Hydrocarbon Hydrate Flow Assurance History as a Guide to a Conceptual Model

This work reviews major hydrocarbon hydrate advances in flowline applications of 25 international hydrate organizations. After a review of hydrate history and the current state-of-the-art, four conclusions were drawn: (1) engineers must take risks and cannot always afford the luxury to await scientific developments, (2) industry is more likely than academia to suggest hydrate needs and solutions, (3) the best hydrate blockage prevention practices are evolving and (4) a stepwise conceptual model can be proposed for a transient restart flowline hydrate blockage.

Novel Cycloartan derivative with genetic and metabolic proৎiling oftwo Crassulaceae species

Crassula tetragona L. and Crassula ovata (Mill). are ornamental species of family Crassulaceae. Although this family is known for its high medicinal values, however, there is no much work considering the two species. Hence, this study represents the first comparative investigation of the genetic and metabolic profiling of the aerial part of both species. In this study, an examination of the genetic properties of both plants were accomplished, quantitative estimation of the main chemical classes of both species were also performed, investigation of the lipoidal matter of the plants and the major compounds of the methylene chloride (MeCl) fractions were isolated and identified using 1D and 2D NMR. Our results proved the genetic difference using RAPD and ISSR techniques of both plants. Estimation of triterpene was 63.18 µg/100µg and 87.06 µg/100µg, ursolic acid equivalent, in C. tetragona and C. ovata respectively. The unsaponifiable matter (USM) of n-hexane extract of C. tetragona and C. ovata revealed the presence of 32 hydrocarbons with the presence of n-tricontane as the major hydrocarbon in both species, in addition to seven steroidal components in both species. The investigation of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) revealed the presence of 12 components in C. tetragona and 9 components in C. ovata, and a novel triterpene, namely, 28 Methyl-5α-cycloart12, 20, 24-trien-15β-Ol was isolated and identified from MeCl together with 5 known compounds.

Participatory Institutions as a Focal Point for Mobilizing: Prior Consultation and Indigenous Conflict in Colombia’s Extractive Industries

This article systematically analyzes how the participatory institution “prior consultation” indirectly gave Colombian indigenous communities a voice in five major hydrocarbon and mining conflicts by creating opportunities to organize around the institution. Mobilized indigenous groups did not express their concerns about extraction within the prescribed prior consultation meetings. Instead, they refused to be consulted, they challenged the lack of, or their exclusion from, prior consultation, and they preemptively achieved environmental protections. Variation in tactics is explained by (1) the stage of the planned extraction, (2) whether the state initially determined that a community was affected by the extraction, and (3) the degree of unity among affected communities. The article further highlights the role of Colombia’s Constitutional Court in interpreting and weighing the rights that underlie prior consultation procedures.

A Critical Review of Rules and Regulations for Permanently Plugged and Abandoned Wells

Permanent Plug and Abandonment (P&A) of wells has been an inevitable part of hydrocarbon exploration and production; however, the methodology has not evolved with the same pace as the rest of the industry. Nonetheless, after the environmental impact of some recent events including the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, permanent P&A of hydrocarbon wells has been receiving more attention. Accordingly, regulatory authorities who oversee the P&A activities and operators have tried to improve the pre-existing P&A methodology by defining a modern P&A philosophy, zero leakage criterion. Although the legislated criterion, adapted by most authorities, has challenged the industry and it had a constructive impact on P&A operations, due to technology deficiencies, the associated cost of operation has significantly increased. In this work, most of the publicly available regulations and their recommended practices addressing P&A have been reviewed and discussed. The focus has been given to zero leakage acceptance policy, conventional versus risk-based approach, barrier verification, human factor in P&A, and technology deficiencies. Although Norway is not a major hydrocarbon producer based on the daily production rate, but because of its stricter requirement on P&A, its recommended practice (NORSOK D-010) for P&A has been used in different oil producing countries. As P&A and its impact on environment is a transnational subject, it is suggested to formulate an international guideline or standard on P&A, given the fact that every well is unique when considering P&A operation.

Infrared Characterisation and Prediction of Aviation Turbine Fuel Plume

<p>Broad (3.7 μm - 4.8 μm) as well as narrow band (4.16 μm - 4.24 μm) mid wave infrared characterisation of plume has been reported here. Multiple angular measurements (azimuth) were carried out on a laboratory developed plume source with aviation turbine fuel (ATF) using thermal imaging systems. Correlation of IR prediction to experimental results is the key objectives of this study. As this narrow band covers the blue spike of plume, a comparison of the same with broad band plume contribution has been reported for the first time. Also, a model to simulate the IR radiation of two-dimensional parabolic jet was developed and used to predict spectral contribution from major hydrocarbon fuel combustion products (CO₂ and H₂O). In addition, it was found that the plume transmission characteristics extracted form imager measurements are qualitatively in agreement with prediction results.</p><p> </p>

Fuel Property of Pyrolytic-Oil from Para Rubber De-Oiled Seed Residue

In this report, bio-oil was produced from the pyrolysis of Para Rubber de-oiled seed residue mixing with clay catalyst of 5-20%wt. under 400 to 600°C. Pyrolytic oil was determined for the thermal weight loss characteristic, heating value, structural and physical properties. Results showed the yield of pyrolytic oil increased with the increasing catalyst percentage, maximum yield of 24.59%wt. was revealed from the pyrolysis at 550°C. Using clay catalyst of 5%wt. at 400°C gave bio-oil with the highest heating value up to 49.17 MJ/kg. While pyrolytic oil which obtained from the mixture of de-oiled seed residue and 10%wt. clay at 400°C showed the thermal degradation behavior in the range of diesel and gasoline. All pyrolytic oils produced in this study have the major hydrocarbon structure of C-H stretching as investigated by FTIR. However, this product should be upgraded to get better properties closed to the commercial fuel.