Conversion of Fischer-Tropsch wax into high quality synthetic crude or finished transportation fuels such as premium diesel has been studied over the past 15 years within BP. Catalyst screening and selection was carri...Conversion of Fischer-Tropsch wax into high quality synthetic crude or finished transportation fuels such as premium diesel has been studied over the past 15 years within BP. Catalyst screening and selection was carried out in dedicated micro-reactors and pilot plants, whose designs are critical to the performance selection. Variation in catalyst composition and defining the gas to oil feed ratios with the operating temperature are a few of the parameters studied. Product selection and maximizing diesel yield combined with stability (catalyst life) were the ultimate drivers. The selected catalyst was then tested under commercial conditions in a dedicated 300 barrel per day demonstration plant. The products were also tested in engines to assess their combustion characteristics.展开更多
The Turonian Notom Delta is one of the Ferron fluvial-deltaic wedges deposited in the foreland basins of the Cretaceous Seaway of North America. The wedge is exposed three dimensionally in the Henry Mountains region U...The Turonian Notom Delta is one of the Ferron fluvial-deltaic wedges deposited in the foreland basins of the Cretaceous Seaway of North America. The wedge is exposed three dimensionally in the Henry Mountains region Utah, USA. High-resolution sequence stratigraphic analysis along a 35 km dip-oriented outcrop belt shows that the wedge consists of six depositional sequences. Ammonite and Inoceramid biostratigraphy and 40Ar/39Ar age dating of various bentonites show that the wedge was deposited from 91.25 Ma to 90.63 Ma, an interval of merely 0.62 Ma. Assuming each sequence is formed over a similar time span, each sequence, thus, represents about 105 yr, suggesting high-frequency depositional sequences. Amplitude of relative sea-level changes, built on shoreline trajectory, is 2-61 m, with an average of only 20 m. Fluvial incision during high-frequency and low-amplitude relative sealevel fall is mainly around the highstand prism. Incision diminishes rapidly up dip and down dip, and the resultant incised valleys are narrow and shallow. Such sea-level fluctuations also result in small, stratigraphically complex shoreline sandstones that need special attention during hydrocarbon exploration.展开更多
In this paper,the iterative coupling approach is proposed for applications to solving multiphase flow equation systems in reservoir simulation,as it provides a more flexible time-stepping strategy than existing approa...In this paper,the iterative coupling approach is proposed for applications to solving multiphase flow equation systems in reservoir simulation,as it provides a more flexible time-stepping strategy than existing approaches.The iterative method decouples the whole equation systems into pressure and saturation/concentration equations,and then solves them in sequence,implicitly and semi-implicitly.At each time step,a series of iterations are computed,which involve solving linearized equations using specific tolerances that are iteration dependent.Following convergence of subproblems,material balance is checked.Convergence of time steps is based on material balance errors.Key components of the iterative method include phase scaling for deriving a pressure equation and use of several advanced numerical techniques.The iterative model is implemented for parallel computing platforms and shows high parallel efficiency and scalability.展开更多
Delta asymmetry forms in wave-influenced settings where there is strong net longshore drift.Asymmetric deltas typically have two sediment sources and are characterized by morphology and facies asymmetry between the do...Delta asymmetry forms in wave-influenced settings where there is strong net longshore drift.Asymmetric deltas typically have two sediment sources and are characterized by morphology and facies asymmetry between the downdrift and the updrift sides.The downdrift,sourced primarily by the feeding river,are commonly influenced by mixed river and wave processes.Deposits on this side are muddy and consist of barrier,bar,lagoon,bay-fill,and bayhead delta facies with variable bioturbation intensity.At or near the river mouth,heterolithic river-dominated successions are more typical.Deposits are overall unburrowed (BI 0-2),but with high burrowing spikes.Ichnogenera are characterized by horizontal,morphologically simple,and facies-crossing structures.The updrift,in contrast,is sourced by a second sediment source and typically consists of laterally continuous sandy beach and shoreface facies.Bioturbation is overall high (BI 3-6) and ichnogenera are healthy and robust,attributable to the Cruziana and Skolithos Ichnofacies.Depending on shoreline trajectory and depositional history,facies characteristics of asymmetric deltas preserved in the ancient record,however,can be different from those predicted by the models.Degree of asymmetry is indicated by the asymmetry index (A),defined as the ratio between the rate of longshore transport at the river mouth and river water discharge.The indexes in symmetric waveinfluenced deltas is less than 200,whereas those in asymmetric and deflected deltas are larger than 200.Overall the larger the index,the higher the degree of asymmetry.Delta asymmetry concepts and models challenge the traditional definition of deltas and the delta classification scheme.In a hydrocarbon exploration perspective,asymmetric deltas bear very different types of sands and,thus,reservoirs between the updrift and the downdrift.The updrift consists of wellsorted,mature,and laterally continuous homogeneous beach-shoreface reservoirs.The downdrift,in contrast,is muddier and consists of less continuous,less mature,heterolithic reservoirs.展开更多
A huge submarine fan is discovered through the research of the seismic and borehole data in the binding site of Yinggehai basin and Qiongdongnan basin in northwestern South China Sea.The fan,mainly formed during Late ...A huge submarine fan is discovered through the research of the seismic and borehole data in the binding site of Yinggehai basin and Qiongdongnan basin in northwestern South China Sea.The fan,mainly formed during Late Miocene (Huangliu period) has an area over 10000 km 2 and maximum thickness of over 2000 m.It is characterized by a wedge-shaped oblique progradation configuration on the dip profile and a hummocky bidirectional progradation configuration on the strike profile.The core and Logging data from the well YC35-1-2 located in the front side of the fan indicate that sandy gravity flow deposits are predominant in lower Huangliu Formation and change to interbeds of sand and mud in upper Huangliu Formation.The fan is interpreted as a sand/mud-rich submarine fan in combination with the bathyal geological background of Huangliu period.A preliminary analysis of provenance indicates that neither the Guiren Uplift in the west nor the Hainan Uplift in the north can serve as the major provenance for the submarine fan.The provenance is considered to be from the Red River,based on the sedimentary facies study of the Huangliu Formation in Yinggehai basin.The fan is thus named as "Red River submarine fan".The Red River depositional system consists of the Red River submarine fan,the Red River delta,and associated submarine canyons.The discovery of the Red River submarine fan provides important information for the research of the uplift of Tibetan Plateau and the evolvement of Red River Fault Zone.Furthermore,it also points out a new direction for the deepwater hydrocarbon exploration in the northern South China Sea.展开更多
A three-dimensional thermo-hydro-mechanical numerical model has recently been enhanced with thermal capabilities to study the response of geothermal reservoirs to stimulation and production.In this paper,we present an...A three-dimensional thermo-hydro-mechanical numerical model has recently been enhanced with thermal capabilities to study the response of geothermal reservoirs to stimulation and production.In this paper,we present an effort to consider three relevant thermal mechanisms in an existing lattice code initially designed for hydraulic fracturing:a)thermal advection in the fluid;b)heat transfer by forced convection from the rock to the fluid;and c)accurate thermal conduction in the rock matrix considering the thermal boundary layer effect.A numerical implementation of the new coupled advection-forced convection logic as well as the coupling with the existing conduction logic in the commercial code XSite is summarized.The numerical solution is compared to analytical solutions for simple simulation cases.The new simulation capability is applied in a large-scale geothermal example to illustrate its performance.展开更多
This study numerically investigates the effect of material micro-and macro-parameters on the failure mechanisms and geometry of a wellbore breakout.The analysis of the borehole breakout is essential in addressing well...This study numerically investigates the effect of material micro-and macro-parameters on the failure mechanisms and geometry of a wellbore breakout.The analysis of the borehole breakout is essential in addressing wellbore stability,well completion,and sand production problems.The three-dimensional discrete element method(DEM)was used in the simulations.The numerical tool was used in numerical model simulations of drilling through sandstone in cubic samples at the laboratory scale subjected to pre-existing far-field stresses.Besides,a series of triaxial testing simulations were performed to relate the micromechanical parameters to the macromechanical material properties.The results showed that the geometry of the breakout is affected,among the material micro-parameters,by the particle contact modulus,bond normal and shear strengths,particle crushing strength,and particle size distribution.Further,it was found that the macro-parameters including Young’s modulus,friction and dilation angles,and uniaxial compression strength(UCS)also affect the type of breakout.展开更多
文摘Conversion of Fischer-Tropsch wax into high quality synthetic crude or finished transportation fuels such as premium diesel has been studied over the past 15 years within BP. Catalyst screening and selection was carried out in dedicated micro-reactors and pilot plants, whose designs are critical to the performance selection. Variation in catalyst composition and defining the gas to oil feed ratios with the operating temperature are a few of the parameters studied. Product selection and maximizing diesel yield combined with stability (catalyst life) were the ultimate drivers. The selected catalyst was then tested under commercial conditions in a dedicated 300 barrel per day demonstration plant. The products were also tested in engines to assess their combustion characteristics.
文摘The Turonian Notom Delta is one of the Ferron fluvial-deltaic wedges deposited in the foreland basins of the Cretaceous Seaway of North America. The wedge is exposed three dimensionally in the Henry Mountains region Utah, USA. High-resolution sequence stratigraphic analysis along a 35 km dip-oriented outcrop belt shows that the wedge consists of six depositional sequences. Ammonite and Inoceramid biostratigraphy and 40Ar/39Ar age dating of various bentonites show that the wedge was deposited from 91.25 Ma to 90.63 Ma, an interval of merely 0.62 Ma. Assuming each sequence is formed over a similar time span, each sequence, thus, represents about 105 yr, suggesting high-frequency depositional sequences. Amplitude of relative sea-level changes, built on shoreline trajectory, is 2-61 m, with an average of only 20 m. Fluvial incision during high-frequency and low-amplitude relative sealevel fall is mainly around the highstand prism. Incision diminishes rapidly up dip and down dip, and the resultant incised valleys are narrow and shallow. Such sea-level fluctuations also result in small, stratigraphically complex shoreline sandstones that need special attention during hydrocarbon exploration.
文摘In this paper,the iterative coupling approach is proposed for applications to solving multiphase flow equation systems in reservoir simulation,as it provides a more flexible time-stepping strategy than existing approaches.The iterative method decouples the whole equation systems into pressure and saturation/concentration equations,and then solves them in sequence,implicitly and semi-implicitly.At each time step,a series of iterations are computed,which involve solving linearized equations using specific tolerances that are iteration dependent.Following convergence of subproblems,material balance is checked.Convergence of time steps is based on material balance errors.Key components of the iterative method include phase scaling for deriving a pressure equation and use of several advanced numerical techniques.The iterative model is implemented for parallel computing platforms and shows high parallel efficiency and scalability.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(No.2009CB219407)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.40972077)
文摘Delta asymmetry forms in wave-influenced settings where there is strong net longshore drift.Asymmetric deltas typically have two sediment sources and are characterized by morphology and facies asymmetry between the downdrift and the updrift sides.The downdrift,sourced primarily by the feeding river,are commonly influenced by mixed river and wave processes.Deposits on this side are muddy and consist of barrier,bar,lagoon,bay-fill,and bayhead delta facies with variable bioturbation intensity.At or near the river mouth,heterolithic river-dominated successions are more typical.Deposits are overall unburrowed (BI 0-2),but with high burrowing spikes.Ichnogenera are characterized by horizontal,morphologically simple,and facies-crossing structures.The updrift,in contrast,is sourced by a second sediment source and typically consists of laterally continuous sandy beach and shoreface facies.Bioturbation is overall high (BI 3-6) and ichnogenera are healthy and robust,attributable to the Cruziana and Skolithos Ichnofacies.Depending on shoreline trajectory and depositional history,facies characteristics of asymmetric deltas preserved in the ancient record,however,can be different from those predicted by the models.Degree of asymmetry is indicated by the asymmetry index (A),defined as the ratio between the rate of longshore transport at the river mouth and river water discharge.The indexes in symmetric waveinfluenced deltas is less than 200,whereas those in asymmetric and deflected deltas are larger than 200.Overall the larger the index,the higher the degree of asymmetry.Delta asymmetry concepts and models challenge the traditional definition of deltas and the delta classification scheme.In a hydrocarbon exploration perspective,asymmetric deltas bear very different types of sands and,thus,reservoirs between the updrift and the downdrift.The updrift consists of wellsorted,mature,and laterally continuous homogeneous beach-shoreface reservoirs.The downdrift,in contrast,is muddier and consists of less continuous,less mature,heterolithic reservoirs.
基金This project was part of Hongjun Luo＇s dissertation funded by the Institute for Energy Research/ Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute ( IER/EORI ) and the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Wyoming during 2001-2005.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (2009CB219407)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (40572067)
文摘A huge submarine fan is discovered through the research of the seismic and borehole data in the binding site of Yinggehai basin and Qiongdongnan basin in northwestern South China Sea.The fan,mainly formed during Late Miocene (Huangliu period) has an area over 10000 km 2 and maximum thickness of over 2000 m.It is characterized by a wedge-shaped oblique progradation configuration on the dip profile and a hummocky bidirectional progradation configuration on the strike profile.The core and Logging data from the well YC35-1-2 located in the front side of the fan indicate that sandy gravity flow deposits are predominant in lower Huangliu Formation and change to interbeds of sand and mud in upper Huangliu Formation.The fan is interpreted as a sand/mud-rich submarine fan in combination with the bathyal geological background of Huangliu period.A preliminary analysis of provenance indicates that neither the Guiren Uplift in the west nor the Hainan Uplift in the north can serve as the major provenance for the submarine fan.The provenance is considered to be from the Red River,based on the sedimentary facies study of the Huangliu Formation in Yinggehai basin.The fan is thus named as "Red River submarine fan".The Red River depositional system consists of the Red River submarine fan,the Red River delta,and associated submarine canyons.The discovery of the Red River submarine fan provides important information for the research of the uplift of Tibetan Plateau and the evolvement of Red River Fault Zone.Furthermore,it also points out a new direction for the deepwater hydrocarbon exploration in the northern South China Sea.
文摘A three-dimensional thermo-hydro-mechanical numerical model has recently been enhanced with thermal capabilities to study the response of geothermal reservoirs to stimulation and production.In this paper,we present an effort to consider three relevant thermal mechanisms in an existing lattice code initially designed for hydraulic fracturing:a)thermal advection in the fluid;b)heat transfer by forced convection from the rock to the fluid;and c)accurate thermal conduction in the rock matrix considering the thermal boundary layer effect.A numerical implementation of the new coupled advection-forced convection logic as well as the coupling with the existing conduction logic in the commercial code XSite is summarized.The numerical solution is compared to analytical solutions for simple simulation cases.The new simulation capability is applied in a large-scale geothermal example to illustrate its performance.
基金The authors would like to acknowledge the research funding for this study provided by NSERC through their Discovery Grants Program.We also thank BP for their technical advice,providing and permitting the publication of the laboratory data.
文摘This study numerically investigates the effect of material micro-and macro-parameters on the failure mechanisms and geometry of a wellbore breakout.The analysis of the borehole breakout is essential in addressing wellbore stability,well completion,and sand production problems.The three-dimensional discrete element method(DEM)was used in the simulations.The numerical tool was used in numerical model simulations of drilling through sandstone in cubic samples at the laboratory scale subjected to pre-existing far-field stresses.Besides,a series of triaxial testing simulations were performed to relate the micromechanical parameters to the macromechanical material properties.The results showed that the geometry of the breakout is affected,among the material micro-parameters,by the particle contact modulus,bond normal and shear strengths,particle crushing strength,and particle size distribution.Further,it was found that the macro-parameters including Young’s modulus,friction and dilation angles,and uniaxial compression strength(UCS)also affect the type of breakout.
