Oil Transportation Research Articles

Fleet Repositioning, Flag Switching, Transportation Scheduling, and Speed Optimization for Tanker Shipping Firms

In response to the European Union (EU)’s sanctions on Russian oil products, tanker shipping firms may adopt two strategies to reoptimize their shipping networks. The first strategy is to switch the flag states of tankers that are not eligible to operate on certain routes. The second strategy is to reposition tankers based on their flag states, i.e., moving those tankers that are eligible from other groups to specified routes. To help tanker shipping firms minimize the total operating cost during the planning horizon in the context of EU oil sanctions, including costs of fleet repositioning, flag switching, and fuel, this study investigates an integrated problem of fleet repositioning, flag switching, transportation scheduling, and speed optimization considering the dynamic relationships among fuel consumption, speed, and load. By formulating the problem as a nonlinear integer programming model and applying various linearization techniques to convert the nonlinear model into a linear optimization model solvable by off-the-shelf linear optimization solvers, this study demonstrates the practical application potential of the proposed model, with the longest solution time of less than two hours for a numerical instance with seven routes. Furthermore, through sensitivity analyses on important factors including unit fuel prices, crude oil transportation demand, and the tanker repositioning cost, this study provides managerial insights into the operations management of tanker shipping firms.

A review of the prospects, efficacy and sustainability of nanotechnology-based approaches for oil spill remediation.

Numerous marine oil spill incidents and their environmental catastrophe have raised the concern of the research community and environmental agencies on the topic of the offshore crude oil spill. The oil transport through oil tankers and pipelines has further aggravated the risk of the oil spill. This has led to the necessity to develop an effective, environment-friendly, versatile oil spill clean-up strategy. The current review article analyses various nanotechnology-based methods for marine oil spill clean-up, focusing on their recovery rate, reusability and cost. The authors weighed the three primary factors recovery, reusability and cost distinctively for the analysis based on their significance in various contexts. The findings and analysis suggest that magnetic nanomaterials and nano-sorbent have been the most effective nanotechnology-based marine oil spill remediation techniques, with the magnetic paper based on ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires standing out with a recovery rate of over 99%. The chitosan-silica hybrid nano-sorbent and multi-wall carbon nanotubes are also promising options with high recovery rates of up to 95-98% and the ability to be reused multiple times. Although the photocatalytic biodegradation approach and the nano-dispersion method do not offer benefits for recovery or reusability, they can nevertheless help lessen the negative ecological effects of marine oil spills. Therefore, careful evaluation and selection of the most appropriate method for each marine oil spill situation is crucial. The current review article provides valuable insights into the current state of nanotechnology-based marine oil spill clean-up methods and their potential applications.

The Effect of Heat Tracing Installation for Wax Prevention on Onshore Buried Swampy Pipelines

Transporting crude oil using pipelines is a widely adopted method globally. In one segment owned by PT. XYZ, especially in swampy areas, the fluid temperature tends to drop below the wax appearance temperature (WAT) during oil transportation. This is due to the relatively low temperature in swamp areas caused by heat loss to the environment. The solubility of paraffin in crude oil drastically decreases as fluid temperature drops, causing wax molecules to precipitate and deposit on the cold pipe walls. PT. XYZ employs chemical treatment by adding a pour point depressant (PPD) to lower the pour point temperature (PPT). However, PPD is effective only at certain temperatures, necessitating a study for alternative treatments. Another method involves installing heaters on the pipeline to reduce the viscosity of transported crude oil and enhance its flowability, either through direct heating or heat tracing using insulation with low thermal conductivity. Therefore, in PT. XYZ's case, an analysis is required to identify locations where fluid temperature decreases occur to ensure precise heater installation. Various software tools, including OLGA, have been developed to predict and describe wax deposition phenomena and temperature decreases along the pipeline. OLGA software can simulate locations of fluid temperature decreases in the pipeline, estimate heat loss along the pipeline, and simulate heat tracing technologies to prevent wax deposition. Simulation results indicate that wax deposition can be prevented by installing skin effect heat tracing with a heating power of 15 W/m and insulated with 2-inch aerogel, maintaining the oil temperature downstream at 157.34°F, well above the desired 115°F threshold.

Quantitative Fire Risk Assessment of Crude Oil Tank at Company A

The oil and gas industry has a high risk of losses due to fire. There have been several fire incidents in the oil industry involving fires in crude oil tanks. The objective of this research is to assess the level of fire risk in Crude Oil Tank T32 at Company. The research method used is to analyze the frequency of fire occurrences using event tree analysis and modeling the consequences of fires using ALOHA software. After conducting frequency analysis and consequence modeling, individual risk and social risk are calculated. Results: Based on the results of consequence modeling, the furthest distance for heat radiation with a 100% risk of death is 84 meters. The largest risk calculation result is in the leaky tank scenario with a hole size of 100 mm with an individual risk value of 1,84 x 10-8 and a social risk value of 3,13 x 10-7. The results of the T32 tank fire risk assessment at Company A's oil collection tank facility show that individual and social risks are still within the acceptable risk category according to the UK HSE Risk Acceptance Criteria. Even though the risk of a fire incident is still within acceptable limits, risk control efforts still need to be carried out so that the risk remains within acceptable tolerance limits

Gas-liquid flow regimes in a novel rocking and rolling flow loop

Predicting two-phase flow pattern characteristics and flow transition is fundamental to address several industrial problems, e.g. for the oil and gas industry. In order to fulfil the upscaling from the laboratory to the industrial scale, resource-efficient flow testing facilities which closely replicate industrial flow characteristics are needed. To address this, we introduce a new experimental device named as the Rocking and Rolling Ring Flow Loop (3RFL), which is size, cost, and time-efficient. In the present work, we employ the 3RFL apparatus at atmospheric pressure and temperature, with air and water as working fluids. However, the ultimate goal of our work is to build an experimental set-up capable of capturing the under-pressure reactive multiphase flow (gas-liquid–solid) dynamics typical of flow assurance in oil production and transportation. At the moment, the 3RFL can induce different flow regimes by adjusting the system control parameters such as rocking angle, rocking rate, and liquid volume fraction, all without requiring a pump. We observe three flow regimes, and analyse the impact of control parameters on their emergence. Our findings reveal that flow regime transitions are influenced by the competition between gravitational and centrifugal forces, which arise due to the curvature of the tube. Among three employed modelling strategies, namely mechanistic modelling, total energy minimization and a combined approach, we find that the total energy minimization model best compares to the experimental liquid height.

Marine Radar Oil Spill Detection Method Based on YOLOv8 and SA_PSO

In the midst of a rapidly evolving economic landscape, the global demand for oil is steadily escalating. This increased demand has fueled marine extraction and maritime transportation of oil, resulting in a consequential and uneven surge in maritime oil spills. Characterized by their abrupt onset, rapid pollution dissemination, prolonged harm, and challenges in short-term containment, oil spill accidents pose significant economic and environmental threats. Consequently, it is imperative to adopt effective and reliable methods for timely detection of oil spills to minimize the damage inflicted by such incidents. Leveraging the YOLO deep learning network, this paper introduces a methodology for the automated detection of oil spill targets. The experimental data pre-processing incorporated denoise, grayscale modification, and contrast boost. Subsequently, realistic radar oil spill images were employed as extensive training samples in the YOLOv8 network model. The trained detection model demonstrated rapid and precise identification of valid oil spill regions. Ultimately, the oil films within the identified spill regions were extracted utilizing the simulated annealing particle swarm optimization (SA-PSO) algorithm. The proposed method for offshore oil spill survey presented here can offer immediate and valid data support for regular patrols and emergency reaction efforts.

Advanced Research on the Production, Transportation and Processing of High Waxy Oil. A Review

Global demand for crude oil has grown significantly over the past two decades. However, conventional light crude oil production is declining, and more and more deposits of heavy and waxy oil, including high waxy ones, are being developed, creating new technological challenges at every level of the process, from production to transportation and refining. Among the various problems, the main one is wax deposition. Since the costs of maintenance, repair, and achieving the required low-temperature properties of commercial oil products are very high, solving this problem becomes critical. The paper discusses the existing problems of production, transportation, and refining of waxy crude oil and analyzes the methods of their solution.

Mechanical properties of Q235 and 20# steel after CO2 fire extinguishing treatment

The carbon dioxide fire extinguishing process can produce temperatures as low as −80 °C. However, the effect of rapid cooling and ultralow temperatures on the properties of steel is not yet clear. To accurately evaluate the effect of CO2 fire extinguishing on the mechanical properties of crude oil tank walls (Q235-B) and accessory and pipe materials (20#), this study employs tensile, Charpy impact, and bending tests to analyze the changes in the primary mechanical properties of Q235-B and 20# steels after three pretreatments: high-temperature burning, CO2 spraying, and CO2 fire extinguishing. The results of the study show that 1) the high-temperature burning process and short-term spraying of CO2 after fire may damage the mechanical properties of steel; 2) the rapid use of CO2 spraying after fire does not damage the mechanical properties of Q235-B or 20#; and 3) the three pretreatments investigated have little effect on the bending properties of all the specimens.

Evaluation of a vacuum insulated temperature calibration device to calibrate thermistor characteristics for skin cancer diagnosis

AbstractRecent methods using thermistors as an early detection of skin cancer require the higher resolution of 5 mK. Previously, the authors developed a vacuum insulated temperature device that calibrates the resistance temperature characteristics of thermistors, so that it improves the temperature resolution and accuracy of skin cancer diagnosis. In this study, the operational methods of the calibration system were compared for improving further accuracy using the temperature calibration device and the oil tank calibration device. The results of the comparison indicated that the temperature calibration device is probably as accurate as the oil tank calibration device.

Coconut shell-derived green synthesised carbon nanotubes for clean-up of crude oil spills

Abstract The global economy has led to an increase in oil transportation and exploitation, posing a threat to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Crude oil spilled water purification is a major challenge worldwide. Researchers are focusing on finding adsorbents that improve oil adsorption capability. In the present study the adsorption of crude oil using synthesized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) prepared from coconut shell was investigated by batch adsorption experiments under varying parameters (adsorbent dosage and contact time) after analytical techniques (UV–vis, FTIR and SEM) confirmed the formation of the CNTs. The morphological modification significantly increased the hydrophobicity of the adsorbent, thus creating a synthesized CNTs with a much better adsorption capacity for crude oil removal having a maximum adsorption capacity of 4855.8 mg/g. The experimental results showed that the percentage of crude oil removal increased with an increase in adsorbent dosage and the contact time respectively. According to the correlation coefficient (R 2 = 0.9801) value obtained from the adsorption isotherm investigations, the isotherms were found to fit the Freundlich isotherm somewhat better than the Langmuir isotherm model, which is consistent with the findings reported in the literature. These findings have made the synthesised CNTs an attractive, useful, and environmentally friendly adsorbent for controlling crude oil spill.

Experimental and mechanism study on wax deposit dissolution characteristics by light crude oil

During the sequential transportation of waxy crude oil and light oil, the previous formed wax deposits on the pipe wall will dissolve by light oil, which brings risks to the flow safety of the pipeline. This paper adopted a Couette wax deposit dissolution experimental device to systematically study the effects of dissolution duration, oil temperature, rotation speed and wax deposit properties on the dissolution characteristics of wax deposits. It is found that the dissolution of wax deposits is a process that starts quickly and then slows down. Moreover, the wax content of wax deposit also decreased during the dissolution process. The wax deposit dissolution process is mainly divided into five stages such as diffusion of wax molecules from wax deposit to the light oil and from bottom layer deposit to the wax deposit-oil interface, dissolution of wax crystal particles, weakening of wax deposit structural strength, and shear stripping of wax deposits. Finally, an empirical model of wax deposit dissolution was established and the undetermined parameters were fitted based on experimental data. The prediction results have good prediction accuracy with the experimental values.

Effect of sulfur-containing groups on the susceptibility to spontaneous combustion of corrosion products in oil tanks

Sulfur-containing groups (SCG) may be an essential factor influencing the spontaneous combustion of oil tank corrosion products and triggering fire and explosion accidents. The effect of three SCG on the spontaneous combustion susceptibility of model compounds of tank corrosion products (MCTCP) were investigated. The results show that SCG causes the surface of MCTCP to produce cracks and become rough, which adsorbs more oxygen and SCG, enhancing its spontaneous combustion susceptibility. After the SCG addition, the MCTCP thermal susceptibility partial indicator values decreased. The apparent activation energy and the flammable volatile compound release temperature decreased significantly, which increased the spontaneous combustion susceptibility of MCTCP. In addition, SCG also increased the number of exothermic peaks in the self-ignition process of MCTCP. The exothermic peaks partly came from the oxidation of SCG, and the heat generated by the oxidation of SCG increased the spontaneous combustion susceptibility. Therefore, SCG may affect the spontaneous combustion susceptibility through three pathways: changing the microform and structure of MCTCP, thermal susceptibility parameters, and oxidative exothermic properties. The work assists in deepening the theory of the mechanism and influence factors of spontaneous combustion of corrosion products in oil tanks, and provide guidance for the prevention of such accidents.

Kinetics and morphology of gas hydrate formation from MEG solution in under-inhibited systems

Natural gas hydrate blockages pose a major risk to deepwater oil and gas development. Thermodynamic under-inhibition is a cost-effective hydrate management strategy, but the impact of mono ethylene glycol (MEG) on hydrate formation kinetics and mass transfer at the gas–water interface requires further understanding for hydrate-related flow assurance. This study investigates the kinetics and morphology of hydrate growth from MEG solutions using in situ micro X-ray CT and a macro transparent reactor. MEG concentration emerged as the primary factor influencing hydrate growth morphology. Findings revealed that MEG alters the growth morphology of gas hydrates by inhibiting the formation of a hydrate film at the gas–liquid interface and inducing flocculent hydrate growth within the solution. MEG can also induce the formation of low-saturation hydrates, with no significant self-inhibition observed at concentrations below 20 %. Over time, a dense hydrate shell tended to form on the surface of the hydrate lump, increasing the risk of blockage. Additionally, it was observed that subcooling also affects the hydrate growth morphology; higher subcooling accelerates the hydrate growth rate and increases the density of the formed hydrate. This research explored the mechanisms underlying hydrate formation in under-inhibited systems, aiming to extend the safe operational boundary for oil and gas transportation and provide theoretical support for deepwater hydrate management.

Instrument Air Compressors: The Lifeline of Oil and Gas Facility. Volume 1. A Case Study of Oml 17 – Nigeria

Instrument air compressors (IACs) play a pivotal role as the backbone of oil and gas facilities, providing essential compressed air to power critical instruments and pneumatic systems. (Thomas Paulose, 2024). Instrument air is a critical component in the oil and gas industry. It is compressed air that is used to power instruments and control systems that are used in the production, processing, and transportation of oil and gas. (EY, 2020). This paper delves into the indispensable significance of IACs in ensuring the reliable and safe operation of oil and gas facilities, elucidating their crucial role in various operational processes, including control systems, safety devices, and process instrumentation. Through a thorough examination of the importance of instrument air in the oil and gas industry, this paper emphasizes the paramount importance of maintaining optimal performance and reliability of IACs. It discusses the key challenges and considerations associated with ensuring the continuous supply of instrument air, encompassing equipment reliability, energy efficiency, and maintenance practices. Furthermore, the paper explores effective strategies for optimizing instrument air compressor performance, encompassing proactive maintenance, technological advancements, and operational enhancements. (Abhishek Kumar et al 2021). Utilizing case studies and real-world examples, the paper illustrates the profound impact of proficient instrument air compressor management on overall facility reliability, safety, and operational efficiency. In conclusion, this paper underscores the critical recognition of instrument air compressors as indispensable assets within oil and gas facilities. (EY, 2020). It emphasizes the imperative for proactive management and optimization to uphold their continued reliability and efficacy. (Paul J. Holdcroft et al, 2015) By prioritizing the maintenance and performance of IACs, oil and gas operators can elevate facility operations, mitigate risks, and uphold the industry's commitment to safety and environmental stewardship.

Measurement and Control of Residual Stress of High-Grade and Large-Diameter Welded Pipe for Oil and Gas Transportation

Measurement and Control of Residual Stress of High-Grade and Large-Diameter Welded Pipe for Oil and Gas Transportation

A new insight on the corrosion behavior and mechanism of martensitic steel

The corrosion performance of martensitic steel remains a matter of dispute, with no consensus on whether it exhibits heightened or diminished corrosion resistance. In this study, the corrosion behavior and mechanism of martensitic steel were systematically investigated by simulating a cargo oil tank environment. The results indicate that under strong acidic conditions, the corrosion rate of martensite (1.1404 mm/y) is significantly higher than that of ferrite-pearlite (0.7430 mm/y) due to its increased dislocation density and internal stress. Additionally, the presence of high-energy defects provides abundant active sites for the redeposition of Cu-bearing particles, while their uneven distribution further exacerbates corrosion. Therefore, we propose a competitive mechanism that governs the corrosion behavior of martensite, complementing the understanding of its behavior and mechanism.

A Systematical Review of the Largest Alkali-Surfactant-Polymer Flood Project in the World: From Laboratory to Pilots and Field Application

Summary This paper presents a systematical review of the largest alkali-surfactant-polymer (ASP) flood project in the world, applied to the largest oil field in China. First, reservoir and fluid characteristics are highlighted. Next, project history is summarized, including laboratory studies, pilot tests, industrial-scale tests, and fieldwide application. Third, typical ASP flooding performance and reservoir management measures from more than 30 years’ experience are presented. In addition, performances of ASP flood and polymer flood in the same field, which is also the largest project in the world, are compared. The Lamadian-Saertu-Xingshugang (La-Sa-Xing) Field in the Daqing Field Complex (including the La-Sa-Xing Field and three smaller satellite fields) is the largest oil field in China. The Upper Cretaceous Saertu-Putaohua-Gaotaizi reservoir has an average porosity of 25% and average permeability of 610 md. The reservoir consists of more than 100 flow units with an average gross and net thickness of 1,377 ft and 394 ft, respectively, and is characterized by significant heterogeneity, both vertically and laterally. The reservoir lies at a depth of 2,566–2,585 ft true vertical depth (TVD), with original reservoir pressure of 1,534–1,740 psi and a reservoir temperature of 113–122°F. Crude oil has an API gravity of 33° and a viscosity of 9 cp at reservoir conditions. The discussed ASP flood project mainly targets high-quality reservoir sands. The field was brought on-stream in 1960 with immediate waterflood. Crossflow and water breakthrough became common issues during water injection, calling for a suitable enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method. The Saertu-Putaohua-Gaotaizi reservoir features favorable conditions for ASP flood, such as temperature, viscosity, permeability, and formation water salinity (7000 mg/L). In addition, the heterogeneous reservoir (permeability variation coefficient of 0.6–0.8) is suitable for ASP flood. ASP flood was studied in the laboratory from 1987 to 1993, followed by five small-scale pilots from 1994 to 1999, all being successful with incremental recoveries of ~20% stock tank oil initially in place (STOIIP). As a result, industrial-scale tests were conducted from 2000 to 2007, resulting in substantial improvement in production from ~4,000 BOPD to greater than 19,000 BOPD. Encouraged by those successes, the ASP project was expanded to fieldwide since December 2007, which is the largest ASP flood project in the industry worldwide. By 2021, daily oil production by ASP flood had reached 96,000 BOPD through 4,825 producers and 4,825 injectors. The actual average incremental recovery factor is 20% over waterflood and 8–10% over polymer flood, resulting in ultimate recovery factor of >60%. Zonal injection and profile modification are effective measures to further improve sweeping efficiency. Scaling is the major challenge during the operation of ASP flood, which is mitigated or remediated by adopting weak alkali ASP, progressive cavity pumps (PCP), scale inhibitor treatment, and fracturing stimulation on damaged wells. As of 2022, oil production by ASP flood is still ongoing at 88,635 BOPD, accounting for 39.9% of total field production. The world’s largest ASP flood project in the La-Sa-Xing Field proved the fieldwide applicability of ASP flood, both technically and economically. The effective reservoir management measures and lessons learned from more than 30 years’ experience provide valuable experiences for large-scale ASP flood projects in the industry.

Kinetic modeling of dual-stage oxidative extractive denitrogenation of model fuel

The petroleum fraction of crude oil is laden with notorious nitrogen compounds, whose removal facilitates fuel oil transport and enhances the longevity of hydrodesulfurization catalysts. Petroleum refining operation thus demands the adoption of unconventional techniques, such as coupled oxidative–extractive denitrogenation. Kinetic models can provide insights into the reaction mechanism and the design and performance of reactors. In this work, nine different kinetic models were developed by applying the Langmuir–Hinshelwood and Eley–Rideal approaches to various reaction pathways. The screening of the kinetic models was done based on the values of the rate law parameters and corresponding R 2 and adjusted R 2 values calculated through a multi-parametric, non-linear regression based on the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. Out of all the models, the Eley–Rideal model corresponding to the rate expression rs9 was found to be the best fit, reflecting that hydrogen peroxide remained in bulk while pyridine alone was adsorbed on the catalyst. The selection of suitable extractants for the extractive removal of oxidation products was made based on their extraction efficiency and partition coefficients. The ternary liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) data for the (acidulated water-pyridine-isooctane) and (acidulated water-pyridine N-oxide-isooctane) systems were plotted, and Othmer–Tobias, Hand, and Bachman correlations explained the consistency of the experimental LLE data.

WITHDRAWN: Research on pipeline corrosion prediction based on RF-PSO-BP Algorithm

The transportation of oil and gas relies heavily on pipelines, and pipeline corrosion is a major factor affecting pipeline reliability. It can lead to pipeline failure and other damage. Pipeline corrosion prediction is of great importance for pipeline integrity management and failure prevention. A physical law intervening RF(Random Forest)-PSO(Particle Swarm Optimization)-BP(Back Propagation Neural Network) algorithm is proposed to predict pipeline corrosion rate. The DeWaard physical model is first fitted to the data, and the fitted physical model predicts pipeline corrosion to form a new feature, which is then combined with the features extracted by the RF algorithm to form a new feature that is used as an input metric for the data-driven model. Secondly, the already constructed features are divided into training set and testing set. The training set is used to train the PSO-BP model, and the test set is used to test the accuracy of the model. The model is evaluated using the metrics such as MAE, MBE, MAPE, and R2. To show the superiority of the proposed model, the proposed model is compared with other models. The results show that the proposed model has some advantages in both feature analysis and corrosion prediction, and it has some theoretical guidance for pipeline protection.

Analysis of oil film flow characteristics and lubrication performance of thrust bearing of 1000MW Hydraulic Turbine Unit

Abstract Hydro-generator unit is the core component of the hydropower station, and the stability of the shaft system directly determines the safety of the hydropower station. Thrust bearing is the only component to bear axial load, and working performance directly affects the stable operation and efficiency of the unit. In this study, a full 3D model of the shaft system of a 1000 MW hydro-generator unit is established, and the oil flow of thrust bearing oil film and oil in the oil tank considering the spray system and the overall model is analysed by means of the thermo-hydrodynamic method. The results show that the load increases with increasing inclination angle. Within certain limits, the pressure and temperature of the oil film increase with increasing inclination. And there are many vortices in the tank. Although the spray system reduces the oil churn, the lubricating oil flow between pads is chaotic. The loss is mainly caused by the chaotic flow between pads. Analyzing the effects of oil film thermal effects on bearing loads, lubricant flow, and bearing surface temperatures of tilting pads provides valuable insights for bearing design and maintenance guidance.