Petroleum Fields Research Articles

The stability and coalescence of hydrate in mineral oil emulsion

In the petroleum and industrial fields, hydrates are easily formed in the process of oil and gas transportation, which affects the normal operation of pipelines and even causes safety accidents. The formation of hydrates in four different oily white oil emulsion systems of 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% was compared. The change of emulsion chord length before and after hydration reaction was studied, and the mechanism of hydrate slurry formation and coalescence was explained. In the low water content system, the water-in-oil emulsion system tended to be stable under the influence of the interface and interface charge.

Information, robustness, and flexibility to manage uncertainties in petroleum field development

Development decisions for petroleum fields are costly and difficult because they involve long-term projects with complex systems and high level of uncertainties. Decision makers may reduce reservoir uncertainties with the acquisition of additional information or protecting the system against uncertainty with flexibility and robustness. Although often preferred, acquiring additional information may be insufficient to mitigate all uncertainties or may be suboptimal when compared to robustness and flexibility. This study proposes a decision framework to estimate the best approach to manage uncertainty at early stages of field development considering the combination of information, robustness, and flexibility. With a predefined set of uncertain scenarios and specialized production strategies optimized for representative models, we can automate the process. We identify the best way to manage uncertainties by assessing system sensitivity and what controls production strategy selection. We improve the traditional estimation of the expected value of information (EVoI), robustness (EVoR), and flexibility (EVoF), by accounting for all changes in the risk curve and weighing the decision maker's attitude. Our proposal was validated in a controlled environment where the reference response is known (a reference model, called UNISIM-I-R, that is not part of the uncertain ensemble, called UNISIM-I-D). The best approach to manage uncertainty in UNISIM-I-D combined features of robust and specialized strategies, resulting in a flexible strategy with robustness. This solution increased oil recovery and the economic return in UNISIM-I-R when compared to taking no action to manage uncertainty, but was suboptimal. These results agree with the rationale behind investing in actions to manage uncertainty (such as flexible and robust strategies), which is to mitigate risks or exploit upsides of uncertainty (i.e., they are intended to prevent or explore extreme outcomes). Investing in such actions is a risky decision in itself because they may not be needed, depending on the features of the real reservoir. Our results in UNISIM-I-D demonstrate the EVoI, EVoR, and EVoF are not additive. Our results in UNISIM-I-R reveal that inherent flexibility in operations (such as in drilling of horizontal wells) may mitigate some risks, reducing the EVoI, EVoR, and EVoF. Our proposal is a good starting point for more quantitative and objective decision-making at the early stages of field development and ultimately prevents discarding attractive solutions based on biases or insufficient metrics. Some improvements may be necessary for EVoI, EVoR, and EVoF estimates depending on the stage of the lifetime of the field, among other factors.

Health risk assessment of heavy metals in Ahvaz oilfield using environmental indicators

The high rate of hydrocarbon production in Ahvaz oilfield, is probably linked to environmental pollution, in particular in soils. In this study, 21 soil samples were collected and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry to determine the degree of contamination and health risk by different computed indices. The results based on the geochemical index of an enrichment metal factor showed extremely high enrichment levels of Pb in the studied soils. The potential ecological risk index is reported in four regions with severe environmental issue, which included a sample of contaminated soil around the well and three samples of soil contaminated with petroleum-related drilling wastes. Health risk assessment of heavy metals in the region’s soil was studied. In the adults’ group, the risk of non-carcinogenic elements (risk of diseases besides cancer) due to high levels of Pb and the risk of carcinogenic ones, by As and Cr, threatened the health of exposed people. In the children’s group, the risk of non-carcinogenic factors was due to high levels of Pb and As. The risk of carcinogenic impact of Cr and Pb reaches levels threatening the health of exposed children. Due to the regional climate and the location of the petroleum field with respect to the dominant wind direction, it is likely that in the near future, the region will be a source of contaminated dusts and likely transferred contaminated soils to the residential and urban areas, which would be a health threat for residents of area.

Simulation and Analysis of a Petrochemical Process (Deethanizer Column- MLE field) using HYSYS Aspen Simulator

Natural gas industry has a great strategic and economic importance; it becomes one of the most attractive business opportunities in the petroleum and petrochemical field. In order to produce high quality gas, many companies all over the world including Algeria create many plants for natural gas processing to clean raw natural gas, by using separation unites and other services to get a product that respect the commercial specifications. Natural gas fractions are separated by distillation column in our case is called deethanizer tower. In this work a dynamic simulation study of deethanizer column is developed and implemented in HYSYS simulator. Simulation results prove that the HYSYS is a powerful tool to simulate industrial processes such that the simulated results are close to the real ones.

Evaluation and prediction on total factor productivity of Chinese petroleum companies via three-stage DEA model and time series neural network model

In this paper, the panel data of 50 listed Chinese petroleum companies from 2009 to 2018 were used. A three-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model was used to eliminate environmental factors and random factors, Pearson Epsilon-based Measure (PEBM) distance function and the Malmquist index were combined to evaluate the change of total factor productivity, then Support Vector Regression (SVR) prediction model and Radial Basis Function (RBF) neural network prediction model were compared and it was found that the latter had a small error of prediction on Total Factor Productivity (TFP), hence the radial basis function neural network prediction model was used to predict the total factor productivity of listed petroleum companies in the next two years. The study showed that the average annual growth rate of total factor productivity of the listed petroleum companies was 9.05 %, and its Efficiency Change (EC) index and Scale Efficiency Change (SEC) index were the main driving force for the growth of total factor productivity, while its Technical Change (TC) index and magnitude technical change (MATC) index had an inhibitory effect on the total factor productivity. And the predicted results showed that total factor productivity of the petroleum companies will continue to grow in the next two years. In addition, the research methods provided in this paper can be used not only to evaluate and predict total factor productivity of petroleum field, but also to evaluate and predict total factor productivity of other fields.

Influence of tectonics on global scale distribution of geological methane emissions

Earth’s hydrocarbon degassing through gas-oil seeps, mud volcanoes and diffuse microseepage is a major natural source of methane (CH4) to the atmosphere. While carbon dioxide degassing is typically associated with extensional tectonics, volcanoes, and geothermal areas, CH4 seepage mostly occurs in petroleum-bearing sedimentary basins, but the role of tectonics in degassing is known only for some case studies at local scale. Here, we perform a global scale geospatial analysis to assess how the presence of hydrocarbon fields, basin geodynamics and the type of faults control CH4 seepage. Combining georeferenced data of global inventories of onshore seeps, faults, sedimentary basins, petroleum fields and heat flow, we find that hydrocarbon seeps prevail in petroleum fields within convergent basins with heat flow ≤ 98 mW m−2, and along any type of brittle tectonic structure, mostly in reverse fault settings. Areas potentially hosting additional seeps and microseepage are identified through a global seepage favourability model.

Predict sandstone distribution by integrated study of deformed shale using borehole image and seismic data, a case study from northern Gulf of Mexico

Many Upper Tertiary reservoirs from the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) are sandstones deposited either in channel-levee systems or lobe systems in the intra-slope deepwater environment. One of the major uncertainties about those reservoirs is their distribution, which is likely controlled by salt tectonics. The current salt structure, however, does not represent the salt structure when the sands were deposited. It is difficult, if not impossible, to restore the salt history based on current salt structures. Salt movement resulted in a great amount of deformed shale in GoM. Borehole images on the other hand can be used to characterize the internal structure or texture of deformed shale; and the dips of deformed shale from borehole images may be used to define the paleo slope direction, which controls the movement of deformed shale. The internal structure or texture of deformed shale, therefore, may provide some information about the history of salt movement, which may also control the sand distribution. In this integrated study, all the available data, including borehole images, seismic volumes, and other petrophysical logs, were used to characterize the reservoir sands and shales. The reservoir sands are mainly composed of amalgamated sand, layered sand, and laminated sandstone. Based on dips from borehole images, paleo flow directions of reservoir sands were defined. The shales are categorized as hemipelagic shale and deformed shale. The hemipelagic shale has relatively lower and consistent dips; whereas deformed shale has relatively higher variable in both dip magnitude and dip azimuth. The integrated study suggests the main reservoir of the field is submarine lobe sands deposited above an allochthonous salt in the basin. The evacuation of the salt body below the basin created small geographic lower area for sand lobes to accumulate. The dips from the deformed shale provided information about the center of the small (or mini) basin, thus established a relationship between the dip pattern and sandstone distribution. If this relationship is valid for the other upper Tertiary deformed shale in the GoM area, a new method can be developed, which may enable us to predict the sandstone distribution using borehole images and provide guidance for petroleum evaluation and field development in the future.

Piezoelectric pressure sensor based on flexible gallium nitride thin film for harsh-environment and high-temperature applications

Piezoelectric materials are promising for pressure sensors in a variety of industrial applications such as automotive and petroleum fields. Typical piezoelectric sensors rely heavily on lead zirconate titanate (Pb[ZrxTi1-x]O3, PZT) transducers. However, for broader applications of piezoelectric sensors, the PZT is a suboptimal candidate due to its unstable output at temperatures above 200 °C and potential environmental hazard. A recent research objective is to produce a more effective, safer, and eco-friendly material than PZT for piezoelectric pressure sensors by incorporating lead-free materials, such as other ceramics or polymeric composites. Among lead-free materials, gallium nitride (GaN) has a notable piezoelectric coefficient and demonstrates the greatest potential to replace the PZT as a result of its performance in high temperature and pressure operating conditions. In this study, GaN thin film is used as a sensing material, where the sensor is made by a simple layer transferring process after the removal of silicon substrate. The output potential values of GaN with respect to gas pressure levels are 42.3, 76.8, 98.7, and 122.1 mV for 50, 100, 150, and 200 psi, respectively, well matched to simulated results. Additionally, the potentials measured at elevated temperatures produce reliable outputs at high temperatures up to 350 °C. Furthermore, the stability of sensor outputs at room temperature and elevated temperatures with various pressure levels was confirmed.

A review about radioactivity in TENORMs of produced water waste from petroleum industry and its environmental and health effects

Produced water that detached from petroleum production process is often reimbursed into the surrounding environment. This might have negative impact for environment; it is usually infiltrate agricultural soil and contaminate groundwater with toxic elements. These waters are often contaminated by technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials (TENORMs). It may create specific environmental issues and health radiological threats to the inhabitants, especially inside the petroleum facilities or the local population that live in areas and use the groundwater for the usual living purposes. The aim of this work is to provide an intensive review for the previous studies on the (TENORMs) that associating with the produced water from petroleum industry, and its environmental and health impacts in many areas around the globe. It is true that there is long term hazard associated with widespread behaviour of releasing produced water into the environments for both workers and local inhabitants as well as the environment itself. However, there is many studies suggesting that currently the situation could be considered in low hazard level in most of petroleum fields, but with increases in the extraction and use of petroleum, the discharge of produced water into the environment increases accordingly, this might be end up with negative impacts on the environment and health such as radiological contamination of aquatic and agricultural life.

Organic Structure-directing Agent-free Synthesis for *BEA-type Zeolite Membrane.

Membrane separation has drawn attention as a novel-energy saving separation process. Zeolite membranes have great potential for hydrocarbon separation in petroleum and petrochemical fields because of their high thermal, chemical, and mechanical strength. A *BEA-type zeolite is an interesting membrane material because of its large pore size and wide Si/Al range. This manuscript presents a protocol for *BEA membrane preparation by a secondary growth method that does not use an organic structure-directing agent (OSDA). The preparation protocol consists of four steps: pretreatment of support, seed preparation, dip-coating, and membrane crystallization. First, the *BEA seed crystal is prepared by conventional hydrothermal synthesis using OSDA. The synthesized seed crystal is loaded on the outer surface of a 3 cm long tubular α-Al2O3 support by a dip-coating method. The loaded seed layer is prepared with the secondary growth method using a hydrothermal treatment at 393 K for 7 days without using OSDA. A *BEA membrane having very few defects is successfully obtained. The seed preparation and dip-coating steps strongly affect the membrane quality.

Imidazoline-lauric derivative synthesis using MAOS (microwave assisted organic synthesis) method and its activity as corrosion inhibitor towards carbon steel

Imidazoline is a heterocyclic compound containing nitrogen atom, which is wellknown in industry, especially in petroleum field as a corrosion inhibitor of oil refineries in sea environment. In searching of potential organic compounds for corrosion inhibitor, imidazoline-lauric derivative had been successfully synthesized by reacting triethylenetetramine (TETA) and lauric acid (LA) with solvent free and variation of reaction time using MAOS (Microwave Assisted Organic Synthesis) method. The optimum yield of TETA-LA imidazoline was 72.6 % at 7 min reaction time in 800 watts. TETA-LA imidazoline was identified using TLC and melting point analyzer while its structure had been confirmed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), UV-Vis, Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR), and Mass Spectrometry (MS) spectral data. The highest percentage of inhibition efficiency (% IE) using Tafel polarization method was 74.5 % at 500 ppm of TETA-LA imidazoline. It can be concluded that imidazoline-lauric derivative is potent to be developed as corrosion inhibitor towards carbon steel.

CORROSION OF WELDED CARBON STEEL PIPES IN OIL PRODUCTION FIELDS IN EGYPT

In oil production fields, corrosion of welded carbon steel pipes frequently occurs in areas near welds. Corrosion in other areas may take place at a lower frequency and with a lower detrimental effect. In this paper, a field survey is conducted of eight oil petroleum fields over a period of seven years. Testing of specimens of carbon steel welded joints is carried out under simulated conditions. This study investigates the predominated corrosion damage mechanisms in welded carbon steel pipes. It examines the critical factors triggering corrosion mechanisms and the techniques for corrosion monitoring and mitigation. Flow-induced corrosion and preferential weld corrosion were found to be the most effective mechanisms compared to pitting and microbiologically induced corrosion. Detrimental factors of corrosion mechanisms include flow rates and changes in process parameters of pH, fluid resistivity, and some anion concentrations. The corrosion mitigation was achieved by increasing the dosage of injected corrosion inhibitors.

Fuzzy‐based nuclear analysis segregation model for distinguishing the properties of repository liquids and gas in gas storage

The geophysical well logging analysis is a major task of petroleum research and development, where petroleum oil (gas), transition petroleum layers, water layers, and dry-layer segments are precisely distinguished from each other. The resistivity of the particular oil and gas layers in developing countries is below or close to the water layers. As electrical properties show, the particular oil and gas layer of water layers is not legitimately recognizable. The features of oil and gas strata and their strong components are different in the investigative field from those of different petroleum fields. In this way, various techniques and thoughts ought to be utilized to comprehend the particular issues in the examination zone. A nuclear analysis–based segregation model for distinguishing the properties of repository liquids is worked by utilizing the crude pipeline and distilled unit of oil (gas) layers, transitional oil water layers, water layers, and dry layers using dynamic nonlinear fuzzy clustering model. With directly complex transformation models, reservoir fluids can be separated. The outcomes are analyzed with various model, and the proposed method shows promising outcomes.

The Utilization of Abandoned Petroleum Wells in Geothermal Energy Sector. Worldwide Trends and Experience

Since the oil crises in the 1970s, geothermal resources have received much attention and researches aimed at its recognition have been conducted all around the globe. Nevertheless, the investment cost associated mainly with drilling works is a crucial limitation for the successful implementation of new geothermal projects. The radical solution affecting the cost effectiveness of any geothermal investments might be an adaptation of existing un-exploited boreholes of the oil and gas sector for geothermal purposes. Moreover, a few studies on heat and/or energy recovery from oil and gas provinces have indicated that a tremendous amount of geothermal energy co-exists with petroleum fields. Thereby, the article centres on global concepts related to the adaptation of boreholes after the exploitation of hydrocarbon deposits or negative exploratory wells in order to exploit geothermal energy resources. Selected concepts focused on possible electricity production and the space heating sector are discussed. Other potential technologies based on utilization of geothermal energy attained by borehole heat exchangers are also indicated.

A regulator's perspective: well integrity considerations in decommissioning

With several petroleum fields in offshore Australia approaching the end of their economic life, it is widely recognised that there is an upcoming wave of well decommissioning. Decommissioning of wells (also known as ‘plug and abandonment’ or well abandonment) presents well integrity and, in some instances, well control challenges. Deferral of well abandonment is likely to make the task more difficult; wells are continually ageing and, meanwhile, the benchmark for what constitutes a compliant abandonment tends to get higher over time. It is a common objective of industry, government and society that wells are decommissioned properly so that they do not present future safety or environmental risk. Decommissioning a well safely requires that it has been maintained properly with a reliable dataset and documentation history. A clear framework for managing and monitoring well integrity in all phases of the well lifecycle is a prerequisite, as demonstrated in international standards and guidelines such as ISO 16530. Well decommissioning requires collaboration across industry partners to foster research and development, reduce risk and lower cost.

Semiconductor Sensor for Hydrogen Sulfide on the Basis of Tungsten and Copper Oxides

Hydrogen sulfide is one of the main toxic and explosive components of atmospheric air, found in the waters of mineral springs, volcanic gases, and petroleum and natural gas fields. It is used in the production of sulfur, sulfuric acid, mineral fertilizers, sulfides, organosulfur compounds, in analytical chemistry and medicine. Н2S is an active poisonous substance of neuroparalytic action. Upon inhalation of 1.0 mg/l and higher hydrogen sulfide, poisoning with it can develop almost instantly: convulsions and loss of consciousness end in quick death from respiratory and cardiac attack. The maximum permissible concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the air of production zones is 10 mg/m3. The presence of hydrogen sulfide in environmental objects is a serious danger, both from an environmental and technical point of view. Its presence causes chemical and electrochemical corrosion, is easily ignited (at 346°C), and in a mixture with air explodes. Explosive concentrations in the mixture with air are at the level of 4.3-45.5%. With regards above mentioned the control of pre-explosion and fire-hazardous concentrations of hydrogen sulfide is one of the most important tasks of safety and solving various fire-fighting measures. A method for increasing the selectivity and sensitivity of semiconductor methods for determining hydrogen sulfide is proposed, based on the use of optimal values of the sensor temperature and the composition of the gas-sensitive material of catalysts with inadequate activity to different components of the gas mixture. As a result of the conducted experiments, a selective semiconductor hydrogen sulfide sensor was developed, which provides rapid determination of hydrogen sulfide in a wide range of its concentration in atmospheric air and process gases. The main metrological characteristics and operational parameters of the developed selective semiconductor sensors for the determination of hydrogen sulfide are evaluated. Selectivity, measurement range and basic errors, additional sensor errors due to changes in ambient temperature and pressure are studied. The change in the flow rate of the gas mixture in the studied interval (5-50 l/h) does not significantly affect the value of the sensor output signal. Scope of the developed sensors: environmental monitoring of atmospheric air and process gases. The developed semiconductor hydrogen sulfide sensors are not inferior in accuracy and reproducibility to well-known foreign analogues, while retaining the following characteristics: expressiveness, portability, ease of manufacture and operation. The value of the relative standard deviation (Sr) due to immutable components does not exceed 0.05. The output signal of the sensors also does not depend on the location in space and the angles of inclination, which makes it possible to classify the developed sensors (according to GOST-13320-82) as independent.

Inversion history of the northern Tasman Ridge, Taranaki Basin, New Zealand: implications for petroleum migration and accumulation

ABSTRACT The northern Tasman Ridge in the southern Taranaki Basin is an entirely sub-surface inversion structure that hosts some of New Zealand's largest oil and gas field discoveries. Contiguous 3D volumes and 2D seismic reflection data tied to 26 exploration and production wells delineate 5250 km2 of the northern Tasman Ridge enclosing the Maui, Maari and Manaia petroleum fields. Isopachs and structural restoration of Late Cretaceous to Pleistocene time equivalent horizons constrain the development of positive and subsequent negative inversion, extension and regional tilting. Positive inversion occurred synchronously along the northern Tasman Ridge 8–6 Myr ago with the magnitude of inversion decreasing northwards. Inversion anticlines across the Maui high were open to the northeast until the mid-Pliocene when negative inversion and extension were initiated along the Cape Egmont Fault. Pliocene – Holocene extension along the Cape Egmont Fault has tilted the Manaia and Maari inversion anticlines down to the north along with accentuating structural closure across the Maui high. In a fill to spill scenario, this north-down tilting resulted in spill points of the Maari structure changing from southwest into the Manaia structure to southeast towards the greater Tasman Ridge c. 2 Myr ago.

Material deceptions and the qualities of time

Material deceptions and the qualities of time

Use of rice straw-based biochar for batch sorption of barium/strontium from saline water: Protection against scale formation in petroleum/desalination industries

The formation of hard mineral scale deposits (e.g., celestite (SrSO4) and barite (BaSO4)) is the most common problem that hinders sustainable operations of water-flooded oilfield and desalination systems (i.e., membrane fouling) when using poor quality water contaminated with barium (Ba(II)) and strontium (Sr(II)) ions. In this work, nanoscale biochar (∼53–712 nm) was synthesized from waste rice straw (cost = 380 to 560 ± 27 US$/Ton; n = 9) and applied as a protective approach against the formation of mineral scale deposits via adsorptive removal of Ba(II)/Sr(II) contaminants from 30,000 ppm saline wastewater. Adsorption of Ba(II)/Sr(II) ions onto biochar was investigated and optimized as a function of biochar amount, water pH, contact time, temperature, and Sr(II)/Ba(II) ratio using response surface methodology. Based on kinetic and isotherm analyses, the biochar exhibited enhanced potential to capture Sr(II)/Ba(II) ions via weak ion-exchange or pore-filling mechanisms (sorption energy (E)≈ 0.61–0.89 kJ/mol). A comparison of partition coefficient (PC) values verified that sorption of Sr(II) onto biochar is far superior to that of Ba(II) (PCs of 10.1 and 2.5 μmol g−1 μM−1, respectively). Sorption selectivity was mainly dependent on solution pH and the metallic properties of Ba(II)/Sr(II)(e.g., metal size, speciation, and mobility). Quantitative analysis of treated saline water using electrical conductivity and ion chromatography confirmed the ability of biochar sorbent to remove Ba(II) and Sr(II) ions (97.5%) with pre-desalination (e.g., total salts reduction of 25.7% after 48 h). It is thus recommended to utilize the prepared biochar as a promising pre-desalinating adsorptive medium to inhibit mineral scale formation before oilfield water flooding in the petroleum field and membrane desalination systems.

FieldOpt: A powerful and effective programming framework tailored for field development optimization

Petroleum field development involves critical decisions such as well location, well completion design and optimal control setting that have a significant impact on revenues and costs. These decisions are associated with a large degree of engineering effort that commonly involves time-consuming reservoir simulations to compute the performance of different field development scenarios. Increasingly within the petroleum industry, software tools and optimization methodology are developed and implemented to support and augment the various decision-making processes. The overall aim of these tools is to increase productivity and improve decision quality. Within this context, this work introduces an open-source, extensible, tailor-made programming framework: FieldOpt. FieldOpt’s primary purpose is rapid prototyping and testing of optimization procedures to solve critical field development problems. The framework is implemented in C++ and provides an efficient integration of mathematical optimization procedures with reservoir simulation.FieldOpt’s modular architecture and use of object-oriented programming allow the users to adapt and extend the code with ease. The architecture has proven successful in facilitating new optimization algorithms, new use cases, and new methodology for optimization with minimal effort and change to internal data structures and data flow.Three use cases are presented to demonstrate the optimization capabilities of FieldOpt as well as the flexibility and ease-of-use of the software regarding configuring various optimization procedures to solve a range of field development problems. The three use cases presented optimize on well control, well completion design and well placement parameters, respectively. For each case, both the configuration of the algorithms and problems within FieldOpt as well as the final solution and performance of the different optimization procedures are discussed. In all three cases, FieldOpt was able to find significant improvements or crucial information to decision making.