Limestone Production Research Articles

A study of the practices and processes and benefit sharing of limestone mining in the Banour-Shiva Mining Region in Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract Mining is essentially an important income generating activity in the developing countries of the world. This is beneficial for their social and economic development and thus developing countries place a great dependence on their exploitation of mineral resources. The focal points for discussion in this article are the process of limestone mining, growth trends in limestone production, allocation of royalties, benefit sharing between limestone miners and local communities. The article undertakes an income-expenditure analysis of limestone contractors and transporters and considers local environmental issues including land degradation, rehabilitation, and compensation problems connected with the mining process. This study has been carried out in the Banor-Shiva limestone mining region which is located in the Sirmaur District of Himachal Pradesh State in India. The study calculated compound annual growth rates and benefit sharing between the miners and local people, and made a calculation of transport costs based on the mining rules in force and the actual practice prevailing in the region. The overall compound annual growth rates for limestone production are 16.2%, 1.6 % and 3.9% and for royalties are 14.1%, 8.5%, and 7.8 5 respectively for the State, District, and Banor-Shiva mining region over the study period. However, these growth rates have continuously decelerated and even found to be negative between the periods following the National Mineral Policies Act of 1993 and 2008. There is a sizeable divergence between the benefits from limestone mining shared between the indigenous communities and limestone miners highlighting the poor land acquisition practices in the study area. The financial benefits awarded by the miners in 2016-17 to the local communities are 1.22% whereas miners have appropriated the lion’s share with 81.37% of total limestone value. The revenue to the Government is 4.30% of market value of limestone. The transportation of limestone from quarry sites to the point of final sale is the largest cost factor in limestone miners’ expenditure which is 10% of the total market value of limestone. Adverse impacts of limestone mining operations in the vicinity such as public health problems, change in land use and cropping patterns, water pollution, lack of rehabilitation of the abandoned mines and unjust division of limestone receipts are the main contentious issues in the study area which are affecting the production and process of limestone mining. These have been reflected in the declining growth rates in production and royalties accrued from limestone produce.

Experimental study of SO2 emissions and desulfurization of oxy-coal combustion in a 30 kWth pressurized fluidized bed combustor

Pressurized oxy-fuel combustion (POFC) has attracted wide attention due to its potentials of high efficiency and low cost in CO2 capture. Compared with numerical simulation and system analysis, there are few experimental studies about POFC. In order to investigate the SO2 emissions and desulfurization behaviors of limestone under continuous fuel-feeding POFC conditions, a series of oxy-coal combustion experiments were conducted with a 30 kWth pressurized fluidized bed combustor. The results showed that the SO2 emission was almost independent of combustion pressure and excess oxygen coefficient, while it was higher in air than in O2/CO2 atmosphere because less sulfur was retained by the coal ash. Although the higher CO2 partial pressure caused by an increase in combustion pressure from 0.1 MPa to 0.4 MPa had negative effects on the calcination of limestone and inhibited the indirect desulfurization, the higher combustion pressure was beneficial to improve the direct desulfurization efficiency. An increase in combustion temperature from 850 °C to 950 °C significantly improved the desulfurization efficiency of limestone with both atmospheric and pressurized oxy-coal combustion. SEM images were obtained and used to show the surface morphology of limestone products under different combustion conditions, which was helpful to the understanding of the desulfurization behaviors of limestone.

Investigating the Use of Lime Residuals as an Alternative in Portland Limestone Cement

Abstract This article presents the use of lime residuals from water treatment plants and their incorporation into concrete. Through a lime-softening process, hydrated lime is added at the water treatment plant to lower water hardness from which lime residuals form. Lime residuals are mainly calcium carbonate, which make them a good addition in cement manufacturing. Specimens were cast with lime residuals at 3 and 15 % replacement dosages to determine their potential for use in manufacturing a standard cement or creating portland limestone cement. Tests were performed on three lime residual samples and available limestone products. The results showed minimal performance differences between each of the mixtures. Fresh properties (slump, air content, and unit weight) and hardened properties along with hydration microstructure (x-ray diffraction and isothermal calorimetry) were evaluated. Results showed that the use of lime residuals could be an effective alternative for powdered limestone in portland limestone cement production. In addition, long-term external sulfate attack testing was performed. Sulfate resistance decreased with increasing lime residual content.

Pemberdayaan Buruh Perempuan dalam Proses Produksi Batu Kapur

This article discusses how the process of limestone production, and in the process there are things that are so interesting for researchers to observe, namely when the production of limestone is not easy, but extensively has a majority of female workers. Even though in the process of limestone production the workers or laborers must work with heavy goods such as amer, stone, wood. So that this study discusses more intensively related to how to give priority to empowering female lime workers as creatures that are far weaker than men. And this research was conducted in Mangkung Village, West Praya District, Central Lombok Regency. Because for researchers there is a suitable object to continue the vision to provide a new understanding of its findings related of the female workers in the scope of the process of producing limestone.

Pengembangan Produk Unggulan Daerah Berorientasi Ekspor Pada Industri Kerajinan Batu Alam Nusa Tenggara Timur

Regional superior products in NTT Province are currently the main pillars of the people's economy. Through the development program of superior products of export-oriented regions in the natural stone handicraft industry in UD Pesona Batu Alam, it is able to increase productivity, turnover and other assets. The support of Kupang State Polytechnic through the improvement of innovation-based mechanization on the types and kinds of production needed by the community through craftsmen in UD. Pesona Batu Alam is very necessary. Measured activities include the development of rock type designs through a variety of forms to attract tastes of domestic and foreign customers. The implementation methods that are carried out include the manufacture and application of cutting tool technology and portable stone grading screw systems to be part of the innovation targeted in this service program. The characteristics of the tool are designed in accordance with the conditions of natural stone and NTT Province's distinctive limestone products. The results of this service program are able to improve the quality of products, including the use of by-products in addition to being able to stimulate sales and marketing between islands and between neighboring countries.

Industrial production of limestone calcined clay cement: experience and insights

The reduction of the clinker factor in cement has emerged as the most promising solution to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and to improve sustainability. Limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) is a ternary cement where the synergy between calcined clay and limestone allows the reduction of clinker factors to 0·5. In order to understand practical issues in the production of LC3, such as the selection of raw material and production conditions, industrial production of LC3 has been carried out at three locations in India. A wide range of raw materials was collected from various parts of India and characterised to evaluate their suitability for the production of LC3. Both static and rotary calciners were used for the production of calcined clay. Open- and closed-circuit ball mills were used. Limestones with various impurities and compositions were utilised. It has been observed that lower-grade clay and limestone can be used and that the quality control during the production process can be carried out using widely available techniques. Field trials have shown that the cement can be used without any changes to the existing construction methodologies. This paper discusses the key lessons and insights gained from these trial productions.

Strategy to Conserve Maximum Biodiversity of Limestone Flora in Peninsular Malaysia

The need to exploit limestone products for national development impacts on the conservation of rare and endangered limestone species. To minimise this impact it is necessary to identify which of the 570 limestone outcrops have high conservation importance and whether they have narrowly endemic and/or endangered limestone species. In the absence of detailed checklists for each outcrop, the Gesneriaceae is selected as being biodiverse on limestone, being well collected and outstanding in the number of endemic species and/or species restricted to limestone for mapping. Of the 210 species in the 25 genera of Gesneriaceae in Peninsular Malaysia, 42 species belonging to the genera Damrongia Kerr ex Craib, Emarhendia Kiew, A.Weber & B.L.Burtt, Epithema Blume, Microchirita (C.B.Clarke) Yin Z.Wang, Monophyllaea R.Br., Ornithoboea Parish ex C.B.Clarke, Paraboea (C.B.Clarke) Ridl., Senyumia Kiew, A.Weber & B.L.Burtt and Spelaeanthus Kiew, A.Weber & B.L.Burtt grow on limestone hills. Of these 42 species, 28 are endemic and 16 are restricted to a single or adjacent hills. Mapping their distribution shows that in common with other families there are three distinct phytogeographical provinces (the Northern Province, Perak Province and the Asian Intrusion) but that the narrowly endemic species do not cluster on particular hills, nor does their distribution coincide with those of other narrowly endemic species in other families. This illustrates that a network comprising a large number of hills, not only those within the three provinces but also all those harbouring narrowly endemic species that are at risk of extinction if not conserved, is necessary to maximise conservation of the biodiversity of the limestone flora.

Comparison of Evolution of Pop-Out Damage by Mixed in Burnt Lime Nodules in Precast Concrete in Outside and Inside Exposure Conditions

Abstract In 2010 burnt lime blocks were accidentally mixed with limestone concrete aggregates at a Belgian limestone and lime production plant. The contaminated limestone aggregates were used in precast concrete factories. The concrete elements used in several constructions quickly showed pop-outs, caused by swelling of lime nodules. The appearance of pop-outs in suspected constructions was recorded. An extensive experimental program as well as on site observations have been made, to monitor the evolution of the pop-out phenomenon with time. The pop-out evolution in outside exposure conditions is compared to the evolution of pop-outs under inside climatic conditions. Outside, the phenomenon becomes marginal after about 2 years. In inside exposure conditions, the phenomenon still continues after 7 years, be it at a low rate.

Odessa catacombs as an integral part of the tourist image of the Black Sea region

The article examines the history of the Odessa catacombs, focuses on the history of research of underground labyrinths, and their gradual transformation from objects of scientific interest to tourist objects. We understand the tourist image of the region as the system of rationally and emotionally formed ideas, which are based on specific features of the territory, emphasizing its individuality from the point of view of the tourists. Tourist image always is woven into a certain historical context and social situation. Each era generates its special perception of the environment, changing the era creates a modification of tourist image of the region. The Odessa catacombs, which today are an integral part of the tourist image of the Black Sea region, also have changed in the minds of people from time to time – from their purely practical application to the production of limestone; for a while they had a negative reputation as a refuge for criminal elements, smugglers. At the beginning of the last century researchers have engaged in advanced studies of catacombs. Only in the second half of the twentieth century, the catacombs became interesting tourist destination for individual tourists, but in the 21st century and for mass tourism. Thus, the purpose of this research is to update the modern views about the catacombs and underground museums of the Black Sea region and their contribution to the formation of the tourist image of the region. The history of the formation of the catacombs shows that they are obliged to exist in their existence by the ancient Pontian limestone, which was extracted as a building material by locals. Today, the length of the catacombs of Odessa and its suburbs reaches for various data from 1.7 to 3.0 thousand kilometers; they are famous for their multistage and meandering passages of underground galleries. The first studies of the dungeons were done by the paleontologist O. Nordman, the geologist M. Barbot de Marne, T. G. Hrytsay, modern – A. Dobrolyubsky, K. Pronin, M. Baranetsky, A. Babich, V. Yudin, and others. Several museums were created for tourists: the Museum of Partisan Glory in the village of Nerubaysk, the underground Grotto of the Odessa Art Museum, the museum «Catacombs of Odessa» under the Moldavanka district and in the city center «Kantakuzen's Catacombs». The quality of images that arise in mass tourists is directly related to the process of knowledge of the territory. In this connection, the development of travel routes as a way of getting acquainted with the territory becomes especially important. Moreover, contemporary museums are interested in attracting a wide target audience; they also offer expositions of different directions from mine history to various legends about the use of dungeons, from unique paleontological finds to historical drawings and inscriptions on the walls of the catacombs. As a result of understanding the importance of the existence of such an invaluable scientific and tourist facility, as well as maintaining it in a proper condition for historical and cultural monument, influences the formation of a positive tourist image of the Black Sea region.

STRATEGI MEMILIKI TEMPAT TINGGAL PADA BURUH PRODUKSI GAMPING DI DESA GRENDEN KECAMATAN PUGER KABUPATEN JEMBER

The purpose of the research was analyzing about how the strategy which was done by limestone production labor. Related to the strategy that was done by them, therefore they could have homestay for their family.The area determination of the research was determined by area purposive method, which was done as deliberate by the researcher. The researcher chosen Grenden, Puger, Jember. In this research, there are four family limestone production labor and four supporting informant from their neighbors. The data collection method used by the researcher including interview method, observation method, and documentation method. The analysis data which was used in this research consist of some stages, they were the reduction data, the presentation data, and drawing conclusion. The result of the study showed that the limestone production labor had homestay with proper conditions and preparations in owning it more than 5 years in the average. The limestone production labor who had homestay certainly applied many kind of strategies to be able to have their own homestay. These strategies were doing diversity working, making social network, saving money, and the obligation system. All of the main four informant did diversity working to increase the income. They also saved money with different ways. Meanwhile, the main three informant made social network by asking for assistance in their neighbors to build their homestay. And there is one from main informant did the obligation system with borrowing money and paying it by instalment which was appropriate with the engagement. By using these strategies, it gave the evidence that limestone production labor in Grenden, Puger, Jember could have theirs homestay.

A Brief Review on Limestone Sources and Oyster Waste Generation-Bantayan

Limestone is an important commodity in Philippines. Limestone has numerous uses that range from agricultural applications to building materials to medicines. Many limestone products require rock with specific physical and chemical characteristics. Most limestone is biochemical in origin meaning the calcium carbonate in the stone originated from shelled oceanic creatures. In this paper, we reported the natural sources of limestone, geological formation of limestone and the oyster shell waste in Cebu, Bantayan, Philippines were reported. Due to the mining or quarrying in Cebu, Bantayan, in a limestone area poses the threat of groundwater pollution (since limestone is a porous geologic formation with a high transmissivity). The other environmental issue is oyster shell waste. The oyster shell waste is the major source of limestone. We developed and applied appropriate technologies for the extraction of limestone from oyster shell waste and utilizes as high value added material.

Performance and application of a fluidized bed limestone reactor designed for control of alkalinity, hardness and pH at the Warm Springs Regional Fisheries Center

Springs serving the Warm Springs Regional Fisheries Center, Warm Springs, Georgia, have pH, alkalinity, and hardness levels that lie under the range required for successful fish propagation while free CO2 is well above allowable targets. We evaluate a pretreatment process that exploits limestone’s (CaCO3) ability to react away hydrogen ions (H+) and carbon dioxide (CO2) while increasing alkalinity (HCO3−) and calcium (Ca2+) concentrations, i.e.CaCO3+H+↔HCO3−+Ca2+CaCO3+CO2+H2O↔Ca2++2HCO3−Limestone sand was tested in both pilot and full scale fluidized bed reactors (CycloBio®).11Any use of trade, product or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. We first established the bed expansion characteristics of three commercial limestone products then evaluated the effect of hydraulic flux and bed height on dissolution rate of a single selected product (Type A16×120). Pilot scale testing at 18C showed limestone dissolution rates were relatively insensitive to flux over the range 1.51–3.03m3/min/m2 but were sensitive (P<0.001; R2=0.881) to changes in bed height (BH, cm) over the range 83–165cm following the relation: (Alkalinity, mg/L)=123.51−(3788.76 (BH)). Differences between filtered and non-filtered alkalinity were small (P>0.05) demonstrating that limestone was present in the reactor effluent primarily in the form of dissolved Ca(HCO3)2. Effluent alkalinity exceeded our target level of 50mg/L under most operating conditions evaluated with typical pilot scale values falling within the range of 90–100mg/L despite influent concentrations of about 4mg/L. Concurrently, CO2 fell from an average of 50.6mg/L to 8.3mg/L (90%), providing for an increase in pH from 5.27 to a mean of 7.71. The ability of the test reactor to provide changes in water chemistry variables that exceeded required changes allowed for a dilution ratio of 0.6. Here, alkalinity still exceeded 50mg/L, the CO2 concentration remained well below our limit of 20mg/L (15.4mg/L) and the pH was near neutral (7.17). Applying the dilution ratio of 0.6 in a full scale treatment plant at the site reduced by 40% the volume of spring water that is directed through each of three parallel reactors that combined react away 49,000kg of limestone/yr.

Variability in the solubility of agricultural limestone from different sources and its pertinence for aquaculture

Samples of agricultural limestone were obtained from quarries in the USA as follows: Talking Rock, GA; Whitestone, GA; Austinville, VA; Bonham, TX; and Thomasville, PA, referred as GA-1, GA-2, VA, TX and PA respectively. The limestone products were tested initially for non-equilibrium pH, concentrations of calcium and magnesium, neutralizing value (NV) and fineness rate. Laboratory solubility test of the products was conducted in which pH, specific conductance (SC), total alkalinity (TA), total and calcium hardness were measured weekly for 9 weeks. It was found that the agricultural limestone samples had comparable chemical compositions, that is NV (97–108%), Ca (19.8–32.1%), Mg (3.2–12.2%), pH of slurry (8.1–9.7), but somewhat different solubilities in water. Total alkalinity concentrations at equilibrium ranged from 30 to 60 mg L−1. It was possible to quickly estimate the relative solubility of different agricultural limestone samples by comparing their specific conductance under standardized conditions (2.0 g samples w/0.15–0.25 mm fineness; 3.5 L distilled water; 24 h). This procedure might be helpful in achieving better results when liming aquaculture ponds, that is choosing the agricultural limestones with the highest solubilities in water.

Production of carbon negative precipitated calcium carbonate from waste concrete

Mineral carbonation can contribute to climate change mitigation through the production of synthetic limestone (CaCO3) from calcium silicate minerals and gaseous CO2. Some carbonates, such as Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC), have industrial applications and may provide sufficient economic incentive for sequestering CO2 should the product be a marketable commodity. Cement is a suitable source of calcium and can be recovered from waste concrete. The production of cement accounts for 9.5 % of global CO2 emissions, however up to 50 % of the manufacturing emissions can be mitigated at the end of the materials service life through mineral carbonation.The objective here is to sequester CO2 through the production of PCC via the recovery and carbonation of calcium from waste cement. The calcium is suitable for mineral carbonation and can be effectively leached using an acid (e.g. HCl). When calcium is completely leached, the solution will be slightly acidic and contain impurities such as iron and silica. The impurities can be removed by adding alkalinity prior to CaCO3 precipitation, via reaction with Na2CO3 in a separate reactor. The Na2CO3 is produced by the absorption of CO2 using NaOH, while the resulting NaCl solution is recycled via bipolar membrane electrodialysis. Overall transportation emissions and costs are reduced and the process could enhance current waste concrete recycling practices. Furthermore, the low carbon intensity of electricity generation in Eastern Canada allows for capture of 444 kg CO2 per tonne of PCC.

An Alternative Model of Aggregate Production Planning for Cement Company: Solving with Particle Swarm Optimization

The Aggregate Production Planning (APP) is a schedule of the organization’s overall operations over a planning horizon to satisfy demand while minimizing costs. It is considered as the baseline for any further planning and formulating the master production scheduling, resources, capacity and raw material planning. For APP of Cement Company, a large number of optimization criteria- regular time production, overtime production and inventory level of cement, clinker, limestone, gypsum and subsidiary ingredients play a very important role. Complexities have arisen when practitioners try to balance these large numbers of constraints during the planning horizon. In this research work, authors try to construct a mathematical model that reduces complexities and makes an effective balance among different constraints. The model then solved by well-known heuristics algorithm named particle swarm optimization (PSO) and compare the result among various types of PSO algorithm. Authors also find out the limitations of PSO to solve APP problem.

Surface Area Estimation, Volume Change Detection in Lime Stone Quarry, Tirunelveli District Using Cartosat-1 Generated Digital Elevation Model (DEM)

The objective of the study was to estimate the change detection in a surface area and volume ana- lysis of the lime stone quarry for the year 2006 and 2014 in Mannur, Tirunelveli district, Tamilnadu. Though the mining activities are essential for the cement factory, it depletes the ground water table and causes pollution to the Environment. The Integration of Remote Sensing and GIS are effective for analyzing the impact of quarrying on natural resources. In this study, Cartosat-1 satellite data generated Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for measuring surface area and the volume of Lime stone quarry. Temporal volume change study is essential for the government to restrain the misuse of the natural resources by the private sector. In 2006, the surface area and volume of lime stone excavated by 8 mining quarries was 1,991,759.68 m2 and 112,398,931.9 m3 respectively. Meanwhile, the surface area utilized and volume of limestone production by the quarry was increased to 2,881,384.64 m2 and 156,806,929.9 m3 respectively during the year 2014. In these 8 years period, quarry surface area utilization increased by 30% and limestone production increased by 28% was observed. This study is useful for the government to monitor the natural resources restrain to over use by the private sector.

The Effect of Quicklime Stabilization on Soil Properties

Compacted soils are used in earthworks such as construction of embankments, compacted cushions or road/railway foundation. Lime stabilization refers to the stabilization of soil by the addition of burned limestone products, either calcium oxide (quicklime, CaO) or calcium hydroxide (hydrated lime, Ca(OH)2). This paper presents: an extensive laboratory tests conducted to determine the optimal percentage of quicklime to reduce the excessive moisture to the optimal of compaction, the degree of compaction achieved by mixing in comparison to the compacted untreated material and the methodology for conducting the mixture and the compaction on site. The moisture reduction by adding quicklime method was applied to build a compacted cushion consisting of two types of cohesive materials: silty clay with moisture content with 5% greater than the optimum of compaction and loess (collapsible soil) with moisture content with 5…10% greater than the optimum of compaction.

Prediction of blast-induced flyrock in Indian limestone mines using neural networks

Frequency and scale of the blasting events are increasing to boost limestone production. Mines are approaching close to inhabited areas due to growing population and limited availability of land resources which has challenged the management to go for safe blasts with special reference to opencast mining. The study aims to predict the distance covered by the flyrock induced by blasting using artificial neural network (ANN) and multi-variate regression analysis (MVRA) for better assessment. Blast design and geotechnical parameters, such as linear charge concentration, burden, stemming length, specific charge, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), and rock quality designation (RQD), have been selected as input parameters and flyrock distance used as output parameter. ANN has been trained using 95 datasets of experimental blasts conducted in 4 opencast limestone mines in India. Thirty datasets have been used for testing and validation of trained neural network. Flyrock distances have been predicted by ANN, MVRA, as well as further calculated using motion analysis of flyrock projectiles and compared with the observed data. Back propagation neural network (BPNN) has been proven to be a superior predictive tool when compared with MVRA.

Quantitative environmental impact assessment of the Open cast mining in Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh, India

The district Sonbhadra, previously a part of Mirzapur district in Uttar Pradesh, India, was created as a separate district in 1991.Geologically the area consists of Vindhyan supergroup, Mahakoshal group and Dudhi granitoid complex.The district Sonbhadra has rich mineral resources and their potential. The area is known for production of cement grade Limestone and Dolomite; the other minerals are Clay, Calcite, Silimanite and base metals for more than last three decades. These mining areas show impacts on the environmental status of the district. In the present study, the different mining and environmental parameters have been considered for analysing the environmental impact assessment (EIA). A matrix method has been used to delineate the quantitative EIA in the area. Finally, the resulted assessment impact value index (-2861.76), shows significant impact on environment such as degradation of forest land, air contamination due to mining dust, water quality and related health aspect of the area. Thus, major environmental control measures should be taken for sustainable development of the study area such as improvement of mining equipments, proper dumping of the mining waste and large scale plantation.

Technology Focus: Completions Today (September 2013)

Technology Focus Achieve more with less. This is the rallying cry as our global energy journey plays out, whether in the onshore shale developments, in the deepwater basins, or in the frozen lands and waters of the Arctic. Two important levers for achieving this goal are improvements in well reliability and well productivity. Our industry needs to build and operate wells that deliver their design well productivity for their design life and do it consistently. Technology has a vital role to play to help deliver these improvements. I began working in this industry exactly 30 years ago to the month. As a keen young petroleum engineer, I recall being amazed by the level and complexity of the technology deployed in our wells at the time—from the heavy iron at the wellsite to the mainframe computers filling a disproportionate amount of space in our suburban office block. Looking back, I could barely have dreamt about many of the technology solutions that we are using so routinely in our wells today. Sometimes, solutions have come from an unlikely place—rooted in our operating challenges. For years, we knew that downhole elastomers in subsurface tools were affected adversely by exposure to hydrocarbons. As a result of some innovative thinking, this undesirable reaction has been successfully turned around to serve our needs in the form of engineered swellable elastomers. These are now being used extensively for zonal isolation and conformance management in horizontal multistage fracturing, as a core component of intelligent completions, and as a remedial solution to provide hydraulic isolation in various downhole components. Fiber-optic technology is now transforming our ability to visualize the subsurface and manage well performance, including multiphase-flow monitoring through distributed temperature sensing. A related technology, distributed acoustic sensing, is providing advanced downhole monitoring that enables us to better understand sand production and improve the effectiveness of hydraulic-fracturing operations and well-integrity management. In the area of perforating technologies, improvements in the understanding of dynamic underbalance perforating and integration of abrasive-jet perforating in hydraulic-fracturing operations are helping us to optimize well productivity from the outset. I hope you enjoy reading more about how these and other technologies are positively affecting the reliability and performance of our completions today. We have come a long way in the past 30 years. I would like to close by particularly welcoming all the newly recruited engineering and wellsite staff to our exciting industry. Your vision and innovative thinking will shape our continuing journey to achieve more with less. Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: http://www.onepetro.org. SPE 163290 Third-Generation Glass-Barrier Technology: Improving Well-Completion Integrity and Reliability by Rune Gimre, TCO, et al. SPE 160160 Production Array Logs in Bakken Horizontal Shale Play Reveal Unique Performance Based on Completion Technique by Robert Boyer, ConocoPhillips, et al. SPE 165141 Impact of Charge Type Used in Perforation on the Outcome of Matrix Acid Treatment in Carbonate Formations: Comparative Study by Ahmed I. Rabie, Texas A&amp;M University, et al. SPE 163344 Optimization of Cleanup of Limestone Production Zones: New Observations by Eric Davidson, Halliburton, et al.