1,720,979 research outputs found
Experimental investigation of the effect of temperature on two-phase oil-water relative permeability
Full text linkRelative permeability is affected by several flow parameters, mainly the operating temperature and fluid viscosity. Fluid viscosities change with temperature, which correspondingly affects the relative permeability. Temperature is believed to have a considerable effect on oil–water relative permeability, thus a vital input parameter in petroleum reservoir production modelling. The actual effect of temperature on oil-water relative permeability curves has been a subject of debate within the scientific community. The literature shows contradictory experimental and numerical results concerning the effect of temperature on oil-water relative permeability. This work investigates the effect of temperature on oil-water relative permeability using well-sorted unconsolidated silica sandpacks, by adopting the unsteady-state relative permeability method, and by applying numerical history matching technique. The series of experiments were conducted at different temperatures of 40, 60, and 80 °C under three levels of injection flow rate (0.0083, 0.0125, 0.0167 cm^3/s) for two different oil samples. The findings show that oil-water relative permeability is a function of temperature, water injection flow rate and oil viscosity. Generally, the profile of oil and water relative permeability curve changes with varying temperature, oil viscosity and water injection flow rate at the same operating condition
Development of an optimised integrated underbalanced drilling strategy for cuttings transport in gas-liquid flow through wellbore annuli.
Full text linkAlthough understanding the relationship between gas-liquid two-phase fluid flows and the effects of the major drilling variables is critical to optimising underbalanced drilling (UBD) operations, to date, this has been an area of limited research and knowledge. This study contributes to the limited knowledge base by: 1) determining the key operational drilling parameters which shape the gas-liquid two-phase multiphase flow behaviour characteristics during UBD operations, 2) evaluating the most critical operational issues that have impacted the implementation of global UBD programmes, and 3) investigating the Newtonian and non-Newtonian gas-liquid two-phase flow patterns which affect the wellbore hydraulics and cuttings transport efficiency during UBD operations. Thus, this study developed a rigorous integrated strategy for maximising the efficiency of UBD for the transport of cuttings in gas-liquid two-phase flow through wellbore annuli. An experimental approach was applied to analyse and evaluate the relationship between the gas-liquid two-phase flow patterns and the major operational drilling parameters (gas and liquid flowrates, fluid rheology, inner pipe rotation, pipe inclination angle, pipe eccentricity and solid particle size and density) and to investigate their influence and interaction on the fluid flow dynamics and solids transport mechanisms in horizontal and inclined annuli. Experimental results revealed that drilling fluid flowrate along with fluid flow pattern are the most prominent parameters that strongly influence the cuttings transport efficiency within wellbore annuli. Annuli cleaning requirements for a concentric annulus was found to be lower than that required for an eccentric annulus for both Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. Pipe inclination angle was shown to affect hole cleaning, with the degree of its effect being significantly influenced by the drilling fluid properties, prevailing gas-liquid fluid flow pattern and cuttings transport mechanism. Moreover, inner pipe rotation was observed to improve cuttings transport in both horizontal and inclined eccentric annuli to varying extents. Experimental evidence was supplemented with a theoretical approach. Flow pattern dependent multi-layered mathematical models applicable for any level of pipe eccentricity were used for the different cuttings transport mechanisms existing in the different fluid flow patterns (dispersed bubble, bubble, and slug), offering a unique method to evaluate cuttings transport efficiency and wellbore hydraulics performance for UBD operations. A favourable comparison was observed between the experimental data and proposed flow pattern dependent multi-layered mathematical models with an error margin of ±15%. This research has generated new knowledge and created value through mapping the factors influencing particle transport and by evaluating the fluid-particle dynamics (fluid forces, gas-liquid fluid flow patterns and particle transport mechanisms) for flow in wellbore annuli. It has further identified and evaluated the effect of gas-liquid two-phase fluid flow patterns on fluid-particle transport dynamics which results in areas of preferential flows and stagnation zones. It also proposed a systematic solution to the governing equations for the simultaneous flow of gas-liquid two-phase fluids and solid particles in wellbore annuli. Overall, the mapping of the major operational drilling parameters and their influence and interdependencies on wellbore dynamics and cuttings transport efficiency in the context of gas-liquid fluid systems, provides a tool for the prediction of cuttings transport mechanism, determination of the stationary bed height, and calculation of the annuli pressure losses. Therefore, wellbore pressure evaluation and management and hole cleaning requirements for UBD operations can be addressed
Gen AI and the HE classroom: the good, the bad, the ugly.
Full text linkThis talk focuses on the implications of using Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) in the higher education classroom setting – the opportunities, challenges, and areas for caution in terms of its environmental costs. It seeks to raise awareness of the significant energy consumption, water utilisation and ethical dilemma with raw material extraction for graphic processing units
Faces of carbon capture and storage: successes, challenges, and its impact on public perception.
Full text linkCarbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is agreed by some to be a promising and effective climate change mitigation strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in hard to abate sectors. However, within society, there has been a growing backlash as to the 'real' climate benefits of CCS projects and whether these projects are being used as a 'smokescreen' to distract the public from further oil and gas field development projects, Figure 1. This presentation delves into the multifaceted world of CCS, exploring its remarkable successes, formidable challenges, and the diverse public perceptions surrounding it. This talk will highlight flagship, global CCS projects that have successfully implemented CCS technologies, demonstrating its impact on reducing carbon footprints and advancing sustainable practices. It will also showcase poor performing CCS projects and examine how technical, economic, and regulatory challenges have limited its widespread adoption and garnered negative public perception regarding its benefits. As public perception plays a crucial role in the deployment of CCS projects, there is a need to gain the 'social license' to operate. Therefore, developing an understanding of the perspectives of enthusiastic supporters, sceptics and opposers is essential for developing effective communication strategies and fostering public trust. Using case studies, this presentation aims to provide a comprehensive overview that informs, inspires, and sparks meaningful dialogue on the path of on-going and developmental CCS projects and provides insights into the voices that shape their future. This talk is beneficial for climate communicators, policymakers, industry and public relation professionals, and educators
Sand management and control in the energy transition: state-of-the-art and future directions.
Full text linkWhile oil continues to play a leading role in the world's energy mix, climate technologies and decarbonisation tools are required to accelerate the move towards net zero energy systems. Among these are Geothermal energy systems, Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) and Carbon capture systems (CCS), although each also have their operational challenges which need to be overcome
From sands to solutions: the role of sand management in carbon capture and storage projects to enable the energy transition.
Full text linkCarbon capture and storage (CCS) can play a pivotal role in decarbonising various hard-to-abate sectors and support an enabling environment to achieve the global energy transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon future. CO2 injection into geological formations is a complex multiphase multicomponent flow system challenge which involves coupling geomechanical, geochemical, and non-isothermal effects to understand the fluid-fluid and rock-fluid behaviour within the CO2 storage unit. This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of the significance, opportunities, and challenges of developing CCS storage sites and its potential impact on the energy transition. Valuable lessons from real-world examples within the Oil & Gas and CCS industries will be explored to demonstrate how the integration of pressure and sand management and control systems can be used to increase the likelihood of having successful CCS projects. Industry practitioners and researchers will find the synthesised insights from research and practice useful in accelerating their understanding of the incremental improvements, technological fixes, and radical shifts around industrial CCS projects that will be required to support the energy transition
Assessing the feasibility of carbon dioxide sequestration in abandoned oil and gas wells: a case study of the UK continental shelf: accelerating the transition to a better energy future.
Full text linkThis study examines the feasibility of repurposing abandoned offshore wells for geological CO2 storage, focusing on three candidate fields in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS). The fields were evaluated based on storage capacity, leakage risk, development cost, and distance to shore. A structured ranking approach was used to compare site suitability under multiple weighting scenarios. Field B consistently ranked highest, offering a favourable balance of subsurface integrity, reservoir performance, and accessibility. Existing wells in Field B were screened using the REX-CO2 tool, applying parameters from prior risk-based studies. The resulting moderate risk scores indicate that the wells could be reused following further inspection and minor remediation. Reservoir simulations were performed to model CO2 behaviour over a 200-year period. Under structural trapping, CO2 migrated vertically and accumulated below the caprock, but pressure build-up over time raised containment concerns. In contrast, residual trapping led to greater long-term stability, with more than three-quarter of the injected CO2 staying immobilised after two centuries. The findings demonstrate that Field B meets both geological and operational requirements for CO2 storage. This work provides a practical framework for screening and evaluating mature offshore assets for integration into carbon storage strategies, with broader relevance to similar settings across the North Sea
Legacy wells and CCS: do they go together?
Full text linkWithin the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS) licencing area, there are more than 1,400 legacy wells which present both operational risks but also a unique opportunity for carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects. This presentation delves into the feasibility and potential of repurposing legacy wells for CO2 storage projects, addressing both the technical challenges and environmental benefits through the adoption of a methodological approach which evaluates the integrity of legacy wells in the Northern, Central, and Southern North Sea. We will demonstrate "how" the structural integrity of legacy wells can be assessed (applying technical, environmental, and economic factors) using a dedicated well-screening tool which applies a risk scoring method. Additionally, a multi-criteria decision-making tool was developed to determine the beneficial (storage capacity, risks, and distance) and non-beneficial criteria (cost) implications of different CO2 storage sites within the UKCS. By examining case studies and recent advancements in CCS technology, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of how legacy wells can play a pivotal role in the UK's carbon reduction strategy
Transforming legacy oil and gas well infrastructure: assessing CO2 sequestration in the UK continental shelf.
Full text linkAn important decarbonisation pathway in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is the at scale storage of CO2 in geological formations. This research considers the technical feasibility and geospatial potential for repurposing abandoned wells within the United Kingdom Continental Shelf region for underground CO2 storage - offering a low-impact pathway to accelerate deployment. Using a comprehensive multi-step strategy which integrates a well integrity screening methodology and TOPSIS-based multi-criteria approach, candidate fields were ranked based on storage capacity, risk analysis, and economic viability. Comparison of three fields within the Northern, Central, Southern and North Sea basins revealed Field B (Central North Sea) as the most suitable candidate. Additionally, reservoir models were developed to simulate the CO2 plume migration and long-term containment mechanisms for a 200-year post-injection period with results indicating that residual trapping was the dominant CO2 retention mechanism, ensuring long-term storage security. This research study demonstrates the potential to repurpose abandoned wells for carbon storage projects, reducing associated environmental footprint and supporting the achievement of Net Zero targets. The evidence-based framework offers a scalable and transferable methodology which can be replicated in other mature offshore basins globally, with practical insights on integrating circular economy principles within carbon management strategies
Role of student-supported, engineering professional society activities on student experience and outcomes.
No full textThis presentation showcases the significant role of professional society activities in enhancing university students’ experience, achievement and career development. It aims to motivate participants to support these activities, which foster personal and professional growth. The Robert Gordon University, Society of Petroleum Engineers Student Chapter, established in 1979, exemplifies this by offering students numerous benefits, including engineering-themed technical sessions with industry professionals, scholarships, mentorship, and networking opportunities. The session will discuss the positive impact of student involvement in professional societies in relation to their academic experience, performance and career readiness, illustrated by student success stories
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