In this paper, the partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas using lattice oxygen of La1- SrxMO3-λ (M=Fe, x ...In this paper, the partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas using lattice oxygen of La1- SrxMO3-λ (M=Fe, x Mn) perovskite oxides instead of molecular oxygen was investigated. The redox circulation between 11% O2/Ar flow and 11% CH4/He flow at 900℃ shows that methane can be oxidized to CO and H2 with a selectivity of over 90.7% using the lattice oxygen of La1- SrxFeO3-λ (x≤0.2) perovskite oxides in an appropriate reaction condition, while the lost lattice x oxygen can be supplemented by air re-oxidation. It is viable for the lattice oxygen of La1- SrxFeO3-λ (x≤0.2) perovskite x oxides instead of molecular oxygen to react with methane to synthesis gas in the redox mode.展开更多
Emulsifier-free poly(methyl methacrylate-styrene) [P(MMA-St)] nanospheres with an average particle size of 100 nm were synthesized in an isopropyl alcoholwater medium by a solvothermal method. Then, through radica...Emulsifier-free poly(methyl methacrylate-styrene) [P(MMA-St)] nanospheres with an average particle size of 100 nm were synthesized in an isopropyl alcoholwater medium by a solvothermal method. Then, through radical graft copolymerization of thermo-sensitive mono- mer N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) and hydrophilic monomer acrylic acid (AA) onto the surface of P(MMA- St) nanospheres at 80 ℃, a series of thermo-sensitive polymer nanospheres, named SD-SEAL with different lower critical solution temperatures (LCST), were prepared by adjusting the mole ratio of NIPAm to AA. The products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, particle size distribution, and specific surface area analysis. The temperature-sensitive behavior was studied by light transmittance tests, while the sealing performance was investigated by pressure transmission tests with Lungmachi Formation shales. The experimental results showed that the synthesized nanoparticles are sensitive to temperature and had apparent LCST values which increased with an increase in hydrophilic monomer AA. When the temperature was higher than its LCST value, SD- SEAL played a dual role of physical plugging and chemical inhibition, slowed down pressure transmission, and reduced shale permeability remarkably. The plugged layer of shale was changed to being hydrophobic, which greatly improved the shale stability展开更多
The influences of the acoustic impedance and shock strength on the jet formation in shock-heavy gas bubble interaction are numerically studied in this work. The process of a shock interacting with a krypton or a SF6 b...The influences of the acoustic impedance and shock strength on the jet formation in shock-heavy gas bubble interaction are numerically studied in this work. The process of a shock interacting with a krypton or a SF6 bubble is studied by the numerical method VAS2D. As a validation, the experiments of a SF6 bubble accelerated by a planar shock were performed. The results indicate that, due to the mismatch of acoustic impedance, the way of jet formation in heavy gas bubble with different species is diversified under the same initial condition. With respect to the same bubble, the manner of jet formation is also distinctly different under different shock strengths. The disparities of the acoustic impedance result in different effects of shock focusing in the bubble, and different behaviors of shock wave inside and outside the bubble. The analyses of the wave pattern and the pressure variation indicate that the jet formation is closely associated with the pressure perturbation. Moreover, the analy- sis of the vorticity deposition, and comparisons of circulation and baroclinic torque show that the baroclinic vorticity also contributes to the jet formation. It is concluded that the pres- sure perturbation and baroclinic vorticity deposition are the two dominant factors for the jet formation in shock-heavy gas bubble interaction.展开更多
Deepwater oil and gas projects embody high risks from geology and engineering aspects, which exert substantial influence on project valuation. But the uncer- tainties may be converted to additional value to the projec...Deepwater oil and gas projects embody high risks from geology and engineering aspects, which exert substantial influence on project valuation. But the uncer- tainties may be converted to additional value to the projects in the case of flexible management. Given the flexibility of project management, this paper extends the classical real options model to a multi-factor model which contains oil price, geology, and engineering uncertainties. It then gives an application example of the new model to evaluate deepwater oil and gas projects with a numerical analytical method. Compared with other methods and models, this multi-factor real options model contains more project information. It reflects the potential value deriving not only from oil price variation but also from geology and engi- neering uncertainties, which provides more accurate and reliable valuation information for decision makers.展开更多
Based on the study of natural gas resource, low buried hill trap formation mechanism, high quality reservoir control factors and natural gas preservation conditions, the formation conditions and reservoir accumulation...Based on the study of natural gas resource, low buried hill trap formation mechanism, high quality reservoir control factors and natural gas preservation conditions, the formation conditions and reservoir accumulation characteristics of Bozhong 19-6 large condensate gas field were summarized. Large gas generation potential of multiple sets of thick humic-sapropelic source rocks in high maturity stage in Bozhong depression was the basis of large gas field formation. The multi-stage tectonic evolution since Indosinian period formed large-scale buried hill traps. The Tanlu fault activity formed multi-type reservoirs, and buried hill metamorphic rock of Archean and sand-conglomerate of Kongdian Formation were high-quality reservoirs. Thick overpressure lacustrine mudstone and weak neotectonic movement provided good preservation conditions. Bozhong 19-6 gas reservoir was a condensate gas reservoir with very high condensate oil content, and the gas origin was humic-sapropelic and kerogen-cracking gas, and the gas field had large gas thickness, high gas column characteristics and the accumulation process was first oil and then gas. The buried hill reservoir was a massive reservoir and the Kongdian reservoir was a stratified reservoir. The gas field had multi-channel hydrocarbon intense charge from overpressure source rocks, atmospheric-weak overpressure reservoir favorable for accumulation, thick overpressure mudstone caprock favorable for preservation, and natural gas ultra-late rapid accumulation model.展开更多
Mg-Al layered double hydroxide intercalated with CO_(3)^(2-)(CO_(3)·Mg-Al LDH) is effective for treating HCl exhaust gas.HCl reacts with CO_(3)^(2-) in CO_(3)·Mg-Al LDH, resulting in the formation of Cl·...Mg-Al layered double hydroxide intercalated with CO_(3)^(2-)(CO_(3)·Mg-Al LDH) is effective for treating HCl exhaust gas.HCl reacts with CO_(3)^(2-) in CO_(3)·Mg-Al LDH, resulting in the formation of Cl·Mg-Al LDH.We propose that CO_(2) can be used for the desorption of Cl^(-)from Cl·Mg-Al LDH to regenerate CO_(3)·Mg-Al LDH.Herein,we studied the desorption of a from CI-Mg-Al LDH by adding water to Cl·Mg-Al LDH and blowing CO_(2) into it.We also analyzed the effects of temperature and water addition speed on the desorption of CI^(-)from Cl·Mg-Al LDH.Our results show that the added water adhered to CI·Mg-Al LDH and that CO_(2) in the gaseous phase was dissolved in this adhered water,thus generating CO_(3)^(2-).Therefore,anion exchange occurred between CO_(3)^(2-) and Cl^(-)in the Cl·Mg-Al LDH,thus desorbing Cl^(-).展开更多
used-silical capillary columns containing heptakis(2、3、6-tri-o-pentyl)-β-cyclodextrinand dibenzo-18-crown-6 were prepared.By studying the selectivity of mixed stationary phases forsome solute pairs.as well a...used-silical capillary columns containing heptakis(2、3、6-tri-o-pentyl)-β-cyclodextrinand dibenzo-18-crown-6 were prepared.By studying the selectivity of mixed stationary phases forsome solute pairs.as well as comparing with the heptakis(2.3、6-tri-O-pentyl)-β-cyclodextrin and thedibenzo-18-crown-6 used as individual stationary phase、the synergistic effects were observed.These effects were affected by the column temperature.mixed ratio and linear velocity of carrier gas.展开更多
The Bohai Bay Basin is a typical oil-prone basin, in which natural gas geological reserves have a small proportion. In this basin, the gas source rock is largely medium-deep lake mudstone with oil-prone type Ⅱ2-Ⅱ1 k...The Bohai Bay Basin is a typical oil-prone basin, in which natural gas geological reserves have a small proportion. In this basin, the gas source rock is largely medium-deep lake mudstone with oil-prone type Ⅱ2-Ⅱ1 kerogens, and natural gas preservation conditions are poor due to active late tectonic movements. The formation conditions of large natural gas fields in the Bohai Bay Basin have been elusive. Based on the exploration results of Bohai Bay Basin and comparison with large gas fields in China and abroad, the formation conditions of conventional large-scale natural gas reservoirs in the Bohai Bay Basin were examined from accumulation dynamics, structure and sedimentation. The results show that the formation conditions of conventional large natural gas reservoirs in Bohai Bay Basin mainly include one core element and two key elements. The core factor is the strong sealing of Paleogene "quilt-like" overpressure mudstone. The two key factors include the rapid maturation and high-intensity gas generation of source rock in the late stage and large scale reservoir. On this basis, large-scale nature gas accumulation models in the Bohai Bay Basin have been worked out, including regional overpressure mudstone enriching model, local overpressure mudstone depleting model, sand-rich sedimentary subsag depleting model and late strongly-developed fault depleting model. It is found that Bozhong sag, northern Liaozhong sag and Banqiao sag have favorable conditions for the formation of large-scale natural gas reservoirs, and are worth exploring. The study results have important guidance for exploration of large scale natural gas reservoirs in the Bohai Bay Basin.展开更多
Mesoscale drag model is of crucial significance for the reliability and accuracy in coarse-grid EulerianEulerian two-fluid model(TFM)simulations of gas-solid flow hydrodynamics in fluidized bed reactors.Although numer...Mesoscale drag model is of crucial significance for the reliability and accuracy in coarse-grid EulerianEulerian two-fluid model(TFM)simulations of gas-solid flow hydrodynamics in fluidized bed reactors.Although numerous mesoscale drag models have been reported in the literature,a systematic comparison of their prediction capability from the perspective of heterogeneity analysis is still lacking.In this study,in order to investigate the effect of several typical drag models on the hydrodynamic behaviors,the nonuniformity analysis and the sensitivity to material properties,extensive coarse-grid TFM simulations of a bubbling pilot-scale fluidized bed reactor are carried out.The results demonstrate that the mesoscale drag models outperform the empirical drag model in terms of nonuniformity due to the consideration of the influence of the mesoscale structures on the drag force in the bubbling region.Furthermore,the results reveal that our previously developed three-marker gradient-based drag model considering the solid concentration gradient exhibits satisfactory performance in predicting the bubbling flow hydrodynamics.Besides,the material-property-dependent drag model considering the explicit effect of material properties on drag corrections is most sensitive to the particle diameter.This work provides guideline for possible future improvements of mesoscale models to simulate gas-solid flow more accurately and universally.展开更多
Based on analysis of newly collected 3D seismic and drilled well data,the geological structure and fault system of Baodao sag have been systematically examined to figure out characteristics of the transition fault ter...Based on analysis of newly collected 3D seismic and drilled well data,the geological structure and fault system of Baodao sag have been systematically examined to figure out characteristics of the transition fault terrace belt and its control on the formation of natural gas reservoirs.The research results show that the Baodao sag has the northern fault terrace belt,central depression belt and southern slope belt developed,among them,the northern fault terrace belt consists of multiple transition fault terrace belts such as Baodao B,A and C from west to east which control the source rocks,traps,reservoirs,oil and gas migration and hydrocarbon enrichment in the Baodao sag.The activity of the main fault of the transition belt in the sedimentary period of Yacheng Formation in the Early Oligocene controlled the hydrocarbon generation kitchen and hydrocarbon generation potential.From west to east,getting closer to the provenance,the transition belt increased in activity strength,thickness of source rock and scale of delta,and had multiple hydrocarbon generation depressions developed.The main fault had local compression under the background of tension and torsion,giving rise to composite traps under the background of large nose structure,and the Baodao A and Baodao C traps to the east are larger than Baodao B trap.Multiple fault terraces controlled the material source input from the uplift area to form large delta sand bodies,and the synthetic transition belt of the west and middle sections and the gentle slope of the east section of the F12 fault in the Baodao A transition belt controlled the input of two major material sources,giving rise to a number of delta lobes in the west and east branches.The large structural ridge formed under the control of the main fault close to the hydrocarbon generation center allows efficient migration and accumulation of oil and gas.The combination mode and active time of the main faults matched well with the natural gas charging period,resulting in the hydrocarbon gas enrichment.Baodao A transition belt is adjacent to Baodao 27,25 and 21 lows,where large braided river delta deposits supplied by Shenhu uplift provenance develop,and it is characterized by large structural ridges allowing high efficient hydrocarbon accumulation,parallel combination of main faults and early cessation of faulting activity,so it is a favorable area for hydrocarbon gas accumulation.Thick high-quality gas reservoirs have been revealed through drilling,leading to the discovery of the first large-scale gas field in Baodo 21-1 of Baodao sag.This discovery also confirms that the north transition zone of Songnan-Baodao sag has good reservoir forming conditions,and the transition fault terrace belt has great exploration potential eastward.展开更多
文摘In this paper, the partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas using lattice oxygen of La1- SrxMO3-λ (M=Fe, x Mn) perovskite oxides instead of molecular oxygen was investigated. The redox circulation between 11% O2/Ar flow and 11% CH4/He flow at 900℃ shows that methane can be oxidized to CO and H2 with a selectivity of over 90.7% using the lattice oxygen of La1- SrxFeO3-λ (x≤0.2) perovskite oxides in an appropriate reaction condition, while the lost lattice x oxygen can be supplemented by air re-oxidation. It is viable for the lattice oxygen of La1- SrxFeO3-λ (x≤0.2) perovskite x oxides instead of molecular oxygen to react with methane to synthesis gas in the redox mode.
基金financial support from the National Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51374233, 51474235)the Postdoctoral Innovative Project Foundation of Shandong Province (No. 201602027)+2 种基金the Qingdao Postdoctoral Applied Research Project (No. 2015242)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. 15CX06021A)the Graduate Student Innovation Project from China University of Petroleum (East China) (No. YCX2015011)
文摘Emulsifier-free poly(methyl methacrylate-styrene) [P(MMA-St)] nanospheres with an average particle size of 100 nm were synthesized in an isopropyl alcoholwater medium by a solvothermal method. Then, through radical graft copolymerization of thermo-sensitive mono- mer N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) and hydrophilic monomer acrylic acid (AA) onto the surface of P(MMA- St) nanospheres at 80 ℃, a series of thermo-sensitive polymer nanospheres, named SD-SEAL with different lower critical solution temperatures (LCST), were prepared by adjusting the mole ratio of NIPAm to AA. The products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, particle size distribution, and specific surface area analysis. The temperature-sensitive behavior was studied by light transmittance tests, while the sealing performance was investigated by pressure transmission tests with Lungmachi Formation shales. The experimental results showed that the synthesized nanoparticles are sensitive to temperature and had apparent LCST values which increased with an increase in hydrophilic monomer AA. When the temperature was higher than its LCST value, SD- SEAL played a dual role of physical plugging and chemical inhibition, slowed down pressure transmission, and reduced shale permeability remarkably. The plugged layer of shale was changed to being hydrophobic, which greatly improved the shale stability
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (10972214 and 11172278)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (WK2090050014)
文摘The influences of the acoustic impedance and shock strength on the jet formation in shock-heavy gas bubble interaction are numerically studied in this work. The process of a shock interacting with a krypton or a SF6 bubble is studied by the numerical method VAS2D. As a validation, the experiments of a SF6 bubble accelerated by a planar shock were performed. The results indicate that, due to the mismatch of acoustic impedance, the way of jet formation in heavy gas bubble with different species is diversified under the same initial condition. With respect to the same bubble, the manner of jet formation is also distinctly different under different shock strengths. The disparities of the acoustic impedance result in different effects of shock focusing in the bubble, and different behaviors of shock wave inside and outside the bubble. The analyses of the wave pattern and the pressure variation indicate that the jet formation is closely associated with the pressure perturbation. Moreover, the analy- sis of the vorticity deposition, and comparisons of circulation and baroclinic torque show that the baroclinic vorticity also contributes to the jet formation. It is concluded that the pres- sure perturbation and baroclinic vorticity deposition are the two dominant factors for the jet formation in shock-heavy gas bubble interaction.
基金supported from the National Science and Technology Major Project under Grant No.2011ZX05030
文摘Deepwater oil and gas projects embody high risks from geology and engineering aspects, which exert substantial influence on project valuation. But the uncer- tainties may be converted to additional value to the projects in the case of flexible management. Given the flexibility of project management, this paper extends the classical real options model to a multi-factor model which contains oil price, geology, and engineering uncertainties. It then gives an application example of the new model to evaluate deepwater oil and gas projects with a numerical analytical method. Compared with other methods and models, this multi-factor real options model contains more project information. It reflects the potential value deriving not only from oil price variation but also from geology and engi- neering uncertainties, which provides more accurate and reliable valuation information for decision makers.
基金Supported by the China National Science and Technology Major Project(2016ZX05024-003-001)
文摘Based on the study of natural gas resource, low buried hill trap formation mechanism, high quality reservoir control factors and natural gas preservation conditions, the formation conditions and reservoir accumulation characteristics of Bozhong 19-6 large condensate gas field were summarized. Large gas generation potential of multiple sets of thick humic-sapropelic source rocks in high maturity stage in Bozhong depression was the basis of large gas field formation. The multi-stage tectonic evolution since Indosinian period formed large-scale buried hill traps. The Tanlu fault activity formed multi-type reservoirs, and buried hill metamorphic rock of Archean and sand-conglomerate of Kongdian Formation were high-quality reservoirs. Thick overpressure lacustrine mudstone and weak neotectonic movement provided good preservation conditions. Bozhong 19-6 gas reservoir was a condensate gas reservoir with very high condensate oil content, and the gas origin was humic-sapropelic and kerogen-cracking gas, and the gas field had large gas thickness, high gas column characteristics and the accumulation process was first oil and then gas. The buried hill reservoir was a massive reservoir and the Kongdian reservoir was a stratified reservoir. The gas field had multi-channel hydrocarbon intense charge from overpressure source rocks, atmospheric-weak overpressure reservoir favorable for accumulation, thick overpressure mudstone caprock favorable for preservation, and natural gas ultra-late rapid accumulation model.
文摘Mg-Al layered double hydroxide intercalated with CO_(3)^(2-)(CO_(3)·Mg-Al LDH) is effective for treating HCl exhaust gas.HCl reacts with CO_(3)^(2-) in CO_(3)·Mg-Al LDH, resulting in the formation of Cl·Mg-Al LDH.We propose that CO_(2) can be used for the desorption of Cl^(-)from Cl·Mg-Al LDH to regenerate CO_(3)·Mg-Al LDH.Herein,we studied the desorption of a from CI-Mg-Al LDH by adding water to Cl·Mg-Al LDH and blowing CO_(2) into it.We also analyzed the effects of temperature and water addition speed on the desorption of CI^(-)from Cl·Mg-Al LDH.Our results show that the added water adhered to CI·Mg-Al LDH and that CO_(2) in the gaseous phase was dissolved in this adhered water,thus generating CO_(3)^(2-).Therefore,anion exchange occurred between CO_(3)^(2-) and Cl^(-)in the Cl·Mg-Al LDH,thus desorbing Cl^(-).
文摘used-silical capillary columns containing heptakis(2、3、6-tri-o-pentyl)-β-cyclodextrinand dibenzo-18-crown-6 were prepared.By studying the selectivity of mixed stationary phases forsome solute pairs.as well as comparing with the heptakis(2.3、6-tri-O-pentyl)-β-cyclodextrin and thedibenzo-18-crown-6 used as individual stationary phase、the synergistic effects were observed.These effects were affected by the column temperature.mixed ratio and linear velocity of carrier gas.
基金Supported by the China National Science and Technology Major Project (2016ZX05024-003)
文摘The Bohai Bay Basin is a typical oil-prone basin, in which natural gas geological reserves have a small proportion. In this basin, the gas source rock is largely medium-deep lake mudstone with oil-prone type Ⅱ2-Ⅱ1 kerogens, and natural gas preservation conditions are poor due to active late tectonic movements. The formation conditions of large natural gas fields in the Bohai Bay Basin have been elusive. Based on the exploration results of Bohai Bay Basin and comparison with large gas fields in China and abroad, the formation conditions of conventional large-scale natural gas reservoirs in the Bohai Bay Basin were examined from accumulation dynamics, structure and sedimentation. The results show that the formation conditions of conventional large natural gas reservoirs in Bohai Bay Basin mainly include one core element and two key elements. The core factor is the strong sealing of Paleogene "quilt-like" overpressure mudstone. The two key factors include the rapid maturation and high-intensity gas generation of source rock in the late stage and large scale reservoir. On this basis, large-scale nature gas accumulation models in the Bohai Bay Basin have been worked out, including regional overpressure mudstone enriching model, local overpressure mudstone depleting model, sand-rich sedimentary subsag depleting model and late strongly-developed fault depleting model. It is found that Bozhong sag, northern Liaozhong sag and Banqiao sag have favorable conditions for the formation of large-scale natural gas reservoirs, and are worth exploring. The study results have important guidance for exploration of large scale natural gas reservoirs in the Bohai Bay Basin.
文摘Mesoscale drag model is of crucial significance for the reliability and accuracy in coarse-grid EulerianEulerian two-fluid model(TFM)simulations of gas-solid flow hydrodynamics in fluidized bed reactors.Although numerous mesoscale drag models have been reported in the literature,a systematic comparison of their prediction capability from the perspective of heterogeneity analysis is still lacking.In this study,in order to investigate the effect of several typical drag models on the hydrodynamic behaviors,the nonuniformity analysis and the sensitivity to material properties,extensive coarse-grid TFM simulations of a bubbling pilot-scale fluidized bed reactor are carried out.The results demonstrate that the mesoscale drag models outperform the empirical drag model in terms of nonuniformity due to the consideration of the influence of the mesoscale structures on the drag force in the bubbling region.Furthermore,the results reveal that our previously developed three-marker gradient-based drag model considering the solid concentration gradient exhibits satisfactory performance in predicting the bubbling flow hydrodynamics.Besides,the material-property-dependent drag model considering the explicit effect of material properties on drag corrections is most sensitive to the particle diameter.This work provides guideline for possible future improvements of mesoscale models to simulate gas-solid flow more accurately and universally.
基金Supported by the CNOOC Science and Technology Project(KJZH-2021-0003-00,CNOOC-KJ 135 ZDXM 38 ZJ 03 ZJ).
文摘Based on analysis of newly collected 3D seismic and drilled well data,the geological structure and fault system of Baodao sag have been systematically examined to figure out characteristics of the transition fault terrace belt and its control on the formation of natural gas reservoirs.The research results show that the Baodao sag has the northern fault terrace belt,central depression belt and southern slope belt developed,among them,the northern fault terrace belt consists of multiple transition fault terrace belts such as Baodao B,A and C from west to east which control the source rocks,traps,reservoirs,oil and gas migration and hydrocarbon enrichment in the Baodao sag.The activity of the main fault of the transition belt in the sedimentary period of Yacheng Formation in the Early Oligocene controlled the hydrocarbon generation kitchen and hydrocarbon generation potential.From west to east,getting closer to the provenance,the transition belt increased in activity strength,thickness of source rock and scale of delta,and had multiple hydrocarbon generation depressions developed.The main fault had local compression under the background of tension and torsion,giving rise to composite traps under the background of large nose structure,and the Baodao A and Baodao C traps to the east are larger than Baodao B trap.Multiple fault terraces controlled the material source input from the uplift area to form large delta sand bodies,and the synthetic transition belt of the west and middle sections and the gentle slope of the east section of the F12 fault in the Baodao A transition belt controlled the input of two major material sources,giving rise to a number of delta lobes in the west and east branches.The large structural ridge formed under the control of the main fault close to the hydrocarbon generation center allows efficient migration and accumulation of oil and gas.The combination mode and active time of the main faults matched well with the natural gas charging period,resulting in the hydrocarbon gas enrichment.Baodao A transition belt is adjacent to Baodao 27,25 and 21 lows,where large braided river delta deposits supplied by Shenhu uplift provenance develop,and it is characterized by large structural ridges allowing high efficient hydrocarbon accumulation,parallel combination of main faults and early cessation of faulting activity,so it is a favorable area for hydrocarbon gas accumulation.Thick high-quality gas reservoirs have been revealed through drilling,leading to the discovery of the first large-scale gas field in Baodo 21-1 of Baodao sag.This discovery also confirms that the north transition zone of Songnan-Baodao sag has good reservoir forming conditions,and the transition fault terrace belt has great exploration potential eastward.