Applications of aerospace technology to petroleum extraction and reservoir engineering

Through contacts with the petroleum industry, the petroleum service industry, universities and government agencies, important petroleum extraction problems were identified. For each problem, areas of aerospace technology that might aid in its solution were also identified, where possible. Some of the problems were selected for further consideration. Work on these problems led to the formulation of specific concepts as candidate for development. Each concept is addressed to the solution of specific extraction problems and makes use of specific areas of aerospace technology

Application of Expanding Polyurethane Foam for Upgrading the Seismic Resistance of Unreinforced Masonry Structures

Unreinforced masonry (URM) constitutes a prevalent part of the modem building inventory and represents a major seismic risk. This study investigates the use of expanding polyurethane foam as a new technique to retrofit URM construction. Experimental tests of masonry assemblages have shown an increase in the shear capacity of up to five times and that the polymer core reduces tensile forces within the face shells under compression. Cyclic in-plane tests have shown that the load capacity of retrofitted wall panels are up to 2.5 times the strength of URM specimens and have demonstrated the potential for increased energy dissipation. An analytical macro-model is developed, which is capable of simulating the in-plane response of both URM and polymer retrofitted walls. The developed model is used to analyze the response of walls subjected to simulated earthquake records and showed benefits in reducing lateral deflection and increasing ultimate lateral capacity

Application of Treated Oil Sands Drill Cuttings Waste in Micropiles Construction

A micropile is constructed by drilling a hole, placing a steel reinforcing element, grouting it using neat cement. However, cement production consumes energy and generates carbon dioxide. Implementing waste materials in construction applications represents a sustainable solution for many waste management problems. On the other hand, oil sands drill cuttings waste represents one of the most difficult challenges for the oil sands mining sector. Reducing the amount oil sands drill cutting waste sent to landfill offers one of the best solutions for waste management. This thesis presents an innovative solution for application of treated oil sands waste (TOSW) in grout mixtures used for micropiles construction. In this study, the physical, chemical and mineralogical characteristics of the treated oil sands drill cuttings waste were investigated. Fresh and hardened properties for micropiles grouts incorporating the treated solid drill cuttings waste were evaluated. Moreover, the effects of employing these grout mixtures on micropiles cross-section, surface interface properties and axial behaviour were investigated. The results showed that incorporating up to 20% of the treated solid drill cuttings waste as a partially replacement of cement will not adversely affect the properties of the grout. On the other hand, leaching tests evidenced the reduction in the release of heavy metals from the tested mixtures compared to that of the raw waste indicating successful stabilization/solidification of such waste in the grout. In addition, it was noticed an enhancement in the grout body diameter for micropiles installed using the developed grout, while maintaining the micropile surface properties. Moreover, micropiles installed using grout incorporating a high percentage of the TOSW (up to 30%) exhibited the same axial behaviour as that of micropile installed using conventional grout. Therefore, incorporating TOSW in micropile applications has high potential for producing cost efficient micropiles along with providing a green oil sands waste management solution

Ground-source heat pumps and underground thermal energy storage: energy for the future

We need energy for space heating—but in most cases not where or when energy sources are available. Energy storage, which helps match energy supply and demand, has been practised for centuries, also in Norway. Energy storage systems will increase the potential of utilising renewable energy sources such as geothermal energy, solar heat and waste heat. The most frequently-used storage technology for heat and ‘coolth’ is Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES). The ground has proved to be an ideal medium for storing heat and cold in large quantities and over several seasons or years. UTES systems in the Nordic countries are mostly used in combination with Ground-Source Heat Pumps (GSHP). Several different UTES systems have been developed and tested. Two types of system, Aquifer (ATES) and borehole (BTES) storage, have had a general commercial breakthrough in the last decades in the Nordic countries. Today, about 15,000 GSHP systems exist in Norway extracting about 1.5 TWh heat from the ground. About 280 of the Norwegian GSHP installations are medium- to large-scale systems (> 50 kW) for commercial/public buildings and for multi-family dwellings. The two largest closed-loop GSHP systems in Europe, using boreholes as ground heat exchangers, are located in Norway

Analysis of Seismic Methods Used for Subsea Hydrocarbon Exploration

Subsea hydrocarbon exploration comprises detection and estimation of shape, depth, volume and other physical properties of hydrocarbon fields within the Earth’s subsurface layers. Marine seismic survey is a process that generally includes sending seismic waves into seabed and recording the intensity and travel time of reflected seismic waves to determine the subsurface features of the Earth. Different methods, equipment and techniques are used to conduct a survey, from sea surface seismic arrays to seabed local seismic station networks. In this paper different widely used seismic methods are presented, together with their advantages and drawbacks. Furthermore, new methods that are being developed and tested for future approach to more advanced and efficient seismic exploration are presented

Geotechnical state-of-the-art in Guatemala -- Ground stabilization

History provides an understanding of the present and in a way, a guide for the future. The state-of-the-art is often referred to as a snapshot of the most significant works and contributions made in a field of study; In this case the focus is on Guatemalan geotechnical engineering. This study presents a comprehensive description of the different events that impulse geotechnical engineering in Guatemala. As part of the description of the state-of-the-practice an investigation of the different human (engineers/contractors) and physical resources (laboratories/field equipment) and their capabilities are presented. An overview of the civil engineering programs is presented. Then, the advances in the graduate program in geotechnical engineering are discussed. Select comprehensive case studies are presented. Project selection was based on relevance and project\u27s interest for geotechnical engineers. Privileged data and information, such as design, construction, and performance data are presented, giving a full range of point of views of the selected projects. Selected projects include topics such as slope stabilization, ground improvement, liquefaction, deep excavations, dams, grouting and foundations. A perspective on the quality of the solutions adopted in tropical and volcanic areas is discussed. For each case study, a review of the degree at which geotechnical engineering processes were followed: subsurface investigation, analytical or computational tools, empirical relationships, field testing, and/or measurement of performance (monitoring behavior). The study concludes by identifying the lessons learned; areas of improvement and recommendations in the different fields of education, resources, and practice --Abstract, page iii

An investigation on the pore pressure for the potential shale gas intervals in the Perth and Canning basins

This research examined various sets of data to examine pore pressure for the Potential Shale Gas Intervals in the Perth and Canning Basins, Western Australia. The study came up with an appropriate correlation between the existence and preservation of overpressure and the local tectonic and structural elements in the gas shale formations. This study has also assessed the suitability of the overpressure estimation method, examined the origins of overpressures wherever exist and improved the methodologies that were initially proposed by previous authors

A proposal to conduct a Caribbean plate project involving the application of space technology to the study of Caribbean geology

The Caribbean plate project is designed to improve current understanding of geological resources and geological hazards within the Caribbean region. Models of mineral occurrence and genesis (including energy resources) on a regional scale, which contribute to nonrenewable resource investigations. Models of lithospheric stress and strain on a regional scale, which contribute to forecasting geological hazards such as earthquakes and major volcanic eruptions are developed. Geological information is synthesize, and research tools provided by space technology the study of the Earth's crust are used. The project was organized in a thematic fashion, to focus on specific geological aspects of the Caribbean plate which are considered to be key factors in developing the types of models described. The project adopts a synoptic perspective in seeking to characterize the three dimensional structure, composition, state of stress, and evolution of the entire Caribbean plate. Geological information derived from analysis of space acquired data is combined with information provided by conventional methods to obtain insight into the structure, composition, and evolution of the Earth's crust. In addition, very long baseline interferometry and laser ranging techniques, which are also based upon the use of space technology, obtain information concerning crustal motion that, in turn, provides insight into the distribution and localization of crustal stress

Comparison of core control and geophysical investigations, silica sand deposits, Dawmat Al Jandal, Al Jawf at Saudi Arabia

This thesis is a summary of a comprehensive geophysical investigation in southern Dawmat Al Jandal, Al Jawf in Saudi Arabia. This research demonstrates that the acquisition of both core control and geophysical data is superior to the acquisition of core control alone. Coring is expensive and is limited in subsurface coverage. Geophysical surveying, however, is a relatively rapid and cost-effective means of deriving information about the subsurface between core holes. Ground penetrating radar (GPR), Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW), and Seismic Refraction methods were used as exploration techniques to locate surficial mineral deposits within the study area. During the course of these investigations, the author tries to review the acquired 1620 meters of ground penetrating radar (GPR) data to image internal reflections (if any) within the sand and the top of the underlying sandstone; 27 MASW field records were acquired at each core hole location, which generated 1-D and 2-D shear wave velocity profiles, and 27 seismic refraction profiles were acquired, which did not image the top of the sandstone. The purpose was to estimate the thickness of the sand and to map bedding planes within the sand to better understand depositional environments under the same conditions, based on the high-resolution 2-D surveys, mostly performed in mining areas. The Geophysical investigations were successful and proved to be useful methods for the exploration of shallow subsurface areas where the results are equal to, or slightly different from, the corresponding with of the core holes\u27 values. Therefore, geophysical surveying does not remove the need for core control, but when it is properly applied it can optimize exploration rating programs by maximizing the rate of ground coverage and minimizing the amount of core drilling that is required. --Abstract, page iii