Deepest Deviated HPHT Gas Well Drilling and Testing Challenges in an Offshore Island Case-study

Objectives/Scope Deepest Deviated Appraisal well in Upper Khuff reservoir in a small artificial island, located about 100 KM away from Abu Dhabi shore was successfully drilled and tested. The well has been recognized as the deepest deviated well on offshore Island with highest bottom hole reservoir temperature in UAE about 375 deg F (190 degrees C) and exceeding 9000 psi reservoir pressure complemented with impurities of H2S ranging from 10-22% and CO2 between 9-20%. Methods, Procedures, Process The challenges were immense, from designing to execution, including securing special materials for the unique well design to accommodate the sour environment of Khuff reservoir as exploring new reservoirs always counter many risks comparing to developed reservoirs. The execution was driven with the focus of maximizing the ultimate value and benefit for ADNOC, our respected partners, the community and the UAE. The field is located in the most sensitive and ecological important area and is under UNESCO Biosphere reserve. Results, Observations, Conclusions The appraisal well was successfully drilled to Khuff reservoir at a depth of 19000 ft. The well test using Drill stem test (DST string) was conducted. Multiple challenges ranging from HSE, material selection, drilling and logging tools availability, limitations and procuring them in time were overcome by utilizing the World First Integrated Zero Waste Discharge Solution in Restricted & Highly Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Another major challenge faced during the drilling deeper reservoir was mud rheology changes due to high temperatures. The logging program was tailored to overcome the challenges posed by the mud, high temperature, high pressure, sour condition and to gain maximum representative reservoir data in a reservoir where high-pressure steaks and geological unconformities were anticipated. The Drill stem test, (DST) string was successfully POOH after acquiring all the objectives from Khuff K-4 testing under above mentioned harsh environment. The zonal isolation was carried out with cement and rig was released. Novel/Additive Information The drilling and testing operation was conducted with high level of cooperation and excellence accomplishing the well set objectives without (Lost Time Injury). Lessons learned are widely shared with all the teams across the region to expedite and improve on the technologies used for sour gas production. ADNOC Onshore demonstrated 100% HSE, full commitment, high collaboration and efficient outcome ensuring safety compliance for the successful delivery of this highly critical project. This paper presents the various challenges faced and overcome while carrying out the Drilling and testing of the HPHT Sour well offshore.

Survival of femur fractures in wild stoats (Mustela erminea)

Stoats (Mustela erminea) are active hunters and, therefore, one might predict that any broken bones or other injuries impeding active movement would incur a serious risk of starvation. Dead stoats (n = 560) were collected from trappers operating predator control lines in three conservation areas of New Zealand from 1972–1978. Femurs were cleaned and examined for healed injuries and deformities. Five femurs from four stoats (one with both femurs injured) showed traumatic distortions following healing of complete breaks incurred during life. A further case recorded during post-eradication monitoring in 2010 on Rangitoto, an offshore island, is added. These data provide evidence that wild stoats have a remarkable capacity to tolerate catastrophic femur fractures. They can survive long enough, despite the implied limitation to their energetic hunting style, to permit full healing even though the result is a gross distortion of the femoral shaft.

New species and record of Pseudonereis (Annelida, Polychaeta, Nereididae) from Taiwan

Two new species and one new record species of the genus Pseudonereis are described from specimens collected from ecological surveys of coasts of Taiwan and an offshore island during the past 15 years: P. jihueiensis n. sp., P. kihawensis n. sp., and P. trimaculata. Epitokes of P. jihueiensis n. sp. and P. trimaculata are also described. Pseudonereis jihueiensis n. sp. can be distinguished from congeners by having edentate jaws, χ-shaped ridge pattern of Areas VI–V–VI, parapodial morphology (i.e., length ratio of dorsal cirrus to dorsal ligule or presence of small pennant-like dorsal ligule, shape of dorsal ligule in certain region of chaetigers), and no heterogomph spinigers in the subacicular fascicle of the neuropodia. Pseudonereis kihawensis n. sp. differs from congeners by having crescent-shaped pointed-bars in Area VI, λ-shaped ridge pattern of Areas VI–V–VI, parapodial morphology (i.e., length ratio of dorsal cirrus to dorsal ligule or presence of small pennant-like dorsal ligule or shape of dorsal ligule in certain region of chaetigers), and no heterogomph spinigers in the subacicular fascicle of the neuropodia. Pseudonereis trimaculata, a species originally described from Indonesia, is reported from Taiwan for the first time. A table of key characters for all species of Pseudonereis is provided.

Changing use of Lizard Island over the past 4000 years and implications for understanding Indigenous offshore island use on the Great Barrier Reef

Archaeological records documenting the timing and use of northern Great Barrier Reef offshore islands by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout the Holocene are limited when compared to the central and southern extents of the region. Excavations on Lizard Island, located 33 km from Cape Flattery on the mainland, provide high resolution evidence for periodic, yet sustained offshore island use over the past 4000 years, with focused exploitation of diverse marine resources and manufacture of quartz artefacts. An increase in island use occurs from around 2250 years ago, at a time when a hiatus or reduction in offshore island occupation has been documented for other Great Barrier Reef islands, but concurrent with demographic expansion across Torres Strait to the north. Archaeological evidence from Lizard Island provides a previously undocumented occupation pattern associated with Great Barrier Reef late Holocene island use. We suggest this trajectory of Lizard Island occupation was underwritten by its place within the Coral Sea Cultural Interaction Sphere, which may highlight its significance both locally and regionally across this vast seascape.