The reservoir geochemistry of Ara carbonates in the Greater Birba area in the South Oman Salt Basin in south of Sultanate of Oman

This thesis describes a detailed geochemical evaluation of the petroleum fluids in the Greater Birba Area in the South Oman Salt Basin located in South of Sultanate Oman. These crude oils were found in the Infracambrian (Precambrian-Cambrian) Ara group carbonates (Upper Huqf supergroup), which are sealed by anhydrites. The reservoirs are heavily shattered due to halokinetic movement and so the migration of oil to these sealed carbonate slabs was probably vertical through these halokinetic faults. The Greater Birba area oils are characterized by large variations in some of the important properties. API gravity ranges from 23.70 to 51.00. Dead oil and live oil viscosities vary a lot from a minimum of 1.50 cp and 0.92 cp to a maximum of 188 cp and 41.03 cp respectively. The acidity of the oil (TAN) varies from a low TAN of 0.11 mgKOH/g oil to a high TAN value of 1.24 mgKOH/g oil. Most of the oils show high TAN values (>0.50) and only few oils show low TAN values. Sulphur content also varies a lot and ranges from 0.78 wt% in a black oil to 4.7 wt% in a gas condensates and generally negatively correlated with API gravity. Therefore, an important aim of this study was to improve the understanding of the underlying controls on these properties using both geochemistry and PVT modelling. A comprehensive study was undertaken on these oils using twenty two oil samples, twenty reservoir core samples, five gas samples and data from eleven PVT reports. Hydrocarbons molecular geochemistry, gasoline range hydrocarbon data, bulk composition and isotopic data as well as PVT modelling were employed in this study to evaluate and characterize crude oils and attempt to identify the controls on observed fluid properties variations in the Greater Birba area. Most of the crude oils in the Greater Birba area show typical characteristics of oils sourced from evaporite-carbonate source facies deposited in hypersaline and highly reducing environment, except for two oil samples, one from BBNl (from A3C reservoir unit), which might be contaminated and the other is from Kaukabl (from A 1 C reservoir unit). Some of these characteristics are high sulphur content, low asphaltene contents, high relative abundance of Pregnanes, gammacerane, and C35 homohopanes as well as other geochemical features. Various maturity parameters (e.g. MPI and C29 (S+R) aPPI (aaa+app) in CI5+ Saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons suggested that these oils were generated from a source rock in the middle of oil window (O.8-0.9%R). No evidence was found for water washing and biodegradation effects in the studied oils. There was no evidence to prove or deny thermochemical or bacterial sulphate reduction, although general observations suggest that this is less likely to occur in the Greater Birba area. Number of facies sensitive parameters and maturity sensitive parameters as well as isotopic data show that these oils are genetically related and only minor variations exist between them, largely due to minor facies variations. These small variations can not account for the large variations observed in bulk properties. Two samples were exceptional from the above statement 05 from BBNl (reservoir A3C), which is probably a contaminated sample with most likely younger oil and 015 from Kaukab 1 (reservoir Al C) and this is different because it is from Al C reservoir unit which is in contact with middle Huqf source rocks. PVT modelling, gasoline range hydrocarbons data and absolute concentrations of biomarkers suggest that the main control behind the variations observed in the petroleum fluids in the Greater Birba area were mixing of oil and gas condensate with a dry gas probably derived from highly mature pre-salt source rocks. This oilcondensate- gas mixing increased the bubble point pressure above reservoir pressure in some of the oil accumulation in the studied area (e.g. main Birba Field), which resulted in the formation of two phases in these accumulations. Sulphur content was probably controlled by both oil-condensate mixing and the minor facies variations between the original oils. The variations in the absolute concentrations of biomarkers in the oils were mainly controlled by dilution effects caused by mixing of oils with alkane rich condensate charge. The formation of a gas phase and related Phase fractionation effects might be responsible for the significant variations in acidity, API gravity and the distribution of alkylphenols. Birba oils (A4C oils of well BB 1, and BB2) were suggested to have migrated longer distance than the other oils on the basis of alkylcarbazoles isomer distribution.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServicePetroleum Development OmanGBUnited Kingdo

National Prevalence of Micronutrient Deficiencies, Anaemia, Genetic Blood Disorders and Over- and Undernutrition in Omani Women of Reproductive Age and Preschool Children

A national cross-sectional survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of anaemia, micronutrient deficiencies, haemoglobin disorders and over- and undernutrition in children and women of reproductive age in Oman. Wasting and stunting were found in 9.3% and 11.4% of children aged 0–59 months, respectively, while 4.2% were overweight or obese. In addition, 23.8% were anaemic and 10.2%, 9.5% and 10.6% had iron, vitamin A and vitamin D deficiencies, respectively. Sickle cell and β-thalassaemia genetic traits were present in 5.3% and 4.2% of children and 4.7% and 2.8% of women, respectively. Overall, 9.1% of Omani women were underweight and 59.2% were overweight or obese. The prevalence of anaemia was 27.8%, while iron, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiencies affected 24.8%, 11.6%, 8.9% and 16.2%, respectively. Anaemia among both children and women and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in women are the most concerning nutritional problems in Oman.Keywords: Nutrition Disorders; Malnutrition; Micronutrients; Iron-Deficiency Anemia; Avitaminosis; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Oman

Comparison between Efficacy of Human Milk Fortification Using Human Milk Fortifier versus Preterm Formula: A Retrospective Single-institutional Experience

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the relative efficacy of expressed breast milk (EBM) fortified using human milk fortifier (HMF) compared to commercial preterm formula (PF) on preterm and very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in a major tertiary healthcare center in Oman. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included two cohorts of preterm (< 32 weeks gestation) or VLBW infants (birth weight < 1500 g) treated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Cohort one included infants who were given PF-fortified EBM between January and December 2016, and cohort two were given newly-introduced HMF-fortified EBM between November 2018 and December 2019. Analysis was performed to compare the cohorts with respect to baseline characteristics, primary outcomes, and secondary outcomes. Results: A total of 103 neonates were included (cohort 1: n = 55, cohort 2: n = 48). There were no significant differences in the growth of the weekly length, the growth of the head circumference, or discharge growth parameters. Compared to PF, HMF was associated with significantly better weight gain velocity (g/kg/day) during the first week (p =0.009) and second week (p =0.050) after starting fortification, lower need for other adjunctive forms of fortification (p =0.035), and lower rates of necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants or VLBW (p =0.018). Conclusions: This is likely to be the first study to analyze the relative efficacy of HMF and PF in the Middle East. The results of this study will be helpful in guiding standards of nutritional care in NICUs in Oman

Ordovician-Silurian palynology of Oman. Vol.1

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

New chitinozoan species from the Saih Nihayda Formation, Middle Ordovician of the Sultanate of Oman

International audienceDuring extensive investigations carried out recently on the chitinozoans from the Middle Ordovician Saih Nihayda Formation in the Sultanate of Oman, four new chitinozoan species have been discovered among classical Darriwilian components. These new chitinozoan species, Euconochitina sheridani sp. nov., Belonechitina ghabaensis sp. nov., Desmochitina omanensis sp. nov. and Desmochitina mortoni sp. nov., are described and illustrated from rich populations recovered from Ghaba-1H1 well core samples. The new species also occur in other Oman wells and some in other Gondwanan localities

Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in the adult omani population

Context: The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in adults from the Sultanate of Oman is unknown. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of IDA and latent iron deficiency (ID) in students admitted to a university hospital. Settings and Design: This is a prospective, cross-sectional cohort study. Subjects and Methods: In asymptomatic university students, blood samples were obtained for blood counts and iron status after obtaining consent. Students who were found to have IDA or ID were given oral iron therapy for a minimum of 3 months to study the response to treatment. Statistical Analysis Used: Student's t-test (continuous variables) and Chi-square test (categorical variable) were used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean age + standard deviation was 21 + 1.3 years with a range from 17 to 29 years in 350 students, with 274 students being females (78.8%). Using the World Health Organization criteria, 91 (26%), 133 (38%), and 126 (36%) students, respectively, were classified as IDA, ID, and normal. HPLC showed that 28 students had sickle cell trait (HbS: 26%–35%), and one each had sickle cell disease (HbS 92%), Hb C trait (31%), Hb D trait (30%), Hb E trait (19%), and delta gene variant (HbA2 – 1.6%). Among the students who received treatment (52 IDA and 20 ID), Hb, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and serum ferritin showed statistically significant improvement after oral iron therapy (P < 0.001, paired Student's t-test). Conclusions: The prevalence of IDA was 26% and that of ID was 38%, with a preponderance of females