Oil Transportation Research Articles

Research on non‐contact infrared imaging technique for multilayer storage identification of oil tanks based on an improved edge‐detection algorithm

AbstractDetection of internal storage objects in tanks is crucial for production in the petrochemical industry and chemical raw material storage. Compared to traditional methods, infrared detection provides benefits like non‐contact operation, safety, and efficiency. In image processing, utilizing edge detection to obtain edge information is an advanced approach. By analyzing the thermal texture in infrared tank images and extracting boundaries between different regions, it is possible to predict the volume of internal storage. To address the issues of noise, lack of clarity, and discontinuity in existing image edge detection methods, a novel edge detection algorithm called wavelet transform and mathematical morphological fusion to improve edge detection (WMF‐IED) is proposed. Compared to the Roberts, Prewitt, Sobel, and Laplacian of Gaussian (LOG) methods, the WMF‐IED algorithm offers several advantages. It not only provides clear and continuous edges but also exhibits minimal mean squared error (MSE). Additionally, it achieves maximum signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR). These factors show the proposed algorithm's superior performance. Moreover, an experimental platform for storage tanks was designed and constructed to analyze the detection of internal storage contents using the proposed WMF‐IED algorithm. The results demonstrate that the WMF‐IED algorithm has strong universality and can detect the edges of various internal storage. The volume prediction errors using the WMF‐IED algorithm are less than 4% and 6% for liquid level detection and sludge detection, respectively. Based on the analysis and experimental results, a recommended sampling value is proposed, which can be selected to obtain the minimum error.

Research on the mechanism of multiphase pump pressurization failure process under stratified boundary conditions

The helical-axial multiphase pump, as a crucial power device in oil and gas extraction and transportation, has been extensively and profoundly researched. However, the effects of unconventional boundary behaviors on pump performance and internal flow mechanisms remain insufficiently understood, creating significant obstacles to the optimization design of the helical-axial multiphase pump. This study first confirms the existence of stratified inflow through visualization experiments, and then employs numerical simulations with stratified flow as the boundary condition for analyzing the helical-axial multiphase pump. The results indicate that stratified inflow has a markedly adverse impact on both pump head and efficiency; notably, at a gas volume fraction of 30%, the pump head decreases from 7.29 m to 1.67 m. The underlying mechanisms can be elucidated through changes in pressure distribution and velocity along the impeller streamlines. Stratified inflow causes the pressure curve to transition from a parabolic shape to an approximately linear configuration, leading to the presence of a cis-pressure gradient at the leading edge of the impeller, which results in unnecessary energy losses. Based on the impeller channel velocity distribution, it captures the presence of undesirable channel phenomena such as fluid roll-up and reflow in the low velocity region of the impeller. This research provides a detailed discussion of the overall impact of stratified inflow boundary behavior on pump performance, and the findings offer essential data for understanding failure mechanisms and optimizing the design of helical-axial multiphase pumps.

DEFINITION OF CERTAIN INDICATORS FOR CHOOSING A METHOD OF CORROSION PROTECTION FOR UNDERGROUND PIPELINES

Pipeline transportation of natural gas, oil, and petroleum products has become widely used both internationally and within Azerbaijan, as it is the most efficient and safe method of transportation. The durability and accident-free operation of pipelines directly depend on the effectiveness of their anti-corrosion protection. Therefore, the modernization of protection technologies is of critical importance. This study examines the main methods of pipeline anti-corrosion protection, considering the advantages and disadvantages of each. Calculations are provided for the pipeline wall thickness, anti-corrosion protection, and certain parameters of cathodic protection necessary to determine the most effective method for specific operating conditions. Keywords: corrosion, pipeline, sacrificial anode, passive protection, active protection.

The high-resolution global shipping emission inventory by the Shipping Emission Inventory Model (SEIM)

Abstract. The high-resolution ship emission inventory serves as a crucial dataset for various disciplines including atmospheric science, marine science, and environmental management. Here, we present a global high-spatiotemporal-resolution ship emission inventory at a resolution of 0.1° × 0.1° for the years 2013 and 2016–2021, generated by the state-of-the-art Shipping Emission Inventory Model (SEIMv2.2). Initially, the annual 30 billion Automatic Identification System (AIS) data underwent extensive cleaning to ensure data validity and accuracy in temporal and spatial distribution. Subsequently, integrating real-time vessel positions and speeds from AIS data with static technical parameters, emission factors, and other computational parameters, SEIM simulated ship emissions on a ship-by-ship, signal-by-signal basis. Finally, the results were aggregated and analyzed. In 2021, the ship activity dataset established based on AIS data covered 109 300 vessels globally (101 400 vessels reported by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development). Concerning the major air pollutants and greenhouse gases, global ships emitted 847.2×106 t of CO2, 2.3×106 t of SO2, 16.1×106 t of NOx, 791.2 kt of CO, 737.3 kt of HC (hydrocarbon), 415.5 kt of primary PM2.5, 61.6 kt of BC (black carbon), 210.3 kt of CH4, and 45.1 kt of N2O in 2021, accounting for 3.2 % of SO2, 14.2 % of NOx, and 2.3 % of CO2 emissions from all global anthropogenic sources, based on the Community Emissions Data System (CEDS). Due to the implementation of fuel-switching policies, global ship emissions of SO2 and primary PM2.5 saw a significant reduction of 81.3 % and 76.5 % in 2021 compared to 2019, respectively. According to the inventory results, the composition of vessel types contributing to global ship emissions remained relatively stable through the years, with container ships consistently contributing ∼ 30 % of global ship emissions. Regarding vessel age distribution, the emission contribution of vessels built before 2000 (without Tier standards) has been declining, dropping to 10.2 % in 2021, suggesting that even a complete phase-out of these vessels would have limited potential for reducing NOx emissions in the short term. On the other hand, the emission contribution of vessels built after 2016 (meeting Tier III standard) kept increasing, reaching 13.3 % in 2021. Temporally, global ship emissions exhibited minimal daily fluctuations. Spatially, high-resolution emission characteristics of different vessel types were delineated. Patterns of ship emission contributions by different types of vessels vary among maritime regions, with container ships predominant in the North and South Pacific, bulk carriers predominant in the South Atlantic, and oil tankers prevalent in the Arabian Sea. The distribution characteristics of ship emissions and intensity also vary significantly across different maritime regions. Our dataset, which is accessible at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10869014 (Wen et al., 2024), provides a daily breakdown by vessel type and age; it is available for broad research purposes, and it will provide a solid data foundation for fine-scale scientific research and shipping emission mitigation.

Possible Actions by Coastal States to Protect Their Marine Environment from Oil Tankers in the Dark Fleet

Abstract An unintended consequence of the sanctions on the Russian Federation, Iran, and Venezuela is the creation of a ‘dark fleet’ of oil tankers that do not comply with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations on the safety of navigation and protection of the marine environment. These tankers are environmental disasters waiting to happen and present a serious threat to the marine environment of coastal States. In this article, we examine these issues and explore the options that coastal States can take under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOSC) to protect their marine and coastal environment from the tankers in the dark fleet.

Quantifying the Impact of Crude Oil Spills on the Mangrove Ecosystem in the Niger Delta Using AI and Earth Observation

The extraction, processing and transport of crude oil in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria has long been associated with collateral environmental damage to the largest mangrove ecosystem in Africa. Oil pollution is impacting not only one of the planet’s most ecologically diverse regions but also the health, livelihoods, and social cohesion of the Delta region inhabitants. Quantifying and directly associating localised oil pollution events to specific petrochemical infrastructure is complicated by the difficulty of monitoring such vast and complex terrain, with documented concerns regarding the thoroughness and impartiality of reported oil pollution events. Earth Observation (EO) offers a means to deliver such a monitoring and assessment capability using Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) measurements as a proxy for mangrove biomass health. However, the utility of EO can be impacted by persistent cloud cover in such regions. To overcome such challenges here, we present a workflow that leverages EO-derived high-resolution (10 m) synthetic aperture radar data from the Sentinel-1 satellite constellation combined with machine learning to conduct observations of the spatial land cover changes associated with oil pollution-induced mangrove mortality proximal to pipeline networks in a 9000 km2 region of Rivers State located near Port Harcourt. Our analysis identified significant deforestation from 2016–2024, with an estimated mangrove mortality rate of 5644 hectares/year. Using our empirically derived Pipeline Impact Indicator (PII), we mapped the oil pipeline network to 1 km resolution, highlighting specific pipeline locations in need of immediate intervention and restoration, and identified several new pipeline sites showing evidence of significant oil spill damage that have yet to be formally reported. Our findings emphasise the critical need for the continuous and comprehensive monitoring of oil extractive regions using satellite remote sensing to support decision-making and policies to mitigate environmental and societal damage from pipeline oil spills, particularly in ecologically vulnerable regions such as the Niger Delta.

A probabilistic approach to domino post-earthquake fires in fuel storage facilities

A probabilistic framework includes investigating the post-earthquake vulnerabilities of atmospheric storage tanks for hydrocarbons and identification of hazards leading to fuel leakage is presented. The occurrence probabilities of all basic events are calculated using fuzzy logic and the Bayesian network. Quantitative outputs are obtained and the domino effect of the highest risk consequence is investigated. The risk of domino PEF in an under-construction oil terminal with 20 crude tanks is evaluated. It is shown that a PEF in a tank located at a distance of 136.9 m from the personnel rest house is the highest-risk scenario. Also, pool fire is recognized as the highest-risk consequence due to the probability of immediate ignition with a value of 0.0137 compared to the probability of delayed ignition with a value of 0.00023. It is shown that after 500 seconds following the first fire, two adjacent tanks are also involved in the fire representing a domino effect. In this paper, the earthquake is considered as the initiator of the domino event, and therefore the occurrence of the earthquake is considered as a definite assumption with a probability of 1.

Diffusion Characteristics of Dissolved Gases in Oil Under Different Oil Flow Circulations

The prediction of dissolved gas concentrations in oil can provide crucial data for the assessment of power transformer conditions and early fault diagnosis. Current simulations mainly focus on the generation and accumulation of characteristic gases, lacking a global perspective on gas diffusion and dissolution. This study simulates the characteristic gases produced by typical faults at different flow rates. Using ANSYS 2022 R1 simulation software, a gas–liquid two-phase model is established to simulate the flow and diffusion of characteristic gases under fault conditions. Additionally, a fault-simulation gas production test platform was built based on a ±400 kV actual converter transformer. The experimental data show good consistency with the simulation trends. The results indicate that the diffusion of dissolved gases in oil is significantly affected by the oil flow velocity. At higher flow rates, the characteristic gases primarily move within the oil tank along with the oil circulation, leading to a faster rate of gas dissolution in oil and a shorter time to reach equilibrium within the tank. At lower flow rates, the diffusion of characteristic gases depends not only on oil flow circulation but also on self-diffusion driven by concentration gradients, resulting in a nonlinear change in gas concentration across various monitoring points.

Satellite Observations Reveal Declining Diatom Concentrations in the Three Gorges Reservoir: The Impacts of Dam Construction and Local Climate

An effective satellite observation system is developed to retrieve the diatom concentration in freshwater ecosystems that could be utilized for understanding aquatic biogeochemical cycles. Although the singular value decomposition-based retrieval model can reflect the complicated diatom dynamics, the spatial distribution and temporal trend in diatom concentration on a large scale, as well as its driving mechanism, remain prevalently elusive. Based on the Google Earth Engine platform, this study uses Sentinel-2 MultiSpectral Instrument imagery to track the comprehensive diatom dynamics in a large reservoir, i.e., the Three Gorges Reservoir, in China during the years 2019–2023. The results indicate that a synchronous diatom distribution is found between the upstream and downstream artificial lakes along the primary tributary in the Three Gorges Reservoir, and the causal relationships between the declining diatom trend and hydrological/meteorological drivers on the monthly and yearly scales are highlighted. Moreover, the Sentinel-derived diatom concentration can be used to ascertain whether the dominant algae are harmful during bloom periods and aid in distinguishing algal blooms from ship oil spills. This study is a significant step forward in tracking the diatom dynamics in a large-scale freshwater ecosystem involving complex coupling drivers.

Examining the influence of port ship activities on pollutant emissions in port environments.

There is a direct and close relationship between ship emissions in port waters and the operational status of the ships. Precisely identifying the operational status of ships in port waters and thoroughly exploring the specific relationship between these activities and ship emissions is crucial for achieving accurate control and scientific reduction of emissions from ships in port areas. With advancements in technology, AIS data can accurately capture the operational status of ships, facilitating a macro-level analysis of ship behavior and emission characteristics. This study proposes a method for extracting ship activity states using AIS data and conducts a detailed examination of ship activities at various container terminals and berths within Shanghai Port. Additionally, it analyzes the correlation between ship activities and their emissions. The research findings indicate that container ships are the most prevalent ships at Shanghai Port, followed by bulk carriers, general cargo ships, and tankers. Notably, bulk carriers and tankers exhibit the longest berthing times, with tankers showing the most significant fluctuations. Mingdong Terminal is identified as the most active, featuring the longest anchorage and berthing time, whereas Jungonglu and Zhanghuabang Terminals have the shortest. The calculation of pollutant emissions reveals that container ships and oil tankers are the primary contributors, particularly for CO2 and NOx emissions. Mingdong Terminal recorded the highest total CO2 emissions, followed by Guandong and Shengdong Terminals. These findings emphasize the importance of berth service efficiency, suggesting that increased emissions are associated with heightened ship activity. CO2 emissions from container ships increase linearly with the number of berthed ships and show a cubic nonlinear relationship with berthing time. The analysis highlights terminals such as Guandong, Zhendong, Shengdong, and Yangshan Phase IV as critical areas for emission reduction strategies. This study not only enhances our understanding of the dynamics of ship emissions in port waters but also provides a theoretical foundation for implementing effective emission control and reduction strategies. Through this detailed research approach, it is possible to more accurately identify emission sources and optimize port operations, thereby offering strong data support and scientific guidance for environmental management and policy-making in port waters.

Comparative Study of Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors in Various Electrochemical Setups

Volatile corrosion inhibitors (VCIs) are increasingly used in closed systems affected by atmospheric corrosion. In order to achieve a satisfactory level of protection, an inhibitor must be present in a sufficient concentration that should be determined experimentally. Electrochemical measurements are indispensable in corrosion studies examining the protection efficiency of corrosion inhibitors. Volatile corrosion inhibitors are often examined by electrochemical measurements conducted in a bulk of electrolyte, although they protect metal surfaces from atmospheric corrosion where a thin film of electrolyte is present. The aim of this work is to study the protection of carbon steel by two VCIs on different types of electrodes that allow electrochemical tests in a thin electrolyte film and to compare the obtained results with those obtained in a larger volume in a classical electrochemical cell. For this purpose, disc and comb-like electrodes are used. The investigations are carried out in two corrosion media simulating either a marine or urban polluted atmosphere. Studies are performed on low-carbon S235JR steel, which is typically used for crude oil tank bottoms that often suffer from atmospheric corrosion and are increasingly protected by VCIs. Two benzoate-based VCIs recommended for such application are selected for this study.

An intelligent nanofiber membrane with dual-asymmetric wettability enabling Spontaneous directional water and oil transportation in opposite direction

An intelligent nanofiber membrane with dual-asymmetric wettability enabling Spontaneous directional water and oil transportation in opposite direction

Transportation and production collaborative scheduling optimization with multi-layer coding genetic algorithm for non-pipelined wells.

The marginal wells in low-permeability oil fields are characterized by small storage size, scattered distribution, intermittent production, etc. The construction of large-scale gathering pipelines has large investment. So the current production mode is featured by single well tank oil storage, oil tank truck transportation and manual tank truck scheduling. At present, oil well production and crude oil transportation scheduling mainly rely on manual formulation, which has poor coordination and seriously restricts the release of oil well production capacity and the reduction of transportation cost. A mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model representation was proposed in our previous work. The scale of the built model variables is huge, and the model solution time is long. In this paper, a genetic algorithm based on multi-layer coding is proposed. The first layer of the design code is the driving path of the oil tanker, and the second layer is the crude oil loading and unloading amount and the cumulative time. The algorithm expands the search domain by flipping, exchanging and shifting the code. In the case analysis part, the exact algorithm and the genetic algorithm designed in this paper are used to solve cases of different scales (5, 10, 30 and 200 oil wells) respectively, and the correctness and effectiveness of the algorithm are verified. The results show that, compared with the exact algorithm, the genetic algorithm designed in this paper can quickly solve a feasible scheduling scheme under different oil well scales, especially in the case of large-scale (200 wells) oil well groups. The optimal one-time result in the calculation example (200 wells) takes 1062.3s to run, and the total driving distance of all tank trucks in the obtained feasible scheme is 11280km. This study can guide oilfields to quickly formulate dispatching plans and minimize travel distances in non-pipeline well tanker dispatching.

Design of tuned mass damper for the electric reactor based on finite element method

AbstractThe reliable operation of the electric reactor is critical for ensuring energy transmission in the power system. Vibration is an important influencing factor. This study focused on the vibration response characteristics of the electric reactor during the operation process. The vibration at the measuring points on four side surfaces and the top of the oil tank is measured and analysed by applying the rated voltage at the rated frequency on the reactor. The frequency corresponding to the maximum vibration amplitude at the measuring point between the reinforced iron on the side surface of the reactor is determined. The tuned mass damper (TMD) is designed and the material is prepared. The specific frequency tuning mechanism is designed to suppress the reactor's vibration. The damper's optimal structural size is determined based on finite element method according to modal analysis results. According to the simulation results, the designed TMD can provide an inertia force at the target frequency for the controlled structure along the opposite direction, significantly reducing the electric reactor's vibration amplitude and effectively suppressing the vibration at a single frequency. In addition, static analysis and model strength checks are also conducted to ensure the damper's stability and safety in actual applications.

Digital traceability system for road crude oil transport: the Tunisian case

Digital traceability system for road crude oil transport: the Tunisian case

Improving paraffin precipitate inhibition using glycine and Palm-based Methyl Ester Sulfonate (MES) eco-friendly inhibitors.

Oil fields located in cold environments and deep-sea locations often face challenges with paraffin wax buildup in pipelines during long-distance crude oil transportation. Various strategies have been employed to address this issue, with chemical methods being the most effective and economical. However, traditional chemical inhibitors present problems due to their high toxicity and low biodegradability, leading to increased operational costs and environmental concerns. This study focuses on developing an eco-friendly paraffin inhibitor system using three different concentrations of Glycine and Palm-based Methyl Ester Sulfonate (MES). Experiments were conducted on crude oil samples from the Dulang Oilfield. The experimental measurements include wax appearance temperature (WAT), pour point temperature (PPT), and rheological tests in the absence and presence of the proposed inhibitors. The results revealed that both Glycine and MES can effectively reduce WAT, viscosity, and yield point. Specifically, 10% Glycine was the best inhibitor, reducing WAT by 23.3%. However, MES (1%, 5%, and 10%) demonstrated greater overall effectiveness, with an average WAT reduction of 13.76% compared to Glycine's 10.85%. MES also shows a better performance in reducing viscosity and yield stress. While PPT results were insignificant, MES is recommended as a flow improver rather than a pour point depressant. The successful development of these newly formulated chemical inhibitors promises an environmentally sustainable and economically efficient approach to maximizing oil production from mature fields while mitigating paraffin precipitation.

Construction of foundations for reservoirs in the Caspian sea

The development of oil and gas fields located in the shelf zones of seas and oceans is associated with the creation of a special infrastructure. This required the development and construction of special hydraulic structures, facilities and the development of technological processes that meet the conditions for organizing work on drilling, production and transportation of oil and gas from offshore fields. Ensuring the normal operation of offshore wells is associated with the development of the field, which requires the laying of underwater product pipelines, the construction of tank farms, installations for oil preparation and loading it into tankers, gas compressor and pumping stations, special installations for water purification and pumping it into the reservoir, etc. The intermediate section is made in the form of separate vertical piles, connected at the top by beams with reinforced concrete flooring laid on them. Large section bored piles are widely used in the various kinds of buildings. In the present article the manufacturing technique and principles for determining the bearing capacity of large section bored piles with a “hard core” were considered. Technological parameters of large section bored piles with a “hard core” are given in manufacturing in urban area hear existing buildings, and structures and also in the construction of offshore structures. The data on determination of bearing capacity of single bored piles with a “hard core” are discussed. It was established that these piles bear much larger horizontal and vertical loads, and are the most cost effective than precast and bored piles. Keywords: Bored piles, “hard core”, soil resistance, casing pipe inventory, hanging pile grillage.

Time–frequency characteristics and influencing factors of the pressure wave caused by power–frequency arc inside a closed oil tank

AbstractThe arc faults inside oil‐immersed power equipment can produce high‐amplitude pressure waves inside tanks, which might cause ignition and explosion accidents. This kind of failure is one of the most severe faults for power equipment and has attracted considerable attention in recent years. However, due to the high risk of the experiments and the complex development of arc in oil, the characteristics of the pressure wave formed by the arc are still confusing. In this paper, the time–frequency characteristics of pressure waves are analysed using several experiments of 1–8 kA power–frequency arc inside a closed oil tank. The experimental results show that the pressure wave produced by the arc in oil contains three frequency bands, 0–500 Hz, 500 Hz–40 kHz, and above 40 kHz, which are related to the arc energy, the average current around arc ignition and the metal wire explosion respectively. This helps further understand the formation mechanism of the pressure wave caused by the arc in oil. This paper discusses the influences of ignition wire on arc‐formed pressure waves. A wire diameter selection method for arc experiments is established to reduce the pressure differences between wire‐ignited arcs and actual arc faults.

Paraffin treatment of crude oil produced from the Central of Rong and Nam Rong - Doi Moi fields during transportation through uninsulated subsea pipelines

Due to being developed in the early stages, several major oil subsea pipelines in Vietsovpetro Joint Venture are not equipped with insulation systems, causing significant difficulties in transporting high-paraffin crude oil. Specifically, the lack of insulation leads to intensive heat loss through pipeline walls, resulting in paraffin deposition on the pipe surface. Additionally, the temperature drop significantly increases oil viscosity, leading to high pressure losses during transportation.This article analyses the difficulties in crude oil transportation through the uninsulated RP-1 → FSO-3 pipeline, the major route from Central of Rong, Nam Rong - Doi Moi fields to FSO-3 and presents the technical solutions that Vietsovpetro has researched and implemented to successfully resolve these problems.

Heat treatment impact on structural-rheological properties of high-parafin oil

Relevance. The pipeline transportation of heavy oils from the extraction site to the processing point is associated with serious problems due to their high viscosity and pour point. Oil deposits form quickly during pumping and causing flow reduction in pipe. Moreover, the increased content of hydrogen sulfide and chloride salts leads to increased rate of corrosion. Structural and mechanical properties and the yield point of highly pourable paraffinic oils depend on a variety of factors, like oil thermostatting temperature. Studying the impact of the heat treatment temperature of highly paraffinic resinous oil on its mobility will allow reducing energy consumption and optimizing the technology of oil pumping and transporting in winter conditions. Aim. To identify the critical temperature ranges for heat treatment of highly paraffinic resinous oil from the Yuzhno-Mayskoe field based on the analysis of data on structural and rheological behaviors, composition of oil sediments and changes in the radii of oil aggregates formed in the studied oil under various heat treatment conditions. Methods. Oil rheological properties were determined using a HAAKE Viscotester iQ rotational viscometer with HAAKE RheoWin measuring device and control system; oil pour point was analyzed using “Kristall” low-temperature indicator of petroleum products meter; asphaltenes were isolated using the “cold” Golde method; oil composition was determined by column liquid adsorption chromatography; oil particle size was recorded by a Photocor Complex spectrometer for dynamic and static light scattering with DynaLS data processing program. Results. The authors have studied heat treatment temperature impact on the viscosity-temperature and energy characteristics of highly paraffinic tarry oil, formation and composition of asphalt, resin and paraffin deposits. They established that the critical temperature of heat treatment is 40°C. At this temperature the densest crystallization structure is formed in the studied oil, characterized by high values of both viscosity, intensive formation of sediment, activation energy of viscous flow and internal energy of destruction of the dispersed structure. It was shown that with photon correlation spectroscopy, during oil heat treatment at 40°C, a spontaneous size increase of oil aggregates occurs in the temperature range of 35–25°C.