Enhanced Recovery of Heavy Oil in the Niger Delta: Nelson and Mcneil Model a Key Option for In-Situ Combustion Application

In-situ heavy oil recovery involves several field tested enhanced oil recovery methods/techniques with applicable models. Such field tested techniques include non-thermal oil recovery, hybrid oil recovery and solvent-base oil recovery. The viabilities and field successes recorded by these in-situ heavy oil recovery techniques/methods cannot be overemphasized. But, the main focus of this study is on heavy oil recovery using in-situ combustion with attention on the application of Nelson and McNeil model as documented in the in-situ combustion handbook (Partha, 1999). We subjected data(s) obtained from five (5) heavy oil reservoirs located within the same field in the Niger Delta to the correlations, equations, assumptions and calculations proposed by our study model. This enabled the research team to carry out performance evaluations while considering in-situ combustion implementation using our proposed model. Our result outcomes were further validated with a foreign heavy oil reservoir having similar reservoir properties. Our study results show how viable and profitable (with possible commercial production) heavy oil production from unconventional reservoirs in the Niger Delta would be. Currently, most of the internally generated oil revenue by the Nigeria government is from cheap/light oil obtained from conventional reservoirs (which is fast declining globally)

Hepatitis C Virus infection in apparentenly healthy individuals with family history of diabetes in Vom, Plateau State Nigeria

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important public health problem worldwide. Its association with, and predisposing nature for diabetes mellitus (DM) has been long established. This research was carried out to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) amongst people with possible genetic predisposition to diabetes mellitus living in and around Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria. 188 subjects were screened after they filled a structured questionnaire to determine some of their demographic data, social habits and possible risk factors. 5 ml of blood was collected from each subject and sera separated out. Biotech's third generation ELISA Kit for HCV antibodies was used for the screening. Liver enzyme analysis was carried out on positive samples to determine their disease status. A prevalence of 14.36% was recorded with the highest seropositive group being those in the age bracket of 18 – 37 years. 13(13.40%) of males and 14(15.38%) of females were sero-positive. Liver enzyme analysis of sero-positive subjects showed increased levels which may imply early onset of liver damage. These result showed that these individuals could later suffer diabetes which may be triggered by their HCV infection if not treated. This is not over-looking the economic significance of their ill health, assuming they progress to cirrhotic HCV or develop hepatocelluar carcinoma due to HCV chronicity