Environmental Impact Assessment Follow-Up of Seismic Survey Offshore Activities in Brazil

Follow-up of environmental impacts is an integral part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, closely related to the effectiveness of the instrument. EIA follow-up has been receiving a lot of interest from scientists and practitioners, though it is recognized as one of the weakest points of EIA systems globally. Also, EIA follow-up is influenced by the context, mainly in terms of the types of projects or activities and their related impacts on the environment. Therefore, the present paper is focused on the investigation of the follow-up stage applied to the activity of seismic survey coupled with offshore oil & gas exploitation in Brazil. Research was based on a qualitative approach that included document analysis and semi-structured interviews with analysts involved in EIA processes, and sought to generate evidence of effectiveness of the EIA follow-up as conducted by the Federal Environment Agency (Ibama) in order to situate the practice of follow-up in the broader context of international best practice principles. Based on the findings, it was concluded that, due to the peculiarities of offshore seismic survey, it is necessary to promote adaptations in the procedures for monitoring impacts in order to ensure proper alignment with the principles and conceptual foundations that guide EIA practice. Specifically, the timing of the execution of the activity imposes challenges for its integration into the “conventional” cycle that has guided the monitoring of the impacts in the EIA of projects.

Multistring analysis of wellhead movement and uncemented casing strength in offshore oil and gas wells

This paper presents a theoretical method and a finite element method to describe wellhead movement and uncemented casing strength in offshore oil and gas wells.Parameters considered in the theoretical method include operating load during drilling and completion and the temperature field,pressure field and the end effect of pressure during gas production.The finite element method for multistring analysis is developed to simulate random contact between casings.The relevant finite element analysis scheme is also presented according to the actual procedures of drilling,completion and gas production.Finally,field cases are presented and analyzed using the proposed methods.These are four offshore wells in the South China Sea.The calculated wellhead growths during gas production are compared with measured values.The results show that the wellhead subsides during drilling and completion and grows up during gas production.The theoretical and finite element solutions for wellhead growth are in good agreement with measured values and the deviations of calculation are within 10％.The maximum von Mises stress on the uncemented intermediate casing occurs during the running of the oil tube.The maximum von Mises stress on the uncemented production casing,calculated with the theoretical method occurs at removing the blow-out-preventer （BOP） while that calculated with the finite element method occurs at gas production.Finite element solutions for von Mises stress are recommended and the uncemented casings of four wells satisfy strength requirements.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF LONGITUDINAL SUBMERGED ARC WELDED STEEL PIPES USED FOR GAS PIPELINE OF OFFSHORE OIL

Since the development of offshore oil and gas, increased submarine oil and gas pipelines were installed. All the early steel pipes of submarine pipelines depended on importing because of the strict requirements of comprehensive properties, such as, anti-corrosion, resistance to pressure and so on. To research and develop domes- tic steel pipes used for the submarine pipeline, the Longitudinal-seam Submerged Arc Welded （LSAW） pipes were made of steel plates cut from leveled hot rolled coils by both the JCOE and UOE （the forming process in which the plate like the letter “J”, “C”, “0” or “U” shape, then expansion） forming processes. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the pipe base metal and weld metal were tested, and the results were in accordance with the corresponding pipe specification API SPEC 5L or DNV- OS-FI01, which showed that domestic LSAW pipes could be used for submarine oil and gas pipelines.

Exploration prospects of oil and gas in the Northwestern part of the Offshore Indus Basin, Pakistan

Oil and gas resources are short in Pakistan and no commercially viable oil and gas sources have been yet discovered in its offshore areas up to now.In this study,the onshore-offshore stratigraphic correlation and seismic data interpretation were conducted to determine the oil and gas resource potential in the Offshore Indus Basin,Pakistan.Based on the comprehensive analysis of the results and previous data,it is considered that the Cretaceous may widely exist and three sets of source rocks may be developed in the Offshore Indus Basin.The presence of Miocene mudstones has been proven by drilling to be high-quality source rocks,while the Cretaceous and Paleocene–Eocene mudstones are potential source rocks.Tectonic-lithologic traps are developed in the northwestern part of the basin affected by the strike-slip faults along Murray Ridge.Furthermore,the Cretaceous and Paleocene–Eocene source rocks are thick and are slightly affected by volcanic activities.Therefore,it can be inferred that the northwestern part of Offshore Indus Basin enjoys good prospects of oil and gas resources.

Opportunities and Challenges of Robotics and Automation in Offshore Oil &Gas Industry

The oil and gas industry will continue to boom in the coming few decades. Obtaining oil and gas from conventional and non-conventional resources will become more and more challenging. This intensifying need will impose very considerable demands on work force, financial and technology capabilities. Since the future supplies of oil and gas are to expand, advanced technology will become increasingly necessary to obtain access to more challenging conventional and non-conventional resources. Therefore oil and gas technologies will be very costly to operate in the coming future due to hostile, hard-to-reach environments. The offshore oil industry will become a complicated myriad of advanced equipment, structures, and work force. Our objectives are to identify potential applications and research directions of robotics and automation in the oil & gas field and explore the obstacles and challenges of robotic and automation applications to this area. This study performs the necessary survey and investigation about the work conditions of robotics and automation equipment in the oil and gas industry, especially offshore oil rigs. The oil & gas industry processes are first investigated. The personals and tasks are then explored. Furthermore, this paper reviews the current robotic automation technology. The challenges and requirements are identified for robotics and automation equipment in the oil and gas industry. The requirements of robotics and automation in the oil & gas industry are presented. Future research opportunities are discussed from a technical perspective.

Stability analysis of seabed strata and casing structure during the natural gas hydrates exploitation by depressurization in horizontal wells in South China Sea

Natural gas hydrates(NGHs)are a new type of clean energy with great development potential.However,it is urgent to achieve safe and economical NGHs development and utilization.This study established a physical model of the study area using the FLAC^(3D) software based on the key parameters of the NGHs production test area in the South China Sea,including the depressurization method,and mechanical parameters of strata,NGHs occurrence characteristics,and the technological characteristics of horizontal wells.Moreover,this study explored the law of influences of the NGHs dissociation range on the stability of the overburden strata and the casing structure of a horizontal well.The results are as follows.With the dissociation of NGHs,the overburden strata of the NGHs dissociation zone subsided and formed funnelshaped zones and then gradually stabilized.However,the upper interface of the NGHs dissociation zone showed significant redistribution and discontinuity of stress.Specifically,distinct stress concentration and corresponding large deformation occurred in the build-up section of the horizontal well,which was thus prone to suffering shear failure.Moreover,apparent end effects occurred at the end of the horizontal well section and might cause the deformation and failure of the casing structure.Therefore,it is necessary to take measures in the build-up section and at the end of the horizontal section of the horizontal well to prevent damage and ensure the wellbore safety in the long-term NGHs exploitation.

China Offshore Oil Industry and Foreign Investment

The history of China's offshore oil industry can be traced back to late 1950's when geophysical surveys started in limited offshore areas.Then,in 1960's and 1970's,a few exploratory wells scattered from north down to south were drilled resulting in a number of discoveries with the total proven oil in place being merely 40 million tons.In fact,the China's offshore oil industry in a real sence did not emerge on the horizon until early 1980's when China opened its door to outside world and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation(CNOOC)was born.

Theoretical Progress and Key Technologies of Onshore Ultra-Deep Oil/Gas Exploration

Oil/gas exploration around the world has extended into deep and ultra-deep strata because it is increasingly difficult to find new large-scale oil/gas reservoirs in shallow–middle buried strata. In recent years, China has made remarkable achievements in oil/gas exploration in ultra-deep areas including carbonate and clastic reservoirs. Some (ultra) large-scale oil and gas fields have been discovered. The oil/gas accumulation mechanisms and key technologies of oil/gas reservoir exploration and development are summarized in this study in order to share China’s experiences. Ultra-deep oil/gas originates from numerous sources of hydrocarbons and multiphase charging. Liquid hydrocarbons can form in ultradeep layers due to low geothermal gradients or overpressures, and the natural gas composition in ultra-deep areas is complicated by the reactions between deep hydrocarbons, water, and rock or by the addition of mantle- or crust-sourced gases. These oils/gases are mainly stored in the original highenergy reef/shoal complexes or in sand body sediments. They usually have high original porosity. Secondary pores are often developed by dissolution, dolomitization, and fracturing in the late stage. The early pores have been preserved by retentive diageneses such as the early charging of hydrocarbons. Oil/gas accumulation in ultra-deep areas generally has the characteristics of near-source accumulation and sustained preservation. The effective exploration and development of ultra-deep oil/gas reservoirs depend on the support of key technologies. Use of the latest technologies such as seismic signal acquisition and processing, low porosity and permeability zone prediction, and gas–water identification has enabled the discovery of ultra-deep oil/gas resources. In addition, advanced technologies for drilling, completion, and oil/gas testing have ensured the effective development of these fields.

The impacts of gas impurities on the minimum miscibility pressure of injected CO_2-rich gas–crude oil systems and enhanced oil recovery potential

An effective parameter in the miscible-CO_2 enhanced oil recovery procedure is the minimum miscibility pressure(MMP)defined as the lowest pressure that the oil in place and the injected gas into reservoir achieve miscibility at a given temperature. Flue gases released from power plants can provide an available source of CO_2,which would otherwise be emitted to the atmosphere, for injection into a reservoir. However, the costs related to gas extraction from flue gases is potentially high. Hence, greater understanding the role of impurities in miscibility characteristics between CO_2 and reservoir fluids helps to establish which impurities are tolerable and which are not. In this study, we simulate the effects of the impurities nitrogen(N_2), methane(C_1), ethane(C_2) and propane(C_3) on CO_2 MMP. The simulation results reveal that,as an impurity, nitrogen increases CO_2–oil MMP more so than methane. On the other hand, increasing the propane(C_3)content can lead to a significant decrease in CO_2 MMP, whereas varying the concentrations of ethane(C_2) does not have a significant effect on the minimum miscibility pressure of reservoir crude oil and CO_2 gas. The novel relationships established are particularly valuable in circumstances where MMP experimental data are not available.

Assessment of Safety Culture in Global Offshore Environments

This project aims at presenting detailed assessment of health and safety culture in global offshore environments. Such assessment will be then utilized for developing and recommending a model capable of integrating safety behaviour and culture in global offshore environments. The global offshore environment is a quite wider term and therefore underlying study has specified and narrowed it down to the oil and gas industry. In other words, the discussion of health and safety culture is done in light of oil and gas industry and its environment. The proposed model “incident-free and low-risk contracting model” aims at fostering health and safety culture in oil and gas environments. It is worth mentioning that implementation of model requires effective support and collaboration between trade unions, industry associations, employers, and government agencies. The objectives of the proposed model will be identified in terms of Fostering sound leadership, Gaining management commitment, Gaining support and involvement of workforce, Reducing risk instances, Accident reduction objective.

Key technologies, engineering management and important suggestions of shale oil/gas development: Case study of a Duvernay shale project in Western Canada Sedimentary Basin

The Duvernay project in Canada was taken as an example to summarize the advanced technology and engineering management model of shale oil and gas development in North America.Preliminary suggestions were put forward to accelerate the commercial development of domestic continental shale oil and gas.The advanced technologies,valuable knowledge and rich experience were introduced,including the evaluation of geological target area of the project,rapid long horizontal drilling and completion,high-intensity fracturing,and well spacing optimization.In particular,the concept and connotation of the full-life cycle management of North American unconventional resource projects were analyzed.Its emphasis on early evaluation and risk management,and a highly competitive market environment have played an important role in promoting technological innovation and management innovation.In addition,the low-cost sharing system of industry-wide knowledge and experience and the management mode were applied.These management approaches are of great significance for reference in accelerating the exploration and development of unconventional resources in China.China possesses abundant shale oil and gas resources,which are an important replacement to guarantee the national oil and gas energy supply.However,due to the late start and special geological characteristics and engineering difficulties in China,there is a large gap in technology level and management mode compared with North America.According to the advanced experience and enlightenment of the shale oil and gas development in North America,a preliminary proposal to accelerate the development of shale oil and gas in China was made.

海上石油锚机液压制动器建模与仿真分析

锚机是海上石油生产的关键设备,为确保制动操作过程的安全性,设计一种四工位的制动夹钳配合制动的制动器。4个制动夹钳通过各自夹钳表面和绞盘表面形成的摩擦力完成制动操作。

海上油气开采设施工业控制系统网络安全研究

本文针对海上油气开采设施工业控制系统网络安全问题进行研究。阐明了海上油气开采工业控制系统网络安全的概念、特点及其面临的挑战,对安全威胁进行分类与特征分析;提出了针对海上油气工业控制系统网络安全技术手段、安全管理措施;从技术应用、安全管理等方面总结和展望了海上油气开采设施工业控制系统网络安全的未来发展趋势。

Strategic Thinking on Shallow-water Oil and Gas Exploration in Offshore China

The oil and gas exploration in offshore China has made great achievements,and as the important areas of offshore exploration,the shallow waters contribute most of the oil and gas reserves and production.However,the available area for exploration is diminishing and the cost of exploration is rising.The field changes and ever increasing difficulties of exploration bring new challenges technically and economically.Therefore,for effective exploration of shallow-water oil and gas in offshore China,it is necessary to center on the general requirements of becoming a powerful marine country and the ideas of value exploration,initiate key research projects in the fields of China's offshore stratigraphic-lithologic reserves,Paleogene reserves,buried-hill reserves,high temperature and pressure reserves and hydrocarbon-rich sags,and form geological theories and explorative technologies of large and medium size oil and gas field in offshore China.The measures regarding the challenges include:(1) Innovating theoretical understanding and optimizing new exploration fields,(2) developing technical capabilities and improving the success rate of exploration,and(3) enhancing management level and deepening value exploration.

海洋石油平台起重机液压系统故障诊断

在海上石油平台的各类设备中,起重机占有十分重要的地位,是设备搭建、货物运输的重要设备。液压系统是起重机正常工作的动力装置和控制装置,对其进行准确高效的故障诊断是起重机安全可靠工作的保障。该文对海上石油平台起重机的液压系统进行组成结构分析、系统故障分析和元件故障分析。其中,系统故障分析以起升模块没有动作、起升模块动作无力2项为例进行阐述;元件故障以液压泵元件和液压缸元件为例进行阐述。在此基础上,提出一种基于T-S模型的故障诊断方法,给出该方法的实现流程和数学模型,并针对起升模块自动下降这一故障案例进行实际分析。案例分析结果显示:经过T-S模型的模糊概率计算,起升模块自动下降故障类型发生的概率更高,故障得到有效诊断。

海上石油开采防爆电气设备问题及解决策略

海上石油开采与陆上石油开采有很大不同,面临更加恶劣的自然条件和气象条件。为提升海上石油开采的安全性,其作业过程中使用的电气设备都需经过特殊的防爆处理。针对防爆电气设备使用过程中经常出现的6类问题,该文逐一加以阐述分析并给出对应的解决方案。对于防爆电气设备选型问题、标识问题、导引装置问题、隔爆问题、辅助件问题、接地问题,都进行深入细致地分析并提出解决策略。对于海上石油开采防爆电气设备的安全使用具有一定的实践价值。

海洋石油平台电气节能技术应用分析

随着科技水平的不断提升,人类能够探索的领域逐渐扩大。海洋资源占据整个地球面积的70%,海洋蕴藏的资源被持续深入开发。根据调查结果显示,海洋中蕴藏的石油资源占整体石油资源的30%。在海洋资源开发不断扩大的背景下,海洋石油开采量大幅提升,开采的成本问题成为人们重点关注的对象。在海洋石油开采各项流程中,电气技术应用十分常见,电气系统运行好坏直接影响海洋石油勘探的各项流程。文章分析了海洋石油电气系统的特点与常见类型,结合海洋平台电气系统自身运行的特殊性,提出科学合理的电气节能技术与具体应用策略。