A simple tool to assess the cost-effectiveness of new bit technology

Cost or performance targets for new bit technologies can be established with the aid of a drilling cost model. In this paper the authors make simplifying assumptions in a detailed drilling cost model that reduce the comparison of two technologies to a linear function of relative cost and performance parameters. This simple model, or analysis tool, is not intended to provide absolute well cost but is intended to compare the relative costs of different methods or technologies to accomplish the same drilling task. Comparing the simplified model to the detailed well cost model shows that the simple linear cost model provides a very efficient tool for screening certain new drilling methods, techniques, and technologies based on economic value. This tool can be used to divide the space defined by the set of parameters: bit cost, bit life, rate of penetration, and operational cost into two areas with a linear boundary. The set of all the operating points in one area will result in an economic advantage in drilling the well with the new technology, while any set of operating points in the other area indicates that any economic advantage is either questionable or does not exist. In addition, examining the model results can develop insights into the economics associated with bit performance, life, and cost. This paper includes development of the model, examples of employing the model to develop should cost or should perform goals for new bit technologies, a discussion of the economic insights in terms of bit cost and performance, and an illustration of the consequences when the basic assumptions are violated

Well cost estimates in various geothermal regions

A project to estimate well costs in regions of current geothermal activity has been initiated. Costs associated with commonly encountered drilling problems will be included. Activity-based costing techniques will be employed to allow the identification of cost drivers and the evaluation of the economic effects of new technologies and operational procedures on well costs. The sensitivity of well costs to a number of parameters such as rate-of-penetration and daily operating costs will be examined. Additional sensitivity analyses and trade-off studies will evaluate the efficiency of various operational practices and preventive, as well as remedial, actions. These efforts should help provide an understanding of the consumption of resources in geothermal drilling

Development of a compounding of elastomeric composition for production hoses

The compounding of elastomeric compositions increased hardness for the production of hoses coiling constructions is worked out. The studies found, that the introduction of technical carbon P 803 in the amount of 105 parts by weight at 100 parts by weight of rubber leads to a slight increase in the viscosity of the rubber composition, hardness and tensile strength, a slight decrease in elongation at break. Introduction of technical carbon P 803 in the amount of 110 parts by weight at 100 parts by weight of rubber results in an increase in the viscosity of the rubber composition, hardness and tensile strength of conventional on 4%, reduction in elongation at break on 4%. Introduction of technical carbon P 803 in the amount of 115 parts by weight at 100 parts by weight of rubber results in the increase in the viscosity of rubber mixture on 6%, the hardness on 13%, decline of tensile strength and elongation at break on 6%. Reducing the value of the conditional indicator tensile strength and a significant increase in hardness indicates an excess of carbon content in the rubber composition, the content of carbon technical P 803 therefore optimal 110 parts by weight at 100 parts by weight of rubber. Decline of maintenance of dibutyl phthalate to 8 parts by weight rendered unsatisfactory technological behavior of mixture at roll-forming, that hampered dispergating of ingredients at mixing. Thus we have found that the optimum content of the plasticizer in the rubber mixture of dibutyl phthalate – 10 parts by weight softener and bitumen – 5 parts by weight at 100 parts by weight of rubber

Marine epibenthic dinoflagellates from Malaysia - a study of live cultures and preserved samples based on light and scanning electron microscopy

Marine epibenthic dinoflagellates have been collected from macroalgae, dead corals, seagrasses and sand in Malaysia and identified using light microscopy, including epifluorescence microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Examination of 62 samples revealed that Malaysia has rich diversity of benthic dinoflagellates, with 24 species representing 9 genera. Of these species, 8 were shown to be potentially toxic using the Anemia bioassay test i.e. Prorocentrum arenarium, P. lima, P. concavum, P. cf. faustiae, Gambierdiscus pacificus, Ostreopsis labens, O. ovata and Coolia sp. The diversity of potentially toxic species in Malaysian waters indicates that Malaysia may encounter problems with ciguatera and/or DSP. The highest species diversity was found at Sipadan Island with a total of 18 species identified. One of these is previously undescribed (Prorocentrum sipadanensis sp. nov.). The most common species identified at all sampling sites were Prorocentrum lima and Ostreopsis ovata. Generally, the morphology of the species identified from Malaysian waters is similar to that reported in studies elsewhere. However, new features were also observed (e.g. a pyrenoid in Prorocentrum emarginatum and two different-sized pores in Ostreopsis labens). The importance of SEM as a tool in taxonomic studies is stresse