Production History Research Articles

INVESTIGATION OF THE BENDING BEHAVIOR OF INC625/SUS316L LASER-CLADDING LAYERS APPLIED TO GGG40

Laser cladding is a multi-purpose thermal coating technology whose application area has increased rapidly in recent years. It can be used for the purposes of obtaining a thick (mm to cm) layer on surfaces by the interaction of different materials in powder form (especially metallic and metal-matrix composite) with the laser beam, thus repairing, restoring, improving and protecting the surface resistance of various industrial metallic parts. It is normally used to refurbishment, create and repair metallic components, hydraulic mills, gears, shafts, turbine blades, drilling tools, and other static or dynamically loaded mechanical parts. The benefits of laser cladding over alternative technologies include better metallurgy (bonding, hardness or lower porosity) as well as reduced part deformation and stress due to lower overall heat input. The melting of substrate material ensures a good metallurgical bond between the cladding layer and the substrate material. However, the melting of the substrate material causes dilution. Therefore, the melting of the substrate material should be controlled and kept to a minimum because high substrate melting causes an increase in the dilution, which may degrade the mechanical and corrosion properties of the clad layer. The laser beam over the substrate materials creates temperature gradients in the thickness direction that can lead to mechanical deformation (such as bending) and changes in the microstructural and interface properties. Depending on the substrate type and production history, as well as the laser-clad powder properties and process parameters (power, feed rate, clad speed etc.) used in the application, the deformation properties of the cladded part and its bending behavior can change. In this study, INC625 and SUS 316L+INC625 clad layers were applied on a GGG40 substrate with optimized parameters and then subjected to bending tests. Bending-test results were examined comparatively and their microstructural properties were examined. Cladding powder feedstock material properties, substrate type and its thermo-physical properties, clad process parameters and surface preparation conditions, number and thickness of layers are the most important factors affecting the bending behaviour in laser-cladding applications and require optimization studies. The INC625 clad layer on the SUS316L bond layer has reduced the diffusional effects, and the hardness distribution has a more homogeneous profile. In this way, an increase in bending angles was observed. The highest bending angle of 32° was measured with dublex-clad layered samples.

Authorship, activism and creative struggles: Peter Watkins’ The Journey revisited

Based on research in the archive of the Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society in Stockholm, this article sheds light on the complex production history behind Peter Watkins’ fourteen-and-a-half-hour documentary Resan (The Journey) (1987). Set in a dozen countries around the world, the film presents a complex web of thematic tropes about global peace, consistently highlighting the connection between the local, national and international. The way in which the film subverts documentary form – in terms of both scope and aesthetic strategies – raises questions concerning the institutional conditions within which it was made. Although Watkins’ authorial position between avant-garde and documentary film culture has been investigated in-depth, particularly from a textual point of view, little attention has been afforded the creative struggles permeating the production and circulation history behind this epic documentary. Bridging the gap between the scholarly fields of media activism, useful cinema and documentary film, this study zooms in on the Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society, Scandinavia’s largest peace movement, and their fundraising drive for this film. In doing so, the article provides new information about the negotations that shaped the relationship between Watkins, the activists and the organization that made this film possible.

In dustrial development status and strategy of improving quality and efficiency of ginger, a resource for both medicine and food use

China cultivates characteristic resource plant Zingiber officinale for both medicine and food use, with a long history of cultivation, production, and application. With the continuous excavation of the health and skin care values of ginger products due to scientific and technological progress, the scale expansion and quality improvement of the ginger industry have been effectively promoted, forming an industrial cluster with rich germplasm resources and diverse product categories represented by the north and south regions of China, and China has been developed as the biggest producer and exporter of raw materials and processed products of ginger.The present situation of ginger germplasm resources, ginger production, market price, and quality control of ginger products was reviewed in this paper. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO), United Nations International Trade Database, Chinese Network for Ginger Trade, and China Industry Information Network, the market fluctuation and trend of ginger products in China and abroad were discussed, and the current development and utilization of Chinese and international ginger industries were analyzed. In addition, through the research group's field investigation of the main producing area of ginger in China, analysis and prediction were made, and measures to improve the quality and efficiency of ginger industry use were put forward,so as to offer experience for relevant departments to study and formulate the development plan and production layout of ginger industry,help practitioners in ginger industry to cope with challenges, and provide a reference for promoting the quality and efficiency of ginger industry and high-quality development.

Planetary nebulae of the Large Magellanic Cloud I. A multiwavelength analysis

Planetary nebulae (PNe) have three main components: a central star (CS), ionized gas, and dust in the nebula. Each contains critical chemical fingerprints of the PN's evolution, which serve as tracers of the evolution, nucleosynthesis, and dust production that occurred during the preceding asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase. We aim to build a bridge to link the PN phase to the evolution of progenitors, to better understand the dust production and mass-loss mechanism during the final AGB phase. Here we present a comprehensive study of nine Large Magellanic Cloud spherical or elliptical PNe whose observations from the UV through the IR are available in the literature. We characterize nebulae and CSs, finding information necessary to reconstruct the evolutionary history of mass-loss and dust production, such as as the amount of gas that makes up the nebula and the dust that surrounds the CS. We compared the observed energy distribution of the selected PNe to that obtained from photoionization modeling, taking the presence of dust into account. The physical and chemical parameters of the CSs were then compared with predictions from the evolutionary tracks. We characterize the source, assigning a progenitor, early-AGB mass to each CS. We estimate the mass of the nebula and the dust-to-gas ratio. For five objects, we find evidence for the presence of a near-IR bump, which would indicate the presence of hot dust.

Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage (CCS) in Saline Aquifers versus Depleted Gas Fields

Saline aquifers have been used for CO2 storage as a dedicated greenhouse gas mitigation strategy since 1996. Depleted gas fields are now being planned for large-scale CCS projects. Although basalt host reservoirs are also going to be used, saline aquifers and depleted gas fields will make up most of the global geological repositories for CO2. At present, depleted gas fields and saline aquifers seem to be treated as if they are a single entity, but they have distinct differences that are examined here. Depleted gas fields have far more pre-existing information about the reservoir, top-seal caprock, internal architecture of the site, and about fluid flow properties than saline aquifers due to the long history of hydrocarbon project development and fluid production. The fluid pressure evolution paths for saline aquifers and depleted gas fields are distinctly different because, unlike saline aquifers, depleted gas fields are likely to be below hydrostatic pressure before CO2 injection commences. Depressurised depleted gas fields may require an initial injection of gas-phase CO2 instead of dense-phase CO2 typical of saline aquifers, but the greater pressure difference may allow higher initial injection rates in depleted gas fields than saline aquifers. Depressurised depleted gas fields may lead to CO2-injection-related stress paths that are distinct from saline aquifers depending on the geomechanical properties of the reservoir. CO2 trapping in saline aquifers will be dominated by buoyancy processes with residual CO2 and dissolved CO2 developing over time whereas depleted gas fields will be dominated by a sinking body of CO2 that forms a cushion below the remaining methane. Saline aquifers tend to have a relatively limited ability to fill pores with CO2 (i.e., low storage efficiency factors between 2 and 20%) as the injected CO2 is controlled by buoyancy and viscosity differences with the saline brine. In contrast, depleted gas fields may have storage efficiency factors up to 80% as the reservoir will contain sub-hydrostatic pressure methane that is easy to displace. Saline aquifers have a greater risk of halite-scale and minor dissolution of reservoir minerals than depleted gas fields as the former contain vastly more of the aqueous medium needed for such processes compared to the latter. Depleted gas fields have some different leakage risks than saline aquifers mostly related to the different fluid pressure histories, depressurisation-related alteration of geomechanical properties, and the greater number of wells typical of depleted gas fields than saline aquifers. Depleted gas fields and saline aquifers also have some different monitoring opportunities. The high-density, electrically conductive brine replaced by CO2 in saline aquifers permits seismic and resistivity imaging, but these forms of imaging are less feasible in depleted gas fields. Monitoring boreholes are less likely to be used in saline aquifers than depleted gas fields as the latter typically have numerous pre-existing exploration and production well penetrations. The significance of this analysis is that saline aquifers and depleted gas fields must be treated differently although the ultimate objective is the same: to permanently store CO2 to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and minimise global heating.

Fermented vegetables in China: overview, novel processes, influencing factors, lactic acid bacteria and industrialisation status

SummaryFermented vegetables are nutritionally beneficial and promote good health. China possesses abundant raw vegetable materials and has a longstanding history of fermented vegetable production. However, the traditional process of vegetable fermentation heavily relies on individual producers' experience and knowledge, resulting in inconsistent flavours, variable quality, and the potential generation of harmful substances. The utilisation of lactic acid fermentation starters can effectively inhibit pathogenic bacteria during the fermentation process, enhance product flavour, reduce nitrite production, improve functional and nutritional value, as well as extend shelf‐life. This article comprehensively reviews factors influencing vegetable fermentation; diverse functions performed by lactic acid bacteria throughout the fermentation process and assesses the current industrialisation status of vegetable fermentation in China. It serves as a valuable reference for promoting high‐quality development within the fermented vegetable industry.

Effect of Cross-Well Natural Fractures and Fracture Network on Production History Match and Well Location Optimization in an Ultra-Deep Gas Reservoir

Understanding subsurface natural fracture systems is crucial to characterize well production dynamics and long-term productivity potential. In addition, the placement of future wells can benefit from in-depth fracture network connectivity investigations, vastly improving new wells’ profitability and life cycles if they are placed in dense, well-connected natural fracture zones. In this study, a novel natural fracture calibration workflow is proposed. This workflow starts with the extraction of sector geology and a natural fracture model from the pre-built full-field model. Then, a cross wellbore discrete fracture network (CW-DFN) is created using a novel CW-DFN generation tool, based on image log data. An innovative fracture network identification tool is developed to detect the interconnected regional fracture network (IcFN) with CW-DFN. The non-intrusive embedded discrete fracture model (EDFM) is utilized to numerically incorporate the complex IcFN and CW-DFN in a reservoir simulation, and it is history-matched by tuning their conductivities. This workflow is applied to a single vertical well within a natural fracture carbonate reservoir in Northwest China. The study results show that the number of CW-DFNs is 11, and the number of IcFNs is 72. The non-intersected natural fractures only account for 5.5% of the production, and thus can be removed to improve simulation efficiency. The history-matching absolute average relative deviation (AARD) is 15.16%. The calibrated effective fracture permeability is 280 millidarcy, with an aperture of 0.001 m, equating to a conductivity of 0.28 millidarcy-meter. The 30-year gas production forecast is estimated to be 1.66 billion cubic meters based on a history-matched model. Finally, if the well is drilled to the east of the sector, 30-year production declines to 1.33 billion cubic meters (a reduction of 20%). However, if the well is drilled to the west of the sector, 30-year production increases to 2 billion cubic meters (an improvement of 20.5%).

Modelling CO2 storage in oil and gas reservoirs in the Gippsland Basin

The Gippsland Basin has world class geology for carbon capture and storage (CCS) and a long history of oil and gas production. Depleted oil and gas fields within the Gippsland Basin that are candidates for carbon dioxide (CO2) storage are in close proximity to existing infrastructure that could be repurposed as part of a CCS project. Modelling of CO2 storage in the depleted Bream oil and gas reservoir is being progressed. Bream reservoir properties are very well understood due to extensive geological and geophysical data sets available from wells and seismic data. Additionally, the field has been through three key phases of development during its production history; oil production and gas re-injection in 1988, gas cap blowdown started in 2002, and seasonal gas storage and withdrawal started in 2012 through to field shut-in in 2020. This provides a wealth of dynamic data that is used to calibrate the reservoir models to improve our confidence in the CO2 plume prediction. However, there are also challenges in modelling CO2 storage in depleted fields. Unlike saline aquifers, CO2 can be injected into a three-phase depleted reservoir that contains residual oil and gas saturation. The key aspects of our workflow to evaluate the plume behaviour are presented in this paper.

Environmental impacts of Australian pork in 2020 and 2022 determined using lifecycle assessments

Context The Australian pork industry is highly efficient, with a history of ongoing productivity and environmental improvement. The introduction of economy-wide environmental targets require delivering and tracking performance improvement. Aims This study determined carbon footprint (greenhouse gas [GHG] and land use [LU] and direct land use change [dLUC] emissions, reported as kg CO2-e), fossil energy (MJ), freshwater consumption (L), water stress (L H2O-e), land occupation (m2) and eutrophication potential (nitrogen and phosphorus) for Australian pork for 2020 and 2022. Variability between housing, manure management systems, and regions were identified, and systems analysed to determine new options for low-impact pork. Methods In the largest Australian study of its kind, data for ~70% of pigs produced were collected using a stratified design. Using attributional life cycle assessment, impacts were reported per kilogram of liveweight (LW), post-processed, retail, and boneless, fat-corrected pork. Results are presented as industry averages ± 2 × s.d. Key results Key results were 3.0 ± 0.1 and 3.0 ± 0.1 kg CO2-e GHG, 0.4 ± 0.07 and 0.3 ± 0.03 kg CO2-e LU and dLUC, 12.9 ± 0.5 and 13.4 ± 0.5 MJ, 93.8 ± 9.6 and 52.5 ± 3.6 L, 68.4 ± 6.7 and 43.2 ± 3.3 L H2O-e, and 12.0 ± 0.9 and 12.7 ± 0.9 m2/kg LW in 2020 and 2022, respectively. Due to industry growth, total emissions were higher in 2022. Eutrophication potential for Australian pork (2.2 × 10−4 ± 3.0 × 10−5 kg phosphorus and 8.7 × 10−3 ± 3.5 × 10−4 kg nitrogen/kg LW), reported for the first time, was low compared with grazing systems and European piggeries. Conclusions Industry has demonstrated long-term performance improvement, though the rate slowed between 2020 and 2022. Ongoing interventions are required to return to trend. Covered pond, deep litter, and outdoor systems produce lower carbon footprint pork and can provide other environmental benefits from renewable energy, and reduced fossil energy demand. Implications There is potential to further reduce environmental impacts through practice change. If industry is to meet formal targets, investment and proactive policy settings are required to overcome barriers to adoption of existing technology and support the techno-economic case for novel strategies.

Reservoir Simulations of Hydrogen Generation from Natural Gas with CO2 EOR: A Case Study

This paper addresses the problem of hydrogen generation from hydrocarbon gases using Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) with byproduct CO2 injected into and stored in a partially depleted oil reservoir. It focuses on the reservoir aspects of the problem using numerical simulation of the processes. To this aim, a numerical model of a real oil reservoir was constructed and calibrated based on its 30-year production history. An algorithm was developed to quantify the CO2 amount from the SMR process as well as from the produced fluids, and optionally, from external sources. Multiple simulation forecasts were performed for oil and gas production from the reservoir, hydrogen generation, and concomitant injection of the byproduct CO2 back to the same reservoir. EOR from miscible oil displacement was found to occur in the reservoir. Various scenarios of the forecasts confirmed the effectiveness of the adopted strategy for the same source of hydrocarbons and CO2 sink. Detailed simulation results are discussed, and both the advantages and drawbacks of the proposed approach for blue hydrogen generation are concluded. In particular, the question of reservoir fluid balance was emphasized, and its consequences were presented. The presented technology, using CO2 from hydrogen production and other sources to increase oil production, also has a significant impact on the protection of the natural environment via the elimination of CO2 emission to the atmosphere with concomitant production of H2.

A Practical probabilistic history matching framework for characterizing fracture network parameters of shale gas reservoirs

Simulating fluid flow in complex fracture systems encountered in subsurface systems, such as those encountered in tight or shale gas reservoirs, presents considerable challenges. Sophisticated numerical techniques and characterization approaches are required to integrate static and dynamic data from multiple sources to account for the intricate interplay between fractures and the surrounding rock matrix. A novel workflow using an indicator-based probability perturbation method (PPM) is applied to characterize uncertain discrete fracture network parameters. The posterior probability distributions of primary and secondary fracture transmissivity, aperture, length, height, and intensity of the secondary fracture are estimated according to the production (flow) histories. A case study based on the Horn River shale gas reservoir is presented. A pilot point scheme is formulated to update the distributions of P32L. The forward modelling entails upscaling each fracture model into a dual-porosity dual-permeability model and performing multiphase flow simulation. This approach produces an ensemble of history-matched discrete fracture and upscaled models by incorporating static and dynamic data. The results demonstrate the utility of the developed method for estimating secondary fracture parameters, which are not inferrable from other static information alone. The inference of both primary and secondary fractures offers a more comprehensive characterization of the fracture networks in tight or shale gas reservoirs. Integrating a pilot point parameterization technique and a sequential simulation approach into the PPM framework presents significant novelties in contributing to a comprehensive and effective method of simulating fluid flow in complex fracture systems, addressing the challenges associated with non-linear relationships between fracture model parameters and the corresponding flow response.

Uncertainty Study Aids Development-Plan Optimization in Deepwater Gulf of Mexico

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper OTC 32622, “Development-Plan Optimization and Uncertainty Study in a Major Deepwater Field in the US Gulf of Mexico,” by Mohsen Rezaveisi, SPE, Jennifer L. Campbell, and Paula L. Wigley, Woodside Energy Group, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Copyright 2023 Offshore Technology Conference. _ This paper describes development-plan optimization and a probabilistic uncertainty study using Latin hypercube experimental design constrained to production performance in Lower Miocene (LM) reservoirs of the deepwater Gulf of Mexico Shenzi Field. The purpose of the development-plan optimization was to identify, rank, and characterize future development opportunities (i.e., infills and injectors) in the LM reservoirs to arrest field decline. The study uses history-matched dynamic simulation models. Introduction The Shenzi discovery is approximately 122 miles off the coast of Louisiana in a water column approximately 4,400 ft deep (Fig. 1). This part of the field is a partially filled three-way closure against a salt-cored anticline. The discovery includes four main sand units (A, B, C, and D) that exhibit various degrees of hydraulic connectivity based on pressure data and production history. The area of interest in the current study is the Eastern part of the field. Static Model Build The geomodel covering the area of interest was built from two seismically interpreted horizons and approximately 180 faults. The model is subdivided into 13 zones using well-based true stratigraphic thickness maps. The average cell height is 2–3.5 ft thick with heterolithics driving the lower end of the range. Sequential indicator simulation was used to populate facies using well-based net sand trend maps by zone. In zones with evidence of channelization, a second nested facies model was used to build channels into the model. Shenzi East reservoir properties are good because of the high-quality sand deposited in the field. Lower reservoirs (C and D) have slightly more depositional complexity because of the varying paleotopography and a lower average net-to-gross (NTG) of approximately 53%. Upper reservoirs (A and B) had a larger sediment supply and were more continuously deposited, which resulted in a larger average NTG of approximately 67%. Dynamic Model History Matching The Shenzi East reservoir has been on production since March 2009, providing abundant production data for history matching. Of seven producers, six are still active, and the reservoir also features three water injectors. Producers and injectors are identified with letters P and I, respectively, followed by well numbers. Well P7 was drilled after 6 months of production from other producers; formation pressure data showing reservoir depletion are available for history matching. The water injectors were drilled in 2012–2013, but only two have formation pressure testing data available. Well P1 was completed in all sands; Wells P2, P3, and P6 were completed in three sands (D, C, and B); and the rest of the producers were completed in two sands (D and C). Production is commingled in all producers, resulting in allocation uncertainties between sands. Water production has been observed in five wells, with the current water cut in the range of 35–65%. The two most updip wells, P1 and P7, are still producing at zero water cut.

An iterative and subsequent proximation method to map historical crop information with satellite images

Mapping agricultural information such as cropping area and type is of great significance for land use and food security and a common method to retrieve such information is satellite imagery classification. The current image classification techniques require a statistically large number of training samples to obtain representative spectral signatures, ideally collected during the satellite overpass time/date. Although this prerequisite sounds simple and easy in principle, it is extremely challenging and sometimes impossible when classifying historical satellite images, as one simply cannot go back in time to collect training datasets or ground truthing. In this paper, we introduce an iterative and subsequent proximation (ISP) method to circumvent this problem for historical image classifications for historical crop mapping. This method assumes that the same crops grown two years apart have similar spectral properties within the same growing season, with limited variation. This allows the use of the crop information classified in any given year (n) to be used as training samples for the next year (n + 1) or the previous year (n-1). Iteratively repeating n-1, n-2… process leads to the mapping of historical cropping information without a priori ground truthing data. To demonstrate the ISP feasibility, we first used the historical Landsat time-series data to map four major stable crops (rice, maize, soybean, and wheat) in Hailun County, Heilongjiang Province, China, and then further expanded the ISP application to the entire Heilongjiang Province to map cropping areas from 1982 to 2020, using the classification and regression trees (CART) algorithm. The results were validated for those years when actual cropping measurement data were available and further verified with statistical data for other years. The results indicated that the proposed ISP method was appropriate for the historical mapping of four major crops, with a mapping accuracy of approximately 80 % when validated with field data, and correlation coefficients of 0.86, 0.85, 0.91, and 0.94, respectively when compared with historical statistical cropping data. The crop mapping results showed distinct trends of northward expansion in each of the four crops in Heilongjiang Province, which agreed well with previous studies. In conclusion, the ISP method is quick, easy, and convenient for historical crop mapping, which is important in understanding the agricultural production history.

Prediction of Wells Performance and Producing Life Applying Production Decline Analysis

Analyzing the production data became a common method in modern reservoir engineering practice, which is used to dynamically indicate the reservoir's characteristics, predict long-term performance, and determine the reservoir's criteria through daily production analysis. Input data required to analyze production data is production rate and sometimes flow pressure (if any). The decline curve analysis method analyzes well production data to history matching and forecasts the future well performance. The decline curve analysis (DCA) method is a non-linear regression method for production history matching and prediction. In this study, we used the DCA method to analyze eight oil wells' production data produced from the Mishrif reservoir in an Iraqi oil field. This work dealt with the prediction of the reservoir’s performance and future production rate using the DCA method tool integrated with IPM- MBAL software. Production decline rate trend analysis was performed by generating standard curves utilizing exponential, hyperbolic, and harmonic decline model equations based on historical production data. Afterward, a production forecast model was built for production to 2025. The producing life for each well at the economic flow rate (300 bbl/Day) is estimated. Results from the production forecast showed that the exponential and hyperbolic decline models yielded 54.057 MMSTB and 80.73 MMSTB, respectively. The decline rates for hyperbolic and exponential models till 2025 were estimated as 4614.25 STB/Day and 1153.1STB/Day.

Transforming mountain agriculture in China: Linking smallholder family production and moderate-scale agriculture

Transforming mountain agriculture in China involves integrating smallholder family production and moderate-scale agricultural operations. This process enhances agricultural efficiency, alleviates poverty, and combats hunger in mountainous regions, thus contributing to sustainable development goals. This study developed a conceptual framework to transform mountain agriculture based on the theory of spatial-behavior interaction. The aim was to elucidate the inherent mechanisms and formation processes. The validity of this framework was confirmed by analyzing two representative cases. Additionally, the study distilled the experiences of mountain agriculture transformation in China and established a Chinese model. The study found that spatial constraints in mountainous areas are no longer the predominant limiting factors in transforming mountain agriculture. The transformation should consider the compatibility between the transformation approach and the local agricultural production history, the structure of agricultural production subjects, and the distribution of agricultural production benefits. Linking smallholder family production and moderate-scale agriculture shows strong feasibility in mountainous regions. This study provides valuable insights into transforming mountain agriculture in other mountainous regions worldwide, particularly in developing countries.

DEVELOPMENT OF DOWNHOLE PUMP VALVE ASSEMBLY

The purpose of the work is modernization of the valve, in order to increase reliability, wear resistance, increase the pump flow and reduce the load on the rod string, as well as improve durability. The sucker rod pump is one of the most popular and extensively utilized artificial lift systems. It is a frequently chosen option for lifting oil because of its fundamental simplicity, low operating costs, and adaptability in power supply. In the long run of oil production history, sucker-rod pumping was the first option—and frequently the only option—when artificial lift was required. For this reason, the oldest and most popular method of producing oil wells worldwide is sucker-rod pumping. Since the steel used to make rods has limited strength, sucker-rod pumping is typically thought of as a way to raise moderate to low liquid production rates from shallow to medium well depths due to depth restrictions. Since the correct working of the standing and traveling valves is largely responsible for an efficient pumping operation, valves are regarded as the heart of the sucker-rod pump. The extremely high differential pressures across the valve during pumping necessitate a highly dependable sealing action between the ball and the seat. Small initial flaws in the sealing surfaces or subsequent corrosion- or abrasion-related problems result in greater liquid slipping and a quick decline in valve function because of fluid cutting. Subsurface pumps using traditional ball-and-seat valves suffer a number of basic operational issues: • Because of the greatly high number of pumping cycles per day, the sealing surfaces may sustain significant damage from the frequent collision of the two parts against one another. • In deviated wells, valve wear is uneven and can cause premature failure. • Typical cage constructions, meant to limit impact damage, typically restrict the flow area available through the valve and can be the source of pumping inefficiencies due to low fillage of the pump barrel. Keywords: sucker rod pumps, downhole pump, traveling valve, standing valve, valve assembly.

Prospectivity of Pliocene-Miocene deposits of the Khasilat field of the Absheron oil and gas bearing region according to surface and well seismic data

Prospectivity of Pliocene-Miocene deposits of the Khasilat field of the Absheron oil and gas bearing region according to surface and well seismic data

Population structure and identification of genomic regions associated with productive traits in five Italian beef cattle breeds

Italy has a long history in beef production, with local breeds such as Marchigiana, Chianina, Romagnola, Maremmana, and Podolica which produce high-quality meat. Selection has improved meat production, precocity, growth ability and muscle development, but the genetic determinism of such traits is mostly unknown. Using 33K SNPs-data from young bulls (N = 4064) belonging to these five Italian breeds, we demonstrated that the Maremmana and Podolica rustic breeds are closely related, while the specialised Marchigiana, Chianina, and Romagnola breeds are more differentiated. A genome-wide association study for growth and muscle development traits (average daily gain during the performance test, weight at 1 year old, muscularity) was conducted in the five Italian breeds. Results indicated a region on chromosome 2, containing the myostatin gene (MSTN), which displayed significant genome-wide associations with muscularity in Marchigiana cattle, a breed in which the muscle hypertrophy phenotype is segregating. Moreover, a significant SNP on chromosome 14 was associated, in the Chianina breed, to muscularity. The identification of diverse genomic regions associated with conformation traits might increase our knowledge about the genomic basis of such traits in Italian beef cattle and, eventually, such information could be used to implement marker-assisted selection of young bulls tested in the performance test.

Shadows in the Shape of Swan Lake

Swan Lake, with its rich history of productions and iconic place in culture, is easily one of the most famous ballets of all time. Each new reimagination of the popular story situates itself uniquely as a form of artistic commentary and reflection of the time and space in which it was created. Taking into consideration the historical context of the ballet as well as creative choices made in previous adaptations, I have choreographed and produced a short film adaptation of Swan Lake through the lens of authoritative censorship. The story of Swan Lake is inherently about freedom: Odette is trapped by both Rothbart’s curse and then later Siegfried’s betrayal of their love. My film follows Odette as she navigates a morally gray world in search of truth. She encounters the Swans, a censored version of the people she knows, as well as their puppeteer, a stranger who alternates between the roles of Siegfried and Rothbart. After being tossed about this ambiguous space, Odette eventually finds reality and truth, but not without serious repercussions. With this film, I speak to the voicelessness that artists and citizens experience during times of suppression of information and speech. Furthermore, this film asks the audience: who gets their voice heard in modern media, and how is that voice and its accompanying statements interpreted and used over time?

Burns in South Asia: Outcomes from South Asian Burn Registry (SABR)

BackgroundSouth Asian region contributes 59 % to the global mortality due to burns. However, we find a paucity of literature on the outcomes of burns from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). South Asian Burn Registry (SABR) is a facility-based burns registry that collected data on in-patient burn care. This study assesses factors associated with mortality, length of hospital stay at the burns center, and functional status of burn patients. MethodsProspective data was collected from two specialized public sector burn centers between September 2014 – January 2015 from Bangladesh and Pakistan. Multivariable logistic, linear, and ordinal logistic regression was conducted to assess factors associated with inpatient-mortality, length of hospital stay, and functional status at discharge, respectively. ResultsData on 883 patients was analyzed. Increased association with mortality was observed with administration of blood product (OR:3, 95 % CI:1.18–7.58) and nutritional support (OR:4.32, 95 % CI:1.55–12.02). Conversely, antibiotic regimens greater than 8 days was associated with decreased mortality (OR:0.1, 95 % CI:0.03–0.41). Associated increase in length of hospital stay was observed in patients with trauma associated with their burn injury, history of seizures (CE:47.93, 95 % CI 12.05–83.80), blood product (CE:22.09, 95 % CI:0.83–43.35) and oxygen administration (CE:23.7, 95 % CI:7.34–40.06). Patients who developed sepsis (OR:6.89, 95 % CI:1.92–24.73) and received blood products during hospitalization (OR:2.55, 95 % CI:1.38- 4.73) were more likely to have poor functional status at discharge. ConclusionThis study identified multiple factors associated with worse clinical outcomes for burn patients in South Asia. Understanding these parameters can guide targeted efforts to improve the process and quality of burn care in LMICs.