7th World Oil and Gas Congress

Scientific Program

Keynote Session:

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Yunping Xi photo

Yunping Xi

University of Colorado, USA

Title: Electrochemical nanoparticle injection technique to repair wellbore leakages

Biography:

Yunping Xi has completed his PhD in Structural Engineering from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL in the year of 1991. He has completed MS in Structural Engineering from Central Research Institute of Building and Construction in 1985 and has done B.S. in Civil Engineering from Beijing Institute of Civil Engineering and Architecture in 1982. Currently he is working as a professor of Structural Engineering & Structural Mechanics, Materials Science & Engineering department in University of Colorado at Boulder, USA.

Abstract:

Well cement has been commonly used in wellbore environment, such as wells for oil and gas extraction and CO2 storage formation. For the safety of long-term operation of the wells, leakages in wellbore cement must be sealed. Nanoparticles in various slurries can be used to seal cracks in well cement. This study investigated the feasibility for developing an electrochemical method to inject nanoparticles into well cement not only to repair wellbore leakages and initial defects but also to extract the harmful ions (e.g. chlorides) simultaneously. Various experimental parameters were studied including different surface charges, types and sizes of nanoparticles and the intensity of injecting power supply. The new technology was developed and tested under the lab condition as well as a simulated wellbore condition. Some details for the technology to be used underground from inside of steel casing are under development so that it can be used for repairing the leakage of well cement for the oil and gas industry as well as for CO2 storage formations. Finite element models are being developed to simulate the nanoparticle injection and ionic transport processes of the technology.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Shuai Li photo

Shuai Li

PetroChina, China

Title: Recovery of tight oil reservoir considering wettability alteration by adding surfactant additive agent

Biography:

Shuai Li born in 1987, he holds a PhD degree at Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development, PetroChina, majoring in oil and gas engineering. He also holds a bachelor’s degree (2011) and a master’s degree (2014) at China University of Petroleum (Beijing), both in petroleum engineering. He is also a visiting student at the Pennsylvania State University, USA from year 2017 to year 2018.

Abstract:

Based on contact angle and interfacial tension measurement, this paper concentrated on adding surfactants agent into fracturing fluids to increase oil output after hydraulic fracturing. Cationic, anionic and nonionic surfactants were added into slickwater to perform a serious of one end open (OEO) imbibition experiments at a certain concentration. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method were also applied in the detection before and after the imbibition process. Results demonstrated that core samples changed from oil-wet to intermediate-wet or water-wet after soaked in surfactants, cationic surfactant shows a better performance in changing contact angle while different kinds of surfactants have a similar ability in lowering IFT. In the soaking duration, NMR transverse relaxation time (T2) spectrum showed that oil recovered by counter-current imbibition mainly distributed in intervals of 10-1000 ms while oil remained uncovered mainly distributed in intervals of 0.1-10 ms. T2 spectrum moved towards left side and this indicated that aqueous phase migrate from larger pores to smaller ones. Both laboratory experiments and field applications have indicated that adding surfactants into fracturing fluids can significantly increase oil outputs for tight oil-wet reservoirs. Application of this technology can be a good way to solve low production problems for this type of reservoir.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Nadimikeri Jayaraju  photo

Nadimikeri Jayaraju

Yogi Vemana University, India

Title: Natural gas blowouts in KG Basin, east coast of India: Implications for environmental scenarios

Biography:

Nadimikeri Jayaraju has been working on Coastal Environmental Pollutions including the Oil Industry both onshore and offshore for over a decade. His expertise including, Geosciences, Environmental Pollution, Socio-economic scenarios of the society living close to the coastal zone.

Abstract:

The Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin is considered to be one of the potential Petroliferous Basins of Indian Subcontinent. Natural gas blowouts is one of the hazards in  this Basin . It causes wide spread loss to human lives, environmental  and material assets. The geological complexity of the field and the presence of over pressure zones, mainly in East Godavari sub-basin, particularly in the wells at Amalapuram, Razole and Narsapur have led to major disasters in the past years. Therefore, an attempt has been made to identify the most possible causes of these disasters and to propose a safe drilling procedure to prevent these disasters in the upcoming ventures. This incident resulted in serious environmental damage including water, soil, crops, air,   and flora and fauna. The paddy fields, coconut groves and prawn farms within 2 km radius of the site were damaged due to enormous heat of the rising flame. The constant heat and light also affected the life of animals and birds. This paper highlights the case study of a blowout occurred in KG basin in East Coast of India. The effect of exploration and production of oil and gas on the property and environment were also discussed. Efficient drilling and safety procedures were recommended to prevent further blowouts in future. The recommendations presented will be of utmost importance for oil and gas operators and service companies to take necessary steps in future drilling operations in over pressured formations of KG basin to prevent loss to personnel, property and damage to the environment.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Shabana Parvin Shaikh photo

Shabana Parvin Shaikh

SP Pune University, India

Title: Challenges & Solutions: New nano-materials for renewable energy applications

Biography:

Shabana Parvin Shaikh has completed her PhD at the age of 27 years from RTM Nagpur University Nagpur and She has completed her Post doctoral studies from National University of Malaysia, Malaysia. She has delivered talk as invited speaker and Keynote speaker at the international level such as China, Germany, Spain, UK and Malaysia. She has published her work in several high impact international journals. She is currently working as Research scientist in Pune and contributing herself in the innovative research ideas in collaboration with National research institute and industries at her individual level. She is the reviewer for few international peer reviewed journal such as Hydrogen energy and Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. She is a regular member of International Academy of Electrochemical Science and few more organizations. Research her passion and she is very keen to do innovative applicative research as an independent researcher since her PhD.

Abstract:

As the world is facing energy crisis, across the globe all scientist trying to find alternative energy sources by 2022 with the help renewable energy via fuel cell, solar cell, battery, wind, bio fuels and small hydro plants. This is an initiative step to reduce the cost and to make user friendly technology. The demand for clean and sustainable energy has stimulated great interest in fuel cells, which allows direct conversion of chemical fuels to electricity. Among all types of fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs)/ Hydrogen Fuel Cell (HFC) have the potential to offer the highest energy efficiency of 60% approximately and excellent fuel flexibility without pollution. Currently, many scientists, researchers, and engineers around the globe are showing keen interest in commercializing of SOFC technology. Thus, one of the most popular and innovative sources of renewable energy for the future is the hydrogen economy based SOFC research. However, the materials choice for SOFC fabrication is still a major and challenging task in the field of SOFCs. Thus there is need to search alternative new electrode and electrolyte nanomaterials which can be synthesize easily with cheaper synthesis technique and in less time by saving energy to minimize the actual cost of fabrication of SOFC from its commercialization point of view. In the present and most past author tried for the solution of the challenges of SOFC by investigating new materials and synthesis technique compared to conventional one such as microwave assisted glycine-nitrate process (MS-GNP) is one of the best time and energy saving technique with enhanced expected results for SOFC applications. Thus three is need to think by the oil and gas industries too to take interest in this alternative source of energy and fuel for the transportation and stationary application point of view.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Xiuyu Wang photo

Xiuyu Wang

China University of Petroleum, China

Title: A fractal model for threshold pressure gradient of tight oil reservoirs

Biography:

Xiuyu Wang has completed her PhD at the age of 34 years from University of Wyoming and Postdoctoral Studies from the same university. She is currently an associate professor of Department of Pletroleum Engineering at China University of Petroleum in Beijing.

Abstract:

In tight oil reservoir, the flow channel of fluids is tiny and the boundary layer effect is obvious, resulting in large flow resistance and high threshold pressure gradient. A fractal model for calculating the threshold pressure gradient of tight oil reservoir is established considering the fractal dimension of the pore throat and the tortuosity. In this model, the rock is considered as a capillary bundle with different diameter distribution as obtained from high-pressure mercury injection measurements for tight rocks. The mathematical model expresses the fractal threshold pressure gradient as a function of ultimate shear stress (η0), pore throat fractal dimension (Df), tortuosity fractal dimension (DT), the maximum pore radius (rmax), the characteristic length of the core (L0) and the connate water saturation (Swi). For 27 tight cores obtained from Changqing oilfield, threshold pressure gradients were determined using the established model and compared with experimental results and a good fit was found especially for the rock with lower permeability. The relative error is less than 14% for all the rock tested and is only 1.77% for the cores with permeability in the range of 0.001~0.01mD. This model has the advantage of being able to check the impact of the connate water saturation on the threshold pressure gradient of tight rock, which is usually neglected in previous work. The results show that higher Swi results in largely increased threshold pressure gradient. This fractal model is of great importance in studying of the mechanism of tight oil flow in porous media.

Oral Session 1:

  • Global Oil and Gas Reserves | Advance Drilling Technologies and Safety | Crude Oil Processing and Desulphurization
Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Sahil Chaudhary photo

Sahil Chaudhary

Department of Petroleum and Energy Studies, DIT University

Title: A Novel approach for formulating CO2 foam based fracturing fluid by synthesized grafting copolymerization to enhance its stability for HPHT shale reservoirs

Biography:

Sahil Chaudhary is a pre-final year petroleum engineering student at DIT University. He has done Two internaships in Oil and Natural Gas Corporation India.

Abstract:

An eco-friendly CO2 foam based fracturing fluid is developed which can be used at HPHT conditions for shale reservoirs with high goethite content. Results observed were compared to the conventional fracturing fluids which were previously published. For the formulation of the fracturing fluid, gum acacia and Lactic Acid is grafted together in the presence of Potassium per sulphate (KPS). Base solution of the fracturing fluid is prepared using 80% of CO2 liquid and 14% brine solution. Lecithin is used to emulsify CO2 liquid and brine solution. Grafted polymer is mixed with the base solution. An Propylene glycol, oxygen scavenger, biocide, cross linker and other additives has been added in smaller proportions nearly 0.15% in the base fluid. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and Palmitic acid is added in the base solution as foaming agent. After mixing the formulation at high rate for 10-15 minutes, 4-5% proppant is added in the developed fracking fluid. The series of test has been conducted and the results are compared with the conventional fracking fluid. FTIR has been used for the characterization of grafted Copolymer and the effective synthesized co-polymerization is shown by the Infrared spectra of gum acacia (GA), Lactic acid (LA) and grafted copolymer (GA-g-LA). Rheological properties have been evaluated of the base gel and foam separately. In this paper, the viscosity of grafted copolymer polymer fracturing foam at high pressure high temperature (HPHT) as a function of surfactant concentration, salinity, and shear rate are presented. Pressurized foam rheometer was used to find out the viscosity of CO2 foam at different surfactant concentrations (0.25–1 wt%) and salinity (0.5–8 wt%) over a wide range of shear rate (10–500 s−1) at 1500-3000 psi and 200-400 °F. The viscosity is found between 70-125 cP at for different concentrations. The foam quality has been evaluated by adding 0.25% w, 0.5%w and 1%w of surfactants. Half-life and proppant carrying capacity of the best quality foam been determined at different temperature ranges. Half-life time was found to be 145 minutes at 250oF. The results of effect of salinity and effect of shear rate have been discussed in detail. The result showed that at foam quality of 80% & 70% proppant loading is 5.5%vol and 3%vol. Use of grafted copolymer results in higher viscosity and proppant carrying capacity which is beneficial for HPHT fracturing conditions. The use of grafted copolymer enhanced the properties of fracturing fluid. GA-g-LA is a novel approach and has not been used in well stimulation industry. Grafting increased the stability of fracturing fluid at HPHT wells. This could be brought in practice in the coming time and can be used in deep wells.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Imran Akbar photo

Imran Akbar

China University of Petroleum, China

Title: Silica suspensions combined effect with PPG, polymer and low salinity water flooding for enhanced oil recovery

Biography:

Imran Akbar is currently a PhD student in China University of Petroleum (East China). His major is Oil and Gas field development Engineering. His research interest is in (EOR). In Petroleum industry (EOR) enhanced oil recovery attracted the attention of researchers in recent years to recover the remaining oil to fulfill the energy demands, so he is also interested in this research area and he want to address my ideas.

Abstract:

Low salinity water flooding (LSWF) and preformed particle gel (PPG) have recently drawn great interest from the oil industry. LSWF can only increase displacement efficiency, and it has little or no effect on sweep efficiency whereas PPG can plug fractures and improve sweep efficiency, but they have little effect on displacement efficiency. The coupled method bypasses the limitations of each method when used individually and improves both displacement and sweep efficiency. Polymer gels have been widely applied to plug high permeability streaks or fractures, and to improve sweep efficiency of chase water floods. The oil recovery from fractured reservoirs is usually low, which is usually caused by the existence of areal formation heterogeneity. Combining two methods in one process to enhance oil recovery represents a needed cost savings in the oil industry. Microgels are used as conformance control agents to improve oil sweep efficiency and control excess water production. Low-salinity water flooding (LSWF) is used as a wettability alteration agent in carbonate reservoirs and improves displacement efficiency. We developed a cost-effective, novel, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technology for carbonate reservoirs by combining the four technologies into one process. The objective of this paper is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the combined technology and to demonstrate how the combining method can improve oil recovery. The oil-wet carbonate cores provided a higher improved oil recovery than water-wet carbonate cores during LSWF compared to traditional bulk gel treatments, PPG forms stronger plugging but will not form an impermeable cake in the fracture surface; therefore, PPG allows low salinity water to penetrate into the matrix, thereby producing more oil from the matrix. Preformed particle gels (PPGs) is a diverting agent that is used to solve the conformance problem in low permeability rich oil zones. It is injected to reduce thief zone permeability and then divert displacing fluid into poorly swept zones. The focus of this study is to see how PPGs, low water salinity, polymer and silica particles perform in porous media by creating flow resistance to injected fluid thereby changing the wettability and enhancing the sweep and displacement efficiency . Silica particles modify the surface wettability and also modify the gel particles strength, LSWF modify the mechanical properties of PPG such as swelling ratio, polymer increase the sweep efficiency of chase water flood and PPG plug the high permeability zones to divert the water flow into low permeability zone to displace the remaining oil.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Muhammad Usman Tahir photo

Muhammad Usman Tahir

China University of Petroleum, China

Title: Visual analysis of surfactant solution flooding in micro fluidic chip at different injection rates to optimize the recovery

Biography:

Muhammad Usman Tahir has completed his MPhil at the age of 24 from University of the Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Currently he is enrolled in PhD in China University of Petroleum Huadong – Qingdao Campus working on investigation of remobilization mechanisms for residual oil by using microfluidics & rock on a chip.

Abstract:

This paper presents the investigation of the surfactant solution flooding in cross capillary geometry using microfluidics devices in the framework of EOR (Enhanced Oil Recovery). As a matter of fact, the surfactant injected in reservoir to enhance the oil recovery causes blockage or flow deficiency due to incompatible flow in reservoir. Therefore, the objective of this study is to observe the flow efficiency of water/surfactant flow in these channels resulted improving in enhanced oil recovery. In this study, surfactant solution flooding experiments conducted at different injection rates. The first one relates to injection rate of 1 µl/min and second one corresponds to injection rate of 2µl/min. From this, it was revealed that at the flow of 1µl/min the surfactant solution reaches to junction point within 6 seconds and takes 13 seconds to achieve the full saturation in micro fluidic chip. Further, initial flow of surfactant is smooth and regular and then as it reaches at junction point its flow is declined by 7%. However at 2µl/min flow surfactant took 3 seconds to achieve saturation in microfluidic chip. Nevertheless, exactly half time was required for surfactant to reach junction point. Hence, higher injection rate are highly suitable for consolidated reservoir and surfactant require no alteration. The observations are key point for better understanding of the insinuated phenomena in EOR as to determine the applicable data to feed flow simulators.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Guenther Holzer photo

Guenther Holzer

Prozess Optimal CAP GmbH, Austria

Title: Soft sensor methodology for the precise spatial and temporal prediction of thermodynamic states inside chemical reactor

Biography:

Guenther Holzer has completed his master’s in Chemical Engineering 2004 from Technical University of Graz, Austria. He is the CEO of the company Process Optimal CAP GmbH since 2007, a premier company for Process Optimization. He is leading the R&D in this company and has published several papers.

Abstract:

Inside a continuous chemical reactor, in which phase transitions occur during the reaction, thermodynamic conditions as well as compositions of the process stream are subject to significant spatial and temporal changes. Given that measured information about thermodynamic state variables is only available for the inlet and outlet stream of the reactor, it is currently not possible to determine a spatial distribution of thermodynamic states within the reactor on the basis of measured information via software sensors. As, in particular, exothermic chemical reactions often show temperature peaks which are likely to destroy catalysts and components or adversely affect their service life, this limited information about internal reactor states poses a considerable risk with regard to product quality and process reliability. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel approach in the area of sensor technology which is based on rigorous thermodynamic models and enables a more detailed prediction of the reaction progress in view of avoiding undesired temperature peaks, based on measured process parameters of the input and output streams only.