Best Practices and Lessons Learned in Deploying and Setting Dissolvable Frac Plugs in Middle East at HPHT Conditions

Abstract The multistage hydraulic fracturing technique is considered to be one of the most effective stimulation techniques used for exploiting unconventional plays. The use of dissolvable frac plugs in multistage hydraulic fracturing has the potential to reduce well intervention requirements. Applicability of dissolvable frac plugs, as an integral part of plug and perf operations, in Middle East unconventional plays presents a myriad of technical challenges associated with high-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) well conditions. Two counteracting drivers coexist in dissolvable frac plug design: 1) The need for the frac plug to withstand well conditions during the entire frac stage operational cycle and 2) the requirement for the frac plug to dissolve as quickly as possible after the stimulation treatment has been placed. The HPHT conditions of the wells utilizing dissolvable frac plugs adds to the complexity of not only the plug design, but also its associated deployment operational procedures. The main premise of the functional methodology of dissolvable frac plugs involves a chain reaction being triggered in the presence of specific fluids under specific temperature conditions. After the commencement of the degradation/dissolution chain reaction process, the useful lifetime of the frac plug begins to deplete, where the degradation chain reaction accelerates with increasing temperature exposure. Site operations will then conform to expedited practices to minimize undesired exposure time. This would minimize the risks of degradation/dissolution before plug setting, plug test, and actual stimulation treatment placement. Based on the HPHT well conditions of Middle Eastern unconventional plays, a structured process was put in place to satisfy the define, assess, select, and execute phases of the initiative The inevitable occurrences of unforeseen complications during operational deployments served to accelerate the learning curve for the continued utilization of dissolvable frac plugs. Operational issues ranging from electric line unit complications to frac pump downtime during the initial frac plug deployments compromised the structural integrity and functionality of the dissolvable frac plugs. Recognizing that exposure time was critical to maintaining the structural integrity of the plug, best practices were derived and enforced to minimize said exposure time. In addition, slight design modifications were made to specific components of the plug to increase its robustness while not compromising the desired degradation rates. The adoption of these mitigating measures has resulted in the acceptance of the dissolvable frac plug as the standard plug option for all plug and perf operations. The vast experience gained during the deployment of more than 1,000 dissolvable frac plugs for hydraulic fracturing stages in a Middle Eastern country has served as a basis to conceive a list of best practices to address mitigating unforeseen complications. These best practices are enforced to minimize plug exposure time, which in turn maximizes the probability of plug utilization success.

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The Governance of Corporate Sustainability in the Middle East: Preliminary Insights

Journal of Business and Social Review in Emerging Economies ◽

10.26710/jbsee.v6i2.1219 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 715-731

Author(s):

Zeeshan Mahmood ◽

Maha Faisal Alsayegh

Keyword(s):

Middle East ◽

Best Practices ◽

Corporate Sustainability ◽

Middle Eastern ◽

Governance Structures ◽

Business Practices ◽

Sustainability Strategies ◽

Sustainability Governance ◽

Sustainability Reports ◽

Board Level

This paper explores the extent to which companies incorporate best practices for the governance of sustainability in the Middle East. The empirical content in this paper is based on the analysis of company’s disclosures in the annual and sustainability reports of fifteen companies from the Middle East that are listed in the S&P/Hawkamah Pan Arab ESG Index. The research presented in this paper shed the light on some of the practices currently being employed in Middle Eastern companies to govern and manage their sustainability strategies. This study found that top Middle Eastern companies are catching up the global best practices in incorporating sustainability into some structures and processes. However, sustainability governance structures and processes where middle eastern companies are lagging include sustainability committee at board-level, sustainability related mission, vision and values, sustainability assurance, sustainability related trainings and separate sustainability department. In addition, this paper provide several illustrations of how top middle eastern companies are exhibiting sustainability governance structures and processes in their sustainability reports. This information can be used to better understand the state of play of sustainability governance in the middle east and can inform the policy makers for the possibility of regulation in this area. This research is equally beneficial for companies and managers in benchmarking their practices against sustainability leaders and to learn how to embed sustainability into their business practices.

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Water Management and Hydraulic Fracturing Operations in Middle Eastern Tight Gas Reservoirs

10.1115/omae2021-62784 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Abhijith Suboyin ◽

Md Motiur Rahman ◽

Mohamed Haroun

Keyword(s):

Water Management ◽

Middle East ◽

Hydraulic Fracturing ◽

Arid Regions ◽

Middle Eastern ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Design Parameters ◽

Tight Gas ◽

Gas Reservoirs ◽

Tight Gas Reservoirs

Abstract Tight gas reservoirs in the Middle East are renowned for their extremely low porosity and low permeability along with their high heterogeneity. Over the past few decades, hydraulic fracturing has gained significant attention, particularly to stimulate such formations which were previously considered uneconomical and inefficient. Even though over a million hydraulic fracturing operations were conducted across the globe, they are still associated with a considerable amount of risk. Studies have shown that an effective, efficient and economical approach coupled with tailored water management strategies are critical for their successful development, especially in arid regions such as the Middle East. In this research, a realistic field model was constructed and advanced to analyze hydraulic fracture propagation in the presence of natural fractures for a candidate Middle Eastern tight gas reservoir. This flexible simulation model allowed to investigate, identify and characterize the key fracture design parameters that influenced fracture geometry for the candidate field. This further allowed to categorize and propose a unique tailored workflow to highlight the governing parameters for efficient water management strategies for arid regions such as the Middle East. In addition, the results have been extended to current field practices and cases. The constructed model can greatly assist in streamlining hydraulic fracturing operations and water management strategies in regions such as the Middle East, where resources such as water and proppants can be considered as constraints. In addition, the investigation further highlights the strong need and potential opportunities for the key players in the region to leverage their technology for an efficient water management value chain. The variables and the workflow presented in this study further demonstrates how there is no bespoke solution to a ‘best approach’ in such regions. However, a workflow identifying the key dominant categories, such as a tailored one proposed in this study, may assist in the creation of more efficient and practical strategies while contributing to the overall process chain.

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The Effect of the Political Situation in the City of Jerusalem on the Rights of the Jerusalem Women

Al-Raida Journal ◽

10.32380/alrj.v0i0.52 ◽

1970 ◽

pp. 36-47

Author(s):

Fadwa Al-Labadi

Keyword(s):

Middle East ◽

Middle Eastern ◽

Colonial Period ◽

Sexual Life ◽

Family Status ◽

Colonial Legacy ◽

Legal Principle ◽

The Social ◽

The City ◽

Legislative Processes

The concept of citizenship was introduced to the Arab and Islamic region duringthe colonial period. The law of citizenship, like all other laws and regulations inthe Middle East, was influenced by the colonial legacy that impacted the tribal and paternalistic systems in all aspects of life. In addition to the colonial legacy, most constitutions in the Middle East draw on the Islamic shari’a (law) as a major source of legislation, which in turn enhances the paternalistic system in the social sector in all its dimensions, as manifested in many individual laws and the legislative processes with respect to family status issues. Family is considered the nucleus of society in most Middle Eastern countries, and this is specifically reflected in the personal status codes. In the name of this legal principle, women’s submission is being entrenched, along with censorship over her body, control of her reproductive role, sexual life, and fertility.

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Akulturasi Budaya pada Ornamen Eksterior Masjid Agung Jawa Tengah: Analisis Semiotik

Metahumaniora ◽

10.24198/mh.v7i2.18828 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 40

Author(s):

Panji Maulani

Keyword(s):

Middle East ◽

Middle Eastern ◽

Field Research ◽

Research Process ◽

Analytic Method ◽

Important Thing ◽

Eastern Culture ◽

Observational Measures ◽

Central Java ◽

Library Research

ABSTRAKProses penelitian ini dilakukan dengan melakukan penelitian lapangan danpenelitian kepustakaan. Analisis mendalam terkait akulturasi budaya pada arsitektur MasjidAgung Jawa Tengah didapat melalui penggunaan metode deskriptif-analitik dengan langkahlangkahobservatif. Langkah-langkah tersebut disesuaikan dengan sumber terkait, sehinggadata pada objek penelitian dapat dideskripsikan serta dianalisis dengan pendekatan budayadan arsitektur. Penelitian ini menjadi penting untuk dilakukan karena Masjid Agung JawaTengah memiliki ornamen eksterior yang sangat khas, berbeda dengan ornamen masjidraya-masjid raya lain di Indonesia, yang umumnya memiliki ornamen eksterior yang hanyaberakulturasi dengan budaya Timur Tengah. Pada Masjid Agung Jawa Tengah kita dapatmerasakan suasana seperti di masjid Nabawi dan suasana Colloseum di zaman Romawi.Terdapat 6 buah payung hidrolik seperti di masjid Nabawi dan gerbang Al-Qanathir yangmenyerupai Colloseum pada pelataran masjid akibat pembangunan Masjid Agung JawaTengah menggunakan paduan tiga unsur budaya: Jawa, Timur Tengah, dan Romawi.Kata kunci: akulturasi, ornamen, masjid agung, Jawa TengahABTRACTThe research process was conducted by field research and library research. Depthanalysis related to acculturation on the architecture of the Central Java Great Mosque obtainedusing descriptive-analytic method with observational measures. The steps are adapted to thecorresponding source, so that data on the research object can be described and analyzed withcultural and architectural approach. This research becomes important thing to do because ofthe Great Mosque of Central Java has a very distinctive exterior ornament, in contrast to theother great mosques in Indonesia, whose the exterior ornament is generally only acculturatedwith Middle Eastern culture. In Central Java Great Mosque we can feel the atmosphere likeat the Nabawi Mosque and the atmosphere of the Colosseum in Roman times. There are sixpieces of hydraulic umbrella like in Nabawi Mosque and Al-Qanathir gate that resembles theColosseum in the courtyard of the mosque as the result of the construction of the Central JavaGreat Mosque using a combination of three elements of culture: Java, Middle East, and Roman.Keywords: acculturation, ornament, grand mosque, Central Java

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Novel Coiled Tubing Perforation Approach Enables Efficient Multistage Hydraulic Fracturing Operations in a Horizontal Well in Oman

10.2523/18735-ms ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Ali Al-Ghaithi ◽

Fahad Alawi ◽

Ernest Sayapov ◽

Ehab Ibrahim ◽

Najet Aouchar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hydraulic Fracturing ◽

Horizontal Well ◽

Multistage Hydraulic Fracturing ◽

Coiled Tubing

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Clinical Presentation, Quality of Care, Risk Factors and Outcomes in Women with Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI): An Observational Report from Six Middle Eastern Countries

Current Vascular Pharmacology ◽

10.2174/1570161116666180315104820 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 388-395 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Abdulla Shehab ◽

Khalid F. AlHabib ◽

Akshaya S. Bhagavathula ◽

Ahmad Hersi ◽

Hussam Alfaleh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Quality Of Care ◽

Middle East ◽

Clinical Presentation ◽

Middle Eastern ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Inhospital Mortality ◽

Acute Stemi

Background: Most of the available literature on ST-Elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) in women was conducted in the developed world and data from Middle-East countries was limited. Aims: To examine the clinical presentation, patient management, quality of care, risk factors and inhospital outcomes of women with acute STEMI compared with men using data from a large STEMI registry from the Middle East. Methods: Data were derived from the third Gulf Registry of Acute Coronary Events (Gulf RACE-3Ps), a prospective, multinational study of adults with acute STEMI from 36 hospitals in 6 Middle-Eastern countries. The study included 2928 patients; 296 women (10.1%) and 2632 men (89.9%). Clinical presentations, management and in-hospital outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. Results: Women were 10 years older and more likely to have diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia compared with men who were more likely to be smokers (all p<0.001). Women had longer median symptom-onset to emergency department (ED) arrival times (230 vs. 170 min, p<0.001) and ED to diagnostic ECG (8 vs. 6 min., p<0.001). When primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) was performed, women had longer door-to-balloon time (DBT) (86 vs. 73 min., p=0.009). When thrombolytic therapy was not administered, women were less likely to receive PPCI (69.7 vs. 76.7%, p=0.036). The mean duration of hospital stay was longer in women (6.03 ± 22.51 vs. 3.41 ± 19.45 days, p=0.032) and the crude in-hospital mortality rate was higher in women (10.4 vs. 5.2%, p<0.001). However, after adjustments, multivariate analysis revealed a statistically non-significant trend of higher inhospital mortality among women than men (6.4 vs. 4.6%), (p=0.145). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that women in our region have almost double the mortality from STEMI compared with men. Although this can partially be explained by older age and higher risk profiles in women, however, correction of identified gaps in quality of care should be attempted to reduce the high morbidity and mortality of STEMI in our women.

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The burden of cardiovascular disease risk factors in the Middle East: A systematic review and meta-analysis focusing on primary prevention

Current Vascular Pharmacology ◽

10.2174/1573406416666200611104143 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

Author(s):

Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavathula ◽

Abdullah Shehab ◽

Anhar Ullah ◽

Jamal Rahmani

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Family History ◽

Primary Prevention ◽

Middle East ◽

Disease Risk ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Middle Eastern ◽

History Of

Background: The increasing incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) threatens the Middle Eastern population. Several epidemiological studies have assessed CVD and its risk factors in terms of the primary prevention of CVD in the Middle East. Therefore, summarizing the information from these studies is essential. Aim: We conducted a systematic review to assess the prevalence of CVD and its major risk factors among Middle Eastern adults based on the literature published between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2018 and carried out a meta-analysis. Methods: We searched electronic databases such as PubMed/Medline, ScienceDirect, Embase and Google Scholar to identify literature published from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2018. All the original articles that investigated the prevalence of CVD and reported at least one of the following factors were included: hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, smoking and family history of CVD. To summarize CVD prevalence, we performed a random-effects meta-analysis. Results: A total of 41 potentially relevant articles were included, and 32 were included in the meta-analysis (n=191,979). The overall prevalence of CVD was 10.1% (95% confidence interval (CI): 7.1-14.3%, p<0.001) in the Middle East. A high prevalence of CVD risk factors, such as dyslipidaemia (43.3%; 95% CI: 21.5-68%), hypertension (26.2%; 95% CI: 19.6-34%) and diabetes (16%; 95% CI: 9.9-24.8%), was observed. The prevalence rates of other risk factors, such as smoking (12.4%; 95% CI: 7.7-19.4%) and family history of CVD (18.7%; 95% CI: 15.4-22.5%), were also high. Conclusion: The prevalence of CVD is high (10.1%) in the Middle East. The burden of dyslipidaemia (43.3%) in this region is twice as high as that of hypertension (26.2%) and diabetes mellitus (16%). Multifaceted interventions are urgently needed for the primary prevention of CVD in this region.

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Digital Middle East

10.1093/oso/9780190859329.001.0001 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Keyword(s):

Middle East ◽

New Media ◽

Information And Communication Technologies ◽

Information Technologies ◽

Complex Dynamics ◽

Middle Eastern ◽

Mena Region ◽

New Information ◽

Fast Pace ◽

Information And Communication

In recent years, the Middle East’s information and communications landscape has changed dramatically. Increasingly, states, businesses, and citizens are capitalizing on the opportunities offered by new information technologies, the fast pace of digital transformations, and enhanced connectivity. These changes are far from turning Middle Eastern nations into network societies, but their impact is significant. The growing adoption of a wide variety of information technologies and new media platforms in everyday life has given rise to complex dynamics that beg for a better understanding. Digital Middle East sheds a critical light on continuing changes that are closely intertwined with the adoption of information and communication technologies in the MENA region. Drawing on case studies from throughout the Middle East, the contributors explore how these digital transformations are playing out in the social, cultural, political, and economic spheres, exposing the various disjunctions and discordances that have marked the advent of the digital Middle East.

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