kg. Double-flash (DF) and DF–binary systems are also viable options when the mass flow rate is 10–20 kg/s and the enthalpy is 700–800 kJ/kg. Overall, the results of this study offer valuable insights for the design of geothermal power plants, thereby contributing to the optimization of renewable energy systems.

Gas Hydrate Formation Assessment in Deadlegs and Jumpers: A Comprehensive Review and Field Case Study Analysis

Gas Hydrate Formation Assessment in Deadlegs and Jumpers: A Comprehensive Review and Field Case Study Analysis