Hydrocarbon Sector Research Articles

COMPARING THE PERFORMANCE OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE ALGERIAN ECONOMY DURING THE PERIOD 1974-2021

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate to assess and measure economic performance in the field of agriculture, through both the public and private sectors, and to determine the agricultural sector’s contribution to the Algerian economy, Theoretical Framework: The importance of the agricultural sector in achieving food security and economic diversification by encouraging growth in renewable resource sectors such as agriculture. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises Conducting a statistical analysis of a set of economic variables related to the agricultural sector to understand the importance of this sector and its performance during the period from 1974 to 2021. Results and Discussion: - There are significant differences in favor of the private sector in all study variables, indicating a shift from public sector dominance to private sector dominance. - The public sector dominated from independence until 1990, after which the private sector emerged and participated alongside the public sector in all economic activities in Algeria. Research Implications: The agricultural sector in Algeria helps to diversify the economy and gradually reduce dependence on the unstable hydrocarbon sector by relying on sectors with renewable resources. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by Understanding the importance of the agricultural sector through its provision of food security, its contribution to the Algerian economy, and its role in reducing the import bill. All of this contributes to minimizing economic fluctuations that may affect Algeria, which is a goal pursued through economic diversification by encouraging both the public and private sectors in agriculture.

The energy sector of the economy of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation from the perspective of national security: legal aspects

Russia’s Arctic zone plays a key role in the development of energy resources on the world stage. At the same time, the development of the energy sector of the economy is associated with solving the tasks of the national security of the Russian Federation. The effective solution of these tasks is possible due to the more active use of the tools offered by the “green” economy and alternative energy, which requires a significant modification of legal regulation. However, at the moment, a complete replacement of the raw hydrocarbon sector in the world, according to researchers, seems impossible. Today, the main engine of the development of the Russian Arctic is precisely the raw energy sector, and the global economy is based mainly on energy, which is produced from mineral resources. The development of energy in the Arctic zone depends on the level of industrial safety. Industrial safety can be understood as the state of protection of personal interests (vital and property), as well as public interests (society and the state) due to the system of industrial safety management provided for by legislation. The industrial safety management system and the Institute of Civil Liability Insurance for owners of hazardous facilities is a comprehensive mechanism for preventing accidents and neutralizing their negative consequences at hazardous facilities, which is especially important for the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The main problems of the implementation of this mechanism and the ways to solve them are outlined.

AI-Based Smart Proxy Models for Accurate Oil Rate Prediction and Efficient Pipeline Monitoring

This research develops an advanced AI-based smart proxy model to significantly enhance the prediction of oil rates and the monitoring of crucial operational parameters such as temperature and pressure in oil field pipeline management. By integrating real-time data from Multiphase Flow Meters (MPFM) with sophisticated simulation outputs, the study introduces a dual-model approach that overcomes the limitations of traditional methods, improving both efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Model 1 employs high-precision real-time MPFM data to provide accurate oil rate predictions. By focusing on critical control points within expansive pipeline networks, this model strategically reduces dependency on extensive MPFM deployment, achieving substantial cost reductions while maintaining rigorous measurement standards. The incorporation of real-time data ensures immediate responsiveness to operational changes, facilitating accurate and reliable insights essential for effective pipeline management. Model 2 utilizes an AI-driven smart proxy to refine the outputs of conventional flow simulators such as OLGA. This model addresses computational challenges including high runtime and numerical convergence issues by selecting the most reliable and accurate simulation outputs. It provides rapid and dependable insights into flow dynamics, supporting timely operational decisions and proactive management that enhance the safety and efficiency of pipeline networks. The integration of Model 1 and Model 2 ensures localized precision and extends analytical capabilities across the entire pipeline network, significantly enhancing predictive accuracy. This harmonized approach not only sets new standards for flow assurance and pipeline management but also illustrates the transformative impact of AI on operational strategies in the hydrocarbon sector.

Temporal frictions: competing futures of LNG in Tanzania

ABSTRACT This paper explores the temporalities behind resource nationalism and the liquefied natural gas project (LNG) in Tanzania. At a cost of $42 billion, the LNG project would be one of the most capital-intensive projects in Africa and would allow for export of Tanzanian gas. Focusing on the LNG negotiations during the rule of John Pombe Magufuli, this paper uses interviews with key stakeholders involved in the negotiation and planning of the LNG project, both from the government and the hydrocarbon sector. It argues that competing imaginaries of the future of the gas sector in Tanzania has led to friction between actors and has resulted in slow progression for the project. Central to this has been competing short-, medium-, and long-term time horizons, contrasting market and electoral cycles, and differing imaginaries of what the future of LNG holds for the country. This paper’s core argument is that competing perceptions of the future between different actors involved in the project, have allowed for friction between actors. At its core, this is through how the future was constructed for actors, be it through development strategies, price forecasts, or different imagined futures.

DOES THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK GOVERNING EMERGING INSTITUTIONS IN ALGERIA DIFFER FROM THAT OF TRADITIONAL PROJECTS?

Emerging institutions have garnered significant worldwide attention due to their unique characteristics and pivotal roles in fostering economic development. These institutions represent innovative economic models that have gained prominence in numerous countries, aiming to nurture emerging ventures and empower innovators. Like many nations, Algeria has adopted an alternative economic approach to achieve sustainable development and elevate the national economy. This approach prioritizes fostering creativity and innovation, enabling economic diversification, and encouraging the establishing of emerging institutions. Algeria aims to drive the desired development and investment momentum by expanding business opportunities within a sound economic environment. This strategy is a viable alternative to wealth creation and economic expansion beyond the hydrocarbon sector and traditional economic rents. Hence, Algeria issued an arsenal of legal texts to encourage these institutions and open the door for those with innovative ideas to implement their ideas on the ground. Therefore, supporting emerging enterprises has become a priority for Algerian economic decision-makers to contribute to advancing development and enhancing local production.

Hidrocarburos y cambio climático: análisis del enfoque propuesto por la Resolución 40066 de 2022

Introduction: This paper presents a legal analysis of Resolution 40066 of 2022 of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, since its implementation in Colombian regulations; the benefits and challenges for companies in the hydrocarbons sector; and its legal connection with hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation contracts. Objective: Study the legal framework, balances, challenges, and prospects of Resolution 40066 of 2022, as part of the global strategy to combat climate change in terms of control in the detection, repair of leaks, utilization, flaring, and venting of natural gas. Methodology: The methodology of the paper is the documentary analysis of national doctrine and current regulations. With these sources, the information collected in legal and specialized databases was classified and, as a result, the authors analyzed the Colombian constitutional, legislative, and regulatory context. Conclusions: The paper presents some considerations of the assembly process of the resolution with the hydrocarbon exploration and/or exploitation contracts.

Risk Assessment of an Environmental Liability in the Commercialization of Hydrocarbons – A Secondary Publication

The risk analysis evaluates the probability of occurrence with the impact of said risks. In the hydrocarbon sector, an environmental liability is an improperly abandoned facility, soil contaminated by spills or others. The objective of this work is to define a risk management plan. The characterization of the residue and the area was carried out. Hazardous events were identified: overflow spill, soil contamination by infiltration, as well as radiant heat and suffocating and toxic fumes from a fire. The matrix method was applied considering the probability of occurrence against vulnerability. The danger of infiltration implied a high level of risk. The risk management plan was drawn up, its main action being the liquidation of the pool and the sanitation of the area.

Tricks under Trade: How International Trade Both Facilitates and is Facilitated by Corporate Environmental Crime in the Waste and Hydrocarbon Sectors

Abstract Legal scholarship in the realm of international economic law has a blind spot: the practice of international trade. Cargo and container shipping is the blood and guts of international trade, and it is fuelled by bunker oil – a hydrocarbon mixture of the dirtiest petroleum-based products. Worryingly, there is empirical evidence of bunkers being intentionally contaminated with waste oils. This fraudulent contamination violates numerous international, national, and EU rules on waste management and poses immense risks to the health of planet and people alike. These same acts of fraud are also extremely profitable, and they facilitate the smooth functioning of our global economy. The fraud is itself not just incentivised in the tight-margins reality of international trade, but it is facilitated by the lack of proper legislation and the vulnerability of the existing means of enforcement in the areas where there is legislation to comply with. Economic operators often use falsified documents to market fuel oil that should be considered as waste. Systematic wrongdoing of this kind is detrimental to the environment and risks eroding the rule of law in both its formal and substantive conceptualisations.

Development of the UAE financial system in a rapidly changing economic landscape

The UAE financial system is the country’s leading non+hydrocarbon sector which has shown good growth in the post–pandemic period. The country’s ability to become a leader in innovative technology not only among the GCC countries but also among the countries in the MENA region is beyond doubt. After the global financial crisis, which also affected the wealthy emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the UAE government took the vector to create a risk–oriented innovative financial system. The creation of major international financial centers, such as Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), was the logical concept for creating the above system. Islamic financial institutions represented in the UAE operate within the framework of clear rules and standards that have been implemented by supervisory and regulatory authorities, precisely to build high–quality and transparent relationships between counterparties not only within one country, but also at the international level.

Flow regime classification using various dimensionality reduction methods and AutoML

Accurate identification of flow regimes is paramount in several industries, especially in chemical and hydrocarbon sectors. This paper describes a comprehensive data-driven workflow for flow regime identification. The workflow encompasses: i) the collection of dynamic pressure signals using an experimentally verified numerical two-phase flow model for three different flow regimes: stratified, slug and annular flow, ii) feature extraction from pressure signals using Discrete Wavelet Transformation (DWT), iii) Evaluation and testing of 12 different Dimensionality Reduction (DR) techniques, iv) the application of an AutoML framework for automated Machine Learning classifier selection among K-Nearest Neighbors, Artificial Neural Networks, Support Vector Machines, Gradient Boosting, Random Forest, and Logistic Regression, with hyper-parameter tuning. Kernel Fisher Discriminant Analysis (KFDA) is the best DR technique, exhibiting superior goodness of clustering, while KNN proved to be the top classifier with an accuracy of 92.5 % and excellent repeatability. The combination of DWT, KFDA and KNN was used to produce a virtual flow regime map. The proposed workflow represents a significant step forward in automating flow regime identification and enhancing the interpretability of ML classifiers, allowing its application to opaque pipes fitted with pressure sensors for achieving flow assurance and automatic monitoring of two-phase flow in various process industries.

Investigating the differential politics of competitive bidding in Ghana’s hydrocarbon and mining industries

The rise of the transparency and accountability (T&A) agenda since the start of the twenty-first century has been identified as a key solution to the resource curse thesis. However, there remains little information available to explain the differential adoption levels of T&A-enhancing institutions across extractives. Using Ghana as a case study, this article examines the variations in the levels of adoption of competitive bidding, as an internationally promoted T&A mechanism, in the country's hydrocarbon and mining sectors. Drawing on fifty-one semi-structured interviews and secondary documents, the collected data were thematically analysed. The article finds that the rejection of competitive bidding in the mining industry was shaped by electoral imperatives, despite efforts by pro-T&A actors to push through competitive bidding. However, competitive bidding has been partially adopted in awarding licences in the hydrocarbon sector. This partial adoption is the result of the pressure exerted on the government by civil society organizations and transnational actors upon the discovery of hydrocarbons in Ghana in 2007, following suspicion of corruption in signed petroleum agreements. Consequently, the article argues that the adoption level of a T&A mechanism is shaped by electoral imperatives, albeit circumscribed by pro-T&A countervailing forces. This article contributes to supporting the work of T&A promoters by providing pointers to understand the conditions that characterize the successful adoption of T&A across extractives.

Determinants of Export Diversification: The Case of Russian Regions

ABSTRACT The hydrocarbon sector accounts for 50% of Russian exports, leading to high commodity price volatility risks for the economy. Prior literature emphasizes the role of export diversification in development and in hedging external shocks. We investigate factors affecting regional export diversification, applying method of moments quantile regression. We devise two export diversification measures, using Theil and Herfindahl indices. Our empirical findings demonstrate that innovations spur export diversification in industrial regions, while small and medium enterprises diversify exports in industrial and non-resource regions. Natural resource extraction enforces regional exports concentration. We develop policy implications for Russian regional policymakers considering the specialization of regional economies.

Exploring the Local Content Paradigm in Hydrocarbon Resources-Rich Countries to Unravel the Emerging Challenges and Way Forward for Cameroon as a Neophyte

Local content in hydrocarbon resource-rich countries has become a panacea for the host governments and other key stakeholders in the extractive industries. As such, more resource-rich developing countries like Cameroon, are trying hard to put in place viable local content frameworks (LCFs), to maximise their benefits from the industries. Despite this, it is noted that such LCFs are often implemented without sufficient research into their efficacy, thus, yielding mixed results. In this sense, the paper examines the impact of LCFs in the hydrocarbon sector, to gain insight into the impending challenges faced by the key players involved in their implementation. Equally, the channels through which LCFs are advancing value creation are traced, by evaluating the different implementation programmes, using clearly stated local content targets to measure efficacy, and assessing the diversity of local content strategies for countries at different developmental stages. To provide the Government of Cameroon, the international oil companies (IOCs), and the domestic suppliers, with some guides on how to successfully develop and implement a LCF. Since the experiences of the countries reviewed in the paper show that the success or otherwise of LCFs remains a function of a country’s institutional setting and developmental paradigm. As such, a successful LCF needs to be anchored on the fact that LCFs need to look beyond the simple generation of economic benefits to focus on the development of linkages. In this regard, the paper accentuates that as IOCs play a key role in the management of natural resources in most African countries. On this basis, the paper seeks to motivate Cameroonian policymakers and practitioners in the hydrocarbon sector to include specific legislation, policy, and model contracts on local content, as a first step towards operationalizing and institutionalising the LCF, as a sustainable and alternative strategy to avoid the resource curse dilemma. Likewise, scholars and other research institutions will find the research outputs as a valuable addition to the current knowledge on the hydrocarbon sector, therefore, an impetus to conduct more research on local content in the sector. Keywords: Exploring, Local Content Paradigm, Hydrocarbon Sector, Emerging Challenges, Way Forward, Cameroon

Production Profiles Recorded Using Fiber-Optic Technology in Wells with Electrical Submersible Pump Lift System

Summary Fiber-optic distributed sensor technology has rapidly evolved over the past 30 years, becoming very useful in the hydrocarbon sector for different operations, such as pipeline leak monitoring, production and injection logging, fracture monitoring, vertical seismic profiling, and steam injection, among others. Monitoring temperature is a critical aspect of reservoir development and a well’s life cycle, given its broad range of applications. Temperature profiling is commonly used in production logging, often in conjunction with other sensors to quantify and identify fluids. This paper discusses two prevalent scenarios encountered in the Llanos Orientales region of Colombia, where 28 wells with electrical submersible pump (ESP) lifting systems were impacted. During the execution of these fiber-optic logs, two conditions of particular interest were explored: wells with low-flow rates below 500 barrels per day and wells with mechanical limitations that preclude monitoring with conventional sensors due to the presence of stainless-steel bands at the bottom of the well. The fiber-optic string provided access to the drilling zone, enabling temperature and pressure monitoring of the production intervals. To interpret the data, a probabilistic model based on enthalpy balance, mass, and conservation of momentum was used to determine the well’s production profile.

Implications of telework in the mental health of workers in a consulting company in the sector of hydrocarbons

Teleworking has been a novel option for companies, providing advantages in productivity and low costs; however, it has been a chaos to the mental health of staff living situations of distress and depression due to work overload, time management, which has caused affections in their psychological and social area as an individual, being a priority issue of public health. This article aims to analyze the effects of teleworking on the mental health of workers in a consulting company in the hydrocarbon sector in Colombia, with a sample of 30 administrative workers in the management and execution of contracts of Environmental Services and HSE Services in the National territory. Taking a punctual record of the impact of stress and mental health management in their work, a non-experimental type of research of observational transversal cut with descriptive scope was established, taking two types of instruments for its validation, a survey created by the authors that showed medium experience in the use of ICT’s and medium stress causal in the management of information storage tools, and the modified Multidimensional Copyng Inventory (MCI) Scale, obtaining a medium and representative level of use in strategies of Waiting (WT), Religion (REL) and Search for Professional Support (PS), requiring the strengthening of other types of strategies. The research shows the need to potentiate methods aimed at leveling autonomy and productivity with their capacities and skills in formation, harmonizing the space for their family time.

Financial development and economic diversification in Qatar: does Islamic finance matters

PurposeThe financial system plays an essential role in facilitating the intermediation process for economic growth. Policymakers stress on achieving a well-developed and regulated financial system to achieve economic development and resiliency. Using data from the State of Qatar, this paper aims to examine the impact of financial development indicator on economic growth; the impact of financial development indicator on hydrocarbon and nonhydrocarbon sector; the impact of Islamic banking on hydrocarbon and nonhydrocarbon economic growth.Design/methodology/approachThe research uses quarterly data from 2007 to 2019 and adopts autoregressive distributed lag cointegration techniques to test the long- and short-run dynamic relationship between various measures of financial development and economic growth.FindingsThe results present evidence of long-term cointegration between overall financial development indicator and economic growth. Furthermore, the authors document the existence of long-term relationship between financial development and nonhydrocarbon sector. However, there is a lack of evidence on the long-run relationship between financial development and the hydrocarbon sector. Notwithstanding, Islamic banking contributes to overall economic development, as well as to the nonhydrocarbon sector.Practical implicationsThis paper offers policymakers with insights to evaluate measures to diversify the economy. It also assists decision-makers in promoting Islamic finance, particularly to the banking sector as a vital contributor to economic growth.Originality/valueTo the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is the first to evaluate financial development and economic growth for the case of Qatar in light of recent developments in Islamic finance.

The impact of oil price shocks on economic growth in Algeria

In this study, we investigate the consequences of oil price shocks on Algerian economic growth, both on an aggregated and a disaggregated level. We adopt the method used in (Kilian, 2009) in which global oil supply shocks, global demand shocks, and anticipated demand shocks are defined. We use a two structural VAR models. The first model identifies shocks to oil prices using monthly data on oil production, oil real prices, and indicators of global eco- nomic activity. The second model describes the dynamics of a set of macroeconomic varia- bles: real overall GDP, hydrocarbon GDP, agricultural GDP, construction GDP, and interna- tional trade variables. To grasp the impact of oil shocks on sectoral growth, the model is aug- mented via three external shocks identified in the first stage. Our results are twofold. First, they show the significance of the oil price shocks' impact on the Algerian economy. Second, they indicate an asymmetry in this impact. Negative shocks to oil prices have depressive ef- fects on economic activity as a whole, including the non-hydrocarbon sector. We detect a delay-effect; global demand shocks affect economic sectors after 5-7 quarters, whereas oil price shocks affect the hydrocarbon sector after 1-2 quarters only.

Variabilidad de los componentes de los residuos de perforación petrolera según la temperatura de tratamiento

In Mexico's hydrocarbon sector, drilling waste represents a problem because the techniques to treat it increase production costs and although thermal desorption represents a good option, it presents variations in removals. For these reasons, these variations were evaluated according to the treatment temperature (< 320 ° C) on a laboratory scale. It was observed that the samples have minerals in common (quartz, barite, and calcium sulfate) and these do not vary after treatments, but other minerals were observed that are present in some samples and not in others. It was also observed that the hydrocarbons decrease with respect to the temperature, but when comparing the removed percentages and the fractions, they are different between the samples; likewise, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Zn, V, Ba, Fe, and Mn were detected, but their concentration in the leachates is low. It is concluded that the variation in the constituents of the drilling cuttings could depend on the source of generation and that this factor could influence the final properties of the treated solid since although the removal of hydrocarbons is achieved, the fractions present, and the concentration of metals are different between the samples

Doing Business in the COMESA Region: The Role of Innovation and Trade Facilitation

Abstract Developing oil-dependent countries, like Oman, have growing potentials to broaden their export base aside from the hydrocarbon sector, thus enhancing economic growth. The article aims to identify factors to enhance Oman non-oil exports to the COMESA countries with a focus on innovations and trade facilitation. At the macro level, the article uses country trade data to explore the determinants of trade. At the firm level, the focus is on firm export behavior and innovation. Results show the key role of trade facilitation and firm-level innovations in particular at the commodity level. Innovation is significant and positive for commodities like vegetables, plastic, hides, stone, glass, and machinery. Government’s policies to boost exports and enhance economic growth should be geared to reducing market risks facing exporting firms as well as rewarding innovative companies through better innovation-targeted policies.

Different times, same story: the (un)changing dynamics of structural dependence in Tanzania

Synthesising results of field study research and statistical data analysis, we scrutinise development models pursued by Tanzania and examine to what extent they changed the structure of the country’s economy. Particular attention is devoted to the mining sector and its role in keeping Tanzania at the periphery of the global economy. Our findings suggest that not only does the structural dependency continue to the current period, but its presence extends to new spheres. We argue that the implementation of the Norwegian model of hydrocarbon sector management in Tanzania is an exemplification of institutional dependency.