WINTER / 2015
Editor’s Letter
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Dear Friends, Nowadays, we have to face one of the most serious crisis in the petroleum industry for many years. Due to economical and political problems, everybody can see some significant changes in the branch of fuels. Random people enjoy the fact that they can refuel their cars spending even two times less money than half a year ago. But we are aware of its meaning for all the people involved in oil production. Many companies reduce employment, the number of people looking for a job on the petroleum market is still increasing. And we, lacking much experience, have to face these extremely difficult conditions, having our academic knowledge as the only help. What can you do in such a situation? You have to prove that you are the best one and you are the exact person that your ideal company is looking for. Apart from this, you have to be flexible, look for new opportunities and use them. You can learn how to do it by choosing an active way of studying, which is presented in the article “Let’s Organize Your Studying Time” by Agata Gruszczak and Alina Malinowska. The authors present the review of organizations, with which we can get involved during our studies. I strongly encourage you to take a look at it and get involved! You have to remember that studying is a magical time. Everybody who has spent a few years at university knows it perfectly well. It is not only a time of learning, attending lectures and reading manuals. It is also a priceless opportunity to make lifelong
friendships and experience the best adventures ever. It is very important to know how to use the potential of study time. All experiences are important in the future work life: technical knowledge, foreign languages, practical courses, but also your interests and additional skills. In this issue, a great portion of scientific articles is presented. One of them is a paper which gave our Editor, Alina Malinowska, and her friend, Patrycja Pęczek, first prize during Poster Session of East Meets West Congress 2014. You cannot miss it! This issue includes also a couple of reports from some very interesting events that took place over the last few months. The first one – ATCE 2014 is the biggest annual conference of the season, which after a few years came back to Europe. Next – two important conferences organized in Poland: Shale Gas World Europe 2014 and EuroPOWER, during which the most important matters of our branch were discussed from the Central Europe’s point of view. And last but for sure not least – our Editor Jakub Pitera presents an international competition UPPP, which was organized in Hungary. Jakub, together with his two friends, won first prize! Congratulations! I wish all of you wonderful winter evenings! I hope that the reading of YoungPetro will be a part of them and it will help you to find inspiration for developing your future career despite the recent crisis.
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Editor-in-Chief Joanna Wilaszek j.wilaszek@youngpetro.org
Logistics Radosław Budzowski Patryk Szarek
Deputy Editor-in-Chief Maciej Wawrzkowicz m.wawrzkowicz@youngpetro.org
Marketing Barbara Pach Aneta Maruszak
Art Marek Nogieć www.nogiec.org
Ambassadors Alexander Scherff – Germany Tarun Agarwal – India Mostafa Ahmed – Egypt Manjesh Banawara – Canada Rakip Belishaku – Albania Camilo Andres Guerrero – Colombia Moshin Khan – Turkey Ahmed Bilal Choudhry – Pakistan Muhammad Taimur Ashfaq – Pakistan Viorica Sîrghii – Romania Michail Niarchos – Greece Rohit Pal – UPES, India Usman Syed Aslam – India
Editors Agata Gruszczak Natalia Krygier Alina Malinowska Jakub Pitera Edyta Stopyra Karolina Zahuta Science Advisor Tomasz Włodek Proof-readers Paweł Gąsiorowski Aleksandra Piotrowska IT Michał Solarz
ISSN
2300-1259
Published by An Official Publication of
The Society of Petroleum Engineers Student Chapter P o l a n d • www.spe.net.pl
Publisher Fundacja Wiertnictwo - Nafta - Gaz, Nauka i Tradycje Al. Adama Mickiewicza 30/A4 30 - 059 Kraków, Poland www.nafta.agh.edu.pl
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On Stream – Latest News 7 Radosław Budzowski
Remembering the Ocean Ranger. Accident 10 Investigation and Lessons Learned Chris Ampiah
Various Vegetable Products as Natural Organic 21 Sorbents for Oil Spills Removal Alina Malinowska, Patrycja Pęczek
Nanotechnology and Nanosensors of 27 Trends in Oil and Gas Industry Pavani Vattikuti
Where is the Polish Energy Policy Headed? 38 Alina Malinowska, Edyta Stopyra
The Most Important Issues of Energy Industry under Windmills 40 Joanna Wilaszek
European Shale Gas Needs New Legislation 43 Aneta Maruszak
UPPP 2014 Competition 46 Jakup Pitera
Let’s Organize Your Studying Time! 50 Agata Gruszczak, Alina Malinowska
How it works? 56 Maciej Wawrzkowicz
AUTUMN / 2013
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On Stream – Latest News Radosław Budzowski
Egypt begins shale gas exploration The Egyptian government decided to start the search for shale gas and signed the first agreement regarding the performance of hydraulic fracturing with Shell and Apache companies. The Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum announced that the agreement with Apache and the Egyptian branch of Shell, regarding the implementation of hydraulic fracturing, involves investment of $30M–$40M. It assumes completing 3 wells and fracturing in shale gas exploration in the area of Abu al-Ghardeeq, about 200 km west of Cairo.
ed, noting that this is the first alternative to Russian gas. "The terminal is now beginning to operate as a regular source of gas for Lithuania" – said the president of the Klaipedos Nafta company (Klaipeda Oil), Mantas Bartuszka. He expressed confidence, that the operation of the terminal in the first year will soon convince participants of gas market that the terminal works well and can multiply operations. Floating LNG terminal in Klaipeda is actually a special ship installations for the storage, handling and regasification of liquefied natural gas. It was built in South Korea. In August 2014, the state-owned Lithuanian LitGas signed a contract with Norwegian Statoil for the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The longest horizontal drilling on the Yamal Peninsula In November 2014, Gazprom Neft company conducting exploration for oil, has done the longest horizontal drilling so far in the area of the Yamal Peninsula. The horizontal drilling carried out by the Russian company is 1,500 meters long. The total length of the wellbore has made 4,200 meters. Russians have also confirmed the presence of crude oil in the well. Novoportovskoye deposit formation is characterized by high permeability rocks that provides a high level of petroleum flow without the use of hydraulic fracturing technology. Final data on the performance of the well will be announced after the end of the tests – at the beginning of 2015. The research that was carried out on the Novoportovskoye, provide execution up to 90 wells with horizontal sections. The development of this deposit will be continued until 2016. The LNG terminal in Klaipeda is already running Floating LNG terminal became operational on 1st January in the Lithuanian port of Klaipeda – BNS agency report-
The contract for the delivery amounts to 540 million cubic meters of gas per year. Thus, Lithuania becomes much less dependent on supplies from Russia's Gazprom, increases its energy security and is more likely to negotiate with the Russian company lower prices – mark Lithuanian authorities. During the opening ceremony in October 2014, Lithuania's President Dalia Grybauskaite said that the terminal will be able to cover up to 90% demand for gas for all three Baltic countries, namely Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Exxon Mobil success in Argentina
In December 2014, Exxon Mobil reported from Argentina, that the second exploration well in the Neuquén Basin gave good results. This basin is one of the world's largest shale resources. The well is located about 20 km from the first hole, where also obtained very promising results – with the first test, the flow rate was 448 barrels of oil and 1 million cubic feet of gas per day.
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Remembering the Ocean Ranger. Accident Investigation and Lessons Learned
Remembering the Ocean Ranger. Accident Investigation and Lessons Learned Chris Ampiah
The Ocean Ranger was the world’s largest mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) when it developed a severe list and sank off the coast of Newfoundland in February 15, 1982 taking with it the lives of all 84 crew members aboard. This loss of life and property was as a result of a combination of several preventable incidents ultimately leading to a crescendo of fatalities. A timeline of how the events unfolded has been constructed to set the pace for further understanding of the mechanism behind this accident. It was established that the series of chain events was initiated by a vicious storm passing over the Newfoundland area at that time. So severe was the storm that, this engineering marvel lost its structural integrity, and coupled with a number of factors such as human error and other engineer-
* London South Bank University Þ England cyampiah@yahoo.com * University Þ Country
ing errors, the rig succumbed to the pressures of the storm and sank. An event tree and fault tree constructed for the purposes of this study provided further insight into the various paths available for the turn of events and the probability of such events occurring. A further root cause analysis confirmed that the loss of the Ocean Ranger was the result of not any one factor alone but a dint of bad luck, several design flaws exacerbated by lack of training and human errors. Following this epic accident that plagued the oil and gas industry, a new paradigm of health and safety improvement
Fig. 1 – Geographical location of the Hibernia oil field relative to St John’s, Newfoundland
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Chris Ampiah
regulations were instituted particularly in the global offshore industry. In conclusion, the Ocean Ranger disaster could have been prevented had there been a rigorous emergency plan instituted in conjunction with proper training and drills for all personnel on board, as well as the provision of life saving equipments.
1979, increased exploration activities focusing on the Grand Banks discovered the Hibernia Oilfield off the coast of Newfoundland. The Ocean Ranger drilling rig was thus, contracted by Mobil Canada (MOCAN) to drill delineation wells to map out the Hibernia Oilfield beginning in 1980 (U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation, 1983).
Introduction
Drilling Locations History
The Ocean Ranger was an engineering milestone achieved in the 1970’s and deemed the largest semi submersible Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU) in the world at time of its completion in 1976. Owned by Ocean Drilling and Exploration Company (ODECO), it was built by the Japanese firm Mitsubishi in Hiroshima, Japan and was designed to operate in the harshest of environmental conditions, or so it was claimed. As the pride of the offshore industry breaking new frontiers, the Ocean Ranger was thought to be unsinkable at that time. However, this self-propelled semi-submersible rig sank whiles drilling in the Hibernia oilfield in the Grand Banks area, 267 kilometres off St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. On Valentine’s Day the 14th of February, 1982, the submersible drilling rig was battered by a ferocious storm which broke a port light causing the ingress of water and the subsequent short circuiting of control equipment panels. After about a 16 hours struggle to regain the control of the rig, it finally toppled forcing all 84 crew aboard to instinctively jump into the icy cold water for a chance of survival. Unfortunately, all of these crew men have never been seen alive again despite a concerted effort made by nearby vessels to rescue them. This seemingly unsinkable marvel of technology had been overpowered by the forces of nature in the freezing North Atlantic Ocean. History In the 1960’s Canada embarked on a quest to prospect oil reserves off its eastern sea boarders and this drive was well underway by the 1970’s. In
Because the Ocean Ranger was a drilling rig rather than a production rig, it was normally deployed at drilling sites or in some cases at a standby location. Table 1 lists the period and geographic location, where the Ocean Ranger was engaged in offshore drilling operations (U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation, 1983). Year
Geographical Location
Number of days
198–1982
Grand Banks off Newfoundland
465
198
Off coast of Ireland
126
1979/198
Baltimore Canyon
166
1977
Lower Cook Inlet
111
1976/1977
Gulf of Alaska
232
1976
Bering Sea
99
Table 1 – Ocean ranger drilling location and days spent Severe Weather History The US Coastguard Report (1983) laments, that weather and sea data recorded by the Ocean Ranger indicated the rig had experienced over 50 significant storms whilst drilling at the various locations indicated in Table 1. From the records, it was also retrieved that the rig had experienced the most severe weather from 16th to 20th January, 1982 while drilling in the Hibernia Oilfield. The report further states that this storm had negligible effect on the Ocean Ranger apart from altering its position over the well due to lose anchor tensions. During the course of this 5 day severe weather period, the marine riser was disconnected on two occasions due to heaving of the drilling rig caused by
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Remembering the Ocean Ranger. Accident Investigation and Lessons Learned
Fig. 2 – Side elevation of the Ocean Ranger structure (U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation, 1983)
Fig. 3 – Front Elevation of the Ocean Ranger structure (U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation,1983)
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Chris Ampiah
the terrible weather, resuming drilling only when the weather and sea subsided, according to the US Coastguard Report (1983). Incident History On 6th February, 1982, the Ocean ranger underwent a rather uncharacteristic list (tilt) to 6 degrees whiles receiving fuel and drilling fluid supplies. A general evacuation announcement was made over the public address system for all hands to don life jackets and report to the lifeboat stations. The evacuation was eventually halted as the list was subsequently corrected to normal.
Unit Description The Rig The Ocean Ranger was a semi-submersible drilling rig capable of self-propulsion, designed for deepwater operations in water depths up to 3,000 feet. Its design and construction ensured it could withstand extremely harsh environmental conditions, including simultaneously occurring 100 knots winds, 3 knots surface current and 110 feet tall waves. The length and width of the rig was 398 feet 9 inches and 262 feet respectively. It stood at a height of 151 feet, 6 inches excluding the derrick. The blueprints of the rig consisted of a platform or upper haul, mounted on top of eight vertical columns which were in turn attached to a lower catamaran-type hull consisting of two oval pontoons parallel to each other (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3). The upper haul served as a living and working quarters for the crew whilst the two pontoons were used to achieve the right level of structural flotation. Rig stability was achieved by the eight columns capable of elevating the platform above the normal effects of the sea. The entire rig weighed in at 14,913 tons gross, whereas its net tonnage was 12,097. The platform was made up of the upper deck and the lower deck. The upper deck consisted of the drilling floor and derrick, the cranes, the anchor windlasses, the helicopter deck, storage racks for drilling pipes, casings and risers, the crew’s upper
living quarters, office space and work areas, and the lifeboat. The lower deck housed the generator room, the cellar areas, the mud system, storage areas and the lower two floors of the crew’s quarters (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3). Pontoons The two pontoons of the lower hull were ovular in cross-section with dimensions 398” long by 62” wide by 24” in depth. These pontoons carried on their topside, eight platform-supporting columns, arranged in a rectangular fashion and each was referred to as the starboard pontoon and the port pontoon respectively, each supporting four vertical columns. Apart from providing flotation to the rig structure, the pontoons also contained ballast water, fresh water, drill water and fuel oil tanks. In each pontoon there were 16 tanks and aft of these tanks was situated a pump room inside each pontoon. Aft of each pump room was a propulsion room which contained two 3,500 Horse Power DC electric motors per pontoon. These electric motors together provided 14,000 total shaft Horse Power drive to two steerable ducted propellers for propulsion. The Ballast Control Room located in one of the eight columns, controlled the rigs ballast system. From this room, personnel could remotely open and close valves and operate ballast pumps. By manipulating the ballast water, the control room operator could increase or decrease the draft (sinkage) of the rig, induce or remove trims and heels. Thus, the distance between the rigs waterline and the lowest point on the pontoon was controlled by varying the amount of ballast water in both port and starboard pontoons Mooring system A 12-point mooring system consisting of twelve 45,000 pound anchors was used to maintain the Ocean Ranger in position at a drilling site as illustrated in Fig. 4.Theses anchors were normally housed on the rig by tensioning them up against the anchor bolster located at the base of the four corner columns. Anchor handling boats would
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Remembering the Ocean Ranger. Accident Investigation and Lessons Learned
Fig. 4 – Top elevation of the Ocean Ranger Mooring system (U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation, 1983)
Fig. 5 – Top view of the Ballast control room layout (U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation, 1983)
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Chris Ampiah
run the anchors out from the rig and position them on location during deployment to a particular well site (Fig. 4). The Ballast Control Room This room was located in column SC-3, the third column aft, starboard side of the pontoon. The room deck was about 28 ft above the drilling draft water line. The general plan of the ballast control room is depicted in Fig. 5. There were four port lights (glass windows) built in the column, which allowed the operator in the room to visually observe sea conditions and the vessel draft. Each port light was permanently installed according to Japanese Standards Association and could not be opened. However, interior metal closures called deadlights were provided, which when shut, covered the port lights from within. The ballast control console was also located across the forward section of the ballast control room, such that the operator always faced forward when operating the console (Fig. 5). Supply Ships The Canadian government required each oil rig to have a dedicated standby vessel stationed nearby in case of an emergency. These vessels also supplied food, water, and fuel to their respective units. The Seaforth Highlander served as the Ocean Ranger’s standby vessel and stood off approximately five miles away from the Ocean Ranger in compliance with safety regulations.
Available Emergency Equipment The primary lifesaving equipment on board the rig consisted of two 50-man totally enclosed lifeboats, made of fibre glass reinforced plastics located on the upper deck. The lifeboats were designed to be self-righting provided all personnel were strapped in their seats with no significant accumulation of water inside. Additionally, there were 10 Coast Guard approved 20-man inflatable life rafts
onboard with a total capacity of 200 persons all located on the upper deck; four on the stern, two on the starboard side, two on the port side, and two on the bow. In addition, the Seaforth Highlander was also at the beck and call of the Ocean Ranger.
Mechanisms And Hypotheses Event recollection is solely being based on radio transmissions between the Ocean Ranger, two other semi-submersibles drilling nearby, (Sedco 706 and Zapata Ugland), Seaforth Highlander, and the MOCAN superintendent stationed in St. John’s due to the loss of all 84 crew. Post-accident investigation of the rig by ROV and divers was used to recover key components of interest, as well as to perform a comprehensive structural inspection according to the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation report (1983). Ballast control room port light failure: The initial event that led to the loss of the Ocean Ranger was the failure of the port lights in the Ballast Control Room. The exact cause of failure is unknown, but has been attributed to an impacting wave. It is of my opinion that the port light had initially suffered some structural integrity issues, ultimately failing to withstand the impact of the wave on that fateful night. Some argue that the deadlight (metal safety shutters) could have been secured earlier at the onset of the storm to prevent port light failure, but realistically, the port lights were needed open at all times so that the ballast room controller could observe directly, the rigs position above the sea. Plus the rig crew had also been made to believe that the rig was unsinkable and that nothing could go wrong. Ballast control equipment failure: Following the port light shattering in the Ballast Control Room, a substantial amount of sea water immediately entered the room via avenues created by the broken port light. Even though the crew then shut the deadlight window immediately after sea water ingress, it was too late as the sea water
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Remembering the Ocean Ranger. Accident Investigation and Lessons Learned
14:00
Event 1 Vicous storm in Hibernia Field.
16:42
Event 2 Drilling halted with complications.
19:45
Event 3 Large wave hits rig and breaks port light. Sea water floods ballast control room.
21:30
Event 4 Loss of control. Rig begins to tilt due to uncontrolled valve openin and closure.
22:50
Event 5 Routine checks with nearby vessels.
00:52
Event 6 Rig tilts severely to the portside. All counter measures are ineffective. First mayday call sent.
01:00
Event 7 Standby vessel and aerial ecavuation requested.
01:30
Event 8 Last radio transmission. Crew headed for lifeboats.
01:50
Event 9 Standby vessel arrives. Attempts rescue.
03:10
Event 10 Ocean ranger sinks. Rescue attempts fail.
07:00
Event 11 Damaged lifeboats found capsized by rescue vessels.
Fig. 6 – Ocean Ranger distaster timeline
Fig. 7 – Event tree analysis
5x10-6
Port light failure
0.5
0.5
Water ingress to control room
0.2
0.8
Ballast control equipment disabled
0.1
0.9
Forward list develops
0.5
0.5
Ineffective counter
0.3
0.7
Forward Chain lockers flood
0.1
0.9
Rig listing continues until capsize
0.1
0.9
0.5
0.5
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Crew evacuation under stormy weather cond.
Chris Ampiah 17
WINTER / 2015
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Remembering the Ocean Ranger. Accident Investigation and Lessons Learned
was sufficient enough to trigger a major electrical malfunction of the ballast control console. Forward list develops As a direct result of this ballast room malfunction, several valves in the rig’s ballast system located in the pontoons begun to open and close uncontrollably. This either allowed more sea water to enter into the rig’s forward ballast tanks or caused the onboard ballast water to drain towards the forward ballast tanks causing the rig to develop an initially forward list. The degree of list and the magnitude of draft increase were sufficient to allow for the ingress of flood water into the rig’s forward chain lockers through the pipe and wire trunk opening on the top corner columns. Crew begins evacuation The exact reasons for this decision to abandon the rig is unknown since the rig remained afloat for approximately 1.5 hours before sinking. That the crew may have acted out of panic, desperation and the lack of in-depth knowledge regarding emergency procedures. Hence their only instinctive act was to ice of action. It is suspected that all crew members abandoned the rig by either jumping into the freezing turbulent sea or via lifeboats with only so much on as their regular clothes and life jackets. List worsens until total submersion The immediate cause of the loss of the Ocean Ranger was the progressive downloading of the chain lockers in the forward columns and the subsequent flooding of the rig’s upper hull, resulting in the capsize of the rig by the bow. The capsizing motion caused the rig’s pontoons to make contact with the sea floor as it turned over, damaging the forward ends of both pontoons. Rescue effort Amidst the torrential storm, The Seaforth Highland vessel was able to maneuver its way close to one life boat with several survivors on board.
Efforts to safely transfer the crew however, ended in a catastrophic capsize of the lifeboat as its stability was compromised by the efforts of the crew to transfer safely to the Seaforth Highlander. The lifeboat was designed to have inherent self-righting stability only when the occupants were strapped into their seats. Thus, as the men frantically started to transfer, the boat lost stability plunging the crew into the icy cold sea. Rescue crews noted that victims in the water were unable to help themselves when life rings and other devices were thrown at them out of the 84 crew on board the rig, only 22 bodies were recovered by search teams and all were found to have died from hypothermia, according to autopsy reports. Search teams were also able to recover 2 lifeboats and 6 life rafts, all in disarray, over the course of the next four days. In hindsight, the missing 62 crew most likely also died as a result of severe hypothermia.
Event Tree Analysis Event tree guide 1. Port light fails, water enters Ballast Control Room, equipments short-circuits in the Ballast Control Room , forward list develops, all counter measures fail, forward chain lockers flood, rig list severely and the crew successfully abandon the sinking rig. Crew ok. Rig is lost. 2. Port light fails, water enters Ballast Control Room, equipments disable in the Ballast Control Room, forward list develops, all counter measure fail, forward chain lockers flood, rig list severely and the crew fails to successfully abandon ship due to sever storm. Rig and crew are lost. 3. Rig does not continue to list severely, giving the crew time to evacuate successfully. Crew ok .Rig is somewhat ok. 4. Rig does not continue to list severely, but the crew are unable to evacuate due to sever storm battering them. Crew lost. Rig is ok. 5. Forward chain lockers do not flood due to a safety cover that seals them. Rig is ok. No need for evacuation.
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Fig. 8 – Fault tree
Chris Ampiah
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Remembering the Ocean Ranger. Accident Investigation and Lessons Learned
6. Counter measures to save the rig proves effective to competence operators. The rig is saved from further listing and the crew remain on board without evacuating. Crew and rig are ok. 7. Ballast control room equipment is water resistant and does not short circuit. Rig control is not lost. Rig is ok. Crew is ok. 8. Sea water fails to enter the Ballast Control Room. Room is dry and all equipments function fine. Rig is ok. Crew is ok. 9. Deadlight secures the opening and port light does not shatter Rig stays afloat. Rig is ok. Crew is ok.
ÈÈ ÈÈ
ÈÈ
ÈÈ ÈÈ ÈÈ ÈÈ ÈÈ ÈÈ
ÈÈ ÈÈ ÈÈ
Root Cause Analysis
ÈÈ ÈÈ
The loss of the MODU OCEAN RANGER was not the result of any action, but rather a disastrous chain of events as discussed already. It was the culmination of several minor design flaws and several human factors. It is quite probable however, that this could have been prevented or damages minimised. The contributing causes of capsize and the subsequent sinking of the Ocean Ranger are listed below. Human factors/errors: ÈÈ
ÈÈ
ÈÈ
Lack of understanding of Ballast Control Room Lack of understanding of rig stability concepts Failure to properly address the listing incident of February 6, 1982
ÈÈ
Operational issues: Production pressures forcing the crew to continue drilling into the storm Lack of detailed ballast control procedures in the operating manual Lack of personnel training and certification Engineering/design issues: Poor ballast control design Poor position of the Ballast Control Room Lack of watertight chain lockers Absence of control instrumentation especially in the chain lockers Inability to pump water out of chain lockers Evacuation and Rescue issues: Lack of insulated and waterproof suits to complement life jacket Lifeboat design flaws Lack of proper equipments to transfer victims from lifeboat to standby vessel Lack of equipment to recover unconscious victims from the stormy sea such as drag nets and hooks.
Conclusion The capsize of the Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU), the Ocean Ranger , was a horrific disaster resulting in the loss of 84 lives. Initiated by a broken portlight, the chain of events that followed could have been prevented through proper personnel training, zero tolerance for production pressure at the expense of health and safety, proper emergency planning, and integrity in our daily engineering workings.
References 1. Government of Canada (1984). Royal Commission on the Ocean Ranger Marine Disaster, 1&2. Ottawa, Canada. 2. The Canadian Encyclopaedia, Ocean Ranger. Retrieved May 15, 2014, from http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/ocean-ranger 3. U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation (1983). MODU Ocean Ranger, Capsizing and Sinking in the Atlantic Ocean on February 15, 1982 with Multiple Loss of Life. United States Coast Guard. Washington, D.C. 4. Cover image by: Vingh,C. (2014) Sunken Ocean Ranger. Retrieved August 22, 2014, from http://charlesvinh.daportfolio.com/gallery/227981
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Alina Malinowska, Patrycja Pęczek
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Various Vegetable Products as Natural Organic Sorbents for Oil Spills Removal Alina Malinowska, Patrycja Pęczek
In petroleum industry happen accidents which lead to oil spills. They ought to be removed in a short time to reduce pollution of the environment and losses for the company. To remove spilt hydrocarbons, sorbents of different types are used, mostly synthetic.
**AGH University of Science and Technology ÞÞPoland alinamalinowska123@gmail.com patriciapeczek@gmail.com University Country E-mail
The sunflower and the rapeseed are the most popular plants used for production of veget able oil in Poland. Another well-known oily plant is peanut, which is very popular in a food industry all over the world. In Central Europe's forests there often occur deciduous trees, for example beech. By-products of these plants are mainly treated as wastes. Various vegetable fibers show good sorption properties because of their large surface area. Therefore these products are been decided to be used as sorbents to remove oil spills. The aim of this paper is to investigate the sorption properties of sunflower fibers, peanut shells, rapeseed residues, beech sawdust in raw form and after mechanical modification. Kinetics and maximal sorption capacity for different oil products were measured under static and dynamic conditions.
Hydrocarbons removal performance from liquid phase was obtained visually. Experiments showed high oil sorption capacity of applied materials. Usage of various vegetable wastes as sorbents can be an innovative solution for oil industry due to easy availability and low purchasing cost.
Introduction For the removal of crude oil spills had been used different products. Some sorbents brought effective results, and some did not show a sufficient sorption ability. A successful adsorption is related to the exposed surface area and its wetting properties. All used materials should be both oleophilic and hydrophobic. The aim of this research is to
Fig. 1 – Microscopic images of (a) sunflower fibers, (b) peanuts shells, (c) rapeseed residues and (d) beech sawdust
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Various Vegetable Products as Natural Organic Sorbents for Oil Spills Removal
Fig. 2 – Oil draining from sawdust
Fig. 3 – Gasoline sorption of beech sawdust
23
Alina Malinowska, Patrycja Pęczek
compare the sorption capacity of sunflower fibers, peanut shells, oil cake of rapeseed and beech sawdust, all of them are oily plants in raw form.
Materials and methods Crude oil with density of 0.85 g/cm3 was originated from the Magdalena field, Gorlice, Poland. The remaining liquids were diesel oil with density of 0.84 g/cm3 and gasoline with density of 0.73 g/cm3 purchased at a local gas station. Organic sorbents were originated from domestic manufacturing. Fig. 1 shows a microscopic image of fibers structure taken using a Delta Optical Smart Microscope. Sorption capacity of the selected fibers for different oil products was obtained under static conditions. For this purpose, 100 g of liquid (crude oil, gasoline or diesel oil) and 1 g of sorbent were placed into a beaker. After a predetermined time each sample was filtered for 20 min and the weight of the sorbent was measured.
To complete sorption in a two-phase system of water-oil were used 190 ml water and 10 ml of oil to which was added 1 g of sorbent. After completion of the sorption (24h), the sample was filtered and the volume of the filtrate was read.
Results Crude Oil Sorption The first experiment showed increasing trend of crude oil sorption with an increasing contact time. The best sorption properties were demonstrated by sunflower fibers, which sorption capacity after 24 hours was 37.91 g of oil per 1 g of sorbent. It can be observed that rapeseed residues, peanut shells, beech sawdust also adsorbed oil, but much less, only up to 10 g per 1 g. Gasoline Sorption In reference to previous experiment, all sorbents show an increasing gasoline sorption capacity with increasing contact time, especially sunflower
Fig. 4 – Sorption behavior of sunflower fibers in a two-phase system
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Various Vegetable Products as Natural Organic Sorbents for Oil Spills Removal
fibers. Comparing measurements with crude oil sorption, it was noticed that sunflower fibers sorption capacity was lower than previously and it was from 17.7 to 20.41 g of liquid and for other materials it was increased even to 16.84 g after 24 hours.
after contact with diesel oil is lower than previously and among them the highest sorption capacity was showed by peanut shells, which was 4.43 g of liquid after 24 hours.
Time [min]
Mass of sunflower fibers [g]
Mass of rapeseed residues [g]
Mass of peanut shells [g]
Mass of beech sawdust [g]
1
15.75
.75
3.32
2.59
Time [min]
Mass of sunflower fibers [g]
Mass of rapeseed residues [g]
Mass of peanut shells [g]
Mass of beech sawdust [g]
1
17.7
.52
4.9
5.27
3
18.23
1.97
3.99
2.8
3
19.24
3.84
6
6.63
6
19.68
2.22
4.13
2.67
6
19.76
5.16
8.3
9.31
1,44
21.4
3.36
4.43
3.24
1,44
2.41
12.46
15.53
16.84 Table 2 – Sorption of the different fibers at various sorption times for diesel
Table 1 – Sorption of different fibers at various sorption times for gasoline
Two-phase Contact Diesel Oil Sorption For diesel oil, sunflower fibers still exhibit excellent sorption properties. Mass of other sorbents
The experiment in the two-phase system showed a high ability of the tested materials to remove oil from water surface. Sunflower fibers absorbed
45 40 Sorption capacity [g/g]
¸
35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 1
30
60
1440
Time [min] sunflower
sawdust
rapeseed
peanut
Fig. 5 – Sorption of different fibers at various sorption times in the static system
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Alina Malinowska, Patrycja Pęczek
both oil and water (up to 32 ml of water per 1 g of fibers), which means that it shows both oleophilic and hydrophilic properties. Other sorbents showed good oil sorption capacity with minimal water sorption, besides rapeseed residues, which sank during this experiment. Type of sorbent
Crude oil sorption [ml]
Water sorption [ml]
sunflower fibers
8
32
rapeseed residues
2
12
peanut shells
5
2
beech sawdust
6
6
Tab. 3 – Amount of adsorbed oil and water for particular sorbents
Conclusions The investigated materials showed very good oil sorption capacity. The results shown in Fig. 3 and Table 1 reveal, that the oil sorption properties vary for different sorbents and different oil products. Sunflower fibers are the most effective sorbent, which removes even 80% of oil from water. The spongy structure of sunflower fibers facilitates hydrocarbons sorption and prevents draining of liquid from the sorbent surface. The sorption time significantly affects the sorption performance. If the contact time is longer, the efficiency of hydrocarbons removing is higher. Usage of various vegetable wastes as sorbents can be an innovative solution for oil industry due to easy availability and low purchasing cost.
Fig. 6 – Volume for filtrate of sunflower fibers
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Various Vegetable Products as Natural Organic Sorbents for Oil Spills Removal
References 1. Abdullah, M.A., Rahmah, A., & Man, Z. (2010). Physicochemical and Sorption Characteristics of Malaysian Ceiba Pentandra (L.) Gaertn. as a Natural Oil Sorbent. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 177(1–3), 683–691. 2. Annunciado, T.R., Sydenstricker, T.H.D., & Amico, S.C. (2005). Experimental Investigation of Various Vegetable Fibers as Sorbent Materials for Oil Spills. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 50(11), 1340–1346. 3. Cojocaru, C., Macoveanu, M., & Cretescu, I. (2011). Peat-based Sorbents for the Removal of Oil Spills from Water Surface: Application of Artificial Neural Network Modeling. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochem. Eng. Aspects, 384(1–3), 675– 684. 4. Lim, T.-T., & Huang, X. (2007). Evaluation of Kapok (Ceiba Pentandra (L.) Gaertn.) as a Natural Hollow Hydrophobic–Oleophilic Fibrous Sorbent for Oil Spill Cleanup. Chemosphere, 66(5), 955–963. 5. Rajakovic-Ognjanovic, V., Aleksic, G., & Rajakovic, Lj. (2008). Governing Factors for Motor Oil Removal from Water with Different Sorption Materials. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 154(1–3), 558–563. 6. Rajakovic, V., Aleksic, G., Radetic, M., & Rajakovic, Lj. (2007). Efficiency of Oil Removal from Real Wastewater with Different Sorbent Materials. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 143(1–2), 494–499. 7. Rengasamy, R.S., Das, D., & Praba Karan, C. (2011). Study of Oil Sorption Behavior of Filled and Structured Fiber Assemblies Made from Polypropylene, Kapok and Milkweed Fibers. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 186(1), 526–532. 8. Suni, S., Kosunen, A.-L., Hautala, M., Pasila, A., & Romantschuk, M. (2004). Use of a By-product of Peat Excavation, Cotton Grass Fibre, as a Sorbent for Oil-Spills. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 49(11–12), 916–921.
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Pavani Vattikuti
¸¸
Nanotechnology and Nanosensors of Trends in Oil and Gas Industry Pavani Vattikuti
The petroleum industry encompassing the production and utilization of oil and natural gas has dominated the energy scene for a century and by all reasonable indications will continue to do so well in the 21st century. However, fulfilling worldwide energy demand in the 21st century is the most challenging problem. Current technologies simply cannot meet these demands. Conventional resources, exploration and production techniques might not be sufficient to attend to this demand. Nanotechnology can offer some solutions to these challenges. Nanotechnology has had an enormous impact on almost every industry, from consumer electronics to healthcare and telecommunications, but not in oil and gas exploration and production. The general aim is to bridge the gap between the oil industry and nanotechnology community using various initiatives such as consortia between oil and service companies and nanotechnology excellence centers, research units inside some oil companies. Although nanosized catalysts have been used in refining and petrochemical processes for many years, the use of nanomaterials and nanotechniques has only recently entered the upstream domain. Nanotechnology offers the promise of the intelligent oil field. Nanotechnology holds great promise, both for mapping out and manipulating fossil-fuel reserves, because of the small scales that characterize the cracks and pores where oil is stuck.
Introduction The oil and gas exploration and production industry faces difficult challenges, as it tries to meet
ÞÞNorway vattikutipavani@gmail.com Country E-mail
the growing energy demands of an increasing and more affluent population. Conventional methods of exploration and production might not be able to keep up with this growing demand; the industry needs technological innovations to successfully meet the energy challenge. Nanotechnology has had a revolutionary impact on many industries, from healthcare to aeronautics, and could potentially have a similar impact on the oil and gas exploration and production industry. Nanotechnology is not new. Nanoparticles have been used for hundreds and even thousands of years, even though their nature and properties were not fully understood until recently. The oil refining and petrochemical industries have used nanoparticle catalysts for almost 100 years. What has triggered a nanotechnology revolution was the development of techniques in materials science, chemical engineering and physical analytical methods, particularly the invention of the Scanning Tunneling Microscope and the discovery of Buckyballs that allowed a detailed understanding and manipulation of the properties of nanoparticles. In this article nanotechnology is defined as the understanding and control of materials and materials properties at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications. The emphasis is on control –
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Nanotechnology and Nanosensors of Trends in Oil and Gas Industry
the manipulation and engineering of materials at the nanoscale to obtain desired properties. Recently, the oil industry has been approaching nanotechnologies as a potential solution to the above mentioned challenges, calling for the same break through effects that this relatively new branch of science has been gushing over the last 20 years in aerospace, biology and medicine. Properties of nanomaterials such as lightness, corrosion resistance and mechanical strength are and will be significant enablers, for example, for drilling and completion activities. Nanotechnology could also represent a breakthrough element for prospection, thanks to the development of innovative monitoring techniques and smarter micro/nano sensors. Other emerging applications of nanotechnology are represented by the development of new types of “smart fluids” for water shut-off and improved/ enhanced oil recovery. Developing nanosensors for oil recovery can be used to detect the bypassed oil after a cycle of EOR, which is based on the identification and excitation of chemotaxonomic markers present in them since microbes thrive on oil water interface, wherever they will be detected it is a sign of oil being present there. After any microbial, thermal or chemical recovery process microbial sensor tools can track oil directly by sensing H-C, H=C, etc. bonds present in oil. Nanotechnology striving to help the oil and gas industry increase oil recovery by improving: chemicals used in recovery of oil, drilling materials and reservoir surveillance. Nanocoatings are used in oil and gas industries: antiwear for drilling parts, anti-corrosion for pipelines and other exposed long term structures, lubricants and drilling mud, thermal coatings to lower deformation and anti-fouling for ships.
Literature Review Nanotechnology continues to develop rapidly, driven by several different industries. The main objectives of this program are (i) to introduce
recent and emerging developments into the oil industry; (ii) to identify applications that could bring significant benefits to the upstream oil operations and oil recovery; and (iii) to carry out research that would enable the practical implementation of these technologies within the oil industry. Our current focus is on the use of various nano-scale materials ("nanoparticles") for certain processes that increase oil recovery and for more accurate determination of changes in fluid saturations and reservoir properties during oil and gas production. The subsequent improvement should be the nanosensors or nanosensors clusters localization. In that respect, the special electrical, optical and magnetic properties of nanometerials make them well suited for use as injected sensors and contrast agents. Several possible applications and exploitation schemes are currently under study with nanodevices injected in to a reservoir. Based on the available technology the path to “slightly” smart nanosensors is shorter and could introduce significant advantages for reservoir investigation. 100–1000 nm diameter passive nanoobjects could be flushed with the injection fluids through the pores of the reservoir rocks to determine the formation characteristics. No active components (sensor, data storage or transmission, 3D location, power) would be on-board, but the presence of a proper structure (multi-wall nanowires, core-shell particles) interacting with the reservoir could retrieve threshold information (maximum temperature and/or pressure, maximum pH, salinity). The magnetic (through a magnetic core) or electrical (as in the case of Carbon nanotubes) conductivity of such nanodust could be exploited for recovering information. Using a core-shell structure, for example, the quantity of oil present in a reservoir could be assessed based on the amount of material lost or retained during the travel time, or the extreme conditions (temperature, pressure, and salinity gradient) at which the nanoparticles were exposed and for how long, could be determined. The idea could be to pump nanosensors in the reservoir periodically so as to regularly monitor changes in the well/field condi-
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Pavani Vattikuti
Fig. 1 – The scale of things picture shows that one micron is at the dividing line between size ranges called the Microworld and the Nanoworld tions. In turn, this could result in improved production efficiency and trouble managing [11]. An interesting and extremely efficient property which could be exploited at the nanoscale is the shape memory effect.
Project Description First we will talk about some basics regarding nanotechnology and why oil industry is so much interested in nanotechnology: The incredibly small size of the nano-scale materials creates opportunities for them to be injected into oil and gas reservoirs. Geoscientists have analyzed the oil-bearing sandstones to establish that the pore throat openings commonly range between 100 and 10,000 nanometers in width. That’s large enough for fluids like water, brines and oil as well as gas to flow through relatively freely. So if we could put nano-scale tracers or sensors down a hole, they would be small enough to flow through these pores, and we could gain a bunch of valuable
information about the rock and the fluid environment where the oil and gas is found. Sensors According to Krishnamoorty [19], nanomaterials are excellent tools for the development of sensors and imaging-contrast agents due to the significant alterations in their optical, magnetic and electrical properties (in comparison to their bulk analogues) along with their ability to form (electrically and/or geometrically) percolated structures at low volume fractions. Such nanomaterials, when combined with smart fluids, can be used as extremely sensitive downhole sensors for temperature, pressure and stress even under extreme conditions. The ultimate evolution of devices for prospection is represented by nanorobots, which should really provide an effective mapping of the reservoir. Nowadays, nanorobots still remain a dream, shared by the medical and oil sectors. But advances in nanosensor miniaturization are occurring rapidly and numerous theoretical and experimental investigations about the flow of multiphase
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Nanotechnology and Nanosensors of Trends in Oil and Gas Industry
Fig. 2 – Logarithmic scale on left shows size range of selected natural objects. Objects are compared with size range of manufactured nanodevices, extending from MEMS devices (top) tobuckyballs (bottom) fluids containing nanoparticles in porous media enrich the recent technical literature. Coatings Significant work is underway toward the transition of smart/multifunctional polymer coatings from laboratory curiosities toward the identification of commercial applications. Intelligent or smart coatings, which may combine the shielding aspect with sensor or actuator functions, rely on their capabilities to respond to physical, chemical or mechanical stimuli by developing readable signals. Nanomaterials are expected to be used not only as advanced functional materials but also as an integral part of complete smart structures composed of various elements including sensors, actuators, control devices. Some of the key challenges in more advanced research areas are the understanding of corrosion protection mechanism imparted by conducting polymers and the advancement of Micro nanocapsulation as a means to impart self-healing [4]. Nevertheless, some innovative
applications seem to be ready for commercialization in a very nearby future, such as a coating using carbon nanotubes to conduct a current for evenly heating surface, which could be used on pipelines to reduce gas hydrate formation or to de-ice the blades on wind turbines [20]. An innovative corrosion-resistant material solution could also be represented by nanometric thin films and composites with nanostructured fillers. Apart from the economic aspect which is not strongly favorable yet, corrosion-resistant materials are surely the “just round the corner” nanotechnology-based applications, basically because of the combination of several conditions: relatively low risk, high effectiveness and low complexity. Nano-coated, wear-resistant probes, made of tungsten carbide or boron nitride, enhance the lifespan and efficiency of the drilling systems, thus inducing remarkable cost savings. The same applies to the nano-layered corrosion inhibitors in pipes or tanks, which act through the creation of a permanent molecular layer on the surface of
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Fig. 3 – Atomic structure of carbon nanotubes
metals, thus eliminating or hampering corrosion induced by HCl or H2S. Smartfluids and Nanofluids Smartfluids and nanofluids can provide solutions for: Enhanced Oil Recovery, enhanced fluid viscosity and molecular modification. Nanosensors deployed in the pore space by means of “nanodust” to provide data on reservoir characterization, fluid-flow monitoring, and fluid-type recognition. Exciting science referred to as nanotechnology is being introduced into reservoir characterization and monitoring. The sizes of devices and sensors that can now be fabricated to react in measurable ways when they contact a specific fluid, chemical or biological agent have been reduced so that they can be injected into some hydrocarbon reservoirs and become part of the fluid flow through the reservoir system. Common terminology appearing in descriptions of this new reservoir-monitoring science includes nanodevices, nanosensors and
nanorobots. Fullerene are a family of carbon allotropes, molecules composed entirely of carbon, in the form of a hollow sphere, ellipsoid, tube, or plane. Spherical fullerenes are also called buckyballs, and cylindrical ones are called carbon nanotubes or buckytubes. Graphene is an example of a planar fullerene sheet. Fullerenes are similar in structure to graphite, which is composed of stacked sheets of linked hexagonal rings, but may also contain pentagonal (or sometimes heptagonal) rings that would prevent a sheet from being planar. The target molecule that initiates the desired reaction can, in theory, be tailored to be a wide range of molecules found in, or associated with, producing hydrocarbon systems. NanoPhysics for Sensing, Modifying and Manipulating Oil-Gas Reservoirs; A Delve Deep/Deep Dive into the Nano Domain. The demand for fossil fuels will increase in the decades to come, but the era of finding “easy oil” is
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Nanotechnology and Nanosensors of Trends in Oil and Gas Industry
Fig. 4 – One concept for use of nanotechnology in reservoir characterization. Nanodevices (N) are injected in perfs A through F and move through a reservoir. At calendar-delay times of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 time intervals, spatial distribution of the nanodevices is measured by EM or seismic methods to determine their XYZ coordinates, allowing inferences to be made about fluid-flow paths, compartment boundaries and reservoir connectivity coming to an end. Exploration increasingly needs to focus on hydrocarbon prone sedimentary basins that are much deeper and more difficult to access. The detection of fossil-fuel reserves is complicated by the fact that the repertoire of methods to discover such reserves with a high probability of success is limited. Drilling for hydrocarbons is expensive and necessarily provides only near-wellbore “local” information – there is a great need for exploring fossil-fuel reserves volumetrically. To put the possibility of injecting nanodevices into reservoirs into perspective, a comparison between reservoir pore sizes and diameters of nanodevices is helpful. Because nanotubes can be designed to become efficient electrical conductors, electromagnetic (EM) measurements may be the branch of geo-
physics that first develops applications of nanotechnology in reservoir characterization. Nanodevices, perhaps, can initiate their predesigned action after set periods of calendar time to measure how far they have progressed through a reservoir and to identify in which XYZ coordinates they reside after that time period. A possible application is illustrated in Fig. 3. In this hypothetical case, nanodevices are injected into a reservoir, and at predesigned time delays (arbitrarily set at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 arbitrary calendar-time units in this example) the positions of the injected conductive nanodevices are measured by an appropriate crosswell EM or surface-based EM procedure. The objective is to determine, in three-dimensional space, the internal flow paths that exist within a reservoir system as that reservoir is being produced. If nanodevices can be
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Fig. 5 – Rock properties/Petrophysics designed to become miniature acoustic pingers, as some envision and hope, the progress of the nanodevices through a reservoir can perhaps be measured by crosswell seismic methods. Nanotechnology holds great promise, both for mapping out and manipulating fossil-fuel reserves because of the small scales that characterize the cracks and pores where oil is stuck. Sensors that can access these pores to determine properties and content need to be small, and manipulation of the oil/water mixtures in these pores, for example emulsification or gelation to enhance oil recovery, also has to take place on small scales. On the one hand, the study, manipulation and production of increasingly sophisticated small “particles” with sizes ranging from less than one nm to several microns (functional colloids, janus and patchy particles, nanotubes, supramolecular complexes) has taken an enormous flight in recent years. On the other hand, nanotechnology is already finding applications in several areas related to the Oil & Gas Industry. Nanostructured Coatings, Improved Proppants, Nanoenhanced elastomers, and new ceramics, etc. are already under development or in the testing phase. Although applications in reservoir surveillance and Enhanced Oil Recovery seem to be further away, it is these areas that Nanotechnology will probably have the biggest impact on.
Technologies like nanoscale sensors that could travel through the reservoir generating detailed maps of the reservoir properties would be game changing and would significantly increase oil recovery. Other nano-based technologies aimed at directly manipulating subsurface conditions could significantly improve current EOR techniques. Before these types of applications become possible, a better understanding of fundamental aspects related to the flow and functionality of nanomaterials within the reservoir is crucial to develop Nano Physical approaches for Sensing, Modifying and Manipulation of (transport in) Oil-Gas reservoirs. Develop effective theory and model systems to capture these aspects of the flow and activity of (nano) particles. "Nanophysics for E&P" is to identify and study these fundamental issues necessary for exploiting the full potential of Nanotechnology for Reservoir Surveillance and Enhanced Oil Recovery. The themes addressing these fundamental challenges include: 1) Transport; 2) Trigger; 3) Sensing and 4) Manipulation. Pores can be anywhere from 10 microns to one microns in diameter. Because of their size, once the initial high pressure of the reservoir has been reduced by releasing some of the oil, this porosity can impede the flow of oil or gas through the rock formation. It can take a lot of work to get the oil out of the rock.
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Nanotechnology and Nanosensors of Trends in Oil and Gas Industry
Fig. 6 – Micelle without nano-particle addition
Fig. 7 – Micelle with nano-particle addition The researchers believe that in addition to locating and mapping oil and gas nanoparticles might also be able to help to recover the fuels. The trouble is that the oil in the pores sticks to the walls, even when high-pressure steam is blasted into the rock. The hope is that with the right nanoparticles, the researchers might be able to free the hydrocarbons from the rock.
The twin goals of more score in pores 1. to develop innovative “in-situ” and “ex-situ” techniques”, as well as effective combinations of them, in order to assemble an innovative tool dedicated to the investigation and controlling of the evolution of the nanomaterial properties and to considerably expand the
Pavani Vattikuti
understanding of confinement phenomena in nanopores. 2. to advance the nano-manipulation of porous materials. For VES (Visco Elastic Surfactant) type surfactants when its concentration exceeds Critical Micellar Concentration (CMC) in presence of an electrolyte (like KCl, CaCl2 etc.) the surfactant molecule aggregate and form elongated rod like micelle. The rod like micelles can interact to form a network exhibiting viscoelastic behavior.
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enhance drilling by adding benefits such as wettability alteration, advanced drag reduction and sand consolidation [24]. One specialized petroleum laboratory has developed an advanced fluid mixed with nanosized particles and superfine powder that significantly improves the drilling speed and can eliminate formation damage in near wellbore zone [12]. Prof. Tour’s Laboratory works with M-I SWACO’s to optimize the effectiveness of graphene additives to drilling fluids.
Nanomembranes Inspired by the success of zeolites, which are materials capable of separating small gases, such as oxygen and nitrogen, a new generation of large-scale, lightweight and sturdy nanomembranes is being developed and deployed. These nanomembranes will significantly enhance the exploitation of tight gas by providing efficient methods for removing impurities, separating gas streams and enabling GTL production. By exploiting methods common in the microelectronics industry, the cost of manufacturing highly uniform and reproducible membranes is quite competitive [19]. Nanoporous and nanoparticular materials are also very promising to manage the environmental, health and safety risks deriving from the presence of CO 2 and H2S in hydrocarbon mixtures. Nanofluids and nanomaterials for drilling and completion Drilling and completion sectors are other two oil branches where the benefits of nanofluids and nanomaterials application are already tangible. Nanotechnology has opened the door to the development of a new generation of fluids defined as “smart fluids” for drilling, production and stimulation related applications. Thanks to the exceptionally high surface to volume ratio, nanofluids and nano-based additives exhibit major interaction with the surrounding environment even at very low concentrations. Such smart fluids will further
Thanks to the synthesis of a new class of elastomeric composites filled with carbon nanotubes or other strongly anisotropic nano-objects, stronger, tougher and more resistant drilling tools and apparatus will be manufactured in the coming years. At the same time, these tools will ensure a significant weight reduction and the potential to originate self-sensing elements to be interrogated for the real-time monitoring of the most critical parts. Another important technique in the development of super-hard materials is the use of nanostructured dispersed-hardened materials [21]. The superiority of physical-mechanical properties of diamond polycrystalline nanocomposites, boron nitrid nanocomposites [10] and 2WC/Co/diamond nanocomposites [17] in comparison with their traditional counterparts has been reported in the literature. First generation of nanotech applications for improving hydraulic fracturing are represented by Baker Hughes’s nano-structured metal composites, combined by magnesium, aluminum and other alloys, which offer both strength at lower weight and the ability to “dissolve” away under certain conditions. Another example is the proppant produced by Oxane Materials, constituted by nano-structured ceramic material which is as strong as but lighter as ceramic proppant. A possible solution for mitigating fine migration problems is represented by the commercialized nanocrystals for treating hydraulic fracture prop-
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Nanotechnology and Nanosensors of Trends in Oil and Gas Industry
pant packs to fixate formation fines. The mechanism of fixation of the formation fines depends on the high surface forces of the nanoparticles, such as Van der Waals and electrostatic forces, which also attach the nanoparticles to the surface of proppant during fracpacking and fracturing treatments [15].
Conclusion Nanoscience & technology is an emerging technology for petroleum industry. Applications of nanophysics is a revolutionary step for upstream/ exploration & production of oil & gas. To enhance R/P ratio of nations, we have to pay much attention to Enhanced Oil &Gas Recovery. It signifies to convert plentiful resources of mature oil & gas field as an asset to E&P sector. By applying nanotechnology we can recover 90% of oil & gas from the reservoir in place of 40–50% recovery at present. Nanofluids score more from pore of core/ sweet spot of the oil & gas reservoir. Nanofluids are being used in Ultra-Deep Drilling Fluids. Drilling fluids, commonly referred to as drilling muds, are
an integral part of drilling oil and natural gas wells. This action not only cools and lubricates the drill bit, but it also helps to convey rock debris and drill cuttings from the drilling area to the surface. The drilling fluids can also help to prevent blowouts and wellbore cavings by creating hydrostatic pressure that stops formation fluids from entering the well prematurely. By providing solutions for sensing and intervention nanotechnology can help to find and recover more conventional oil, improve oil field data, and diversity of sources of supply. The future of nanotechnology seems to be bright. Nevertheless, several issues are to be considered and the following actions should be taken to transform a big opportunity into reality: favour multi-disciplinarity, improve convergence between the top-down and the bottom-up approaches (namely, miniaturization and the creation of smart materials by exploiting their selforganisational capacity), be careful with the “nano” hype (often nano erroneously comprises traditional physics and chemistry) and, finally, consider the usual long-term research and investment time frame for targeting business properly.
References 1. Baker Institute Study (2005, April). Energy and Nanotechnology: Strategy for the Future. Baker Institute Study, 30, 1–20. 2. Berseth, P.A., Harter, A.G., Zidan, R., Blomqvist, A., Araújo, C.M., Scheicher, R.H., Ahuja, R., & Jena, P. (2009). Carbon Nanomaterials as Catalysts for Hydrogen Uptake and Release in NaAlH4. Nano Lett., 9(4), 1501–1505. 3. Bhat, S., & Singh, P. (2006). Nanologging: Use of Nanorobots for Logging. SPE-104280-MS, SPE Eastern Regional Meeting, Canton, OH. October 11–13, 2006. 4. Boura, S.H., Samadzadeh, M., Peikari, M., & Ashrafi, A. (2010). Smart and Multi-Functional Coatings Based on Micro/Nano Sized Additives and Their Implementation. SPE-130972-MS, SPE International Conference on Oilfield Corrosion, Aberdeen, United Kingdom. May 24–25, 2010. 5. Chaaudhury, M.K. (2003). Complex Fluids: Spread the Word About Nanofluids. Nature, 423, 131–132. 6. Cook, F.L., Jacob, K.I., Polk, M., & Pourrsdeyhimi, B. (2005, November). Shape Memory Polymer Fibers for Comfort Wear. NTC Project M05-GT14. 7. Cui, J.B., Sordan, R., Burghard, M., & Kern, K. (2002, October). Carbon Nanotube Memory Devices of High Charge Storage Stability. Applied Physics Letters, 81(17), 3260–3262. 8. Drexler, K.E. (1st ed.). (1986). Engines of Creation, pp. 298. New York, NY: Anchor Press/Doubleday. 9. Drexler, K.E., Peterson, C., & Pergamit, G. (1st ed.). (1991). Unbounding the Future: The Nanotechnology Revolution, pp. 366. New York, NY: William Morrow/Quill Books.
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10. Dubrovinskaia, N., Solozhenko, V.L., Miyajima, N., Dmitriev, V., Kurakevych, O.O., & Dubrovinsky, L. (2007). Superhard Nanocomposite of Dense Polymorphs of Boron Nitride: Noncarbon Material Has Reached Diamond Hardness. Applied Physics Letters, 90(10). 11. Durham, L.S. (2009, August). Researchers are Thinking Small. AAPG Explorer. Retrieved 2014, from http://www.aapg.org/publications/news/explorer/emphasis/articleid/681/researchers-are-thinking-small 12. Esmaeili, A. (2009). Applications of Nanotechnology in Oil and Gas Industry. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Methods and Models in Science and Technology, Jaipur, India. November 19–20, 2009. 13. Freitas, R.A., (1st ed.). (2003). Nanomedicine: Biocompatibility, pp. 348. Basel, Switzerland: S Karger Ag. 14. Goa, T. (2002). Nanoscience – A Small Scale Revolution. Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, 10. 15. Huang, T., & Crews, J.B. (2008). Nanotechnology Applications in Viscoelastic Surfactant Stimulation Fluids. SPE 107728-PA. SPE Production & Operations, 23(04). 16. Huang, T., Crews, J.B., & Willingham, J.R. (2008). Using Nanoparticle Technology to Control Fine Migration. SPE-115384-MS, SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exibition, Denver, CO. September 21–24, 2008. 17. Jain, M., Sadangi, R.K., Cannon, W.R., & Kear, B.H. (2001). Processing of Functionally Graded WC/ Co/Diamond Nanocomposites. Scripta Materialia 44(8–9) . 18. Kapusta, S., Balzano, L., & Te Riele, P.M. (2011, January). Nanotechnology Applications in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production. IPTC-15152-MS, International Petroleum Technology Conference, Bangkok, Thailand. November 15–17, 2011. 19. Krishnamoorty, R. (2006, November). Extracting the Benefits of Nanotechnology for the Oil Industry. JPT, Society of Petroleum Engineers, 58(11), 24–25. 20. Rassenfoss, S. (2011, October). Nanotechnology for Sale: The Once-theoretical Becomes Practical. Journal of Petroleum Technology, 63(10). 21. Terranova, M.L., Piccirillo, S., Sessa, V., Rossi, M., & Botti, S. (1999). Microstructure and Properties of Nanocomposite Diamond Films Obtained by a New CVD-based Technique. J. Phys. IV France, 9(8), 365–371. 22. Wang, X.F., Xiang, J., Wang, P., Koyama, Y., Yanagida, S., Wada, Y., Hamada, K., Sasaki, S., & Tamiaki, H. (2005, June). Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using a Chlorophyll a Derivative as the Sensitizer and Carotenoids Having Different Conjugation Lengths as Redox Spacers. Chemical Physics Letter, 408(4–6), 409–414. 23. Wang, Z.L., & Song, J. (2006, April). Piezoelectric Nanogenerators Based on Zinc Oxide Nanowire Arrays. Science, 312(5771), 242–246. 24. Wasan, D.T., & Nikolov, A.D. (2003). Spreading of Nanofluids on Solids. Nature, 423, 156–159.
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Where is the Polish Energy Policy Headed?
conference | XX Energy Conference EuroPOWER
µµ Where is the Polish Energy Policy Headed? Alina Malinowska, Edyta Stopyra Energy industry has an extremely strong influence on the economic situation, security and life quality each of us. It is inextricably linked to the whole industry and therefore, its impact on competitiveness is crucial to solve the problems associated with it. This is a challenge that Europe faces today: decisive action is needed to reduce emissions and stop climate changes. Energy sector is also the source of the most harmful effects on the environment and health. At level of the European Union we have to take coordinated action to reduce the harmful effects through the integration of energy policy with environmental policy. What are the development directions of Polish energy policy? Are the climate and energy policy of EU beneficial for the economy? Is it possible to diversify sources of gas for Europe? The answers to these and many other questions were trying to get participants of the anniversary EuroPOWER Energy Conference, which was held on 19th–20th November, 2014 in Warsaw, Poland. The theme of this edition was Polish Energy Policy 2050. Participants of the 20th meeting were presidents, board members, directors and managers of energy and fuel groups, electrical power & heating plants, and companies providing services to the energy industry entities. Discussions in seven panels were focused on changes in the market, a common search for new models and an analysis of the latest trends. All these activities has one aim: help in the most efficient implementation of the adopted strategies. "The EuroPOWER conference is a great occasion to meet people from the industry, to talk about that how energy production looks like today, what
are the challenges and what directions we need to change. Energy is a ground of the economy, therefore, I think it is worth to meet, talk and somehow change this economy." – Michał Jarczyński, Chairman of the Board of ENEA Operator The aim of the conference was to expose and discuss the most important problems of the sector and its environment. This was an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience of authorities from Polish and European energy sectors, Polish Parliament and the major energy organizations. EuroPOWER is the most important energy-related event in Poland, it is a platform for participants to exchange opinions about the future of energy market, and initiatives related to the constant improvement of the Polish energy situation. About Gas and Fuel Markets It is well known that natural gas is the most strategic energy resource of the world, so we could not miss a related panel at the conference. The main topic of the discussion was the fact, that Polish economy tends to the deregulation of gas market. Speakers exchanged comments and outlooks on the current situation in Poland, from their companies’ point of view. Repeatedly emphasized what aspects are missing in the Polish energy law that could make deregulation smoother and more accessible. They also presented their hopes for the development of the transmission and storage of natural gas, as well as changes in the gas market. On the second day of EuroPOWER, during the panel about the fuel market experts discussed about topics related to crude oil processing capacity, consumption, inventory and fuel reserves
Alina Malinowska, Edyta Stopyra
in Poland. The speakers expressed their anxiety about the so-called “grey economy” in which entrepreneurs add bio-components to fuels in order to lower their price, simultaneously lowering their quality. Unfortunately, the loophole allows such action and the honest fuel producers lose. An important issue was also biofuels – estimate of their use, new technologies and benefits to the economy.
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terials at favorable prices. Energy dilemmas which we face need to be resolved, therefore, the representatives of the different environments want to work together on that.
Summary
The presence of representatives from the biggest Polish energy companies and government delegates allowed the participants to gather valuable knowledge, get answers to the most important questions and obtain a clear picture of the situation in the current energy system, significant assurances, eg. in terms of gas and fuel market relation. Reports from participants and the media confirmed, that the conference was an extremely effective platform for dialogue involving development of the energy sector at various levels.
Today's energy solutions involve fundamental challenges for the modern economy, therefore, it will be a subject of constant amendments in order to bring changes in markets, new raw materials and technologies. The speakers agreed that the priority is production of energy from own raw ma-
The 20th edition of EuroPOWER is behind us, but the participants of the meeting are not idle, they actively prepare next meeting, which will take place in April this year. All interested in the energy industry are invited to participate in this extraordinary event.
During the debates, today’s changes taking place in the market were also discussed; there were panels including issues of the distributed energy and Polish energy on the capital market.
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The Most Important Issues of Energy Industry under Windmills
conference | SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition 2014
µµ The Most Important Issues of Energy
Industry under Windmills Joanna Wilaszek Every year, in autumn, there are a few days when the whole petroleum world gathers together in one city, in one place. What attracts the brightest minds, the biggest companies and the most talented people of the industry? It is the power of Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition organized by SPE. I am almost sure that everybody who has ever had a chance to attend any edition of ATCE will agree with my statement. The atmosphere of the conference is a kind of magic. When you realize how huge the event is, when you think about the number of panels and sessions that go on simultaneously, when you see the exhibit hall and the
biggest booths of the most powerful companies in the world, you are really impressed. And if you meet people known from the first pages of the industry magazines, you become even more thrilled. Each edition of ATCE is a great feast of knowledge and science that gives an opportunity for organizing meetings and discussions during which the most important matters of the industry and of our Society are discussed. This year, for the second time in its history, the event was held in Europe. ATCE was held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. From 27th to 29th Octo-
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Joanna Wilaszek
ber 2014, the city was the capital of the petroleum world. Students’ opening Traditionally, students begin the conference one day earlier. On the pre-day, the youngest attendees took part in Meet & Greet Session during which we could meet our friends from all over the world as well as see a lot of new faces. Organizers provided us with some integration games and after that we took part in a soft skills training, whose aim was to recognize our own character features. The next event after Meet & Greet was the one which every student had been waiting for. It was Student Awards and General Session. During the meeting, representatives of the best SPE Student Chapters got prizes for their year-long work. Outstanding Student Chapter Award was given to the best chapter in every region. Apart from this, organizers handed individual awards for the leading students, who received STAR Scholarships and Fellowships. The Session gathered the brightest young members of the industry and proved that today’s leaders do not have to worry about the future of the industry, because it will be in the right hands.
PetroBowl Game The first day of ATCE was the second most important episode of student activity during ATCE. That day, 36 best teams competed in a PetroBowl Game. It was played as a single-elimination tournament. Every team was composed of 5 students. Participants had to not only be smart and have a wide knowledge, but also had to be quick. They had to put in for the question that was being read by the host. But they also had to be careful, as points were subtracted if the wrong answer was given. The game was much easier for the native speakers of English, as it is hard to speak about some technical notions for people who use English as a second language. Some of the games were very interesting and level-pegging. This time the team from the University of Tulsa became the champion. Congratulations! A huge arena for thousands of meetings During the next three days, Amsterdam RAI Center, Hilton Hotel and Mercure Amsterdam City Hotel became an arena for numerous meetings, lectures, discussions, workshops and many
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The Most Important Issues of Energy Industry under Windmills
other sessions and panels. We could meet the presidents of the sections and chapters, the most influential people of the industry and headquarters of the biggest international companies. Participants discussed the current problems and challenges, which we will have to face due to many economical and political crises. Companies shared new technologies and innovative techniques. And us, the youngest attendees, listened to everything carefully and kept our eyes peeled, taking the best lessons for our future leadership. Exhibition This year in the exhibit hall we could visit booths of over 450 companies from all over the world. Their representatives were making big business, selling technologies, discussing contracts and sharing their knowledge. But for us it was a great occasion to talk about career opportunities in numerous companies representing so many branches of the industry and having offices in almost all
countries in the world. It is a very rare chance, which occurs only once a year, so we took advantage of it as much as we could. Magic Amsterdam and surprising Netherlands Apart from taking part in the conference, we also found some time for sightseeing. We were really surprised while discovering the unusual magic of the Netherlands. The canals of Amsterdam, windmills, polders and the mysterious seaside – all of that together with hospitality of the inhabitants and traditional food (like cheese or stroopwafels) created a wonderful atmosphere. Next year in Houston Next year ATCE goes back to the USA. The whole petroleum world will meet in Houston on 28th to 30th September 2015. I hope to see you there, dear YoungPetro Readers!
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Aneta Maruszak
conference | Shale Gas World Europe 2014
µµ European Shale Gas Needs New Legislation Aneta Maruszak From 25th to 26th November 2014, our team had an opportunity to participate in a great international conference, which took place in Warsaw. The main theme was the future of shale gas exploration in Europe. The conference program consisted of presentations, series of lectures and a panel discussion. Speakers were focused mostly on industrial strategies, legislation issues and the public awareness of fracking. At the same time, there was an exhibition which was attended by the most important companies from unconventional exploration sector, such as Baker Hughes or Tenaris Global Services. Presentations and discussion During the conference, much attention was paid to the legislation aspects of shale gas extrac-
tion. Representatives of European governments and companies presented current law regulations from their countries. Unfortunately, they are far from perfection and, as a result, often delay investments. The regulations can even completely block the investor, who consequently is forced to withdraw and stop exploration activities. Such a situation happened in 2009 in Hungary, from where ExxonMobil moved out because of strict law. For some countries it is a particularly big loss, since they have no other natural resources than shale. Therefore, most European countries conduct works in order to improve current legislation system or to introduce totally new regulations. And all of these efforts are to shorten the time required to obtain all the necessary permits and reduce bureaucracy. For example, in Poland it takes about 22 months to get all the permits needed to start drilling, including environmental decisions (!).
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Exhibition Although it wasn’t a student conference but a fully professional one, we were able to talk personally with the representatives of numerous companies which provided us with some industry novelties. For instance, we became interested in a company specializing in ground-gas continuousmonitoring. It turned out that monitoring and examining the interior of the earth, in terms of spreading of natural gas and other pollutants, is very important, especially in the areas of oil and gas extraction in order to ensure the safety of workers and the surrounding communities. We also enriched our knowledge about the newest materials, which are used during fracking – ceramic proppants. Naturally, we visited many more stands of shale gas
European Shale Gas Needs New Legislation
operators and solution providers who presented their companies offers, but, unfortunately, there is no place to write about all of them. World Class Event The 5th edition of the Shale Gas World Europe conference was a fantastic occasion to debate about the current situation in the unconventional gas sector. It was an exceptional, perfectly organized event, which gathered hundreds of representatives from many countries, also of many professions, and allowed to establish new paths for the future shale gas industry. Our participation was a great pleasure, we hope that YoungPetro will be a media partner also in the next editions and we will meet again soon!
Jakub Pitera
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UPPP 2014 Competition Jakub Pitera
How many of our Readers have heard about UPPP 2014? UPPP is a new competition from MOL Group, Hungarian descend oil and gas company. It took place during the fall of the last year and was developed as addition and extension of company another big project called FRESHHH. FRESHHH in an unique way that combines all aspects of Oil & Gas Industry from Downstream to Upstream and has accomplished eighth successful editions. Recently, Upstream sector of industry became most crucial for MOL Group development scheme. The company considered possibilities to overcome growing challanges and a demand for innovative solutions and specialists. As an answer, new standalone project focusing purely on Upstream was developed – thus, the name UPPP. The competition is also a tool for promoting the company among E&P-related field of study graduates. The creator – MOL Group – is the 2nd largest Central & East European integrated oil and gas corporation, headquartered in Budapest, Hungary. Their countries of operation spread over 40 with 30,000 employed specialists worldwide. MOL Group produces 38 million barrels of oil equivalent per year along with 417 thousand barrels daily going through their refineries. Due to their unique progress and innovation oriented strategies the company made astonishing expansion in the last 20 years which resulted in 24.1 billion USD Net Revenue in 2013. So back to the beginning. UPPP is an international upstream competition dedicated for petrotechni-
cal and geoscience students. In current edition, students from 27 selected universities could register as a three-member team. The top 3 teams won a total of 20,000 EUR and the best participants can start building their future with MOL Group by entering 18 months world-class UPPP Technical Placement Program along with training participation, site visits and summer internship possibility. The competition began with a simulation round via an online platform where the teams had to solve tasks and cases about exploration, field development and production. The cases were from actual MOL Group E&P data in Pakistan. Contestants played 20 rounds. One round meant a year in the game and 24 hours in real world. In each turn players had a chance to perform exploration and development activities. Financial accounting, effects of decision and data analysis results were shown at a turn change. The final results were judged purely and simply by cash generated by a participating team company. This year a number of 972 teams competed against each other in a simulation round and the TOP 10 were invited to LIVE FINALS in Budapest. UPPP 2014 Final challange tasked best participants to provide a concept and actions how MOL Group should address today’s challanges in Upstream and a changing world. The best teams were required to present prepared strategies to MOL Group Exploration & Production Top Management on Dec 11th, 2014 in Budapest. The presentation was limited to 20 minutes sharply and then thoroughly examined in 10 minutes questions and answers session by the jury. However, grand finals went far beyond that. While TOP 5 teams could further compete for the prizes, latter teams from TOP 10 were invited as guests to participate in an exceptional Live Final event, which was planned from Dec 8th to 12th with an unique, detailed, interesting and entertaining programme. MOL Group
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covered all logistics, accommodation, travel costs and kept constant warm contact with finalist during preparation period. At Day 1 of the finals, participants traveled to Budapest and checked-in at the hotel. At Day 2 everyone met each other during highly entertaining BASE CAMP project where all teams engaged in a challenging intellectual mission and met MOL Group Exploration & Production management at a dinner in Budapest Royal Castle District. Day 3 was planned for sightseeing and rehearsals at the live final venue. The venue – Várkert Bazár – is a 150 years old building, which was recently completely renovated and opened as a vast conference centre. The building is unique in the way it is connecting classical architecture of facade with a modern contemporary design of interior. And Day 4 was for the Grand Finals. When all participants, judges, competition masterminds and distinguished guests gathered in auditorium, the gala was opened by professional host – Andrew Hefler. Then for the next three hours best teams presented their strategies on stage and went
UPPP 2014 Competition
under the fire of judges. In the middle there was a refreshing coffee break in the lobby and a video recap from the Base Camp. After the final presentation, judges had closed the doors of the hall for more than an hour and privately discussed and evaluated appearance of the contestants. Then the award ceremony began. On the stage stepped Mr. Carl Grenz – MOL Group Exploration & Production Chief Operating Officer. Apart from expressing gratitude for the competition organisers, Mr Grenz invited teams and separately handled them certificates. Subsequently, together with a gala moderator , they declared the winners of UPPP 2014. ONIONgas team, Polish students from AGH University of Science and Technology were announced the top team of competition. Second place went to Team Mechanical from NED University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan and third place went to OIL UP from University of Miskolc, Hungary. When all the created drama and pressure ceased, guests and participants could refresh and enjoy a talk at a cocktail party.
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Jakub Pitera
As a member of the winning team I believe that the competition can lead to the successful career. The opportunity to start the collaboration with MOL Group is opened for every participant of the finals. The event was magnificent. MOL Group used every source to guarantee unforgetable experience to invited students. Apart from the acquiring top petrotechnical talents, such competition is a great tool for the company promotion. The student-friendly and innovative profile of MOL Group is unique in the way it is uncommon in the conservative world of oil and gas industry. YoungPetro recommends staying up to date with
everything that company has to offer – from competitions like UPPP and FRESHHH to advanced graduate programs. For more information visit: ÈÈ ÈÈ ÈÈ ÈÈ ÈÈ ÈÈ ÈÈ
www.uppp.info www.uppp.info/enterifyoudare www.facebook.com/moluppp www.facebook.com/molfreshhh www.facebook.com/growww www.youtube.com/user/molgroupinfo www.molgroup.info
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Let’s Organize Your Studying Time!
Let’s Organize Your Studying Time! Agata Gruszczak, Alina Malinowska
Students create the biggest group of young people. Beyond classes many students around the world organize themselves into different groups and societies according to their interests and needs. There are many international students’ organizations formed by students for students. The ideas are totally different, as creating students’ exchange, sharing hobbies, organizing internships, apprenticeships or doing research together. Groups like these are created to offer help, guidance and other valuable information in order to let the student find his role in the new environment. Thanks to it, students can participate in interesting extracurricular activities and integrate through different meetings in both: formal and informal ways. Popular professional scientific organizations have student chapters, which are formed for students who want to broaden their knowledge. As a member, they can take part in various congresses, conferences, present papers, reports, meet with professionals, attend workshops or even share materials. Many of them exist in oil & gas sector. The purpose of it is to gather students pursuing the degree in geology, geosciences, petroleum engineering and drilling together, and enable them easier access to the best sources. We asked our friends from different countries about their activities and as a result in this article you will find valuable information about most popular oil & gas international student organizations in terms of how to become a member, what opportunities this membership can bring, their popular projects and some useful words about each one from a single member.
Student Scientific Groups Every university creates scientific circles, that gather students who are passionate about the development of science. In each of them students expand their knowledge and skills in the specific statutory area. Through the scientific research and events such as educational trips or workshops, members wish to develop and improve technology in cooperation with scientists and industry. Membership depends on groups, but generally it consists of the individual application. The example of actively working group is Student Scientific Group “Oil and Gas” which works on Faculty of Drilling, Oil and Gas at AGH University of Science and Technology in Cracow, Poland. Piotr Żyrek, vice-chairman of this group, told us about it: “The activity of Student Scientific Group ‘Oil and Gas’ is connected with the issues of reservoir engineering, transmission, production and storage of hydrocarbons. Members of our organization take part in national and international conferences, including last edition of SPE ATCE and East Meets West. Moreover, together with professors of AGH University of Science and Technology, we participate in research implementing innovations to the Polish energy sector. Besides, ‘Oil and Gas’ is a group of several dozen people eager to develop themselves and broaden their minds every day.”
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Agata Gruszczak, Alina Malinowska
of Leoben, which was described by the president Oliver Spenger:
The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Society of Petroleum Engineers is the biggest petroleum organization which associates over 124,000 members in 135 countries. The main mission of SPE is to collect, disseminate, and exchange technical knowledge concerning the exploration, development and production of oil and gas resources, and related technologies for the public benefit; and to provide opportunities for professionals to enhance their technical and professional competence. Engineers, scientist, managers, economists and students from the oil & gas industry have an exceptional opportunity to exchange their knowledge and experience. This is possible by conferences, trainings courses, workshops, lectures and many others special programs or events organized all over the world and targeted at members. The biggest event organized by Society of Petroleum Engineers is Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE), which presents new technologies, products, best practices and future trends for exploration and production each year. If you want to join to SPE, you must register at the main website spe.org as a student. Membership is paid $10–15 per year according to country of residence, but there is usually an option to fund the due by sponsor. In case problems you can watch the instruction video of the registration. For students there are many benefits of membership, for example a participation in paper contests during conferences, mentor programs, scholarships’ programs, etc. There are 295 students chapters, including over 37,000 young and future engineers around the globe. As the example of SPE Student Chapter we are presenting the chapter from Mining University
“I regard the SPE Student Chapter Leoben mainly as a platform connecting students with the industry, professors and among each other. This is where most of our activities aim at. Leoben is a small town in a petroleum importing country, activities like field trips and conference visits focus the exchange with the worldwide SPE network on a scientific as well as a cultural and social level. One of our main goals is to launch projects like "students4students", where older students (or guest lecturers) share their knowledge and experiences with younger ones to bring all petroleum engineers of our university together.”
The American Associations of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) American Associations of Petroleum Geologists is an international geological organization gathering members who are geologists, geophysicists, CEOs, managers, consultants, students and scientists. AAPG in its actions focuses on science of geology, especially as it relates to petroleum, natural gas, other subsurface fluids, and mineral resources. The organization bases on eight disciplines of science: Structure, Geochemistry and Basin Modeling, Engineering, Geophysics, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Business and Economics, Environmental, Petrophysics and Well Logs, about which members publish papers and articles. There are many programs that are created to promote and disseminate information about technology and geosciences among members. For students AAPG organizes annually Imperial Barrel Award Program (IBA), which is an annual
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Let’s Organize Your Studying Time!
prospective basin evaluation competition for geoscience graduate students. Furthermore, members can take part in a large number of special events, from which you can learn a lot, such as workshops, courses, conferences, seminars, etc. To be a member registration on website www.aapg.org is required. The due for students is in the amount of $10 per year, but is funded by sponsor. The brilliant example of AAPG Student Chapter are students from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. Szymon Belzyt, president, described for us the activity of his chapter: “Today, after three years of activity, we can show off many events – the lectures held by experts, workshops, courses and field trips which happened thanks to our members and advisor engagement. Moreover, we participate in conferences and workshops all over the world. We also popularize geosciences by taking part in science festivals and by providing workshops for high school students. In March, 2014, we participated in European Finals of the AAPG Imperial Barrel Award and currently, we've been working on our first research project titled 'HMA application in petroleum geology'. I am pretty sure that the activity of AMU Poznań SC has an effect on individual development and successes of our members. Only during recent academic year, our members won IPTC Education Week 2014 competition and SEG Challenge Bowl 2014.”
The European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE) The European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers is an organization which associates people involved, inter alia, in geophysics, petroleum exploration, geology, reservoir engineering, mining and mineral exploration, civil engineering, tunneling and environmental matters. Experts from industry, scientists and students share their knowledge during numerous conferences, workshops, exhibitions and education events. The most popular event at universities, where student chapters of EAGE are, is Student Lecture Tour. It consists of a half day presentation on an absorbing science topic performed by specialist in geoscience. This is a great initiative, in which experts share their intellectual development and knowledge with students. As you can see, there are many
Agata Gruszczak, Alina Malinowska
benefits of membership in this organization. If you want to join to EAGE, you must register at the website www.eage.org as a student or send filled application form to the EAGE Europe Office. The membership fee is €25, but there is also a option of the sponsored student membership. We are presenting the EAGE Student Chapter from the Institute of Earth Physics in Paris. Sébastien Rajeul told us: “The IPGP Student Chapter of the EAGE was created a few years ago by Master students graduating in Geophysics. One of its main goals is to develop innovative geophysical projects that help students to develop their technical knowledge and background, as well as their professional network. These projects are aimed at contributing to the industry technology excellence, by relying on the learning received during lectures taught by internationally renowned professors who are actively engaged in research from IPGP, Mines ParisTech, Shell, CGG, Schlumberger and Total. As a major worldwide oil & gas industry event, the EAGE annual conference & exhibition represents an outstanding occasion for our students to share their project results with the industry and to help developing the links between the academic and professional world.”
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gy). The objective of SEG is fostering geophysical operations in the exploration and development of natural resources. The International Exposition and Annual Meeting is organized, similarly as many other events, such as forums, workshops, conferences, courses, etc. where the experts around the world exchange their knowledge about actual and interesting topics concerning geophysics. If you want to apply for membership, you have two options: online form with application from website www.seg.org or printable to send fax or mail to Membership department. There is free associate membership dues for under graduated students and the first year following graduation.
The Society of Petrophysicists and Well Log Analysts (SPWLA)
The Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) The Society of Exploration Geophysicists is an organization that promotes the science of applied geophysics and the education of geophysicists. It consociates 33,000 members in 138 countries, including specialists and students of geophysics or a related scientific field (such as, but not limited, to physics, mathematics, engineering, or geolo-
The Society of Petrophysicists and Well Log Analysts aims to provide discussion and knowledge of the science of petrophycics and formation evaluation, through well logging and petrophysical techniques. SPWLA is an organizer of symposia and topical conferences, which are a place to discuss about new technique and new standards of formation evaluation. On every continent we can meet chapter of SPWLA. As a member, you can publish papers in journals and during conferences, participate at local society meetings and make presentations. If you want to join, you have to fill the Student Membership Application from website www.spwla.org and send it to the board’s of organization address.
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American Association of Drilling Engineers (AADE) AADE is first and only existing organization founded specially for Drilling Engineers. The main purpose is to provide technical skills exchange for ones interested in the drilling industry. AADE chapters organize forums and annual technical conferences to offer the opportunity to present latest technologies. Furthermore, they publish a newsletter or news on a webpage to keep all members informed about new activities and drilling industry information. To join AADE you have to complete membership application and return it to appropriate chapter. List of chapters can be found on http://www. aade.org/. Every chapter has its student section. By joining student section we will be able to join the forum for exchange of ideas in discussions among professionals and other students, precisely on drilling related subjects. Penn State Student Chapter – http://www.eme. psu.edu/academics/student-orgs/aade “American Association of Drilling Engineers at Penn State (AADE) is an up and coming student run club that has grown from an initial 40 members to now having over 200 registered members. Although, AADE was only recently established, AADE has provided students interested in drilling the opportunity to participate in several oil and gas field trips, listen to knowledgeable speakers, and meaningful networking events with industry professionals. AADE PSU strives to fulfill each students interest and curiosity about drilling, completions, and the oil and gas industry as a whole.” Abraham Dupla, fall 2014 – spring 2015 President
Let’s Organize Your Studying Time!
“As a chapter of AADE Appalachian Basin, AADE Penn State offers exposure of the oil & gas industry to students studying various disciplines. We have held a multitude of events, ranging from our annual mixer, conferences, to rig tours. The limited slots are selectively filled with candidates that are most involved with our organization. This year, we plan on offering more events to members than ever before. As we continue to grow in numbers with over 200 members, we would like to maintain our ability to provide a smaller personable atmosphere to our members while being able to provide opportunities to engage in rewarding and exciting trips.” Philip Kim, AADE Penn State President
Council for Undergraduate ResearchGeosciences Division (CUR) The mission of CUR is to support and promote high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship. By joining CUR you get possibility to use CUR’s mentoring services, attend meetings and get access to publications, you will get valuable advice on how to set up your program to enter undergraduates. CUR’s web site is full of information about presentation and research presenting opportunities for students, undergraduate journals and student events and conferences. Geoscience division describes itself as extremely active and helpful to all researches to start their own work. More you can find on its blog: http://geocur.org/
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Agata Gruszczak, Alina Malinowska
The Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society (EEGS) The idea of EEGS organization is to promote geophysics especially in force to environmental and engineering problems and solutions, to share together interests of geophysics and promote fellowship and cooperation among people interested in this kind of science. It develops and distributes quarterly scientific journal and a newsletter, also publishes books, CD-ROMs on the use of geophysical technologies. There are seven student chapters existing in several universities: Charles University in Prague, Clemson University, Kutztown University, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Rutgers University, University of Lagos, University of Wyoming. As only a few chapters exist, the board of EEGS encourage students to form a student chapter. To form a chapter there should be a minimum of two students and a faculty advisor declared. More can be found on: http://www.eegs. org/student-chapters. Student membership is free and to join EEGS as a student member you have to fill online application.
Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Although not many women decide to enter technical specializations, there is an organization that unite them all. Society of Women Engineers organizes webinars for dynamic and effective learning soft skills, creates online platform for those who are looking for engineering job filled with hundreds of jobs posted monthly by SWE’s sponsors and allocates scholarships for female students with great achievements. After becoming a member, you become able to develop leadership abilities, publish articles in SWE Magazine, present technical papers at conferences. To become a member you have to fill online form. More you can find on: http://societyofwomenengineers.swe.org/.
What about joining one of them and seizing an opportunity?
WINTER / 2015
54
How It Works?
How It Works? Maciej Wawrzkowicz
Hello everyone! Today’s topic is quite well known to each of us. We will be talking a bit about natural gas. Yes, exactly, about natural gas. But not about the most known volatile form of natural gas as you might suppose. This time we will describe LNG. First, let us say something interesting about natural gas in general. As we all know, the main ingredient of "blue fuel" is first in homologous alkane series – methane. Depending on conditions, both geological and technical, its content may vary. In the last 10 years, the annual consumption of natural gas has increased by more than 30% and it is still rising. To the largest exporters of this fossil fuel belong such countries as the U.S., Russia and Canada. However, it is worth mentioning that the biggest natural reserves of “blue fuel” are documented to be found in Russia (27,1% of global reserves) and in the Middle East (circa 72 billion cubic meters). Back to the main topic of our article: what actually is Liquefied Natural Gas (abbreviated as LNG)? In fact, taking into consideration its composition, it is the same gas as the one you may find in gas pipelines at your home but in other state of aggregation – liquefied. The first conversion of gas into liquid was performed by a well-known physician Michael Faraday. The first large scale liquefaction of natural gas in the U.S. took place in 1918. The U.S. government liquefied natural gas in order to extract helium, which is a small component of some natural gas. Helium was intended to be used in British dirigibles during World War I. Several years later in 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio, first liquefaction facility designed for commercial purposes was built.
In order to convert natural gas from its volatile to liquefied form, there is a need to decrease its temperature to around −162 degree Celsius (−256 degree Fahrenheit). Furthermore, before this process takes place, natural gas must be very well purified to avoid the threat of crystallization in the heat exchangers in the liquefaction plant. As a result, we obtain very "clean" natural gas with at least 95% methane in its composition. What is interesting, in its liquefied state natural gas takes up approximately 1/600 of the space, making it much easier to ship and store when pipeline transport is not feasible. With LNG gas is liquefied and transported internationally via tankers. Once it has reached its destination, LNG is offloaded from the tankers and either stored in special insulated vessels or regasified. LNG is dehydrated into a gaseous state again through a process that involves passing the liquefied “blue fuel” through a series of vaporizers that reheat the fuel. Then natural gas is sent via established transportation methods such as pipeline systems to the end users. The largest importer of LNG is Japan, while the larger exporter of this form of “blue fuel” is still Qatar. To the main advantages of this kind of fuel belong: efficiency, ecology and flexible supplies. Moreover, as a liquid, LNG is not explosive – its vapor will only explode in an enclosed space within the flammable range of 5–15%. Therefore, LNG is a very safe fuel. Disadvantages? Natural gas in this form is still too expensive; however, its price is anticipated to decrease in the years to come. Maybe this is why energy experts predict that the LNG trade will grow in importance.
55
AUTUMN / 2012
WINTER / SPRING / 2012
ISSN
2300-1259
SUMMER / 2013
ISSN
2300-1259
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International Student Petroleum Congress & Career Expo 6th Edition, 22nd - 24th IV 2015 Krakow, AGH UST