Upstream Petroleum Industry Research Articles

A CO2-Modified Surfactant for Chemical Flooding

Summary Carbon dioxide (CO2) modification of a nonionic surfactant alkyl polyglycoside (C-APG) was conducted based on a commercial APG product under mild synthesis conditions, including a low temperature (50°C) and a low pressure (2.5 bar). Using this method, CO2 was incorporated into APG molecules through the formation of carbonyl structures. The effectiveness and performance of C-APG as a novel surfactant for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) application in carbonate reservoirs were investigated and compared with its precursor—the unmodified APG. The key factors in the chemical structure of C-APG were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to confirm successful CO2 modification. The properties, including compatibility, surface tension, wettability alteration, interfacial tension (IFT), phase behavior, and static and dynamic adsorption of both APG and C-APG, were evaluated by various techniques and methods. Crude oil displacement efficiency of the surfactants was investigated via spontaneous imbibition, visualized micromodel, and coreflooding tests, respectively. Both surfactants were compatible with a high-salinity water (HSW), they exhibited a similar critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 8.5 mg/L and 13.5 mg/L for APG and C-APG, respectively, and had the same contact angle of around 135°. Interestingly, C-APG was found more effective in reducing IFT between oil and water phases. The IFT of oil in the C-APG solution was 0.058 ±0.001 mN/m, one order of magnitude lower than the value of 0.47 ±0.02 mN/m obtained from the solution of original APG, suggesting a better performance of C-APG in chemical flooding for oil displacement. A Winsor Type I microemulsion was formed by APG within the salinity range, while a transition of Type I to Type II microemulsion was observed for C-APG. The static adsorption of APG and C-APG at 2 g/L in carbonate were 0.93 mg/g rock and 1.08 mg/g rock, and the adsorption decreased to 0.11 mg/g rock and 0.13 mg/g rock under dynamic conditions for APG and C-APG, respectively. The spontaneous imbibition test demonstrated a higher oil imbibition recovery of 18.0% from C-APG solution compared to the result of 10.2% obtained from APG solution. A micromodel test showed that more crude oil was displaced by injection of APG or C-APG solution after waterflooding, while C-APG injection exhibited a stronger emulsification. The oil displacement by coreflood test showed that C-APG injection led to a lower differential pressure and a higher cumulative oil production (48%) compared to APG chemical flooding with a cumulative oil production of 41%. The produced fluids containing displaced crude oil from C-APG flooding, and subsequent waterflooding demonstrated very strong emulsification compared to the fluids produced after APG injection. This study demonstrates the significant potential of C-APG in two aspects—CO2 reduction and chemical EOR for the upstream petroleum industry.

Petroleum Industries and Its Impact of Petroleum Extraction on the Environment

The petroleum sector has prioritized reducing the environmental effect of its activities in response to the growing environmental conservation movement. Personnel in the sector need to be properly educated and trained in order to safeguard the environment. The environmental effects of petroleum operations and strategies to reduce them are the subject of a wealth of valuable information. However, this information is dispersed throughout thousands of books, reports, and papers, making it challenging for industry personnel to find specific details on mitigating the environmental effects of specific operations. The breadth and complexity of environmental concerns confronting the petroleum sector can be daunting for many engineers. While a large number of outstanding papers have been given on particular environmental topics, there is still a need for overview papers that set the stage for those more in-depth investigations. This review article examines the main upstream petroleum industry waste sources, the effects those wastes have on the environment, waste management, treatment, and disposal strategies, and contaminated site cleaning techniques.

A bibliometric analysis of the application of machine learning methods in the petroleum industry

With the emerge of Artificial Intelligence and Machin learning systems, the petroleum industry has witnessed a significant progress in its different disciplines to optimize decision making, time and costs. Despite the widespread application of using machine learning methods in the petroleum industry, a little attention has been devoted to build a framework to bring the main currents and researches on the topic. The current research is aimed at covering this gap through further analysis of complementary sources of bibliographic information, assessing 3163 bibliometric studies published in Web of Science (WOS) database. The descriptive statistics show that this field has an exponential growth in the last five years, such that more than 62 % of identified articles were published between 2018 and 2022. CHINA, IRAN and US are the pioneer countries with the highest number of publications on the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the upstream sector of the petroleum industry. The most influential journal in this field is ‘JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING’ (with 416 articles) (the current journal title is Geoenergy Science and Engineering) and the most productive author is SALAHELDIN ELKATATNY (with 54 articles) in WOS database. Also, the co-occurrence word analysis show that most of the artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in the upstream sector of the petroleum industry was the prediction and optimization in the field of ‘porosity’, ‘well logs’ and ‘permeability’. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by providing a comprehensive overview of the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the upstream petroleum industry.

Sustainable Decommissioning in Ghana: Historical Developments, Current Practice and Challenges

When Ghana enacted its first piece of legislation dealing specifically with petroleum operations in the upstream industry in 1984 - the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, 1984 (PNDCL 84) - there was only one provision in the Act which dealt directly with decommissioning. This paper takes an introspective look at developments over time in putting in place an effective and sustainable decommissioning framework for Ghana’s upstream petroleum industry. It analyses the gaps therein and traces attempts over time such as a review by the Commonwealth Secretariat of existing statute, and proposals for a decommissioning scheme, to close them. It analyses measures by the government and encapsulated in statute to fill those gaps and ensure an efficient and sustainable framework. It analyses these developments through to the present when the Saltpond Field is to be decommissioned - Ghana’s first decommissioning exercise. Analysing the practical challenges in decommissioning the Field, impacts and risks, and that of Ghana’s upstream industry in general, the paper concludes that Ghana has through myriad measures strived to ensure that its framework is sustainable and situations such as the current one for instance where it is the government - and not the contractor - paying for decommissioning is averted.

An Exploration of Critical Success Factors for Lean Project Management in the Upstream Petroleum Industry in Ghana

Lean project management is quickly gaining acceptance in a variety of industries. The problem is despite the discovery of oil and subsequent exploration, Ghana has always been a net importer of crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas. Given that lean management implementation inures to better performance and cost efficiencies, this study sought to ascertain the state of lean project management implementation in the upstream petroleum industry using Ghana as a case of an emerging economy context.Employing a Delphi style methodology by seeking experts’ opinions in the upstream sector of Ghana’s petroleum industry, the study found that even though lean project management implemented to an extent within the sector, its implementation is fraught with challenges such as low leadership to drive the lean process, management, and planning for the entire process. Experts in the field gave opinions as to the key considerations for successful implementation of lean project management in the upstream sector and the study recommended that lean project management should be emphasized more in the petroleum sector for higher performance that may inure to the country being a net exporter instead of a net importer of crude products.The study recommends strong leadership teams for the upstream sector to lead lean implementation with adequate training on lean project management provided to all staff for increased commitment and effective implementation that engenders a lean culture in the sector.

Exploring Failure Orientation : Its Mediating Role in Multidisciplinary Teams of the Petroleum Industry

Several factors that affect team effectiveness are listed in the literature on teams. This paper identified a new construct, failure orientation, which measured the collective capacity of a team to cope, learn, and develop from team failures. Qualitative research identified some interesting features of the failure orientation concept and its mediating role in teams input-mediator-output-input (I-M-O-I) model. The context was set in the Indian upstream petroleum industry, where failures are quite normal in oil-field operations. Learnings from such failures helped teams move forward to success in finding and producing crude oil and natural gas. The research methodology of conducting in-depth interviews of senior team leads and team members in two Indian public sector petroleum exploration companies was 80% of the industry activity. The findings enabled the development of a conceptual framework of failure orientation, which is a vital determinant of team effectiveness. The paper identified three categories (factors) of failure orientation for operationalizing this new construct: failure orientation in such multidisciplinary teams, that is, escapism, blame game, and collective analysis. The paper also positioned these as mediators in the I-M-O-I model of teams. Operationalization of the new construct would help practicing managers deal with teams encountering failures, which are frequent in this economically-vital petroleum industry. Further research with factor analysis could enrich the team literature significantly.

How upstream petroleum industry affects economic growth and development in petroleum producing-countries: Evidence from Ghana

Upstream petroleum externality determinations may provide policymakers with appropriate natural resource management options and significantly contribute to sustainable development in petroleum-producing countries. This study investigates the above topic with novelty in contributing new knowledge and updating the existing literature gap in the upstream petroleum industry, using qualitative and quantitative techniques. The authors innovatively designed a microeconomic model together with expert judgement technique after obtaining and coding the primary data to investigate the externalities prevalent in petroleum-producing communities in Ghana. The analysis shows that the upstream petroleum industry negatively impacts fishers' and fishmongers' livelihoods. Also, farmers' crop yields are damaged, and some have not received any compensation from the petroleum companies. The results further showcase that oil and natural gas operations have adversely impacted the coastal dweller's economic, social and environment, particularly through damaging public and sacred lands and marine ecosystem. Nevertheless, the industry also contributes positively to the socio-economic benefits regarding social amenities, infrastructure and development. Presently, the social benefits provided by the upstream petroleum companies as a source of corporate social responsibilities fall below the host communities' prior expectations toward development. The implication is that petroleum hosting communities usually have conditional expectations on community development in accepting petroleum production companies. In conclusion, the finding suggests that the current exposure to negative externalities in the host communities are greater than the overall positive externalities. This analysis provides relevant firsthand information for future upstream exploration & development in Ghana. Consequently, the authors have offered intuitive policy recommendations in this paper.

Biological effects of inhaled crude oil vapor. II. Pulmonary effects

Workers involved in oil exploration and production in the upstream petroleum industry are exposed to crude oil vapor (COV). COV levels in the proximity of workers during production tank gauging and opening of thief hatches can exceed regulatory standards, and several deaths have occurred after opening thief hatches. There is a paucity of information regarding the effects of COV inhalation in the lung. To address these knowledge gaps, the present hazard identification study was undertaken to investigate the effects of an acute, single inhalation exposure (6 h) or a 28 d sub-chronic exposure (6 h/d × 4 d/wk × 4 wks) to COV (300 ppm; Macondo well surrogate oil) on ventilatory and non-ventilatory functions of the lung in a rat model 1 and 28 d after acute exposure, and 1, 28 and 90 d following sub-chronic exposure. Basal airway resistance was increased 90 d post-sub-chronic exposure, but reactivity to methacholine (MCh) was unaffected. In the isolated, perfused trachea preparation the inhibitory effect of the airway epithelium on reactivity to MCh was increased at 90 d post-exposure. Efferent cholinergic nerve activity regulating airway smooth muscle was unaffected by COV exposure. Acute exposure did not affect basal airway epithelial ion transport, but 28 d after sub-chronic exposure alterations in active (Na+ and Cl¯) and passive ion transport occurred. COV treatment did not affect lung vascular permeability. The findings indicate that acute and sub-chronic COV inhalation does not appreciably affect ventilatory properties of the rat, but transient changes in airway epithelium occur.

Construction and application of an ontology-based domain-specific knowledge graph for petroleum exploration and development

The massive amount and multi-sourced, multi-structured data in the upstream petroleum industry impose great challenge on data integration and smart application. Knowledge graph, as an emerging technology, can potentially provide a way to tackle the challenges associated with oil and gas big data. This paper proposes an engineering-based method that can improve upon traditional natural language processing to construct the domain knowledge graph based on a petroleum exploration and development ontology. The exploration and development knowledge graph is constructed by assembling Sinopec’s multi-sourced heterogeneous database, and millions of nodes. The two applications based on the constructed knowledge graph are developed and validated for effectiveness and advantages in providing better knowledge services for the oil and gas industry.

A New Progressive and Efficient Royalty Model for Upstream Petroleum Industry

In this research paper, a new methodology to design a progressive and win-win royalty model for upstream fiscal systems is developed. The proposed royalty model is designed as a function of different boundary conditions of the market and the productive resources. These boundary conditions include the associated exploration and production risks, commodity prices, the extraction costs, besides the expected production and depletion rate. The behavior of the proposed royalty model under different oil prices, development costs, production rates, and exploration risks is investigated using deterministic and stochastic analysis. Our results prove that the applicable royalty rate increases with both the price and production rate while it decreases with increasing the development costs and the associated exploration and production risks. In addition, the proposed royalty model provides the contractor with sufficient incentives to develop marginal or low profitability fields and the development of deep offshore or frontier fields with high development and operating costs.

Low-Cost Sensors Provide Insight into Temporal Variation in Fugitive Methane Gas Concentrations Around an Energy Well

Summary Effective measurement of the presence and rate of methane gas migration (GM) outside the casing of energy wells is important for managing social and environmental impacts and financial liabilities in the upstream petroleum industry. Practitioners typically assess GM by above-background methane gas concentrations in-soil or at-grade; however, factors influencing the potential variation in these measurements are not well represented in industry-recommended best practices. Inexpensive chemoresistive sensors were used to record a 1-minute frequency methane gas concentration time series over 19 days. Time series were recorded at three soil depths (0, 5, and 30 cm) at two locations <30 mcm radially from a petroleum well with known GM, in addition to two “control” locations. Observed concentration variations ranged over several orders of magnitude at all depths, with generally lower concentrations and more variation observed at shallower depths. Varying concentrations were correlated to meteorological factors, primarily including wind speed and shallow groundwater table elevation. The gas concentration patterns were affected by a 3.5-mm rainfall event, suggesting soil moisture changes affected preferential GM pathways. Results indicate potential variability in repeated snapshot GM test results. Although, currently recommended GM detection methods would have effectively identified the presence/absence of GM, they would not have quantified the order of magnitude changes in concentration. GM detection success at this site was increased with measurement at more than one location spatially within 30 cm of the well casing, lower concentration detection limits, and greater measurement depth. These findings indicate that meteorological factors should be considered when conducting GM surveys (particularly for improving at-grade test reliability). The low-cost approach for long-term concentration measurement facilitates insight into variable gas concentrations and may be advantageous in comparison to snapshot measurements in some circumstances.

Investigation of the Antiscaling Performance of Phosphonated Chitosan for Upstream Petroleum Industry Application

Scale deposition is one of the main water-based production problems in the upstream oil and gas industry. Few environmentally friendly scale inhibitors show good thermal stability as well as calcium compatibility. We report the synthesis of phosphonated chitosan (PCH) in a two-step route via a phosphonate ester. Chitosan is made from chitin, a natural polysaccharide. In dynamic tube blocking tests, PCH showed good performance as a calcium carbonate scale inhibitor, similar to some commercial nonpolymeric aminophosphonates. Performance was not lost even after thermal aging as a 5 wt % aqueous anaerobic solution for 1 week at 130 °C. The performance as a barite inhibitor was shown to be significantly worse. PCH showed excellent calcium compatibility from 100 to 10 000 ppm Ca2+ and 100 to 50 000 ppm PCH for 24 h at 80 °C. Density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are employed to gain atomic insights into the interaction of PCH with the mineral surface as well as the polymer morphology. DFT predicts that PCH interacts as strongly as commercial scale inhibitors. MD simulations reveal a conformational contraction of PCH due to its internal hydrogen bonding network, which makes the inhibition mechanism complicated. Our simulation results bring new insights into the inhibition mechanism of polymeric inhibitors compared to small molecules. For example, a polymer with a well-defined structure such as carboxymethyl inulin (CMI) performs better than random folded polymers (PCH). The structural regularity maximizes the interaction sites of the mineral particles on the polymer surface. The compact morphology of PCH and the slow barite kinetics could be the main reason for the bad performance of PCH for barite scale inhibition.

Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry anti-corruption legal framework: the necessity for overhauling and enrichment

PurposeThis study aims to investigate why anti-corruption statutes are not efficient in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry.Design/methodology/approachThis study is a doctrinal legal research that embraces a point-by-point comparative methodology with a library research technique.FindingsThis study reveals that corruption strives on feeble implementation of anti-corruption legal regime and the absence of political will in offering efficient regulatory intervention. Finally, this study finds that anti-corruption organisations in Nigeria are not efficient due to non-existence of the Federal Government’s political will to fight corruption, insufficient funds and absence of stringent implementation of the anti-corruption legal regime in the country.Research limitations/implicationsInvestigations reveal during this study that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) operations are characterised with poor record-keeping, lack of accountability as well as secrecy in the award of oil contracts, oil licence, leases and other financial transactions due to non-disclosure or confidentiality clauses contained in most of these contracts. Also, an arbitration proceeding limit access to their records and some of these agreements under contentions. This has also limited the success of this research work and generalising its findings.Practical implicationsThis study recommends, among other reforms, soft law technique and stringent execution of anti-corruption statutes. This study also recommends increment in financial appropriation to Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions, taking into consideration the finding that a meagre budget is a drawback.Social implicationsThis study reveals that corruption strives on feeble implementation of anti-corruption legal regime and the absence of political will in offering efficient regulatory intervention. Corruption flourishes due to poor enforcement of anti-corruption laws and the absence of political will in offering efficient regulatory intervention by the government.Originality/valueThe study advocates the need for enhancement of anti-corruption agencies' budgets taking into consideration the finding that meagres budgets are challenge of the agencies.

A Review on Foam Stabilizers for Enhanced Oil Recovery

The application of foam in the upstream petroleum industry has gained significant interest in the past few years. Foam usage can mitigate challenges associated with the gas flooding; it simply redu...

Examining sustainable business performance determinants in Malaysia upstream petroleum industry

This paper highlights the study on examining sustainable business performance determinants includes proposed variables of organizational learning culture and digital organizational culture. Organizational learning culture and digital organizational culture have been used in some previous studies but they were not recognized as determinants of sutainable business performance. The organizational learning culture is relevant in anticipating challenges and pressures while the digital organizational culture is relevant to the digital transformation. The empirical synergy of both supports sustainable business performance is quantitatively tested using the PLS-SEM tool and inputs of 207 samples collected from the Malaysia upstream petroleum industry. The results show that supports from organizational learning culture and digital organization culture on sustainable business performance are positive and significant. Digital organizational culture mediates the relationship between organizational learning culture and sustainable business performance. This research enriches the theory and literature on sustainable business performance and the role of organizational learning culture and digital organizational culture. It also provides fundamentals for industry practitioners and policymakers for relevant decision making and improvement.

How the upstream oil and gas industry can leverage interdisciplinary research to more effectively engage with Indigenous communities

Since 2010, mining companies have requested permission for the destruction of over 463 Aboriginal heritage sites. Recent high-profile events have profoundly impacted culturally significant Indigenous sites, and mining companies are under intense pressure to demonstrate greater sensitivity in their relationships with stakeholders. The Australian Disputes Centre uses several case studies to explore how the upstream petroleum industry can leverage current interdisciplinary research to engage with Indigenous communities more effectively, both nationally and internationally. Interest-based negotiation frameworks are considered as actionable mechanisms that are as applicable in day-to-day business operations as they are in supporting consistent, culturally-sensitive stakeholder agreements. The application of a range of communication strategies and skills to harness intersectional decision-making is reviewed, and asks the extent to which engagement with external stakeholders reflects internal corporate culture. Obtaining and retaining a social licence to operate is top of mind for all resource companies, but it does not come without a congruent culture of principled negotiation. This study considers the emerging challenges within the sector, including how to empower all parties to negotiate more fulsome outcomes. Using various case studies, including one involving the conservation of submerged Indigenous heritage, an holistic, interdisciplinary methodology for managing cross-cultural sensitivities while companies undertake technical investigations, liaise with archaeological and ethnographic experts and negotiate with local community leaders has been reviewed. Clearly, inclusive communication is just the beginning.

Rheological and Thermal Stability of Cationic-Modified Diutan Gum Biopolymer

Cationic diutan gum (CDG) biopolymer has been developed by incorporating a quaternary amine group on diutan gum (DG) structure to improve the thermal and rheological properties. The modification was performed by mixing DG with different N-(3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride (CHPTAC) concentration to produce CDG in the presence of sodium hydroxide. The FTIR results confirmed the incorporation of cationic moieties onto the CDG chains. The surface morphology observed through FESEM showed that the smooth surface of DG was converted to a connective spherical reticular structure upon CHPTAC modification. The viscosity of CDG gelling fluid was increased after modification due to electrostatic chain interaction. Rheological properties showed that the plateau-like region was observed which signifying a stable gel response towards frequency. Thermal stability analysis using static thermal aging test showed the CDG was stable up to 170 °C suggesting this biopolymer can withstand the high-temperature requirements of the upstream petroleum industry.

Review of Nanotechnology Impacts on Oilfield Scale Management

Nanotechnology has grown rapidly in both research and applications over the past two decades including in the upstream petroleum industry. A recent hot area for studying nanotechnology has been oil...

Log-based rock compressibility estimation for Asmari carbonate formation

Rock compressibility has many applications in the upstream petroleum industry, for example, reservoir material balance calculations and geomechanics, as related to possible formation compaction and subsidence. When measurements on core are not available, empirical correlations may need to be considered, derived for specific fields. In the study presented, the suitability of the log-based method for evaluating rock compressibility is investigated, with the aim of deriving a suitable correlation for Asmari carbonate, Southwest Iran. A stepwise log-based method of rock compressibility determination is presented, including the construction of a geomechanical earth model, MEM. In comparing a log approach with core-derived results, it was found that the log-based method showed a rather reliable estimation of pore compressibility for carbonates studied, except for intervals with extremely large wellbore washout. Although the selected procedure is similar to that used for sandstone by other researchers, involving in some cases complex procedures, a relatively good matching result could be obtained with a relatively simple procedure. To validate the results from this study, a comparison of compressibility values is made with several industry correlations. An application of formation compressibility for estimating possible formation compaction and associated subsidence is also presented. However, a minimal effect is indicated in this case, as the carbonates studied are rather consolidated. In summary, this study presents a new correlation for rock compressibility for Southwestern Iranian carbonate oilfields (Asmari carbonate), validating the applicability of a log-based technique.

Method for Estimating the Performance of Enterprise Architecture Implementation in an Upstream Petroleum Industry

Global oil prices have encouraged the development of the oil and gas industry. The passion for the revival of the oil and gas industry needs to be followed by solid steps. Efficiency is a theme in all business aspects. Enterprise Architecture (EA) is believed to be able to help realize the achievement of the company's goal. But EA implementation is challenging. The company must provide sufficient resources to ensure the EA implementation goal is achieved. It is therefore necessary to estimate the EA implementation to detect any gaps. This research offers a method to estimate the EA in the upstream petroleum industry. The method is a combined approach of Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and structured interviews. Interviews were conducted with a modified System Usability Scale (SUS) using the perspective of effectiveness, efficiency, agility, and durability. The evaluation results concluded that the EA implementation was still below the usability threshold. This fact encourages further EA development efforts, including the selection and utilization of specific and simple EA components.