Practical methodology for interwell tracer applications

Tracer technology has been used in the oil industry to investigate the fluid flow behavior into the reservoir. Using this technology is possible to obtain relevant data from the reservoir such as remaining oil accumulations, estimate volumetric sweep efficiency, define reservoir heterogeneities, identify flow channeling, and determine residual oil saturation (Sor). This technology has been one of the most useful tools for reservoir characterization for several decades. The tracer is injected in the injector well and then monitored in the producer wells through the tracer concentration measurements. Although many tracer studies have been documented for reservoir characterization, the available information and methodologies related to the design, implementation, and interpretation of tracer tests are limited or confidential. The goal of his article is to show a methodology for the design, execution, and interpretation of interwell tracer tests, which includes procedures for field implementation, sampling, and monitoring of these tests. Laboratory analysis using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography is described in the experimental evaluation of tracer tests. Additionally, for a better understanding of the technology, examples of laboratory and field cases are presented.

Experimental Investigation on the Effects of Swirlers Configurations and Air Inlet Partitioning in a Partially Premixed Double High Swirl Gas Turbine Model Combustor

In this work, a double-high swirl gas turbine model combustor (GTMC) has been experimentally investigated to identify the effects of air partitioning and swirlers geometry on combustion characteristics in terms of flame stability, exhaust gas temperature, NOx generation, and combustion efficiency. This high swirl model combustor is originally developed in the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and known as GTMC and recently reconstructed at Sharif University's Combustion Laboratory (named as SGTMC). Here, SGTMC run for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fuel and air oxidizer at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Eleven different burner geometries, M1–M11, are considered for the aims of this work. Furthermore, the effects of burner confinement are also investigated. The results show that under the confined state, the flame has a lower width and height than the unconfined one. Exchanging the swirlers of annular and central air inlets shows a more stable and lifted V type flame with almost zero levels of CO and CH4. In addition, measurement showed that the annular swirler removing leads to incomplete combustion. Moreover, an increment in discharged air velocity leads to more completed combustion and less pollutant exhaust gas but the attachment of flame to the burner hub. Strengthening the flow channeling is not reasonable in terms of emission aspects. Moreover, burner configuring to counterrotating swirlers leads to a more stable flame but with lower combustion efficiency. Among 11 test cases, the original configuration and the case of exchanging the swirlers of annular and central air inlets are the best choices in terms of combustion efficiency and stability. Measurements show the improvement of burner stability, 2–10%, due to inlet air preheating.

Coastal Processes and Influence on Damage to Urban Structures during Hurricane Irma (St-Martin & St-Barthélemy, French West Indies)

This study aims to better understand coastal processes associated with extreme cyclonic events through the study of the coastal changes, flooding and damage that resulted from the passage of a category 5 hurricane (Irma) on 6 September 2017 over the islands of Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy in the Lesser Antilles. Hurricane Irma was contextualized from tropical cyclone track data and local weather observations collected by Météo-France, as well as high-resolution numerical modelling. Field work involved the study of accretion coasts through qualitative observations, topo-morphological and sedimentary surveys, as well as image acquisition with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) surveys during two trips that were made 2 and 8 months after the catastrophe. Wave propagation and flood numerical models are presented and compared to field data. Our field analysis also reports on the devastating impacts of storm surges and waves, which reached 4 and 10 meters height, respectively, especially along east-facing shores. The approaches reveal a variety of morpho-sedimentary responses over both natural and highly urbanized coasts. The analysis shows the effects of coastal structures and streets on flow channeling, on the amplification of some erosion types, and on water level increase. Positive spatial correlation is found between damage intensity and marine flood depth. The signatures of ocean-induced damage are clear and tend to validate the relevance of the intensity scale used in this study.