Effects of paternal overnutrition and interventions on future generations

In the last two decades, evidence from human and animal studies suggests that paternal obesity around the time of conception can have adverse effects on offspring health through developmental programming. This may make significant contributions to the current epidemic of obesity and related metabolic and reproductive complications like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and subfertility/infertility. To date, changes in seminal fluid composition, sperm DNA methylation, histone composition, small non-coding RNAs, and sperm DNA damage have been proposed as potential underpinning mechanism to program offspring health. In this review, we discuss current human and rodent evidence on the impact of paternal obesity/overnutrition on offspring health, followed by the proposed mechanisms, with a focus on sperm DNA damage underpinning paternal programming. We also summarize the different intervention strategies implemented to minimize effects of paternal obesity. Upon critical review of literature, we find that obesity-induced altered sperm quality in father is linked with compromised offspring health. Paternal exercise intervention before conception has been shown to improve metabolic health. Further work to explore the mechanisms underlying benefits of paternal exercise on offspring are warranted. Conversion to healthy diets and micronutrient supplementation during pre-conception have shown some positive impacts towards minimizing the impact of paternal obesity on offspring. Pharmacological approaches e.g., metformin are also being applied. Thus, interventions in the obese father may ameliorate the potential detrimental impacts of paternal obesity on offspring.

Trace Metal Dynamics in Shallow Hydrothermal Plumes at the Kermadec Arc

Hydrothermal vents are a source of many trace metals to the oceans. Compared to mid-ocean ridges, hydrothermal vent systems at arcs occur in shallower water depth and are much more diverse in fluid composition, resulting in highly variable water column trace metal concentrations. However, only few studies have focused on trace metal dynamics in hydrothermal plumes at volcanic arcs. During R/V Sonne cruise SO253 in 2016/2017, hydrothermal plumes from two hydrothermally active submarine volcanoes along the Kermadec arc in the Southwest Pacific Ocean were sampled: (1) Macauley, a magmatic dominated vent site located in water depths between 300 and 680 m, and (2) Brothers, located between 1,200 and 1,600 m water depth, where hydrothermalism influenced by water rock interactions and magmatically influenced vent sites occur near each other. Surface currents estimated from satellite-altimeter derived currents and direct measurements at the sites using lowered acoustic Doppler current profilers indicate the oceanic regime is dominated by mesoscale eddies. At both volcanoes, results indicated strong plumes of dissolved trace metals, notably Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, La, and Pb, some of which are essential micronutrients. Dissolved metal concentrations commonly decreased with distance from the vents, as to be expected, however, certain element/Fe ratios increased, suggesting a higher solubility of these elements and/or their stronger stabilization (e.g., for Zn compared to Fe). Our data indicate that at the magmatically influenced Macauley and Brothers cone sites, the transport of trace metals is strongly controlled by sulfide nanoparticles, while at the Brothers NW caldera wall site iron oxyhydroxides seem to dominate the trace metal transport over sulfides. Solution stabilization of trace metals by organic complexation appears to compete with particle adsorption processes. As well as extending the generally sparse data set for hydrothermal plumes at volcanic arc systems, our study presents the first data on several dissolved trace metals in the Macauley system, and extends the existing plume dataset of Brothers volcano. Our data further indicate that chemical signatures and processes at arc volcanoes are highly diverse, even on small scales.

On the Suitability of Vibration Acceptance Criteria of Process Pipework

The risk of vibration-induced fatigue in process pipework is usually assessed through vibration measurements. For small-bore pipework, integrity personnel would measure the vibration of the pipework and refer to widely used charts to quantify the risk of vibration-induced fatigue. If the vibration levels are classified as OK, no action is required on behalf of the operators. However, if it is a CONCERN or PROBLEM vibration level, strain measurements are required to adequately quantify the risk through a fatigue life assessment. In this paper, we examine the suitability of a widely used vibration acceptance criteria through finite element models. A total of 4,800 models are used to study the suitability of this vibration acceptance criteria by monitoring both the vibration and dynamic stress. The model comprises a small-bore pipe (2″ SCH 40) that is fitted on a mainline size 5″ SCH 40 using a weldolet; the length of the mainline takes three values resulting in three models. The mainline supporting conditions will be varied using translational and rotational springs. The finite element models will be excited using a point load resembling flow-induced forces (with varying flow velocity and fluid composition). These excitations are obtained from the literature and are based on experimental studies as power spectral density functions. The results show that the studied vibration acceptance criterion is suitable in 99.73% of all the studied models with 68.27% confidence level. For the models with a shorter mainline pipe, the criterial is suitable in 76.5% of the time with 68.27% confidence level.

Impact of gastrointestinal differences in veterinary species on the oral drug solubility, in vivo dissolution, and formulation of veterinary therapeutics

Many gaps exist in our understanding of species differences in gastrointestinal (GI) fluid composition and the associated impact of food intake and dietary composition on in vivo drug solubilization. This information gap can lead to uncertainties with regard to how best to formulate pharmaceuticals for veterinary use or the in vitro test conditions that will be most predictive of species-specific in vivo oral product performance. To address these challenges, this overview explores species-specific factors that can influence oral drug solubility and the formulation approaches that can be employed to overcome solubility-associated bioavailability difficulties. These discussions are framed around some of the basic principles associated with drug solubilization, reported species differences in GI fluid composition, types of oral dosage forms typically given for the various animal species, and the effect of prandial state in dogs and cats. This basic information is integrated into a question-and-answer section that addresses some of the formulation issues that can arise in the development of veterinary medicinals.

Accurate Live Interfacial Tension for Improved Reservoir Engineering Practices

Current reservoir simulators use interfacial tension (IFT) values derived from dead oil measurements at ambient conditions or predicted from literature correlations. IFT is highly dependent on temperature, pressure and fluid composition. Therefore, knowledge of the IFT value at reservoir conditions is essential for accurate reservoir fluid characterization. This study compares IFT values from dead and live oil measurements and the results of literature predicted values, thereby clearly showing the weakness of existing correlations when trying to predict crude oil IFT. A total of ten live oils was sampled for this study. Using the pendent drop technique, IFT was measured for each oil at different conditions: in the under-saturated region at reservoir pressure and temperature, in the saturated region at reservoir temperature, and for dead oil at ambient conditions. Basic PVT properties such as gas to oil ratio (GOR), gas and liquid composition, density, viscosity and molecular weight were also measured. The bubble point for each oil was identified to define the pressure step in the saturated region for extra IFT measurement. The equilibrium IFT values for the live oils were generally higher than for the corresponding dead oils. For oils where this general trend was not observed, contaminations were found in the crude samples. The use of current literature correlations does not allow to predict correct reservoir IFT. Therefore, this study provides accurate live IFT values for a variety of reservoir fluids and conditions in combination with live oil properties, highly beneficial to reservoir engineers, allowing better oil production planning.

Applied Novel Quality Check Method for PVT Data with High Impurities Using Various Samples from Malaysian Fields

PVT analysis of reservoir fluid samples provides essential information for determining hydrocarbon in place, depletion strategy, and hydrocarbon flowability. Hence, quality checking (QC) is necessary to ensure the best representative sample for further analysis. Recently, a novel tool based on Equation of State (EOS) was introduced to tackle the limitation of the Hoffmann method for surface samples with high impurities and heavier components. This paper presents comprehensively evaluating a novel EOS-based method using various PVT data from Malaysian fields. Numerous PVT separator samples from 30 fields with various reservoir fluids (Black Oil, Volatile, and Gas Condensate) were carried out and evaluated. The impurities contain a wide range of up to 60%. The 2-phase P-T (pressure and temperature) diagram of each oil and gas phase before recombination was calculated using PVT software based on Equation of State (EOS). The 2-phase P-T diagram was created and observed the intersection point as calculated equilibrium at separator conditions. Once it is observed and compared with written separator condition in the laboratory report and observed its deviation. Eventually, the result will be compared with the Hoffmann method. The Hoffmann method is well-known as a traditional QC method that was initially developed using gas condensate PVT data to identify possible errors in measured separator samples. If the sample has high impurities and/or heavier components, the Hoffmann method will only show a straight line to the lighter components and those impurities and heavier components will be an outlier that engineers will misinterpret that it has errors and cannot be used for further analysis such PVT characterization. The QC using EOS-based were conducted using actual fields data. It shows potential as novel QC tools but observed only less than 10% of data with complete information that can meet intersection points located precisely similar with reported in the laboratory. There is some investigation and evaluation of the EOS-based QC method. First, most of the molecular weight of the heavier fluid composition of gas and oil phase was not reported or used assumptions especially when its mole fraction is not zero. Second, properties of heavier components of the oil phase (molecular weight and specific gravity) were not measured and assumed similar as wellstream. Third, pressure and temperature data are inconsistent between the oil and gas phase at the separator condition. This study can provide improvement in laboratory measurement quality and help engineers to have a better understanding of PVT Report, essential data requirements, and assumptions used in the laboratory. Nevertheless, the Hoffmann method can be used as an inexpensive QC tool because it can be generated in a spreadsheet without a PVT software license. Both combination techniques can provide a comprehensive evaluation for separator samples with high impurities before identifying representative fluid for further analysis.

Integration Success Story in Shilaif Shale Oil from Vertical Pilot to Horizontal

The development of unconventional target in the Shilaif formation is in line with the Unconventional objective towards adding to ADNOC reserves. For future optimization of development plans, it is of utmost importance to understand and test and therefore prove the productivity of the future Unconventional Horizontal Oil wells. The Shilaif formation was deposited in a deeper water intrashelf basin with thicknesses varying from 600 to 800 ft from deep basin to slope respectively. The formation is subdivided into 3 main composite sequences each with separate source and clean tight carbonates. The well under consideration (Well A-V for the vertical pilot and Well A-H for the horizontal wellbore) was drilled on purpose in a deep synclinal area to access the best possible oil generation and maturity in these shale Oil plays. Due to the stacked nature of these thick high-quality reservoirs, a pilot well is drilled to perform reservoir characterization and test hydrocarbon type and potential from each bench. Fracturing and testing are performed in each reservoir layer for the primary purpose to evaluate and collect key fracturing and reservoir parameter required to calibrate petrophysical and geomechanical model, landing target optimization and ultimately for the design of the development plan of this stacked play. Frac height, reservoir fluid composition and deliverability, pore pressure are among key data collected. The landing point selected based on the comprehensive unconventional core analysis integrated with petrophysical and geomechanical outcomes using post vertical frac and test results. Well A-H was drilled as a sidetrack from the pilot hole Well A-V. This lateral section was logged with LWD Triple Combo while Resistivity Image was acquired on WL. Based on the logging data the well stayed in the target Layer / formation, cutting analysis data for XRD and TOC was integrated with the petrophysical results in A-H well. Production test results from subject were among the highest rate seen during exploration and appraisal of this unconventional oil plays and compete with the current commercial top tier analog unconventional oil plays. Achieving those results in such early exploration phases is huge milestone for ADNOC unconventional exploration journey in UAE and sign of promising future development.

Flow Assurance and Thermodynamic Challenges of operating CO2 Pipelines for variations in terrains and environments

The requirement for capturing and storing Carbon Dioxide will continue to grow in the next decade and a fundamental part of this is being able to transport the fluid over large geographical distances in numerous terrains and environments. The evolving nature of the fluid supply and the storage characteristics ensure the operation of the pipeline remains a challenge throughout its operational life. This paper will examine the impact of changes in the fluid composition, storage locations, ambient conditions and the various operating modes the pipeline will see throughout the lifecycle, highlight the technical design and operational challenges and finally give guidance on future developments. The thermodynamic behaviour of CO2 with and without impurities will be demonstrated utilising the fluid characterisation software, MultiflashTM. The fluid behaviour and hydraulic performance will be calculated over the expected operational envelope of the pipeline throughout field life, highlighting the benefits and constraints of using the single component module in OLGATM whilst comparing against a compositional approach when dealing with impurities. The paper will demonstrate through two case studies of varying nature including geographical environment, storage location (aquifer vs. abandoned hydrocarbon reservoir) and ambient conditions, the following issues: The impact of the storage type on the pipeline operations and how this will evolve with time; The environmental conditions and the impact these have on selection of process equipment and operational procedures (i.e. shutdown); and The impact the CO2 composition has on the design of the CO2 pipeline, and The paper will conclude with a set of guidelines for undertaking design analysis of CO2 pipelines for variations in fluid composition, storage locations and ambient conditions as well as some key operational strategies. This paper utilises the current state of the art tools and how these evolving tools are making this technically challenging area more mainstream.